Dear Jack-o-lantern Jake,

I have to say that Downtown Bellevue was a little slow jumping on the Halloween bandwagon this year. That being said, however, there is A LOT going on around here on Halloween! For those of you who have lost track, Halloween is on Saturday this year – Oct. 31. Here’s a list of the cool stuff being offered for the Halloween-spirited, from young to old!

Bellevue Collection Halloween Family Fun Fest
Location: Bellevue Square & Lincoln Square
When: Oct. 31, 4:30pm-7:30pm
- Trick or treating and activities for kids

4th Halloween Dance Party
Location: 520 Bar & Grill
When: Oct. 31, 9pm-midnight
-  Live DJ and dancing
*Costume Contest: Best Costume, Most Outrageous, Best Duo!

“Costumes & Cocktails” Halloween Party
Location: STIR Martini + Raw Bar
When: Oct. 31, 8pm-2am
- Food and drink specials, live DJ, and Tarot Card readings
*Costume Contest!

Free Family Day: BAM-O-WEEN!
Location:  Bellevue Arts Museum
When: Oct. 31, 1pm-4pm
- Free admission and Halloween-themed art activities for kids

Halloween Costume Party
Location: The Spot Off Main
When: Oct. 31, time TBD
- Specials and prizes
*Costume Contest!

Brad Upton Live Comedy/ Costume Contest
Location: Parlor Live Comedy Club & Ultralounge @ The Parlor
When: 7:30pm – Comedy Show, 9:30pm – Dance Party
- Hilarious comedy, live DJ, and cash prizes
* Costume Contest: Best Costume, Scariest, Funniest, Scariest!

International Ballet Theater’s Dracula & After-Party
Location: Meydenbauer Center
When: Oct. 31, 7:30pm – midnight
- Ballet performance, food, dancing, and drinks

“Boo-rito”
Location: Any Chipotle Mexican Grill (DTB – on 4th Street)
When: Oct.31, 6pm – close
-  Dress up as your favorite burrito, or other menu item, and get a free burrito!

So as you can tell there are great opportunities for fun for all ages this Halloween in Downtown Bellevue. What do you plan to do? Leave a comment, and let us know!

Costume Ready,
Lea

Dear Moving Momma,

As the weather turns and we start to feel the cooler air, I think we’re all feeling the need to get back into a healthy routine for fall. It’s not as easy to get outside and do as many activities when it’s raining, so being more conscious about staying active indoors is important for feeling good and keeping your immune system strong.

There are a few places I’d like to spotlight that have a great thing going on in Downtown Bellevue. First, there’s ONVO – a whole body health practice. I can never say enough about ONVO because it’s a place where health and fitness are a community and way of life, rather than a meaningless effort because you feel like you ‘have to.’

This week ONVO is kicking off a Fall Apple Cleanse. It’s a 5-day liver cleanse that will take advantage of the season’s abundance of apples. I did ONVO’s spring cleanse, and it left me feeling lighter and healthier. You may hear the word “cleanse” and cringe, but it was actually very manageable. If you’ve never done a cleanse, I highly recommend it. The informational kick-off is this Wednesday, Sept. 9th at ONVO, at 7:30am, 10:30am, 12pm, or 6:45pm.

Another practice I’ve found to be an asset to my healthy lifestyle is maintaining a healthy spine. I go to Dr. Corey Ebbin at Vitality Chiropractic Center, which just recently moved from Factoria to Downtown Bellevue. Vitality’s new office is on Bellevue Way, right by Bellevue H.S., and boasts a tranquil and earth-inspired atmosphere.

Dr. Ebbin’s chiropractic care is gentle and effective, and Vitality also offers massage therapy, acupuncture, and naturopathic consultation. For me, resetting my core with a chiropractic adjustment or massage always feels like a physical reset of my life. With all of our daily work being more and more computer and Internet focused, a supportive spine is more important to our health than ever!

When it comes to fitness, it can’t get better than free. Since running or biking outside isn’t as appealing when it’s pouring rain, fall is a great time to hit the gym or take indoor classes like yoga. Lululemon Athletica in Bellevue Square has free fitness classes on Sunday mornings. From CrossFit, to cardio, to yoga, Lululemon always has something exciting to offer. They leverage fitness instructors from the local community, and you can check out their events calendar here.

