[Build Backlinks Online] The Not-so-Short Shortlist of Moz's Top Seattle Restaurants, Bars, and Activities for MozCon 2013

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Moz's Top Seattle Restaurants, Bars, and Activities for MozCon 2013'


Posted by Elizabeth_Crouch


The benefits of attendingMozCon 2013 are invaluable: You'll go home with
insightful tips from top marketers, actionable advice from data experts,
connections to awesome people in your industry, new friends from the Moz
Community, freshly honed inbound marketing skillsâand your very own Roger
toy. One of the biggest bonuses? It's a fantastic excuse to visit Seattle during
the most beautiful time of year.



I polled the whole MozPlex to curate a list of our favorite places to dine,
swill coffee, imbibe boozy beverages, play games, bust a move, hit the water,
and take in the view. There are over 130 Mozzers now, so the list is long. From
locally grown, organic eats and family fun on Lake Union to bocce ball and craft
beer, Seattle's got a little something for everyone.





The Hipster â The Sophisticated Palate â The Sandwich Lover â
The Coffee Fiend


The Beer Snob â The Cocktail Connoisseur â The Adventurer






The Hipster
Community Coordinator Megan drinks out of an ironic cup.


Recognizable by their tight jeans and plaid coloring, these gentle creatures can
generally be found grazing the hill east of downtown. They might be slow to
accept you into the herd, but once you're in, they'll share their abundant
resources with you.

People's Choice: The Mozzers' top spot (and terminus to many a Wednesday beer
night) is the Unicorn and its basement bar, the Narwhal (1118 East Pike Street).
A kaleidoscope of circus d©cor, deep fried eats, and loud music, these bars
are where Capitol Hill layabouts and techies alike unite in pursuit of good
times and reasonably priced beverages.
The Seattle Institution: Grab a cold beer, tuck into a plate of nachos, and soak
up some sun on the back patio atLinda's Tavern (707 East Pine Street). The
original Seattle hipster bar, this place is best approached with a pack of pals
to keep you company and help you drink beer or mimosas by the pitcher.
Break out the Chopsticks: Sleek, modern, and serene, Momiji (1522 12th Avenue)
is where most Mozzers prefer to sup on sushi. You can't beat happy hour in the
front barâcheap Sapporo, sake, and decadently crunchy deep-fried Seattle
rollsâbut the back dining room is truly beautiful. If fish doesn't strike
your fancy, roll down the hill a little bit to In The Bowl (1554 East Olive Way)
for the tastiest vegetarian Thai on the Hill. The dining room: small. The menu:
epic. The bathroom: magical (just trust me here). Their four-star spiciness
level will scald even the most fireproof of tongues, and their noodles will
transport you to a different plane of happiness.
Al Fresco: With hipster cred and a patio to rival Linda's, Captain Black's (129
Belmont Avenue East) is another crowd favorite here at Moz. After you're done
stuffing yourself with fried Beecher's cheese curds, hush puppies, and tater
tots, you can drink a little whiskey, then roll back down Capitol Hill to your
hotel.
Sate the Sweet Tooth: While die-hard Seattle hipsters may head to a lesser-known
creamery on Capitol Hill (that also happens to be the best dessert spot for beer
lovers, so read on), Moz recommends you join the line atMolly Moon's(917 East
Pine Street)for scoops of Fair Trade chocolate, salted caramel, or balsamic
strawberry ice cream. Snag a waffle cone and chill on the astroturf atVolunteer
Park(1247 15th Avenue East), the coolest place to be on a hot, sunny day.
Take in the View:Sure, you could wait in line at the Space Needle or climb to
the top of Mount Rainier. But theSmith Tower(506 2nd Avenue)in Pioneer Square
has been providing Seattleites with breathtaking views since before skyscrapers
were even cool.
Fun and Games:Roll a few blocks north of Moz on Second Avenue to hit three of
our favorite post-work stops:Rabbit Hole(2222 2nd Avenue)for skee-ball, highbrow
cocktails, and outrageously good pub grub;Shorty's(2222 2nd Avenue)for cheap
PBR, video games, and pinball; andLava Lounge(2226 2nd Avenue)for whiskey,
booths big enough for a whole crew, and many rounds of shuffleboard.
Bust a Move:If you're heading in on Sunday, hit up theRe-Bar(1114 Howell Street)
for their FLAMMABLE! dance night. "A gay bar, only for everybody," the Re-Bar
mixes the hippest of the hip and the funnest of the fun in a LGBTQ-friendly
atmosphere with stiff drinks and a packed dance floor. Heads up: cash only!
Weekend Adventure:If you're staying the prior weekend and have a car handy, hit
upGeorgetown, a South Seattle neighborhood with plenty of art galleries, dive
bars, tasty restaurants, and a cooltrailer park flea market(5805 Airport Way)on
the weekends.



