631716 Thu Jun 25 14:57:11 -0700 2009 27 4 Pacific Northwest 0 4806514 Having recently returned from almost 2 years overseas, I'm interested in a fairly comprehensive list of what has opened since then and is delicious. I have already been to Quinn's, that Spanish place on Capitol Hill in the Loveless Building, Txori, and Spur. I've heard there are 2 new pizza places and 2 new sushi places in Ballard as well as Poppy, Anchovies etc., and Rancho bravo on Cap Hill. Downtown - Some place named after a fish where Wasabi Bistro used to be, and Kerry Sear's new hotel digs (although Cascadia always seemed like a disappointment, so I'm not going to rush there). What else is recent? Thu Jun 25 14:57:11 -0700 2009 13150 babette feasts 1 4806578 There are actually at least 5 new (within the last couple of years) pizza places in Ballard: Zayda Buddies, Veraci, Snooze Junction, 'Zaw, and Via Verde...and 3 new sushi places: Oshan, Skiku and Moshi. Yikes. Thu Jun 25 15:27:46 -0700 2009 4806514 156153 akq 2 4806652 To be clear though, Veraci is only one of the mentioned pizza places I would recommend. (though I'm looking forward to Delancy...) (haven't been to any of the sushi places) Thu Jun 25 16:01:56 -0700 2009 4806578 66211 GreenYoshi 2 4806701 Forgot Palermo when it comes to Pizza. =) Thu Jun 25 16:25:52 -0700 2009 4806578 102157 jaydeflix 2 4807056 I haven't had pizza at ZB, but didn't like the sandwich and apps I did have. The one time I've eaten SJ pizza it was totally burned on the bottom. I enjoyed a pizza at Via Verde when it first opened. Sad to see the Market Street Grill close. I did forget Palermo, but I don't think I've been there. Of the sushi places, I've only tried Oshan, and I liked it. Tiny little place and weird blue lighting, but really nice servers and yummy food. I've had their maki, nigiri, udon and tempura, and enjoyed all of them. The fish quality was much higher than I expected from a little place in Ballard. Haven't gotten to the other sushi places yet. I did see a new greek place on 20th, a block off of market where the thai place used to be and across from what used to be the pattypan grill (which is now some kind of burger place). It looks good - has anyone tried it? Thu Jun 25 18:54:11 -0700 2009 4806578 156153 akq 2 4818001 Zayda Buddies is a great bar/pizza place. Great service and good food. If you want to hang out with your friends for a couple of hours and get some pizza... this is the place. Tue Jun 30 09:18:55 -0700 2009 4806578 180078 adamb0mb 2 4824800 Do any of the Ballard pizzarias do by-the-slice at lunchtime? Thu Jul 02 11:03:43 -0700 2009 4806578 19098 equinoise 3 4824887 I think Veraci and Snooze Junction do by the slice. Via Verde's pizzas are 1-2 person size. Zaw only does take&bake (they don't cook the pizza but they will deliver the raw pizza). Thu Jul 02 11:28:32 -0700 2009 4824800 156153 akq 1 4808731 How to Cook a Wolf on Queen Anne. Tilth in Wallingford (I forget how old it is). The Corson Building by Matt Dillon of Sitka & Spruce. I really like Betty on Queen Anne but it's not a food destination. Pair in the U District. Fri Jun 26 10:51:52 -0700 2009 4806514 86106 cocktailhour 2 4808785 Tilth is pretty old, 3 or 4 years?, and Betty opened right before I left, tried it at a few weeks old. But I was on QA yesterday and noticed that Betty and Crow are continuing their $30 prix fixe indefinitely, so that might be a good excuse to go back. Pair's online menu looks tasty, might even be worth the trek to Ravenna. Thanks for the additions to my list. Fri Jun 26 11:09:01 -0700 2009 4808731 13150 babette feasts 1 4809171 My moshi sushi exprience was tasty- give it a try if you are in the neighborhood- Their gin drinks are good* Fri Jun 26 13:02:36 -0700 2009 4806514 72839 natalie.warner 1 4814114 Hmm--recent? Anchovies and Olives is OK (though I like How to Cook a Wolf, another Ethan Stowall restaurant in addition to Union and Tavolata better)--big cheffy scene at Anchovies and Olives. I liked Olivar (that place in Capitol Hill/Lovelace Building) and I would definitely try Poppy (Jerry Traunfield's new Indian restaurant in Capitol Hill--really liked it, but you don't have a lot of choice beyond meat/vegetarian plate). I've heard very good things about Corson Building (by Sitka and Spruce folks--also a very good restaurant). I don't know if Green Leaf is new since you've went away (our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the ID), and you should try Samarai Noodle for pretty good ramen (I don't recommend Boom Noodle for ramen--though much like Wagamama in London) in ID. I've tried Spinaci early on, and found it overpriced though pasta very good. Loved Quinns, but not for vegetarians or people who don't love meat/fried foods/fat (I do!). I think the new restaurant at the Art Museum is OK but not great. IMO best pizza and salads at Tutta Bella (Columbia City)--I like it better than Veraci pizza and Serious Pie (Tom Douglas' pizza place). Overall, unfortunately, I don't think there have been that many great new restaurants in the past 2 