SEATTLE RESTAURANTS

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13 Coins 125 Boren Ave. N, Seattle, USA	206/682-2513 Read Review
In Seattle's forward-looking food scene, this is the land that time forgot, circa 1967. Open 24 hours a day, 13 Coins is a longtime favorite of Seattle's nighthawk population. Menu benchmarks include liver and onions, jumbo shrimp on ice, and platters of steak and pasta big enough to stuff a logger. Breakfasts include such dinosaurs as Italian-sausage frittatas and eggs Benedict. Seafood dishes aren't quite up to Seattle's high standards, but the steamed clams and the baked king salmon fillet are decent. For dessert, the New York-style cheesecake comes with an "endless" cup of coffee. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, MC, V.
Anthony's Homeport 6135 Seaview Ave. NW, at the Shilshole Marina, Seattle, USA	206/783-0780 Read Review
This is a comfortable waterfront restaurant where ample outside dining in protected nooks allows you a sea breeze and great views without getting blasted by gales. The seafood preparations are as good as those of the more upscale Ray's, next door. But this restaurant's true claim to fame rests on its annual Oyster Olympics, a madcap oyster-shucking, oyster-judging, oyster-slurping event held in late March. AE, MC, V.
Anthony's Pier 66 2201 Alaskan Way (Bell St./Pier 66), Seattle, USA	206/448-6688 Read Review
The straightforward preparations allow the seafood to speak for itself. The menu includes many items found elsewhere: raw oysters, steamed clams, mussels, and Dungeness crab, as well as the usual Northwest fish: halibut, rockfish, lingcod, and petrale sole. Everything is very good and very tasty and, in the true Northwest tradition, not at all pretentious. Best of all, the views are truly outstanding. AE, D, MC, V.
Canlis 2576 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle, USA	206/283-3313 Read Review
Canlis has been setting the standard for fancy living since the 1950s. And although there are no longer kimono-clad waitresses, the food and the views overlooking Lake Union are still remarkable. Besides the famous steaks, there are equally famous Quilcene Bay oysters and fresh fish in season. Every year since 1997 Canlis has been the recipient of Wine Spectator magazine's Grand Award for its wine list and service. Note that if you want a table on a Friday or Saturday, you should make your reservation at least three weeks in advance. Reservations essential. Jacket required. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.
Cascadia 2328 1st Ave., Seattle, USA	206/448-8884 Read Review
Water flows over the "rain window," a 9-foot-long panel of glass, etched with a design of the Cascade mountain range, that separates the kitchen and the cherrywood-paneled dining room. Chef Kerry Sears uses fresh regional produce, seafood, meat, and game to create memorable meals, such as ravioli filled with Dungeness crab, green curry-rubbed lamb, and saffron vegetable paella. Seven-course tasting menus ($55-$85) showcase the Northwest's culinary best. Reservations essential. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.
Dahlia Lounge 2001 4th Ave., Seattle, USA	206/682-4142 Read Review
Romantic Dahlia -- with dimly lit valentine-red walls -- worked its magic on Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seattle. It's cozy and then some, but the food plays its part, too. Crab cakes, served as an entrée or an appetizer, lead an ever-changing regionally oriented menu. Other standouts are seared ahi tuna, near-perfect gnocchi, and such desserts as coconut-cream pie and fresh fruit cobblers. Seattle's most energetic restaurateur, chef-owner Tom Douglas, also owns Etta's Seafood in Pike Place Market and the excellent Palace Kitchen on Fifth Avenue. But Dahlia is the one that makes your heart go pitter-patter. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.
Elliott's Oyster House Pier 56, 1201 Alaskan Way, Seattle, USA	206/623-4340 Read Review
No place in Seattle serves better Dungeness crab or oysters than Elliott's. You can't go wrong with the local rockfish or salmon. The dining room is bright, and there's a great view of Elliott Bay and of the harbor tour boats next door. On sunny days the place is packed with diners from all over the country who have come to learn what Seattle is all about. They've probably picked the right place. AE, DC, MC, V.
Lampreia 2400 1st Ave., Seattle, USA	206/443-3301 Read Review
The beige-and-gold interior of this Belltown restaurant is the perfect backdrop for chef-owner Scott Carsberg's sophisticated cuisine. Not that you'll go wrong if you stick to signature dishes: after an appetizer of cream of polenta soup with shiitake mushrooms, try one of the seasonal menu's second courses -- perhaps squid-and-salmon-filled cannelloni -- before moving on to a main course of pheasant with apple-champagne sauerkraut or lamb with pesto and whipped potatoes. The clear flavors of such desserts as lemon mousse with strawberry sauce are a soothing conclusion to an exciting experience. Reservations essential. AE, MC, V. Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch.
