The Harvest Vine

Recommends

berger_bar

Joined 6 years ago

If you're hungry, be prepared to spend. We sat at the bar so the service was direct from the chef, which is impossible to screw up. The food is very appealing, but the portions are just too small for what you end up paying. Granted, it's tapas and well prepared at that, but you'll be out at least $50 on food just to feel satisfied. I thought it was a nice experience but a bit over-rated. If you go, don't let the manger distract you too much - He's in love with himself and that'll get on your nerves if you let it. Not rushing back.

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lunen

Joined 10 years ago

Good Tapas. Harvest Vine is well worth trying out if you haven't been here. The food was exceptional (the octopus salad is recommended), the wines were pretty reasonable, and the atmosphere was very festive. We actually found the service to be pretty decent, though I could see how they might be considered a bit abrupt. The portions were a bit small for the money, but this is one of the only restaurants of its kind in the city, so I guess there isn't a lot of competitive pressure to keep prices down.

With the new downstairs room, I believe they take reservations, might want to check that out.

Doesn't Recommend

hanayun1

Joined 6 years ago

Good food, TERRIBLE SERVICE!. Although the food was delicious, I have to give Harvest Vine one star because the service was THAT awful. The waitress didn't bother to smile and never came around to our table. Considering how small the dining area is it almost seemed like she was trying to avoid us. We waited for everything, ordering, getting the food, getting water, and finally getting the check. The experience was so terrible that I've done something that I've never done before...left our server zero tip.

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nelly1

Joined 6 years ago

Fabulous Food....Abysmal Service. This was my first visit to Harvest Vine. The host happily seated us at two great seats at the bar where cutlery, plates,and menus were already waiting. Fantantic start! Too bad they also happily forgot us for the rest of the evening. We waited and waited, then finally had to physically grab a waiter to take our order....we also had to beg for a glass of wine. They gave us crusty bread but refused our request for olive oil (apparently this is a big no no here). We just wanted a little something to put on the dry bread since it was going to be a while before we got anything else since no one had yet to take our order.....sheesh!

When the food started arriving our mood improved....the service never did. Our food was beautiful to look at and even better to taste. We started with cheese, soft and creamy served with sauteed mushrooms. next came sauteed spinach in pine nuts and aromatic oil. So they do have olive oil they just don't serve it to their guests......for cooking only??? The cuchinillo (young suckling pig) was amazing with its brown and crispy skin and tender meat that just melted in my mouth. Instead of dessert we decided to take a walk on the wild side and ordered "duck testicles"....my, those duck have big ones! They looked like small vienna sausages only round and cooked with bits of jamon serrano and an amazing sherry reduction sauce to sop up with the crusty bread.

During the evening our server never asked how we were doing or even looked our way. I had to get up and find someone to ask for more water. They only rallied when it was time for the bill and possible tip???? I'd love to recommend this place since the food was so good, but the service was so abysmal that I'd be embarrassed to go there again. Instead I think I'll go down the street to Crush were the food is also fantastic and the waiters actually see you.

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mack3000

Joined 9 years ago

Great atmosphere, tasty food, nice wines; but it's all meaningless with the bizarre service.. On the plus side, our server was kind and helpful, the tapas were tasty, wine was great, and the room felt right. On the negative side, the Maitre'd was full of himself, the portion sizes were ridiculous for the price (and we're not gluttonous types at all), but worst of all: the dreaded olive oil confrontation. We thought it might be nice to dip our bread in some, but got the same speech that apparently others have. Some nonsense about "other sauces" being available, and the chef refuses! My wife has travelled extensively throughout Spain, and knows that olive oil with bread is ubiquitous. I thought they were joking, but no. Reminded me of the Seinfeld "no soup for you!" episode. Never again!

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baker4life

Joined 6 years ago

best restaurant in seattle. This is my all time favorite restaurant in all of seattle. I've been here several times and went again recently. Everytime, the food is outstanding. The service has waivered from time to time, but this time it was fantastic. Our server's name was Alisha and she was so helpful through the list of Spanish and Basque wines, not pretentious or rude like most restaurants of this level in Seattle. The food was also great. It is always consistent and you can tell the chef puts a lot of his soul into this place. I had the beet salad, which is always good. The octopus was out of this world. SO tender and flavorful. Good coffee and desserts as well. HIghly recommended.

Recommends

floweringblossom

Joined 7 years ago

Great Atmosphere, Fantastic Food. We went to Harvest Vine just this past weekend and had a great experience. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. Most importantly, the food is to-die-for. I couldn't recommend this place enough.

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ski_lemur

Joined 7 years ago

One of my favorites.. Never thought I'd list a tapas place as one of the best places in town but I love the excellent food preparation and helpful wine selection.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Tapas fashioned from excellent ingredients served to happily cramped crowds of neighbors.. The Scene
With just eight counter stools and a half-dozen chairs around three tiny tables, seating demand far outstrips supply. Regulars don't seem to mind standing around sipping sherry until seats open up, and many spurn opportunities for table seats because they want to sit at the counter, inches away from the affable owner, Joseba Jimenez de Jimenez, while he prepares the tapas.

The Food
All the tapas are excellent, especially baby chorizo sausages, squid simmered in their own ink, prawns sauteed with garlic and white wine, and roasted piquillo peppers stuffed with salt cod and potatoes. Soups, salads and sandwiches should not be ignored. Messier, Jimenez's wife, prepares desserts, and her chocolate-crusted lemon tart, delicate ginger-flavored flan and chocolate bread pudding (truly memorable) prove she's as masterful in her sphere as Jimenez is in his.

Recommends

tbrockmann

Joined 7 years ago

"Tapas" means "small plates". Duh.. The Harvest Vine is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants. Nestled in Madison Valley, this bustling, cozy restaurant has earned its place as one of Seattle's best eateries.

A spot at the tapas bar guarantees great service and recommendations from the chefs on what's good that night (usually everything). I have never been disappointed by the Harvest Vine.

After reading some of the reviews on this site, I was surprised to learn that other who visited the restaurant thought the portions were too small. Small portions are the hallmark of a tapas restaurant and not only allow a party to sample several menu offerings, but encourage portion control - a foreign concept to most American diners.

If you're in the mood for a unique, delicious, albeit slightly expensive meal - run, don't walk, to the Harvest Vine in Madison Valley. Plan to go on a night where you're not in a rush to enjoy the full dining experience. Arrive early or try to make a reservation.

One more thing...save room for dessert.