And the winner is...

Seattle: 54 / Portland: 52

Why it won: 7 spots to convince you Seattle is king

1. Salumi Cured Meats. Heralded more for its out-standing salumi sandwiches than for owner Gina Batali’s connection to superstar brother Mario, this tiny Pioneer Square spot is the place for pork lovers—and worth the wait. Ask for a peek into the curing room. 309 Third Ave. S.; 206/621-8772.

2. Melrose Market. This triangular building at the bottom of Seattle’s Pike/Pine Corridor is an artisanal food paradise filled with top-shelf vendors like the Calf & Kid Artisan Cheese Shop, Rain Shadow Meats, Taylor Shellfish, and chef Matt Dillon’s Sitka & Spruce, to name a few. 1501–1535 Melrose Ave.; melrosemarketseattle.com

3. Cafe Besalu. Pastry chef James Miller, a multiple James Beard award nominee, makes Seattle’s best croissant dough, folding it into pastries with ham and gruyère, twisting it into cardamom pretzels, or stuffing it with traditional chocolate. $; 5909 24th Ave. N.W.; 206/789-1463.