Just a Bite! makes a big impression

FLAVOR PROFILE: Freshly cut green vegetables and bean sprouts provide a bright, clean complement to the grilled pork marinated in fish sauce with lemon grass, which, with the fried onions on top, can be a bit greasy.

PORTION SIZE: Green Leaf's idea of "small bite" is the size of a full entree at most restaurants. Quality bang for your buck here.

WORTH A VISIT? If you're looking for something Asian-inspired, Green Leaf easily bests its neighbors' gummy phad thai and pan-Asian salad. Take that, Wolfgang. (K.C.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Packs in several ingredients, with mixed greens, radishes, carrots, julienned fried wontons and candied cashews with sesame ginger dressing. Still, it lacked a distinct or outstanding punch of flavor, with the exception of the cashews. Available with or without chicken.

PORTION SIZE: Served in a Chinese takeout box, which was more trouble than the "cute" touch was worth. Made it hard to mix layers. The price might have been better justified with a more exciting salad.

WORTH A VISIT? One of the few vegetarian options (when ordered sans chicken), but if you don't have diet restrictions, check out the other booths first. (L.B.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Although they had the flavor of old-fashioned, home-cooked meatballs, smothered in butter and cheese, they tasted like something I could have made at home. Then again, it probably would have cost more to make them.

PORTION SIZE: Five meatballs for $3.75; sounds like a good deal to me.

WORTH A VISIT? Probably not. (M.M.)

		Karen Ducey / P-I
	Spanakopita at Divine is not too big or small. It's what you would expect to get for the same price at a restaurant. Also check out the staff's summery costume-shop togas.

FLAVOR PROFILE: So much buttery phyllo, creamy feta and spinach can cloud your palate, but the peppery arugula and the tang of the balsamic vinegar on top are a perfect contrast. It all sits on top of a spicy feta made with poblano peppers.

PORTION SIZE: Just right -- not too big or small. What you would expect to get for the same price at a restaurant.

WORTH A VISIT: Check it out -- and the staff's summery costume-shop togas. (K.C.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Subtle hints of espresso and coffee liqueur, dominated by the rich mascarpone.

PORTION SIZE: Comes in an adorable takeaway container -- it's like a pudding cup, but much more "luscious fun," as one guy manning the booth said.

WORTH A VISIT: Definitely -- they're famous for this stuff. (K.C.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Simple and stripped down. Just tubular ziti noodles coated in marinara. Tasty, but lackluster.

PORTION SIZE: Generous enough to fill you up, but not enough to justify the price.

WORTH A VISIT? Go for the meatballs or gnocchi for more flavor. (L.B.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Very mild, lacking the spice of better vodka sauces. Gnocchi like pillows of potato, really -- good consistency.

PORTION SIZE: Maggiano's regular restaurant portions are known to be monstrous, but with the smaller portions you can have lunch and dessert!

WORTH A VISIT? A hearty bite for sure, and a much classier option than the usual funnel cake and corn dogs down the way. (K.C.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: The added texture of crisp wonton strips is a nice touch; the lingering taste of fryer oil is not.

PORTION SIZE: Same as fresh spring rolls at most restaurants -- a bit more expensive, though.

WORTH A VISIT? Yes, though maybe skip the wontons. (K.C.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: A touch too greasy, with the usual diced cabbage and carrots. Nondescript.

PORTION SIZE: Actually bite-size! Good for a snack, if you can pare it with Thai iced tea (and some Pepto).

WORTH A VISIT? No. (K.C.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: For those who have turned their backs on pork, turn around. The ground pork inside a phyllo packet was light and sat in a puddle of rich garlic sauce. You'll also want to go for the pork cracklin', which is Divine's version of a potato chip: It's fried and seasoned pork skin.

PORTION SIZE: Large.

WORTH A VISIT? Definitely. (M.M.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Light yellow curry sauce tops chicken, potatoes, onions and tomatoes on a bed of steamed rice. Neither bad nor excellent, the mild curry flavor might be a good introduction for someone new to the dish.

PORTION SIZE: The portion is not bad, and the potatoes help make the dish filling. Ask for two paper plates, though; the dish partially soaked one plate.

WORTH A VISIT? It's worth a try. (L.B.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Very sweet, thick peanut sauce.

PORTION SIZE: It's like a really large eraser, or a small cell phone. On a stick.

WORTH A VISIT? At $2, not so much. (K.C.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Getting past the Crayola orange of the noodles and chicken was troubling, but it was a simple-tasting, heaping plate. Nothing fancy.

PORTION SIZE: Mountainous.

WORTH A VISIT? Yes. (M.M.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: The dessert, unfortunately, was not the highlight. It's worth eating the whole thing, but none of the flavors of berries or custard stuck out.

PORTION SIZE: Large

WORTH A VISIT? Not for the pie. (M.M.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: These hand-beaten fried puffs come out thick and crisp, covered in honey and cinnamon. Simple and sweet, they tasted even better after soaking in honey for a while, so let them soften up while enjoying your entree, if you can stand the wait.

PORTION SIZE: Four golf-ball-size puffs are sure to satisfy.

WORTH A VISIT? The Greek dessert to try. (L.B.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Sweet but not too heavy, with chunks of fresh coconut mixed in.

PORTION SIZE: About 16 ounces for $2, which is more coconut than most people can handle. Share.

WORTH A VISIT? If you're into coconut, go for it. (K.C.)

FLAVOR PROFILE: Tart and crisp without the excessive sweetness that comes with lots of summer drinks. The full flavor really comes through and offers maximum refreshment.

PORTION SIZE: In a 16-ounce cup with lots of ice, it's a decent size for $2, but so good, you'll be sad to finish it.

WORTH A VISIT? By itself or washing down the spanakopita, it's a delightful drink. (The chamomile lavender iced tea also looked irresistible.) (L.B.)

IF YOU GO

The Bite of Seattle continues Saturday (11 a.m.-9 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-8 p.m.) at Seattle Center. Admission is free. Information: biteofseattle.com