Maíz has opened another location in Ballard—Maíz Taquería. And it’s worth a visit if you’re in the mood for an easy lunch with some memorable Mexican food. Unlike the tiny Pike Place location, there is plenty of sit-down seating inside and outside on the papel picado-decorated patio. Even though Maíz has a full menu of tortas and tasty chilaquiles, the real reason you’ll be turning off 15th are the tacos.

Ginger & Scallion knows poultry and grains like Bruce Springsteen knows New Jersey. This bare-bones Phinney Ridge spot with a handful of tables has quickly become one of the best casual weeknight dinner options in town. That’s thanks to a short menu of poached Hainanese chicken, schmaltzy rice, and add-ons like tart cucumber salad or fried skins.

If you see a long line in the Seattle area, it’s probably filled with tourists (cough cough, original Starbucks location). But Daeho is one big exception—for good reason. This wildly popular San Francisco Korean chain opened a Bellevue outpost and has even locals waiting two hours for their kalbijjim at prime dinner hours. The giant $79 skillet (which could feed five people) is overflowing with tender short rib meat that falls apart like it just watched A Walk To Remember.

Renee Erickson’s (you know, that chef with the oyster empire) newest spot in Phinney Ridge makes aperitivo hour actually exciting. Spritzes are infused with buddha’s hand. Lemon-oiled burrata is served with ciabatta toast that absorbs stracciatella like a sponge. And prosciutto is shaved thinner than parchment paper. Though, Lioness doesn’t stop at fancy snacks. You can build a full meal with things like buttery cavatelli, an excellent meatball, and clams swimming in anise-kicked broth.

To say that we love the New York-style pizza at Stevie’s Famous’ original location in Burien is as much an understatement as the Sound Transit expansion taking “a few years.” And now, Stevie’s has a second counter operation happening inside Clock-Out Lounge on Beacon Hill. You can order the same great pies and slices, like white-sauced ones topped with crisp Italian sausage and caramelized onions. And unlike the Burien spot, this place is big.

We’ve been telling everyone about this Guamanian restaurant on Beacon Hill—coworkers, friends, and even our postal carrier. And that’s because Familyfriend is great for everyone. It’s date night for the couple at the bar splitting a kewpie-slathered smashburger that trumps Loretta’s (yeah, we said it). It’s dinner for the family of four squeezed into a booth passing around tinatak bowls with tofu and smoky eggplant.

Sure, Atoma is technically a fine-dining restaurant, but where this Wallingford place shines is in its appetizers. Like the “KFM,” Kentucky fried mushrooms with a paprika-spiced dredge. Or bouncy crumpets smeared with koji butter and fermented garlic honey that have the power to stop the table’s conversation. The space is a repurposed craftsman-style house, and with dim lighting, forest green walls, and Aesop soap in the bathroom, it's both special and cozy.

While there’s no shortage of casual lunch places in the International District, you should prioritize Kilig. This Filipino spot from the folks behind Musang specializes in pancit and bulalo, and it all happens in a space with seafoam-painted walls and bottles of Maggi displayed like knickknacks. Come here with a group ready to twist kare kare dan dan noodles swimming in a silky peanut and tahini sauce, or get a five-star facial from steaming bowls of beef shank bualo.

This new Italian cocktail bar by the folks from Rose Temple has the whole-night-out package. With tasty under-$15 bowls of pasta like curly mafaldine in a creamy bolognese, music loud enough to ripple your tomato-basil martini, and a gold disco ball spinning at the center, there’s enough fun and great food to make Donna’s the one (and only) destination for a rowdy Capitol Hill evening.

The juicy chicken and crispy fries from this bright green counter will help soak up whatever awful well drinks you choked down at Comet Tavern around the corner. Even without a brine, breast meat achieves moistness and the dried herb-flecked crust is well-salted. And while fries at a chicken joint can often be an afterthought, the ones here are crisp, hot, and taste even better swiped through one of Mt. Joy’s dipping sauces.