I had the pleasure of bumping into the fun and friendly owners of the new Peruvian kitchen, Wyraqocha, which is getting ready to open in the next few weeks at 110 Central Way. Cyndy Almonte is the General Manager and Lia Horna is the Executive Chef (photo).  Cyndy is MY PEOPLE, having moved here from New Jersey to start this joint venture with her BFF, Lia.  "What IS Peruvian food?" I wondered.  Sounds like we are about to find out that it is a fusion of many kinds of food and mostly tapas (small bites so you can taste many things).  The menu is still being finalized so they can be sure to find the freshest local ingredients for all of their dishes.

The interior of the restaurant is a slate gray with stone on the wall and dark hardwoods.  Things have been slowed down with a few different contractors but they are all on track now.  A family member with some super awesome artistry skills flew in for a weekend to paint the designs on their walls (photo).  I'm looking forward to a)my kids going back to school so that b)I have some free time to have lunch with a friend in this cool new spot. ~j

I can't say this outloud without singing the rest... Hey Baby! Hey Baby! Hey!  Just like the Gwen Stefani song but I don't think this is what she was singing about (or maybe she was?).  Hey Baby! is a new 3D/4D ultrasound imaging facility in Kirkland, 8556 122nd Ave NE, Ste A2, designed to enable pregnant women to capture some amazing images of their babies in utero.  It's by appointment only- and this is NOT instead of diagnostic images with your doctor.  Think of it as more of your baby's first portraits.  And these are always a little bit freaky because you can actually kinda see what your kid is going to look like in a 3D/4D image.  Sometimes it's a face only a mother can love.

My first pregnancy was twins so I was spoiled with lots of ultrasounds and monitoring ( and poking and prodding and gestational diabetes but that's another story, LOL).  I didn't realize that most moms-to-be only get to see their little peanuts on the screen once or twice until Brady came along.  Hey Baby! is a clever solution for anxious or curious family members.  It would also be a great baby shower gift that allows access to amazing technology for an affordable price ($99-219 depending on package). Call for an appointment or questions: 844-777-BABY.  Gift cards are also available. ~j

It's time! It's time!  Summerfest is here!

Even though our favorite downtown cow is wearing a hot-pink diaper to celebrate the occasion, this is not your dress code (although I wouldn't stop you).  The event runs Aug 8-10 in Marina Park and you can find all the details here. Plenty of fun for everyone so you should hustle on down there for music, beer/wine gardens, art, food trucks, vendors, activities, rides and cultural displays.  This is not just for the adults, here's a list of the kids happenings.   

KIRKLAND SUMMERFEST KIDS STUFF

Radio Disney, sparkle tattoos, balloon twister, stilt walker, library bookmobile, face painter, Maxmobile (adoptable animals), fly fishing demo(Sat. 12-6), roaming Star Wars characters, kids fitness course, Ivivva  yoga demo (Sun. 11:00), huge sand pile and toys at the beach, kids rides: obstacle course, robo surfer, bouncy house, big slide, robotics,  young artists’ exhibition, cardboard boat regatta(Sat. 3:00), free 1 ½ hour painting classes in front of Volterra restaurant, dog fashion show, Rotary Duck Dash ( Sun. 2:30),  Search and Rescue (Sat. 3:30), dragon  boat races, Touch a Truck:  police car, fire truck, Sno-King Zamboni, Smith Brothers milk truck, Rapid Ride bus, hydroplanes, MAC tow truck, Northshore Utility district truck and rehydration station, Kenworth Seahawk truck, limousine, RV, Ford Tonka truck, US Marine vehicle and more.

KIDS THINGS ARE ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 and SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 

from 11:00 am- 6:00 pm

We finally meandered up to "The Market St,"  at 1720 Market St., to check out their new look and menu which has departed from the previous owner's Asian Wok offerings (Amen).  A fresh coat of paint and getting rid of the giant fish tanks were definitely a step in the right direction. If only they had ousted the red pleather rolling chairs I might not be having flashbacks of what it used to be.  The food was definitely much improved.  The menu offers a variety of crowd pleasers: steak/burgers/sandwiches/fish/soup/salad all priced between $8-20.  Steve got the pork shoulder which was really good and beautifully presented (photo).  I couldn't stop stealing the delicious shoestring fries from my friend's plate, in between bites of my cobb salad which had lots of pork, avocado and hard boiled egg on top.  Our waitress was very personable and helpful with the menu and our drinks were stiff, a signature trademark of the attached bar which keeps a steady flow of regulars.  

     


Overall, this is a quaint little casual neighborhood spot that locals will keep coming back to.  Restaurant hours are Sun/Mon 4-9pm, Tues-Sat 4-10pm.  The bar is open until the weeeee hours of the morning when I am dreaming about waterskiing. Sun/Mon til 12am and Tues-Sat til 2am. 425-827-4117. ~j