BIG NOTE: Except for where specifically noted, I did not write these comments. I cannot take credit for how well-written most of the reviews are on this page.

You know how it goes: it's Friday night, you're starving, you want something really tasty and not just at your old standby. Or a friend comes in from out of town, and immediately every good restaurant you've ever eaten at goes straight of your head. This is what I refer to on those occasions.

If the text is greyed out, I have been there at least once, and consider a repeat visit worthwhile. My sweetheart is completely vegetarian (but not vegan); I am omnivorous but when we eat out together I usually order vegetarian so that we can share. Hence the focus on meat-free dining.

You may find this more helpful if I add that all these restaurants are in Seattle. Eventually I plan to add Portland (Oregon) places as well. Restaurants are listed in no particular order. This page has become entirely unwieldy, and deserves a major overhaul. Someday....

Jump to the sections or merely scroll down (clicking the glass will bring you back to the top):

Reviews from various sources: the Seattle Times; the Weakly; the Stranger; other Seattlites; etc. Don't hold me accountable.

The Pink Door 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241
Moderate. Cheap wine and decent interesting pasta dishes. Try the tapenade, yum -la

Chez Shea/Shea's Lounge Pike Place Market, 467-9990
Expensive. Tiny restaurant serving Northwest cuisine upstairs in the Market Building itself. Closed Sun/Mon.

Matt's in the Market 95 Pike Street, Number 32 467-7909
Great view of Puget Sound. Homey and intimate.

Agua Verde Paddle Club 1303 NE Boat St 545-8570
At the foot of Brooklyn Avenue on Portage Bay lies Sakuma Viewpoint Park. Nearly hidden by greenery is an old house, once the site of graduate-student housing. Tacos: fish, chile-chicken and vegetarian. Side dishes: green rice, beans, cranberry slaw and sensational chile-spiked whipped potatoes. Dinner: quesadillas with mango and poblanos; ceviche; crab cakes; vegetarian posole stew. Good desserts, refreshing drinks, beer, margaritas.

Mona's 6421 Latona Ave NE 526-1188
A bar where martinis, margaritas and manhattans are made with skill and imagination: "Bliss Martini" - Bombay Sapphire, vermouth and caper berries. Pizza on a house-made round of crisp pita, topped with delicately smoked mozzarella, sliced scallions, rounds of fresh roma tomatoes, and a dusting of chopped fresh sorrel. Young collard greens and savory potato hash. Paella is a triumph. If you think you're sick of Caesar salad, try Mona's. Dessert: a slice of the homey clafoutis, made with seasonal fruit and a serious amount of thick whipped cream.

La Fontana 120 Blanchard 441-1045
If you're into stinky fishes, the pasta con le sarde will put hair on your chest. Safer options include couscous, risotto. Black squid ink pasta in a creamy sauce dotted with pieces of smoked lox and chopped shallots. Low ceilings, brick walls, black-and-white pictures of the old country, and bubbling fountain, La Fontana is pleasantly out of sync with the rest of shiny new Belltown.

Huong Binh 1207 S Jackson 720-4907
A really fine Vietnamese place that serves the cuisine of Hue, the Imperial city of Vietnam. Particularly good is the com thit Nuong (a.k.a. "No. 1"), a skewer of marinated, grilled pork beautifully garnished with tomatoes, shredded carrots, green onion, and cucumbers. Best of all, Huong Binh effuses a generous spirit, with service that's swift and smiling and owners that are more interested in educating you than in intimidating you with their elegant cuisine.

Avenue One 1921 First 441-6139
Aaaah. Paris in the '20s. Satiny wood, glowing sconces, high-legged chairs, and beaten copper counter with rail bars-radiates cool chic. And the background music is le jazz hot. Menu updates hearty bistro classics: duck confit, onion soup, sweetbread salad, braised lamb shank, and grilled steak with frites. The heartier and more full-bodied the dish, the better it will be.

Varsity Inn 1801 N 34th. 547-2161
A full-fledged breakfast plate with eggs any way you want 'em, pancakes, bacon or sausage, and hash browns; or you can order half a grapefruit and some Cream of Wheat. It must be stressed that the pancakes here are second to none (sorry, Mom).

Le Fournil 3230 Eastlake E 328-6523
Divine chocolate cream puffs, brioche, croissants, bread, fruit tarts, eclairs, and other French pastries. Try anything that has almond in it, and don't forget to take home a decadent quiche. Try the round apple croissants -la

La Panzanella 1314 E Union St 325-5217
Ciro Pasciuto couldn't find any bread in Seattle that reminded him of home, the coastal city of Gaeta, south of Rome, so he baked his own. His artisan bakery supplies dense, hard-crusted, aromatic bread and rolls. Fronting the bakery is this bread shop/cafe, which, when the light shines through its south-facing windows and a breeze stirs the greenery outside, is utterly Italian. Select from soup, salad, focaccia, pizzette (little pizzas), tiella (stuffed pizzas), panini (sandwiches), pastries and panzanella (bread salad heaped with olive-oil-basted roma tomatoes, scallions and basil), then sit and relax at one of the big, rustic, copper-inlaid tables Pasciuto built. La Panzanella grills incredibly good and good-looking deli sandwiches on focaccia, salami with cheese on tiny baguettes, and eggplant on round bread that has some Italian name. The place is all about Italy--rich pastas, peppers broiled until tender, miniature bottles of spicy carbonated beverages, fruit granitas, and layered baked desserts, downy with powdered sugar. (Condensed from the Stranger)

Cafe Campagne 1600 Post Alley 206-728-2233
Paris-trained chef James Drohman has been in charge of Campagne's kitchens since 1997. The downstairs Cafe has a more limited and informal menu than that of the main restaurant upstairs but has always seemed to me more congenial, relaxed and less expensive. French country cooking at its best. The Lamb Burger with balsamic grilled onions was sheer carnivorous heaven.

Gelatiamo 1400 Third, 467-9563
Less air is whipped into it than into ice cream, making for a much smoother, almost custardy texture. The minimalist recipe (cream, milk, sugar, and flavoring) ensures that the flavors stay unbelievably intense. Ingredients are fresh and plentiful; their strawberry gelato is 30 percent fruit, their orange is 60 percent, and their coffee gelato is made with espresso pulled straight from the machine. It's healthier than ice cream (9.5 percent milkfat, and no butterfat, compared to ice cream's 17­20 percent). Cantaloupe isn't as good as Procopio's (see below) but their Zabaglione is creamy and delicious.

Axis 2212 First, 441-9600
Real urbanites are largely fed up with the Belltown restaurant's post-frat Kirklandian throng, but trust us, the mac-and-cheese makes it all worthwhile. Made with the Palouse's own Cougar Gold cheese, the dish is almost devastatingly rich. The atmosphere can be tolerable, we've found, late on a weekday night after the theater or a show. Or get it to go.

Mandalay Cafe 1411 N 45th St 633-0801
Formerly known as Janny's Curry Hut. The most incredible Southeast Asian "fusion" cuisine. Favorite dish: the Laksa, a spicy coconut milk-based soup with many vegetables, chicken and shrimp. The green curry dish is supposed to be fantastic.

Monsoon 615 19th Ave E 325-2111
Vietnamese tradition but never shies from Northwest innovation. Beautiful presentations. Halibut steamed with lily buds and shiitake mushrooms on a frond of banana leaf. Salmon: musky taste from green tea leaves. Malaysian laksa ("spicy lemongrass curry vermicelli") served with seafood, grilled chicken, or tofu and mushrooms. Crispy tofu with onions and mushrooms - pillows of bean curd flecked with bits of lemongrass. Oustanding tofu spinach salad (topped with more of that crispy tofu) with baby spinach, pickled ginger and delightful marinated baby leeks. Ten-spice flank steak sauteed with onions is delicious. Lemongrass- mesquite-grilled pork tenderloin (better when on a baguette, at lunch and weekend brunch). Anything with curry, whether the asparagus and tiger prawn curry with yam (plenty of shrimp), or wok-fried lemongrass chicken. Dessert: smooth coconut creme caramel.

Swingside Cafe 4212 Fremont Ave. N. 206-633-4057
This is Brad Inserra's cosmic labor of love -- one he's put his hot-blooded Sicilian heart and soul into. You know you have to labor to get a table here and that you'll love what Brad's cooking in his closet-sized kitchen. His classics: a bastardized version of pasta aglio olio, an aromatherapeutic Moroccan stew and a gutsy seafood gumbo.

Cactus 4220 E. Madison St. 206-324-4140
Owner Bret Chatalas recently expanded his too-small Southwest-styled hangout-cum-tapas bar. It's still too small, but I found myself living large here with a Cuervo margarita in one hand, a crunchy empanada in the other. Spooning zarzuela (a sultry, saffron-scented seafood stew), slicing into a "Cowboy Steak" (an ancho-crusted rib-eye) or swooning over the last of that unbelievable Cuban flan, I understood precisely why this hot spot remains the shining chili-strung light of Madison Park. (Lainie says don't miss the prickly pear margaritas, the grilled artichoke appetizer, or the chile rellenos.)

