Not sure what neighborhood you'll be in, but a great choice is El Camino, in Fremont. Better cuisine and atmo than the typical sombrero & tequila Mexican place. Their "bartender's margarita" is to die for. I LOOOVE sitting out on their back patio (which, as with everything in Seattle, you can only do comfortably from about July to September).

Tell me what neighborhood you prefer and I'll come up with other choices.

SEA2BA and missing Seattle!

Oh that sounds great. I live in Green Lake so Fremont is fine with us!

Are you looking for a relaxing environment or one that's a bit livelier?

Let's evaluate this one. We are all under the age of 26, we are planning on drinking...ummm...lively is good ;)

I'm thinking El Camino may be a bit sedate for your liking...

Where can I find a raw/oyster bar with a good happy hour near the downtown sheraton?

I heard there's a good one at Pike Place Market. Search NY Times for a recent article on Seattle oysters.

Elliot's has great oysters. It's down on the waterfront. Nice walk there but I would take a cab home up the hill back to the hotel.

Favorite Resturaunts
 

IMO the best resturaunts in Seattle are:

Cafe Lago - on Capital Hill/Montlake area - They serve great Italian food, very traditional pizza, and all of their pasta is hand made. They also have a nice bar where you can sit and have a drink.

Shiro's - in Belltown - The best sushi in Seattle. A little pricey but is you sit at the bar and ask Shiro to make you something good he will ttake care of you. just make sure you don't offend him. :D

Shiro's is good, but I'm not a fan of the atmosphere. My favorite sushi place is Mashiko's on California in West Seattle. They have the most knowledgeable and fun servers who are down to earth and non-condescending. And the sushi is quite excellent. ^
http://www.sushiwhore.com

Since we are on the topic of sushi, can we talk about how horrible Blue C is?

Ha ha ha ha! So true. I haven't eaten at the one in the U-Village, but the one in Fremont is so, so, so... so not good. AND what's worse, is that I want it to be good. :mad:

I really like the idea of it. But I feel like they have so Americanized it to the point that I could swear that everything has to be cooked. It just sort of freaks me out. It's also like the people that go there want to "try" sushi but they are also the types that think that Japanese food consits of Gyoza and Tempura and oh my, teriyaki! Ewww.

Some Recent Dining Experiences...

Crush
2319 E. Madison (Madison Park)
I was invited to go along w/ some friends as a special guest of the chef Jason Wilson (who is supposedly one of the nation's best up and coming chef's). The restaurant is in a remodeled victorian house on the outside but a tredny, modern once you step in. It's fine dining and tasty with small portions. Impeccable service. And is supposedly becoming one of the hardest places to get a table in Seattle. Maybe a bit too pricey, but that could be due to the fact that there was foie gras in seemingly every dish....

Marjorie
2331 2nd Ave (Belltown)
Try the tasting menu. Amazingly fresh ingredients. Friendly staff. Great atmosphere. Unbelievable drinks.

Mistral
Blanchard between 1st & 2nd (Belltown)
Offers price-fixe menus paired w/ the appropriate wine. Perfect Service. The entire meal was an experience.

I second lala's suggestion that you post a link to the NW egullet forum. Very friendly group.