Violet is one of those rare restaurants that feels both elevated and completely comfortable the moment you walk in. The space has a warm, modern-industrial vibe, wood floors, soft lighting, exposed ceilings, and thoughtful decorative touches. It's intimate without feeling cramped, and the open kitchen adds a nice energy. Our server was incredibly personable and professional, striking that perfect balance of friendly and knowledgeable. We did the American Omakase. We started with a trio of entry snacks: smoked anchovies, prosciutto with watermelon, and fresh focaccia. The anchovies were punchy and vibrant, definitely for fans of big flavor. The prosciutto and watermelon were refreshing, and the focaccia tasted like it came straight from a great neighborhood bakery. Course 1: Amberjack Crudo Fresh, clean, and beautifully balanced. The tomato compote and rolled vegetables paired so well together, and the flakes of salt on top really opened up the flavor of the fish. Course 2: Diver Maine Scallop Hands down one of the highlights of the night. The scallop was paired with breadcrumbs, oyster mushrooms, and a miso sauce that made the whole dish feel warm, savory, and almost Thanksgiving-like in its comfort. VERY good. Course 3: Pork Belly Served with carrot puree, apple "sauce", and leeks. The pork belly itself was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the sweetness of the apple paired perfectly. The leeks were a surprise standout. Course 4: Lamb Rich, moist, and deeply seasoned, with a lovely rub. The artichoke hearts added such a sharp, earthy contrast that it legit gave me goosebumps. The potato purée and jus tied everything together. Course 5, Dessert: Chocolate something (oops it was like a mousse) with Poached Pears & Raspberry Creamy, balanced, and not overly sweet. A perfect finish. Overall, Violet delivered a thoughtful, memorable meal with impeccable pacing and standout dishes from start to finish. Would absolutely return read more

See all

Made a reservation for a birthday celebration for 2. Arrived early and was seated promptly. Was given an 1" taste of red table wine for a birthday toast. Online the American Omakase was listed at $90, current menu is $120. Staff inquired about allergies. Overall 3 of the courses were very tasty and 2 of the courses were lackluster and something I could do at home. The birthday celebrant was hoping for 1 beef course, but we were given 4 seafood courses and a dry pork belly. All the dishes were plated beautifully but all the dishes did not taste great. Although the scallop and fish were cooked to perfection and tasted delicious, not the the creative and exciting experience the other reviews raved about for the price. Lastly, we were charged a 4% "administration" fee, which was explained as the owner covering extra costs?! This was not disclosed prominently anywhere. Final impression bad taste in my mouth. read more

We sat at a table near Vince U, the previous Yelper and no one around us, including us, got a rose with the check, including two seemingly straight couples at separate tables next to us. UPDATE 2/22/26 I see that Vince U (Yelper right before us) deleted his comments about not receiving a rose and thought maybe it was Violet being possibly biased against gay couples. I understand why it was deleted but wanted to give context around my first paragraph above. We were very underwhelmed by the prix menu for Valentines dinner. I noticed Vince U did not take a picture of the lamb, which was about the size of a half-dollar coin, if anyone remembers what those are LOL. Yes the two bites of lamb was decent but nothing to write home about. Agreed, the Risotto was very delicious indeed, salmon was great, chocolate desert was very, very good, otherwise the rest was OK. But I wouldn't agree to understanding the assignment, for us. I had the wine flight and I love a good wine. These were all OK wines. I get it, you have to watch your costs and make a good profit, to which I totally agree. I wish we would have tried Violet our first time for the regular menu. I'm guessing we would have rated 4 or 5 stars more than likely. For a bill of $400+ (including a great tip because we love to support) we felt like we were almost ripped off. I get it, it's a special occasion and lots of work goes in to these things but walking out of there $400+ poorer really made us feel bad, from a value perspective. We never mind paying for value, but this was not it and did not hit the mark for us. read more

