My husband and I will be going to Seattle to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. We are real foodies and would like to get some recommendations for really great restaurants. We will not have a car, so would like to stick with places right in town. Any ideas appreciated.
Thanks,
Annie

There's no way I could pick one "best"--too many good places to choose from and to a certain extent it depends on what I'm in the mood for.

But my favorites for a special occasion if you're sticking to right downtown would probably be Campagne and Dahlia Lounge.

Not for your anniversary celebration, but if you have another night and like good music, plus very nice food:

http://www.jazzalley.com/

Without car or taxi ride, for such a special dinner I suggest The Georgian in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel--very romantic, very special, very good.

If you are willing to take a taxi--Canlis.

Jazz Alley would be good if you are a fan of whoever is appearing there on the night of your anniversary.

A short taxi ride would be fine, just nothing too far from downtown.

Steaks: Metropolitan Grill
Great Menu: Union Square Grill Seafood: Oceanaire
Great View: Palisades
Intimate Italian: Il Bistro
Asian: Wild Ginger
On the Deck: Pink Door

While Canlis is an institution I'd have to second Campagne for a Foodie. I'm hoping Pink Door is decent (never been there) for the July GTG. For lunch, take a Taxi to Batali's Salumi. I'm also going to try Txori for Tapas on this trip.

Maybe try Brasa, on 3rd between Blanchard and Leonora. Check the menu at www.brasa.com

John--Have no worries, the Pink Door is good

I second both Campagne and Dahlia Lounge as sure bets.

Cassandra, I did check out the menu. Tamara Murphy used to be at Campagne and is a terrific chef. Maribel suggested Txori and Harvest Vine to me because she knew how much I liked the cuisine in Donostia.
mms, I'm headed to San Francisco from Bend around August 20. Was hoping we could meet at the Deschutes Brewery for a beer.

John--I arrive in Bend on the 22nd. If you are still there then, let me know. That would be fun

Have not been yet to Mistral, but haven't heard any bad things yet.

Have been to Lark, and would highly recommend it. Bus or taxi from downtown. Ditto Rover's (Madison Park) which is quite wonderful, but priced like Canlis and either a bus ride or a cab.

For downtown places we really like Campagne, 94 Stewart, Sazerac, Le Pichet, Assaggio, and Elliott's. Enjoyed Oceanaire but our wallets were deeply offended (and it's a chain.)

IMO in general you'll do better in Seattle by looking for inexpensive places serving local food. Unfortunately there's a fairly high incidence of pretense on the menu at many places. What Seattle has a lot of are restaurants with nice ambiance - you can do well even if it's not 4-stars by ordering fresh fish or anything local and seasonal, prepared simply.

Also, if it's to be anything romantic, watch out for noise levels at many of the more popular places, especially Tom Douglas'.

Mistral has served its last meal and closed up shop!

Please excuse the mini thread hijack--I posted a headcount thread for the GTG on July 18 in the Lounge forum earlier today. Please let me know in that thread if you're planning on coming, thanks!

Mistral has served its last meal and closed up shop!

Doh. Now that you say that, I remember. Sic transit gloria foodies.

Of the Tom Douglas places, Dahlia Lounge is the only one that is not noisy.

Agreed, Suze, especially if you can get a booth on the far end. I've had some very romantic dinners there ;-).

Lots of good suggestions so far. I would agree Campagne and The Georgian Room. I think Rover's is way overrated. The Pink Door is good, but not always great. I'm not a big fan or Thai Ginger--for Asian food would suggest Wann's in Belltown. I love Jazz Alley, but for the venue more than the food--great place to hear good music in a very comfortable setting. Food is decent, but not great.

Other places I'd add are Matts at the Market and Maximillean's.

Happy Anniversary!

Canlis is so "old-school" I don't think I personally know anyone who's eaten there in the past 20 years!