Seattle has no shortage of Vietnamese restaurants, and while I'm not a connoisseur of Vietnamese cuisine, I have tried many of the restaurants in the international District. I will say that Tamarind Tree is one of my favorites. The cuisine is tasty, fresh and adds a little creativity to your typical menu... in addition, there are more vegetarian options than usual with extensive use of meat substitutes (not just tofu! ). Although I'm always skeptical of items such as "faux shrimp", and tend to stick with grilled tofu.
The biggest allure of Tamarind Tree, in my opinion, is the atmosphere... elegant and trendy (bordering on overdone, the big fireplace and all) with vibrantly colored walls, dim lighting, fancy cocktails and a long long line out the door any weekend night. Compared your average Vietnamese restaurant (fluorescent lighting and peeling laminated menus), it fills a rather empty niche in Seattle (classy style, cheap & yummy Vietnamese cuisine).
All that said, I've only been there twice and probably won't return except for lunch. The primary reason for this is that I have no patience for the long lines that inevitably crowd Tamarind Tree most evenings. Instead, my new favorite is Greenleaf (418 Eighth Ave S, just off Jackson ) -- the food is just as delicious, the owners very friendly, and I haven't yet had to wait in line for it. They definitely don't have the sophistication of decor, although it's a step up from your average hole in the wall. Think adjustable track lighting, little bamboo plants on every table, and the obligatory poppy Muzak looping over the speakers.
At both restaurants, my favorite dishes are the vegetarian spring rolls (with fresh coconut meat and crispy wonton wrappers to add a crunch), and the green mango salad with grilled tofu. The only other drawback of Greenleaf is I'm not sure that they offer cocktails (at least I didn't see a menu for them last I went). For dessert, a little sticky rice and banana dumplings with coconut milk are just delicious. To impress a date, go to Tamarind Tree... for a night out with friends without waiting in line, check out Greenleaf.
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