Boat Street Café 909 NE Boat Street 632-4602
The menu is sophisticated country French. Several inventive varieties of Eggs Benedict are offered--including goat cheese with red pepper, and herb cheese with artichoke hearts (all with homemade Hollandaise sauce ). Other inventive dishes include the Chili Torte (similar to a quiche, with eggs, cheddar cheese, cooked chilis and salsa) and orange battered French toast accompanied by 100% maple syrup. Come early for the silky, souffle-like red bell pepper and basil cheese strata. French scalloped eggs: hard-cooked eggs are baked in a casserole with onions, fresh spinach, a dusting of herbed bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Later in the day: The crab cake appetizer is highly recommended. A balsamic-dressed salad of tiny white beans with shavings of Parmesan, fresh basil and cherry tomatoes. Nicoise olives marinated in extra-virgin olive oil seasoned with fennel, red pepper flakes and lemon zest, paired with tiny loaves of warm bread made locally by Le Fournil. A beautiful plate of sliced ripe pear, a wedge of creamy Gorgonzola and warm, whole roasted walnuts sprinkled among fresh greens. Sweet corn flan - a savory custard dish baked with whole kernels of fresh, sweet corn, sharp New York cheddar and fresh spinach. Try the terrine of beef, turkey and pork - a satisfying French-style meatloaf with a peppery kick. The sweet potato ravioli is topped with roasted red peppers, fresh basil, feta cheese and a balsamic. Vegetable sides appear with little fuss, almost as if they were just picked from the garden. New potatoes are served whole. Steamed zucchini arrives in large uncut chunks.

Mistral 113 Blanchard St 770-7799
Owner/chef William Belickis says his aim is to offer shelter from the storm of restaurants-as-bar-scene. "We are not catering to the bar crowd," says Belickis. "We want people to eat." The restaurant is offering a seasonal menu heavy with fish and vegetarian options. A multi-course tasting menu will be offered nightly. Though light on the meat, the menu will be augmented by such specials as lamb loin, roasted on the bone. And fear not, those of you who feel the need to start your meal with a martini or finish with an Armagnac: Hard stuff is available. Belickis recently spent a year as executive chef at the Salish Lodge (I've sampled his fare there and it was excellent) and he was formerly Monique Barbeau's second-in-command at Fullers. His 45-seat restaurant is open for dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday.

Calypso 7917 Roosevelt Way NE 525-5118
A terrific seared-shrimp salad in a sesame-ginger dressing, with papaya, grapefruit and avocado slices surrounding the crisp greens. Fish and (plantain) chips, with big red snapper filets in a thin, crisp, nongreasy beer-panko batter. Jerk-spiced chicken in a sauce of mango chutney and coconut milk. An appetizer called Keshy Yena: baked edam cheese stuffed with shrimp, raisins, olives, herbs and spices and served with herbed toasts for dipping. At least one vegetarian entree: bell peppers stuffed with bread crumbs, olives, gherkins and raisins, flavored with a wine-tomato reduction and sided by rice and beans. Dessert: plantains sautéed in rum, brown sugar, lime and butter and paired with coconut ice cream; bread pudding in a pool of Irish whiskey and coconut cream.

Nell's 6804 East Green Lake Way North 524-4044
Saleh's closed last fall, and now it is Nell's. What remains is everything about Saleh al Lago that was right, and it has even improved upon the original. Black truffles shaved over a heavenly leek-green risotto. Fresh Dungeness crabmeat in a salad with red radish and Braeburn apple. Spicy arugula, fennel and the earthy sweetness of beets inform another truly delightful salad. The reknowned calamari – sauteed squid considered the best in town – gets a new twist when fried capers are added to the garlicky mix. Beef tenderloin in a demiglace finished with balsamico and green peppercorns. Tuna tartare (a dish that could hold its own at any of the city's finest sushi bars), and a sturgeon fillet whose matsutake mushrooms offered subtle smokiness that shined through a lovely lemon-butter sauce. Sides: sweet potato gnocchi or caramelized turnips. Desserts are wonderful, one and all.

Top Pot 609 Summit Ave E, 323-7841
When asked " What do you think of Krispy Kreme?", Sabrina the Donut Diva says: uh, okay. A little too sweet. Ho-hum. In Houston, we have Shipley's. They make these raised doughnuts, served hot, that melt in your mouth. You can't even taste flour--it's all grease and sugar. Folks in the South have a different take on frying things, you know; they're not afraid of a little fat. Crullers are more East Coast-style. They have a crisper outside--a little crunch in your doughnut. I went to pastry school and worked as a baker, which I loved. I'd never made doughnuts before, but I have a deep affection for them, an understanding. Everything is done by hand: I fill up the extruder with mixed batter (it's wet, like cake batter) at just the right temperature: 78 degrees. I fry the doughnuts for a minute on each side, flipping them over and scooping them out by hand. We drain them, and when they're cooled, I dip them by hand. [Once,] I was walking home from a long night at work when a silver Mercedes drove past, and this older man, obviously a well-to-do, high-class dude, said to me, 'You make the doughnuts, don't you?!' in this kind of awed voice. 'You do very good work,' he said solemnly, and drove off. (Condensed from the Stranger)

Family Doughnut Shop 2100 N. Northgate Way 386-9107
You won't find a mediocre doughnut on the premises. They are especially sublime when fresh from the fryer. The raised doughnuts are lighter than air. Glazes provide pleasingly pedestrian flavors that blend enchantingly with the pastry. The cake doughnuts are available in both plain and chocolate, with myriad combinations of icings, sprinkles, chopped nuts, and coconut. These doughnuts are universally magnificent. (Condensed from the Weekly)

Sophie's Doughnuts 2238 Eastlake E 323-7132
Torn between the bismarck and the jelly-filled, we chose both. The bismarck was a masterpiece, with bittersweet fudge frosting, crispy exterior and vanilla custard filling. The coffee doughnut--with a firm, cakey texture and smooth coffee icing, it was better than most lattes. Sophie's aims to turn the humble doughnut into an art form; dough is made from scratch, and the quality of ingredients is impeccable. (Condensed from the Weekly)

Upper Crust Bakery 3204 W McGraw 283-1003
Legendary cookie man Gunter Werner pulled out batches of cookies (and lots of other good things) from the ovens at the European Pastry Shop on The Ave for generations of students. Then he sold it and migrated west to the Magnolia neighborhood and started Upper Crust, which carries on the tradition of quality (now run by Peter Larsen since Gunter's retirement eight years ago). Most importantly, Larsen still makes those celebrated all-butter, crispy and crunchy, ultralight Christmas sugar cookies that had Pakistani Muslims, Brooklyn Jewish kids, Tibetan Buddhists, and everyone else on The Ave thinking good things about the Christian holiday as they noshed them by the dozen. Other German yuletide cookies include the anise-flavored springerle, gingerbread folks, cinnamon stars, gingersnaps, spicy pfeffernusse and chocolaty lebkuchen. (Condensed from the Seattle Weekly)

Leah's Bakery, Deli & Catering 2214 & 2205 NE 65th St 524-4020
Leah's is an all-Kosher bakery offering traditional Jewish breads and sweets. Leah's Deli and Catering, across the street, is a full-service deli. Leah's Deli and Catering offers Kosher meats; soups, including Matzoh ball and borscht; salads; dips like hummos and baba ganoush; and an assortment of desserts including everything from tea bread to raspberry truffle cake. (Condensed from Seattle Citysearch)

Salvadorean Bakery 1719 SW Roxbury, 762-4064
The pastry cases are heaped with a beautiful, dreamy cornucopia of South American goodies, including guava turnovers (with cream cheese), jalapeño rolls, Salvadorean éclairs, and relámpagos (eggy, multilayered pastry puffs filled with fluffy, not-too-sweet Salvadorean custard). Other pastries: rice cookies, very crisp and dense and excellent for coffee-dipping; orejas (sweet, crisp puff pastry, roughly in the shape of ears); and little cookies with anise seeds in the shape of pigs. Breakfasts: beans and eggs with sour cream and tortillas in varying combinations. Not flat, Mexican-style tortillas but small, blond, round pads of dough about as thick as your finger, made with a tang of lime, their centers a slightly doughy perfection. Pupusas, mostly vegetarian--small, stuffed rice-flour patties which are baked like tiny pizzas--varieties such as zucchini and cheese, cheese and loroco (edible, south-of-the-border flowers), or cheese and beans. Tamales are plump, oblong shapes of steamy, buttery masa, as light and fluffy as I've ever tasted, filled with chicken, pork, or elote--a purée of sweet corn topped with sour cream. Tamales and pupusas come with a spicy cabbage salad, finely chopped and piquant with tiny flecks of red pepper. Unusual Sopa de Pollo (chicken soup) is mild but flavorful, with lime and jalapeño served on the side, cooked with zucchini and chayote, a small green squash that tastes somewhat like summer squash. Pavo a Pan is a weekend-only turkey sandwich served on crisp French bread and stuffed with grilled onions, green papaya, mayo, cabbage, and a special dark brown sauce--which is made from a number of herbs, including heavy, dark paprika. Dessert: Atol de Elote, a hot, sweet corn drink similar to eggnog in its texture, with a hint of cinnamon. It was served in a cutuco (gourd) shell, garnished with corn off the cob.

