Seattle Restaurants

[goatcheese]

Folks:

I will be vacationing in Seattle the first part of September and staying at the Hotel Monaco. I am looking for the names of several upscale restaurants that can be recommended that have quality food, good wine list and excellent service (not tourist traps). Price is not a factor (its vacation) and location is no trouble (taxis). French and seafood are our first choice but any cuisine is appreciated. Basically, we are looking for the “Best that Seattle has to Offer”

Goatcheese

[Really Nice!]

Rovers

The Herb Farm

Canlis

[Foodie-Girl]

In no particular order...

Cascadia

The Herbfarm

Mistral

Lampreia

[rockdoggydog]

Very fond of Nell's and Union

Rocky

[tsquare]

Don't forget Lark, Harvest Vine, Campagne, Waterfront, and Cafe Juanita.

But also, some of the best Seattle has to offer isn't necessarily fancy or "upscale". Thinking particularly about Matt's in the Market. Also, maybe Restaurant Zoe for something nicer but comfortable.

[vengroff]

Union.

[vengroff]

And don't forget to fit in a lunch down at Salumi.

[malarkey]

Nell's website.

Cafe Campagne for brunch (or lunch or dinner) the more upscale restaurant Campagne upstairs, dinner only.

website for Lampreia.

[agnolottigirl]

Le Pichet, Le Pichet, Le Pichet!

[Schielke]

You definitely need to go to Mistral.

[tsquare]

and there is also Le Gourmand and Brassiere Margaux,

[richards1052]

I don't disagree with all of the above recommendations, but I'd like to affirm Le Pichet & Harvest Vine as just about my favorite restaurants in Seattle.

I've written a long review of HV at my blog: http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_ol...arvest_vin.html

[tighe]

website for Lampreia.

Nice pics but would it kill them to post a sample menu? I've still never been, maybe the next suitable blow-out dining occaision....

As much as I love Brasserie Margaux, I don't think I'd recommend it for a visitor looking for the best of fine-dining in Seattle because it lacks innovation. Still my #1 choice for quality, non-challenging, relaxed dining though... (Maybe I'm just being gun-shy because BM is currently getting beaten about the head and neck over on the web site whose name shall not be spoken. )

My rec's would echo many already posted with Union as my #1.

[tsquare]

Oh, and Flying Fish.

[tsquare]

Seafood, wine, service, Seattle style...uh, Ray's Boathouse

Edited July 16, 2004 by tsquare (log)

[jbonne]

But also, some of the best Seattle has to offer isn't necessarily fancy or "upscale". Thinking particularly about Matt's in the Market. Also, maybe Restaurant Zoe for something nicer but comfortable.

seconded on Zoe and Matt's. both excellent. Matt's will require reservations, big time. Zoe has accomodated me on walk-in every time, even a Friday night.

it's certainly worth doing Rovers, Campagne, Canlis, Herbfarm just to see what Seattle offers in that range. but my feeling is ... branch out.

Cascadia is an excellent displayer of regional talent. i think Kerry Sear is brilliant, though some disagree. (though i'm rather done with the Douglas fir sorbet.)

going slightly more populist, lunch at Salumi or at many places in the International District are worthy stops, if that's your thing. Pichet is lovely but not a Seattle-specific treat, save the wine list, which is a blast.

i'd generally say to skip most of the big-name seafood places. especially Ray's. after parsing their wine list last week, i'm on a semi-boycott. 150% over retail is simply unacceptable, even for the unsuspecting tourist.

but the one place no friend of mine can leave Seattle without dining is Palace Kitchen. it's not without its shortcomings, but i maintain it's one of the best restaurants i've ever seen for food-focused foodies, and a true symbol of Seattle dining. generally, you can skip Tom Douglas' other offerings, though i haven't been to Lola. (but i hear great things.)

still haven't been to Lark or Lampreia. i suck.

[Captain Hongo]

I didn't see anyone mention Earth and Ocean or the restaurat at the Edgewater. Sit at the table inside the redwood trunk.

Da Captain

[richards1052]

I didn't see anyone mention Earth and Ocean or the restaurat at the Edgewater. Sit at the table inside the redwood trunk.

Da Captain

Other than a redwood trunk, what's the food like at the Edgewater? Seems like an unlikely place for a good restaurant, but locations can be deceiving I freely admit.

[jbonne]

Other than a redwood trunk, what's the food like at the Edgewater? Seems like an unlikely place for a good restaurant, but locations can be deceiving I freely admit.

i've been underwhelmed. decent seafood, but entree prices are about $10 too high for the value. composition has generally been a bit underwhelming, for what amounts to a piece of fish on a plate.

the clams (or were they mussels?) were very good as an app, though.