Hey, you forgot my neighborhood! Readers share faves

Last week I took readers beyond Seattle's delicious downtown, offering an "abbreviated" list of 60 of my favorite neighborhood food stops. And, no surprise, I heard from gazillions of readers who were absolutely cranked that their favorites weren't listed.

Worse, said some, I ignored their neighborhoods altogether. What can I say, other than SOR-ry! We've got far too many great neighborhood places — and great neighborhoods — to honor them all. Allow me to atone for my sins by sharing readers' suggestions.

Denizens of Capitol Hill weighed in big-time. "How could you leave La Spiga off that list?" hissed an unnamed caller, whose love for Osteria La Spiga (1401 Broadway, 206-323-8881) clearly rivals Bob's, who wrote that La Spiga's exclusion was "surely an oversight." Indeed it was.

Sheryl was surprised that the "exquisite Vietnamese food" at The Green Papaya (600 E. Pine, 206-323-1923) wasn't mentioned, calling the place "one of Seattle's best-kept secrets." Diana's Capitol Hill Vietnamese favorite is Da Lat Cafe (624 Broadway Ave. E., 206-323-2773), where she's fond of "the delicious, fresh, clean-tasting flavors" and notes "they have high standards, and it shows."

Pastor Zachary called to complain — loudly — that Central District standbys like Catfish Corner (2726 E. Cherry St., 206-323-4330) and Thompson's Point of View (2308 E. Union St., 206-329-2512) were missing in action, and Jim, from Columbia City, was "shocked" that I left out Jones Barbeque (3810 S. Ferdinand St., 206-722-4414). Mea culpa.

Seward Park neighbors Mugette and Lucien were disappointed by my omission of The Wellington (4869 Rainier Ave. S., 206-722-8571). And their neighbor, Betty, put in a good word for her Seward Park favorites Pizzuto's (5032 Wilson Ave. S., 206-722-6395) and Susan's 5100 Bistro (5100 S. Dawson St., 206-721-6308), adding that in Rainier Beach she eats Mexican at Maya's (9447 Rainier Ave. S., 206-725-5510) and loves the new Café Vignole (9252 57th Ave. S., 206-721-2267) where "the owner's mother makes a black-eyed-pea cake that is addicting."

Wendy, a Greenwood resident, was "saddened" I hadn't included Olive You (8516 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-706-4121), a Mediterranean "gem" where she's been known to eat as frequently as three times a week, having grown "addicted to [owner] Timur Leno's daily hot-case specials." Margaret wrote in agreement, though she's "addicted to the stuffed peppers." (Me, too.)

Jamini urged me to add one more restaurant to my Fremont list: Silence-Heart-Nest (3508 Fremont Place N., 206-633-5169), where "everything is delicious, especially the 'Center of the Universe' Scramble." Diane hated to see me omit Chiso, a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar (3520 Fremont Ave. N., 206-632-3430), and I, frankly, hate myself for omitting it.

Will put in a good word for Fremont's "excellent crepe place," Bouchee Creperie & Cafe (3510 Fremont Ave. N., 206-632-5220). And David says he's "a big fan of Jai Thai in Fremont" (3423 Fremont Ave. N., 206-632-7060), as well as Thaiku (5410 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-706-7807) in Ballard.

Sheri from West Seattle suggested two of her "favorite haunts": Bamboo Bar & Grill (2806 Alki Ave. S.W., 206-937-3023) and JaK's Grill (4548 California Ave. S.W., 206-937-7809). Justin seconds that motion, adding that JaK's "honestly has one of the better steaks in town." (P.S. It's a great value, too.) He also has high praise for the Mediterranean food at Phoenecia at Alki (2716 Alki Ave. S.W., 206-935-6550) and the Italian specialties at La Rustica (4100 Beach Dr. S.W., 206-932-3020).

David and Laurie "heartily concurred" with my suggestions regarding their Green Lake neighborhood, but wanted me to add their favorite bake-shop, Hiroki (2224 N. 56th St., 206-547-4128). "We adore his [Hiroki's] take on desserts — delicate without loss of intensity, not cloyingly sweet, lovingly presented. And the green tea tiramisu is a marvel." That it is.

Regarding my geographic indignities:

"You, like most everybody in Seattle, forgot there is a neighborhood called First Hill," wrote Allan, who urged me to try Vito's (927 Ninth Ave., 206-682-2695); First Hill Bar & Grill (901 Madison St., 206-623-6333); Geneva (1106 Eighth Ave., 206-624-2222); and the Hunt Club (in the Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., 206-343-6156).

"We live in the Sand Point/View Ridge area and enjoy two terrific restaurants," writes Nancy, who suggested two of my favorites, Sand Point Grill (5412 Sand Point Way, 206-729-1303), where "the laid-back, friendly staff always makes you feel so welcome," and Pair (5501 30th Ave. N.E., 206-526-7655), where she likes to share the many small-plates on offer. "Who knew Brussels sprouts could be so good?" I did.

"Come to Magnolia sometime," suggests Joan, "You might want to check out a perfect example of an outstanding, unique neighborhood restaurant" — Szmania's (3321 W. McGraw St., 206-284-7305). I have, and it is. Larry wants me to come to Eastlake for "the tastiest pizza in town" at Pazzo's (2307 Eastlake Ave. E., 206-329-6558) where "they get everything right: great crust, great sauce, great cheese and great toppings." Will do.

