I'm a native Seattleite...I need a cup holder everywhere, anywhere.

This molded drink holder is the stuff dreams are made of...especially when you are in que at SeaTac for those early a.m. flights.

Here's hoping that some smart cafe gets these Tugo holders, slaps their logo on it and gives me the chance of getting one for under $9.

Late last week I was experiencing the opening of blueacre seafood in Seattle and ran into the most interesting people.

One of them was Taylor Shellfish's own "Oyster Bill" slurping down some of Hood Canal's finest.

He put me on notice....my favorites -- the Virginica oysters -- are coming into short supply. There are a few dozen held out for next week's Taste Washington Grand Tasting.

Lucky me, after snacking on my Virginicas pre-dinner, I ran into Efeste's winemaker Brennon Leighton at the bar and he offered me a Virginica for dessert. Who says chivalry is dead?!

I've lived in a few world-class cities and made lifelong friends along the way. By and large these friends are curious about Seattle and I like to show off my hometown. But, picking dining experiences I often feel like I am picking from among my children.

That said there is one spot that is proving to be my go-to restaurant no matter the day, no matter the time, not matter the palate.....Taulouse Petit Kitchen.

Taulouse is appealing on sunny days and cloudy days. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and blends the menu during different day parts so that when one guest wants an egg dish (seven benedicts are on the menu) and other wants a NOLA-inspired po-boy -- no problem. In wine-happy Washington, where sometimes local wines leave little room for other options, it's refreshing to see a range and selection (by the glass and carafe even) that represent the depth of flavors the global grape-growing village is capable of.

The menu states previously accepted limitation no longer apply. Thank you!

Rarely do I leave a large consumer tasting/drinking event with a smile on my face and wanting to mark my calendar for next year.

That's what happened when I left eh Feb. 28 Seattle Food and Wine Experience at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.

Maybe it was the "A" list line up of restaurants - Ray's, Earth & Ocean, Tulalip Bay, Cafe Campagne, Andaluca, Ponti, Ruth's Chris, Salty's and TASTE to name a few. Maybe it was the "AA" line up of wineries from Washington, Oregon, California and abroad...and premier brewers and cider makers.

What ever the reason this event rocked. A good crowd that was generally happy. Certainly a huge difference from previously attempted consumer tasting events tried in the Emerald City.

I'm ready to mark my calendar for next year.