15821 Tue May 02 14:07:11 -0700 2006 23 4 Pacific Northwest 0 41809 I have been perusing the board, but not knowing Seattle geography or transportation options I thought I would post another request for recommendations. Bay area chowhound coming to Seattle on business. I am staying at the Westin and probably won't have a car. I am looking for mid-range priced restaurants (under $20 a plate) and maybe one more expensive meal ($20-$30 a plate). Don't drink, so wine selection not a priority, only fresh, creative, and regional food. 1. Looking for dinner restaurants to which we could take our two, well behaved young children. They have gone to nice restaurants before and have been fine. 2. My son and I are allergic to wheat, so nothing that only does pasta or pizza well for instance, and nothing that puts soy sauce in everything (since it is made from wheat). Mexican or South American, Thai, Middle Eastern, Indian or higher end restaurants usually are no problem. 3. Looking for some quick lunch choices near the Convention center. 4. My husband is fish phobic, although I enjoy fresh fish/seafood, so any fish place should have other options. 5. We will probably head up to the market and seattle center one day, but we need to stay where we can easily get there by safe/reliable public transportation (like the monorail). Now after all those requirements, anyone still with me and have recommendations? Tue May 02 14:07:11 -0700 2006 0 SMD 1 41810 Wow, quite a list there. For the family you just across the street from Icon Grill. Big menu of mostly upscale comfort food. They do serve pasta, but also lots of seafood, poultry, meat, and salads. http://www.icongrill.net/ Tom Douglas' Palace Kitchen is also very close to the Westin and makes good NW regional food. A smaller menu but with good variety and specials. Not too sure about lunch options near the convention center. They have a food court in the lobby, but it's mostly fastfood types chains like Subway and Taco Del Mar (which isn't too bad for what it is). You aren't too far from the US Bank Center which has Palamino. You can eat at the bar and they do quick sandwiches, salads, etc. Sorry, have to laugh at your comment on the Monorail, as being safe and reliable. Not sure if it has reopened after the crash and they had a fire last year. Metro is the public bus system and it's free downtown from like 6am - 7pm on weekdays. Tue May 02 14:37:45 -0700 2006 41809 0 Lisa 2 41872 I'd second Icon Grill, as it will fit many of your requirements. And no, the Monorail is not running yet; probably not until September. Fri May 05 14:16:38 -0700 2006 41810 0 Retro 1 41812 The only lunch place I'd recommend near the convention center is Bambuza. It's (somewhat) upscale Vietnamese. The prices are higher and the portions smaller than some of the fabulous Vietnamese places that we have in the International District, but it's a solid option for the area. Tue May 02 15:24:28 -0700 2006 41809 0 christy 1 41814 I like Dragonfish at 722 Pine. It is kid friendly and has a variety of pan-asian food items. It is across the street from the convention center, so makes a nice lunch stop. Enjoy the trip. Tue May 02 16:05:27 -0700 2006 41809 0 Jane 1 41816 There is a Thai GInger restaurant on one of the upper floors in Pacific Place (upscale indoor mall on Pine between 6th and 7th). On the ground floor of the same mall, there is an IL FOrnaio restaurant where you can get roast chicken etc. On Union (a block from the convention center) there is a Union Square grill which is popular. Tue May 02 16:45:40 -0700 2006 41809 0 barleywino 1 41817 FYI: Monorail is currently undergoing repairs, so not a transportation option until sometime this summer. Link: http://www.seattlemonorail.com/ Tue May 02 20:20:04 -0700 2006 41809 0 tara 2 41818 I guess this is what comes from getting my Seattle education from Frasier... Good thing we are good at hoofing it. Are the areas downtown (say going from the Westin to Pike's Place Market or Seattle Center) safe/comfortable to walk? At night? If so we would consider dining up in that area too. Tue May 02 20:35:36 -0700 2006 41817 0 SMD 3 41823 It's not a long walk and it is safe (you'll probably pass some people who will ask for change). If you are going to go to the Market, I would suggest Chez Shea, Matt's in the Market or Union. It would be best to call ahead for reservations. Tue May 02 23:29:04 -0700 2006 41818 0 janedoe67 4 41824 The 3 restaurants I just mentioned are some of my favorites in Seattle....but I don't know how kid friendly they are. Tue May 02 23:54:38 -0700 2006 41823 0 janedoe67 2 41833 I don't know for sure, but when the monorail has been out of service before, Metro has run a shuttle bus to the Seattle Center from the street level of where the monorail terminal downtown is. Metro buses are pretty reliable and safe. Wed May 03 13:58:17 -0700 2006 41817 0 Pam 1 41834 Lunch places... A slight trek uphill from the convention center is McMennamin's Six Arms, an Oregon based mini-chain brewpub with good food. (Everyone I know with kids goes for the Tater Tots.) World Class Chili in the Market is great if you're into that kind of thing. Mac&Cheese at Beecher's (also in the Market) and the cheese making going on in the background is usually a kid pleaser. Dinner... Cheap or Cheapish, Copacabana (Market) Latin American food with a nice view and outdoor dining if it's nice. Cafe Campagne, more casual sister to Campagne. On the very pricey side but I love the atmosphere and the seafood is REALLY good, Shuckers in the Olympic Hotel. Although I don't like to recommend big nationwide chains, the original McCormick and Schmick's is here and they are very