Best things I've eaten around Seattle (second half of 2024)

This year, I decided to keep a shortlist of all the restaurants that I’ve eaten at as a way to quickly remember which of them were memorable meals. I keep notes for each restaurant in a private Google Maps list, and these notes have been helpful when I revisit or when a friend asks me for guidance. Several friends have asked for the actual shortlist of where I’ve eaten so far in 2024.

NOTE: I published a similar list for the first half of 2024, which you can find here.

In my shortlist, I gave them 1-4 stars.

4 stars - This blew my mind. I feel so lucky to have experienced this. Everything about this was impressive and exceptional. I’ll be thinking about this for months.

3 stars - This was very good. I can’t wait to tell my friends about this. There were a few things that weren’t perfect, but I’m still looking forward to coming back.

2 stars - I’d look forward to stopping by if I’m passing through the area.

1 star - I liked it, but I’m not in a rush to come back.

These are not restaurant reviews. They’re just my private notes. I tried to put very little effort into this because I’m having a lot of fun outdoors this summer and typing out words feels like a chore at the moment. I did try to clean up and polish these notes so they at least add some value to you.

4 stars

Atoma - Came here for Leah's birthday. Reservations are recommended—it's harder to get a table after Seattle Met named it “Restaurant of the Year 2024.” Fine dining without pretense. The drink menu is very impressive. Be sure to get the Rosette cookie (at least one per person). The grilled cucumber with salsa mocha was refreshing and savory. The chicken liver mousse with quince jam was good but not worth ordering again. Crumpets with kefir butter and garlic honey were tasty. The lion's mane katsu was clever but skippable. The beef coulotte with sweetbreads was a favorite. The iconic baked Alaska is seasonal, with rotating ingredients, but always end with this. They also have very interesting gelato and sorbet flavors.

Anh and Chi (Vancouver, Canada) - Solo lunch. I had the DIY spring roll platter (meat version) and found it excellent—fresh, herbal, fun, and delicious. Also had the iced coffee. I wish I wasn’t alone so I could try more.

3 stars

Alice and Brohm (Vancouver, Canada) - Delicious base of soft serve blended with frozen fruit of your choice. Each bite is a little different—sometimes more fruit chunks, sometimes more creamy base. Way better than I expected. I came here twice a day for three days while visiting. Strawberry is my favorite.

Taylor Shellfish Farms - Perfect for a summer day after mountain biking in Galbraith. The scenic drive adds to the experience. Get the dozen oysters. I especially liked the Sumo Kumo and Fat Bastard varieties, but the Sunseeker was a standout. Avoid visiting during busy times.

Indian-Nepali Kitchen - Located in a super sketchy area with parking shared with a motel. The interior is basic (comically large tables), but the incredible menu and friendly service more than make up for it. The naan was superb—I'd order it every time. The tandoori chicken momos were brilliant and creative. The potatoes with mustard greens were delicious, with a slight bitterness reminiscent of homemade dishes. The sadheko chicken was amazing. Loved everything.

Lil Red Takeout & Catering - As the name implies, it's a takeout spot. The interior isn't much to look at, but the friendly vibe makes up for it. There are picnic tables outside, though it's better to take your order to go since the road is right there. The jerk chicken (small order, no bones) was juicy, sweet, spicy, smoky, and delicious. The mac and cheese (small order) was velvety smooth, piquant, and peppery—great for sharing. The peach cobbler, a special at the time, was fine, but I’m eager to try the rum cake and more of the menu next time.

Ben’s Bread - The blue corn cookie is the best cookie I’ve had in years. Wow.

Lupo - Dark, dimly lit, and cozy—ideal for a date night. Pizzas take a while because of the small oven, so get two for two people. It’s run by the same folks as Stevie’s Famous, and they provide a bottle of chili oil. The chicory, hazelnut, and pear salad was good but not something I’d rush to order again. The Hot Coppa pizza was our favorite—great balance of fatty meat, spice, sweetness, and burrata. The cacio e pepe pizza was too cheesy for both Leah and me. The delicata squash special pizza was good, and we enjoyed it. The sourdough special ice cream was an experimental flavor—delicious and malty, served at the perfect soft ice cream temperature. No surprise, as Stevie’s Famous has incredible ice cream, too.

Stevie’s Famous - Stopped here before an airport dropoff. The Normie slice is very good, but the special white slice they had was incredible—I wish it were regularly available. The mushroom pizza was pretty good, with a nice funk from the gorgonzola. Their chili oil is great for the crusts, and the premium Flatiron chili flakes are a nice touch. The salad is really good, and the large size is bigger than expected. The vanilla custard and pistachio ice creams were superb.

Pancita - They do it really well here. Memelas w/ butter - oaxacan honey (tasted like orange marmalade, quince butter, maiz memelas). Great way to start. Had all the garnachas, loved them all. Listed in order of preference: Albacore tuna tostada, Brisket suadero tacos, Cauliflower al pastor volcanes, Pork belly carnitas tacos, Lentil & mushroom tetela. Skip all the desserts. Skip the agua fresca. Next time will do Salmon aguachile and Chicken in quince & guava mole. Very cute vibe inside. Everyone seems pretty happy to work there too.

2 stars

Paseo - Super savory and juicy Caribbean roast pork sandwich. Order online to skip the line, but don’t be late picking it up. Very messy, so be prepared for sticky hands. I’d get it again but would like to try other sandwiches. Priced well, considering its popularity. Definitely needs the hot sauce. Doesn’t hold up well as takeout.

Pawan’s Kitchen (North Vancouver, Canada) - Stopped here three times on the way to Whistler. Super friendly staff every time, and the food is incredible.

Sushi Hil (Vancouver, Canada) - Took advantage of the exchange rate and got the Sushi Chirashi bowl—like a bowl of jewels. Loved every bit of it. The uni addition was worth it. Leah got the Snow Crab roll (not great, too much mayo), House roll (good), and King Oshi roll (great). Chef Hil has an interesting backstory. Tiny shop, so get a reservation.

Indigo Cow - Made with milk from Hokkaido. Unbelievably creamy and tasty without being overly sweet. The matcha swirl is my favorite. Don’t bother with the add-ons. Always get the black waffle cone.

Kedai Makan - Had a reservation for three. The Kerabu Timun Nanas (pineapple and cucumber salad) was just okay. The Roti Jala wasn’t for me—not a fan of the net bread—but the chicken curry it came with was excellent. The Nasi Lemak with beef rendang was really enjoyable. The chili pan mee was excellent, and the sambal belacan was superb. The coconut ice cream shake was super indulgent; I wouldn’t get it again, though it was good. The honeycomb cake with coconut ice cream and coffee syrup was just okay—not a repeat for me.

Musang - Came here for birthday dinner. Wait staff was stretched as it took 10min for someone to acknowledge us waiting for a table despite having a reservation. Started with Lumpiang Shanghai, which I might always do from now on. Gintaang Gulay w/ garlic rice is a great combo. Could've done without the Inaloban Na Isda (fried fish) and the highly recommended Short Rib Kare-Kare tasted like it was lacking in salt. Should've mentioned something. Open to ordering it again though. The Grilled Corn Bibingka was amazing. It appears on normal menu and dessert menu weirdly. Also got the Almond cake w/ persimmon jam which was pretty good but I was too full to truly enjoy it. Impressive cocktail menu.

Backyard Bakery - Open Saturdays as a pop-up. Excellent pastries—grabbed a bunch for friends visiting Lummi. The peach and cream tart was incredible (but pricey). The raspberry streusel coffee cake was wonderful; I kept eating it whenever I walked by at home. The strawberry rhubarb squares were nice. The chocolate chip cookies were good.

Kabul Afghan Cuisine - Friendly, chatty owner. Tried the Bolani appetizer (light fritters, would skip next time). The Bara Kebab was very good, especially with the fragrant palaw rice. The eggplant addition was superb. Leah got the Ashak (thin dumplings with ground beef); I found it sweet and pleasant but wouldn’t get it again. The Firni dessert was incredible—cold pudding I could eat several of in one sitting.

Spice Waala - Very friendly staff and affordable prices. The chicken tikka roll was fantastic, and the aloo tikki chaat was excellent. Looking forward to trying the chana chaat next time. The seasonal coconut cardamom soft serve with toasted coconut was also excellent.

Communion - Second visit wasn’t as impressive as the first. Came with a group of four and sat at a table so wide it was hard to talk, especially with the noise. The Watermelon Salad was unremarkable—not worth it. Grandma's Mac & Cheese was consistently great. The Collard Greens with Pickled Relish were fine but not a repeat. The Stuffed Squash was okay. The Berbere Chicken was their best dish—perfectly cooked. The Grilled Salmon was very good, perfectly cooked. The Key Lime Pie was excellent (and I don’t even like Key lime pie). The GF Brownie was stellar. Leah enjoyed the Cherie Amour mezcal cocktail.

Slurp Station Aburasoba - Came here solo. Located on a quiet street with a super clean and modern interior (especially for U-District). Simple menu via QR code. Ordered the Salt-based option because the Shoyu sounded lighter. The jumbo size (50% more noodles) was worth it. Although brothless, it’s not dry—super creamy and slippery. All my favorite parts of ramen without the broth or spoon. Chewy noodles and excellent toppings. The best bowl of noodles I’ve had all year.

