Old-Fashioned Dining in Seattle

This time the calendar wasn't our friend. Our one day in Seattle coincided with the Cowboys-Seahawks game, and hundreds of Dallas fans augmented the usual weekend lines. We had to wait over an hour for a table.

Dining at Ivar's Acres of Clams (est.1938) is like going to Alioto's on Fisherman's Wharf, where you will encounter hardly any locals.

2-lb. "bucket" of clams

Infrequent visitors should go at least once to see the old-fashioned paneling and bar, as well as the history on the walls.

Naturally, I had to order the signature "Acres of Clams." A two-pound bucket for $29, it was not grotesquely overpriced.

Most seafood places cook the clams a short while so that they turn out plump and juicy. Ivar's leaves the local Manila clams in the steamer longer; the mollusks are smaller, but the flavor is more intense.

By the time we were done the crowds had dissipated. Traffic was light back to Tacoma. It was time to head home.