The pressed duck app at the Dahlia Lounge is excellent! What about Salumi? I've heard good things about this place lately! ***kim***

Went to Rikki Rikki (had spelling wrong before). It was good, casual, reasonable priced, a bit noisy, and everyone except the chef and waiters were non-Asian (which might tell you something).

We're going to Bumbershoot this weekend and I was wondering what's good in the downtown/Seattle Center area. We'll probably want to take a break between shows to explore a bit and eat something non booth-y without wandering too far. Suggestions for that area?

If you're in the mood for something quite unusual, try the Bamboo Garden on Roy St just north of Seattle Center. An all-vegetarian Chinese restaurant, featuring crispy duck skin, shrimp balls, chicken dishes.... yes, all vegetarian. One stands (sits) in awe of what they can do with tofu or other veggie components. Inexpensive and well worth the experience.

Otherwise, try the tiny Panos Kleftiko - a wonderful Greek taverna, room for about 20 people tops, on 5th. Great place, but don't be in a hurry.

any new places to reco?

I have heard of Wild Ginger, and saw good reviews elsewhere - is it really not as good as all that?

How about Tom Douglas restos?

thank you

Gee, I want to know too. I have read so many recommendations for Wild Ginger that was a must for our trip next month. Here are a bunch of "don't go"s. I note this thread is about a year old -- has Wild Ginger gotten good?
Another "downtown" location for outstanding Asian with excellent food and atmosphere? We're staying at the Andra and would like to walk.

me too Patrick - and at least two of the Thomas Douglas restos are nearby - one is Hotel Andra's, the other across the street.

Wild Ginger was reco'd by the hotel, as well as a number of others... it sounds great but then I saw this post...

New hot spots (and well deserved) in seattle are Union, Lola (Tom Douglas), Crow (on Queen Anne), Lark (on Capitol Hill).

I'd pass on Wild Ginger only because the service is really spotty and the food is good but not exceptional.

I'd head to Flying Fish for seafood. Or if you want great Sezchwan (sp) 5 Star Pepper in the ID on 12th and Jackson is THE place!

Wild Ginger is more hat than cattle, but its great location gives it more popularity than it deserves IMO.

Agree on Lark, not crazy about Tom Douglas' empire but personally biased. Try old hand Asaggio downtown, or hit Chowhound.com for all the latest messages from foodieland.

A good friend had a not so great experience at Wild Ginger last month. Granted they were trying the $25 fixed price 3-course offering. But the service was terrible and the food only so so. Her comment was "everything was brown".

Assagio's on 4th and La Fontana on Blanchard are both nearby & absolutely lovely Italian places.

thanks, good to know!

the hotel mentioned Assaggio Ristorante right next door to it. they also reco\d Dragonfish.

Have to add my 2 cents on the Wild Ginger comments. We ate there 2 times on our vacation last year. We liked it so much that we're planning our trip to BC with flights in and out of Seattle just so we can enjoy the restaurant again this year. We had fabulous food and service both times. One of the times we totatlly followed the waitstaff's recommendations and the meal was outstanding.

Gardyloo- try to check out Lola when you can. really great mediterain/greek inspired food. We recently took my in laws there and had a blast. They deemed it one of the best meals they have had in the last 10 years (they've lived all over the states and world). It's down home, tons of flavor, fun and creative.

Hmmm. More confused than ever with the additional Wild Ginger comments. Must be one of those "love it or hate it" places.

We'll probably be breakfasting at Lola each day since we're staying at Andra -- love their breakfast menu. And if we do our 4 PM whale watch out of Anacortes on our way down from Whistler, maybe we can just make a late Saturday "dinner" at Lola about 11 or 11:30 that first night.

Flying Fish is a definite for us -- my favorite from our last trip to Seattle.

Still undecided about Asian.

re wild ginger not so much love it or hate it, rather that it is uneven in both service and food.