Northwest Restaurant Champions

If you're new to Seattle and environs, you will hear about the latest and greatest restaurants. Hopefully, they'll have long, healthy lives. What you may not hear about are the restaurant champions-those places that have thrived over many years. There are enough of these (amazing!) that we can't put them all in one article, so we'll share them over a few months, giving you a chance to discover a full view of Seattle's (and beyond) restaurant scene. These are in no particular order; you will find something to love at all of them.

Ponti Seafood Grill

Opened in 1990, Ponti was the place to be. It was cutting edge food-wise with something no one had heard much about-fusion. Built to be like an Italian villa, the exterior is somewhat plain, but the interior is lovely and calming, with artwork and views of the Ship Canal. From the front, you'd have no idea. The secret gem. Opening chef Alvin Binuya left, but returned in 2009. Menus showcase Northwest Bounty (all wild fish all the time, butchered in-house), with Asian touches and European technique. Owners Richard and Sharon Malia have owned it from the beginning and as Richard says (and it's true) "It's better than ever."

3014 3^rd Ave N between the Queen Anne and Fremont neighborhoods of Seattle, near the Fremont bridge. 206-284-3000.

 www.pontiseafoodgrill.com

Wild Ginger

After a trip through Southeast Asia over 20 years ago, Ann and Rick Yoder decided to open a restaurant that showcased the amazing food they'd experienced. Wild Ginger opened in 1989 near the waterfront and was a huge success. In 2000, they moved it to 3^rd Avenue downtown. Later they opened Triple Door, a music venue. The availability of that location was the reason they moved the restaurant. They have since opened a Wild Ginger at The Bravern in Bellevue. Chefs make all sauces in-house and prepare traditional dishes from the eastern Pacific Rim from China to Indonesia, and Malaysia to Vietnam. Amazing flavors.

Wild Ginger: 1401 3^rd Ave, Seattle, 206-623-4450
Triple Door: 216 Union Street, 206-838-4333, www.thetripledoor.net/
Wild Ginger: 11020 NE 6^th St, Ste 90, Bellevue, 425-495-8889
www.wildginger.net

Paragon

Good food, high-end craft spirits, wine and beer in a casual, neighborhood spot has been the winning formula for 20 years at Paragon. Originally owned by Paragon of San Francisco, Todd Ivester (who ran it) bought it from them with a partner, then bought out the partner in 2007. Great happy hour, a fun place to watch a game, weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas, and live music at night is their plan. It's one of those places where you can sit at the bar and talk to interesting people on either side of you. It could become your go-to casual spot.

2125 Queen Anne Ave N, top of Queen Anne hill in Seattle, 206-283-4548, www.paragonseattle.com

13 Coins

Even as a newbie, you may know of 13 Coins as the current owners are on the move, having just opened in Bellevue and planning a SoDo-area location, along with their Seattle and Sea-Tac spots. But it has history, opening in 1967 as a 24-hour restaurant (as it is now). But in 1967, no one was 24 hours. This was where everyone went late night and early morning. Who could resist anyway, with those booths with backs that went almost to the ceiling and high-backed swivel chairs at a counter where you could watch people cook. It was new and fabulous. You can get anything anytime from rich pasta dishes to Eggs Benedict to a prime rib sandwich or steak. 13 Coins has the 'it' factor.

125 Boren Ave N, Seattle, 206-682-2513
18000 International Blvd, Sea-Tac, 206-243-9500
900 Bellevue Way NE, Ste 100, Bellevue, 425-455-1313

www.13coins.com

Jazz Alley

If you love live music, you have no choice. You have to check out Jazz Alley. You can buy tickets, sit upstairs, buy cocktails, look down at the musicians, and love your life. Or you can make dinner reservations, sit on the main floor and enjoy a meal and beverages before the music starts. Then you'll really be loving your life. The emphasis at Jazz Alley is on the music, and most people are ordering food and drinks at the same time, so service and/or food can be a little uneven (or great). But the experience is so worthwhile and the music so good, you'll want to return immediately. Jazz Alley has been operating since 1979.

