Chez Shea

07/19/09

Devinity on a plate!

by heatherderick at Citysearch

My husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary here and I just want to do it all over again, and again! We had the Chef's tasting menu with seven courses:

1-Starting with oysters on the half shell. Now I am not usually into oysters- it's a texture thing- but these were delicious! half of them had a pink grapefruit compote and the other half had a pickled cucumber salad which was my fave.

2-Next was foie gras two ways, one in a smooth and flavorful pate form, the other seared to perfection-both atop crisp Brioche.

3-Then Chilled Vichyssoise, a potato and leek version that was smooth and delicious. The perfect palate cleanser!

4-Next was the Alaskan Halibut with controne Beans heirloom tomatoes and a basil based sauce. It was again a delightful dish.

5-Then came the tenderloin of Beef with demi glace, truffle butter, and silky mashed potatoes. This was our favorite course of all! The tenderloin was cooked perfectly rare/medium rare and melted on your tongue. The truffle butter and the handmade demi glace were perfection, and the potatoes were beaten so silky smooth...Chez Shea has created the ultimate meat and potatoes dish!

6-Next came a cheese trio with an exquisite goat Roquefort bleu cheese (my fave!), a Delice de Bourgogne which was creamy and very strong, then Petit Basque. Served with an apricot compote to cleanse the palate.

7-Finally was dessert which was a light and creamy panna cotta with fresh berries. Perfect for summer, very light and refreshing.

The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, the atmosphere romantic and comfortable, and the food an adventure for the senses.

• Pros: AMAZING food, attentive staff, wine list, and more
• Cons: pricey!

11/25/08

Cozy restaurant, warm service, great food

by kwp at Citysearch

Since I'm relatively new to the area, I am looking for unique places that I can return to when the occasion warrants it. This place will stay on my list. It's a romantic spot tucked away in the most touristy area in Seattle -- right above Pike Place Market. If you're in town with your sigother, make reservations--which are all but mandatory due to the very limited seating -- and enjoy the experience.

From the relatively limited but flexible menu -- you don't have to stick to the recommended course order -- my companion had the chef's squash menu, including squash soup, salad and squash gnocchi. It was all wonderful -- the soup was very creamy and the gnocchi was very robust given its vegetable foundation. It was too much to finish.

I had the steelhead salmon and it's probably the best piece of salmon I've ever had. Perfectly prepared, nicely (and lightly) seasoned, and on a bed of black rice that was a great complement to the food.

The service was very accommodating and friendly but not intrusively so. We originally had a reservation in the lounge, but we came early and they were able to move us to the main dining room -- even though both venues are quite nice.

My only complaint is minor: The space is very small. Since the walls are mainly bare and the end of the room is Palladian windows overlooking the market, sound reverberates and levels can be a problem, especially if a larger group is seated near you and they get a little animated. And if there's not a large group making a lot of noise, you can easily overhear normal conversations at your neighbor's table. But again, that's minor. The quality of the entire experience was very nice and I'd highly recommend it for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind experience.

• Pros: Hidden spot among the throngs of tourists, very intimate, great service
• Cons: Parking is always a problem around Pike Place Market, be aware of being seated next to a large table

10/27/08

Romantic & great

by denagawa at Citysearch

You can tell when a chef loves food and this one does! Setting was beautiful and the tasting course was amazing. Wish I had been there with someone other than a coworker. Next time.

10/15/08

Most Romantic Spot in Seattle

by corndog85 at Citysearch

The food was some of the best I have had in a long time and was ever so carefully prepared. I had the duck leg and it was so delicious and tender. I always have the duck at every restaurant I go too and this by far s one of the best. The entire staff is so attentive from the moment they take your coat at the door to the last bottle of wine they cork for you. I would confidently say that Chez Shea is the most Romantic date spot in the whole area from the first date, to popping the question and your 50th anniversary. Enjoy and try the duck pate or duck leg!!!

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: Make sure you make a reservation.

04/30/08

Memorable birthday meal with excellent service

by goodfoodforall2008 at Citysearch

I have heard of Chez Shea for some time and was waiting for a special occasion to try it. Four of us went there for my birthday and tried the chef's tasting menu. We thought the food was well prepared and it was fun to try 8 different things. We were totally stuffed by the 5th dish and had a wonderful time. Our server was so kind and the place was not pretentious at all. Overall, it was expensvie about $500 for 4 people but worth the money and experience.