We're posting this restaurant guide on the web to whet your appetite and give you the opportunity to make reservations ahead of time. Many of the better places will be busy on weekends, and you'll have a later dinner than you might have intended, unless you've reserved ahead.
This is organized as follows: Cheap eats, In the Hotel, In Walking Distance (Or Close to It), In the International District, and Not Nearby But Worth the Trip.
Seattle is a great town for eating out. We've come a long way from the all-fried Captain's Platters of the 1950s, although of course seafood is still a major feature of menus here. Expect to find a lot of pride in local and regional ingredients (Ellensburg lamb, Penn Cove Mussels, Quillasascut cheese, etc.) There's a big emphasis on Pacific Rim/fusion cooking, so you might find satays sharing the menu with sushi and steaks.
This list concentrates on the downtown area, within easy walking distance of the Westin. It's not 100% complete, so there's plenty of room for you to make your own personal discoveries. Just because a place isn't mentioned doesn't mean it's not worth your while. I've tried to make this as accurate as possible, but it was mostly compiled a couple of months ago. Things change, places close, or change their hours: call ahead if your heart is set on something. Mostly written by me, with comments and suggestions from Leslie Howle, Janice Murray, Ulrika O'Brien, Luke McGuff, and Marci Malinowycz. Special thanks to Tamara Vining for sharing the database from the Potlatch restaurant guide. Bon appetit!
— Astrid Anderson Bear
Within a few short blocks of the Westin, you'll find a tremendous variety of cuisine, suitable for every budget.
We love our coffee drinks here! The closest espresso is in the lobby café. Just across the street on 6th is a Starbuck's, and there are two more within two blocks.
Some folks prefer Seattle's Best Coffee (SBC). They have a coffee shop at 4th and Pike, 1st and Pike, and a few other downtown locations
Then there are the Tully's devotees. Find them in Westlake Mall (Olive and 5th) or at 1st and Union.
For a change of pace, try the Dilettante Mocha Café, on 6th near Union. Dilettante Chocolates are a Seattle treasure, and now they have killer hot chocolate available (plus pastries and light lunches) in this small storefront.
Can't get much cheaper or closer than McDonald's, right across the street on 6th. When you gotta have a quarter-pounder, it's there.
There's a bunch of inexpensive breakfast/lunch places within a block or two that are only open Mon-Fri, so check them out early or not at all:
Food Court at Westlake Center, 400 Pine Street, 9:30am-8pm,m-Sat, 11 am-6pm Sun. A nice assortment of food stalls on the 3rd floor of this downtown shopping center. The Bombay Wallah, the Noodle Zone, and the Rice n Roll are particularly recommended. All the food is much better than you'd expect at a food court.
In the Pike Place Market: Lots of fun stuff here! Try the Three Sisters Bakery, Lowell's, assorted Asian cafes, or whatever looks good. It's fun to just stroll and buy a humbow here, a basket of berries there, and nibble one's way through the market. Halfway down the steps leading to the waterfront, you'll find El Puerco Lloron (501 Western Ave.) with good chile rellenos, tamales, and shredded meat tacos. (Daily 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m., only till 5:00 p.m. Sunday)
Fifth Ave. Corner Deli: 7am-3pm daily. A pleasant place for an informal meal. Eggs cooked to order (I enjoyed a nice omelette here, well garnished with fresh fruit), espresso drinks, pastries, etc. Lunch has soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Roy's of Seattle, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. The more upscale hotel restaurant is, for dinner at least, stuck in a Trader Vic's time warp. The dishes we tried all had a uniform quality of sweetness to them, with none of the kicks of red pepper, fish sauce, or lime juice, that you might expect from a stated "Asian Fusion" style. The fish selection changes daily according to the market, and has an emphasis on Hawaiian fish, such as ono, ahi, etc. The quality is great, the portion sizes fine, the grilling is done to perfection, but the sauces are resolutely fruity. We enjoyed sharing the "Canoe" of appetizers ($30 for 4), but while everything was tasty (crab cakes, fried spring rolls, mee krob-type fried noodles, skewered shrimp, and BBQ pork ribs), there was no jazz here either. Entrees run $20-35.
Andaluca, 407 Olive Way (in the Mayflower Park Hotel), 382-6999. Open for breakfast (Mon-Fri 6:30-11, Sat and Sun, 7-12), lunch ( M-F11:30-2:30, no lunch weekends) and dinner (Sun-Th 5-10pm, Fri and Sat 5-11pm). I've only been here for dinner, which was great! Breakfast has such goodies as Roasted Forest Mushroom Frittata for $11.95, lunch offers a Lamb Burger for $10.50, and dinners run $18-36 for entrees. Paella with prawns, clams, mussels, chicken, and chorizo is $23, and you can't find that just anywhere.
