There are TONS of great restaurants in the Seattle area, whether you're looking for Asian food or pub grub or something fancy. For the experience, I definitely recommend checking out either Anthony's at Bell Street Pier or Ivar's Acres of Clams--both are excellent restaurants down on the waterfront, and the view can't be beat--especially from Anthony's patio in the summertime. They're classic Seattle restaurants...definitely not cutting edge or trendy cuisine. For trendy cuisine, go to Dahlia Lounge or one of Tom Douglas's other restaurants.
In the U District there is a hole-in-the-wall Thai place--best Thai food I've ever had--called Thai Tom. Definitely recommended.
Also, there are a lot of great microbreweries and pubs around town, if that's your thing, but avoid the Pyramid Alehouse if the Mariners are playing. If the Mariners aren't playing, the Pioneer Square area is a great place to wander around. I really love the Elliott Bay Bookstore and Magic Mouse Toys (both on 1st Ave), and there are lots of old, funky bars in Pioneer Square that are fun to visit. I haven't made it there yet, but Mario Batali's father owns a sausage shop in Pioneer Square called Salumi. They're famous for their lunches.
Where are you coming from? Are you flying into Seattle? Are you driving? We usually take the train to Seattle (in fact, I just got back yesterday from there), and just use public transportation while we're there. Cabs are cheap and plentiful if you need to get somewhere quick, and walking around the city isn't bad either. The bus system is good for getting some of the places further out, but Seattle doesn't have much mass transit yet other than the buses.
I do recommend, however, taking a ferry ride if you get the chance. The ferry departs from Colman Dock on the waterfront, and you can choose between a half-hour long ride to Bainbridge Island or an hour-long ride to Bremerton (obviously, double that for the round trip). But it's a beautiful ride across Elliott Bay and provides a different view of the city (plus it's cheaper than a sightseeing tour and more fun, in my opinion).
Everyone visits the Space Needle. If you do go up, I do recommend the restaurant. Buy a meal and enjoy the view. The brunch there is good, but on the pricey side. But the cool thing is that the restaurant rotates. Another tall place to visit in Seattle is the Columbia Center--they have an observation deck as well.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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