On the Menu

Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria, 4918 Rainier Ave. S.; 206-721-3501; www.tuttabellapizza.com

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 3-10 p.m. Sunday.

Dishes: Prosciutto e rucola (Italian ham and arugula) pizza $9.95; campania pizza $9.50; Tutta Bella salad pizza w/mista $7.50; Caesar salad $5.50/$8.50 with fire-roasted chicken breast $2.

My parting gift to you:
Some of my favorite local eats

By PENELOPE CORCORAN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER RESTAURANT CRITIC

My eating-for-a-living days are over. At least for the foreseeable future.

Today is my last day as a full-time professional restaurant critic at a daily newspaper -- although I may, occasionally, write for publication as a freelancer. On Aug. 15, I'll be returning to Amazon.com, where I'll join the team managing its Gourmet Food store.

Which means: Tonight, when I dine out, it's on my own dime, not the P-I's.

And: From now on, I can go wherever I like and order whatever I want.

And: After today, I don't have to share my food with anyone if I don't want to -- although I usually do. Nor do I have to "taste" what others have.

In fact, I can stop eating altogether. I can go on a diet of tofu and raw vegetables. I can even eat the same thing -- something I've cooked for myself on my very nice, tragically neglected stove -- day after day after day, if the mood strikes me.

You call it normal life. I call it freedom.

Don't get me wrong. For 12 of the past 15 years, I've had what many of you might call a "dream job." Who wouldn't want to dine out and write about it -- especially if someone else was footing the bill?

Still, even dream jobs get old. Or, if they don't, the people lucky enough to have them do. Change is good. Although I will miss the relationship I've developed over the past three years with P-I readers, my digestive system needs a rest.

Rather than ending this portion of my restcrit career with a review, I thought I'd share. What follows is a list of restaurants I not only look forward to revisiting on my own, but what, specifically, I plan to enjoy there. As you can see, most of my favorite Seattle eateries are ethnic and inexpensive.

Happy eating! It's been my pleasure to serve you.