• PORKCHOP & CO. • Ballard: Located in the pretty space where Belle Clementine used to be, P&C is a local-and-seasonal, order-at-the-counter, breakfast-and-lunch place making "honest, tasty food." The sandwich menu, while of the over-$10 ilk, looks great—including a nine-ounce pork-chop sandwich with homemade pickles and salsa verde—and there's beer from Reuben's Brews and pastries from Parchment. Chef/owner Paul Osher used to run Bean & Thyme at the Santa Monica Farmers Market. (5451 Leary Ave NW, 257-5761, eatatporkchop.com, $$)

• RED STAR TACO BAR • Fremont: Three Fremont bartenders opened this place where the White Rabbit used to be—the decor is reportedly a vast improvement, there's a patio, and we hear good things about the tacos. (513 N 36th St, 258-3087, redstartacobar.com, $)

• SHIBUMI IZAKAYA • Capitol Hill: Spendy, slick-looking Shibumi is an izakaya place run by a guy who used to date the woman who played Charlotte on Sex and the City. He previously owned two restaurants in Santa Fe, one of which had a no-fragrance-allowed policy. (1222 E Pine St, 397-4552, shibumiseattle.com, $$$)

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