The August Hit List: Prima Bistro, The Nest, Finistère, and More

If a trip to France isn’t part of your summer plans, consider a jaunt to Prima Bistro on Whidbey Island. Tucked away above the Star Store on the main drag in Langley, this intimate spot excels at classic French dishes with a Pacific Northwest twist. From Burgundy snails bathed in herb butter and a hand-chopped to-order beef tartare to a perfectly seared Idaho rainbow trout and tender duck leg confit, these classic French dishes will transport you to France with one bite. There’s also a large inventory of French and local wines to pair with your meal. Let the day slip away during daily happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m.

A Belltown go-to, you’d never know this classic dive bar (Black Cat Bar) is home to one of the absolute best food experiences in town. The Stranger called Garzón one of “The 15 best restaurants in the greater Seattle area.” Beyond the arcade and pinball games, José Garzón serves tasty spins on Ecuadoran dishes (where he’s from), like a citrusy rockfish ceviche, 24-hour brined, hand-breaded, and fried chicken thighs, and a veggie soba saltado — one of the most iconic and beloved dishes in Peruvian gastronomy — with umami jus.

Find more info here.

Summer is in full swing, and sushi is a great way to stay out of the kitchen and survive the heat. Sure, the world’s first branded certified sustainable sushi restaurant offers plenty of familiar raw fish fare. For example, the unagi (eel) is raised on the Maine coast by American Unagi. But unique dishes 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. The Daytripper is a total summer sipper crafted with raspberry vodka, mint, lime, and soda.

On Orcas Island, visiting Rosario Resort & Spa is a must-stop. Take some time to explore the resort’s museum, which was built in the early 1900s and showcases former Seattle Mayor boat builder Robert Moran’s photographs and furnishings. Afterward, retreat to the Mansion for a table overlooking Cascade Bay. Start with a San Juan Sunset, made with vodka, Douglas Fir liqueur, pomegranate, and lemon. Next, share a scalibut cake, an Orcas family recipe of scallops, halibut, and vegetables, pan-seared and served with a tangy slaw. For a hearty main, the Chuleta, a porterhouse pork chop with butternut squash and mushroom risotto, will have you dreaming of fall.

Pulutan, the Filipino equivalent of tapas-style drinking food, is having a surge of interest in Seattle, where people are drawn to its distinctive flavors and casual vibe. For years, Kusina Filipina was the neighborhood hub for Beacon Hill until a rent hike led them to leave. They transitioned their business to a food truck model, CheBogz, and after some Kickstarter fundraising, recently set up a cafeteria-style brick-and-mortar spot right next to the light rail station.

Expect generous portions, outstanding flavors, and reasonable pricing. Try the sisig — grilled, vinegar-seasoned pork belly topped with a raw egg, which cooks slightly from the residual heat of the sizzling plate. Feeling indecisive? The Island Combo is a deal at $15. It comes with marinated pork ribs, Filipino sweet pork sausage, coconut shrimp, and lumpia.

Find more info here.

Balmy summer nights pair well with stunning city views and the backdrop of Elliott Bay from this stylish rooftop bar. Helmed by executive chef Kaleen Bliss, winner of the “Chopped” Season 51 tournament in January 2022, the menu of small bites revolves around seasonal and regional produce. It features things like Dungeness crab guacamole, a refreshing watermelon salad with cucumber, Thai basil, red onion, and Tajin, and grilled oysters with green curry butter. Let us not overlook the food-friendly cocktails. Start with a Spaghetti Western, a sophisticated Parmesan-washed bourbon sip made with tomato basil shrub, balsamic, and lemon.

After a four-year hiatus, Ludi’s has reopened. The diner, which opened in the 1930s and closed in 2019 after losing its lease, has officially returned to Stewart and Second Avenues — just two blocks from its original location. Fans of its classic Filipino breakfasts and bright purple ube pancakes (only offered on the weekends) can breathe easy — not much has changed with its no-nonsense menu and classic blue-and-yellow sign. Don’t sleep on the beef or vegetable lumpia; both are beloved Filipino comfort food staples.

Find more info here.

Columbia City desperately needed a genuinely great Thai food place, and Maa Kiin more than delivers. Taking over the former Spice Room spot, Maa Kiin serves classic Thai dishes like a veggie-forward sweet-and-sour tom yum soup and nicely seasoned kao soi with soft and fried noodles in a rich curry, along with things like crispy pork belly in tamarind-chile sauce and five-spice Thai tea cocktails. The space is intimate — think better suited for a date night or small party versus a large group. Service, though, is always top-notch.

Find more info here.

The yellow building that houses Finistère is as cheery and warm as the food it serves. Run by power couple Scott Ross and Deborah Taylor, Ross is the quintessential host, while Taylor brings her culinary prowess from Eleven Madison Park, Canlis, and Per Se to the kitchen. Think refined fare like Hamachi crudo with coconut, lime, pistachio, serrano pepper, pork and ricotta meatballs, and seared scallops with tomato butter, English peas, and lentils that gives serious French seaside vibes. Try a N/A cocktail. We like the Nigella, a balanced yet botanical-forward beverage made with Wilderton Lustre, passion fruit, lemon, and mint.

Escape the bustle of the city (and a slew of downtown summer tourists) and head to this Alki Beach patio for unmatched views of the Seattle skyline. Of course, you won’t go wrong with any meal at Harry’s, though a leisurely brunch is where it’s at on a not-too-hot summer day. Deviled eggs with smoked trout caviar, whole Idaho trout with smoked celery root, and oysters raw or on the half-shell (or grilled, Rockefeller style, if you prefer) are as delicious as the ambiance.