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Let's not skip Salumi! Okay, short hours, limited wine options, but Italian in Seattle? A mecca.

The traditional place is Il Terrazzo Carmine. I happen to like Troiani. Don't forget Cafe Lago. We even get posts from them here. Silician style - La Vita e Bella. All Italian wine list. Reasonable food prices. And "little Italy" Luigi's

I hope this means that the inside has been re-done. In it's Fairview incarnation I thought it was a generic banquet space and, with all the windows covered up, always had this kind of soul-destroying effect on me. It's formal / playful. You can see outside. The restrooms are a trip.

(1) heck no - all part of the day. and the eyes fuzz over so quickly anyway. Sometimes I go to the Seattle Art museum just to eat and then feel guilty if I don't at least pop into a gallery or two. (2) If the food isn't decent, I wouldn't bother. More likely if there is nothing else around (such as the roman ruins outside Coimbra, Portugal - reached by bus) and I need a break. (3) yes, but there is something enticing about museum cafes. Grew up going to LA County Art Museum - always an excuse to go to The Egg and I or the Farmers Market. But I also liked the cafeteria inside the museum. The Getty, in Los Angeles, is better known for its buildings, gardens and the restaurant than its collection.

Sandra Oh from Under the Tuscan Sun? Worth the price of admission.

Reviewed in this week's Stranger: "Crow occupies an artsy-industrial space with lofty ceilings, open kitchen, and a massive Mark Rothko-esque mural splashing warm colors against one wall." Perhaps the wall painting was too literal - or Sara D. and I have the same limited artists to reference. She liked the black bean salsa too. review

Didn't work there, but I did have a chat with the pastry chef. Very nice woman. Also had several exellent dinners there. Fell in love with the bacon-wrapped dates. The savory chef is reported (in The Seattle Weekly) to be running a little Italian place in Bremerton these days.

there was a whole thread on the steak tartare (e or not e?)

Macrina's been open for dinner this summer - don't know if they will continue doing that or not. Alexandria's on 2nd has a lunch menu posted.

What's the view from Kaspar's (It's on lower Queen Anne - moved from the office building in Belltown years ago.)

Northgate Mall celebration of food, wine, and cooking with Curtis Aikens, Nick Stellino, Phillip Mihalski, Ethan Stowell, and John Sundstrom. 11 am - 4:30 pm. Anyone know more?

New, hip - Crow (5th and Aloha). They don't have a private room, but part of the space is kind of separated and used for bigger parties.

Back room at Flying Fish?

Have you tried the Beach House at Purdy? I haven't, but they used to post here and it sounded worth the drive - for you it is close by: sounds tasty

Yeah, Fero's. Sign's been up for awhile - I posted under butcher's thread some time ago - but don't know any more.

Is this Gorditos II? Son of the place on 85th just West of Greenwood? It's been there awhile.

The view here is of fishing boats - but it is kind of on the water. This place is such a barn though - my ears hurt more when I leave here than anywhere else I can think of. It's part of the Anthony chain isn't it? Flying Fish would be a change of pace from the Midwest. And with Chris down to one restaurant, I imagine it gets lots of her attention.

girl chow, Glad you said so. Since I haven't been in a dozen years, I didn't want to comment - but all I remember was a mass of food with lots of fat. Not necessarily a bad thing, but nothing I'd recommend.

Rereading your orginal inquiry - if you take "water" out of the picture, it's hard to beat Matt's in the Market. It's small (21 seats?), and has consistently great seafood specials - not a naked slab of fish with typical sides type place. More likely something like wild salmon (or ono) with an inventive sauce served atop a bed of lentils or polenta cakes or something creative. Often a bit of spice in the dish (they are fond of chilies). They only cook what is fresh - fish and vegetables. Also, typically have a vegetarian and a meat offering. If you have your heart set on a particular type of fish, this is not the place. Good soups and salads, limited desserts, nice wines. They do make good use of a mirror to bring a touch of view into the restaurant, but it is mostly about the food. Service can be friendly to slightly snarly, depending on the day and who's working. But if you take it with humor, it is just fine. Third floor, across from Rachel, the bronze piggy bank, and the fish throwing guys. Enter from the stairs on Pike, across from the info booth, adjacent Left Bank Books. Go all the way up. I am very happy to hear the good reports on Waterfront - haven't been in a long while.

I messed up (my timing). I was at Troiani Saturday night for a late light supper. Finally looked at the bar menu and Happy Hour offerings. Currently, they are serving M-F, 3pm to 6pm, $5 house martinis, cosmos, and lemon drops --- and all bar bites for $4.00. This is insane. This includes stuff such as octopus salad, burger & fries, mussels (great preparation with fennel, coriander, and orange), gnocchi sandwich, and grilled prawns. I think this is a must try, once my schedule gets back to something more sane.

Haven't been in awhile, but I really liked the fancy cocktails at Troiani. The half priced certificate is burning a hole in my pocket. bar menu

Rippe's.

edit- dual post

In the name of research, I sprung for the "crab roll" at Pike Place Chowder. It's dungie, plus mayo, some celery, a little lettuce, and some "spice" (not much) on about 6" of roll. Nope, not a squishy hot dog type, a section of not great baguette - too tough a beast. Not really toasted, though advertised as such. It was okay, but not worth running down to get one. At just under $10, a bit pricey. Now, as I recall, Vivandi (?) in the market has some form of lobster sandwich - on foccacia?

You know, you could organize a dinner at someone's home, hire a chef, and invite here - you'd get a dozen relative strangers to show up and split the costs. What's the difference? Just need to find someone with a nice kitchen and a deck or pretty garden...