16. Ray's Boathouse
6049 Seaview Avenue NW
Seattle, WA
(206) 782-0094
See attached silly video for a quick shot of Ray’s location. If a tourist wants to know where to go for “good seafood”, I always send them here. Rays consists of two parts: the downstairs is a formal dining room right on the water, literally. We have had several great experiences here, but I would save it for a special event. The lower dining room is very quiet, has consistently great service, amazing views and fantastic quality seafood. Request a table by the window for sure. Upstairs is the café which is more casual but still reliably good – you’ll get more families and big groups here. If you are following my advice, though, you’ll sit in the bar. They have a good happy hour but it is often VERY busy. People wait hours to sit out on the deck, but chances are that you will wait two hours to get out there and you’ll likely need one of the blankets they provide with the breeze coming off the ocean. I usually squeeze in with a group of people at a long table and am happily munching on smoked salmon skewers in a pineapple ring hours before people ever get sat outside.
17. Wild Ginger
1401 3rd Avenue
Seattle, WA
(206) 623-4450
Oh Ginger – I love you. I have been to this famous Seattle staple many, many times and never get tired of it. Perfect for a business lunch, romantic date, last stop on a late night out, happy hour in the bar, or for a family birthday dinner; this Asian-fusion will not disappoint. I would definitely dress up if you go here – the ambiance is formal, but the menu is approachable. Start with some selections from the satay bar and if you’re in the mood, order a mango daiquiri – they’re my favorite. Ankor Wat chicken and a side of baby bok choy are other favored choices of mine. This is a sure bet for any special occasion, but make sure to bookhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif a reservation any night of the week.
18. How to Cook a Wolf
2208 Queen Anne Ave N.
Seattle, WA
(206) 838-8090
Now that they take reservations, you won’t have to wait in line so long to get in but I still suggest you go on a week night because the space is quite crowded and it may seem a more intimate and relaxed if you aren’t jammed in. However, this place is so popular now that it will likely be busy any night of the week. Don’t worry – it’s worth it! Featuring Northwest/Italian cuisine, there are some interesting items on the menu. Actually, the best thing we received was an accident from the server – she made a mistake and brought us a fennel salad that we wouldn’t have ordinarily ordered but it was fabulous. For this reason, and because the menu is unique, definitely engage the server and ask for suggestions. The menu features a lot of animal protein and may be a little challenging for veggies but I definitely found things to eat and always have a great time. The space has a lot of energy and achieves a casual but distinguished ambiance.
19. Black Bottle
2600 1st Ave
Seattle, WA
(206) 441-1500
I’m just going to tell you what to order:
Broccoli Blasted
Brie Leek French-Country Pesto Flatbread
Roasted Tomato Caprese
Prosecco Rose Valdo
Two people, date night, you’re done. Candle-light, industrial interior, hipster servers – how much more Seattle can you get? This place is crazybusy so bring your patience, put your name on the list, and squeeze in at the bar with some new friends while you’re waiting for a table.
20. Umi Sushi
2230 1st Avenue
Seattle, WA
(206) 374-8717
There is a ton of good sushi in Seattle of course, but Umi is one of our favorites. The space is unique and grandiose, the fish is high quality and the menu is enormous. For best value, catch happy hour (4-8 every day in the bar and “front porch” and late night 11-1). What you do is order a drink and some basic rolls for $5 and $4 respectively and then splurge on the regular menu with some fancy sashimi or a unique roll: Yellow Fever or 007…yum. Umi also has a great private party room that I’ve held events in before. It’s a great space for 6-15 people and all you have to do is call and reserve it. Other Seattle sushi favorites I want to mention include (Wallingford), Nijo (downtown – amazing happy hour), and Kisaku (Tangletown – very traditional).
And that’s it for Seattle for now! As I said before, these are not necessarily the “best” or most famous restaurants in the city, but rather my personal favorites after much research and experience through the years. These are the places I crave and frequent on a regular basis; that I find reliable and unique. There are many, many runners up so if you have any questions or need more suggestions, feel free to ask! Off the top of my head: Pink Door, Steelhead Diner, Capitol Grille, Purple, Fado, 5-Spot (breakfast), Tutta Bella, Barrio, Snooze Junction, Pho Than Brothers, and Café Solstice.
And lastly, some restaurant tips I always abide by:
Good behavior invites good service
Go out on week-nights instead of weekends
Be patient and understanding. Restaurants go on waits for a reason:they are awesome!
Order the unusual – explore and experience new foods
Be responsible when tipping and splitting checks at the end of the evening
August 27, 2011
August 13, 2011
Favorite Seattle International Cuisine
11. Tup Tim Thai
118 W Mercer St
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 281-8833
Our favorite Thai food in all of Seattle, despite the many, many excellent choices available. Close runners up include Thai Toms in the U District and Jai Thai in Fremont, but Tup Tim beats them both on service and comfort and always wins our hearts as we have become close friends with Nat who works almost every day. He is a joker and if you ask where the bathroom is and he tells you to go outside and around the block, don’t listen to him (we’ve seen this happen!) The Pad Thai is a sure bet here, but think outside the box and order our favorites:
Fresh rolls
Order #28 (chicken with green beans in peanut sauce)
Side of brown rice
Curry (any kind is amazing!)
