If you have more time, check out some of the city's enchanting
off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, such as Madison Park, with its
gay-popular beach along Lake Washington, as well as the University of
Washington Arboretum; the University of Washington-dominated U.
District; and Fremont, an old hippie haven that's now home to a mix of
creative spirits and dot-comers.
One theme that unites virtually all of the city's most intriguing
districts is delicious food - Seattleites take eating seriously, and
restaurants here strive to feature local - often organic - cheeses,
produce, seafood, meats, wines, and jams and honeys. Two of the nation's
most celebrated openly lesbian chefs, Christine Keff and Tamara Murphy,
are based here. In Belltown, Keff dazzles foodies with her fresh, artful
creations at Flying Fish, a festive and contemporary seafood joint
serving such knockout fare as spearfish with maple-sherry glaze and
sauteed kale. Murphy runs the Moorish-inspired restaurant Brasa, where
she deftly blends Italian, Moroccan, Portuguese, and Spanish recipes to
spectacular effect - don't miss her signature roasted pig with clams,
chorizo, and hot-smoked paprika.
Another of the city's highly regarded chefs is Tom Douglas, who runs a
powerful mini-empire comprising several acclaimed eateries, from
diminutive Dahlia Bakery - which is perfect for artisan breads, divine
sandwiches, and tempting tarts - to the more substantial Lola, whose
updated Mediterranean fare (such as pork kebabs with honey and piquant
harissa sauce) dazzles gourmands. Off Pioneer Square, don't miss Salumi,
a lunch-only cured-meat shop and Tuscan-Italian cafe run by celeb-chef
Mario Batali's dad, Armandino.
Capitol Hill has several notable gay restaurant faves, among them
Dinette, a quirky and intimate storefront serving up honest yet
imaginative country-style French and Italian fare; and Tango, a swish
lounge known for cool cocktails and delicious Nuevo Latino tapas. Fans
of Vietnamese food should check out Pho Cyclo Cafe, one of the city's
top Asian restaurants. Just down the hill in Madison Valley, stylish
Cafe Flora virtually redefines vegetarian food with its complex,
sophisticated cooking. Continue to page
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The Hunk
