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    Canlis

    4.0 (1.9k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndNew American, Seafood
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Canlis Photos

    Business Info

    CANLIS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Upscale
    Quiet
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Canlis

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    Reviews With Photos

    Cocktail
    Christina P.

    A beautiful restaurant that puts thought and care into everything. First you have to acknowledge the beautiful ambiance. Gorgeous view of Lake Union with floor to ceiling windows, in a beautiful and peaceful building. The service was friendly and top notch and really went above and beyond. The food was great and I was full before they even brought the first course because all the little bites were so varied and delicious. I had the celeriac which was the right choice - it was really innovative and unlike anything I've ever had before. It is apparently cooked while still in the ground. The Parmesan pasta and soufflé were always wonderful. They were exceptionally careful with my allergy and recommended lovely wines and cocktails. A beautiful evening.

    Maria L.

    Had an amazing evening at Canlis! From the amazing views to the exceptional service. We were greeted by the valet and then the owner--which was a pleasant surprise. The bartender, Zoey, was amazing and the pork loin and salmon and crème brûlée were divine! Highly recommend.

    The view was okay
    Michael S.

    Verdict: not worth coming here anymore. Back then, it maybe used to be the "Belle of the fine dining ball", but it's not anywhere close to being what it once was (it's so much worse than anyone could have imagined). The missus and I have had better fine dining in Seattle - its not here. My wife and I held our post-elopement dinner for 20 people (private dining in the smaller room) back in June 2025. The original booking process and organizational timeline were both fine - communication with the event organizer and picking the menu were a fairly seamless a smooth experience (nothing to comment on). Day-of: The early morning (10am) of our dinner, we stopped by before opening to drop off the handmade flower arrangements that the missus meticulously made for the table, as well as the place card names and the seating chart, and went on our way. It was fully set up when we came back that later that afternoon, so things looked good when we arrived shortly before our guests did, at around 5pm. This is basically where everything went downhill. Service fumbles: as guests arrived, instead of knowing where to go, or being led to the private dining area where we were mingling with our guests, no dedicated "front door wait staff/host" was at the front to greet or route them, so I got a lot of confused texts on where to go from guests who arrived (after valeting their cars) to... No host. The valet had taken their car, but the handoff to 'inside the restaurant' was so bad that... We just had guests wandering in without anyone helping them? The service in the actual room was fine - they brought the food out slowly, though - missus had wondered when the next course would arrive because she was hungry and they were super slow at moving the meal along. I guess the speedy water and alcohol refills were meant to try to quell the slow speed of service? Worse yet, the food... Man oh man, I thought this place was supposed to be fine dining. The food was overly salty, not memorable, and honestly, it definitely did not feel worth what we ultimately paid. Table stakes would have been if any one dish was "a standout" - especially for an establishment with such a storied legacy and having such-and-such number of James beard (culinary?) awards... I guess maybe we expected too much? Maybe this place is overrated? Maybe it's inflated hype? The only real "win" of the night was the company we'd invited, the missus' flower arrangements (which were a huge hit!), and the space / view itself. The food and the service were greatly disappointing. I'd give this a lower review but they did enough "right" in the first stages, that the lowest I think this place deserves is a rounded-up 2.5 (so 3/5). That Seattle times article (Nov 1, 2025) basically hit the nail on the head.

    Alexis V.

