Local Guides World
John Kutasz
6 reviews on 1 places
Salumi always makes me wish I visited this part of Seattle more often. They've moved, not far, and have been acquired by new owners who, thankfully, appear committed to maintaining quality.
The new location seems to have better parking options nearby, and my most recent visit did not seem as crowded, perhaps because the new location feels somewhat roomier than the old one.
My visits have been far enough apart that I don't have a specific menu item that's a must-have. But, I've always been wowed by whatever I've ordered. To paraphrase the great Warren Zevon, you will enjoy every sandwich.
The new location seems to have better parking options nearby, and my most recent visit did not seem as crowded, perhaps because the new location feels somewhat roomier than the old one.
My visits have been far enough apart that I don't have a specific menu item that's a must-have. But, I've always been wowed by whatever I've ordered. To paraphrase the great Warren Zevon, you will enjoy every sandwich.
Our first experience at the Stimson-Green Mansion was a wedding and reception being held there. The building is lovely, and this particular event was catered by Kaspar's, who clearly have a lot of experience here. It was a very nice combination.
Our biggest uncertainty beforehand was how much, if any, parking was available. It turns out that they have access to a garage behind the mansion, and there was a person welcoming us at the entry to the garage, giving us instructions on getting to the pedestrian entrance and a sheet of paper with the code for the lock. The exit door could have been better labelled, but that was the only glitch.
The venue itself is lovely, looking very much like I imagine it did when it was built in the early 20th century. The caterers were amazingly efficient, both in serving drinks and hot appetizers on the veranda, and in reconfiguring the main room from the ceremony to a sit-down dinner while drinks were being served. This was a great location, enhanced by caterers who clearly knew what they were doing.
Our biggest uncertainty beforehand was how much, if any, parking was available. It turns out that they have access to a garage behind the mansion, and there was a person welcoming us at the entry to the garage, giving us instructions on getting to the pedestrian entrance and a sheet of paper with the code for the lock. The exit door could have been better labelled, but that was the only glitch.
The venue itself is lovely, looking very much like I imagine it did when it was built in the early 20th century. The caterers were amazingly efficient, both in serving drinks and hot appetizers on the veranda, and in reconfiguring the main room from the ceremony to a sit-down dinner while drinks were being served. This was a great location, enhanced by caterers who clearly knew what they were doing.
Wonderful options, allowing for different types of visits depending on the weather. We visited on an overcast winter day, not long after rain had moved through, so we kept to mostly paved options, starting at the north parking lot on Milwaukie Ave, making our way to the Springwater Trail, and heading south from there.
Future visits will take in the Bluff Trail, which follows the eastern edge of the refuge, meeting up with Springwater near Oaks Park. The Bluff Trail is unpaved, and does not allow bicycles, so it will be much more of a nature experience.
One benefit, in pandemic times, of the paved options is that the paths are wide, allowing walkers, cyclists, and runners to pass each other while maintaining a respectable distance.
As for wildlife, there wasn't much to see in December, but a combination of seeing two serene bald eagles on East Island, and the wetlands with their corresponding sparse tree cover still made for a very enjoyable walk.
Future visits will take in the Bluff Trail, which follows the eastern edge of the refuge, meeting up with Springwater near Oaks Park. The Bluff Trail is unpaved, and does not allow bicycles, so it will be much more of a nature experience.
One benefit, in pandemic times, of the paved options is that the paths are wide, allowing walkers, cyclists, and runners to pass each other while maintaining a respectable distance.
As for wildlife, there wasn't much to see in December, but a combination of seeing two serene bald eagles on East Island, and the wetlands with their corresponding sparse tree cover still made for a very enjoyable walk.
This place is indeed a delight. Thank you to the Local Guides that helped lead us here. Convenient location and friendly, informative service - it's always nice to get to talk with the person who's preparing your meal, and since everything here seems to be made from scratch, you're talking with the real authority. The Crazy Russian was a beautifully made grilled sandwich full of complementary flavors. The chopped green salad and a cup of the chicken soup made my wife very happy. Grab some Russian candy to have as a post-meal treat. I'm looking forward to multiple return visits to try some of the other things on the menu.
Loreto is a lovely place to visit - in terms of location, scenery, history, and genuine charm. The Mission is the heart of the city, and an easy walk from just about everywhere. Between the church and the historic displays on the evolution of the Missions, this is a must see if you find yourself in this part of Baja.