A Visitor's Guide to PaizoCon 2016

Thursday, April 21, 2016

PaizoCon 2016 is just a little over a month away, and we're all busy making preparations for our favorite convention of the year. Whether you're a first-time visitor to the Seattle area, or a PaizoCon veteran, here's a few things to do in the area before, during, and after the convention!

Movement Speed

If you are not renting a car, and you're not using an allied NPC boon for local travel, the DoubleTree Hotel is conveniently located right on the A Line Express of King County's Metro bus system. Just up the street is also the light rail which leads directly to downtown, which is going to be your best way to get to the sights of Seattle. The most affordable way for out-of-town visitors to view the area is to pick up a Regional Day Pass, which can be purchased at the light rail station for $8 for unlimited rides (for fares up to $3.50). The challenge rating of facing the local highway system is mighty—use public transportation and carpool as much as possible! For planning out your travels, Google Maps and One Bus Away has been the most reliable for public transportation arrival and departure times.


Photos courtesy of Liz Courts

Gazetteer of Seattle

When I first came to live on the moister side of the Pacific Northwest, I had an excellent guide to show me the way (thanks, Cosmo). Now I am passing on some of the locations that I enjoy in the area, and if you are arriving early for PaizoCon, see the sights of the Emerald City! A fair warning: Seattle is quite hilly, and some spots are very steep. PaizoCon Founder Tim Nightengale recommends that you visit Seattle Premier Attactions for a broader overview of what you can see, but here are my favorites.

  • Pike Place Market: In operation since 1907, this is a multi-level market that you've probably seen on TV where the folks throwing the fish around. It is less busy during the week before noon, so keep that in mind, and that you'll want to bring cash here, as not all the places accept credit or debit card. If you're a foodie, don't miss Beecher's Handmade Cheese, Daily Dozen Doughnut Company, DeLaurenti, Ellenos Yogurt, Market Spice, Piroshky Piroshky, the "original" Starbucks, and World Spice. There are dozens of different stores in Pike Place, not to mention a comic book store—spend some time meandering!
  • Pioneer Square: One of the oldest neighborhoods in Seattle, built in 1857, there is quite a bit of local history to discover here, including King Street Station and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Don't miss the Underground Tour!
  • Seattle Aquarium: I have it on good authority from an enthusiastic three year old that this is the best. Jellyfish, octopi, otters, seals, tide pools and an underwater dome are some of the features here. Seagulls can be seen all around Seattle for free!
  • Seattle Center: There are not one, but multiple things to do in this encounter. The EMP Museum is more than just music (though there is a lot of that too, and the guitar exhibit is quite stunning), and the Pacific Science Center has multiple attractions (including a LEGO® exhibit starting on May 28th), and the Seattle Center is also home to the iconic Space Needle. Whether or not Chihuly was contacted from Things Beyond Space and Time is a matter of some debate, but Chihuly Garden & Glass is full of inspirational mind-bending art. The easiest way to get to the Seattle Center is by the Monorail from Westlake. If you're planning on attending multiple museums at the Seattle Center or around town, check out the Citypass!
Other strong contenders for things to see and do in Seattle: the International District, Ivar's, Molly Moon's Ice Cream, Seattle Art Museum (check out the Roman glassware and Native American collections), Seattle Great Wheel, and probably at least a dozen other places that I'm forgetting. If you get lost, Pike and Pine streets are great fixtures to orient yourself, as is the Washington State Convention Center and Westlake Center. In a pinch, just head downhill towards the water.

Many have asked this question, but this is a good spot to say this again: we do not offer tours of the Paizo offices, sorry!


Staff Accountant Ashley Kaprielian loves a few things more than numbers. This is one of them.
Photo courtesy of Liz Courts

Local Eats

Besides the DoubleTree Hotel's coffee stand, breakfast buffet, and lounge, here are a few places to eat within walking distance (half a mile) of the convention space.