    finally got reservations after a month for my high school best friend and me. So glad that we did because we got to try the closest equivalent to a Michelin star restaurant in Washington state. It seems like there is none of that here, so this restaurant was on our must-try list for some time. Food had us speechless...idek what we ate, I just remember that it was good. Got 5 courses that genuinely filled us up, and we were hungry! Dessert was a bit underwhelming because it was confections that I could have gotten anywhere else as they are same tier of deliciousness as a mom-and-pop bakery shop, but the appetizers and main meals were soooo memorable. The way that the steak melted in our mouth and I personally do not prefer to eat that. Food was such an experience from taste to mechanical breakdown when you consume it, but please note that the main meal of meat and potatoes that we got was an extra $65 each on top of the mandatory $180 price for each of us with the 5-part menu. Paid $100 each for reservations, which is subtracted from the total, but we still had a remainder of $483 left to pay. Do not come here without doing research on how much u will actually spend because yes...there is a mandatory 20% service fee. Totally makes sense because only valet parking nearby, they box your leftovers to then leave in your car when you depart, and the waiters/waitresses put in work to understand the menu as well as ensure your comfort throughout your sta (e.g. monitoring coat check). We were seated at the booths that faced the big window of the city skyline, which was not much a sight compared to Kerry Park, but the pretty lights still made it nice to look out of once in a while. Wish that staff made more efforts to push for pictures because this is not one of those restaurants that you go on a whim on with the stacked reservations list. Shoutout to the Bellevue couple, Alex and CJ, who paid for our tiki rum volcano drinks to celebrate my birthday before a possible deployment to the Middle East...u both made this restaurant experience THAT muchbetter for us. Happy belated birthdays to the both of them, too, and pray for only good things to come your ways in this life together

    Wine experience was amazing!
    Frank S.

    Canlis was an absolute experience from start to finish. From the moment I walked in, the level of service, attention to detail, and overall atmosphere made it feel like something out of a Michelin dining moment even though it's not officially one. Every single person on the team made the evening feel special without ever being over the top. The food was on another level beautifully presented, perfectly balanced, and full of creativity without trying too hard. You could feel the passion in every plate. What stood out most was how seamless the entire night felt from the timing of each course to the way the staff anticipated what you needed before you even asked. Canlis doesn't just serve food, they curate an experience. It's warm, elegant, and unforgettable. Easily one of the best dining experiences I've ever had in Seattle!!

    Hannah P.

    Amazing service and everything was top tier. We aren't sure if it was worth the entire price, but it was a wonderful first time experience.

    Overly oily and salty bread. Miso jam did not really work. But the vegetable dip is amazing
    Cindy H.

    Canlis is the special occasion of the special occasion restaurant with impeccable view of Lake Union, first class service and haute ambiance. As the OG of high end cuisine in Seattle, Canlis has been featured in almost major every food related media for Seattle, be it Top Chef, Eater essentials, and Food and Wine magazine. We came here after James Huffman, Canlis veteran took on the helm as executive chef. The menu seems to be featuring more local ingredients than previously, but honestly the ingredient and execution quality is just good but not exceptional for a restaurant of this caliber. For the October menu: The highlights are the umami explosion chowder, perfect for autumn tempura mushroom, classic Canlis salad, and unique blueberry halo halo. The lowlights are paper thin soggy root vegetable chips, overly oily and salty bread with overpowering miso dip (the green vegetable dip was delicious though), and heavily creamed potato side. The proteins (sablefish, steak, pork) were all cooked well but the quality of the ingredients itself is just average, I honest get fresher and more flavorful meat and fish from Uwajimaya and Whole Foods. Lastly, the breadsticks like cookies at end of the meal is really not up my alley, I'm not a fan of stale tasting star anise flavored dessert. Will I come back? Maybe in a few years when the new executive chef find his footing and refine the menu.

    Marvin R.

    What's it like at Canlis with the creations of Executive Chef Aisha Ibrahim? Allow me to say, this is not the neighborhood broiler it once was. Canlis is an inspiration to other restaurants in the region to emulate for fine dining excellence. It has definitely earned its place as the humble, silent and unofficial flagship of Seattle's culinary scene. You start by arriving a little bit early, and having cocktails (not drinks) at their lounge (not bar). Sit and order yourself one of their mixologists' suggestions. While doing so, wait and watch their creations at work. This are professionals who are driven to excellence. But that is where your experience BEGINS. I can show you pictures. I can describe to you the ingredients. But the profiles in preparation, organization and taste is something you have to encounter IN PERSON. This is so you can personally give justice to Canlis' hard work of crafting creative food, creative spirits and phenomenal customer service. I was also privileged to visit behind the line and see the action, up close and first hand. As a culinary professional myself, I can say I was definitely honored to be invited to see a kitchen with such a storied history. The care and dedication is something that cannot be replicated from a mere selfie, or improved with sprinkling of a garnish, proclaiming the word 'bam.' Where the restaurant has received three James Beard Awards, accolades are not the goal of the Canlis family, Chef Ibrahim or the dedicated staff. Excellence and your happiness is. That's why I would go back. And that's why you should visit.

