Bothell • August 29, 2018

7 Must-Visit Restaurants in Bothell (Plus Happy Hour Tips & Why Locals Love Each One!)

by Andrea Wetzel

If you’re looking for a fun date night restaurant or just a laid-back spot to grab some delicious eats, Bothell has got you covered! Home to several dining establishments with mouthwatering menus and some excellent happy hours, Bothell has everything from sushi and Italian to pubs and American breakfasts.

Here are a few restaurants that come highly recommended by locals:

Alexa’s Cafe

Located at 10115 Main St. Bothell, WA

Nestled in a charming 1927-built brick building, Alexa’s Cafe is a neighborhood staple! “We love Alexa’s on main street!” shares Tonya Tye, and Jen Bowmanrecommends the sweet spot for brunch.

Their extensive breakfast menu is filled with classics like breakfast sandwiches, “bennys,” pancakes and French toast, and scrambles, and their lunch menu is a mouthwatering selection of sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers, wraps, and much more.

Need catering for your event? Becky Larsen recommends checking out Alexa’s catering options whether you’re catering a business lunch or a wedding rehearsal dinner.

Grazie Ristorante

Located at 23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy Bothell, WA 98021

If you’re craving Italian, Jen Bowman recommends heading to Grazie Ristorante for pizza, lasagna, cannelloni, and other Italian specialties.

“[Grazie’s serves] great dinners with an extensive wine list and happy hour with live music weekly!” recommends Becky Larsen. Enjoy daily happy hours from opening to 6pm and take advantage of half-price appetizers, wine, beer, and drink specials. As Becky mentioned, Grazie also hosts live music, and you can view their schedule of events here.

Uncle Peteza’s Pizzeria

Located at 228th & Meridian

Located Safeway Plaza 24118 Bothell-Everett Hwy Bothell, WA 98012

“We LOVE Uncle Peteza’s Pizzeria!” shares Melissa Huddleston. “They have two locations—one on 228th and Meridian, and one in the Safeway Plaza off of 241st and Bothell Everett Hwy. Their crust is the best! They have deep dish, thin crust, and, wait for it – STUFFED CRUST! My favorite is the veggie pizza and Chris’ is the Meatsa. They also have cheesy bread, wings, oven baked sandwiches, pasta, calzones, and salads. Yum!!! Now I’m hungry!!”

Melissa’s right—Uncle Peteza’s Pizzeria’s incredible pizza selection is sure to make everyone in your dining party happy! They also have gluten-free pizza, soup, bottomless soda, and a convenient rewards program.

Sushi Hana

Located at 2020 Maltby Road Suite 2 Bothell, WA 98021

“Sushi Hana, a conveyor belt sushi restaurant at Thrasher’s Corner, is one of our favorites. When you don’t want to cook and the kids are starving and you don’t want to wait to order at a sit-down restaurant, this speedy sushi joint is the ticket! Large booths for groups of 6 or bar stools at the belt offer lots of seating. Always great service and good quality sushi,” shares Jen Bowman.

Sushi Hana is truly dedicated to quality—their conveyor belt-style sushi utilizes RFID technology to monitor the dishes on their conveyor belt, and no dish is allowed to be in circulation for more than 2 hours.

Sushi Hana serves up dozens of dishes, from classic nigiri to more unique sushi rolls. “In addition to traditional sushi, they have small plates of strawberries, green grapes, and Mochi ice cream for dessert! They also serve bottled sake, beer and wine,” shares Jen. We recommend taking a look at their menu here!

The Three Lions Pub

Located at 10111 Main Street Bothell WA, 98011

“Lion’s Pub on main is always good for watching sports and enjoying beers and pub food,” advises Tonya Tye. And when Tonya says “pub food,” she really means it—Lion’s Pub serves up classic English pub dishes like classic fish & chips, Lancashire Pasty, sausage rolls, steak & mushroom pie, steak & kidney pie, bangers & mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and much more!

Plus, enjoy happy hours every weekday from 4-6pm and on weekends from 3-6pm. Take advantage of their deals on well drinks, wine, draft beer, and cider.

Amaro Bistro

Located at 18333 Bothell Way NE #105 Bothell, WA 98011

Becky Larsen loves Amaro Bistro for their great meals, awesome happy hour, and the fact that it’s a great place to celebrate a special occasion. Brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, drinks and more are all served at this popular Italian bistro, and their extensive wine menu is truly impressive. Plus, Amaro is also family-friendly and has a special kid’s menu.

Enjoy daily happy hour deals from 3pm-6pm and 10pm to midnight, and take advantage of their lunch special of 2 courses for $16!