  • 13 Coins Restaurant
  • Dave's Diner & Brews
  • Denny's
  • Gregory's Bar & Grill
  • Jack in the Box
  • L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
  • Mango Thai Cuisine & Bar
  • Sharps RoastHouse
  • Taco Bell

To the Market!

  • Safeway, 21401 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines, WA 98198 (2.1 miles, open 5am to 1am)
  • Safeway, 4011 S 164th St, Seattle, WA 98188, (2.3 miles, open 24 hours)
  • QFC, 17847 1st Avenue South, Normandy Park, WA 98148 (2.5 miles, open 24 hours)
For other shopping needs, the Westfield Southcenter Mall is four miles away (2800 Southcenter Mall, Seattle, WA 98188), and is open 10am to 9pm, and includes a multiplex IMAX theater. If you need non-emergency medical care, Immediate Clinic Burien (15870 1st Avenue South, Burien, WA 98148; 8am to 8pm) and Concentra Urgent Care (545 Andover Park W, Tukwila, WA 98188; 24 hours) are the closest.


Photo courtesy of Cosmo Eisele


Photo courtesy of Chris Lambertz

3, 2, 1—Let's Jam!

Alright, it's convention time! I know you might not want to hear it, but give yourself a little bit of extra time to prepare yourself and get a bite and a cuppa joe in before your day starts. (And for all of the volunteers that arise to run at this hour, thank you!) A little bit of courtesy goes a long way, so please be kind to the hotel NPCs when gathering with your party. If this is your first convention ever, well, thank you for picking ours! Here's a few convention tips:

  • Wear comfortable, broken-in shoes, and bring an extra pair. Your feet will thank you.
  • Bring extra socks.
  • Stay hydrated—there is no substitute for water.
  • Bring a non-sugary snack to keep your energy levels up.
  • A minimum of 3 hours of sleep, two real meals, and one shower. In the words of Erik Mona, "Man cannot survive on gaming, booze, and 5-Hour Energy alone (trust me, I've tried)."
  • Don't completely fill your schedule—give yourself some downtime.
  • Make new friends.
  • For freelancers and would-be freelancers, bring a business card (and leave some room to write notes on).
  • Don't forget the dice.

ConCrud

It happens—you know it, we know it. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, stay hydrated, eat proper meals, get some rest—these give you a bonus to your Fortitude save to help from spreading Urgathoa's touch.

Got any additional questions? Concerns? Musings? Want to know other favorite haunts that we like? Ask away in the the discussion thread!

Getting the dire ducklings in a row,

Liz Courts
Community Manager

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Tags: Community Conventions PaizoCon PaizoCon 2016
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Scarab Sages

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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

"3, 2, 1—Let's Jam!"

Oh good, now I have 'Tank!', the opening theme to Cowboy Bebop in my head.

On the ConCrud front, stock up on some vitamin supplements like Emergen-C. It can help keep energy levels steady as well as help stave off ConCrud. Plus, if you get it in a drink mix form, you're also working to stay hydrated.

Some personal favorites on the non-sugary snacks front:
-Mixed nuts, not too salty. Too much salt will just make any hydration efforts more difficult to maintain.
-Beef jerky

Dark Archive

Liz Courts wrote:
  • Wear comfortable, broken-in shoes, and bring an extra pair. Your feet will thank you.
  • Bring extra socks.

I have not packed socks in four years.

I wear either slippers or I go barefoot.

Community Manager

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Peevenator wrote:

"3, 2, 1—Let's Jam!"

Oh good, now I have 'Tank!', the opening theme to Cowboy Bebop in my head.

>:)

Community & Digital Content Director

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Leg o' Lamb wrote:
I wear either slippers or I go barefoot.

For the sake of getting information out there: for safety reasons, the Paizo and hotel staff request that attendees not go barefoot while in gaming spaces, seminar rooms and the rest of the convention areas.

