A couple of weeks ago I was invited to catch the sunset atop The Space Needle and enjoy some great food, local chefs and some food industry friends in celebration of the first season of “Check, Please! Northwest.” It was an incredible day to really take in the city and all it has to offer: natural beauty, great food, wonderful people and interesting conversation.

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

It was an evening of “oh my god, that is so good!!!” (said in your “I’m-talking-with-my-mouth-full” voice) and “okay, wait. What’s this again? I have to have another!” With a view like that, how could you NOT smile?!

There were  restaurants like the 5 Spot, Adam’s NW Bistro & Brewery, Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar, Blackboard Bistro, Chocolati, El Gaucho, Hunt Club at Sorrento Hotel, Local 360, Macrina Bakery, Mekong Village, Ray’s Boathouse, Shamiana, Skillet: Counter at the Armory, Stopsky’s Delicatessen, Tom Douglas’ Rub with Love, and SkyCity at the Needle all there, and then some.

Here’s a little peek of what we had:

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

A delicious little salad bite with avocado, tomato, and other tasty ingredients that I’m sad to say I can’t remember, from BARRIO, one of my favorite spots in the city.

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

Pickled salmon and celery leaf with a tasty dollop (I want to say it was crème fraîche or some such sauce, but I was too busy stuffing my face) on top of lavash. I think this was from Local 360, but not entirely positive – everyone brought such amazing things!

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

Blackboard Bistro out of West Seattle had these AMAZING shooters of steak frites with some insanely good truffle aioli. That went down WAY too smoothly. I ran away in tears of happiness before I ruined an entire weeks worth of running and working out.

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

These muscles from Ray’s (and Chef Wayne Johnson) were SO good. If I remember correctly, they were smoked? I definitely liked where he went with the capers and fresh chives, and I think there were possibly shallots in the mix too. YUM!

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

A great play here on lox and cream cheese: the addition of tissue paper thin cucumber and the roe totally made this dish (which I believe was from SkyCity at the Space Needle, but don’t quote me on it!)

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

A great, authentic plating from Mekong Village (in North Seattle), which was incredibly flavorful. I want to say there was lemongrass beef and then of course that crazy good crispy roll you see there (and they make homemade ice cream there as well, as if you needed another excuse to go – everything was so good).

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

And you could NOT get out of there without trying my new favorite from Snoqualmie Creamery – Tennessee Whiskey. I’m not sure how to describe this in words because OHMYGODIT’SSOGOOD!!!!! Uh, I’d be lying if I said we didn’t go back for seconds at the end of the night. I wish they sold this one in grocery stores! Of course they have many other flavors you CAN buy in stores (QFC, Whole Foods, etc.)

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

And we ended the night watching the Harvest Moon come up over the city – it sure is peaceful and quiet up there at night….

Copyright 2013 Siiri Sampson

I am excited that there will be a second season of “Check, Please! Northwest,” which will start filming soon! Check out the details of the upcoming season here!

Also, I just heard that SkyCity’s Executive Chef, Jeff Maxfield, is hosting a dinner at the historic James Beard House on October 19, (you’re going to want to see this menu, people). For more information call 212-627-2308 or for online reservations visit www.jamesbeard.org. Tickets are $130 for members of the James Beard Foundation or $170 per person for the general public. This dinner is currently sold out, but there is a wait list available.