The March Hit List: Oddfellows, Plenty of Clouds, Tyger Tyger, and More

On a sunny spring day, there’s nothing better than Apertivo Hour on Oddfellows’ back patio. Large front windows, brick walls, and a Masonic mural create a rustic, industrial vibe worthy of the ‘gram. In the morning, baked eggs with ham, spinach, and leek cream, banana-tahini toast, and mugs of Caffe Vita coffee are essential. Settle in later in at night for simple comfort fare like meatballs with polenta and mascarpone, or a winter grain bowl with farro, chickpeas, and cauliflower. Oddfellows takes its cocktail program seriously. From a grapefruit cooler to The Oddfellow (think Jim Beam, Combier d’Orange, lemon, and bitters), there’s no shortage of tasty imbibements.

Slip into this sleek, dimly lit Lower Queen Anne spot for Sichuan-inspired Chinese. Start with an order of steamed buns — honey walnut prawns with creamy, sweet longan honey aioli and the braised pork belly with Sichuan peppercorn garlic toum (aioli) pickled Fresno peppers are both delicious. The dan dan noodles are an authentic version of the traditional dish of wheat noodles, hot numbing sauce, and minced pork. To pair with the sweet and spicy flavors of these dishes, try The Wistful Smile, a light, refreshing sipper made with Chrysanthemum vodka, yuzu, and tonic.

There’s a lot to love about Rondo Japanese. For one, the menu is vast and varied and doesn’t feature your usual suspects. Creamy uni croquettes, aburi salmon sushi, and a darn good fried chicken are all tasty picks. Don’t sleep on the Rondo Lunch Set, which changes daily. For $20, a recent menu featured three kinds of chef’s choice sashimi, fried chicken, grilled fish, a green salad, plus rice, miso soup, and pickles. Happy “Hiru-Nomi” Hour happens daily from 2 to 5:30 p.m. A Sour Toki with Suntory Toki whisky, egg white, yuzu, and housemade black sugar syrup is lovely riff on a whiskey sour with a decidedly Japanese spin.

Cooking with fire takes center stage on the 2,500-pound smoker (affectionally called Cletus) that sits on the back patio at Lady Jaye. Right now, applewood-smoked house-ground cheeseburgers and a prime bulgogi short rib melt make meat-loving tongues wag. Never fear — there are non-meat options, too, like a smoked tofu chili. Hole up on the patio with one (or more) of mixologist Sara Rosale’s famous cocktails. A smoked Dickel rye old fashioned is totally on-brand, and of course, goes well with barbecue. Oh, and there’s a meat and butcher shop for all your at-home needs.

If you want to slow down from the pace of city living, head to Alki Beach. Soak up unmatched views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline from Harry’s Beach House. A salmon chowder with corn, bacon, and chives comforts on cooler days. For something heartier, the American wagyu steak frites with sherry-shallot cream sauce is a tasty take on the French bistro classic. You can’t go wrong with a Harry’s Gin and Tonic, a stepped-up version of the standby made with butterfly pea flower gin and cardamom bitters.

Inspired by the cuisine and culture of China’s Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, Plenty of Clouds serves up family-style dishes with no shortage of fiery heat. Stop by for their seasonal take on dishes, like ground pork fried rice with mushrooms, cabbage, greens, and spicy bean sauce. Chrysanthemum leaves are a nutritional knockout when paired with soy vinaigrette, spicy bird’s eye chiles, and crushed peanuts. After all the highs and lows of the past few years, a flight of baijiu, a spirit distilled from sorghum, is in order.

When spring blooms start to appear at Washington Park Arboretum, a stop at Nishino is a must before or after meandering the park’s 230 acres. For nearly three decades, chef Tatsu Nishino has served everything from small plates, like a tangy asparagus with yuzu, and a flame-broiled whole squid, to luxe omakase, to a diehard local clientele. There’s an extensive sake list (and knowledgeable servers to guide the way) for whatever sushi you order.

Skål means “cheers,” and this spot is not only a nod to Ballard’s Nordic heritage, but also lively interpretation of what Viking meadhall, or festing hall, might look like. A freshly poured pint in the outdoor beer garden is sure to bring on that soothing feeling of hygge. Here, food is equally important. A crock of cheddar and ale dip with a pretzel is a natural go-to. Or try the Njord Board, a mix of smoked trout dip, classic pickled herring, Nova lox, and smoked mussels with rye breads, cucumber salad, whole-grain mustard, and butter.

Ssshhh. There are few things as delightful as savoring downtown Seattle when spring weather teases — and before peak tourist season descends. Few restaurants tout front-row real estate to take in Puget Sound views quite like The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar. Whether you opt for wild troll-caught King salmon, sweet, delicate Russian King snow crab, or a Pacific Northwest crab cake, it’s all about seafood at this popular waterfront spot. For a bit of local nostalgia, order a Big Bertha, a cocktail named for Seattle’s first woman mayor and the world’s largest tunnel-boring machine, which helped replace the old viaduct.

Finally, some really good bagels hit the southside. Ever since Muriel’s set up shop inside Third Place Books in Seward Park (sharing space with a new outpost of Chuck’s Hop Shop), the community has been lining up for bagels, bialys, and fresh-baked loaves of challah. In a city of sparse kosher restaurants, the sibling of wildly popular Zylberschtein’s is a much-welcomed addition to the neighborhood. The mostly vegetarian menu goes beyond bread-based fare. Carrot and chickpea fritters, Israeli fries sprinkled with feta and Aleppo pepper, and a hearty mushroom barley soup all tempt.

The Winter Olympics may have wrapped up, but curling is alive and well in downtown Seattle, where Motif Hotel installed a temporary rooftop rink for amateur sporting enthusiasts. Reservations are available for parties of three to six people, in 45-minute increments, on the hour, and include a beer, wine, or curling cocktail ($30 per person). The rink will be in place until mid-April.