Photo by Anna Erickson

Seattle Opera’s Speight Jenkins said it best: “I thought at first it was just a fad… it took me all of three minutes to realize supertitles were opera’s future.” And keeping so focused on that future since 1997 is Jonathan Dean, the author of all titles used for the company’s productions. His devotion to making opera more approachable doesn’t stop there; he also heroically distilled Wagner’s 18-hour Ring into two fun participatory shows for school outreach performances. But how does he unwind after all that drama?

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Best Place to Stargaze After an OperaTen Mercer is where opera singers (and assorted hangers-on) go to unwind and refuel post-show.

Best In-City EscapeBiking through the Arboretum. I’ll take any excuse to ride past those amazing trees and breathe deeply.

Best Greek YogurtEllenos at Pike Place is made in Georgetown and best consumed at the Market (or at South Lake Union’s Thursday market).

Best Coffee RoasterFind revelatory beans at Conduit Coffee’s Tuesday open house at the studio on Westlake; or buy them at Ophelia Bookstore in Fremont; or get them bicycle-delivered.

Best Post-Kayak NoshThe mangodilla at Agua Verde is the perfect reward for a vigorous trek around Foster Island, well worth any wait!

Best Exotic Locale Within City LimitsThe Indian vegetarian cuisine at Travelers Thali House, near the Beacon Hill Link light-rail station, proves God’s existence.

Best Fruit & Veggie DeliveryEver since we randomly stopped by the farm in Carnation and were given an impromptu tour, I’ve been a satisfied subscriber to Full Circle.

Best BookstoreCelebrate Seattle’s voracious appetite for books at the Friends of the Library sale at Sand Point, a twice-yearly book binge. Many bring luggage or stolen grocery carts; I limit myself to two panniers and a backpack.

Best Puget Sound SchoonerI’ll never forget the week I spent learning to sail the historic hundred-foot schooner The Adventuress around the San Juans.

Favorite Seattle Aquarium AnimalIf I’m good, maybe they’ll let me come back as a sea otter in my next life.

Favorite Sunday Bike RideHome (near McCaw Hall) to the Olympic Sculpture Park, along the waterfront to the Ballard Locks, the Ballard Market, and the Fremont Market, then along Westlake to South Lake Union Park, and back home laden with treasures.

Read all of our picks for Arts & Culture, and explore the rest of this year’s edition of Best of Seattle.