Northwest Restaurant Champions

Part 4 of our series on restaurants that have stood the test of time and are successful after ten years or more. These are in no particular order; you will find something to love at all of them.

IL Bistro

Seattle restaurateur Peter Lamb opened IL Bistro in 1975 (yes, it's 41). It is on its third owner: Dale Abrams was second and, when ready to retire, he sold it to Nick Wiltz at the end of 2004. Nick was a manager at the restaurant. The original charm and great Italian fare are still in place. Located at the Pike Place Market, you go down a slight hill; there is charming outdoor seating on the way to the front door. Step inside and it's bustling: a busy bar, intimate tables throughout. Dinner daily. Happy hour twice a day.

93A Pike Street, at the Pike Place Market. 206-682-3049

Ilbistro.net

Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar

An icon, and one of the oldest in town-107 this year. Started as a bakery/lunch spot by three Greek brothers in 1909, it became a tavern, and was then purchased by Bob and Louise Cromwell in 1964. After the City bought the Market, there was a major remodel in 1978-79. The Athenian had a lengthy closure and Bob had too much time on his hands. The menu went from two pages to a huge fold-out monster. The large menu has been a hallmark. In 2009, they unveiled a much smaller menu, all fresh items. Views, views, views. Breakfast, lunch, dinner daily (early close on Sundays).

1517 Pike Place in the Pike Place Market in Seattle. 206-624-7166

athenianinn.com

The British Pantry Ltd

Started as a tearoom and bakery where Brits could get sweet and savory pastries and pasties, Doreen Tyce and Mavis Redman served English lunches and afternoon teas. When Doreen's family moved, the Redman family purchased her share and have grown the business over 37 years. Each time a shop next door became vacant, they took the space (five times!). It now includes Neville's (a full-service restaurant), the Bakery and Gift Shop (teapots, British food items), and the original Three Lions Pub (a less extensive menu than Neville's and more pub-style eating). Bakery and Gift Shop open daily; Neville's Monday-Tuesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., British breakfast on weekends 10 a.m.-noon.

8125 161^st Ave NE in Redmond. 425-883-7511

www.thebritishpantryltd.com

Daniel's Broiler

Daniel's is working on 36 years and is still basically the same concept it was in the beginning. It was started by Dan Sandal who grew up around restaurants (his father had a meat market), and located in the Leschi neighborhood. He wanted to own a steakhouse and based it on his view of Canlis. In 1981, he sold Daniel's to the Schwartz Brothers (John and Bill) who he had great respect for. Right on the water, the view is fabulous. A small bar doesn't usually hold everyone who wants to be there. Bar seats put the view to your back, but a counter has you enjoying it all evening. Dining room tables have views. Lovely place, USDA prime beef. The Bellevue location opened in 1989 and South Lake Union in 1999. Dinner only, daily. Weekend brunch.

200 Lake Washington Blvd, in the Leschi neighborhood of Seattle. 206-329-4191

www.schwartzbros.com/daniels-broiler/daniels-leschi/

Café Lago

Twenty-six years ago (1990), Carla Leonardi and her then husband Jordi opened Café Lago in the Montlake neighborhood of Seattle, with 26 seats. Carla is the sole owner now and over the years has expanded three times (1992, 1997, 2015) to meet the demand. Some of Jordi's mother's dishes are still on the menu: meatballs, lasagna, marinara. Amazing things come out of their very small kitchen; they use traditional techniques and products from local farmers. About 60% of their customers are considered neighbors; the rest are people who do not mind driving a bit for such wonderful food. Little Lago is their next project at 2919 Fuhrman Ave E in Seattle.

2305 24^th Ave E in Seattle's Montlake neighborhood. 206-329-8005

cafelago.com

April 2016