Continental Restaurant (4549 University Way NE, 206/632-4700, 7 a.m.–9:30 p.m. daily, $12) on the Ave. is a longtime favorite for inexpensive Greek meals and friendly service. Go there often enough and they’ll treat you like family. If you come in the morning, any omelette with feta will satisfy. Visit later and be sure to finish the meal off with some of the best baklava on the planet. There’s also a deli here.

For impressive French cuisine, you will not go wrong at Madison Park’s Rover’s (2808 E. Madison St., 206/325-7442, www.rovers-seattle.com, 5–10 p.m. Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sun., $22), where the food, service, and setting win uniform praise. The outstanding wine list is a nice accompaniment. Many people regard this as Seattle’s finest restaurant. Complete five-course menus are typically $95 per person.

Over by the Arboretum, Cactus (4220 E. Madison St., 206/324-4140, www.cactusrestaurants.com, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., $15) is another popular place with a blend of Spanish and Southwest dishes. You'll find a fun tapas bar, Indian fry bread, fajitas, enchiladas, and lots of unusual dishes. A personal fave is the grilled jalapeños, stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon.