Restaurant help needed!

**fiddler** · 08-02-2006, 12:32 AM

So Thursday is our 20th anniversary and it turns out we have to go to Seattle for a doctor visit. Since we moved out of Seattle 16 years ago we're a little out of touch with good restaurants. Steak houses, Chinese or anything good. If we don't spend all our money on dinner it looks like a trip to Emerald Downs on Saturday should take care of the rest of it!
Any suggestions appreciated...

**schindlerpiste** · 08-02-2006, 05:23 AM

I have never been to either, but I have heard good things about these:

94 Stewart:206 441-5505 Excellent seafood http://www.94stewart.com/

Crush: 206 302-7874 Lamb Chops to die for. http://www.chefjasonwilson.com/

Call for menu and prices. The guy who was telling me about them is pretty pretentious. On the other hand, he does have a discerning palate.

**The AD** · 08-02-2006, 08:00 AM

Canlis and Palisade come to mind.

**fiddler** · 08-02-2006, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by schindlerpiste

I have never been to either, but I have heard good things about these:

94 Stewart:206 441-5505 Excellent seafood http://www.94stewart.com/

Crush: 206 302-7874 Lamb Chops to die for. http://www.chefjasonwilson.com/

Call for menu and prices. The guy who was telling me about them is pretty pretentious. On the other hand, he does have a discerning palate.

mmmmm, lambchops

**jryoung** · 08-02-2006, 02:17 PM

Super fancy memorable dining experience: Canlis
Steak House: The Met or El Gaucho

Unique wine bar that can be busy and crowded:
Bricco
a Queen Anne Wine Bar
1525 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
206-285-4900

If you go to Bricco, as for Jason Crume, he's the wine director, and a good friend.

**Sinecure** · 08-02-2006, 02:51 PM

Have you ever used OpenTable? Its a very cool service in the cities where they have restaurants (which include Seattle). I use it a lot if I'm looking to make a reservation in a place I'm not too familiar with. You can search by neighborhood, price range, food type, etc., and it will show you available reservation times for restaurants that match your search criteria, time and number of people.

There are quite a few in Seattle. I'd offer suggestions, but most of the places I've been up there are more business focused than romantic.

Oh, and if you use OpenTable for a while, you eventually get a minor reward. For ever 10 or so reservations you make using the system, you get a $10 gift voucher good at any of their restaurants. And sometimes they give bonus points for off-hour reservations (say before 6 or after 9) or restaurants that are new to the system.

I've been using it since the bubble days when they were mostly in the Bay Area. Its awesome for business and dating - when I'm on the phone with a client or prospective date and need to suggest a place in a particular neighborhood. It runs fast enough that I can usually recommend a place, knowing that I can confirm the reservation without missing a beat in the conversation. Apparently OpenTable sells the restaurants on the fact that they get a great system for managing their tables (a restaurateur confirmed for me that their system is excellent) and a built-in group of people who will make online reservations.

I just checked Seattle and there are dozens of available places in a variety of locations ready for you for tomorrow night. Have fun.

**Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo** · 08-02-2006, 02:57 PM

I got to eat at Canlis last week and it was quite good(they were out of oysters but the foie gras made up for it quite nicely, as did the filet), and if you can get a table near the window the views are nice. I started a thread a asking this same question a while back(I am too lazy to search for it now) but some people also said Mistral was really good.

Edit: whaddya know, I am not as lazy as I thought http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...Places+Seattle

KQ · 08-02-2006, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by The AD

Canlis and Palisade come to mind.

Palisades....just say "no"

How about Dahlia Lounge or The Palace Kitchen (both Tom Douglas rest.)?

EDIT:

Also - Wild Ginger, Assaggio and Sarafina

http://www.serafinaseattle.com/

http://www.assaggioseattle.com/

**jryoung** · 08-02-2006, 03:15 PM

Any of Tom Douglas's restaurants are reccomended, Dahlia, Palace, Lola, Ettas etc.

I went ot Dahlia in May of 2005 and was blown away, so good, then I went again in May of 2006 not so good it left something to be desired. But I chalk it up to a bad night, and not so great specials. The previous visit overwhelmed the second, and I'd certaintly be willing to experiment with the others.

http://tomdouglas.com/

On a side note with respect to my previous reccomendation of Bricco, if you're going to get dinner elsewhere, go there for dessert. I'd reccomend the grilled nutella sandwich, assorted chocolates, and cheese plate.

**spindrift** · 08-02-2006, 03:18 PM

I'm gonna stick with the same thing I said last time this came up: Mistral.

IMO, all the Tom Douglas restaurants have been slipping - although I'd favor Etta's over the others at this point...

**splat** · 08-02-2006, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by KQ

Palisades....just say "no"

How about Dahlia Lounge or The Palace Kitchen (both Tom Douglas rest.)?

EDIT:

Also - Wild Ginger, Assaggio and Sarafina

http://www.serafinaseattle.com/

http://www.assaggioseattle.com/

I was just about to suggest KQ's expert opining.

lurker........

KQ · 08-02-2006, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by splat

I was just about to suggest KQ's expert opining.

lurker........

mmmmmmm not really lurking more like popping

Re: Sarafina - they have some nice romantic patio seating...speaking of which the Pink Door is nice too (in Pike Place Market)

Oh but did you see the menu at Assaggio? They have osso buco – yum!