I'll be staying at the Renaissance Madison in Seattle at the end of a cruise for two nights. Can anybody suggest a good cheep restaurant for one night and a place to splurge the second? I read a lot about Dahlia's, is this fairly close to my hotel?

Definitely make the Wild Ginger one of your meals..it's in between cheap and splurge, but the food is always memorable and good, with fun atmosphere as well. Reserve in advance. It's in the downtown core.

For cheap you should check out Mama's Mexican in Beltown. It is very inexpensive and it really a fun atmosphere. Very kitchy! Or you could go to Brasa on a weeknight and eat in the bar where the bar menu is 1/2 price until 7pm. Awesome food! Take a cab (5 mins) to the 5 Spot on Queen Anne for not only a local favorite but a taste of a true Seattle neighborhood.

For the splurge there are so many choices depending on your tastes!

I think Wild Ginger is a great choice, obviously an Asian type of meal. Dahlia is one of my personal favorites- very NW cuisine. Campagne if you are looking for fine french cuisine. Waterfront for amazing seafood and gorgeous views. All these are in the downtown area.

There is one that you would have to cab to but I think it is worth it. Palisades is on Magnolia. Excellent food and beautiful views.

Don't forget to post when you get back and tell us all about it!

Wendy has listed all of my favorites. Enjoy.

I'm sorry to be a spoiler, but many people feel cheated at Wild Ginger (especially men). Oceanaire is a new restaurant down town that never fails to please--delicious food, good service, and upscale atmosphere. Dahlia Lounge is an old standby, but I've been disappointed on recent visits. Mama's is good if you like joints. The Cheesecake Factory downtown is always crowded and a real crowd pleaser.

A second vote for Campagne as a splurge choice--if it's a nice evening, the outdoor patio with fountain is a very pleasant setting, and the food is outstanding. For cheap, how about Matt's at the Market? An unbelievable combination of incredible food and VERY reasonable prices!

Noodle Ranch in Belltown is always one of my favorites for an inexpensive meal. The spicy spring rolls are always part of my order.

Campagne gets my vote for the spurlge.

Once more I bow to Mrs. Ghost's recommendations. Campagne appears to be the winner in the splurge category, and Matt's is great.

Actually, Cafe Campagne (downstairs from the other one) would also do for the less fancy alternative - steak frites or other bistro food - very urbane and stylish, and really good - breakfast, too.

Or, walkable from your hotel if you have some relatives who were mountain goats, go down - way down - Fifth Avenue to the International District and have a long browse in Uwajimaya Village, Seattle's wonderful Japanese supermarket/shopping center complex. This really ought to be a prime stop on the tourist loop but it isn't yet. See amazing creatures in the seafood department; play "name that vegetable" in the produce section, then go to one of the several sit-down restaurants in the complex or take your pick from the stalls in the Asian food court in the market - Korean, Japanese, Chinese (including a fab bakery full of death-by-ecstasy yummies), Thai, Vietnamese...

Also this is a great place for last minute souvenir shopping. You could easily spend a day in the I.D. drifting from dim sum to dinner in a happy daze. The walk back up to your hotel will more than work it off.

My splurge vote goes to Campagne--It was awesome ,unforgettable food-

I did not like Wild Ginger--and it was way too expensive for what you got

Matt's at the Market is very good, but I wouldn't qualify an $18 entree as cheap dining. For that category, I'd have to also give my nod to Noodle Ranch. Very tasty Pan Asian food at very reasonable prices.

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