Bright colors and large murals grace the walls of this casual Mexican cafe called Burrito Loco bringing in the feel of warm Puerto Vallarta. At Burrito Loco, every dish is exquisitely prepared from the finest ingredients, and the commitment to quality is evident in every bite you take. Portions are so large as to leave you immobile for a time, but after a festive meal here, you'll be perfectly content just to roll down the sidewalk to your car. On hot days, wash it all down with a cool glass of horchata, sangria or a beer.

Home to the resurgent West Seattle Theater, this venue breathed new life into the West Seattle arts community. The cast is top-notch, and the group as a whole is clearly aiming, with no small success, to compete with the major players in the Seattle theater scene. Along with theater, ArtsWest offers: a five-concert classical music series; exhibits and juried exhibits of visual arts from both emerging and mature artists; and literary readings and open-mike nights.

New City Theater is a great place to see inexpensive shows. Performances, often in formative stages, are nonetheless entertaining and tend to be on the edgy side. The theater produces shows on an irregular year-round basis. Call for an up-to-date schedule. Like many the edgy experimental theater companies, this one lives on the financial edge. Formerly housed in a former funeral parlor, it now occupies space in First Christian Church.

Paired with the Liberty Deli, this troupe offers an affecting blend of respect and irreverence toward "the classics." You'll see workings and reworkings of works by Shakespeare, Neil Simon, Dickens and the like. The show comes with dinner (or dinner comes with the show). Entrees vary but have included many delicious chicken, seafood and pastas dishes. Considering that dinner is included, the $22 price is a real bargain.

At the southern, quieter end of the University District, this long, narrow coffee shop is something of an oasis. Done up in blond wood and Danish chairs, decorated with paintings, it emanates an ambiance of Northern European cool. And the folks who come with laptops and textbooks appear to love the calm. The coffee is surprisingly powerful. Blue Willow Tea and delicious cakes and tortes are also served here. Soup specials and tasty sandwiches are made fresh every morning.

This cozy corner grill and alehouse located in West Seattle is owned by a husband and wife team who pride themselves on the quality of their food and on the wide variety of domestic and imported beers, wines and ports. Considering the casual atmosphere, the food from the grill is better than you might expect. Entrees include dishes like Grilled Steel head, Dungeness and Sweet Potato Crab Cakes, and Chicken Jambalaya. Starters include Caesar Salad, an Artichoke Hummus Mesa Plate and Fried Calamari. For lunch, relax with a pint of Guinness or Harp over a Smoked Ham and Brie Sandwich. The restaurant serves brunch on weekends.

This little treasure nestled beside popular Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill includes an old market and an eatery. Quaint and kitschy flower boxes and old-fashioned Coke medallions remind visitors of years gone by. There are only a couple of tables inside and a few benches outside for enjoying a warm breezy summer day. Dishes include pasta salads, soups, sandwiches, Paninis and quiches. Delectable organic juices quench your thirst. The store's aisles are filled with specialty foods.

With huge block letters over the entrance, wood paneling, plush armchairs and an easy-to-read menu board, this University District teahouse looks much like an Asian imitation of Starbucks, except that tea, not coffee, is the heart of the menu here. Choose from black, green and other teas, served hot or cold, in a pot or in a cup. You can also buy leaves in bulk. The pastry case is filled with pork buns and other treats to accompany your beverage.

This University District eatery caters to scholars in tweedy jackets, students in jeans and T-shirts, neighbors in just about anything, and visitors, also in just about anything but with bags. Unlike most University District cafes, this one prides itself on offering an atmosphere of quiet culture blended with the more usual student banter. The food at this classy little cafe is always imaginative, and more healthy than typical cafe fare. The veggie focaccia is highly recommended and the smoked turkey sandwich is a meal or two in itself. Fresh, flavorful, home-style soups and sandwiches abound here. Credit cards are not accepted.

Built on the end of a pier on the downtown waterfront, this place draws crowds in the summer. Visitors and locals alike take in the views across Elliott Bay. The interior of this two storey seafood eatery contains wooden tables and chairs, wooden walls and floors. A little brass enhances the nautical feel. If you're hungry and dining with a friend, try the Fisherman's Feast, which includes great sourdough bread, chowder, salad, a bucket of fresh Pacific Northwest clams or mussels, and a choice of crab, salmon, halibut, cod or prawns. The menu features more seafood, plus pasta, chicken and steak. The lunch crowd is casual. Jeans or shorts and T-shirts are standard attire in the summer months. For dinner, folks dress up a bit, although it is still pretty casual.