Sovereign Court

Is it just me or does that one mini look an awful lot like the hamburglar?

Paizo Employee Developer

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Nightdrifter wrote:
Is it just me or does that one mini look an awful lot like the hamburglar?

Look a bit closer at the other figures there and you might spot some of his friends.

Dark Archive

Chris Lambertz wrote:
Leg o' Lamb wrote:
I wear either slippers or I go barefoot.
For the sake of getting information out there: for safety reasons, the Paizo and hotel staff request that attendees not go barefoot while in gaming spaces, seminar rooms and the rest of the convention areas.

I have yet to injure myself and I take full responsibility if I do. Slippers and bare feet are just con staples.

Sovereign Court

Adam Daigle wrote:
Nightdrifter wrote:
Is it just me or does that one mini look an awful lot like the hamburglar?
Look a bit closer at the other figures there and you might spot some of his friends.

Good point on the subliminal advertising: Ronald McDonald the Hulk, Grimace the Hulk, and Mayor (Magus?) McCheese. Some Fry Kids as well. Just can't figure out who the tree is. And when the hamburglar started dual wielding pistols.

Liberty's Edge

Starfinder Superscriber
Quote:


3 hours of sleep,

OMG.

I would not survive.

I try to get twice that every night at the con, and still I'm feeling pretty sleep deprived by the last day.


Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Have not been to PaizoCon, am thankful for this guide, and as a long-time con vet I'd have to concur with all of the above.

Rest is insanely important. Last year I crammed the four specials at GenCon into my schedule, and filled a lot of 'open' other slots with PFS.

By the time Sunday rolled around I was in such a haze that people at my table had to poke me at points -- not to stop snoring, but because I'd stare off into space, wide eyes, and sort of spaced out from exhaustion.

Hygiene is exceptionally important as well, as noted above.

If one is packing a 'day bag' (to prevent to and from to a hotel room) a small carry bag with an extra t-shirt/shirt, deodorant and a washcloth are kind of handy, as is a small pillow to rest one's head against if seated next to a wall. Not for sleeping, but to take stress off the body.

Hard to believe 5 weeks out...

Liberty's Edge

Leg o' Lamb wrote:
Chris Lambertz wrote:
Leg o' Lamb wrote:
I wear either slippers or I go barefoot.
For the sake of getting information out there: for safety reasons, the Paizo and hotel staff request that attendees not go barefoot while in gaming spaces, seminar rooms and the rest of the convention areas.
I have yet to injure myself and I take full responsibility if I do. Slippers and bare feet are just con staples.

Not sure what Cons you frequent where bare feet are staples, but the Paizo folks and hotel folks just politely told you NOT to go bare foot in the public areas (actually kind of shocked such a statement even needs to be said)

Awesome post Liz!!!!


I wonder when the "Return to Bastard Hall" con only module will be made into a fully purchasable module in the store.


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For the "local eats" part is there anything you would recommend for vegan noms?

Paizo Employee Sales Associate

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Arikiel wrote:
For the "local eats" part is there anything you would recommend for vegan noms?

The aforementioned Thai place across the street from the hotel has some excellent vegetarian options, I am told.

Paizo Employee Malaise-Inducement Construct

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Nightdrifter wrote:
Adam Daigle wrote:
Nightdrifter wrote:
Is it just me or does that one mini look an awful lot like the hamburglar?
Look a bit closer at the other figures there and you might spot some of his friends.
Good point on the subliminal advertising: Ronald McDonald the Hulk, Grimace the Hulk, and Mayor (Magus?) McCheese. Some Fry Kids as well. Just can't figure out who the tree is. And when the hamburglar started dual wielding pistols.

If you are very unlucky, you may meat them in the delve. If you are very, VERY unlucky, you will meet my other minis.


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We're meeting some friends on the Tuesday after PaizoCon to start our West Coast driving tour and they're only there for the one night. Is the Space Needle restaurant worth visiting?


