What and where should I eat and drink in Seattle?

March 4, 2013 6:11 PM

I have one evening alone in Seattle. What should I eat and drink, and where should I do it?

I'll have one free evening in Seattle later this week. I'd like to grab a decent meal and some good beer. I like good food, and I'm willing to pay for it, but I don't know if I'm up for doing any fine dining alone. More like dinner at the bar for me. Charcuterie and cured foods are some of my favorites, but I'm not limited to that. I'm not a huge seafood person, but if there's a must-have seafood meal waiting for me, I'm there.

Also, I'm a huge beer lover, all styles, from Belgians to IPAs. Beer can be a part of dinner or afterwards. I'll be staying downtown, but will have access to a car (which I'd rather not use if I'm going to be drinking).

Bonus question: I'll have a few hours to kill before my flight the following day. What local food items should I bring back home?

posted by slogger to food & drink (10 answers total)

Omakase at Shiro's. Not "fine dining" in the traditional sense, but absolutely spectacular in every way that matters. (You say you're not a huge seafood person, but does that include sushi? In my mind it shouldn't.)

If not sushi, maybe Spur Gastropub. Sit at the bar. Eat well. The Walrus and the Carpenter bar seating is also great. (Leans towards seafood with oysters, but they do everything well. Get the fried dates for dessert.)

Beer selection at The Innkeeper or Bambino's. Great bar tucked into the back of Mama's Mexican. Shorty's next door to that. Rabbit Hole a few doors down from there.

Have fun!

*Note: Everything walkable to/from downtown except The Walrus and the Carpenter.
posted by ariela at 6:27 PM on March 4

If you have the time in the afternoon, pay a visit to Salumi, the Batali family's cured-meats storefront in Pioneer Square.
posted by Kakkerlak at 6:32 PM on March 4 [2 favorites]

If you're into Belgian beer, I'd recommend checking out the Stumbling Monk in Capitol Hill. Reasonably priced, delicious Belgian beers abound.
posted by RandallStanhope at 6:45 PM on March 4

Yeah, if you have time and love cured meats, Salumi is absolutely incredible. It's only open Tuesday–Friday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Local 360 is a good place to have a good meal at a bar.

Brouwer's has more beers on tap than anywhere I've seen in the region, including lots of Belgian and American stuff. More in bottles and good food (I recommend the merguez lamb burger and the frites).

Local foods to take home? I'd recommend Theo Chocolate (the factory tour is fun), Beecher's Flagship Cheese, Oola Gin, and Chateau Ste. Michele wine.
posted by grouse at 6:59 PM on March 4 [1 favorite]

Yeah, Salumi's. This place has a national reputation, and while you can order their cured meats for delivery online, there's something about bringing home a fresh prosciutto that will drive your friends and family wild...
posted by carterk at 7:00 PM on March 4 [1 favorite]

If you're going to be near Capitol Hill, I'd recommend Cure. It's tiny and out of the way, though, but about a block away is Oddfellows, which has delicious food/beverages and good people-watching.
posted by palomar at 7:24 PM on March 4 [2 favorites]

If you want to go old-school, the Frontier Room is a downtown Seattle classic.

Buy some SeaBear Copper river salmon. It's bit too early for fresh.
posted by three blind mice at 2:44 AM on March 5

The Frontier Room was known to have some *strong* drinks back in the day...
posted by vonstadler at 5:50 AM on March 5 [1 favorite]

I had a spectacular smoked salmon chowder at a touristy place by the oceanfront when I was there.
posted by goethean at 7:54 AM on March 5

Le Pichet near Pike Place Market - yummy selection of charcuterie and they have a small bar for solo diners.
posted by plasticpalacealice at 8:59 AM on March 5 [1 favorite]