Best of 2008: Georgetown

A bar on one side and family-friendly dining on the other, Stellar Pizza (5513 Airport Way Blvd. S; 206.763.1660) serves up signature pies in a rock ’n’ roll atmosphere. Matt Dillon (of Sitka & Spruce) creates culinary magic at The Corson Building (5609 Corson Ave. S; 206.762.3330). The unpretentious Two Tartes Bakery (5629 Airport Way S; 206.767.8012) makes a mean white chocolate raspberry scone. Quirky Calamity Jane’s (5701 Airport Way S; 206.763.3040) charges exactly $9.37 for shepherd’s pie. Housed in Georgetown’s oldest brick building, Jules Maes (5919 Airport Way S; 206.957.7766) is famous for its chicken-fried steak. Enjoy exquisite coffee while sitting at a repurposed driftwood table at All City Coffee (1205 S Vale St.; 206.767.7146), Georgetown’s central hub. Local pizza chain Via Tribunali (6005 12th Ave. S; 206.464.2880) brings a touch of Naples to the heart of Georgetown. Go big and order the Pit Boss sandwich at Smarty Pants (6017 Airport Way S; 206.762.4777), featuring both ham and bacon. Maruta Shoten (1024 S Bailey St.; 206.767.5002) is a fully stocked Asian grocery with deliciously affordable takeout at lunch. Slim’s Last Chance Chili Shack and Watering Hole (5606 First Ave. S; 206.762.7990) is home to the tasty chili cheese Kobe dog. Pig Iron BBQ (5602 First Ave. S; 206.768.1009) serves up succulent slow-cooked barbeque alongside Mason jars of sweet tea.

Spruce up your décor with a swanky something from Revival Home and Garden (5515 Airport Way S; 206.763.3886). Great Stuff Vintage Furnishing (5517 Airport Way S; 206.931.6208) carries eclectic vintage pieces for the home, like an ornate wooden column from the 1906 Lewis and Clark Exhibition. Aficionados of midcentury furniture and Americana kitsch will flip for the estate-sale finds at Fruit Cocktail Collectibles (1210 S Bailey St.; 206.624.8857). Georgetown Tile Works (5905 Airport Way S; 206.767.0331) creates intricate mosaics from its custom-made tile. Visit the Damaged Room at Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery (1201 S Vale St.; 206.658.0110) for discounts on comics and graphic novels. Score an obscure vinyl title in the aisles of Georgetown Records (1201 S Vale St.; 206.762.5638). The 50-year-old Julius Rosso Nursery and Garden Center (6404 Ellis Ave. S; 206.763.1888) provides holiday trees for many downtown Seattle landmarks, including Westlake Center.

 

See a replica of the first working telephone at the Museum of Communications (7000 East Marginal Way S; 206.767.3012). Take a tour of the historic Seattle Electric Company Georgetown Steam Plant at the Georgetown Power Plant Museum (6605 13th Ave. S; 206.763.2542). A park since 1923, the Georgetown Playfield (750 S Homer St.) boasts well-lit fields and a wading pool for the kids Oxbow Park (the 6400 block of Corson Avenue S) is home to a community pea patch and the historic Hat ’n’ Boots roadside attraction, once the office and restrooms of a gas station built in 1955. Run away and join the circus at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (674 S Orcas St.; 206.652.4433). Fans of Manny’s Pale Ale can see where the magic happens at the Georgetown Brewery (5840 Airport Way S; 206.766.8055). Head over to the 9 Lb Hammer (6009 Airport Way S; 206.762.3373), a friendly dive bar known for its strong drinks and locally brewed beer. The Georgetown Ballroom (5625 Airport Way S; 206.763.4999) is an elegantly renovated event space featuring a stage and dance floor.

 

Discover spa heaven at Helle Skin Sanctuary and Boutique (5701-C Airport Way S; 206.767.0803). Rockabilly chicks will swoon for the sassy cuts and “biker chic” style at Helmet Head Salon (5527 Airport Way S; 206.763.5945), where the stylists’ dogs run laps around the flame-painted walls. Vintage Japanese and European motorcycles are rebuilt for speed at Twinline Motorcycles (6501 East Marginal Way S; 206.768.8686).