By MISHA BERSON
Dinner and a show. The two go together like, well, a show and dinner.
For many of us an evening out (or even an afternoon) includes a meal or before-show refreshments with friends, followed by entertainment.
But sometimes it’s hard to know where you need to go before you head out to take in ballet or symphony, or patronize a music club, theater or art exhibit. You are probably hoping that, preferably, it will be someplace where you can park once, or take one ride on public transportation, for both destinations. And not spend an arm and a leg, in addition to the cost of admission to your event.
Here are some suggestions, by venue, for a modest or moderately priced pre-show nosh or meal near cultural hubs in the Seattle area. Bon appetit!
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE
If you are headed to a theater performance at ACT Theatre or the 5th Avenue Theatre, or to an art display at Seattle Art Museum, maybe a concert at Benaroya Symphony Hall, consider the following:
Elephant and Castle Pub. On 5th Avenue, within blocks of several cultural institutions is this roomy and informal, British-style pub. The offerings include standard, hearty English pub grub like fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie, as well as burgers and other comfort fare.
Japonessa Sushi Cocina. This Asian standby features a full complement of sushi, including rolls with a Latin spice twist, and such fusion items as sukiyaki tacos. Close to both Benaroya and SAM, the restaurant has an excellent (and very popular) happy hour seven days a week.
Pacific Place restaurants. Close to the 5th Avenue, ACT Theatre and the Paramount Theatre is the Pacific Place shopping center, which has several casual and convenient eateries and inexpensive evening parking. Pike Place Chowder is a favorite spot for clam chowder. And Dai Tai Fung is one of the city’s premiere dumpling emporiums—though it is often crowded, so line up early.
SEATTLE CENTER
You’ll find many entertainment options here, and cozy eateries convenient to McCaw Opera House, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle Repertory, and other attractions.
Plaza Garibaldi. For fans of mainstream Mexican food, this is a pleasant bar and restaurant on 1st Avenue, with a large menu and hearty portions. There is the usual array of tacos, burritos and enchiladas on offer, as well as a fairly large seafood menu raging from raw ceviche to the less customary dish Campechana, which is a stew of shrimp, octopus, and avocado in a mild tomato sauce.
Bahn Thai. A charming standby on Roy Street for decades, this attractive Thai restaurant offers standard soup, noodles, and stir-fries but also some house specialties like pumpkin curry and fried fish cakes. Open for lunch as well as dinner.
Toulouse Petit. For a somewhat more upscale repast, you can try the colorfully decorated, happening lower Queen Anne bar and bistro with a New Orleans slant. Roasted chicken with biscuits is on the menu, as are steaks, gnocchi, and numerous seafood small plates. Open for lunch, brunch and dinner, reservations are strongly advised.
VILLAGE THEATRE, ISSAQUAH
One of the area’s most patronized musical theater venues, the Village Theatre is on the picturesque Main Street of this Cascade Foothills town.
Fins Bistro. Many a theater fan has chosen Fins for convenience (it’s actually in the same building as the Village) and reliably fresh and appetizing seafood. The menu is compact, moderately priced, and appealing, with entrees of miso black cod, Alaskan halibut, and ahi tuna, along with steaks, gumbo, fresh oysters, and an array of salads.
Chicago Pastrami. On the other end of the food spectrum is the cute and casual, budget spot across from the Village. It boasts genuine Chicago pastrami—one of the few places to do so in the Puget Sound area. For a quick, delicious repast, you can get a classic pastrami sandwich, a Reuben (with sauerkraut and French dressing) and several different choices of hot dogs—and, just for a change, a gyro sandwich. Hard on the arteries, but worth it!
BELLEVUE ARTS MUSEUM AND MEYDENBAUER CENTER THEATRE
In the heart of Bellevue, blocks from the Bellevue Square shopping mall, the city’s accomplished museum and nearby theater—which hosts the Bellevue Symphony, a blues and jazz series, and the International Ballet Theatre company, as well as imported acts—are prime Eastside culture outposts.
We count more than 20 restaurants within walking distance, with just about every kind of cuisine — Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, continental, seafood, burgers, pizza—in every price range.
It’s a fast-changing lineup of eateries for a fast-growing city, so we suggest consulting this website for the skinny on current choices from the Downtown Bellevue Association.
EDMONDS CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Locals have a gem of a performance space in downtown Edmonds.
It is a popular tourist spot, north of Seattle, for diverse marquee acts from all over. The 2023-24 season includes Hawaiian dance and music, the WE SPEAK Festival (a celebration of spoken word poetry and storytelling), a one-woman show based on the life and career of the late U.S. Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the pop orchestra Pink Martini, and more.
The Santa Fe Mexican Grill & Cantina. Part of a local chain of eateries, this laid back, family-friendly restaurant has all the classic Mexican dishes, moderate prices, and a great location in the center of downtown.
Thai Cottage. Regulars at this pleasing Thai café near the arts center praise the pretty décor, variety of curries, and noodle dishes. It is open for lunch and dinner, with reasonable prices at both seatings.
Misha Berson writes about the arts for crosscut.com and many other media outlets, teaches for the UW Osher program, and is the author of four books, including Something’s Coming, Something Good: West Side Story and the American Imagination (Applause/Hal Leonard).