Ahh, the Emerald City. I spend about 12 weeks a year in Seattle on various tasks and I thought it time to list my top 10 eats in the city. I should qualify that I don’t stray much from downtown so maybe we’ll call this the top 10 places to get viddles in downtown Seattle.
For Sunday Brunch: Etta’s (www.http://www.tomdouglas.com/restaurants/ettas) . This place is a favorite of ours. The portions are great, but you have to get there when they open or ‘you be waiting’! If you love meat (and you better if you are an honorary pig lover!) get the: Market house corned beef hash (two poached eggs, buttered toast, habanero ketchup on the side). All for $15 bucks. If you can’t handle the truth of corned beef deliciousness, then go for the Etta’s brioche french toast (rhubarb, vanilla mascarpone, smoky bacon) for $13 bucks.
Everyday breakfast: Lola’s /another Tom Douglas restaurant about 4 blocks away. (http://www.tomdouglas.com/restaurants/lola) If you love and honor the pig as I do, order their basic 2 eggs breakfast. It comes with the most amazing sausages that I have ever tasted (and I’ve had my share!) They are pork maple sausages and serves with smashed garlic potatoes. Unbelievable!
Best Chinese Food when you don’t want to leave the hotel: Genghis Khan Restaurant (www.gkseattle.com) 206-682-3606. Order the chicken chow mein, sweet and sour pork, egg rolls, and you are golden. These guys deliver in about 2o minutes, have a smile on their face, and portions are big!
Best way to spend $200 on dinner: Capital Grille. Okay, maybe not every night, but if you are entertaining clients or special night with the wife/husband, etc., do this place. I would recommend the Lobster and Crab cakes to start. The Delmonico Steak (A hearty, juicy, bone-in ribeye with flavor as big as its 22-ounce size.) with lobster mac & cheese, and either Parmesan truffle fries or the Lyonnaise potatoes. You can share the sides because they are huge. To wash it down, why not a nice hearty Australian Shiraz?
Best Sandwich in North America: Salumi Artisan Cured Meats. I have one word for you: Prochetta. If I was on death row, and needed to choose a last supper, it would be this sandwich. This pork is so tender, you’d think God came down and braised it himself. There isn’t a self-respecting pig in the world that wouldn’t want to end up like this. Unbelievable, but you have to line up before lunchtime or you’ll be in line through your lunch hour. Even so, time well spent.
Flett’s best kept secret: Nordstrom’s Cafe. Okay, let me be blunt here. I don’t know you, but I’m willing to share with you something that I have held close to my heart. The absolute best bisque in the world is….the Crab Bisque at the downtown Nordstroms in Seattle. People that live here don’t even know about it. Tomato based, with some heat on the backend. I would like to bathe in this stuff. Delicious to the extreme. The only thing that would make it better would be bacon, but I’ve said enough. Try it, but if you and I are vying for the last table…you are going down my friend.