Executive Travel : Zagat Survey: Seattle Food and Drink

The following reviews are excerpted from Zagat Surveys, a series of regional dining and lodging guides based on extensive ratings and reviews contributed by restaurant-goers and frequent travelers. Ratings of food, decor and service are based on the following scale: 0-9, poor to fair; 10-19, good to very good; 20-25, very good to excellent; 26-30, extraordinary to perfection. Price reflects surveyors’ estimate of the price of a dinner, drink and tip.

While in Seattle for business, you may want to try these restaurants--notable for the fresh seafood and regionally grown ingredients used in Northwest cuisine--and coffeehouses:

Restaurants

CHEZ SHEA

94 Pike Place (1st Ave.); (206) 467-9990 Overlooking Pike Place Market downtown, one of Seattle’s most creative kitchens serves elegant Northwest fare in a warm and intimate setting.

Food: 26 Decor: 23 Service: 24 Cost: $35

UNION BAY CAFE

3505 NE 45th St.; (206) 527-8364 The seasonally changing menu is served in a storefront shop with an art-exhibit setting.

Food: 24 Decor: 17 Service: 21 Cost: $23

FULLERS

Seattle Sheraton & Towers, 1400 6th Ave; (206) 447-5544 This hotel restaurant is touted for Northwest-accented Continental fare and an art-filled dining room. Some with lofty expectations find it overrated and overpriced.

Food: 26 Decor: 25 Service: 25 Cost: $39

Coffeehouses

B&O; ESPRESSO

204 Belmont Ave. E.; (206) 322-5028 Funky dessert and lunch spot in Capitol Hill neighborhood wins kudos from arty crowd. Some say it’s pretentious and yuppie.

Food: 20 Decor: 14 Service: 12 Cost: $9

LONGFELLOW CAFE

120 B 1st Ave. N.; (206) 336-3684 Located in historic Granary Building a few miles north of downtown, this cafe-bookstore offers homemade soups and sandwiches.

Food: 20 Decor: 18 Service: 18 Cost: $17

CAFE SEPTIEME

2331 2nd Ave.; (206) 448-1506 Bohemian Bell Town coffeehouse with desserts and breakfast pastries. Open late.

Food: 19 Decor: 18 Service: 13 Cost: $10

For more information or to participate in future surveys, call (800) 333-3421. Copyright 1993, Eugene H. Zagat Jr. and Nina S. Zagat.