I find myself in the odd position of asking for help in choosing a seafood restaurant here in Seattle. We have house guests who would like to enjoy some great local seafood tomorrow night. When we go out, which is rare, we usually go for Italian. I have been to a few of the seafood places, but don't know what is top-rated any more.

We're mainly looking for good, reliable and fresh, with pleasant atmosphere.

We don't want to drive as far as Ray's. I think Flying Fish might be a bit noisy? If the nice weather holds, I like the idea of the deck at Anthony's (Pier 66)---but are they any good? Or maybe Ponti? McCormick's Fish House (might also be noisy)?

Any help is much appreciated!

What about Chinooks at Fishermans Terminal? It's more casual and it can be noisy but it's a very local atmosphere.

I've always had good fish at Anthony's Pier 66 as well.

Salty's is also a good bet for good reliable fish and nice atmosphere but I have trouble with their high prices.

I like Anthony's Pier 66 quite a bit. We ate in the bar last time I was there but the food was good.

I also think Ivar's is fun especially with out-of-towners, because it's such a Seattle institution.

A bit more high-end but Etta's Seafood is very reliable for food, service, atmosphere.

I may be the only one, but I absolutely hate Flying Fish. I have been there 3 times (never my idea)... 2 of those my dining companion was brought the wrong entree! Not even close! And the waiter was snooty about the mistake(s). The other time I was alone and got what I ordered but it was not very good. And it IS noisy.

I've not been to Ponti's myself, but used to work for Richard Malia when he owned Mrs. Malia's (now the Metropolitan Grill). They always had EXcellent seafood and an inventive menu (without being weird). He was A stickler for fresh fresh fresh, very in to local producers, etc. I'm going to guess that has not changed.

I think it would definitely be worth taking a chance, with possibilities for a truly great meal as much or more than others we've mentioned.

If you haven't been to a seafood restaurant since Arnie's closed, you may be taken back by $35 salmon.

Elliott’s
Waterfront
Oceannaire
Fish Club
Etta’s
Shuckers

All these places have menus on line, which you should check out before you find the tab getting out of hand.

I think Elliott's is a good choice because it is on the waterfront and because there are plenty of options that don't break the bank. I recently had Pacific Rockfish servied with polenta, black bean–corn relish and roasted red pepper puree ($22). It was very good. (The menu says "blackened," but I ordered it without the blackening.)

Hi enzian,

We have a few favorites:

Matts at the Market (haven't been there since it's been renovated, but the food was tops when we were there last)

Maximillians (also in the Market)--very scenic and delicious

and yes, McCormick & Schmick's, but try Harbourside because it's quietier and the views are lovely. Last time we were there, they had a Chillean Sea Bass that is substaniable and fabulous!

P.S. Of course, if you want to do sushi, there's always Wann. Went there with DD for Happy Hour the other night and the tuna tartar (sp?)was great, as were the sushi dishes. However, you won't have the view there.

I am with Suze and do not care for Flying Fish.

One place that DH's family always takes visitors to, and which we like also, is the Salmon House. Your visitors will probably enjoy watching the float planes from there, as well as any boats that might pull up to the restaurant.

Anthony's is good too, but I like the more unique atmosphere at the Salmon House.

enzian~ Please let us know which place you try and how it goes.

It's funny because living here, not that often I get out to nice restaurants. I know Etta's well only because it's near my office and I treat myself on occasion for a nice lunch (there or Dahlia Lounge are my two favorites).

But now you've got me thinking of Ponti's. I'll have to come up with a good reason to get out sometime this summer (I think they have a patio?). Usually if I eat out it's just casual Thai, Mexican, or Italian in my own neighborhood -lol.

Hi All I am here in Beautiful downtown seattle at the Hotel Vintage Park. Can see a partial view of the bay from our 8th floor corner room which is FAB BTW. Arrived on a gorgeous day and walked around getting our feel for the city and of course Pike Market. Wanted to do seafood yesterday but was exhausted from our flight and traveling so ate at Tulios here in the Hotel, which was great BTW. Today we will be going to a Mariners game, but will be doing a seafood place tomorrow. Thanks for the recs all! My DH wants to do the Harbor cruise with the locks tommorow.