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. read more

See all

Made a last minute reservation yesterday and so glad I did! My friend was in town for work so we decided to grab dinner on Capital Hill. I was looking for something that was close to the light rail as I was coming from Edmonds. I got there early and Carl welcomed to me with a glass of delicious champagne at the bar. When my friend showed up we were promotly sat at our table and started talking and catching up. We started with the prosciutto which was delicious, served with slivers of Parmesan and triangles of watermelon with grilled bread. We shared the mixed salad and it was perfect because it had a light dressing on it and was generously proportioned .My friend ordered the vegetable risotto and I had the scallops. Then we had the chocolate ganache with pears - yum!!!. Carl was a very attentive waiter; we didn't feel rushed at all, and we both left with our hearts and our bellies full. read more

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!! read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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

See all

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 read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

The food was good but joe stay the portion was way too small we had steelhead with cauliflower, and there was a few tiny bits of cauliflower and a piece of fish. One martini and this was $84 with tip. We left hungry like Timy Tim. I wouldn't come here again with these prices. read more

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. read more

See all

In town visiting and went to a lot of restaurants over our trip but this place was by far the best experience and food we've had. Out server (Kevin) was awesome and the service was great, he went out of his way to recommend things to do in the city that really made our trip! The ambiance is boutique-ish, casual but still has an upscale feel. The risotto and the lamb was a 10/10. We will be coming back to Seattle just to come eat here again. read more

Violet - Risotto. Lamb, Chicken, Joel Potatoes. - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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

Chef William kicks it out of the ballpark. Every cocktail was so well designed and the service was fantastic! Buratta was creamy and good Grilled Spanish Octopus was superb The cocktails are perfectly balanced I had the pork belly, it was perfect! Mg date got the New York steak cooked medium rare to perfection If you have one restaurant for q great night out , go to Violet! You won't be disappointed; read more

See all

We opted for the American Omakase for my birthday, and were delighted with our experience! The service was top notch, and the staff noticed every little detail. As someone who primarily chooses restaurants based on food taste rather than ambiance/service, I still could not help but notice that the latter was notably spectacular. Thankfully, the food was too! Although not pictured, the foie gras with passionfruit was absolutely DELECTABLE and left a lasting impression. It was leagues better than the foie I had in Paris (which I still really enjoyed), and the textural contrast of the slight char crust was a truly a thing of beauty. The passionfruit cut through and complemented the fattiness of the foie beautifully, and it was overall a perfect dish. We also loved the scallop in the tomato consommé--we literally said to each other: "Wow, this is possibly the best scallop I've ever had, but my favorite part of this dish is actually the consommé. It's THAT good." I'd love to return for future special occasions! read more

See all

As a business travel foodie that brings me all over major metropolitan areas where I get to expense nice meals with clients... my impromptu unplanned visit here had me SHOOK -- the American omakase was incredible and vastly exceeded my expectations for fine dining in Seattle. I expected a buncha classic dishes but especially the first half of the dinner experience were wonderful farm-to-table pairings (and the second half were traditional and well-executed steak/fish/duck). The wonderful server made us feel super welcomed as we nerded out over ingredient and wine pairings, and the chef joined us near the end with some fun lemon liquer as we swapped stories about favorite restaurants in NYC, where he practiced before coming to the PNW. Seldom does a meal nourish in both body and spirit, but they've really delivered a knockout experience and I'm counting the days to when I'll be back for work... and reprise this another trip! read more

Violet - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

A lot of good things like great service and nice ambiance. Loved that they sat us side by side for our romantic dinner. Our server was kind and friendly. Really appreciated the glass of Lambrusco for our anniversary! All dishes were beautifully presented. But a few of the food items missed the mark for us. The appetizer green salad needed something--like a pop of sweet, or a crunchy hazelnut, a sprinkle of salty Parmesan...it was very one note. The burrata again was missing something like seasoning or some citrus, the strawberries were soupy and sour. The focaccia was fresh out of the oven but also lackluster. The highlights were the mains. Loved my corn risotto! How rare to find a well done risotto, cooked to perfection the rice perfectly al dente. Kept going back for more even though I was full. My husband's scallops were plump and seared well, he enjoyed them. But by combining the scallops with my risotto--that was truly perfection in one bite. Didn't get dessert as they were all creamy ie crème brûlée, cremeaux, and ice cream; we're more more fans of baked goods). read more

