Wild Ginger Asian Restaurant   

1401 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
206-623-4450
www.wildginger.net

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Build it, they will come. There's no denying it, since opening in 1989 and through a move to a bigger, sleeker, more "urban" space in 2000, Wild Ginger remains wildly popular...with most people. (Some find the atmosphere cold and cavernous and prices excessive for what you get.) The big, seafood-heavy menu, which pulls together a variety of nicely presented and exotic dishes hard to find in any other single location, is perhaps the biggest draw. Longtime favorites include Siam lettuce cups, seven flavor beef, black pepper scallops or shrimp, panang beef curry, Szechuan green beans, squash and sweet potato stew, satays and the fragrant crispy duck (which can be rather greasy), aromatic with cinnamon and star anise, served with little steamed buns and plum sauce. Coconut milk is present in many dishes, adding flavor and smoothing out rough edges. The other attraction is the buzz, the see-and-be-seen potential of any visit; take a seat on the second story cocktail lounge for a view of the action below. Volume is usually high, but expect the restaurant to be particularly crowded when there are events at Benaroya Hall across the street. Lunch can feel rushed, but is easier on the wallet. The large number of devotees will all tell you it's worth it.