Sweet Celebrations at ART Restaurant and Lounge, Near SAM

Chef Kerry Sear and his team at ART Restaurant and Lounge are known for their creative flourishes. The Picasso exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum has only given them more reason to play with their plates. I was in recently and enjoyed seeing "A Woman's Face," their cubist dessert with Spanish and fall flavors.

ART is located in the Four Seasons Hotel, conveniently located diagonally across from SAM, making it a perfect place to enjoy the Artist's Palate TV Tray for lunch or the ARTist's Kitchen prix-fixe dinner menu (featuring some of Picasso's most beloved dishes) when you're ready for a museum break. ART will celebrate Picasso with these food specialties through January 17.

There are also two more opportunities (including this Sunday) to partake in Brunch with Seattle Art Museum. $65 gets you a brunch buffet, a presentation in which you'll get first-hand knowledge about the Picasso exhibit from the Seattle Art Museum's co-curators, and then VIP admission to the exhibit.

And through December 24, you can also enjoy A Chocolate Holiday at ART. This buffet runs from 2 to 7 p.m. (at a cost of $25 for adults and $15 for children 15 and under), and is a serious celebration for serious chocolate lovers.

Items change daily, but look for such treats as chocolate mousse cake, double chocolate cheesecake, mini chocolate cupcakes, Godiva liquor "pops," and chocolate tiramisu. Oh, and the most gorgeous, cocoa-dusted cotton candy.