Meet the Market

Maximus (alternative spelling Maximos) is a name formed from the Latin term for “greatest” or “largest.”, Minimus is of course something small. So along comes a large steel pig to whet your appetite with a large taste on a small budget. In the Twitter world, one discovers so many great things going on in the city and neighborhood. I kept hearing about Minimus Maximus, so I needed to see what all the fuss was about. So, last week I went down to 2nd and Pike, and sure enough, there was the large metallic colored pig with the smell of pulled pork coming wafting in the air.

Almost like something you’d see out of Mad Max or at Burning Man, only more tastefully done. The menu is very simple, a pulled pork sandwich with lots of sauce (Maximus) or not (minimus), a Vegan Sandwich, Cole Slaw or homemade chips. When I arrived, there were about 15 people in line, within ten minutes more than 40 people were lined up and the line was growing still.

I ordered the Minimus and chips and when I got back to to the office, I was thinking “Wow, this is fantastic”. If you are hungry between our 10 am and 2 PM tours, this is a perfect low cost meal, just one block east of our tour starting point.  Currently their hours are 11 am – 3 PM on Weekdays.

Check out their website for updated info www.maximus-minimus.com

Also read what the Yelpers have to say about it.

If you need more food, how about a meal with 10 eggs, 10 bacon, 10 sausage, 10 toast, 5 black puddings, tomatoes, beans and mushrooms?

2nd Ave & Pike St
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 601-5510

Images via iPhone

Tim of Vital T-Leaf

Yesterday I was able to give Lorrie a private tour of the city. These are the tours that are fun, because it gives a great opportunity for one on one interaction and allows us tour guides to “Focus” our attention on what is most interesting to the customer. Though our tour is a very leisurely walk with almost virtually no hills to walk up, it’s always nice to be able to take some time out to give ourselves a break.

As we walked by Vital T-Leaf, I pointed out the store and let Lorrie know she can taste teas, but I had not taken the time to do so. Usually with a group, you have to stay on schedule as most people don’t have much time in the city and want to get in all the travel opportunities that they can. Lorrie suggested we take a break and I was happy we did.

For the next half hour, Tim let us try many different types of tea from Monkey Pick, Blue People, Hibiscus (My favorite) to various Oolong teas. It is an interesting process, first he showed us that you must wash your tea. Wash your tea? “Well you wash lettuce?”, he asked. We nodded. He said that all Chinese wash the tea first. I assumed that it would remove some of the flavor , but this is not the case. In fact we learned you can use your tea leaves over again for multiple cups. I think he said 5-7 times.

We also learned one does not boil the water, but should use a temperature of approximately 170-190 degrees to make an ideal cup. Steep it for 15-20 seconds and you are good. No 2-3 minutes in boiling water? Too hot of water and steeping too long can give it a bitter taste. I learned more in that half hour about tea with Tim, than I had ever known.

I was glad we took the time to stop by. Lorrie and I both walked out with bags of tea and I was surprised to get dried Stevia for only $2.00 a bag. Tim was also kind to let us take photos of the interior of the store.

You’ll never know what surprises you’ll come across on our tours.

Visit Vital T-Leaf

Vital Tea Leaf
1401 1st Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
Tel: 206.262.1628

Birdman at Pike Place Market - Photo by Valentina Vitols Bello

By Shutter Tours Guide – Valentina Vitols Bello

This is our second interview in the “Meet the Market” series.

More than a year ago,  I was wandering around Pike Place Market for the first time, when I met The Birdman.  In that opportunity,  I spent a fair amount of time talking to him and his gorgeous and gallant African Grey Parrot.  I immediately felt in love with the smart bird, who can talk to you, lay on its back and hang out with you while “hanging upside down”.  Of course, I took many photos of both the parrot and The Birdman.  It was a lovely experience that I treasured as one of the best memories our beautiful Emerald City has offered to me.

A few weeks ago, and now that The Market is more familiar to me than ever, I ran into The Birdman again.  He was waiting for his lunch to be delivered (an insanely, delicious seafood plate).  We talked for a few moments and I told him I wanted to write about him.  He was very excited to be featured in our blog.  I asked him if he had another name.  He only smiled back.

“I’m just The Birdman,”  he finally said.  Then he added, “But, be sure to mention that the parrot’s name is Phineas Phogg.”

He also told me he has been in the Market for about 9 years.  The Birdman is originally from the Midwest, and loves Seattle.  Him and Phineas look like “fish in the water” when it comes to entertaining people.  This happens with both adults and kids.  Everyone gets to talk to them, enjoy the stories and play with Phineas, by holding or touching it!

Whether Phineas is busy doing some gymnastics (like the “back summersalt”) or barking like a dog (he also meows), he will always have time to give The Birdman a kiss, very close to his white beard.  If you see them,  don’t hesitate in talking to these two.  I can assure you that, like me, you won’t be able to forget this amazing pair.

The Birdman and Phineas can also be seen at the start of this video http://www.seekgeo.com/?p=165

This is the first in what we at Shutter Tours hopes is a regular feature, titled “Meet the Market” where we interview artisans, musicians and sellers in and around the Pike Place Market.

I have been doing street photography for a number of years in Seattle and one of the street performers whom is always good subject matter, is guitarist Kenny Wayne Gunner. I took the time to talk with him for a few moments and record some of his playing while shooting some stills. Though the sound is a bit rough on the interview, you can hear is guitar playing ability and why he seems to draw a few followers while playing. Kenny cannot play directly in the market as amps are not allowed, but you’ll usually be able to find him close by in front of the 1st and Pike Starbucks.

On your next trip to Seattle, look for Kenny and if you’re taking a tour with us, we’ll be sure to point him out.

You can hear him at MySpace as well as soundclick.com