There's a microbrewery at the east end of Pike's Market whose name escapes me, but The Rocket Scientist has the most incredible vegetarian dish ever: portabello Wellington.

Kind of ironic that I'm up here now and haven't really gone out to eat anywhere... if you're flying solo (and depending on when), let me know and I'd be happy to meet up with you! I may be awful at TN's but I usually bring along good wine :-D

Lunch yesterday at Salumi - excellent

Lunch today at Cafe Campagne- excellent as well
Had the soup du jour; apple and fennel washed down with Chateau Graville Lacoste Graves Blanc. Followed up with a hearty cassoulet to warm my bones, accompanied with few different tastes of wine. A Cotes de Blaye, a Cotes de Rousillion and a Beaujolais Village all paired well though the merlot was the only one that was not a great fit. Sometimes it nice to not have to drink great wines with food like this, something to pair well but let the food be the star. Great lunch, the long walk back to my hotel to drop off left overs was a nice way to try and feel healthy after it.

Dinner at Sitka & Spruce, a small 20 seat restaurant in Eastlake that is way underpriced for the quality. Sat at the communal table, place was packed, only seat in the house. Chalkboard menu that changes everyday, sometimes more. Winelist, chalkboard as well, consists of six whites and six reds. Interesting selection and not wines that most people would have a clue about. St. Aubin, Txakolina, Garnaxta, Irouleguy, Valtellina, Lirac, Passetoutgrains etc. Dined on a chilled shellfish plate with celariac, capers and aioli. Followed with a roasted breast and confit leg of guinea hen with chaterelles, pumpkin and mustard. Would have loved to had tried the dessert's which people next to me raved about, but after cassoulet for lunch and then these two dishes, no way. Very recommended!!

Last night - oyster sampler and IPA at Brooklyn Oyster House.
The goat cheese and lavender fondue w/grilled bread and apples at the Palace Kitchen with a glass of McCrea Syrah. 

i had lunch there that day too! it was excellent. a month later and i still have about 1/4 of a salami left. i dread the day it's gone.

I'm running back into town tomorrow to grab mail... and some salami from Salumi. Between the fennel salami and the mole, I'm in heaven, especially if I'm chasing it with this Alaskan Winter Brew I've been drinking like a fish.

my day has come. i am out.

Out of what? Beer? Salami? The closet?

Porchetta sandwich was awesome today and, as always, I got to the cash register and one of the tables opened up just as I finished paying. After waiting outside in the cold for 25 minutes (to come in and wait in the warmth for 10 more), was a nice touch.

yes please! while they do ship, i get this:

with the exception of La Tripletta, we are now sold out of all items through Jan 16, '08. We will continue to take orders for La Tripletta through Jan 4, '08. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Hit Seastar in Bellevue last night. Fantastic west coast wine list, but was generally marked up pretty high (2.5-3x). Whites ranged from Kistler/Peter Michael/Kongsgaard/Flowers/Selene, pinot had 7 or 8 Williams Selyem, and some other good stuff that I'm just blanking on, ton of Turley (Dragon, Dusi, Hayne PS) and their cab list was just ridiculous (5 or 6 vintages of Harlan and Araujo, Hourglass, Foley Claret, Quilceda, Sloan). They also had 1 oz pours from QC ($15), Leonetti ($15) and Harlan ($56) from one of those machines that preserve wine for 24 days. Corkage was $25. The sommelier (Cole) was cool and we talked for a good 30 mins about the list, etc.

Food was delicious, as well. I had the crab cakes ($13) for an appetizer (3 half-dollar sized crab cakes, but man were they fantastic) and the Idaho trout ($22) for dinner (server rec). The trout portion was ridiculously big - 4 center cut trout filets (FOUR!) stacked on a bed of pilaf and baby asparagus. Good god I was going to pop. I thought the prices were reasonable, especially given the portions. If you go, there's a garage on 108th that has validated parking... you just have to find the sign for SeaStar next to it.

Not sure I'd drive out to Bellevue from Seattle JUST for Seastar, but if you're on the East Side and want something a little less formal than Cafe Juanita, it's a nice spot.

Sunday before last at El Gaucho. Good, but WAY overpriced, even compared to its Ruth's Chris-type peers.

Anyone ever stay at the Sorrento Hotel in Seattle?

Im considering it for my next visit...

As I am unable to edit previous post, let me add.
For almost 20 years I have always stayed at the Alexis, but they have recently increased their rates by about 60%.
I have never stayed at the Sorrento and am very familiar with the location, but not the rooms or restaurants.