Braised short ribs, mushroom demi, glazed root vegetables, fried leeks. Autumn salad starter and honey cake for dessert.......yum! Great job FareStart students - definitely one of the best meals in town! read more

FareStart - Braised short ribs, mushroom demi, glazed root vegetables, fried leeks. Autumn salad starter and honey cake for dessert.....yum! - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I've been here many times for lunch, and have always enjoyed the fresh, tasty food here. The blackened salmon burger, the tomato basil soup, and (even though I'm not a vegetarian) the Field Roast sandwich are all out of this world! I was never inspired to write a review until yesterday. I ordered catering through Farestart for a happy hour for an employee who is getting married. The process was easy - I simply emailed the catering email on their website, and someone immediately got back to me within 3 hours. I asked a few questions, placed my order, and received the Docusign to charge the catering to my card. The Director of catering even checked in with me to make sure I didn't need anything else, and the day before I asked him to provide signs that the catering was for a private event and he happily obliged The day of, the food was delivered by the sweetest young man ever who helped me set it up and even waited for me to come back after I left him with my coworker to grab something to make sure I was satisfied. Couldn't have been more happy with how smooth the process was. The food was fantastic (we got the charcuterie board, the fruit platter, and 3 dozen mini cheesecakes) which more than fed 25 people for each food item. We had roughly 1/3-1/2 of the food leftover at the end. The cost was very very reasonable - roughly $600 after all taxes, tips, etc. Will definitely be ordering Farestart again!!! read more

I really love the concept here - community supported rehabilitation, great food, fantastic service, and local eats. I wish that there was something like this in Austin, TX that I could support. Maybe there is...food for thought! Anyways, I was brought in here by a friend who loves this place and wanted to share it with me. We came considerably early for a 1pm reservation and we're eventually accommodated. We were seated downstairs next to one of the many street level windows that provided an excellent people watching vantage point. Our waiter was wonderful and mainly on point. Tipping isn't allowed here, so the service is more genuine. You can provide a tax deductible donation in place of a tip, however. Anyways, my friend had the chicken burger with a side salad, and I had the turkey sandwich with fries. Everything was fantastic - the herbed turkey was moist and all of the veggies were fresh. The battered fries were, of course, a delight and I couldn't help eating ,it's if them. The pricing was decent fir a downtown local food venue that has a bit of class - I was actually pleasantly surprised when I got my bill. Four stars for a great establishment! read more

This restaurant is awesome! My friend and I made visiting this particular restaurant a priority during our trip to Seattle and we were not disappointed. We were seated early for our lunch reservation and the servers and hosts were incredibly nice. To start we had the shrimp and grits frittata which was very delicious (savory with - sweet drizzling of sauces). For our entree, we both ordered the fish and chips which were amazing - the fish had a crispy outer layer, not soggy, and the fish fell apart and wasn't dry and was served with an amazingly flavorful tartar sauce. The chips are served with carrot ketchup, which is delicious! Would highly recommend!! read more

FareStart - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

5 stars for the mission of the restaurant. Great way to feel like you are contributing to something with very minimal effort. We came here with reservations at a lunch on a Thursday. It was pretty packed! Most people here seemed to be with their colleagues, so definitely a business lunch vibe. They offer a variety of sandwich options. The chicken salad sandwich I got was quite delicious! The risotto is quite small, I would go for a sandwich option instead. read more

Best spot for lunch in Seattle. Best team, amazing food, amazing service and an incredible mission. I suggest trying their soups. They have great vegetarian and vegan options. You won't be disappointed. read more

We came here for a team lunch. I ordered the steak dish from the entree section. The steak was delicious! Very fresh and tasty. The kale was very well seasoned. Wish I could know the recipe for it! The smashed potato was awesome too. It had this subtle sweet taste in it that made everything special. Highly recommend. read more

I loved this place! It was such a surprise when we decided to go to FareStart for lunch. Not at all what we expected. It was fine dining at a reasonable price. The menu was varied and it was really hard to choose something. We settled on the shrimp po'boy, salmon, cobb salad, and crispy pork tenderloin sandwich. Everything was wonderful. I can't wait to go back. FareStart is a program that helps train people to work in the food service industry. So eating at their restaurants is also supporting a good cause. So worth it! read more