Tell them Ginger says Hi! And, don’t forget that they are closed on Sunday nights – we always try to go and get sad when we remember.
12.Viet Ahn
372 Roy St
Seattle, WA 98109
I’ve reviewd this Viet Anh on becomingginger before because it is the best Pho in Seattle! They use unique spices and their broth is not too salty. I always order a “small tofu and veggie Pho” and Trevor orders “medium spicy chicken”. I do recommend the small size, especially if you want to start with a veggie or shrimp fresh roll (which we always do). This is a small, family restaurant that we should support as a community. Be careful, however, because the parking in this neighborhood is very rough since it is right next to the Seattle Center and it’s really easy to get a ticket.
13.Snappy Dragon
8917 Roosevelt Way Northeast
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 528-5575
Snappy is the only Chinese Food we’ll eat in Seattle (which is not known, by the way, for its Chinese food but Judy Fu helps change that). We’ve been going here for years, but always go with patience because they go on very long waits almost every night – for good reason. You must order the Curry Chow Fun. It is this delicious noodle dish loaded with veggies that has a nice, subtle curry flavor. The portions are HUGE, so you really only need to have 1 dish per 2 people. If you are part of a bigger party (they have these great big, round tables), you have to order the Jao Zhi which only come in order so 15. Judy Fu is in the back making them by hand and they are absolutely delicious and one of the many reasons we come here again and again. The final reason: the drinks! They have the best deal around on good wine and cocktails. I must recommend the “Woo-Woo” which I had a couple weeks ago – delicious!
14.Panos Kleftiko-Greek Taverna
815 5th Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109-3907
(206) 301-0393
Nestled at the base of Taylor Ave in Queen Anne between Crow and the Great Nabob, you will be lucky if you can find this place open! The owner is almost always “Gone Fishing” or “In Greece”, but if you can get in, it is well worth the wait. The owner will greet you, tell you what to order, and then cook it for you. The food is fresh and dependably good. This place is fun on a date or in a big group and it definitely has an authentic feel that is hard to find.
15.Saffron
2132 N Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98133
Saffron is one of my favorites of all time in Seattle and we go there about once a month. We used to haunt Cedars in the U-district which goes on a 2 hour wait every night, so we got to be friends with the grumpy man who ran the wait list. The spinach naan was epic, so we would regularly wait for hours to get in just to have it. When the Berkshire Grill up in Northgate next to the Nexus Hotel finally changed over to Saffron a couple years ago, we figured we’d give it a try and when we walked in, there was the door man from Cedars! Mohammed actually owned Cedars and now is the owner of Saffron and greets us with a hug and kiss on the cheek when we walk in. He runs the place with an iron fist and keeps all servers and staff on their toes. I can tell that his high standards extend to the food and atmosphere and contribute to the high energy and success of this restaurant. Saffron is very busy, like Cedars, so try sitting in the bar during Happy Hour for the best deals and shortest wait. If you do nothing else, order the Spinach Naan. You also can't go wrong with any curry - we've worked our way through them all by now I belive!
118 W Mercer St
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 281-8833
Our favorite Thai food in all of Seattle, despite the many, many excellent choices available. Close runners up include Thai Toms in the U District and Jai Thai in Fremont, but Tup Tim beats them both on service and comfort and always wins our hearts as we have become close friends with Nat who works almost every day. He is a joker and if you ask where the bathroom is and he tells you to go outside and around the block, don’t listen to him (we’ve seen this happen!) The Pad Thai is a sure bet here, but think outside the box and order our favorites:
Fresh rolls
Order #28 (chicken with green beans in peanut sauce)
Side of brown rice
Curry (any kind is amazing!)
Tell them Ginger says Hi! And, don’t forget that they are closed on Sunday nights – we always try to go and get sad when we remember.
12.Viet Ahn
372 Roy St
Seattle, WA 98109
I’ve reviewd this Viet Anh on becomingginger before because it is the best Pho in Seattle! They use unique spices and their broth is not too salty. I always order a “small tofu and veggie Pho” and Trevor orders “medium spicy chicken”. I do recommend the small size, especially if you want to start with a veggie or shrimp fresh roll (which we always do). This is a small, family restaurant that we should support as a community. Be careful, however, because the parking in this neighborhood is very rough since it is right next to the Seattle Center and it’s really easy to get a ticket.
13.Snappy Dragon
8917 Roosevelt Way Northeast
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 528-5575
Snappy is the only Chinese Food we’ll eat in Seattle (which is not known, by the way, for its Chinese food but Judy Fu helps change that). We’ve been going here for years, but always go with patience because they go on very long waits almost every night – for good reason. You must order the Curry Chow Fun. It is this delicious noodle dish loaded with veggies that has a nice, subtle curry flavor. The portions are HUGE, so you really only need to have 1 dish per 2 people. If you are part of a bigger party (they have these great big, round tables), you have to order the Jao Zhi which only come in order so 15. Judy Fu is in the back making them by hand and they are absolutely delicious and one of the many reasons we come here again and again. The final reason: the drinks! They have the best deal around on good wine and cocktails. I must recommend the “Woo-Woo” which I had a couple weeks ago – delicious!
