Since the grunge music scene died out at the tail end of the 90’s, Seattle has still managed to attract visitors from all over the world. One of the reasons Seattle is so appealing to tourists is the outstanding natural beauty that surrounds the actual city. Mountains, sea and lots of countryside make a pretty awe-inspiring background. As Seattle is considered a fun place, many younger couples want to flock there away from the very hot weather that often feels like an endurance test rather than pleasure in places like California and Florida. It is also reasonably cheap to fly out to Seattle if you look around and compare the various deals on offer. Comparison sites like momondo help you find the best deals on hotels, flights and car rental so you can have an amazing trip even if you’re on a tight budget. Finally, another reasons people want to visit Seattle over other popular US destinations is the diverse society of different races and cultures, which means you have your pick of a wide range of restaurants offering a wide variety of different cuisines.
In this article we will look briefly at three of the best restaurants in Seattle and why they are worth a visit.
The Walrus and The Carpenter
As Seattle is almost entirely surrounded by the deep blue watery stuff, it’s no surprise that seafood is a big deal in Seattle. Referred to as The Walrus by the locals, this is the best place to try some very fishy and interesting dishes. It has a very friendly atmosphere with a very bright decor with distinctive features. Keep an eye out for the chandelier that looks like something out of a David Attenborough video about the deep blue sea, wire baskets with oysters laid out on ice and a zinc bar. It is owned by Renee Erickson and some tasty dishes you should give a go include a starter of Effingham (when in season) oysters, followed by either a hand prepared steak tartar, spot prawns from Lopez Island or the beautiful smoked trout served with crème fraiche, pickled onions, walnuts and lentils!!
Sitka & Spruce
Sitka & Spruce is owned by head Chef Matt Dillon who uses locally sourced Seattle ingredients in completely different ways to anyone else, drawing on Middle Eastern and European influences. It is very inconspicuously hidden between a florist and butcher shop at the corner of Melrose Market and has a very welcoming and open feel. The food is always classy and very tasty, without being over complicated. Although the menu changes daily, you may be able to sink your teeth into the likes of buckwheat canele with roasted stone fruits, Yakima chickpea puree served with in-house prepared and made harissa or a simple creamed escarole and sorrel served with a gooey egg on top! A tantalising treat for your taste buds!
The Wandering Goose
This place, The Wandering Goose, will appeal to anyone who visits Seattle to experience American culture without the heat of the more southerly states and towns. Heather Earnhardt originally comes from North Carolina so her food has a distinct southern flavour. If you like the sound of collard greens, layer cakes and buttermilk biscuits, then this is the place for you! There is a wide selection of tasty things to try including a rather tasty vegetarian option that includes a flaky biscuit served with tiny peas from Sea Island, collards, and pimento-infused macaroni and cheese. I would however take my hat off to the first person who was able to walk out of The Wandering Goose without a rather big slice of home-made cake in their goody bag!
