Gnomedex comes to Seattle

burning the gnome more
Originally uploaded by AChocolateOrange.

Notice a longer line at Ivars Acres of Clams? A sudden surge in the Seattle tag at flickr? A proliferation of Timbuk2 messenger bags on the waterfront? Blog and 'social computing' geeks from all parts descend this week on the Bell Harbor Conference Center for Gnomdex 5.0.

I'm pretty tired of the whole garden gnome thing myself. But this joke apparently ain't dying so I should probably just ignore it the way I've learned to ignore 'cheesey poof' and 'you killed kenny.' Still, if anybody is listening, maybe consider a shift in brand? In the meantime, Seattle has Gnomedex 5.0.

We here at Uptown won't be attending Gnomedex -- we don't really know which panel would be right for us since there seems to be very little attention devoted to our interests. Nope, no panels like these at all:
* Use your blog to score free drinks
* Community, closing crappy restaurants down and you!
* How to turn 3 readers into 4

But we do expect to run into a few gnomedexers or two as we try to live life in our fair little 'hood. So, in the interest of welcoming the horde of RSS-ing freaks, here's our list of recommended eating establishments within waddling distance of Bell Harbor (arranged in geek-true order by distance from front door of the conference center)

Pike Place Market - First, for all things non-dinner, go to the market or Macrina Bakery on 1st Ave. Belltown and the waterfront don't support many other recommendable non-splurge lunch options.

Now, on to dinner and drinks...

Frontier Room - gorgeous waitstaff. has wi-fi. i dare you to bust out your laptop.
2203 1st Ave
.1 Mi

Buffalo Deli - only double plus deli in Belltown. lunch only.
2123 1st Ave
.1 Mi

Apartment Bistro - NYC cool done Seattle proletariat style (ie, IKEA flatware). classy still. intimate. cool.
2226 1st Ave
.2 Mi

Flying Fish - your one dinner splurge could be here. NW seafood emphasis with lots of organic goodness.
2234 1st Ave
.2 Mi

Cafe Casbah - coffee without Macrina's lines or SBUX guilt
2219 2nd Ave
.2 Mi

Barocho! - good place to share and not be part of the herd on 1st
2801 Western Ave
.2 Mi

Waterfront Grill - another dinner splurge possibility. I'd rather just have drinks, appetizers and the view.
2815 Alaskan Way
.3 Mi

For more on Gnomedex, here's the PI's recent article about conference host, Chris Pirillo.