Situated in Pike Place Market is the three-story local favorite Lowell's. For years Lowell's has been voted the Best Breakfast in Seattle by Citysearch's Best Of and the New York Times. We arrived just after they'd finished serving breakfast so we seated ourselves in the full-service bar and prepared for a delightful lunch with beautiful views of the waterfront.
We were in a bar, so with a sly "when in Rome..." attitude Ty and I ordered a couple of Wyder's Hard Pear Ciders. We were unfamiliar with the brand, but very pleased with the taste. After a little research I later found out that Wyder's makes Raspberry, Peach and Apple hard ciders as well and I'm looking forward to trying them out at some point if I can find them here in Montana. Incidentally, Matt ordered a Washington Red Apple that was made so well that he was actually a little bit tipsy when we left!
Because we still had a lot of the market to explore and we were planning to eat a little here and there along the way we all ordered an appetizer for our lunch at Lowell's. Ty had the Dungeness Crab Cocktail and really enjoyed it. Matt, having recently been introduced to calamari by Ty, chose the Calamari Steak Strips. He and Ty both raved about them. I had regular old chicken tenders and fries, but they were delicious and hit the spot!
One of the most memorable things about our lunch at Lowell's was the group of gentlemen behind us who were stereotypically and relentlessly trying to pick up the waitress. It was pretty humorous until one of the guy's wives decided to join them. All in all some great fun. Nice service, tasty food, and great people-watching entertainment.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Restaurant #5-Le Panier Very French Bakery
On our second day in Seattle we decided to explore Pike Place Market. We'd planned to wait to eat until we found a sit-down restaurant in the market that struck our fancy, but the glorious scent wafting out of Le Panier found us and it was clear we would have to have something.
Ty saw brioche and that was that. We walked out munching on a couple of deliciously rich and buttery rolls.
Not only were the baked goods to die for, but the service was pleasant in this classy little bakery. The girl at the counter, recognizing that we weren't from around there, asked where we were visiting from. She turned out to be from Red Lodge, Montana which is just about four hours from Great Falls. What a small world!
Ty saw brioche and that was that. We walked out munching on a couple of deliciously rich and buttery rolls.
Not only were the baked goods to die for, but the service was pleasant in this classy little bakery. The girl at the counter, recognizing that we weren't from around there, asked where we were visiting from. She turned out to be from Red Lodge, Montana which is just about four hours from Great Falls. What a small world!
Restaurant #4-Padrino's Pizza and Pasta
In Great Falls, Montana you only have a handful of choices for food after midnight. We've got our standard Burger King and Hardee's, both open 24 hours, a couple of gross run-down diners, and a truck stop restaurant by the airport. We understand how pathetic our lack of choices in after-hours dining is, but being in Seattle, with all their late night food choices, was like rubbing salt into a wound.
After spending the entire day going to museums and exploring downtown Seattle we dragged ourselves back to the hotel to take advantage of the glorious indoor pool and hot tub. When we were finished swimming we were starving. Where to eat? We had to look no further than the front desk of our hotel where we found leaflet after leaflet advertising free late night delivery of a variety of tasty-looking foods.
In the end we chose Padrino's Pizza and Pasta. I was dying to eat the Spinach Stromboli which was spinach, feta, cottage and ricotta cheese baked in dough similar to a calzone. Ty ordered the Salmon Fettuccine with mushrooms, capers, and basil in a white garlic sauce. Matt went for a classic Italian Meatball sandwich made with homemade meatballs, Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce.
The food we ordered arrived quickly and was still piping hot when it got to us. The Spinach Stromboli was great. I was glad we had the mini-fridge in our hotel room because it was way too huge to eat all in one sitting. Matt was a fan of his meatball sandwich, but Ty said that while his pasta was good, it just didn't kick his socks off.
All in all we were quite pleased with Padrino's food and speedy service. Not only would we have their food again, but we'd recommend it to anyone with a case of the late-night munchies!!
After spending the entire day going to museums and exploring downtown Seattle we dragged ourselves back to the hotel to take advantage of the glorious indoor pool and hot tub. When we were finished swimming we were starving. Where to eat? We had to look no further than the front desk of our hotel where we found leaflet after leaflet advertising free late night delivery of a variety of tasty-looking foods.
In the end we chose Padrino's Pizza and Pasta. I was dying to eat the Spinach Stromboli which was spinach, feta, cottage and ricotta cheese baked in dough similar to a calzone. Ty ordered the Salmon Fettuccine with mushrooms, capers, and basil in a white garlic sauce. Matt went for a classic Italian Meatball sandwich made with homemade meatballs, Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce.
The food we ordered arrived quickly and was still piping hot when it got to us. The Spinach Stromboli was great. I was glad we had the mini-fridge in our hotel room because it was way too huge to eat all in one sitting. Matt was a fan of his meatball sandwich, but Ty said that while his pasta was good, it just didn't kick his socks off.
All in all we were quite pleased with Padrino's food and speedy service. Not only would we have their food again, but we'd recommend it to anyone with a case of the late-night munchies!!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Restaurant #3- Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant
After having visited the Experience Music Project, the Sci-Fi Museum and Hall of Fame, shopped at the Westlake Center and explored downtown on foot, we were both hungry and exhausted so we ducked into the Elephant and Castle Pub located on the lower level of the Red Lion Grand Hotel.
