DOWNTOWN. Open all-day every-day, 13 Coins is a local institution favored by everyone from tourists to local personalities. Across the street from the "Seattle Times," the eatery also pulls in lots of late-nighters, who stop by for a quick, gourmet meal. Low lighting and high booths provide the ultimate in privacy, and if you're dining alone, make sure to sit in a high-backed bar chair and watch the workings in the open kitchen. Classic foods include veal cordon bleu, chicken piccata, sweetbreads, salmon fettuccine, and veal scaloppini. You'll also find prime rib, calves liver, fresh seafood, and an array of pastas. Even better, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available any time you want them, day or night. Desserts too.

BELLEVUE. Excellent Italian cuisine is readily available at this romantic little restaurant, which is centrally located near the Meydenbauer Center. The homemade ravioli stuffed with wild mushrooms and topped with a tasty tomato sauce comes highly recommend. More contemporary than many Italian favorites, this restaurant gives a nod to traditional while adding a stylish edge to both the décor and the excellent food.

BELLEVUE. Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall, Andre's is a unique find. Its eclectic menu takes cues from European and Asian cuisines, and the sleek, open space includes a romantic fireplace, making the restaurant a great place for a date. Tempting dishes include Asian crab ravioli, Algerian lamb, turmeric-lemongrass chicken, and Eurasian pork tenderloin, simmered in a curry marsala-ginger sauce. Noodle, pasta, and vegetarian dishes are also delicious.

DOWNTOWN. Intimate, romantic, and adorned with Renaissance artwork, Assaggio brings you the best of Italy without your ever having to leave Seattle! Owned and managed by Mauro Golmarvi, the restaurant guarantees diners the best Italian fare. The menu offers a range of pasta, chicken, veal, and seafood entrees, but must-try dishes include pappardella bosciaola (pasta flavored with mushrooms, Marsala, and Barolo wine) and agnello osso buco, the traditional favorite made with lamb instead of veal. Marco's frequent trips to Italy also ensure that a wealth of Italian wines are available to complement any dish.

REDMOND. Located in a quaint historic building, this amazing eatery has taken pizza to another level. Particularly good is the "Cascade Loop," which is topped with fruit, smoked chicken, and almonds. The devastating cheese pizza is loaded with six exotic cheeses. There's also a good variety of pastas, sandwiches, and salads. A lively atmosphere makes this a memorable dining experience.