dine list

El Morena

848 N. Sunrise Blvd., Building D, Camano Island; 360-387-9897

Specialty: Mexican food

Mexican eatery offers fair fare.

Reviewed Sept. 26

Jade Garden

3133 Broadway, Everett; 425-252-1663

Specialty: Chinese-American

New Chinese restaurant can do more than Chinese American-style.

Reviewed Sept. 19

Tulalip Bay

Inside the Tulalip Casino, 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip; 360-651-5900

Specialty: Pacific Northwest/Asian/Hawaiian fusion

Restaurant is ambitious and creative, but also pricey and pretentious.

Reviewed Sept. 5

Garlic Jim’s Famous Gourmet Pizza

1246 State Ave. #A, Marysville; 360-651-5467, www.garlicjims.com

Specialty: pizza

Local-based chain passes all the tests, with flying colors.

Reviewed Aug. 29

Marimba

1405 Hewitt Ave., Everett; 425-252-3896

Specialty: Caribbean and South American cuisine

New Everett restaurant plays up flavors of South America.

Reviewed Aug. 22

Bistro San Martin

231 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington; 360-474-9229, www.bistrosanmartin.com

Specialty: local seasonal dishes, international influence

Arlington restaurant easily one of the best around.

Reviewed Aug. 15

Santa Fe Cafe

5910 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; 206-783-9755

Specialty: foods of New Mexico

North Seattle cafe serves a taste of New Mexico.

Reviewed Aug. 8

Flyers Restaurant &Brewery

32295 Highway 20, Oak Harbor; 360-675-5858, www.eatatflyers.com

Specialty: burgers, steaks and seafood; microbrews made in-house

Restaurant really knows its clientele.

Reviewed Aug. 1

Chiangmai Thai Restaurant

12926 Mukilteo Speedway, #F-3, Lynnwood; 425-423-8569

Specialty: Thai cuisine

Restaurant blends Thai and Chinese specialties.

Reviewed July 25

Frank’s Place

32945 Highway 20, Oak Harbor; 360-675-5850

Specialty: breakfast all day, burgers and sandwiches

Breakfast joint is 100 percent military, right down to the Spam.

Reviewed July 18

Grilla Bites

1020 First St., No. 104, Snohomish; 360-568-7333, www.grillabites.com

Specialty: soup, salads and sandwiches

Go organic at new Snohomish eatery.

Reviewed July 11

Voula’s Good Eats

4306 229th St. SW, No. 5, Mountlake Terrace; 425-967-5154

Specialty: American and Greek favorites

Well-known restaurant family has another winner.

Reviewed July 4

Thai Kitchen Snohomish

1020 First St., No. 106, Snohomish; 360-863-6426

Specialty: Thai cuisine

New restaurant still needs a little work, and some pizzazz.

Reviewed June 27

The Maltby Cafe

8809 Maltby Road, Maltby; 425-483-3123, www.maltbycafe.com

Specialty: breakfast and lunch

Worth the wait since ‘88.

Revewed June 20

Blazing Onion Burger Co.

15115 Main St., Mill Creek; 425-338-4445, www.blazingonion.com

Specialty: burgers, sandwiches, salads

Food’s fine, but restaurant lacks distinction.

Reviewed June 13

Sticky Fingers Bar-B-Que

9214 State Ave., Marysville; 360-653-4433

Specialty: barbecued meats, side dishes

You won’t mind delicious barbecue sauce everywhere.

Reviewed June 6

Alfredo’s Grill

6996 265th St. NW, Suite 102, Stanwood; 360-629-2640

Specialty: American diner

Restaurant’s new menu doesn’t come together.

Reviewed May 30

Seabolt’s Smokehouse

31640 Highway 20, Suite 3, Oak Harbor; 360-675-6485, www.seabolts.com

Specialty: seafood

Stop by Oak Harbor for great seafood.

Reviewed May 23

Royal Thai Cuisine

14650 N. Kelsey St., Monroe; 360-794-7222

Specialty: Thai

New restaurant has the potential to be among the county’s best.

Reviewed May 16

Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant

1809 Minor Ave., Seattle; 206-624-0801

Specialty: cuisine of Ethiopia

Food this good is worth a trip to Seattle.

Reviewed May 9

Magic Dragon

3943 116th St. NE, Marysville; 360-658-9097

Specialty: Chinese fast food

Chain Chinese leaves something to be desired.

Reviewed May 2

The Repp

924 First St., Snohomish; 360-568-3928

Specialty: Pacific Northwest favorites

Snohomish restaurant takes on a fresh new approach.

Reviewed April 25

La Casita

102 S. 10th St., Mount Vernon; 360-419-0933

Specialty: Mexican cuisine

Find fabulous Mexican food in Mount Vernon.

Reviewed April 18

Islanders Restaurant and Bar

848 N. Sunrise Blvd., Building D, Camano Island; 360-722-7470, www.islandersrestaurantandbar.com

Specialty: American diner favorites

Hungry Camano folks get a gathering place.

Reviewed April 11

Italian Spaghetti House

9824 Lake City Way NE, Seattle; 206-523-2667

Specialty: Southern Italian

Venerable restaurant a family destination for ages.

