If convenience and ability to deal with a volatile party size are your main concerns, the restaurant that dealt with this best most recently, for me, was Wasabi Bistro in Belltown…

I realize not everyone feels this has the best Japanese food, but it’s good enough; and I did find the restaurant very accomodating for parties of unknown size. They didn’t confuse bills at all or anything.

I’m not sure what you mean by “too expensive.” Wasabi Bistro isn’t cheap—but it’s not a five star restaurant either. Is that alright?

Implied YMMV, of course.

(I didn’t want to be the umpteenth person to recommend the Elysian Brewery, which would be too easy an answer. ;) )

I’ve been watching the thread because I couldn’t think of any good ideas. Shanghai Garden is a good first bet; the Elysian is so easy, but perhaps not super tasty. Hmmm. The only other idea I had was Stellar Pizza in Georgetown – which again, is more comfortable than delicious.