Hilltop neighbourhood with views and a Cajun anchor. Canlis sits at the foot of the hill on Aurora; Toulouse Petit and How to Cook a Wolf run Lower Queen Anne.
Canlis in Seattle is the city's enduring fine-dining room: Aisha Ibrahim's five-course menu, a 1950 cedar lodge above Lake Union, and Food and Wine's number.
Signature: Aged sea bream in dashi, Walla Walla onion, Canlis salad
Order: The five-course chef's menu with Aisha Ibrahim's Filipino-tinged Walla Walla onion course.
Tip: Tuesday and Wednesday open with quieter dining rooms and the same kitchen; the bar pours the same wine list at half the formality.
Toulouse Petit in Seattle's Lower Queen Anne is the city's largest Cajun-Creole kitchen: 200 covers, beignets and chicory coffee at breakfast.
Signature: Bouillabaisse, Jambalaya, Beignets
Order: The bouillabaisse with the Mardi Gras jambalaya for the table, or just beignets at the bar.
Tip: The 09:00-11:00 breakfast service is the secret deal: beignets and eggs cardinal, fewer than 12 covers full.
Toulouse Petit in Seattle's Lower Queen Anne is the city's largest Cajun-Creole kitchen: 200 covers, beignets at breakfast, full French Quarter at dinner.
Signature: Bouillabaisse, Jambalaya, Beignets
Order: Bouillabaisse with the Mardi Gras jambalaya for the table, or beignets at the bar.
Tip: The 09:00-11:00 breakfast service is the secret deal: beignets and eggs cardinal, fewer than 12 covers full.