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

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.

06/11/2012 By Kathryn Robinson and Allecia Vermillion

Critic’s Notebook

Seattle, Where the Best Outdoor Dining Happens Indoors

The restaurant trend of the year is the patio with four walls and a roof. We thought you might like a list, it being June and all.

06/04/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

Belltown vs. Pike/Pine

Which is the better restaurant neighborhood? Restaurant Zoe owner Scott Staples has opinions.

05/29/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

Toshi and Ezell: Two Seattle Fast-Food Legends Quietly Resurface Next Door to Each Other in Renton

If those names don’t mean anything to you, you’re eating way too high up the food chain. And look where Ezell just opened his latest chicken shack in Seattle.

05/21/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

The Memory Rose

I inherited a plant, but not my mother’s garden intuition.

05/18/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Blind Pig Bistro Innovates in Eastlake

05/18/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Skelly and the Bean: The Restaurant Facebook Built

At Skelly and the Bean, Zephyr Paquette is inventing a whole new way to dine out.

05/18/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

What Do Tom Douglas and Matt Dillon Have in Common?

More than shiny new James Beard hardware, it turns out.

05/14/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

Where I Hope My Adoring Family Will Take Me on Mother’s Day

Three joints you probably aren’t expecting.

05/07/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

What Cuisine Is Suddenly All Over Seattle Restaurants?

We’ve never been known for this kind of food. That’s about to change.

04/30/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

The Meaning of Marriage

Despite what gay rights advocates argue, maybe redefinition is just what marriage needs.

04/25/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Spring Hill’s New Life as Ma’ono Fried Chicken and Whisky

04/25/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Manhattan Drugs Is a Steak House Hybrid for Capitol Hill

04/25/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

The Waiter Who Assumed I Didn’t Want My Leftovers

Reality check, please: Should he have asked first?

04/23/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

It’s Official: Global Warming Is Killing Oysters

What it means for connoisseurs. What it means for the planet.

04/16/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

Fun With Health Department Warnings

Seattle Met would like to inform you that reading menu warnings may make you laugh.

04/09/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

Huge Portions

Where to go when size matters.

04/02/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic’s Notebook

New on Menus: Buy the Cooks a Beer

How do you feel about the latest trend in tipping? I know how I feel about it.

03/26/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

The Legacy of Le Gourmand

The end of the beginning of Northwest cuisine.

03/23/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Public v. Private Education

Seattle parents want their kids to have everything. Except privilege.

03/23/2012 By Kathryn Robinson