One of the hardest adjustments about moving to Renton is finding good restaurants. but, we have found a few . . .
1. The Melrose Grill. This is an EXCELLENT steakhouse, and the best restaurant in Renton. It's a little hard to find (see directions on their site) but it's 1000% worth the effort. Great steaks and seafood ($15-$30 per entree), and the meal includes a salad and vegetables--unlike some other Seattle steakhouses. They don't take reservations though, so plan ahead and consider going early. Full bar.
2. The Red House. Renton's only tapas and wine bar (as far as I know). The restaurant is actually a big red house, with a great front deck for summer outdoor fun. The menu changes a lot, and features everything from hot wings to spicy garlic shimp to roasted articokes and fish tacos. They also have an amazing selection of rare wine and beer from around the world. You can pop open a bottle to drink with your dinner (for a modest $4 corkage fee), or you can buy the wine/beer for take-out. Beer and wine.
3. The Whistle Stop Ale House. Great neighborhood bar. Smoke-free (every place in Washington will be in a month!). Solid food featuring good sandwitches and burgers all day, and more substantial entrees at night. I love the steak skewers. Full bar.
4. The Dog and Pony. Another great neighborhood bar in downtown Renton. Also smoke free and I think it's owned by the same folks who run the Red House. Good solid bar fare, and unbelievable set of rotating taps (they actually don't serve any beer from the large brewers). Good jukebox, pool table, and an outdoor deck. Full bar.
5. Royal Orchid. A very good Thai place. We get takeout all the time. The dining room is nice and they have a good selection of wines. Beer and wine.
6. Vince's Italian Resturaunt and Pizzeria. Very good Italian in a kitch-filled environment (big wall murals of Venus de Milo, red checkered table cloths). They have a "lounge" that was probably last remodelled in 1983--They have Karaoke on weekends! Full bar.
7. Hong Kong Seafood Resturaunt. This is actually up Rainier Ave a bit towards Seattle, and it looks like a total dump from the street. We went there after reading a citysearch review, and we were pleasantly surprised. They have a broad range of Chinese fare, and it was all fresh and delicious. The decor leaves a little to be desired (it's kind of a Motel 6 lobby meets high school gym), but the food is mighty good. We ordered enough food for 3 meals each for under $20. Beer and wine.
8. Taqueria Guaymas. We were pleased to find this old Capitol Hill standby was also in Renton. Very good Mexican food, but the decor, and the salsa bar are not quite as good. Still--glad to have it. Torrero's (the Mexican place in Broadway Market) has a location down here too, and it's pretty good. Beer and wine.
9. Stanford's. Ok, it's a chain, and it's not in Renton. It's in neighboring Tukwila, but still . . . It's a very good place, with classly dark wood decor, excellent service, and diverse menu (lots of vegitarian choices, wood fired pizzas, steaks). It's really not that pricey ($10-20 an entree). It's a great place to bring parents and dates to the homecoming dance. It also rarely has a wait to get a table, unlike other Tukwila chains like Claim Jumper, Olive Garden, and Outback Steakhouse. Full bar.
10. Jimmy Mac's Roadhouse. Sometimes, even the hipster in me craves listening to bad 80s country music and throwing peanut shells on the floor. Way overpriced, but the schtick is funny and the food is good (especially the dinner rolls--really). We usually go there on a whim, but we always like it.
Honorable mention:
Golden Indian Curry House. Probably the best Indian food I've had on the south side (In Seattle, Tandoor in the University District is outstanding!). Golden Curry is in a strip mall in Tukwila, so you might drive right past it, but the food is very good and affordable.
The All-City Diner. Maybe the best breakfast in Renton. Big omelets, great service. Not so great for lunch and dinner. It also has a bar that no one ever goes into.
Jubilante. A Jazz club downtown that supposedly has great food. We've never been, but will go soon. I didn't want to leave it off the list, though, as many people think that this is the best restaurant is Renton.
Hope this helps. . . Seattle is only 12 miles away (10-30 min depending on traffic) so it's not too hard to commute back to our favorite places, but these restaurants have gotten us through the last two years.
8 comments:
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I am really enjoying your blog. I moved to Renton myself almost a year ago. I can tell that we have similar tastes. You were spot on as far as the Melrose is concerned - I'll take that over Daniel's Broiler any frigging day of the week.
One comment, and one addition. I used to think that the All City Diner was one of the best breakfasts in Renton, but yesterday proved this to be untrue. Worst food and service I have experienced in years. The waitress actually sneezed on another table's food and tried to serve it. I would suggest you try "Plum Delicious" on Sunset (suprisingly, it is NOT a Chineese place). Decent food and VERY good service.
The addition is a place I discovered last week: Pabla. Its located in a strip mall off of logan (I think) - vegetarian Indian cuisine. Some of the best Indian food I've had to date! They do buffets in the afternoon, and have a regular menu for dinner. Check 'em out online - the full menu is listed.
Great blog! My husband and I moved to Renton about 2 years ago, also from Seattle. I miss it, but it's nice to know there are other transplants around.
I second the nomination for Pabla. Excellent, and it's vegetarian (like us), and it's kosher! Who'd have thought? Their attached grocery store is also a great place to get Indian herbs and spices cheap.
I am a parent of two Spokane lacrosse players who will be in Seattle this weekend for a tournament. We are staying at the Springhill/Renton Suites by Marriott. As you may know, teenage boys have large appetites and small wallets, could you recommend restaurants that might fit that need that are also fairly close to the hotel? After a long day of lacrosse they won't want to travel far for dinner.
Thanks for your help.
I've been in Renton for a few years now. I have a few reccomendations..
For Chinese food you can't beat KC's Seafood Restaurant. The owner/chef worked at one of the best chinese joints in Seattle for 20 years before opening his own place. It's situated near QFC on 4th ave. in the Renton Highlands. The walnut glazed prawns are to die for.
Pizza-- 2 of my faves are Amante and Flying Pie. Amante is up Sunset Ave. and Flying Pie is down 4th ave. toward Issaquah next to Castle Ice ice skating place. Both places make their pizzas with fresh ingredients. Amante having the "heartier" pie, but lying pie having a better ambiance and hand tossed crust. Both are excellent.
I've had some bad experiences based on this list.
The Dog and Pony is a cool bar with OK food. After sending the fish and chips back because they were overcooked, the second batch was also dry. The person next to me explained in great detail how it's fine if only two pieces (of 4) are overcooked.
The worst hamburger I've ever had was served at the Whistle Stop. What was wrong? Everything.
My guess is the patty was frozen, so they burnt it black on both sides to compensate. There was a thick layer of disgusting black grease on the bun, which they must have heated on the grill next to the burger. The bun also had that feel as if it was frozen and recently defrosted. Gross.
Maybe it was my bad luck. I'm certain better food can be had at both places.
I want to thank you for sharing that list. It is very informative. For me the best restaurant in your list is the “The Melrose Grill”. I find it so perfect.
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