Good Food

3 Squares

By Zachary D. Lyons

Unlike other mealtimes, breakfast is one for which Seattle restaurants do not offer many truly standout options. The 5 Spot (1502 Queen Anne Ave. N, 285-SPOT) is one of that rare breed of restaurant that indeed offers a memorable breakfast experience. From the service to the diverse menu to the quality of the food, the 5 Spot excels, and it does so without those 13 Coins kinds of prices. We tried the Salmon Scram and an omelette with black beans on our recent visit. The omelette was very good, and the Salmon Scram excellent. How pleasant to have cream cheese as an ingredient in the Scram without the dish being reduced to a drippy, gooey mush! Even the hash browns were just right, and the fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice is worth the trip by itself. Just bring a sweater with you, as the air conditioner is also in excellent working order.

Open daily 8:30 a.m. - midnight; Bar open until 1 a.m.; Closed daily 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Breakfast served until 3 p.m.

Lunch on Capitol Hill

Wherever lots of people work, teriyaki shops are sure to follow. And at the lunch hour you will find those working people seeking out inexpensive, predictable, and filling meals at those nearby teriyaki shops. But how often do you walk into one of those shops and find people truly enjoying themselves--indeed practically celebrating their teriyaki experience? Well, maybe that is why one such shop across from Group Health's Central Campus is called Teriyaki Madness (127 15th Ave. E, 328-0144).

When I visited Teriyaki Madness recently, the place was packed with people mad for their teriyaki. I had the House Special, at the exuberant advice of no less than three people. I dug into the sweetly sauced, perfectly grilled chicken, and a smile drew across my face. Maybe they are spiking this stuff with something! Everyone there, including me, was giddy over the place. Even the water and complimentary hot green tea were delicious. If that weren't enough, every meal comes with a free can of pop! And if you're not a teriyaki fan, order the fish and chips.

Here is a small (3 restaurants), family-owned teriyaki joint where you will be greeted with a smile, provided quick and kind service, a very affordable price, and you will really enjoy your meal. Go there. Go there now!

Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., take out available.

Dinner on Phinney Ridge

There are a lot of Chinese restaurants scattered throughout Seattle's various neighborhoods, and many are just plain disappointing. Must we go to the International District to find a decent Chinese meal? No. Greenwood Mandarin (7307 Greenwood Ave. N, 783-6426, 784-2530) is a great family restaurant offering yummy home-style Chinese cooking right on Phinney Ridge.

Greenwood Mandarin offers a large, diverse menu with many excellent dishes not commonly found on your average Americanized Chinese menu. The menu appeals to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, and the prices are extremely reasonable. Some standout dishes we have tried over the years include Asparagus Squid, Chung King Pork, General Tso's Chicken, and Pan Fried Chinese Cabbage, just to name a few. The soups are wonderful. I personally have a weakness for Greenwood Mandarin's fried rice.

Greenwood Mandarin is one of those neighborhood jewels which offers great food at great prices in an atmosphere comfortable for the whole family. It feels like going to dinner at a neighbor's house. Go with a group and try a number of dishes. You will not be disappointed.

Open for lunch and dinner until 10 p.m.; take out available.

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