Seattle and Portland Help

[Tom D]

Hi folks, from NJ (usually post on Rosies board), wife and I will be visiting Seattle and Portland for 3 days each in August

Haven't been to Seattle in several years, enjoyed Wild Ginger for the unique flavors and plan to go back there.

We like Bistros and Cafes (I know Wild Ginger doesn't qualify ) are there any places in Seattle that you would recommend. Will have a car but would rather stay in the city proper or within a short drive.

In Portland, we will be in wine country one night and plan to eat at Tina's in Dundee.

In Portland, Scarlet Begonias was recommended to us by a few people. Any opinions on this restaurant or any other favorites you have for Portland.

Thanks in advance and we look forward to visiting the beautiful NW soon.

Tom

[mamster]

I don't have time to do a full post right now, but in the cafe/bistro vein, it would be hard to do better than Le Pichet. If you do a search or scroll down to old topics, you can get details of the Seattle eGullet gathering there. I'll definitely have more recs for you later.

[papachef]

Mamster, did you really love Pichet that much. When we went some of the stuff was great and some pretty mediocre. The beignets we had were overcooked. I actually had the impression that night you were not overly thrilled. What the heck do I know. Some cool places you can try:

Le Gourmand

Earth & Ocean

Flying Fish

of course there is always.....forget it (no shameless promotion)

[mamster]

Le Pichet I liked--now, E & O, that's another story.

Let's see--the venison sausage thing I had at Le Pichet was great. The rillons de porc were wonderful. The beignets were blah. Um, what else did I try? The desserts I thought were pretty lousy overall. I like the wine service.

Since then I've had the French onion soup, which was average, and the roast chicken, which is great.

I guess I am inscrutable.

[papachef]

Thats ok. I still like yah. Remember the creme caramel. The caramel was solid on the bottom. HA

[mamster]

Yeah, when Laurie and I went back we tried other desserts (can't remember what) and they were still mediocre. Maybe Steve K will see this thread and point out that a restaurant that can't do dessert right isn't worth supporting, but frankly I still like the place. I'd especially go for, say, wine and rillons.

Now, we're supposed to be helping Tom D. I also like Cafe Campagne, a little French place down in Pike Place Market. It's the bistro offshoot of Campagne, a more celebrated French restaurant, but if you've eaten at the better French restaurants in New York, I expect you'll be disappointed. Cafe Campagne is especially nice for lunch.

How do you feel about lavish Italian meals? Portland has Genoa; I haven't been but am planning to go later this summer. They do an many-course Italian dinner with matching wines, and it's one of those only-in-the-Northwest experiences. There are many good Italian restaurants in NJ, I know, but I doubt there's one quite like Genoa. We talk about it a bit on a recent thread; try the newly working search engine.

I like Etta's Seafood, but I know there's some difference of opinion--it attracts a lot of tourists, which tends to make some people edgy. The menu is a good example of what most people think of as Seattle seafood, though. If you don't make it there, it's worth going to at least one of Tom Douglas's restaurants--see http://www.tomdouglas.com for details.

More as I think of them.

[tsquare]

Matt's in THe Market - only 23 seats. A challenge to find and worth it. Seafood-centric. Lunch and dinner.

Harvest Vine - not downtown, but close. Very small, and crowded. Tapas.

Market Street Grill - Ballard neighborhood good and friendly.

Eva - another neighborhood place - Wallingford.

Brasa - full dinner house - eat in the bar off the shorter (and less expensive) menu, and pretend it is a bistro.

Salumi - lunch only, short hours and menu.

Cafe Campagne - I agree, better for lunch.

[mamster]

Actually, Laurie informs me that we didn't have dessert when we went back. Guess that's why I couldn't remember.

[tighe]

I would definately second the suggestions on Le Pichet & Le Gourmand....

For the total bistro feel though, I have to go with Cassis Bistro on Capital Hill, especially if you're into charcuterie.

If you're going to be down in the Willamette Valley, definately check out the Red Hills Dining Room (sp?). Others will strongly disagree with me I'm sure, but skip the Joel Palmer House. Over-rated!....

Enjoy....

[Tom D]

Thanks everybody!!

I have a much better feel for where to go when we're out there.

Looking forward to a great trip.

Tom

PS A colleague at work really liked Wildflowers in Portland. Any opinions

[heyjude]

Tom, Wildwood or Wildflowers? If it is Wildwood that was recommended, you can't go wrong with the food. I've eaten there very happily many times, but the noise can be unbearable. Ask for a quiet table. Here in Seattle, I love Nell's for a slightly pricy night out. Let us know what you do and have a great trip.

[Tom D]

Judy

Sorry for the brain freeze it is Wildwood not wildflowers.

Thanks for the advice on Wildwood and Nell's in Seattle.

Will let you know all the details on our trip when we return.

Tom