I could go on about great local things to do this fall to boost your health, but I think there are some great ideas here to get you started. Leave a comment, and tell us how you plan to stay healthy and fit this fall.

To your Health,
Lea

Dear Downtown Dan,

With the economy slump having no clear end in sight, I can understand why going to a Bellevue Happy Hour as a family is appealing. My parents and I have started meeting for happy hour instead of dinner over the past few months, but my little brother’s only 20 so we can’t always enjoy the discounted prices as a family. Most people think of happy hour as the businessman’s social hour or the singles spot for late-night drinks, but as times are changing it’s an understatement to call it an “hour” when some now last all day!

From our happy hour list, here are some restaurants that let you enjoy everything that’s happy about their hours with your whole family:

• 520 Bar & Grill: Monday – Saturday 2pm – 5:20pm (Restaurant, Outdoor patio)
• Joey Bellevue: Brand NEW happy hour! Everyday, All day (Restaurant, Outdoor patio)
• Palomino: Sunday – Thursday All day; Friday – Saturday 3pm – 6pm, 9pm – close (Outdoor patio)
• Tap House Grill: Everyday 3:30pm – 6:30pm, 10pm – close; Sunday 3:30pm-close (Outdoor patio)
• The Melting Pot: Sunday – Thursday 4:30pm – 6:30pm, 9pm – 11pm (Lounge)
• Lucky Strike: Everyday 4pm – 7pm (Lounge, Bowling Alley)
• Tangerine Thai: Monday – Saturday 3:30pm – 5:30pm (Restaurant)

So as you can see, there are actually quite a few to choose from. This brings a whole new meaning to family dinner on a dime!

C’mon Get Happy,
Lea

Dear Curious George,

I’m excited to answer your question. There are so many different things that I enjoy in Downtown Bellevue that it’s hard to get me outta here! I was just telling someone today, who lives in Seattle, how lucky I am to be able to walk to work, the gym, the doctor, dinner, and everything else. Downtown Belleuve is really a city of personal accessibility for me. 

I enjoy picking up take-out at Specialty’s Bakery for lunch during the work week. There’s a Specialty’s in Bellevue Square’s Center Court and one off of 108th at City Center. It’s convenient to order a custom sandwich on their Website, pay online by credit card, and then simply swing by to pick it up!

I enjoy getting massages at the Massage Center of Bellevue in Old Bellevue. They’ve won the Bellevue Downtown Association’s Haute Pick for “Best Massage” the past few years for a reason. All of their massage therapists are talented and professional. I’m as close as I could be to a massage addiction because of that place.

I enjoy going to happy hour at Blue C Sushi. I love sushi, and I love the atmosphere at Blue C because it’s vibrant and hip. Their upstairs “Nomu Lounge” offers happy hour from 4-7pm daily. That means lots of California Rolls and House Sake for moi.

I enjoy going to Athletic Conditioning at ONVO. Jason, the Athletic Conditioning trainer there, kicks my butt into gear on Monday or Wednesday evenings with his group classes. His classes are fun, always changing, and the people that attend regularly or drop in every now and again make it a fun, diverse environment.

I enjoy grocery shopping at Safeway. I know you’re probably thinking, “yawn,” but honestly – Safeway in Downtown Bellevue is awesome! From brown rice sushi, made fresh daily, to delicious gelato, a beautiful flower department, and extensive wine section, Downtown Bellevue Safeway gets my patronage. (Plus, it’s close enough for me to walk to from work or from home).

I enjoy Meydenbauer Beach Park. I had to think twice about whether I wanted to write about it because I’ve managed to convince myself that this park is my best kept secret, but I love you all enough to share. The park is located on the shores of Meydenbauer Bay. It’s a great place for a family picnic, romantic summer date, or small gathering with friends. It’s small, hidden, and right on the water.

