We are three friends spending three nights in Seattle, staying near the Harbor Steps. First night dinner at Le Pichet. Then I'm trying to decide the other nights. I'm thinking maybe Dahlia Lounge and Etta's to have different types of food? I've been to Lola and liked that.

I love both Dahlia Lounge and Etta's Seafood but would probably not choose to do both one after the other. Yes, they have different types of food but are both Tom Douglas restaurants so have many similarities imo. I'd pick one of them, but then maybe something of different ownership... maybe Restaurant Zoe?

So, which would you pick of the two, if I added in Zoe. Dahlia Lounge or Etta's?

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I love the Dahlia Lounge. I like Etta's but usually that's for lunch in the bar for me. Dahlia has a magical atmosphere imo & is much less noisy than Lola's, as point of reference. Honestly I recommend Zoe because of friends who are restaurant savvy and swear by it.

You might want to consider somewhere with water view? While not as special of menu... Anthony's or Cutter's have a great water views.

I also like Assagio's on 4th for Italian, but again that's lunch for me, not dinner.

I like Matts at the Market and Campagne better than Dahlia Lounge and Ettas, but all are very good.

My favorite place lately is Wann's for happy hour. It's Japanese style and in Belltown on 2nd. I thought of it and other Asian places when you mention "different types of food"... you could also try someplace like Saitos/2nd or Oahana's/1st.

We went to Le Pichet quite by accident -- we needed a late dinner on our first night in Seattle and it was around the corner from our hotel. They've got a wonderfully interesting menu (I had shrimp and fig soup) and the food was excellent.

We went to Etta's and quite enjoyed it.

hdm, That is our favorite way to pick a restaurant. Nothing beats serendipity. HTTY

Just a quick side note. The folks that own Zoe are opening up a new place today on Capital Hill - it is called Quinn's and will be a "gastro pub" Maybe a bit more "casual" than Zoe and I've had a peek at the interior and it looks like it is going to be cozy and funky.

You're not giving any parameters. What kind of food are you looking for and how much do you want to spend. Dick

We are leaving tomorrow, so the final line-up is Le Pichet, Etta's and Zoe. Dahlia Lounge didn't have the right times available. We'll pick one more spot for our last day there. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Just in case you're still reading this, pick up breakfast at Piroshky Piroshky across from the Market. Get a sweet and a coffee and take it over to the 'look-out' seating at the market. It's a wonderful way to start the day.

Dick, You can tell by the type of restaurants jag's mentioned the budget and vibe they're looking for. These are all quite similar to each other.

Jag, Hope you enjoy your time in Seattle.

We ate at Dahlia Lounge, Etta's, and Lola's all on the same trip. While I loved them all, I'd have to say that the meal we had at Etta's was the best food wise -- not so great in atmosphere or service as Dahlia Lounge. In fact my mouth still waters over that meal at Etta's.

that love-rubbed salmon... if I remember correctly
;-)

...and some sort of yummy savory bread pudding!

Wow. You people are good. Yes, "love-rubbed" salmon over cornbread and onion pudding with a shitake relish. Served with fresh green beans. And we had a roasted beet salad with blue cheese and walnuts that was sensational too.