BuffaloBandit's Profile
San Francisco Hound Coming to Seattle: Please Critique My List for the Emerald City!!!
Looks like a solid line-up!
As for Spinasse, I think everything there is phenomenal. If you bring your appetite, you can taste everything on the menu, but if you're not quite that hungry, you can do a sample of all of the appetizers. Either way, since you're skipping Salumi, I'd recommend the Pio Tosino. It's a huge plate of fine prosciutto and works well as a starter.
Restaurant Zoe
Glad you enjoyed it Charles. I recently ate their with my wife and had the exact opposite experience. The service was abysmal, the food was mediocre, and I definitely expected more for the price.
I loved them when they were down in Belltown and was excited for them to move up to the hill, but it will be a while before I decide to venture back. Hopefully my experience was an isolated incident.
San Francisco Hound Coming to Seattle: Please Critique My List for the Emerald City!!!
I honestly know nothing about the deserts at Staple & Fancy. I think it's really up to you. It sounds like you're determined to eat at Staple & Fancy, but if it were up to me, I'd just eat more at Walrus & Carpenter. Finishing with one of their cheeses is a nice way to round things out in my book.
need suggestions for where to eat and what to do this weekend
I'd consider Via Tribunali in Capitol Hill. The pizza is traditional Neopolitan style and is the best in the city, IMO. It's a fun place, if a little dark, right in the heart of the Capitol Hill Nightlife, where it's a short walk to Barrio or Poquitos for a pre- or post-dinner margarita. The food at the two Mexican restaurants isn't my favorite, but they should be able to give you a good drink.
Presse is also a really fun spot. It's casual, but they have great traditional french table wine (by the carafe) and great bistro fare... also in Capitol Hill.
For a little bit more of a metropolitan feel, you could hit up Happy Hour at RN 74 downtown, or if the weather is nice, the patio at Pink Door in the market. I also think you might enjoy something like Wild Ginger. It's right downtown and is a bit of a Seattle fixture, if perhaps a bit touristy.
I'd also highly encourage you to stroll through the market. There are lots of great snack spots and it's a free way to get a feel for Seattle. Stop by Beecher's for some Mac and Cheese and head to the Tasting Room to sample some Washington wines.
San Francisco Hound Coming to Seattle: Please Critique My List for the Emerald City!!!
You'll find Mack and Jack's and Manny's at most places around Seattle, so if you just want to try a lot of local beers, you can do that without actually visiting the breweries. Some of my favorite tasting rooms in the Seattle area are: Fremont Brewing, Hales Ales, Maritime Pacific Brewing Company, and Elysian.
How did I do with my dinner plans? (and a couple other questions.)
I think those are some pretty solid choices. You'll be able to walk to Etta's and to Spinasse, but Book Bindery and Staple and Fancy will require a cab or bus. If you wanted to stay closer to the downtown area, I'd reconsider Mistral Kitchen. It's close by and when it's good, it's very good (although it can be a bit hit-or-miss). And if you're interested in sushi, Shiro's is close-by in the Belltown area. For oysters, you could hit-up Taylor Shellfish, just on the other side of I-5, especially if you can get there during happy hour.
Macrina is in the Belltown area. It's a solid Seattle bakery, if you're looking for ideas outside of the market that are fairly close-by. Up on Capitol Hill (within walking distance), Crumble and Flake may also be open when you come visit, I'd consider that as an option as well.
San Francisco Hound Coming to Seattle: Please Critique My List for the Emerald City!!!
I love the restaurants on Capitol Hill, but if you're staying in Ballard, I'd recommend not making the trek all the way over. There are plenty of good places in Ballard, Queen Anne, Fremont, and Downtown to make it worth your while for 3 days.
Also, if you do decide to come to Capitol Hill, I'd pass on Poppy. Restaurant Zoe, Cascina Spinasse, or Sitka and Spruce, or Quinns are all better options, IMO.
I'd also consider swapping out Staple & Fancy for Golden Beetle, Tilth, Book Bindery, Revel, or somewhere else. It's literally in the same building as Walrus and Carpenter and it will just remind you of how much better Walrus and Carpenter was.
If you're going to be by Safeco on a weekday, I'd stop into Salumi for lunch. Much better than anything you'll get at the game and fairly close by.
For cocktails, I'd skip Ba Bar, but +1 Canon and Needle & Thread if you're going to be in Capitol Hill.
And for coffee, I'd make sure to put Stumptown on the list for coffee, Vivace on for Espresso, and Victrola for either.
Hope that helps.
Thanks,
Austin
Graduation Dinner with Dad
Unfortunately, Oceanaire closed like 2 years ago... Blueacre now occupies the space, but I wouldn't bother with it. There are better places, IMO.
What to eat for a first-timer to Seattle?
