Dining: The traditional business lunch gets an upgrade.

Once upon a time, the power business lunch was characterized by formal dining rooms, stiff drinks and a centrally located table. Like the rest of business, todays working repast takes place across many platforms. Weve replaced steaks with sashimi and tossed out gin for an IPA. We still prefer that lunch spot around the corner, but weve learned that clearing out of the familiar for a spell leads to inspiration and greater productivity. White linen may still play a role, but like the two-martini lunch and a New York cut, tradition has given way to a broad platter of possibilities.

SEATTLE

Monsoon
615 19th Avenue E

Situated along one of seattles trendiest culinary corridors, Monsoon has a menu and an ambience guaranteed to impress clients. The room is bright and unstuffy. The kitchen takes Pacific Northwest provender and twists it with Vietnamese influences. Try the crispy local drunken chicken and Wagyu beef carpaccio to spice up your meeting. Lunch served MondayFriday 11:30 a.m.3 p.m. monsoonrestaurants.com/seattle; 206.325.2111.

Mistral Kitchen
2020 Westlake Avenue

Chef/owner William Belickis stays a step ahead of the trends, departing his haute cuisine Belltown restaurant to open Mistral Kitchen, perfectly situated between downtown and South Lake Union. Belickis kitchen engages the cool steel room where diners enjoy a menu that changes daily and showcases 200 fresh ingredients that arrive each day. Lunch served MondayFriday 11 a.m.2 p.m. mistral-kitchen.com; 206.623.1922.

Matts in the Market
94 Pike Street, Suite 32

We often avoid tourist destinations, but one look at Matts in the Market during the lunch rush reveals a locals favorite spot abuzz with business people. Owner Dan Bugge, a former fish thrower at Pike Place Market, has created a go-to meeting spot with a market-fresh menu that equals the view. Lunch served MondaySaturday 11:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. mattsinthemarket.com; 206.467.7909.

The Hunt Club
Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison Street

The Hunt Club. Its setting in the Sorrento Hotel is just right for lunch.

Seattle does not lack for traditional luncheon locales. The Sorrento Hotels Hunt Club blends just the right amount of chophouse bravado with Seattle understatement. The dining room is comfortable but not stuffy, the menu promises intriguing salad options as well as the celebratory steak (or lobster mac & cheese), and the conversation remains discreet. Lunch served MondayFriday 11 a.m.5 p.m. hotelsorrento.com/food-drink/hunt-club; 206.622.6400.

BELLEVUE

Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar
205 108th Avenue NE

Chef/owner John Howie thinks big, so its no surprise that Seastars raw bar is one of the largest in the country. The expansive dining room usually has room for walk-ins. The menu is simply gorgeous, featuring Chefs signature Northwest seafood stew and innovations such as the grilled crab and cheddar sandwich. Lunch served MondayFriday 11:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. seastarrestaurant.com/bellevue; 425.456.0010.

TACOMA

Asado Cucina Argentina
2810 Sixth Avenue

A petite mixed grill featuring skirt steak, prawns and chorizo-style sausage exemplifies the Argentinian menu. The rich dining ambience features golden-scrubbed walls, exposed brick and dark wood. Asado captures the warm and inviting South American spirit, an attitude well suited for the Northwest business lunch. Lunch served MondayFriday 11:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. asadotacoma.com; 253.272.7770.

SPOKANE

Safari Room Fresh Grill and Bar
Davenport Tower, 111 S Post Street

Crispy Dream. Tomato/pesto/mozzarella flatbread at Spokanes Safari Room.

Look no farther than the Inland Empires signature hotel collection for one of Washingtons best lunch spots. The Safari Room in the Davenport Tower, across the street from the Davenport Hotel, offers a range of sandwiches such as the Kentucky Hot Brown (hot turkey and bacon served open-faced on sourdough), plus numerous salads, including the signature Crab Louis, and miniature desserts for $2.50 each. The cocktail list is just as impressive. Lunch served MondayFriday 11 a.m.5 p.m., SaturdaySunday 25 p.m. davenporthotelcollection.com/our-hotels/davenport-tower/dining; 509.789.6800.