Seattle Serious Eaters: Where am I going to go to Lunch?
Seattle Serious Eaters: We need your help!
We're going to be in downtown Seattle for one midday meal, and want your recommendations for a great place for lunch. We're looking for a midrange restaurant ($8-$15 entrees) that serves something unique and seriously delicious. We live in New York, and we love trying small places with an emphasis on inventive locally sourced food. We're carnivores, and any kind of ethnic food is fine, but we're not huge fish eaters. Basically, we're looking for a place we'll remember when we get home, and we know you've got just the recommendation.
Thanks for all your help!
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10 Comments:
No fish? Alas, that is unfortunate, since we have amazing seafood here, but there are still lots of delicious options for you!
If you're in/around the Pike Place Market, you can easily eat your way through Le Panier (macarons, pains au chocolat, mini-quiches), the original Starbucks (shut up, coffee snobs), Piroshky Piroshky, Three Girls Bakery, and end at Daily Dozen Donut Co. for freshly-fried organic mini-doughnuts.
Another option, which is great for lunch, is Wild Ginger - really well-prepared pan-Asian. I know the trend is pretty tired, but this is one of the originals, and it's still damn tasty (you want anything with duck in it that appears on the menu).
If you're willing to spend a wee bit more, try one of the Tom Douglas restaurants (Etta's, the Dahlia Lounge, Palace Kitchen, or Lola) for classic Pacific Northwest food. It would be a sin not to consume his crab cakes or the coconut cream pie (I eat it about once a year and have dreams about it regularly).
GirlFromJetCity at 7:27PM on 08/09/09
I just got back from Seattle and had a great lunch at Pike Place Market at Matt's.
If you go, definitely get a brisket sandwich: AMAZING. They use fresh produce from the market and have a great and fun atmosphere!
have fun in Seattle! (I spent 8 years there)
orchidgirl at 7:58PM on 08/09/09
salumi.
andshewas at 10:56PM on 08/09/09
salumi's not really downtown, and not great if you don't want to wait 45 minutes for your sandwich.
there are a ton of great places right in the market for snacks to go, or you can go about downtown for some nice places. LoLa is a good one, or you could do Vietnamese classy with Bambuza, Palomino's pretty good for a quickie lunch, and there's also Cafe Fonte, which just opened up and has Crush's Jason Wilson as the exec chef - they're doing entrees, salads, and tons of tasty pastries.
unarata at 11:52PM on 08/09/09
Salumi, Mario Batali's dad's place, has porchetta and lamb prosciutto that'll knock your socks off and has daily specials made by his mom, I think. The best place in the US for cured meats, made here, not imported or mass-produced. This is where I always bring out-of-town visitors.
If you have time, do Pike Place Market, for the food--something for everyone--and the entertainment. Try the smoked salmon pate from Piroshky, Piroshky--it's shaped like a fish--for $4.50, and have it with a donut peach or white peach from Yakima from one of the market vendors and on the way out, buy a bag of Daily Dozen donuts to share. We "graze" here--walk and talk and eat and drink at the same time. There's a Washington wines tasting room, a handmade cheese vendor, several chocolatiers, four or five bakeries. It sometimes takes us three hours to eat and shop here. It's being renovated, and I haven't been there since the renovations started in April, but the inconveniences are supposed to be minor.
betteirene at 12:42AM on 08/10/09
Just went to salumi (and did wait 45mins) but it was well worth it. Make sure to go early or some of the specials sell out.
Also went to lunchbox laboratory in ballard, about 15 mins drive from DT and had an amazing burger!
bigfatmouth at 2:04PM on 08/10/09
I second Matt's and Lunchbox Laboratory, as well. If you're in Ballard, you could also go to the Hi-Life.
Personally, I'd skip Palamino's - it's good, but you can get better for your buck if you've only got one meal to spend in Seattle.
GirlFromJetCity at 3:32PM on 08/10/09
I vote for any of our local brewpubs for PNW beer and good grub. Downtown is Pike Brewing (just down the street from the market) and Elysian on Pine st. If you're going to be down by the stadiums, Elysian Fields is the spot to hit. Find yourself in the U-district? Big Time Brewery for their Roast Beef sandwich. Maritime Pacific in Ballard is worth a stop. While not a brewpub, Brouwers Cafe is my hands down favorite restaurant in Seattle and has a stunning beer list featuring local, regional and Belgian beers. Enjoy your visit!
beersnob at 4:45PM on 08/10/09
Go to Quinn's in Capital Hill. It has an interesting, surprisingly affordable menu that goes beyond the ordinary and a very impressive beer selection. Really a cool place and very centrally located. Feeling fit? You can walk there from the market, it's worth it.
Since you don't have a a lot of time I don't suggest getting stuck in traffic trying to get to Ballard or waiting in line at Salumi. I've heard many people complain about that one...
Pointy at 7:47PM on 08/10/09
Last week I was up from Oregon and went by Quinn's for lunch. To my extreme chagrin, they are no longer open for lunch. I would still recommend it for dinner. If they are in season try the buffalo frog legs, fantastic!!
NWcajun at 1:31PM on 08/11/09