IN THIS FREQUENTLY UPDATED LIST, Seattle Times restaurant critics Bethany Jean Clement and Tan Vinh share the places they’ve reviewed recently that they’ve loved best — the ones they think you really should try.
Visit El Catrin in White Center for street tacos you’ll dream about for days afterward
by Tan Vinh
Operated by two brothers and named after their father, this White Center taco shop touts some of the best tacos you’ll find in the Seattle area.
Some of Seattle’s most exciting food is happening at brand-new, modern Korean Paju
by Bethany Jean Clement
Two chefs from a Michelin-starred background found a small Lower Queen Anne storefront. What they’re doing there — and the value for the prices — is extraordinary.
Seattle’s dreamy Champagne Diner is old school carefully balanced with new
by Bethany Jean Clement
Interbay’s new sibling to Pioneer Square favorite Damn the Weather might not always be perfect, but it’s a damn lovely place to be.
Bellevue has fallen in love with Nuodle and its unique hand-pulled beef noodle soup
By Tan Vinh
The hand-pulled beef noodle soup at Nuodle in Bellevue tastes like a Northern-style Hanoi pho on steroids, in all of its pungency and savory-ness. Its pliant noodle is reminiscent of the al dente texture you might get at a legit Italiano ristorante. This, folks, is worth the line you might have to wait in to eat at Nuodle.
Seattle’s tiny walk-up window Yalla serves big, beautiful Arabic flavors
By Bethany Jean Clement
Chef Taylor Cheney’s from California, grew up in Tacoma, and has an impressive résumé that includes Lampreia, Harvest Vine, Marjorie, Mistral Kitchen and La Bete. Here’s how she ended up serving super-tasty Arabic cuisine through a walk-up window on Capitol Hill.
Stellar Italian food in a Seattle landmark setting: The beauty of Mike Easton’s Il Nido
By Bethany Jean Clement
James Beard-nominated chef Mike Easton had no intention of opening a bigger, dinnertime Italian restaurant — then he found the Seattle landmark Alki Homestead. Now the lovely Il Nido has found its nest there.
Better than Din Tai Fung? There’s a new king in the Greater Seattle soup dumpling race.
By Tan Vinh
Fightin’ words! Our critic thinks this Kent restaurant makes better pork soup dumplings or xiao long bao than Din Tai Fung or Dough Zone.
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.