So this weekend is the one year anniversary and we are tired of the same old places to eat and things to do in the Seattle and Bellevue area. We will still most likely end up staying local, but perhaps will go to Vancouver or Portland for the weekend. Any recommendations on local restaurants and things to do? How about for Vancouver and Portland? We are going to Phoenix and San Diego at the end of the month to celebrate but want to make this weekend special as well. Hope to get some good ideas, so be sure to share some thoughts!

 

Crush Restaurant on 23rd and Madison.
Fills up quickly, but food is incredible.
Cool modern decor too.

 

Herb Farm or the Pink Door would definitely get my recommendations as well.

 

jay,
are you married? i didn't think you were?

todd's and my one year wedding anniversery is on feb 6th. can't believe it's been 1 year since we got married in maui. his work schedule is blahhhhhhh....so our day will probably consist of saying "happy anniversery". hahaha!

 

Campagne in Seattle if you like good French food.

 

I'm sure you have been to Canlis. Still one of my favorites.

 

Salty's on Alki, Palisades on Magnolia, any of the Tom Douglas restaurants in Seattle.

 

+1 for Pink Door. I love that place.

Head up to Whistler (though be warned, finding a nice hotel (i.e., Westin, Fairmont, Delta, Hilton) on short notice this time of year could cost you $500-$1K/night)

Nishinos in Madison Park if you like Sushi

Get a room at a nice hotel and treat yourself to some spa treatment? I'm behind the times on nice hotels in Seattle. Perhaps the Fairmont or a room with a view in The W?

 

If you want to make a night of it... late (say 9 or so) dinner at el gaucho... get your drink on... and spend the night at the Inn at El Gaucho right upstairs... you can both tie one on and not have to worry about driving. Or you can room service el gaucho to the Inn upstars and eat steak in your birthday suits.

Canlis is great and you can reserve a private dining room with a great view and your own wait staff for $100... well worth the $100 to eat in private... I know what you all are thinking... the wait staff is in to check on you too often so no hanky panky in the private dining room... nice, somewhat small,but comfortable room with dedicated wait staff, table for 2 or 4, and a couch presumably to bask in your privacy and enjoy the view... It may be short notice if you want this weekend though OR it may be over the top for "just" a girlfriend... you know what they say... set the bar to high and it becomes an expectation...

 

Well she is not feeling Italian so Pink Door is out. One problem is that she always asks her sister and if her sister did not like a place then that place is out. I suggested Canlis, but she said her sister said the food is not as good as the service. Daryl had suggested the Oceanaire but her sister said the food wasn't good there, so that's out. Herb Farm would be nice but $230 per person w/ tax and tip is too much imho. Is el gaucho mexican? On the Whistler suggestion...we went there last month. I have heard that all the Tom Douglas restaurants are good. Thanks for all the suggestions and let me know if you have any more!

 

El Gaucho -- STEAK

http://www.elgaucho.com/elgaucho/

The Inn at El Gaucho is at the Seattle location

 

-1000 on El Gaugo 10 times too much money for 1/8th the food.

Herb Farm is good food but not great for the money. It's also a 4 hour meal that you really want 4 people at a table for that long. It's a different kind of menu and not all really like what that month's selection might be.

Canlis is Fantastic Food and Service. It is a little formal and not really a fun 1 year anniversary place. I would say her sister just had something funky going on that night. They have been number one for a long time for a reason. They know food and service. Wine selections if you don't bring your own are very good as well.

Fun and great Southwestern is Cactus in Madison Park.

Steak go to the Brooklyn

Icon Grill atmosphere, selection and staff all good.
http://www.icongrill.net/

Restaurant Zoe also A+'s around
http://www.restaurantzoe.com/

But you know what, if your with the one you want, it won't really matter where you are as long as your together. So have fun have some grub and make the best of Where ever you end up.

If you go to Mcdonald's at least Carry the Tray.

 

Italian and Steak Houses here are all boring, trendy and the menus are all the same. They all have wine list that 10x longer then entres menus.

Save your appetite for Scottsdale, Vancouver BC or San Diego.

Or if you must, Mediterranean Kitchen, Caspian Grille and Taste of India for some native Kabobs and belly dancing.

 

Or you can just go to Red Mill Burgers. Best burger joint in Seattle. Seriously, that's a suggestion:

www.redmillburgers.com

 

hands down Canlis is the best in terms of service and very good food -- but Mark is right about it being a bit more formal...

I was more suggesting El Gaucho for the "whole experience" if you do a night at their inn along with dinner... you can both drink and not worry about driving and wake up and walk to Macrina for breakfast before it gets packed.

Steaks at the brooklyn -- do you mean the Metropolitan?

Il Terrazzo Carmine is the best Italian in Seattle... hidden gem if you will... slightly NW of Safeco field... secure parking... very good.