Foodie spending 4 nights in Seattle- What do you think?

Spinasse and Monsoon are standouts on that list. Etta's isn't quite in the same league IMO, and I personally have not been wowed by Staple the two times I've tried it (although I am apparently in the minority).

Personally, I might ditch Etta's and Staple and go with Serious Pie and maybe Quinn's Pub (or Anchovies & Olives) instead... or maybe Cafe Juanita if you don't mind a trip out to the Eastside?!?

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Quinn's Pub
1001 E Pike St, Seattle, WA

Cafe Juanita
Kirkland, WA, Kirkland, WA

Spinasse
Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA

Serious Pie
316 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101

Anchovies & Olives
1550 15th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122

erik h in Greater Seattle

One night near Westin - Boston CH needs tips!

I know the Tom Douglas haters will show up any minute, but:

1. Serious Pie (tough to go wrong here...but my personal standouts are the guanciale / soft egg / arugula and the yukon gold / pecorino)
2. Palace Kitchen (anything from their grill is generally great...also try the chicken wings)
3. If you don't mind walking a few blocks to the market, I'd look at Matt's in the Market for NW style cuisine...also Il Bistro (less "unique" to Seattle but a great little Italian spot). Either spot will give you that "Pike Place market experience" - very cool.
4. Restaurant Zoe is another solid choice in the neighborhood - try the tuna tartare if it's on the menu.

Have fun and good luck!

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Palace Kitchen
2030 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Restaurant Zoe
2137 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121

Serious Pie
316 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101

Il Bistro
93A Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101

erik h in Greater Seattle

The New Lunchbox Laboratory

New location is not happening, IMO. It's really too bad. The absence of the Dork Burger, the missing sauces/flavors and the sterile-slash-corporate mojo of the new location add up to a lackluster experience. This place really is a shadow of its former self, which is a crying shame :-(

erik h in Greater Seattle

Proposing to GF in Berkeley/East Bay?

Thanks for the replies! There will be 14 people in our group, and Friday is the big day. View would be great, but food is the priority with this crowd :-D

Really wanted to go to Sutro's Cliff House initially, but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards given the kids' early curfew.

I had heard Skates was pretty mediocre...so probably ruling that out despite the nice view. For now, I've tentatively reserved the back room at Eccolo but will check out Sea Salt and A Cote as well.

Thanks again for the tips - much appreciated!!!

erik h in San Francisco Bay Area

Proposing to GF in Berkeley/East Bay?

I am proposing to my girlfriend on Easter weekend, and would LOVE suggestions for a fun dinner spot afterwards. Both our families will be in town that weekend, and I was thinking it would be great to have a big bash after I pop the question (.....since she WILL say yes.....right?!?).

I was originally looking for something with a view in the city, like Sutro's, Epic, Waterbar etc. The constraint is that my brother's young children need to go to bed early, so I'm hoping to keep the venue close to his home in Berkeley/Albany.

We were looking at some of the restaurants on Fourth Street in Berkeley (e.g. Eccolo)...and also considered Skates on the Bay, at the Berkeley marina.

Are there any obvious contenders that come to mind? Or maybe something further south in Oakland or Alameda that wouldn't be too much of a drive in view of the kids' early bedtime?

Thanks so much for any suggestions!!!

erik h in San Francisco Bay Area

(SEA) Fish and Chips

Man, I hit Totem House on my fish and chips walkabout last summer and it was a big fat NO GO. Breaded not battered as I recall, and overly greasy. The Lockspot across the street is vastly superior IMO, as is Little Chinooks over by Fisherman's Terminal.

erik h in Pacific Northwest

Menu reco's for Joule? (SEA)

Based in part on buzz here and elsewhere, went to Joule a few weeks ago and was pretty underwhelmed. Had the gnocchi which looked interesting on the menu, but came out bland and dough-y... and then the short ribs which were tough, dry and nearly flavorless (tho the side of kimchi was interesting). My date had the branzino, which was better, but still not really a knockout.

Having since seen a couple more rave reviews, I really want to go back - and am hoping to navigate the menu better next time. Can anyone share some personal picks?

Looking at their online menu... I am thinking the beef soup, the shiitake lasagna, pork dumpling and maybe the octopus entree this time???

Love to hear any inside scoop! Thanks!!!

erik h in Pacific Northwest

"Quiet" dinner w/ parents in PDX?

For starters we did the mussels and the pork belly - both were great (tho the pig = definitely the more interesting of the two). Entrees: rib eye, risotto and the tuna - all great except for the tuna which seemed a shade on the dry side. Dessert was the creme caramel and carrot apple crepes, both delicious.

All in all a terrific experience.... and the ambience suited dear old dad just fine ;-)

BTW - this place has some nifty beers on tap - I had an unfiltered cream ale (Amnesia something?) that rocked.

erik h in Pacific Northwest

"Quiet" dinner w/ parents in PDX?

Thx for the replies! We ended up @ Wildwood (Paley's was booked) and it was great. Wish we had more time in PDX, looks like there are a ton of great places to choose from. Thanks again.

erik h in Pacific Northwest