BALLARD La Carta de Oaxaca Amid the crowds of people who still (years after this place first opened) wait in line for seats at one of the large communal tables, solo diners have an advantage. They can grab a stool at the counter, which wraps around the open kitchen and allows for an unobstructed, action-packed…

Twenty-four-hour diners certainly have their merits, but in Seattle, late-night eating is where it’s at, and it doesn’t get more enjoyable than with takeout from Kedai Makan. There is something incredibly satisfying about grabbing a midnight order of Malaysian grub at the Capitol Hill walk-up window on East Olive Way (open until 2 a.m. on…

Back in 1999, when this Pike Street Hillclimb cubbyhole opened, it was a pizzeria that served just beer and wine. Ben Dougherty and his then business partner, Kacy Fitch, were hired to design and build a credible bar, which they did, in addition to buying the place outright in 2002 and hiring rock-star barman Murray…

When I’m hungry, my mind wanders to the sardines on toast ($12, $9 at happy hour) at Renee Erickson’s The Whale Wins. On the menu since the restaurant opened in 2012, this hearty open-faced sandwich of sorts makes a fine meal, especially when paired with crisp, dry white wine. Depending on the day, the wood-oven-toasted…

It’s nearly 11 a.m., and Bacon & Eggs hums. The air is scented with maple syrup from Vermont, sausage from Walla Walla’s Blue Valley Meats and Stumptown coffee. And though it’s still morning, a Tequila sunrise crafted with freshly squeezed juice makes its way to a table. Artisanal ingredients, carefully sourced and thoughtfully prepared—it’s what…

Born out of a desire to provide a casual respite for Eastlakers, Babirusa (2236 Eastlake Ave. E; 206.329.2744; blindpigbistro.com/babirusa) is one of the newer restaurant/bar hybrids to hit Seattle. Charles Walpole opened the casual strip-mall hideaway with friend Rene Gutierrez next door to their inaugural restaurant, Blind Pig—in the original home of Sitka & Spruce….

The biggest problem with Corretto (416 Broadway E; 206.328.7817; correttoseattle.com) is that it’s too easy to miss. It’s smack dab in the middle of Broadway, where loads of pedestrians walk by every single day without giving so much as a passing glance to anything new on their way to wherever. Owner Travis Rosenthal, who also…

Like a lot of restaurants that have been around for more than a few years, it’s been a while since anyone has thought twice about The Saint (1416 E Olive Way; 206.323.9922; thesaintsocialclub.com). When it opened in April 2008, it was this cool, superhip and pretty tequila bar on Capitol Hill that specialized in Mexican…

It looks like the revolving door of restaurants at this Madrona address may be standing still awhile. Before Ethan Stowell scooped up the cute space across the street from Bottlehouse back in February, it was home to a rotation of eateries that began with Cremant, followed by June and Restaurant Bea. Now, Stowell has brought…

Back in the late ’90s, Cassis was the “it” place to be. Flourishing on Capitol Hill, the intimate French bistro was known for its mussels, fish soup and steak frites. And then in 2004, despite popular vote, owner Jef Fike closed the place. Fast-forward to 2014. Cassis resurfaces on Alki of all places. Fike couldn’t…