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I had a 20 minute wait to get seated. So lots of pizzas ordered ahead of us. I think it took another 20 minutes to get the pizzas, with no starter order. I doubt they take reservations, but I could be wrong.

Where is this place?← On Greenwood - 6800 N block - next to the nice craftsman furniture place. Watched it closely, chatted up Dan and Sarah, haven't been in. Glad it is good!!! [Moderator note: This topic continues here, [seattle] Farewell & Welcome: Closings, Transformations, Openings (Part 3)]

Well, overall, food wasn't a highlight of my trip, but everyone should go to Guatemala. Friendly people, low cost, beautiful country with everything except desert environments. Shop in Chichicastango - big market town, but the prices and variety are very good. Bargain hardy. Up near Tikal (in Peten) is La Lancha, a FF Coppola property with about 20 rooms, spider and howler monkeys in the trees, birding paradise, bath water temperature lake, and very nice food on an outdoor dining terrace. On the road from Lake Atitlan to Antigua, we stopped at a big roadside place - I didn't write down the name!) that serves barbecued pork on Sundays, served with black tortillas that were fabulous. I may be able to find the name later.

Breakfast at Lola's or weekend bruch at Etta's. If Crow cack is open late, try it after the concert. The Great Nabob linky is next door, and Veil swoony is down the street.

I went to an event there - it was awhile ago, but I don't recall being overly impressed with anything, and some things seemed wrong for the place - I think there was a tuna tartar that tasted Japanese. Really a pretty room though.

This is what you need: Villa Victoria Have a blast.

Sweet Sue was on "The Works" tonight - opening night for Cocolatida (or whatever the right name is...) Waiting to hear the reports - I am up to my ears in exhausting projects and eating has become fuel only (okay, I lie - I had a nice meal at the Wellington and 'Q from Jones, can't complain.)

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How'd your trip go - and did you find any gems (food or jade!)? And congrats.

You can eat at the bar, at a table in the bar area, and there is a non-bar counter where they plate salads and desserts.

With all due respect, from a total outsider, I'd say Matt's & 94 Stewart with Boka, Zoe, Campagne & Dahlia, lagging just a bit behind, are quite fine, indeed, more than fine. I just am filled with envy that you-all have such a cornucopia of food opportunities and in a downtown area, of all places (that's the Easterner in me speaking). ← I am so happy that you had good dining downtown. locals haven't spent much time at BOKA - will give it a try. So many new places to keep up with! But what were you doing at Campagne - homesick for French?

Second visit - in the evening. Thought the fresh marjoram on the fennel sausage cherry pepper pie was the dominant flavor. Not my favorite. Also, the crust was more charred and less airy than the first. Beet salad was pretty good, could have used more vinegar.

Matt's is closed on Sundays. A sandwich at Market Grill is a good bet - in the Pike Place Market. Chowder too. Restaurant Zoe will get you wonderful NW dining at prices that are similar to Union. It is walking distance. Pretty much anything identified as Downtown is within walking distance. So is Baguette Box on the edge of Capitol Hill - twist on vietnamese sandwiches. Not French. I like the crepe stand outside the convention center - but that's a bit French!

It was in the papers a while ago. Also something in Canada. the news

What are you doing - spending an inheritance?

Scheduled for a November opening: "Qube offers Asian French cuisine using carefully selected fresh, local ingredients executed with classical French techniques. With a moderately priced menu, exciting beverage selections and interesting, modern interior, Qube adds an exciting new twist to “east meets west” for the Pacific Northwest restaurant scene. Qube is located at 1901 2nd Avenue. (206) 770-5888" Second Ave is going to be a lot of fun.

We were having this conversation over brunch Sunday. There is the rhetorical question that is used by staff to check in with customers after the food has been delivered - and we can appreciate that as an opportunity to make sure everything is as anticipated - but why, oh why has the phrase "How's everything tastes?" come into the vocabulary of a younger generation? That is such a small part of the overall dining experience (okay, not so small.) I really appreciated it when the owner (?) or host came by later in the meal and asked "How's your breakfast?" which let us say "Great!" The food was fresh, interesting and competently prepared, the room was lovely, the service was attentive, the music and temperature levels were spot on. We do tend to let staff know if something is wrong, and give them a chance to correct it - sometimes handled well, sometimes not so good. Sometimes we answer "fine" and let it go at that. And sometimes we get into a discussion, after cleaning our plates, regarding small points like chewy pasta or salty greens - and may have to preface it that we are not asking for any correction - just offering our comments.

I have had a couple of very good meals at Racha on lower Queen Anne. They have been playing with menu updates - changing things up. Currently, they have a fall menu developed in collaboration with Chef Ian Chalermkittichai of NYC (he'll be competing on Iron Chef this winter.) Some lovely items with unusal ingredients and pairings: banana blossoms, chili jam, mango relish, whole crispy fish, short ribs with roasted pumpkin, jasmine rice ice cream (with pounded rice flakes and a sprinkling of pumpkin granules) and Thai Sweet Basil Creme Brulee. Go for this, if nothing else!

Anthony's homeport, at Shilshole always has a big one - Oyster Olympics. scroll down - no date and Elliott's is starting things off this Friday.

Flying Fish.

Okay Lorna - see you 'round the market. Shal - try Trader Joe's for Aussie lamb. We've had great success. Lots of 32 oz flavored yogurt - generally on the bottom shelf. Not sure if you can still find 64 oz. Apples - keep trying. Pink Lady, Honeycrisp...stay away from the red delicious unless they are from someone's yard. I have two electric kettles at home. Nice simile.

I heard Tom call him that. And say "that's just not right."

I was there for lunch, too. I had the clam, pancetta, and lemon thyme pie, which was very salty (how could it be otherwise?) but very good. I'd go back, although boy is it not cheap: that pizza with tax and tip was $20, and I ate the whole thing. Next time I'll probably try the basic tomato and mozzarella. ← I tried the foraged mushrooms with truffled cheese and was glad Tom sprinkled some salt on top. But my lips say there was plenty of salt overall. I think sharing a pizza and a side for two would be the way to go. Same menu all day, so lunch is no bargain, but I won't need dinner.

Serious Pie is open around the corner from Dahlia. The pie is good – nicely charred, lightly topped, excellent ingredients. Also, salads, appetizers, and desserts including cannoli, beer and wine. Open 11-11. Tom and Eric were helping cook and finish the pies. Slightly below grade space of heavy beams, little slate wall tiles, wood tables, cushy stools (with backs), and iron details shares space with the bakery ovens. Yes, the bread is back!!!

Collard Greens, called "couve galega" in Portugal ( according see below) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collard_greens ← If this is the green of the famous Portuguese soup "Caldo Verde", they are not collards or kale. That would be too easy. But from what I saw growing, similar to giant collards.