Madrona Eatery & Ale House 1138 34th Ave 323-7807
"I never craved a salad before I started working here," our server confided. A house salad with blue cheese and roasted shallot vinaigrette. The panzanella salad, with strips of grilled, buttered bread, currant vinaigrette, creamy goat cheese and tangy, pungent greens. The Caesar (optional grilled chicken or anchovies) may not be the best of its class, but it's fresh and good. Parmesan-mushroom soup: This homey puréed soup was light on the tongue but full of mushroom and cheese flavor. Seared red snapper with apple and caramelized onion hash. Marinated and grilled flank steak: cooked perfectly with just enough char, served with a heap of arugula salad and paprika roast potatoes. Grilled king salmon: A nice chunk of fish in brown butter with roasted shallots and barley "risotto" with fennel, the fish was moist and flavorful; the ample portion of barley cheesy and filling. There are a dozen ales on tap plus a lager, a stout and a delicious hard pear cider. (Condensed from the Seattle Times)

Eva 2227 N 56th St 633-3538 (former location of Brie and Bordeaux)
Eva is half-dead half the time, and that's a crime. Food this good should not suffer anonymity, and Eva is too modestly priced to relegate to Saturday night or only on special occasions. Seasonal and frequently changing, McCray's menu relies heavily on organics. A short, artfully rendered collection of "firsts" and "seconds" bookend a trio of "in betweens" - dishes that work well as either shared appetizer or light entrée. Chevre lasagna with eggplant and fresh peas; sinful semolina gnocchi with magnificent mushroom ragout; the sweetest of baby leeks with mustardy vinaigrette and crushed hazelnut; cabrales flan; crushed pappadam-encrusted oysters; homemade lamb sausage casserole; rabbit braised to a near crisp and paired with spunky chorizo bread pudding; roasted poussin, a plump baby chicken resting in serious pan-gravy over mashed potatoes; Argentine rib-eye grilled to medium-rare perfection; I'd happily drown in a vat of McCray's cilantro pesto. Making the food even more compelling is the wine list --two dozen half-bottles that make matching food with wine a cinch. (Condensed from the Seattle Times)

Jones Barbeque 3216 S Hudson St
Jones Barbeque in Rainier Valley has the best ribs and the best sauce in town. The ribs are lean, large, and consistently tender, and the wood (hickory) flavors the meat with just the right subtlety. The Arkansas-Texas influenced sauce (our favorite in the city) has a complex flavor of its own, and it doesn't overpower the pork. (Condensed from the Stranger barbeque roundup)

Backdoor BBQ 6459 California Ave SW
Backdoor BBQ in West Seattle had the best boneless pork, as well as the best beef brisket. During a lunchtime visit, I was delighted to see the dull side of my plastic knife cut through the boneless, fat-free pork. I was ecstatic to hear the cook-proprietor brag that he uses fruitwood to smoke the pork for 10 to 12 hours, choosing only the best strips of meat. It shows. The pork at Backdoor is a physical manifestation of the word "succulent." The sauce could use some work (it has no character), but oh, the meat.... (Condensed from the Stranger barbeque roundup)

Willie's Taste of Soul Bar-B-Que and Custom Smoke House 6305 Beacon Ave S 722-3229
This clean and smartly appointed little establishment features state-of-the-art Bar-B-Que, with people-pleasing portions and personal attention from Willie himself. With the authentic food, you may think you've just pulled off the freeway in Louisiana. When Willie asks if you'd like hot or mild, you'd best beware: the hot BBQ sauce is the real deal. I ordered the chicken dinner, and when Willie brought me my large platter of shining chicken breast meat, I knew I was about to have my butt kicked by quality. From the first forkful to the last, the succulence factor remained above reproach. And Willie's wife makes the most delicious cake ever! Choose between red velvet, 7 Up pound cake, chocolate, and pineapple coconut (a vision, indeed). $25 for the nine-inch, $35 for an 11-inch. Order ahead.

The General's Bar-B-Que 2325 E Union 328-2414
I had my doubts about my inexperienced barbecue palate, so I recruited the services of Phil Campbell, genuine citizen of the South, for my trip to the General's. Phil has overturned every review of barbecue in this city, exposing each as an example of misinformation and wrongdoing and a general corruptness of spirit. Mr. Campbell appeared impressed, if speechless, when presented with his mountain of ribs, the Sergeant Dinner. The ribs passed muster: succulent, not at all toughened by mishandling, doused in perhaps a tad too much sauce (delicious, mind you), although on the lean side. The Small General's Lunch, which was like barbecue tapas--a little chicken, a little beef brisket (melted in my mouth), some ribs, house-made hot links, beans, potato salad. General's will fry up fish to order, snapper, catfish, prawns and so on. While the mediocre pre-cut French fries are prettily spiced, the seafood does well in its delicate dusting of corn meal and light touch in the fryer. The hot links are the shining star. The cayenne pepper they spice their links with really clears out the sinuses. Sides menu: dense, smoky baked beans, fine potato salad, and, then, that most misunderstood of sides: greens. Imbued with body from chunks of pork, the General's greens' broth is magnificent. The collards are perfectly cooked and boldly spiced. Coleslaw: the oft-overlooked dish here is a perfect balance of creamy dressing and thick slices of green cabbage, accented by shredded carrots and red cabbage. Dessert: toothsome Peach Cobbler. (Addendum: Phil Campbell later recanted, and The General came in close to last in the Stranger barbeque roundup).

R & L Home of Good Barbeque 1816 E Yesler Way 322-0271
The Central District has been home to this Seattle staple for fifty years. It's a family-run neighborhood hangout where the folks at the table next to you are likely to strike up friendly conversation with any new faces. Owner Mary Collins Davis alder-smokes her meats, then adds a rich, tangy sauce (choose your fire quotient). Best picks are the meaty ribs, the tender brisket and the hot links, served in sandwiches or on dinner platters. Try the four-way platter (three meats plus chicken for two people) with white bread and potato salad or beans. The sweet, hand-squeezed lemonade is heaven, and the peach cobbler and sweet potato pie aren't half bad. If You Order One Thing: Gotta be the messy ribs.

Judkins St. Restaurant and Bar-be-que 2608 S Judkins 325-8525
The Kingfish is a great spot, but if you truly love southern food, you must, let me repeat, must go to the Judkins St. Restaurant and Bar-be-que (that is, if it is still there), in the Central District, on Judkins, not surprisingly. This place is/was (I haven't been in Seattle for about 5 years) owned by one of the nicest families I've ever had the pleasure to know, and makes soul food as good as any I've had anywhere, and I live in St. Louis now, and have family in Houston and Atlanta. The Iced Tea is super-saturated with sugar, the Barbeque is melt-in-your-mouth good, the greens are perfect, the sweet potatoes are delicious, if they are still making catfish, it is, well, quite unlike the other seafood options in Seattle. You have to hunt for this place, as I recall. It's in a converted house on a non-commercial street, but there is a sign. If you go and it's still there, do post on how it is. One never knows how a restaurant will fare over the years, but it would be nice to hear that it's still there and still serving up the real thing. (Condensed from a post on Chowhound)

Catfish Corner 2726 E Cherry St 323-4330
Catfish Corner continues to dish out dependable and satisfying Southern cooking. With Southern farm-raised catfish as the showcase item, the food's quality remains consistently high, while prices hover at bargain levels. The mild Catfish Fillet dinner shows off a generous portion of fish jacketed by a crunchy cornmeal coating, free of greasiness and dry without being burnt. The usual Southern sides dot the menu: A nice serving of fries runs 75¢; cornbread muffins are a steal for a mere quarter; and the tasty collard greens are far less buttery and salty than on previous visits, marking CC's ability to adapt to customers' changing expectations. Dinner items allow a choice between potato salad (yay!) or cole slaw (boo!), and come with slow-cooked beans of which legends are made. I wish the Corner would experiment with more grilling and less frying, but there's still no denying their kitchen's talent.

Mudbugs at the Bayou 2917 Fuhrman Ave E 329-0988
Start with sandwiches: chicken with garlic sauce and basil; seared shrimp; slow-braised beef (mercy!); po'-boys of crawfish, shrimp, catfish and oysters; muffuletta (the real New Orleans deal). Next, check the hot stuff: gumbos such as seafood-chicken-sausage and duck-artichoke; jambalaya; shrimp (or crawfish) étouffée; red-beans-and-rice; grits-'n'-grillades (the braised beef); crawfish bisque. Then there are salads and "lagniappes," such as roasted yams with cornbread "bugs"; "osh" potatoes (with garlic and Creole seasonings); and a chicken-pecan roll served warm. Sautéed cabbage makes the scene, and usually there are treats like pecan pie and coffeecake with toasted pecans and bourbon sauce. The menu varies, but temptations appear daily. At the moment, all the food is takeout. Seating might come later. Mudbugs is available (with seating) for private parties. Catering can be arranged by appointment. Note: Mudbugs at the Bayou makes our top 10 list of places serving superior sandwiches: Creole extravagances like braised beef and po'-boys of crawfish, catfish, oysters and shrimp, all soaking their full-flavored juices into crusty French bâtardes, make this Portage Bay spot well worth seeking out.

Cookbook Cafe 9614 14th Ave SW 763-5229
Cookbook Cafe advertises "country cookin'". The lady in charge, Judy, knows everyone by name. The Big Mess and the Really Big Mess feature superb potatoes, fried up and flavored with plenty of thyme, eggs, a biscuit with country gravy, homemade bread, and, for the "Really" folks, a heap of sausage topped off with cheese and more gravy. The Cookbook Scramble pooh-poohs food-item separation, and piles potatoes, cheese, and Italian sausage together, garnished with two eggs. Thanks to Judy, eating at Cookbook Cafe feels like hanging out in Aunt Audrey's kitchen, a pie beckoning from the counter and lots of love flowing via the coffeepot.

