With the arrival of fall, we are bound to crave comfort food more and more with every new drop of rain. Our editor-in-chief Chelsea Lin has some recommendations with this week’s installment of our Instagram Q&A, from warm dumplings to hearty cajun food. 

Have a question for Chelsea? Submit here.

Where is the best place to take a cooking class in Seattle?

We’re lucky to have so many great options here, but I really love the Pantry, which is a super cool spot tucked behind Delancey in Ballard. Their classes sell out REALLY fast, and they release a whole season’s at once, so make sure to put the date those go on sale on your calendar. 

Best place for lunch near Pike Place with a 1-year-old?

I guess it depends on whether you’re looking for food for you or for your 1yo… Beecher’s has some of the best mac and cheese in the city, and any toddler (or adult) would be happy there. But there’s also Bavarian Meats, Miss Café, Steelhead Diner… I’d say most places are suitable for you and your kiddo!

Where are the best fish tacos? 

I actually really like the fish tacos at El Camion, if you’re going the super casual taco truck route. La Carte de Oaxaca in Ballard makes excellent fish tacos as well.

Best Mediterranean food downtown?

Ooh, if you’ve never been to Eggs and Plants, it’s such a delight! They have sabich, which almost nowhere in Seattle offers, as well as shakshuka, falafel and (incongruently) some pretty great smoothies, too. 

Eastside sandwich shops – where are they?!

I admittedly don’t generally go for sandwiches when I’m on the Eastside, but I do love Tres, which is a Japanese sandwich shop in Bellevue. They make the most perfect little prepackaged sandwiches on fluffy Japanese white bread with the crusts cut off, just like you’d find at a 7-11 in Tokyo. 

If the Michelin guide came to Seattle, who would get stars and how many?

So, I know you’ve submitted this question before, but truthfully, this is something you could have a whole panel of people deliberate for months, and it is not something I can sum up in 15 seconds of video time. Sorry!