If there is any time to slide on a jacket and cap to head outside, let it be right now, when the Pacific Northwest skyline is awash in gold, red and plum-tinged foliage! Fall will soon be “fell” as the approaching north winds nudge leaves off the day by day. Favorite local viewing spots for fall wonder are numerous, and below are just a few large and few lesser known public parks from which to enjoy a scenic autumn stroll.

With Veterans Day this Sunday, we’re doing something special to honor those clamtastic people who served, or are serving, our country. We’re offering veterans and active duty military a complimentary entrée during lunch or dinner on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Halloween isn’t just for the kiddos and at Ivar’s we take our beverages seriously – so seriously we’re sharing three of our Spooktacular cocktail recipes you can make at home, courtesy of the scary-creative team at Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing. Whether you plan on entertaining or passing out candy to trick-or-treaters, we’ve got you covered with options that are sure to excite anyone from witches to warlocks.

Fall provides a sensory feast across the Pacific Northwest, and we are in the thick of an awesome autumn: fiery sunsets, gold-to-red-to-burgundy hues splashed across maples lining our roads, crisp north winds, and the pine scent rising from fallen needles underfoot. October also brings seasonal wonder into our chefs’ full-serve kitchens. Hefty winter squash across all varieties are harvested from area farms bound for our fresh sheet menus, cranberries slip into our buttery sauces, apples and pears make fabulous salads, chutneys and desserts. All make flavorful, satisfying plate-mates for Ivar’s Northwest Coho and Sockeye salmon, Washington oysters and Alaska halibut, among others.

Here at Ivar’s we’re big fans of seafood (obviously), so October is one of our favorite months out of the year. Whether diving into a bowl of delicious Ivar’s chowder or taking a bite into a tasty piece of salmon, we have a variety of options available for whatever you’re cray-ving to get into the spirit of National Seafood Month. To get fish-tive during the holiday, we’re sharing some of our favorite recipes with you to make at home. Want someone to cook for you instead? Don’t worry, we got you covered. Just stop by one of our 25 locations across Washington!

On some original Ivar’s menus, the fish-and-chips meals are described as “Fish ‘n Chips A Plenty.” Although we sell our fish ‘n chips in various sizes today (two-piece, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece), we love the idea of each customer always having just that: plenty!

Some affectionately call crayfish—or crawfish—or crawdads “freshwater lobster,” and in Washington State, they abound! This often overlooked culinary treat is ripe for the taking about half the year.

Every year, Seattleites not-so-patiently await the return of football season. Well the time has come for football festivities to begin! Ivar’s is bringing back its fan favorites to celebrate and is welcoming new additions to the clam-ily. Can’t wait to sea for yourself? Here’s a roundup of what to expect this year.

If you’re one of the many thousands of newly transplanted residents of the Seattle area, welcome! Everything people said you’d love about Seattle ended up being true - there’s great food, a vibrant culture and you’re positively surrounded by amazing natural beauty. However, it’s likely that you’ve moved here, loved the city and the surroundings but have yet to find time to seek out some of Seattle’s hyper-local experiences that make life in the Emerald City so darn magical. 

One of our favorite times of year returns… sailgating season! Let’s face it Seattle, we’re spoiled. We have an incredible college football team and a beautiful stadium along Lake Washington to cheer on our Huskies. Nothing beats arriving to the stadium on game day by boat and if you’ve never tried it, this season is the perfect time to experience sailgating. Still need convincing? Here are six reasons to float up to the next Husky home game.

Eating fresh has never been more accessible, and Ivar’s full-serve restaurant chefs have been heaping the seasonal bounty on their fresh sheets, too. Check out some of our favorite dishes featuring the best local fruits and vegetables available now.

In the Pacific Northwest, so many fantastic recreational opportunities abound, but many people are just discovering this area’s underwater parks. Scuba diving is a fun and fascinating hobby that requires some training, minimal athletic ability, and allows people to see the world in an entirely new way. Underwater parks are accessible year-round, whether you want to take advantage of the summer’s longer daylight hours for extended dives or dive in winter when water visibility is at its peak.

Food isn’t just something we consume to stay alive. We all enjoy the pleasure of flavors and appreciate how ingredients magically work together to make an amazing meal. So of course, there is a day to celebrate it!

One word you see over and over again on Ivar’s menus is Dungeness, as in Dungeness crab. Ivar’s chefs find many creative uses for Seattle’s signature shellfish. There is the Dungeness Crab and Goat Cheese Dip appetizer, which is a fan favorite, as well as the Dungeness Crab Cakes. The Dungeness Crab Louie is one of Ivar’s most popular entree salads, and, at the Salmon House, the Dungeness Crab Bisque is served by the steaming bowl - but perhaps none is more popular and downright satisfying than a whole Dungeness Crab, steamed to perfection.

On last week’s blog, we talked about what you can do to help your local bee population. We suggested buying local honey as one of the biggest ways to support not only bees but those who keep healthy populations. If you’re headed out to buy some tasty regional honey, here’s a few ways to put it to use with our favorite center-of-the-plate pick…seafood!