Seattle - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 163

( www.shiros.com ; 2401 2nd Ave; mains $26.75; 5:30-9:45pm; 13) There's barely room for
all the awards and kudos that cram the window in this sleek Japanese joint. Grab a pew
behind the glass food case and watch the experts concoct delicate and delicious Seattle
sushi.

Seattle Center & Queen Anne

Queen Anne is a favorite spot for a casual, homey meal. Lower Queen Anne - or 'up-
town' as it's sometimes known - is locally renowned for its eclectic mix of restaurants,
most of which are quick, casual and, above all, easy on the wallet.

Toulouse Petit CAJUN$$$
( 206-432-9069; 601 Queen Anne Ave N; mains $13-17; 8am-2am; 13) Something of a
Seattle phenomenon, Toulouse Petit is hailed for its generous happy hours, cheap
brunches and rollicking atmosphere - it's perennially (and boisterously) busy. Some-
where underneath all this cacophony is the specialty food, which pays more than a
passing nod to the 'Big Easy' (aka New Orleans). Soak up your cocktails with plates of
gumbo, po'boys, catfish and the like.

How to Cook a Wolf ITALIAN$$$
( 206-838-8090; www.ethanstowellrestaurants.com ; 2208 Queen Anne Ave N; pasta $16-18;
5-11pm; 13) Despite its scary name, the Ethan Stowell-run HTCAW has nothing to
do with roasting wild fauna over your campfire. Rather, the name is poached from a book
written by MFK Fisher during wartime rationing about how to make the most of limited
ingredients. Though times have changed, Stowell embraces the same philosophy.
The food is simple but creative Italian nosh listed on a single sheet of paper and served
in a small denlike restaurant. If they ever invent a culinary genre called 'Pacific Northw-
est Italian' HTCAW will be its archetype.

Shanik INDIAN, FUSION$$$ $$$

( 206-486-6884; www.shanikrestaurant.com ; 500 Terry Ave N; mains $16-27; 11:30am-2pm &
5:30pm-late Mon-Fri, 5:30pm-late Sat; Terry & Mercer) Vancouver culinary institution
Vikram Vij brought his internationally lauded Indian-fusion food south in 2012, saving
countless driving miles for the loyal stream of Seattleites who regularly used to head
north to Canada in order to taste his famous spice-encrusted lamb popsicles (yes, they are
that good).