Sea Garden Restaurant

07/28/2007 Posted by oneadvancedpallet

Its great reading the perspective of someone who writes a review just to write the review. Yes this restaurant cost a lot of money; of course... that’s why it’s so good! Good things Cost money. It’s the same people who buy clothes from Nordstrom’s and not Macy's or target, who understand this meaning. You pay for atmosphere, fresh ingredients, variety! Out of the 9 reviews I read, only the last one mentions the Chili Oil, which is great, no that’s not the right word....MINDBLOWING! thats the best I could do in a short amount of time, its huge flavors out weighs the heat, and a small amount on some steam rice its delicious all by its self!... but lets get to the good stuff, Sea Garden is busy when? Between 11pm-2am...WHY? That’s where the chefs of Seattle go after they get of work. Anthony Bourdain (now the underground sell out), was made famous because he took you behind the kitchen and told you what Chefs ate, and guess what that's what is inside the green and white book they give you when you enter the door...its called the MENU! for those of you who say its been westernized, or the food is mediocre... you keep eating the same food you order every else, broccoli and beef, or pork fried rice... but those of you who challenge your pallet, and can't recall the last time you had the same thing on two different occasions, congratulation you stopped yourself from ordering what seems to be 60% of the tables at any given time. So keep the chili oil coming and try ordering the deeo fried Minced Prawns in Chicken Skin, next time you go, not the healthies choice, but the taste are wonderful..."Garlic soaked prawns minced and seasoned wrapped up in chicken skin deep friend crispy and covered in egg gravy! there is nothing like it! its takes a while to prepare and cook, but that’s a treat worth waiting for, you might have a hard time ordering it early on in the day, because they can be conveniently out at the moment but anytime after 9pm your good to go!

Pros: HUGE Flavors, if you know where to look!

Cons: not being able to see how the food is made...but o well!

02/16/2007 Posted by spankmehard

In China town, Sea Garden has the reputation of being more expensive with smaller portions. Does the quality make up for it? Not really. The portion sizes are from small to medium. The honey walnut prawns are always a winner. The rice plates, such as beef fried rice, seem a bit too small. The quality is usually consistent, but the quantity just doesn’t make Sea Garden a very attractive option. The service isn’t horrible, but isn’t attentive (on late nights). I’ve ate here at least 10 times during late night hours, and the only time the waiter checks on us is to drop off the bill. The ambiance is a little more chilled out compared to the other nearby restaurants: dim light and soft music in the background. This place is open very late on Friday and Saturday nights, closing around 4AM. Consistency is a problem in China town restaurants, and Sea Garden does stand out at making good food often. At the end of the day, however, the lower quantity and higher pricing makes Sea Garden just an OK deal.

02/14/2007 Posted by kristiannie

My husband and I LOVE this place. When ever we get a craving for Dungeness, it has to be two Sea Garden crabs -- one with black bean and the other with ginger sauce. YUMMY! Start off with a big bowl of won ton noodle (the only item on the menu that we have found, so far, that you cannot get without MSG) and you are in for a fabulous meal. We know most of the waiters by now and have always -- even when first visiting there -- had excellent, fast and friendly service. Bring the whole family and request one of the big, round family-size tables -- there are two or three in the back of the restuarant, but several more up the stairs.

11/23/2006 Posted by kee22

The Sea Garden is a pretty good restaurant. The atmosphere is pretty nice and busy. The service is always good. The best item definately is the crab with the black bean sauce..it is soo yummy. Can't say I liked seeing the crab before eating it, but it was good. I wasn't disappointed by the service or the food. Definately recommend.

Pros: Good seafood, nice atmosphere

Cons: seeing my food alive

08/25/2006 Posted by seattles_best_

First off, you don't have to wait long to be seated. There is ample room for everyone, regardless of the number of people. And the selection of food is wide...was even able to order water spinich cooked in garlic, which wasn't on the menu. So they're pretty flexible. Yes, it's "westernized" to some extent, but what do you expect? Gotta try to appeal to taste palates of all kinds, yeah?

Pros: no waiting, food, service

Cons: parking, prices

04/10/2006 Posted by huskyduck

Sea Garden still puts out some of the best Cantonese fare you can find in Seattle after more than 20 years. Salt and pepper prawns, crab with black bean sauce, lobster with garlic sauce are done better than just about anywhere else in the ID. Meat dishes are merely ordinary, especially for the price. Prices at Sea Garden are on the upper end of the ID spectrum. Still, when craving quality Cantonese fare late at night, there is really no place better in the ID.

Pros: prawns, crab, lobster

Cons: meat dishes, pricey, no parking

09/05/2004 Posted by kuple

This is just another average Cantonese restaurant. The ambience is better than the other, but the food is just mediocre, overpriced, and not authentic (americanized). In many of the dishes they substitute authentic ingredients with something that are more acceptable by westerner (and obviously easier to find and cheaper).

Pros: Good ambience

Cons: , Mediocre food, Americanized

09/18/2003 Posted by srkane

I've been eating at Sea Garden for over twenty years (before all of the remodels) and it just keeps getting better. Among my favorites are Live Crab with Ginger and Scallions, Geoduck or Clams in Black Bean Sauce, Hot and Sour Soup and the Cold Appetizer Plate (which includes Jellyfish). They do exotic and they do comfort food (try the Almond Fried Chicken and the Sweat and Sour Pork). They have a full bar and serve warm Shio Xing (Chinese burnt rice wine). The service is very attentive and the atmosphere is chic and inviting. Try Sea Garden tonight, you won't be disappointed.

Pros: Very satisfying food, Efficient service, Hip Atmosphere

11/21/2002 Posted by pivo

There is quite a buzz about this restaurant being amazing, but I haven't been 100% impressed. The food was good and service was good, but I wouldn't put it up as one of the top restaurants in the area. Not to take away from it, there was nothing bad about the place, but there are other places i would go first. Also its a little bit on the expensive side if you're used to eating cheaply.

11/17/2002 Posted by stephieplus

It is the best Chinese restaurant in Seattle, hands down... Actually, if I could only eat at one restaurant in Seattle, and I have been to most of them, this would be it. Sea Garden Seattle restaurant is far superior to Bellevue location. Our standing order, in some variation includes the following: Singapore Rice Noodle, Long Bean in Black Bean Sauce, Chinese Broccoli in Garlic Sauce, Crab in Black Bean or Garlic Sauce, Pork and Sprout Chow Mein, Sui Kow Noodle Soup, Any Hot Pot, Beef Chow Fun Dry, Salt and Pepper Spot Prawns,... guess that is it. This is authentic cuisine and fabulous so don't order egg rolls, becuse they don't have them! We are passionate about Sea Garden and hope for it to have a long and healthy life so we can keep enjoying it. PS- ask for hot chili oil on the side, their's is particularly good.

Pros: Excellent Value, Excellent Food, No Nonsense Waitstaff

Cons: Street Parking