([email removed] asked for veggies, breakfast, and cafe in the Northwest.) There's a Thai restaurant on almost every corner in Seattle , and most of them are good (or so I hear from people who know; Thai isn't really my thing). One that gets particularly good press is located in a former root beer stand north of the airport, and is called Bai Tong. There are one or two more in the airport neighborhood which are well regarded; in general that's not a good part of town for restaurants, but the Thai Airways flight crews have attracted (actually imported, in a couple of cases) good Thai chefs who have set up shop nearby. Almost every conversation about vegetarian restaurants in Seattle eventually gets around to Julia's 14 Carrot Cafe on Eastlake Avenue, and the sister establishments in other parts of town. (Look for "Julia's" in the Yellow Pages.) Although it often gets overlooked in the pursuit of other more exotic cuisines, the Mexican food in Seattle is very good - the local Azteca chain is popular, but a little too cholesteroly, probably, for your taste. My faves include El Puerco Lloron at the Pike Place Hillclimb, La Cucina del Puerco (different ownership but similar atmosphere, with steel beer-logo card tables and bare concrete floor) on Main Street in Bellevue, and ESPECIALLY Mayas at Rainier Beach (but do this for lunch unless you're prepared for urban nastiness). There are plenty of Indian, Moroccan, Ethiopian, etc., but I don't really consider myself knowledgeable on those, having been the suburban yuppie I was for most of the time I was there. Since I don't know what vegetarians eat for breakfast, I'll offer one carnivore's pick of the best breakfasts in the Northwest: Chace's Pancake Corral, Bellevue Way near SE 16th in Bellevue: The best pancakes I have ever had. Period. Everything else is at least OK. The atmosphere is geared to blue collars and golfers, but everyone from professional athletes to strip mall kings to gardeners and ditchdiggers eat here. The Original Pancake House, SW Barbur Blvd in Portland: The second best pancakes I have ever had. Everything else is top-notch. Fort Hill Restaurant, on (US 26?) southwest of McMinnville, OR: The biggest pancakes I have ever had, and pretty good. Don't bother with the rest of the menu. There is neither fort nor hill anywhere around, but plenty of lumberjacks (so eat up). White Spot. All over the Vancouver area. The menu looks like Denny's or Coco's, but the food and the atmosphere are much nicer. Sorella's, NE 20th Street (aka Northup Way, aka "Computer Row") in Bellevue: Best kept breakfast secret in town. Bacon, eggs, and home fries to die for, dirt cheap, and no crowd (yet). The College Inn. University Way at NE 40th St., Seattle. Something for everyone. Best in the U District (but if you like Greek, try... Costas. University Way at NE 47th. (or Italian... Stella's Trattoria. NE 45th, next to the Metro Cinemas, at about 7th Ave NE. The Scarlet Tree. NE 63rd St at Roosevelt, Seattle. Better known as an R&B club, but both breakfast and dinner here are great (or were last time I was there. It's been a while.) And, in case you meant "cafe" in the literal sense, there are the two quintessential Seattle coffeehouses, Last Exit on Brooklyn (between 38th and 40th on Brooklyn Ave NE) and Cafe Allegro (between 42nd and 43rd NE, in the alley between University Way and 15th Ave NE. Near the south end of the Methodist church.) Either is a good place to escape the Californians and sample what the place was like before it got to be trendy. Jeff Carroll [email removed]
Seattle, WA
Looking for Restaurants in Pacific Northwest
Jeff C. wrote: > >([email removed] asked for veggies, breakfast, and cafe in the Northwest.) > >gets around to Julia's 14 Carrot Cafe on Eastlake Avenue, and the sister >Costas. University Way at NE 47th. > (or Italian... > Costas is Greek as well. The Continental next door has good simple pastry. There are, in fact, 4 cheap Greek eateries in the vicinity of 47th NE and the Ave (University Way) in addition to a Starbucks. > Let me lament the passing of Raison d'Etre which was located on Virginia between First and Second. The most creative breakfasts north of Cafe Beaujolais were to be found there-- the best blintzes, tomato coulis fritate, fresh fruit compotes, etc. I miss it very much.
Gil N. wrote: >etc.) places. Also, particularly in Seattle, I would like to know >about good cafes and breakfast places. Gretchen's (of course) for blueberry shortbread squares and chocolate cappucino. I think they have veggie food there, but I'm not sure. It's on my list if I ever get back to Seattle.