Book excerpt: SeattleA[a¬a[s Historic Restaurants depicts an era of nostalgia and romanticism, and highlights historic photographs of restaurants, postcards, and menus. From 1897 to 1898, thousands of so-called stampeders came through Seattle on their way to the Klondike goldfields. Hungry stampeders could purchase a meal at the MerchantA[a¬a[s CafAA(c) (the oldest cafAA(c) in Seattle) or one of the many restaurants nearby. For the next 25 years, those who made it rich in Seattle were the restaurateurs, shop owners, and real estate owners. Famous local landmarks such as the Space Needle, Mount RainierA[a¬a[s Paradise Camp, Snoqualmie Falls, and the Empress Hotel are still here, but their menus and clientele have changed over the years. Local haunts like IvarA[a¬a[s Acres of Clams, The Dog House, AndyA[a¬a[s Diner, ClarkA[a¬a[s Restaurants, Coon Chicken Inn, Frederick and NelsonA[a¬a[s Tea Room, The Wharf, VonA[a¬a[s, The Purple Pup, and the Jolly Roger are just a few of the restaurants featured within.