Seattle-ites! Where to eat? What not to miss?

[Davids-Coco]

We are planning on driving (uh) up to seattle for a long weekend because Les Ballets Trockadero will be in Kirkland (and we would rather stay in seattle and drive over to the performance). I have never been even though it is only four hours away.

We will be staying at the Hotel Monaco but don't have a clue where to eat or what to do. What are the best places around Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square? We are open to anything but really like Italian, Mexican and Japanese.

Also, what are the do not miss things? And, of course, the best places to shop!

Thanks so much!!!

 

[wvjules]

Was just there for work a few weeks ago...definately eat at "The Crab Pot". Here's a picture of dinner from there. They're in the Bay Pavillion.

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Pikes Place market was really fun but be sure to go before 6pm though. (They really do toss the fish lol ) Shopping is everywhere! You must stop in AF just to see the security guard. Then return and tell me if its M or F. I'm still undecided on that one.

 

[lulubelle]

We enjoyed Ivar's at Pier 54. The Underground Tour was a lot of fun, too. Have a great time

 

[Pollito916]

I don't live in Seattle, but I just returned from a 3 week business trip there, so I ate out a lot.

Here are some of my favorites, sorry but I don't remember most of the locations, but they were all downtown:

Italian - Tulio's - salmon ravioli with asparagus in a lemon cream sauce, mmmm!
Mexican - Jalisco's (I believe near Queen Anne District) - seafood enchiladas, to die for! My DH is Mexican and a chef, and I have never had enchiladas this good!
There's also a Mexican place called Bimbo's B****in' Burritos - I didn't eat there, but I had to get a t-shirt for my sister b/c the name is so funny!

I don't recall eating at any Japanese places in Seattle (1 in Mercer Island), but I did have Thai & Chinese. I wasn't overly impressed with the Thai place, Typhoon, but I love the Chinese place even though it was a chain, PF Chang's. There are tons of different asian restaurants all over the area, if that's what you're in the mood for.

There are also tons of Seafood Restaurants, but they didn't really fit my meal allowance, so I didn't try any except Ivar's, which was OK, but I am not big into fish n' chips.

Most of the hotels have a good dining guide, with lots of recommendations. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

 

[AdventurerKat]

I lived in Seattle pretty much my whole life until March of this year. For Mexican, I suggest Mama's Mexican Kitchen on 2nd and Bell, just north of the Pike Place Market. For extra fun, ask to sit in the Elvis Room.

BTW, I LOVE the Hotel Monaco. So cute! They have a neat restaurant there too, I think its Sazerac. Interesting food there. I love their lobby! That is a little closer to Pioneer Square than Pike Place Market but an easy walk to both.

Have a great time!

 

[grlpwrd]

Hey, what's wrong with Kirkland? I lived there for 11 years.

In Juanita there's Cafe Juanita which is a nice Italian restaurant: www.cafejuanita.com

Have fun!

 

[TiggerPiglet]

We were in Seattle this summer and ate at the Metropolitan Grill. It was really good, but expensive: www.themetropolitangrill.com/

Just wanted to add it's a steak house. I know you wanted either Italian, Mexican or Japanese, but I thought I might mention this restaurant in case you decide you want a nice big juicy steak

 

[Davids-Coco]

BTW, I LOVE the Hotel Monaco. So cute! They have a neat restaurant there too, I think its Sazerac. Interesting food there. I love their lobby! That is a little closer to Pioneer Square than Pike Place Market but an easy walk to both.

Have a great time!

I love it too. I have wanted to stay at the one is San Fran (b/c we were going there a lot for a while) but never got the chance. You can't go wrong with in room yoga mats, free goldfish pet for stay, and leopard print bathrobes!

Hey, what's wrong with Kirkland?

Absolutely nothing! We just thought that it would be a great opportunity to see Seattle. LOL,they are the ones with the theater that is bringing the Trocks.

 

[cardaway]

I'll second Jalisco's and The Metropolitan Grill (many times simply called The Met) as the best unique places to eat. Of course we now have most of the better chains too, all in the downtown tourist area.

