Sunday: Destination Dining Day!

10 delicious places to explore

As a child, I recall my father packing our family of seven into a few cars and we'd all go to "the club" for dinner. The club had a fabulous salad bar and buffet. In addition, there was the meat station where I acquired my love for prime rib. The evening was never complete without a walk over to the dessert station before we were whisked back home so we could get a good night's rest before school the next day. I have no ties to a club today, but I do like heading out on Sunday night to experience nice places just the same.

If you live in Seattle or Bellevue, you no doubt have plenty of dining options nearby all week long. My personal preference is not to venture too far from home on a weekday, so as not to slog through Puget Sound traffic. Thus, I hereby declare Sunday as Destination Dining Day!

The following is a list of 10 places worthy of a visit on Sunday, for various reasons. Those of us living in heavily-populated areas such as Seattle, Bellevue or Tacoma can relax knowing that on most Sundays these places are going to be easy to access, without having to navigate through much traffic. I say on 'most' Sundays because our region can get clogged with the occasional weekend music and arts festival or sporting events, but for the most part drive time between where you live and each location is at its best.

In all cases, non-islanders won't need to hop a ferry to get to these places, and many offer their happy hour menus on Sunday.

Here we go:

Adriatic Grill

4201 S Steele St, Tacoma

If you're down in the south Sound for the day, add this one to your list for lunch or dinner. The Adriatic Grill features Italian cuisine, as well as a large wine bar, so you can grab a bottle and nosh like you're in a foreign land. Happy hour is all day on Sundays, making this a good getaway to watch the game.

Bennett's

7650 SE 27^th St, Mercer Island

You would think that Mercer Island with all its high income neighborhoods, would have a few more fine dining choices than it does. Bennett's fills the need well and was recently remodeled to offer an even more pleasing atmosphere. The food offerings are mostly Cascadian and ingredients veer on the healthier side of fine dining. Now, if you're in Seattle or Bellevue on a weekday and need an excuse to break away before rush hour traffic starts, you'll be glad to know they are open for lunch as well.

Bistro San Martin

231 Olympic Ave, Arlington

It's a dinner-only location featuring some of the best in world-inspired (heavy on the French) food you'll find anywhere in Snohomish County. And while it's stated that the Bistro is closed on Sunday and Monday, take note that they actually run wine dinners on select Sundays, so perhaps you'll find a way to slip in anyway! Visit their website for more details.

Demitris Woodstone Taverna

101 Main St, Edmonds

Returning from a trip across the water and planning to ferry into Edmonds? Edmonds has surely upped its dining offerings over the years and right at the dock exit you'll find Demetris ready to please with delicious Mediterranean offerings. They cover the gamut from wood fired flatbreads, grilled delights and lots of tapas.

Emory's Lake House

11830 19th Ave SE, Everett

Like a phoenix bird, Emory's rose out of its ashes several years ago after an arsonist had his way. The restaurant reached new highs with an overhauled menu and fresh décor. The bar opens in the early afternoon, but it's pretty much a dinner house when it comes to the full menu. On Sundays they serve brunch and the happy hour options run 1-6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to close. Enjoy the nice view onto Silver Lake from the outdoor patio if the weather is right. If you've been up north for the day, you can grab this on the way back home.

Lombardi's

1620 W Marine View Dr, Everett
19409 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Mill Creek

A longtime favorite with Seattleites, Lombardi's was a staple for more than a decade in Ballard. But times change and Lombardi's went from four to two locations with the loss of both the Seattle and Issaquah stores in the mid-2000's. Buck up Italian food lover, there's still two other locations you can hit in both Everett and Mill Creek. So find your car keys and drive north!

Matt's Rotisserie and Oyster Lounge

16551 NE 74th St, Redmond

From my home in Broadview, I will dine at Hill's restaurant in Richmond Beach on a weekday night. Owner Chris Hill is partnered with another entrepreneur and together they have this wonderful Eastside location in the Redmond Town Center. The menu has a good reach across all the food groups featuring plenty of appetizers, more than a half dozen salads, seafood, sandwiches and meats cooked on a rotisserie. The 9 ounce prime rib is half the price of what you'd pay in an upscale room in the big town, but the quality is right there, making the 520 bridge toll seem validated.

Rhododendron Café

5521 Chuckanut Dr, Bow

Head north to Skagit Valley and indulge your taste buds in flavors around the world using local ingredients as often as possible. New owners Jim and Lisa saved this favorite from going by the wayside when they purchased the café in October of 2013. The menu changes seasonally and is complimented with the addition of the pair's bakery just next door. Bring your appetite and enjoy the flavors across the courses offered.

Russell's

3305 Monte Villa Pkwy, Bothell

It's a little hard to find the first time, but that's what happens when a metropolis grows up around a century old farmhouse. And inside this farmhouse are some delicious flavors going on from one of the Northwest's most celebrated chefs, Russell Lowell. Northwest-based favorites get a boost of options as items change seasonally and fresh game meats are available locally.

Tablas Woodstone Taverna

15522 Main St, Mill Creek

Mill Creek has been popping up new restaurants like spring chickens over the last few years. Born from Kafe Neo in Edmonds and sister to Demitris in Edmonds, Tablas features that same great Mediterranean mix of flatbreads, grills and tapas and a very nice wine list and décor to boot.

Tom Mehren/May 2014