FareStart looks like your typical mid-upscale eatery with sleek decor and a refined menu. But it holds one important distinction: It's mostly staffed by the homeless or other disadvantaged people. For the past 19 years, FareStart has offered those without a place to sleep or work a place in their kitchen training programs. So far they've helped out 3,500 folks. You don’t need to come from a sense of charity, though: the food is fantastic. Try the vegetable polenta, sunny side up (polenta with parmesean, sauteed local organic greens and roasted vegetables, topped with marinara and served with a sunny-side up egg) to get a taste of why FareStart has lasted so long. Check the website for more information.
FareStart
700 Virginia Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Neighborhood: Belltown
(206) 443-1233
www.farestart.org
Opening in 1968, The Grand Illusion Cinema is Seattle’s longest running cinema showing independent, arthouse, foreign, and revival films. Despite threats to be swallowed up by big chains or bankruptcy, the theatre is important enough to the film community to be continuously saved and preserved as a Seattle treasure. Within the plush, red interior, audience members can take in the current feature, with one film running per week. The selection features an array of movies you literally can’t see on the big screen any where else in the country — recently released and critically acclaimed foreign films, cult classics, and current independent gems. Ticket prices run a reasonable $8-10 and the films usually have one or two evening showtimes. The Grand Illusion Cinema's unique offerings and wallet-friendly prices makes it a great place to cozy up during a date night. Visit their website for more information.
The Grand Illusion Cinema
1403 NE 50th Street
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 523-3935
You may have had cuisine from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy, and you’ve most likely had a taste of the Pacific Northwest. The two worlds meet at Cascina Spinasse. Chef Jason Stratton artuflly integrates these distinct regional flavors into an impeccable synergy. After a Lillet Blanc apertif, start your four-course meal with the Tagliatelle con fughi riccio (tagliatelle with hedgehog mushrooms) and make your way to the Lenticchie con mostarda (lentils with mustard sauce) and Polpette di congilio (rabbit meatballs wrapped in caul fat with caramelized turnip puree, picked horseradish and rosemary). Wash it down with a glass of one of Cascina Spinasse’s amazing wines. Check the website for more information.
Cascina Spinasse
1531 14th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
(206) 251-7673
www.spinasse.com
There’s a lot more to the art of trapeze than rocking and flipping. The aerial arts are as varied as a bag of jelly beans, and Emerald City Trapeze Arts will give you a solid introduction to all the different ways one can be creative while hanging in the air. The traditional flying trapeze class is popular and is suitable for everyone “from beginning to Ringling Brothers,” as Emerald City puts it. Or try beginning or intermediate silk – an act in which you are statically suspended in the air using fabric while you artfully spin and twirl. Classes run about $50 for a two-hour session, and bulk rates are available, like the 10-Class Punch Card for the flying trapeze, which costs $432. Check the website for more information.
Emerald City Trapeze Arts
2702 6th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134
Neighborhood: SODO
(206) 906-9442
emeraldcitytrapeze.com/
