Iron Chef Top 10 Places I Haven’t Been Yet, but Really Want to Get to in the Pacific Northwest

By Iron Chef Leftovers

The question always comes up, where should we go for dinner. I am always up for trying a new place, Mrs. Iron Chef, not so much, so I don’t always get to try places as quickly as I would like. As a result, I present to you the “Iron Chef Top 10 Places I Haven’t Been Yet, but Really Want to Get to in the Pacific Northwest.” Presented by city in no particular order. If you have been to any of these places, post a comment and let me know what you thought.

The Top 10 – Seattle
It wasn’t easy narrowing Seattle to a top 10, considering I live here and I tend to be much more in tune with the dining scene. With all of the places I have been in Seattle, a few of these surprise me as places I haven’t been yet.

1) 360 Local – This place specialize in local, seasonal items and seems to have a love for the “economy cuts” of meat. How could you not love that? They also have a pretty fantastic happy hour.
2) The Corson Building – Tucked under the Michigan St. overpass in Georgetown, communal dining and no menu. Two of my favorite things.
3) The Walrus and The Carpenter – Hidden behind Staple & Fancy and a bike shop, the place is tiny and the waits are horrific. I have been told the best oysters in town are here though.
4) Canlis – For obvious reasons, but also because Chef Jason Franey told me that he loved me when I asked him for the cheeks off the whole roasted pig at his cooking demo at Taste Washington.
5) Quinn’s – Somehow I have not been here, considered the best gastropub in the city.
6) Lecosho – Pork, Pork and more Pork. Did I mention Pork?
7) Staple & Fancy – Need to get there soon, Stinging Nettle Soup!!!!
8) Poppy – Love Jerry Traunfeld, love the concept – Indian inspired NW food.
9) Spur – The leading molecular gastronomists in Seattle. Not for everyone, but I am definitely curious.
10) Tat’s Deli – So many people claim this is the best cheesesteak in Seattle and it rivals the ones in Philly. I will be the judge of that.

Top 10 – Portland
I have been really lacking on dining out in Portland. Usually my trips there are either day trips or for another purpose which doesn’t let me enjoy the dining scene in the Rose City. I probably could have added another 10 to this list, but I figure I will start here.

1) Beast – Another communal dining, fixed menu place. I have wanted to go here for some time, but they are only open 4 days a week and the place is small. Naomi Pomeroy’s success on Top Chef Masters probably won’t help.
2) Olympic Provisions – A friend of mine swears this place is better than Laurelhurst Market. It is in the middle of nowhere in an industrial park. I am all for it.
3) Pok Pok – Never felt like waiting forever, but considered to be some of the best Thai outside of Thailand. Lots of stuff you don’t see on most Thai menus.
4) Nostrana – It has great Italian, has been there forever and I have never been.
5) Little Bird – I am a HUGE fan of the Bird’s big sister Le Pigeon.
6) Toro Bravo – A Tapas joint. I know a few people who consider this the best restaurant in Portland, period.
7) June – Another farm to table place getting fantastic reviews.
8) Paley’s Place – In the Canlis class with price, but food is supposed to be out of this world.
9) Tasty N Sons – The little bro of Toro Bravo. With a name like Tasty N Sons, how could you not want to try it?
10) Andia – Peruvian food and highly rated. Besides, raise your hand if you have ever actually been to a Peruvian restaurant. (Iron Chef hangs his head in shame – he has never been to one)

Top 9 – Vancouver

I love Vancouver and it has a great dining scenes, but I could only come up with 9 places that I want to go to. That is partially because I have hit most of the places that I really wanted to go to already and dining out in Vancouver can be a very pricey proposition.
1) Cioppino – We ran into the chef of Cioppino at La Quercia in Vancouver. This place has won all sorts of “best of” awards and is priced accordingly.
2) Lumiere – Best French in Vancouver about a bizillion times.
3) Tojo’s – Probably the best sushi on the West Coast, if not all of North America. Booking to sit at the bar requires 3 months advanced reservation.
4) Vij’s – Some would argue the best eats in Vancouver. No reservations and people line up for dinner and hour before the restaurant opens.
5) Rain City Grill – Another local, sustainable place with an amazing view.
6) Chambar Belgian Restaurant – You had me at Belgian.
7) CinCin – I have been to the other Top Table Restaurants in Vancouver (West, Blue Water), but never this one. Probably the result of the prices and the abundance of great Italian in Vancouver.
8) Maenam – Wanted to go when it was called Gastropod. New owner, same chef, same glowing reviews.
9) La Ghianda – Little sister of La Quercia. It is a deli, and they cure in house. I am there.