Horseshoe Saloon

1805 Hewitt Ave.; 425-303-0250; closed Sunday

Specialty: steaks and American favorites

With its focus on fine food and jazzy music, this downtown Everett restaurant is working to overcome its past as a biker bar.

Reviewed July 16, 2004

RT’s Eaglecrest Restaurant

21102 67th Drive NE, Arlington; 360-474-8275

Specialty: American favorites

Ray and Tina Thorsen tried to retire, but the eatery business is in their blood, and that’s good news for diners.

Reviewed July 9, 2004

Clayoven

7318 Evergreen Way, Everett; 425-355-3663

Specialty: Indian cuisine

The former Bombay Bar and Grill keeps the old favorites and great atmosphere but adds some innovative chicken and fish dishes.

Reviewed July 2, 2004

Bush Point Restaurant

229 Spyglass Drive, Freeland; 360-331-2626; closed Monday

Specialty: American favorites

This popular Whidbey Island restaurant offers a delightfully natural dining experience.

Reviewed June 25, 2004

La Palmera

15224 Main St., Mill Creek; 425-379-5100

Specialty: Mexican

Here is Mexican food and atmosphere for those who like it authentic, which apparently includes many of you, judging from the restaurant’s popularity.

Reviewed June 18, 2004

Eagle’s Nest Grill

Gleneagle Golf Course, 7619 E Country Club Drive, Arlington; 360-435-6713

Specialty: American favorites

The food is expertly prepared, but poor service spoils an otherwise fine dining experience.

Reviewed June 11, 2004

Everyday Eats

17171 Bothell Way, Lake Forest Park; 206-417-5732; www.everydayeats.com; closed Sunday

Specialty: international favorites

Don’t overlook the food court at Third Place Books or you’ll miss good food and a vibrant dining experience.

Reviewed June 4, 2004

Maddox Grill &Bar

18411 Highway 99, Lynnwood; 425-778-2223

Specialty: American and Pacific Northwest favorites; closed Sunday

Long a fixture in north King County, the relocated restaurant is a fine addition to the Lynnwood dining scene.

Reviewed May 28, 2004

Neapolis Ristorante

1915 124th Ave. NE, Lake Stevens; 425-334-1923

Specialty: Mediterranean

You don’t have to jet off to Athens for fine Mediterranean food. Just motor on over to Lake Stevens.

Reviewed May 21, 2004

T&T Seafood Restaurant

22511 Highway 99 No. 103, Edmonds

Specialty: Chinese

This new restaurant is the place for seafood, and diners don’t seem to mind standing in line for a while.

Reviewed May 14, 2004

Bonefish Grill

22626 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell; 425-485-0305

Specialty: seafood

This popular dining spot is a delight, with expertly prepared seafood served by competent, professional waiters in an attractive setting.

Reviewed May 7, 2004

Thai Rama 3

12190 Village Center Place, Suite 101, Mukilteo; 425-493-0026

Specialty: Thai.

This Thai restaurant offers dishes not always found elsewhere, but take care if you can’t stand the heat.

Reviewed April 30, 2004

Tail Draggers

18218 59th Ave. NE, Arlington; 360-403-8970

Specialty: American favorites

Arlington Airport restaurant has seafood to make your spirits soar. OK, our crab cakes broke in two, but why complain when they’re so tasty.

Reviewed April 23, 2004

Patty’s Egg Nest

19837 U.S. 2, Monroe; 360-794-6040

Specialty: Breakfast favorites, burgers and sandwiches

The new management, continues a tradition of offering filling, classic meals, no matter how you like your eggs.

Reviewed April 16, 2004

Tokyo Stop No. 5

521 S. Second St., Mount Vernon; 360-336-0777

Specialty: teriyaki and sushi

It’s worth a journey to Tokyo – er, Mount Vernon, to sample the delectable Japanese fare at this restaurant convenient to Tulip Festival visitors.

Reviewed April 9, 2004

O’Brien Turkey House

2310 Highway 530, Arlington; 360-652-7522

Specialty: American favorites

The landmark eatery at Island Crossing offers turkey and other comfort food that’s more than up to the task of chasing away the blues of the rainy season.

Reviewed April 2, 2004

Amante Pizza &Pasta

4730 196th St. SW, Lynnwood; 425-640-6600

Specialty: Greek-style pizza and pasta

At Amante, delicious pizza is just part of the show: The restaurant boasts an extensive menu of wonderful pasta dishes too.

Reviewed March 26, 2004

Boondockers Cafe

921 Vernon Road, Lake Stevens; 425-334-4331

Specialty: American favorites

Boasting the best burger in Lake Stevens, this small restaurant serves up a big, tasty meal.

Reviewed March 19, 2004

Two Fish Japanese Restaurant

14626 Highway 99, Lynnwood; 425-741-8047.

Specialty: Japanese and Korean

You may or may not know the name of the dish you’re eating, but it’ll probably be delicious and surprisingly affordable.

Reviewed March 12, 2004

Timberline Cafe

116 W. Stanley, Granite Falls; 360-691-7011

Specialty: American favorites

In its 40 years, the Timberline has learned how to please its diners with breakfast all day and tasty nightly specials.

Reviewed March 5, 2004

World Bean Cafe

1515 Pacific Ave. Suite 100, Everett; 425-252-8382; closed weekends.

Specialty: coffee and deli

Known for its freshly ground Venezuelan coffee beans, World Bean Cafe has expanded to offer equally fresh breakfast and lunch deli selections.

Reviewed Feb. 20, 2004

Smashed Tomatoes

1509 Wall St., Everett; 425-252-5032

Specialty: Southern Italian

A restaurateur makes the jump from numbers and spreadsheets to menus and a fabulous spread at Smashed Tomatoes.

Reviewed Feb. 13, 2004

Mrs. Pennycook’s Tea Room

922 First St., Snohomish; 360-568-5045

Specialty: English tea

Inexpert service and inattention to details detract from some nice touches at this popular downtown Snohomish destination.

Reviewed Feb. 6, 2004

Everett Events Center

2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett; 425-322-2600

Specialty: stadium food and more

Especially on the weekends, you can eat pretty well at the Everett Events Center, with a range of choices from stadium staples (hot dogs) to more lofty fare..

Reviewed Jan. 30, 2004

Johns Wok

12199 Village Center Place, Suite 101, Mukilteo; 425-349-1760; closed Sunday

Specialty: Asian and deli favorites

Johns Wok puts its signature on the cheese steak sandwich, giving diners a new look at an old favorite. Plus, of course, it has delicious-sounding Asian specialties.

Reviewed Jan. 23, 2004

Saigon Kitchen

19602 U.S. 2, Monroe; 360-794-6612

Specialty: Chinese and Vietnamese

Vietnamese seafood and fish sauce-accented dishes take the chill off a cold winter day, while favorite Chinese cuisine rounds out the menu.

Reviewed Jan. 16, 2004

Tulalip Bay

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

Specialty: American favorites with an Asian-Northwest twist

Youre in for a feast for the eyes as well as the palate at this restaurant at Tulalip Casino.

Reviewed Jan. 9, 2004