Become A Bibliophile – Friends of the Library Book Sale

There is something about a book that an “e”version can’t replace.  The tactile feel of the pages, the slightly musty smell of old books aged like a fine wine.  If you have a visceral connection with books and you like them cheap, the Friends of the Library Book Sale at Magnuson Park is the place to go.  The sale is a biannual event, generally occurring in Mid-April and Mid-September, with over 100,000 books for sale at around the $1 range and an entire section of “Better” books at a slightly higher price for the more discerning palette.  The shear volume of literature available for purchase is nearly overwhelming and you can easily spend hours poring over titles in every genre from the classics to textbooks.  The event is well attended so be prepared to rub elbows with other bibliophiles (and book sellers) but it’s all worth it in the end.  The rewards far outweigh the effort. http://friendsofspl.org/booksale

Old Country Meets New Country - Tutta Bella

Beyond sharing a name, Pizza and Neapolitan Pizza have little else in common.  While your standard pizza generally has a dense crust and is piled high with sauces and toppings, a Neapolitan Pizza is a thin, crispy pie with just a touch of softness around the crust.  The toppings are used sparingly with the flavors balanced in every bite.   Neapolitan pizza has sprung up in several of the neighborhoods in and around Seattle, but Tutta Bella’s four locations constantly serves up some of the best.  We were lucky enough to arrive at Tutta Bella right at the tail end of happy hour so we could take advantage of their cheap eats.  We started off with a few of the Stuzzichini or little bites.  The candied almonds are an amazing treat, with a touch of sea salt and rosemary and the marinated olives come in a range of tastes from salty and rich to spicy.  The pizza, of course, was the main attraction.  Our Regina Margherita was exactly what we expected, a soft and crisp crust with a tangy sauce, layered with fresh basil, mozzarella and tomato.  If you’re lucky enough to be seated near the open kitchen you can watch your pizzas as they are prepared.   My only complaint is that I seem to reach for the last slice moments too late.