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Be's
The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants-Seattle, WA
Lots of great food deals to explore.
by Connie Adams
Go ahead and admit it-even if you have plenty of money and love a fancy five-or-six-course meal with wine, you still get a charge out of finding a real food deal. And sometimes don't you just crave a meal where the food reaches all edges of the plate-not just a two-inch spot in the center? You know you do. Adrenaline really pumps when the food is, you know, good. Here's a starter list for you to explore-you're going to love these places.
ORRAPIN THAI FOOD
10 Boston Street, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 283-7118
Hours: (Mon-Sat) 11 am-10 pm; (Sun) 4 pm-10 pm
Not only is the food great and plentiful and prices reasonable, the presentation is lovely, and the atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing. How much more can we ask? There are two dining areas, both with polished wood floors, tables covered in red clothes and topped with glass, and large front windows onto the sidewalk. Walls are the color of yellow squash and hold intricate woodcarvings. In nice weather, metal tables and chairs appear out front, surrounded by a black metal fence that holds planters filled with brilliantly colored flowers. The menu consists of appetizers; salads; soups; and main dishes, including 13 vegetarian plates like eggplant sautéed with chili sauce, zucchini, carrots, bell pepper, and fresh basil. There's green, red, yellow, Panang, duck, and country curries; plenty of noodle dishes; and Shoo Shee Pla-salmon cooked in a creamy red curry sauce with coconut milk, bell peppers, and basil. Pretty much to die for. Since we're hoggish and always want more, Orrapin has opened a small spot right around the corner (Queen Anne Avenue North and Boston, 206-352-6594, Mon-Thur 11 am-9 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am-10 pm; closed Sunday) called Orrapin Noodle Experience. A much smaller menu fits the much smaller space painted dark sienna, with a yellow overhang above counter seating facing the open kitchen. Three tables in the back are set up authentically-you need to sit cross-legged with your back supported by a typical triangular pillow. With a name like Noodle Experience, you've got to know the noodle is king-noodle soups, noodle hang, noodle and green curry chicken. A few salads and appetizers round out the menu. Nirvana.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - $18
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Closed
BE'S
4509 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98166
(206) 937-1110
Hours: (Mon-Fri) 7 am-7 pm; (Sat) 7 am-2 pm; (Sun) 8 am-2 pm
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 365 days a year in West Seattle. That's good. But wait, there's more. Breakfast, say a piece of toast, potatoes, and eggs, is $1.99. A piece of French toast to go with that? $1 please. Oh sure, breakfast is inexpensive, but what about lunch and dinner? A French dip sandwich is $3.75, and steak and lobster on the dinner menu is $10.25. Really fabulous prices, the food is normal sized (I know you were worried), and it even tastes good. Clam chowder, hamburgers, Club sandwiches-all the regulars. And speaking of regulars, this is definitely a hangout for the locals who have become like family to the owners, a Vietnamese family who came here with nothing. The building is old and they've thought of moving, but won't do it because it would be like leaving home again. Despite the condition of the building (old carpet, mismatched hanging lights generally with one or two bulbs burned out), it's comfortable and clean. Depending on your point of view, the front dining room could be heaven or hell-it's a smoking area. There's a "meeting/non-smoking room" in back which is not nearly so welcoming in its feel, but definitely clear of smoke. For these prices, the friendly atmosphere, and good food, you can put up with a few minor inconveniences.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $5-$12
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open, New Years Eve-Open
RAGA CUISINE OF INDIA
212 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 827-3300
Hours: (Sun-Sat) 11:30 am-2:30 pm, lunch; 5 pm-10 pm, dinner
