I've been reading the messages here--especially restaurants and have some questions. If you take a daytrip as a foot passenger by ferry to Bainbridge or Vashon is their a nice nearby restaurant for lunch on the island? Does the Flying Fish have atmospher, view, non-seafood dishes? Is Chez Shea prohibitively expensive? Does it also have a website? There used to be a place walking distance north of the market called Cutters--is it still there? Still good? Where is Assagio--I love Italian. We have tried 3 times to eat at the Wild Ginger and my husband will never go back there. One time it was incredibly busy and people kept stealing the table the water gave us. Another time it was not busy at all and they refused to seat us anywhere but the bar. Any idea how much a taxi ride out to Chateau St. Michelle winery would come to? Can you bus/walk from Pike Market up to RedHook?

Day off so here goes:
1. Bainbridge/Vashon restaurant - Bainbridge yes, Vashon not really. Try the Harbour Public House, maybe a 5-10 min. stroll from the boat.
2. Flying Fish: atmosphere? Yes, there's oxygen available. View? Only your companion's baby blues. Non-seafood items? Yes, a couple.
3. Chez Shea: prohibitively expensive? No, but not Denny's. Website? http://www.chezshea.com/
4. Cutter's: Still there. Good? Some think so.
5. Assagio: On Fourth Ave. downtown.
6. Wild Ginger - your experience is not unique.
7. Taxi to winery: lots and lots. Rent a car instead.
8. Walking from Pike Mkt. to Red Hook now requires a time machine - brewery and pub closed, operations relocated to Woodinville, across the street from Ste. Michelle. If you drive, remember that neither porter nor Pinot Noir go well with gasoline.

If you go to Woodinville, make it worth the drive by eating at Armadillo Barbecue on 175th. It's the BEST, with an attitude. I recommend the country style ribs if they haven't sold out.

Thanks. Re: Assagio -- someone just said they thought it was in the Sorrento Hotel. I thought that was the Hunt Club (or is that just the name of the bar?) Both wrong? Right?

No, it's not at the Sorrento Hotel. The Hunt Club is the restaurant at the Sorrento.

Aha! So my memory isn't failing after all. Does Assagio have any atmosphere? I can't place it; what cross street is it near? Did I read Chez Shea overlooks the water?

Since your talking a few of my favorite things.....

Assaggio is on 4th and Virgina. It gets loud because everyone is talking and having such a good time! The food is great and the interior has a lot of murals, very Sistine Chapel in a USA kind of way!

http://assaggio.citysearch.com/

Chez Shea is in the building across from the Pike Place market so you can see the market and the sound just past it. Really fantastic, quiet and romantic.

Btw- the only people that I know who go to Cutters are business people from out of town and tourists. You pay for the view, the food is very 80's cuisine and the service is random. save your money and go elsewhere IMO.

Wendy

The Herb Farm has reclocated to Woodinville. CHeck it out for a great dinner.

Some interesting info here. I'm going to Seattle as well. Are there any nice restaurants on the west shore of Lake Washington overlooking the water--or is that all residential? What kind of food does Chez Shea have?

There are relatively few places on the Seattle side of Lake Washington. Daniel's at Leschi is a great steakhouse (also a Lake Union location); the Leschi Lake Cafe next door is rather tired and mediocre IMO, but the beer is okay.

There are more places, none right on the water, in Madison Park, many of which are very good. But no dock outside the window.

Bear in mind the sun sets behind the hills, so the view over the lake goes away at night.

With regard to the Taxi ride to Chateau St. Michelle winery, from I'm guessing your staying in Seattle ~ it could be around $40-$50 dollars "one-way". I know that a taxi from the airport to Kirkland was $65 so I think the 40-50 range probably is fair. Also it you are around Friday Jan 17th or Jan 24 they are doing the v. LIMITED Chef Dinners at the Chateau about $100 a pop but cheaper than the Herb Garden I might add.

Jan 17th they have ROBUST Reds and Warm Winder Dishes (obviously wine include!).

Jan 24th Wine Art and Food. featuring the Mertigage series.

If you want to get in you book NOW! They really do book up fast, but IMHO a great experience.... I love that place.


Any idea how much a taxi ride out to Chateau St. Michelle winery would come to? Can you bus/walk from Pike Market up to RedHook?