2033 6^th Ave, Seattle, 206-441-9729, www.jazzalley.com

Il Terrazzo Carmine

Carmine Smeraldo opened his restaurant in 1984 and never looked back. It's a lovely place with wonderful Italian food, with an eye cast back toward tradition. When Carmine passed away in 2012, his wife Maria (who had owned her own restaurant at one time) and sons CJ and Philip decided to carry on. They've kept the wonderfulness of the restaurant, making a few changes, and added a lounge in front on the 1^st Ave side to draw in younger food and beverage lovers, as well as have a more visible presence. The lounge, Intermezzo, is doing its job, and Il Terrazzo never wavers from its history. Must-do spots, both of them.

Il Terrazzo Carmine, 411 1^st Ave S, Seattle, 206-467-7797, www.ilterrazzocarmine.com
Intermezzo, 409 1^st Ave S, Seattle, 206-596-8940, www.ilterrazzocarmine.com

icon Grill

When icon opened in 1998, no one had quite seen anything like it. It's a big place filled with blown glass artwork and lamps. A lot of pink tones and eclectic things. You don't even want to know who has to dust it all. They call their food Aroused Americana and you'll find their versions of mac 'n cheese (photo), meatloaf, fried chicken, pasta. Comfort food revitalized. Nice lounge, private dining room upstairs. Being downtown and near hotels, they're open basically all day every day. You'll know them by their exterior sign with frequently changing sayings, beneath the monorail. Fun, casual, yet you'll feel like you've been out.

1933 Fifth Ave, downtown Seattle, 206-441-6330, www.icongrill.com

Purple Café & Wine Bar

You are probably thinking, why is this on the 'older' list? We hear about them. But you don't know history! The first Purple opened in Woodinville in 2001, 1000 square feet, 9 tables. Larry and Tabitha Kurofsky moved here, started a little café and wine bar and voila, 15 years later they employ 400 people and have a number of locations, plus other concepts. Some people do not understand how to relax. You've got to admire them for creating such different places that are all successful. You can still 'go home' to the original location, but the space has expanded so you won't get the original feel. But you will get the great food and wine pairings as intended.

Purple: 430 106^th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-502-6292
Purple: 1225 4th Ave, downtown Seattle, 206-829-2280
Purple: 14459 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville, 425-483-7129
www.thepurplecafe.com

Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar, 1420 12^th Ave, Capitol Hill, Seattle, 206-588-8105, www.barriorestaurant.com

Lot No. 3, 460 106^th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-440-0025, www.lotno3.com

Cast Iron Studios, 10650 NE 4^th St, Bellevue, 206-838-3858 (private events), www.castiron-studios.com

The Commons, 14481 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville, 425-892-7012, www.thecommonscafe.com

www.heavyrestaurantgroup.com

Café Veloce

Love Italian food? Love motorcycle racing? Either way, this is your spot in Kirkland. It's one of those places that is casual, yet you feel like you've been out and about. No need to dress up, but good food. The original owner was a racing enthusiast. He opened Café Veloce in 1992 populating it with classic bikes, photos, and other memorabilia. He sold the restaurant to his daughter and son-in-law who hired Liz Caluori in 1997 as a server. In 2000, she purchased the restaurant. Choose a nice Italian wine (or Washington), sit back, and have a nice conversation.

12514 120^th Ave NE, 425-814-2972, www.cafeveloce.com

Canlis

Yes, we know, everyone has heard of Canlis. It still deserves to be on the champion list because Peter Canlis opened it in 1950. That wasn't yesterday, kids. This family (third generation Canlis) knows how to do things right. It's not casual. It's dressy. It's always had a small bar, recently enlarged. The view over Lake Union, incomparable. The service, impeccable. The wine list? Don't even start  me. Their chefs, if not well known when they arrived, were when they left. A new chef (their sixth ever) arrived this year and everyone expects great things. Make those reservations, get the good clothes out, and go have a fabulous evening.

2576 Aurora Ave North, Seattle, 206-283-3313, www.canlis.com

January 2016