Water is our greatest and obvious resource. Our city is home to Scandinavian, Japanese, and Native American cultures that continue to devote their lives and fortunes to providing us and the world with excellent fish and shellfish. On a recent trip to New York City's Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station, we had to study the menu to find oysters that were not from here.
As everyone knows, your hotel restaurant guide will equally feature fine restaurants along with warhorses past their prime. We'll give you a start in sorting this out. (Our institute will provide an expanded set of recommendations in your meeting registration packet.)
It's possible to have a bad meal in Seattle, but there's little excuse for it. Chefs revel in the quality of fresh seafood and produce available here. Sheep and cattle ranches are just over the mountain ranges. Dairy farms are close by and we have a thriving wine and microbrew ale industry in the Pacific Northwest. Arrive hungry and thirsty.
The heart of the city is the Pike Place Market. Within walking distance of the hotel, a delightful way to start the day is coffee and a flaky Epinard pastry from Le Panier Very French Bakery at the corner of Pike Place and Stewart.
Another short walk from your hotel is the lovely and unusual Wild Ginger. A fusion restaurant of Asian, Southeast Asian, Indonesian, and Thai influences, this sophisticated and large operation runs like clockwork and delivers food to delight. For lunch, we recommend the large emperor's bowls of delicious, complex noodle soup. No dinner is complete without the Szechwan green beans. Since we're not the only ones who love this place, reservations are essential.
At the Metropolitan Hotel, you will find Oliver's, which consistently wins the city's best martini prizes. Next door is Andaluca, which is a small, elegant place to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For lunch, it's hard to decide between the crab tower salad and the seared scallops. Have both. The Warwick hotel restaurant is the reasonably priced and always good Brasserie Margaux.
Elliott's Oyster House is mistakenly overlooked by locals because of the tourist laden waterfront. Featuring one of the best oyster bars in the city, their seafood selections are fresh and excellent and desserts delicious.
Our famed chefs, Tom Douglas and Thierry Rautureau, have upped the ante on fine dining here. The Dahlia Lounge is the central jewel of Douglas's several restaurants. The menu is creative and wonderful. My only objection to Dahlia is the floor plan makes a trip to the rest-room a labyrinthine experience punctuated by staff rushing from one food preparation room to another.
It's possible to have a bad meal in Seattle, but there's little excuse for it. Chefs revel in the quality of fresh seafood and produce available here. Sheep and cattle ranches are just over the mountain ranges. Dairy farms are close by and we have a thriving wine and microbrew ale industry in the Pacific Northwest. Arrive hungry and thirsty.
Outside the immediate downtown are lovely options only a quick cab ride from your hotel.
Rover's is Rautureau's marvelous French restaurant. Selecting from three superb prix fixe choices, you will have an exquisite meal, quiet, serene, and perfectly served. The sense of special occasion begins with a complimentary glass of excellent champagne. The Grand Menu Degustation is too large for me. Although I've wanted to try the vegetarian option, I've not been able to tear myself away from a divine bit of foie gras—my weakness. Reservations are strongly recommended.
For old Seattle elegance, try Canlis, where the proprietor will warmly greet you at the door and provide a table with an unusually lovely view of Lake Union and the Cascade Mountains. Unfortunately, a cab ride excludes the magical experience that Canlis car valets provide. Once you've paid and are rising to leave, without a word you are recognized and your car is at the door under the portico. No fumbling for keys, validated parking tickets, and waiting in the cold. It is almost as if you think “I need my car” and there it is.
A newcomer is The Wellington for upscale soul food in the Columbia City neighborhood. Beginning with a deceptively modest looking corn muffin, you will fall in love with Cynthia
Julia S. Putnam, M.S.W., D.C.S.W., is in private practice of psychotherapy in the Medical-Dental Building in downtown Seattle, which is five blocks from her favorite French bakery and the flower stalls of the Pike Place Market.
Hobb's and Bea Halbert's wares. Have the shrimp and grits and finish with the unusually flavored and exquisite hot peach cobbler.
For a classy vegetarian experience, there is nothing like Café Flora. You will not find the menu a prim exercise in restraint, but offering flavorful adventures you'd never considered. All are good, but our favorite is the Oaxaca tacos.
Phoenicia on Alki is one of the city's unsung gems, although chefs know and respect Chef Hussein Khagaal. Rather than order from the menu, we suggest you simply tell him to make the selections for you. From the kitchen will emanate familiar sounding items: hummus, lamb, and baba ganouj, but they will taste better than any you've ever had. When you feel you'll explode, it will be time for the tray of floral flavored ice cream and pastry with your Turkish coffee. Follow this with a walk on the beach boardwalk featuring the sunset, the Olympic Mountains and the skyline of Seattle. Perfect.
For an excursion for your accompanying spouse or partner, we suggest the ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, and a walk to Café Nola for lunch. Make sure to have the salad with the divine polenta croutons. Stroll back through the shops and enjoy the incomparable view of Mt. Rainier from the ferry.
As it used to say on a fast food marquee here, “Do as the Doctors do, eat, eat, eat.”