POCO Wine Room; a glass of something special!

It’s a quiet and warm spring night in 2008 when a couple of new friends, Peter and Bart invited me to join them for a glass of wine at their newly opened wine bar, POCO Wine Room. We hit it off immediately over our respective love of wine or more importantly champagne! I still remember arriving that first evening not knowing what to expect, the entry in this brand new building is sleek and modern, situated on the corner of the building with sun pouring in from the two story floor-to-ceiling windows. I opened the door and was immediately captivated by the simple elegance and warm groove that glows from every corner of the eclectic room. By far the most striking feature is the wood textured wall that anchors the space and borders the stairs. An architectural element unlike anything else you will find in Seattle, the two story wall was designed and built by Rick Jones, POCO Manager. Be sure to ask Rick about it when you stop in! The upper space is intimate, romantic and beautifully decorated--the perfect date spot.

Over the years POCO has grown to be known as THE wine bar on Capitol Hill, it doesn’t get any better! Two years ago a wonderful outdoor patio was opened that is the perfect spot for lazy summer evenings sipping wine and visiting with friends. Each year the boys produce two NOT TO MISS gatherings, “Holi-GAYS” and “Summer-GAYS”, two events that bring hundreds in for amazing food, wine tastings and of course…glasses of bubbly! But if by some chance wine or the signature beer is not your style, you can always get an amazing top shelf cocktail stirred to perfection and properly chilled. My recommendation is the “Manhattan” and let me tell you, it’s made with love!

I recently had the opportunity to dine with Peter and sample the newly engineered summer menu by Executive Chef Ally Rael. I’m not quite sure how to put this but I had assumed that because of the relatively small size of the space the menu would be limited to a few items that exist only to compliment the wine. I have never been more wrong or pleasantly surprised. First of all, Ally is a creative and vibrant thinker when it comes to the dishes that she prepares. Working out of a kitchen that is smaller than most people’s pantries, she creates plates that will make bigger restaurants feel like fast food. Organic, simple, elegant, plated beautifully and served with a style that has become famous to POCO. Although everything was amazing there were three things that stood out for me. These items were inspired and unusual, a truly unique experience found only at POCO. The first adventure was the Chicken Liver Pate. I know---- pate is not for everyone and normally not even for me, but there was something special about this recipe. It was delicate and flavorful, full of life with a subtle bite that kept me coming back for more! The second dish was the Candied Salmon Buccatini, frankly, this was beyond expectation, full of flavor and served beautifully with a crisp white wine that has become one of my favorites. We sampled many items that evening, but we finished with the Dark Chocolate Mousse, not for calorie conscious but certainly for the chocolate lover.

As we wrapped up the evening we began to discuss how POCO got started, where it has been and where it’s going. They have assembled an amazing team of people that work at POCO, professional, stylish and fun with an uncanny ability to remember your name as easily as your favorite glass of wine. Peter and Bart are not only business partners but partners in life and their collaborative styles sparkle together. They sponsor far too many events, groups, sports teams and non-profits to mention but it seems that they are never too busy to volunteer or help out. In 2009 they were named the GSBA New Business of the Year and have been the GSBA Champagne Sponsor for the last 3 years…fitting I think. You really can’t come to Seattle without a stop at POCO.

You can find POCO Wine Room at 1408 east pine street, Seattle, WA 98122  ~ 206.322.9463
pocowineroom.com

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By Jerome M Bader, Director of Marketing Greater Seattle Business Association & Travel Gay Seattle

If Seattle is the Emerald city, then the Seattle Sheraton is clearly the jewel in the crown!

I had been to the Sheraton many times before my first actual overnight stay, attending meetings, retreats and large gala’s but I was completely unprepared for the pampering that I received on a recent “stay-cation” that I treated myself and my guy Javier to. Over and over people say that large hotels often miss opportunities to acknowledge the individual, that because of their size details are overlooked and sometimes folks get lost in the numbers. I can tell you that this hotel has no such problem, we felt like family from the moment we walked through the front door.


