Vij's in Vancouver is the best Indian I've ever had by far and is worth a trip to Vancouver in its own right. Vancouver is more scenic and is a better tourist place if you only have a few days, but I really love Portland's sleepy, laid back charm. Both have tons of good food and touristy day activities, but Vancouver is ringed by such gorgeous mountains and water. Also, the drive or train ride is more scenic from Seattle to Vancouver than Seattle to Portland. Portland is cheaper though. As far as Seattle, downtown and Capitol Hill are great areas with tons of restaurants and access to activities. Downtown is closer to the watefront and Pike Place, and Capitol Hill is a bit more Montrose like with a very vibrant mix of culture and night activities. There are so many restaurants in Seattle, and what I'd recommend depends on what you like to eat. I do have to mention Lark, where my wife is sous chef. It's in Capitol Hill, and is a small plates restaurant that encourages family style sharing. They use almost exclusively local farms and artisans, so there's a very Northwest flavor to the place. If you're staying downtown, Palace Kitchen is a late night gem. It's the flagship restaurant of Tom Douglas (the grandfather of fine dining in Seattle), and they have a fun take on tavern food done really well. Their burger and wings are both awesome (Martha Stewart stopped by for some wings right before reporting to prison), but they have amazing seafood and other dishes inspired by the amazing local produce, livestock, and seafood. If you have a particular kind of food or cuisine you want to try, let me know and I can give more targeted advice.
Apaprently Vikram Vij's wife opened a sister restaurant in Seattle, but the reviews haven't been as positive as Vij's in Vancouver.
There's always a line before they open. Get there early! Or you may opt for the smaller, lower priced menu in the other attached restaurant.
