Foul Tip

A Menu with No Good Options

Why so many restaurants are switching to service charges—and what that means for diners.

06/09/2025 By Naomi Tomky

Farewell 2010s

Seattle, You've Changed...Here's Why

Between legal weed and "the Cloud," the last 10 years in this city were a purple haze. Here's what happened.

12/30/2019 By Seattle Met Staff

Morning Roundup

Morning Roundup: Head Tax, Streetcar Expansion, More Sinclair

Your local politics morning digest.

04/03/2018 By Hayat Norimine

Tipless in Seattle

How 3 Seattle Businesses Are Grappling with Tipping

Following the minimum wage hike, service charges have popped up in restaurants all over the city. But Optimism Brewery, Ada's Technical Books and Cafe, and Seattle Coffee Works are foregoing “mandatory tipping” and doing away with the practice altogether.

12/04/2017 By Jaime Archer

Policy Wonk

What Should We Make of the UW Minimum Wage Study?

UW researcher Jacob Vigdor responds to criticisms of his team's analysis.

06/26/2017 By Hayat Norimine

Shifts & Shakeups

This Week in Restaurant News: Tapas and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Pintxo opens its new Fourth Ave location, 8oz Burger brings grilled cheese to Uwajimaya, and Sitka and Spruces's chef heads to Beacon Hill.

06/23/2017 By Amber Wright

Morning Fizz

Minimum Wage Measure Outperforms Clinton in Blue Washington

1433 does better than Clinton in Washington state, ad hoc anti-Trump meetup on Capitol Hill

11/14/2016 By Josh Feit

Power Lines

Seattle's Next Big Labor Battle Will Be Over Flexible Scheduling

What does a $15 an hour minimum wage matter when you’re not getting any hours?

04/22/2016 By Josh Feit

Explainer

Why Some Seattle Restaurants Are Doing Away with Tipping

To tip or not to tip—is it really a question? The custom is so ingrained in restaurant goers that many of us will typically add at least 20 percent to the bill even if our server forgot that second drink. But its days are numbered.

03/02/2016 By Matthew Halverson

Morning Fizz

Doubling Last Levy, Mayor Rolls Out $290 Million Affordable Housing Proposal

Murray on affordable housing, Republicans on minimum wage.

02/04/2016 By Josh Feit

Critic's Notebook

The Diner’s Dilemma When Tip Is Included

With more restaurants tucking the gratuity into the bill, what to do when the service is lacking?

01/19/2016 By Kathryn Robinson

Morning Fizz

Labor Groups Gear Up for Statewide Minimum Wage Campaign

Ballot initiatives for 2016 and liberals against taxes.

12/28/2015 By Josh Feit

Shifts & Shakeups

The Week in Restaurant News: Bustling Beginnings and Brunch

Chophouse Row opens with farm-to-mouth ice cream and cheese, Bar Sajor serves weekend brunch, and Seattle's favorite molten cake shop readies a second location for Capitol Hill.

05/01/2015 By Jeanny Rhee