Anthony's Pier 66, 2201 Alaskan Way (at Bell St), 448-6688, open 7 days, for dinner, 5-9:30. The Bell Street Diner, downstairs in the same building, is operated by Anthony's and open for lunch and dinner. Anthony's has a good selection of fresh, well-prepared seafood, up to $25. for entrees. You'll need a reservation. Bell Street Diner is more casual and a bit less expensive. Lunch, 11:30-3pm, Dinner, 3-10pm, 9 on Sundays. The fish tacos are excellent
Brasa, 2107 3rd Ave. (at Lenora), dinner 5-10:30 Sun-Thur, till midnight Fri and Sat. Bar open till 2am daily. A Mediterranean inspired menu, with an emphasis on Spain and Portugal, with some Moroccan touches (Lamb Tagine $20.) For a starter, how about Chorizo stuffed Calimari ($11), a dinner of Wood Oven Roasted Chicken with preserved lemons and Spanish olives ($17), or the Paella with Rabbit and Shellfish ($17). And save room for Warm Catalan Custard with Porto and Brown Sugar. Haven't been here, but it sounds great, and it's got a good rep.
Cafe Campagne, in the Pike Place Market. 1600 Post Alley. Hours: 11am-10pm M-F. 8-11pm Sat & Sun, but closed 5-5:30. French bistro cuisine. This is the casual younger sister of Campagne, upstairs. The Cafe is marvelous, and serves a Sunday brunch menu from 8am. Breakfast: Herb omelet with escarole and chevre, side of sausage, $12; Lunch: Cassoulet $15; Dinner: Grilled salmon on a chard, bacon, potato, and celery gratin, $17
Campagne, 86 Pine Street, in the Pike Place Market. Hours 5:30-10pm dinner nightly, late night menu till midnight Friday and Saturday, bar till 2pm. Fine French dining. Three course prix fixe dinner for $45, or appetizers $7-16, salads $8-15, entrees $24-39. Great food, service, and view.
Cascadia, 2328 1st Ave., 448-8884, Hours, 5-10pm Mon-Sat. Fresh regional products cooked deliciously and elegantly. Entrees in the $20+ range. There are also 7 course tasting menus available from $55-90. Haven't been here, but I hear it's fabulous.
Cheesecake Factory, 700 Pike St (at 7th), 652-5400, open 11:30am-11pm, 7 days. The website says, "Something for everyone", and it's certainly always busy. Pizzas, pasta, steaks, sandwiches, egg dishes, salads ... the menu is endless. No prices posted on the website.
Coldstone Creamery, 5th and Olive, 11am-10pm, till 11pm Fri and Sat. No, you can't come here for breakfast! Pick a base ice cream like sweet cream or chocolate. Pick your mix-ins, like nuts, fruits, or fudge chunks. Watch as they are lovingly mixed together on a chilled slab of granite, then packed into a fresh-baked waffle cone. What more do you need?
Dahlia Bakery, 2001 4th Ave (at Virginia). If you've got to have that great coconut cream pie for breakfast, get it here from 7:30am,-6pm M-F, opens 9am Sat. Great pastries, breads, sticky rolls, etc. Also serves sandwiches, soups and salads. $0.50. gets you a ginger snap, $25 for a 9" coconut cream pie.
Dragon Fish, 722 Pine Street (at 7th), in the Paramount Hotel, 11-3pm, 4-11pm, late night menu till 1am. A pan-Asian menu, very tasty, and fun to go with a group and share plates of roasted duck spring rolls, coconut shrimp roll, tamarind chicken satay, etc. Lunch bentos from $6.90, dinner entrees up to $14.95 for Bulgogi Skirt Steak, with pickled cucumbers, mung bean salad, and nappa kim chee.
Dahlia Lounge, 2001 4th Ave. (at Virginia) 682-4142 . Lunch 11-2:30 M-F. Dinner 5:30-10, Sun-Thursday, till 11pm Fri. and Sat. Tom Douglas. Fine service. Luxury dinner. Nothing more to say! Well, if we must... the Sea Bar sampler, $19 for plenty to share as an appetizer, is like browsing through tiny tide pools of impeccably fresh seafood, garnished with style and imagination. Can't go wrong with crab cakes ($24), five spice duck ($24), or anything else for that matter.
