Restaurants in Seattle
Dining in Seattle is much like the city itself, a cosmopolitan
affair born from the fruits of the wilderness. The surrounding
Puget Sound, with reserves from Alaska, is one large barrel of
seafood and when coupled with produce grown from many small local
farms, lets restaurants use the ingredients, rather than fanciful
preparation, to make masterful dishes.
Added to traditional Northwestern cuisine like wild salmon or
dungeness crab is a strong Asian influence, both from the large
Asian-American communities and Seattle's importance as a trade port
on the Pacific Rim.
Restaurants are helped by great views of the sea and many funky
neighbourhoods giving either a quiet romantic or fun and festive
ambiance to a meal. Some of the best areas for eating out in
Seattle are the waterfront district near Pike's Place Market, a
long line of fine dining along 1st and 2nd Ave, and Capitol
Hill.
In general the Northwest's formality is a little toned down and
most top restaurants don't required a jacket. Tipping is between 15
to 20 percent and most places require a reservation.
One of the best restaurants in Seattle, Canlis has been wowing
diners since 1950 with its contemporary Northwest cuisine and is a
long standing favourite for those celebrating a special occasion.
The stylish interior complements its fine cuisine, and its wine
list is one of the city's best. Canlis is famous for its steaks,
but there are also favourites such as the prawns, oysters and fresh
fish, and the desserts are sublime. A tasting menu is available.
Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. Bookings essential for Fridays
and Saturdays. Dinner jacket required for men.
Address: 2576 Aurora Ave N
Telephone: (206) 283 3313
| Café Campagne |
$$$$$ | French |
A Parisian café that has won many awards, Café
Campagne is popular for its weekend brunches, but also serves a
delicious lunch and dinner, and has a wine bar with 40 wines
available by the glass. The menu changes seasonally, but fare
includes dishes like the French-style rolled omelette, lamb
burgers, quiche, and a variety of salads and sandwiches. For dinner
it is possible to have the fixed price three course menu or a
choice of meat and fish dishes from the regular dinner menu. The
cosy atmosphere is very French. Open for lunch Monday to Friday,
dinner nightly, and for brunch on weekends until 4pm.
Address: 86 Pine Street, Pike Place Market
E-mail: gkushnick@campagnerestaurant.com
Telephone: (206) 728 2800
The most unique restaurant in the Northwest, the farmhouse
styled exterior is decorated within by a rich and ornate
décor. Herbfarm itself and its neighbouring farms grow much
of their ingredients to create weekly changing nine course meals
complete with five matching wines. Lummi Island reef netted sockeye
in a squash with lemon thyme is a glimpse into the night's menu.
Reservations are essential.
Address: 14590 NE 145th Street, Woodinville
E-mail: info@theherbfarm.com
Telephone: +1 (425) 485 5300
| Metropolitan Grill |
$$$$$ | American |
'The Met' is primarily a business venue, situated within the
heart of the financial district in a historical building built in
1903. This traditional steakhouse has been a Seattle favourite for
years, specialising in prime beef and serving up classics cooked to
perfection, such as filet mignon, New York peppercorn steak or the
porterhouse steak, but there is also a good selection of pastas and
salads. Meals are complemented by an excellent wine list. Open for
lunch and dinner on weekdays, and dinner only on weekends.
Reservations are recommended.
Address: 820 2nd Avenue, Downtown
Telephone: (206) 624 3287
| Ray’s Boathouse |
$$$$$ | Seafood |
The spectacular bayside view over Puget Sound is a perfect
complement to the impeccably fresh Northwest seafood on a menu that
changes regularly to reflect what is locally and seasonally
available. Favourites include the crab cakes, oysters, wild salmon,
or any fish prepared in sake kasu. Upstairs there is a more casual
and less expensive café with an outdoor deck that serves
lunch, while the downstairs restaurant serves dinner only.
Reservations are required.
Address: 6049 Seaview Avenue, NW
Telephone: (206) 789 3770
One of Seattle's best Italian restaurants, Serafina is charming
and romantic with a rustic ambience. The freshest ingredients are
presented in a homely way that transports diners to the Italian
countryside. Enjoy the bruschettas, pasta dishes, or Serafina's
signature dish, the eggplant rolled with ricotta cheese, basil, and
Parmesan and baked in tomato sauce. There is live music on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday evenings, while live jazz on Sunday mornings
makes this one of the most popular brunch spots in the city. Dinner
daily, lunch Monday to Friday, brunch on Sundays from 10am.
Reservations recommended.
Address: 2043 Eastlake Ave. E, Lake Union
E-mail: serafina@serafinaseattle.com
Telephone: (206) 323 0807
Owned by award-winning chef Thierry Rautureau, Rover's is an
intimate restaurant that is dedicated to good service and superb
food and wine, and is recognised as one of the finest restaurants
in the region. Although the food has a French emphasis, the cuisine
is described as Pacific Northwest with traditional French accents.
There are three different set menus available: an eight-course,
five-course and a five-course vegetarian menu. The seasonal menu
might include dishes like venison medallions, smoked duck, foie
gras, or Dungeness crab cakes, with a cheese assortment to finish
the meal off. There are also some superb vegetarian dishes on
offer. Open for lunch on Fridays and dinner Tuesday to Saturday.
Reservations recommended, and dress is business casual.
Address: 2808 E. Madison Street, First Hill
Telephone: (206) 325 7442
| Wild Ginger |
$$$$$ | Asian |
Southeast Asian inspired food that now sets the benchmark for
all Asian food in the Northwest, the restaurant is consistently
chosen as a favourite among northwest dining awards and diners
alike. The Chefs varied backgrounds reflect the eclectic Asian
foods and ingredients from Chinese to Indonesian and also a rare
chance to mix great wines with Asian cuisine. Reservations are
advised.
Address: 1401 Third Avenue
Telephone: +1 (206) 623 4450
| Andaluca |
$$$$$ | Mediterranean |
Local ingredients are thrown together to create a sumptuous
Mediterranean style of cuisine. Dishes to try on the dinner menu
include the crab tower, stuffed dates, shellfish stew or lamb
dolmas, and end off with one of the tempting desserts accompanied
by a dessert wine or port. Open for breakfast and dinner daily, and
lunch Monday to Friday.
Address: 407 Olive Way, Mayflower Park Hotel
Telephone: (206) 382 6999
| Etta’s Seafood |
$$$$$ | Seafood |
Close to Pike Place Market, Etta's is always packed with both
locals and tourists, who come to savour the delicious crab cakes,
oysters on the half shell or Alaskan halibut. Besides a variety of
fresh seafood dishes there are also other options such as beef
burgers, thai chicken salad or lime leaf coconut curry. The
breakfast menu offers a range of egg dishes, along with French
toast, oats and granola with yogurt, while the brunch menu smacks
more of the sea.
Address: 2020 Western Avenue
Telephone: (206) 443 6000
