Seattle Audio Tour: Flavors, Forests, and Stories of North Beacon Hill

Look for a sleek, modern building made of stone and glass with a dramatic wooden overhang and a tall spire out front topped by a silvery metal sculpture shaped like a ship-if you see the boat above the entrance, you’ve found the Beacon Hill Branch Library! Alright, take a deep breath and imagine you’re stepping into a storybook that’s come to life, right here on Beacon Avenue. Once upon a time, the Beacon Hill library was squeezed into a rickety old building that looked more like a tired corner store than a home for stories-more books piled up than there were shelves to hold them! Fast-forward to 2004 and-abracadabra!-thanks to a citywide “Libraries for All” campaign, this brand new library rose up with elegant stone from the same quarry as Seattle’s famous Central Library. And talk about personality: it’s topped by an eye-catching kinetic sculpture, a shimmering “Dream Ship” that seems ready to set sail right through a hole in the roof. Keep your eyes out for quirky touches, like haiku poems carved into stones and rain spouts shaped like raven beaks. But even libraries aren’t safe from critics-one columnist poked fun at its wild design and “phony multiculturalism.” Still, in 2017, it leveled up with new goodies for laptop lovers and a fresh modern makeover. Today, while the crowds aren’t what they once were, this place remains a beacon-pun intended-of discovery, learning, and just a dash of Seattle drama.

You’ve found yourself in front of Homer, a true gem of Beacon Hill-and trust me, there’s no ancient Greek poet inside, just some very happy foodies and, once upon a time, a golden retriever named Homer who inspired the name. Step a little closer. Do you smell the delicious scents of roasted veggies and spiced lamb drifting from the open kitchen? That’s outdoor diners settling into the sidewalk patio for some “Middle East-meets-Northwest” goodness. Homer opened in 2018, the brainchild of Logan Cox and Sara Knowles Cox, who decided to bring that warm, Mediterranean vibe-think saffron, tahini, and a healthy dose of romance-to Seattle, and Beacon Hill said yes, please! The wallpaper and wall molding are so charming that if you squint, you might picture you’ve slipped into a Hamptons bed and breakfast-except here, the stars are wood-fired vegetables, tangy dips, and small plates that encourage sharing (and a little bit of friendly fork-fencing). Awards and glowing write-ups have practically piled up at the door-first as Eater Seattle’s readers’ choice for Restaurant of the Year in 2018, and later scooped up top nods from GQ, The Infatuation, and Seattle Metropolitan magazine. In fact, it’s the place to go for date night, gluten-free feasts, and any night you want to feel special… or maybe impress a certain someone. And don’t worry if you’re not here on the weekend-it’s buzzing with happy eaters all week long. So, inhale deeply, maybe let your stomach grumble a little, and imagine what magic might happen on those plates just beyond the door. Ready for your next stop?

To spot Bar del Corso, just look for a round sign with a golden artichoke and purple thistle flower on a black background-if you’ve reached the spot with that delicious symbol, you’re in the right place! Alright, you’re standing in front of Bar del Corso, a true neighborhood gem that’s been making the air on Beacon Avenue smell like fresh-baked pizza and adventure since 2011. Chef Jerry Corso opened these doors with a wink and a dream: bringing authentic Italian flavors to Seattle, no passport required. Imagine inside, the oven blazing, risotto balls sizzling, and maybe-just maybe-a cod fritter quietly plotting its escape from the fryer (spoiler: it never makes it). As you linger, the savory scent of grilled octopus mingles with the chatter of regulars debating if the asparagus with hazelnut sauce is better than the antipasto. Bar del Corso keeps things simple: a short menu, honest and bold. But beware… the waits here can test the patience of even the most stoic Italian grandmother. Still, what’s a little wait when you’ve been named to Conde Nast Traveler and Time Out’s top 21 restaurants, and even Seattle Met says their cocktails are not just an option-they’re a necessity? You can almost feel the buzz of a hundred stories, each echoing off these walls, promising a plateful of something memorable. This isn’t just dinner, it’s a slice of Beacon Hill’s beating heart-one bite, one laugh, and one fantastic meal at a time.

Take a good look at Familyfriend in front of you-if the aroma of grilled goodness hasn’t pulled you inside yet, let me set the scene. It’s December 2023, and the doors open for the very first time under a simple sign on Beacon Avenue. Elmer Dulla, the owner, is buzzing around, probably humming a tune, because this place hosts karaoke nights and always has a reason to sing. Inside, it’s a single-story building with the warmth of a true gathering place-think laughter, clinking cutlery, and a chorus of “I Will Survive” coming from some very enthusiastic regulars. Now, let’s talk food magic. The menu reads like an island love story with a Seattle twist. You’ll see batchoy ramen steaming in its bowl, bulgogi sizzling, and classic chicken adobo so comforting it might just give you a hug. Then comes the star: the corn soup, which doesn’t just have fans-it has fanatics. Imagine a golden broth warmed with chili oil, brimming with sweet corn, chicken, scallions, and crispy fried garlic on top. In 2024, The Infatuation’s food critics named it one of Seattle’s best soups, and their smashburger took the top prize for Best Burger in all of Seattle! You’re standing at a place where culture, comfort, and karaoke collide. Hungry or not, your inner foodie is about to start singing, too. Shall we head off to our next stop-hopefully without accidentally launching into a power ballad?