El Gaucho, 2505 1st Ave.(at Wall St.), 728-1337. A fine steak house from the old school, but updated fabulously. Appetizers $6.50-16 (try the crab cakes!), entrees $18 (pan fried oysters) to $90 (filet and lobster), with lots of stops in between. A flaming sword of lamb shish kabob will set you back $25.50. The menu is heavy into meat, but also has a good range of seafood, and even a couple of vegetarian dishes.
Etta's Seafood, 2020 Western Ave. next to the Pike Place Market.443-6000. Hours:11:30 am-9:30pm M-F, brunch from 9am, Sat. and Sun. Brunch $9-14. Lunch: appetizers and salads $5-15, entrees $10.50-14. Dinner: appetizers and salads $5-12.50. entrees $15-25 A casual atmosphere cafe with amazing food. Wok fried prawns ($12) for an appetizer, or maybe a cup of clam chowder ($5). Seared albacore tuna with beet risotto ($21), or maybe an Oregon steak with picked onions ($24.) You won't go away hungry.
Fox Sports Grill, 1522 6th Ave. 340-1369, 11am-1:30am daily. Giant Plasma TV Screens! Billiard Tables! Cigar Lounge! If that's what you're looking for, here it is, plus, according to the local paper, pretty good eats. Entrees in the $15-20 dollar range, burgers $8.95. Nachos, anyone?
Fandango, 2313 1st Ave., 441-1188, 5pm-midnight daily, bar open till 2am.Chef Christine Keff's latest venture, a Latin American extravaganza. (She also owns and runs Flying Fish, across the street.) Argentine Carpaccio with chimmichurri sauce ($9.50), Oaxacan Green Mole ($16.95), Suckling Pig ($18.95), Sounds great, and it's gotten rave reviews.
Flying Fish, 2234 1st Ave., 728-8595 5pm-midnight, daily bar open till 2am. Small plates from $4.95, large plates from $14.85. Cutting-edge pan-Asian seafood. They encourage sharing and grazing here, with such things as Thai Crab Cake with lemongrass mayonnaise, Sea Scallops with parsnip puree. Likely to be crowded and noisy, but worth it.
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, upstairs in Pacific Place, 6th Ave. and Pine, 405-4205, Hours, 11am-10pm, Sun-Thur, 11am-11pm Fri, Sat. An upscale brewpub. They always have at least five fresh brews on tap, with seasonal variations. Good wood-fired pizzas, roast chicken, grilled steaks, and other hearty fare.
Icon Grill, 1933 5th Ave., 441-6330, lunches 11-2pm Mon-Fri. Dinners, Mon-Sun, 5:30-9pm or later, later in the week. Bar open til 1am Sat. and Sun. Regional American food, lots of grilled items. Molasses Glazed Meatloaf, $16, Cajun Rock Shrimp Penne, $16, and lots of other eclectic choices. Haven't been here, but it's got good buzz.
Il Fornaio, in Pacific Place, 6th Ave. and Pine, 264-0994. Actually four different locations in this shopping center. The Caffe, open 9am-10pm daily, serves muffins, sandwiches, soups, and salads in an informal setting. The Panetteria, open 7am-6pm MF, 9-6 Sat-Sun, serves fresh baked goodies and coffee. The Ristorante, open 11 am 10pm Sun-Thur, 11am to midnight, Fri-Sat, serves wood- fire grilled and rotisserie meats, plus pizzas. The Risotteria (same hours as Ristorante) serves gnocchi, seasonal risottos, pasta, and pizzas - a little more casual than the Ristorante. As you might expect, all the food is Italian, and quite good. Ristorante dinners are in the $20+ for entrees range, the others are less.
Ivar's, on the waterfront at Pier 54 (Alaskan Way near Spring St.)624-6852, 11am-10pm, 7 days, till 11pm Fri. and Sat. The Classic Old Seattle seafood joint. You can get the basic deep-fried platter here, or branch out and have Mussels in Coconut Curry ($8.95) for an appetizer. Dinners from $12.95 (Fried clam strips) to $35 for lobster tail. Try any of the chowders, (classic white, red, or smoked salmon) - they're all great! The Wild King Salmon ($17.95) is offered in three different grilled presentations.
Johnny Rockets, upstairs in Pacific Place, 6th Ave. and Pine, 749-9803. Hours: Sun-Thur 11am-10pm, Fri and Sat 11-11pm. Haven't been here, but the website breathlessly describes: "An authentic re-creation of a 1940s hamburger malt shop! Lovingly hand-pressed hamburgers! . . . juke boxes . . . Cherry Cokes . . .reasonable prices!" Could be fun.
