The Journal  •  Health & Fitness  March 6, 2012    23

floor of  the Corner Market Building.  It has enormous, plated-glass windows that overlook the iconic “Public Market” sign, providing  peak-a-boo  views  of  Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Matt’s menu  changes  with  the  availability  of market  produce  and  seafood,  and  it  is always  innovative. The  chef  can make  a plate of arugula taste divine with a light touch of dressing; the menu’s trio of oys-ters  slides  down  easily;  and  entrees  are prepared so the flavor is always fresh.  Chez Shea is next door to Matt’s, pro-

viding the same view in a formal setting with equal intimacy and a seasonal menu of  French  cuisine.  At  the  north  end  of the  market,  diners  enjoy  a  panoramic view  of  Elliott  Bay  and  the  Olympic Mountains  from  the  expansive  Cutters Bayhouse, which serves a variety of food and drink in a casual atmosphere, includ-ing fabulous salads and fresh seafood.Lowell’s is the place to go for breakfast. 

With three floors of seating on the west side of the main corridor of the market’s stalls,  its reputation means there  is a bit of a wait for a table, but it’s worth it. The view  is  great  and  the  food  even  better. For  those  who  prefer  coffee  and  a  pas-try, there is nothing that compares to Le Panier,  located  on  the  other  side  of  the cobblestone  street  that  threads  through the  market  as  its  main  thoroughfare. Even  if  you don’t  indulge  in  the  freshly baked  French  delicacies,  walk  by  and take  a  whiff —  it  is  a  delight  to  smell. The  Pike  Place Market  also  houses  the original Starbucks for visitors who must make the pilgrimage, and plenty of other espresso and pastry hawkers.A day and night at the Inn at the Mar-

ket provides a luxurious and well-situat-

ed getaway  from the normal  routine  for out of town visitors and Seattleites. Lo-cated in the midst of the ebb and flow of city  life  while  providing  a  rooftop  van-tage  point,  it  provokes  thoughtful  con-sideration of life or the chance to dive in and have a great time, depending on your frame of mind.  

The Inn at the Market’s courtyard.

A room at the Inn.

photos by ElIzAbEth GrIffInThe Inn at the Market

By Elizabeth Griffin

The Inn at the Market is located in the heart of Seattle, making it one of the best places  to  stay  for  those  who  like  to  be in  the  middle  of  the  action.  Positioned adjacent to Post Alley  in the Pike Place Market,  the  Inn  is  in  the  center  of  the bustling  venue  that  attracts  both  locals and  tourists  on  a  regular  basis.  With shops  and  booths  selling  locally  hand-crafted items, dining establishments that make use  of  the  fresh  seafood  and pro-duce  available  from  market  merchants, and  musicians  and  street  entertainers, the  public market  is  populated with  fa-miliar characters and infused with a fla-vor unique to the city of Seattle.The  Inn  at  the Market  provides  lovely 

accommodations on six floors that encir-cle a courtyard. With sweeping views of Elliott Bay  and  downtown Seattle,  seen from bay windows where guests can dine privately in their suites or a rooftop bal-cony on the fifth floor, it is the photogra-pher’s dream. Pampering  at  the  Inn  includes  com-

fortable  bedding,  luxurious  lotions  and potions  in  the  bath,  nightly  turn-down service, a morning paper, and a town car at your beck and call. Leave your own car with the valet and relax. When it’s  time to go the ballet, theater or out to one of the many clubs nearby, just call the front desk  and  come  downstairs  to  a  waiting chauffeur. If you’re ready to return to the Inn before 11 p.m., call again and the va-let will bring you back.The market houses  several upscale  res-

taurants.  Matt’s  in  the  Market  is  a  re-laxed  and  intimate  venue  on  the  third 

photos by ElIzAbEth GrIffIn