Preservation Kitchen

Located at 17121 Bothell Way NE Bothell WA 98011

Highly recommended by both Brian Hayter and Tonya Tye, Preservation Kitchen offers an exquisite seasonal menu. They’re dedicated to supporting local businesses, and they use sustainable and organic ingredients whenever they can.

Tonya especially recommends their amazing polenta fries and their good wine selection, but menus change based on the season, so check out their website every now and then! We also highly recommend their happy hour. From 2-6pm daily, enjoy a large selection of appetizers, $7 cocktails, and discounts on beer and wine. See the complete happy hour menu here.

Bothell is packed with incredible places to eat, and we included a few other favorites below:

Jen Bowman recommends Viva Jalisco Mexican Restaurant or Passion Tequila for Mexican cuisine
Becky Larsen loves Foggy Noggin Brewing
Tonya Tye loves stopping by Ohana Teriyaki for takeout
A fan of John Howie? Jen Bowman recommends Beardslee Public House, John Howie’s first venture outside of Bellevue
For the seafood lover, Tonya Tye recommends Thrasher’s Corner Pub for all-you-can-eat crab on Mondays, and she loves Bone Fish at Canyon Park for their amazing firecracker shrimp
Tonya Tye also recommends stopping by the Yakima Fruit Stand for fresh fruit, veggies, and Christmas trees!

Bothell • August 29, 2018

4 Fabulous Ways to Spend a Weekend in Bothell

by Andrea Wetzel

A destination for locals and out-of-towners alike, Bothell’s wide variety of opportunities for fun and entertainment make it a top choice for those looking for a memorable weekend experience! Nestled in a prime location that’s surrounded by beautiful outdoors and some of the most popular attractions in the region, it’s not hard to be entertained in Bothell.

Check out our 4 ideas for how to spend a fabulous weekend in Bothell:

McMenamins: Hotel, Dining, Bars, Movies & More

“McMenamins Anderson School is a great spot!” recommends Brian Hayter. “There are lots of options within but my favorite place is to grab a drink and sit outside near the fire pits, or they have outdoor tables that are under cover with heaters for the cold/wet days.”

Whether you’re just looking for dinner and a movie or searching for an overnight getaway, McMenamins’ Anderson School in Bothell has your dining and entertainment needs covered! This one-stop-shop is located in a converted school, and hotel rooms are located in converted classrooms.

During your stay, visit the Principal’s Office for a drink, enjoy outdoor seating at the Tavern on the Square, take advantage of the Anderson School Theater Bar (order burgers, brews, popcorn, and candy and have it delivered to your table during the movie!), and much more. We recommend checking out their website for room package offerings, a schedule of special events, and more details on accommodations.

Woodinville Wine Country: Sip & Shop

Located right next door to Woodinville, Bothell’s close proximity to this wine capital make it a popular destination for wine lovers. Woodinville is home to a whopping 108 wineries and tasting rooms, 8 microbreweries, distilleries & cideries, and 26 different dining spots! With so many wineries to choose from, it can be a bit daunting, but we recommend checking out Woodinville Wine Country’s website for a guide to Woodinville’s different districts as well as a list of wineries and a special passport that can get you discounts. For those hoping to stay the weekend, there’s also a guide on hotels and bed & breakfasts available for your convenience.

When the sun comes out, Tonya Tye recommends biking from downtown on the Sammamish River Trail and finding a glass of wine to enjoy at the plethora of wineries. She also recommends listening to some music at the popular Chateau Ste Michelle, home to some delicious wine in addition to a concert series that attracts big names like Josh Groban and John Legend.

Country Village

Whether you’re looking for some family-friendly entertainment or heading out with a group of adults for a night on the town, Country Village offers a whimsical setting to explore and enjoy! Discover charming ponds, restaurants, and shops with gifts, home decor, toys, antiques, and much more. Home to almost 40 shops, we recommend setting aside at least an entire day to explore the scene!

Country Village is also home to several events throughout the year—enjoy beer walks, wine walks, “Ladies Night Out” events, and other more adult-friendly events alongside seasonal happenings for kids like Cookies with Mrs. Claus, Gingerbread House Weekend, Wizard Fest, Meet the Easter Bunny, and much more.

Also, from June through September each year, take advantage of the Country Village Farmers Market! Located in the center parking lot, this dynamic expanse of vendors features dozens of stands, fresh local produce, handmade items, live music, and much more. View farmers market dates and a list of vendors here.

Brewery Tour

Beer is a big deal in the Pacific Northwest, and Bothell’s long list of breweries sets the perfect scene for a weekend brewery tour!

