My husband brought me here to celebrate my birthday about a month ago and I apologize for the delay in reviewing it.

As a Food Network addict, I have heard of Tom Douglas on several occasions. Loved his battle on Iron Chef (salmon was perfect for him!) and watched him on Emeril Live a while back, but until now my only opportunity to sample his food was at the Bite of Seattle. It merely whetted my appetite for more! My husband is aware of this and, as a fellow foodie, shared my desire. We were not disappointed. Well, maybe on a couple points.

The food was absolutely delicious. We loved every bite. There were only two things that I didn’t care for much. One was negligable. I guess I just don’t understand why restaurants insist on serving butter nearly frozen solid. It’s fairly impossible to spread on bread that way. The other point, though, I think is valid.

Tom Douglas is known for his crab cakes, so of course we had to try them as an appetizer. They were every bit as delicious as we expected, but we had a major problem. You get three (3!!!) tiny little quarter sized cakes for way too expensive a price, $13! A family at a neighboring table, 4 people in all, also ordered the crab cakes as an appetizer and it arrived the same way, 3 little crab cakes. For 4 people? I don’t think so. Granted, they’re delicious, but we won’t make that mistake again.

Over all, I give this place 4 out of 5 stars. They’re delicious, but you might want to make sure you get the details on your appetizers before you order them.

Consistently good food, enjoyable atmosphere. Nice location near Pike Place Market. Service is usually good but can get slow at peak times.
Reservations recommended at lunch.

I was meeting a fellow sorority sister who was visiting Seattle on a job for a few months, and after seeing where she lived in downtown, Etta’s was a logical place to meet for a late lunch.

I’d walked by Etta’s many times but had never ventured in. I realized, poised outside the door, that I thought of Etta’s as a touristy place. Well, if nothing else I’d just make the most of it and life would go on. Inside I went, and my sister and I caught up (“So, what have YOU been doing for the past 10 years?”) over salmon. I ordered the Etta’s Rub with Love wild Coho salmon with shiitake relish and cornbread pudding. The salmon was actually wonderfully spiced and I found myself forcing my hand and fork to slow down and not inhale my fish. The shiitake relish was lovely as well, but as I am not a huge corn/mush/polenta/etc. fan, I didn’t really touch the cornbread pudding.

After lunch we were stuffed, but of course we still had to try a couple of desserts (who ever said hedonism was dead?). We settled on the Triple coconut cream pie that I’ve heard fellow Seattleites swoon over and the Vanilla creme brulee, which is another fave dessert of mine. Both were wonderful, and I’d recommend saving room for dessert when you come to Etta’s.