The Sophisticated Palate
Engineers Martin and Doug give a toast to good taste.








Do you love the finer things in life? We do, too. We want our food stuffed with
other, more obscure food and glazed in priceless ingredients. We want chefs who
minored in alchemy at culinary school. We want nothing less than sheer artistry.
These are some of Moz's top picks for exquisite eats paired with beautifully
crafted cocktails and Washington's best wines. So comb your hair, put on your
fanciest pair of sneakers, and hit the spots on this list.
People's Choice:Restaurant Zoe(1318 East Union) is part of the bustling
restaurant scene around 12th and Union. Staffed by a kitchen full of vets from
Canlis, Crush, and other Seattle standards, Zoe boasts an effortlessly cool
atmosphere, and an approachable menu of artistic Pacific Northwest fare. Two
blocks away,Cascina Spinasse(1535 14th Avenue)dishes up the most decadently
delicious Northern Italian eats you can find outside of Piemonteâleg of
rabbit, tajarin pasta glued together with butter and sage, precious lettuces
dressed with Barolo vinegar and Ligurian olive oil. If you're in the mood for
slightly lighter fare, hit their side bar,Artusi(1531 14th Avenue), for ingenius
cocktails (including a slushy machine full of rotating frozen craft cocktails
that will most certainly change your life) and a compact menu of mind-blowingly
good food.
The Seattle Institution:An overwhelming number of Mozzers cited one of prolific
restaurateurEthan Stowell'srestaurants as their personal favorites, so I'm going
to just lump them all together. If you're sticking downtown, go for vino, fluffy
gnocchi alla romagna, and perfectlyal dentepasta atTavolata(2323 2nd Avenue). If
we've already convinced you that Capitol Hill is the place to be, head toRione
XIII(401 15th Avenue East) for Roman-style pizza and pasta,Anchovies &
Olives(1550 15th Avenue)for ice-cold oysters and beautifully prepared seafood,
orBar Cotto(1546 15th Avenue) for mouth-watering charcuterie, veggies, and thin,
crispy pizzas. Feeling adventurous? The tasting menu atStaple & Fancy(4739
Ballard Avenue Northwest) in Ballard is also worth the extra trip.
Pro tip:Arrive in luxurious style with our friends fromUberâit's either
less expensive than or about the same price as taking a cab, depending on what
kind of ride you fancy. MozCon attendees will also get hooked up with a little
friends-of-friends discount!
Break out the Chopsticks:Round up at least two or three people to hitMonsoon(615
19th Avenue East) with you, because you will probably want to order every single
thing on this exquisite Vietnamese-influenced menu. Especially the drunken
chicken.
Al Fresco:What happens when two classically trained chefs fall in love, get
married, and wed Korean cuisine with French technique and Northwest ingredients?
Pure magic. One of the best meals of your life. Dumplings that will restore your
faith in humanity. Hitch a ride to Fremont and try to snag a seat on the back
deck atRevel(403 N 36th Street).
Sate the Sweet Tooth:What's that overpowering cocoa-brownie smell wafting toward
you on the deck at Revel? It's Seattle's premier chocolate factory, organic and
Fair TradeTheo(3400 Phinney Avenue North). Take a tour, and bring home
chocolatey souvenirs for your loved onesâor yourself. We won't tell. If
you take our other recommendations and end up on Capitol Hill for dinner,
headtoD'Ambrosio Gelato(1544 12th Avenue)for creamy, authentic Italian goodness
from a certified Master Gelatiere.
Worth the Trip:Another Ballard stand-out,The Walrus and the Carpenter(4743
Ballard Avenue Northwest)shares a dining room window with the aforementioned
Staple & Fancy. Go here for the freshest oysters, the most delectable menu, the
most gorgeous kitchen, and the mustache-iest waitstaff north of the Shipping
Canal.
Weekend Adventure:We highly recommend that you pay a visit to Woodinville for
wine tasting. Much closer than the sun-drenched growing regions in Central
Washington, Woodinville's tasting rooms bring some of the best wines within
quick driving distance of the big city. A few of Moz's favorites:Mark Ryan(14475
Woodinville-Redmond Road,Woodinville, WA 98072),DeLille(14421
Woodinville-Redmond Road Northeast,Woodinville, WA 98072),Obelisco(19495 144th
Avenue Northeast Woodinville, WA 98072), andLong Shadows(14450
Woodinville-Redmond Road, #105,Woodinville, WA 98072).




The Sandwich Lover
Customer Acquisition Manager Justin enjoysa Paseo sandwich and the gorgeous
viewfromGasworks Park.

