09/08/09

The train left!

by CSMobileUser

been gone over a year now

06/16/07

I really really wanted to like it

by man4pnw

Sounded like fun somy wife and I took our 2 teenage daughters on the dinner train. The train was a kind of fun reminder of things the past. I train is showing signs of wear. I guess I assumed that the food would have ben freshly prepared on sight but this is not the case. Think first class airline food. I don't know if the tracks need repair or the train's cars need new shocks. We were tossed back and forth as though we were locked in a broom closet during an earthquake. I've ridden trains up and down the west coast going much faster and never been through around so much.

The food was ok. It tasted like it had been sitting an a warmer for sometime because it had. Vegetables were limp, the rest of the meal warm not hot but I justified it because we were doing it as a family adventure. One of the highlights is stopping on an old trestle and looking down on the 405. I suppose I am jaded because to me a highlight should be something special. The 405 just isn't that special.

We enjoyed stopping at the winery and I suppose you could say it was the real highlight of the trip. The kids seemed to enjoy the train ride as it was outside of their normal daily experience. On leg back from the winery the girls plugged in their ipods and stared blankly at the industial areas we passed.

It's ok, not great. I it might be a fun dinner for a couple in their early 20s.

• Pros: something different
• Cons: poor food, old interior, a little dull.

06/15/07

Kash2 has no clue

by hamboner126

Kash2 wrote:

"At $78.00 per person, it is not a regular event but once in a blue moon would be interesting ... except when we received our bill. You see the bill listed the train trip at $9.00 and food at $68.00 each!! Hostess nearly ripped our head off demanding tip. I am sorry but the food was barely worth $15.00, and the hostess service was very subpar (even ignoring the outburst in the end). So when I go on a cruise, I don't pay tip for the cruise's bill, I pay for what I spend "during" cruise. Same way dinner train charging for tip on the "whole" experience is bogus"

Well, first, the gratuity is not based off of the entire bill, or the "whole" experience. If that were the case, Kash2 would have had a check brought to the table that showed $156, based off of the $78 ticket price mentioned. What is served on the train, is a full three course meal with a full bar available, very similar to a traditional restaurant. So checks are presented as in a traditional restaurant, and each meal is listed at $34 each, out of the original $78, for a total of $68 per couple, instead of $156, which would be the "whole" experience.

11/08/06

Fun train ride w/ good food!

by jags999

This can be a romantic evening or a fun family brunch! The scenery is nice in some places, not in others. Reserve the top dining car for the best view!! Food is delicious and the tour at the winery is very interesting!

10/09/06

Over priced

by kash2

My wife and I took the dinner train. The ride was nice, the scenery good, the stop over at the winery was interesting. All in all we both were thinking of recommending the trip, AND maybe buying gift certificate for other couples. At $78.00 per person, it is not a regular event but once in a blue moon would be interesting ... except when we received our bill. You see the bill listed the train trip at $9.00 and food at $68.00 each!! Hostess nearly ripped our head off demanding tip. I am sorry but the food was barely worth $15.00, and the hostess service was very subpar (even ignoring the outburst in the end). So when I go on a cruise, I don't pay tip for the cruise's bill, I pay for what I spend "during" cruise. Same way dinner train charging for tip on the "whole" experience is bogus. Not to mention i was more inclined to tip the conductor than the hostesses. Any how, wanted to share our experience. Maybe mystery ride or other rides are different but now my wife and I instead of trying all the different train rides, are going to stay away from this silly thing.

• Pros: Scenery is good
• Cons: over priced, bad service, rude host

The nation's largest dinner train provides gorgeous scenery and surprisingly good eats.

by Contributor

The Scene
Passengers enjoy a leisurely 48-mile round trip from Renton to Woodinville, complete with a winery tour. Part of the train is open, permitting incomparable fresh-air views of foliage in the day and moonlight on Lake Washington after dark. Rates vary depending seat location; expect to share with strangers if you dine as a couple.

The Food
Travelers select from four entrees--roasted prime rib rules the popularity chart. Crab-stuffed crepes with roasted peppers and onions make a satisfying meal. Chicken breast stuffed with apples and Cougar Gold cheese; and smoked-and-roasted salmon are also offered. A selection of rolls and spreads greet diners, followed with a salad of romaine, grapefruit and almonds dressed in a poppyseed vinaigrette. Dessert on the return trip is a choice of warm apple crisp with cinnamon whipped cream and caramel sauce or a chocolate confection served with sweet raspberry puree and creme anglais.

07/10/05

Not scenic, blah food

by bmcneil81

I have no idea what the editorial review is referring to by "gorgeous scenery", but aside from occasional glimpses of Lake Washington, you'll spend the majority of the train ride looking at the back side of suburban buildings, parking lots, grafittied overpasses, and (especially nice) a junkyard devoted to discarded tires. If you want scenery, go to a park. The ride itself is not even particularly pleasant -- my car jolted around like an old truck on a potholed dirt road.

The food is acceptable, but really, if you're spending $60 on dinner in a city like Seattle, you can (and should) expect much more.

Bottom line, don't waste your time.

• Pros: something different
• Cons: passable food, lousy scenery, value

06/28/05

Just say no

by mrsshock

The service was above average. Overall no problems with the staff. The ride itself was uncomfortable. The view from my seat was the back of buildings, piles of tires, grafitti, junk and for short periods of time blackberry brambles, peoples backyards and Lake Washington. Blah. The appetizers were cold and tasteless. The bread and spreads was the only thing served worth eating. My salad was served warm and wilted. My entree was overcooked and very bland. I couldn't eat it. I not a picky eater either it was just really that bad. The winery was okay. The visit would have been better if we had driven ourselves and brought a picknic lunch with us.

• Pros: It's different
• Cons: Food, View, uncomforable ride

09/19/02

Great Service, Bad Food

by gssmorgan

The service was great, our waitress was a gem. However, the food was bla. I was very disappointed.

08/29/02

Unforgiving

by romulusnr

Unless you live or work in Renton, or else don't have a job, make sure you take the day off before trying to catch this train. The building is not well marked and if you get stuck in 405 Exit 2 backups you're sunk. They will not hold the train for any amount of time nor will they give you a refund. Judging by the 50/50 reviews here you might be better off with a Royal Argosy cruise.