My Favorite Seattle New Hot Spots and Delicious Old Favorites

Seattle is a great place to be for us foodies and cocktailians, now more than ever! I would like to share with you some of my very favorite places to dine and drink around Seattle, the hip and new kids – the classic tasty favorites. I have included a variety of fun places, so try some new ones, and revisit the old favorites. Treat your self to some fun nights this fall — be it for a quick happy hour after work with friends or a snazzy dinner with that special someone! 

Tavern Law – the newest hip kid on the block
Seattle’s most recent addition to the cocktail community, (with fantastic tasty bites too… of course!) is Tavern Law –  a modern day speakeasy with classic cocktails and an old-time ambiance. A multi page cocktail menu with loads of golden era libations makes it hard to choose a fav. There is even a retro fun phone you pick up to call up stairs to join the speakeasy upstairs where Mixologist David Nelson will hand craft you a classic cocktail using freshly squeezed juices and housemade syrups and tinctures.

Brian McCracken and Dana Tough are the chefs of Tavern Law and Spur Gastropub. The friends’ collaboration dates back to their time in the kitchen at Maria Hines’ Earth and Ocean restaurant, together on Hines’ traveling team at the 2005 James Beard Dinner in New York, and today creating their menus at Tavern Law and Spur. Delicious nibbles you won’t want to miss are the Padron Peppers and the Pork Belly with Saurkraut – so very Fall’ish!

See you upstairs … I’ll be the blond drinking a Gun Club.

Tavern Law
1406 12th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122-3906
(206) 322-9734

Bastille Café & Bar – Ballard’s seen-and-be-seen place to be
Owners James Weimann and Deming Maclise – have loads of seattle restaurant, bar and coffee business ownership experience. And Bastille is their new Ballard baby. Built in a totally refurbished historical building the restaurant is decorated with a collection of found objects from Paris, Chicago and the Pacific Northwest – the interior is casual, hip, glitzy, cool… and is “the place to be seen in Seattle” right now.

This new and trendy French brasserie’s menu is created by Chef Shannon Galusha. Starters range from $4 to $14, salads and sandwiches from $7 to $12 and entrees from $14 to $22. Herbs, greens and other veggies are grown in the rooftop garden and grace many of the menus dishes. Some of my crew’s favorite’s were Grilled Octopus with Chick Peas, Preserved Lemon and Harissa and the Rooftop Garden Greens with Hazelnut Vinaigrette.

Be sure to have a drink or peek in the back bar – it’s rich chocolate walls and giant crystal chandelier evokes a feeling of being in a lovely French jewel box… that you just must hang out here, sip on a cocktail and be seen.

Bastille Café & Bar
5307 Ballard Ave
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 453 – 5014 

Plaka Estiatorio – A family affair comes to Downtown Ballard
Owners Ourania  and Anthony Mandapat- have their whole family running this cute new Greek Restaurant. Most often, Mom is cooking and Dad and the brother are on the floor. You can see all their fun family photos on the walls… It looks like they have been cooking and eating and having fun together over the years… and it shows.

Dad usually at the door and is quick to get you a beverage – Very friendly proud servers announce the specials and tell of their child hood favorites. My husband John and my favorites are the pita breads with an array of dips, fennel pickled beets and octopus. We like to order an inexpensive bottle of wine and get an array of small plates – making for a great weekday meal…. they’ll make you feel right at home!

*Plaka Estiatorio is a proud participant in The Tuesdays in Ballard promotion, so stop by on a Tuesday for some fun specials!

Plaka Estiatorio
5407 20th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 829-8934 

Canlis Restaurant – an Old Seattle Favorite with a New Vibe
Known for its breathtaking view, matched by the impeccable service, this restaurant continues to dazzle and preserve the family tradition while adding new creativity and energy to the fine dining world.

Mark and Brian Canlis are the Managing Owners – still keeping it in the family. While Mark is the leader of staff, guest and community relations, Brian focuses more on business development, product reinvention, and future opportunities. Together, they make a dynamic team who are just as great at being business partners as they are at being brothers. The charming David Kim is the Service Director and Maitre D. He runs a smooth and tight service team – and will make you feel special!

The kitchen is headed up now by the talented Executive Chef Jason Franey, Canlis Restaurant’s fifth ever executive chef in 58 years. His new menu will impress! Every course we had I was wowed by. New menu items like Fois Gras with Peaches, Honey and Fromage Blanc and Kona Kampachi with Avocado, Soy and Hot Mustard will tantalize your taste buds. And for you die hard old-school Canlis fans – YES the old favorites like the Canlis Table-Side Salad are still on the menu.

And if a big fancy dinner is not in the budget right now – just know that in the Canlis Bar you can have that special Canlis experience too – there are sexy little lamb sliders with Moroccan spices and truffle fries for just $14 – pair that with a martini or a glass of wine and Canlis can be an any day treat.

Canlis Restaurant
2576 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 283 – 3313 

Crush – Still a Delicious Favorite!
We most recently visited Crush for an impromptu dinner (Yes you need reservations!) …. but there was room at the counter bar that looks into the kitchen – and I’m glad there was! 

Upon entering this remodeled Tudor style house – you will be greeted by restaurant co-owner Nicole who will start your fabulicious dining experience off right with her charming, welcoming style.

It was a fun night watching the kitchen– searing, saucing, and plating with precision and grace. And it’s no wonder – Co-owner/Chef Jason Wilson was declared one of the Top Ten New Chefs in North America by the prestigious Food and Wine Magazine in 2006.

The night we were dining Chef de Cuisine Andrew Lanier was running the line – as well as shaking cocktails – the man was everywhere and was a whirlwind of hospitality. We had one of the best dinners I’ve had all year…Here’s a little sample:  Fresh Local Geoduck “Ceviche” & Citrus Essence with Cucumber‐Fennel Salad, Mint, & Lime Crème Fraîche   –   Handcut Tagliatelle Pasta & Caviar Sauce with Sea Urchin Roe & Quail Egg   –    Seared Sea Scallops & Caramelized Onion Risotto with Oxtails, Miner’s Lettuce & Watercress   –   there is just one “word” OMG!

The trio of Nicole, Jason and Andrew keep impressing – The menu changes often and is seasonally and creatively inspired – make your reservations now – or maybe if you call you’ll get lucky and have to sit at the kitchen bar!

Crush
2319 E Madison St
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 302 – 7874

Posted by Kathy on September 10th, 2009  |  Comments Off on My Favorite Seattle New Hot Spots and Delicious Old Favorites |  Posted in Restaurants, Dishing with Kathy Casey Blog, KOMO Radio

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