Just ate at the Book Bindery for the first time this weekend. I was very pleased. I would definitely consider adding it to your list. As for Madison Park Conservatory, I think you can do better. I want to like that place and have had some great meals there, but I've also had some really disappointing ones. The chef there used to work under Matt Dillion (Sitka & Spruce and Corson Building), so I'd suggest going to one of those instead.
What to eat for a first-timer to Seattle?
Personally, I'd skip:
Dahlia Lounge
Matt's in the Market
Spring Hill
Anchovies & Olives
Tavolata
Crush
Spur Gastropub
Skillet Diner
Ray's Boathouse
Lola
And I'd consider adding some of these:
Corson Building (Also by Matt Dillion of Sitka and Spruce)
Cascina Spinasse (Best Italian IMHO)
Bar del Corso (Great Pizza)
Ba Bar (Vietnamese Street Food)
Cafe Presse
Golden Beetle (Also by Maria Hines of Tilth)
Quinn's (My favorite Gastropub)
Trophy Cupcakes
Bakery Nouveau
Chez Shea
Serious Biscuit
Mistral Kitchen
Shiro's
Nishino
Via Tribunali
Downtown Bistro
I don't know if you've made up your mind or not, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in as well. I love Chez Shea. It's got great food, amazing atmosphere and a very competent wait staff. I like Cafe Campagne as well, but for different reasons. If I had to pick just one for dinner, I'd have to choose Chez Shea. I'd also keep an eye out for the scallops and the beef medallions... they are two of my favorite dishes there.
YYC Hound back for a visit.
I am going to have to 100% agree with gingershelley. I live RIGHT next to both of those restaurants and have had the same disappointments with both. I love the space and the idea of both of them, but the execution just doesn't do it for me.
I would also +1 the Bar del Corso suggestion and throw in Sitka & Spruce (with a few oysters at Taylor Shellfish beforehand) to the list.
Need rec for dinner
Mistral Kitchen is close and good, but not particularly funky or eclectic. Pasta Freska might be a good choice too, but it's not exactly a varied cuisine. Chez Shea might be a good option, but it might push the upper end of your price range, depending on what you order.
Just a few ideas.
-----
Chez Shea
94 Pike St. Suite 34, Seattle, WA 98101
Pasta Freska
1515 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Mistral Kitchen
2020 Westlake Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
If you could only eat in five Seattle restaurants for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
In no particular order:
Via Tribunali
Sitka and Spruce
Nishino
Hi Spot
Chez Shea
Honorable mention: Spinasse, Spring Hill, 5 Guys Burgers, and Hole in the Wall BBQ
-----
Spring Hill Restaurant & Bar
4437 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Chez Shea
94 Pike St. Suite 34, Seattle, WA 98101
Spinasse
Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA
Nishino
3130 E Madison St Ste 106, Seattle, WA 98112
Via Tribunali
317 W Galer St, Seattle, WA 98119
Best places in Seattle for dining al fresco
Madison Park Cafe for brunch and Madison Park Conservatory for dinner.
one night in seattle - 30th birthday
Corson Building... I emphatically second that recommendation. I also love Cascina Spinasse, but if you're coming this weekend, I'd pass on anything in Capitol Hill, as the block party will be in full swing.
-----
Cascina Spinasse
1531 14th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
The Corson Building
5609 Corson Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108
Lobster in Seattle for an ex-New Englander?
There's also somewhere like the Capitol Grille... I'm an ex New Englander as well, and I haven't found anything like the kick-ass lobster rolls and roadside lobster shacks of home. Many places try to pass Pacific Lobster off as real lobster, but it's just not the same. The old Oceanaire did a decent lobster, but that's closed and is now Blueacre. Blueacre's okay, but nothing special... Capitol Grille won't blow your mind either, but it might be enough of a fix to keep you going until you can get back to NE.
You're best bet though is to cook it yourself.
Madison Park Conservatory?
We were here about two weeks ago and it was fantastic.
A good mix of creative dishes and more conventional fare.
We started with some oysters, which were delightful in the fantastic mignonette . Then we had the Ceasar salad, which was excellently prepared and the octopus bruschetta. The bruschetta was the highlight of our small plates: tender and flavorful.
For our entree, my wife and I shared a Kind salmon dish that was superb.
We did not stay for desert, but I was very impressed by their wine list. A great selection of french wines at fairly reasonable prices. We had a bottle of Chablis that paired well with our entire meal.
I would definitely go back again. In fact, I think I will tonight.
-----
Ceasars Restaurant
3621 Wheaton Way, Bremerton, WA 98310
Great Happy Hours
I'm off this week and looking to take advantage of some great happy hours. Whether it's for food or cocktails, beer or wine, early or late. I've got the time to make the most of all of them and I'm looking for suggestions.
I love Via Tribunali's late night $5 pizza happy hour, but what are some of your favorites?
-----
Via Tribunali
317 W Galer St, Seattle, WA 98119
Poppy or Spring Hill?
