Best Eats in Pike Place Market (SEA)??

[daantaat]

We're headed to Seattle and definitely wandering around Pike Place Market. I've read that Beecher's Cheese, Jack's Fish (for fish and chips), Oriental Mart (Filipino food), Shy Giant Yogurt, Cafe Campagne and Steelehead Diner are all worth going to.

What are your thoughts and the other "not to be missed" places?

TIA

[bosanova99]

Maximiliam's in the Market should not be missed! Great views of Elliott Bay and wonderful french food. Very cozy and thney just opened up a patio. It's right behind the "flying fish" place. I also loved Etta's Seafood, but technically I don't think it's in the Market, although it is right next door.

[savorlicious]

Even though I'm a long time resident of Seattle and lover of the market, I just recently went on a food tour with a new company called Savor Seattle. It would be a great way to get some history while also getting to sample many of the recommendations mentioned in this thread ... Beecher's, chukar cherries and more. Check it out at www.savorseattletours.com.

[bbqer]

It works better without the period:

http://www.savorseattletours.com/

[daantaat]

thanks to all of your great suggestions! I think we'll either end up gaining 10 pounds eating our way through Pike Place or just walk around stunned by all the available good food!

[daantaat]

Thanks to all the SEA CH for the Pike Place Market tips! I got 5 OMG peaches, Ambroisa nectarines and Rainier cherries from Sosio's. I wish I could have schlepped 5 lbs of their peaches and nectarines on the cruise ship with me (the only rate-limiting factor)! The peaches and nectarines are so juicy and complex-tasting, I can't go back to the hard, tasteless stuff at the supermarkert!

We also swung by 3 Girls Bakery for scone, palmier and cookie. Scone was good, although I accidentally tossed my cookie. I'm still mad about that.

Made it to DeLaurentis for cheese (triple creme, Gorgonzola and a French sheep/cow milk), Le Panier baguette and chocolate. Cheese guy was really nice and helpful--let me try several cheeses with a smile. All 3 cheeses were great, so was the baguette (wish I bought 2 b/c I had to share w/ my s.o.). Chocolate was outdated (didn't see this before I picked it up). It was an Italian made chocolate bar (mole and spicy)--neither had a good temper to it and the flavors didn't quite "make it," a la Chuao or Vosges style. I did get Scharffen-Berger as backup and think that'll be fine.

We also swung by The Crumpet Shop, Falafel King, Cafe Yarmaka, the cherry place but didn't eat b/c of the "too full from Salumi" factor.

If we have time between docking and airport, we'll be heading to Beecher's for mac and cheese and back to Sosio's for a re-load!

[mrnelso]

Thanks (I caught the cookie). I understand how that might happen.

[CanadianRose]

My favourite place, and living in London, Ontario I think of it often, is a Mexican restaurant at the back of Pike's Place market (the water side), part-way down the stairs. You can get to the back by walking past the fish stand (where they throw the fish). My recommendation is Carnita - pulled pork. Also get a basket of corn chips and their salsa. Yum. You'll know why I day dream about this place. It is a hole in the wall ... but, good.

[terrier]

El Puerco Lloron. It is, hands down, the best Mexican food downtown. I'm partial to the carne asada taquitos myself - good homemade tortillas.

The main bummer is that they close at 7pm (at the latest, sometimes earlier.)

[HungWeiLo]

Yes, Puerco Lloron is good. Another good place downtown is Dos Amigos next to Teatro Zinzanni on 5th.

[txmasjoy]

I second the motion for fresh alder-smoked salmon from Pure Food. I would also sample chocolate-covered dried cherries from Chukar Cherries. Market Spice Tea. Hazelnuts from Holmes Orchards. 12-yr aged Balsamic Vinegar from La Buona Tavolo.

[seattledebs]

This time of year, go to Sosio's, one of the produce stalls. If their peaches are labeled "Ohmygod Peaches" you must buy one. Tell them you want one to eat right away (or whenever you want to eat it). It may be the best peach you've ever had. Sosio's is in the middle of the main part of the market, just next to the Chukar's Cherries stand (sp?).

The other suggestions have been good. There have been some other Pike Place Market threads over the past few months, so do a quick search for other ideas. I've written most of my favorites in other threads, so won't repeat here.

[daantaat]

We will definitely have to hit Sosio's--been missing good peaches since I left Charleston.

