Putting the E-A-T in Seattle: Food Central

Inn At The Market is the place to Pike Place aficionados

Seattleites have a great sense of humour

Seeing red is a good thing at Pike Place Market

Take a tour behind the scenes at Pike Place Market

The Pike Place Fish Market keeps the fish flying

Pike Place Market, Heart And Soul Of Seattle

Seattle is obsessed with food and has been since 1907, when the oldest public market was founded at Pike Place.? Today, Pike Place Market is still going strong with its array of local products and zany characters to complement the high-quality food and assorted nonedibles available at within its historic walls.

A visitor can easily spend the entire day wandering, sampling, and buying delicacies for special occasions or simply a filet of fish and vegetables for tonight's dinner.? The most visible vendor at the Market is also the most vocal.? If you hear rhythmic chanting coming from the building, you can be sure someone has just made a purchase at Pike Place Fish Market, where fish fly through the air with the greatest of ease.? The tradition of throwing fish to be wrapped upon sale came about from sheer necessity; the stall is big, and packed with hundreds of items.? It simply took too long for the sellers to walk out and around the display for every customer, so now some stay in front, others behind the counter, ever ready to assist their customers and put on a show while doing it.? No shy guys around here.? For those not on site, Pike Place Fish Market thoughtfully provides a webcam to watch flying fish from afar.

Salami and salumi.? Know the difference?? You can find out at Creminelli, where dried meats are made the old-fashioned way as done back in the old country, in this case, Italy.? Creminelli is the only maker of salumi outside Italy to have the coveted Italian Government Seal Of Approval for its products.? A few tastes will have you wondering how so much flavour can be concentrated into such a thin slice of meat.

To find all the best places to eat and shop, it helps to have a guide show you the ropes before striking out on your own.? Savor Seattle Food Tours offers a Gourmet Seattle Food And Cultural Tour.? A little of this, a pinch of that, all mixed together by an effervescent guide invariably sporting a kilt, something of a trend among Seattle males comfortable with their metrosexuality.? You can call them metronatural, which is the current buzzword for Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau, ever helpful in the preparation and organisation of a visit to The Emerald City.?