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The ORCA card itself costs $5 if they don't already have one for the Regional Day pass (which is only purchasable on an ORCA card)


Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Anyone know where the Crab Pot fits in that list of locations? It's one I definitely want to visit as I have a great love of seafood and an appetite to match :P

Liberty's Edge

Cosmo wrote:
Arikiel wrote:
For the "local eats" part is there anything you would recommend for vegan noms?
The aforementioned Thai place across the street from the hotel has some excellent vegetarian options, I am told.

Cool!

Across the street as in a nice quiet little street or a large, busy highway?


Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Which food/grocery retail location is the least expensive one yet still aware of dietary restrictions?


Marc Radle wrote:
Cosmo wrote:
Arikiel wrote:
For the "local eats" part is there anything you would recommend for vegan noms?
The aforementioned Thai place across the street from the hotel has some excellent vegetarian options, I am told.

Cool!

Across the street as in a nice quiet little street or a large, busy highway?

Right in between, in fact. It's a pretty big street, at least two lanes each way with a median, but eminently crossable and stocked with a crosswalk or two. And worth the trip, the Thai place is great!


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[grafitti]For a good time call Tim "Timitius" Nightengale[/grafitti]

LOCAL.GUIDE.&.HOST.EXTRAORDINAIRE!


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I misread this as "A Villagers Guide to PaizoCon 2016".
I would read that blog post.

Customer Service Representative

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Steve Geddes wrote:
We're meeting some friends on the Tuesday after PaizoCon to start our West Coast driving tour and they're only there for the one night. Is the Space Needle restaurant worth visiting?

I would generally say: yes. It is something worth doing at least once in your life, in my opinion. (And this is speaking as very frugal person who is very careful about how I spend my money. Granted, I went for lunch, instead of dinner, so saved some money that way.)

The food was really good and the view was gorgeous! Would do again.

Grand Lodge

Is there an age minimum? I would hate to fly out there and be unable to enter.

Lantern Lodge Customer Service Manager

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*references movie* *slap* wrote:
Is there an age minimum? I would hate to fly out there and be unable to enter.

Age minimum for...?

If you are asking about PaizoCon, we do need attendees who are minors (under the age of 18) to have an adult guardian present at the convention with them.

Lantern Lodge Customer Service Manager

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Khelreddin wrote:
Marc Radle wrote:
Cosmo wrote:
Arikiel wrote:
For the "local eats" part is there anything you would recommend for vegan noms?
The aforementioned Thai place across the street from the hotel has some excellent vegetarian options, I am told.

Cool!

Across the street as in a nice quiet little street or a large, busy highway?

Right in between, in fact. It's a pretty big street, at least two lanes each way with a median, but eminently crossable and stocked with a crosswalk or two. And worth the trip, the Thai place is great!

Random data point regarding being a pedestrian in the Seattle area. Use the crosswalks. They may not always be well-placed or convenient, but use them anyway. While not 100% enforced all of the time, the Seattle area is somewhat known for being stricter on jaywalking than other cities often are. Keep your focus on crossing and not on electronic devices, etc, drivers are not always paying attention, even at crosswalks.

Community Manager

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Wei Ji the Learner wrote:


Which food/grocery retail location is the least expensive one yet still aware of dietary restrictions?

It very much depends on the dietary restrictions you're concerned about. I have found most restaurants in the Seattle area much more aware of celiac and vegetarian options than in other parts of the country.

Vice President of Finance

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Liz Courts wrote:
Wei Ji the Learner wrote:


Which food/grocery retail location is the least expensive one yet still aware of dietary restrictions?

It very much depends on the dietary restrictions you're concerned about. I have found most restaurants in the Seattle area much more aware of celiac and vegetarian options than in other parts of the country.

Also, there is a very large chain grocery store about 2 miles away. I'm certain they'll have plenty of items that are safe for any dietary restriction.