The lobby of the Seattle Sheraton Hotel

My first impression of the staff started with the valet service. I have said this many times before; a hotel has only one opportunity to make a first impression and the Sheraton team nailed it! The gentleman who greeted us as we pulled up into the amply staffed valet portico was right to task, smiling and warmly welcoming us to this grand and beautiful hotel. Check-in was seamless and in a flash we were off the room, welcomed as a gay couple without batting an eyelash…no pun intended. We walked into a beautiful corner suite with a view of the downtown core that was awesome. If this had been my first visit to Seattle I never would have left! The 20th floor gave us views of the city’s skyscraping buildings with the waters of the Puget Sound in the background shimmering and sparkling. I remember thinking that night with the curtains open and the lights twinkling how romantic this moment was. A perfect spot for my guy and I to spend some time together, just the two of us in the middle of this magnificent city. The beds, pillows and appointments were wonderful as were the toiletries and comfy towels and robes.

Our corner suite with the amazing view!

The hotel itself is practically a small city within itself with floors of meeting and event space, café’s, gym, restaurant and a wonderful lounge, in fact---I had one of the best Manhattans I’ve ever had….okay, maybe not just one. After a brief stay at the “happy hour” we ventured into the city which is literally right out the front door. We shopped, sipped and strolled through the downtown streets, enjoying the musicians, vendors and the very unique urban groove that is heartbeat of Seattle. Once back at the hotel the lounge beckoned for some late nasche and a night cap. I had a wonderful Washington wine, Javier a cocktail---the place was alive and magic…there were at least 3 other gay couples sitting close by and having a marvelous time.

Our "Manhatten" Hangout

Saturday arrived and we were off to the gym for a morning workout and run. Situated on the top floor, it seemed that the pool, spa and gym had the best view of all. A spectacular space with all the modern equipment, one of the best hotel workout centers I’ve enjoyed. We took a dip in the spa and headed to the room for showers and then onto the Club Lounge for coffee and breakfast. We sat by the window and met a very eclectic group of fellow guests. It was a perfect start to the day! We explored the city, coming back to home-base for a rest and then venturing out again. The shear convenience of this hotel was almost too perfect as we were literally in the center of the city.

The city vibe, fitness center and spa

Sunday brought a slow start and a leisurely “hang-out” in the room with a movie and room service. There may have been a mimosa or two as well. With a short walk to the Pike Place Market and back we wrapped up our stay and headed out. I learned later that there was much to this hotel that we didn’t even know until after we had left. Such as the fact that in 1993 the Sheraton started one of the first Green hotel initiatives by mandating that each department recycle materials and the hotel implemented a composting program, one of the first in the city. They have also recently completed a promenade beautification project on the back side of the hotel to visually enhance the neighborhood and encourage foot traffic. In addition, the Seattle Sheraton has taken a leadership role in working with the LGBT Community. They have hosted many events over the years that support equality, the non-profit community and organizations dedicated to education and HIV research. They are a wonderful Tourism Sponsor for the GSBA and work diligently to make sure that everyone who walks through their doors are welcomed and treated with respect and dignity. Our stay here was one that begs for a repeat visit and I’m counting the days!

By Jerome M Bader; Director of Marketing GSBA / Travel Gay Seattle

Photos; The Seattle Sheraton Hotel

http://www.sheratonseattle.com/

Evergreen Escapes "Brews & Views"

Eco-travel is a booming sector of the tourism industry and I had the great pleasure of experiencing one of the premier eco-adventure tour companies this past weekend, EverGreen Escapes. Operating in the up and coming neighborhood of Georgetown, EverGreen Escapes offers a wide variety of escapes and adventure tours. The escapes range from regional bird watching tours, Mount Rainer day trips and international adventures in Australia, New Zealand and the Galapagos Islands. For my adventure I decided to pick the new “Brews & Views” tour.

The “Brews & Views” tour exposes guests to the booming brewery business in Seattle and lets them sample the very product that is putting Seattle on the map as the place to go to have good pint of beer. Before taking this tour I have to admit that I completely underestimated the complexity of the process of brewing beer . It isn’t so much of a process as it is a science, just as much as making wine. Move over frat boys I think beer is about to become the refined mans drink of choice.

The tour incorporates brewery stops and visits to different vantage points to give visitors a number of different views of the city. This is a wonderful tour to take for first time visitors to Seattle and long time Seattleites looking to do some urban exploration. It’s amazing how I keep discovering new vantage points that give me a fresh sense of excitement as if I’m gazing upon the city for the first time.

Arriving at the EverGreen Escapes office I was greeted by Mira Poling, the tour guide or “escape artist” as noted on her business card, for my afternoon adventure into the world of beer. She was absolutely delightful and had a wealth of knowledge to share about the city and her love for beer. Mira is a photographer by trade and also leads an adventure photography class with EverGreen Escapes in Pioneer Square.