Indo Cafe - Tiny parking lot and simple interior with spartan decor. The menu is full of chili-laden dishes, and everything looks good. I had the Ayam Goreng Balado (upgraded to yellow rice, a great choice). Not too spicy but incredibly flavorful. The lightly fried chicken is a hands-on experience. The avocado ice cream was super thick with chunks of avocado—perfect for sharing. It’s deceptively heavy for its size.

maiz - Don’t be fooled by the long line—it’s for the Starbucks next door. Phenomenal tacos, though pricey at 3 for $17. Worth every penny. The tortillas are incredible—soft and bursting with flavor. I had the Al Pastor, Chicken Tinga, and Carnitas—all phenomenal. Will return to try guisado, tamales, huaraches, and tlacoyos. Very limited seating—just four or five bar stools.

E-Jae Pak Mor - Came back with Patrick to try the Khao Soi with beef. It was nice but didn’t wow me as much as on the first visit. Next time, I want to try the khao mun gai, tender beef stew, and massaman beef. Also interested in their dry noodles.

1 star

Fuji Bakery - The Japanese souffle cheesecake is one of the best I’ve ever had. Not much room for seating, so take it across the road to Elliott Bay Park. The mini croissant is also excellent. The crunchy cream malasada didn’t live up to the hype, but I’d be open to trying the Ube custard one. Don’t bother with the matcha tiramisu.

South Fork (North Bend, WA) - The brisket sandwich with fries is excellent. Great lawn and perfect summer vibes.

Hi Life - Great spot to grab quality poke right before the ferry. Conveniently located so you can park your car in the ferry line and walk over.

The Independent Pizzeria - Tried the mushroom special pizza and enjoyed it. It can feed one very hungry person. Parking is tough on nice days, so plan ahead. Order in advance—the wait for food is typically 10–15 minutes longer than the estimate. There are two nice picnic tables outside, but you can easily eat along the water.

Post Alley Pizza - Excellent pizza with a crispy, thin crust (maybe too crispy for some—ask for it lightly baked if you prefer). Quality ingredients, and each slice costs less than $5. Tucked away in an alley. Unfortunately, it closes early daily. The hoagie bread was very good, but the chopped cheese wasn’t a proper NYC-style version.

Blackbird Bakery - Wow, the quiche is incredible. Kenji says it’s worth taking the ferry over for—I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s close.

Lummi Beach Store Cafe - Surprisingly good food for being the only restaurant on the island. Skip the seafood salad. Leah liked the watermelon feta starter; I thought it was just okay. The pan pizza with mushrooms is pretty good—super crispy. The zucchini cake is an excellent twist on carrot cake and worth getting again. Amazing backyard with a communal vibe. Food takes a while, and meals don’t come out at the same time.

Taurus Ox - Tried the burger, beef jerky over sticky rice, pork sausage side dish, papaya salad, and phad Lao. The best items were the beef jerky, sausage, and burger. The papaya salad was too funky for me, but Greg loved it. The phad Lao wasn’t flavorful enough. Returned to try the gumbo (great but small portion) and the yellow gaeng curry (not flavorful). The chicken laab lettuce wrap was very boring. Still want to try the khao soi, thom Khmer, and more gumbo.

Bowriders Grill - A cool, casual hangout spot for friends, though it gets crowded with limited seating. The lake view adds to the charm. The menu is simple but well-executed. I recommend the salmon sandwich. The salmon taco is actually more of a wrap. They have a vast collection of interesting hot sauces.

Nasai Teriyaki (in Lake City) - Stopped here during a Toyota visit. The spicy chicken and gyoza combo is great. The gyoza is very good, and the chicken was grilled perfectly. Paid $1 extra for spicy—it was worth it. The spicy sauce, flecked with chili, looked beautiful and was spot-on at a level 4 out of 5.

T55 Pâtisserie - Expect a line, waited 40min. Singaporean pastry chef w/ an impressive resume: elaborate pastries. Head chef of Canlis is a big fan. Did not like the Curry Crab Scone. Peach and Brie financier is a brilliant combo (brown butter almond cake, crunchy top, creamy center). Lemon Matcha Choux (bright in flavor: lemon curd, matcha mouse, vanilla caramel). Cinnamon Babka croissant loaf was too decadent for me. Pain au Chocolat flower is very clever, high quality chocolate and very ingenious structure to ensure every bite has chocolate.

Worth mentioning

For these places, I didn’t have a strong positive opinion, but I liked them enough that I’d come back to them usually because of convenience. Some of them I’d need to go back to before I consider bumping them up on the list.

Tivoli - Tried the pesto pizza but found it overly burnt and generally not good—especially considering the high price. The chilled pistachio noodles with bolognese, however, were excellent and worth ordering again. I’ll return to try the sandwiches, which are only available at lunchtime.

David Family Taqueria (Sequim, WA) - Very friendly service with free, fresh chips and salsa. The rice and beans are excellent. I had the Chile Colorado and enjoyed it. Not many great options in the area, so this is a solid pick. Don’t let the gas station location deter you.

Manpuku Suishi (Squamish, Canada) - A great spot for quality sushi lunch in Squamish. Limited seating inside, but one of the best values in town.

Sirena Gelato - A perfect stop while cycling the North Lake Washington loop. Best combos are Amaretto & Tiramisu, Rose & Pistachio, or just Ube on its own. Flavors I didn’t like: Dutch Cocoa (tasted like powdered cocoa) and Stracciatella (watery taste).

The Stonehouse Cafe - Stopped here during a long bike ride and had the grilled cheese. Decent seating with views, though it’s right by the road. They seem to host a lot of community events. The highlight is Laina’s Handmade Ice Cream—pick a small container from their freezer. The Watermelon Basil flavor is phenomenal. Tom regrettably got the Lemon Poppy.

Toast Mi - Tried the tofu banh mi and was surprised by how much I liked it—I’d normally get the classic version. A great option for a walk in the park. Ordered in advance online.

Zylberschtein's - The pastrami on a bagel is really good.

Tanoor - There aren’t many good options in South Lake Union. Came in out of desperation and was pleasantly surprised. Great Lebanese food. Convenient for large groups.

Maharaja Cuisine of India - Open unusually late (1am), which is rare for Seattle. They offer a $20 weekend lunch buffet (11am–3pm), though I haven’t tried it yet. The food is great, but the service is hilariously absent-minded despite there being an abundance of idle waitstaff. Several locations in the area.

Korea House BBQ & Grill Marysville - Stopped here with Patrick after climbing in Darrington. Not many options in the area, but this was a hit. We feasted on quality meat with Combo B. No need for extra sides, though we indulged anyway.

FlintCreek Cattle Co - $11 for a high-quality patty sourced from small-scale cattle farms in Western Montana, paired with phenomenal blue cheese. Available daily from 4–5:30pm. If I lived nearby, I’d visit several times a month. Primarily a steakhouse with a bright and airy vibe. I assume the burger deal is to bring in new customers.

Gainsbourg - Happy hour pricing all day on Monday. The $7 burger is great, with an extra $1 for gruyere or blue cheese. The tiny roasted beet salad on the HH menu is also good. Very much a dive bar vibe.

Chocolat Vitale - A good date spot with limited seating. There’s also a record shop inside. The hot chocolate is their standout offering. Ask about the chocolate, and the owner will gladly share detailed stories about the beans’ origins. They sell a variety of chocolate bars that would make great gifts for chocolate lovers.

30 Hours in Geneva, Switzerland

It was only minutes after Peter called me that Leah and I were comparing flight options. His wedding in Macon gave us the options of either flying into Paris or make our way to France from Geneva. Between the two of us, we had been to Paris several times and found the idea of a new city exciting. We also noticed how close we’d be to the Alps, which quickly inspired a plan to ride our bikes around Mont Blanc after the wedding.

As soon as we left the airport, I was impressed that it only took seven minutes to arrive to the center of the city via train. Seven minutes! I always knew the Japanese did mass transit well, and now I know the Swiss also are deserving of praise. If you’re using this write-up as a guide, be sure to download the SBB app, which works wonderfully.

We stayed at the Hotel Bernina, right across the street from the main station. I rarely put a lot of thought into my lodging, but I was impressed by the value and quality of the hotel for the price we very reasonable price we paid. Everything I read in Tripadvisor’s AI summary tool (which I helped to build!) was spot on.

The first morning, I woke up well rested and before sunrise with the intention of going on a walk. Despite flying in from Seattle, my jet lag was minimal (or hadn’t yet caught up to me). Leah wouldn’t be awake for another few hours, so I slipped out alone.

Bains des Paquis

The primary reason for waking up before sunrise was to walk over to the Bains des Paquis. It’s a long jetty that reaches into Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Apparently there’s a sauna and bathhouse during the colder months.

The baths have a small fee to enter but I didn’t see anyone there to stop me from walking along the jetty.

I actually woke up this early because I heard there were live concerts at sunrise during the summer. Only now did I realize that Les Aubes Musicales happens only between July 15 and August 18. I was eleven days late to the party.

I watched several people swimming in the calm lake water. The mountains to the north were now softly shaded pink by the time I began walking back from the lighthouse, while the hills to the south were still silhouetted by a deep orange glow.

