Seattle is a great place to be for us foodies and cocktailians, now more than ever! I would like to share with you some of my very favorite places to dine and drink around Seattle, the hip and new kids \u2013 the classic tasty favorites. I have included a variety of fun places, so try some new ones, and revisit the old favorites. Treat your self to some fun nights this fall — be it for a quick happy hour after work with friends or a snazzy dinner with that special someone!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tavern Law \u2013 the newest hip kid on the block Brian McCracken and Dana Tough are the chefs of Tavern Law and Spur Gastropub<\/a>. The friends\u2019 collaboration dates back to their time in the kitchen at Maria Hines\u2019 Earth and Ocean restaurant, together on Hines\u2019 traveling team at the 2005 James Beard Dinner in New York, and today creating their menus at Tavern Law and Spur. Delicious nibbles you won\u2019t want to miss are the Padron Peppers and the Pork Belly with Saurkraut \u2013 so very Fall\u2019ish!<\/p>\n See you upstairs \u2026 I\u2019ll be the blond drinking a Gun Club.<\/p>\n Tavern Law<\/a> Bastille Caf\u00e9 & Bar \u2013 Ballard\u2019s seen-and-be-seen place to be This new and trendy French brasserie\u2019s menu is created by Chef Shannon Galusha. Starters range from $4 to $14, salads and sandwiches from $7 to $12 and entrees from $14 to $22. Herbs, greens and other veggies are grown in the rooftop garden and grace many of the menus dishes. Some of my crew\u2019s favorite\u2019s were Grilled Octopus with Chick Peas, Preserved Lemon and Harissa and the Rooftop Garden Greens with Hazelnut Vinaigrette.<\/p>\n Be sure to have a drink or peek in the back bar \u2013 it\u2019s rich chocolate walls and giant crystal chandelier evokes a feeling of being in a lovely French jewel box\u2026 that you just must hang out here, sip on a cocktail and be seen.<\/p>\n Bastille Caf\u00e9 & Bar<\/a> Plaka Estiatorio \u2013 A family affair comes to Downtown Ballard Dad usually at the door and is quick to get you a beverage – Very friendly proud servers announce the specials and tell of their child hood favorites. My husband John and my favorites are the pita breads with an array of dips, fennel pickled beets and octopus. We like to order an inexpensive bottle of wine and get an array of small plates \u2013 making for a great weekday meal\u2026. they\u2019ll make you feel right at home!<\/p>\n *Plaka Estiatorio is a proud participant in The Tuesdays in Ballard promotion, so stop by on a Tuesday for some fun specials!<\/p>\n Plaka Estiatorio<\/a> Canlis Restaurant \u2013 an Old <\/strong>Seattle<\/strong> Favorite with a New Vibe Mark and Brian Canlis are the Managing Owners \u2013 still keeping it in the family. While Mark is the leader of staff, guest and community relations, Brian focuses more on business development, product reinvention, and future opportunities. Together, they make a dynamic team who are just as great at being business partners as they are at being brothers. The charming David Kim is the Service Director and Maitre D. He runs a smooth and tight service team \u2013 and will make you feel special!<\/p>\n The kitchen is headed up now by the talented Executive Chef Jason Franey, Canlis Restaurant’s fifth ever executive chef in 58 years. His new menu will impress! Every course we had I was wowed by. New menu items like Fois Gras with Peaches, Honey and Fromage Blanc and Kona Kampachi with Avocado, Soy and Hot Mustard will tantalize your taste buds. And for you die hard old-school Canlis fans \u2013 YES the old favorites like the Canlis Table-Side Salad are still on the menu.<\/p>\n And if a big fancy dinner is not in the budget right now \u2013 just know that in the Canlis Bar you can have that special Canlis experience too \u2013 there are sexy little lamb sliders with Moroccan spices and truffle fries for just $14 – pair that with a martini or a glass of wine and Canlis can be an any day treat.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Seattle\u2019s most recent addition to the cocktail community, (with fantastic tasty bites too… of course!) is Tavern Law –\u00a0 a modern day speakeasy with classic cocktails and an old-time ambiance. A multi page cocktail menu with loads of golden era libations makes it hard to choose a fav. There is even a retro fun phone you pick up to call up stairs to join the speakeasy upstairs where Mixologist David Nelson will hand craft you a classic cocktail using freshly squeezed juices and housemade syrups and tinctures.<\/p>\n
\n1406 12th Ave
\nSeattle, WA 98122-3906
\n(206) 322-9734 <\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Owners James Weimann and Deming Maclise \u2013 have loads of seattle restaurant, bar and coffee business ownership experience. And Bastille is their new Ballard baby. Built in a totally refurbished historical building the restaurant is decorated with a collection of found objects from Paris, Chicago and the Pacific Northwest \u2013 the interior is casual, hip, glitzy, cool\u2026 and is \u201cthe place to be seen in Seattle\u201d right now.<\/p>\n
\n5307 Ballard Ave
\nSeattle, WA 98107
\n(206) 453 \u2013 5014\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Owners Ourania\u00a0 and Anthony Mandapat- have their whole family running this cute new Greek Restaurant. Most often, Mom is cooking and Dad and the brother are on the floor. You can see all their fun family photos on the walls… It looks like they have been cooking and eating and having fun together over the years\u2026 and it shows.<\/p>\n
\n5407 20th Ave NW
\nSeattle, WA 98107
\n(206) 829-8934\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Known for its breathtaking view, matched by the impeccable service, this restaurant continues to dazzle and preserve the family tradition while adding new creativity and energy to the fine dining world.<\/p>\n