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

Eat Here Now: Dining in the Melrose Triangle

With Baguette Box, Li’l Woody’s, Terra Plata, and Taylor Shellfish Farms, the Melrose Triangle on Capitol Hill is home to perhaps more great eats per square foot than any other real estate in Seattle.

03/06/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Terra Plata Features Chef Tamara Murphy’s Greatest Hits

Capitol Hill restaurant Terra Plata gives us a great chef’s greatest hits.

03/06/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Mystery Menus

Would it kill restaurants to, I don’t know…use their menus to describe dishes? Apparently yes.

03/05/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

The New Seattle Breakfast

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

03/02/2012 By Kathryn Robinson, Christopher Werner, and Allecia Vermillion With Allie Oosta, Brian Colella, and Emily Dhatt

Critic's Notebook

Rising Trend in Seattle Restaurants: “Only 30 Chickens a Night!”

Scarcity marketing comes to the dining room.

02/27/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

The Herbfarm Brings Back its Tree Feast

The Woodinville culinary legend goes all forest-to-table.

02/20/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Beware Falling Prices!

Trend of the month: Restaurateurs across town are repositioning themselves a little lower on the food chain.

02/13/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Theater Review

Oklahoma! in Color

An interracial cast gives new meaning to the musical at 5th Avenue Theatre.

02/10/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

How to Look Like a Seattle Restaurant

Opening a Seattle area restaurant? Check out our handy design template!

02/06/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Terra Plata’s Tamara Murphy Didn’t Invent the Happy Hour…

…well okay, in this town she kind of did. We spoke about that legendary happy hour’s effect on her late, great Brasa—and its effect on Seattle.

01/30/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Seattle’s Little Intimacy Problem

Confessions of a Seattle freezer.

01/25/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Mezcaleria Oaxaca Opens on Queen Anne

The little sister of La Carta de Oaxaca opens on Queen Anne Avenue with a few new things.

01/25/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

Altura’s Heavenly Italian Restaurant on Capitol Hill

Altura, Capitol Hill’s new Italian restaurant, serves meals touched by an angel.

01/25/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Critic's Notebook

Restaurants with Cushions

If your tushy could talk, where would it beg you to take it for dinner?

01/23/2012 By Kathryn Robinson

Article

1962 World’s Fair 50th Anniversary

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.

01/20/2012 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