The tour vehicle for the afternoon was a beautiful white Mercedes with leather seating, and the best part was that it runs on biodiesel! EverGreen Escapes is committed to being as sustainable as possible in their tours and daily operations. The Mercedes was the perfect vehicle to spend the afternoon cruising around the city taking in the sights and drinking copious amounts of beer.

Along for the ride that afternoon was two couples, one couple recently landed in Seattle from Virginia and the other was a local couple celebrating a birthday. At first Mira did most of the talking but after the first visit to a brewery and our first sips of beer everyone’s personalities started to come out. By the end of the day we were all laughing and exchanging emails so we could keep in contact. It was a nice bonding experience to have with a group of complete strangers. I think EverGreen Escapes made the right choice in having their tour groups be small so the group could connect, something that is difficult to do on a large tour bus.

On the tour we visited three breweries; Elliot Bay Brewing Company, Georgetown Brewing Company and the Fremont Brewing Company. Each brewery was in a different neighborhood which gave me a chance to explore three different unique areas of Seattle. I love how each neighborhood in Seattle has a distinct personality and vibe to it.

The first stop for the afternoon was the Elliot Bay Brewing Company in West Seattle. Elliot Bay Brewing Company provides an in-depth “Beer Bible” which details the different variety of hops used for the different types of beer brewed. Along with the beer sampler we were also treated to the world’s largest pretzel. This baby was huge and was big enough to feed 6 people in their mid twenties who had been drinking beer.

The Georgetown Brewing Company was the largest brewery on our stop. Little did I know walking through the giant sliding doors of the brewery that this was where Manny’s Pale Ale was brewed, which is one of my favorite beers of all time. The idea of it passing over my taste buds sends my mind racing through a kaleidoscope of images from last summer. It's so refreshing and so very delicious.

Before going on the “Brews & Views” tour I had little to no real knowledge about beer but after I actually feel like I could participate in a conversation about it. I’m sure my straight guy friends will be really impressed when I explain what makes a lager different from a stout.

The “Brews & Views” tour would be a great treat for the avid beer drinker or those looking to see Seattle from all of its famous vantage points. The tour takes place each Friday, Saturday and Sunday and usually lasts 5 hours. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon in our beautiful city of Seattle.

Evergreen Escapes:
http://www.evergreenescapes.com/

by Joshua Michael Rumley, GSBA Travel Gay Seattle JoshuaR@thegsba.org

GET HERE: And do it in style! Amy’s Limousine Service

Amy Barker - Owner Amy's Limousine Service

I recently treated myself and my guests to night out on the town and Amy’s Limo Service made the evening one to remember. I have known Amy for many years and I can tell you from experience that there is no one else in the business like Amy and her amazing team of drivers. A woman owned business that provides transportation services from the very elegant, to airport town car, to exciting nights out and all things in between, no one does it better than Amy and her team! 

Our evening began right on time, actually, our driver was early and waiting for us…his broad grin, exceptional service and directional skills kept us right on track and well entertained. It can’t be easy to navigate a 25 foot beast of a limo through the narrow hills and neighborhoods of Seattle, but he managed with ease and provided a wonderful sunset experience while we effortlessly sipped champagne in the back.

There is a certain calmness that is added to an evening out when you know that you are not the one having to do the transportation work…a treat that is well worth it! As we maneuvered our way through the evening our driver continued to impress with his willingness to stop at a number of unscheduled destinations, such as the iconic “Fremont Troll” under the Aurora Bridge, if you are a visitor, this is a “Must-See” while you are here! We found ourselves wishing the evening wouldn’t end. The best part of using a service like this is that compared to the cost of fuel, parking or valet and time spent looking for that elusive parking spot, having Amy or a member of her team do the driving is very affordable. But that’s not where the story end’s, it’s really just where it just begins.

Amy offers a wide variety of services including wine tasting vehicles, stretch Hummers, airport town car services, party vans and the list goes on. But even beyond the business that Amy runs and the services that she can provide, she has been a great ally to the LGBTQ community giving of her time, donating services to auctions and supporting causes that are at heart of who she is. Although I do not know if you would be lucky enough to actually get Amy behind the wheel of your vehicle (which does happen from time to time) but know that you will be safe and in good hands for your visit to our city.

http://www.amyslimo.com/

by Jerome M Bader, GSBA Travel Gay Seattle

jerome@thegsba.org

Fairfield Inn by Marriot: Affordable Luxury Fit For a King but in This Case a "Queen"

Tucked away in a quite corner of BELLEVUE near the Microsoft Corporation campus is the BELLEVUE/REDMOND Fairfield Inn by Marriott. As a new Seattle resident, this was my first time venturing to Redmond from my humble abode on Capital Hill so I was delighted to stay at a hotel that was as warm and welcoming as the Fairfield Inn.

