HARLEY SOLTES / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Tom Douglas' famous crab cakes at Dahlia Lounge are a must-try for Seattle visitors.
|
Taste of Seattle
Welcome to Seattle, where you can eat well every day of the week -- often accompanied by a stunning view of water or mountains. Our city is best known for its fresh seafood and inventive Northwest fare, but you'll also find sublime sushi, magnificent French cuisine, hearty vegetarian meals, even high tea. If you have guests in town -- or if you just want to sample the best your city has to offer -- head to one of these quintessential Seattle restaurants. Bon appetit!
Cafe Juanita
(Kirkland)
Plan for an exquisite evening of rich, scrumptious food in a delightful Eastside dinner-house setting. The sea scallops, rabbit, risotto and steak are all highly recommended.
Canlis Restaurant
(Queen Anne/Seattle Center)
Canlis is the place to go when you want to plan a really, truly special experience (marriage proposals, big anniversaries, etc.). The food, service and setting are all spectacular.
Carmelita
(Greenwood/Phinney Ridge)
This arty charmer has one agenda: serving great food to vegetarians, vegans and carnivores alike. Excitement comes from the world-ranging palette of flavorings.
Dahlia Lounge
(Belltown)
Rub shoulders with local hipsters, families and businessfolk at Tom Douglas' exceptional signature restaurant, which updates Northwest cuisine with a variety of international influences.
Flying Fish
(Belltown)
Chef Christine Keff's well-decorated spot offers pan-Asian cuisine with a strong seafood bent (well, obviously). It's a hip, fun place, and the fish is often stellar and always uniquely prepared.
The Georgian
(Downtown)
Come here when you want to get really fancy schmancy; ornate table settings and attentive service. It ain't cheap, but hey, cheap ain't romantic.
The Herbfarm
(Woodinville)
Dinner at the Herbfarm is not merely dinner: It is an unparalleled dining event. This five-hour, nine-course production stars an incomparable chef/genius, five Northwest wines and an audience of culinary enthusiasts willing to spend a small fortune for a meal they won't soon forget.
Lark
(Capitol Hill)
There's something in the air at this rustic-romantic bistro. Lark has an inventive menu of small plates that include glistening oysters, ripened cheeses, carefully crafted charcuterie, foraged mushrooms and slow-braised meats.
Le Pichet
(Downtown)
It's hard to get more charming than this downtown bistro, an excellent, quaint and surprisingly affordable spot that simply oozes old world charm.
Matt's in the Market
(Downtown)
The most romantic feature about this cozy closet of a restaurant in the Pike Place Market is its size. It might also make it tough to get into without a wait.
Nishino
(Madison Park/Madrona)
No cheap date, but quality has its price. The Omakase dinner, a 10 course seafood extravaganza, highlights their best: green-lipped mussel, albacore tuna, surf clam, tempura shrimp, asparagus-squid-morel saute, halibut ocean salad, pristine sashimi, Spider Roll.
Palisade
(Magnolia/Interbay)
This upmarket Polynesian restaurant should be your first choice for impressing the out-of-town relatives, appeasing the kids with a fun dining experience or celebrating a special day.
Ponti Seafood Grill
(Fremont)
A fine spot for a seafood meal or happy-hour specials while watching boats travel under the Fremont Bridge.
Portage Bay Cafe
(University/Montlake)
Portage Bay Café in the University District offers breakfast with pizzazz. Its interesting menu includes a Greek omelet and Great Harvest challah-bread French toast. Order pancakes and you'll get a spin through the fresh berry bar.
Ray's Boathouse
(Ballard/Crown Hill)
With a beautiful waterfront location in friendly Ballard, this Seattle institution is tops on the short list of any fish fiend. The upstairs Cafe offers a more informal atmosphere, plus a great deck for watching sunsets.
Ray's Cafe
(Ballard/Crown Hill)
With a killer sunset view of the Olympics, Ray's is still one of the best outdoor dining and drinking spots in Seattle, whether you're a tourist or local.
Restaurant Zoe
(Belltown)
Chef Scott Staples has created an instant classic with this pan-Mediterranean/American bistro. This one's a must for true foodies.
Rover's
(Madison Park/Madrona)
If you got the money, honey (at least a couple hundred dollars for dinner for two), they've got the time to serve up a six- or nine-course meal that'll make your head spin.
Salty's On Alki
(West Seattle)
Panoramic Seattle skyline view, renowned Sunday seafood brunch, great service, live music, fun drinks and food that's consistently good. Picks: oysters, tuna, mussels, chowder, crab, halibut, smoked salmon and fish 'n' chips.
Shiro's Sushi
(Belltown)
Many locals swear this is the best sushi restaurant in Seattle — and that's saying a lot! Head chef Shiro Kashiba has swarms of followers, as he's been turning raw fish into things of beauty for decades by now.
SkyCity
(Queen Anne/Seattle Center)
The Space Needle's rotating restaurant features prices as high as the view. But by dining here, you bypass the rather steep entrance fee to get to the top of our own space-age Eiffel Tower.
Tilth
(Wallingford)
Tilth in Wallingford is a certified organic restaurant with a delightful dinner menu that comes in two sizes. You can have small plates (porcini mushroom brulee, mini duck burgers) or go the starter-and-entree route. Weekend brunch also offered.
Wild Ginger
(Downtown)
It's a little pricey, but this pan-Asian fusion restaurant is one of the city's most popular spots, no matter the hour.
 |
|
|