Pomodoro 2366 Eastlake E 324-3160
A combination of Italian and Spanish food; i think they refer to the cuisine as 'Southern European.' They specialize in tapas and pasta (and anagrams?). Everything i've ever had there has been at least very, and sometimes extremely good. Extras like herbed olive oil and bread and a small dish of sorbet as a palette cleanser between courses. They serve Real Bananas Foster, cooked at your table and served flaming and perfect.

Elliott's Waterfront Pier 56 623-4340
They've been serving seafood for 25 years. There were tourists. Lots of them. There was noise, rising to the rafters. I'm no Fodor's-waver and I can't stand excessively loud restaurants, but I've concluded, after taking in three swell meals, that this is a great place to be a tourist: especially if you're not. Order the last of the season's Copper River king salmon and revel in 10 ounces of oily richness, perfectly grilled and enhanced by a kiss of butter sauce. Caesar salad, made right (whole anchovy, shaved Parm, crisp romaine). Savor les moules frites, an entree portion of Penn Cove mussels, simply steamed in a buttery wine broth. On the side is a plate of slender, salty fries. Because you live in Seattle you know the difference between good smoked salmon and bad, you are impressed by Elliott's: smoked in-house and downright swoony served with fettuccine in a rich, not runny, Parmesan cream sauce. Mesquite-grilled ahi fish tacos offered at lunch: kicked up with mango, lime and wasabi, the chunky fish bites are wrapped in thick tortillas.

Sabai Sabai Thai Cuisine 7104 Woodlawn Ave NE 206-524-2500
Mangoes general manager Joe Song and his wife, chef Lawan Tangsuk opened this new restaurant, featuring a veritable item-by-item reproduction of Tangsuk's previous restaurant's Mangoes' menu.

Bahn Thai 409 Roy, 283-0444
When Bahn Thai opened, Thai cuisine was still a novelty to Northwest palates. Now Bahn Thai remains the one to beat. Bahn Thai's kitchen does really inspiring work on the classics of Thai-American cuisine. There is surely not a better phad Thai in town. The "Hot Garden"--with its crisp vegetables and chewy tofu in clear spicy sauce--appeals to those who normally shun vegetarian items. And the lemon grass broth that underlies all the restaurant's soups is rarely matched and never surpassed at restaurants with far more pretension to quality. Add fast, friendly, accommodating service, and you have a restaurant that's hard to beat. (Condensed from the Seattle Weekly)

Szmania's Restaurant 3321 W McGraw St 284-7305
German-born chef/owner Ludger Szmania, formerly executive chef of Seattle's Four Seasons Olympic Hotel. The menu is both European and Northwest: heavy on seafood in the summer, strong on German fare during the early fall, and accenting game (venison, pheasant, quail) during the winter. Roast goose turns up for the winter holidays. We favor: Szmania's take on crab cake, a large confection of pure crab meat lightened by egg whites; tender, sweet sauerkraut; lobster-flavored mashed potatoes; and seafood such as herb-crusted mahi mahi with pinot noir sauce, potato-crusted salmon and halibut with tequila-flavored rock prawns. Don't miss the creme brulee trio.

The Bistron on 24th 8010 24th Ave NW
Jerry Brahm knows what it's like to cook in a big, bustling restaurant. After graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in upstate New York, he worked in the high-pressure kitchen of a resort hotel in Hawaii. Then opening chef for the Brooklyn in downtown Seattle before moving over to Prego. Three years ago, he opened The Bistro cook[ing] meals rooted in the French classical and country traditions, with some crowd-pleasing Italian dishes thrown in. Dinner might start with mushrooms, prosciutto and herbs in puff pastry, or lime-scented calamari sauteed in olive oil with ginger, tomato and green onion . Classic French onion soup. The soup of the day might be an earthy, velvety spinach-mushroom. Rack of lamb, with Dijon mustard, herb bread crumbs and parmesan, applewood-smoked prime rib with sour cream and horseradish,citrus and Grand Marnier liqueur lace the demi-glace for the duck breast. Coq au vin, the chicken pieces simmered in a red-wine sauce with mushrooms, bacon and onions; Wiener schnitzel; spinach and ricotta ravioli in a tomato-basil sauce and blends prawns, fresh fish and linguine in a cream sauce. Lasagne, layered with ground sirloin and three cheeses in tomato sauce, rounds out the pasta options. Desserts, made in-house, include a flourless chocolate cake, citrus custard tarts and strawberry shortcake.

Villa Victoria Catering 1123 34th Ave, 329-1717
I have found it: the tamale takeout window I've been searching for the world over is in faraway Madrona, a tiny kitchen, swampy with moist heat. Unwrapping the banana leaf reveals a perfectly steamed tamale--neither sticky-gooey, nor crumbly--ensconcing understated and deft fillings. The more traditional shredded pork flares with roasted chiles, but couldn't beat the mushroom/chile/cheese creation. Blanched asparagus, drizzled with a sweet-chile sauce. Tiny empanadas, stuffed with picadillo, and queenly black beans, and pan-seared fillets of cod, sprinkled with pine nuts. You can't go wrong with the tender, sweet carne asada, sliced miraculously thin. Or the chile-icious grilled pork, sliced in a similarly slender manner, allowing just that much more surface area to absorb the firecracker of a marinade. I've sampled the Villa's entire lineup of burritos: while the overly dry lime and garlic chicken breast lacked the succulent splendor of the fish and steak, the grilled adobo tofu shocked me with its five-chile paste kiss. Layered with beans, a smoky chipotle sauce, a little rice, and collard greens, the burritos are well structured and novel. (Condensed from the Stranger)

Sea Shanty 4135 University Way NE 632-6822
The restaurant stands out among the throngs of greasy and unmemorable places on the Ave in the University District. The Shanty's transformational vision of fish and chips is the genius of Paul and Kitty Lam--originally from Hong Kong--who challenge the British doctrine of heavy beer batter. Their brilliant Asian interpretation of this neglected art form puts the fish back into "fish and chips." That is why it's okay to indulge in the all-you-can-eat special. Cod, halibut, prawns, scallops, and even oysters are available grilled or poached. Appetizers, such as the fresh steamed mussels with lemon and butter, or scallops with bacon, emphasize fresh, flavorful seafood: that which can stand boldly on its own, without a lot of spice or fancy treatment. My only disappointment resulted from the absence of beer.

L.A. Seafood Restaurant & Lounge 424 7th Ave S 622-8181
When faced with the provocative, meaty succulence of L.A. Seafood's Chinese cuisine, any lingering vegetarian commitments evaporated at some point before, during, or after we ordered the wonderfully prepared half-duck, which was served with white steamed buns, dark sweet sauce, and a heap of julienned scallions. Chef Lee does present over 15 vegetarian entrées, but his extensive menu mainly focuses on dishes native to his home region in Canton. Chicken-Mushroom Soup with Bamboo Pith was delicious and savory, as was the expertly seasoned Cod with Mushroom and Tofu Hot Pot, with chunks of salt pork and ultra-moist fish hidden in batter-fried pockets. The lunch menu sports a "noodle bar," where you can pick the type of soup noodles you want and match them with meats, vegetables, wontons, or fish balls. (Condensed from the Stranger)

From the Bayou 508 Garfield St, Parkland 253-539-4269
Owners Kevin Roy and Matt and Kelly Marcus, three pals from the bayous of Louisiana, serve up Olympic-size meals in a gold-medal atmosphere. The menu has all you'd expect from Cajun bluebloods: catfish, crawfish, alligator, shrimp, crab, halibut and prawns; seafood gumbo and chicken gumbo; jambalaya and etouffee; red beans, andouille sausage and rice. If you judged food portions on a scale of 1 (skimpy) to 10 (overflowing), From the Bayou would score a winning 8 or 9. Most people walk out with leftover boxes, topped thoughtfully with daisies or a cluster of small roses. Even if you've stuffed yourself silly, at least ask to see the incredible dessert tray: heaven-and-hell cake (a combination of angel food and devil's food); peanut-butter cheesecake. From the Bayou is just a block from the campus of Pacific Lutheran University, but it's the kind of place worth driving miles for.

