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.

Article

Redesigns for Domestic Violence Shelters

In Washington state, women’s shelters provide more than just safety.

09/19/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Seattle Pastry Chefs Go Rogue

The early bird gets the cinnamon roll at Crumble and Flake.

09/19/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Where'd You Go (for Dinner) Bernadette?

The Seattle novel that hates Seattle calls out a bunch of real restaurants by name. Did your favorite joint get skewered in Where’d You Go, Bernadette?

09/17/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Chihuly’s Cafe and Collections

Seattle Center’s old Fun Forest gets a plateful of Americana, courtesy of Dale Chihuly.

09/11/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

What Vegetable is All Over Menus Right Now?

Hint: You can find it with gnocchi, on pizza...even in dessert.

09/10/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Seattle Restaurants Open Mondays

Used to be most fine-dining restaurants went dark Monday nights. No more. Here are a few high-end restaurants that are open on the night we least want to cook.

09/04/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

The Salt Shakeup in Restaurants

To salt or not to salt: whose decision should it be?

08/27/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Belle Clementine’s Big Table

The weird appeal of dining with strangers.

08/22/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

My College Reunion

I’m. Not. Going.

08/20/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Should Diners Leave Tips at Food Trucks?

No servers, no table delivery, no plates to wash...yet there sits the tip jar. What to do?

08/20/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

What Portland Knows That Seattle Doesn't

A week of restaurant reconnaissance in Portlandia reveals a little big trend Seattle restaurateurs have yet to pick up.

08/13/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Can a Restaurant Serving Mediocre Food be Worth Visiting?

Weirdly, yes. I dined at three of them last week.

08/06/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Are Kid-Friendly Restaurants Hell on the Kid-Free?

In giving parents a break, some restaurants give non-parents anything but.

07/29/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Road Trips 2012

The Northwest has the best stretches of blacktop in the world: We can cross mountain passes and trace deserted shoreline, even motor up to the world’s best farm-to-table feast. All it takes is a full tank.

07/27/2012 By Kathryn Robinson, Laura Dannen, and Allison Williams

Article

High Schools

78 Public and 50 Private Schools Graded

07/25/2012 With Kathryn Robinson, Clancey Denis, and Hilary Meyerson By Matthew Halverson

Best of the City

Seattle’s Best Restaurants for Cheap Eats

Dives, diners, delis, pop-ups, greasy spoons, holes-in-the-wall—and a few thrilling finds we guarantee you’ve never heard of.

07/25/2012 By Kathryn Robinson and Allecia Vermillion

Insider's Guide

1962 World's Fair

Fifty years ago, the 1962 World’s Fair did more than just celebrate global culture. It put Seattle on display, inspired world leaders, and erected a certain needle-shaped tower. A look at the 184 days that changed Seattle—and the world—forever.

07/25/2012 With Kathryn Robinson, Matthew Halverson, Laura Cassidy, Christopher Werner, Laura Dannen, Brian Colella, Allecia Vermillion, and Janet Pelz By James Ross Gardner and Allison Williams

Best of the City

Best Breakfast Spots

We still love waffles, omelets, and pancakes. But at Seattle’s best breakfast spots, just look at what’s joining the classic canon.

07/25/2012 By Kathryn Robinson, Christopher Werner, and Allecia Vermillion With Allie Oosta, Brian Colella, and Emily Dhatt

Best of the City

Best Asian Restaurants: Northwest By Far East

The Insider’s Guide to Asian Food in Seattle

07/25/2012 By Kathryn Robinson With Eric Scigliano, Jessica Voelker, Christopher Werner, and Laura Dannen

Critic’s Notebook

Farm Dinners from Sutra Chef Colin Patterson

Seattle’s best vegetarian chef invites you to the hinterlands for six special courses.

07/23/2012 By Kathryn Robinson