Ray's Boathouse Restaurant, Cafe & Catering
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: (206) 789-3770
Fax: (206) 781-1960
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Thirty Seventh Place NW
- Specialties:
- Happy Hour
- Best of Citysearch:
- Waterfront Dining 2007, Waterfront Dining 2007, Waterfront Dining 2005
- Hours:
- Boathouse: Sun-Thu 5pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-9:30pm, Cafe: Sun-Thu 11:30am-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm
Message from Ray's Boathouse Restaurant, Cafe & Catering
Internationally acclaimed Northwest seafood and waterfront dining
- Waterfront Dining
- Fresh Wild Northwest Seafood
- Free Parking
Paid advertisement by Ray's Boathouse Restaurant, Cafe & Catering.
Editorial Review for Ray's Boathouse Restaurant, Cafe & Catering – by Citysearch Editors
The Scene
The main dining room attracts a well-dressed middle-aged crowd. Younger, more casually attired patrons--some with kids--favor the relaxed atmosphere and less-expensive fare in the cafe. Once in a while, the bar hints of Ray's early days, when Topsider-wearing sailors from nearby Shilshole Marina and slicker-clad commercial fishermen flush with cash swapped lies over shots and brews. The cafe's large outdoor deck offers sweeping views and al fresco dining in the warmer months.
The Food
Seafood dominates the menu, which changes weekly, to ensure peak freshness. Best are local creatures such as oysters, clams and Dungeness crab (from live tanks) and wild salmon from Alaska. The simplest preparations, such as oysters on the shell, provide the essential Seattle experience. The salmon dishes and the rich, black cod marinated in miso deserve special mention, although all of the fish dishes are expertly-prepared and dependably good.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkA long wine list, strong on West Coast labels, offers many moderately priced selections.
Know Before You GoReservations are highly recommended, especially in warmer months.
Save MoneyThe more casual cafe offers a selection of free entrees on your birthday between 11:30am and 3:30pm--ID required.
Look GoodIs the patio more chilly than you expected? Ask the staff for a fleece blanket to wrap around your shoulders.
CateringThe restaurant offers a full catering service with a dazzling array of options.
Happy HourDeals on drinks and select menu items upstairs at the cafe bar; no outside seating (Sun-Thu 4pm-6pm, 9pm-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 4pm-6pm, 9pm-11:30pm).
User Reviews for Ray's Boathouse Restaurant, Cafe & Catering
12/29/2007 Posted by sheagayle
We celebrated our anniversary with friends and family at Ray's and were disappointed. The T-Bone steak offering was thin, and average at best - I can find a comparable steak at the grocery store. This was a far cry from a $36 steak. The ribeye that was served with the Turf & Surf special was flavorful, but tough and the three small prawns that were served with it were unexciting. The crab cakes were good, but the serving was very small. The seafood sampler includes a crab cake, a very small piece of salmon, and a very small piece of the black cod. All were good, but the servings were small. The accompaniments all around were meager - I think I counted a total of six green beans with my sampler. The T-Bone was served very unceremoniously over a half of a small potato that was very plain and boring. Their sauces were good, but the dribble they provided wasn't adequate. The dessert menu might appeal to some, but the items offered were too complicated for my taste and some of their old stand-by items are no longer offered. The service was good, and our table was ready at the time we reserved. Overall - very disappointing. The view is great but we can get a comparable view with much better food elsewhere.
Pros: View, service, wine list
Cons: Price, value, serving size
12/07/2007 Posted by labaransky
I was invited out to dinner at Ray's recently by my aunt-in-law, and I will say it met my expectations in almost every way. I recently decided to go vegetarian, and I was pleased Ray's had an option for me - it was thoughtfully prepared and delicious! (not just rice and vegetables like I was expecting) My husband ordered the crab legs, which were slightly undercooked, and they gave him a claw instead of a leg, which was a bit harder to work with. My aunt-in-law was quite satisfied with her scallops and Swiss chard dish. The service was mostly good, but our waiter was lacking personality and seemed a bit put-off to be at work that day. Although he was quite attentive towards the beginning of the meal, it took a bit too long to get our check. Overall, a nice experience and I do recommend trying it out.
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