The circus comes to dinner

Word to the wise: The ticket price includes a five-course meal. Vegetarians needn't order in advance, simply alert your server when you're seated.

Noteworthy for: This is a fine dining establishment that demands flashy dressing. The venue even has its on-site boutique for those who forgot their feather boas.

Combining elements of vaudeville, burlesque, circus and dinner theater, Teatro ZinZanni produces a show that rivals that of the most far-out Las Vegas spectacle while serving some of the best food in town. Originally intended as a one season production, the popularity of the show was so overwhelming that Teatro ZinZanni put down permanent roots in Seattle in the 1990s and later expanded to San Francisco. The shows change with some regularity, but are always centered around a unique, carnival-esque mix of acrobatic and theatrical performance.

The Seattle location features the culinary creations of Tom Douglas, who owns several successful restaurants and lounges around town. The combined meal and show ticket (unfortunately, there isn't a non-dining option) isn't cheap, but as great nights out go, this is one of the best you'll have in Seattle.