suze

http://www.ethanstowellrestaurants.c...ns/rione-xiii/

As far as the new and hip and trendy, this place up on 15th Ave East on Capitol Hill seems a huge hit.

NeoPatrick

Yes, I'm aware that the "trendy" places now seem to often be "let's see how rustic a kitchen feel we can get so people feel at home" (gee, if I wanted to feel like I was at home, I'd just stay home), and "let's see how many people we can jam into a place with absolutely no sound control so that it seems like everyone is really having a good time". Just not me. Call me old fashioned, but I actually like a place with some space around our table, some nice quiet atmosphere, and an ability to actually talk with my dining partner(s) not yell like everyone else in the room is doing. But I'm aware those places are harder and harder to find.

suze

That's why I recommended Maximillen's in the Pike Place Market. It just seemed to me like it's a place you might like.
http://www.maximilienrestaurant.com/

Gardyloo

Yes, I'm aware that the "trendy" places now seem to often be "let's see how rustic a kitchen feel we can get so people feel at home" (gee, if I wanted to feel like I was at home, I'd just stay home), and "let's see how many people we can jam into a place with absolutely no sound control so that it seems like everyone is really having a good time". Just not me.

Presumably this is a well-calculated method of revenue maximization - noise = booze sales = profit. Why have patrons dawdling over a $50 bottle of wine when they can be pounding $8 shooters one after another?

This is one of my objections to Tom Douglas' places, in particular the Palace Kitchen, where on several trips I've found the noise level so objectionable I wanted to leave. A newish Michael Mina place, RN74 (as in Route Nationale) is the same - decent food, dining in a din.

You might want to escape downtown to one of the nicer neighborhoods, Green Lake, for a meal at Nell's - http://www.nellsrestaurant.com/ - a very nice little place with more serenity than most of the current crop. Before or after, you can walk across the street to Green Lake, a lovely little lake surrounded by a park with walking path, ducks to feed, etc. It's off a lot of foodie radars, but we've never had a bad meal there. You won't regret the taxi fare.

Fodorite018

We have only had very good experiences at The Barking Frog, FWIW. My DH goes to Purple quite a bit for work and they all rave about it. Ivar's Salmon House has been around for ages, and is a place we still love, especially on a nice day. Etta's is also a favorite.

Fodorite018

Forgot a few comments. Arnie's is good, been around for decades (DH went there for prom how many years ago, lol) and is better than the usual Ivar's, but IME is not better than The Salmon House. The regular Ivar's I wouldn't go out of my way to by any means.

If you want to go further north for that seafood lunch, there is Anthony's in Everett at the marina there. We have been there many times and have no complaints. There is the Anthony's Woodfire Grill next door to that, that also has seafood.

suze

Anthony's at Pier 66 right in town is a favorite of the waterfront places. There's the more formal dining upstairs, then Bell Street Diner downstairs, plus patio seating both levels. There are more "old school" and chain places so mostly avoid my complaints about the trendy new posh spots.

Metropolitan Grill on 2nd downtown is a classic 'steak house' in an old bank building.

Fodorite018

Suze--I agree, and I should have mentioned the location at Pier 66. It is good and I certainly didn't mean to clump that with the usual Ivar's fast food locations I know you know what I meant, but others I am sure did not

suze

Oh I didn't even notice, I was only mentioning a Seattle downtown location in addition to the Everett one you did.
;-)

hopingtotravel

Is Campagne still around? and still good?

Suze, DH absolutely loves the Metropolitan Grill.

Fodorite018

hopingtotravel--Yes, it is still around and is still good

Gardyloo

Is Campagne still around?

"Big" Campagne is no more; it closed, reopened as something called "Marche," then closed again.

Cafe Campagne, the smaller, less expensive, less "haute" place (downstairs from its former big brother) IS still open.

NeoPatrick

I'll ask again -- any recommendations near Port Angeles when we're driving from there to Seattle? Hopefully closer to Port Angeles as we drive off the ferry at noon -- or slightly later.

Fodorite018

In Port Angeles we like the Next Door Gastro Pub, right down by the ferry.

Fodorite018

Gardyloo--oops, that is the one I was thinking of.

happytrailstoyou

With diet restrictions, I'm not eating out much these days but this blog in today's PI lists restaurants I hear people talking about.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog...3=0&25850101=0

I'm surprised Mamnoon is not included. I frequently give directions to its location. Also, I don't think Greenleaf is what it was a few years ago.

HTtY

alysenyc

Just came back from Seattle. We did dinner at Salty's in Alki Beach and it was wonderful. Perfect views, great food and ambiance!