Friends visiting Seattle, where do I take them?

[dickli]

Couple of college buddies visiting me for 3 nights, trying to figure out where to take them. Thursday night, Friday during the day (Mariners game at night), and Saturday. They're from Boston and Chicago so they're not exactly starved for good food. I was thinking something Seattley without being too kitschy. Maybe Japanese (Maneki?) and/or general American seafood? Any thoughts?

[foodfellow]

If they want to eat seafood.....not too many places better than "Flying Fish" on 1st Ave in Belltown. If it's sushi......"Umi" and "Wasabi Bistro". Meat....."Daniel's Broiler" and others

[ajaxjoll]

here is a great itinerary chock full of grat places to drink, eat, people watch, etc: http://www.associatedcontent.com/arti.... Hope it helps.

[dickli]

Ahh Chinese is a good idea actually. yeah I think Seven Stars Szechuan is going to be on the list. What about Japanese? I was debating between Shiro and Maneki.

I wasn't terribly impressed by Chinook when I ate there recently, never tried Rays though. The online menu looks good, albeit a bit pricey. I've never understood why American seafood restaurants charge so much and Chinese ones charge so little.

[PAO]

I'm not a fan of Chinook's or any other local restaurant that purports to be a seafood restaurant that loves to drown its seafood in melted butter. The fish and chips at Little Chinook's are not bad. The fries at Sambar are terrific.

It is odd that Seattle really doesn't have an absolutely top flight, always reliable non-Asian seafood restaurant. Ray's used to fit that bill. I haven't been there in a long time, however. Chinese or Japanese is your best bet for seafood

[sitcovitsky]

You can never go wrong with Maneki...always awesome. Call for a reservation though, or Mom will tell you it will be 2 hours. Seven Stars Szechuan is good and worth a stop. I think good seafood and nice Seattle atmosphere is Flying Fish...it can be pricey too, but I think a little less so than Rays. Matts in the Market is very quintessential Seattle and not too fussy...and they have a great lunch. Another fun spot for out-of-towners is the new Cactus on Alki....even just to go for drinks. Can't beat the views and the beach front atmosphere. Have fun!

[dickli]

I think we'll do Szechuan Seven Star, Maneki, and Elliott's for happy hour oysters before the Mariners game. That seems like a good compromise. Damn, that's going to be a good weekend :)

[Leper]

1. Definitely take them to Seven Stars Szechuan for the Szechuan crab. Nothing like it in Boston or Chicago.
2. Palace Kitchen for some earthy food.
3. If they are real Chowhounds, Harvest Vine; if not, Matt's at the Market.

[jaydeflix]

I'd be tempted to suggest Paseo too. Avoid fried food (I think its better in new england) but fresh (like Chinooks or Rays) should be safe.