02/08/06 Wine and travel - Hotels, Valentines Day

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and today is the day we discuss wine and travel, exploring places to go and events to attend, with wine in mind. Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I thought we would spend today exploring special venues with food and wine in mind. As most of you know, I live in Washington state wine country and I love it. When we feel the need to visit a metropolitan area, it is convenient to both Seattle and Portland. Today I want to talk about two of my favorite hotels and what I would recommend for a Valentine's getaway in each city. In Seattle I cannot help but recommend a rather older and smaller hotel the Sorrento. It is smaller and just on the edge of downtown. It has all of the amenities and the lobby lounge is cozy and oh so romantic. Whatever you do you will most likely spend more than one night so be sure to stay in and have dinner at the hotel restaurant The Hunt Club, Chef Brian Scheehser is a magician with food and the wine list is more than adequate. Tell Chef Brian that I sent you. In Portland it is a tradition to stay at the Benson again a less cozy but very inviting lobby bar. Make reservations at Higgins Restaurant and you will not be disappointed. The food is extraordinary and if you are a vegetarian be sure to tell them they will make you a meal that you will never forget. The wine list is fabulous and the staff is very knowledgable. Have a fabulous weekend and if you go to either of these destinations, be sure to take your rain coat, there is always a chance of precipitation. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.