Dinner at the Herb Farm (2++hours) is heaven!!! Mostly organic, grown on-premises, inCREDible. I suggest your friends BEG for a reservation! There's also a casually elegant b&b across the street -- they may not want to drive! Get details from the restaurant.

Try Rover's (Seattle) for a less expensive take on Euro-NW fusion cuisine.

The Monaco's my usual hotel, too, Great cocktails downstairs in the bar. There's also the Fairmont Olympic, the real grande dame. And some people like the W.

Shop Cap Hill (trendy funky edgy), Ballard (getting pretty chic), and Fremont (furniture and decor). More decor (art too) in Belltown.

I spend a lot of time in West Seattle, but it doesn't appeal to everyone. A great beach (Alki [sic?]), edgy restaurants, good record- and bookstores.

Wild Rice (on Pender just on the edge of Chinatown in Vancouver) is a great place for lunch and people watching. Just watch out for their weird martinis!

Do your friends have time to detour to Banff? I like Whistler a lot during ski season...

Cerinda