Marzano's 516 Garfield St S, Parkland 253-537-4191
Also, for REAL homecooked Italian food you will have to leave Seattle, drive South to Tacoma, drive more South to Parkland. Family owned, small and terrific. You will need reservations because of their limited space. I have never had a bad meal there, prices are modest and the only Italian this side of Chicago that has both the food and the "feel". (Condensed from a post on Chowhound)

Southern Kitchen Restaurant 1716 Sixth Ave, Tacoma, 253-627-4282
In a small red shack up the hill from downtown Tacoma, the small but comfortable Southern Kitchen cradles its regulars: college kids, families after church, old folks, everybody. Gloria and Thad Martin bought the place in 1994, and have been slathering their customers with love and country gravy ever since. Fried Pork Chops with eggs, grits, and biscuits. Like the helpings of food, the drinks are generous, rendering refills obsolete: Homebrewed Iced Tea. Mango Lemonade (fresh strawberry and regular lemonade also available)-mango slices floating in fresh-squeezed lemonade, topped with real whipped cream and served in a mayonnaise jar. Award-winning Peach Cobbler. The Kitchen offers almost everything served up breakfast-style, with eggs, grits/hash browns, biscuits and gravy, or as a dinner deal with pan-fried cornbread (heavenly--moist and sweet cakes) and three sides (more on those later) The chicken fried steak was the best and biggest I have ever devoured. Collards, fortified with strong chunks of pork. Delightful Catfish delicately fried and served with hush puppies laced with jalapeños. The Southern Fried Chicken knocked Ezell's socks off, with its tender flesh ensconced in the perfect balance of fiery spices and crisp breading. Hangover-curing REAL mashed taters. Homemade sides of mac 'n' cheese, collard greens, black-eyed peas, red beans, rice, buttered corn, cornbread dressing, fried okra.... The candied yams stood out, glistened with butter and had a bite of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, rendering them sweet without being cloying. Gloria became rather tight-lipped when I pressed for ingredients: "I don't even let my line cooks touch my secret-recipe breading!" Gloria's hands-on approach, her perfectionism, and plain hard work (70 to 80 hours a week) drive her little kitchen to provide inspired standards and knockout specialties. (Condensed from the Stranger)

Primo Grill 601 S. Pine, Tacoma 253-383-7000
Newish North Tacoma Mediterranean-food restaurant that is building its reputation on getting the details right. Many dishes at Primo Grill come with balsamic vinegar, and some kind of oil (arugula, parsley and hot chili are used regularly). Warm bread salad: Onions, spicy sausage, tomatoes and chunks of grilled bread are seasoned, then tossed in reduced balsamic vinegar. The result is a dish with an explosion of tastes that gets better with each bite. Grilled pork rib chop: As the meat (marinated with juniper berries and lemon) is on the grill, the chef places a foil-wrapped brick on top, to sear in the spices and cook it faster so it doesn't dry out. It's served with cinnamon caramelized onions. Throw in some roasted potatoes, and you've got a meal to die for. Roasted pepper, fontina and goat cheese pizza: the 8-inch pizza drips with cheese. This isn't the kind of pizza drenched in some kind of tomato sauce - there's none to be found on these thin, crispy crusts.

Tosoni’s Cafe & Catering 14320 NE 20th St, Bellevue 425-644-1668
This small continental/European restaurant is a hidden treasure, with a loyal crowd of regulars. The menu has a Continental base with plenty of other influences. Italian shows up in a fine prosciutto ravioli, Capellini Puttanesca, and risotto; Asian sparks fly in a spicy prawn dish and Japanese style grilled Ahi; and there are exotic offerings to boot--ostrich baked in a shallot, rosemary, and port sauce, for example. Especial raves: Garlic lamb, kept on the menu by popular demand for 12 years. Dessert: Tosoni’s house cake, where fresh strawberry, mango, blueberry, kiwi, and toasted almond whoop it up with a light sponge, vanilla custard, and raspberry coulis.

Also (these are quick notes, mine unless otherwise noted):

Trolleyman for beer, hangin'

Geneva (formerly Rainier's) for elegant coffee and dessert

Gaspare's - 8051 Lake City Way NE - Italian. Elaine says to check it out.

Thai Ginger - in Factoria. Albert says: best Thai around, always crowded. Friends of Kamol's. Lainie says there's one in Redmond and another in Madison. Yes, it's the same folks.

Thai Dusit - north of University Village. Randy says: While the fare is mostly standard, it's very well done and seems to have an edge in freshness. They definitely have my fave variation of Tom Kah Gai. (Condensed from a post on Chowhound)

The Globe - You-won't-believe-it's-veggie gravy, delicious greens, Saturday cake-eaters' club, allegedly good b-fast on Capitol Hill, near the Elysian -la

Lowells - The food is perfectly edible, but it's really the view of the Olympic Mountains and the ferries criss-crossing Puget Sound that makes breakfast here worthwhile, especially on sunny winter days. In Pike Place Market.

El Rinconcito - MMM, tortas. I LOVE a good torta. Sometimes sandwiches can be the pinnacle food experience of a certain cuisine. This is the best Mexican sandwich I've had since I first tried them in Mazatlan in '91. I head down to this place in Burien when I have a hankering for a ham torta with avocado.

Cafe Lago - Good tiramisu, lasagne, and appetizers (especially caponata) in Montlake

Two Dagos From Texas - Controversial name (the phone book won't list them!), but good grub. Pretty damn flavorful food: steaks, seafood, salad, pasta, great fries, full bar, veggie options. A good place if you don't know what you're in the mood for, just that it better taste good.

Panos Greek Taverna Kleftiko- 815 5th Ave N 301-0393, Intimate spot in Lower Queen Anne

Isabella's - on 3rd Ave downtown, owned by the same folks as Ciao Bella, lots of raves

Procopio - Gelato on the Hillclimb; try the mango, cantaloupe, and especially Malaga!!!!

For Tea:

Chez Nous 723 Broadway East 324-3711
Traditional English country decor in a restored 1903 Capitol Hill home; smoked salmon sandwiches, hot buttered cheese scones, fruit scones with double cream and strawberry jam, petite chocolate eclairs, fresh fruit tarts and sherry trifle (sponge cake); reservations required; 2:30 to 4 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Garden Court at the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel 411 University St 621-7889
Elegant, gardenlike setting; tea includes finger sandwiches, currant scones, sweet breads and possibly even a spot of champagne for special celebrations; $15.75 (champagne not included) per person; reservations recommended; 3 pm to 5 pm daily (on Sundays, tea begins at 3:30 pm).

Fireside Lounge at the Sorrento Hotel 900 Madison St 622-6400
Fireplace-warmed, mahogany-lined, octagonal room; tea features a three-tiered plate with tea sandwiches, scones, biscuits, chocolates, lemon bars and raisin tarts; $15 per person; reservations required; 3 pm to 5 pm daily.

Queen Mary in Ravenna 2912 NE 55th St 527-2770
Red walls, flowery chintz, bric-a-brac, and a couple of doves cooing in a glass enclosure by the door; tea has fresh fruit sorbet, scones, tea cakes, crumpets, lemon curd tarts, sugar cookies, thumbprint jam cookies and finger sandwiches; $18.50 per person; reservations required for parties of six or more; 2 pm to 5 pm daily.

Scottish Tea Shoppe 1121 34th Ave 324-6034
Located in a renovated, turn-of-the-century home in Madrona, the store sells such hard-to-find Scottish products as Marmite (a brewer's yeast spread), hobnobs (chocolate-covered cookies), numerous teas and more. At lunch time, the menu includes a handful of sandwiches. Desserts include shortbread and whiskey cake. One more European influence - no tips accepted here.

Wits End Book Store and Tea Shop 770 N 34th St. 547-2330
Relaxing tea shop serving and selling a variety of quality teas; snacks and light meals are also available at the shop.

Teacup 2207 Queen Anne Ave N 283-5931
150 teas and herbal blends, hundreds of tea accessories

Retired suggestions, meaning that I don't need to be reminded that these restaurants exist. Either I'm not hugely interested in spending my $$$ there again, at least for a full-on dinner situation (BeenThereDoneThat), or I go there so much that they have become old standbys (FrequentQuiteOften). Reviews in progress. (BTDT is not the same thing as a bad review. I'd tell you if I really hated it.)

Afrikando 2904 First, 374-9714
Mafe-A dish of Malinese origin, it's a stunningly simple combination of jasmine rice, sweet potato, carrots, and yam doused with a peanut sauce that's been kicked up with onion, garlic, and habañero pepper. Akra-airy fritters that are served with a tomato-shrimp sauce, a street food in Senegal, Nigerian in origin. Exotic homemade juice-The red bissap is steeped from hibiscus flowers and tastes like a cross between cranberry and grape. The dark tamarind juice reminded me of raisins. Ginger juice, flavored with pineapple and vanilla sugar. Dessert-try a mango tart or thiakry. The first is made in the same manner as a classic apple tart tatin-in a pan, then flipped over. The latter is a thick pudding of couscous, fruit, sour cream, yogurt, and vanilla sauce, typically eaten as a snack or for breakfast in Senegal. It's a rich, creamy mouthful that's as delicious as it sounds unlikely.
(BTDT-The mafe was indeed delicious, but pretty pricey for what you got. The akra did not deliver: dry and not all that flavourful; maybe an off night for those? The homemade juice: now that made the place utterly worthwhile! I only had the bissap, but it was an incredible ice-cold nectar. Not too sweet, not too tart. I'll be going back to try the other juices, and I want to make a dessert run sometime.
UPDATE: I wish these folks could open a juice bar downtown. The ginger juice was just as delicious as the bissap. For my entree, I had the "stuffed halibut". I have to say this was a bit of a misnomer. There were two little infusions of the stuffing, and those two bites were indeed delicious. Really delicious, even. The rest of the the fish was plain and a trifle overcooked. The vegetable sides were good--love all that cabbage--but I feel as though I've given the place a fair chance and it hasn't induced any cravings except for the juice. Of course, I stil haven't tried the desserts. Definitely want to head back at least once more for the desserts.)