I walked around the head of the lake across Pont du Mont Blanc, dodging joggers and several cyclists commuting in to an early shift at work. This early hour has always been my favorite time to explore any city. If I wasn’t healing from an injury I’d have been jogging as well to cover more ground.

I made it to the other side of the lake and was lucky to see the sunrise still letting on a spectacular show. All the colors of the morning were gradually pouring out above me as I walked through the Jardin Anglais.

I continued heading east until I found a beach, Baby-Plage, where I played on some swings made of old rubber tires while I watched the rest of the daylight unravel.

It was still too early for breakfast so I headed over to Parc la Grange. It felt like I had the entire park to myself. By this hour, even the morning joggers were heading home to start their day at work. I wandered around for several minutes and only ran into the groundskeeper of Villa La Grange, a historic mansion dating back to the 18th century.

In 1864, the building hosted the closing gala for officials signing the original 1864 Geneva Convention. More recently in June 2021, it was where President Biden and Vladimir Putin met to try and normalize relations. That was eight months before the invasion which escalated the existing conflict.

At 8AM, Chou, the bakery I had in mind was finally open. It was tucked away on a quiet street and I grabbed an outside table to watch the city wake out of its slumber. There were now more cars on the road so I needed to be a bit more mindful when crossing the street for photographs. The cream puffs (pâte à choux) at Chou were the best I’ve ever had. I paired my caramel au beurre salé cream puff with an éclair, not fully appreciating then how good it was until a week later when I’d have a very bad one in Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

I kept my breakfast light and walked some more, taking a circuitous path west, reminding myself to look up every few minutes to admire the architecture. A lot of what I saw reflected the Haussmannian style which I became familiar with in Paris: elegant, uniform stone buildings with iron balconies, grand windows, and mansard roofs.

I was happy to see that La Halle de Rive, a covered market, was already open. The air smelled thickly of cured meats, cheeses, fresh bread, and plenty of other things that looked just as delicious. Much of the activity inside was from shopkeepers setting up for the day and a small handful of people lined up for bread.

I found Fromagerie Bruand and braced myself for a conversation in French. Fortunately, the shop owner was patient and spoke slow enough for me to understand. Based on my request that I wanted something to munch on while walking, he recommended L’Etivaz and told me it was an alpine cow’s milk cheese with some fruity and hazelnut notes. I sampled a bit and instantly agreed it was a winner. He cut up a small portion for me into thin wedges that would make for a perfect walking snack.

A few blocks away was Auer, a chocolate shop that’s been run by a Swiss family for five generations. Apparently U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was a huge fan and would stop by between diplomacy meetings in Geneva. At over $50 USD for a small box, it was certainly a luxury item.

I returned to my hotel to sample the treats with Leah. These were absolutely incredible, particularly the chocolate-covered nuts. The amandes princesses were roasted almonds covered in caramelized sugar, finally coated with rich chocolate and a soft layer of cocoa powder. I wish I had gotten an entire box of just these. In comparison, the free Lindt chocolate provided in the room tasted like candy you’d give away to children on Halloween.

Leah joined me and we walked through the old town, the historic heart of Geneva. The area is perched on a hill, crossed with narrow and winding streets. It’s home to Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, a Gothic-Romanesque cathedral built in the 12th century and most famous for being a focal point during the Protestant Reformation, led by John Calvin in the 16th century, which left a lasting legacy on the city’s identity, culture, and governance.

We headed in to Maison Tavel, the oldest private home in Geneva that dates back to the 12th century. It’s now a pay-what-you-wish museum covering six floors that capture the story of what it was like living in the region.

We continued wandering to work up an appetite before lunch, getting a peek at the Jet d’Eau from afar. Before becoming an iconic landmark of the city, the water jet was a pressure control solution to the Geneva’s water supply system in 1886. Shortly after, it was later moved to its current location and bolstered up once residents recognized the aesthetic potential for tourism and a monument of Geneva’s identity.

We had lunch at Osteria della Bottega, figuring we should treat ourselves. It was all fine but I wouldn’t ever do it again at that price. The only thing that really sparked our interest us was the olive oil tasting with small pieces of bread.

We continued south towards Parc des Bastions, adjacent to Université de Genève. It’s where you’ll find the The Reformation Wall, honoring key figures of the Protestant Reformation. The monument was carved into the city’s ancient ramparts in 1909, symbolizing Geneva’s role as a stronghold of early Protestantism.

We were less in the mood for sightseeing. It was unusually hot for late August and we grabbed a shaded seat outside at Kiosque des Bastions in the park. We grabbed some cool drinks and lounged while watching the lunch hour unfold. Initially we were impressed at how well dressed the men in Geneva seemed to be on a random weekday. Nearly every man had a tailored shirt and looked like he could be in a fragrance advertisement for Yves Saint Laurent. We realized later we were close to the financial center of the city and these were guys dressed for work. Even still, the fellas were looking sharp.

After waiting for over a half hour to get the check (fortunately we were in no hurry and learned that getting the check takes much longer than we’re used to), we dragged ourselves back into the heat and crossed the milky, glacial-fed Arve River. We were on our way to Carouge, which had a different vibe than the rest of Geneva.

Carouge was originally founded in the 18th century by the King of Sardinia (Victor Amadeus III) after he gave up in his attempts to take over Geneva. He intended to create a prosperous trading town that could rival the more Protestant and austere Geneva by encouraging all faiths and nationalities to settle there, which led to a sizable Catholic and Jewish population. It was absorbed into Geneva after the fall of Napoleon and today is an artsy neighborhood with small artisan shops. We could immediately tell there was a different mood. Carouge’s streets were lined with colorful, low-rise houses, arched windows, and soft pastel tones coating the exterior of the small shops we peered into. No surprise it also goes by the name La Citè Sarde (the Sardinian city).

Leah headed back to the hotel to get ready for a spin class. She was curious what that would be like and told me there was a lot of the instructor yelling “Poussez! Poussez!” to the class. I headed south on the bus towards Salève, a mountain accessible by cable car that would give me a view of the city from above. I’d have a five minute walk across the border into France, but most Geneva residents think of it as their local peak despite that.

From the top, there were hiking trails, sport climbing, or I could have opted to paraglide off the top. I only had a little over an hour, which wasn’t enough time to do any of that in earnest so I just watched and admired the landscape around me until it was time to head back down.

Indian food

We had a dinner of Indian food near the hotel, figuring it was good enough and wouldn’t give us sticker shock. Something we both realized quickly is that Geneva was a very pricey city to dine out in unless you wanted fast food or kebab shops.

Coming from NYC and Seattle, I didn’t expect to do a double-take at the prices. Something to keep in mind is that there isn’t a tipping culture, so you can discount that from the menu price and it helps a little bit.

The next morning, we had a bus to Chamonix at noon. After asking for a late checkout we walked to Othmane Khoris for a leisurely breakfast

The shop looked more like they were selling jewelry than pastries; I could appreciate paying extra for these treats. We grabbed a few boxes of their precious baked goods and walked over to Île Rousseau, a small, lovely island on the Rhône River, which flows out of the lake.

I really enjoyed Geneva and would happily return. The city felt very peaceful and efficient. I only wish I knew where to get an excellent lunch and dinner without overspending, which felt like a research failure on my part. English was readily spoken by many shop owners and locals, but knowing some French made it a lot more enjoyable. I also wish they took the Euro instead of the Swiss Franc, but that was only a minor inconvenience. Looking forward to visiting again!

Din Tai Fung vs Dough Zone

There’s a Din Tai Fung and a Dough Zone in my neighborhood, both within a very short walk of each other. I’ve eaten at both and have wondered to myself, “who makes the better soup dumplings?”

Is it Din Tai Fung, the more expensive, 5-time Michelin star winning restaurant? Or would it be Dough Zone, the fast-growing, more affordable alternative that is considered by some to be the best in Seattle? I decided to do a back-to-back comparison, two dinners in one night.

In addition to the soup dumplings, I was also curious to try a few other items: pork buns, wontons in chili sauce, and the dan dan noodles. On a scale of 0-5, here’s how Leah and I ranked them.

Soup Dumplings

🏆 Din Tai Fung (Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao)

Raja: 4.5 - “Tiny, adorable sized. Clean taste. Impossibly thin dough. Impressive.”

Leah: 4.0 - “Nice spice, more soup than Dough Zone.”

Dough Zone (Berkshire-Duroc Pork Xiao Long Bao)

Raja: 3.75 - “Thin and delicate dough. Melts right in my mouth, great mouth feel for the soup”

Leah: 3.0 - “A little too salty. Don’t like the meat taste. Dough is good. Not much soup.”

Pork buns

Din Tai Fung (Kurobuta Pork Buns, steamed)

Raja: 1.5 - “Heavy dough. The only item I didn’t finish”

Leah: 2.0 - “Chewy dough but I don’t care for the taste of this dough and meat.”

🏆 Dough Zone (Q-BAO Pan Fried Pork Buns)

Raja: 4.0 - “Excellent crispy bottom. Delightfully thin as well. Kinda mushy, more texture over flavor, but I’d get it again.”

