Fortunate we are, in Seattle, to have lounges for serious drinkers of cocktails, connoisseurs of the art (as opposed to cocktail lounges for "serious drinkers," another category entirely). The best cocktail bars, the ones that care, cluster downtown, in or close to hotels. ZigZag, for one (a cocktail called the Toronto), Suite 410 (that's their Pisco Sour), Oliver's, Vessel. They're not flashy (Milk & Honey in New York is almost anonymous). They hire experts to run the bar; they quickly develop a devoted following. more ›

MUSIC: A Northwest Tribute to Ray Charles. No, Jamie Foxx will not be in attendance. more ›

Seattle chefs are making national news: here's a roundup of the latest. more ›