    Dessert
    David H.

    The service was great, the views were dope, andddddd the food was just ok. Like I get it, fine dining often times is more about paying for the experience as a whole, but sheeeesh for $600 I wish I left with a full stomach at the very least lmao. In terms of the quality of the food itself, I mean you could tell that they used top notch ingredients and the presentation was nice, but I can't say it separated itself from other restaurants in the area. When ya combine that with the fact that the quantities were tiny, idk. As a local, I'm glad I finally got to dine in the city's most famous restaurant, but at the same time, I probably won't be coming back.

    Ice cream sundae
    Melissa H.

    Finally made it to Canlis--bar and lounge, nonetheless. When you go somewhere like this, the bar is set impossibly high, which leaves little room for the tiniest imperfections. You're expecting perfection. And overall? It didn't disappoint. It's refreshing to know there's still at least one place in Seattle where people feel compelled to dress up. Cocktails and dinner were wonderful--steak tartare, steak frites, Canlis salad, crudo, and the ice cream sundae. I'd order every single thing again. And I don't even like shoestring fries, but paired with a perfectly medium-rare steak? Fantastic.

    cute salt
    Steve S.

    Canlis has been on my bucket list since moving to Seattle over 10 years ago. Finally made it happen on my 5th wedding anniversary which just so happened to be only 2 weeks after the Seattle Times left a fairly negative review. Reading the review left me a bit concerned, however, I also figured they would have addressed many of the "issues" that the Times noted. Well, I would say they definitely addressed the issues! We had a wonderful experience!! Spectacular service(as expected), great food/wine and what an amazing ambiance. I would say, for a tasting menu, they give you fairly large portions, we left there stuffed. One thing to note, we were very surprised by how many people had children with them dining here, so don't be shocked if you're looking for an entirely kid free evening ;)

    Area
    Sidney P.

    We took the Times' advice to heart and enjoyed a few appetizers and drinks in the bar. The food was delicious, and the service was stellar. Only one glitch - they only have two draft beers and the keg was blown on one of them, at the beginning of the evening. Someone should have caught that - not the news we were hoping for. Overall take - beautiful restaurant and a great place to go if money is of no concern.

    Last bite + coffee, to end the meal
    Joyce L.

    Upscale restaurant, with stunning view. Very $$$$, so when paying $200+ per person for a meal, you better expect perfection. However, some dishes were hits, and others were meh. Though I'm glad I got to try the famous Canlis and did enjoy the meal, given the price point, I'm not inclined to come again. But of the hits, the halibut melted in your mouth - yum! Wagyu was also delicious, validly so for quality meat. The opening amuse bouche & Zefira's delight (cocktail) were refreshing. And of the desserts, the citrus parfait was one-of-a-kind. Service was superb. They gave us a special map of Seattle since we were visiting from out of town. Very thoughtful. :)

    Sablefish

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    Canlis Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Canlis

    Does the lounge still offer a nightly happy hour?

    Yes

    Are the crab cakes loaded with belle peppers? I prefer a crab cake where I can taste the delicate sweetness of the crab and not all the filler. Whoever thought belle peppers were a good choice to be put into crab cakes?

    We do not have crab cakes on our menu. The menu can be found at canlis.com/menu

    What is the photography policies.Im planning a photoshoot?

    I do not think you can perform an all out shoot while dining if it disturbs others.

    Do you have gluten free options for someone with celiac disease?

    Yes! We have a separate menu that is completely gluten free. Just keep in mind you may have a few less options than guests who dine without any dietary restrictions. If you have any other questions please feel free to email reservations@canlis.com… Read more

    Can you eat in the bar?