Leah: 2.0 - “Top part dough is great, bottom was too crispy. Don’t like the meat.”

Wontons in chili sauce

🏆 Din Tai Fung (Vegetable & Kurobuta Pork Spicy Wontons)

Raja: 4.0 - “Vegetable flavor and texture dominates. More scallions on top of these. More depth in flavor, the sweet and spicy is better balanced here.”

Leah: 4.0 - “Great texture. Not a strong meat taste which is good. Sauce is good.”

Dough Zone (Pork Wontons with Chili Sauce)

Raja: 3.5 - “Supremely thin. Slippery and slides down my mouth. Barely there, small portion, very sweet.”

Leah: 3.5 - “Great texture. Don’t like the meat taste. Sauce is good, sweet.”

Dan Dan noodles

Din Tai Fung (Noodles with Sesame Sauce)

Raja: 2.0 - “Boring. Simple.”

Leah: 2.0 - “Meh sauce. Straight noodle texture.”

🏆 Dough Zone (Dan Dan Noodles)

Raja: 4.5 - “I could eat two orders of it. Perfect spice. Tingly, slippery and chewy. Wavy texture.”

Leah: 4.5 - “Great spice level, could eat it all. Tingly from Sichuan peppercorns, wavy shape.”

Notes

  • Leah doesn’t really like meat, as you can probably tell. Keep that in mind as you read her notes.

  • We went to Din Tai Fung first, put our names down for a 90min wait and ate first at Dough Zone. I would’ve suspected that we’d be too full to enjoy Din Tai Fung, but that’ wasn’t true.

  • It wasn’t fair of me to compare the pan fried Q-bao from Dough Zone to the steamed buns at Din Tai Fung, but I really don’t like steamed buns.

  • I was hoping I’d like the food at Dough Zone more, since it’s almost half the price of Din Tai Fung and it’s far easier to get a table. I’ll still eat at Dough Zone, but now I feel like I’ve got the freedom to explore the items on their menu that aren’t the headliners.

Best things I've eaten around Seattle (first half of 2024)

This year, I decided to keep a shortlist of all the restaurants that I’ve eaten at as a way to quickly remember which of them were memorable meals. I keep notes for each restaurant in a private Google Maps list, and these notes have been helpful when I revisit or when a friend asks me for guidance. Several friends have asked for the actual shortlist of where I’ve eaten so far in 2024.

NOTE: I published a similar list for the second half of 2024, which you can find here.

In my shortlist, I gave them 1-4 stars.

4 stars - This blew my mind. I feel so lucky to have experienced this. Everything about this was impressive and exceptional. I’ll be thinking about this for months.

3 stars - This was very good. I can’t wait to tell my friends about this. There were a few things that weren’t perfect, but I’m still looking forward to coming back.

2 stars - I’d look forward to stopping by if I’m passing through the area.

1 star - I liked it, but I’m not in a rush to come back.

These are not restaurant reviews. They’re just my private notes. I tried to put very little effort into this because I’m having a lot of fun outdoors this summer and typing out words feels like a chore at the moment. I did try to clean up and polish these notes so they at least add some value to you.

4 stars

Joule - A very inventive and creative menu. Sitting by the beautiful fire pit outside is the move, so it’s great for the winter. Scallion pancake was interesting because of the smoked roe, but not good enough to get again. Short rib steak was perfect, but get it only if there's another meat-eater. Butternut squash salad with charred cabbage was our highlight. The squash part tasted boring. The famous spicy rice cake with crisped chorizo was excellent. Instead of getting the cake here, go to Paper Cake a few blocks north for more options from the same owner.

Paju - Came with a group of four. Have at least four people, ideally five. Yellowtail was delicate, beautiful, bathed in a delicious broth. Octopus truly tasted like sausage and had an amazing roe sauce. Mushroom dish was cheesy and incredibly meaty in texture, excellent. Paju fried rice was very seaweed forward, enjoyed it. Sujebi was the crisp bolognese sauce with thick noodles, so damn good. Bulgogi was pretty decent. Crispy pancake was surprisingly good. Chocolate mousse was good and I’d get it again. The Bingsu dish Imay skip next time. Need to come back to try Bugak.

Communion - The hype is real. High expectations exceeded. Everything was exceptional (fried chicken, sweet potato hoecakes, mac & cheese, Berbere chicken, the brownie). Jovial atmosphere and gets better with more people, a lot more. Extremely loud, comically and uncomfortably loud. They even got our order wrong because of how loud it is (but tasted great anyway). Outdoor seating possible but you’d miss out on the gorgeous interior.

3 stars

Deep Sea Sugar and Salt -The most impressive cakes I’ve ever tasted. All the flavors are well-thought through. Order ahead for pickup. One slice can feed two. Tried the London Fog and that’s become a favorite. Cardamom rose was good but not one I’d do again. They have cupcakes too.

Paper Cake - Open late til 9pm, so it’s a perfect after-dinner spot. Had the Good Fortune (lunar new year special) slice and the Ube Mocha. Ube Mocha was a hands down favorite.

Spark Pizza - Parking is shared with Chase Bank next door. There’s always a wait, so arrive at an odd hour. Had the burrata starter (incredible) and the Fun-Gal mushroom pizza (best mushroom pizza ever). Tiramisu was pretty meh so I would skip that. Came again in the winter for the outdoor patio w/ heat lamps and brought together a group.

Stevie’s Famous Burien - Normie slice is very good, wow. But that special-of-the day white slice they had was incredible. There's bottles of chili oil that was really nice to have for the crusts. Salad is really good and the large size is massive. The vanilla custard and pistachio ice creams were superb and a must get.

Spooner Berry Farms - This isn’t a restaurant, but I passed by one of their many farm stands when strawberries were in season. They were the most delicious fruit I’ve ever tasted in my life. All the berries were picked that morning and they sell out fast.

Spinnaker - Also not a restaurant, but worth calling out. Kenji says this shop makes the best chocolate in the world. I don’t disagree. I live nearby and love the self-serve sampling of everything they’ve got.

Good Luck Bread - Another non-restaurant. Every Saturday afternoon, you can pick up the best frozen pizza you’ve ever tasted. The pro move is to grab a pizza or two, drive over to Deep Sea Sugar for desert and have an easy and spectacular dinner at home.

2 stars

E-Jae Pak Mor - Had the Guay Tiew Gaeng with chicken. Enjoyed the fish balls more than I expected. May try with beef or tofu later. The Pak Mor Yuan was messy to eat but the mint dipping sauce was great. Would only get this again if sharing. Try next time: khao mun gai, the tender beef stew.

D’La Santa - Mexican steakhouse, much better vibe than a traditional steakhouse. Beautiful interior with the decorated tree. Would love to come back with friends to get the sampler parrillada.

Nirmal’s - Parking is a pain. Very friendly owner and interesting/creative menu. Won’t get the samosas again but Leah liked them. Saoji Chicken Rassa was delightful: fall-off-bone chicken, super fragrant. I enjoyed but wouldn't get again so I can try something new. Chicken Dum Biryani was phenomenal, one of the best I've ever had.

Flora Bakehouse - A perfect neighborhood bakery, but worth traveling for. Phenomenal pastries. Many savory options too. Really nice rooftop deck. There are a lot of little kids so it seems to be family friendly.

Kamonegi - Awkward seating but cute. Coffee salmon tartare was excellent, get this again. Very unique flavor. Kabocha wings were phenomenal. Uni Shiso Bomb was not worth it, not interesting. Everyone mentions it though. Maitake tempura was earthy and interesting, but not worth it. Black trumpet dipping soba was very rich and sweet, yummy. Vegetable curry soba was a bit bitter and we didn't like it very much.

Dumpling the Noodle - The chili veggie hand-pulled noodles were superb, even as takeout. The beef noodles were not worth it (dry beef, didn't add anything). Pork and onion buns were solid as well, I'd get them again. The bulgogi dumplings were alright, no need to get them again.

Ascend Prime - Superb views. Great for happy hour before a movie at Cinemark. Fries are excellent. Burger is great. The move for pre-theater is one burger and an extra side order of fries. Don't get alcoholic bev (Leah found it too fake-tasting). Consider a n/a if it looks good. Do not get the karaage (waste of money).

Volunteer Park Pantry - Came here on weekday for egg and cheese sandwich which was good, but far overpriced. Had the carrot cake which was large and had lots of warm spices. Good for sharing. Later also tried the Matilda chocolate cake. Top notch vibe here.

Layers Green Lake - Came for lunch on a weekday and found it super busy. Lots of baby strollers. Potato wedges are not worth getting. Notorious PIG sandwich had a fun name but mushy, messy, and too crisp. Not enjoyable to eat. Malted macadamia cookie was divine, extremely good. Leah got the chickpea patty sandwich and enjoyed it.

Thai Tom - Eat in person, takeout isn’t the move. Cash only. I should make it a goal to try all of their entrees. Pad Thai was excellent. Pad See Ew was okay. Drunken Noodles were incredible. Swimming Rama was awesome as leftovers. I prefer spice level 4 here.

The Fairhaven - Stopped by after North Cascades. Parking lot in the center of the block is tricky to find. Jerk Chicken sandwich was absolutely spectacular. The bread was curry flavored and everything about it was excellent. Had a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie that was just fine. Very cute place. Friendly staff.

