Two Boldly Go Photography

25/12/2023

Please join Mr & Mrs TBG and ride on the Buda Castle Funicular! Budapest, Hungary, a city steeped in history and charm. One of its most beloved landmarks is the Buda Castle Funicular. The funicular was Inaugurated in 1870 and is one of the oldest in Europe. The ride up to Castle Hill's top lasts just a few minutes. Just enough time to take in the panorama of Budapest as it spreads out before you like a masterpiece.

06/12/2023

While walking in Budapest, Mr & Mrs TBG met this bronze statue of Hungarian author Gyula Krúdy. Krúdy who was known for his finely crafted short stories and novels dripping with nostalgia for Old World Hungary in the early 1900s. This statue captures the writer lost in thought, perhaps daydreaming up one of his bittersweet tales over a glass of wine. 📚🍷 Budapest does literary memorials right! Did you know that over 1,000 bronzes and statues are scattered across the City?

06/12/2023

Please join Mr & Mrs TBG on a walk-through of the breathtaking St. Stephen's Basilica in

About (from Wikipedia) - St. Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen's Basilica site in Budapest originally hosted animal fights and had a temporary church built by János Zitterbarth. In the 1810s, about 1,000 people formed the Lipótváros Parish and began planning for a permanent church named after Saint Leopold of Austria. After a devastating 1838 flood where the site served as a refuge, residents donated funds to build the Gothic Revival basilica, instead dedicated to Hungary's first king St. Stephen I. His mummified right hand is housed there. Despite severe WWII damage, the church provided shelter for refugees and archives.

04/12/2023

Is ‘Ohana (family) where you find it? While in , Mr. TBG took Mrs. TBG to the ‘Ohana Coffee Shop. They have great coffee and have even sourced beans from Kona. Also, Mr. TBG gets a kick out of showing them his Hawaiian DL, a sure conversation starter with the barista.

02/12/2023

Mr & Mrs TBG aren't sure about the color. What do you think?

22/09/2023

A Two Boldly Go Cheers & Happy Aloha Friday from Quiora! Located within the Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki.

15/09/2023

A Two Boldly Go Cheers & Happy Aloha Friday from Saltwater Oyster Depot! Located in Inverness, California ... Yum ... Fresh Oysters!

Saltwater Oyster Depot

08/09/2023

A Two Boldly Go Cheers & Happy Aloha Friday from Rangoon Burmese Kitchen! A great place for that midweek date night & be sure to reserve table 10 in the window!

01/09/2023

A Two Boldly Go Double Cheers and Happy Aloha Friday from Podmore! Another one of our favorite downtown haunts! Please check out their cocktails, new brunch and light bite creations!
Podmore

25/08/2023

A Two Boldly Go Cheers & Happy Aloha Friday from Place Pigalle! One of goto our spots in Seattle.
Place Pigalle Restaurant and Bar

18/08/2023

A Two Boldly Go Cheers & Happy Aloha Friday from Hy's Steakhouse! An extraordinary place for us and our goto steakhouse in Hawaii! We also have a favorite booth, but that is a story for another post .....

Hy's Hawaii

17/08/2023

Sharing - MAUI DISASTER RELIEF RESOURCES

Need help or know someone who needs help? Then check out this extensive list of Relief Resources for people impacted by the Fires on Maui.

Please share.

Credit to Brent Wylam/Maui Allstate Agent for compiling

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=773070631488414&id=100063564519212&mibextid=qC1gEa

List of Disaster Relief Resources for people impacted by the Maui Fires. Compiled 8/16/23.

12/08/2023

12/08/2023

Sunset at Pike Place Market is always a magical sight, but it's even more special when the neon signs are lit up. Mr. TBG was lucky to shoot a few iPhone snaps that come close to capturing the beauty of this Seattle landmark at its most vibrant.

If you're ever in Seattle, be sure to check out Pike Place Market at sunset. It's a truly unforgettable experience!

11/08/2023

A Two Boldly Go Cheers & Happy Aloha Friday from Yakitori-Hachibei! Excellent Sake, Food and Service!

Yakitori Hachibei Chinatown Hawaii

08/08/2023

On our travels, we have been fortunate to accumulate a list of favorite bolt-hole places to visit and revisit. For over a decade now, Maximilien Restaurant has been and is one of our favorite Seattle bolt-holes.

Mr. and Mrs. TBG recently returned for a sunset dinner and were treated to the classic onion soup, steak frites, and a little gift from the kitchen to commemorate Mr. TBG's recent birthday. Mahalo to the Maximilien team for the hospitality!

In their About Us Section, Maximilien Restaurant shares this about themselves: "Maximilien is a romantic and charming French restaurant located in the heart of downtown Seattle's historic Pike Place Market. Owner-operated since 1997, Maximilien has all the old-world charm of any romantic hideaway in Paris. Inside, you are greeted by a panorama that takes in Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, West Seattle & the Olympic Mountains, all framed by huge picture windows."