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Delicious food! Great Customer Service! Reasonable (very very) price! Ordered Deviled eggs as an appetizer and a Vegan sandwich (oops, forgot the name of it). Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Did not even ask how much they charge for drinks but we ordered a diet coke and an Iced latte. It ended up being $2.50 each....!! Where do you get an Iced coffee for $2.50 nowadays? :) Most importantly, FareStart Restaurants gets five stars for what they provide to the community to build good life for people who are trying to build a fresh start. I will definitely go back for lunch and dinner sometime soon. :) read more

I'm a good little Liberal. I VOTE MY FUCKING PARTY LINE. I buy Real Change when I have a buck in my pocket, I've volunteered at Union Gospel on Thanksgiving; I'm practically a commie bastard - except for that part where I shop like a freak and drive a gas guzzling SUV - and love meat, even foie gras, and happily eat McDonalds, and buy juice boxes and sometimes don't recycle out of sheer laziness. Huh... I have a subscription to The Atlantic and there's an Utne Reader right here on my desk, so I maintain - I'm a good little Liberal. And I really, really like to eat. Pretty much anything. She's a hungry little Liberal. Given all this - very odd that yesterday was my first time here. Farestart is an amazing program that provides disadvantaged people with the bootstraps they are always accused of having, but rarely do. And it's an amazing place to eat. The food is imaginative and well prepared; I had a scallop dish over a bed of Beluga lentils, shaved fennel and sauteed leeks with a orange vinigrette that blew my mind. My boss had the apple braised pork shoulder sandwich that left me in a horrible state of food envy. AND we got to pair our meals with Dry Soda. I'm not going to go into the strawberry-rhubarb crumble I had for dessert because I'm apt to run down there and have another. Seriously. Shit. Bye. read more

I have volunteered twice at FareStart on guest chef night. FareStart has an admirable business model and philosophy on re-entry programs for folks who need a second chance, third chance.. just a chance. I am not going to lie, their food is almost always good and the student chefs have amazing stories. I had the privilege of volunteering as both a waitress and food runner. Both are really fun but I loved being the food runner because I got to see into the kitchen and meet some of the students. It was a great experience. Of course, my back did not agree with me after volunteer night but the food afterwards was well worth it. The guest chef the night I volunteered was Erickson Pak. He's a talented Korean American chef who is the exec chef at Dragonfish, another lovely place to grab happy hour downtown. He had a great menu that looks like this: Menu First Course CITRUS ARUGULA SALAD Radish, Cucumber, Citrus-Soy Vinaigrette Entree PORK BELLY KIMCHI BUNS Served with cucumber and lemongrass soy reduction ALDERWOOD PLANKED VEGETABLES* With Lemongrass Wheatberries Dessert CIDER DONUTS With 5-Spice sorbet So worth it. By the way, tips do not exist at FareStart. Instead of a tip, they suggest giving a donation. The donations go back into investing into the program to give people another chance. You'll leave feeling happy, full, and full of gratitude for the privilege and luck that you've encountered in the world to get to where you are by the grace of your own ambition and the people who support you. read more

