Good restaurants in downtown Seattle - Any suggestions?

[RaiderJ]

The girlfriend and I are going to be in Seattle next weekend, and are looking for some good restaurants for Friday night. Some place with a nice atmosphere and good wine. Overall cost isn't too much of a concern, but I'd rather have a good meal over an expensive one.

 

[AreaCode707]

Standard fancy spots:
- Ray's Boathouse
- Salty's at Alki Beach
- Oceanaire

Standard business-nice spots:
McCormick & Schmick's
The Metropolitan Grill
Palimino

Foodie (snobby) spots
I've heard that How to Cook a Wolf is really amazing
Purple is ok but WAY overprice (impressive wine selection though, since that's their gig)
Canlis
Campagne

It's not in the greatest of areas but Tamarind Tree has good Vietnamese food and a very nice atmosphere.

Best dinner we had in Seattle was Perche No, an Italian place run by a Malaysian couple. It was up on Queen Anne when we went but I think they've moved. Decent price, very very good food. If you like offbeat and don't mind going pretty far, we had a good dinner at the Blue Onion Bistro. There's also a tapas restaurant in the U district with great atmosphere, but their food was a bit oily. We pretty frequently go to Buckleys, which is a fairly nice sports bar type place with really good food.

Honestly, the best dinner I've had in the northwest was actually at the Heathman in Portland.

The break the bank remember all your life place in the area is supposed to The Herb Farm. Prepare to drop a few hundred if you go.

Avoid: Chapel. It sounds cool but it smells weird and is kind of creepy (not in a good way)

What do you like to eat, what type of atmosphere do you prefer?

 

[RaiderJ]

We were thinking Italian food would be great - I'll definitely look into Perche! Any suggestions for limo companies?

 

[James Bond]

Wasabi Bistro

*They probably don't have a great wine selection - I just like sushi!

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
We were thinking Italian food would be great - I'll definitely look into Perche! Any suggestions for limo companies?

Out of luck there, sorry.

Although it looks like you're hitting at just the right time. Perche No is reopening their doors after a fire.
http://www.perchenopastaandvino.com/

Check Restaurant.com for coupons (they did have them online when we went) and ask when you make a reservation if they're still doing all pasta dishes for $10 after 8pm (might have only been a few days a week, can't recall)

[edit] It looks like their move put them in Greenlake. That is just north of Seattle proper, west of the University District. What brings you and the gf out to Seattle, just vacation?

 

[RaiderJ]

Sushi is good too, Virginia sushi is awful. Would they be good for lunch too?

 

[EvilYoda]

I'm meeting my family in Seattle for Memorial Weekend too! I've been there a few times and they haven't.

Enjoy your trip with your g/f, it's a great city.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Sushi is good too, Virginia sushi is awful. Would they be good for lunch too?

I haven't been to Wasabi Bistro but my favorite sushi spot is Tokyo in Bellevue. They have the most amazing rolls.

http://www.tokyojr.com/ > click sushi > maki > scroll to second page of the maki menu

 

[neegotiator]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Sushi is good too, Virginia sushi is awful. Would they be good for lunch too?

I haven't been to Wasabi Bistro but my favorite sushi spot is Tokyo in Bellevue. They have the most amazing rolls.

http://www.tokyojr.com/ > click sushi > maki > scroll to second page of the maki menu

i enjoyed ototo sushi when I had it awhile back. it's in queen anne.

http://www.ototosushi.com/

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: neegotiator

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Sushi is good too, Virginia sushi is awful. Would they be good for lunch too?

I haven't been to Wasabi Bistro but my favorite sushi spot is Tokyo in Bellevue. They have the most amazing rolls.

http://www.tokyojr.com/ > click sushi > maki > scroll to second page of the maki menu

i enjoyed ototo sushi when I had it awhile back. it's in queen anne.

http://www.ototosushi.com/

I've lived in Bellevue my whole life and somehow I had never heard of Tokyo. Not trying to knock it, just saying.

Sushi Bistro is honestly one of the best in the state, if not the very best. I'm sure review sites will agree. I would definitely recommend it for lunch - prices won't completely break the bank, so you will still be able to have a nice dinner later.

Edit: I did a quick review search. Looks like the Blu C Sushi in Freemont "won". I still prefer Wasabi Bistro for the atmosphere alone.
http://best.king5.com/winners/...2336/great-meals/sushi

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: James Bond

Originally posted by: neegotiator

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Sushi is good too, Virginia sushi is awful. Would they be good for lunch too?

I haven't been to Wasabi Bistro but my favorite sushi spot is Tokyo in Bellevue. They have the most amazing rolls.

http://www.tokyojr.com/ > click sushi > maki > scroll to second page of the maki menu

i enjoyed ototo sushi when I had it awhile back. it's in queen anne.

http://www.ototosushi.com/

I've lived in Bellevue my whole life and somehow I had never heard of Tokyo. Not trying to knock it, just saying.

