Best Lunch Restaurants in Seattle

We had a delicious dinner consisting of local food including roasted sturgeon, duck ragu and mushroom gnocchi—definitely not what you would consider PNW standards. That’s what makes this place so incredibly special. This restaurant is the quiet and singular alternative to the many corporate/chain-owned restaurants you find everywhere in Seattle. A gem.

Wonderful French inspired cuisine and great service. And prices that don’t break the bank like some others in the Pike place market. Also no hidden 20% gratuity— again unlike many are now doing in the area.

The new location is much bigger and more upscale than when the restaurant was above the Whole Foods on Westlake. Service was a bit slow to arrive, but friendly and professional when we connected with the server. Calamari was perfect -- highly recommended, as was the Sangiovese. I ordered a substitution of prosciutto for the nduja on the Tropea pizza. Kitchen missed this, but server brought out a side dish of prosciutto to complete the order.

Superb, as usual. The carrot sformato was an unusual find and quite delicious. The addition of olives to the blood orange and fennel salad hit just the right acid note, Mama’s meatballs were pure beef with a strong dash of anise seed, and the accompanying marinara had been simmering for ages to pick up that deep complexity of flavors and great balance between sweet and slightly acid.

Service was great. Ambience and noise level were comfortable and as expected for a well known breakfast spot. The only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars on the food, was that the yolks in the poached eggs were firm instead of fluid. Otherwise, the food was good!