There are so many awesome eats in both Seattle in Portland, I wouldn't even know where to start. I'd be hard-pressed to even name a favorite. Though a close-to-home place that I've been loving for weekend brunch (despite the wait) is Skillet Diner at 14th and Union

Mimi, the owners of the Tamarind Tree have opened a new restaurant downtown. It's called Long Provincial Vietnamese, and it's at 2nd and Stewart. I had a great lunch with an old colleague there one day this past week.