14845 Main St, Bellevue, WA. 98007
Pricing - $/$$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Japanese
http://www.kukai-ramen.com/

Is it an issue that we are constantly looking for ramen everywhere we go? It seems like every trip we take, we wonder if the area has good ramen so we seek spots that seem promising based on reviews. When we went to Seattle, the spot was Kukai. We met up with a friend who had moved to the area recently, eager to see what there was to offer in that part of town. I had originally chosen this place because I noticed that had a yuzu shio ramen on the menu. Sounded interesting and unique so we had to go!

4725 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 (Neighborhood: Junction)
Pricing - $$$ | Dining - Casual, Dressy Casual | Cuisine - Japanese, Sushi
www.sushiwhore.com

I first heard of Mashiko from a friend of mine who interviewed Chef Hajime for an article on sustainability and the environment as that is her field of profession. It didn't necessarily have to do with the food aspect of the restaurant but it did touch on the sourcing of their ingredients. While that isn't exactly what Much Ado About Fooding is about, it does play a part in how the food tastes when it is brought out to the customer. So I put it on my mental hit list of places to visit once we ever made it up to Seattle and not too long ago, we did. Our visit there was not under a reservation as so many people have suggested since we weren't sure which night we'd visit but luckily, they had a space for us right at the end of the bar so we could see all of the action. We decided we'd go opt for one of their omakase options that evening.

1112 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101 (Neighborhood: Capitol Hill)
Pricing - $/$$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Caribbean
www.rumbaonpike.com

A rum bar? A RUM BAR? Sign me up! I was not so interested in the fact that it was rum as the spirit of choice but that there was a place focused on one particular alcohol. I first heard of Rumba from a friend who had gone there previously and recommended it. Upon further internet-ing, I saw that it featured shelves upon shelves of the stuff; not only that but it also served Caribbean and Cuban food. Considering the lack of such in Orange County and how much I miss the food from Jamaica, Rumba had me sold. When Duc and I finally went to Seattle, we made sure to put Rumba's Happy Hour on our list of things to do. We met up with friends and were quite pleased by the experience.

3506 Stone Way N Seattle, WA 98103 (Neighborhood: Wallingford)
Pricing - $$/$$$ | Dining - Dressy Casual | Cuisine - American (New), Small Plates
http://www.thewhalewins.com/

It feels odd to chide a place for not meeting expectations, especially when expectations started high, but when the letdown is worse than even a normal experience would turn out, it is downright disappointing. We don't like to say anything negative without some constructive comments but we also aren't chefs so take the post with a grain of salt. We were just incredibly surprised that we could have had one of the best meals we've ever had in the sister restaurant of this spot that we thought was a terrible way to cap off an evening.

The Whale Wins was recently named in Bon Appetit as one of the Top 50 New Restaurants in the U.S. so when our travel plans took us to Seattle, we were excited to give it a try. After all, the magazine has some clout behind it, and to be listed as one of 50 of who-knows-how-many in the country that excels is an honor. We absolutely loved our time at The Walrus and The Carpenter, sister to this newer joint, and were in high hopes for this one. Surprisingly, the evening turned out 0/5 for everything we ordered...

1909 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 (Neighborhood: Downtown)
Pricing - $/$$ | Dining - Casual, To-Go | Cuisine - Breakfast/Brunch, Southern
www.biscuitbitch.com

On our way to Pike Place Market in Seattle, I knew we needed breakfast and landed my eyes on a bold place called "Biscuit Bitch." Sounds edgy enough, and I sure can't say no to good biscuits. Give me your crudeness but follow it up with something delicious please! They certainly delivered on it, and we came away from the experience knowing we'd be back the next time we were in town. Established with the intent of making everyone feel at home (we all know that area of Seattle is a total tourist trap), Biscuit Bitch kept to their promise and we did not feel like we didn't belong. It was great and the food...the food was bitchin'.

4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 (Neighborhood: Ballard)
Pricing - $$/$$$ | Dining - Casual, Dressy Casual | Cuisine - Seafood, Small Plates
www.thewalrusbar.com

Stick a literary reference into a restaurant, and I'm interested. Blame it on the book nerd in me and that I am a philanderer of words (not women) who is drawn towards such mentions. Toss in the rave reviews and constant barrage of suggestions from others prior to our travels to visit this coveted spot in Seattle, and we are sold. The first stop that Duc and I made once we landed at Sea-Tac was at this restaurant to catch their Happy Hour (started at 4pm that Thursday) for some oyster deals. Apparently there were plenty of other people who were hunting the same specials so even before 4pm, there was a line. The restaurant itself is behind another so a long hallway forms the entrance - make note! I say to make a note of it because I know you'll be going there too if/when you visit Seattle. After all, it is dang delicious...