    Yes. I actually recommend eating at the bar over the dining room. It's more bang for your buck and you are not restricted to choosing just one per course.

    Do they have vegan options? How much do they accommodate those with vegan diets?

    I inquired about vegan options and was told that sadly, there were very few (only salads). This was with over a month's notice. I would take your business elsewhere for vegan options.

    View All 9 Questions

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    4.4(317 reviews)
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    The Ballard's Cut is an absolute gem -- a true Seattle staple that deserves every ounce of praise…read moreit gets. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere captures you: modern décor, intimate lighting, and a warm vibe that feels both upscale and inviting. Everything is immaculately clean and thoughtfully designed, setting the tone for an exceptional dining experience. If you're a bourbon lover, this place is paradise. Their collection is incredible, but what truly sets them apart is the service. The Bourbon Curators, Ms. Hannah and Mr. Tommy, along with our amazing waitress Ms. Sassy, make you feel like a VIP from start to finish. They welcome you with open arms and create a personalized bourbon journey -- teaching you about flavor profiles, history, and how to discover different palettes you never knew you had. It's not just a drink menu... it's an experience. And the food? Michelin-worthy. We shared the Autumn Chicory Salad and the homemade Autumn Mushroom Pasta -- both beautifully crafted, rich in flavor, and perfectly paired with the bourbon experience. Every bite showed off the kitchen's talent and passion. We were actually recommended this restaurant by strangers we met at the Seattle Space Needle -- and wow, did they steer us right. The Ballard's Cut surpassed every expectation. If you love bourbon, phenomenal food, and top-tier service from people who treat you like family, then this is the place. Do not miss it.

    We came as a family of six. We were all unimpressed…read more It started with bread. We ordered it, it never came. When we asked, our server blamed a "computer system outage." For bread. I genuinely don't know what to do with that explanation. The food took so long. I ordered my steak medium rare and it arrived overcooked. I thought this was a steakhouse and yall can't even cook a steak medium rare? One person in our party never received their salad despite asking multiple times. Their stupid steak dish is $50 entree with zero sides. I added cauliflower for an extra $17 charge and received something I could have made in five minutes. Finally, we tried to order dessert and were told they were out of the item we all wanted. This place is a ripoff with terrible service.

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    Brimmer & Heeltap - Grilled Whole Sardines with lemon and gremolata

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    Absolutely delicious. Probably one of the best cocktails I've had in Seattle. All around the…read morecocktails were great. I usually don't even like mezcal but this was eliteeee. The service was amazing, our server walked us through the dishes and helped us choose. The chicken came out looking a little unseasoned but it was the table favorite because it had the most flavor out of everything else. Looks can be deceiving lol. That potato's are amazing and a good side dish! They have a little patio as well with heating!

