An Oldie but Goodie: Seattle Dining Recommendations

Below is a re-post of some of my favorite dining recommendations in the Seattle area from my previous blog attempt (sarah+joe)… Joe, I still love you. :)

Picture: Spicy sausage rigatoni from Tavolata.

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One of the struggles that we often have is what to eat and where to eat. How is this possible living in Seattle, a metropolis filled with plentiful top-notch eateries?

I’m sure that you, too, have asked yourself these same questions, so we’re here to help you digest your food-night-out with our top recommendations:

1. Northlake Pizza Tavern: In the mood for pizza? How about 10 lb. pizzas? The pizza they serve here is the best we’ve ever had, and we’re confident that you’ll leave feeling full with food babies. Our favorites are the Combo and Logger. Joe LOVES this place and happily introduced this to me. Prior to NPT, I hated olives. But, chopped olives on these pizzas are what makes it. I swear! Great for group gatherings and for a date night with your significant other.
2. Purple Wine Bar: This place holds a very special place for us. We absolutely love this place, not only for the ambience and service, but for the amazing wine and cheeses. If you need a place to take your date to, look no further than Purple. We highly recommend the Baked Brie (super cheesy brie goodness with these crazy delicious crackers), Humboldt Fog goat cheese (served with those crackers and figgy condiment) and pizzas. Trust us. Do it.
3. 5 Spot: Interested in late-night grub? Fried chicken and taters? They have an evolving menu based on different themes/worldly regions. We’ve always found our dishes tasty and satisfying. Plus, how can you go wrong drinking beverages out of mason jars?
4. Coastal Kitchen: I think this is a sister restaurant to 5 Spot because their menus/decor are oddly similar. Breakfast is to diiiiie for, and they’re typically very busy. Call ahead for a table. While you’re at it, try their blueberry pancakes!
5. 14 Carrot Cafe: Located on Eastlake Ave, this place is also fairly busy on the weekends. Hit them up when you’re craving a delicious breakfast/brunch. Can’t go wrong there. Delish scrambles, omelets, etc. Effin’ good coffee, too!
6. Paseo: UHHHHH – if you haven’t tried this place, you MUST. Not just a typical sammich place (yes, we call sandwiches sammiches), they offer an array of hot-off-the-press Cuban-style dishes. Try the Midnight Cuban, filled with meats, peppers, and cheese in a perfectly crusty baguette. Be prepared for a foodgasm and hot dripping mess off your hands. Rather than wash your hands, why not just lick ‘em? Better yet, ask the stranger next to you to do it.
7. Peso’s Kitchen & Lounge: Go here for breakfast, but be prepared for the stench of the previous night’s bar happenings. But, they serve chips and salsa and humongous breakfast burritos. ‘Nuff said.
8. New Hong Kong Restaurant aka DIM SUM: Hello, I’m Chinese and I like dim sum. Have you not had dim sum? No? I’m sorry. Dim sum is kind of the equivalent of Japanese sushi, but in Chinese form. As you’re seated, waiters push carts full of hot, steamy foods – shu mai, bbq pork bun, har gau (shrimp dumplings), etc. There are sweet and savory options to suit everyone’s needs. Joe loves dim sum, too. We hit up the ID (International District) every so often, maybe every other month, JUST to experience dim sum. Just don’t eat things like chicken feet  – they scare me, but hey – whatever floats peoples’ boats. At least try dim sum once, or be like the Chinese and have this at least once a week.
9. Tavolata: I tried this for the 1st time a few weeks ago for HH and fell IN LOVE with their food, particularly the gnocchi and rigatoni dishes. The gnocchi was soft, little heavenly pillows of dough melting into an array of delish tomato sauce and parm. The rigato was a bit spicy, but not overpowering, mixed in a tomato sauce with yummy bites of sausage. Who doesn’t love the sausage? TWSS! I also hear that they have the most delicious dessert in the form of doughy lemony things. Ask them about it. Tell them I told you.
• New Update: Since this post was first published in March 2010, I have definitely frequented this place numerous times. Ethan Stowell and his many restaurants are TOP NOTCH. Definitely go to Tavolata if you’re in the mood for Italian. See picture above. Yum!
10. Pho Cyclo Cafe: This is the best pho place we’ve had in Seattle. Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, it’s often hard to find parking. BUT, who really cares about parking when the food is delicious? For those who don’t know, pho is a type of Vietnamese dish – basically a bowl of broth/soup with noodles and meat or tofu. Typically, you take the base (broth and noodles) and add extras like sprouts, basil, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, etc. Whatever you desire. It’s delicious, aromatic, and really warms your heart.

Now, Seattle does have quite a few good restaurants. Often times, there’s just not enough time to try them all. Here comes in options like “Dine Around Seattle” and the upcoming Seattle Restaurant Week. Tons of top-notch restaurants participate in special menus like 3-courses for $30 or 3 courses for $25 to get patrons to come in and try.

Hope you all find the suggestions above helpful.

I’m always up for new suggestions, so what are your favorite restaurants in Seattle?