Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

by Lynn Marshall

BAMBOO GARDEN
364 Roy Street
Seattle, WA (206) 282-6616
Bamboo Garden is still going strong after more than 15 years. The restaurant serves what it calls Royal Chinese cuisine, according to legend, these were dishes created for the emperor during an annual seven week period of vegetarianism. Bamboo Garden is also certified kosher, and they are happy to meet any special dietary requirements you may have.
The menu is extensive; ranging from specialties like brazed portabella mushrooms in a secret sauce, to an entire section of vegetarian ‘meat’ and ‘poultry’ choices – all made from vegetable proteins. Like the emperors of old, you won’t feel you are making any kind of sacrifice eating these dishes.
Estimated cost per person for dinner is $25

by Lynn Marshall

ETTA’S SEAFOOD
2020 Western Ave., (206) 443-6000
Etta’s Seafood is part of Seattle Chef Tom Douglas’s growing empire –its location on the edge of Pike Place Market and the great food have kept it constantly popular, for lunch, dinner, happy-hour, and for brunch. The setting is causal and laid-back, with lots of polished woodwork, and a good view of the activity in the Market. On weekend mornings Etta’s is always bustling, but worth the wait. The menu changes every week, but if the house French toast with huckleberry syrup, or the crab eggs benedict are featured, be sure to give them a try. And the bloody mary is one of the best in the city.

by Lynn Marshall

 

SHIRO’S

2401 Second Ave., (206) 443 9844

 

Since opening in 1994 sushi chef Shiro Kashiba’s restaurant has been at the top of every sushi list in Seattle. He and the restaurant have garnered national press for the way he combines traditional Japanese ingredients with the abundance of fresh local seafood available in Seattle. Kashiba trained in Japan and has been making sushi in Seattle since 1967.

 

Sitting at the sushi bar here is a treat, and may be your best bet on a busy night when all 17 tables are occupied – the spider rolls are the best in Seattle, and the chef’s choice sashimi options are always exquisite.

by Lynn Marshall

WILD GINGER
1401 Third Ave., (206) 623-4450

The Wild Ginger draws its influence and recipes from countries all over the South-East Asia. Here, you can find Indian kebabs, Vietnamese noodles, Burmese curries, and dishes from the south of China. And it all works.
The restaurant garnered national attention in the late nineties and its long standing hits such as fragrant duck, red curry squid, and Dungeness crab five ways are all knockouts. The satay bar is still a huge draw, with no less than seven choices. The Bangkok boar is our favorite.
The restaurant’s huge space reflects its popularity, and while it can seem cavernous, the finishes are elegant.  The Wild Ginger offers a taste of the exotic, for a reasonable price.

by: Lynn Marshall

CARMELITA
7314 Greenwood Ave. N. , (206) 706-7703
Seattle, WA

It’s immediately apparent that there are artistic talents at work at Carmelita. Michael Hughes and Kathryn Neumann, the owners, met in art school and Carmelita’s décor has the quality of art made from found items – antique linoleum, chalk board, you name it. The restaurant is named for Michael’s Mom. But the real art here is the food. The menu is made up of both vegan and vegetarian dishes which changes seasonally. The chef uses organic ingredients whenever possible. The chestnut custard starter is outstanding, as is every entrée we’ve tried. In good weather, peek under the deck and check out the restaurant’s garden. 

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