I was guest chef at Farestart twice, once in '98 and once in 2000. The experience, from the kitchen side, was the most satisfying thing I've ever done in the food trade. You have these people who are there - as opposed to most commercial kitchens - because they really NEED to learn something, anything, that will let them turn their lives around. Even if the food sucked, it would still be worth a trip there but the food, while not even remotely consistent (How could it be? The kitchen staff and guest chefs shift daily, like beach sand.), it is frequently brilliant, especially on guest chef night. After my first evening, I talked three chef pals into doing it and all of them said what I said. We all remembered, for that intense five hours, why we loved cooking in the first place. The daily menu changes frequently, as they find different foods from their vendors going on or off special, but the core of it is as solid as a rock and it doesn't strain the abilities of the wildly different skill levels that the students carry with them. As a food value, it's as good as any restaurant in town and on chef's night, you'll frequently find entrees and sides that you couldn't even touch for less than $50 a plate at any other Seattle restaurant. One thing most people don't know is that the guest chefs are asked to get their vendors to donate as much of the foodstuffs as possible. The second time I did it, I paid for the food out of my own pocket. We fed 140 people Jamaican pork tenderloin roast, polenta with Balsamic vinegar reduction, and apple-fennel slaw, with a triple chocolate semifreddo for dessert, for $345.33. I remember that figure exactly, nine years later. One thing I remember, that I have never mentioned because he asked that I not, is that our dishwasher on both my nights was John Curley, host of Evening Magazine on KING 5. As we talked, back by the dish line, he said it gave him great satisfaction to come there and do something that really helps people in a direct and tangible way. He doesn't tell people he does it and, if I've outed him now, I can only say that he was a guy whom I thought of as just another TV clown but now have a totally different opinion of. Experiences like Farestart can help you reevaluate a lot of things. After dinner, the guest chef is asked to say a few words to the patrons. Old advertising copywriter that I am, I came up with a tag line: "You can go to any restaurant and feed your belly. At Farestart, you can also feed your soul". They use that sometimes, I've heard. I'm glad. Because it's absolutely true. read more

How's that old saying go? Teach a man to fish and he'll make you a masterful salmon dinner! Well, not quite, but I've never been one for rote anyway. For those of you that don't know, FareStart is an intensive training program assisting homeless and disadvantaged men and women prepare and find jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry! Combining hands-on food-service training, classroom instruction, individual case management and job placement services, FareStart is a solid gold success story if I've ever seen one! Thanks to my fellow Yelpatonian Bernadette E. who organized a dinner for a group of us, I finally made it down for a dinner and was not disappointed! Forget about helping people helping themselves... this place rocks! The food was beautiful, the staff were actually, REALLY smiling! It was like going to a restaurant where people actually WANT to be at work! To say that this place had a positive vibe would be a gross understatement! Forget about full spectrum lighting this winter! Just go down for lunch or dinner and soak up some of those good vibes! A completely pleasurable dining experience from the second I walked in the doors until Ana B. secretly pinched my butt on the way out! read more

Great food and a great non-profit mission - what more could you ask for? I regularly take my team out for group lunches or prospective candidates here when I interview them since it's around the corner from my office. There's plenty of food choices to cover any palette or dietary restrictions, the space itself is large and comfortable (can hear yourself talk), and assuming you make a reservation in advance they can definitely accommodate large parties. I also love that not only am I getting good food but that Farestart provides culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals. They also provide a significant amount of meals to the homeless as part of their mission. If you're considering going here at night take a look at their web site and consider one of the "guest chef nights" where a famous local chef comes in and cooks a special menu (with the proceeds not just going to the training but the additional services they provide outside of the restaurant). read more

I LOVE Farestart. I love their mission: "culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals" and really appreciate how great their food is. We had: Rockfish over Spring Pea Risotto - AMAZING. This is how risotto should be cooked. Al dente, with the spring peas giving it a fresh and sweet flavor and lightly dusted with fresh peppercorn grindings. The Rockfish was tender and was served with a yellow tangy spicy sauce (tumeric) that paired well with the fish and the risotto. SO GOOD. And that wasn't even my dish! I had the Crispy Pork Sandwich. YUM! There were two huge cutlets of pork, lightly breaded and fried with a lemon cilantro aioli and toasted sweet onions. SO GOOD. A bit hard to eat cause it was so big, but worth it! I actually ate half and ate the other half later with relish. (as in enjoyment, not the condiment) Their Fish and Chips are good too. So are their fries. read more

Ahh. A resturant where I can support my food addiction, and a good cause, at the same time. I had a fantastic time dining at Farestart for one of their guest celebrity chef nights. The food was excellent, and so well presented! I can't remember the last time I had food this pretty. This organization does a great job preparing and serving up great food, and has a great mission. They deserve our support. read more