Kamal and Navneet Mroke were perfectly happy with their 11-year run of Raga in Bellevue. A fire destroyed the restaurant in July of 2000 and they've been looking for just the right spot to reopen. Faces and stomachs of long-time customers are very happy now that they've emerged in Kirkland. "Raga" is a type of music, and walls are hung with various musical instruments. A brick fireplace opens on two sides, so both dining areas can bask in the warmth. In one room, bright-colored fabric hangings cover the ceiling. Brass and frosted glass candles sit on offset green and white table clothes. Kamal is the chef and his background was anything but Indian-his culinary training is French and he worked in large hotels and resorts in Canada and the U.S. When he turned his attention to his native food in 1984-85, the results were (and are) wonderful. New dishes on the menu include chicken malai kebab, boneless chicken breast marinated with cashew nuts and cream; rack of lamb marinated in garlic, ginger, mustard oil, and lemon juice; and lamb kebab, lamb pieces marinated in ginger, garlic, and Indian spices. All are grilled in the tandoor. Chicken methi is also very popular-dry Fenu-Greek leaves cooked with garlic in a special curry with a choice of meat. Every dish on the menu is one to savor.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open, New Years Eve-Open
MONDO SHRIMP
166 Lake Street S, Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 893-9458
Hours: (Mon-Sat) 11 am-10 pm; (Sun) 11 am-9 pm
An intimate spot on the main drag in Kirkland, it's filled with warm colors-dark sage walls, a deep red wall near the bar, gray-flecked counter with black leather and chrome chairs, and rose-hued blown glass wall sconces topped with blue glass detail. Large front windows look in at white clothed tables and two small booths. Creole may be the best way to describe the food, like their signature dish, Mondo Shrimp. Sauteed shrimp are served in a large hand-painted ceramic bowl over steamed white rice or cappellini covered in their "secret sauce." It's hard to make a meal choice with dishes like Mondo Shrimp Salad, Timmy's Taqueria Tacos, Shrimp "Killer" Quesadilla, Mondo Shrimp Grinder, Mondo Wrap, and Mondo Ravioli. And that doesn't include the appetizers or inexpensive add-ons (ravioli, side salad, capellini, or scoop of rice). Monday and Tuesday nights, certain wines are $10 per bottle. Yes, you'll be full, but give the pecan pie and mocha mudd pie at least the courtesy of a thought.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
MAGGIE BLUFFS
2601 W Marina Place, Seattle, WA 98199
(206) 283-8322
Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11:30 am-8:30 pm; (Fri) 11:30 am-9 pm; (Sat-Sun) 9 am-8:30 pm
High quality casual food is always a find. Add to it a great physical location and you've got one happy meal (sans toy). Sitting directly below a high-end restaurant (Palisade), Maggie Bluffs has the advantage of being on eye level with all the yachts in the marina. The Seattle skyline is off to the left and the water straight ahead. A nice patio with metal tables and chairs and large umbrellas is perfect in warm weather. Inside seating is at dark wood tables and booths, almost all with a view. A semi-open kitchen produces great burgers and sandwiches (chicken, meatloaf, French dip) along with some tasty salads and soups. There's usually a special, and the fish and chips are great (especially good fries here). Soft drinks are refilled for free, and there's a full bar. They had so many requests to run upstairs and get the three-flan dessert from Palisade that it's now on their menu as well.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
EZO NOODLE CAFE
408 Broadway East, Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 861-0222
Hours: (Sun-Sat) 11 am-10 pm
Normally I like to stay away from chains, but somehow it seems okay when the chain is actually Tokyo-based and there's only one continental U.S. location (there are seven in Hawaii, four in Tokyo, and two in Vancouver, B.C.). Interior-wise, Ezo is very spare-tables and chairs, some counter seating, and an open kitchen. A simple menu is mainly ramen, rice dishes, gyoza, and a few sides (chicken teriyaki, chicken, cutlet, potato croquette-does "croquette" sound Japanese to you? I thought not). If this is a new taste adventure for you, you'll be pleased to know there are pictures of the food as well as descriptions-it's always nice to be prepared going in. Their signature dish is the Miso Ramen (miso is soy bean paste), and they import the secret miso spice from their main branch in Tokyo. Prices are incredibly reasonable-four pork gyoza are $1.35 or $1.95 for the large order; regular-size portions of ramen dishes range from $3.85 to $4.25, and large from $4.85 to $5.25. Hey, that croquette is only $1.50! The liquor license is on its way; so don't give up hope of having an ice-cold beer with that steaming bowl of ramen.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $6 - $8
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed; Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
THAN BROTHERS
516 Broadway East, Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 568-7218
Hours: (Sun-Sat) 11 am-10 pm
