Restaurant Recommendation for out of town guests?! (Seattle, Bellevue: hotel, neighborhoods)

[RDH35]

So my husband and I relocated to the Seattle area (we live an hour south of the city) a year ago and haven't really explored the city much, so sadly I'm not that familiar with the various neighborhoods. I need a restaurant recommendation. We have friends visiting from out of town and we have plans to go out Saturday night. I'm looking for good food that has a NW flair. Close to some other bars that we could walk to after dinner. I don't mind paying $30 or so a plate but that's the upper limit. They have already done the Space Needle. Does anyone have a recommendation?

[eskercurve]

Whenever I have out of town guests, I always steer them to the seafood restaurants. Salty's on Alki has killer views, valet parking, excellent food, and good help. Afterward, you could go to the bars downtown.

Or, if you just want to eat and then walk to a bar, you can try one of the places in the Pike Place market. Most of them are pretty good, just steer clear of the cheap italian joint near the Made in Washington store.

The bar would be Zig Zag cafe. It's my default for a great cocktail bar with bartenders who know what they're doing.

[Blackhawk4440]

Take them to Bellevue. The best restaurants of all kinds are near Bellevue Square.

Seattle restaurants are better known for their rude service, early closing hours with few amenities, and you have to wade through an army of aggressive panhandlers and risk stepping in human feces to get inside.

[Seacove]

You'll want to take them to something on the water and $30. per is a little limiting. What about something like Ivars on the waterfront by Pier 54 and the Seattle ferris wheel? Argosy Cruises is right there too if you wanted to take a harbor cruise before or after dinner.

[PrincessoftheCape]

The last time I was in the city, myself and my husband ate at McCoy’s Firehouse. It's a kind of themed(ish) casual sports bar downtown. The food was exceedingly cheap (I think my spouse got a really decent steak for under $15), the portions were enormous, and the atmosphere was easy-going and welcoming to newcomers. I'd eat there again in a heartbeat, and recommend the place to anyone heading downtown for a bite.

[Kayela]

Ray's boathouse - upstairs. The upstairs is more casual (but still quite nice), and less expensive, but the food is still really good and views are gorgeous. The menu is very NW-centric. The downstairs will set you back quite a bit more, and personally, I think the views are better from upstairs. Getting a seat on their deck on a summer afternoon is quite a treat!

[BATCAT]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

Whenever I have out of town guests, I always steer them to the seafood restaurants. Salty's on Alki has killer views, valet parking, excellent food, and good help. Afterward, you could go to the bars downtown.

Or, if you just want to eat and then walk to a bar, you can try one of the places in the Pike Place market. Most of them are pretty good, just steer clear of the cheap italian joint near the Made in Washington store.

The bar would be Zig Zag cafe. It's my default for a great cocktail bar with bartenders who know what they're doing.

I have to differ with your take on the food at Salty's. (I can't argue with the view) I've ended up there a number of times and always found the food in the"passable-to-kinda-gross" range, especially considering it can get mildly pricey.

If it were me I'd probably go with of the Tom Douglas restaurants downtown, just because in my experience they're consistent, good for a group with different dietary preferences, have a NW focus, and are located downtown.

I don't disagree about the Zig Zag, however. Neat place, great drinks.

[Kayela]

Another recommendation would be Rview in the top of the Marriot Renaissance hotel. OMG - The views! You can see all the way from the stadiums in the south to north gate (and everything in between). The food is good, somewhat NW (but has to appeal to wide range of travelers), and it's got great ambiance for sitting and chatting.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by PrincessoftheCape

The last time I was in the city, myself and my husband ate at McCoy’s Firehouse. It's a kind of themed(ish) casual sports bar downtown. The food was exceedingly cheap (I think my spouse got a really decent steak for under $15), the portions were enormous, and the atmosphere was easy-going and welcoming to newcomers. I'd eat there again in a heartbeat, and recommend the place to anyone heading downtown for a bite.

As much as I disagree with many of Princess's viewpoints, she has named an undiscovered gem here. Would I take an out of town guest here? Maybe. It's not fancy, or uniquely Seattle. But it is really good. BBQ and burgers mostly.

[kaday]

We have taken friends to Matts in the Market, The Pink Door (not PNW inspired food but a good time), and Steelhead Diner.