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    Violet

    4.4 (206 reviews)
    PriceyNew American
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Violet Photos

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    VIOLET ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Violet

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    Reviews With Photos

    Vince U.

    We went for their special prix fixe menu (not the regular lineup), and it felt like they really understood the assignment. First, the ambiance. Violet is small and intimate in the best way. The kind of place where you naturally lean in a little closer across the table. It's giving "romantic but not over-the-top," vibe. Which is exactly what you want on Valentine's Day. With that cozy size comes attentive, thoughtful service that never felt rushed, even on one of the busiest nights of the year. The first course was a watermelon and prosciutto combination that hit that sweet-and-salty sweet spot. The addition of green olives added a briny pop, and I appreciated the small but thoughtful touch of a separate bowl for the pits. Details matter. The cocktails were clearly crafted with intention. Balanced, well-built, and presented with care. Not just something shaken and sent out. The mushroom and acorn squash risotto was cooked perfectly. Creamy without being heavy, beautifully seasoned, and comforting in a way that still felt elevated. Then came the grilled lamb loin, which had a gorgeous smoky flavor and was cooked to a true medium rare. The potato purée alongside it was silky, rich, and seasoned just right. And to close it out, the chocolate crémeux. Smooth, decadent, and exactly what you want at the end of a romantic dinner. It was the kind of dessert that makes you pause mid-conversation for a second. All in all, Violet delivered a thoughtful, well-executed Valentine's experience that felt special without being stuffy.

    Lauren N.

    Amazing dining experience! Violet is top notch- from the moment you walk in the door to the last course is an amazing experience. Chef William's passion shines on Omakase and wine pairing menus. We enjoyed all the courses- from the first course of savory bread and anchovies to the Foie Gras, to the excellently cooked fillet Mignon and savory chocolate dessert we were treated to an amazing experience. To top it off Chef William joined our table for a birthday toast. Such a memorable dinner we will be thinking about for a while! THANK YOU Chef William for an amazing experience at Violet!!

    Menu
    Bobby G.

    Visited with family when we were in town - a party of eight of us. It was a fairly slow night, but really enjoyed everything about Violet. For starters, the ambience of the place was really comfortable, and had a classic yet hip vibe. One of the things I always note about a restaurant is the sound level - ie the balance between a vibrant atmosphere and/or feeling like your front row at a death-metal concert. Violet got it perfect. Enough "atmosphere" to feel lively but we were able to all hear each other perfectly, which added to a wonderful dinner. The food was outstanding, perfectly prepared and served. I had the steelhead trout, the skin of which had the perfect crisp, and delicate flavor. The service was very attentive, professional and never let our water glasses go dry (a small but important detail) Just a delightful experience and food. A "must return" kind of place.

    Seared Maine Sea Scallops, Local Corn, Grape, Pomegranate
    Yi H.

    Loved the food and ambiance, the waiter was really nice, didn't hurry us out after we finished our dishes.

    Fenny C.

    First time trying this restaurant as recommended by our friend. Located in 12th Avenue, Capitol Hill, few blocks from Seattle University. Parking: pay street parking and also free 2 hour street parking a block west, east, north from restaurant if you are willing to come early. Ambiance: kinda loud , so we gonna speak a bit louder than normal. The restaurant is not that big, but decent enough. Service: friendly and knowledgeable ppl. Menu: ala carte or 5course tasting menu. Farm to table. If one person order omakase or tasting menu, the rest of party must do so too. Restrooms: men and women restrooms available We ordered: Appetizers: Burrata golden beers - so good Grilled Spanish octopus - melt in your mouth Shishito peppers - so yum 24months prosciutto - very good Entree: Grilled lamb loin - nice Maine sea scallop - a bit too salty for me Black cod brown butter - very nice, moist Grilled ny steak - ok Butternut squash caramelized onion risotto- my favorite Roasted chicken breast - light great crispy roasted skin, no fat, great seasoning Desserts: Chocolate ganasche- ok Grilled pinapple passion fruit sorbet - nice, refreshing Vanilla creme Brule- not too sweet, very gentle light vanilla, the best creme brule

    Appetizers
    Tony N.

    Exceptional experience from the ambiance to the friendly and engaging staff to the magnificent meal. We ordered two apps and two main. All prepared and served beautifully. The roasted chicken with lentils was perfectly cooked and so flavorful. The waiter took time to get to know us as did the chef/owner who kindly shared two after dinner liqueurs with us. I love the cozy space with open kitchen. It was very much like enjoying a meal at a friend's home.

    Scallops
    Tiffany J.

    Wow. Just wow. My friend and I indulged ourselves here on a random Tuesday night, and everything we ordered was delicious. There were a few hiccups with service (forgotten orders and receipt mixup), but otherwise our waiter was great. Drinks: Moscow mule and witches sour - well-balanced and light Appetizers: Shigoku oysters - incredibly fresh but the mignonette was a little too tart White anchovies - paired well with the focaccia Octopus - extremely tender and one of my favorites of the night Prosciutto - loved how fatty some of prosciutto slices were Burrata - I've had better burrata elsewhere, but the strawberries and balsamic vinegar were lovely Entrees: Maine sea scallop - well-seasoned and paired with a memorable squash (?) puree, but the scallops could have been seared longer Pork belly - the blackberry sauce and asparagus were to die for We can't wait to be back! Relative to the price, we felt that our meal was extremely worth it for its quality, taste, and location.

    Lamb
    Melissa H.

    Had a wonderful dinner here last night. All of the food was delicious and beautifully presented. I will say there were some major gaps between service. That being said, there was only one person working front of the house and bar, and one chef. Not sure how they were managing as much as they were! I'd go back. The octopus was a stand out. It was cooked beautifully.

