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

How to Name a Restaurant, Part II

The second most popular Seattle restaurant naming convention. Brought to you by Porky, Piglet, and Babe.

08/25/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Are There Five More Deflating Words in the English Language Than: “Closed for a Private Party?”

The answer, hungry people, is no. So why is it happening so much more lately?

08/21/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

What Do You Say When the Waiter Asks, “How is Everything?”

Reflections on the most loaded question in dining.

08/18/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Humble Pie: Not the Only Seattle Restaurant with a Chicken Coop

Because kitchen’s just chicken spelled sideways.

08/14/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

How to Name a Restaurant

In Seattle these days, it couldn’t be easier. Check our handy formula!

08/11/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

S’mores are Popping up All Over Dessert Menus

Just three shopping days left till National S’mores Day, people. Do you know where you’re celebrating?

08/07/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Portland vs. Seattle: Who’s Got the Biggest Badass Chef?

Find out tomorrow night when Jason Wilson of Miller’s Guild and Greg Denton of Portland’s Ox go mano a mano on Knife Fight.

08/04/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Restaurant Review

Brimmer and Heeltap's Unlikely Harmony

There’s a mismatched sensibility to this welcoming Ballard newcomer. But when chef Mike Whisenhunt’s in the kitchen, who cares?

08/01/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Picks

Recently Reviewed

Five spots where we're eating this month.

08/01/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Back Fence

Broverwhelmed: Gender Disparity in Seattle

Seattle’s got a glut of guys, with more on the way. The reactions of Seattle women? Not what you’d expect.

08/01/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Eat. Here. Now.

Humble Pie: A Slice of Utopia

Not even the Space Needle delivers a stiffer shot of Seattle.

08/01/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

The Restaurant Whose Soundtrack Stunned Even Jaded Old Me

Do lyrics like this belong anywhere near a place of business?

07/31/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

A Pair of New Meal Delivery Options in Seattle

One lunch, one dinner…both easier than cooking.

07/28/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Whatever Happened to the Starch?

First restaurants started charging for bread. Then they took away our white food altogether. Did Dr. Atkins and those gluten-free killjoys ruin it for all of us?

07/24/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Seattle Restaurants with the Best Wine Lists

Issue of Wine Spectator’s coveted awards hits newsstands tomorrow

07/21/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Menus for Munchies

Now that weed is legal and available, where you gonna go when its most famous side effect kicks in? Here are 35 suggestions.

07/17/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

Wedding Wednesday

World's Most Delicious Wedding Story

Nope, we're not talking about some fussy haute-couture plated meal here. This is a burger story—complete with special sauce and extra cheese.

07/16/2014 By Kathryn Robinson and Laura Cassidy

Critic's Notebook

13 Juicy, Amazing, Downright Awesome Burgers that will Change Your Life

Literally. Ask Suzanne and Jack.

07/07/2014 By Kathryn Robinson

The Northwest Flavor Issue

Profiles: Food Geniuses of Seattle

These individuals are changing the way we make dinner.

07/01/2014 With Kathryn Robinson and Caroline Ferguson By Allecia Vermillion