While studies show that most people keep up their New Year’s resolutions through at least the first 32 days of the new year, we know that motivation really starts taking a hit about now. But, we want to see you succeed.

So while we’re not big fans of diet culture (eat what you want, feel good), we know that changing up food choices is a common resolution theme.

Here are some really tasty restaurants you should try out, whether you’re trying to eat more sustainably, work in some more Meatless Mondays, try out Dry January, or just enjoy yourself — we’ll take any excuse to show off Seattle’s expansive restaurant scene.

🥑 Meatless Monday

Cycle Dogs | 5410 17th Ave. NW

A perfect example for why going meatless doesn’t have to mean giving up quality fast food. Tasty, greasy, and vegan — Cycle Dogs also has its own Seattle dog.

🍽️ Sustainably-minded eats

Mashiko | 4725 California Ave. SW

This phenomenal West Seattle sushi restaurant serves sustainably-sourced seafood, which means using fish that aren’t overfarmed, and are caught in ways that don’t harm the oceans. The buttery scallop nigiri + striped bass are to die for.

🍸 Fabulous mocktails

Fog Room | 1610 2nd Ave.
Most bars will likely be happy to make spirit-free versions of your favorite cocktails, but Fog Room has a specific section on its menu for mocktails. It features concoctions like Middleman, made with passionfruit, Don’s Mix, ginger beer, and angostura bitters.

🍕 Or just plain tasty

Bar del Corso | 3057 Beacon Ave. S.

The chewy, wood-fired pizzas here represent comfort food at its finest. Bar del Corso is typically referenced as one of Seattle’s best pizzerias, with its sausage made onsite and top quality ingredients.

4 MORE RESTAURANTS HERE

Share with the friend who's starting the new year with some fresh goals.

EVENTS

Today

Virtual Author Talk: The Modern Tiffin with Priyanka Naik | Tues., Jan. 11 | 5-6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Priyanka, joined by bestselling author Joanne Molinaro and TikTok-famous chef Jon Kung, discusses her new book and talks vegan recipes. 🍲
Painting Class | Tues., Jan. 11 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. + 6-8 p.m. | Picket Fence Art Sudio, 14525 168th Ave. NE | $45 | All skill levels are welcome in this class that teaches how to paint within the Impressionistic style.

Wednesday

Punch Brothers | Wed., Jan. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | The Moore Theatre | $29+ | Mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Gabe Witcher take the stage. 🪕
Stewardship Wednesdays at Juanita Bay Park | Wed., Jan. 12 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Juanita Bay Park | Free | You might find starting your day with environmental volunteerism wakes you up better than a cup of coffee. 🌱
Nose Work | Wed., Jan. 12 | 1 p.m. | Greenwood Senior Center | Free, call 206-297-0875 to RSVP | The Northwest K9 Sniffers offer you lessons in how to get the most out of your dog’s super snout. 🐕
Nine Hats Wines Bingo | Wed., Jan. 12 | 6-8 p.m. | Nine Hats Wines, 3861 First Ave. S. | $5+ | Win some prizes, sip on some wine, and chow down on food from Nine Pies Pizzeria.

Thursday

David Spade | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | The Moore Theatre | $42+ | The “Joe Dirt” comedian is ready to get cracking with his latest stand-up routine.
West Seattle Art Walk | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 5-9 p.m. | Corner of California Ave. + SW Alaska St. | Free | An opportunity to peruse the fine artists and galleries of West Seattle. 🎨

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

SEE MORE JANUARY EVENTS HERE

Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Seattle. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

51º | Showers | 91% chance of rain
Don’t plan anything too nice for your hair. Another atmospheric river — also called a Pineapple Express — is on the way this week. While the rainy weather system is expected to set up camp over our area Tuesday and Wednesday, we should have a dry weekend following. (Seattle Times)

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:55 a.m.
Set: 4:39 p.m.

Traffic

While King County Metro recovers from the winter storms and reduced workforce availability, the bus system will be operating on a slightly limited schedule until Fri., Jan. 21. Six routes will not run on weekdays and one route will not run on Saturdays.

Edu

The University of Washington announced that it will now allow its professors to hold classes remotely until Fri., Jan. 28 because of continuing concerns over the surge of omicron cases. Practicums, lab-based classes, and clinical instruction will still occur in-person. (Seattle Times)

Development

Amazon has just leased a Renton warehouse that it intends to use as a food production facility that will serve its Fresh and Go stores. The company, which has sought permits for the expansion since June 2020, says it intends to occupy the space by the end of January. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Tech

A Bellevue startup is piloting Amazon's new Sidewalk Bridge Pro, a program that uses Amazon Echoes to boost connectivity across large areas, as a way to power its wildlife sensors and better track fauna and air quality conditions in forested areas. The software could lessen the costs of environmental research. (GeekWire)

Community

The Phinney Center is looking for participants for their Black History Month programming to bring "focused educational and artistic programming to our communities" in February. Partners will be offered marketing resources, spaces + event support. Interested parties can find more info here. (PhinneyWood.com)

Eat

Homegrown chef and Ballard mom Michaela Skloven launched a new meal delivery service that aims to help families looking for low-stress, home-cooked dinners with almost-ready kits that are delivered on Tuesdays. The menu includes dishes like salmon with golden-curried chickpeas and butternut squash lasagna. (My Ballard)

Featured

There’s no better location than the PNW for a spooky story. “Evergreen” is a new anthology of 80 poems, essays, and short stories that uses the Pacific Northwest as a backdrop for grim tales. Check out a copy to see what haunts Seattle.

📸 @WSDOT_East

Plowie McPlow Plow to the rescue. After intense snowfall left Snoqualmie Pass inaccessible to even cleanup crews for a majority of the weekend, our new best friend Plowie McPlow Plow came in from the east to help dig us out. Thanks to it and the entire crew’s efforts, Snoqualmie Pass was back open as of Sunday night.

How can we ever repay you?

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THE WRAP

Alina here: As Gabe pointed out while I was writing this, there's plenty of restaurants here in Seattle that work really hard to make sure they source their ingredients locally, so it was really hard to pick only two spots for that section. Not a bad problem to have.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? Check out these neat Seattle developments.