My First Meme: Where Do You Eat Out?

Ooh! I've been tagged for my first meme. Thank you, Jenna @ Joyful Journey!

I will try to play by the rules, but if I do something incorrectly, please don't hold it against me. :)

Here are said rules:

1. Link to name of person that tagged you. (see above.)
2. Include state and country you live in.
3. List top five favorite local restaurants.
4. Tag five other people and let them know they've been tagged!

Okay, I'm going to copy Jenna's lead and get a little creative and include restaurants that are not necessarily located here, in Seattle.

But I will start with a couple of my local favorites.

1. Wild Ginger - Seattle, WA

If you are in the downtown Seattle area, I recommend Wild Ginger. It offers Pan-Asian cuisine and I strongly urge you to order the Seven Elements soup, which is an amazing coconut curry noodle soup (khao soi). One time I saw Al Gore at Wild Ginger, around the time of the last presidential election. Wait, maybe that's not a big draw. I forgot that a lot my internet sisters are from "red states." Disregard that last comment. Let me try this instead: Yes, they do serve Starbucks.

2. Shanghai Garden - Chinatown (Seattle), WA

No points for ambiance or service. They don't even have a website. And the last time I picked up food here, I got stuck in my parking spot by a double parker! But if you go here for a bite of authentic Chinese food or dim sum, you'll thank me later. I know they sound odd, but here's what you must order: shrimp and strawberries (sounds awful, right? but it's amazing) and handmade green noodles. Yes, I said green. Trust me.

3. La Mex - Anchorage, AK

Oh, La Mex. How I love you. Here's a bit of background. I was born in Anchorage, Alaska. My first memory of a restaurant is the original La Mex (there are now several), playing with those gross cigarette machines in the lobby. Nice, right? If you find yourself in Anchorage, please go there. Please order the cheese enchiladas with extra rice. Go to the original La Mex. They haven't changed it since the 70s and it is very Regal Beagle (from Three's Company). Here is how much I love La Mex. Are. you. ready. for. THIS? Two birthdays ago Penn had my Auntie Nan FLY IN La Mex for my birthday. In coolers. He went on a mysterious mission (to the airport, which is about 15 minutes from our house) and came home all mysterious-like, and put something in the oven and then just casually brought me a plate of La Mex. Real, live, La Mex!! He's a good egg.

4. Dalvay-by-the-Sea - Prince Edward Island, Canada

If you're looking for a wonderful family vacation destination and love Anne of Green Gables (and who in their right mind doesn't?), I suggest you plan a trip to Prince Edward Island. Be sure to stay at Dalvay-by-the-Sea, in Cavendish. This is the place they filmed as the White Sands Hotel, people. It's right on a gorgeous red and white sand beach. Very duney. They'll even pack a picnic lunch for you. The water is unbelievably shallow and pretty warm - you can wade and wade and wade. Definitely rent a bicycle. You'll find yourself biking on an old horse and buggy road, through an an overgrown orchard, and by an antiquated grave yard. I mean, it's old. There are gravestones for people lost in shipwrecks, for heaven's sake. And when you're ready to eat, just pop into the hotel's restaurant. But make sure you have a reservation. And give yourself a lot of time because there are many courses and this is small town service, at its slowest. For dessert I insist that you try the "Sticky Date Pudding w/Toffee Sauce." It is so good that Penn requested the recipe and recreates it for my birthday every year. (He's a chef.)

5. Oyster Fest - Shelton, Washington

Okay, this isn't a restaurant. But it is the culinary highlight of my year? Penn and I go with his parents and we all start counting down until October, somewhere around the fourth of July. The night before is what we refer to as "Oyster Fest Eve." On Oyster Fest morning we get up bright and early and drive to Tacoma to pick up the folks, then head to Shelton, Washington for THE Oyster Fest. We are practically giddy with anticipation by the time we find a place to park and walk all the way to the front gates. And there it is. Oyster Fest. Dozens and dozens of little booths all over the place, practically calling our names. We always start and finish up at the Boy Scout's booth, where one can purchase $2 bowls of mussels. There are also clams, delicious and inexpensive lobster tails, chowder, and all kinds of oysters. There are tons of other non-seafood options, and two years in a row I made the mistake of eating a big bowl of apple crisp and ice cream, mid-fest. Big mistake. Who fills up with apple crisp when there are shellfish to be had? Me, and twice! Duh. We're always a little sad as we drive home from Oyster Fest, with our pants unbuttoned, in the post-Thanksgiving fashion. My mother-in-law is usually the first to say, "Well, only 365 days until the next Oyster Fest!" Yaaay!

So that's my list. I'm going to tag:

Teri @ Facedown in Romeo, Mississippi

&

Robin @ Robinznest in the northwest (like me!)

If I didn't tag you, you can still leave a comment about your favorite local or non-local restaurant. I love reading about where other people love to eat!!