So wait a minute... you're telling me I get to help a great cause AND eat a macaroni and cheese with lamb sausage sandwich? You've gotta be shitting me. Is there some kind of catch? Perhaps they'll try to sell me magazines or something? I guess not. And that was one ridiculous sandwich. On the plus side, the social justice thing pretty well erases any guilt I felt about committing such an awful assault on my circulatory system. Way to go, Farestart! read more

I was beyond impressed with everything this place had to offer. I am so in love with the concept and what this restaurant represents. We will be coming back soon and hopefully volunteering here as well. Let me briefly list why I loved it: 1) the service was pleasant and quick, we had lunch with an appetizer in 45 minutes. 2) the food was tasty! We shared the bruschetta and had the fish and chips and turkey sandwich 3) the prices are very reasonable and in lieu of tips they suggest a donation! Who wouldn't want to give to this great cause? Go check it out! read more

A few coworkers and I came here for my bday lunch and there was no wait at 11:45ish (there were 8 of us). We waited a while though before someone came by to take our orders. When they took our orders, it was kinda weird. Normally, you would take one person's order then go either clockwise or counter-clockwise. This lady jumped around (it was funny bc one of our coworkers was trying to order twice when she moved around the table to take other peoples order). One of my coworkers and I decided to trade halves and requested to have the burger cut in half. The server gave us a dirty look and was like "why do you want to do that?". Then she mumbled something and left :/ Surprisingly, the burger came out cut in half and the pork sandwich was also halved. The food was really good! I enjoyed both the burger and the pork sandwich. The burger was juicy and the patty was flavorful for a simple burger and the pork sandwich was delicious as well. I'm giving this place a 3 star just because the service was soo off. I'd come again though to try their other menu items and also the guest chef nights. read more

I went to lunch at FareStart with middling expectations. "This ridiculously well-reviewed restaurant can't really be that great. It must be due to the cause and mission of this place that makes people like this place so much". Boy did I eat my own words. This 5-starred review is based truly on the merit of the food only. The fact that FareStart has such a community-focused mission only amazes me even more. Decor is embodied with a high ceiling, open natural lighting, modern furniture, and a freaking awesome second level loft that overlooks the rest of the restaurant. I was lucky enough to get a table up on the loft. Food came out fresh and hot. I got the Crispy Pork Sandwich. It was on toasted sliced artisan bread that held up to all of the fillings. Every bite was an equal, blended, and flavorful mix of bread, pork, lettuce, and cilantro aioli (which was very nicely cilantro-flavored). The pork was so soft that it flaked away at every bite almost like a fish filet! No concerns of tough pork chop here (which can happen all too often). The side of fries were also the-bomb-dot-com. I believe they were batter-dipped and double fried, and they had crispy outside and a fluffy inside. My friend got some lentil fritters as an app (weekly rotation), and they were also very flavorful. The servers were incredibly nice. Service might have been a tad slow, but this was during lunch rush, so as much expected. Short of that, there's not a single negative thing that I can think of at my FareStart experience. read more

Joined my husband for lunch and had an enjoyable experience. Our server was attentive--just the right balance of checking in on us and letting us enjoy our food. The ambience is a tad upscale, but you can come as you are. Nice exposed beams/somewhat industrial look, yet someone knew to put in carpet to curb the noise The Field Roast sandwich was great...a little crispy and with Dijon mustard. It came with a cup of ham and lentil soup. Both were great. My husband had the Ceasar salad with grilled salmon. The salad was almost a whole heart of romaine, and the salmon was also a hugely generous portion. The salmon was a tad dry, but I'm willing to forgive it in a salad. Quite the Monday afternoon lunch date. We were too full for dessert. I'm wishing we had ordered the cookies to go. Next time! read more

Farestart is a cool idea. I'm basing this review on their catering offerings. They make alright average-style food, but having the ability to get people in transition or crisis into a career that is always in need of motivated and hard working people is a noble and brilliant undertaking. If they had Zombie Mother Teresa serving tables and the hand of the divine parting the clouds and pouring wine, I'd give it a five star rating. As it is, I'll just say that they're pretty super cool and be done with it. read more