    How I heard of this place: Not having realized how long the establishment has been around, some…read morefriends suggested we give it a go for our Taste Buds Dinner Club, and we made it happen. Type of cuisine: "We never tire of talking to our guests about how we got our quirky name. Inspired by two British drinking terms, Brimmer & Heeltap seeks to celebrate the moments that exist between the first sip of one's libation and the last drops lingering at the bottom of the glass. Since late 2013 we've delighted in creating an environment that is inviting, lively, and comforting. A sense of playfulness is present in everything we do, from the inventive dishes our culinary team prepares, to the friendly, genuine hospitality we provide. We're a bistro that takes pride in being a neighborhood place - the kind you can escape to at day's end for a delicious meal shared among friends." Ambiance: "Located in the former Le Gourmand space in beautiful Ballard, Brimmer & Heeltap offers an intimate, cozy atmosphere complete with an open kitchen, full bar, and multiple sections to drink and dine in. Our garden patio is one of the best-kept secrets in the city, offering a dreamy place to dine outdoors during Seattle's spring and summer months. We also have a tucked-away back studio that offers the perfect setting for special, private gatherings year-round. Just how many pennies does it take to cover a floor? Just ask Brimmer & Heeltap's proprietress Jen who collected tens of thousands of them from family, friends, and the community to help execute the vision of a cool gathering placed dubbed, naturally, the "Penny Room." This dining room, beloved for both its wall of menus and its shining penny floor, is a favorite place to break bread with loved ones, and plays into the restaurant's blend of nostalgic and contemporary design. The restaurant was designed in collaboration with Sean Sifagaloa of KRFTWRK and local builder Mike Marian, owner of Marian Built. Light, texture, metal, wood, and floral elements are all at play here. This historic building possesses a playful, familiar charm that we wanted to preserve in its latest incarnation." What I ordered: Wishing to sample a little of everything, we were served, family style, two orders of Bread ($9 each) - buttered with salt and pepper; Fritto Misto ($12) - assorted, lightly fried and pickled vegetables with tarragon aioli; Smashed Burrata ($19) - snap peas, preserved lemon, mint, basil, sherry reduction; Carrot & Tahini Dip ($16) - caramelized garlic, feta, pistachio, crudite; two orders of Heirloom Tomatoes ($21 each) - melon, chevre, crispy quino, soft herbs; Crispy Potatoes ($16) - whipped feta, hot honey, mint; Mushroom Agnolotti ($34) - roasted maitakes, chanterelles, whipped ricotta, miso butter, thyme; Roast Chicken ($42) - chickpea, berbere yogurt, marinated cucumber, mint gremolata. To finish off our meals, we shared the Olive Oil Cake ($14) - basil yogurt cremeux, strawberry gel, and the Chocolate Tiramisu ($16) - mascarpone, rum, amaretto, candied hazelnuts. What I loved: Oh man, every dish was delightful. I found something to savor and repeat in each of the dishes we were served. From the sweetness of the heirloom tomatoes, to the creamy burrata, from the crispy potatoes, to the fresh peas and everything in between. Our least favorite, at the table was the mushroom Angnolotti, inconsistent from bite to bite. The presentation of the Carrot & Tahini dip was a bit haphazard compared to the rest of the dishes served, but the flavor was still lovely. Why I loved it: The service was unparalleled, comfortable yet professional and quick to offer recommendations for our larger party. The decorations and quaint spaces truly welcoming, and the food, excellent. Cost: High ($40+ per person)

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    SWeL Restaurant

    SWeL Restaurant

    4.6(500 reviews)
    0.6 miFremont
    $$$

    Great food and great experience. The appetizers: diable…read moreshrimp was excellent. 5 pieces, cooked to perfection and presented well, Jalapeño hummus was innovative with a good hunt of Jalapeño but not over powering. Mac and cheese was really goos and we reordered it, and the burrata was great, though I don't remember much about it. For the brunch, the main meals were good. I had their breakfast sandwich and it was tasty and of the right size. Their bread pudding was tasty though it was more of a French toast in a sweet gravy vs a gooey pudding. Interesting twist and it worked. Overall a great place. The service was exceptional and 2 people that took care of us were outstanding. I've been adopting a lower tip approach in Seattle owing the increase in minimum wage, and would like us to get to a European low tip or tip optional situation. This restaurant owing their amazing service made it hard to tip low, but I still had to to stick with my principle. Highly recommend this place for a nice sit down meal.

    The guru finds himself in Seattle looking for local fare. This is another place you yelpers said…read morewas good but I have some reservations. I came in super curious about this scallop dish they had. Now I've had scallops every which way possible. Scallops are so yummy they are next to impossible to ruin. But this dish called "oven fired bay scallops" changed my mind. It's basically scallops baked in cheese sauce. I took one bite of this thing and spit it out. I never thought I would hate a scallop dish but this is it. This is an absolute hot mess of a dish that should be taken off the menu and never be made again. The baking basically overcooked the scallops to the point that they are like rubber balls. On top of that all that cheese overpowered the subtle taste of the scallops to such a degree that I couldn't even taste the scallops. Then I tried their prawn appetizer. the chef made this one spicy. There was so much spice on it I could barely taste the prawn. I had to scoop it off the prawn before I could eat it. Those prawn were actually tasty and fresh and perfectly cooked. It really needed nothing more than some lemon juice. Then I had their rigatoni which was ok but the sausage that was in it was also a little spicy. What is this chef's obsession with spice? another thing I noticed was I was trying to find something light but they don't really have anything light. all of their pasta has a traditional tomato sauce or a cream sauce. All their salads are bit and full of cheese. Their pizzas are sizeable and full of toppings. This menu seriously needs to be redone. add a few light dishes and ditch some of the heavy ones. Overall food is decent enough for 4 stars but I am deducting a star for those two terrible appetizers. This is clearly the result of a young chef trying too hard. This chef needs to learn that sometimes less is more.