Watts Brewing Company: This nano brewery names their accessible beers after bees, and each release is only brewed once.
Decibel Brewing Co: Kids, pets, and outside food are welcome at this establishment!
The Hop and Hound: Enjoy at least a dozen fresh beers on tap, plus Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee on NITRO, and different food trucks every Friday.
Foggy Noggin Brewing: As one of the world’s smallest production breweries, Foggy Noggin offers fresh beers in their Bothell tasting room (bring a growler!).
Nine Yards Brewing: This all ages spot is located right off of the Burke Gilman trail, making it a great option when you need to stop and cool down.

Tonya Tye also recommends stopping at 192 Brewing Co. or Cairn Brewing, and combining it with a day of riding your bike along the Burke Gilman or along Lake Washington. Break for a picnic along the way!

Bothell • August 29, 2018

Unique Ways to Stay Active in Bothell: Bike Trails, Trampolines, & Water Sports

by Andrea Wetzel

Feeling a bit tired of heading to the gym as usual? Need some inspiration? Staying fit and healthy doesn’t have to be boring, and luckily for Bothell residents, there are plenty of unique ways for staying active!

While Bothell is definitely home to some great gyms (Jen Bowman recommends Orange Theory and Fusion Hot Yoga in Canyon Park for major calorie-burning workouts!), we also recommend checking out these other options for something that’s extra fun, entertaining, and active:

Elevated Sportz

Located at 18311 Bothell Everett Hwy Suite 140, Bothell WA 98012

“Elevated Sportz in North Bothell is the best rainy day exercise you can get,” says Jen Bowman. “Their weekly schedule offers variety of activities for kids and adults. Trampoline dodgeball anyone? They have a food counter where you can fuel up, too. Even better yet, NO MEMBERSHIP required. My toddler loves the daily 10am-12:30pm Hoppy Hour in the three level Adventure Zone that’s perfect for little kids to explore and play in a padded environment!”

Kids and adults alike love Elevated Sportz, and their dynamic range of offerings ensures there’s always something new to check out! In addition to the events that Jen mentioned, Elevated Sportz hosts a Lazer Club Night for teens, an all-ages Cosmic Night laser party, Lazer Maze Challenge, homeschool meetups, Special Needs days, and more! Plus, you can host birthday parties, team parties, or even rent out the entire facility for your special event.

Check out pricing and take a look at the different play areas offered here.

The Park at Bothell Landing

Located at 9919 NE 180th St Bothell, WA 98011at N Bothell Way

“The Park at Bothell Landing offers a little known boat launch along the Sammamish River, where you can put in your kayak, canoe or paddle board to take advantage of an outdoor ‘gym’ that will cost you nothing,” recommends Claudette Meyer. “Whether your goal is an energizing early morning paddle, an after work recharge, or an all-day workout, you’ll burn calories surrounded by beautiful scenery. Head west if your destination is Lake Washington. For a much longer paddle, you can head southeast to Lake Sammamish, maybe with a pit stop at Redhook Brewery along the way.”

Great tips, Claudette! Not only does The Park at Bothell Landing offer the opportunity to stay active, but it’s also a lovely place to spend time with family or friends at. Pack a picnic and make a day of it!

Burke-Gilman Trail

More than 18 miles long, the Burke-Gilman Trail extends from Shilshole Bay in Seattle all the way to the City of Bothell. This incredible amenity not only offers a paved surface for joggers, walkers, skaters, strollers, and bikers, but it’s also a popular commuting option as well!

Recently, the trail has be undergoing some updates, and Melissa Huddleston has the details:

“In addition to the Burke Gilman Trail, the North Creek Trail expansion will connect the North Creek Park in Bothell to the Burke Gilman Trail. The new expansion will extend from 183rd St SE to SR 524 and will include an elevated walkway 20-40 feet above ground,” shares Melissa.

“This section of the trail will be located between Sprague Drive and 192nd St SE. The timeframe of completion according to the Snohomish County website is still to be determined. I’m very excited as this trail will literally be steps from my home. On warm summer days, you’ll be able to find me riding my bike from my house to Woodinville Wine Country!”

You can view a map of the entire trail here, complete with information on road access points. We recommend planning your trip ahead of time and stopping at one of the beautiful, scenic parks along the way!

Uncategorized • August 9, 2018

Windermere and the Seahawks are Back for Another Season to #TackleHomelessness!

by Andrea Wetzel

All of us at Windermere are very excited to kick off our third season as the Official Real Estate Company of the Seattle Seahawks!

