Seattle experts: advice needed
 

Two friends are having a reunion in Seattle in early November. Both female, without their husbands or kids. Staying at the Elliott Grand Hyatt for the weekend. So. Cal. gal has never been to Seattle. Alaskan friend has, so will have the rental car, in order to shop in Bellevue and tour around the area. My main question is on dining advice. First night, we'd like something quieter, not too dressy. Sat. night, we want to dress up and paint the town. Also, where are the best places for brunch on Sunday? Any specialty clothing boutiques or interesting shops that I wouldn't know about from family travels? Thanks for any help. We are willing to spend some money, as this is a first, and we want to remember it. Is the Palisades limo and trip worth investigating? Any day spa advice?

I forgot to ask if there's a good restaurant choice for us not too far from the Elliott, where it may be easier to get a cab rather than drive and park. Is Ray's worth the drive? How about other places with a view, and what are the best dishes at Campagne if you've been there? Thanks again.

The trouble with places like Ray's is that they're very view-oriented, and in November the view goes away around 5 PM. Yes, Ray's would be a good choice, but probably not worth a $20 cab ride each way.

Downtown near the Elliott you could try Oceanaire (steps away) - it's a chain (only a few stores) but has had excellent reviews. Half a block away you can go into the Pacific Place shopping center (movies, designer shops, blah blah) and go to Seattle's branch of Il Fornaio, which is also uniformly excellent, and as dressy or as casual as you want. Upstairs at Pacific Place there are other casual restaurants with okay-to-good food.

Or you can hop a taxi or walk if you're energetic and head down to the waterfront for dinner at Anthony's or Elliott's, both on piers over the water, both excellent. Or cab it to the International District and have Chinese or Japanese at some place like the Sea Garden. Or, of course, make your way to the market and try Chez Shea or the Pink Door or other smallish, good eateries that abound. For a splendid, un-dressy but scary authentic experience, have good French bistro food at Le Pichet on First near the market. (Matter of fact, that would be my first choice. Wonderful on a drizzly November night.)

I'll let others talk about shopping, spa and dress-up locations. Seattle is not especially a dress-up town, unless your idea of dressing up is black on black with freshly polished nose ring. That said, there are more nightclub-type places than before, and several restaurants where dressing up is more evident than not. Campagne is one such, and worth every Franc - oops, Euro, IMO.

Not exactly a boutique, but there's Nordstrom Rack right downtown if you like that sort of treasure hunt. (Personally, I LOVE it!)

I'm certainly no Seattle expert since I was only there once for a week this summer but I had been told by some friends who are locals that there was little good "boutique" shopping. I actually found quite a few good shops, however, including Olivine (which I think is in Ballard) and Tulip. I read about them in Lucky magazine. When you get to Seattle, pick up a copy of Lucky at Barnes & Noble which is practically across the street from the Hyatt (that's where we stayed too - we LOVED it!) and check out the back section which is a guide to local shopping and discounts. There was also a really cool store I believe on 1st if you walked down Pine toward Pike Place Market and then turned left toward Pioneer Square (I can't remember the name but it had great clothes). We ate at Dahlia and Campagne, both of which were really good. The other nights we had to go to events for my husband's convention so we missed out on visiting other restaurants. The guidebook I bought (I think it was Best Places Seattle) had a very detailed guide to shopping in Seattle and the surrounding areas (not just clothes but all kinds of shopping - antiques, etc...).

Gardyloo, Marilyn and Alex~ Good ideas and thanks to all of you. My Ca. friend has been everywhere but Seattle. I will remember your suggestions, and look for the stores recommended in Lucky magazine. We're hoping to walk off the calories with the shopping, sort of a mini S.F. with those downtown hills. Have a nice weekend!

Btw, is Oceanaire primarily seafood? I guess with a name like that, it would be. Any menu suggestions?