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    Stumbletown

    4.4(214 reviews)
    2.4 miPhinney Ridge
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    I went with friends on a weekend for a late lunch. It was pretty empty so we got a table right…read moreaway. After we were seated, we were told that the menu was out of date. We each ended up getting a sandwich and sharing a large fry. The fries were good especially with the aioli sauce that was included for dipping. I got a chicken parm sandwich. It wasn't mind blowing by any means but it was a good sandwich. This is also one of the sandwiches that was not listed on the old menu. I don't tend to crave sandwiches so I can't give a better review beyond it was good. I would recommend getting the fries though.

    I heard about this gin-focused bar and restaurant from a friend and had to check it out as gin is…read moremy favorite spirit. It's not a common favorite for others, and I often find most menus to be lacking in creative gin specials. Stumbletown fixed that problem for me. With a dedicated menu for gin cocktails to an extensive array of different distillers, I was amazed. We enjoyed our cocktails thoroughly and also enjoyed some light bites. The arancini was a special of the evening and came out perfectly hot and crispy. The calamari was also fried very well. I did dock a star because about 80% of the food items on the menu were unavailable even though it wasn't closing yet. We did also get a little lost and ended up at stumbletown's sandwich shop before we found our way here. Luckily they're close by each other!

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    Stumbletown - Chilled Corn bisque with radish, Calabrian chili oil and smoked trout (trout optional but HIGHLY recommend)

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    Chilled Corn bisque with radish, Calabrian chili oil and smoked trout (trout optional but HIGHLY recommend)

    Betty - Ribeye Steak with Frites*

    Betty

    4.0(434 reviews)
    0.9 miQueen Anne
    $$

    Love Betty! Delicious food, good service, friendly and neighborly. The chefs are delightful to…read morewatch if you sit at the counter!

    Friendly, attentive, waitstaff and a warm, cozy ambience. The pasta dishes were large portions. As…read morea side comment, it would have been a nice touch to provide a bit of bread to sop up the sauce. One could purchase it separately, but one or two pieces would have sufficed. I ordered their signature dish: the crow lasagne. I am picky about lasagne and appreciate all combinations. This one did not quite hit the mark. The marinara sauce was bright and flavorful, but barely lukewarm. It was hard to tell whether this was deliberate. The lasagne itself was good, but the consistency was odd. It was almost as if the noodles were made of gnocchi (potato) dough. The ricotta and sausage had a nice flavor. I had debated whether to order the chanterelle pasta. One of my dining partners did, and after seeing it, I was glad I did not. The pasta looked as if it was cooked properly with a variety of mushrooms;, but I did not see any chanterelles. I would have been disappointed. The salmon filet and grilled vegetables were presented nicely. The clams in miso broth were an unusual presentation; the stark white shells and plate contrasted sharply with the brown broth. The broth was tasty though. The desserts were also a mixed bag. The ganache on the German chocolate cake was rich and delicious. The pumpkin basque cheesecake did not have the consistency of a typical basque cake, but had a good flavor. The sweet cream mousse topping on both desserts was a perfect accompaniment. A solid restaurant and definitely worth stopping in.

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    Betty - Interior

    Interior

    Betty - Lamb SHANK.  It's a shank alright.

    Lamb SHANK. It's a shank alright.

    Betty - Kale Caesar

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    Kale Caesar

    Canlis - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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