Seattle: Food Heaven

By Connie Adams

Your dining guide to Midwinter 2013

Posted Wed, 01/02/2013 - 07:26

Seattle offers an amazing food culture. In this guide, we’ve highlighted restaurants near the convention center as well as ones worth a short walk/taxi/bus ride. We’ve also indicated which spots are good for a few folks and those that may be better for a big gang, as well as price ranges. To help you narrow your choices, visit the concierge desk at the Washington State Convention Center or check out visitseattle.org.

Note: Though most vegetarian-only restaurants are outside of the downtown area, almost every restaurant offers vegetarian options.

Price Guide

Average price per person for entrée without appetizer, drinks, tax, or tip.

$: under $10
$$: $10–$20
$$$: $21–$30
$$$$: $30 and up

 

Downtown and Close to the Convention Center

Andaluca 206-382-6999 andaluca.com
407 Olive Way, Seattle
Located in the Euro-style Mayflower Park Hotel, Andaluca provides an elegant atmosphere. Colors are muted, and booths and tables are fairly private. The Mediterranean menu includes tapas (must-tries include the mini crab tower and the beef skewer with ValdeÓn cheese) and full meals. More than 80% of the menu is gluten-free.

B, D daily $$$

Good for small groups

 

Barolo Ristorante 206-770-9000 baroloseattle.com
1940 Westlake Ave., Seattle
Barolo is cool and sophisticated yet has classic Italian touches, among them, house-made butternut squash ravioli, ragù Bolognese, and red wine risotto with wild boar sausage. A communal table is available for large groups or those who like to mingle. There’s also a semiprivate room for smaller groups. Other menu offerings include handmade pasta, delicious sauces, antipasti, grilled meat and seafood, and a full bar.

L, D daily $$$$

Good for small and larger groups

 

Blueacre Seafood 206-659-0737 blueacreseafood.com
1700 Seventh Ave., Seattle
Blueacre offers a wide selection of seafood from US coastal waters and carefully chosen, sustainably farmed freshwater species. The American theme includes meats, poultry, game, vegetables, and artisanal cheeses. Sit and enjoy the oyster bar with some crisp American wine from vineyards throughout the West Coast and elsewhere. A relaxed space with food from Chef Kevin Davis—you’ll want to return again and again.

L, D daily $$$

Good for small and large groups

 

Blue C Sushi 206-467-4022 bluecsushi.com
1510 Seventh Ave., Seattle
Blue C Sushi is great tasting and fun—there’s nothing like watching food revolve on the conveyor belt and getting to choose exactly what you want—fresh nigiri sushi, rolls, salmon roe, and more. Don’t see what you’re craving? Hit the blue button and someone will take care of your request right away.

L, D daily $$

Good for small groups

 

Dahlia Bakery 206-441-4540 tomdouglas.com/restaurants/dahlia-bakery
2001 Fourth Ave., Seattle
This tiny spot next door to the Dahlia Lounge turns out big flavors. Most well known is the triple coconut cream pie, but you will love the artisan breads and handmade pastries and cakes baked daily in small batches. This is all takeout; grab your pastry, sandwich, or soup, and enjoy.

B, L, early D daily $

Takeout

 

Dragonfish Asian Café 206-467-7777 dragonfishcafe.com
722 Pine St., Seattle
Pan-Asian food can be colorful and comfortable. Juxtaposed to the Paramount Hotel, there is a hip and energetic theater crowd. Among the items on the menu: great bento boxes, dim sum happy hour, caramel ginger chicken, asparagus and ­shiitake fried rice. The bar is small and always full. There are some nice big booths for spreading out or sharing with lots of friends.

B, L, D, late night daily $

Good for small and large groups

 

FAR-EATS 206-770-EATS (3287) geogychacko.com
2301 Fifth Ave., Ste. 101, Seattle
Craving something different or just want a great-tasting meal? Far-Eats is your spot. Owner/Chef Geogy Chacko takes traditional dishes and gives them his own twist. Try a lamb burger with Masala fries, goat chili, thali lunch plates, curried mussels, coconut lobster tail, vegetarian dishes, and more. Indian ­tables, a bright orange wall, and plenty of windows. About five blocks from the convention center.

L, D daily $–$$

Good for small and large groups

Four small but also quick/inexpensive spots on the same block are also owned by Geogy: Beba’s Deli, Dos Amigos, Belltown Burger, 3 Asian. Good for small groups or takeout. $

 

Fonté Café and Wine Bar 206-777-6193 cafefonte.com
1321 First Ave., Seattle
Fonté Café has been roasting top-of-the-line coffee in Georgetown for years. Now it has a European bistro-style café across from the Seattle Art Museum that offers, of course, its very own coffee (try the sage latte). The full bar features old- and new-world wines—and even beer giraffes (96 ounces of beer dispensed at your table to keep it cold). Sandwiches are prepared on house-made bread. Menu selections include pizza, salad, pasta.

