Waterways: More Than Just Water

About a month ago, your Hedonista wrote about how Waterways Cruises and Events is now open to the general public and no longer just an aquatic venue for weddings and corporate events. Recently, I was invited back as a media guest to review their seasonal offerings.

Given that the holidays are almost here, Waterways is in full swing with holidays cruises galore. Not only to they have their Holiday Parade of Lights Cruise (note: only one left on December 23rd, dear hedonists), but every Thursday and Friday this month, they’re hosting Holiday Luncheon Cruises from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Holiday Cocktail Cruises from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on (be sure to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure).  They’re also hosting Holiday Dinner Cruises of Seattle’s Lakes Friday and Saturday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and weekly Sunday Brunch Cruises from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Now, all of this offers a unique experience in and of itself; but what’s even better is that the food is good, too. Upstairs there’s a full bar, downstairs the dining area.  Executive Chef Udo Belew and Sous Chef Autum Christensen – a culinary couple both in and out of the kitchen – definitely pull their own weight while aboard.  Their four-course plated meal of Northwest cuisine – paired with live music

and a champagne pour – makes the cruise even more enjoyable.  With an amuse bouche of olives, crostini and cheese as the first course, followed by a Cajun Caesar salad laced with a spicy kick and the crunchy texture of tortilla chips, followed by a main course (your

Hedonista recommends the grilled beef tenderloin, complete with a wild mushroom sauté, fried fingerling potatoes, and tangy-yet-creamy balsamic red onion Gorgonzola – all coated in a seasonally apt cranberry veal demi-glace) and ending off with a sweet treat: (in this case, a very comforting crimson pear crumble – made with local pears – cleverly served in a tea cup and topped with whipped cream.

Then there’s the Brunch menu – constantly changing to keep the culinary spark, Udo and Autum serve up a fully-stocked breakfast buffet that pairs nicely with the cruise.  (The highlights: the lemon poppy seed cake with streusel topping, the crispy Hempler pepper bacon and the yummy ham ‘n’ egg cups drizzled in basil oil.)

Interested?  Check it out this month – a dine-’n'-cruise is definitely worth a try this holiday season (and would make great gifts for family and friends:  giving the gift of foodie and travel experiences with those most near and dear, rather than merely more … stuff).

And, now that Waterways has opened up their vessels to the general public, everyone is invited.

There’s even a Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise and a New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise.

Just be sure to bring your warm winter clothes, my hot-blooded hedonists … it’s cold out on the lakes.

Brrrrr!

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.