A Fond Farewell

About 25 years ago, a young Seattle Times police reporter named John Hinterberger began writing an occasional restaurant review. Well, those occasional reviews turned into a career as the undisputed definitive voice of Seattle's food scene. Nobody in this town is more trusted and more revered than Hint, which you know if you've ever tried to go to a restaurant after he's given it a good review. And you know it if you've ever seen him at events like Hinterberger's Alley at the Bite of Seattle, where he graciously spent endless hours greeting all the readers eager to meet him.

Hint, as he's known around the office, retired six years ago, but has been writing reviews for The Times as a free-lancer. Until today. Today's round-up of the Top 10 restaurants reviewed in 1998 is his last critical hurrah for The Times (he's penned a farewell for this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine). His replacement, veteran Seattle food writer Nancy Leson, starts next week. In the meantime, thanks for all the wonderful writing and eating, John, and good luck with your next endeavors, whatever they may be.