Chomp down on something tasty at Bite of Seattle

Savvy foodies will be scouting the best booths at this weekend's 24th annual Bite of Seattle festival, which runs through Sunday.

This year, more than 50 restaurants and 40 food companies are dishing up flavorful creations at $5 or less for each entree or combination plate.

Past favorites include tasty ribs from Jones Barbeque, strawberry shortcakes from Biringer Farms, Filipino barbecue pork skewers from Espi's Sausage & Tocino, Cajun seafood pockets from New Orleans Cookery and chicken tika masala from Chutney's Bistro.

Old-timers will relish Catfish Corner's return, and those in the know will check out the heirloom-tomato salad from chef Tom Douglas, whose Greek restaurant Lola is new to the Bite this year.

Spicy-food lovers can also stroll toward the Thai Arcade, where half a dozen booths feature specialties from 14 restaurants.

Festival

Bite of Seattle, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. today and Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle (206-448-3032 or www.biteofseattle.com).

Some locals like to make Kathy Casey's Alley, presented by The Seattle Times, their first stop. For $9 (proceeds benefit Food Lifeline), visitors pick up an item from each of eight upscale restaurants. This year's lineup includes Volterra's polenta with truffled wild mushrooms and Ibiza Dinner Club's lamb "lollipop" with honey glaze and pistachio crust. Plan to be there early; the Alley closes two hours before the other booths each day.

Visitors can also sip wine from 12 local wineries at the Vines of Washington exhibit ($6 for two tastes) or try one of the four outdoor beer gardens (prices vary).

Casey hosts this festival's cooking demonstrations, and for the first time kids can watch cooks their own age at the Family Fun Zone.

Entertainment, with 150 live musical acts, will be presented on five stages throughout the festival. The 21-and-over crowd might want to stop by the Comedy Club. A new attraction, the Bite Home and Garden Show, will feature products and services from more than a dozen local companies.

Judy Chia Hui Hsu: 206-464-3315 or jhsu@seattletimes.com