Seattle top spots near the Westin

A good Starwood property in an excellent location. Some parts of the hotel are a bit long in the tooth and other parts are very nice and newly renovated. The best attribute is that most rooms come with a view of the ocean, lake, mountains or skyline.

My favorite among the quartet of notable Tom Douglas restaurants (the others are Dahlia Lounge, Etta’s Seafood and Lola) although it can get loud in the cramped space. One of the greatest proponents of Pacific Northwest cuisine, Tom Douglas is the closest thing to a celebrity chef in Seattle.

Eclectic but real food served with a great vibe, Marjorie is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. They live up to their tagline “Food for the Soul”. The indoor space is a bit cramped and diners vie for seats out in the alley courtyard. Website is at www.trenchtownrocks.com.

Inventors of the style of asian fusion cooking that has now become so widespread, this may be the most popular restaurant in Seattle for tourists. At least half the people I’ve talked to about their Seattle trips have all raved about visiting this gastronomic temple.

Another of the Tom Douglas restaurant group, Dahlia Lounge is known for its red decor and Chinese hanging lanterns in addition to it’s inventive Northwest cuisine and it was even named the “Quintessential Seattle” restaurant in 1999 by Food & Wine Magazine. Also attached to the Dahlia Bakery and Serious Pie for great pizzas.

The favorite place of professionals, sports stars and celebrities with fat expense accounts, this old-school dark-wood steakhouse has hosted many celebration parties over the years and is considered the city’s best place for prime grade beef.

A great French casual restaurant famous for breakfast and as the less expensive version of the great Campagne restaurant.

One more of the Tom Douglas restaurants and focused heavily on Northwest seafood.

A very French Cafe & Bar. The type that makes their own pate and writes all menu items in chalk on the walls. Casual but high quality food.

The notable restaurant in the W Hotel has gone through many chef changes (some of whom have been considered rising stars in the industry) over the last seven years. At one point they were known for the best gourmet french fries in Seattle but that may not be true now.

The newest of the quartet of notable Tom Douglas restaurants, Lola is a Greek restaurant that is also famous for it’s breakfasts.

This is not great barbeque by Southern standards but it is the best place to go in downtown Seattle if you are craving ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, mac-n-cheese, and corn muffins.

Probably the best views of any restaurant in Seattle. Six Seven is located in the historic Edgewater Hotel on Pier 67 and while most of the food is merely average, they do have some addictive dinner rolls.