The staff was absolutely amazing on my arrival. In this day and age where bad customer service runs rampant it’s always nice to be reminded exactly what good customer service is. The front desk agent gave me a genuine warm welcome and offered me coffee and reminded me that there would be free freshly baked cookies available later in the evening. I’m a sucker for a cookie, especially when they are free.

I was pleasantly surprised by the number of amenities available for guests like a store in the lobby stocked with any toiletry you may have forgotten, a warm indoor poor which instantly made me forget it was winter and b, a massage therapist, a workout room with an extensive assortment of equipment and a large dining room where breakfast is served.

For my stay I had the pleasure of staying in the largest room available. The room was larger then my first college apartment and I was pleased to discover a freshly stocked candy dish on the coffee table. The room was nicely appointed with attractive art and comfortable furniture. I rather enjoyed the color scheme of the room, beige with red accents. The room was so comfortable I almost felt like I was staying over at a friend’s home.

The bed was fit for a king, well in this case a “queen.” The bed is the most important feature in a hotel room and I’m happy to report that the bed exceeded my expectations. Something I always marveled at was how cool to the touch the linens were every time I slid into bed, the true sign of quality. I’ve experienced a variety of uncomfortable hotel beds throughout the years but this one had the right degree firmness and the right number of pillows, two for my noggin and one to cuddle with.

I have to focus on the bathroom because it had one of the most amazing jetted tubs that I have ever had the pleasure of bathing in. The sheer size of the tub surprised me as it was big enough for me and at least 3 friends, not that I bathe with my friends or anything. I spent at least an hour bobbing around in the full tub like a dumpling in boiling chicken broth.

After a restful evening I woke up to discover Schevonne, the Fairfield Inn’s massage therapist, at my door. It was to be my first official massage and the anticipation had me buzzing. Schevonne was an absolute delight to talk with and I must admit had hands blessed by god. Laying face down on the massage table I wondered how much I would have to pay Schevonne to come be my in-house, or in-apartment, massage therapist.

The hotel is just a short drive away from the premier downtown Bellevue shops and restaurants and is right around the corner from the Redmond town center. The Redmond town center boasts a variety of restaurants and shops and I had a lot of fun exploring the new area. There isn’t a short supply of things to see, do or experience around the hotel.

I absolutely enjoyed my time at the Fairfield Inn by Marriot in Redmond. The entire experience from the staff, the amenities, the room, the huge family sized tub and Schevonne was absolutely fabulous. A big thank you is in order for Carlos Roberto Castillo, the Fairfield Inn Director of Sales, who has been very active within the Greater Seattle Business Association since becoming a member.

Joshua Michael Rumley
Travel Gay Seattle
206.363.9188

PLAY THERE: THE JUPITER HOTEL ~ THE EPICENTER OF PORTLAND COOL

By the editors of Oregon.com

http://www.oregon.com/

Cool thing Number One: It looks like an old motor inn, because it once was.  That was in 1964, when motor inns were in fact the coolest thing going, but for different reasons.  Then it got way seedy: Drugs, hookers, jaywalkers and other assorted riff-raff.  It was resurrected in 2002 when proprietors Kelsey Bunker and Tod Breslau bought the property, hosed out the creepy elements and transformed it into its present hip self.

