Lampreia
Seattle, WA 98121-1312
Phone: (206) 443-3301
02/03/2008 Posted by LiamdeGato
Lampreia’s food presentation is a visual work of art, but the food, unfortunately, is a secondary consideration. Visual appeal is a part of fine cuisine, but it should not be at the sacrifice of the food itself. Here the cuisine suffers at the expense of visual affectation. A duck dish included smaller than dime-sized dabs of several “fruit mustards,” which were attractive on the plate, but too insignificant to play a role in augmenting the dish---no great loss, however, as the flavors integrated poorly with the duck and its sauce. The sautéed bass, at $30.00, was good, but rather bland with no saucing and little seasoning, and it was nothing that could not be accomplished at home by a decent cook, albeit perhaps without the elegantly curlicued scallion that served as the artistic garnish. Occasionally, the presentation and cuisine mesh well, as with the Dungeness crab in a roll of paper thin apple slices, but regrettably such success is the exception rather than the rule. Several of the servers were cold and aloof, though ours was friendly and accessible. One other server seemed friendly and accessible as well, though perhaps not for long, as we observed the chef/owner treating him in a demeaning manner. The staff appear to have been brow-beaten into robotic automatons. We also observed the chef/owner behaving brusquely to certain guests whom he apparently deemed unworthy. A dinner here is quite expensive. We would gladly pay a similar price for a special meal at one of the Seattle area’s many fine restaurants---but not here. Not again. We will not be returning.
Pros: Food as stunning visual art
Cons: Indifferent and pretentious cuisine. Cold atmosphere. Owner/chef rude and condescending
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