/

rosesarefree's Profile

Insider's Seattle - best of the best for dinner a deux

I would say, in order:

Rovers
Lampreia ( not 100% sure its still open or hasn't moved yet)
Harvest Vine (upstairs only, sit at the bar, far from fine dining)
Cafe Juanita
Corson Building (only if you are ok with communal dining for this occasion)
Lark ( more casual as well)

Specific Query for Honolulu

Thanks Bill...I didn't see this in time but we ended up renting a car and meeting a friend who manages a place on Wakiiki...the food was not memorable but it was good to see him and see Wakiki where we'd never been. It is very different from Kauai. I do plan to spend a couple of days eating in Honolulu on our next trip.

Cooking on Kauai

We are just finishing with 9 days on Kauai and we cooked most of the time due to having young kids with us and the fact that I think we can cook better at home than eating out most places here. We hit up both Hanalei farmer's markets and the Kilaeau one as well. Things I like to use from Kauai and great produce we got include

Ginger
Tumeric
Scallions and Onions
Herbs including basil, thai basil, mint, cilantro, parsley
Beets
Amazing Lettuce
Rambutans, papaya and citrus
Goat cheese

We cooked:

Walu
Tuna Belly
Mahi Mahi
Lettuce wraps with spring roll wrappers were a big hit
Kalbi Short Ribs
Hanger Steaks

Specific Query for Honolulu

I have a five hour layover in Honlulu tonight heading home from Kauai. I've never spent anytime there and would like to check out the town and some good food this evening. The parameters are:

I have two kids with me, the older is a seasoned diner but the younger one is a baby so no fine dining.
I have four hours, do I rent a car or get a cab? How far from airport to the suggested restaurant?

Ideally I'd like to go somewhere bustling where we can walk around a bit.

Food...we're pretty serious food people and I'd like something local or Asian with a focus on good local fresh ingredients. Something I will talk about when we get home.

Thanks in advance.

Best fish and chips in Bellingham?

I like the halibut and chips at the Waterfront Seafood Bar but it has been a few years.

Snoqualmie dinner?

Gianfranco in downtown Snoqualmie is decent. I'd avoid the places on Snoqualmie Ridge if you are celebrating your anniversary.

4 days in Seattle - need help prioritizing my list!

I love Cafe Juanita and consider it one of my favorite Seattle restaurants but have been underwhelmed as of late. For I good cross section of dinners I suggest:

Harvest Vine: Firing on all cylinders, much more than tapas, sit upstairs ideally at the bar.
Quinn's: More casual don't order too much rich stuff although they all sound and are good
Lark: as good seasonal northwest as there is.

Dinner Number Four: Toss up between Sitka and Spruce, Monsoo(upscale viet) , Boat Street Kitchen(NW Bistro and Le Pichet(french bistro). I guess it depends what you're up for after the three other meals.

I could easily sub Quinn's out for any of these. The more I think of it Boat Street is the sleeper of the bunch, doesn't get as much attention, has better ambiance and comparable food.

Best Rueben?

Take the train to Portland and go to Kenny and Zukes if you want a delicious Reuben. In order to justify the train fare get a dozen bagels, some whitefish salad and a pound of corned beef to bring home.

Best bagel in Seattle?

Agree about Zenny and Zukes in Portland. Best bagels, whitefish salad and corned beef on the west coast.

Third Annual Ultimate Seattle Restaurant Poll (2008)

Harvest Vine
Sitka and Spruce
Lark
Kisaku
Salumi

Truffles and Tasting Menus, Looking for Help

I would say Cafe Juanita is a great birthday destination. It is intimate and romantic and they sometimes have Alba white truffles but I would call ahead to check.

Campagne tonight (3 Oct)

Their tartare is the best in the city IMO.

Seattle Area Bakeries

How can there be four posts and no one mention Cafe Besalu? The best croissants this side of Paris.

Anyone been to the Corson Building yet?

I am from the Larry David school of communal dining which is I don't like it but have had a few pleasant experiences in spite of it where I've sat next to nice people and end up sharing food/wine and having fun. I will definitely be trying the Corson building soon and will report back on my food/communal dining experience.

Bellingham WA food inquiries

I spend a fair amount of time in Bellingham on business and like the following places.

Pelmini Dumplings (sp)
Sushi place in the Public Market
Fiamma Burger
North Fork Brewery Pizza
Mallard Ice Cream
Nimbus is ok but not on Seattle level

I'm sure there are a few other gems but if i lived there I'd got to Vancouver for fine dining and Richmond for all the amazing food.

Best of Seattle - Help

Looks like a great list. I agree to do Matt's for lunch. I like the Palace Kitchen but it is not on the same level as Sitka and Spruce or Lark which I highly recommend trying one of or both because I think the food is classic northwest seasonal and really showcases the great ingredients we have here, particularly this tine of year.

Have fun at Ko!

Take Out Between Seattle and Mt. Baker

Pizza and salads from the North Fork Brewery http://www.northforkbrewery.com/ is excellent and you can get growlers of their beer to go accompany it.

Best Burger in Tacoma-Seattle?

Skillet Street Food is my favorite and I too felt gross after half a Lunchbox Laboratory burger. Scott's Dairy Freeze in North Bend is good for the drive in style due to their grilled onions. There is really a dearth of excellent burgers in the Seattle Tacoma area.

Dim Sum north seattle?

Richmond BC :)

Best of Seattle - Help

It is a great time of year to visit with the abundance of great produce and summer flavors. Of your list I'd say the not to miss places are:

Cafe Juanita-Best restaurant in the Seattle
Sitka and Spruce or Corson Building if you like communal dining
Salumi
Lark
Quinns

I'll add the Harvest Vine, SanBar for bistro/cocktails, Txori for a snack, Besalu for croissants, and Momofuku for steamed buns, oh yeah thats NY.

I think Crush is heavy handed and overrated.