dimsumfan

Thanks all. I ended up getting the Macau-style egg rolls at Tim's, as well as some cookies and such at a grocery store or two.

I thought I read about moon cakes or something similar sold year-round, but after looking through many threads back many months, I can't find the information. I wasn't really considering anything "perishable" as I don't want to think about refrigeration, etc. - but after all these great suggestions, I might have to re-think that!

Thinking about something like moon cakes, if anyone has any ideas on that. Not really considering candy.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. No ideas about sweets? Anyone? We just had a few products that contained meat confiscated at customs after returning from Japan. We weren't trying to sneak them in... just didn't realize that something like furikake had meat in it.

Heading up to Richmond/Vancouver this weekend and looking for some Chinese sweets or related food item that I can bring back to the States. Especially hopeful for something that isn't available across the border here in Seattle - or something that is simply done much better in Richmond/Vancouver. In addition to the items, if you have specific suggestions on the best place to buy them, that would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks, all!

Thanks everyone! I hit Burgerville on the way south. Good for what it is. Before making the return to Seattle, everyone told me it wasn't wise to take 205, as it would add a lot of time to my trip. I blew through Portland with no problem (same as when I headed south) and ultimately ate a meal a place I like best: home. Will definitely try to hit the Vietnamese places in Portland another time, though.

Hitting the road this weekend. So many restaurants in Portland on the "to-eat" list, but no real time as I must stay close to the Interstate. So... any suggestions of interesting places to eat close to I-5 starting in Portland and ending in Eugene? I will try to hit Burgerville (for the first time) in one direction, but that may be north of Portland since I'll be hungry when leaving Seattle.

This is an interesting development. I know many people (many Chinese) who were avoiding the place because they didn't like the attitude of the owner. Hopefully they can get the food quality and service right for the future... I visited Rocking Wok back in January and as I understand it, they were under new ownership. Apparently the owners sold to an employee (one of the cooks). I'm not sure if the transition impacted the quality of the food, but when I was there, I didn't think it was all that exciting either. ←

Thanks again for all the great advice, everyone. We ended up at Maximilien for happy hour mussels, which were tasty and a nice way to start the evening. Then on to Union to enjoy some selections on both the bar and dinner menus. Our favorite was the scallops over lentils braised with ham hock. Runners-up were the beef tartare and pork belly dishes (caramelized fat is a dessert, right?). The geoduck and ahi tuna dishes were also fine. Finally, a stroll to Le Pichet for the Chocolate Chaud. Can't go wrong with that! [Deep breath. Digesting.]

Oh (sadly), they were all on my "to-do" list. But, alas, one person can only inhale so many carbohydrates at one sitting. Next time!

I went back to The Place yesterday for a late-night snack. Really wanted to have the xiao long bao, but the nice folks there convinced me to try something different. So, I had something they call nail cakes (so-called because they're bigger than the nails on the doors at Tiananmen Square), which are not on the English menu. They're like xiao long bao, but flat and pan-fried, with a good amount of green onions mixed with the pork, and lots of soup. Really hard to eat. I like to put the whole xiao long bao in my mouth, but with these, you have to bite a small section and then suck out the juice. Good luck! Fun to try, but I prefer the xiao long bao. Also had the lamb skewers, which were great. Dipping powder is very spicy - addictively so. Today I went to Chen's for a snack. Ate the egg and dried tofu dish, as well as a basket of xiao long bao. The verdict? The wrapper is a little more delicate than what you'll get at The Place, but not as much soup - and I think the flavor at The Place makes theirs the overall winner. But I'll certainly give Chen's another try, and will look forward to going with a group next time in order to sample other items that looked good. (And note that I went to Chen's just after it opened, and as I left just before noon, all the tables were taken!) Vancouver, I continue to envy all your great Chinese food!

This is exactly what I'm looking for - thanks! Only challenge would be drinks at all these different places, especially if someone is a non-drinker!

Okay, as an alternative to my tasting menu quest, here's an alternative: Help me create a walking tasting menu experience in downtown Seattle. We'll be free from 3pm onward on an upcoming weekday, ready to preferably walk (or bus) to restaurants to try seafood specialties. Anyone with any favorite dishes to recommend? For example, can start with fifty cent oysters at Elliott's at 3pm. (And maybe end with one non-seafood selection: chocolate chaud at Le Pichet.)

Thanks, Henry. Elemental could be an interesting option. I might also consider a different approach, which I may explore in a different thread...

I'm headed back to the Chinese food mecca known as Richmond this Wednesday and Thursday. Not as much time as in past visits for a feeding frenzy, but want to revisit The Place restaurant for more great xiao long bao (and maybe another dish or two). I am also looking forward to trying Chen's Shanghai (anyone with a specific address?) and maybe Xianheng. My partner can't make the trip this time, so if anyone wants to join me, let me know. The only challenge is that I have to leave Richmond about 5:30pm each of those nights to get to my gigs in Burnaby and Surrey. So... if anyone's free for lunch or late afternoon dinner either Wednesday or Thursday, let me know and we can share some food (and I'll tell you how much better it is than the Chinese food in Seattle!)...

Appreciating all the suggestions so far. I stumbled upon the article mentioned just above in my early search, and need to follow up on Andaluca. Quality at Nishino is quite good, but it's too "Madison Park" for my liking. A lot of money, a lot of pretension. For sushi, I want a little bit more of an authentic Japanese experience where the fish, not the fashion, does the talking. A lot of the suggestions do approach the cost of Mistral - putting them (and especially Mistral) out of my price range. The search continues...

Yes, looking for a tasting menu as part of the standard menu - or a chef accustomed to offering it. Anyone care to associate approximate prices with their tasting menu experiences?

Went back a bunch of month, but didn't see anything specific to this topic. Any suggestions on good tasting menu options in the Seattle area? We'd like to put our tongues and stomachs in the hands of the chef, omakase-style. But not necessarily for Japanese food. Reading great things about Mistral, but looking for less expensive options. Thanks!

Ling, I have the same feeling. I think 7 Stars has gone downhill (from great to just good - which still puts it at more tasty than most other Seattle places) since management changed, despite what others think. In my view, the menu is the same, but the execution is worse. Owners opened Szechuan Chef in Bellevue, which I think is much better (though falling short of a place like Golden Szechuan in Richmond). Have you been there yet? Would be curious to know your opinion...

The Peruvian place is, or was, El Chalan. I recently heard it closed (the phone number is no longer in service). Really? I'd heard pretty good things about it, but haven't gotten there. ←

Thanks. Flights were delayed and I was miserably delayed, so I didn't really get to dine anywhere. Next time!

Going to be at the University of Cincinnati in a few days and looking for something interesting, unique, local, low-end, etc. in that area. Nothing pretentious, please. Looking forward to your ideas - thanks!

Yes, looking for something interesting, unique, non-pretentious and relatively inexpensive in the Boca Raton area. Cuban joint, pho/banh mi, etc. would be great. I've read a bit about La Tre, which looks good, but is there something even more hole-in-the-wallish? Otherwise, my family's going to take me to Olive Garden, Cheesecake Factory, and other unmentionables!

Hope you'll let us know what you choose, and how it works out!

I and others have enjoyed good meals at Andaluca, which seems like a close match to your wish list.