Seattleite's love to eat out and thank goodness we have so many great choices to do so. But if you are like me you sometimes find yourself in the rut of going to the same places over and over. Well, if you are looking for a new place to check out, NW Source has a list of places readers have recommended for 2008. Each year they do a poll asking Seattle to name their favorite eateries in a variety of categories. So if you are looking for a new place to satisfy your palate, here are some thoughts. Just for some fun I thought I would add my own favorites. Feel free to add your own comments if you have favorites that you don't' want overlooked.
Best Sandwich/Place for Kids/Mac and Cheese/Bakery/Brunch/Dessert Spot
- NW Source Pick: Eats Market Café (West Seattle) - Talk about knocking the cover off the ball. Eats received top honors in no less than six categories. With that kind of support, this is a place you have to try out.
For the record I am a huge brunch fan. If it were up to me there would be nothing but three servings of brunch each day. Here are my favorites.
- Rob's Pick: The Dish (Ballard/Freemont) Angelina's Trattoria (W. Seattle) Salti's on Alki (W. Seattle)
Brew Pub
- NW Source Pick: Pike Brewing Company (Downtown, Pike Place Market)
- Rob's Picks: Elliott Bay Brewing (W. Seattle)
Burger
- NWSource Pick: Stell's Burger's and More (Queen Anne)
- Robs Pick: Kid Valley (Green Lake, U. District, Queen Anne) - Cummon', how can you beat a place that has a secret hand shake.
Chinese
- NWSource Pick: Ying's Drive-(International District)
- Rob's Pick: Uwajimaya - (International District) Yes I did have to look up the spelling of this and it truly isn't a restaurant but a market. Nevertheless, it is a fun place to go and there is great food there. Judy Fu's Snappy Dragon (Maple Leaf) - Ask anyone, its the best amost kept secret in Maple Leaf. (Thanks Courtney)
French Fries
- NWSource & Rob's Pick: Dicks (Queen Anne) - You can't argue with a classic
Happy Hour
- NWSource Pick: Tiger Tail (Ballard)
- Rob's Picks: Matador (Ballard) Great food, fun people watching, expect a crowd. Palisade (Magnolia) Great views, fun bar, limited menu though. Try the sliders.
Independent Coffee House
- NWSource Pick: Fuel (Capital Hill, Wallinford, Mountlake)
- Rob's Picks: Firehouse Roasting Co. (Ballard), Café Ladro (Freemont), Café Van Gogh (Wedgwood)
Indian
- NWSource Pick: Bengal Tiger East Indian Cuisine - (Ravenna)
- Rob is not a huge fan in this category so I am taking a pass.
Italian
- NWSource Pick: Perche' No Pasta and Vino (Green Lake/Wallingford) - I have to say I whole heartedly agree with this pick. Drop in and say hi to David and Lilly for me. They are great hosts.
- Rob's Other Picks: Mamma Melina's (U. District) Fantastic food but poor seating. Expect a wait. Assaggio's (Belltown) - Pricey, but so good. Pasta Bella (Ballard) - Little hole in the wall place on 15th but honestly they have really great authentic food. Take it from a guy who grew up in New Jersey - Fageddaboutit.
Mexican
- NWSource Pick: La Carta de Oaxaca (Ballard)
- Rob's Pick: Gordito's -(Greenwood) You just can't beat a burrito the size of your head. Rosita's - (Greenlake) Fantastic in the summer time for before or after a stroll around the lake.
New Restaurant
- NWSource Pick: Tidbit (Capital Hill) - This Spanish Italian fusion restaurant is getting rave reviews.
- Rob's Pick: Loki Café (Wallingford)
Outdoor Dining
- NWSource Pick: Salty's (Redondo)
- Rob's Pick; Ray's Boathouse - (Shilshole/Ballard) No place better to watch the sunset over the sound and sip a margarita. Try the calamari and the burgers. Aqua Verde - (Wallingford/U. District) For me you need a view of the water to rank in this category. Agua Verde has great home made salsa and chips. I would have included it in my Mexican choice except that I was including it here. If you get bored afterward there are kayak rentals downstairs.
Pizza
- NWSource Pick: Pagliacci (all over) - I have to say I agree. I am pretty picky when it comes to pizza having grown up on the east coast, but they are the best.
- Rob's bonus pick: Pegasus Pizza (Alki) Great location, great food, fun atmosphere.
Seafood
- NWSource Pick: Nordstrom Grill (Downtown) I have to say I am a little surprised by this pick, but there you have it.
- Rob's Picks: Alki Crab and Fish Co. (W. Seattle) Hands down the best fish and chips in the city. You can also get several other varieties of sea fare to go with your chips. Grab a bottle of malt vinegar and watch the ferries head downtown. Warning - If you sit outside you will have to fight the gulls for your fires, they aren't shy. Ponti Seafood Grill (Queen Anne/Freemont) A classic never goes out of style. Great upscale dining.
Steak House
- NWSource Pick: Jak's Grill (Laurelhurst, W. Seattle, Issaquah) - I do like Jak's but more for their sandwiches then their Steaks.
- Rob's Pick: El Gaucho (Belltown), Metropolitan Grill (Downtown)
Sushi
- NW Source Pick: Chiso (Freemont)
- Rob's Pick: Sam's Sushi (Ballard) - Shh, no one knows about this place. Lets keep it between you and me. Musashi's (Wallingford) - Shh, everyone knows about this place. The line sometimes wraps around the block.
Thai
- NWSource Pick: Mae Phim Thai Restaurant (Downtown)
- Rob again takes a pass.
Vegetarian
- NWSource Pick: Café Flora (Madison Valley)
- Rob - Did I mention how much I love burgers and steak?
For the full list check out NWSource. Eat, Drink and leave a generous tip!
