Queen City, Lady Jaye, Hangar Cafe, Now on the Resy Hit List

Because renowned Seattle restaurateur Linda Derschang brought her touch of delicious food and warm decor to the former Queen City Grill late last year. Enjoy seasonal dishes in a piece of Seattle history (the venue dates back to 1910). Let the new season envelop you from the inside out with dishes like spaghetti with roasted cauliflower; kale and celery root puree; and beets with citrus, pistachio butter, and goat cheese. Don’t forget about Burger Nights on Mondays, when the classic Smith burger is available for $10.

Because the Dining Room at Salish Lodge is so classic an institution, it doesn’t even need a name—plus the cabin environment, with a view of Snoqualmie Falls, is as romantic as it gets. Local Pacific Northwest dishes include Pacific prawn bisque topped with apple fennel slaw and crème fraîche, Salmon Creek Farms Duroc Pork Chop, and an Alaskan Black Cod with charred carrots, smoked yogurt, honey za’atar and sesame butter.

Because smoked mushroom dip, pimento cheese puffs, and pork belly “Pork-strami” sandwich on rye. Lady Jaye, which opened just last month by Sara Rosales, Tyler Palagi, Evan Carter, and Charlie Garrison—formerly of Radiator Whiskey and White Swan Public House—offers a variety of applewood-smoked barbecue options ranging from the aforementioned sandwich to oyster po’ boys, garlic prawns, and a smoked turkey drum with ancho barbecue sauce and lime crema. The bar serves up a bevy of cocktails, local beer, wine, and hard seltzers—pick your poison.

Because crepes and waffles with a front-row view of airplane landings makes for a good morning pastime. With a hefty menu of sweet and savory crepes, along with multiple waffle and sandwich options, Hangar Cafe is sure to satisfy your breakfast and brunch cravings. We love sharing the Hangar crepe and the seasonal, sweet Belgian waffle to get the best of both worlds.

Walk-ins only.

Because while this may look like a hole in the wall, authentic Italian food with warm Italian hospitality awaits. The unassuming exterior—and interior, for that matter—only adds to the experience of dining at Aglio e Olio, where large portions of pasta sit alongside risotto, porchetta, and very large arancini balls. Put simply, this place is a gem. You’re welcome.

For reservations, contact the restaurant at (206) 709-8883.

Because Thai street food and a vibrant ambiance make for a great night out. Named after one of the most popular night markets in Bangkok, this restaurant captures the liveliness and chaos of its namesake through brightly colored chairs and beams, paper lanterns, and random posters and knicknacks hung throughout. The menu is extensive, with options including a variety of meat skewers and fried snacks—like corn fritters with curry dipping sauce—kao mun gai, steamed chicken over rice, served with broth; and various soups, such as tom yum nam sai.

For reservations, contact the restaurant at (206) 735-7352.

Because cheddar scallion scones and $6 happy hour cocktails are hard to come by. This Linda Derschang staple on Capitol Hill is bright, airy, and rustic, and serves as a great place for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour. Coffee shop vibes make this spot an easy choice to get some work done, but it also transforms into a cozy and lively destination for dinner with friends and family.

Because this sustainable-seafood-focused restaurant in Fremont by Chef Eric Donnely features an extensive menu that uses seasonal ingredients throughout. The space is woodsy with a touch of industrial: high ceilings, raw wood, dark metal accents, and—true to its name—a large mural of a river bed. Expect stellar fish entrees and a small plate of Wild Prawns St. Helena, served with brown butter, serrano, rosemary, and grits.

For reservations, contact the restaurant at (206) 557-7532.

Because cozy old-school pizza parlour vibes set the tone for delicious brick oven Neapolitan-style pizza. While this restaurant is a slight trek south, it’s worth it, making you feel as though you’ve stepped into a place where everyone knows your name. A large brick oven provides the backdrop for warm and festive vibes, while large bottles of homemade chili oil sit atop every table, creating a red hue against the tabletop candles. In addition to 20 or so varieties of pizza, pasta and calzones also grace the menu. Save room for dessert, too—profiteroles meet every expectation, and then some.

Walk-ins only.

Because the ambience and the food are both 10s. From brunch to happy hour to dinner, Harry’s Fine Foods is a fine place to gather with friends while enjoying hospitable service and good eats. On the brunch menu, modern dishes like kimchi hash sit alongside classic options like biscuits and gravy; on the dinner menu, find dishes ranging from fig and fromage toasts to Mary’s Farms Chicken Under Brick served with salt roasted cabbage, sugo, and fromage blanc.

Walk-ins only.