Collections Cafe, Seattle

More than 30 accordions hang from the rafters, from which spruce walls crawl the long distance to the floor. Bright green chairs and classic marmoleum floors complement this oasis of varying colors and materials, highlighted by a backlit drawing wall—which showcases 36 of artist Dale Chihuly's drawings in oversize, vividly colorful splendor. Amid all of this, chef Thomas Kollasch presents a Pacific Northwest menu. As a boy, Chihuly would scour the shores of Puget Sound for beach glass. Today, his extensive collection includes vintage objects such as toy soldiers, 1950's cameras and transistor radios.

Today, some of those rescued treasures live on at the aptly named Collections Café, an upscale food stop at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Chihuly's youthful collecting habits parallel the restaurant's practice of culling ingredients from local ranchers, foragers, and farmers. With these fresh foundations, the culinary team cooks up dishes such as duck rillette, smoked duck croissant, and seafood risotto. Diners can finish their dining experience with desserts like beignets and carrot cake.