See all

I could not recommend this establishment enough. If you're in the area looking for a chef's course dinner, this should be your place. The food was amazing and everything was cooked perfectly. The ingredients were so fresh, I believe chef grows them all on the roof so they're picked weekly and are grown straight from his garden. They did an interesting take on French cuisine I had never seen before that I thought was amazing. Our serve and wait staff were so knowledgeable and gave us complimentary tastings on wine. They described the dishes perfectly and everything came out in a reasonable amount of time separated within each course. The ambiance is so quaint and comfortable, it was busy when we went on a Saturday night, but nobody seemed overwhelmed or stressed which really added to the overall experience. I would highly recommend this place for a great food experience. read more

See all

Beautiful dinner with three family members last week. Two of us had the trout which was perfection--perfectly cooked with yummy cauliflower underneath. Our apps and other main orders were also spectacular. Cocktails were fresh and fun. We will be back. read more

My food was cold and the portions were small. We were on an anniversary trip, and it was not what we expected. I think if you like their special, you'll love it. read more

The decor inside is very minimalistic with an open kitchen concept. I personally enjoy watching my food being made. Food: - grilled octopus (4/5): loved it for the most part! There were a couple pieces that were too charred. - leg of lamb (5/5): recommended by the server, not gamey as described, very filling, went well if the wine recommended as well Drinks: - Mexico meets Hawaii (4/5): very sour, not for everyone - Fall line? Red wine (5/5): don't remember the exact name but I want to find out because it was the best thing I tasted all night! Someone please send me a picture of the wine menu! read more

Violet - Leg of lamb & steelhead - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

The cod was cooked just how I like it. Seared on the outside, soft on the inside. The sprouts and such around it made the plate look nice too. The scallop was good but I didn't care so much for the broth it was sitting in. The foie gras had a nice crispy texture on the outside like a well done breakfast sausage. The inside melted like butter. It was very nice. read more

See all

Friendly, attentive service. The waiter made a good recommendation for the pureed potatoes on the side. Food was gorgeously presented and delicious! Would recommend and return. My only nitpick is that the chairs are uncomfortable and parking is hard to come by. There's a Greek Orthodox Church nearby with a paid parking lot. Just plan to park there if you drive. read more

Unfortunately, my husband and I's Valentine's Dat trip to this restaurant was not good by any means. The bad started from the moment when we ordered our drinks. I asked for a soda because I don't drink alcohol (health-related) and the waiter looked at me like I had 8 heads. They offered a "lemonade" to my husband and I that was literally just club soda and lemon juice. (Those ended up being $10 each. Wild!) The food was decent, but we waited a very long time for it and it was quite pricey for the quality. While we waited, the server never came back to ask if we wanted more drinks. We only saw him again when he brought the check. Someone else brought us the food. There were also no salt and pepper provided at the table, which bothered me. In terms of ambiance, the music did not fit the theme of the restaurant, which was clearly an upscale farm-to-table kind of deal. It was this weird techno elevator music. The room was loud so I could hardly hear my husband. More annoying was that Ibhad asked to be seated near the edge of the room and at the very least not next to the kitchen, so they for some reason decided to seat us right next to the kitchen along the walkway that led to the bathroom. People were wildly overdressed. There were several people who were literally wearing ballgowns even though the restaurant itself calls its required dress "business casual". It was pretty strange. I have been to much nicer restaurants that required true business casual, which is more appropriate for a restaurant. I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to restaurants, but being snubbed by the waiter, overcharged, not have my seating request granted (even though it was made well in advance) was a bummer. I was really looking forward to trying this place and I'm sad that it ended up being so disappointing that I took the time to write this review when I really didn't feel like it. And to highlight something I said above, they have zero non-alcoholic options other than water. Not very inclusive. read more

The food, service and ambiance were outstanding. I'd have given it five stars if I'd been a 110 lbs. woman but I'm a 6'3", 235 lbs. man. And I had an appetite. No big deal. I ate at home later on. Just sayin'. read more

