Everyone has their secrets. No, not THOSE kinds of secrets! Geeezzz.  I'm talking about favorite things they do and places that they go time and again because they love them.   In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to ask our Kirkland Blog advertisers to share the love and tell us some of their secrets, since they heart Kirkland too.  

It's only fair if I start off by proving my love to you. So, I will share a secret parking trick, which obviously won't be a secret anymore.  I only use this alternative only if I'm desperate because the stalls are so small you practically have to crawl out of your trunk once you are in them.  In the Merrill Gardens parking garage there's a bay of 6-8 two hr public parking spots (you'll recognize the city signage) and they are often available.   Don't go rolling your Big Daddy Escalade in there, cause I warned ya.

Diane & Ken Martin, 1st Rate Insurance

One of our favorite “Kirkland Traditions” is the Annual Comedy Competition at the Kirkland Performance Center.  It is held every year the day after Thanksgiving.  We make a night of it with friends, starting with dinner at one of our favorite Kirkland restaurants, Volterra, where we always enjoy the Wild Boar and the Dungeness Crab Ravioli.   After dinner we walk over to the comedy show and spend the rest of the evening laughing so hard we have tears in our eyes.  It truly is one of our favorite Kirkland evenings!  

Sue Dowling and Debbie Berger, Columbia Athletic Club

Did you know there are a number of eagles that nest in the Cottonwood/Poplar trees just across the street from the Club? Come spring-time you can see and hear the eagles as they re-build their nest each year and raise their young right here in Juanita Bay. I look forward to watching them grow and learn to fly as I take my run along the boardwalk.  

Did you know that Juanita Bay Park, across from the club, has big turtles all over the place?  As you are walking on the wooden walk-ways look down among the weeds and branches.  What a neat experience for the kids.  I take my grand-kids there every time they come to town.   

Jaymie Weber, Eyecandy

My all time favorite thing to do in Kirkland is sneaking out on a date with my husband to Vovina Martini Bar in the marina. Even though we have a one and two year old; we try our hardest to have the grandparents come over and take care of the girls.  We always try to go on a night when they host Corks and Canvas painting events. We love interacting with each other, the art instructors, and other guests painting. The appetizers are great, and the ambiance is relaxing and inviting. There's even outdoor seating that overlooks the lake.

Victoria & Stacie, Ambrosia MedSpa

We love to go to a small Afghan place in downtown Kirkland called Ariana. Rob's two best friends since childhood are Afghan and he says the food from their tastes just like their Mom's cooking

Shaheen and her husband at Padria restaurant are always so kind and welcoming every time you go in or see them in the street. They ask about family, remember everyone's name and make anyone walking through the door feel like family. I know they work crazy long restaurant hours--but always have a smile on their face and a kind word...

Now with everyone talking about food I'm realizing I should share a few of those secrets too.  Here are three I never tire of...

Cactus- Sonoran Spa Chicken.  They nailed it on this one.  Why would you order chicken in a restaurant when you always eat it at home?  Because you don't make it like this. And it's such a generous portion ($15) that you can box half of it for lunch the next day and it's just as awesome. Love.

I speed dial Stavros at Santorini at least once a week and simply say, "Hellooooo Stavros, it's Janis.  I'll be there in 10 minutes."  He knows my entire family's order by heart and I literally cannot live without the Gyro Salad ($10, no cheese on mine, but you should get it).  I have dreams about it when he shuts his doors and takes off for Greece every January.

Rikki Rikki Happy Hour- The original Sakitini for $3.95- deee-lish. Too easy to drink though.  We've been enjoying these ever since we moved to Kirkland 16 years ago. Lots of yummy well-priced happy hour food too.

What and whom do you love around Kirkland?  I want to know YOUR secrets! Happy Valentine's Day. ~j