Neighborhood Restaurants

Seattle loves its neighborhood restaurants, so we thought we'd look at a few you may not know about.

Bounty Kitchen

Focused on quality food, improving the way people eat, and healthy eating. Before you make that face and move on, know that this food is full of flavor. Yes, you do feel better after you eat it, and you will be glad you ate it. They specialize in creative salads and healthy bowls with layers of textures. Texture is a big deal. They pickle, ferment, roast and grill, and use raw items. Wine, beer, juice, and coffee are served. If brunch is your thing, check them out on weekends. Inside, it's casual. Walk in, peruse the menu, order at the counter. They bring it all to you and clear the table afterward. It's somewhat bright, so don't think you're having a romantic dinner with candle light (but romance is really in the eye of the beholder, right?). Seriously, you'll like this place.

7 Boston Street on top of Queen Anne. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. 206-695-2017. bountykitchenseattle.com

caffè musica

Located along Greenwood Ave, it's easy to miss this spot in a building you zip by as you drive along. But it's worth a visit. It's Italian themed with menus created by Italian-born cooks. Quality food made with simple ingredients, the menu includes items like paninis, eggplant parmigiana, cannelloni, lasagna, and other pasta. Breakfast and brunch is served daily. Each month they feature a regional menu of traditional dishes from Italy, along with their regular menu. The other draw to caffè musica is, you may have guessed, music. They host acoustic music performances at a reasonable price (the last one we attended was $10 per person). You are right there with the musicians. They also host lectures, book clubs, cooking classes, wine tastings, and will rent their space for private events.

14300 Greenwood Ave N, Ste. A, in north Seattle. Hours are Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Wednesday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., and Thursday-Saturday 8 a.m.-9 p.m. 206-418-6797. www.caffemusica.com

Island Crust Café

Tucked away on the side of Island Corporate Center on Mercer Island, it's another easy-to-miss spot. You won't want to: it's a kosher vegetarian-friendly spot with appetizers, hand-tossed brick oven pizza, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. You can find meat substitutes, along with seafood (salmon, cod), and items such as three cheese lasagna, enchiladas, ratatouille, onion rings, egg salad, tuna melt, falafel pocket, and much more (like fresh baked pastries). Everything is homemade using the freshest ingredients. It's quick if you want it to be or a place to relax over a meal. They also have a semi-private room if you have a larger group you'd like to eat/meet with. So, two things to remember: good food and they are closed on Saturday.

Island Corporate Center, 7525 SE 24^th St, Ste. 100, Mercer Island. Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday private rentals only. 206-232-7878. islandcrustcafe.com

March 2017