Nestled on a side street of Fremont sits an old brick building; it doesn’t look like much, but appearances can often be deceiving. Take a minute to investigate it further and you’ll realize the unique thing about this building is that it smells like a giant brownie. Now you may wonder why there are wafts of chocolaty goodness blowing in the breeze luring in passersby left and right. The reason is simple. Theo Chocolate calls this place home; proudly holding the title of the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the United States.

It's hard to go wrong with these tasty morsels!

Inside the small shop fresh made chocolate truffles and chocolate bars are displayed, as well as numerous other chocolate products available for purchase; lotion, beer & wine chocolate pairing kits and sipping chocolate just to mention a few. Marble slabs are placed on the tables with little nibbles of their luscious chocolate in various flavors enticing the customers to linger a while and try their delicious wares. Sample some of their intriguing flavor combinations like the Coconut Curry (milk chocolate with toasted coconut and savory curry spices), Bread and Chocolate (dark chocolate with buttery, toasted artisan breadcrumbs), Nib Brittle (dark chocolate with organic roasted cocoa nibs in sweet & crunchy brittle) or one of the fabulous Origins bars which have distinctive flavors depending on the region the cocoa beans came from. Scope out the goods and browse the list of chocolates on display while you decide which of the sweet tidbits will be finding its way home with you.

Or you can do more than just graze; Theo Chocolate offers a variety of events and classes to participate in! Did someone say Yoga & Chocolate and Ice Cream Socials? Oh and don’t forget the popular factory tours either. Join the other customers near the fireplace as they excitedly await the start of the next tour. A tour which is not only interesting and educational, but a great way to spend a rainy Seattle afternoon for just $6! You get to sample bits of chocolate throughout the entire tour! They offer public tours 7 days a week, but it’s best to call ahead and make reservations due to their popularity. It is guaranteed to be the best time you’ll ever have in a spiffy blue hairnet! So swing on by and try some purely delicious chocolate….and remember dads like chocolate too and Father’s Day is just around the corner.

Theo Chocolate
3400 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
(206) 632-5100
www.theochocolate.com

 …is proudly emblazoned across the shirts of the staff at Po Dogs and it won’t take long before you come to same conclusion. These hot dogs are amazing! Po Dogs offers up some seriously creative gourmet hot dogs for your munching pleasure. They start with high quality selected meats made from the finest locally sourced ingredients and stick them between deliciously soft and flavorful buns. Steamed then grilled fresh, these hot dogs would be wonderful on their own, but Po Dogs takes it a step further offering over 25 different toppings for the customers to create a winning wiener. With choices ranging from fresh mango and banana to bacon jam and hot peppers, customers can have a brand new experience every visit or simply re-create their favorite. 

Texas Dog is topped with melted Tillamook cheddar, homemade crispy onion straws and a Smokey BBQ Sauce!

If the staggering amount of topping choices makes you a bit antsy, try one of their internationally researched specialty dogs. Take a bite of the Dub-T dog topped with creamy cheese sauce, crushed potato chips, mustard and ketchup. Or be brave and try the Deep Fried Danger Dog; this dog is wrapped in pepper bacon, deep fried then topped with sauteed onions and a homemade spicy chili sauce! 

Wasabi Egg Roll Dog is wrapped in wonton paper then deep fried and topped with homemade wasabi aioli.

Either way, those at Po Dogs certainly aim to please and will let you arrange your hot dog however you like. Oh and one more thing….you can buy one of those awesome “I Heart Wieners” t-shirts! 

Chocolate Old Fashioned, Rainbow Sprinkle and Double Trouble

Nothing seems to induce a larger smile on people’s face like the colorful sprinkles atop a doughnut. A stand out among the others’ dull brown coatings, rainbow sprinkle doughnuts simultaneously induce a flood of childhood memories and drool. They are the ray of light in the doughnut box, a sweet moment on a rainy morning; rainbow sprinkles make the doughnut world go round. Luckily for us in Seattle, Top Pot Doughnuts commits itself to creating these and over FORTY other different varieties of quality morsels. Not to mention they do things the old fashioned way with a secret 1920′s recipe and a beautiful attention to detail (including those colorful tidbits). Hand-forged gourmet doughnuts and hand-roasted coffee are paired perfectly in gorgeous vintage shops around the city, providing a uniquely delicious opportunity to approach the old “coffee and doughnuts” routine in a new way.

Worth the wait in line!

There are five different locations, as well as a charming airstream mobile unit from which to pick up these delightful treats; so give into your sweet tooth and try one! With so many choices it may not be easy to choose, but it’s hard to go wrong.

Top Pot Doughnuts
Capitol Hill
609 Summit Ave E
Seattle, WA 98102
(206)323-7841
www.toppotdoughnuts.com

Growing up, when it came to manners, there was always an endless stream of wisdom paired with healthy doses of scolding at the dinner table; “chew with your mouth closed,” “eat your vegetables,” and of course, “don’t play with your food.” It was always one rule or another, but really who decided we shouldn’t play with our food in the first place?

Peanuts and Pints

At the Diamond Knot Brewery & Alehouse manners are gently nudged aside and in their place, a fun and rebellious spirit takes hold. Inside the flood of conversation and laughter echoes around sturdy wooden beams and the open plank ceiling in this nautical themed alehouse. A casual crowd lingers over pints of fresh brewed beer and the crunch under foot are the remnants of peanuts placed on every table. Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to discard your peanut shells on the floor here; a freedom which at first is a bit disconcerting, but eventually quite liberating! But please keep in mind that the haze of peanut dust on every surface may just put a damper on the dining experience for those with severe peanut allergies.

Steamy, meaty goodness!

The peanuts, however, are just the beginning. With the introduction of the Stonegrill Concept into various portions of their menu, Diamond Knot enables their customers to take a unique interactive approach to their meal. Searing hot lava rocks (about 750 degrees F) are presented with raw meat, sides and sauces for your cooking pleasure at the table. You’ll never want for that perfectly cooked steak again! But if the idea of starting your meal with a piece of raw meat on your plate makes you a tad squeamish, try ordering one of their hand thrown pizzas to accompany your delicious pint instead. Either way, sit back, relax and play with your food…no one will scold you for it here.

Diamond Knot Brewery & Alehouse
621A Front Street
Mukilteo, WA 98275
(425)355-4488
www.diamondknot.com