11/02/08

Food stands out -- Service holds it back

by res03hrk

This was our first visit to this waterfront resturant attached to the Marriott. We pulled up to what we thought was the front of the resturant, but turns out to be a private entrance for the condos next door. You need to pull into the Marriott main entrance, you can just valet park & they will validate your ticket. You walk into the dining room, the mood is modern, but relaxed and dimly lit. Our first impression of the service was what appeared to be the manager. Stepping to the podium, he didn't say a word, but looked down at the screen. The hostess showed up a minute later, greeted us and showed us to our table.

Our friendly waitress took our drink order. They have a nice Northwest wine selection, 1/2 bottles and wine flights. It took a very long time for our waitress to return with our drink order. My 12 year old ordered a Shirley Temple, it came to the table mixed with soda water, rather than 7-up. We had go to the bar to get it fixed, as again we waited for some time for the staff to come back to the table.

Appetizers were well executed. Crab cakes were a little cold, had a nice crisp crust & subtle flavor. There were several flatbreads to choose from. We choose the fig, proscuttio, gorgenzola flat bread. The sweet fig jam, the salty proscuttio and gorgenzola pair well together. The bread was crispy with a slight chew to it. Dinner came (finally), scallops with Isralie cous cous and fennel. Scallops were seared to perfection and paired well with the cousous & fennel. My husband ordered a steak, again well executed with grilled onions and barbeque style sauce with mustard undertones and not too sweet. For dessert we ordered the molten choc. cake & a banana cake with merange. The banana cake was still frozen & the molten cake looked like it had exploded on the plate.

I'd recommend the flat breads and small plates, hopefully they'll get the service up to par soon. Also note the lobster is from Maine & not Australian.

10/30/07

best piano player in Seattle!

by mroch

I have been dining here for business and pleasure since it has opened - the food, usually excellent, but not consistant - the one thing that brings me back (and everyone I know!) is the BEST piano player in town! Junie knows more tunes than any musician I have met, always has a smile, and knows more about Seattle than most concierge! She has made many a birthday, anniversary and business dinner special!

She is a treasure to Seattle and to this hotel.

• Pros: live music!
• Cons: ok food

07/30/07

Not worth putting up with the terrible service

by bettydog

Astoundingly bad service. The wait staff completely forgot one of our entrees (why did she think he wouldn't want dinner???) The drinks were late?we had to ask for them twice. We had to ask for bread, otherwise we would have had nothing to eat for 30 minutes. Appetizers finally arrived?no utensils. Fortunately, you can eat oysters without a fork, but it gets kinda rude to just shove food with your fingers. Had to wait for utensils. Food sat in front of us...

Main course was OK as far as I could tell, but that was because we were ravenous by the time we got it. And only two of us actually got food in front of us?then our plates were cold by the time the third plate was scrambled together... Empty plates stayed on the table. And, of course, it took forever to get the tab. No restaurant is worth this.... I can get better service at the QFC where the food is about the same and the prices are better.

• Pros: Food was alright
• Cons: Service was beyond terrible