I have jury duty in downtown Seattle at the King County Courthouse. I don't know how long it's going to last, but I know that it will be an all day affair each day.

I don't eat out often because I think it's a big, fat waste of money and I generally prefer my own cooking, but since I'm being forced to, I'd like to make the most of it. I'm also not particularly familiar with Seattle proper, so I'd appreciate help from those who know the lay of the land.

I'd like some suggestions on restaurants, cafes, etc. near the courthouse area (5-10 minute walk) that serve a cheap (under $10) and filling lunch. I'm open to pretty much all cuisines.

And I know that this is not a travel post in the strictest sense since I live in the area, but most everyone who visits the area can use restaurant suggestions and it might be helpful to others as well.

Bakeman's at 122 Cherry Street it the place for you! They make fantastic sandwiches cheap (meatloaf and turkey are highly recommended).

I wish I would get assigned to the King County Courthouse--they've been sending me to Kent lately.

There is no problem finding a place to eat. Scope out Pioneer Square and Chinatown and you will find many options: Indian, Mexican, Pizza, Asian of all kinds, even Subway.

Also, walking north, most of the office buildings have restaurants that cater to office workers.

Unfortunately, it getting more and more difficult to eat lunch for $10 in downtown Seattle.

LOL! I wish they'd sent me to Kent. It's not my favorite place, but at least I know my way around.

Thanks for both your replies. I'd thought of checking out office buildings and following my nose as I'm walking. I'm making a bigger deal of this than it is, but I'm feeling out of sorts about the whole thing. I don't like my life being disrupted when I'm not the one doing the disrupting.

To add to my fun, Metro's website gives me about 12 different options for getting to the courthouse from my place. Joy.

Another place I always enjoyed (used to work in the neighborhood) is at the Elliott Bay Bookstore, downtstairs there's a small cafe. It's cozy and a great place if you want to feel you're "getting away from it all" in the area.

Well, they let me out after two days, so I only got to try two restaurants (boooo!)

On Monday, I went to El Sabor de Oaxaca on James between 2nd and 3rd. I ordered the beef supreme nachos from the appetizer menu. It was excellent. I'm not a foodie, but as someone who cooks for herself from scratch, I could tell that all the ingredients (salsa, mole sauce, sour cream, and cheese) were either fresh or a convincing imitation thereof. There was no prepackaged taste whatsoever. The nachos and a mandarin orange Mexican soda came to just shy of $9 and I thought it was money well spent.

Yesterday, I went to Pallino Pastaria in the Columbia Center/Columbia Tower/Bank of America Tower/Whatever It's Called Anymore. What I had sounded way better than it tasted. I had the lunch combo of fagioli soup, Caesar salad, and bread. The soup was okay, but I can't stand hot food that's gone cold and it was lukewarm before I was halfway done with it. I just couldn't finish it. My office cafeteria makes a better Caesar salad and there's a little cafe in Overlake Hospital that makes better soup and bread. The pumpkin gelato was yummy however. The damage was $11, which, aside from the gelato, was not money well spent. The most thrilling part of that foray was walking from 5th and James to 4th and James. Wheeeeeee!

I have mixed feelings about being dismissed after two days. On the one hand, I'm disappointed because I psyched myself up for a week downtown and I had 3 restaurants (Bakeman's, Salumi, and O'China) left on my list to try. Eating out, especially alone, doesn't thrill me, but I'd gotten used to the idea. Also, being downtown already on Friday would make going to the get together much easier.

On the other hand, I'm glad to be done because my schedule being off has disoriented me the past couple of days and not being a city person, I'm very glad to be back home. I've also put to rest my second guessing over turning down that offer with Nordstrom's corporate office last year. I'd forgotten how much commuting wipes me out and it would have gotten old fast. I had a nice time overall though. It was a mini vaction from work, I got to see some different surroundings, and I was treated to three beautiful rides across Lake Washington (it was dark the first morning when I came over).

Thanks for the excellent report.

El Sabor de Oaxaca sounds like it's worth a try.

The courts have gotten much better about letting jurors go early. I remember in the early 90s being held hostage for two weeks for no good reason.

If you like Mediterranean food I'd recommend checking out Zaina on Cherry between 1st and 2nd (awesome falafal) and/or Cafe Paloma (on Yesler between 1st and Post Alley).

Sorry you didn't have time to try Bakeman's... it really is a classic!

It was funny when they announced that we were free to go because almost everyone was disbelieving for a moment. Everyone just looked at each other until one person headed for the door and the charge began.

I forgot to add that El Sabor gives free chips and salsa as an appetizer. The salsa, while not burning hot to my palate, had kick, which is how I like it. I didn't eat a whole lot though because I had ordered nachos and it would have been chip overload.

My one regret this week is that Tuesday, when I was in Columbia Center, I thought about going up to the observation deck but didn't do it. I really wish that I had now because the day was absolutely perfect and the view would have been incredible.

There's a girl that I used to babysit who's out of college(yikes!) and living in Belltown. She's been wanting to have lunch with me since she got back this summer, but we've both been too busy. Maybe if we can get it together, I can convince her to go to one of my list places.

Oh, if you're in Belltown there's about a million more places to choose from. Really much better options than in Pioneer Square imo.