Can't go wrong with Din Tai Fung or Doughzone. The reason I like Doughzone, in Chinatown specifically, is you can put yourself in line for seating online. They give live updates of how many parties are ahead of you, so you can go to Oasis for Bubble Tea or walk around ID, or Uwajimya across the street, to kill time. Doughzone's XLB are good, but the sleeper is their Q-Bao which is similar to shenjian baos (panfried dumplings). Tsukushinbo's lunch specials were legendary but I think they only open for dinner now. an ID sleeper is Henry's Taiwanese during lunch. Their Porkchop lunch special is really good and like $9. If you go toward little Saigon, Hue Ky Mi Gia has good egg noodle soup and their butter wings are pretty good. Pho Bac Sup Shop is pretty good too.
Il Corvo is literally a couple blocks down from where I work, I actually haven't been but the Korean joint around the corner (Commissary Kitchen) is good. For Italian Sandwiches, I'd recommend Salumi which recently moved a couple blocks down but the Porchetta, Lamb, or Salumi Salami sandwiches are amazing. Tat's Deli isn't bad for a sandwich option if you're in Pioneer Square either. One of my go-to spots in Pioneer Square is Piroshky on 3rd, piroshkies are fire there but their lunch dishes don't disappoint for quick affordable options. Katsu Chicken, Chicken Meatloaf, and the Chicken Pot Pie are all personal favorites.
Bok Bok in Capitol Hill has pretty good happy hour specials. If in Cap Hill, you have TONS of options. Ma'Ono overall is solid, but if you just want a chicken sandwich and kimchi mac and cheese, their location inside the Rachel's Ginger Beer at both U Village and Cap Hill serve it. For fried chicken in general, I like Sisters and Brothers in Georgetown which is Nashville style.
In regards to Salty's, the brunch buffet is pretty good but pricey. However, you can't beat that brunch spread and view on a nice day.
As a Seattleite that also lived in Cali for over a decade and recently moved back I'll be honest with yall, ****'s isn't great (In-N-Out and Shake Shack is better, don't @ me) . If you need a quick/cheap bite and there's one nearby, it's not a bad option. However, I wouldn't go out of my way for it, ****'s honestly is an establishment that holds sentimental value for a lot of locals. If you're not far from South Park, try that burger at Loretta's Northwestern, have a drink, and walk two doors down to South Town Pie for a slice and another drink.
It's cold as heck right now, but I think the hip scenic drinking lounges are M Bar and Fog Room. They actually have blankets at M Bar that they offer to customers.
another burger spot is Red Mill