"Why is Lake City absent?" wonders Sally, (rightfully) boasting about Toyoda Sushi (12543 Lake City Way N.E., 206-367-7972), Thai One On (12343 Lake City Way N.E., 206-362-6999) and Pho Binh, (13310 Lake City Way N.E., 206-361-5144), which "serves as good a Vietnamese noodle soup as anywhere else in the city."

Cheryl couldn't believe I'd leave out the U-District, and an unnamed caller feels the same, noting that she wouldn't miss Shultzy's Sausage (4114 University Way N.E., 206-548-9461) or the No. 13 meal at Saigon Deli (4142 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., 206-634-2866).

Karen lives at the edge of Maple Leaf, where an "embarrassment of good restaurants" exists within walking distance of her house. These include Mr. Villa (8064 Lake City Way N.E., 206-517-5660), with "burritos big enough for two meals and sangria that makes lunch a vacation"; Sakura Japanese Bistro (8014 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle; 206-524-4296); LC's Kitchen (8007 Lake City Way N.E., 206-522-1114); Toto's Ristorante Italiano (8051 Lake City Way N.E., 206-524-3806); and La Casa del Mojito (7545 Lake City Way N.E., 206-525-3162), for "great Cuban sandwiches and sweet Cuban coffee."

"Where were the wonderful restaurants of Madison Park?" asked Liz, whose favorite is Madison Park Café (1807 42nd Ave. E., 206-324-2626), where "it's cozy in winter and perfect on a summer night eating on the patio under trees lit with little white lights," and where "the very personal service makes you feel as if you are a guest at a lovely dinner party."

"You forgot Burien," said Patricia, who called to remind me about Angelo's Ristorante (601 S.W. 153rd St., 206-244-3555), Mick Kelly's Irish Pub (435 S.W. 152nd St., 206-246-2473) and the Tin Room (923 S.W. 152nd St., Burien; 206-242-8040).

And then there were those who, like me, drive far and wide to find great eats — and aren't shy about sharing:

Elizabeth wrote to say she loves Café Juanita (9702 N.E. 120th Place, 425-823-1505) in Kirkland; heads to Queen Anne for anchovies at Panos Kleftiko (815 Fifth Ave. N., 206-301-0393) and up the hill to Macrina Bakery & Café (615 W. McGraw St., 206-283-5900) for a muffin or pecan diamond; Fasica in Columbia City (3808 S. Edmunds St., 206-723-1971) for Ethiopian food; and Pair (see above) "for the mac and cheese alone."

Matt would have liked to see me go further afield — South and East in particular — and set me up with a list of his own. He'd send me to Burien for Italian at Filiberto's (14401 Des Moines Memorial Drive, 206-248-1944), and to Kent for Thai and Japanese food at Saya Restaurant (8455 S. 212th St., 253-395-7987). Then it's off to Roberto's Pizza & Pasta (7605 S.E. 27th St., Suite 111, 206-232-7383) on Mercer Island, Eastgate's India Gate (3080 148th Ave. S.E., 425-747-1075), and to Factoria for take-out from Oe-She (3938 Factoria Square Mall S.E., 425-644-7835) and eat-in at Grazie Ristorante Italiano (3820 124th Ave. S.E., 425-644-1200). In Newcastle, Matt would send me to Tapatio Mexican Grill (6920 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., 425-747-0477).

Debadutta noted that there wasn't a single Indian restaurant among my lengthy list, a serious oversight he said, given that "there are 140 Indian restaurants in the Puget Sound area." Among his favorites: Cedars on Brooklyn in the U-District (4759 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., 206-527-5247); Mayuri in Bellevue (15400 N.E. 20th St. No. 6, 425-641-4442); Preet's in Redmond (8440 160th Ave. N.E., 425-867-9400); and Naan-N-Curry in Renton (709 S. Third St., 425-271-6226). But he saves his highest praise for Usmania Tikka Kabab, recently relocated from Seattle to Mill Creek (13416 Bothell-Everett Hwy No. 203, 425-379-0203).

Head north, wrote Karen, for "the best Cajun and soul cooking to be found" — at Alligator Soul, a "hole-in-the-wall" in Everett (2013-˝ Hewitt Ave., 425-259-6311) where "the ribs and the gumbo are to die for." Kerry and her husband have been trying out restaurants in South Snohomish County and list Lynnwood's Maddox Grill & Bar (18411 Highway 99, 425-778-2223) and Edmonds' Shell Creek Grill & Wine Bar (526 Main St., 425-775-4566) among their favorites.

Sara cast her vote for Shoreline's Yamashiro Sushi Bistro (13754 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle; 206-361-2620) and Grinders Hot Sands (19811 Aurora Ave. N., 206-542-0627). "Last but not least," she adds, there's the Korean restaurant at the Olympus Women's Spa in Lynnwood (3815 196th St. S.W., 425-697-3000), where she gets to eat bibimbap while wearing a bathrobe. Bibimbap in a bathrobe? I am so there.

Nancy Leson: 206-464-8838 or taste@seattletimes.com

Catch Nancy Leson's commentaries on food and restaurants on the third Wednesday of each month on KPLU (88.5 FM) at 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m, and again the following Sunday at 6:30 and 8:30 a.m.