Le Gourmand 425 N.W. Market St., Seattle, USA	206/784-3463 Read Review
Not every chef cares enough to grow the poppies that provide the seeds for his homemade crackers. Chef-owner Bruce Naftaly does. This man has routinely worked the line since taking the helm at this restaurant in the early 1980s. Bruce uses classic French techniques and locally grown ingredients to create stunning dishes such as roast duckling with black currant sauce (using homemade cassis), and king salmon poached in champagne and gooseberry sauce. If you can't afford to splurge on Le Gourmand's pricey prix-fixe meals, head next door to the restaurant's tiny Sambar cocktail lounge to sample some appetizers. Reservations essential. AE, MC, V.
Metropolitan Grill 820 2nd Ave., Seattle, USA	206/624-3287 Read Review
This favorite lunch spot of the white-collar crowd is not for timid eaters: custom-aged mesquite-broiled steaks are huge and come with baked potatoes or pasta. Even the veal chop is extra thick. Lamb, chicken, and seafood entrées are also on the menu. Onion rings and sautéed mushrooms are popular accompaniments. Among its many virtues, the Met Grill does one dish better than anyone else in Seattle: the exceptionally flavorful hamburger is about as delicious as grilled meat can get. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.
Oceanaire 1700 7th Ave., Seattle, USA	206/267-2277 Read Review
For years Seattle restaurateurs have been trying to create the quintessential seafood restaurant, and wouldn't you know, a pair of Midwestern businessmen have managed to pull it off. The stylish room is reminiscent of a 1930s supper club, with plush booths and a circular oyster bar. Chef Kevin Davis has created a superbly fun retro menu complete with clams casino, oysters Rockefeller, up to 25 varieties of the freshest seafood, and a circa 1920s green goddess salad dressing. When is the last time you saw baked Alaska on a menu? Portions are huge, so plan to share. Note that although this is a favorite special-occasion restaurant of Seattleites, it's not the place to go for a romantic dinner -- the dining room gets very loud. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.
Ray's Boathouse 6049 Seaview Ave. NW, Seattle, USA	206/789-3770 Read Review
The view of Puget Sound might be the big draw here, but the seafood is also impeccably fresh and well prepared. Perennial favorites include broiled salmon, Kasu sake-marinated cod, Dungeness crab, and regional oysters on the half shell. Ray's has a split personality: there's a fancy dining room downstairs and a casual (and much less expensive) café and bar upstairs. In warm weather you can sit on the deck outside the café and watch the parade of fishing boats, tugs, and pleasure craft floating past, almost right below your table. The café serves lunch; the dining room is dinner only. Reservations essential (dining room); reservations not accepted (café). AE, DC, MC, V.
Rover's 2808 E. Madison St., Seattle, USA	206/325-7442 Read Review
The restaurant of Thierry Rautureau, one of the Northwest's most imaginative chefs, is an essential destination. Sea scallops, venison, squab, lobster, and rabbit are frequent offerings (vegetarian items are also available) on the prix-fixe menu. Traditional accoutrements such as foie gras and truffles pay homage to Rautureau's French roots, but bold combinations of local ingredients are evidence of his wanderlust. The service at Rover's is excellent -- friendly but unobtrusive -- the setting romantic, and the presentation stunning. Reservations essential. AE, MC, V. Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat.-Thurs.
The Herbfarm 14590 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, USA	206/784-2222 Read Review
The sumptuous, nine-course, prix-fixe meals served at this restaurant 10 mi northeast of Kirkland are the paradigm for Pacific Northwest cuisine. The delectables you will encounter include goat cheese biscuits, green pickled walnuts, and salmon with a sauce of fresh herbs. Reservations essential. AE, MC, V. No lunch.
Third Floor Fish Cafe 205 Lake St. S, Kirkland, USA	425/822-3553 Read Review
This elegant restaurant with a great view (and an ugly name) is a popular Eastside dining spot. Chef Greg Campbell has a sure touch with Mediterranean-style fish, and he handles meats equally well. The menu focuses on fresh, preferably local, seafood (such as wild Pacific salmon or pan-seared scallops), but also includes chicken, lamb (as in cabernet-braised lamb shanks), and beef tenderloin. Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V. No lunch.
Waterfront Seafood Grill Pier 70, 2801 Alaskan Way, Seattle, USA	206/956-9171 Read Review
With its spectacular view, impeccable service, and inventively prepared seafood, Waterfront has all of the fine-dining bases covered. You can catch the sunset from the spacious bar, where cocktails and appetizers such as the salt-and-pepper prawns with lime vinaigrette and tuna tempura are served. The menu's largely Asian-influenced entrées might include sesame-seared sea bass with baby bok choy and coconut jasmine rice, or lobster risotto with butternut squash and snow peas. Although seafood is the focal point, the menu always includes a vegetarian dish as well as many meat dishes, such as rack of lamb with honey lavender demi-glace. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch.
Yarrow Bay Grill 1270 Carillon Point, off Lake Washington Blvd., Kirkland, USA	425/889-9052 Read Review
This pleasant waterfront-view restaurant on Lake Union, south of Kirkland, always serves good food and has excellent service, making it one of the best restaurants east of Lake Washington. The Beach Cafe at Yarrow Bay, the Grill's informal downstairs offshoot, has tables closer to the water, the menu is less formal, and the prices are lower. AE, DC, MC, V.