Roo's Profile
D.C. Visitor to Seattle
Thank you for the update. It has been several years since I visited the Bainbridge Island Winery and it sounds like the viticultural business has certainly picked up there - as it has throughout much of the state.
D.C. Visitor to Seattle
Bainbridge Island has, to my knowledge, only one winery, but it does offer some fine wines. For more variety consider a trip to Woodinville (about 30 minutes northeast of Seattle in good traffic) which has tasting rooms for over 40 Washington wineries (the grapes for which are mostly grown in the arid eastern part of the state).
http://www.woodinvillewinecountry.com/
For seafood, Anthony's offers an all you can eat Dungeness crab feed on Sundays.
Seattle October 22 – 26
At Pike Place I recommend I Love New York Deli for an authentic east coast style sandwich. But, truth be told, I'm equally as happy eating mini-donuts from the stall next door, The Daily Dozen (I like mine plain; they don't need anything else on them, IMO).
At Ballard Sunday Market I like Anita's Crepes or Veraci Pizza.
It's been awhile since I've been to the U District Saturday Market. Perhaps someone else can weigh in on that one.
Seattle October 22 – 26
For Italian comfort food in the downtown area, I recommend Tulio or Assaggio.
Your Friday plan is sound by concentrating your effort in the Market area. You can't go wrong with any of your choices.
Since you will be on Bainbridge Island on Saturday, I recommend lunch at Lola. Dahlia would work better for Sunday dinner. Be advised that the University District, while easily accessible by bus from downtown, is in the opposite direction of the ferry terminal to Bainbridge. If you end up going to Crush for dinner (located east of downtown in the Madison Valley), this could make for a long day,
On Sunday, since you will be in the Ballard neighborhood, I recommend you check out the Ballard Sunday Market instead of the Capitol Hill market. You will find, however, many of the same vendors you encountered at the University District market on Saturday.
Finally, "Pike's Peak" is in Colorado, "Pike Place Market" aka "The Market" is in Seattle. (Just so you don't stick out too much as an out-of-towner!).
Pizza in Manhattan
Thank you, Kathryn, for your very specific and well-conceived response. I've been duly educated, since I'm a neophyte at such matters. All the chatter in the Pacific Northwest is about how you can't get decent, NY-style pizza out here (with a notable exception of Apizza Scholls in Portland, Ore. - a coal-fired operation that I've yet to try). For the record, my preferences gear towards thin crust with fewer toppings, coal or wood-fired, and that special NY-style red sauce that I've heard tastes so much better on the East Coast . . .
Pizza in Manhattan
Seattle 'hound heading to NYC in a couple of weeks. Will be staying in the Bryant Park neighborhood. What pizza is not to be missed? I want the quintessential NY style pizza experience that can't be had in the Pacific Northwest. Mille grazie!
Places to buy specialty chocolate near Seattle?
I believe Central Market carries Michel Cluizel.
Lynnwood-Mountlake Terrace - the annual trek
If you're willing to take a short trek into Shoreline., I highly recommend Grinders for their phenomenal sandwiches. It's about 1/2 mile south of the Snohomish/King County line on Hwy 99:
http://www.grindershotsands.com/
Curry leaves in Seattle?
I believe this is the place you are thinking about:
http://seattle.citysearch.com/profile/10807383/
Breakfast at/near Seattle Center
I ended up going to the 5 Point, mainly due to its proximity to the Center. The place definitely qualifies as a dive, but the bacon and thick sliced rye toast I had were tasty. Thanks, mrnelso!
Northgate-area restaurant? (SEA)
There's a new place that recently opened on Northgate Way called Saffron Grill (in the old Berkshire Grill location). Apparently it's Mediterranean-themed. I haven't been yet, can anyone else comment on this place?
Breakfast at/near Seattle Center
Are there any good breakfast spots near the Seattle Center, say within 2 to 3 blocks in any direction?
A Trip South: Destination Rockaway OR
Centralia: La Tarasca for lunch or dinner. Authentic Michoacan-style Mexican fare and the best homemade corn tortillas you'll ever eat.
Rockaway: Karla's Smokehouse for fish-n-chips and other smoked fish to go.
Challenge finding east coast favorites in Seattle
I second Roxy's Deli for pastrami, which I tried for the first time last night. Served on light rye with a slathering of good mustard, it was moist and smoky flavored without the acrid, overly-peppered patina found in most deli versions. The accompanying potato salad, however, was merely so-so; not great, but not bad either. I am definitely looking forward to going back to try that sandwich again . . .
Frozen custard in Bonney Lake
Hot news flash: I have been informed by a very well placed source that the owners are currently negotiating a lease in the Capitol Hill/1st Hill area and the new store is slated to open by next spring . . .
Columbia River Gorge (Literally!)
Wind River Cellars on the Washington side should fit your requirements:
http://www.windrivercellars.com/index.asp
Opal: Among Seattle's Best!
You had me at Diver Scallop with Morels. I will heartily persuade my dining buddies to join me at this place, based on your recommendation.
Seattle to Vancouver, BC
For a scenic detour, try the Rhododendron Cafe on Chuckanut Drive. Their constantly changing menu is currently serving Northwest summer fare:
http://rhodycafe.com/
First Post! Vegas Chowhound in PN. 2 weeks
Just so there's no confusion, Salumi is located in Seattle . . .
HELP - BIG CHALLENGE!!
At the Beaverton Round there is Typhoon! for Thai food. If that doesn't fit the bill there is also the Italian themed Mingo.
Top Chef-Puerto Rico
If you check out Antonia's chef bio page it says she's "still cooking" even though it's been a week since she "packed her knives" . . .
Top Chef-Puerto Rico
Something to think about: Antonia's bio on the Bravo Top Chef site has her listed as "still cooking".
Hmmmm.....
Top Chef-Puerto Rico
hmm, they can't possibly be alluding to Lisa winning this, no?>
Just throwing this out there . . . maybe they will be bringing BACK a more deserving cheftestant (Dale, Andrew, Jennifer) for the final competition. I'm reminded of the most recent "Next Food Network Star" competition when one of the leading two contenders was ousted for going 'Robert Irvine' on his resume . . .
El Ranchito, Zillah
Might I offer an alternate route to Walla Walla that should satisfy your culinary requirements? Take I-5 south to Centralia and dine at La Tarasca for authentic Michoacan-style Mexican fare. Their house-made corn tortillas are light, pillowy, and the best I've ever tasted. Continue south on I-5 past Chehalis and take Hwy 12 east over White Pass to Yakima and Walla Walla . . .
