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

Best Dishes of 2013 Countdown #7: Shanik

Lamb Popsicles

12/23/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

Best Dishes of 2013 Countdown #8: The Old Sage

Roasted and Raw Gourds

12/20/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

Best Dishes of 2013 Countdown #9: Westward

Moroccan Fish Stew

12/19/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Best Dishes of 2013 Countdown # 10: Crumble and Flake

Cheddar and smoked paprika croissant.

12/18/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Where Is Seattle’s Best Sandwich?

We have a killer list so far…but to finish it we need your votes.

12/16/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

An Eater’s Guide to the Malls

And which one becomes the hands-down winner today.

12/09/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Pam’s Kitchen Makes Some Changes

But thankfully not to its jerk chicken sandwich.

12/02/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Picks

16 Bars and Restaurants with Fireplaces

Cozy up at these restaurants, bars, and lobbies with hearthside seats.

12/01/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Neighborhood Hot Spot

Seafood Snacks

Offering a place to sit while you wait for your Walrus oysters, Renee Erickson's newest crustaceanly named spot is worth its own special visit.

12/01/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Back Fence

'Tis the Season to Trim the Christmas Card List

If only there was a simple calculus for pruning it!

12/01/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Restaurant Review

Westward Ahoy

An unlikely new collaboration brings Greek seafood to the shore of Lake Union.

12/01/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Thanksgiving Food for the Other 364 Days

A few joints that peddle turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce all year long.

11/25/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Can You Name the 12 Biggest Restaurant Trends of 2013?

Tell you what, I’ll give you two for free.

11/18/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

How I Chose the 50 Top Dishes of 2013

My highly scientific process, unveiled at last.

11/11/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Saddest Restaurant Closure This Year

Why this type of food took so many hits this year is, frankly, Greek to me.

11/04/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Back Fence

Giving to Panhandlers

Are you helping who you think you’re helping?

11/01/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Seattle's Best Restaurants

It’s been a tasty year in Seattle restaurants. Here’s where it tasted best.

11/01/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

And Now…Seattle Met’s 2013 Restaurant of the Year!

Why I hate this award but love this place.

10/28/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Dining

Restaurant of the Year 2013: Mamnoon

Mamnoon brings down-to-earth values, genuine exoticism, and extraordinary harmonies of Middle Eastern fare.

10/25/2013 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Look Which Restaurants are Delivering for Free

Seriously. Great ones.

10/21/2013 By Kathryn Robinson