Mama's Mexican Kitchen, 2nd and Bell, 728-6262, Breakfast and lunch served in Mamacita's next door, dinners here seven night a week. Funky Mexican, with velvet Elvis paintings. Housemade tamales ($4.50), menudo ($4.50), chile Colorado burrito plate ($8.50), and other less-often found dishes round out the usual on the menu of the Belltown fixture.
McCormick & Schmick, 1103 1st Ave (at Spring St.)., 623-5500, lunch 11:30-3pm, M-F; dinner 4:30-11pm, 7 days. Massive menu of fresh seafood, changing daily. Look for many types of oysters on the half shell, about 20 kinds of fish, etc. This is part of an upscale chain, and very well regarded. I've enjoyed a fine oyster stew here. Lunches $5.95-$15, dinner a little more.
Metropolitan Grill, 818 2nd Ave., 624-3287. Hours: Mon-Fri 11-3, 5-10:30. Sat-Sun 4-10pm. Prime beef, grilled over mesquite, plus other meats and fish. You can find Chateaubriand for two here! This is a favorite Seattle steak house, much loved by lawyers and other downtown folks with lots of money. Dinner: Appetizers $8-15, Entrees$19-50+. The single-malt scotch list looks great (The Macallen 1946, anyone?), plus some cigars, if you like that sort of thing.
Mexico, upstairs in Pacific Place, 6th Ave. and Pine, 405-3400. No hours on the website, but expect them to be the same as Johnny Rockets. "Cantina y Veracruz cooking, modern Mexican cuisine with a coastal flair". Now you know as much as I do.
Morton's of Chicago, 1511 6th Ave. (near Pine), 223-0550, Dinner 5:30-11pm. If you're looking for a big expensive prime steak, fancy a la carte side dishes, and great service, in a men's club setting, here's your place. Entrees from $35.
Nara Grill, 2027 5th Ave. (at Lenora), 727-2255, Lunch 11:30-2pm Mon-Fri, Dinner 5-10pm daily. A Benihana-style Japanese grill, with grill tables, regular tables, and a sushi bar. Teppanyaki $14-30, full sushi menu.
Oceanaire Seafood Room, 1700 7th Ave. (near Stewart) Lunch 11:30-5pm, Mon-Fri, dinner 5pm-10pm daily. Part of a small chain, this upscale seafood restaurant has an enormous fresh sheet of fish and shellfish from around the world, flown in daily. Said to be expensive, but great.
Palace Kitchen, 2030 5th Ave. 448-2001. Hours 5pm-1am, 7 days, bar open till 2. Tom Douglas' ode to grilling and rotisserie foods. The house cured pork jowl bruscetta appetizer ($6) isn't something you'll find just anywhere. How about grilled wild Alaska sockeye salmon ($25) rotisserie duckling ($22.), or housemade ravioli with sheep's milk ricotta ($19)? Or just the best burger you'll have all week, for $11.
Saito's Japanese Café and Bar, 2122 2nd Ave. (near Lenora), 728-1333 Lunch 11:30-2pm, Tues-Fri. Dinner Tuesday-Sat, 5-10pm. Entrees $10-15. Classic Japanese foods, and a well-regarded sushi bar. The bar stocks over 30 types of sake.
Shiro's Sushi, 240 2nd Ave., 443-9844, Hours 5:30-9:45, 7 days. Haven't been to this current incarnation, but it's reputed to be the best sushi available downtown. Shiro is a legendary local sushi chef, who's been slicing the toro in Seattle since 1967. There's no prices on the website menu, but the emphasis is on the freshest and most special ingredients, perfectly prepared, with some very unusual items, such as monkfish liver pate.
Six Seven, 2411 Alaskan Way, on Pier 67, 728-7000, Appetizers $5-14, Entrées $18-29. If you want waterfront dining, you can't get closer than this in the Edgewater Hotel, built out on the pier over the waters of Elliot Bay. The Beatles fished from their room window back in the day, but you can't do that anymore. However, the food here is great and the décor unique; sort of post-industrial Northwest Lodge. The Oysters Rockefeller are the best I've ever had, the Friday night special is Lamb Shanks, and such things as seared scallops and filet mignon round out the menu.
Tacone, upstairs in Pacific Place, 6th Ave. and Pine, 957-5200. No hours on the website, but expect them to be the same as Johnny Rockets. "Offering fresh soups, salads and gourmet sandwiches."