We have been watching the Hulu series, The Bear, and my husband loves the culinary adventure part of it so I wanted to find a place to take him for our anniversary meal that offered an elegant tasting menu. This restaurant DOES offer one, at $100.00, which we were willing to pay, except for the fact that your whole table has to participate and because I am not culinarily adventurous there was no way I could participate. We were disappointed but decided to stay and order off menu. I had the New York steak with fingerling potatoes and he had the lamb with citrus infused vegetables. Food was great. Declan was very attentive and knowledgeable. The restaurant is in the Capitol Hill district of Seattle, parking wasn't easy but we managed to find something. Overall, we had a great experience and will probably return in the future. read more

Had the American Omakase here, was amazing. Was also so full by the end. We had a cod dish that was the best cooked piece of fish I've ever tasted. For the amount of food and quality of food it was definitely worth. read more

See all

An overall amazing experience! I visited for my birthday with boyfriend. Upon arriving they immediately gave us a free wine sample for my birthday which was a great start. We got the omakase ($120 for 5 courses), and were pleasantly surprised that they happily accommodated our preference of no fish. Each dish was amazing- we especially loved the risotto and wagyu beef courses we were served. Each dish was a nice portion, and I went home perfectly full. Additionally, our waiter was very attentive and even noticed when our table's candle went out. The atmosphere was relaxed and very open; you can even watch the chef prepare dishes. Overall, I can't wait to visit again! read more

See all

Went to Violet for my birthday and was blown away. The place has a very welcoming energy and makes you feel at home as soon as you walk in. The service was stellar being both fun and knowledgeable. But the best part was the food. Wow. Each plate was beautiful and tasty. The burrata kept me wanting more (also great as it was mid tomato season). The mushroom risotto was pure luxury. And don't sleep on the potatoes as they were endlessly silky. read more

See all

Last night I experienced the 5-course American omakase tasting ($95) with wine pairing ($60) and found it to be incredible! They greeted us with bubbles, and we started out with Marcona almonds, Castelveltrano olives, white anchovies on piquillo peppers, and Levoni 24 month prosciutto with melon. All of these light bites were provided as part of the American omakase tasting package. I was surprised with how much I liked the anchovies. They are usually a bit too salty for me, but they were some very well. The tasting menu consisted of tuna, sea trout, foie gras, duck, and passion fruit panna cotta. Everything was prepared perfectly, and the wine pairings were delightful. I'm usually not much of a white wine fan, but all of the whites went great with each course and tasted wonderful. The foie gras was probably one of the dishes that surprised me the most with how much I enjoyed it. There was a sweetness that the cocoa nibs on the plate helped manage and deliver such incredible flavor. Overall though, the duck with the Joel Robuchon potato purée was probably my favorite course though. read more

See all

Quality of the food is good. We got the American omakase where anchovies, marcona almonds and castelveltrano olives and melon with Levoni 24 month proscuitto was served with Laurent Perrier champagne as the appetizers. Scallop with green garlic paired with La Cana Albarino white wine was cooked perfectly well. Foie gras with cocoa nibs was paired with the sweet Chateau Haul Mayne Sauternes from 2018. I thought the addition of the nibs for bitterness with the sweetness of the sauce and the wine was a nice job. Wish there was some sort of melon or fruit thrown in though. Pork chop on a bed of Joel Robuchon mashed potatoes paired with Powell and Sons 2017 Riverside Grenache Mataro Shiraz. Pork chop was moist and the mashed potatoes were overflowing with butter Blackberry panna cotta with Broadbent Tawny Porto aged 20 years. Nicely executed and paired well. read more

See all

Literally cannot believe the reviews on this - this place is terrible - does not live up to fine dining rep and zero value for money. I will never go here again read more

Whoa, this is not getting enough press. I was a fan if Mistral and am a fan of Violet. I tried to bring several people here once before but things came up and we canceled. We missed out. Attempt two, we ordered the omakase with the pairing. Beautiful plates, with pairings that accented the high notes of the dishes. Protein heavy enough that we shared a dish with the table next door. Classic ingredients, prepared well. I think the omakase is seasonal so that means I will return! read more