15634 Sun Mar 12 18:49:09 -0800 2006 8 4 Pacific Northwest 0 40660 Chowhounds, Just moved to Seattle from the Boston area. Looking for a "Top 10 to Try" list for a newcomer. I'm a big foodie/oenephile who's eaten all over NYC, SF, etc. I've already tried Canlis and Serafina which were both pretty good. Price no object -- just top notch food and wine, and good atmosphere. My favorite restaurant in Boston (for ref.) is The Blue Room and my favorite restaurant in NY is Grammercy Tavern. So give me your recs! Danke, ...Roger. Sun Mar 12 18:49:09 -0800 2006 0 Roger Dodger 1 40661 RD, I always remember the BLue Room and Gramercy Tavern as casual solid American comfort food...around here that might translate into Palace Kitchen, Crow, maybe Crush... Sun Mar 12 19:14:24 -0800 2006 40660 0 barleywino 2 40706 I might sort of agree for Palace Kitchen, but I would say that Crush is anyting but casual or solid American comfort food. The sweetbreads and the marrow with parsley salad were great, but hardly in that comfort food realm, and the entrees were, well, I thought they were eh. We had a group of seven Friday night and tried most of them, and I can't say any were fantastic, and certainly not for the money. Though that was sort of overshadowed anyway by how stark and accoustically unpleasant the restaurant is, and by how a table seated behind us used that opportunity to ruin everyone's meal by squealing and talking extremely loudly throught our entire visit. And by the fact that our waiter did nothing when we brought to his attention that they were behaving like they were in Hooters. For over $100 per person, I want to be wowed by the food and service and ambience. Crush didn't measure up on any of those counts. Tue Mar 14 16:08:00 -0800 2006 40661 0 Bunny-Bunny 3 40708 I agree, Crush is not a restaurant that is high on my list. I was just trying to think of places that might match the tastes of the OP, given the restaurants he cited as his favorites...places that wow me would not fall into that particular category (I'm not a personal fan of either Blue Room or Gramercy T) Tue Mar 14 17:07:32 -0800 2006 40706 0 barleywino 1 40675 Try formidable newcomer Fork -- they've just received a rave review/cover feature in the PI, so make reservations. Also try elemental@gasworks (possibly my favorite restaurant, currently) for a unique and immensely enjoyable dining experience. Elemental is not for everyone as they do not accept reservations, so you have to come early or be ready to wait for a table. Also, for the best experience, you should be prepared to cede a little control over the meal -- the best is to allow owner Phred Westfall to select your wine pairings instead of buying a bottle -- he'll pour surprising and unusual wines. The menu at elemental@gasworks changes approximately weekly. Link: http://www.elementalatgasworks.com/ Mon Mar 13 11:23:31 -0800 2006 40660 0 Susu 1 40712 The Top Ten I would set out for you would be: 1. Volterra 2. Lark 3. Union 4. Harvest Vine 5. Voila 6. Palace Kitchen 7. Zoe 8. Osteria La Spiga 9. Brasa 10. Bandoleone I've never had anything but a stellar meal at any of these, and all of them have warm, lovely atmosphere. Let us know if you try any! Tue Mar 14 21:50:31 -0800 2006 40660 0 Bunny-Bunny 1 40719 the HerbFarm in Woodinville, A truly unique experience. Prix Fixe around $200 per person but worth every penny. 9 courses and 8 wines the last time we went; finishing with a 102 year old Madeira with dessert. Wed Mar 15 02:31:05 -0800 2006 40660 0 Michael 1 40860 I'd send you all over the place--to Queen Anne for Thai food at Tup Tim Thai, to Cedars for Indian in the University District, La Spiga on Capital Hill, La Medusa in Columbia City, Madame K's in Ballard... Wed Mar 22 17:56:35 -0800 2006 40660 0 hungrymom 1 40988 April is the "best restaurants" issue of Seattle Magazine. Check it out! Link: http://www.seattlemag.com/ Tue Mar 28 13:51:48 -0800 2006 40660 0 Ms F