In Seattle: For Salumi...to avoid the crowds and get a table (especially for a group), we are there at 11am when they open. They have just started selling their salumi at my neighborhood grocery store, Metropolitan Market, so that makes me happy.
If you like Vietnamese, Seattle is strong in this area. Monsoon for upscale, Tamarind Tree is more casual and authentic and has good 7 courses of Beef, and Green Leaf is more casual yet, but really excellent. Their bahn xeo is the PNW foodie group's favorite.
Tom Douglas' restaurants can be hit or miss, but are a good example of Seattle cuisine. Lark is another favorite, as is Union for wonderful food.
I regret I have no recent info on Portland, but 2 websites/blogs that are very Portland centric are extramsg's blog and Jim Dixon Real Good Food