Pike Place by Jon S. from our Flickr pool

10 days and counting. That's right; just 10 days left before Christmas. For some of you that means last minute shopping, wrapping and filling those stockings with a few more stuffers.

For others it means finalizing your travel plans, packing and heading out on the busy highways or taking to the air to visit family and friends.

For those of you that celebrate Christmas you're lucky if you already have all of your holiday gifts in hand and have slapped on the last piece of wrapping tape. And luckier still if your travel this season consists of moving from your bed on Christmas morning to your sofa in front of the tree.

If you're lucky enough not to be travelling and instead entertaining friends or family in Seattle - or if you just want to hang out in your hometown and enjoy a quiet respite over the Holidays you can't go wrong with revisiting a Seattle classic - Pike Place Market.

EAT

Maybe your family tradition consists of going out to dinner on Christmas Eve, then you should definitely head to the third floor of the Corner Market Building to Chez Shea for its special Christmas Eve menu. Highlighting its penchant for contemporary French cuisine while complimenting its dishes with seasonal foods from the market and the Pacific Northwest region Chez Shea will be treating its diners to Terrine of Foie Gras, Chestnut Soup, Wild Rice & Stuffed Quail and a special Christmas dessert. The service at Chez Shea is some of the best you'll get in the city. Pair that with the exceptional food and a view of the Washington State Ferries slowly passing by the famous Public Market neon sign and you've got the makings of a holiday memory.

Just down the block from Chez Shea is another French inspired restaurant that is a perfect place to relax with a fine glass of wine, charcuterie or heartier fare. Marché Bistro & Wine Bar (86 Pine Street), formerly Campagne, is headed up by the affable Chef Dailsey Gordon. Many have come to know Gordon's work as the Executive Chef at the white-linened French restaurant Campagne and it's more casual haunt downstairs, Cafe Campagne. But as Campagne made the transformation to Marché Gordon's role has expanded from Executive Chef to Owner. That's not to say Gordon will no longer be in the kitchen. In fact, as we walked down the alley the other day Gordon could be seen in the kitchen with his Sommelier and sous chefs getting ready for the Holiday dinner crowd.

If you have been scared off by the French formality in the past you owe it to yourself to stop by Marché and check out the newly inspired bistro surroundings along with its more approachable menu. And if you're looking for a way to end your holiday evening Marché is offering up 3 oysters and a glass of crémant sparkling wine for $12 from 9:00 p.m. to close.

DRINK

For years Murray Stenson was the man bringing the art of the cocktail to the next level at Zig Zag Cafe. Although Stenson, recently named Best Bartender in America, no longer calls Zig Zag home his spirits skills live on at one of Seattle's favorite bars tucked away on the Pike Street Hill Climb (1501 Western Avenue). As the cocktails' popularity - and status - continues to climb in major metropolitan haunts across the country so do the prices. It's not uncommon these days to see cocktails approaching $20 or more. New York City maybe...but Seattle? That's why your best bet is to get to Zig Zag as the doors open at 5:00 p.m. and enjoy their house cocktails for just $4.75. The Happy Hour Nosh at Zig Zag is a pretty good bargain as well - Bruschetta topped with a healthy dose of tomatoes and garlic for 5 bucks and the Black Tiger Prawns for $6 are just a couple items that keep the line forming out the door.

If you are an aspiring actor, writer, director or just love movies you'll want to head down the cobblestone pathway to the Alibi Room (85 Pike Street). Co-financed by actor, and Seattle's celeb about town Tom Skerrit, the Alibi Room is tucked away just off of Post Alley and across from the famous gum wall. Playing host to local actors and even some film crews since the mid-90's you'll find plenty to like as you settle into a corner booth with a cold frosty draft ($3 during Happy Hour) and peruse the hundreds of film scripts that line the book shelf.

SLEEP

After you have wined and dined with family and friends this holiday season you may want to find the perfect overnight respite for the evening. The quintessential Pike Place stay is just a few steps away from the hustle and bustle of the Market - Inn at the Market (86 Pine Street). As the skyline opens up and the daily buzz begins to melt away you'll realize you've found a serene cocoon right in the middle of the action that plenty of visitors, but far fewer locals, have enjoyed.

The Inn's courtyard is adorned with ivy most of the year and it plays host to hundreds of holiday lights during the winter months. A crackling fire beckons you away from the courtyard fountain and into the the warmth of lobby. At check-in you'll find the staff friendly and efficient and if you use social media be sure to check into foursquare when you arrive and the staff will set you up with a pretty nice welcoming gift.

Depending on your room you'll be treated to views of downtown, Pike Place Market or unparalleled views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. During a recent stay at the Inn at the Market I was able to enjoy the end to my evening by sitting in front of the floor-to-ceiling bay windows overlooking Elliott Bay watching working ferries, tugs and container ships slowly making their way across Puget Sound.

In the morning, Seattle was socked in by fog. But that's just an excuse to hit the snooze button and pull the down comforter tight while lounging in a king size bed with the NY Times listening to the volley of fog horns from the morning tug boats and ferries navigating the Sound.

And if after all this luxuriating you find yourself in a pinch to wrap those last few gifts for your loved ones the Inn at the Market offers a free Holiday gift wrapping suite with large open work surfaces stocked with wrapping paper, tape, tissue and bows right through December 25.

Filed in Arts & Entertainment, Food, Miscellaneous and tagged Alibi Room, Chez Shea, Inn at the Market, Marche, Pike Place Market, Zig Zag

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