Dairy products have not, historically, been a part of the Chinese or Japanese diet. Since food traditions run deep in both of these cultures, there is little presence of dairy in local foods. Of course, there are Starbucks and cheeseburger joints all over.

However, the dairy industry developed rapidly in Japan after WWII (starting in Hokkaido), and is now a major presence nationwide. You will find many milk products, yogurt, and some cheeses in every shop in Japan. Increasingly, diary is finding its way onto Japanese tables. In fact, Japanese people drink milk as a beverage much more than Americans do.

In China, the dairy industry began to explode around 10 years ago. Chinese officials observed how the Japanese are now taller, on average, than Chinese and attributed some of this to milk consumption. State support for dairy farming and dairy companies has been significant, and dairies are now found all over the country (not just in the traditional dairy region of Mongolia).

Western corporate influence is also a big factor.

As it happens, I am at Eltana Wood Fired Bagels now, and believe me these are real bagels - an absolute rarity around here. Delish. EWFB is also a comfortable, attractive new place to hang out with communal wood tables, free wifi and lots of light. I Iike it.

I love Liberty on 15th Ave, Capitol Hill. Truly a neighborhood place, with taste but not pretentious. Stumptown beans, good prices, reliable wifi. Then, at 4pm, it becomes a mixologist bar with sushi - a nice reward for your hard work over coffee.

my mantra: whenever possible, don't eat anything from a fancy package - support local producers and avoid synthetic chemicals, genetic engineering, and giant corporations who crush small businesses

my favorite at the moment is Cafe Campagne in Pike Place Market. Gourmet bites and 3 oz pours at rock bottom prices (I mean, like $1 to $2.50). Try it.

at the North end of Alaskan Way are SixSeven and The Waterfront, both pricey and and a bit stuffy but out on piers in Puget Sound with amazing patio experiences and both, I think, have Happy Hours.