kid friendly. Wed May 03 14:32:47 -0700 2006 41809 0 Kevin 2 41837 Mac&Cheese...Pasta... Wed May 03 16:14:28 -0700 2006 41834 0 Kevin 2 41838 A small correction...World Class Chili has been closed about a month and was still closed as of yesterday. The proprietor/chili chef suffered a heart attack and it's not known whether he will return. Wed May 03 16:19:17 -0700 2006 41834 0 bbqer 3 41846 Slightly off topic, but does anyone know how/where to send a card to Joe? Thu May 04 11:46:25 -0700 2006 41838 0 Lauren 1 41865 Like the original poster I'm coming in for a greater part of a week in about 2 weeks. But I don't have kids. Some of you may remember when I posted back in October about breakfast places and you were helpful. (I was there to plan our conference back then). I'll be staying at the Red Lion on Fifth again. Fould that the brew pub in the next block was good but can use more ideas, mostly for lunch nearby but not at the Market. Also, I found that shusi buffet restaurant in the nearby upscale mall and it looked great. Forget name. Anyone been there and care to comment? I'm not into raw fish but the Tempuras and Vegetable shusi looked great and looked fair at about $22. Definitely going to The Fisherman with our large group as we had great food and service last time and the SAlmon Feast made splitting the bill easy (always a problem) Lastly, a bit OT but since they usually serve drinks, can you give me suggestions for clubs or "coffee houses" in the area to hear live music at night? I don't think SEA clubs are smoke free so ones that might have less smoking or smokefree section would be appreciated. (What's the best web site to see who is playing in that week?) Thanks again for all your help! Steve in Philly Fri May 05 08:30:10 -0700 2006 41809 0 Steve in Philly 2 41866 I think the sushi buffet you are thinking of is TOdai, in Pacific Place. Not a big fan of that place, below-average sushi and food. If you're looking for Japanese lunch near the Red Lion but not raw fish, you can try the teppanyaki grill at Benihana (ok, Americanized Japanese food) at 5th and University, or the pork-bone noodle soup lunch special (tonkatsu ramen) at Koji Osakaya on 1st and University. Food court in Westlake center (5th and Pine) has some options, e.g. decent pad ki mow at Thai Noodle Zone. FOr something fast there is a Korean take out place (charges by the ounce) in Century Square food court between 4th and 3rd and between Pike and Pine. FOr a good deal on lunch steak, try the Brooklyn at 2nd and University. Fri May 05 10:14:57 -0700 2006 41865 0 barleywino 3 41882 Thanks. Yep Todai was it. Seems to be a big chain but none near Philly. Benihana is Everywhere! So I'll pass on that. Will check out the Noodle soup place. Also, maybe I asked this once before but - other than LOTS of Salmon and Crab, is there any Seattle specific sandwich or junk food (NO! Starbucks Coffee doesn't count ) (And BTW, I was so glad to find the Columbia Coffee Federation shop next to the hotel.It's one of only 3 in the US and Wash DC is the closest to me.) Okay, what I meant was like a Muffalatta in New Orleans, Cheese Steak in Philly, Pork BBQ nearly anywhere in the south. What can I seek out that I won't get just about anywhere else?? Steve in Philly Fri May 05 21:45:06 -0700 2006 41866 0 Steve in Philly 4 41884 You might be able to get this elsewhere, but...how about Douglas fir martini at Cascadia? made with Douglas fir sorbet. Get the DUngeness ravioli while you're there. Fri May 05 22:00:39 -0700 2006 41882 0 barleywino 4 41897 We don't really have any sort of regional specialty or dish, this came up right before the Superbowl. One thing you might not find outside of the PNW is alder planked salmon. Available at many local restaurants. Just known for the fresh seafood, microbrews, and coffee houses. Sun May 07 15:28:19 -0700 2006 41882 0 Lisa 2 41875 As of Dec 8th all bars are now smoke free, so don't let that stop you from trying a club. For good music downtown, the Jazz Alley is popular. Fri May 05 16:27:36 -0700 2006 41865 0 Lisa 2 41878 Another place for music (I second Jazz Alley and you might even get to catch John Pizzarelli when you're here - http://www.jazzalley.com/) is The Triple Door, which is below Wild Ginger - http://www.thetripledoor.com/. They serve the same menu as Wild Ginger which may or may not make you happy (my husband lives for the Fragrant Duck) but you can have a full dinner there (and at Jazz Alley). It's just a fantastic space. I know nothing about the food but if you're a Jazz fan, you might try Tula's. http://www.tulas.com/ Fri May 05 17:47:55 -0700 2006 41865 0 SandraV 3 41883 Bobby Blue Bland is at JA the whole week. Triple Door has some folks not familiar with and James Hunter (who's here in Philly tonight!) the night I arrive have dinner scheduled. Is there not a city tourist run web site for all music venues like many cities have. The two weekly paper sites only list this week's performers. Again, thanks for your help! Keep the ideas coming! Steve in Philly (where the politicians have roadblocked the non smoking ordinance.) Fri May 05 21:50:58 -0700 2006 41878 0 Steve in Philly 2 41879 What luck. While you were away, Seattle completely banned smoking at all bars and restaurants, and even outside the doors of office buildings, so bars that have been unavailable to people who can't tolerate smoke are now back on the menu. See the link below to the Stranger, a local tabloid with a good entertainment section. Look at the Tractor Tavern if you are intereseted in Seattle's premier folk venue. Link: http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Home Fri May 05 19:04:51 -0700 2006 41865 0 mr.nelso