years--perhaps Poppy would be at the top of the list). I don't know if Barolo is that new, but I like it for italian/atmosphere (good pastas). Sun Jun 28 22:07:15 -0700 2009 4806514 71478 Jeanhea 2 4814174 Just tried Veraci's prosciutto and asparagus pie. Good pie. Low on atmosphere as far as dining in. Will try again. I love Sitka & Spruce but am not so into the communal dining thing so will probably skip Corson. What/where is Spinaci? Thanks for your suggestions. I know several places have closed and not a lot have opened, just trying to get back in the loop. Sun Jun 28 23:42:40 -0700 2009 4814114 13150 babette feasts 3 4815075 I think they mean Spinasse, Justin Neidermeyer's fairly new restaurant: www.spinasse.com Mon Jun 29 10:11:18 -0700 2009 4814174 51771 GourmetLight 4 4815205 A-ha! Forgot about him, thanks. Mon Jun 29 10:52:56 -0700 2009 4815075 13150 babette feasts 5 4815679 Not mentioned above, relatively new, and quite good are Spring Hill in West Seattle, and Branzino in Belltown. Haven't really experienced the Ballard pizza explosion, but I really like Flying Squirrel in Seward Park, which opened about 6 months ago. Also noteworthy in the past year is the proliferation of mobile street food vendors. I tried both Skillet and Marination Station quite recently and was stunned by the quality and value. I am eager to try Paladar Cubano, the new Cuban truck on 90th and Aurora. Mon Jun 29 13:06:52 -0700 2009 4815205 19098 equinoise 6 4816132 Branzino - that was the name that was escaping me, Wasabi Bistro is still where it is, there was some other Japanese restaurant on that corner. A cubano sounds pretty tasty right about now, definitely a must try. Thanks! Mon Jun 29 15:28:49 -0700 2009 4815679 13150 babette feasts 7 4818382 For a Cubano, it would be hard to beat Paseo. They added a location near Golden Gardens, too. Tue Jun 30 11:04:25 -0700 2009 4816132 86106 cocktailhour 8 4819478 Paseo does not make a real Cuban sandwich. It's good but it's not a cuban sandwich!!! Tue Jun 30 16:33:44 -0700 2009 4818382 66211 GreenYoshi 9 4819678 True. I should have just said that make a sandwich called a Cuban Roast that is one of the best sandwiches in Seattle! Tue Jun 30 17:49:15 -0700 2009 4819478 86106 cocktailhour 10 4822507 They have a pressed sandwich too. Midnight Cuban Press: Cuban roast pork nestled atop sweet banana peppers, draped w/ sheer slices of smoked ham & Swiss cheese melted between a hot press. Wed Jul 01 15:37:07 -0700 2009 4819678 10120 Lauren 6 4816353 Thanks for the tip about PCCC. I'm excited to try it! Tracked down their website, which includes menu, hours, and contact number: http://www.pedritovargas.com/paladarcubano.html Mon Jun 29 16:53:45 -0700 2009 4815679 12271 not the bad Steve 1 4824876 I say steer clear of Zayda Buddy's: I found the food to be pretty disgusting. But I am not a fan of frozen tater tots atop gray beef, covered in a stiff layer of Velveeta. I also love How to Cook a Wolf and have you tried Tavolata in Belltown? I haven't tried it yet, but my food loving friends are raving about Spur. Thu Jul 02 11:24:30 -0700 2009 4806514 140849 burritobelle 1 4825899 I think my fave places that have opened in the past year at Kushi Bar in Belltown and Spinasse in Seattle. Actually, Seattle's getting silly with high end pasta places these days. I still think Tavolata is my fave, but Spinasse is good, and I also had a good meal at the newish place in Wallingford (I can't recall the name). Really, the Belltown 1-2-3 punch of Tavolata, Txori and Kushi is pretty tough to beat now, in my opinion. Thu Jul 02 17:37:11 -0700 2009 4806514 127681 pusherman 2 4826132 Tavolata....eh, I can cook pasta at home. I guess I'd give them another try, they opened summer of 07 right before I left. I dunno, I just don't get excited about going out for pasta. What's good at Kushi bar? Thu Jul 02 18:59:41 -0700 2009 4825899 13150 babette feasts 3 4837372 Poppy has one of the most award winning chiefs in town. Tue Jul 07 14:35:39 -0700 2009 4826132 1083815 AMG PHD 4 4837765 Thanks, I'm not new in town - was living on a deserted island for awhile now back in civilization - and am aware of JT's reputation. If I could eat his awards and his awards were delicious, that would be great. Instead I'll have to see if I think his food is delicious and if I agree with the awards. Tue Jul 07 17:05:45 -0700 2009 4837372 13150 babette feasts 4 4837977 awards and recognition mean nothing when the chef has more than one venue, or has changed their venue. the food at Poppy, while interesting, couldn't be any further in style or taste from the food the chef served at his former place of employment. there is a famous chef in Boston who operates a high-end tasting menu restaurant, a midrange tapas place, an overpriced steakhouse and a positively mediocre burrito place. Blindly following zagat, james beard or any other "experts" (as inexperienced "foodies" tend to do) instead of your own taste buds is the fastest route to disappointed expectations. Tue Jul 07 18:21:46 -0700 2009 4837372 13161 barleywino