Radio Host Carla Marie's Guide To Seattle

If you listen to Carla Marie & Anthony on 106.1 in Seattle each morning, chances are you already feel like you're best friends with its bubbly co-host, Carla Marie. In fact, her show might be so engrained in your morning commute that you feel like she's been on the Seattle scene forever.

But before leaving her gig at Elvis Duran and the Morning Show in Manhattan two years ago, the New Jersey native couldn't picture living anywhere other than her beloved home state. Not knowing anyone besides her co-host and friend, Anthony, when she moved out West, the radio personality chose to hit the Seattle ground running. She completely immersed herself in her new job, settled in to Ballard, and never looked back.

The result? Carla Marie fell in love with everything about Seattle. Now, she feels like a true local who has lived here forever, although she says she still has minor "freak outs" whenever she sees Mt. Rainier.

These days, when Carla Marie isn't focusing on her job (which she admits doesn't often happen), she's out enjoying her new home. Whether it's working out at Core Power Yoga, hitting Pike Place Market for some shopping or cuddling with her rescue kittens, she's quickly found some new favorite pastimes. Here's her take on the best of the best things to do around town.

What neighborhood do you live in? Ballard

What’s your occupation? On-air morning show host

Describe Seattle in three words: Unique, creative, growing

What’s your favorite overall Seattle restaurant? Steelhead Diner (It’s not actually a “diner”). It’s got the best food in Seattle from the cod to the fried chicken. The atmosphere is fun, and there’s an awesome patio for summer dining. I once saw Patrick Stump from "Fall Out Boy" eating there!

Best sushi: Shiro’s in Belltown. Their fatty tuna is incredible.

Best Italian food: The Pink Door has amazing food with a trapeze and burlesque show. My parents are super picky Italians from New Jersey and they loved it. You’ll definitely need to make reservations.

Best dessert: Hot Cakes! It has everything from molten chocolate cake to a salted sipping caramel drink.

Best pizza: Ballard Pizza Company. They have specialty pies (“pies” is the Jersey in me). My favorite is The Whole Hog with sausage, pepperoni, salami and prosciutto. They also have really good olives —- and beer!

Best spot for a quick lunch: The Other Coast Cafe (there are a few locations). They’ve got hot and cold sandwiches and none of them disappoint. They are most known for the Rajun Cajun but I also love their veggie sandwich, The Carla & Ben.

Best beer: Seattle is filled with so many local breweries. The Ballard neighborhood alone has 11 and counting. I’d suggest going to Ballard Beer Company. It’s a fun atmosphere (they have board games!) and they serve all beer that is made in Ballard! In the summer, I suggest hanging outside at Reuben’s Brews in Ballard — they have a different food truck every day!

Best place for a romantic date: I said it was the best Italian restaurant but The Pink Door is so romantic!

Best Sunday brunch: I love CJ’s Eatery. It’s located in Belltown and has great food plus a variety of mimosas.

Best glass of wine: Local 360 in Belltown. Everything on their menu is made within a 360-mile radius of Seattle, so not only are you guaranteed to have the best wine in Washington, but its food and other drinks are local, too!

Best spot for a power business meeting: Mr. West Cafe Bar. This was named the most Instagrammable place in Seattle. Sit at a table or a couch and enjoy their insane menu — they have brunch on Saturday’s too!

Best cup of coffee: This is Seattle, I can’t give you one! My favorites are Woodland Coffee in Ballard and Anchorhead Coffee in downtown Seattle.

Best steakhouse: Metropolitan Grill in downtown Seattle. It’s the best steak you’ll have in your entire life. Best advice for their shared sides: Get all of them.

Best craft cocktail: Canon. Even if you didn’t drink you’d be in awe of this place. They’ve got 4,000 different labels making them the owners of America's largest spirit collection. Their mixologists are incredibly talented and make drinks that smoke!

What hotel would you recommend for your out of town guests? In the city of Seattle, I’d stay at the Four Seasons, but there is a brand new W Hotel which recently opened in Bellevue and it’s incredible.

Favorite shopping venue: University Village on the University of Washington's campus has a ton of mall favorite brands, plus so many local stores and restaurants. It’s open-air shopping, so if you shop in the summer you won’t feel guilty about being inside!

Best fitness studio: I am obsessed with Core Power Yoga — their classes and studios are perfect. Seattle is home to some awesome rock climbing gyms, too.

Best spa: Habitude Salon and Spa. Whether you’re getting your hair done or a full body stone massage you are guaranteed to have an amazing day with wonderful results.

Favorite charity organization: Rebuilding Together raises money to rebuild homes and lives for low-income homeowners. They serve everyone from people with disabilities to veterans.

Favorite cultural event: Capitol Hill Block Party, a music festival that takes place in the middle of the Captiol Hill neighborhood in July. Tickets are already on sale!

What’s the best museum or current exhibit in Seattle? MoPop! It’s so much fun. They have a ton of exhibits for adults and kids. Their horror film exhibit was amazing, and they’re adding a new Marvel Universe of Superheroes exhibit.

The most iconic Seattle landmark to explore: Pike Place Market. It’s the best place to shop for local food, flowers and crafts. It’s also home to the famous fish-throwing stand and the best fish sandwich place in Seattle, Market Grill.

Best pet adoption organization: Motley Zoo Animal Rescue! They work to clear out shelters and have an awesome foster program. I’m a foster fail and am now the parent of two sister kittens. The rescue names all of their pets after musicians, songs and pop culture.

What’s your all-time favorite spot in Seattle? Golden Gardens Park in Ballard. In the summer you can lay on the beach, play some volleyball, kayak or stand-up paddle board while staring at a giant mountain range with snow-capped mountains.

The best aspect of Seattle is: You’re living in a busy, connected city, yet you’re surrounded by gorgeous water with the most incredible views of snow-capped mountains. Every time I see Mt. Rainier I have a slight freakout. On any day you can shop the city or go on a long gorgeous hike. It’s not like this anywhere else.

You can see Carla Marie on NBC’s KING 5 Evening every Friday night and listen to her live every weekday morning on POWER 93.3 from 6 a.m to 10a.m.

Photo: Andrew Coleman Smith