Visiting

[Scary Bill]

Scoured the boards and other sources and have found more resto's that we can visit in 3 days. Three questions remain:

1. Seattle has a varied food scene but I haven't noticed a "signature" cuisine. Is there one?

2. Pike's Market:: Any suggestions for breakfast and lunch?

3. Rec's for kitchenware, gourmet food stores and the like would be appreciated. Also a downtown grocery store worth browsing.

TKS

[ybnormal]

Hey Scary Bill - I was just in Seattle area in May,and in the summer last year. Check out some of my posts (I just noticed you were heading to Seattle in one of John Manzo's posts):

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/704542?tag=boards;topic-704542
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/627571?tag=boards;topic-627571
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/625251?tag=boards;topic-625251
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7045...

I actually didn't post my last one day visit to Seattle - went to Dahlia's Lounge near Pike Place. I really enjoyed - a great bar, a good place to people-watch and decent food. The "Little Tastes" were terrific, and the Doughnuts were spectacular.

There is a Le Creuset at the Premium Outlets about an hour north of Seattle. Uwajimaya is also cool. And show your Alberta Driver's License so you don't have to pay tax.

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Uwajimaya
600 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA

[Scary Bill]

YB, you're quite prolific, both as a writer and an eater (if serial eating can be called prolific!)

You're compelling me to plan an Olympia trip in a few months, as this one will be in Seattle, and points between it and Vancouver, where I am currently, eating sushi, street food and Japanese (Izakaya), whilst avoiding the panhandlers and aliens.

Thanks for the tax tip, I expect it will come in handy. Mrs Scary has already bought a couple of Shuns and I'm certain it will not be her last purchase. I drive past the outlet mall at my own peril!

[ybnormal]

Appreciate the compliment! There is lots of eating to be had in the Pacific Northwest!

Oh yeah - I had brunch at Steelhead Diner last time out which was pretty good.

And buy some Chukar Cherries at Pike Place - the Chipotle ones are really cool!

And if you care, I have a post for Vancouver:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6278...

Happy eating!

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

[Scary Bill]

Another thought.

Williams Sonoma and a handful of other stores in Canada used to carry Martelli Pasta, but no more. It comes in bright yellow packaging, you can't miss it on the shelves. It is prepared traditionally in Italy and is without doubt the best dried pasta on the planet.

So, the obvious-anyone know if it is sold in Seattle and where?

Tks.

[firecracker]

I haven't seen it in Seattle, SB. You may want to try the pasta stand in The Market for uniquely flavored and simply wonderful dry pasta. DeLaurenti's in The Market may carry it or be able to suggest a place you can find it or order it online.

[PaqpIn]

Big John's PFI does not list it, but they may have it or be able to order it http://bigjohnspfiseattle.com/products/products2.html

You can order it from Zingerman's http://www.zingermans.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=P-MAR-SPA

Or from here http://www.svtea.com/nbspnbspPasta-Tomatoes/products/34/

or e-mail and ask them who in the US carries the pasta
http://www.famigliamartelli.it/englis...

[Leper]

SB, I believe the Szechuan crab at Seven Stars could possibly be Seattle's signature dish. (The city was originally built by Chinese labor.) I second Matt's at the Market for lunch, but also suggest the iconic Salumi which is in Pioneer Square. For Kitchenware, I prefer City Kitchens for an excellent selection and great pricing. Don't miss the Spanish Table and World Spice (both on Western Avenue behind the Market). Big John's PFI (Pacific Food Impoters) is difficult to find, but worth seeking out.

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Spanish Table
1426 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Salumi
309 3rd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

[pusherman]

2nd all the other comments...my personal fave in the market is Steelhead, also like Le Pichet adjacent on 1st Ave (French).

Re: grocery- don't know what you're looking for exactly, but Uwajimaya in the ID is always fun, it's a gigantic Japanese family-owned supermarket, great selection of otherwise hard to find Asian foods. From downtown, it's an easy and free ride via the downtown transit tunnel to the Chinatown stop.

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Uwajimaya
600 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA

Le Pichet
1933 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

[firecracker]

Hi Bill ~ I took a look at other threas you've posted on so I am surmising you're from Canada. Welcome to Seattle! You'll like us. Just an FYI. Local's never call the farmers market "Pike's Market". We all call it Pike Place Market or simply The Market. Calling it "Pikes" or "Pike's Market" brands you as an outsider.

Tom has made good suggestions at The Market for breakfast or lunch. To his recommendations I would add Steelhead Diner, Place Pigalle and Maximilliens at The Market. All are good.

I can also agree with Tom's De Laurenti and Sur La Table recommendations. Although Sur La Table is now a national chain, (albeit small), the original SLT is at The Market.

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Pike Place Market
1501 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101

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

Place Pigalle Restaurant
, Seattle, WA 98101

[Tom Armitage]

1. IMO, there’s no “signature cuisine” unique to Seattle, other than the use of unique local ingredients in season, like Hood Canal oysters, etc.

2. Pike Place Market: Café Campagne for breakfast and Matt’s in the Market for lunch.

3. Kitchen and gourmet food stores: For kitchen stuff, Sur la Table in the Pike Place Market. For food, DeLaurenti on 1st and Pike, Spanish Table and Paris Grocery on Western Ave. just below and west of the Market, and Pacific Food Importers on Airport Way near the International District.