    Seared Maine Sea Scallops, Local Corn, Grape, Pomegranate
    Diana C.

    The service was excellent! Very attentive and kind staff. The food was pretty tasty, though I wasn't a huge fan of the marinade on the octopus. My partner did note that the prices on the menu were different (and higher) than the prices listed on their website. The drinks were fabulous and unique though and we liked it overall.

    Steak au Jus w/ Potato Puree & Artichoke

    We celebrated a birthday with American Omakase at Violet and were glad we did. The pictures tell most of the story. The service was relaxed and impeccable, starting with the complimentary (on account of the birthday) sparkling wine for the adults and dealcoholized rosé for the minors. The dishes were beautifully presented and delightful to the palate. The cocktail and dessert were terrific as well. This experience was close to five stars, but for a few minor issues. I felt the energy of the restaurant was a little too subdued, the space was starting to look a bit run down, and some of the shishito peppers were slightly undercooked.

    Squash Risotto
    Emma N.

    TLDR; service was great, plating was pretty but most of the food seemed average in taste and freshness. Underwhelming from a restaurant at this price point. We were able to call in and come last minute on our anniversary. Our server looked like he was single-handedly taking care of the entire restaurant! In the other hand, there were several chefs working on plating at the same time. Since it was our anniversary, they gave us a taste of Ambrusco and we ended up getting the bottle. It was a bubbly red wine on the sweet side. Nice and fresh - we enjoyed it better than a dry champagne. Our favorite: the foie gras. It perfectly melts in your mouth. Paired with the sweet sour sauce on the plates, it balances the richness of the liver nicely. The plating and presentation of all dishes were nice, but the taste and texture were just ok. The cod was recommended by our server but we found it to just to be ok. It was a lemony cod on a bed of veggies (cut very small), nothing special in terms of taste. The burrata didn't seem super fresh, when you cut it open, the insides don't flow out and the texture and taste is not as smooth as a fresher, richer burrata. The potato puré was on the menu as paired with another dish and the description was so nice we ordered it on its own. It was kind of a cheesy potato concoction. More liquidy than mashed potatoes. Not sure if it was worth ordering - maybe it was nicer paired in the other dish. The steak was cooked medium rare and looks cooked perfectly. The texture was not as soft as I expected though- it was a bit chewy, as if the meat was not as fresh. The squash risotto was comforting and filling. All in all, for this price point we were expecting quality not only in the plating but also in the taste and textures - in honesty most of the dishes didn't really meet our expectations.

    Chevalier S.

    I found this restaurant here on Yelp. I decided to give a try for my anniversary dinner. I was delighted with the choice. We ended up having the American Omakase with the wine pairing. Every dish was just right. We were treated very well. The ambiance is very intimate. The visit to this restaurant felt like a mini vacation.

    Rich T.

    I'm so glad this place survived the pandemic. And it's come back strong. This was an unseasonably warm March and the front was open to the street on 12TH. The layout of place is warm and inviting. The white decor is kind of a wonderful fresh feel. The place can be a bit of party on a Saturday. And the bar is really great The staff is really friendly and we loved the change sabering which something to see. Yes Virginia, if you freeze a champagne bottle then you can deliberately move along and the top with come right off. Good party trick. The five course tasting menu was great. we started with the Parma ham and the sardines. They are a great way to start and give the place a kind of Mediterranean feel which is much appreciated in seattle after a long winter. The first course was a Spanish toro tuna which was terrific. It's a little more soft in texture compared with the pacific tuna we normally have The scallops were delicious with spring onions and miso. They were perfectly cooked and tender. Love it! The four gras I know we shouldn't have but it was perfectly prepared. It just needed a bit of salt and because were are dairy free, the vinaigrette was pretty astringent.

    Risotto. Lamb, Chicken, Joel Potatoes.

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    Food was amazing, service from Carl and Nicholas was Very good. I felt at home...Great connection...

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    The Ballard Cut

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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.

    Brimmer & Heeltap - Grilled Whole Sardines with lemon and gremolata

    Brimmer & Heeltap

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    Ballard

    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)

    Lola

    Lola

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    $$

    Belltown

    Lola, a Tom Douglas restaurant is amazing. I have not been to this place for a long time. I'm…read moreglad I did tonight. I am so glad it has continued to have great food and service. Ambiance is awesome! Lots of people so make your reservations like us. We ordered a shared appetizer - pita bread and all 6 kinds of toppings hummus, tzatziki, and all they offer. Each one of us had an entree ranging from lamb burger, chicken, mushroom and lamb kebabs - all so good. It was so tender and tasty. Enough to fill us. Love it! So good! Kebabs were served on a hot plate. Nice presentation. Service was outstanding. Good attentive service .

    We've been here in the past. In fact, it's our favorite among the Tom Douglas restaurant empire…read more We were a group of 6, seated comfortably in a banquette in the middle of the room. This is a lively place, always filled with a lot of upscale looking customers. So the atmosphere is quite loud, but fun in a buzzing way. We were seated quickly, as we had reservations. Our server Charlie, was engaging, friendly and on top of things. We ordered the shared dips---olive tapenade, eggplant, hummus, tatziki with some warm pita triangles. They're all good and a fun way to start the dinner. We each had kebabs---lamb, chicken and mushroom. All good, moist and tender all poured with a jig of ouzo on a hot skillet. The onions in the bottom get browned and crusty, so good to eat. One had a lamb burger which looked juicy and served with delicious mound of fries sprinkled with rosemary. Food here has always been awesome. Skipped dessert as we had homemade cookies to eat at our next stop.

    Violet - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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