Best tourist spots IMO are Pike Place Market and the Underground.

 

[nwdisgal]

Pike Place does have some great places. Haven't lived is Seattle for a while, but some places I fondly remember were the Pink Door in Post Alley and Cafe Campagne - same general area. There are sooo many good restaurants in Seattle - you won't have a hard time finding one. Also, Tom Douglas is a famous Northwest chef. He has some restaurants too - Palace Kitchen, Etta's, there were some others, too.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Hey, what's wrong with Kirkland? I lived there for 11 years.

In Juanita there's Cafe Juanita which is a nice Italian restaurant: www.cafejuanita.com

Have fun!

You could get your car jacked from the marina

Nothing ever happened when we lived in Kirkland! Of course nothing really ever happens out here in the valley either.

 

[nwdisgal]

Hey, hey... Easy on Kirkland The only thing I remember about the marina area in Kirkland was having to constantly feed the parking meters Kirkland has a great gourmet kitchen shop, too, with the nifty cooking classes, and of course I'm drawing of blank on the name of it now.

If you are down at Pike Place Market, check out Le Panier for baked goods. Yum

If you are into coffee, Cafe Vivace on Broadway makes the best lattes. They do their own roasting there, too. I've heard the guy that owns that place is the espresso guru. Of course, if you're in Seattle, you're visiting the Coffee Capital.

The poster that recommended the underground tour is right. That is a fun tour. Check out the giant toilet and the story behind it. Seattle has a very lively history to it

 

[Davids-Coco]

Being from Portland, I understand the coffee thing!

Thank you everyone for your help. We definately have a lot to choose from for our three days!

 

[bekkiz]

I hihgly, highly, highly recommend Wild Ginger. It's a few blocks from the Hotel Monaco (we stayed there in May, it was wonderful)

Wild Ginger is an upscale (for Seattle, still not super dressy compared to the restaurants here in CA), asian fusion place and it's outstanding.

 

[katerkat]

I can't remember any restuarants specifically, but Le Panier - yum!

And definitely try the Underground Tour. I'm a nerd and love the history. We've been twice. (It's definitely better when not as crowded - in the summer we got a much shorter tour.)

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Hey, hey... Easy on Kirkland The only thing I remember about the marina area in Kirkland was having to constantly feed the parking meters Kirkland has a great gourmet kitchen shop, too, with the nifty cooking classes, and of course I'm drawing of blank on the name of it now.

The poster that recommended the underground tour is right. That is a fun tour. Check out the giant toilet and the story behind it. Seattle has a very lively history to it

I like Kirkland, we moved from there 18 months ago when we bought the house I got my first and only parking ticket in Kirkland too, forgot to move my car while I was at work. The kitchen store is Sur La Table, there's one in downtown Seattle too.

The underground tour I remember taking field trips to that in elementary school, haven't been since.

 

[cardaway]

I hihgly, highly, highly recommend Wild Ginger. It's a few blocks from the Hotel Monaco (we stayed there in May, it was wonderful)

Wild Ginger is an upscale (for Seattle, still not super dressy compared to the restaurants here in CA), asian fusion place and it's outstanding.

Ditto that. Best Asian food in the Seattle area. Worth every penny.

 

[Davids-Coco]

We have Sur La Table down here...

Thanks for all the tips!!

 

[simpilotswife]

We were there over the summer and thought that the Science Fiction Museum was awesome. One restaurant recommendation that I did not see was Duke's Chowder House next to Lake Union. We really enjoyed eating there.

 

[grlpwrd]

I was only kidding about Kirkland.

I forgot to mention for something different there's the Spirit of Washington train which offers dining, but you need to drive a little to get there as it in based in Renton: www.spiritofwashingtondinnertrain.com/menu2.cfm?id=2

The three and a quarter hour, 44 mile round trip journey departs from the Renton depot and travels along the east side of Lake Washington to the Columbia Winery in Woodinville. The round-trip excursion includes a three-course gourmet meal and a 45-minute stop at the winery to visit the cellar and sample their premium Northwest wines.