After writing about my quest for decent New York pizza in Seattle, I realized I tend to focus on ways I find Seattle deficient compared to New York - the pizza, the Indian food, the bagels, etc. But it's unbecoming of a Jersey girl to complain so much.
The truth is, I love Seattle as much as I love New York. So for once, I thought I'd highlight the ways in which Seattle truly has New York beat:
1.) Melt-in-your-mouth sushi
You know the "I'll have what she's having" scene from 'When Harry Met Sally?' Well, that's like a New Yorker trying Seattle sushi. I thought the only way to have great sushi was to drop $100 at Nobu. But I've had many amazing, affordable experiences here: Kisaku, Ototo, Musashi's, Maneki - to name a few.
2.) Radio stations that don't suck
KEXP is so good, New Yorkers had to import it. I know what you're thinking. With all the bands coming out of New York, they don't have a single decent radio station? Not really, although Radio New York is trying to bust the city out of its Top 40 rut. Seattle's got radio variety I never even dreamed of.
3.) Recycling as a way of life, not a hobby
Last summer, I was riding the Staten Island Ferry and drinking a Coors Light in true East Coast fashion. When I asked a guard where I could recycle my can, I'm pretty sure I heard an audible laugh. It was definitely an "I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore" kind of moment that made me appreciate Seattle.
4.) Natural beauty that makes Central Park look like a P-Patch
Okay, the fact that I even know what a P-Patch is officially makes me a Seattleite. But seriously, growing up in New Jersey, I never even knew that an American city could be this beautiful. At the risk of sounding sappy, I still notice the mountains, lakes, greenery - and the fact that I can see the sky - every day.
5.) Coffee that doesn't make you shudder
I know this is an obvious one, but there are three reasons I never drank coffee on the East Coastt: 1.) Drip coffee would leave coffee grounds in your teeth, 2.) It was usually poured by surly servers with raspy voices who called you "honey", and 3.) There's no place to sit and enjoy your brew.
Trust me, there's more - don't even get me started on the cost of living and apartment hunting. So New York, I still miss you. But Seattle, this is my overdue salute to you!
Comments
You are so funny , Jersey Girl.
I'll give you 3 and 5, but you're dead wrong on all the others. Growing up in Jersey doesn't make you an expert on NY whatsoever. Great sushi in the city, way better radio than Seattle (There isn't even a real hip hop station in the Pacific NW!!), and I'm sorry, but Seattle's puny one city block parks sprawling with blackberries have absolutely nothing on Central Park or even Forest Park where I grew up in Queens.
I agree with Brian.
Thanks for your comments Brian. You're right - growing up in Jersey doesn't make you an expert on NY. But I did live in the city for 7 years, just FYI. But I still stand by my assessment that Seattle has fresher fish and WAY more natural beauty (not talking about parks)! As for the radio stations, well that one's a tough call depending on what you listen to. But you know, I'll stand by that one too!
Fun list, Shiwani! Makes me want to move back. I do think NY is pretty awesome, but having lived in Seattle for 7 years, I also think that Seattle is pretty special in it's own way too. I grew up in SF, lived up there in Seattle for several years, currently been back in SF for the past year, and I'd have to admit I miss Seattle a lot. I definitely will be back living in Seattle one of these days. The natural beauty, the sushi, and the recycling parts are similar here (although Seattlites do take it up a notch further when it comes to recycling, even compared to very green-thinking San Franciscans). I do miss the awesome coffee and coffeeshops, the radio stations, the beauty of Seattle, and the unbelievably fresh air. I'm glad you also mentioned Musashi. Definitely one of my favorite places in Seattle. Now, I just wish King Fish Cafe would open up a restaurant here in the Bay Area.
Thanks, John. I just took my first trip to SF recently, and definitely thought it had a lot in common with Seattle. Great city!
By the way, King Fish really is one of my favorite spots in Seattle, so I can't blame you for missing it. I'll eat some fried green tomatoes for you this week :)
Hey Shiwani,
Great list. I'm a recent transplant from NY to Seattle, moved here four months ago. I still go back to NY every month for work and..
1) You can find reasonable sushi in NY. To be honest, Nobu isn't even traditional "sushi", the best sushi in NY is Sushi Yasuda, traditional and while not inexpensive is much better than Nobu (slightly less) and much better than even the best spot in Seattle. The places here often make over-sized sushi not clean pure sushi like Sushi Gari or Yasuda. As for inexpensive sushi spots there are plenty from east village all the way to the UWS.
2) I agree with you 100%
3) NY is a haven for recycling - there are far more recycle bins in the city, on every street, in stores, at work and in general people that recycle than there here. I'm not sure of what span of time you lived in NYC but a lot has changed in the last 6 years.
4) Everyday??? I don't know about you but I barely see the sky. It's overcast here! In NY, it rains and then the sky opens up - blue skies! As for natural beauty - I DO 100% agree with you that WA state and Seattle is pretty darn beautiful on a super sunny day but the sunny days are few and far in between (I grew up in Vancouver, BC so I can attest to the weather). Yes, CP is lovely.. but have you ever been to upstate NY? It's pretty green there and quite beautiful.
5) Coffee - is fabulous in NY. Ninth Street espresso, Blue Bottle, etc and more. In the last 5 years there have been award winning spots - far more GREAT coffee spots than there are here in Seattle. This article is recent but its been happening for years - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/dining/10coffee.html
The only place I like in Seattle is Vivace here, that place is on par with all the rest of my coffee spots in NY.
Good article, nice try but why even compare Seattle to NY? To me, you have to appreciate Seattle for what it is - great outdoor life, lovely mkts (Farmers mkts and Pike Place) etc.. Dangerous path to compare it to NY. No comparison.
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