by Cecilia Iliesiu

Fellow dancer Amanda Morgan and I used our first chats with the five groups of students (covering Level 6-8, Int/Adv Men, PDs) to catch up with them since we last saw them in June, meeting some new faces as well. We asked them about their summers, what was the most memorable moment for them, how they are adjusting to the “new normal” with all their high school/college and dance classes online, and how they were coping with all of it. We played some virtual games to break-the-ice and get to know each other.

Amanda and I used one of our Professional Division Mentorship calls to host the annual WAFFLE-BRATION. This tradition was started by the PD students in 2009 as a way for the PD2s (second year students) to welcome the PD1s. Both waffles and celebrations are the priority. With the health and safety restrictions against everyone to gathering in one space, Zoom was the way to go and we ate waffles and shared stories.

While eating our waffles, we somehow ended up sharing our favorite food spots in Seattle and we came up with a solid list. Created by the Profissional Division students, as well as the PNBSM leaders, Cecilia Iliesiu and Amanda Morgan. Support local restaurants!

Favorite Queen Anne Restaurants:
The Golden Olive — delicious and cheap Mediterannean food!
Sal y Limon in Queen Anne — great Mexican food!
Sisters and Brothers — good chicken spot!
Tup Tim Thai — solid Thai food!
Dick’s — famous burger joint

Favorite Belltown Restaurants:
Al Basha Mediterranean – get the lamb gyro and baklava!
Umi Sushi — incredible sushi!
Bangrak Market — fun Thai spot!
FOB Poke Bar — quickest and freshest Poke!
Black Bottle Gastrotavern — tasty small bites and pizza!

Favorite Capitol Hill Restaurants:

Sushi Maki — creative rolls!
Carmelo’s — solid tacos!
Ezell’s Famous Chicken – it is famous for a reason!
Kedai Makan – traditional Malaysian food!

Betsutenjin Ramen – best bone broth ramen in town!
Kizuki Ramen – best Tokyo-style noodles for a rainy day!
Dough Zone Dumpling House – yummy dumplings!
Oddfellows Café + Bar — classic Seattle brunch spot!

Did we miss any of your favorite Seattle restaurants? Tell us in the comments!

Featured photo: October’s PNBS Mentorship waffle-bration with Professional Division students run by Cecilia Iliesiu and Amanda Morgan. Courtesy of Cecilia Iliesiu.