I enjoy eating breakfast at Cafe Piroutte off of Main Street. They have the best sweet crepes and huge omelettes. The service there can be slow because they have a small staff, but the wait is worth it. They have a few outdoor tables for sunny summer morning seating, and the inside is quaint like a French cafe. It’s a great place to take your date, your mom, or your grandma for a special occasion. Or, if you’re like me, for no occasion but to eat!

I enjoy many things in Downtown Bellevue, so I could go on for hours. I hope that sharing a few of my favorite things with you will help you start thinking about what you enjoy most in our great city.

Now Go Enjoy!
- Lea

Dear Major Melt-Down,

I feel the heat. Most homes around town lack air conditioning, and this week’s heat has been so hot that even the National Weather Advisory has issued the Puget Sound a “heat advisory warning!” When you start to reach your boiling point, here’s how to keep your cool in Downtown Bellevue:

• Cool Treats
  - Frozen Yogurt: CeFiroe, Shnoo, Red Mango, and 3 Berries frozen yogurt shops surround the downtown core. Stop in and cool off with a non-fat treat, while getting a serving of probiotics!
  - Smoothies: Jamba Juice and Emerald City Smoothie are your one-stop-shops for fruit smoothie blends. Jamba Juice, with locations on 4th St. and in Bellevue Square, and Emerald City Smoothie, on Bellevue Way, have unique smoothie combinations and promote good health with their vitamin powders.
  - Iced Tea & Coffee: We all know where to get tea and coffee, but let me recommend my refreshing favorites. Try an affordable new Starbucks Iced Coffee with Milk for only $1.95 + tax (16 oz.) or yummy Tazo Passion Shaken Iced Tea Lemonade. I really like Tully’s Carmel Bellaccino, which is a sweet blend of caramel, espresso, and ice.
• Shade
  - If you don’t have the patience to stand in the shadow of one of Bellevue’s high-rises, then find a tree where you can relax in the shade. The biggest shady tree that I can think of is in the middle of Downtown Park. Bring a towel to sit on and a book to read, or just people watch. You’ll be sure to catch a kids soccer practice, a puppy play-date, or a family picnic.
• Covered Patios
  - Outside seating is great, but on 80-degree+ days direct sunlight can be brutal. California Pizza Kitchen has an open patio section, with full shade under an outdoor roof. 520 Bar & Grill has wide umbrellas in their park-like outdoor seating setting. Joey’s is also a great place where the patio seating is most often shaded due to the tall buildings of Bellevue Place surrounding it.

So grab a smoothie, down your iced espresso, eat your frozen yogurt under the tree in the park, and finish off the evening with a cold beer on a shaded patio. Oh, and by the way, in case you lack air conditioning in your home like me, Rite Aid on 106th Ave. still has fans. (I was there today).  ;)

Keep’n It Cool,
Lea

Dear Study Buddy,

This is a good question! I personally don’t have anything to study for, but I do occasionally  like to go somewhere to read a book or work on my computer. Here are some cozy places I recommend, that come complete with Wi-Fi. Grab a cup of coffee or snack while you’re at it!

Tully’s Coffee on 108th & Main
- Has free Wi-Fi, plenty of outlets to plug in your computer, and high stools or comfy chairs

Panera Bread at 1100 Bellevue Way
–  Has free Wi-Fi, plenty of seating, and an aroma of fresh baked bread

Top Pot Doughnuts in Washington Square
– Has free Wi-Fi, a library-themed seating area, and did I mention the best doughnuts EVER

Starbucks at The Lodge
- Has free Wi-Fi, stays pretty quiet, and I hear they have pretty good coffee

Bellevue Regional Library on 11th and 110th
- This may seem like a no-brainer, but a lot of us forget about our great local library!

Bellevue Downtown Park
- That’s right. The “Bellevue Outdoor Network” will get you free Wi-Fi anywhere outside in Downtown Bellevue. On a sunny day, I think the Downtown Park is the most enjoyable place to study.