Pho has become very popular in Seattle, no doubt in part because it's very inexpensive and actually pretty healthy. The Broadway Than Brothers (there are two other locations) is very pleasant inside-light green chairs, white tablecloths, some mirrors, and soft, relaxing music. Serving pho exclusively has its advantages-service is extremely fast. It takes longer to decide between pho ga (chicken and noodle), pho bo vien (noodle and meat ball), or one of the 14 pho combinations of noodle and beef parts than it does for them to dish it up and bring it to the table. Bowls come in four sizes from small to extra large. Depending on your hunger level, a medium may be more than you can finish. Along with the broth, meat, and noodles, side dishes of add-ons come with the meal-basil, bean sprouts, etc. Several hot sauces sit on each table so diners can personalize their meals. Who said it's impolite to play with your food? After dinner, a cream puff is also brought to each diner.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $6 - $10
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
VIVA MEXICO
19260 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98133
(206) 542-6626
Hours: (Tue-Fri) 11:30 am-9:45 pm; (Sat-Sun) 1 pm-9:45 pm
Don't you always hear that the best Mexican places are little hole-in-the-walls? Certainly it's a generalization, and in the case of Viva Mexico only partly true. They have several locations that are very nice and fairly new, but the one I personally like best is in an old stand-alone building on a very busy highway. Inside the booths are aging, flowers are plastic, and Christmas decorations get left up a good part of the year. It's great. Margaritas come in a couple of sizes and none of them are what you would call small. Dinners come on platters and it's common to see leftovers being packed up to take home. Their mole is a slightly lighter version than you see elsewhere, with lots of chicken, and plenty of tortillas. Before your dinner comes, they're happy to bring refills on chips and salsa without charging. The room is divided into smoking and non-smoking, but since it's about a five-foot high divider between sides, be prepared to go home smelling a little smoky.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
OLYMPIA PIZZA & SPAGHETTI HOUSE
1500 Queen Anne Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 285-5550
Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11:30 am-midnight; (Fri-Sat) 11:30 am-1 am
Although having your restaurant burn to the ground isn't a recommended strategy and certainly not very economical, it has worked out fairly well for the customers of Olympia Pizza. We had to do without the great pizza for a while as things got sorted out, but now there's a nice new building. The old version had its charm-very dark, aged and cramped-that actually worked pretty well. The new version is light and airy. The pizza, thank goodness, has stayed the same. The menu includes about 36 suggested pizzas, but you can make up whatever you want. In addition, there's pasta, hot subs on French rolls, fresh salads (both the Caesar and shrimp are really good), garlic bread and cheese bread. Top it off with wine or beer and you have quite the satisfying meal. Another new feature during warm weather are the three or four outside tables (yes, that means the only three parking spaces they had are gone).
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $12
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
GREENLAKE BAR & GRILL
7200 E Green Lake Drive N, Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 729-6179
Hours: (Sun) 8 am-2 pm, breakfast, 2 pm-5 pm brunch, 5 pm-midnight, dinner (Mon-Thu) 11:30 am-midnight; (Fri) 11:30 am-2 am (Sat) 8 am-2 pm, breakfast, 2 pm-5 pm brunch; 5 pm- 2 am, dinner
Seattle has quite a few neighborhood restaurants-places where locals hang out and you can usually find a familiar face in the crowd. The Green Lake area has scored again with this new entry, opened in October of 2000. One of the nice things about this place is that they have no real ambition to be anything but a local spot serving casual food. The bar area is up front along the sidewalk with views of joggers, walkers, bikers, and the lake itself. TVs offer the latest sporting event. A multi-level dining area takes up the whole side of the building. Being a neighborhood spot, kids are welcome and even have their own menu choices. A simple interior includes orange and yellow square wall sconces, with larger versions hanging in the upper windows. A one-page menu stays the same for lunch and dinner, and includes several appetizers (coconut fried prawns, grilled breads with three spreads), soup, salad, and sandwiches. Each day there are four to six fresh fish dishes, along with fish and chips, and a grilled New York steak. Their cheeseburger is plain old fabulous and only costs $7.95 including anything you want on it, even bacon, plus really great shoestring fries. There are also occasional appetizer specials like asparagus and crab-well worth going just to eat that by itself!
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $12 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
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