B, L, D daily $$

Good for small groups

 

icon Grill 206-441-6330 icongrill.com
1933 Fifth Ave., Seattle
Despite its size and the amazing amount of colored glass fixtures and shades of paint used throughout this restaurant, it manages to be inviting and almost cozy. A wooden stairway leads up to a private dining room. The full bar is on the main floor. Northwest comfort food taken a step up offers some interesting choices, like the fried mac and cheese and Dungeness crab risotto.

L, D daily $$$

Good for small and large groups

 

Le Pichet 206-256-1499 lepichetseattle.com
1933 First Ave., Seattle Downtown
This casual and friendly Parisian restaurant will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, not to mention full. You’ll think you’re in Paris without the airfare. I love the smell of café au lait in the morning. Le Pichet is famous for its whole-roasted chicken—just be aware that it takes a while to cook, and it’s best if you order it at the time you make your reservations. Wonderful cheeses as well—check out the blackboard for daily specials.

B, L, D, late night daily $$

Good for small groups

 

Metropolitan Grill 206-624-3287 themetropolitangrill.com
820 Second Ave., Seattle
Whether it’s a power lunch during business hours or a night out on the town with your sweetie, the Met provides a swankiness that’s rare here, with some of the finest steaks and seafood in town. A few of the desserts are addictive, such as the chocolate lava (filled with house-made caramel and milk chocolate ganache) and cherries jubilee (flambéed tableside and served with Madagascar vanilla ice cream). The peppercorn Prime New York with a black pepper crust and green pepper demi-glace is fabulous. If you’re going all out, just order the Maine lobster tail.

L (M–F), D daily $$$$

Good for small and large groups

 

MOD Pizza 206-332-0200 modpizza.com
One Union Square, 1302 Sixth Ave., Seattle
Looking for a quick, inexpensive meal but don’t want to sacrifice quality? Head to MOD (made on demand) for a $6.88 pizza. Place your order at the counter, and the pizza cooks in two minutes in their hot, hot oven. Add a salad, soda, milkshake, beer, or wine and you’ve got yourself a great meal.

L, D (closed Sunday) $

Good for small groups or takeout

 

O’Asian Kitchen & Lounge 206-264-1789 oasiankitchen.com
800 Fifth Ave., Seattle Downtown
Located on the plaza level of one of downtown’s tall buildings (six blocks from the convention center), O’Asian is sophisticated and urban. Menu items come from various Chinese regions and range from wasabi prawns to Kobe style beef and spicy jade tofu. Sauces are excellent. Dim sum offered daily. No MSG used. Full bar. Lovely banquet rooms. It’s a must while you’re in town. On a budget? Go for happy hour, where nice-size portions are $5–$7: steamed shrimp balls, fried calamari with a hint of jalapeño, and potstickers (best in town).

Dim sum, L, D daily $$

Good for small and large groups

 

Purple Café & Wine Bar Seattle 206-829-2280 thepurplecafe.com
1225 Fourth Ave., Seattle
Purple offers great wine-food pairings, a spiral staircase surrounding the wine “cellar,” and a downtown feel. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the business lunch crowd and the pre-theater evening crowd. Appetizers are the focus here: Gorgonzola-stuffed dates, braised beets with mint yogurt, and pumpkin seeds. There’s also a wide assortment of cheeses to go with your wine. Want just a sample? Order a selection of three cheeses from the chef’s cheese flight.

L, D daily $$–$$$

Good for small and large groups

 

Serious Pie 206-838-7388 tomdouglas.com/restaurants/serious-pie
316 Virginia St., Seattle
It’s not big, but it’s warm and welcoming. Wooden window frames, stone tiles, and wheat sheaves add to the charm. Tables generally seat from six to eight and are shared by all who come in. Pizzas are cooked in an applewood-burning oven and have toppings like mozzarella and fontina cheese, caramelized onions, Kalamata olives, spinach, and much more. The menu changes daily. Beer and wine available.

L, D daily $$

Good for small groups

 

Wild Ginger Seattle 206-623-4450 wildginger.net
1401 Third Ave., Seattle
Wild Ginger features Asian fusion and a waiting list that can be days long. Make your reservations now. Bars on two levels provide plenty of room for drinking and eating. The main dining room hosts popular large wooden booths. Spices, sauces, and flavors you didn’t know ­existed keep you coming back for more. Their satays are amazing: ­Saigon Scallop, Young Mountain Lamb. They come with a small square of rice and the best pickles ever.

