All season long we've been trading in some of our Mariners tickets. Sometimes it's because we can't go, sometimes it's because no one else can go, sometimes we got tickets for games we thought someone could go with us. The ticket office and all their employees have been absolutely fabulous about this. At their suggestion, they would help us find random seats for the final game of the season so that we didn't lose any
$$ on our season ticket package.
We decided this year to give ourselves a little treat (since the team clearly wasn't up to providing anything to cheer about at the end of this
"yet-another-rebuilding-effort") and we gathered up all the little
"onesies and twosies" tickets and traded them in for a pair of tickets in the
All*Star Suite.
I think this is something new this year and there are even people who purchase entire half-season or full-season tickets for this place (though Gerry and I agree that would be really overdoing it!). The Mariners have taken 3 (or possibly even 4) of their existing suites (that probably would have remained unsold most of the season) and redesigned them into a wonderful venue to watch the game. The package includes more food/beverage than you could ever hope to consume (you can purchase beer/wine/liquor right there at the bar in the suite).
Chef Michael develops his own menu for each game and it's truly something special - probably the best food I've had not only in the park (we have dined on everything from Mariner dogs to Hit It Here Cafe to the Diamond Club buffet) but better than most restaurants. Last night's menu included three
AMAZING SALADS (a Greek one, a
"regular" - not that there was anything remotely "regular" about it! - one with raspberries and pears and a wonderful raspberry viniagrette, and a beautiful Caesar salad with freshly shaved parm...that one lost a couple of points because the dressing was on the side. I realize that not all people groove on Caesar salad but it is really one salad that needs to be dressed before serving since it is difficult to really get it all tossed together by dolloping the dressing on top.)
The entrees were: Beef Loin (aka Prime Rib) with a mushroom medley and Chicken Parmesan (incredibly moist and, as everything there, wonderfully delicious).
The dinner is served from 2 hours before game time until ~ 1 hour into the game but not to worry, you won't be going hungry for long. On the back wall near the carvery, there is a full assortment of "baseball grub" - Mariner dogs, brats, popcorn, peanuts (oddly no cracker jacks). On the opposite side of the bar you find the desserts. Again these were amazing FRESHLY made cakes, pies, cookies with a soft serve ice cream machine, waffle cones, cups and an assortment of "toppings."
Best of all - the bar served the
BEST ICE TEA I'VE EVER HAD AT SAFECO (which I know doesn't sound like much since Safeco's ice tea is
HORRIBLE but this was really good tea!)
Oh yeah - there was a game being played by two teams who have absolutely nothing to play for. We thought maybe we would see one last great game by Felix but not so much. Here's to yet another rebuilding year in 2013 (though I'm thinking we will still finish in 4th place in the AL West at least it won't be LAST place since Houston is joining the division).
We still have one more game to enjoy - the final game on Wednesday afternoon - before the season is officially over (for us anyway - I'm going to cheer on the Nats who are going to their first playoff!)
~later, tw
