The Herbfarm Restaurant
Woodinville, WA 98072
Phone: (425) 485-5300
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- 148th Avenue NE
- Best of Citysearch:
- Special Occasion Dining 2006
- Hours:
- Dinner seatings: Thu-Sat 7pm, Sun 4:30pm
Editorial Review for The Herbfarm Restaurant – by Allison Austin
The Scene
Fabrics in rose and forest-green cover walls, chairs and tabletops. Votive lanterns and ornate table settings add to the fancy look. Nearly everyone is celebrating an occasion--even if it's nothing more than a long-anticipated visit to this renowned Northwest restaurant. Curved, padded chairs do a decent job of keeping diners comfortable during five-hour meals. Servers are knowledgeable about food-related details and impeccably professional.
The Food
The nine-course dinner begins with a toast of sparkling herb-infused wine, followed by a tour of the menu and wine pairings, during which a curtain is drawn and kitchen staff is introduced like the cast of a play. Menu themes change frequently to take advantage of seasonal herbs, produce and seafood. Such peak freshness allows simple dishes to flourish, like Copper River salmon accompanied by just-picked pea vines, shoots and flowers. Each course is masterfully paired with wine from the wide-ranging cellar.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoWith two days notice you can request beer pairings instead of wine. Nonalcoholic options--with sophisticated fruit-and-herb flavors--are also available.
What to DrinkWant to repeat some of the magic at home? Many wines are available for sale from the 12,000-bottle cellar.
The ExtrasA romantic and luxurious private room is available for dinner parties of 6 to 14.
User Reviews for The Herbfarm Restaurant
06/16/2008 Posted by randy2300
I was dismayed when I saw all the one-star reviews on this site. After the experience I felt compelled to set the record straight. First, the room is simply spectacular. We didn't even have a great table (the first table nearest the entrance) and still it felt like no other place I've even been to. We sat at a communal table and fortunately, the other couples were interesting and fun. While not every bit was "knock your sock off" incredible, there were several dishes that were so unique and delicious to be memorable for a lifetime. The service was simply perfection. That being said, here's a few suggestions: if the owner and chef are going to speak, they need to learn HOW to speak. They both seemed uncomfortable in the role and much of what they said simply could not be heard where we were seated. My biggest complaint is portion size. Some of the portions gave you nothing more than a mere droplet -- not even a full bite. There were times when it felt like I was in a movie parody of what "fancy" restaurants are like. When I got home, I was still hungry. However, the main course was plentiful and spectacular and overall the food was amazing. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Pros: beautiful ambiance, incredible service, wonderful food
Cons: small portions
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
06/14/2008 Posted by nonameneeded24
My experience at The Herbfarm was wonderful. I would say that you need to be prepared for the evening to enjoy it. Here are some suggestions: 1. Bring good company. It's going to be a long night. Dinner will last 5 hours. Save some good stories from the week to keep you going between courses.2. Be cool to the service staff and you will be rewarded. They deal with snobs expectant attitudes every night. Don't be that person and the wine will pour more freely than other tables. 3. Skip the garden tour and head to the Cook's Library. The view from the top will allow you to separate from the crowd. 4. If dining as a couple, insist on a table for two when making your reservation. If they can't make that work, find another night. 5. Arrange for transportation. From Seattle a town car will run $65-$80 each way depending on your corporate discounts. That will make the night equally fun for everyone. You’re spending $500 for dinner anyway, so you can obviously afford the additional for the car. The owner is a little out there and the mass introduction is a bit self-indulgent, but isn't an over the top experience what you are paying for? The portions were appropriate, the herb butter should be sold by the ton, the service was as visible as you needed it to be, and the experience worthy of a return. Some items were unbelievable. Others, not so much. But, there’s no way even the most accomplished home cook, or many of Seattle’s best could even come close to the delicate touch or skill exemplified here.
Pros: Staff, Pace, Imaginative Cusine
Cons: Location (Woodinville is the middle of nowhere)
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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