Mandy - I almost titled my first post back “It Rains in Seattle?” I was so thrilled that we didn’t get a drop — and glad I didn’t bring my rain jacket as my jacket there!

I’ll have to check out that spice shop the next time I’m there, too — their rose petals will be mine! Chad and I went into Market Spice, but poor Chad had to duck out after a minute b/c he just couldn’t handle even just the aroma in the air.

And I’ve experimented with “true cinnamon sticks” for a the spiced caramel nut bar — the citrus note was an interesting twist.

I’ve only made it to Salumi once, but it was good. However, my favorite food-related place here in Seattle is World Mechants Spice shop (www.worldspice.com). It’s below Pike Place Market, so considerably less trafficked than the kinda-touristy Market Spice (which has a wonderful selection of red teas that makes me brave the crowds anyway…), but it is *definitely* worthy of a stop. The walls are covered in sample jars of their spices and blends, and I can never leave there without spending at least $20 on rose petals, ras al hanout, chipotle flakes, etc. (just be advised that sniffing the fragrant smoked paprika will fill your sinuses with the aroma for the rest of the day–but it’s *so* good!). They even have “true cinnamon” sticks, which are completely different from the more common cassia (less hot, more citrusy). I just love that place.

I’m glad you got to go to Salumi…it’s one of my favorite lunch stops here in Seattle. The porchetta sandwich is one of my favorites, but if you’re in town again and they have the oxtail sandwich, that one is even BETTER (if you can imagine that). =)