Once again, our #tacklehomelessness campaign is front-and-center, with the Windermere Foundation donating $100 for every Seahawks home-game tackle during the 2018 season to YouthCare, a Seattle-based non-profit organization that has been providing services and support to homeless youth for more than 40 years. Over the last two years, the Seahawks helped us raise over $66,000 through our #tacklehomelessness campaign, and this year we are looking forward to raising even more money – and awareness – for this important cause.

Our partnership with the Seahawks and YouthCare fits perfectly with the mission of the Windermere Foundation which is to support low-income and homeless families in the communities where we have offices. Through the #tacklehomelessness campaign, we hope to be able to do even more.

Uncategorized • August 9, 2018

Back to School Basics

by Andrea Wetzel

The first day of school sneaks up so fast… summer is here and then gone in a flash! Use these helpful tips to start getting settled into a new routine for fall, before life gets hectic.

Start talking about it. New teacher, new classmates, new schedules can all create some anxieties with kids. Start talking about school a few weeks before the first day. Talk about practical things like what the new schedule will be like, but also make sure to address their feelings and concerns about the upcoming year.

Go back to school shopping early. The store aisles are currently packed with school supplies. Take advantage of your summer schedule to shop while the store isn’t as busy and the supplies haven’t been picked through. Don’t forget to buy extras for homework time or the winter re-stock that inevitably happens in January.

Determine how your child will get to and from school and practice the route.

Ease back into the scheduled days. When you and your kids are used to lazy mornings and staying up late, shifting to the early morning school bus rush can be incredibly difficult. To ease the transition, start 7-10 days before school starts, and shift bedtimes and wake-up times gradually. Every day, start their bedtime routine 10-15 minutes earlier and wake them up 10-15 minutes earlier until they’re back on track. And don’t forget to readjust your bedtime schedules, too!

Re-set eating habits. When school starts, your student’s eating patterns need to maintain a high level of energy throughout the day. Implementing a routine for breakfast, lunch and snacks is just as important as their sleeping patterns. Begin this transition 7-10 days before school starts as well.

Sync your calendars. Add the school calendar to your personal/family calendar, so important dates like parent-teacher night aren’t missed.

Set rules for after school. After-school time and activities such as TV, video games, play time, and the completion of homework should be well-thought out in advance. Talk about the rules (and consequences) for these before school starts.

Newsletter • August 8, 2018

Monthly Newsletter

by Andrea Wetzel

August 8th-10th will be an exciting time in Seattle. Pearl Jam, Seattle’s own original grunge band will be hosting two shows at Safeco Field on August 8^th and 10^th, and the Seattle Seahawks kick off their preseason schedule at Century Link on August 9th. Besides providing great entertainment for music and football fans, both of these events will give back to the community.

The two Pearl Jam shows have been coined The Home Shows as Seattle is Pearl Jam’s home town; but more importantly, proceeds from both shows will be donated to organizations such as Mary’s Place, the YMCA and The Mockingbird Society to help fight homelessness. These organizations have programs in place that are helping to improve the homeless crisis in our city. The Windermere Foundation has partnered with Pearl Jam and their Vitalogy Foundation and joined other organizations such as Alaska Airlines, Nordstrom, Tom Douglas, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help sponsor these two benefit shows.

The Windermere Foundation has always been rooted in working towards overcoming homelessness and helping families and children get back on their feet. The Home Shows aligned with the Windermere Foundation’s mission, making it a natural fit for this partnership. Check out this video of Mike McCready, Pearl Jam’s guitarist serenading Windermere for our partnership.

On August 9th, the Seattle Seahawks kick off their pre-season schedule which also kicks off the Windermere Foundation’s third year of partnering with the Seattle Seahawks to Tackle Homelessness. For every defensive tackle that takes place at a regular season home game, the Windermere Foundation will donate $100 towards Youth Care, an organization that helps youth struggling with homelessness or transitional living.

Thanks to the generosity of Windermere agents, staff, franchise owners, and the community, the Windermere Foundation has proudly donated a total of $920,351 so far this year to non-profit organizations that provide services to low-income and homeless families. This brings the total amount of money that the Windermere Foundation has raised since 1989 to over $36 million.

Each Windermere office has its own Windermere Foundation fund account that they use to make donations to organizations in their local communities. Our office recently sent 24 low-income children to YMCA’s Camp Orkila and Camp Colman with funds that we raised. These kids will enjoy a life changing week of summer camp, meeting new friends and experiencing the outdoors. These experiences would not be possible without the support of our clients. For each transaction that Windermere closes, the Windermere agent involved makes a donation to the Windermere Foundation. Thank you for your support of my business, it helps make the Windermere Foundation possible!

The first day of school sneaks up so fast… summer is here and then gone in a flash! Use these helpful tips to start getting settled into a new routine for fall, before life gets hectic.