Sushi Bistro is honestly one of the best in the state, if not the very best. I'm sure review sites will agree. I would definitely recommend it for lunch - prices won't completely break the bank, so you will still be able to have a nice dinner later.

Edit: I did a quick review search. Looks like the Blu C Sushi in Freemont "won". I still prefer Wasabi Bistro for the atmosphere alone.
http://best.king5.com/winners/...2336/great-meals/sushi

It's Factoria, too out of the way for the downtown Bellevue-ites to drive. You should check it out!

 

[Mo0o]

Ugh please dont go to blu C, that place sucks ass.

If you're in Belllevue check out a place called Ginza.
If yo'rue in Udistrict, Village Sushi is good
In downtown seattle theres a crap load of places to try, Wasbai, Umi, Wan are all good but really pricey and i think you're paying a lot for image and atmosphere. "I Love Sushi" is also pretty good and they have locations in Bellevue and Seattle

Theres this place called Mt. Fuji in international district thats also good.

 

[kY]

I guess no one wants to eat steak

 

[Zenmervolt]

Palisade.

http://www.palisaderestaurant.com/

Great food, beautiful views.

ZV

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
Ugh please dont go to blu C, that place sucks ass.

If you're in Belllevue check out a place called Ginza.
If yo'rue in Udistrict, Village Sushi is good
In downtown seattle theres a crap load of places to try, Wasbai, Umi, Wan are all good but really pricey and i think you're paying a lot for image and atmosphere. "I Love Sushi" is also pretty good and they have locations in Bellevue and Seattle

Theres this place called Mt. Fuji in international district thats also good.

Rain Infusion Cuisine

Maneki Restaurant

Nijo Sushi Bar & Grill

All excellent choices for sushi.

 

[RaiderJ]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
We were thinking Italian food would be great - I'll definitely look into Perche! Any suggestions for limo companies?

Out of luck there, sorry.

Although it looks like you're hitting at just the right time. Perche No is reopening their doors after a fire.
http://www.perchenopastaandvino.com/

Check Restaurant.com for coupons (they did have them online when we went) and ask when you make a reservation if they're still doing all pasta dishes for $10 after 8pm (might have only been a few days a week, can't recall)

[edit] It looks like their move put them in Greenlake. That is just north of Seattle proper, west of the University District. What brings you and the gf out to Seattle, just vacation?

We're just getting away for a weekend and Seattle is sort of halfway in between us (Alaska & Virginia). She'll be moving down here (VA), but not for a few months.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Palisade.

http://www.palisaderestaurant.com/

Great food, beautiful views.

ZV

Palisade has gorgeous views and is very uniquely northwest but I was unimpressed by the food. That might have been because the only time I was there it was for a company lunch and they were mass-serving a lot of people but... isn't that what restaurants do? It wasn't bad, just wasn't as flavorful as it could have been.

 

[buck]

From what you said, i would love to throw out a couple of spots.

Brooklyn
Campagne
chez shea
Place Pigale
94 Stewart


I prefer the Brooklyn out of all of those, great atmosphere, great oysters, great service, and the food is pretty damn good IMO.

These are the places she recommends, she is a manager at the hotel that Campagne is connected to. Hope this helps.

As far as sushi, the best sushi place in Seattle is Mashiko http://www.sushiwhore.com/

 

[Raincity]

If I was coming to Seattle for a visit. My post would read, How long is the drive from Seatac to the Red Mill Sucks that we cant get Burgers and rings like that here in Vegas.

 

[Farang]

theres a mcdonalds near westlake center, bon appetit

 

[paulney]

Another vote for McCormcik and Schmicks.

1. Pick up their gift cards at Costco and save a ton of money
2. Have a dinner/lunch at said restaurant
3. Find a rubber band holding asparagus together in your plate (like I did)
4. Receive a free dinner for yourself
5. Profit!

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: paulney
Another vote for McCormcik and Schmicks.

1. Pick up their gift cards at Costco and save a ton of money
2. Have a dinner/lunch at said restaurant
3. Find a rubber band holding asparagus together in your plate (like I did)
4. Receive a free dinner for yourself
5. Profit!

With all due respect their food is average and at best good for a business lunch. Not a place to impress the lady and have a good evening IMO.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Farang
theres a mcdonalds near westlake center, bon appetit

I am going to eat the noodle zone for lunch....

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Palisade.

http://www.palisaderestaurant.com/

Great food, beautiful views.

ZV

Palisade has gorgeous views and is very uniquely northwest but I was unimpressed by the food. That might have been because the only time I was there it was for a company lunch and they were mass-serving a lot of people but... isn't that what restaurants do? It wasn't bad, just wasn't as flavorful as it could have been.

I was very impressed with their prime rib and my father thought that his halibut was the finest he'd ever eaten. Overall, I'd rate it above Salty's based on my own visit.

ZV