Senior Writer

Seattle native Kathryn Robinson, award-winning restaurant critic and senior writer at Seattle Met, has been anonymously reviewing restaurants for over 30 years—first as editor of the Best Places guidebook series, then as staff critic at Seattle Weekly and contributing critic at The Seattle Times and Seattle magazine. 

Midcareer she spent a year-long sabbatical studying comparative religion as a Knight Fellow at Stanford University where she had been an undergrad 10 years earlier, gaining a knowledge base she now calls upon for her monthly “Back Fence” column on our collective urban existence and the meaning it holds for our personal lives. In her off hours she is a partner and a parent—which means she has no off hours.

Critic's Notebook

37 Great Seattle Italian Restaurants

Because honestly…who doesn’t want this list?

01/22/2015 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Why Kingfish Café Matters

And when it closes, what closes with it.

01/15/2015 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Who Makes the Best Chicken Dinner in Seattle?

Just ask the folks in Rainier Valley. Or read this.

01/12/2015 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

19 More Confusing Seattle Restaurants

Because “confusing” comes in lots of forms.

01/08/2015 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Glutenless in Seattle

Restaurants across this city are offering more gluten-free options than ever. Some are even edible.

01/05/2015 By Kathryn Robinson

Back Fence

Can a Video Game be Real Therapy?

SinaSprite makes its case.

01/05/2015 By Kathryn Robinson

Review

Big Chickie vs. Nate's Wings and Waffles

Clucks and carbs at a couple of new South End chicken joints.

01/05/2015 By Kathryn Robinson Photography by Vickie Miao

Critic's Picks

Seattle's Finest Italian Restaurants

Our collection of Seattle's best bets for Italian food

01/05/2015 By Kathryn Robinson

Review

Gluten-Free Done Right

It’s easier than ever to eat gluten free in Seattle. Eating well is another matter entirely.

01/05/2015 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Ten Best Bites of 2014

Seattle tasted pretty good this year. Here are the forkfuls that tasted best.

12/31/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Biggest Restaurant Disappointments of the Year

The memorable little bummers of 2014

12/29/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Best Moments in Seattle Restaurants, 2014

The critic recalls a tasty year

12/24/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

6 Things a Waiter Should Never Say

And I heard ‘em all this year. Just look where.

12/22/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Just How Delectable is Morsel’s Biscuit Sandwich?

Here’s the picture. Now read the words.

12/18/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

I Went to Caprial Pence’s New Bookstore Bar

And all I got was technical perfection

12/15/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

What’s the Deal at Quality Athletics?

Apparently there’s some sort of football game in Pioneer Square this Sunday. You may be interested in the sports bar down the street.

12/11/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Alicia Fusion Bistro Brings Vietnamese Food to Leschi

Fusion’s tough to pull off. How’d they do?

12/08/2014 By Kathryn Robinson Photography by Olivia Brent

Critic's Notebook

15 Great Downtown Restaurants

Because something tells us you’ll be shopping this weekend.

12/04/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

What to Give the Connoisseur Who Has Everything

Just in time for gifting season: Three culinary experiences to educate the curious gourmand.

12/01/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Back Fence

Take Christ Out of Christmas

Can we please stop pretending Christmas is a religious holiday?

12/01/2014 By Kathryn Robinson