This British-style pub and restaurant is dimly lit for a comfortable, homey feel, and we were seated next to a fireplace and a bookcase loaded with classics. The service was very classy, friendly and attentive without interrupting the flow of our meal. Ty and I started off the meal with a pint of on-tap Guinness. Ty had never had Guinness on tap before, but after this I think he knows why I sing its praises. With a thick foamy head and little black rings on your glass as you drink it down...heaven.
I was determined to have one of their authentic British pub meals so I opted for the Stuffed Yorkshire Pudding which was roast beef and caramelized onions stuffed into a Yorkshire pudding and topped with delicious gravy. It was absolutely delicious, as were the accompanying red skin garlic mashed potatoes and green beans.
Ty chose the Jameson's Chicken, probably just because he's a fan of the whiskey. He turned out to be an equal fan of this tasty chicken dish that consisted of a grilled chicken breast smothered in mushroom-whiskey cream sauce. Matt followed suit and ordered the Guinness Meatloaf with Guinness-braised vegetables.
The Elephant and Castle was one of the restaurants we enjoyed in Seattle. The atmosphere, service, and food was superb.
This British-style pub and restaurant is dimly lit for a comfortable, homey feel, and we were seated next to a fireplace and a bookcase loaded with classics. The service was very classy, friendly and attentive without interrupting the flow of our meal. Ty and I started off the meal with a pint of on-tap Guinness. Ty had never had Guinness on tap before, but after this I think he knows why I sing its praises. With a thick foamy head and little black rings on your glass as you drink it down...heaven.
I was determined to have one of their authentic British pub meals so I opted for the Stuffed Yorkshire Pudding which was roast beef and caramelized onions stuffed into a Yorkshire pudding and topped with delicious gravy. It was absolutely delicious, as were the accompanying red skin garlic mashed potatoes and green beans.
Ty chose the Jameson's Chicken, probably just because he's a fan of the whiskey. He turned out to be an equal fan of this tasty chicken dish that consisted of a grilled chicken breast smothered in mushroom-whiskey cream sauce. Matt followed suit and ordered the Guinness Meatloaf with Guinness-braised vegetables.
The Elephant and Castle was one of the restaurants we enjoyed in Seattle. The atmosphere, service, and food was superb.
Restaurant #2- Bombay Wala Indian Cuisine
While I didn't actually eat here I definitely have to talk about this little restaurant in the Westlake Center Food Court. We visited the Westlake Center several times because we used the Monorail from Seattle Center to Westlake Center to get to the downtown area. Regrettably, every time we were there we had either just come from eating somewhere or we were on way to eat somewhere. But the ladies working at the Bombay Wala Indian Cuisine counter were always very friendly and offering samples. Up to this point I don't believe I've ever had Indian food, but when I put that mini-spoon of glorious Butter Chicken in my mouth it was if I'd died and gone to heaven. Amazing!! On our next trip to Seattle, forget the food court at the Center House, I'm going straight to the Westlake Center where I will eat Butter Chicken until my heart's content!
Restaurant #1- Steamer's Fish & Chips/Center House Deli
Just having arrived in Seattle, after checking into our hotel, we headed off to explore Seattle Center. We wanted to grab a quick bite to eat before going to the Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum so we made the food court in the Center House our first stop. So many choices, and everything looked delicious!
My husband, Ty, and brother, Matt, decided to eat at Steamer's Fish and Chips. They had calamari and giant shrimp, respectively. For a food court-style restaurant we were surprised to see that Steamer's served beer and wine, and while we were tempted we decided to save the boozing for another time.
Let's just get this out in the open right now--I do not like seafood. Since seafood dishes are the main attraction of Pacific Northwest cuisine the guys reminded me the entire trip that, in their opinions, I was definitely missing out.
With seafood off the table and me not feeling the chicken and chips at Steamer's, I went around the corner to the Center House Deli. I was looking for something light that wasn't going to make me want to curl up for a nap so I chose the cranberry turkey wrap. It was turkey breast, cranberry sauce, lettuce, and tomato wrapped in a tortilla spread with cream cheese. It hit the spot and was exactly what I'd been looking for.
While we didn't go back to eat in the Center House during our time in Seattle we'll probably pop in again next time and try something new.
My husband, Ty, and brother, Matt, decided to eat at Steamer's Fish and Chips. They had calamari and giant shrimp, respectively. For a food court-style restaurant we were surprised to see that Steamer's served beer and wine, and while we were tempted we decided to save the boozing for another time.
Let's just get this out in the open right now--I do not like seafood. Since seafood dishes are the main attraction of Pacific Northwest cuisine the guys reminded me the entire trip that, in their opinions, I was definitely missing out.
With seafood off the table and me not feeling the chicken and chips at Steamer's, I went around the corner to the Center House Deli. I was looking for something light that wasn't going to make me want to curl up for a nap so I chose the cranberry turkey wrap. It was turkey breast, cranberry sauce, lettuce, and tomato wrapped in a tortilla spread with cream cheese. It hit the spot and was exactly what I'd been looking for.
While we didn't go back to eat in the Center House during our time in Seattle we'll probably pop in again next time and try something new.
Restaurants!!
We ate at tons of tasty restaurants during our stay in Seattle. The number of delicious choices vs. occasions for meals was ridiculously lopsided, forcing us to make some tough decisions about where to eat and when. Fortunately, we chose wisely and enjoyed our meals everywhere we ate. I'm going to review the restaurants individually, in chronological order.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