I 100% agree with landguy. I live two blocks from Poppy and want to like it, but I've been 4 times and haven't been impressed on any occasion. Spring Hill on the other hand is somewhere I continue to return. I wouldn't say that I haven't been disappointed a few times at Spring Hill, but for me it's no question: Spring Hill is a better choice. And get some oysters. However, I have noticed it can get loud at times.
-----
Spring Hill Restaurant & Bar
4437 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Best new restaurants of 2009
I hadn't heard of Rizzo's before, but looking at the menu, it sounds good. I love that the only have 3 items (http://www.rizzosfrenchdip.com/). I'll have to check it out:
Here at Rizzo's, we serve one thing; French Dips. Every sandwich comes with a side of macaroni salad, made fresh daily from Grandma Dinah's recipe.
The Original (no cheese).......... $7.00
Cheese (American or Swiss).... $ .75
Soda (can) or Water (bottle)..... $1.00
Best new restaurants of 2009
Seeing as we are now in 2010, I thought this might be a good time to gather the collected wisdom of the hounds and pull together a list of the best restaurants to open in 2009.
What are your picks?
Any East Coast style Chinese food in Seattle?
My wife and I moved from DC about 4 years ago, but we both grew up in CT, so we are familiar with "East Coast Chinese." There really isn't any here. Judy Fu's Snappy Dragon is about as close as I've found. Give it a whirl and see what you think, just don't get your hopes up.
D.C. Visitor to Seattle
There are a number of great tasting rooms in Woodinville. Probably at least 30 that will be open to the public. Most of the grapes come from the Eastern part of the state, but the wine available in Woodinville is excellent. Plus there are a couple of great dining options over there, like the Barking Frog and Purple.
As for wineries, I'd recommend going to Ch. Ste. Michelle. It's not my favorite wine, but it helped put Washington Wine on the map and has a really pretty setting. You can do the full tour and see the bottling lines and everything or just go taste some wine. Then I'd check out Januik. Mike Januik was the wine maker for Ch. Ste. Michelle when they made their mark and now does his own thing. His wines are great and he has a bocce court out back if you're interested in some activities while you sip your wine. Matthews Cellars is another great option. They have some really great wines, if you get a chance to try their Cab Franc, it's fantastic. Mark Ryan also has a tasting room and makes some nice wines, last I checked his tastings were still free. Page cellars is another great winery in Woodinville. Facelli is a great little family-run place. Try the Lemberger. I'd skip Columbia. It's not very good, but it's very visible so it draws crowds. Don't be fooled. There are a number of others as well, but those are my recs. Woodinville is about 30 mins outside of Seattle.
The Seattle eat-list for this weekend - thoughts?
I have to throw my support behind a couple of your suggestions:
For Saturday Breakfast, if you're looking for a bakery go to Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle. Best bakery in Seattle. Period. Great croissants, pastries, sandwiches, baguette. Way better than Dahlia, Macrina, or Cafe Besalu. Downside: It's in West Seattle, but while you're there, check out the newly opened Swinery.
Whenever you find the time, go to Trophy Cupcakes. They rule. Trust me, I know cupcakes. As a note, check the website because they only offer certain flavors on certain days. The Smore and the Hummingbird are my two favorites, but you can't go wrong. Molly Moons I haven't been impressed with, but I have been impressed by Old Skool Frozen Custard in Capital Hill. Again, check their site as they rotate their flavors.
I also love Zig Zag. Best place to order an classic cocktail and have it made right.
If you're thinking about Pizza, I would recommend Via Tribunali over Serious Pie or Pagliacci. Seattle doesn't do pizza like the east coast though, so you won't find any new york style. Serious Pie is NW pizza, which is probably worth a try. Via Trib is authentic Neapolitan pizza that reminds me of my time in Italy.
I've been routinely disappointed by Poppy, but it's worth a happy hour so you can make your own opinion.
Quinn's is great, especially if you like bottle conditioned beers or scotch. It has decent food to boot. I fully support this choice.
As far as the debate about Coastal Kitchen goes. I wouldn't bother. It's a decent neighborhood place, but it's not worthy of your limited spots. It does have a late night happy hour though that's worth a visit if you're in the area and looking for a fish taco and a beer.
Anyway, just my 2 cents. Sounds like you have a really great lineup. Have fun!
Seattle: BYOB or low corkage restaurants?
To second Ballard Foodie, I have yet to find a restaurant in Seattle with more than a $20 corkage. That being said, Purple has never charged me a corkage for my second bottle, I've opened multiple bottles at Dahlia Lounge without being charged a corkage (bring something interesting and offer a taste to your waiter), but I believe they advertise a $20 fee. I was also just at Chez Shea and brought a 2000 Duckhorn Merlot, and wasn't charged their $20 corkage. Most of the time we order cocktails or apertifs, and sometimes we offer some of the wine to our servers, but rarely do I ever even see the corkage fee on the bill. Most restaurants out here are pretty laid back about it. Zoe on a Sunday is also a good bet.
