Page 295 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  293

and Saturdays, but it is not
uncommon to encounter clo­
sures on Sundays and Mondays.
Check in advance with each
establishment for specific times.

Reservations
Reservations are needed for
the better or more popular
restaurants and some will only
accept reservations for parties Hastings House hosts genteel dining on Saltspring Island, BC (see p305)
of six or more. However, most
restaurants do not require with appropriate identification. featured in this guide have
reservations. If booking more Personal checks are usually been selected for their value,
than a day in advance, confirm not welcome. good food, atmosphere, and
the booking on the day of At any sit­down restaurant location. From authentic,
your reservation. with a waitperson, it is customary no­frills snack shacks to creative
to tip 15 to 20 percent of the New American gastronomy,
price of the meal. As a general these restaurants run across all
Prices rule, tipping 15 percent is about price levels and cuisine types.
Dinner entrées in Oregon average; a 20 percent tip is Alongside the ubiquitous
and Washington usually cost generally given when service has oyster bars and seafood shanties,
between $9 and $16 at casual been exceptionally good. When many of the Pacific Northwest’s
restaurants; between $17 and paying for the meal with a credit top­rated restaurants focus on
$40 at fine­dining establish­ card, the tip amount can be fresh, local, seasonal ingredients
ments. Taxes on foods and added on the credit card slip. In in all elements of their cooking.
alcoholic beverages in Oregon addition, many restaurants charge International inspiration and
and Washington vary from a mandatory 18 percent gratuity innovative cooking techniques
county to county; in the Seattle for groups of more than six. combine to create a distinctive
area, it is 9.5 percent. In BC, regional cuisine. Attentive diners
dinner entrées range from CAN Dress Codes will note a heavy emphasis on
$12 to $24 at casual spots, from regional wines and local craft
CAN $25 to $40 at the more The Pacific Northwest is, in beers, many of which garner
exclusive restaurants. Restaurant general, a casual place. At most national acclaim. Ethnic restau­
meals are not subject to the 8 city restaurants, business­casual rants – French, Italian, Greek,
percent tax. Lunch costs from is appropriate: khakis and and Indian to mention a few –
CAN $7 to $20, breakfast CAN button­down shirts for men; are thriving and have given rise
$5 to $12. Alcoholic drinks are a sweater or blouse and pants to a fusion cuisine unique to
subject to a tax of 10 percent. or skirt for women. Outside the the West Coast. Lovers of Asian
cities, dress is often more casual, cuisines (particularly Japanese,
and most restaurants do not Chinese, and Thai) are also
Paying and Tipping have dress codes. Usually, the well­served; due to the region’s
Nearly all restaurants accept more exclusive the restaurant, proximity, it has become a haven
major credit cards. Traveler’s the more formal it is. for expats from the Asian conti­
checks in US or Canadian nent. There is usually at least one
currency are normally accepted Thai and Japanese restaurant in
Children
every neighbor hood. Sushi bars
Well­behaved children are here are good as well, since
welcome at most restaurants the fish is so varied and fresh.
and many establishments For the best of the best, look
cater especially to families with out for restaurants labeled as
children. High chairs and booster DK Choice. These establishments
seats are often available, as is a have been highlighted in
special kids’ menu or portions. recognition of an exceptional
feature, such as a celebrity chef,
exquisite food, or an inviting
Recommended atmosphere. The majority of
Restaurants these are exceptionally popular
Culinarily­speaking, among North among local residents and
American regions the Pacific visitors, so be sure to inquire
Northwest is widely considered regarding reservations or you
Meat-lovers’ mecca, Metropolitan Grill to be one of the strongest and may be facing a lengthy wait
steakhouse, Seattle (see p300) most diverse. The restaurants for a table.

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