Need recommendations for a restaurant in Seattle for a birthday lunch for my husband's 57th. We enjoy any cuisine, well prepared, but really like good seafood and/or Asian since we don't get much here in the midwest. Atmoshere/view would be nice, too. Can't decide among Etta's, Dahlia Lounge, Wild Ginger or Ray's Boathouse. Wish we had more than one day!

You have picked great restaurants and can't go wrong for what you are looking for.

If the weather is nice then Rays has the best view (I assume you know that it is in Ballard, not downtown, but is very close).

Dahlia and Wild Ginger are my personal favorites but I would say for a special occasion you might also discover Palisade. It sits right on the water in Magnolia (a bit closer to dt then Ballard) and serves amazing seafood done with a pan asian feel in an incredible setting.

Here is their website:

http://www.palisaderestaurant.com/

All the restaurants that have been mentioned sound great, but I would add a personal favorite to the list--Canlis. Food, views, service are great (and check out the ladie's restroom--it was so gorgeous, I even snuck my husband in to see it (it was an off night)) Have a great time.

We had an excellent lunch at Etta's. Sashimi, salmon, calamari,albacore curry all great as were desserts. Thanks for the tips.

If you like seafood, I'd go for Ray's (great wine list, too)or Flying Fish. Dick

The problem with some of the suggestions is that they aren't open for lunch. Ray's Cafe is open but not the main beautiful restaurant. I suggest Oceanaire, a new restaurant down town which has great fist, ambience, and service--very male oriented.

If view is that important to you, go to Palisade--it has a lovely interior as well. Food was quite good, perhaps not as good as Dahlia or Wild Ginger but then neither of those have views. I believe Canlis is only open at dinner. Went to Etta's a couple of weeks ago and, after a wonderful start of excellent calamari, it was downhill after that--both in quality of service and food. That was not the case at Dahlia, the other Tom Douglas restaurant we tried, but as I mentioned it has no view though it has a lovely interior. For lunch, we also loved Place Pigalle and Matt's at the Market though they both have a limited number of view tables.

I just thought this was funny, Suzanne posted on 7/15 that they had a fantastic lunch at Etta's yet people still continue to post their opinions. Deos anyone even read the threads?

Wendy, when I go on vacation I do a search, and read all recommendations. People continue to post to help others who may go to the same place later and need advices.

Good thought Faina!

I just checked Suzanne's question to see where I could go for lunch in Seattle this weekend. I think these replies tend to help a lot more people then just the original poster.

Thanks for all the suggestions!