Restaurant reviewers range far and wide in search of what’s new, different, and unusual. But restaurant reviewers, like everyone else, go out to eat in celebration, for fun, for just plain sustenance. And, like everyone else, they tend to do it close to home. In this edition of Seattle Weekly’s annual Dining Guide, we asked our writers to tell us about the places they go when they’re eating for themselves (and paying their own bills) on their home turf, in 12 extended neighborhoods, each with its own style of dining. We surprised each other with some of our choices, and also ended up with some lists encouraging us to cross sample each others’ favorites. We hope you enjoy reading—and eating out—as much as we did. Roger Downey
WHERE WE EAT Ballard Capitol Hill Madison Valley/ Madrona Belltown Downtown Wallingford/ Fremont Phinney Ridge/ Greenwood Downtown Kirkland Pike Place Market Pike/Pine Ship Canal West Seattle
KEY TO REVIEWERS T.A. Tim Appelo K.B. Knute Berger L.C. Laura Cassidy P.D. Philip Dawdy R.D. Roger Downey G.H. George Howland Jr. M.M. Michaelangelo Matos D.M. Dan McCarthy K.M. Katie Millbauer N.E.S. Nina Shapiro N.S. Neal Schindler S.S. Samantha Storey S.W. Steve Wiecking
PRICE CATEGORIES $ – entrée & beverage $15 or less (average) $$ – entrée & beverage $15–$25 $$$ – entrée & beverage $25 and up