Lombardi's is a fave of mine. . .In Ballard.

Also, here is a good place up in Ravenna. . .I know it's a distance but, even though it changes names, La Piazza has good food and great atmosphere.

I'd recommend the Elysian Pub on Capitol Hill.

We enjoyed Tilth. It's on the chi-chi side, but tasty and a comfortable conversation place. There was somewhere else I was anxious to try when I get back there this summer, but I cannot remember it or find it in my emails, sigh.

Canlis is the old-school place and fairly quiet. I spent my 30th birthday there, but can't remember the place I went. Mod PNW in a Capitol Hill hotel.

Coastal Kitchen is Capital Hill, "hip" and its never been too loud to carry on a conversation when I've been there. Other places I like include Cafe Flora which is amazing vegetarian food that even my meat and potatoes father digs, Chenoise which is really nice pan-asian with decent sushi as well. For more casual I like the aforementioned Elysian Brewpub, though it gets plenty crowded and loud on a friday night. I find the smaller Hopvine Pub generally more enjoyable experience wise. Chutneys is very good North Indian has the best Tandoori I've had in Seattle and the Teapot Vegetarian House is an all time favorite.

On places I have yet to try the Tom Douglas restaurants are certainly hip and have a good reputation an if money is no object Rovers is supposed to be pretty amazing.

Quinn's is amazing. Best froufy poutine EVER, and a fantastic burger that's well worth the (admittedly fairly high) cost.

The Crying Pig !!