We are looking for a suggestion for a reasonably priced ($25-30/person) restaurant that will give a taste of "real" Seattle food. We were thinking in the waterfront area but we are up for other suggestions. Thanks for you help.

By "real" Seattle food, I assume you mean fish. Two possibilities on the waterfront are Ivar's (a Seattle institution since 1938) and the Bell Street Diner (run by Anthony's). Your can also dine in this price range at Chinook's at Fisherman's Terminal--located on the water under the Ballard Bridge and at Ivar's Salmon House on Lake Union.

(a) Ray's Cafe at Ray's Boathouse on Shilshole Bay (5 mi NW of downtown.) Try for the deck at sunset.

(b) Chez Shea at the Pike Market.

(c) Anthony's Pier 66 and/or the Bell St Diner, both at Pier 66 on the central waterfront.

(d) Shiro's (sushi) on Second Avenue in Belltown. Too many people ignore the huge Asian influence in Seattle. With all our fresh fish, why is that?

(e) Daniel's Broiler - either the Lake Union waterfront branch or the Lake Washington store at Leschi Beach. Unreal steaks, great view, a local institution.

(f) The original Red Robin - burgers and beers - overlooking Portage Bay and the U of W. It's been a chain for many years now, but the original place is still the best - burgers to die for.

(g) Only on a summer night, but the roof garden at the Pink Door (Post Alley in the Pike Market - look for a pink door - duh) is magical. Food good, not great, but the view and atmosphere are bril.

To add a few:

any McCormick & Schmick's--I like the one (Harborside) on Lake Union best--great views and the ahi salad is enough for two people (and delicious)

for a younger "hip" setting--bada louge in Belletown (actually lots of restaurants in that area in that price range and our waitress at bada told us they would all good)

lots of asian places that are good too (though I think Wild Ginger is overrated, but the spicy chicken salad is good)

also Ettas by Pike Street Market

Have a great trip!

I see a lot of restaurants listed at which an entree alone with tax and tip would eat up most of the $25-$30 smcdermott74 wants to spend on dinner.

We really enjoyed The Dahlia Lounge, the pressed duck app was wonderful! And the service excellent, a true Seattle experience.

We also enjoyed The Flying Fish and Salty's on Aliki Beach. The coconut prawns at Salty's were a big hit! Where are you staying? Out hotel (The Edgewater) arranged for a complimentary limo to pick us up and take us to Salty's. It was really fun! ***kim***

My recommendation is for Matt's in the Market. Very neat little space in the market and excellent food.

According to the Zagat Survey for 2003 Chez Shea, Daniel?s Broiler, Etta?s, Dahlia Lounge, Flying Fish, Salty?s, are a few of the restaurants listed above that cost more that $40 per person--and that doesn't include tax, tip, or a beer.

Thanks for the suggestions and thank you 'jimshep' for letting me know which ones are out of the price range that I mentioned (that is good to know!)

Jim, that is not accurate at all. I don't recall any meal we had in Seattle, Flying Fish, Dahlia or Salty's costing that much.

And I always have a glass of wine with dinner. Sorry, it's just not true! ***kim***

Jim's right--it's been awhile since I ate there and prices have gone up (though I could eat there for that price, but would just get an appetizer and soup, but I'm a very light eater, so). So, I would go with Harborside or bada.

(If you want, you can check Etta's out at tomdouglas.com)

Jim, that is not accurate at all. I don't recall any meal we had in Seattle, Flying Fish, Dahlia or Salty's costing that much.

And I always have a glass of wine with dinner. Sorry, it's just not true!

www.saltys.com Entress from 18-26, depending on what your order.

www.dahlialounge.com is the Tom Douglas website, check it out for yourself! You can't believe everything you read in Zagat, Jim! LOL ***kim***

I do not rely on the Zagat survey, I was using it as a reference source.

The question was about where to eat for $25-$30 per person. I gathered smcdermott74 was looking for an experience, not just food.

The cheapest entrée on Salty?s dinner menu is chicken at $18.95, the fish entrees are all at least $5 more. There goes the budget.

I like the $24 entrees at Etta?s, but if I ordered the cheapest things on the menu this is what I?d have to get: cup of soup ($5), Fish and Chips ($13.00), dessert ($7), glass of wine ($6) for a total of $31.00. With $2.80 tax and a 16% tip of $5 the total would be $38.80?well above the $30 top. Even two courses with wine would exceed the $30 limit: Fish and Chips ($13), glass of wine ($6), dessert ($7, but the wonderful coconut cream pie is more) would be $26 and with tax and tip $32.25.

In this price range I suggest trying for some unique Seattle ambiance rather than aiming for a seafood specific restaurant (although you can't go wrong with Salty's and you can get there from the waterfront for $2/pp by water taxi). In Capitol Hill, an eccentric and diverse neighborhood, try the Broadway Grill for a hip place to eat and people watch, Galeria's for Mexican or Jamjuree for Thai. In West Seattle try La Rustica for Italian, Ovio Bistro or Jaks Grill. Downtown The Garlic Tree or Dragonfish Asian in addition to the others mentioned. Also, if you're in the mood for barbecue, can't beat Pecos Pit on 1st Ave. Have fun!

What a great idea hipchick. On Capitol Hill?s Broadway how about having dinner at Simply Thai and dessert at
Dilettante before heading off to The Comet. That would be a great party for $25-$30.

Matt's at the Market gets my vote. We've been to many of Seattle's dining p[laces. This should give you a feel(it's upstairs at Pike Market). It's very casual, a limited but good and fresh menu and a very good wine list at very small markup.

This is a long shot but while you're all on the subject, any restaurants of note in Bellevue? Or a good raw bar? My friend just moved there from capitol hill (?????) and when I go up Labor Day would like a nice option close by. He doesn't eat out much and is pretty clueless.....

I had a delicious dinner at Matt's in the Market which The Seattle Times rates $$$ $15-$25 as the average price of an entree.

pegelicious,

I live in Bellevue, and yes, there are lots of good restaurants here. Besides raw bars (and the one that comes to mind is I Love Sushi which is good, but too loud for me. Apparently there are 2 news ones that I haven't tried yet, but I will try to get more information for you about them.)

What other types or restaurants and price range are you looking for?

Artlover,

Seafood/regional and asian are our faves, good beer selection nice too. Wine list not as important. Price not an issue but dress code is since I won't be packing fancy duds for this trip and friend probably won't put on a jacket/tie. Thanks!