To spot the Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji, look ahead for a peaceful entry with wooden railings, a large metal bell hanging beside the door, and a circular stone feature in front of a modest brick building. Welcome to Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji, the “Listening to the Dharma Zen Temple on Great Plum Mountain”-and what a mouthful that is! As you stand here, imagine the soft chime of the temple bell greeting you at sunrise. This temple’s story starts with a boy who became a monk at just age eleven-pretty early to give up Saturday morning cartoons-Genki Takabayashi. He trained for nearly twenty years at Daitoku-ji, a famous Rinzai Zen temple in Japan, before Seattle’s Zen crowd invited him over in the late 1970s. By 1983, after perfecting his Zen skills (and probably his tea ceremony finesse), he founded this very temple. Genki led Chobo-ji until 1997, sharing koans and quiet wisdom, before retiring to Montana, where he passed away in 2013. But the story doesn’t freeze in time like an unmoving stone. Genjo Marinello took up the abbot’s role in 1999. Genjo’s Zen journey started back in 1975, and he’s been everywhere-training in Japan, learning from Zen masters, and eventually earning full dharma transmission, which is kind of like Zen’s version of winning “best in show.” Beyond temple walls, Genjo has served as a psychotherapist, Buddhist pastor in state prisons, and even as an emergency spiritual team member-tough job, but someone’s got to keep Seattle’s karma on track! Today, Chobo-ji hums with activity: daily meditation, weekly lessons in Zen, Dharma talks, and intense week-long retreats called sesshin where silence reigns so deeply you can hear your thoughts echo. Take in the tranquil courtyard-the stone and bell, symbols of attention and clarity. This place is a gentle invitation: listen closely, breathe deeply, and maybe, just maybe, discover something new about yourself-and if not, at least you’ll leave really, really calm.

Up ahead, you’ll spot the Beacon Food Forest by looking for a big, grassy hillside bustling with people, wheelbarrows, and gardening action right at the edge of Jefferson Park, near where the land dips down with trees and city views off to your left. Alright, welcome to the Beacon Food Forest-one of Seattle’s quirkiest and tastiest hidden gems! If you take a deep breath, you might just catch a whiff of earth and fresh woodchips, and maybe even the laughter of volunteers hard at work. Imagine back in 2009, a small group of dreamers-students, gardeners, and activists-standing on this very patch of grass, huddled over sketches for a "food forest" they hoped would become something much bigger than just a neighborhood garden. At that time, their ideas sounded as wild as planting apple and hazelnut trees on the moon. But with a bit of Seattle’s famous determination (and coffee), plus a $20,000 city grant, the adventure started digging roots. Picture them hatching their plans over at OmCulture in Wallingford and running permaculture classes at a raw vegan farm, all while gathering support from local gardeners and curious neighbors. By 2012, the first 1.75 acres of this food jungle were planted, with apples, pears, plums-you name it! But here’s where it gets really interesting: the land you’re standing on belongs to Seattle Public Utilities-not exactly the neighbor you’d expect when you’re planting edible forests. Even so, the city cheered them on, tossing in a juicy $100,000 in support and letting these garden pioneers turn this stretch into, reportedly, America’s largest food forest on public land. Wander through, and you’ll see it’s not just fruit and veggies. Off to one side is the "sust̓əlǰixʷali" Traditional Indian Medicine garden-a living tribute to Indigenous plants, crafted for both medicine and sovereignty, its very name meaning “a place where medicine is created” in the Lushootseed language. There are P-Patch plots just like you’d see in other city gardens, and nearly everything here is open to harvest-yep, you can just pick lunch right from a tree, though you should leave the special food bank plot be. During the pandemic, the forest pumped up veggie production to help food banks. And did you know this spot has even been the punchline on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”? Apparently, L.A. wanted a food forest, but instead of apples, you’d be hand-feeding Kardashians! So look around, listen for that buzzing energy-would you believe all this started as a wild idea and a few shovels? You’re now standing in a living story, one delicious bite at a time.

You’ll spot Jefferson Park stretching out ahead of you-just look for a rolling landscape sprinkled with big old trees and wide open lawns, with a hint of city skyline if you peek through the branches. Alright, here we are-Jefferson Park, the grand finale of our tour! Just imagine this spot over a hundred years ago: it wasn’t the peaceful, green escape you see today. In fact, back in 1892, it was the site of a “pesthouse”-that’s a not-so-cozy way of saying an isolation hospital. Now, don’t worry, no ghostly coughs tonight! In 1898, the land belonged to Seattle, with wild plans for a reservoir and even a cemetery. Luckily, it became a park instead, and in 1908, was named for none other than Thomas Jefferson himself. Picture the Olmsted Brothers walking around, planning winding paths and that 18-hole golf course-teeing off the same spot as famous golfer Fred Couples years later. When 1915 rolled around, you’d hear the sharp as the course opened to the public for the first time. World War II brought some serious excitement: anti-aircraft batteries lined the grounds, G.I.s shot some hoops in a recreation center, and tents popped up for soldiers and their visiting families. After the war, the park returned to its playful roots, with playgrounds, a new lawn bowling green, and a fresh nine-hole golf course-as if nothing ever happened, except maybe a stray helmet or two under the bushes. Fast-forward through the decades, and this park never stopped evolving. Your feet are now on land supported by 624 concrete columns, thanks to the covered reservoir beneath, and the sound of skateboard wheels echoes from the skate space sculpture, opened in 2014. And don’t forget-just steps away is the Beacon Food Forest, a seven-acre garden where anyone can pluck a berry or an apple. Today, Jefferson Park is the beating heart of Beacon Hill, home to walking paths, ballfields, playgrounds, and that famous golf course. You’re standing on a patchwork of stories-wild plans, wartime secrets, joyful play, and even the occasional epic frisbee throw. Not a bad place to wrap up our adventure, right?