Determine how your child will get to and from school and practice the route.

Sync your calendars. Add the school calendar to your personal/family calendar, so important dates like parent-teacher night aren’t missed.

Quarterly Market Trends • South Snohomish County • July 22, 2018

South Snohomish County Quarterly Market Trends

by Andrea Wetzel

As we head into the summer months we are seeing a healthy jump in inventory in our area. In May, we saw the biggest jump in new listings in a decade! Price appreciation has created this phenomenon, motivating many people to make big moves with their equity. In fact, prices are up 13% year-over-year. We currently sit at 1.3 months of inventory based on pending sales. This more-equal balance of homes for sale compared to the first quarter has created great opportunities for buyers, finally! While it is still a seller’s market, it has eased up a bit. The average days on market in June was 11 days and the average list-to-sale price ratio was 102%.

South Snohomish County real estate has been an affordable option compared to “in-city” real estate. In fact, the median price in June was 41% higher in Seattle Metro. Sellers are enjoying great returns due to buyers choosing to lay down roots in our area, and buyers are securing mortgages with minor debt service due to low interest rates. The easing of inventory is a welcome change and is helping to temper price growth.

This is only a snapshot of the trends in south Snohomish County; please contact me if you would like further explanation of how the latest trends relate to you.

North Snohomish County • Quarterly Market Trends • July 22, 2018

North Snohomish County Quarterly Market Trends

by Andrea Wetzel

As we head into the summer months we are seeing a healthy jump in inventory in our area. In May, we saw the biggest jump in new listings in a decade! Price appreciation has created this phenomenon, motivating many people to make big moves with their equity. In fact, prices are up 11% year-over-year. We currently sit at 1.4 months of inventory based on pending sales. This more-equal balance of homes for sale compared to the first quarter has created great opportunities for buyers, finally! While it is still a seller’s market, it has eased up a bit. The average days on market in June was 21 days and the average list-to-sale price ratio was 101%.

North Snohomish County real estate has been an affordable option compared to “in-city” real estate. In fact, the median price in June was 86% higher in Seattle Metro. Sellers are enjoying great returns due to buyers choosing to lay down roots in our area, and buyers are securing mortgages with minor debt service due to low interest rates. The easing of inventory is a welcome change and is helping to temper price growth.

This is only a snapshot of the trends in north Snohomish County; please contact me if you would like further explanation of how the latest trends relate to you.

North King County • Quarterly Market Trends • July 22, 2018

North King County Quarterly Market Trends

by Andrea Wetzel

As we head into the summer months we are seeing a healthy jump in inventory in our area. In May, we saw the biggest jump in new listings in a decade! Price appreciation has created this phenomenon, motivating many people to make big moves with their equity. In fact, prices are up 13% year-over-year. We currently sit at 1.1 months of inventory based on pending sales. This more-equal balance of homes for sale compared to the first quarter has created great opportunities for buyers, finally! While it is still a seller’s market, it has eased up a bit. The average days on market in June was 16 days and the average list-to-sale price ratio was 103%.

North King County real estate has a very high premium due to close-in commute times and vibrant neighborhoods. In fact, the median price in June was $800,000. Sellers are enjoying great returns due to buyers choosing to lay down roots in our area, and buyers are securing mortgages with minor debt service due to low interest rates. The easing of inventory is a welcome change and is helping to temper price growth.

This is only a snapshot of the trends in north King County; please contact me if you would like further explanation of how the latest trends relate to you.

Quarterly Market Trends • Seattle Metro • July 22, 2018

Seattle Metro Quarterly Market Trends

by Andrea Wetzel

As we head into the summer months we are seeing a healthy jump in inventory in our area. In May, we saw the biggest jump in new listings in a decade! Price appreciation has created this phenomenon, motivating many people to make big moves with their equity. In fact, prices are up 15% year-over-year. We currently sit at 1.1 months of inventory based on pending sales. This more-equal balance of homes for sale compared to the first quarter has created great opportunities for buyers, finally! While it is still a seller’s market, it has eased up a bit. The average days on market in June was 15 days and the average list-to-sale price ratio was 102%.

Seattle Metro real estate has a very high premium due to close-in commute times and vibrant neighborhoods. In fact, the median price in June was $800,000. Sellers are enjoying great returns due to buyers choosing to lay down roots in our area, and buyers are securing mortgages with minor debt service due to low interest rates. The easing of inventory is a welcome change and is helping to temper price growth.

This is only a snapshot of the trends in the Seattle Metro area; please contact me if you would like further explanation of how the latest trends relate to you.