Maximilien

07/08/2023

Mr. and Mrs. TBG always look forward to dining at Place Pigalle Restaurant in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. The Seattle landmark offers ample opportunity for an intimate romantic tête-à-tête. The oysters were briny, the salmon moist, and the crab cakes were flavorful. The food paired well with sparkling rose and an Elk Grove Pinot. Chocolate pot de crème & espressos to finish! Place Pigalle Restaurant is recommended as a Two Boldly Go "Happy Place"!

History Link Tours adds a little color to the history of Place Pigalle and has this to say, “Place Pigalle is one jewel-box of a dining room. Its casual elegance today belies a past that has included some colorful chapters, a hint given by its name’s nod to the red-light district in Paris. Among its nefarious chapters are as the Lotus Inn (said to have been a popular speakeasy during Prohibition) and being conveniently adjacent to the LaSalle Hotel which, for a time, was a brothel established by the enterprising Nellie Curtis.

Before Place Pigalle was a restaurant, it was a tavern of the same name in the 1960s and 1970s, offering drinks, music and something of a gritty edge. The tavern was obligated to close in the late 1970s, allowing for Market building renovations. This provided an opportunity for its own renovation, reopening in 1981 as the restaurant it is today. French classics meet the Northwest on this menu, their bacon-spiked steamed mussels and calamari Dijonnaise among selections from the beginning.”

Place Pigalle Restaurant and Bar

07/08/2023

Happy Monday! ☕️

Mr. TBG is kick-starting this week with a delicious cup of espresso and a pistachio cookie. Travel plans in progress ......

07/08/2023

Mr. and Mrs. TBG enjoyed a rather lovely brunch at Café Campagne. Make your own mimosas, omelet, quiche, pommes frites and a little sweet at the end! What could be better?

Cafe Campagne is a classic French bistro with a homey atmosphere. The food is delicious, and the service is excellent. We highly recommend it.

Featured - Top 100 Restaurants Seattle Met 2023, “After all these years, Seattle’s equivalent of Paris Cafe culture still perches on Post Alley in Pike Place Market. Here chef Daisley Gordon does right by classic dishes—quiche, pan-roasted chicken, oeufs en meurette—and instills in his kitchen the sort of perfectionism that renders even the simplest asparagus salad or brunchtime brioche french toast memorable. The patio hits the sweet spot for another hallmark of Parisian cafe culture, watching all the people go by.”

Cafe Campagne

05/08/2023

The Marriott Seattle Waterfront Hotel served as the home base for a conference Mr. TBG attended. Despite the convenient location, he had always been a bit hesitant to stay there since it caters to the cruise crowd. However, Mr. TBG was pleasantly surprised with the property. Bonvoy Ambassador status was recognized, and our conference rate base room was upgraded to a corner king-view room.

The property has completed a series of club, lobby and room renovations, bringing it up to the current Marriott design standard. The M Club Lounge on the ground floor is a pleasant space. The Seattle viaduct/waterfront project is nearing final completion, and the transformation is impressive.

Tip: Bypass the cruisers crowding the lobby by exiting via the courtyard.

05/08/2023

Sometimes the Seattle scenery looks better in Black & White.

04/08/2023

A Two Boldly Go Cheers & Happy Aloha Friday from Merriman's Honolulu!

Merrimans Honolulu

02/08/2023

Is your week going as Bananas as ours? We wish we were back in Seattle for the Free Bananas at Amazon's Seattle HQ.

Amazon has a free banana stand at its Seattle HQ. It's open every day from 8am to 3:30pm, and anyone can come by and grab a banana. It's a great way to get a healthy snack on the go when your week is already BANANAS!

02/08/2023

Let's join Mr. TBG for a walk around Pike Place Market ... he needs the exercise! Have you visited Pike Place Market? What did you enjoy the most?

Pike Place Market: A Century of History

Pike Place Market is one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the United States. It was founded in 1907 as a way to provide a fair and affordable place for farmers to sell their produce. The market quickly became a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and it soon became known for its unique atmosphere and vibrant energy.

One of the most famous features of Pike Place Market is the fishmongers who throw fish to each other across the counter. This tradition began in the early 1900s, and it has become a beloved part of the market's culture.

Pike Place Market is also home to a wide variety of other vendors, including farmers, craftspeople, and food purveyors. Visitors can find everything from fresh produce to handmade jewelry to delicious seafood at the market.

In 1971, Pike Place Market was designated a historic district. This designation helped to preserve the market's unique character and ensure that it would continue to thrive for many years to come.

Today, Pike Place Market is a major tourist destination and a beloved part of Seattle's culture. It is a place where people can come to shop, eat, and experience the best of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Here are some fun facts about Pike Place Market:

*The market is named after Pike Street, which runs through it.
*The first building at the market was the Main Arcade, which opened in 1907.
*The market is home to over 200 farmers, craftspeople, and merchants.