Cool thing Number Two: The complimentary chocolate on your pillow has been replaced by a complimentary condom. They come in a rainbow of colors and are packaged with the Jupiter logo. Use it or lose it. An ounce of prevention. Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? “The owners really wanted to create a place where the community could come together and people could have fun,” says Al Munguia, the General Manager who oversees this bastion of high trendworthiness. The Jupiter’s 80 guest rooms, he points out, have either a wall of cool, hand-painted bamboo plants from floor to ceiling, or an awesome mural. One design features a large, golden Buddha on the wall; another has Marilyn Monroe; a third features a cool nature scene, like Monument Valley. The guestrooms have all undergone recent renovation, with flat-screen televisions and iPod docks added to new headboards to go with the cool, low, minimalist platform beds. There are green shag pillows and enormous mirrors, and the chalkboard doors will always remain (“This space taken”; “I’m a Virgo, what are you?”; “Warning: I Brake for Doughnuts”) The Jupiter was at the forefront of the renaissance of its neighborhood, just across the river from downtown Portland on East Burnside Avenue. Once a place where you could practically cut the urban grime with a knife, LoBu, or Lower Burnside, is now a very cool place to hang your hat. Restaurants like the fabulous, French Le Pigeon and the wine-mecca Noble Rot are right around the corner from the hotel, and Doug Fir, the very cool coffeeshop and nightclub, with peeled log décor that would make Abraham Lincoln proud, anchors the nightlife scene. Touring acts the world over play the Doug Fir, and on weekends especially the club draws a lively, young crowd straight to the Jupiter’s parking lot. They hang out in the very cool concrete courtyard, covered by a white tent in the winter, with its white lounge furniture, free WiFi and stage. The Jackalope Tattoo Studio keeps late hours for the occasional impulse purchase, and the Wack Hair Salon works its magic on Portland heads. A fire pit makes for a lively party scene into the late hours, and the Dream Box is a meeting room with a built-in projector, bamboo floor and enormous chalkboard for brainstorming only the best ideas.

Cool thing Number Three: It just may be the only hotel in the world whose logo wear, available for purchase, includes beanies and thongs.

Cool thing Number Four: After midnight, any unsold rooms are made available for a flat rate of $59, excellent for those who don’t aspire to make the DUI roles, and the better to get to know you, my dear.

Check it out; you’ll thank your innermost bad self. For more photos, check out


http://www.oregon.com/Jupiter_Hotel


THE JUPITER HOTEL, 800 EAST BURNSIDE, PORTLAND, OREGON, 97214; 877-800-0004 or 503-230-9200; www.jupiterhotel.com

Seattle to Host First Ever West Coast LGBT Tourism Summit

SEATTLE – Dec. 20, 2010 – Following the success of the Greater Seattle Business Association’s Travel Gay Seattle initiative, Seattle will host LGBT Chambers of Commerce, convention and visitor bureaus, travel planners and chamber businesses at the first West Coast LGBT Tourism Summit, January 6-8.

Glenn Johnson, President of Horizon Airlines, will deliver the keynote speech and experts from leading market research, public relations and social media firms such as Nyhus Communications, Community Marketing, Inc. and Pink Banana Media will host sessions on developing a successful inbound tourism initiative.

The 2011 West Coast LGBT Tourism Summit will focus on providing tools for attendees to attract LGBT tourism to their city. By following GSBA’s lead of forming partnerships with private and public organizations, local travel organizations can bolster the LGBT tourism industry in their area. Sessions at the summit include a city by city status report delivered by each participating chamber or region, information on how to develop a local LGBT visitors guide, utilize technology, and how to market and brand a city or region. Event sponsors include Alaska Airlines, Boeing, USBank and the Seattle Renaissance Hotel.

GSBA’s travel portal, Travel Gay Seattle, allows travelers to book their plane or train tickets and hotel stay, as well as find restaurants, shopping, and unique neighborhoods. By developing similar initiatives on the west coast, tourism professionals hope to create a regional community for LGBT travelers.

“LGBT Tourism is an essential component of the West Coast economy. Some of the top gay and lesbian popular destinations in the world are located in western North America drawing hundreds of thousands of LGBT travelers from around the world every year,” said David Paisley Community Marketing Inc. “In addition LGBT events such as Pride are often the biggest public events in their communities, and attract participants far and wide.”

To launch Travel Gay Seattle, GSBA partnered with Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, a company with a reputation for flexibility and outstanding service, as well as an established reputation for LGBT-friendly travel. Additional support came from the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development and Sound Transit, a regional network of commuter rail, light rail, express buses, and local transit resources. Corporate sponsors include Sheraton Seattle Hotel, Amtrak and American Airlines.

“LGBTQ Tourism is estimated to be an $84 billion industry and Seattle is poised to attract a significant portion of that revenue, said Jerome Bader, GSBA Director of Marketing & External Relations. “Seattle has the 2nd largest percentage of openly LGBTQ citizens in the United States, scenic beauty that cannot be matched, restaurants, a wine industry that is unparalleled and metropolitan communities that are open and welcoming to all. Currently Seattle is ranked number 9 in the top 20 LGBTQ tourism destinations, I want to be in the top 5!”