Restaurant supply stores serve up bargains and tools of the trade

Seattle is filled with great restaurants and fervent foodies, so it's no surprise that we also have our fair share of excellent restaurant-supply stores that sell primarily to the trade, but are also open to the public. Here are a few of our favorites. We'd love to hear about yours.

Dick's Restaurant Supply 
First Avenue South has become Seattle's restaurant-supply row, with at least three shops in a few blocks' radius. One of my favorites is Dick's Restaurant Supply.

The shop is beautifully maintained and well organized, with a friendly, helpful staff. Professional pots and pans are stacked on glimmering racks, and a closeout and used section beckons from the rear of the store.

You'll find tongs and strainers of all sizes; a whole wall dedicated to indispensable tools such as microplanes, nutmeg grinders, olive pitters, apple corers and avocado slicers; and party essentials like wire cake stands ($39.95) and ready-to-use cocktail mixes (from $3.80).

Dong Vinh
Not far from Dick's on First Avenue South is Dong Vinh, a magical store where you'll find woks, sushi mats, tea and sake sets, and a multitude of platters and plates with Asian motifs.

If you're looking for a distinctive, affordable gift for a chef who has everything, this is the place to go. Chances are he or she doesn't already own a rectangular egg pan for sushi ($12.50), metal or bamboo Dim Sum steamers (from $2.30), covered rice bowls ($23.95) or a kitschy pink ice bucket ($11.95).

Seattle Restaurant Store
This shop has been selling fixtures and restaurant supplies in the Seattle area since the 1920s. It began as Catania and Sons in Georgetown, and has grown over the decades to encompass 20,000 square feet in Shoreline.

The massive store is a chef's dream come true, selling every kitchen necessity, commercial and residential. There's a designated sale area outside the front entrance, and great deals scattered throughout the store.

On the day I visited, for instance, all Mundial and J.A. Henckel cutlery and closeout books were 50 percent off.

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