Visiting Seattle with an 18-year old from Spain

[Alba]

My husband and i are visiting Seattle later this week from Portland with our college-age house guest from Spain.

We'd like some recommendations on restaurants in the city with seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients, a good wine list and a fun, relaxed vibe. (not too formal) The Spaniard loves meat dishes but our tastes lean to vegetarian (although we eat some fish and poultry).

Anyplace we should not miss? We'll have a car but would prefer options downtown that we can walk to from our hotel (near the Space Needle).

Gracias!
.

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Space Needle
203 6th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

[landguy]

Matt's in the Market if you want to get the all around Seattle experience and good chow in one spot.

[gbolanz]

I lived in Spain for 4 years - if this 18 year old spaniard is close to typical, your guest will also like seafood and WON'T like spicy food. They also eat dinner very late in the summer which is tricky in Seattle This may sound strange, but an Ivar's happy hour would probably be fun for you visitor - decent seafood, lively crowd, more tapas like. The one at pier 54 is a good location. Blueacre seafood would be a good choice as well (pricey).

[Alba]

Thanks everyone! Palace Kitchen looks great and we’ll definitely try it on our next trip to Seattle. We ended up taking the car for dinner and had memorable meals at Steelhead Diner next to Pike’s market and Spring Hill in West Seattle.

At Steelhead we especially enjoyed the Kumamoto oysters and Oregon black cod main dish. The Spaniard was content with a steak. We were also pleasantly surprised (ironically) to discover a delicious Oregon Pinot Gris our waiter recommended –Acrobat from King Estate near Eugene. It’s crisp and fruity style with a hint of minerality was the perfect pairing with our oysters and fish entrees. Steelhead was also the perfect spot to watch the packed Bastille Day celebration going full bore in the alley below from our table overlooking Pine Street. We took a stroll through afterwards with our little terrier George and had a blast.

Spring Hill gets the edge for food overall – we particularly liked the simple but savory butter lettuces, Kumamotos (again), chicken liver terrine, and the ethereal, light gnocchi with English peas and trumpet mushrooms. The Alaskan halibut with sweet corn and fava bean succotash was a standout entree. The Spaniard had steak (again) and pomme frites. We give Spring Hill one demerit for the unbelievably loud dining room -- even though we sat at the front of the dining room by the window, the cement floors and hard surfaces really do amplify the din of diners’ conversations. But the food was so wonderful I know we’ll be back!

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Palace Kitchen
2030 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Steelhead Diner
95 Pine Street, Suite 17, Seattle, WA 98101

Spring Hill Restaurant & Bar
4437 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

[Leper]

I second Terrier's suggestion of the Palace Kitchen. It would be a short cab ride, but Quinn's on Capital Hill would be another Chow-worthy destination that fits your criteria.

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Palace Kitchen
2030 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

[terrier]

The Palace Kitchen would be my first choice with these criteria.

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Palace Kitchen
2030 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121