Community Manager

Anthony Adam wrote:
Anyone know where the Crab Pot fits in that list of locations? It's one I definitely want to visit as I have a great love of seafood and an appetite to match :P

There is a Crab Pot (along with an assortment of other seafood places) ironically located by the Seattle Aquarium.

Paizo Employee Customer Service Representative

Anthony Adam wrote:
Anyone know where the Crab Pot fits in that list of locations? It's one I definitely want to visit as I have a great love of seafood and an appetite to match :P

The Crab Pot is super yummy, and a fun experience! I don't know if it's true for all of their dishes, but some of the options are just buckets of seafood that they dump on the table and you get to smash and crack your way through them! The Seattle location isn't close to the hotel, unfortunately. It's down on the waterfront in Downtown Seattle proper. You should be able to get there with public transit or a rental car, though!

For reference, Google tells me that it's about half an hour to get there by car, closer to an hour for public transit.

Lantern Lodge Customer Service Manager

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Wei Ji the Learner wrote:


Hard to believe 5 weeks out...

Wait. What.

Paizo Employee Customer Service Representative

There's also a pretty large selection of restaurants near and inside of Southcenter Mall, so that should widen the options for those with dietary restrictions.


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It's been ten years, but as someone that took public transportation all around the Puget sound for work every day. I can say they have one of the best and timely public transportation systems in the country.

And that was before light rail was introduced. :-)

Paizo Employee Customer Service Representative

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Ooh! And on the sightseeing side of things, the hotel is about 15 minutes away from the The Museum of Flight for those who are interested in aviation!

Lantern Lodge Customer Service Manager

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DT Seattle Crab Pot and the Seattle Aquarium are both very near one of my favorite Iconic Washington things to do, which is to walk onto the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry and then either get right back on to come back to Seattle or walk around the town for a bit and grab lunch/dinner/ice cream before returning. Both sailing directions offer a lovely view of Puget Sound and Seattle and it takes about 35 minutes each way.

Dark Archive

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In the vein of the many restaurant recommendations: If you, like me, do not live on or near a coastline I'd highly recommend making the time to get seafood while in Seattle. The difference in quality is pretty clear and worth going a little bit out of your way. I always make a point of getting sushi while in town.

Silver Crusade

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There's also the Fremont Troll. It's a bit out of the way, but was a fun photo op.

Senior Editor

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bdk86 wrote:
sushi

If you can get a reservation and are in the mood to splurge, I hear Sushi Kashiba at Pike Place Market is amazing. The chef, Shiro Kashiba, trained under Chef Jiro of Jiro Dreams of Sushi.

Unrelated to sushi, Memorial Day Weekend is also the Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center: three days of music, dance, and other types of performances from the US and around the world. And it's free!

Customer Service Representative

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bdk86 wrote:

In the vein of the many restaurant recommendations: If you, like me, do not live on or near a coastline I'd highly recommend making the time to get seafood while in Seattle. The difference in quality is pretty clear and worth going a little bit out of your way. I always make a point of getting sushi while in town.

Agreed. Being from a place with not so much water at all I was not super keen on seafood. But fresh is a lot better and tastes different from the trucked in stuff I had eaten all my life.

Paizo Employee Customer Service Representative

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Diego Valdez wrote:
bdk86 wrote:

In the vein of the many restaurant recommendations: If you, like me, do not live on or near a coastline I'd highly recommend making the time to get seafood while in Seattle. The difference in quality is pretty clear and worth going a little bit out of your way. I always make a point of getting sushi while in town.

Agreed. Being from a place with not so much water at all I was not super keen on seafood. But fresh is a lot better and tastes different from the trucked in stuff I had eaten all my life.

