Located in the international district of Seattle and established in 1904, Maneki continues to offer traditional and authentic Japanese sushi and dishes at shockingly reasonable prices. Menu items include spider rolls, ten-zaru soba noodles, gyozas, chicken karaage, avacado ponzu and much more. Make a reservation for your group and enjoy your meal in a Tatami room, where you can try the traditional Japanese-style seating on the floor. Try a sake from the bar, which is open daily until midnight.
Moved to its current downtown location in 1985 and renovated in 1990, Seattle's premier jazz club brings artists of international standing, including the likes of Nancy Wilson, Lionel Hampton and Cleo Laine. The dinner menu features a varied selection of Northwest and Mediterranean dishes. The well-rounded offerings feature seafood, grilled meats, and options for vegetarians. There's a full bar and a private room that holds 275.
Quinn's serves a comprehensive menu of upscale pub cuisine in a casual but chic setting. It's a gastropub to the fullest, with menu items that include salads and sandwiches, beef tartare, foie gras, mussels, pork ribs, fish n' chips, burgers and more. The wild boar sloppy joe is particularly delicious. With 14 beers on tap and an impressive selection of bourbons and whiskeys, this pub is known for its drinks. Order a craft beer and relax with good friends and good food.
Black Bottle is an informal gathering place that bills itself as a "gastro-tavern." The decor is minimalistic yet comfortable. A full bar, several choices of beer on tap, and imaginative dishes that are perfect for sharing. Indulge in pork belly and kimchi, mussels Marseille style, potato and prosciutto wheels, or one of several specialty flatbreads made to order. Finish with pear sorbet with candied lavender for a wonderful meal.
Just over the hill from downtown Seattle in Madison Valley, this small Spanish taverna has just three little tables and fewer than 10 bar stools, but nobody seems to mind waiting for a spot. Behind the bar, Joseph Jimenez de Jimenez demonstrates the art of tapas. Stuffed peppers, garlic-sauteed chorizo sausage and blue cheese with grilled bread and pears are just a few of his delicacies. Also try the Paella for two, soups and sandwiches.
Once a University of Washington student housing, this airy house is now a thriving Mexican restaurant and kayaking center. The chalkboard menu features traditional dishes like baja-style tacos with smoked salmon, portabella mushrooms and grilled halibut. In warm weather, vie for a patio table and enjoy the view of Portage Bay. It's also a great place to take the kids for a family lunch. If you are into water sports, be sure to take one of their kayaks for a spin before settling down for a sumptuous meal.
The Swinery, a sustainable eatery and food shop, is extremely popular among meat-lovers in West Seattle. Focusing on sustainability, the shop sources its product from less than 300 miles (482 kilometers) away, buying from small local organic farmers. Using traditional techniques, this shop prides itself on using the whole animal and providing customers with hard to find cuts of meat. Find delicious steaks, sausages, pork chops and more to bring home for dinner or if you're not in the mood to cook, order one of their mouth-watering burgers or sandwiches.