L (M–Sat), D daily $$

Good for small and large groups.

 

Only in Seattle

We have the longest-running farmers’ market in the country, and it’s within walking distance of the ­convention center. You could eat here at a different spot each day and not hit them all. Here are a few you shouldn’t miss:

Athenian Inn 206-624-7166 athenianinn.com
1517 Pike St., Seattle
Some scenes from Sleepless in Seattle were filmed here. Open since 1909, the view of Elliott Bay with the Olympic Mountains rising in the distance is spectacular. Seafood is the specialty, although there are many other choices. Penn Cove mussels are a ­local treat, or try the sourdough bowl of chowder. Large beer selection at the full bar. For breakfast, check out the eggs Benedict or the homemade corned beef hash.

B, L, early D daily $$

Good for small and large groups

 

Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar 206-448-7721 emmettwatsonsoysterbar.com
1916 Pike Place, Seattle
This oyster bar is tucked away at the back of a building next to an outdoor patio. Oyster bars are all over the city, but this was Seattle’s first when it was opened more than 30 years ago. Oysters are always fresh, reasonably priced, and go great with one of the cold beers on hand. Fish-and-chips also gets high marks.

L, D daily $$

Good for small groups

 

Pink Door 206-443-3241 thepinkdoor.net
1919 Post Alley, Seattle
Entering from Post Alley through, yes, a pink door, a steep stairway sends you into a dining room 20 feet below. A second dining area and lounge lie beyond. What sets it apart? The entertainment: burlesque, a trapeze artist above diners’ heads in the main dining room. This Italian-American menu offers rigatoni and Mama’s Meatballs—and these really are a mama’s recipe, and have been offered from day one. The chef is exceptional with seafood, so don’t overlook the scampi or the fish of the day.

L (M–Sat), D daily $$

Good for small and large groups

 

Steelhead Diner 206-625-0129 steelheaddiner.com
95 Pine St., Seattle
Counter seats right in front of the kitchen, booths, plain tables—very diner. Yet the food is all your favorites brought up to date—seafood, pasta, burgers. Plus all the things you’d expect from Chef Kevin Davis: collard greens and an “honest bowl of chili.” Full bar. View of the market and Elliott Bay. Don’t miss the caviar pie, gumbo, chowder, or the Theo Chocolate pecan pie. Or the crispy chicken spring rolls—it’s all good!

L, D daily $$–$$$

Good for small and large groups

 

Only in Seattle—restaurants outside of the Market

FareStart 206-443-1233 farestart.org
Seventh Ave. and Virginia, Seattle
People sometimes need another chance in life, and that’s what FareStart provides. Homeless and disadvantaged individuals work with professionals who teach them cooking skills by creating lunch buffets of soups, freshly baked breads, salads, entrées, and desserts in a restaurant setting. The menu changes seasonally. Great food, atmosphere, and mission.

L (M–F) $

Guest Chef Night: Thursdays only; three-course meal, $29.95

Good for small and large groups

 

Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley 206-441-9729 jazzalley.com
2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle
Dinner here can be a real treat. Food is good and you dine before and during some great live performances. You’ll want to have reservations and arrive an hour or more before the show. Don’t want dinner? Sit upstairs, have a drink, and listen away. The menu is eclectic, but consider the coconut-curried fall vegetables (if they are still there in January), the seafood paella, and the Mediterranean meze plate.

D daily $$$

Good for small and large groups

 

The Triple Door 206-838-4333 tripledoor.com
216 Union St., Seattle
From 1926 to 1983, the Mann Building was home to some form of entertainment. Renovation began in 2002, and the Triple Door has been providing great live musical entertainment ever since. Along with the best in sound and lighting, it offers food from Wild Ginger (located above Triple Door; see the Wild Ginger listing above). Interesting cocktails and an extensive wine list round out the package.

D daily $$

Good for small and large groups

 

Salty’s on Alki 206-937-1600 saltys.com/seattle
1936 Harbor Ave., West Seattle
The view can’t be beat as you look across the water toward downtown Seattle and enjoy fresh seafood and steaks. Salmon is always a good choice here, and the chowder topped with a little sherry is not to be missed. The restaurant’s nearly world-famous brunch takes place both Saturday and Sunday, and includes fresh seafood (salmon, clams, peel-and-eat shrimp, crab claws and legs) along with every other imaginable brunch item. Salty’s is across Elliott Bay from downtown, so you’re taking a trek, but the view of Seattle’s skyline is the best.