Thai Ginger, upstairs in Pacific Place, 6th Ave. and Pine. No hours on the website, but expect them to be the same as Johnny Rockets. "authentic Thai regional cuisine. Opening February 2004"
Thirteen Coins, 1125 Boren Ave. North, 682-2513. One of the few 24 hour restaurants in Seattle, and a short cab ride from the hotel. An eclectic menu offers omelettes, chicken parmesan, sweetbreads with mushrooms, etc. in a sort of 1960s style. Nothing cutting edge here, but reliable food, served in booths or at the counter overlooking the kitchen. Expect entrees to be around $20.
Todai, upstairs in Pacific Place, 6th Ave. and Pine, 749-5100. No hours on the website, but expect them to be the same as Johnny Rockets. "The all-you-can-eat Japanese sushi bar and restaurant." $12.95 for lunch, $22.95 for dinner on weekdays, $1-2 more on weekends. A big variety of self-serve Japanese foods. The dining room is huge, so it would be a good place to take a large group.
Turntable Restaurant, in the Experience Music Project, 5th and Denny. 11am-9pm, till 11pm Fri. and Sat. Ride the monorail up here, or stroll the mile. Turntable features regional American cuisine, with an emphasis on southern specialties. The red beans and rice ($11.95) is fabulous. Cream of Forest Mushroom soup ($4.95 a cup) is incredible. The fried chicken, fish and chips, and salads are also favorites. Portions are generous, and nicely presented. Dinner entrees top out price-wise at $16.95 for the Snake River Spiced Flank Steak (Yum! - but does anyone else think it's a bad idea to put the word snake next to steak on a menu?) Just for kicks, get the Little Richard Bouffant Sundae for dessert.
Von's Grand City Café, 619 Pine St. in the Roosevelt Hotel (at 6th), 621-8667. Breakfast 6:30 am-10:30, Lunch 11am-2:30, dinner 5-10pm. Roasted meats and martinis are specialties (not for breakfast, I hope!). Several online reviews commented about surly service, although one committee member has been here and liked it.
Wild Ginger, 1401 3rd Ave., 623-4450, Hours 11:30am-1am Mon-Sat., 4:30 pm-1am Sun. It's great, it's crowded, it's all about the duck. This pan-Asian restaurant does everything well (wonderful satays, tangy Vietnamese-style hot & sour soup, great Thai curries), but you gotta get the duck, one order for the table. Kind of a Peking duck, served with steamed buns and plum sauce, this tender fowl with crispy skin is outstanding. Appetizers around $6, entrees around $21.
Yakima Grill, 612 Stewart St. (at 6th) 6:30am-2am, 7 days. Breakfast features omelettes (from $7.95) and Huevos Rancheros ($8.95). For lunch, maybe Halibut Tacos( $9.95) or the Cuban Press sandwich ($9.95). Dinner, a selection of Tapas, (6.95-8.95) or the Steak Mole ($22.95). Sounds great, but I haven't been here.
If you want Real Asian food, none of this namby-pamby fusion stuff, head down here. Mostly Chinese restaurants, but also a good place to find Vietnamese, Thai, Philippino, etc. (A fairly short cab ride.)
China Gate, 516 7th Ave. S., 624-1730. A very large dim sum place, with a great variety of dishes.
New Kowloon, on Jackson, just east of I5. Great dim sum, great dinners, extensive menu. (Luke McGuff)
Malay Satay Hut 212 12th Ave S (International District), 324-4091 or 323-6604. Open daily 11 am-11 pm. The Malay Satay Hut in one of those Jackson Square shopping strips gets good ratings and it's my Malaysian daughter-in-law's favorite restaurant. They have over 100 items on their menu and the selection is a mix of Cantonese, Mandarin, Maylasian, Thai and Indian. I took Nalo Hopkinson there and she loved it! She enjoyed drinking coconut juice right out of a coconut. The roti canai is a wonderful potato curry sauce that you dip flatbread in - we love it. We go to the Satay Hut just for the roti at lunch. It's not fancy, but it's very reasonably priced. It made top ten in the Times a year ago.(Leslie Howle)
Ocean City, 6th and Weller. Classic dim sum place, upstairs, lots of red in the décor. Has the nice touch of some dishes being fried up on a portable grill tableside.