My Friend Derek’s - Mushroom and jalapeno toppings were comically placed, but the guy was so friendly I let that slide. Would absolutely get it again. Small size feeds two. Took it to Fremont Brewing, which everyone seems to be doing.

Azuki - Very drab Japanese place but very high quality food. Had the signature beef udon which was fantastic and came in an enormous bowl. Started with the salmon donburi which was excellent. Would happily get both again, but want to try the curry beef udon. They have a lot of items that are to-go only which is baffling.

Saint Bread - Nice covered patio by the marina. Former motorboat repair shop. Great for breakfast meetings. Skip orange miso cake, cardamom knot, and beef kare. Get cardamom croissant and school bun. On second visit I tried the burger which wasn't as interesting as I hoped it'd be (too much sweet mayo?). Got the Canele which I liked, pineapple school bun which was fantastic, and the chocolate chip cookie which was excellent. Gochudoodle cookie is slightly spicy but very nicely savory and sweet with crunchy seeds.

Los Cuervos - Stopped on the way to Camp Muir skiing. Very good food, adorable abuela cooking. Got the carne asada quesadilla. Leah got the birria and al pastor taco. Four different fresh (properly refrigerated) salsas. Leah also got flan which was decent.

Theary Cambodian - Came after Camp Muir. Had combo plate, beef pastry, beef skewer, pork skewer. All great. Favorite was pork skewer and beef pastry. Loved the combo plate sticky rice. Came with meatballs and stuffed chicken which was very cool.

Driftwood - Very great vibe inside. Pull-apart rolls are excellent. Got a half order of these as soon as we sat down. Salmon belly was good, wouldn't get again. D'anjou pear was very impressive. White asparagus we loved. Tuscan kale we found too dry. Black cod was stellar. Pork chop was very hearty and perfectly crispy. Chocolate olive oil cake was pretty basic, would skip.

FOB Sushi Bar - Quite cheap for the quality at $15/lb. Long line. Limited seating. Get the items near the end of the line rather than filling up at the front.

White Salmon Baking Co - Really good stuff. My happy place. Get a view of Mt Hood with your pastry.

Orchard House Donuts - Only available on Saturday at the Methow Valley Farmer’s Market. The best donuts I’ve ever had I think.

Rise and Shine Bakery - Crispy pork belly banh mi was good but not likely to be a favorite. Tofu five spice was absolutely excellent and I crave it often. Would be even better if they made it spicier. Beef vermicelli was really good, loved it. Super friendly service, clean and spacious interior, and plenty of easy parking in a non-sketchy part of Aurora.

Ba Bar - The convenience is hard to beat. The broth is very good and complex. Had the Pho Tai Lan and enjoyed it.

Spinasse - Did the asparagus (skip, because it was too much unless there’s a table of four). The artichoke w/ mascarpone was one we thought about for weeks. We did three pasta half-dishes. Butter and sage was phenomenal. Had a melt in your mouth feel. Pork and beef ragu was incredible as well. Adored it. Cavatelli w/ morel and rosemary was nice to try morels, I liked it. Had three desserts. Espresso semifreddo as pretty great. Crostata rhubarb pistachio tart I’d pass. Panna cotta was interesting, but wouldn't do it again.

Eltana Bagels - Everything bagel with spicy garlic/lox/capers. Loved it. Super fast and they gave me a free bagel with it. Very crusty and chewy.

Carlson Block - Mixed mushroom pizza no sauce was incredible. Summer peach ice cream is excellent, as was the triple berry. They sell out fast apparently.

Temple Pastries - Croissants are very good. Skip shallot/gruyere. Rye pan au chocolat is very good, deep and savory flavors. Sugared cruffin was delightful. Chocolate chip cookie with nibs was good. Skip the macarons. Fig/oat cookie just tasted like a healthy cookie. Parking can be difficult, lines very long. Very nice and well lit interior.

Standard Brewing - Came for lunch and sat on the patio. Got all three tacos (smoked carrot, fried catfish, chicken). All were excellent but I went for seconds of the fish and chicken. Very impressive food for a brewery.

Chengdu Taste - Kenji says it’s the best Sichuan in America. Wontons in chili oil, get this, incredible. Sweet and spicy. Twice cooked pork was good, but skip. Mung bean jelly noodles we loved but get if shared with four people. Toothpick cumin lamb, I really enjoyed this but also one to share with a group. Blistered string beans get this as well, great vegetable to have with a lot of flavor. Mapo tofu can be skipped. There's no meat or tingly flavor.

1 star

Butcher and Baker Provisions - Great for after mountain biking at Port Gamble.

Tian Fu Bellevue - Impressed by the service. Mouthwatering Chicken was a bad idea (cold and had bones in it). Tasted good enough but wouldn't get it again. Black fungus salad had a fine texture but wouldn't get it again. Mung bean noodles were thick, square cut noodles that Leah really liked. I did too but preferred the version at Chengdu taste as they were thinner. Dan Dan Noodles wasn’t great here. Sichuan Chili Wontons wer plump and good, but Chengdu taste was better. Mapo tofu was very good, much better than Chengdu Taste. Cumin lamb had a ton of cilantro and not enough meat or cumin.

Carnitas Michoacan - Right off the light rail, which makes it almost an essential stop when commuting back from SeaTac airport. Excellent salsa bar, don’t miss it. Get the asada, Al pastor, and carnitas tacos. Haven’t tried chorizo. Rice and beans were okay. Skip the quesadilla. Skip tres leches (too dry).

Bangkok 99 truck - Had pad see ew, asking for it to be loaded up with veggies on top of the tofu. Tasted pretty good. Spicy level 4 is not too bad. Tempted to get level 5. Would go again if in the area. Maybe try chicken next time.

Dahlia Bakery - Coconut pie is pretty good, but not iconic enough to warrant being a must-try for a tourist. Impressively overhyped, but I’d get it again. Very pricey, fortunately they have a mini size.

La Tarasca - Stopped in on the way back from skiing Helens. Very good spot. I had the carnitas plate which was good but I don't like carnitas enough to get it again. Also had the flan, which was good. Worth getting again if I'm in the mood for dessert. The owner here takes her menu very seriously and has a lot of pride, rightfully so.

Harvest Vine - Location is very transporting, like you’re eating in Basque country. Would’ve been better to sit at the bar instead of downstairs, but it’s still good. The beet salad was great, fun to eat, and presented beautifully. Other dishes were not worth the price at all (octopus and potatoes, prawns w/ saffron rice). Cauliflower was quite good, well charred with a nice green sauce. Be sure to ask for bread to up sauce. Flan was best I've ever had. Incredibly thick. Ice cream trio was also great: honey pear, chocolate, strawberry rhubarb. generous portion. Would get again Overall seemed the main dishes were not worth the price given size. Maybe just come here for dessert after dinner elsewhere.

Ambakity - Great for after mountain biking at St Ed’s. All tacos come dressed up very nicely. Fish taco was excellent, a clear favorite. I could have several of these. Carne Asada was very good. Carnitas were good Rice and beans can be skipped. A very simple and decent outdoor seating area with umbrellas. Red (smoky) and green salsas are both excellent but favorite is green despite being less spicy.

Riv Cafe, The Dalles - Old stone church converted to a cafe. Very good food. Nice outdoor seating.

La Roca, Chelan - Stopped by on the way to Winthrop, and very glad we did. Had the barbacoa plate which was extremely filling. Homemade corn tortillas are superb.

Delancey - Absolutely get the wood-fired asparagus. The sauce was incredible. Got the white pizza with fancy mushrooms (special topping). There was too much brown butter so next time won't get a special topping. Did a big group dinner where we tried all the pizzas. Chocolate chip cookie is excellent. Super friendly servers and great vibe. Tip of 20% already included.

Cloud Cafe - Very friendly service. Village Bowl was very meaty, and I loved it. Tofu Mango salad was very nice to balance it out. Satay pho was good but wouldn't get it again. Would happily come back.

Aahar an Indian Eatery - Reddit recommended for South Indian food. Ordered takeout and sat outside, better than inside. Leah was the only white person there. Great for after Raging River mountain biking. Spicy chicken biryani was pretty good, would get it again but I'd like to try other things. Don’t get the chettinad veg curry. Too greasy. Skip the naan, tasted like supermarket naan.

Rasoi Indian Restaurant and Bakery - Started with the Samosa chaat, which was pretty good but had a lot more yogurt than I would’ve wanted. Don’t think I will get it again, but I want to try the other chaat. The signature chicken changrezi curry was good, but there was not a lot of meat on the bone chicken so I don’t think I’d get it again, but I loved the sauce. Pretty affordable for the quality you get. The naan is very cracker like, horrible. There’s a weekend buffet with 30 items that I’d be interested in trying after a big climb session.

Indigo Cow - Made with milk from Hokkaido. Unbelievably creamy and tasty without relying on being sweet. Don’t get the add-ons.

Worth mentioning

For these places, I didn’t have a strong positive opinion, but I liked them enough that I’d come back to them usually because of convenience.

Rione XIII - Really enjoyed coming here for happy hour. Every Sunday there’s a family-style feast for nearly everything on the menu. Used to be $45 and now it’s $50. Guaranteed to have leftovers. Has a perfect neighborhood Italian restaurant vibe.