True, Flying Fish is noisy at dinner, but it is quiet at lunch. It is a good place for those who want a leisurely lunch and who like unusual presentations such as these:

Wok Blackened Hawaiian Opah with risotto cake, baby bok choy, wasabi cream, cilantro oil

Crispy Monkfish with black rice risotto, Asian vegetable salad, Thai curry sauce

Alaskan King Salmon with celery root, green beans, cherry tomato salad, chive sauce

I have eaten at Flying Fish many times and have never encountered anything other than professional service.

McCormick and Schmick's, Anthony's, and Cutters Bay House are crowd pleasers, but, when I want fish, I go to Flying Fish or Fish Club (which has a great 3-course $17 lunch on weekdays).

Exceptions: Bell Street Diner for the cioppino, Caesar salad, and garlic toast at lunch; McCormick & Schmick's Harborside for Caesar Salad with Calamari (which is more generous here than at other M&S's).

Thanks suze, NWWanderer, HTTY, mms, and artlover---I knew I could count on my Fodors friends. I showed your recs to my husband and he thought Etta's would be best for our friends (this is for tonight, and since the weather has turned bad again, the waterfront window is not so important after all).

artlover---one of our friends doesn't care for Asian food, so I didn't put sushi places on the list. We love Matt's but my husband wanted a menu with more seafood choices. . . And I can't wait to return to Wanns---maybe we'll just have to schedule another GTG there.

suze---I still want to get to Ponti's; I'll save that one for a warm summer evening with the family. I was there 15 years ago and remember it as very pleasant. That was the first time I encountered (a) seared ahi and (b) grilled portobello mushrooms (they were in separate appetizer dishes, both excellent and have been a favorite ever since).

htty---flying Fish sounds like a good bet for our daughter; I'll treat her to lunch there sometime this summer.

mms---I hadn't thought of Salmon House; I loved the feel of the room (and the view) last time I was there. For tonight, we'd like to stay right downtown (walking from the Market and from my office) so it won't work for this occasion. But do they have a dock on Lake Union? It might be a fun destination for a kayak outing from the NW OUtdoor Center.

Judyrem---glad you found Tulio; it is one of my personal favorites, and it rarely gets mentioned. Enjoy your visit to Seattle, and check out the interior of the library (across the street from your hotel) if you have time.

Perhaps a bit late in coming, but we swear by Elliott's, and it too is quite walkable (stair-able?) from the Pike Market.

Also, there's always some excellent fish on the menu, but plenty of other delights at the intimate and really comfortable 94 Stewart (corner of First.)

Gardyloo---I wqas hoping to hear from you! (I know you don't care for the Tom Douglas places, and would have some good alternatives).

I like Elliots and used to stop there a lot with friends when I lived on Bainbridge. But I didn't even think of it until you mentioned it.

94 Stewart is one I have never heard of. Is it new? Their menu looks great---I think I'll round up some friends at work and give it a try for lunch one of these days.

94 Stewart's not new. It just always seems 'under the radar' for some reason. Sits physically in a bit funny location, basement on one of the steep streets up from the Market.

Same area another relative newbie that is worth a visit judging from my single lunch there recently:
www.steelheaddiner.com

Hi enzian -

I see you've already decided on Etta's for tonight, but for future possibilities, I really like Palisade in Magnolia. Nice view of the city and the marina, pleasant atmosphere. My office in Seattle is in Fishermen's Term., and Chinooks is definitely a fishing industry favorite. I've eaten at Steelhead Diner only once and wasn't thrilled with it (except dessert!) May have been an off night, but they didn't have many fish selections.

Judyrem - if you get another chance to eat at Tulio, make sure you get the sweet potato gnocchi!

After our Underground tour this morning, we ate at Ivars, very good clam chowder! The tour was fun and very informative. We are resting now, because we are going to the game tonight...not as young as we used to be . Thanks enzian and lennyba for your input. Yes Tulio's was great! Very authentic Italian IMO. We are loving this weather BTW.

I really enjoyed Cutters, great view and eats. We had a starter there that was incredible calamari and hot peppers, tasty.