What a delightful experience. Richard and Sharon Malia, your hosts, have been restaurant stalwarts in Seattle. Richard has been an innovator in the abundant northwest food basket. He was creating menus of what was to become Pacific Rim Cuisine. An educated fish monger, Richard is ahead of the pack with his passion for purveying the ultimate product for the kitchen. This is also true of all other ingredients from local farmers and trusted sources. An admirable host who you should be sure to chat with.

The restaurant in the style of a Mediterranean villa located on the Lake Washington Ship Canal with views of the Fremont and Aurora Bridges, is the perfect setting for a “romantic” dinner for everyone, whether outside or in one of the four dining rooms.

You are in for a great dinner starting with some Grilled Marinated Monterey Calamari, a great appetizer in rich broth of olive, tomatoes, touch of garlic, watercress, gremolata @ $10 per plate.

A house specialty Dungeness Crab Spring Rolls with sweet chili sauce @ $13 or $17 half order.

The Organic Willie Greens Baby Lettuce Salad with house smoked almonds, mission figs, Oregon blue cheese, dressed in champagne vinaigrette @ $8 per plate, was one of those salads that will be your best salad memory for a year!!

Yes, yes, have the Thai Curry Penne – at least share with your table. A tomato/ ginger chutney base with grilled Alaska weather vane scallops, Dungeness crab @ $24 per plate is a memorable dish and one that will bring you back to Ponti just like the regulars.

This particular eve, I had the Freshest Wild King Salmon @ $26 per plate; it probably was caught that morning (the salmon were running). It was probably the best your Love Chef has tasted, with a soy, cilantro, lime sauce.

And yes, steaks are superb from Double ‘R’ Ranch.

New York Steak @ $30 or the Beef Tenderloin @ $39 with a cabernet soy demi glaze, veges, garlic whipped Yukon potatoes, the steak rivals any steak restaurant.

Boys and girls, yes, do relax, savor your coffee, after dinner drink and have one of Chef’s fresh homemade desserts. All good!

Ponti Seafood Grill is a MUST DESTINATION restaurant for all visiting Seattle – it’s a classic and a Love Chef gem!! HURRY, another reason to get on a PLANE.

email: lovechef@thelovechef.com