By any chance, do you remember the titles to the Pike Place Market posts and/or have the links? I did a search and came up mostly with Pike Place mentioned in the thread but nothing specific about "must eat places."

[seattledebs]

Hope you enjoy the peaches!

Here are a few links. Very related:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/343063
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/413369

Semi-related:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/325909
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/419192

[daantaat]

thanks so much!

[jme1beachbum]

Flying Fish on 1st and Bell (not technically in the market- but worth the walk). If they have the blackened blue marlin (haha just got it...black & blue) and you like some spice and LOTS of flavor- get it. Also the Ono was great and the Cheese filled squash blossoms were awesome!

[tstrum]

I have tried Steelhead Diner and found it to be over rated. The food was not good and the service was worse.

[Kevin B]

The Alder smoked salmon at Pure Foods Fish is the best I've had anywhere period. Get a baguette from Le Panier and a tub of the organic cream cheese (brand escapes me but it's made in Oregon) from Pike Creamery. Or just eat the salmon alone.

[Michael Juhasz]

Beecher's is certainly worth checking out, if you're interested in semi-local (from the West Coast and the North West in particular) cheeses, difficult to find anywhere else. Even those cheeses that might be found in nicer grocery stores are likely to be in much better condition and slightly cheaper when purchased from Beecher's.

I heartily second howard's suggestion of Cafe Yarmarka. Those Russian immigrants are relishing their successful participation in the American dream - obvious, on account of the cooks' surprisingly friendly attitudes and that calendar posted on the wall, displaying a tremendous picture of the Statue of Liberty, the words "GOD BLESS AMERICA" emblazoned across her forehead.

[daantaat]

Thanks CH for the tips so far! Looks like we'll definitely swing by Beecher's, Cafe Yamarka, Le Panier, 3 Girls Bakery and Steehead Diner. Keep them coming--we're not leaving until this Wed!

[bbqer]

If you're just in the mood for walking-around-food, Taxi Dogs, in the north end of the market, is first rate, offering great hot dogs, nice bakery style buns, and all the fixin's, including an excellent sauerkraut and german-style mustard. Near the original Starbucks.

[ccqueen]

oriental mart is gross. salty, not fresh. sitting out all day. not recommended at all. jack's fish and chips is also not good, greasy, fried to the point of being burnt, terrible packets of tartar sauce. you can get a nice whole dungeness though or the cioppino as someone else suggested.
le panier is one of the best bakeries in the city. they have great baguette sandwiches, the pain au chocolate, almondine and chocolatines are fabulous.
delaurenti has a nice deli for olives, antipasti, meats and cheeses. especially if you don't plan on visiting salumi, you should definitely by some salumi at delaurenti.

[Joanie]

I forgot, I got a "dauphinoise" something or other at Le Panier. Pastry w/ potato, ham and cheese and it was excellent. Held up well the next day for the train ride to Portland.

[jme1beachbum]

I have had some memorable meals at the Pink door in Post Alley- Italian. Spinach lasagna with bechamel, risotto, rosemary roasted chicken- all delicious. Creative drinks, solid dessert and excellent wine list. Cappucinos are near perfect(open late). Steelhead is also great, very "northwest". I really like Piroshky make some mean pastries- yum. Enjoy

[MsMaryMc]

A couple of my favorite cheap eats at the Market are the barbecue pork buns at Mee Sum Pastry and a sausage on a bun from Uli's Famous Sausages.

This time of year, the view from the Pink Door's patio is definitely on my "not to be missed" list. That would be my choice if you're looking for a sit-down lunch.

[dagoose]

I second Mee Sum pastry's pork buns. Unreal, the best in town.

[howard 1st]

better than shy giant (though not eactly apples and apples) is bottega italiana on first avenue just south of pike for the best gelato on the planet. though she has chosen to forego her spectacular groat bread for the summer, the crupmpets at the crumpet shop (first avenue just north of pike) are always good. il bistro (under the pig) has never disappointed me for atmosphere or for italian fare. cafe yamarka (underneath the superb steehead diner at post alley and pine) makes their own luscious pierogies and pelmenies. i find jack's cioppino is better than his fish'n'chips. three girls bakery (next to jack's where post alley meets pike place) makes superb sandwiches on several varieties of their own bread. be aware that, of this list, only il bistro and steelhead are open after 5.