Seattle: Where to Eat

Top Chef, Anthony Bourdain, and Mario Batali are a few culinary biggies who've spotlighted the food scene in the Emerald City, known for its fresh seafood and many James Beard Award winners and nominees, from Tom Douglas to Ethan Stowell, who attract their own followers from around the country to their restaurants. Snacking is another thing locals do well, alternating between Cupcake Royale, Molly Moon's (Homemade Ice Cream), Top Pot Doughnuts, KuKuRuZa (Gourmet Popcorn) and Theo Chocolate, all made in Seattle.

Canlis
2576 Aurora Avenue North
(206) 283-3313
A dining institution dating back to 1950, Canlis is that special restaurant for a birthday, anniversary, or any other celebratory moment you want to remember. For visitors, especially self-proclaimed foodies, it's one to check off your bucket list. The 180-degree views of the skyline, Lake Union and Cascade Mountains are precious, while the menu featuring traditional meat and seafood entrees is sensational. The Canlis, the family that has owned and operated the place since it opened, were profiled on season 10 episode 4 of the Emmy-winning series, Top Chef.

How to Cook a Wolf
2208 Queen Anne Avenue North
(206) 838-8090
James Beard Award nominee Ethan Stowell, brother of former professional ballet dancer Christopher Stowell, owns restaurants througout the Emerald City, including this Upper Queen Anne eatery known for its rustic Italian and Mediterranean-influenced small plates with seasonal ingredients. No-frills dishes, like grilled baby octopus and bruschetta with smoked salmon, are absolutely delicious, yet even better are the handmade pastas, particularly the gnochi topped with beef cheek bolognese, oregano, mint and parmigiano-reggiano.

Cafe Campagne
1600 Post Alley
(206) 728-2233
Billing itself as "The Heart of France in the heart of Seattle," this charming bistro is the perfect spot to feast on escargots, steak frites, quiche, croque monsieur, roasted half chicken and anything else you've had (or dream of having) at a rustic Southern French cafe. La Campagne serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, as well as an excellent list of wines from the Bordeaux, Rhone, and Loire Valley regions.

Joule
3506 Stone Way North
(206) 632-5685
Now relocated in Fremont, previously in Wallingford, this well reviewed Korean-fusion restaurant offers such sumptuous choices as black rice risotto, spicy rice cake, kalbi burger, smoked tofu, and mackerel served alongside green curry cilantro chimichurri and black currant. Don't plan on skipping dessert, not when a milk chocolate mousse with sesame cake, miso caramel, and peanut is up for grabs.