Visiting Dec 26-28 -- what not to miss?

[shermiebeth]

We'll be in from LA for a couple days right after Xmas. Our go to places at home are Mozza, Animal and AOC -- usually eating at the bar.

It wasn't hard to make a list of great Seattle places to try, but it's definitely hard to narrow it down. Thoughts? Anywhere we'd find it hard to get a last minute table and should lock down now?

We're staying at the Artic Club/Doubletree. Looks like it's around 3rd and Cherry. The whole city's new to me, so I don't know what neighborhood that's considered. We booked with points, so the price was right.

Thanks and looking forward to eating well in the Northwest!

[melpy]

When we went my boyfriend said that one of his best meals ever was at Quinn's. We went Kate night for a snack. The snack turned into quite the meal. I think he ended up eating two of their sloppy Joe sandwiches.

[gingershelley]

Quinn's does rock, and it is in one of the best walking & people watching neighborhoods in Seattle. It's not far from Spinasse.
One evening, you might eat early at Spinasse, catch a live show (lots of clubs in this area CApitol Hill/ pike/Pine area), and then have a nightcap and snack of marrow bones and Foi at Quinn's.... here is to that elastic in your pants!

[wanderingviolet]

As someone who recently traveled to Seattle for a few days and stayed downtown we enjoyed Serious Pie, Trabant(coffee) Top Pot Doughnuts and the Steelhead Diner. I'm not usually a tour person but I wholeheartedly recommend one of Savor Seattle's Food Tours. It was a fun way to sample a lot of Pike Place Market's treats in a short amount of time. http://www.savorseattletours.com/

[shermiebeth]

A friend recommended the Crab Pot as a guilty pleasure. Thoughts?

[GreenYoshi]

If you like lower quality seafood but a somewhat fun and unique experience, it's in play.
I'll admit a certain pleasure to a bowl of seafood dumped out on your table and eating with your hands, but it's not the best stuff. (although probably better than some of the stuff being served in lesser seafood places around the country.)

I think you can do better. (especially based on the places you're talking about from LA)
Maybe if you had kids or something.

[shaolinLFE]

dont go to Crab Pot please. However by the time you come, I believe we will be in Dungeness Crab season.

[tsquare]

These are really good suggestions - but most are not walkable from your hotel. Is that a consideration? Some are pretty expensive cab rides away though all are bus-able (if you want to try that experience.) The only good thing about the bus system for you is that downtown is a hub so you should not need to transfer. And while you can take LightRail in from the airport, it won't do you much good after that for the areas you'll want to visit.

[shermiebeth]

We're not against buses. Before LA we lived in NYC. But if anything's really far, I guess that'll be a consideration.

[Tom Armitage]

A vigorous second to the recommendations for Spinasse, Sitka & Spruce (for local Pacific Northwest fare), and Elliott’s or Walrus & Carpenter for oysters. Elliott’s has a larger selection of oysters, but W&C has some very tasty and well-prepared small plates if you want more than just oysters. I’d add Revel for creative and delicious Korean-French inflected small plates. Revel serves the same menu both at lunch and dinner. I like to go for lunch when it’s quieter, but if you like a noisy, spirited, more crowded ambience, dinner will provide that. For more authentic Vietnamese, if that’s of interest to you, I’d suggest Huong Binh. If you want a high-end meal, my recommendations would include Altura (which I just posted about on the Seattle Board), Book Bindery, and the often overlooked Nell’s.

[shermiebeth]

I'm gonna have to make our trip longer. And put some elastic in my pants. Too much good stuff! Thanks!

[Tom Armitage]

And I didn’t even mention – if you like pastry – that one of the best croissants in the entire U.S.A. – in the opinion of many THE BEST croissant in the U.S.A. – is to be had at Café Besalu in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, followed closely by the somewhat different but also delectable style of croissant at Fuji Bakery in the International District and across Lake Washington in Bellevue. Both bakeries also have lots of other wonderful pastries to tempt you and expand your waistline. I lived for a total of 42 years in the Los Angeles area and can assure you that there’s nothing like the Café Besalu croissant to be found there. I sure do miss the pastrami sandwich at Langer’s though.

[shaolinLFE]

i'll also add West Seattle's Twice Baked Almond Croissant from Bakery Nouveau

[gingershelley]

plus 1! I am always going to love-on my local bakery, Nouveau... they are my go - to, and the best I eat every week..

[cocktailhour]

you are in downtown. Staple & Fancy, Sitka & Spruce, Corson Building. Wolf. Palace Kitchen or Dahlia Lounge. Top Pot for doughnuts. Humbow in the Market. I do not think Lecosho or Lark should make the cut, for different reasons, but it comes down to less impressive food.

[shermiebeth]

Good advice, thank you.

[pusherman]

Respectfully disagree on Lark, I think it's very good even though it's kind of slipped off the radar in the last few years. Would also suggest Quinn's as the place most like Animal in town, plus good excuse to visit Capital Hill...kind of a long walk from where you're staying, but a short cab/bus ride.

[ardelle]

We thought Lark's food was very impressive. The food is quite pricey for what you get... but it had very creative dishes.

[Lauren]

Are you looking for places similar to Mozza, Animal and AOC? If so, I would try Spinasse, Lecosho and either Lark or How to Cook a Wolf.

[shermiebeth]

Ok, will add those to the list. Wolf definitely - if only for the great name!

We don't need places exactly similar to the restaurants I listed. Just trying to give folks a context for what we like.

We'll definitely love some oysters while we're up there. Do you have a go to place?

Thanks!

[Leper]

The Brooklyn or Elliot's for oysters. (Elliot's for oysters only.) To enhance your Seattle Chowhound experience, I suggest you fit in a meal at Long's Provincial.

[shermiebeth]

Perfect, thanks. Love Viet but hard to find in LA (near home, anyway.) And Elliotts it is.

[mrnelso]

Other good Viet = Green Leaf, Tamarind Tree, Pho Bac at 415 7th Ave S (for the Pho, of course).

[akq]

Excellent oysters and small plates at the Walrus & Carpenter!