Decadent Seattle— Readers' Picks

Best Appetizers

WILD GINGER

(1401 Third, 623-4450)

It's not exactly the quality of the appetizers that makes Wild Ginger such a good place to nosh; it's the way the whole menu lends itself to noshing. Presiding genius Rick Yoder does not subscribe to the formula so popular in restaurants these days that "More is Not Only Better, It's Necessary." Each dish, appetizer, or entr饠arrives, makes its point, and leaves room for more. Since the menu spans the entire gamut of Southeast Asian ingredients and cuisines, there's always some new combination of flavors, textures, and aromas to perk the flagging appetite. The biggest problem at Wild Ginger, in fact, is that it's come to serve as the preshow cafeteria for Benaroya Hall across the street—patrons in a rush don't get the best of it. R.D.

Second place: Palace Kitchen (2030 Fifth, 448-2001)

Best Seafood

ANTHONY'S

(6135 Seaview N.W., 783-0780)

Anthony's has come a long way from that first ill-fated American Revolution-themed steak house known as "Mad Anthony's"—with 17 locations spread from Bellingham to Olympia, it's clear that chain eating establishments are A-OK with you folks as long as that chain is owned by a local named Budd. And why shouldn't this one be? Contracts with Yakima farmers and running its very own wholesale fish company means everything from oysters to strawberries are fresh and tasty; reasonable prices (dine early: four courses for $14.95!) mean happy regulars, slurping down as much clam chowder as your little tummies desire. Remember to raise a glass for namesake old Mad Anthony Wayne, and let it be known that he died from gout. Perhaps you should have a salad. J.L.

Second place: Ray's Boathouse (6049 Seaview N.W., 789-4130)

Best Desserts

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY

(701 Pike, 652-5400; 401 Bellevue Sq., Bellevue, 425-450-6000)

Is it any wonder that as the Cheesecake Factory slowly takes over the world (see Best New Restaurant), more and more Americans are slowly growing, well, world-shaped? Is there any way to resist what the Cheesecake Factory—the gilded enshrinement of sugar glaze and shiny brass knobs and saturated fat—slides into that regal, refrigerated display case? And if not a slice of sticky, chewy chocolate pecan cheesecake, or Adam's peanut-butter-cup fudge ripple, or white chocolate chunk macadamia nut, or Craig's crazy carrot cake cheesecake (yes, half carrot cake, half cheesecake—crazy), if not any of the 30-plus cheesecake varieties, then surely you'll go for a noncheesy, noncakey calorie load: a giant brownie ice cream sandwich, a towering strawberry shortcake, or a near-famous factory mud pie (topped with whipped cream and nuts and served with a side boat of hot fudge). C.F.

Second place: Dilettante Chocolates (1603 First, 728-9144)

Best Doughnuts

KRISPY KREME

(6210 East Lake Sammamish Pkwy., Issaquah, 425-391-8011)

Well, DUH. Of course you voted for this one, since these are the only doughnuts the majority of you ever eat; who cares if they're not the best and not even in Seattle? How about Family Doughnut maple bars, Sophie's Doughnuts bismarcks, or that Johnny-come-lately Top Pot and their crazy crullers? Sure, they all have lines, but not that around-the-block strip mall mess. Coming in second was the vague "Pike Place"—this could mean either the Daily Dozen cart, with its wee bags of heaven, or the Pike Place Bakery, with such glories as the eight-ton buttermilk bar and the "Texas" doughnut. Lookie there, people—so many possibilities! All grand! And all inside the city limits! J.L.

Second place: the nebulous "Pike Place"

Best Sunday Brunch

SALTY'S ON ALKI

(1936 Harbor S.W., 937-1600)

Sunday brunch at Salty's is classic. It's where wealthy people wearing Ralph Lauren go after church. It's where a nice couple goes after a weekend of rented movies and great sex. It's where for $27.95 per person you can get a ton of food from the buffet. You name it, they've got it. Dungeness crab, hand-carved ham, Eggs Benedict, homemade cinnamon rolls, pre-shucked oysters, Lucky Charms, chocolate-covered strawberries, and just about whatever else you can think of. And you get the view, too: Mount Rainier, Elliott Bay, and the most beautiful skyline in the country. Enjoy it all from the seaside patio if you can, and remember that their warm rolls and delicious apple dumplings fit perfectly into sports jacket pockets. S.P.R.

Second place: Palisade (2601 W. Marina Pl., 285-1000)

Best Expensive Furniture Store

KASALA

(1505 Western, 623-7795; 1014 116th N.E., Bellevue, 425-453-2823)

You just got a fabulous incentive package from a shiny, desperate Belltown condo—where in the neighborhood can you best parlay the savings toward some elegant home furnishings? Kasala boasts a showroom (two, actually—there's a Bellevue location) crammed with modern designer fare from "Natuzzi, Label, Leolux, Della Robbia, Baronet, Lazar, Cattelan, Artemide, Flos, BDI, Alessi, Jonathan Adler, and many others" (apparently, some of these designers are famous!). That's all good for folks with reserves of disposable income, but there's also good news for those whose good taste exceeds their annual income: Kasala has big sales, and they also have a special Clearance Center near Safeco with loads of marked-down and discontinued items. P.F.