Lampreia
Seattle, WA 98121-1312
Phone: (206) 443-3301
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Battery Street
- Hours:
- Daily 5pm-10:30pm
Editorial Review for Lampreia – by Don Rauf
The Scene
A meal here is an event, easily stretching beyond two hours, with an intermezzo and cheese course. Waitstaff should be commended for congeniality and consummate service. Unlike the less-than-attractive fish it's named after, the restaurant's elegant, muted decor lets diners focus on the chef's spirited creations.
The Food
The plates are miniature works of modern art that vary with the seasons. Three pear slices--red, yellow and green, each infused with a different flavor--nicely complement seared foie gras. Impeccably fresh mussels arrive in a perfect line, and goat cheese gnocchi are whipped into meringue-like balls. From culatello (fine Italian ham) antipasto to smoked salmon with cauliflower mousse, painstaking detail goes into each dish. More stellar ingredients show in the entrees: Both duck with candied fruits and chicken tucked under buttery bread crumbs are superb. Desserts end with a bang, especially chocolate mousse with a Valencia orange, cooked down into an intense, sweet delight.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThis is an expensive night out, but go for the full experience--don't skip the intermezzo or cheese course. If feeling adventuresome, ask the chef to prepare his taster's menu.
What to DrinkOverall, wine selections are very expensive, but scour the list and you'll find a few moderately priced bottles.
User Reviews for Lampreia
08/21/2008 Posted by Waltho
I'm glad to read the last two reviewers in July had a great time, as did we. I had read several of the bad reviews. Fortunately good friends took us to celebrate their birthday, and we enjoyed being with them as well as the unique and excellent food. I'm a comfort food, enjoy my own soup or stew at home guy, which means when I go out, I'm looking for a special experience. Of course, the presentation is very arty, but each course tickles different taste buds. The veal chop was especially excellent. The service was friendly, informative, and helpful without being intrusive, even when I asked a dumb question (about salads--they don't serve them). And the chef showed none of the bad humor that some of the earlier reviewers mentioned. We had a friendly visit about an earlier experience we had shared. If you eat out lots of nights, and have become too jaded to have a unique dining experience, go somewhere else. For a special occasion, we found it excellent.
07/28/2008 Posted by foodieanonymick
Best restaurant in seattle hands down. Proffessional and informative sevice, beautiful great tasting food, what more could you want. Obviously this isn't an every night restaurant but I nly say that because I would get the five or eight course everytime. Also great wine selection.
Pros: food, decor, service
Cons: the crowd in bell town late at night
