Von's Grand City Cafe'
(206) 621-8667
619 Pine St
Seattle,
WA
98101
47.6121
-122.3349
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Central Business District
Reviews & Ratings for Von's Grand City Cafe'
45 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 45 reviews
Late lunch value
by amydragon
April 18, 2005
We visited Von's April 17 after seeing a show at the Paramount.D iscovered a fun, funky place with a great menu. We didn't order any alcohol. We shared a plate of excellent pot stickers with a delicious sauce. My husband orderd a steak sandwich with french fries and I had a HUGE ginger pork salad. Prices were very good, overall quality great. The one poor overworked waiter did his best with a wry sense of humor, and the kitchen made a couple of goofs that he quickly corrected, and in compensation offered us a free dessert (we had the apple crisp, terrific indulgence!) Yes it's crowded, the staff needs help, but it was fun and we enjoyed chatting with our neighbors (people attending the big coffee conference at the convention center). Not a place for intimate dining (we ate in the bar, the restaurant being closed until later).
- Pros: Good food, large portions
- Cons: short on wait staff, crowded
AWFUL Restaurant
by erikalc
December 08, 2008
I went to this restaurant for dinner/drinks last night and it was absolutely awful. We sat in the bar area and the place was so loud we had to yell at eachother across the table to be heard - and it wasn't simply loud customers, it was also plates dropping behind the bar, noise coming from the kitchen, etc. The wait staff was clearly stretched too thin and not responsive - we didn't even get the menu of appetizers because for some unknown reason it was on a separate menu which we weren't given. The food was awful - I had the vegetarian plate (terrible flavor combinations and a tomato that was stuffed with nasty cheese mesh - it's sad when the white rice is the only edible thing on the plate) and my date the cheeseburger (NOT the great burger it was advertised as and the house bbq chips were way too sweet and the cinammon way too overpowering). To boot the drinks were very small and overpriced. We left with a $60 tab for 2 of the most inexpensive entrees on the menu (some went as high as $30-$40!), 2 beers for him, and 2 mixed drinks for me.
Overall a ridiculously overpriced dive bar with no redeeming qualities. Will NEVER return.
- Pros: Hmm - it was a convinient location maybe?
- Cons: Overpriced, loud, bad food
This place has an awesome vibe
by Jisaan
November 17, 2008
Food was great...you get a whole lot of food for the price, make sure your hungry! The Patio area is really cool. Nice chairs and tables (wrought iron i think), and not plastic lawn furntiure. I havent seen too many patios that are active in winter, but this place is. Inside the decor is all kinds of random things on the ceiling and walls and more types of alcohol then ive seen at any restaurant. The servers were fun and engaging. I encourafe people to check it out! A seattle classic!
- Pros: Liquor selection and food timing are amazing! Great Location.
- Cons: Vegetarian menu is lacking.
so many bottles, so little time
by ChristyMay
November 08, 2008
I have never, I mean never, in all my 47 booze guzzling years seen a bar like this!!! I kept plunging the depths of my alcoholic knowledge for obscure alcohols, and Jason just kept on saying, "yep, we've got it." I've never been much of a tequila drinker, but he turned me on to a few good ones and they have just about every vodka ever made.
- Pros: large selection
- Cons: $$$
Fantastic Ambience, Excellent Service, Great Decor and Delicious Food
by klein538
July 07, 2008
We are frequent visitors to Seattle for business and pleasure. We have been attempting to eat at all the great restaurants in Seattle. While shopping downtown we decided to try Von's Grand City Cafe, which is across the street from Nordstrom's. We loved the decor and collections of beer and ale related items.
The server was prompt and courteous. The roasted turkey was perfectly prepared and had great flavor.
My wife had the prime rib and said it was delicious. They have a special roasting technique that holds in the flavors and makes the meat very tender. There are four dining areas and I found the noise level to be low, as each area is separated from the others by hallways and glass partitions. Thus we could dine and speak at normal voice levels. The new wine list is worth exploring. We returned the day before we departed Seattle so we could have a drink outside and share the delicious nachos they prepare. Don't visit Seattle without dining at Von's. If you live in the Seattle area, you are lucky to have such a great restaurant so well located in center city.
Killer salads great drinks!!
by gclar79
July 03, 2008
I frequent Von's quite often during the work week both during the lunch hour and for happy hour. Their salads are second to none in terms of presentation, flavor, and portion size. The staff is always very attentive and I've yet to have a bad experience there yet. The hourly drink specials make it easy to take the edge off of a long day at the office, especially when you're with a group of co-workers or clients. The "Seattle Ceiling" displays a number of odds and ends from different eras of the city, giving the out of towner a sneak peak of the local history.
Von's Grand City Cafe by Sandra B. at InsiderPages
Contributor
June 17, 2008
We attended an afternoon show at the Paramount Theatre and then decided to have dinner at Von's. Our party of 4 arrived before 5 PM (when the dining room opens) so we were jammed into the bar area of the restaurant. The waiter was not happy with something so communicating with him was not a good experience - I would consider that he was actually rude to us. In any event when our food arrived, 1 of the entrees was the wrong salad and so he grabbed the dish and took it back to the kitchen. A bread item was omitted for 1 of the other orders. The turkey which I ordered was not well prepared and had little taste and the vegetables were undercooked -- not just crunchy, more like raw. A very bad choice for dinner and I could not recommend this restaurant.
Not Impressed
by llewis750
March 05, 2008
Some friends and I went to Vons for dinner after work one last week, and I was not impressed. A co-worker had told me how great she thought it was, but she must have been drunk on the cheap (and tiny) martinis. I ordered a Caesar salad and it came with what seemed like a gallon of dressing on it, plus the dressing tasted like something you would get in the supermarket. My burger was marginal as well. Overcooked when I asked for medium-rare, and certianly not breaking any new ground as far as sauce or acoutroments or anything like that.
I think the worst part, however, was the general lack of competant service. Maybe it was an off night, but our waiter didn't check on us till about half way through my burger after we waited for him for almost 10 minutes after we initially sat down. The hostess that sat us was dull and not particularly friendly.
None of these things alone would be the end of the world, but it all added up to a two-star experience.
Best BBQ
by Reee
February 22, 2008
Finally, a great place to get barbeque. I have been searching the city for a nice place to get great- tasting BBQ, but often end up somewhere that looks like it doesn't have a license or the health inspector has never visited. I feel comfortable taking my kids to Von's and my husband likes it too. The ribs are really flavorful and meaty- not the grisly and fatty kind you usually get in other places. It's a good thing they give you gloves!
Best Customer Service, Martinis and Ribs around
by brooke2008
February 01, 2008
I have been to Von's many times and every time I visit it I am greeted with respect and receive the best service. Everything from the scratch soups to the slow roasted meats, the entire experience is always top notch. Plus the "all you can drink champagne weekend brunch" can't be beat anywhere. Whether you are on a business lunch or simply looking for a fun place to grab a drink outside (year round) or a great place to bring kids...Von's is your place.
- Pros: great deals, drinks, good for kids, service
Excellent spot
by danbin
January 28, 2008
My girlfriend always wants me to take her to Vons. We thinks it's a great place. She enjoys the salads, I love the BBQ ribs. The service is always friendly & efficient. We are there 1-2 times a week and have never had a bad experience. We've probably sampled everything on the menu and have never had a bad meal.