El Pargo 10825 Myers Way S., Seattle (Burien). 241-6182.
El Pargo is ethnically authentic, the owners are from a coastal town near Mazatlan, the clientele is largely Hispanic. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. Start with Coctel de Camaron, shrimp served with slices of marinated cucumbers and tomatoes, swimming in a sauce of lime juice and hot sauce. Camaron con Callo de Acha is augmented with Mexican scallops. Main attractions are Pescado Sarandeado and Pescado Adobado (both are outstanding): whole-fish presentations of red snapper (require an hour's preparation time. Call ahead). The Sarandeado is char-broiled with onions and is the most frequently ordered. The Adobado is oven-roasted with a special chipotle sauce. Try the excellent Camarones a la Diabla (as hot as it sounds, but wonderful). Soups are splendid: traditional Menudo or Pozole or the house special seafood soup, Caldo de Camaron con Pulpo.
(BTDT-I've been a couple times now, and while I have had some tasty food there, I haven't had anything that inspired late-night cravings. The ceviche *tastes* quite incredible, but it's made with raw shrimp instead of raw fish, and I couldn't handle the texture. I still want to try the whole fish presentation when I get enough friends together who aren't vegetarian or fish-haters.
Update for 2000: I heard this place closed. Too bad.)

Cafe Capello 429 Eastlake Ave. E., Seattle; 206-622-2721 Lunch M-F, dinner W-Sat
A half-hidden boite carved from a former Eastlake warehouse with rough-hewn wood floors, votive candles and lighting dim enough to raise the already considerable makeout quotient, you'll find a simple menu: a few salads, a trio of pizzas, a half-dozen pastas, polenta. A generous bowl of penne is tossed with tomatoes and capers and crowned with prawns sauteed to moist perfection. The luxe tomato sauce induces an irresistible slow, red-chili-flake burn. White Pizza: caraway seeds on a Gorgonzola cheese-topped construction - its dense crust strewn with walnuts and lightly caramelized onions.
(BTDT-Some restaurants are just too small, no matter how nice the atmosphere is, where you feel as though you're eating with everyone else in the room. I'd go alone with a book for coffee, but there was nothing that caught my tastebuds *enough* to necessitate dinner there again.
UPDATE: closed in 2000.)

India Bistro 2301 NW Market St 783-5080
The foods of Northern India .Wonderful lamb and chicken specialties. Splendid grills from the tandoor oven. Many devotees of Indian cuisine consider this little place to be at the forefront of Indian fare in Seattle.
(FQO-Oh man. Some of the best Indian food I've ever had, and I get *real* Indian food on a regular basis (friends from there, dontcha know). Go for anything with korma in the title, don't miss the samosas (a departure from the dry flavourless things I regularly encounter at other Indian restaurants), and they have really good saag paneer. The only letdown was the aloo gobhi, only because in comparison to everything else it was quite ho hum.) The mixed Tandoor grill platter is very worthwhile. The calimari appetizer has been hyped a bit and didn't quite measure up, but was not bad by any means.
UPDATE: We drop in for a fantastic lunch buffet here on a regular basis. Their salads are even good: coleslaw and a mouthwatering potato "salad". While there are only about four different hot dishes available, several of them are vegetarian. All are deliciously prepared, and your table gets its own basket of FRESH nan--not a flabby lukewarm version from the steam table like most Indian buffets. They don't stint on the quality, for all it's so economical.)

La Louisianne 4548 California Ave. S.W., 935-2628
Traditional New Orleans dishes by Louisiana native Lionel Schuler. "We're very traditional. This is not a cutting-edge place," he said. "We use some recipes from an 1890s cookbook." Crowd favorites include Jambalaya La Louisianne, Pork Loin Plaquemine with an orange-molasses glaze and Savannah Shrimp and Tomato Pie.
(BTDT-I wasn't impressed with their gumbo. Go to Alligator Soul instead. I want to try some of their other entrees before writing this place off completely, however. The lime pie sounded better than it was, but I'll be going back for the excellent chicory coffee and other desserts. NOTE: closed as of February 2000.)

A Taste of New Orleans 7250 Rainier Ave. S 721-7933
Not just one or two, but five different kinds of po' boy sandwiches. Crawfish show up all over the menu, too: fried in bites or beignets, in a sizzling etouffee or bathed in a creamy spinach-and-mushroom sauce., shrimp chowder, ruddy jambalaya, giant catfish fillet. (is this place still around?)
(CLOSED- I'm really sorry to report that this place has closed. I only made it there once, but it was truly good. Rich gumbo, and plenty of it for cheap. Also an incredible peach cobbler.)

Shanghai Garden 524 Sixth Avenue South 625-1688
Many consider this to be the best Chinese food in town. The happy roll is a favorite. Anything made with pea vines, Chinese greens or the chef's special hand-shaved noodles is worth trying.
(BTDT-Hmm, best in town, hunh? Maybe I'm just ordering too many of the "healthy" vegetarian items. Yes, the hand-shaved noodles have a great texture, but all the noodle dishes I've tried are severely under-flavoured. The happy roll is good, the pea-vines are good, there are some interesting options with soybeans. Get the meat dumpling appetizer. An entire meal from this place is really on the bland side, however. I would order a couple things to go, and mix with orders to go from other Chinese places to introduce some variety to the meal.
UPDATE: I've been back a couple more times, and this place really does have some great food. The salt and pepper deep-fried bean curd roll was great. As long as I'm generous with the hot chili sauce, I come away very happy with my meal. I need to go back again with more omnivores.)

Bai Tong 15859 Pacific Highway S, SeaTac (by the airport!), 431-0893
The best Thai food in the area, in theory anyway.
(BTDT-There were some tasty things on the menu that I have never seen anywhere else, like chicken cooked in banana leaves. I'll go again, but it did not live up to its reputation. I'm still looking for a favorite Thai restaurant.)

Krittika Noodles & Thai Cuisine 6411 Latona Ave NE 985-1182
Thai food worth talking about. Delicately seasoned mussels, dipping sauces with ooomph, oodles of noodles soaking up exotic gravies, vegetables that maintain their snap, and seafood and meats stir-fried with a practiced hand. This newcomer is already doing a brisk takeout trade, often causing the dinner pace to slow. Spicy noodles: a plateful of wide rice noodles whose gloriously glutenous texture is perfect for this gravyish red chili sauce. Thai basil, colorful veggies and scrambled egg play counterpoint...
(BTDT-Not bad Thai food, by any means; the spicy noodles were good, their red curry is good. But it's just another Thai restaurant.)

Thai Thai - Rumored good Thai in White Center
(BTDT-Again: this place was good, but not so good that it's the only Thai food worth eating.)

Salute - Cozy neighborhood Italian at 55th and 35th NE
(BTDT)

Burrito Loco - On Holman Road. This is the restaurant that re-kindled my interest in Mexican food. Best fish tacos, wonderful ceviche, potato taquitos, not-too-sweet horchata, lemonade, and churros, but go to Gordito's for burritos. (FQO)

Gordito's - Incredibly yummy Mexican on 85th at Greenwood. This from a person who has "hated" Mexican food for years. Try the aguas frescas and burritos (fish burrito is delicious, and the vegetarian spinach burrito is surprisingly good), but go to Burrito Loco for ceviche. (FQO)

Seattle Catch Seafood Bistro 460 N 36th St 632-6110
Unslick, affordable, friendly. The 1920s mahogany bar and dark-wood booths came from a restaurant that once occupied a lower corner of the Alexis Hotel. Antique lighting fixtures and stained-glass panels complete the been-here-forever look. Food is thoroughly modern: beautifully grilled fish and lush pasta preparations for dinner, augmented by sandwiches and fish-and-chips at lunch. Pastas are served in old frying pans, a quirk the owner picked up during her extensive restaurant experience in the East. Prices touch bargain levels.
(BTDT - I've been twice. The food was good. It had a great atmosphere and a beautiful bar and the staff was really nice and I loved the kitchen layout and the booths. The pasta wasn't quite transcending, however. The risotto cake appetizers WERE. Contrary to a rumour I posted here before, this place is not closing, and I'm really glad to hear it. There are plenty of spendy, upscale seafood restaurants in this town, but I like to see places like this that are comfy and unpretentious where you can just sit down to some good fish with no hoo-ha.)

Moonlight Cafe 1919 S Jackson St 322-3378 - Vegetarian Vietnamese on Jackson and 20th
(FQO-This place is really good. They have a complete menu of "chicken", "beef", and "fish", all prepared with textured vegetable protein. Everything is delicious, and the textures are satisfying without being too revoltingly flesh-like. We almost always order the roast chicken and the lemongrass chicken. Don't skip the Vietnamese salad rolls. I recommend this place far above the Chinese version on lower Queen Anne (Bamboo Garden). We've gone so far as to quiz the staff to make sure that no meat is used in the preparation. How they make their "fish" taste like fish without using fish sauce is a mystery to me.
UPDATE: I've been back to try things off the non-vegetarian menu, and those don't disappoint either. Jellyfish salad, and the rice noodle dish served with pork skewers and chopped up eggroll. Mmm hmm. They have a tasty beef cubes dish; the cubes are a bit chewy when you order them, but take them home and have the leftovers cold the next day. All tender and so wonderfully seasoned....)

Iron Horse 311 3rd Ave S. 223-9506 A train brings your burger and shakes, and sometimes the food even falls off, which is even more fun.
(BTDT - okay, it's fun for the kids, but a real grease-bomb of a restaurant. I'm not knocking it for what it is; I didn't expect too much more.
UPDATE: I really am sorry to see this place close. So many Seattle institutions dropping like flies.)