Shanghai Garden, 524 Sixth Ave S, 625-1688. Open daily 11 am-9:30 pm (Fri-Sat until 10:30 pm). (From Seattle Times Review) ". . . classic Shanghai versions of light, clear soups, seafood specials, wok-seared vegetable combos, and a "high nutrition" selection of brown rice entrées and hand-shaved noodles. . . . These thick, uneven slivers of soft, fresh noodles are featured in noodle soups ($6.50-$7.50; don't miss the braised beef noodle soup, a heartier variation on pho, and the savory pork-and-pickled-cabbage noodle soup) and sautéed chow mein dishes with various vegetables, meats, and seafood ($6.50-$8.95). The gorgeous green version is reminiscent of Italian spinach pasta, but infused with Barleygreen, a powder extract of barleygrass juice. In our Barleygreen chow mein with chicken ($7.95), the pillowy noodles soaked up the dish's rich gravy and picked up all flavors: subtly seasoned chicken, light touches of soy, and fragrant onions." Highly recommended by Leslie Howle.
Top Gun, 668 S. King St., 623-6606 10 am-3am daily for dim sum. This place is small, but the carts of dim sum goodies just keep rolling past.
Uwajimaya, 600 5th Ave. South, 624-6248, 9am-10pm, 7 days. The best Asian grocery in Seattle! Uwajimaya also has an Asian food court with Filipino, Hawaiian, and Chinese food, but its strongest point is the great selection of Japanese goodies, such as fresh mochi, fish for sushi (also premade sushi), fine sakes, etc.
Canlis, 2576 Aurora Ave. N., 283-3313, Hours: Reservations can be made for dinner starts from 5:30-9, M-Th, 5-10 F, Sat. Contemporary seasonal Northwest cuisine. This Seattle icon is a wonderful, cosseting, luxurious treat. The outstanding view looks down Lake Union to downtown. Sometimes a restaurant has been there forever and doesn't try anymore. Canlis has been there for 54 years, and is still operating at the peak of perfection. Gentlemen will need jackets, and they don't want jeans, but hey, we're grownups and can dress up a little sometimes, right? The food is fabulous, with many dishes cooked on a grill in the dining room. Try the Canlis salad ($10), romaine with a touch of fresh mint, plus bacon. The pepper steak ($41) is great, as is the King Salmon with green apple chutney ($28), and everything else! The women's restroom is a Zen retreat - I want to move in.
Le Gourmand, 425 NW Market St., 784-3463, Hours: 5:30-10pm, Wed-Sat. Don't let the odd brick exterior of this building in the Ballard neighborhood put you off. This is fine cuisine, of the modern French sort, tuned to fresh, local ingredients, many personally gathered by the chef, Bruce Naftaly. Expect entrees to be in the $25-30 range
Mashiko, 4725 California SW, 935-4339, Hours Sun-Thurs 5-9, till 10pm Fri and Sat. This West Seattle sushi joint is amazing! Expect to wait, expect it to be noisy, and expect just about the freshest, most innovative sushi and eclectic Japanese entrees you've ever had. It's not about the perfect presentation, it's about the best taste. Prices range wildly, depending on the ingredients. A Dungeness crab California Roll is $7, Sushi and sashimi assortments range from $10-$38, a chicken katsu dinner is $11. Or have fun with a "omakase" dinner, telling the chef how much you want to spend and keep the food coming, $20 per person on up.
Rover's, 2808 E. Madison, 324-7442, Hours: from 5:30, Tues-Sat. Simply the best restaurant I've been to anywhere. They offer three tasting menus, $80 for the 5 course vegetarian, $90 for the meat-eaters, and $125 for a 7 course version. Every plate will contain something exquisite, beautifully prepared and presented. The restaurant, in a charming house in the Madison Park neighborhood, is a gem of soothing atmosphere. The service is immaculate. The china, silver, and crystal are probably better than your rich old auntie's. The five course menu posted in January included: Smoked Salmon with Cucumber Salad and White Sturgeon Caviar, Spot Prawns with Foie Gras, Celeriac Puree and a Spot Prawn Nage, Halibut with an Olympic Cepes and Leek Ragout, Spice Infused Pinot Noir Sorbet, Partridge with Braised Cabbage and a Thyme Sauce, and a Symphony Of Desserts. If you don't have your reservation already, it's probably too late - but give it a try, you might get lucky!
Except where otherwise noted, content and design
copyright © 1995–2008 by Science Fiction and
Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. ("SFWA").
Any opinions expressed
on the SFWA® site are those of the author, not of the SFWA® organization.
SFWA® and Nebula Awards® are registered trademarks
of
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.
18447 visitors have been here
since the counter was last reset.