If the Earl of Sandwich is your most cherished historical figure; if you
daydream about what other letters you could add to your BLT; if you literally
think there hasn't been a better thing since sliced breadâthis list is for
you, my friend.
People's Choice:The people have spoken, and they have chosenPaseo(4225 Fremont
Avenue Northand 6226 Seaview Avenue Northwest). These are, empirically, the best
sandwiches in Seattle. They might be the best sandwiches anywhere, ever. Crispy
baguette. Savory aioli. Tangy jalapeos. Grilled onions simmered in the same
addictive sauce they use to marinate their meats. Crisp romaine lettuce.
Cuban-style pork, chicken, tofu, or seafood. You might just decide to dump out
your suitcase and refill it with Paseo sandwiches to take home. That might be a
bad decision. Might.
Nice Buns:Lil Woody's(1211 Pine Street) is just a few blocks up the hill from
the Convention Center. Their burgers come piled with exotic ingredients and
paired with hand-cut fries and milkshakes made from Molly Moon's ice cream.
The Seattle Institution:Don't let the divey d©cor and weird name fool
youâThe Honey Hole(703 East Pike Street)on Capitol Hill makes some
seriously delicious sandwiches, served up with zero pretention and a side of the
crispiest fries you will ever eat.
Sate the Sweet Tooth:In addition to their eponymous treats and sweet
scoops,Cupcake Royalealso boasts a freezer full of ice cream sammies in flavors
like red velvet cake and burnt caramel with sea salt. There are a few locations,
but we're partial to the one across the street from Moz (108 Pine Street). You
can admire our Post-it window murals from street level or pop in to say hi!
Fun and Games:Like a little nosh with your board or card games?Cafe Mox(5105
Leary Avenue Northwest)in Ballard is a sweet spot to grab a beer, eat a
sandwich, and play some Settlers of Catan. Bonus: family-friendly!



The Coffee Fiend
Director of Community Jen savors a steamy latte.


It's no myth: Seattleites subsist on a steady diet of vitamin D pills, inky
espresso, and velvety lattes. Here are some our favorite places to fuel up.
Downtown:Home to many a Moz 1:1 meeting,Font© Caf© and Wine Bar(1321
1st Avenue) is a lovely place to grab perfectly brewed coffee and tame your
inbox first thing in the morning. Is WFCS a thing where you live? We hope that
it is.
Capitol Hill:Espresso Vivaceis arguably the best coffee in Seattle. But we don't
like arguments, so you should probably roll up the hill to Vivace's open-air
sidewalk bar (321 Broadway Avenue East)or brick-and-mortar caf© (532
Broadway Avenue East) tofind out for yourself.
Pioneer Square:If you find yourself in Seattle's oldest neighborhood, head to
art-filledZeitgeist Coffee(171 South Jackson Street) before you embark on
theSeattle Underground Tour(608 1st Avenue). Not your typical tour, this fun
crawl through the buried former ground-level of Old Seattle is a Moz favorite.
You'll learn all about lusty prospectors and the women that fleeced them,
Seattle's original wooden plumbing pipes, and how old-timey architects beat the
mud by building streets ten feet in the air.
Beyond:Lighthouse Roasters(400 North 43rd Street) in Fremont is off the beaten
path, but roasts such perfect coffee, you won't mind the hike through this
residential neighborhoodâa great stop on your way toWoodland Park Zoo(601
North 59th Street).




The Beer Snob
Ruby Programmer Ben appreciates the subtle hoppy notes of an IPA.

Here in Seattle, one does not simply crack open a cold one and call it a night.
One sips from the cornucopia of locally brewed IPAs, pilsners, saisons, and
stouts. One tours breweries to compare and contrast their offerings. In some
cases, one even brings the kids.
Gotta Taste Them All:If you only make one dedicated beer stop, let it be
atBrouwer's Cafe(400 North 35th Street)in Fremont. With 64 beers on tap, over
300 bottles, and 60 scotches, even the most jaded, world-weary connoisseur will
find something new to sip on.
Fun for the Whole Family:Think beer and babies don't mix? Kid-friendlyFremont
Brewing Company(3409 Woodland Park Ave North)will prove you wrong. Parents can
kick back and have adult conversations while the little ones dig into
never-ending bowls of pretzels and play with their contemporaries.
Sate the Sweet Tooth:The truly indie creamery on Capitol Hill,Bluebird(1205 East
Pike Street)also brews some mighty fine beer. Home to the best vegan "ice cream"
everâa deceptively creamy horchata flavorâthey also make beer floats
with their stout. Frosty stout plus peanut butter ice cream equals mind, blown.
Fun and Games:Von Trapp's(912 12th Avenue) cavernousbiergartenon Capitol Hill is
basically a playground for grown-ups. Go for the epic German and Belgian beer
list, indulge in some tasty pretzels and brats, and stay for many rounds of
bocce ball.
The Tastiest Kind of Tourism:Ballard is home to some of our favorite breweries,
all located within walking distance of the neighborhood's lively shopping and
dining corridor. We recommend checking outHilliard's Beer(1550 Northwest 49th
Street)andPeddler Brewing Company(1514 Northwest Leary Way). If you don't mind
mixing drinks with actual peddling, you can also hop aboard theCycle
Saloon(206-678-7211), a people-powered tour of Ballard's breweries.



