The April Hit List: Lupo, Copine, Fog Room, and More

Peace, love, and pizza are what it’s all about at Fremont darling Lupo. Customers rave about “that crust” on its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. Sure, you can get a classic cheese or a margherita. Lupo flexes its creativity with pies like the Burr-Sopp, a tomato-based pie with basil, burrata, soppressata, hot honey, and chiles. Pastas are limited but equally as tasty. Try the Pasta Di Fernanda, a luscious pile of rigatoni, Italian sausage, and tomato cream sauce that is pure comfort on a plate. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday nights (although they save room for some walk-ins). To stay current on specials and takeout options, follow Lupo on Instagram.

Husband-and-wife team Shaun McCrain and Jill Kinney — formerly of Book Bindery in Seattle and Per Se in New York — craft sophisticated French-inspired dishes in the heart of Ballard. Since Copine opened in 2016, it’s garnered countless accolades; most recently, it’s a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant. At $120 per person, McCrain’s three-course tasting menu is thoughtfully crafted and seasonal, focusing on locally sourced ingredients and bold and balanced flavors. Recent standout dishes include a pan-seared sablefish with melted leeks, Yukon gold potato confit, and a rich, earthy sauce Périgourdine. A hearty roasted lamb loin en crépinette was served with pistachio mousse, young carrots, fried panisse, and lamb jus. The wine list is extensive, with many options from the Pacific Northwest and around the world.

The views of Elliott Bay from the 16th floor of The Charter Hotel are more than Insta-worthy — they’re unforgettable. A bright and luscious Bebop, made with pisco, St. George spiced pear liqueur, pineapple, tiki bitters, and citrus, is pure sunshine in a glass. Ditto for Pharaoh’s Dance, a gin-forward cocktail cut with elderflower, plum liqueur, and cardamom bitters. Pair post-work libations with lion’s mane mushroom carpaccio, fire-roasted beet skewers with preserved cherry and feta, or a smoked steelhead pate with rainbow radish and honey rye bread.

When seeking omakase in Seattle, it’s hard not to come across Shiro’s. Named for its original owner, well-known sushi chef Shiro Kashiba introduced Seattle to its first sushi bar in 1970 after an apprenticeship in Tokyo with Jiro Ono (of “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” film fame). Despite Shiro’s rock star status in the local raw fish landscape, the vibe is surprisingly casual. The price is fantastic for dining room guests — $85 for 19 pieces of nigiri, coursed in four seasonal raw waves. However, if you want a more interactive experience, sit at the bar and pay $125 per person for two appetizers and 15 pieces of nigiri sushi. The chef will explain each piece of nigiri and advise whether soy sauce is needed. Shiro’s does not offer a la carte dining, but appetizers, beverages, and desserts can be added to your order.

From this 16th-floor rooftop bar, you can gawk at the Space Needle, the city skyline, and even the majestic Mount Rainier on a clear day. The laid-back and casual atmosphere at the Graduate Hotel’s bar is cozy, with an indoor area and an outdoor patio with plenty of seating to soak up the views. The menu offers a wide range of beer, wine, cocktails, and small bites. Drinks are expertly crafted and imaginative, with creative names like “Forest Floor” and “Camp Warmer.” Reimagined campsite bites are perfect for sharing, with options like potato chip nachos and the Campsite Spread with pickles, prosciutto, pimento cheese, and toasts. So, if you want to get a taste of the great outdoors, take a hike up the 16 floors for a fix (we’re kidding — there’s an elevator).

Romantic vibes abound at this elegant French restaurant tucked away in Pike Place Market. From the intimate dining room, you can watch ferries cross Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains in the distance, and the bustling Pike Place Market below. Expertly prepared dishes focus on traditional French techniques with rich and nuanced flavors. Think a decadent tarte flambee, escargots baked in garlic and parsley butter, and steak frites with red wine demi-glace (add seared foie gras for an additional $20). The extensive wine list has a wide selection of French and Pacific Northwest wines. With its delicious food, comprehensive wine list, and impeccable service, Maximilien is one of Seattle’s best French restaurants.

Noi Thai Cuisine is a spacious and stylish restaurant in downtown Seattle’s heart. (They also have locations in Hawaii, Oregon, and Seattle’s Greenlake neighborhood.) Expect dishes that look as beautiful as they taste. Start with an order of Cock-A-Doodle-Doo, hollowed-out egg shells stuffed with tom yum bisque mousse and topped with fried shrimp and tobiko. Noi Thai also serves a stellar version of the Thai food staple, pad thai. This noodle dish is exceptionally well-balanced, with the perfect amount of sweet, sour, and salty flavors. The inventive cocktail menu ranges from mules and margaritas to a delicious Muay Thai Tea. Sweet housemade Tai tea is spiked with a trio of rums and cream.

For a solid, no-frills feast of Italian staples, family-owned Pizzuto’s delivers well. Start with the olive and Italian meat plate, a substantial serving of sliced salami, prosciutto, capicola, fresh mozzarella, and olive medley. Then, there’s plenty of variety for whatever you crave — pizza, pasta, sandwiches, chicken, seafood, or veal classics. Most pizza, pasta, and entrée prices are a value at $20 or less. The affordable wine list features predominantly Italian varietals and is available by the glass, half-liter, liter, or bottle. Finally, save room for the Tartufo Classico, a frozen chocolate gelato sphere filled with zabaglione cream and covered with cocoa powder and hazelnuts.

Find more info here.

Spring is here, and sushi is one way to lighten up from hearty winter fare. Sure, the branded world’s first certified sustainable sushi restaurant offers plenty of familiar raw fish dishes. For example, the Coho salmon served with yuzu mango, serrano, and sea salt is caught in southeast Alaska. But unique options, like the seaweed fried rice, a perfect umami combo of kelp and cremini mushrooms, set this spot apart. Dive into a diverse selection of sakes or cocktails. Daylight Savings is a refreshing blend of cranberry vodka, Cointreau, cinnamon, sage, citrus, and black pepper bitters.

Milk Drunk, the spin-off from the husband-and-wife team behind Homer, is a sweet love letter to lactose. They serve a fried chicken sandwich worth obsessing over. Still, it’s the soft serve that was first made famous at Homer’s walk-up window a few blocks away that has families lining up. Think: The childhood nostalgia of Dairy Queen, reimagined in a far superior swirl. Currently, Milk Drunk offers two seasonal flavors that are pure comfort in a cone — cold-brew coffee and banana-coconut. Grab a sandwich and picnic at nearby Jefferson Park — the sunset views of the Olympic Mountains is unparalleled. Or grab a cone and stroll Beacon Avenue with the kids. Call to confirm seasonal flavors, as they change monthly.

Find more info here.