Berlstein wrote: >I do not have the funds for the great food I like at the moment. (although I > may be able to barter enough wild mushrooms for a meal at Labuznik by the end > of the month.) I love places like Szmania's- but can't really afford it now. > Does anyone know of places that are about half the price, where the food is > about 75% as good? This would be a compromise I could enjoy. Well, it's not an easy proposition, because any restaurant that is going to put out "reasonably focused flavors" -- places like Labuznik and Szmania's -- require something approaching a chef, and these cost money (i.e. overhead). These may work, but are still not really inexpensive: Cafe Campagne, Luau, appetizers at the Dahlia. I think one could eat some of the food at any of these, while drinking water, and escape for under $15. At this point, when I'm too poor, I always try to cook myself with good ingredients. Sadly, I usually fail more than I succeed. BTW I used to think Ventana in Fremont was in that category, but the past four meals I've had there were increasingly average and lethargic -- the last being an unmitigated disaster (e.g. rubbery spagetti noodles in a skimpy beef Ragu served after a 45 minute wait).
Seattle, WA