Mary Jo at The Seattle Traveler listed her Seattle favorites for us, and it got me yearning for my former home. So, here are my Seattle area favorites.

Favorite special occasion restaurant: Yarrow Bay Grill. Simply the best food, service and view combination we found in Seattle.

Favorite casual restaurant: Serious Pie for Pizza.

Favorite fast food restaurant: Joe’s Gourmet Grilled Dogs. Sorry Mary Jo, a dog outside Safeco Field before a game beats Dick’s every time.

Favorite steakhouse: El Gaucho, Belltown. I’ll go with Mary Jo on this one.

Favorite seafood restaurant: Yarrow Bay Grill

Favorite ethnic restaurant: Blue Nile Restaurant for great (and cheap) Ethiopian food.

Favorite view restaurant: I agree with Mary Jo, Salty’s Alki has an unbeatable view.

Favorite out of town restaurant: Sip, Issaquah. Go on Wednesday for half price wine from their extensive cellars.

Favorite Hotel: We only ever stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn on Lake Union.

Favorite Museum: Museum of Flight, where I spent many lunch hours indulging my passion.

Favorite thing to do in Seattle on a sunny day: Take me out to the ball game, a $8 bleacher seat and then find a standing position behind home plate, priceless.

Favorite thing to do in Seattle on a rainy day: There are no rain delays for Mariners baseball, just close the roof and play ball.

Favorite drink after work bar: Cascadia Restaurant serves great drinks and fun bar food.

Favorite music venue: The Showbox lets you get up and personal with your favorite band.

Favorite touristy thing to do: A visit to Pike’s Place Market.

Favorite day trip from Seattle: The Summit at Snoqualmie to snowboard.

Favorite weekend trip from Seattle: Portland, Oregon