I'm not a Seattle expert, and I've never done this, but Sunday brunch at the Space Needle sounds like it could be fun, particularly if you haven't had any meals up there before. It is pricey and the menu looked exquisite when I looked into this.

hi jetset1,

I live here and think you've gotten some stellar advice. I'll throw some coins in.

Pacific Place- keep in mind that in Seattle "designer" means Coach and BCBG, not Gucci and Burberry. Also check out the small Barneys we have on 5th. Tulip is on 1st and University I think. It's great, I find tons of nice independant designer duds there. Ped shoe store is just down the street too. Also on Queen Anne there is a fantastic store that is similar called La Femme.

Le Pichet is a great first night pick, perfect! But make reservations before you leave home.

If you want to paint the town maybe start with dinner at El Gaucho, then move on to some of the hip venues on 1st in Beltown close by- Jai Tai, Queen City Grill, etc. You'll hear which ones are happening. Then maybe work your way closer to your hotel- martinis at the W bar is always fun.

Sunday brunch- Palasades is the best in town. Splurge and go! Or I hear that bruch at Etta's is fun but haven't tried it yet.

Other great restaurants worth your money: Waterfront, Dahlia or Palace Kitchen, Marco's Supper Club (maybe this is your back up if you can't get in to Le Pichet), Trattorizza Carmines Italian, Wasabi Bistro (sushi and local star watching), Wild Ginger.

Have fun!

Well~just returned and I'd say for lunch at the Market or even dinner
try Matt's at the Market.This is relatively casual but great food.The menu is a bit limited but the quality is exceptional. We hit it our last day in Seattle before we picked up everything we wanted to bring back from Pike Place Market. BTW:for fish from the market, I recommend Pure Seafood. They are mid market and really have great stuff. Sample their various hot smaoked salmons. They will pack fish for you to take home.

Wow, I've hit the jackpot! All of you sound like fun, and thanks to the new advisors too. My girlfriend and I like to think we're divas when we're on these girly getaways, so this one sounds promising. I had met my sister in Seattle a couple years ago, and we did similar types of things, but a sister can sidetrack you too! She unfortunately had a scary eyebrow wax from an exotic woman who then called my name, and I was so petrified to let her near my face that I feigned illness just to get away.(My sister looked lobster red). Anyone knowing of a good salon for two curly haired women to get a divine blowout in the downtown area, please do tell.Thanks, J.

Gettin' down in true girlfriend style..try Marjorie..she used to be with Marco of Marco's supper club then they had Lush Life..now she has Marjories.

Pam- I'm confused. Does Marjorie have a restaurant, or do hair, lol? I know I ramble when I'm trying to research(and this was without wine). How is Marco's supper club? Do you remember what you had there? So many choices, Dahlia's sounds good too. I wish someone had a tasting menu!

Marjorie <i>is</i> a restaurant. The only facial you'll get there is as in feeding your.

I queried Ms. Loo about downtown spa-ing (not spawning, that's at the Ballard locks) and she said, Gene Juarez, the Spa at Nordstrom, or Ummelina. Gene Juarez is something of a landmark joint, Nordstrom's spa is on the top(?) floor of their new flagship digs (the former Frederick and Nelson dept. store - home of Frangos) and from the way she describes it, Ummelina is a sort of woo-woo-meets-power-suit place with a major Asian influence. All are walkable from the Hyatt, or crawlable if you have the 2 hour massage treatment. If you want to day trip to a spa with a view, the one at the Salish Lodge, overlooking Snoqualmie Falls (spectacular in November, BTW) also gets high marks. Bring money.

Marco's supper club has this fantastic Pub steak they call it. It's really awesome. Also their jerk chicken...yum!

The big, well known spas have been mentioned. I only go to one... spa Bellissima in Beltown.

http://www.spabellissima.com/

Very small and quiet and relaxing.

Marjorie is a restaurant. Sorry I can't help you with the spa stuff but many of the posters here have given me great advice on Seattle and points in the Pacific NW.