So, would you say that when it comes to Washington seafood, you're... hooked? :D

Community Manager

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Katina Davis wrote:
Diego Valdez wrote:
bdk86 wrote:

In the vein of the many restaurant recommendations: If you, like me, do not live on or near a coastline I'd highly recommend making the time to get seafood while in Seattle. The difference in quality is pretty clear and worth going a little bit out of your way. I always make a point of getting sushi while in town.

Agreed. Being from a place with not so much water at all I was not super keen on seafood. But fresh is a lot better and tastes different from the trucked in stuff I had eaten all my life.
So, would you say that when it comes to Washington seafood, you're... hooked? :D

It's pretty...

*puts on sunglasses*
off the hook.
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Sharaya wrote:
Steve Geddes wrote:
We're meeting some friends on the Tuesday after PaizoCon to start our West Coast driving tour and they're only there for the one night. Is the Space Needle restaurant worth visiting?

I would generally say: yes. It is something worth doing at least once in your life, in my opinion. (And this is speaking as very frugal person who is very careful about how I spend my money. Granted, I went for lunch, instead of dinner, so saved some money that way.)

The food was really good and the view was gorgeous! Would do again.

I'd say that when I hear this question, half of the respondents say the food is really good, and half say it's really meh. I'd therefore mark it down as "inconsistent." So go to enjoy the view, and if the food is good, take that as a bonus.

(And if you want the really good seats, tell them you're with the band.)

Customer Service Representative

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Liz Courts wrote:
Katina Davis wrote:
Diego Valdez wrote:
bdk86 wrote:

In the vein of the many restaurant recommendations: If you, like me, do not live on or near a coastline I'd highly recommend making the time to get seafood while in Seattle. The difference in quality is pretty clear and worth going a little bit out of your way. I always make a point of getting sushi while in town.

Agreed. Being from a place with not so much water at all I was not super keen on seafood. But fresh is a lot better and tastes different from the trucked in stuff I had eaten all my life.
So, would you say that when it comes to Washington seafood, you're... hooked? :D

It's pretty...

*puts on sunglasses*
off the hook.
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

*Sobs uncontrollably*

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

3 people marked this as a favorite.
bdk86 wrote:
In the vein of the many restaurant recommendations: If you, like me, do not live on or near a coastline I'd highly recommend making the time to get seafood while in Seattle. The difference in quality is pretty clear and worth going a little bit out of your way. I always make a point of getting sushi while in town.

My recommendation for sushi is Mashiko in West Seattle. (My followup to that recommendation is that, awesome as the sushi is, if you're limiting yourself to just the sushi there, you're making a mistake.)

Community Manager

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Vic Wertz wrote:
bdk86 wrote:
In the vein of the many restaurant recommendations: If you, like me, do not live on or near a coastline I'd highly recommend making the time to get seafood while in Seattle. The difference in quality is pretty clear and worth going a little bit out of your way. I always make a point of getting sushi while in town.
My recommendation for sushi is Mashiko in West Seattle. (My followup to that recommendation is that, awesome as the sushi is, if you're limiting yourself to just the sushi there, you're making a mistake.)

Second that recommendation. If you *really* want a taste of the Pacific Northwest, and you really want to indulge yourself, go here.

Liberty's Edge

Is there a good place for me to get distilled water?

I'll be bringing my CPAP along with me so I sleep right at night, and it uses Distilled water.

Senior Editor

Vic Wertz wrote:
My recommendation for sushi is Mashiko in West Seattle. (My followup to that recommendation is that, awesome as the sushi is, if you're limiting yourself to just the sushi there, you're making a mistake.)

Oh, that's the all-sustainable one! It's on my list, too. (it's just a pain to get to sans car.) Kappo Tamura at the north end of Eastlake, is also very good, and is mostly sustainable.

For distilled water... one of the grocery stores near the hotel? I think there are a couple within about 1/2 mile.

Community Manager

Judy Bauer wrote:
For distilled water... one of the grocery stores near the hotel? I think there are a couple within about 1/2 mile.

Two-ish miles, and the addresses are listed in the blog post.

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