NY Foodie Looking For 1 Awesome Meal in Seattle

[ImHungry5]

Hi all,

Thanks in advance; I see a lot of postings but none very recent. I live in NY, so fortunately, I have access to a lot of great ethnic food, fine dining, and everything in between. I only have 1 night to eat dinner in Seattle and I want it to be memorable - and it's a special occasion. I have seen a lot of places coming up over and over but then I see some negative reviews of them, so I'm really thrown (Sitka and Spruce, The Corson Building, Spinasse, How to Cook a Wolf, etc) I'm open to expensive if it's special, I just want to make the most of my 1 opportunity. I would deeply appreciate your input - more than 1 is great, in case the first choice is booked up.

Many thanks!
Linda

[terrier]

Canlis will treat you well, but if I had one dinner and a night to stay outside the city, I'd surely drive up to Willows Inn on Lummi Island. It's about 2 hours' drive (and a short ferry ride) north of Seattle and is exactly the sort of food and experience you can't get in New York.

If I had to stay in Seattle proper (don't want to drive, can't spare the time, etc.) I'd have oysters at Taylor Shellfish followed by dinner at Sitka & Spruce. They're essentially next door from each other in the same building, and also feature some of the best of what's produced locally. But really, I'd try to make dinner and a night at Willows Inn work first.

[Lauren]

I agree with terrier on both in city and outside the city suggestions and would add Walrus and the Carpenter to the in city list.

[ImHungry5]

I forgot to include canlis - is it worth it?

[Lauren]

I've liked Canlis at my last two dinners there but I ordered the tasting menu. I talked to two different friends who have eaten there with in the last six months, both ordering off the regular menu, and their experiences weren't nearly as good.