The Original Pancake House 130 Parkplace Center, Kirkland 425-827-7575.
Be sure to show up before 8:30 a.m. on weekends. Should it be the velvety, crepe-like 49'er flapjacks, the sourdough flapjacks tasting boozily of yeast or the lacy-thin, oniony potato pancakes? Thinner-than-thin, satisfyingly chewy, Cherry Kijafa crepes, made with the sweet Danish liqueur. Using three leavening agents, the buttermilk pancake batter -- also used to create the perfect buttermilk waffle -- is prepared in this vast, infinitely well-run kitchen and proofs for 24 hours before it greets the griddle. The cakes are flipped not once, as is customary, but twice, to reverse the flow of gas and produce the most delectable pancake ever to melt in your mouth. With light, lemony hollandaise, perfectly poached eggs and a couple of fat slices of the best Canadian bacon, eggs Benedict is executed with the same careful consistency as the battered goods. Light and lemony also describes the famous Dutch Baby. Slather this house specialty with freshly whipped butter, give it a good spritz of lemon, and you won't have to ask why there's a line out the door.
(BTDT - Yeah, it was all that and a bag of chips, but not worth facing the suburban hordes. The Dutch Baby with apples was scrumptious, and the potato pancakes were superb. A good place to take the parents once a year if they don't mind the wait.)

Buongusto 2232 Queen Anne Ave N 284-9040
Friendly neighborhood Italian dining spot for consistently good southern Italian fare. The menu features some of the most reliable pastas in town. Harvey recommends. Try the seafood cioppino or the pasta with seafood, good wine -la.
(BTDT - We've been twice. The first time we were thrilled. We'd found OUR Italian restaurant. The best service we'd ever experienced in Seattle. Flavorful pasta. Delicious appetizers (the portobella!). The second time was good, don't get me wrong, but couldn't live up to the initial experience. (Kudos to our waitress, though, who turned me on to Amaretto Sours.) We'll try again, probably several more times. I want to try their risotto.
UPDATE FOR 2002: Closed. Why lord, why?)

The Wellington Tea Room 4869 Rainier Ave S 722-8571
Fleur de lis accents, gold damask upholsteries, burgundy drapes and classical music from a faux fireplace evoke the ambiance of an English manor; high tea open-faced egg salad sandwiches, oyster sandwiches, cream cheese caviar sandwiches, fresh scones with Devonshire cream, seasonal fruit, fine pastries and tea breads; $11.95 per person; reservations encouraged; noon to 9 pm Wednesdays through Fridays, 9 am to 5 pm Saturdays.
(BTDT - Very fun, but does it really qualify as a "tea" if there are no cucumber sandwiches? Maybe those are a seasonal thing. The homemade Nanaimo Bars were to die for. The tea was nice and hot and strong. The tomato slices on brown bread sprinkled with thyme were great with the tea. Prices have gone up; it was $13.95 per person for a full-on high tea, which may sound pricey but my companion and I could not finish all we were given. The coolest thing was overhearing the proprietor say that they have classes for schoolchildren there for field trips and they teach them etiquette. )

Inay's Kitchen 3201 Beacon Ave S 322-9433
This Beacon Hill cafe offers real Philippine homestyle-cooking, including such comfort food as lumpia, adobo and pancit. Open daily from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm
(AS GOOD AS CLOSED - I loved this place. A lot. Unfortunately, it has been sold and I've heard tell that the quality has plummeted. The good news is that I've also heard that the previous owners are opening a new restaurant closer to my office (Rios Bar and Grill)... I'll keep you posted.
UPDATE: This spot on Beacon Hill is now named something like Kusina's. The folks who opened Rios have also opened Inay's Kitchen in the new Uwajimaya Center, and I've heard tell that there is an Inay's Kitchen in the U-District. See Filipino link at bottom of page.)

Rios Bar and Grill 212 5th Avenue S 652-4528
(FQO - The former owners of Inay's Kitchen on Beacon Hill have opened this nicely-done breakfast, lunch, and nightclub spot. Garlic rice and longanisa for breakfast, pork inihaw or vinegar-y adobo for lunch... mmm. I do miss the lunch counter feel of Inay's, with all the food on display, and a huge vat of melon drink with a dipper on the counter. But the food is great, and the folks are friendly, and it's a two-minute walk from my office. Also see notes for Inay's Kitchen, above, and see Filipino link at bottom of page. UPDATE for 2002: under new ownership. The thrill is gone. Ernie only owns the location in Uwajimaya at this point.)

Alligator Soul 7104 Woodlawn Ave. NE 985-2303
Crab Cakes with red pepper aioli, the Crawfish Boil (usually a Sunday night special), a robust Shrimp Creole or a very fine Jambalaya.
(CLOSED - Their gumbo was the real thing: rich and full of seafood. Spendy, but worth it. The crawfish boil was just as fun, delicious, and messy as it should be, with the yummiest andouille sausage I've ever had. Let us observe a moment of silence in mourning...
AND THEN let us head up to Everett to check out their original restaurant: Alligator Soul - 2013 1/2 Hewitt Avenue - (425) 259-6311)

Plenty 1404 34th Ave 324-1214
What began as a specialty-foods grocery, with a take-out selection worthy of a Gourmet magazine cover shot, now encompasses a small adjoining cafe celebrating the pleasures of good food that is lovingly prepared and beautifully displayed. Lunch offers vibrant salads, savory soups and inventive dishes both hot and cold. At night, Plenty adds superb table service with a small menu that changes weekly and reflects the season's offerings. Chef Jim Watkins uses fresh, often organic components in such generous dishes as chicken and fennel burgoo ( a stew reflecting his Southern roots. There's a small selection of well-priced wines and big luscious desserts.
(CLOSED - I liked this place not only for the delicious food, but for its ambiance: a great combination of storefront/deli/bakery/restaurant. Service could be spotty, but if you walked in knowing that ahead of time, you were in for a great experience. I remember exemplary service on at least two occasions, though my friend Ken vowed never to return after a glacially slow breakfast. Jim Watkins has opened another restaurant on Madison called Jimmy's Table, but the reviews have been uneven. I may try it, but really it is the space I am going to miss even more than the food.)

Beach Cafe - Italian on Alki, upstairs from the teriyaki joint. Kamol recommends.
(BTDT - This would be a great place to have a perfectly done--and I really do mean perfectly done--insalata mista on a beautiful summer's night, watching the sun set over the water. The pastas were not exceptional, however, and the plastic chairs were plastic. Still a nice spot.
UPDATE 2001: Went back and tried the salad, which was not as perfectly dressed this time; and the pasta arrabiata, which was better than remembered.)

Maharaja - Indian in West Seattle. Kamol says it's delicious but to beware the smoke from the bar
(BTDT - It's open later than anything else in West Seattle, which is good, but as a destination Indian restaurant I didn't find it worthwhile.)

Chinoise Cafe 12 Boston St. 284-6671
If your Asian-food cravings are eclectic and insatiable, walk into the sushi bar-centered Chinoise Cafe, where the handsome Japanese interior design belies the decidedly non-Nippon name and neither hints at the fact that you can order kimchi with your sukiyaki, ebi with your kalbi, andVietnamese salad roll with your Chinoise Fun Bowl. (there's one on Queen Anne & one on Madison near Cafe Flora.)
(BTDT - My sweetheart had a vegetarian yakisoba, my dad had the garlic prawns, my mom had the green curry chicken, I had nabeyaki udon, and we shared edamame, potstickers, and a sushi roll. Everything was good, but not outstanding (and by outstanding, I mean where you take your first bite and your eyes get wide and you think to yourself "I'm definitely coming back here!"). My soup had the right elements, but the broth was lacklustre. The green curry was wonderfully flavoured. The prawns were good, but the potstickers were unwieldy and fell apart (too big). Amusingly enough, the edamame were the most impressive item. Enough salt, not mushy, and obviously very fresh. The fried bananas with coconut ice cream (Danken's ice cream, not house-made) were delicious, but the batter on the bananas was simply too rich after several bites. I do think that spreading around their talents on so many different types of Asian cuisine causes their quality overall to go down. The best nabeyaki udon I've ever had was in a Japanese place on the Pike Place Hillclimb which I believe has gone out of business. Sigh.
UPDATE 6/26/2001: Chinoise has opened in the new Uwajimaya complex, and a friend and I went there for lunch today. Holy cow, their sushi is expensive, but worth every delectable bite. The fresh salmon melted in my mouth, the spicy tuna roll was perfect, the salmon-skin hand roll was savory goodness, and, don't laugh, the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Roll was one of the best taste sensations I've ever experienced with sushi. Please order it. It was beautiful, and contained a leaf which imparted an intriguingly wonderful flavor (shiso leaf, I think, after doing a bit of research online.))

Hollyhock Bakery - On 15th East; very good apple pie, amazingg chocolate rollup cake thingies. Simply Desserts has better cake overall, though.
(CLOSED - Oh, the pain. There is a new bakery in its place. Once the appropriate grieving period is over, I will check out the interloper.)
(UPDATE!!! They merely relocated, all is not lost! Look for them now at 2711 East Madison.)

Canton Wonton House 608 S. Weller St. 682-5080
Sometimes, all you need - or want - is noodles. And that's about all that's available (save a side order of bok choy with oyster sauce, or a warm Chinese doughnut). Snack or serious sustenance, breakfast, lunch or dinner, I'm always game for Hong Kong Style soup noodles (served here in 30 guises). But you may prefer your soup deconstructed, and they serve it that way, too (with the noodles on a plate, broth on the side).
(FQO - Mmm, egg noodles with soup on the side. These folks do it right, and they're friendly to boot. The beef brisket is especially yummy and tender, and the broth is very good. The vegetables are overcooked and flavorless, but hell, I'm not going for the vegetables. NOT to be confused with the Canton Noodle house over on 12th near Jackson.
UPDATE: I don't hit this place as often as I used to. I think its status has dropped to BTDT if only because there are so many great places to get noodles in the ID.)