Cafe Lago - $10 pizza on Mondays was the best deal in the city. Now is $12, which is still impressive. Reserve in advance. Non-alcoholic drinks are good. Gnocchi was good, not great. Pizza is very filling. Had the salsiccia and romana pizzas, both meaty and good. Had the beets as a starter. I should really come here to try the pasta though.

How to Cook a Wolf - Beautiful interior decked out in wood. Cute neighborhood. Impressive cocktail list. Polenta fritters were very good, sweet, almost like a dessert. Potato Gnocchi w/ duck we liked even though I don’t like duck. Lumache (bolognese) I liked this a lot. Very flavorful, rich. Great pasta texture. Pistachio gelato was excellent and had chunks of pistachio. I wish they changed up the menu more often.

Sea Wolf - The best baguette in the city.

Taste of Thai by Wipa - great stop for dinner along I5 after mountain biking at Galbraith. Pa-Nang Curry w/ beef was deeply flavorful. Got it with garlic rice for extra which was a bad idea, stick with normal jasmine rice. Khow Soi also a favorite. Yellow curry puff had a great filling, but would've wanted more filing and less pastry. Fresh Steamed Rolls were not what I imagined. More saucy than I expected. Wont get again.Sen Mhi Pad Nahm Prik Pao was ordered spicy but didnt find it spicy at all and thethin noodles aren't as interesting.

Dough Zone - Convenient and cheap, especially with Costco gift card. Dan Dan noodles are a must get. Great Mala noodles, especially as a pairing with Dan Dan noodles. Q bao was very good. Pork wonton in chili was good, but overly sweet. Cucumber was fun to eat, nice and refreshing. Hot and Sour glass noodles were okay, wouldn't get again. Chicken/Veg wontons in chili were sweet and decent. Vegetable potstickers were pretty bad. Gift card doesn't allow tip, so bring cash for that.

Mojito - Super friendly and funny owner. Has a very cool back story worth reading on Seattle Times. Chicken empanada I’d get again, maybe. Beef Vaca frita I enjoyed. Would try the steak with the citrus sauce for something less dry. Was great with the congri (cuban rice/beans). I asked for maduros to be swapped for yucca fries. The tres leches he gave it to me for free when I asked for it to go. The food reminds me of the Dominican places I grew up around.

Sunny Hill - Great service. The square pizza is pretty crunchy and I liked the round pies more despite the square being more wha tthey’re known for. The vegetables are excellent, we tried them all. Great as takeout if you’re doing a picnic in Golden Gardens.

Chicken Supply - Supremely overrated, but I’d come back. Chicken stick (spicy) felt like the breading was not super crispy, which makes sense given the starch mix they use. Spice level was great. Would try thighs or drumsticks next time. Monggo beans I enjoyed and would get it again. Cold Pancit I did not enjoy at all. Coconut collard greens was decent, bitter and savory. Wouldn't get it again. Butter mochi was pretty decent but might rather have gelato or ice cream.

Yodelin - Make reservation for sitting outside. Fish broth is okay, not my thing. Didn’t find udon noodles to be great. The potato banh mi excellent and the best thing they have I’d say. Sub the chips for something else.

Supreme Dumplings - Good variety of soup dumplings. Szechuan ones were not too impressive. Skip the chicken. Tan Tan noodles were wack. Mushroom fried rice was good. Stir fried greens in garlic was excellent. Pork soup dumplings were great. Pan fried buns had too much dough. Spicy pork wontons were more sweet than spicy, but decent.

Wildberry - The only restaurant worth stopping at on the drive to Paradise. Owner is a legend and humbly holds the speed record for Everest summit. There’s a small museum of sorts inside. Chicken thali plate and samosas are the move. You can skip the momos and the marionberry pie.

Jerk Shack - The jerk fries were worth stopping for.

Hinoki - Wood fired truck by Saint Bread that’s trying very hard. The tucked away patio is a cool spot.

My ACL Journey - Late Rehab (Part 6)

This is Part 6 of a series outlining my recovery. There’s an impressive set of information online about how best to recover from an ACL tear, but I wanted to share my own story for a few reasons. There are a few critical resources online that made an outsized difference to me that I’d like to share. I also wanted to actualize the story I wanted to tell when I got to the other side. Finally, for me it was comforting to read the journeys of others going through the same process. I hope you find this helpful and do reach out with any questions you have.

Part 1 - The Injury

Part 2 - The Prehab

Part 3 - The Surgery

Part 4 - The Early Rehab (weeks 2-7)

Part 5 - The Middle of Rehab (months 2-6)

Part 6 - Late Rehab (months 7-10) [this page]

This section of “late rehab” covers the beginning of month 7 until the beginning of month 10 post-op. There was a ramp-up in the intensity of my training, and a gradual reintroduction of my normal activities. I ultimately was cleared from physical therapy and now feel stronger than I would have been at this time had I not torn my ACL!

At the start of month 7, I didn’t get a lot of time with my PT because of urgent travel to the east coast. I wasn’t thinking at all about my knee, and instead focusing on family. I often lacked the motivation and energy to do even a single cycle of lunges and squats. After a few weeks, I returned home.

At the start of month 8, I was still ahead of the rehab curve, but I had an itch to “make up for lost time” and increased my PT visits from 2x a week to 3-4x a week. Given how intense the plyometric sessions were at that stage, my PT didn’t think it was a good idea but I did it anyway. In addition to cranking up the PT visits, I also was also running 3x a week, supplementing that with 2-3x a week on the spin bike, and mountain biking whenever I liked. I was having a lot of fun, but I was also starting to feel weakness in ways that I wasn’t expecting. My uninjured leg developed plantar fasciitis pain that stubbornly lingered for months. My operated knee also started to feel more sore than normal from patellar tendinopathy.

At the start of month 9, I stopped running and at PT we focused two weeks almost exclusively on eccentric loading on my knee. These were the slow and boring workouts that were a contrast to the cutting and jumping training I was starting to get used to. The effort paid off and I was able to do my third and final return to sport testing at the 9 month mark. The RTS testing was never something I focused on, since I had already gone skiing, mountain biking, and climbing, but it was always fulfilling to see progress.

Concluding thoughts & looking ahead

Tearing my ACL and preparing myself mentally for surgery were traumatic for me. However, pnce I had committed to taking the journey, I began to think of this process as an opportunity to grow into something more. I wanted to look back on this period of my life and have more than just purely negative memories about what I couldn’t do. Rehab pushed me to better myself in ways that I have no doubt will shape the rest of my life.

If you tore your ACL, I that hope reading everything I’ve documented gives you some hope. It’s a dark place to be when you find out the news. Focus on what you can control. Rehabbing like a pro athlete may be out of reach, but there is a “best version of yourself” that is attainable. Have a a vision of who you want to be on the other side of this experience. This is going to suck, but with the right mindset it doesn’t have to be all bad.

Seattle daydreams (part II) - a year of experiences to look forward to

This is a continuation of my post from last year, where I shared a list of experiences around the Seattle area. I put a lot of thought into my outdoor goals list, but I also love experiences closer to home, where I don’t have to break a sweat. Most of my planning habits started when I lived in NYC, trying to squeeze out as much out of a day as possible. That practice helped me learn about and better appreciate the city I grew up in. I’ve taken the same approach to Seattle. These plans are arranged by season, but many of them can be done any time of year.

Winter

Museum of Flight - On the first Thursday of each month, the Museum of Flight is open late and has free admission. Going there made me feel like a child again and brought back the same fascination and awe I had when I was first learning about space and air travel. Aviation is a core part of Seattle’s recent history and the museum holds an impressive set of exhibits. Unlike other free days at museums, it never feels crowded given the enormous space for spreading out. A great dinner afterward is at Rainier Restaurant and BBQ, which was rightfully given a shout out by the late Anthony Bourdain. It’s best to go with friends to sample the vast menu.

Glasshouse Studio - Highly recommended for its exquisite glass-blowing displays, this Pioneer Square shop offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the artistry of glass-making. Each piece is crafted in the open, with a furnace that not only shapes the glass but also warms the shop, which I imagine provides a cozy respite from the chilly, damp streets outside. For those inclined, there's a tip jar for the employees. The shop's location is ideal for wandering: within a two-block radius there are more than a dozen art galleries and the historical Klondike Gold Rush Museum. It’s a perfect starting point for an afternoon stroll. Consider an early dinner at the nearby Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar. I love their Chukanut Drive location whenever I’m in the area.

Good Luck Bread - This is a project of Corrie Strandjord, a self-taught baker who has a small operation of selling frozen pizza which Kenji López-Alt described as “the best I’ve ever had.” They do delivery for a fee but it’s possible to do a pre-order pickup from SoDo on Saturdays only. They were profiled in the Seattle Times if you’re interested to learn more. The pickup location isn’t far from Deep Sea Sugar and Salt, a cake slice shop that sells some of the more interesting, creative, and seasonal desserts that I’d like to try.

