EATS: Seattle

No matter how near or far you are from home, a recommendation for a good restaurant or bar is always nice to have. EATS is a collection of places that I’ve enjoyed during my travels.

Towne Pub
When we ate here it was called the Belltown Pub, which is under new management and has since reopened as the Towne Pub. Located in the heart of Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood where you’ll find other hip eateries and watering holes, the brick building dates back to 1904 and has been the site of a pub for more than 100 years. While the menu has also changed, the location still boasts the same historic charm and laid-back environment with daily happy hour specials, sports, live music, and games like pool and shuffleboard. At the Towne Pub the new menu includes classic pub fare like fish and chips, sandwiches, salads and build-your-own burgers with beef from Don & Joe’s Meats in the Pike Place Market and tons of topping options.

Towne Pub, 2322 1^st Avenue, (206) 441-5386, townepubseattle.com

Via Tribunali
Pizza is always a good idea and Neapolitan style pizza is even better in my opinion. That’s why we loved Via Tribunali, which serves up delicious Neapolitan pizza, cocktails and other Italian specialties from its location in the adorable Queen Anne neighborhood (there’s also another location in Capitol Hill). It was a bit of an uphill hike from where we were staying, but the extra effort to get there was well worth it for not only the pizza but also for panoramic views of Downtown Seattle from the nearby Kerry Park. We made it just in time to take advantage of Via Tribunali’s happy hour specials before ordering the Della Casa salad topped with a slab of fresh mozzarella and slices of prosciutto cotto. Then came our pizzas, a classic Margherita and the Prosciutto Crudo topped with slices the beloved dry, salty ham. Needless to say our experience did not disappoint.

Via Tribunali, 317 West Galer Street, (206) 264-7768, viatribunali.com

Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream
After pizza we thought we were too full for dessert but changed our mind once we saw the line for Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream next door stretching down the block. With such interest and enthusiasm it had to be good, right? Operating a handful of locations around Seattle, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream sources 90% of its ingredients from the Pacific Northwest to craft a variety of traditional and unusual flavors like honey lavender, Scout Mint (made from Thin Mint cookies purchased form local Girl Scouts) and the Yeti (sweet cream ice cream swirled with vanilla bean caramel, homemade yeti granola and chocolate bits). It was the perfect treat to eat as we made our way to Kerry Park to take in the postcard-worthy views of Seattle’s iconic skyline.

Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, 321 West Galer Street, (206) 294-4389, mollymoon.com

Top Pot Doughnuts
If you’re looking for another excuse to indulge your sweet tooth or a place for an afternoon pick me up, then look no further than Top Pot Doughnuts. This homegrown coffee and doughnut shop first popped up in the Capital Hill neighborhood in 2002 and since has grown to multiple locations around Seattle including one next door to Molly Moon’s in Queen Anne, another near Pike Place and one on 5^th Avenue in Downtown where they roast their coffee on-site. Top Pot’s artisanal doughnuts are made with care from a secret 1920s recipe, and include more than 40 daily offerings of classic, fancy and seasonal options. It’s casual yet stylish décor with bookshelves lining the walls makes it the perfect place for a mid-day break.

Top Pot Doughnuts, Various locations, toppotdoughnuts.com

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
Seattle’s Pike Place Market is filled with tons of food and beverage options but right across the street you’ll find 1) the original Starbucks location and 2) Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. The later (with a sister location in New York’s Flatiron district) is known for its simple offerings of delicious, ooey gooey grilled cheese sandwiches and “World’s Best” mac & cheese. There’s something to be said about this simplicity, especially if you’re judging by the line wrapped around the store and outside the door of hungry patrons patiently waiting for their turn to order. Like the rest of them we joined the long cue, enjoyed some samples as we made our way to the counter where we eventually ordered our very own sandwich, which we couldn’t help but devour almost immediately on the sidewalk outside of the café.

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, 1600 Pike Place, (206) 956-1964, beechershandmadecheese.com

Marination
Want a fast and affordable place for lunch in Downton Seattle? Then Marination has you covered. From humble food truck beginnings, it now has a permanent storefront to bring its delicious Hawaiian-Korean food to the business community and visitors alike. Conveniently located around the corner from the Amazon Spheres and corporate office, it will be hard to choose from its menu of mouthwatering Hawaiian-Korean street tacos and sliders, plus kimchi fried rice, salads, sandwiches and other plates, all made to order. Marination offers outdoor seating, but we opted to take our Kalbi Beef Tacos to go and found a great little plaza area with benches around the corner where we ate. Aloha is served.

Marination, 2000 6^th Avenue, (206) 327-9860, marinationmobile.com

Bahn Thai
We stumbled on Bahn Thai while walking around the neighborhood surrounding the Seattle Center and decided to return for dinner one night. It’s located in a converted historic house, which only added to its charm, and proudly stakes a claim as the oldest Thai restaurant in Seattle. Its broad menu of classic Thai dishes means there’s something for everyone, from which we chose items including spring rolls and green curry. The food was great and the service was warm and welcoming as if we were invited guests inside someone’s home.

Bahn Thai Restaurant, 409 Roy Street, (206) 283-0444, bahnthaimenu.com

Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall
If you need a break in between all of your museum-going at the Seattle Center then look no further than the Armory Food & Event Hall. Built in 1939 as the old Armory Building that housed the 146^th Field Artillery, it has since been transformed into a public gathering place and today features a variety of food and beverage options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also known as “the center of the center” you’ll have your pick among places from tacos to pizza, kabobs and more. A particular fan favorite is the Skillet Counter where we ordered from, which offers comfort food-inspired items like the Fried Chicken Breakfast Burrito, Nashville Hot Chicken Sammy and fancy grilled PB&J sandwiches for kids (or anyone’s inner child). Be sure to check the event calendar too because you’ll never know when you might encounter musical performances or other activities.