WEDGEWOOD. A popular notion is that you have to make your way to the International District to find really good Chinese food in Seattle; fortunately, this Wedgewood eatery goes a long way toward dispelling that myth. For the better part of a decade now, the Black Pearl has been wowing Seattle's Northside with a menu that peppers traditional Chinese fare with a bit of a Pacific Northwest lilt. The hand-rolled noodles are becoming somewhat of a local legend.

PIONEER SQUARE & INT'L DISTRICT. This friendly Seventh Ave eatery is known far and wide for its dim sum, and many Seattle insiders have even gone so far as to grant China Gate's 100-item menu the title of "best in town." Specialties include fresh crab, shrimp, lobster, and squid, and familiar favorites like sweet & sour pork, almond-fried chicken, and Peking duck. The brightly lit main dining area is dominated by hues of jade green and traditional renderings of dragons and phoenixes; the live seafood tanks up front help complete this quintessentially Chinese-American scene. Dim sum is served late into the night, too!

CAPITOL HILL. Situation: you're craving sushi, your friends are clamoring for lo mein, moo shu pork, and pad thai. Solution: Chinoise Café. This Pan-Asian restaurant chain (with four locations, all in Seattle) ignored the usual "one-cuisine" rule, and subsequently built up quite a following for itself. With nary a bad choice on the menu, you really can't go wrong, but favorites include sushi and sashimi dinners, tamarind basil seafood, and anything with Thai garlic sauce. Service is efficient and friendly, and there is a good selection of wine and sake.

INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. Ideal for those looking for something a bit different that won't break the bank, this Chinese standby in the ID earns high marks from regulars. Honey Court emphasizes quality food, fresh ingredients, and friendly service over the fancy decor you might find at rival places. Specialties include steamed whole tilapia, sautéed fresh squid with broccoli, and shredded squab with crispy lettuce, but what the customers truly adore is honey-walnut prawns. In addition, the dim sum is a terrific lunch option. Weekends after the clubs shut down, Honey Court has been known to stay open even later than usual.

Renton may be a bit of drive from the heart of the Seattle area, but if you find yourself deep in the south metro with a craving for Chinese, this treasure earns high marks for its friendly service, affordable prices, and excellent Cantonese cuisine. Featured main dishes include duck tongue with assorted vegetables, deep-fried pigeon in spice sauce, shredded roast duck with jellyfish, and stir-fried beef with lychee. Rumor has it that their dim sum lunch special is one of the best deals in the Sound region.