Staten Island Buses to Control Red Lights

Eco Geek reports on a pilot program that Staten Island is trying that will enable public buses to control street lights - turning them green sooner (or keeping them green longer). This will (a) decrease the "horribly inefficient process of decelerating a ten ton bus" and (b) make riding the bus faster and more convenient. Very cool.

Seattle Trip Recap

Melinda and I just got back from a great weekend in Seattle. Here is a quick recap of our trip with links to some more pictures:

Thursday
Mount Rainier National Park - about two hours from Seattle, Mt. Rainier National Park was the 5th national park in the U.S. The park contains 368 square miles including all of Mount Rainier, a 14,410-foot stratovolcano. The highest point in the Cascade Range, around it are valleys, waterfalls, wildflower meadows, old growth forest and more than 26 glaciers. (pictures)

Lark - until Saturday night's dinner (see below), this had been my favorite restaurant in Seattle. Had another great meal there (especially the crispy Liberty Farm duck leg with huckleberries and Walla Walla onion and the cuttlefish with bacon, lemon, and brown butter)

Friday
Monorail Espresso - Melinda had a truly amazing latte (they really know their coffee in Seattle)

Pike Place Market - Pike Place Market is a public market overlooking the waterfront, occupying over 9 acres. The Market, which opened in 1907, is the oldest continually-operated public farmer's market in the country. We had a surprisingly good breakfast at The Crumpet Shop (I had a crumpet with smoked salmon cream cheese and Melinda had one with ricotta, almonds, and honey), watched the fish fly at the Fish Market, had a so-so pastry at Piroshky-Piroshky, enjoyed some fresh fruit, bought some local cheese, and peeked into the original Starbucks (pictures)

Salumi - the main reason that we went to Seattle was to eat at this "restaurant" (basically a sandwich shop) run by Armandino Batali (Mario's father). The place is only open Tuesday-Friday from 11am-4pm and the line was already there when we showed up at 10:45. We didn't have to wait too long though to get in, however, and were well rewarded for our wait. We got a wonderful selection of cured meats (and cheeses and some warm food as well), and even talked the server into including some lardo (which was worth the trip to Seattle in itself). We sat at the communal table (wine is self-serve on the honor system) and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I can't wait to get back there (pictures)

Marjorie - the "Whimsical Chef's Tasting" was a little hit or miss (e.g. great flavor on the venison, but it was a bit overcooked), but the location was very cute, the drinks well mixed, the service friendly (especially Ben, the bartender), and the music wonderful (reggae, old school, and more).

Saturday
Boat Street Cafe - very good brunch and the location was close to the Sculpture Park

Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park - opened in January, the Park consists of a nine acre outdoor sculpture museum and beach (free admission). The former industrial site was occupied by the oil and gas corporation Unocal until the 1970s and subsequently became a contaminated field before the Seattle Art Museum transformed the area into one of the only green spaces in downtown Seattle (pictures)

Kerry Park - is a small park on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill. Kerry Park was given to the City in 1927 by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sperry Kerry, Sr. "so that all who stop here may enjoy this view" which encompasses downtown, Elliott Bay, Bainbridge Island, and Mount Rainier (pictures)

Six/Seven at Edgewater Hotel - grabbed a quick drink at the waterfront restaurant at the Edgewater - nice view of the water

Ferry to Bainbridge Island - you can't be a tourist in Seattle without a ferry ride. For less than $7 a person, it was a nice way to see the city (especially on such a beautiful day) (pictures)

Zoe - the surprise of the trip - this was one of the best meals we have had in a very long time. Superb service and consistently surprising, interesting, and delicious courses from start to finish:

• Fresh Ricotta Gnudi - tomato marmalade, corn citrus cream, and tarragon
• Chanterelle Mushrooms - braised celery hearts, celery root puree, shaved parmesan, and pine nuts
• Crispy Kurobuta Pork Belly Confit - roasted peaches, parsley puree, and endive
• Peking Duck Breast - red beets, yellow wax beans, watercress, walnuts, and duck jus
• "The Whole Hog" ("sausage" of pulled pork) - semolina gnocci, braised mustard greens, gold beets, currants, and pork sugo

Thanks to Abby, Austin, Elaine, Kelly, and Misty for the recommendations.