cool eats in Seattle

[schraminvan]

I'm going to Seattle next weekend. I am also a chef and in school so I'm kinda broke. Are there any really funky, cool but not outrageously expensive places to check out. Any suggestions are great. Coffee joints, lunch spots, dinner hideaways, also happy hours for Friday after work time

Thx
Steve

[natalie.warner]

Where did you go?
I am curious with all the great suggetions what you tasted and what you thought.

[schraminvan]

Hey everyone thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm to Seattle today so I'll try to fit evrything in. I'm already fetting hungry!!

[stacykz]

If you like BBQ Pork you HAVE to go to the International District to a place called Kau Kau's. They roast everything on site, including duck, ribs and BBQ Pork (all of which you can see hanging in the front window) It is dirt cheap, especially the lunch specials.
Even if you don't want an entire lunch, stop by and just buy a quarter pound of BBQ Pork for about $2. You will never be able to eat regular BBQ Pork again.

[barleywino]

salmon soboro (fried rice w/ salmon flakes, shredded egg etc) at Koji Osakaya for lunch

marmalade sour and chocolate mousse napoleon at Vessel bar, hazelnut brown butter financier at Licorous

chicken nanban at Wann sake bar (disclaimer: have not been there for a few months)

eel (unagi) fried rice at the teppanyaki bar at Benihana (yeah, i know it's a chain, but they put a ton of unagi in this)

Trenchtown cocktail at Marjorie

sticky rice stuffed chicken wing at O'Asian

crab spring rolls at Monsoon

salty plum drink at Green Leaf

crab & camembert tart at Chez Shea

pork rillette at Cremant

shittake cannelloni at Coupage

cornmeal breaded catfish sandwich at Matts (when it reopens in March)

crab cream croquettes at Shiro's

[ssusu]

If you can afford $30 - $50 a person for dinner (inclusive), consider elemental@gasworks (www.elementalatgasworks.com). It's a tiny place (five tables, 3 seats at a bar overlooking the kitchen) with a small menu that changes approximately weekly. Chef Laurie Riedeman is self-taught; her partner, Phred Westfall, pairs the dishes with wines. Expect a three- to four-hour seating and to take a taxi home. There is nothing like this at this price range in NYC.

[creepygirl]

I'd suggest El Quetzal in Beacon Hill and Senor Moose Cafe in Ballard for out of the ordinary Mexican food. I think the doughnuts at the Daily Dozen cart in Pike Market are better than Top Pot. Pam's Kitchen (Trinidadian food) in the University District might be worth a try as well. I've only been once, but liked everything I tried there, especially the peanut punch (kind of like a milkshake.)

[Lauren]

Ethan Stowell's new restaurant, Tavolata, opens this Wednesday. That'd be a fun place to try.

[barleywino]

I heard Tavolata was opening tonight? But maybe that's a soft opening. PS i had the papardelle at Zoe recently, i'm hoping Ethan can do pastas at that level, or better

[fooddawg]

Soft opening tonight and tomorrow. "Official" opening set for Wednesday. Quite a LONG delay in opening but it's a big undertaking. Heard that there's a great pasta making machine that should keep the quality consistent. I've been disappointed with Union lately but I'm hearing good things about the Tavolata concept.

[barleywino]

Tavolata is a cool space-- has that cavernous gritty underground nocturnal feel (this is not your grandma's Italian cucina.) They say they are open to the public as of Tuesday. A bit hard to find, on 2nd between Bell and Battery (next to Marjorie and across from Rendezvous).

[Peteandem]

Try Larsen's Bakery in Ballard for their Kringle.

Caffe Vivace in Capitol Hill for the espresso.

Mighty O's Doughnuts in Tangletown for their doughnuts.

Hilltop Alehouse in Queen Anne for their NW beer selection and pub grub.

Stellar Pizza or Serious Pie for their pizza.

Dahlia Bakery on 4th for their cocunut cream pie.

Buckaroo in Fremont for a dive bar.

[christy319]

So many places in the Pike Place Market-Market Grill for salmon sandwiches, El Puerco Lloron for Mexican, Maximilien Bistro for a great happy hour with terrific ambiance and beautiful view, even the Athenian can be cool (the food is diner, but it's definitely funky, historic and has a great view). There an abundance of places that are cheap and funky there.
Since you're from Vancouver I understand if you want to pass on Asian but if you want great Vietnamese, check out Green Leaf in the ID.

[schraminvan]

Yeah hearing alot about Paseo's, gonna definently make a trip up there

[naes]

Paseo's in Fremont for the Midnight Cuban (pulled pork deliciousness)
Red Mill in Greenwood for the best burger in town
Cedar's on Brooklyn for Indian food
Top Pot donuts on Capitol Hill
Postmark Gelato in Fremont
Lots of places in the International District - I can't think of the name but the banh mi is great at this place half a block to the east of 12th & Jackson, on the south side of the street at the end of the strip of shops
Vivace Coffee on Capitol Hill
La Carta in Ballard for wonderful Oaxacan food

Damn, I'm making myself homesick! I moved out to NYC in the Fall to attend ICE and I'm already looking forward to going back to visit Seattle.

[schraminvan]

Thanks alot
I went to La Carta two years ago and thought it was amazing! I live in Vancouver, BC and I wish we had more places like that

[babette feasts]

And while you're in Ballard, go three blocks North of Market on 24th to Tallgrass and Besalu for amazing bread and pastry, respectively.

[fooddawg]

Great list! I'd second La Carta da Oaxaca and also throw in Baguette Box (try the Drunken Chicken sandwich). They're located on Pine St just across the freeway from downtown and have just opened another one in Fremont.

[soypower]

ohmigod, paseo's. LOVE LOVE LOVE their spicy prawn sandwich. absolutely YUMMERS.

[schraminvan]

Basically just want some insiders information

[bighound]

just wanted to let you know that paseo is closed for their annual winter vacation. do not know date of reopening. definitely go to baguette box though-great sandwiches and they just opened a second location in fremont. for many funky eating opportunities, most of which are inexpensive, just walk around the pike place market/1st ave area. go hungry, eat small at many different spots and don't miss belle's buns in the market. top pot is awesome also. you can thank me later.

[christy319]

I think Paseo reopens Jan. 26-their phone message has the date if you want to call.

[babette feasts]

Belle's buns is no longer at the Pike Place market, they found the quirks and restrictions of the PDA made the venture there not worth it. Go to their store on 4th and University and bask in butteriness.