Had a work dinner here recently. We had a large group so we were served buffet style. All the food I tasted was great and the people were super friendly! "FareStart is a culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals. Over the past 20 years, FareStart has provided opportunities for nearly 6,000 people to transform their lives." What an awesome place! read more

I finally got to go here for lunch today! I've been wanting to for a very long time based on all the great feedback I've always heard. It was fantastic! For my meal I had the tomato soup and a caesar salad. They were both delicious. My waitress was extremely nice. And it was super affordable! Really just a fantastic lunch experience - highly recommend! read more

Schneiky. It's refreshing when a place actually holds up to the rave reviews that it gets. Was here for a private event, so can't comment directly on the regular dinners, but the food was quite amazing for a buffet style event. Multiple veggie dishes that were all fantastically flavored and presented... Cozy dining space, and good service. Street parking is pretty easy after 6pm... Thumbs up! read more

Eating here fulfills up your belly and your conscience. Corny, but not as corny as the delicious corn bread I had there. I like knowing that my money for eating delicious food is going to help people better their lives. read more

My best friend use to work here and always encouraged us to support this program. His brother in law a classical trained chef also teaches here. So I do have a place in my heart for this place. I always like to give back in even my own small way. Three-course Guest Chef Night meals are $29.95. The price does not include tax, beverage, or gratuity. Wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Guest Chef Night Menu Paratii Craft Bar Chef Sam Hassan Dinner consisted of... Starter Paratii Shrimp, Shrimp and Yucca Pan Seared, Covered in Grated Parmesan Cheese, Drizzled with Housemade Cilantro-Tangerine Pesto and Sam's Brazilian Chilly Sauce Vegetarian Paratii Palmito, Hearts of Palm and Yucca Pan Seared, Covered in Grated Parmesan Cheese, Drizzled with Housemade Cilantro-Tangerine Pesto and Sam's Brazilian Chilly Sauce Entrée Feijoada Carioca, Black Bean Stew with Sausages, Marinated Pork, Marinated Beef, Bacon and Smoked Ribs. Served with Brazilian Rice, Couve - Wilted Collard Greens, and Farofa - Fried Cassava Flour with Eggs, Onions, Garlic, Spring Onions, Butter and Olive Oil Vegetarian/Gluten Free Feijoada Carioca, Black Bean Stew with Squash, Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Leek, Yucca and Red and Green Peppers. Served with Brazilian Rice, Couve - Wilted Collard Greens, and Farofa - Fried Cassava Flour with Eggs, Onions, Garlic, Spring Onions, Butter and Olive Oil Dessert Maracuja (Passion Fruit) Mousse 18 Foodies gathered around a long table and shared food, wine, and conversation for 2 whole hours. It was a good night. Thanks STF for supporting a good cause. read more

I have been meaning to try Farestart for about a year, since I moved to Seattle, basically,.. Finally i went for a Guest Chef night (Guest Chef from Il Fornaio) and I am SOLD. I can't recommend this place highly enough. Not only are you doing good for the homeless, but you're also doing good for yourself, because the food is GREAT and super reasonably priced at $25 for 3 courses. The service is also much more upbeat than most restaurants because all the servers are volunteers who actually WANT to be there. All gratuities are fed back into the program, so go ahead, be generous :). read more

Like they say on their menu, "the most socially responsible crouton you will ever eat." I liked being part of their mission, the food was good (the tofu nuggets and goat cheese crostini were the best) and the atmosphere was lively. The chefs in training are doing a great job, and I'll definitely go back. read more

I've always been a fan of Farestart. I've used their catering services in a previous life. I've even been hosted to lunch by them, and it was lovely. Who can argue with their commitment to the community? I went for lunch around 1:20. Note that the place was fairly empty, with only 2 other tables. One would except speedy service for weekday lunch, especially when busy couldn't be an excuse? It took us over an hour to get our food, and it was cold when we got it. Lucky we got an app or I would have been gnawing on the napkins. I'm not sure if it was super new trainee day or what, but definitely not acceptable. I'll have to to try again for the Guest Chef night. I know they can do better! read more