Green Village 721 S King, 624-3634
Moderate. Peking/Szechuan. Also, one of the few places in Seattle serving real Taiwanese food. Closed Sun-Tues.
(CLOSED - Never even got to try it.)

ARO.space - Trendy as all hell, but good reviews for great-sounding all-veggie menu (Under new ownership as of 2000......)
(CLOSED - Never even got to try it.)

Al Boccalino 1 Yesler Way, 622-7688
Moderate-expensive. Reservations sometimes difficult. Definitely the best Italian food in town, with an un-stuffy atmosphere. Noisy. Closed Sundays.
(BTDT - I've been twice for lunch, once for dinner. It is a lovely space, and the gnocchi bolognese is delicious. Their insalata mista is not as good as The Beach Cafe. Overall I still prefer Buongusto, although I have yet to try Nell's.... And just for the record, the most sublime bolognese I have encountered thus far was at Basta Pasta in Northwest Portland.... )

Top Gun Seafood Restaurant 668 S King St 623-6606
A rare Chinese restaurant that makes no concessions to American tastes. Here you'll find working-people's food the way it's prepared in China. For example, pork hock cooked to a fare-thee-well, strained, rolled, chilled and served with vinegar and red-pepper paste. More familiar dishes: prawns and squid sautéed with bok choy; sweet-and-sour spareribs; ginger crab; steamed Chinese broccoli. Uncommonly well prepared. Easy to spot at lunch: lines frequently form outside as patrons wait for a midday dim sum break.
(FQO - This has eclipsed Ocean City as my regular dim sum spot in the International District (although friends have told me the quality is inconsistent). The only place I've ever seen large plates of fresh greens offered for dim sum. What they lack in terms of Ocean City's squid with garlic, they more than make up for by offering that and the mochi balls stuffed with pork.)

Racha - New Thai/noodle house on Lower Queen Anne
(BTDT - I had high hopes for this place. It is owned by the same guy who owns The King and I in Bellevue, where I worked my way through most of the menu when I worked on the Eastside in the eighties. Back then, his phad thai was just awesome: not too sweet, not pink, with some mystery ingredient that I crave on a regular basis (maybe pickled cabbage?). But I've been to Racha twice, and while it was perfectly good, it did not knock my socks off, and the phad thai was not the same.)

Ambrosia - International District. You haven't lived until you've tried black pearl milk tea!
(FQO - I'm pretty loyal to Ambrosia, although Champion Gourmet from the Great Wall Mall in Kent would probably get all my business if they opened a branch in the International District. The above link is sorely out of date; as of Fall 2001, there are lots of places to get pearl tea in the ID, plus Gingko Tea has opened in the University District, and there's even a walk-up window serving pearl tea down on Pike Street just steps away from Pike Place Market.)

Fasica Ethiopian Restaurant - 3808 S Edmunds St in Columbia City
(FQO - So far, our favorite Ethiopian spot. I'm in the middle of compiling all our comments about Seattle African restaurants--see link below. I want to try them all!)

La Medusa 4857 Rainier Ave S. 723-2192
"Sicilian Soul Food," proclaims the menu. Located in Columbia City, an old-town-styled area with three-globe lampposts and brick walkways, this 36-seat storefront has been packed with patrons. Chefs set out to create their own "favorite restaurant." At the urging of a New York chef, they used stacks of the chef's Sicilian grandmother's recipes.
(BTDT - We've given it two tries, and while the pasta was good, the space is uncomfortably loud and crowded. We're really glad Columbia City has a terrific local Italian spot, but we don't find it necessary to go out of our way to eat there again.)

Fortune City 664 S King St. 292-4837
How about a steaming, sumptuous plate of healthy gai-lan? Or maybe some short ribs or salt-and-pepper cod, perhaps? A superb Chinese restaurant that stays open till 2am on weekdays and till 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
(BTDT - I come here maybe every month or so, but only for lunch. There are plenty of other Chinese places which deserve my dinner dollars more. Their Shredded Duck Noodles with the soup on the side are very good, the noodles being almost as good as those served up by Sea Garden, and terrifically economical. Their salt & pepper squid got the thumbs up from a companion, but I've had much better elsewhere.)

Taqueria Guaymas 1622 Southwest Roxbury Street 767-4026
Often in Seattle, the Mexican fare tends toward the shredded lettuce and giant margarita variety, but tucked away in an Hispanic neighborhood is possibly the most authentic spot in the region. Prawns are featured prominently in the most special offerings like the cotel de camarones (a blend of prawns, avocado, tomatoes, and cilantro). The fresh chile rellenos are hot to go.
(BTDT - Eh. I already have my favorite burritos: Gorditos, and soft tacos: Burrito Loco. I should try the shrimp cocktail someday. And I should tell my sweetie about the chile rellenos. I will. Eventually. I'll post it here if this place winds up in "Not to be Missed" terroritory.)

Vieng Thong - Laotian food, MLK Jr Way and McClellan
(FQO - We go as often as we can; so should you. Laotion food is just enough like Thai to provide a similar depth of flavors, but offers some interesting twists. The sticky rice is a major difference. Served in intricately woven little baskets, you gingerly scoop a mound out with your fingers, then mold lumps of it into bite-size morsels to dip into their incredible eggplant/green bean curry (gaeng phet #40) or the dressing on their green papaya salad (som tum #20 - it's the best I've ever had). Their noodle dishes are rather sweet, and don't have the same consistency as Thai noodles; I've felt ambivalent about them. But their whole-fish preparations are wonderful. Their rice alone is reason enough to head there on a regular basis. I've had crummy Laotion in Portland, and disappointing sticky rice at Racha, so as far as I'm concerned, Vieng Thong sets the standard. Look, I'm not the only one who thinks so: Seattle Times Review and ColorsNW Review (scroll down))

Assaggio 2010 4th Avenue 441-1399
Voted Seattle’s Best Italian Restaurant in 1997 by a Seattle Weekly readers' poll, Assaggio Ristorante’s refreshing Northern Italian cuisine is complemented by a warm and attentive staff. Try fresh Northwest seafood, savory pasta or tender meats while enjoying the romantic ambience.
(BTDT - Had simply a lovely dinner here, and expect to return, but there are so many other Italian places on my list to try that it may take a while. Every appetizer was heaven in the mouth: spinach with lemon and pinenuts, the prawns, and the marinated portobella. My spaghetti Bolognese was rich and delicious, and worth ordering again, although it could not measure up to my favorite version at Basta's in Portland. Both my dinner companions were very happy with their orders. I don't know how the ceilings can be so high and yet the atmosphere can seem so intimate, or how the room can be so full of the bustle and noise of happy patrons and yet we all had no problem conversing and making ourselves heard. The staff was incredibly friendly, polished, and accomodating. These are all aspects of a restaurant which normally don't leave a mark on me, which only goes to prove what a lovely experience it truly was.)

Green Cat Café 1514 E Olive Way 726-8756
The Green Cat serves one of the best breakfasts and weekend brunches in town(and now the kitchen simply stays open late and they offer dinner five nights a week (Wed-Sun). The Green Cat salad, with roasted potatoes, mozzarella, and green beans in a poppy dressing is a keeper, as is the Buddha Plate - vegetables in a green curry sauce over brown rice. Noteworthy dinners: pan-Asian portobello mushrooms marinated in hoisin sauce, linguini puttanesca, and pho noodles in mirin broth and shredded vegetables. It's an eclectic menu, nothing's fancy, but there's a relaxed, casual atmosphere and it's very affordable.
(UPDATE 2002: Closed. Too bad. I only made it there once, for breakfast. The dinners sounded so good.)

Buen Gusto 85th and 3rd 784-4699
Salvadoran-inspired seafood, savory stews, finger-lickin' burritos. A home-style, mom 'n' pop shop, owned and operated by the Irahetas (their original Salvadoran restaurant, Rico's on Aurora, was sold). Pupusa: Marisol's chubby, greasy-good, handmade cornmeal tortillas sandwich with choice of filling (meat, veg, cheese or combo). If it "needs something" (the pork did, the zucchini-and-cheese didn't), use mild tomato salsa served with your chips. Calamares fritos yucatecos: Chili-spiked flour lightly coats tender fried squidlets. A bit of mayo creamifies the spoon-worthy tomatillo salsa. Deep-fried yucca (like steak fries, but sweeter and better). Majarra frita: a whole crunchy-fried tilapia served with grilled onions, peppers and tomatoes.
(BTDT-Maybe I ordered too many of the suggestions above at one time, but I had an experience with grease-overload. The calamares and the yucca fries were good, but I don't feel any need to go back for dinner. They had a dessert on the menu, though, that involved bananas.... So it's going to get another try.)
(UPDATE 2002: Closed. And I never made it back for the bananas! There's a 99 cent taqueria in its place.)

 

 

Related Links:

Our office rates Vietnamese Restaurants

Our office rates Pearl Milk Tea flavors

My under-construction page for Seattle's African restaurants

My under-construction page for Seattle's Chinese restaurants

A personal Seattle Ethiopian restaurant review site

Filipino food in Seattle

Another personal Seattle restaurant review site (defunct?)

Diane's list for LA

Chowhound

eGullet

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