Pasta & Co.050

This is where Seattle goes when it needs to impress the in-laws but doesn't have time to cook. Pasta & Co. carries a carefully chosen variety of dried and fresh pastas, sauces, condiments, dried fruits, nuts, and jams, as well as olive oils, vinegars, and sea salts. Ingredients here are geared towards making quick meals with a slow-cooked taste.

If you don't even want to put pasta on to boil or are looking for superior picnic fare, check the deli case. Kid-pleasers such as whole roast chicken, meatloaf, and garlic mashed potatoes share space with edamame tossed with sauteed onions and herbs, steamed baby broccoli, and Northern Italian Shrimp and Rice Salad. Very lemony lemon tarts and assorted other desserts are packaged in individual portions. The chocolate and white cupcakes are a Pasta and Co. classic.

Look for fun non-food items throughout the store. You can buy simple white porcelain platters, large aluminum storage tins, and a set of candles that spell out "happy birthday."