lowell's.

Pike Place Market is one of my favourite places in Seattle.  I love it on a sunny summer's morning and a crisp winter afternoon. I love wandering the crowded aisles and eyeing the rows of colourful fruits and vegetables; hearing the calls of the fisherman in their rubber overalls wrapping up their catch of the day in brown paper and tossing it at the lucky person purchasing it. 

I also love Lowell's. 

My parents and I make the ferry ride down to Seattle at least once a year, and it truly doesn't feel like a visit until we've eaten there. 

Not only is it a great, authentic old-school diner setting with amazing ocean views, but the food is fantastic - especially their eggs benedicts. 

Having always gone with the classic benny in the past, a few weeks ago I decided to try something new. The dungeness crab benedict had been calling to me for some time now, so I had to have it. Along with some fresh-squeezed orange juice, of course.

First of all, let me tell you how fresh this crab was. Pretty sure it was still cruising the surrounding ocean mere hours before it sat on my plate. Lowell's gets all their seafood from (duh!) the market's seafood stalls who fill their stands in the wee hours of every morning, and you can truly taste the difference. This Northwest Dungeness crab was flavourful and tender and divine.

Topped with two poached eggs and a lemony herbed hollandaise and served on grilled rosemary bread, it was one of the best-executed twists on a benny I've tried in a long time. 

The hollandaise, especially, was a unique flavour that brightened up an otherwise heavy dish. Light and citrusy, it was the perfect pairing with the rich crabmeat. 

Although their classic has been a long-time favourite of mine, it'll be a toss-up which to order next time. 

Or maybe we'll go for lunch - which we, strangely, have never done - and I can grab the fish tacos that were the mouthwatering special of the day scrawled across the chalkboard menu.

Regardless, if you're in Seattle, visit Pike Place Market and subsequently Lowell's, if you can tear yourself away from stalls like this. 

Check out the fish guys right near the entrance who'll take your order and toss your fish around amongst themselves before presenting it, perfectly wrapped, to you.

 Ogle the gorgeous fruits and veggies, some of which I'd never seen before, like these ornate green cauliflowers.

And pop into the cool surrounding stores like Beecher's, who make their cheese in-shop for all to see, and the world's first Starbucks, which has been beautifully preserved and I stupidly didn't photograph (guess you'll have to check it out for yourself!)

Lowell's

1519 Pike Place

Seattle, WA

(206) 622-2036

www.eatatlowells.com