[mudrunner]

<p>I'm thinking of heading to Seattle with the family for the weekend....to check out the lights, carousel (though the kids are getting a bit old for that), some shopping. Mostly we are going to visit the Experience Music Project & enjoy some good food (not in the same place).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm a bit stumped as to where to go for dinner.....I haven't been for a couple of years & I know things shift quite a bit. Anyone have recommendations? We'll have a vehicle & we'll be staying downtown (near Belltown)? Although we're with the kids, they are seasoned travelers & they look forward to "fancy" dinners. Nothing formal, but something more upscale than an Olive Garden or Cheesecake Factory, & less formal than full-on French service.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Any advice?</p>

 

[Mrtambalynman]

<p>Sorry, no. </p>

 

[mudrunner]

<p>Dang....where are all the Seattle-ites!</p>

 

[gumbee]

<p>I am not a Seattle-ite but I do have a couple of thoughts</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Beth's Cafe was featured on Man vs Food - Do you feel like a 12 egg omelet?</p>
<p>Mike's Chili Parlor has been featured a couple of times on Food Network (but this is an over 21 tavern)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There is Canlis (a little fancier)</p>
<p>Or</p>
<p>Have you been to the top of the Space Needle (to eat)?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[gumbee]

<p>Metropolitan Grill</p>
<p>Ruth's Chris Steak House</p>
<p> </p>

 

[gumbee]

<p>13 Coins</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I trend towards the quirky or colorful</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Whatever you choose, I'm sure you will have fun!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Enjoy</p>

 

[mudrunner]

<p>Mmmmmmm....chili!!!!</p>

 

[jebba]

<p>There's a really yummy (but not fancy) ethiopian restaurant in the central district, if it's still there.  I think it was at Jefferson and 23rd or something.  When I lived there (11 years ago), we were on an ihop budget.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think in Capital Hill has a rastaurant called Coastal Kitchen which is nice.  We had our rehearsal dinner at a very lovely italian restaurant right on Green Lake, but I can't remember the name of it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sorry, I guess I am not that much help.</p>

 

[the kenyan]

<p>I know someone's car you can key!</p>

 

[Mrtambalynman]

<p>I think you need to pm Seattlegirl in the CH.</p>

 

[gumbee]

<p> Where'd you end up going?</p>

 

[mudrunner]

<p>My marketing guy recommended a few restaurants owned by chef Tom Douglas.</p>
<p>I gather that he is the Seattle version of Mario Battalli & he owns a bunch of highly regarded places.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We ended up at Dahlia's on 4th & Stewart-ish.  We didn't have a reservation, but as luck had it, a party of 4 were over 30 minutes late & we got their table. West Coast cuisine with a focus on seafood.....fresh/local flavours with a cajun background. Baignets with marscapone & fresh jam for dessert were amazing!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A lovely evening for the whole family & I didn't have to drive anywhere. We stayed at the Hotel Max...about 4 blocks away.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A view from our window seat...that's anoth Douglas restaurant across the street....Lola's.</p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/67465/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="IMG_0802.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="15556" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/15556/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a></p>

 

[gumbee]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>mudrunner</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/71694/thinking-of-seattle-food#post_1971072"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>My marketing guy recommended a few restaurants owned by chef Tom Douglas.</p>
<p>I gather that he is the Seattle version of Mario Battalli & he owns a bunch of highly regarded places.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We ended up at Dahlia's</p>
<br></div>
</div>
<p><br>
I forgot all about Douglas and Dahlia's. Nice.</p>
<p>Chef Douglas beat Morimoto on Iron Chef America.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mario Batali is from the Seattle area and his parents own a deli / sandwich shop down by the stadiums</p>
<p> </p>
<p>ETA: I need to start watching more than the Food Network </p>

 

[mudrunner]

<p>Ha....small world!</p>
<p>I forgot about the Batalli/Seattle connection. He has so many places in NYC, I just assumed he was a New Yorker.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So now you have a few more excuses to go to Seattle & get away from the TV.</p>