L, D daily $$$–$$$$

Good for small and large groups

 

Space Needle 206-443-9800 spaceneedle.com
400 Broad St., Seattle
The Space Needle provides some excellent banquet rooms on the lower area that have 360-degree views, along with the views from the top. Look for appetizers like pecan-crusted artisan goat cheese and entrées like cedar-wrapped king crab legs. As with most “touristy” destinations, bring your wallet. Even locals need to return every so often. Don’t want to eat? Just pay for the elevator ($19) and go for the view.

Brunch (weekends), L (M–F), D daily $$$$

Good for small and large groups

 

South Lake Union

If you’d like to see an up-and-coming Seattle neighborhood, take the trolley from downtown to the South Lake Union area where Amazon is located. Great restaurants, condos, and a lot of energy.

Lunchbox Laboratory 206-621-1090 lunchboxlaboratory.com
1253 Thomas St., Seattle Lake Union
Creative and unusual burgers with flavors like black truffle mayo or Satan’s tears ketchup, boozy milkshakes, tasty fries, plus an arcade room with cool and fun games. Great for a meal or a group function.

L, D daily $$

Good for small and large groups

 

Portage Bay Café 206-462-6400 portagebaycafe.com
391 Terry Ave., Seattle Lake Union
These folks care where the food they serve comes from: local, clean, sustainable farms and producers. Their food is fresh and delicious. Try the white bean garden burger or the barbecued pork sandwich. Salads are very good. A trip to the toppings bar (fresh fruit, nuts, whipped cream) is really always a good idea at breakfast.

B, L daily $$

Good for small and large groups

 

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar Seattle 206-462-4364 seastarrestaurant.com
2121 Terry Ave., Ste. 108, Seattle Lake Union
Amazing seafood and a killer raw bar. Located in the 2200 Westlake project, Seastar is a prime spot near Lake Union. Sesame-peppercorn-crusted ahi is spectacular, as is the butternut squash ravioli. The grilled filet mignon is tender and juicy.

L (M–F), D daily $$$$

Good for small and large groups

 

Tutta Bella Pizzeria 206-624-4422 tuttabella.com
2200 Westlake, Ste. 112, Seattle South Lake Union
Certified Neapolitan pizza, along with a wine bar. Menu items include the blanca and Giovanni pizzas. Located above the Whole Foods in the 2200 Westlake project, you can enjoy pizza, wine, salads, antipasto, and espresso.

L, D daily $$

Good for small and large groups

 

Veggie Grill 206-623-0336 veggiegrill.com

446 Terry Ave. N, Seattle South Lake Union

Yes, a chain from California, but if you’re looking for 100% plant-based food that tastes good, is reasonably priced, and gives you the ability to be in and out within 25–30 minutes, this is your spot. Check out the Santa Fe crispy chickin’ sandwich (made with soy and wheat), and don’t miss the carrot cake. Beer and wine available.

L, D daily

Good for small groups

 

Waterfront

You’re in Seattle; you have to go to the waterfront. Six blocks downhill. Coming up is another story.

67 Restaurant & Lounge 206-269-4575 edgewaterhotel.com
2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67, Seattle
The look is rustic, but the view and menu are not. You’ll find high-end dining in a casual atmosphere—very Seattle. The restaurant focuses on local, seasonal ingredients. Think warm Duroc pork belly salad with black cherries and spiced pecans, forager mushroom ragout, and arugula pesto-brushed halibut. Fun lounge, great view. This is the place the Beatles stayed; you probably have to see it.

Brunch (Sunday), B, L, D daily $$$$

Good for small and large groups

 

Elliott’s Oyster House 206-623-4340 elliottsoysterhouse.com
1201 Alaskan Way, Pier 56, Seattle
A 21-foot-long oyster bar, crab dishes, Northwest salmon, an extensive white wine list. Great waterfront location on Elliott Bay.

L, D daily $$$–$$$$

Good for small and large groups

 

Ivar’s Acres of Clams 206-624-6852  ivars.com
1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle
Ivar Haglund, a Seattle icon, lives on through pictures and food. Needless to say, seafood is king here. They offer Dungeness crab and goat cheese dip, a smoked salmon plate with whipped lemon mascarpone cheese, and crispy fried Hood Canal oysters. The grand view of Elliott Bay provides great ferry watching. Keep clam. Full bar.

L, D daily $$–$$$

Good for small and large groups

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DINE AROUND SEATTLE

Looking to hit the town and explore Seattle over a great dinner with old and new conference friends? Look no further—join us for the evening for Dine Around Seattle. Dine Around Seattle gives conference-goers a chance to sign up—for a single seat or as a group—to several local hot-spot restaurants on Friday, January 25. ALA secures the reservations for 10 people; all you do is sign up before those slots are taken.

To see the names of participating restaurants, visit American Libraries’ listing, or visit bit.ly/dinearoundseattle.