Reviewed April 4

Clay Pit

15418 Main St., M107, Mill Creek; 425-337-9600, www.claypit.net

Specialty: cuisine of India

Mill Creek restaurant melds taste of India with seafood.

Reviewed March 28

Jade Monkey

2915 Colby Ave., Everett; 425-293-0690

Specialty: Chinese

New restaurant brings Hong Kong style to Everett.

Reviewed March 21

Buck’s American Cafe

2901 Hewitt Ave., Everett; 425-258-1351

Specialty: Pacific Northwest favorites

Upscale comfort food served in historic building at Buck’s.

Reviewed March 14

Ton Kaew Thai Restaurant

233 128th St. SW, Everett; 425-290-6222

Specialty: Thai cuisine

Family-run restaurant does Thai food its way: tasty.

Reviewed March 7

Wendy’s Country Cafe &Espresso

1915 California St., Everett; 425-259-4826

Specialty: American breakfast and lunch

Cafe serves consistently good grub.

Reviewed Feb. 29

Frasers Gourmet Hideaway

1191 SE Dock St. No. 101, Oak Harbor; 360-279-1231, www.­frasersgh.com

Specialty: American

Discover fine dining at Oak Harbor hideaway.

Reviewed Feb. 22

Big Easy Barbecue

6919 Evergreen Way, Everett; 425-356-2261

Specialty: Louisiana favorites

South Everett restaurant does Louisiana cuisine well.

Reviewed Feb. 15

The Irishmen Pub and Eatery

2923 Colby Ave., Everett; 425-374-5783

Specialty: Irish favorites

New Everett restaurant serves authentic Irish fare.

Reviewed Feb. 8

Mae Phim Thai

1212 State Ave., Suite E, Marysville; 360-653-8954

Specialty: Thai cuisine

Super Thai food available at new Marysville restaurant.

Reviewed Feb. 1

Marco’s Restaurant

17525 Highway 99, Lynnwood; 425-743-6627, www.marcosrestaurant.net

Specialty: American favorites

Marco’s Super Savers meals offer great value.

Reviewed Jan. 25

Tokyo House

500 SE Everett Mall Way, B-100, Everett; 425-347-6557

Specialty: Japanese cuisine

Humble setting belies delicious Japanese food.

Reviewed Jan. 18

Dragon Palace

4305 Rucker Ave., Everett; 425-339-8088

Specialty: Chinese cuisine

Twenty years of happy customers tell restaurant’s story.

Reviewed Jan. 11

Crossroads

1904 201st Place SE, Bothell; 425-488-5611

Specialty: family-style diner

Flawed fish detracts from new restaurant’s ambiance.

Reviewed Jan. 4

The Chatter Box

9819 270th St. NW, Stanwood; 360-629-0600

Specialty: Asian fusion

Tasty Asian dishes another option in Stanwood.

Reviewed Dec. 28

Luca’s Ristorante &Pizzeria

430 91st Ave. NE, No. 10, Lake Stevens; 425-334-2066, www.lucasitalianrestaurant.com

Specialty: Southern Italian favorites

More space, new offerings, add to friendly neighborhood feel of restaurant.

Reviewed Dec. 21

Sandwich Xpress

520 128th St. SW, Suite A13-14, Everett; 425-347-6794, www.­sandwichxpress.com

Specialty: deli-style sandwiches, soups &salads

Sublime sandwiches nourish holiday shoppers.

Reviewed Dec. 14

Beijing Garden

3719 Rucker Ave., Everett; 425-339-9319

Specialty: Chinese cuisine

New Chinese restaurant is definitely worth a visit.

Reviewed Dec. 7

Playa Bonita

329 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington; 360-403-7130

Specialty: Mexican cuisine

Small chain could become your new favorite Mexican eatery.

Reviewed Nov. 30

Alligator Soul

3121 Broadway, Everett; 425-259-6311, www.thealligatorsoul.com

Specialty: Cajun and Creole

Restaurant’s delicious fare still wildly popular at new location.

Reviewed Nov. 23

Chopstix

2820 Oakes Ave., Everett; 425-259-9013, www.chopstixpianobar.com

Specialty: steaks, pasta, chicken and seafood

Good music and good food make for a great evening.

Reviewed Nov. 16

Sparta’s Pizza &Spaghetti House

18817 Bothell Way NE, Bothell; 425-485-1227, www.spartaspizza.com

Specialty: Southern Italian favorites

Family-owned restaurants popular for catering to families.

Reviewed Nov. 9

Old School BBQ

22715 U.S. 2, Monroe; 425-367-1045

Specialty: barbecue

Texans tell the truth about oddly situated barbecue joint.

Reviewed Nov. 2

Kasbah

1471 NW 85th St., Seattle; 206-788-0777, www.­kasbahmoroccanrestaurant.com

Specialty: Moroccan cuisine

Morocco is as close as restaurant in Seattle.

Reviewed Oct. 26

Fanny’s

505 Cedar Ave., Suite A-1, Marysville; 360-653-8164

Specialty: breakfast and lunch

Fanny’s is a favorite with the locals in Marysville.

Reviewed Oct. 19

Japan Teriyaki &Roll

10519 20th St. SE, No. 2, Everett; 425-334-2211

Specialty: Japanese cuisine

Elegant, yet fast fare that’s worth a million yen.

Reviewed Oct. 12