Fantastic nonprofit. Attended Madison Park Conservatory's Guest Chef Night tonight and have attended twice before. Menus are thoughtfully prepared, volunteer servers are always pleasant and professional. Venue is nice. Recommend bringing friends to support a great cause! read more

Farestart is more than just a restaurant and more than just a charity; more than just a social service. It's merits in one dimension can compensate for weaknesses in another. Absolutely the service it provides to the less fortunate is hugely valuable. Our societal problems and systemic poverty are not going to be solved simply through passive welfare systems (though they are important) and so Farestart exists to provide real-world, marketable skills to those willing to work for it. They do not set the bar low; graduates will not be nuking chick'n patties at your local Burger King. I suspect that Farestart targets high end dining not only to provide a more valuable skill set, but also to teach a respect for standards, responsibility, quality, and service that will be applicable not only in restaurant work but also in the graduate's lives. Dining here you are left with the sense that instructors love what they do and have absolute confidence in their pupils. Those graduating provide moving testimony to illustrate the value of all they learn. Taken purely as a restaurant Farestart comes in around 3.5 or 4 stars. The food is tasty, but not spectacular and could be more highly seasoned. The soup course, a squash and apple puree, was a nice beginning and the dessert, an apple spice cake, was delicious, but the main course was not a standout. Nothing was unsatisfactory, just not what one interested soley in the dining experience might expect. Farestart has a very nice ambiance; wide open, and tastefully decorated with a earth tones. It can easily accommodate a large group and so should be considered for your next event. It might be easy to dismiss the overwhelmingly positive reviews of Farestart as a bunch of affluent foodies who like to feel like they're supporting something by dining out. Don't be fooled. Farestart is every bit a serious restaurant and, if one was taken in unaware of its purpose, they would leave thinking they had a very pleasant meal at a solid and professional business. read more

Came for a working lunch and was overwhelmed (in a good way) by the menu! Luckily my colleague recommended the Founders Field Roast sandwich. I was definitely hesitant. Field Roast? You mean, a vegan, meat substitute? But, why wouldn't I just order meat? (I really like my meat.) But thank goodness I was feeling adventurous that day. The field roast sandwich was scrumptious and satisfying for vegans and meat lovers alike. For those who are unfamiliar, the signature field roast at FareStart is a hazelnut-encrusted lentil and sage patty. They crisp theirs up and nestle it between two slices of vegan potato bread, smother it with vegan fig mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and top it with fresh arugula and tomato. On the side I ordered sweet potato fries. It was unexpectedly rich and meaty yet light and fresh, perfect for lunch. Not only would I go back for the food but for the overall mission of FareStart. I'm in love with our generous and passionate non-profit community here in Seattle so it's just a bonus that FareStart is doing great work and dishing up some amazing food. read more

And here is when I have to ask...Farestart, where were you all my life? Or more appropriately, where the f**k have I been?! In the wrong place, apparently. I'm remedying that, by going to the right one. My first night at Farestart, inspired by Mike Easton from Lecosho (my new haunt), was just lovely. It is the rare evening where you can indulge in beautifully plated and prepared food and, at the same time, support not only the local economy but the autonomy and independence of our fellow citizens learning a meaningful trade. By meaningful, I mean "one I cannot survive without." These guys are good.... A slew of smiling volunteers provide the evening's service: the menu is set by the chef (might want to call ahead if you want the vegetarian option), which helps minimize order-taking. Nevertheless, if you want the best service in Seattle (meaning smiles, genuine care), go here. These people might not be pros, but they're great! And not having a menu from which to choose is a plus: at our table, the consensus was a love of being told what to do...culinarily speaking. The decisions made for us were perfect: goat cheese topped with piquillo peppers, pork chop drizzled with caper-rich salsa verde nested on a garlicky bed of creamy polenta, and a square of bittersweet chocolate torte with a touch of huckleberry and vanilla cream that left two of us eagerly swooping in for an extra bite. Mmm. We already have future excursions planned for Guest Chef night. For three courses, this is an amazing value for the food inspiration, and you're actively involved in supporting the vibrant food scene in Seattle by helping to usher in a next echelon of chefs. Lots of local restaurants hire Farestart grads, and I'm excited that one might be in whatever kitchen I go to this weekend. There's no better way to not only put your money, but some phenomenal food, where your mouth is.... read more

