Coming to town in November for three nights, would you change our dining itinerary?

[JIMMYMAC079]

Night 1: Chandler's-I know this place doesn't get a lot of love on the board but we went last year and the crab was abundant and equally amazing.
Night 2: Tulio's-seems to get consistent high marks on the internet.
Night 3: Umi Sake

We are coming from Coeur d'Alene, ID and staying at the Fairmont. Doing Elton and Billy on Saturday and catching the Seahawks vs Lions on Sunday. Atmoshphere is important and we're also looking for cool, unique drinking spots-not incredibly loud, but more laid back romantic spots for wine/cocktails. Suggestions greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

[bourbongal]

I would skip Chandler's in favor of Etta's or Flying Fish. Tulio's is fine but overpriced IMHO and I would recommend Tavolata over it (haven't tried Barolo).I have not tried Umi Sake but consider a short cab ride to Madison Valley and go to Nishino's. Spectacular sushi and other Japanese food.

[staffstuff]

I'd stick w. Chandler's for the crab.....straightforward and competitively priced.
Tulio's: romantic, elegant decor and satisfying, better than average popular Italian dishes.
Chiso's for sushi.
Don't recommend Spur... their cocktails are more like spiked fruit punches.
Good cocktails at Andaluca in the Mayflower Hotel.

[natalie.warner]

Another good place for drinks is Spur or the ViceRoy.

I agree with the suggestion of Barolo and Tavolata over Tulio- Tulio doesn't get a lot of press or even mention on places like Yelp and Chow- The other two do... Barolo has a great ambiance and vibe- It might fit what you are looking for perfectly.

I really like UMI- It is a keeper on you list... Chandler's is meh IMO- I would substitute it with something else.

[JIMMYMAC079]

Thanks Natalie, im thinking Barolo for sure now!

[equinoise]

Chandler's, a Schwarz Bros place, has a staid, corporate seafood house feel. To be fair, I've never actually eaten there. Other than being physically located in SEA, 7 Stars has nothing on the Eastside Sichuan places. I love the black bean sauce crab at Sea Garden. I'd imagine that one of the Douglas places has a good crab preperation.

Umi isn't bad, and it has a mod Belltown ambiance, cocktails, etc. But for just eating sushi, I'd rather go to Shiro's (or Chiso or Kisaku or Nishino, if you are willing to leave downtown). Of those, Chiso has the most updated atmosphere.

Agree wholly with Barolo over Tulio.

[eight_inch_pestle]

+1 on the Sea Garden crab. Almost everything we've had in 6 or 7 visits has been quite good. (Again, not really a place for a romantic meal or anything.)

[bluedog67]

For Crab, consider Flying Fish (1st ave Belltown). Much better experience for the same $$ IMO. (7 stars in the international district is the usual recomendation for crab, but gets zero stars for atmosphere, so prob won't suit you for this trip).

Tulio's is fine, but Barolo or Tavolata would be my choice for upscale Italian.

Umi is fun for sushi, and considering your criteria, I would stick w/ that over other recomendations based on food first ambience second.

Zig Zag should work for your cocktail request.

Hope this helps.

[JIMMYMAC079]

Thanks Bluedog, greatly appreciated! Barolo or Travolata?