McCaw Hall - My in-laws asked me why Leah and I don’t go to the theater more often. Cost is the primary reason, but so is a reluctance to put the effort into dressing up. As I’ve gotten older I’ve started to appreciate the arts a little bit more. I also am aware I should keep an open mind. Maybe this year I’ll check out the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Seattle Opera, or the propaganda-laden Shen Yun at McCaw Hall.

Woodworking course - Growing up in the city, I didn’t have much of an opportunity to work with my hands. The last time I built something was probably out of LEGOs when I was a kid. There are two woodworking studios in Seattle that seem like a great crash course in crafting something functional and beautiful. Ebanista in Georgetown, Pratt in Central, and Ballard Woodworks all look great and their courses fill up quickly.

Cinemark Reserve Lincoln Square - The only theater in Seattle I like is the Landmark Crest Cinema, given how simple and nostalgic it is. I noticed there’s a theater on the opposite end of the spectrum in Bellevue with reclining, heated seats and a 21+ only rule. Kids usually aren’t an issue in theaters for me but for some that’s a bonus. The Cinemark Reserve Lincoln Square also serves food but I don’t see the point in ordering food at a movie theater when there are plenty of restaurants nearby, like Xiao Chi Jie which has what Kenji called “gold standard” sheng jian bao.

Spring

Spice Bridge Global Food Hall - Spice Bridge is a food incubator in Tukwila that helps women of color and immigrants start and grow a restaurant business. They provide a kitchen, menu consultation, and more to eight vendors that rotate through depending on the day of the week. I made sure to come here with some friends so we could all try a little bit of everything, from Congolese beef stew to Cambodian desserts. Afterward, I’d want to walk it off at the nearly century-old Kubota Garden situated on a hilly 20 acres a short drive away.

Chihuly Glass and Space Needle - I used to be smug about not having visited a lot of the iconic tourist sites when growing up in New York City, but before I left for Seattle I did make a visit to many of them. I’m glad I have those memories. My biggest frustration with tourist attractions, whether at home or when I travel, is the crowds and the cost. I’ll see whether I can manage that by visiting on a weekday. I also might have seen a discounted entry for sale at Costco to both.

Beacon Food Forest - BFF is a volunteer-driven project in urban agriculture situated on seven acres in the city, making it one of the largest public food forests in the country. The design focuses on plants that provide food (e.g., fruit and nut trees, berry shrubs, vegetable gardens, and herb patches), all available for the public to freely harvest. The forest is layered, utilizing the concept of a forest's natural layers: a canopy of tall trees, an under-story of smaller trees and shrubs, a layer of herbs, and a ground cover of edible plants. They’re open for volunteers between 10am-2pm on the third Saturday of every month. After getting my hands dirty, I’d likely visit the Fou Lee Market & Deli nearby for their pre-made snacks like the lumpia and strips of bbq beef. It was mentioned as a favorite in an interview with Musang’s chef/owner Melissa Miranda.

Dunn Gardens - About 100 years ago, Arthur Dunn acquired 10 acres of undeveloped rural land in Broadview. The property was gently sloping, had views of the sound, and areas of dense woods and opens spaces. He asked the Olmstead Brothers to landscape what would be the family’s summer home. The gardens almost feel like a secret, maybe because of the location in North Seattle, right next to a gated community, or the $10 entrance fee for non-members. It’s open for visitation between 10am-4pm, so I’d likely visit on a weekday when I need to get some shopping done at Town & Country, which my friend Jason insists is one of the best supermarkets around. I’d likely visit Indo Cafe on the way back for an early dinner on some Indonesian dishes that I’ve been craving for years.

China Harbor - I spent most of my life living on the border of NYC’s Chinatown, so dim sum was a regular part of my experience dining with friends on weekend mornings in cavernous dining halls trying out an assortment of small bites. I don’t think Leah’s had the same experience so I’d like to change that. Kenji recommended China Harbor several times and I imagine it’d be fun to watch seaplanes take off on Lake Union while eating. There’s also a new head chef as of a few years ago that has apparently elevated the menu. I’m generally skeptical of waterfront restaurants for having subpar kitchens but this looks promising on a rainy day for a large group brunch.

Port Townsend - I’ve biked through Port Townsend and was surprised at how cute it was. There’s an impressive set of restaurants and it looked like a fun place to walk around. Realistically, I don’t see ourselves coming all the way out here instead of being in the mountains on a good-weather day. I think the next time we’re mountain biking at Port Gamble, I’ll make a detour north to visit.

Summer

Seattle Aquarium - I haven’t bene to an aquarium since I was in the first grade, probably because of the admission cost and my (very slight) discomfort with the idea of caging wild animals. I’ll have to get over this mindset when if I ever have a kid, because I know how meaningful that trip was to me as a child. The Seattle Aquarium is completing an expansion this summer and it may be fun to play tourist for a day by looking at some marine life and then walking along the waterfront. It’s also an excuse to get a slice at my favorite local pizzeria nearby, Post Alley Pizza. If I’m lucky, I could snag a free ticket to the aquarium with my library card.

Swimply - When the next heat wave inevitably hits the city, and especially if my landlord fails to install the air conditioner that was promised, I’d consider renting out a private pool on Swimply which is like an Airbnb for private pools. If I can get enough friends together, it could end up being reasonable and a fun way to work remotely on a weekday.

Woodland Rose Garden - I haven’t spent much time in Woodland Park despite living relatively close to it. I’d like to change that this summer by first checking out the rose garden, which is at its most picturesque between May and July. To tap even more into the summer vibe, I’d want to grab lunch at Bongos which has a Caribbean-themed menu of sandwiches and plates that I’m on a mission to work through.

Wildbites food festival - At almost $100 a ticket, it seems like an obnoxious use of money for what is basically small bites of food at a handful of restaurants. However, I went to a few of these in NYC and fondly remember having a blast even though I was younger and had far less money to spend on eating out. It’s so much more engaging and memorable than sitting down at a restaurant while food comes to you. This event also gives you access to most of the zoo’s exhibits and the chefs are all at restaurants I had on my list anyway. We had tickets to go last year but weren’t able to because of a family emergency, and they generously refunded me the day before the event. Hopefully I can make it this year!

Fall

Backyard Bakery - Bonnie Lyons and Dan Mikosz are two pastry chef friends with a lifetime of professional experience. They run Backyard Bakery, which looks like a farmer’s market stand on Saturdays (9am-1pm) with their baked goods. I was thinking of grabbing a few and heading to the Kingfisher Natural Area on Thornton Creek, a rare slice of unmanicured nature in the city.

Georgetown Steam Plant - This old steam plant is a well-preserved piece of Seattle history open for tours on the second Saturday of each month between 10am-2pm. It was built in 1906 to power the city’s electric streetcars, but the plant only operated for a decade before hydropower replaced it as a more economical source of energy. There are a set of passionate volunteers who provide free tours at 11am and 1pm and can probably help me understand how it all works. I’d probably want to stop by Loretta’s Northwesterner for the dive bar’s burger that everyone says is one of the best in the city.

Issaquah Salmon Hatchery - This hatchery based 15 miles east of Seattle along the I90 corridor raises chinook, coho, and kokanee salmon and is open to the public all year round from dawn til dusk. I find salmon fascinating and love the important role it plays in the region. During the fall, you can view adult salmon spawning in Issaquah Creek, the fish ladder, and hatchery holding ponds. Drop-in tours are available on on the weekends between September until mid-November. If he’s still around, maybe I’ll check out Jakob the Troll nearby followed by a lunch at either Laz’s Tacos or Xochi Tacos.

Seattle Hmong New Year - The Hmong people are an indigenous group in East and Southeast Asia, many of whom were resettled in the US after the Vietnam War as refugees. There is a very small fraction of Hmong people in the US so I only heard about them after watching the movie Gran Torino a decade ago. I was excited to see there was a celebration of the Hmong New Year in Seattle Center as well as an assortment of food available (thanks again, Kenji). I then realized this was part of a larger series of events called Festál where Seattle Center hosts 24 free festivals ranging from Tibet Fest, Brasilfest, CroatiaFest, French Fest, and more throughout the year. In addition to the food, there’s music, dance, and lots of exhibits to put a spotlight on the cultural diversity of the city.

I made this list to nudge myself to plan out some of my daydreams so I’d actually do them instead of sitting at home on a rainy day or on long summer days when I’m out of ideas on what I could be doing. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration. If you don’t already love Seattle, I’m sure you will if you try some of these!

My ACL Journey - The Middle of Rehab (Part 5)

This is Part 5 of a series outlining my recovery. There’s an impressive set of information online about how best to recover from an ACL tear, but I wanted to share my own story for a few reasons. There are a few critical resources online that made an outsized difference to me that I’d like to share. I also wanted to actualize the story I wanted to tell when I got to the other side. Finally, for me it was comforting to read the journeys of others going through the same process. I hope you find this helpful and do reach out with any questions you have.

Part 1 - The Injury

Part 2 - The Prehab

Part 3 - The Surgery

Part 4 - The Early Rehab (weeks 2-7)

Part 5 - The Middle of Rehab (months 2-6) [this page]

Part 6 - Late Rehab (months 7-10)

This section of “middle rehab” covers the beginning of month 3 until the end of month 6 post-op. Initially, there was a slowdown in the rapid progress I’d been experiencing from early rehab. I was still progressing, but no longer in big leaps. I needed to mentally shift how I thought about my rehab as a result. As the summer turned to fall, colder/rainy weather, family obligations, Covid, and travel impacted my rehab and morale by limiting how active I could be.

