Foodista

🚆✨ Food adventure via light rail!

We hopped on the new 2 Line and turned a simple train ride into a full-on Federal Way food crawl—and wow, it did not disappoint.

From comforting Korean bone broth at Yi’s, to bold, spicy noodles and customizable stews at Nine Way, every stop brought something new. We even experienced authentic Cambodian cuisine at Theary Cambodian Foods—rich in history, flavor, and heart.

We wandered through a Filipino market, snacked on addictive Korean street food (yes, “drug gimbap” is a thing 😅), and wrapped it all up with Vietnamese bánh mì + iced coffee to-go for the ride home.

The best part? Skipping traffic, soaking in the scenery, and discovering incredible, diverse food all in one day.

📍Federal Way Food Trail = officially worth the trip.

Click here to read the full story! https://www.foodista.com/blog/2026/04/23/federal-way-food-trail

🍾 New Mexico: America’s First Wine State? Yes!

Believe it or not, New Mexico — not California — was the first place in the U.S. where European grapes were planted. Spanish missionaries planted Vitis vinifera along the Rio Grande in 1629, building on centuries of advanced Indigenous irrigation techniques pioneered by the Ancestral Puebloans.

Fast forward to today, and New Mexico’s wine story is still evolving — led by powerhouse winemakers like Carrie Gurule, Head Winemaker at Gruet Winery.

Carrie’s path? From nuclear medicine to sparkling wine. After working in her family’s vineyard, training in France and at UC Davis, and climbing the ranks at Gruet, she now leads one of the country’s most respected sparkling wine producers.

Gruet’s specialty is traditional-method sparkling wine (Méthode Champenoise), crafted with the “holy trinity” grapes of Champagne — Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay — grown in New Mexico’s high desert climate.

Standouts include: ✨ Pinot Meunier Rosé
✨ Blanc de Blancs (100% NM Chardonnay)
✨ Brut Rosé
✨ Grande Reserve (oak-aged Chardonnay)

From green chile stew to salmon and tacos, these wines pair beautifully with bold flavors — proving New Mexico isn’t just ancient history… it’s a sparkling legacy. 🥂

🍴✨ A Weekend in Wenatchee: Where Flavor Meets Adventure ✨🍷

From the rich, creamy Chicken Poprika at India House to the Dungeness crab chowder at Atlas Fare and the cozy coffee vibes at The Wild Huckleberry, Wenatchee is full of culinary gems. 🥘☕

Between bites, our intrepid travel writer, Michael and Elizabeth, biked the scenic Apple Capital Loop Trail along the Columbia River 🚴‍♀️ and paddled near Turtle Rock at Lincoln Rock State Park 🛶. A perfect blend of great food, local wine, and outdoor fun.

Click the link in our bio to read their full 2-part story!

https://www.foodista.com/blog/2025/11/05/savoring-wenatchee-standout-local-eats-and-sip-worthy-stops-in-washington%E2%80%99s-apple-co





















        

@/wildhuckle

🍇 A Perfect Pairing: Upchurch Vineyard’s New Chapter in Woodinville 🍷✨

On a crisp autumn afternoon, we visited the new Upchurch Vineyard tasting room in Woodinville — where passion, craftsmanship, and hospitality blend seamlessly. Founded by Chris and Thea Upchurch, this family-run winery brings the elegance of Red Mountain to the heart of Woodinville.

From the bright 2024 Grenache Rosé and crisp Chenin Blanc to the bold, 100-point Hero Twins Cabernet Sauvignon, every pour tells a story of dedication and artistry. 🍷💫

Whether you’re a wine lover or just looking for a warm, welcoming tasting experience,  is a must-visit.

Click the link in our bio to read the full article:

https://www.foodista.com/blog/2025/11/05/upchurch-vineyard-a-new-tasting-room-with-a-history-of-excellence

Doc Swinson’s: Expanding the World of American Whiskey

Tucked in the far northwest corner of Washington State, in the small town of Ferndale, you’ll find the crew at Doc Swinson’s blending wonderful whiskey. The climate in that part of the country is very similar to that of Scotland. The misty, cool weather must provide inspiration to the folks at Doc Swinson’s!

The tasting room is known as The Barrel Lab, and it just opened in June of 2025. There you’ll be able to taste the variety of blends, along with participating in special events such as blending classes, release parties, and community events. You will also be able to tour behind the scenes at the distillery.

Doc Swinson’s specializes in award-winning blends of high-proof whiskeys. We recently enjoyed a bottle of their Session Blend Straight Bourbon. It was wonderful as a sipping whiskey, with notes of vanilla and butter. They have created a great recipe for Docs Old Fashioned.

We also created a couple of toasty, warm recipes to enjoy it on a brisk fall or winter afternoon.

Doc's Bourbon Buzz
Warm and delicious!

1 shot of Doc Swinson’s Session Blend Straight Bourbon
1 shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream

Fill a mug with hot coffee (decaf works well) and add shots

Doc's Cocoa Therapy
Sweet and bracing; just the thing after an afternoon playing in the snow!

1 shot of Doc Swinson’s Session Blend Straight Bourbon
1 shot of Kahlúa

Fill a mug with hot chocolate and add shots

 

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Wine Tasting in Wenatchee, Washington
🍷🍷🍷🍷

The sunny climate allows visitors to enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year, and the ample sunshine and growing conditions have earned Wenatchee the title of Apple Capital. This ideal climate is certainly excellent for the vineyards as well, and there are over 12 tasting rooms to explore! With so many to visit, and not enough time, we hit six of them. Read more about where to sip, stay, and eat on our website!

Click the link in our bio 👇👇👇 

https://www.foodista.com/blog/2025/10/17/wenatchee-washington-a-destination-for-wine-cuisine-biking-and-hiking

Looking for a great summer getaway? One that combines a bit of outdoor activity (biking, hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding) along with great food and wine tasting? Check out Penticton in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. This beautiful area, just north of Skaha Lake and at the south end of Okanagan Lake, is the perfect spot for winery hopping, culinary delights, and outdoor adventures! Check out our travel writers' recent trip for inspiration.

Click the link in our bio to read more!
https://www.foodista.com/blog/2025/07/16/penticton-british-columbia-great-wine-from-the-naramata-bench-paired-with-great-dini




















.penticton/

First time eating Baja's beloved chocolate clams. So sweet and tender!

My favorite breakfast in Mexico! Chilaquiles!

Mmm, poolside catch-of-the-day fish tacos with a side of guac . Vacation time is sinking in! 😍