The Cocktail Connoisseur
Help Desk Administrator Dave and CustomerSuccessStrategist Renea sip martinis at
The Zig Zag.









Can you blind-smell the difference between Scrappy's and Regan's orange bitters?
Does seeing a bottle of Pappy van Winkle on a shelf make you absurdly happy? Do
you get sad when people say they don't like gin? Cheers! These bars are for you.
The Seattle Institution:TheZig Zag Caf©(1501 Western Avenue #202) was one
of the pioneering bars in the American craft cocktail movement. Nestled
alongside the Pike Street Hill Climb between Pike Place Market and the
waterfront, this dimly lit cocktail joint is the go-to spot for
boozeaficionadosin Seattle. Their house cocktail list is inventive and
extensive, their selection is carefully curated, and the 'tenders are some of
the best in the biz.
The New Darling:Looking to try something rare and extraordinary? The Captain's
List of spirits atCanon(928 12th Avenue) is so extensive that you need to scan a
QR code to download it to your phone (which makes our nerd-hearts fill with
glee). Beyond the floor-to-ceiling walls of precious booze, Canon wins us over
with the little touches: stainless steel straws, slate coasters,
cucumber-infused water, and copper mint julep cups.
The Hidden Gem:Tucked away in an alley between First and Second Avenues,Bathtub
Gin & Co.(between Bell & Blanchard in "Gin Alley") staffs bartenders who are
gifted with a sixth sense: Tell them what kind of spirit you like and what kind
of mood you're in, and they'll make you something mind-blowing. If you can snag
a seat at the upstairs bar, do it. If not, settle in on a leather couch in the
library room downstairs.
The Grand Tour:Touring the city's distilleries is a fun way to sip local spirits
and see Seattle while you're at it. If you don't have time for a full tour, head
up toSun Liquor Distillery(514 East Pike Street) andOola Distillery(1314 East
Union Street) on Capitol Hill. If you've got a bit more time, we recommend
takingLocal Craft Tours'(206-455-3740) chauffeured trip around town. You'll
leave from downtown, then hit three or four distilleries (including some of our
very favorites,Sound SpiritsandLetterpress Distilling) to sample the wares.




The Adventurer
Social Community Manager Erica hits the high seas.

Are you coming to see the sights, absorb some art, and explore the area? After
you're finished eating and drinking like a local, here are the the museums,
vistas, and activities we love to share with out-of-town guests.

Hit the Water:Looking for the best views of downtown? Get on a boat. Taking
theWest Seattle Water Taxi(Pier 50, 801 Alaskan Way)or theBainbridge Island
Ferry(Pier 52, 801 Alaskan Way)will give you glittering city views, and you can
explore the walking paths, restaurants, and more on the opposite shores. If
you've got a little more free time, Moz recommends renting kayaks fromMoss
Bay(1001 Fairview Avenue North, #1900)or canoes from theUniversity of Washington
Waterfront Activities Center(3701 Montlake Boulevard Northeast). Don't forget to
pack your flippy-floppies.

Drop the Mic:Seattle's karaoke scene runs the gamut from modern and glitzy to
gloriously divey. Our top picks areRock Box(1603 Nagle Place)for their communal
main room and swanky private rooms andBush Garden(614 Maynard Avenue South) for
their cheap drinks, campy backdrop videos, and awesome emcees.
Do the Tourist Thing:There's nothing on earth like a genuine, bona fide,
electrified, six-car monorail. TheSeattle Monorail(in Westlake Center at 5th
Avenue and Pine Street)is just a quick walk from the Convention Center. A relic
of bygone times, this old beauty will deposit you directly at theSeattle
Center(305 Harrison Street), where you can play around at thePacific Science
Center(200 2nd Avenue North)and check out some celebrated Northwest art glass
atChihuly Garden and Glass(305 Harrison Street). You can also go up in the Space
Needle, if you reeeeeeally want to.
Get Your Culture Fix:Modern art and gorgeous views go hand in hand at theSAM
Olympic Sculpture Park(2901 Western Avenue).Stroll the length of the waterfront
to visit this picturesque outdoor museum, grab a bench, watch the sun sink
behind the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound, and reflect upon what an
awesome time you had at MozCon.

I hope this exhaustive list has gotten you pumped for MozCon! (With this many
recommendations to try, you can even start planning your MozCon 2014 and 2015
agendas.) Haven't secured your ticket yet? Get on it!








Hope to see you in Seattle in July. Feel free to reach out in the comments with
any questions, or if you'd like any custom recommendations!

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