Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 206-632-1331; 1411 NE 42nd St; burgers $2-5; 10am-9pm Mon-Fri, 11am-7pm Sat; 72)
At this tiny, old-fashioned greasy spoon just off the Ave, you can - miraculously - still
get a burger and fries for less than $5. It's not gourmet, but it's fast, cheap and, in its
own way, charming.
PORTAGE BAY CAFE
NORTHWEST, BRUNCH
$$
( 206-547-8230;
www.portagebaycafe.com
;
4130 Roosevelt Way NE; brunch $10-13;
7:30am-2:30pm; 66)
Hugely popular brunch spot and for good reason. Aside from the
usual suspects (eggs, bacon, pancakes), there's a help-yourself breakfast bar loaded up
with fresh fruit, cream, syrup, nuts and the like (all local, of course), waiting to be
spread on your doorstep-thick slices of French toast. Arrive early or after 1pm at week-
ends to avoid the rush.
CEDARS RESTAURANT
INDIAN, MIDDLE EASTERN
$$
( 206-527-5247; 4759 Brooklyn Ave NE; mains $8-15; 11:30am-10pm Mon-Sat, 1-9pm Sun;
; 72)
Cedars serves enormous curries and vindaloos so smooth and creamy you
want to dive into them. Eat here just once and you will dream about it later. There's
also a great selection of Mediterranean specialties like shish kebabs, falafel and gyros,
much of which is vegetarian. The covered wooden patio is a cool hangout in nice
weather.
RISTORANTE DORIA
ITALIAN
$$
( 206-466-2380;
www.ristorantedoria.com
;
4759 Roosevelt Way NE; pasta $14-16;
4-9:30pm; 66)
Doria applies the U District stencil of non-budget-breaking, plentiful
salt-of-the-earth food to Italian cuisine. There is nothing nouveau about the food or ser-
vice. Instead, the owner (from Milan) regularly works the tables just as they do in the
old country, checking that you like your gnocchi, calamari or chicken parmigiano.
PAM'S KITCHEN
TRINIDADIAN
$$
( 206-696-7010;
www.pams-kitchen.com
; 5000 University Way NE; mains $14-16;
5:30-10pm Tue-Thu & Sun, noon-3pm & 5:30-11pm Fri & Sat; 72)
In among its Asian noodle
houses and vegan sandwich bars, the U District does some interesting niche cuisine.
Case in point: Pam's Kitchen, where hot, spicy food from the Caribbean island of Trin-
