Post #384771 by TorchGuy on Thu, Jun 5, 2008 2:16 AM

Yes, the Seattle 13 Coins has undergone way too much remodeling, but this one across from the airport is still wonderful. Go at night when it's dark in there. Food's better at the airport location, too. Anyway, 13 Coins serves an extensive menu of what would have been considered hearty, gourmet food back in the early 70s, including seafood, great pasta, steak and lobster, escargots, sweetbreads, etc. and they do this 24/7, 365. The first photo shows the exhibition kitchen with its row of swivel Captain's chairs on the left (the place to sit to see the chefs in action) and the high, cozy, private booths on the right. Next shot down is the lobby with cool ceiling lights and a huge display of Beam decanters. Third photo is a booth with its brass chain light fixture, and last shot is the carved wood mural in the lobby - the nearby Doubletree Hotel (formerly the Red Lion) which has a lot of Native American-inspired architecture that looks remarkably Polynesian, has two more of these awesome carved-and-painted murals. Wish I knew more about them.

This is probably my favorite restaurant in Seattle, period. I can go there any day at any time, even between midnight and 5 AM when everything but Denny's is closed, and get anything on the menu. And the chefs really show off, they enjoy making big fiery spectacles and are often quite friendly, if rather busy. Ask to get a seat at the bar as close to the stove as possible, and you'll have a blast. No "tiki" cocktails here that I know of, but they pour well and have tasty stuff - even that Remy Martin Louis XIV(?) Cognac that's around $130 per measure. I'm not into Cognac, but I hear it's good stuff.