14.Panos Kleftiko-Greek Taverna
815 5th Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109-3907
(206) 301-0393
Nestled at the base of Taylor Ave in Queen Anne between Crow and the Great Nabob, you will be lucky if you can find this place open! The owner is almost always “Gone Fishing” or “In Greece”, but if you can get in, it is well worth the wait. The owner will greet you, tell you what to order, and then cook it for you. The food is fresh and dependably good. This place is fun on a date or in a big group and it definitely has an authentic feel that is hard to find.
15.Saffron
2132 N Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98133
Saffron is one of my favorites of all time in Seattle and we go there about once a month. We used to haunt Cedars in the U-district which goes on a 2 hour wait every night, so we got to be friends with the grumpy man who ran the wait list. The spinach naan was epic, so we would regularly wait for hours to get in just to have it. When the Berkshire Grill up in Northgate next to the Nexus Hotel finally changed over to Saffron a couple years ago, we figured we’d give it a try and when we walked in, there was the door man from Cedars! Mohammed actually owned Cedars and now is the owner of Saffron and greets us with a hug and kiss on the cheek when we walk in. He runs the place with an iron fist and keeps all servers and staff on their toes. I can tell that his high standards extend to the food and atmosphere and contribute to the high energy and success of this restaurant. Saffron is very busy, like Cedars, so try sitting in the bar during Happy Hour for the best deals and shortest wait. If you do nothing else, order the Spinach Naan. You also can't go wrong with any curry - we've worked our way through them all by now I belive!
August 5, 2011
Most Frequented (Review 9 and 10)
9. Café Ladro
600 Queen Anne Avenue North, Seattle
(206) 282-1549
There are many, many places to get coffee in Seattle, but this is my personal favorite. The one on lower Queen Anne is the best, followed by the one on top Queen Anne, the one in Fremont, and the one on the Waterfront. The rotating collection of colorful and imaginative local art on the walls will keep you entertained in line as you await a soy latte or chai tea (try ½ sweet, ½ spicy). Baristas sometimes appear to have just woken up, but once you get to know them, they will remember your order forever and can keep you updated on Seattle gossip daily.
10. Pesos
605 Queen Anne Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 283-9353
Dear Pesos, i have known you well for many years. You are among the most loved and simultaneously despised restaurants in Seattle, yet your controversy keeps you interesting. Your food is dependably good, your happy hour is amazing, the servers and bartenders will know you by name, and the atmosphere can't be beat...if you can get in and get a seat. There is a reason this place is busy from 9 am – 2 am seven days a week: the food is authentic, spicy and delivered quickly, the drinks are high quality and made by bartenders everyone in the city knows by name, the staff is good looking and hard-working, and they have so many regulars it’s like its own little community right at the base of Queen Anne hill. Let me tell you how to have an enjoyable time here: 1. Go before 10 am for breakfast, between 1 and 3 for lunch, and after 8 pm for dinner to avoid long waits. Do not go ever past midnight because you will likely be frustrated with the crowd and it can be difficult to get a drink or a place to stand. Pesos has a consistently loud, fast-paced environment, but is also beautiful, romantic and very fun so go with a polite and patient attitude and I'm sure you will be treated well.
600 Queen Anne Avenue North, Seattle
(206) 282-1549
There are many, many places to get coffee in Seattle, but this is my personal favorite. The one on lower Queen Anne is the best, followed by the one on top Queen Anne, the one in Fremont, and the one on the Waterfront. The rotating collection of colorful and imaginative local art on the walls will keep you entertained in line as you await a soy latte or chai tea (try ½ sweet, ½ spicy). Baristas sometimes appear to have just woken up, but once you get to know them, they will remember your order forever and can keep you updated on Seattle gossip daily.
10. Pesos
605 Queen Anne Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 283-9353
Dear Pesos, i have known you well for many years. You are among the most loved and simultaneously despised restaurants in Seattle, yet your controversy keeps you interesting. Your food is dependably good, your happy hour is amazing, the servers and bartenders will know you by name, and the atmosphere can't be beat...if you can get in and get a seat. There is a reason this place is busy from 9 am – 2 am seven days a week: the food is authentic, spicy and delivered quickly, the drinks are high quality and made by bartenders everyone in the city knows by name, the staff is good looking and hard-working, and they have so many regulars it’s like its own little community right at the base of Queen Anne hill. Let me tell you how to have an enjoyable time here: 1. Go before 10 am for breakfast, between 1 and 3 for lunch, and after 8 pm for dinner to avoid long waits. Do not go ever past midnight because you will likely be frustrated with the crowd and it can be difficult to get a drink or a place to stand. Pesos has a consistently loud, fast-paced environment, but is also beautiful, romantic and very fun so go with a polite and patient attitude and I'm sure you will be treated well.
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