Cravings: Green Piece

Popeye knew spinach was good for you—but did he also know how good it can taste? Celebrate spring by savoring this versatile vegetable.

The Metropolitan Grill
Frozen and fresh spinach is combined with garlic, olive oil, nutmeg, mustard and cream in the Met's creamed spinach. It's placed in a baking dish, topped with Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheeses, popped into the oven and then served brown and bubbling. Lunch Mon.–Fri; dinner daily. Downtown, 820 Second Ave.; 206.624.3287; themetropolitangrill.com. $$$ 

Assaggio
For the spinaci salad, spinach is blanched, drained and then sautéed with olive oil, white onions, salt, pepper, garlic and pine nuts, and drizzled with a house-made Dijon mustard. Lunch Mon.–Fri.; dinner Mon.–Sat. Downtown, 2010 Fourth Ave.; 206.441.1399; assaggioseattle.com. $$

The Pink Door
In the popular Lasagna Pink Door, fresh spinach noodles from Cucina Fresca are layered with house-made béchamel sauce and traditional pesto, then topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano. The dish is baked until bubbling and finished with marinara sauce. Lunch and dinner daily. Downtown, 1919 Post Alley; 206.443.3241; thepinkdoor.net. $$

Latona Pub
To create the meal-size baby spinach salad, spinach is tossed with bacon, Marcona almonds, caramelized shallots, Black River Gorgonzola and house-made candied pecans, then dressed with a house-made balsamic vinaigrette. Lunch and dinner daily. Green Lake, 6423 Latona Ave. NE; 206.525.2238; 3pubs.com/Latona. $ 

Saley
The ham, cheese and spinach crêpe here begins with a savory crêpe made on a round iron grill; it's covered with fresh spinach, ham and a special crème fraîche sauce. The whole thing is folded together and served piping hot. Lunch and dinner, Tue.–Fri.; lunch, Sat.–Sun. Capitol Hill, 1361 E Olive Way; 206.405.3444. ¢