Mental state

It was easy to motivate myself in the first eight weeks of rehab. I was seeing improvements every other day, which deepened my commitment to stick to the prescribed plan. In month three, the PT visits began to feel the same: I was doing the same exercises with the same effort as before and the monotony set in. At the three month mark, it felt like five or six months had gone by. Of course, I knew that if I compared myself to a few weeks ago, there was a clear improvement in my movement quality and confidence. Still, I could no longer rely on the instant gratification to excite me.

I thought back to my earlier promise to myself, that I needed to come back stronger. I knew that this meant more than just bigger, stronger, and more capable leg muscles. It also meant identifying what I wasn’t doing pre-injury that I should have been doing. The first thing that came to mind was meditation. I’m a fairly intense person, so I’ve been reluctant to try sitting down and quieting my mind for, even a few seconds. I decided to make a real effort at it and was convinced after a few sessions. I’ve been at it for months and have made it an essential part of my mornings. In addition to having better quality sleep, I also find myself less quick to become frustrated at throughout the day.

My friends also told me about the legendary comeback of Adrian Peterson (AP), one of the greatest running backs in American football history, after he tore his ACL. I found the story inspiring and also went down a rabbit hole of looking for other pro athletes who recovered from ACL reconstruction like Tom Brady, Lindsey Vonn, and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Everyone online focuses on the size of their quads and hamstrings, but few people talk at length about how a strong mind is what separates normal or weak recoveries from the incredible recoveries. Everyone heals differently of course, but everyone also has the ability to push themselves to their own (safe) limit and I believed most people don’t even get close. I started to believe that this is what made elite athletes special. It wasn’t the million-dollar team or infrared sauna sessions. It was the power of will to follow through on a vision.

Regardless of how true that statement actually is, I believed it. I also believed that I likely would have healed faster if I was younger, but I wouldn’t have had the knowledge base about how different factors (e.g., hydration, sleep, nutrition, stress, consistency, etc) influence that recovery. There are dozens of pro athletes (e.g., Megan Rapinoe, Héctor Bellerín) who have said that the ACL rehab is the best thing that’s ever happened to them; they describe it as a gift. That initially seems absurd. Losing a year just to gain back muscle you spent a lifetime building? It seemed genuine and not something they said for the cameras. They all mentioned growing from the experience: refocusing their priorities, diet, resilience, and perspective. I recognized that I could either come out of this rehab regretful about what happened to me or I could see it as a wake-up call, a major pivot point in my life that I look back on decades later with pride. I’m going to live through this rehab anyway, so I might as well make the most of it.

During this phase of rehab, I was interviewed by Greg Louie, DPT (known on Instagram as @the_ski _pt). In that chat, I shared more about my mindset towards rehab. Find it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EkLKYW1lcZQxS51DOyg0r?si=8493a3c566d74bf0

Diet

I already had a healthy, balanced diet, but I probed to see if there was room to push further. This wasn’t directly aimed at improving my ACL recovery; it was more around the vision of coming out of this setback on a higher level. I started to learn about glycemic index and glycemic load of different foods. It was a term I was vaguely familiar with, but never bothered to really learn about. I gave up on white rice, something I grew up eating multiple times a day in a South Asian home, and swapped over to brown rice. It definitely isn’t as tasty, but it makes me feel better and now I prefer it.

I also addressed my afternoon snacking by swapping to eating only one-ingredient snacks (nuts, blueberries, apples, etc). After a long bike ride where I’ve burned 3,000 calories, I throw down a protein shake I made myself rather than pig out at a restaurant on the drive back. It sounds like my life became a lot less fun, and from one perspective it has, but it’s a worthwhile tradeoff. My friend Greg likes to say, “Once your body has experienced what feeling really good is like, it’s hard to go back.”

Exercise

The exercises I did at physical therapy were focused on hypertrophy, stability, agility, deceleration, max speed, and eventually pivoting. Here’s a set of video clips that shows what the progression looked like:

I loved the balance exercises, which were initially a weakness for me even on my good leg. I bought a bosu ball just to practice more at home. Rehab was always top of mind for me: during breakfast, while waiting until my pancakes were ready to flip, I’d do bodyweight squats and lunges. I got so used to doing them that I’d need to do dozens before I’d feel a burn.

On strength exercises at PT, I’d always choose the harder weight when given the option. If there was an exercise wanted to quit on, my mind would flash to a scene of me on skis about to make a turn, imagining that it could go one of two ways: I’d either injure myself or make the move. That visual helped push me to complete all of my sets.

You never want to fail because you didn't work hard enough.

- Arnold

My PT began return-to-sport testing at 5 months and 2 weeks, just to get a baseline to compare against when we would test again the next month. I was surprised at how much I was able to do, but there was definitely a gap in confidence with my operated leg.

All of this was really enjoyable for me, in large part to the efforts of my physical therapists at SPT, providing variation and making it fun. I also finally accepted that resistance training had something to offer me and began to learn about concentric vs eccentric movements, how to train for power vs strength vs hypertrophy, and how I might balance that with my endurance goals. I even started to daydream about the workout splits I’d have in a year. I was fully invested into my training.

Body

My un-operated leg continued to grow stronger and grow in size. We weren’t isolating my operated leg, which was of course notably smaller. I knew it could take a year at least for them to be symmetrical again, but it wouldn’t take a year to match the strength.

I made sure to keep working on my upper body and core, which I had no excuse to skip out on. I looked and felt strong because of this. I’d often be shocked when I’d realize how little time had passed since the surgery. Fortunately, I had a shift in perspective: I had been thinking "Damn, I'm only 3 months into this rehab. It's taking forever" and getting quietly impatient. Instead, as I daydreamed about skiing, I began to think "Damn, 3 months have already passed. I only have 6-9 months* left to get strong before my return to skiing."

*This was of course assuming 9mo-12mo return to sport clearance, which may not be the case.

At week 14, my PT told me to stop wearing the Incrediwear knee sleeve during our sessions. He said it was a crutch, and indeed everything felt 5-10% harder without it. After just a few days I preferred not wearing it for training and only relied on the Incrediwear for long flights or car rides when I’d be idle.

Activity

My rehab took place over the summer, and I was hoping to get some adventuring in without introducing too much risk. Mostly, I biked on road and eventually on gravel. I knew gravel carried greater risk, but I tried to control my speed on descents to a reasonable level. My PT would have preferred I stay off the bike altogether, in case I needed to make a sudden stop and landed on my leg, but I felt confident in my bike handling.

I did do a 7mi (1,800ft ele) hike at week 11, but only because a friend was visiting. I moved at a normal-slow pace and the descents were the most challenging mentally. I wasn’t yet cleared to run or jump, but I did go to a swimming pool a few times to practice those movements in a safe manner.

Someone asked if I’d sign up for a race or an event as a milestone to look forward to. I personally thought that was a bad idea, since I couldn’t be sure of my condition at that date and may pressure myself into doing something simply because I signed up for it. Even if I was ready, the competitive environment would likley lead me to do something I shouldn’t. Instead, I made adventure plans for the weekend just days before based how fatigued I felt. One of my favorite rides was a scenic 62mi (5,500ft ele gain) loop near Mt Rainier that I did on week 14. I felt like I could’ve biked to the summit that day (if that was possible), but left some gas in the tank because I still needed to do my at-home PT the next day.

I delayed in clearing myself for mountain biking, since the speed at which I’d have to limit my riding would be far too slow to have any fun. By month six, my PT (off the record) told me I could start mountain biking, but crashing could be a major setback. I’m planning on sticking to the greens and blues, and avoiding wet, slippery days.

I’ll also be heading back to the climbing gym for some top-rope action and potentially even lead climbing. I’ll avoid hard bouldering for at least a full year, given the constant impact of jumping down.

Rest days

I didn’t plan for any rest days on my legs since the surgery, except for days when I was in flight to the east coast or internationally. I could only get away with this by modulating my load to ensure I had enough of a gap between ‘heavy’ days (i.e., days that I went to PT or the big mileage bike rides).

All of this was possible with very good hydration, proper sleep, and foam rolling twice a day. I wanted to ensure that my fun days on the bike did not need to be shortened, so I needed to make sure I was on top of everything else.

Rest days were limited to circumstances beyond my control, like when I caught Covid or I had severe jetlag from traveling to Bangladesh. If I needed to ease up on the legs, I still worked on stretching, light spin bike and went more intensely on the upper body and core workouts.

Concluding thoughts & looking ahead

I’ve had a very strong recovery so far and my nightmares of re-tearing my ACL during rehab have quieted down after trying out some advanced movements. My PT tells me he suspects I’ll be back to skiing in February (9 months post-op). This aligns with what I expected; I’ll have a very measured approach to returning to skis, which I can outline in my next writeup.

In the meantime, I’ll be working on (1) advanced pivot exercises at PT, (2) sprinting to build fast-twitch muscle fibers, (3) picking up activities I put on hold like boxing, climbing, and mountain biking, and (4) continuing all the good things I’ve been doing on diet, mental health, training, and time management.