Guest Chef night with Chef Luigi DeNunzio from Luigi's Little Italy. Bruschetta started a bit too hard on the edges, but still managed to be some of the best I ever had. Fantastic and fresh zucchini and peppers on top! This paired beautifully with the wine (The Magician from the Columbia valley of course). Pasta and Fagioli was even better than Olive Gardens (a joke of course). Seriously the noodles were melt in your mouth delicious. The seasoning on the pork loin was perfect. Although I will say the eggplant parmesan was even better. A bit jealous at the moment of the vegetarians. The dessert that was like opening up a present on Christmas morning with layers of delightful flavors. The fact that their was no sense of entitlement from the volunteer waitstaff was very refreshing. And feel good because Farestart has helped transform over 2000 peoples lives to get a fresh start. read more

I review for weekend volunteering. Great cause and fun to prepare in the kitchen. As an introvert who loves being around people this is brilliant for me. Don't have to do all that conversation like I do at a Meetup but I get to be around fun people for a good cause and listen to great music as I prepare food. Plus lunch is fantastic. And provided if you volunteer. Sign up now! Be a good person. read more

FareStart - My current of you as I take a break on the stairs! - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I was visiting Seattle last week and had lunch at Farestart with a couple of friends. We had the Salmon Cake for appetizers and they were good. I had the Blackened Salmon Sandwich, which was very good. The food was fresh and tasty, had just the right amount of oil (so not extra fatty) and spices. The serving size was just appropriate too. And everything was reasonable priced. I'm not very familiar with their mission but my friend who stays in Seattle told me a little bit about it and it seemed noble. Overall: Recommended read more

This is the most socially responsible meal you will ever have, in the most socially responsible-ish kinda city. First off - the punchline: Farestart is a non-profit organization that provides job opportunities for those of us (..and I say 'us' because you never know when you'll be walking in different shoes) to need a little pick up to get back into the grind. Second - the selling point: The meals are pretty darn delicious. Yes, the menu offers your typical sandwich/salad/soup/meat entree array of selections, but, they are 5 star yummy goodness. Yuppie kind of presentation, but wholesome taste. Finally - the frosting on the cake: Relatively cheap. I don't think any of the meals are above 12-15 bucks per person. Most of the salads and sandwiches are below 10 buckaroos. And, they offer espresso, etc. as well as dessert. Ready to eat for a good cause? And you thought you'd never have a socially valid excuse to! :-D read more

I celebrated ROTD #2 by lunching at Farestart today. In honor of the holiday season, the decorations are festive and there is a big gingerbread house in the kitchen window! I did my best to recreate the experiences that I wrote about in my ROTD review, so I ordered my favorite turkey sandwich and ceasar salad, and finished the meal with a chocolate chip cookie that was lightly dusted in powdered sugar and had a hint of lemon. Super simple and solid food, hard to mess it up. Like I said before, my favorite thing about Farestart is that I always see people that I know. Happened again today! Bumped in to two of the founding donors of my organization. The last thing I have to say about Farestart is that they offer a donation line on the check, which is tax-deductible and goes straight to the program. They ALSO have a space for tips, which go to the program- not to your server. I think this is brilliant, because you can contribute either way, and almost anyone can add an extra dollar or two to the check. Genius! read more

Would you like to have a tasty meal and support a good cause? Then pay a visit to Farestart which is an awesome nonprofit organization that provides culinary training for 'disadvantaged' people to teach them a trade and assists them with job placement. Visiting 'training' institutes can be a risky proposition - obviously students are learning and that could mean less than wonderful results for your meal. But it is not so! The food is creative and very well done, and we all agreed the salmon burger was the star of the show. The menu changes frequently, so you never know what might be available next. Our server seemed a little nervous but was fine and I enjoyed seeing the Thanksgiving-Christmas tree with a turkey on top. I'd certainly come back here for lunch and depending on who was cooking, I might consider trying one of the Guest Chef nights. read more