I would caution you to stay away from these places during rush hour (before and after work hours) if you’re really concerned about it being quiet enough. However, the library is always a sure bet! Shh…

Hooking you up with Hotspots,
Lea

Dear “Eager for Eggs,”

It’s not too late. There are plenty of places in Downtown Bellevue offering Easter specials this Sunday. Whether it’s brunch and a visit from the Easter bunny or a 3-course meal, Downtown Bellevue restaurants have you covered. Here’s what’s happening:

Palomino
Brunch: 6:30am – 1:30pm. Crisp pepper bacon and cheddar omelette, Eggs benedict, Vanilla bean yogurt parfait, and more.
Dinner: 2pm – 9pm. Butternut squash ravioli, Cedar plank salmon, Filet mignon, and more.

0/8 Seafood Grill
Brunch: 9:30am – 2:30pm. Fabulous food by Chef Dan. $4 mimosas for the adults; a surprise visit from the Easter bunny for the kids.

Daniel’s Broiler
Brunch: 10am – 2pm. Homemade Scones with honey butter and raspberry preserves, a starter, and an entree.
Dinner: Beginning at 4pm.

Z’Tejas
Brunch: 11am – 3pm. $3 Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar for the adults; photos with the Easter bunny for the kids.

Pearl Bar & Dining
Dinner: 12pm – 9pm. Local and seasonal cuisine.

McCormick & Schmick’s
Dinner: $29.95. 3-course meal of steak and stuffed shrimp.

Bis On Main
Winemaker Dinner: $110pp. Guests will be poured a generous sampling of 7 Mark Ryan wines to paired with a 6-course dinner by Chef Christopher Peterson.

I’m always a proponent for Z’Tejas brunch, and the specials at Daniel’s sound delicious as well. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, I hope you have a joyful Sunday filled with good company and great food!

Here to put your chicks in a row,
Lea

Dear “Egg Eater,”

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than having someone else cook it for me on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Downtown Bellevue has a lot of great places that serve breakfast now. From quick bites to the full meal deal, here are some places to check out:

Gilbert’s Main Street Bagel Deli – The best bagels on this side of Washington. Gilbert’s has delicious egg dishes, pancakes, and of course a variety of bagels. The portions are large and easy to split between 2 people. My personal favorite is the L.H.L.!

Palomino – Something for everyone. From a classic eggs Benedict to a breakfast panini or bowl of oatmeal, Palomino is a great place for family breakfast. I would definitely recommend it for a special occasion.

520 Bar & Grill – Simple and easy. Breakfast at 520 Bar & Grill is from 10am – 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Each item is only $10. They offer burritos, omelets, and waffles.

Z’Tejas – The most unique breakfast around. Z’Tejas is one of my favorite breakfast places, and I didn’t even know they offered breakfast until recently! Their menu features items such as “Bananas Foster French Toast” and “Breakfast Enchiladas.”  All breakfast orders come with a freshly baked muffin, sorbet, and fruit.

0/8 Seafood Grill – Good atmosphere, great food. 0/8 has breakfast and brunch on the weekends. Enjoy a casual breakfast of eggs and toast or a full meal deal, complete with sandwiches, salads, and mimosas.

Reinstate your weekend breakfast routine, and take advantage of the fantastic food at any one of these restaurants. I’d love to hear about your favorite dishes or things you think we should try!

Ending your breakfast fast,
Lea

If losing weight, getting fit, staying healthy, or improving your lifestyle is one of your New Years Resolutions, then I encourage you to get a head start on it with ONVO in Downtown Bellevue. Starting Tuesday, January 6th, ONVO – Whole Body Health and Wellness Studio – hosts its 4th annual “ONVO Cup.” ONVO Cup is a 6-week program centered around nutrition, movement, and community, that’s sure to improve your life.

ONVO’s core motto is that life = health and health = life. ONVO Cup is a fun team competition where you earn points for living a better life through yoga or conditioning classes, nourishment education, and a few community events. The cost of the 6-week program is $179. For this price you’ll learn about your body and what you should put in it, while exercising, meeting new people, and enjoying life!

So don’t put your resolution on the back burner this year. Kick it up a notch with ONVO, and register by Tuesday, January 6th at 12pm.

Happy New Year,
Lea

Have something you’d like to ask? Write me at lea@downtownbellevue.com!