01/08/2023

Let’s join Mr. TBG for lunch at the Pink Door Restaurant located in Post Alley, close to Pike Place Market in Seattle. His first visit to this restaurant. The Oysters were fresh and tasted of the sea, the Meatballs tender, and the Espresso after Profiteroles was an excellent and necessary ending to the repast! Menus pics included. Have you dined at the Pink Door Restaurant? What did you think?

History - The Pink Door: A Seattle Institution

In 1981, Jackie Roberts opened a small Italian restaurant in a Post Alley space that had once been a violin shop. She named it The Pink Door, after the milky pink shade of the exterior paint, inspired by the tiles in the Duomo in Firenze.
The Pink Door quickly became a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The menu features classic Italian dishes like pasta, pizza, and seafood and more unique offerings like the cioppino and the spaghetti carbonara.
In addition to the food, The Pink Door is also known for its entertainment. The restaurant hosts nightly burlesque shows and trapeze performances, which have become a must-see for visitors to Seattle.

The Pink Door is a Seattle institution that has delighted diners for over 40 years. It's a great place to experience Italian food, entertainment, and a slice of Seattle history.

Here are some interesting facts about The Pink Door:
• The Pink Door was initially supposed to have a neon sign, but the city denied it because it would have been too bright for the residents of Post Alley.
• The restaurant's signature dish is the cioppino.
• The Pink Door has hosted famous guests, including Tom Hanks, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey.
• The Pink Door was the first restaurant in Seattle to offer burlesque shows.
• The restaurant's trapeze artists perform nightly, weather permitting.

The Pink Door

01/08/2023

Let’s join Mr. TBG for dinner at Le Pichet near Pike Place Market in Seattle. His first visit since the 2022 change in ownership. The Pea Soup tasted as fresh as it looked, the Salmon was well cooked, and the Espresso after dessert was an excellent ending to the evening! Menus pics included. Have you dined at Le Pichet? What did you think?
Le Pichet

Le Pichet: A Taste of France in Seattle

Le Pichet, which means pitcher in French, is a small neighborhood restaurant in Seattle's Pike Place Market, serving classic French cuisine since 2000. The restaurant was founded by Jim Drohman and Joanne Herron, who were inspired by the personal, family-owned restaurants they had come to love in France.

The Seattle Met recently recognized Le Pichet as one of the Top 100 Seattle Restaurants. They say, “Two longtime employees took over this pathologically good Parisian bistro in 2022. Meanwhile, another Pichet veteran, John Mix, runs the kitchen. Classics still spark with nonchalant finesse: a bibb lettuce and hazelnut salad, one of the best charcuterie boards in the city (ranging from jambon to boudin noir). Just as admirable, though, is the quiet, seasonal invention Mix weaves through the menu. A study in French grace, sans cliche.”

Le Pichet's menu features various dishes from all over France, including escargot, moules frites, steak frites, and cassoulet. The restaurant also has a great selection of French wines. Many are served in the traditional way, from the carafe.

In addition to its delicious food, Le Pichet is also known for its warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is decorated in a simple bistro style, and the staff is friendly and attentive.

If you want a taste of France in Seattle, Le Pichet is the perfect place. The food is delicious, the wine is excellent, and the atmosphere is charming.

31/07/2023

Let's join Mr. TBG for lunch at Lowell's Restaurant located in Pike Market Place, Seattle. Mrs. TBG joined Mr. TBG at the end of the conference, so he dined solo today. Looks like he ate moderately healthy & enjoyed his Crab and Smoked Salmon Salad! Menus pics included. Have you ever been to Pike Place Market? What did you think?

Some History …. Lowell's Restaurant: Almost Classy Since 1957

Lowell's Restaurant is a Seattle institution, serving up delicious seafood and stunning waterfront views for over 65 years. The restaurant was founded in 1957 by Reid Lowell, who purchased a coffee roaster and cafe that had been in business in the Pike Place Market since 1908. Lowell renamed the business and gave it a major renovation, transforming it into a full-service restaurant.

Lowell's quickly became a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, thanks to its great food, friendly service, and unbeatable location. The restaurant has three dining floors, all offering stunning views of the Olympic Mountains, the ferries crossing Puget Sound, and the Port of Seattle.

Check out Lowell's Restaurant for a delicious meal in Pike Market Place with stunning views.

Here are some fun facts about Lowell's Restaurant:

• In 1964, Victor Steinbrueck co-hosted a champagne breakfast at Lowell's to bolster support for efforts to save the Pike Place Market from being transformed into parking garages, office buildings, and other development.
• The restaurant has been visited by celebrities like Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, and Bill Gates.
• The restaurant's original coffee roaster is still on display in the main dining room.
• The restaurant's third floor is known as the "View Lounge" and offers some of the best views in the city.
Lowell's Restaurant

28/07/2023

A Two Boldly Go Cheers and Happy Aloha Friday from the LAX American Flagship Lounge! Plus a couple of Reese's .... 😀

27/07/2023

As part of a conference, Mr. TBG recently toured the Amazon Spheres. Let's go inside and have a look ..... Oh, and please be kind as he included a selfy!