10/22/09

How is it not great?

by DanceLady4

I love that I can see an amazing big jazz name in a beautiful, classy venue for less than 20 dollars as a student. I love that Jazz Alley also goes above and beyond just jazz concerts and also includes more eclectic names as well. All the shows are top quality, and the food is pretty good as well. If you're planning on having dinner, it will set you back a little though... plan on upwards of 20-30 per person.

Students, make sure to ask about student discounts. Such an amazing deal!

• Pros: Great atmosphere and great names, 1/2 price student tix
• Cons: Expensive Menu

10/17/09

A complete evening of food, wine and music

by Rondog66

My wife and I have gone to Jazz Alley numerous times over the last 18 months. We have consistently had great evenings of entertainment and dinner without a single disappointment.

The service is friendly, understated and efficient-a phenomenon of its own in Seattle. Food is reasonably priced, and the food is good. I don't understand why anyone would go somewhere else to eat first. There are several rather nasty reviews that seem to be written by the same committee, so I would take them with a grain of salt.

The entertainment speaks for itself. Top rate performers, every seat has a first rate view, plenty of room for singles.

I'm looking forward to my next visit.

• Pros: Oldest, best jazz club in town

09/12/09

Another wonderful night

by jennifer james

A night at Jazz Alley with Dr. J was like going back in time to the small club - unique energy and intimate connection with the performers. People were so high on Dr J's music and personality they danced with him. He sure seemed to feel the same about the audience.

I don't understand the gripes about the food. I have eaten at Jazz Alley 6 times in the last few months and the food has been wonderful and served quietly and with graciousness. I wonder if those reviews are from competitors not patrons.

• Pros: The best and most intimate setting in the Northwest.
• Cons: None

09/04/09

A memorable night!

by rocketdog1

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here, and, tho we dropped a load of cash, it was worth every cent! We were seated immediately, after getting to choose our favorite table, which was lit by a small, glowing lamp. Negroni cocktails appeared quickly as we perused the menu. Succulent lamb curry was so good that I contacted the chef for the recipe! Capped off the meal with chocolate volcano cake and port. Terrence Blanchard and his band pulled off a captivating, flawless performance, and the whole evening was lovely. We look forward to returning soon for another great experience!

• Pros: Incredible Lamb Currry

06/12/09

Eat elsewhere first

by kcrotts

We visited Jazz Alley last night to celebrate by brother in laws 60th birthday. He flew in from New Jersey a few days ago. Kevin Eubanks was headlining and is an amazing artist. The music was great.

The food was terrible. I had the salmon salad, my wife and daughter had the cesar salad. We also had the chicken drum appetizer and Pane bread. The food was the worst quality and highest price I have seen. The only potential spotlight is the lack of light which prevents you from seeing what they are serving you.

My salad was made from old salad greens, the dressing was tasteless, I think there was something on the plate that resembled canned artichoke hearts, and the salmon must have just fallen out of its vacuume pack.

The other salads were just as bad. Really, smuggle in a Cesar salad pack from Safeway and you'll be the envy of the restaurant.

Service was little better as my bother in law asked for butter for his bread and was told they didn’t have any. Later the waitress shows up with one pat of butter like she had done a big favor. At the end of the show they basically said get out, we have another show to set up for.

My advice, eat anywhere else in the city, have a couple of drinks with your dinner, and then watch the show only if it is an artist you must see.

• Pros: Music
• Cons: Food and service

02/09/09

So so...

by moonsshine

They sort of got you by the(Male anatomy plural)if you love music the way my significant other and I do. They tell you one thing over the phone only to arrive and hear something entirely different. I have been to many many performances and sometimes eat and sometimes not. You definitely are treated better if you make dinner reservations then if its just for cocktails but even then you might get treated like junk. I think they have a problem with people who are in their early thirties as if they are not worthy of the music that is played there or as if they are to young to really know what it is they are seeing, therefore it is alright to treat them badly. Sometimes I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when she goes into the store and they wont wait on her because they are total snobs. They food is also waayyyy over priced and its always cold and its never something I am overly thrilled about. It fills the belly and looks pretty but its ehhh, just so so.

• Pros: Some of the most intimate shows ever
• Cons: Rude staff, Cold expensive food

01/31/09

Great Jazz club but don't order dinner. Overpriced, unorginal, lacking inspiration and creativity and taste.

by kennedyp5

I wish I had read the reviews here before ordering dinner because the food is a bad joke without delivery. The menu select is unoriginal and lacking inspiration and creativity. A nightly special would be a nice touch.

I ordered the Rigatoni with pancetta; butternut squash and mixed braising greens in a light cream sauce topped with freshly grated Parmesan. The pasta was overcooked, and the entire dish spoke more of a giant salt lick. I didn't even know what the butternut squash was until later. Originally we thought it might be polenta but not in a good way. My friend ordered the grilled Wild Alaskan Salmon topped with a lemon buerre blanc sauce and served with a side of mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. It wasn't wild; it was farm raised and severely over cooked. The vegetables were frozen, undercooked, and unidentifiable. My ear caught wind that the Jazz Alley Caesar Entree- Traditional house specialty served with a choice of marinated organic chicken or poached shrimp was the worst salad they had ever tried.

Clearly Chef Ramsey was not in house, as he would have sent every order back for an overhaul. The bread was the only bright spot that came out of the kitchen.

The service was decent, but they made an error and charged us for the show that we had already paid for which was quickly corrected. The show was amazing, Al Di Meola. We will be back for the Jazz, but next time either we will eat before hand or settle for an appetizer and have dinner afterwards.

10/29/08

WORST FOOD EVER!!! BUT SHOW WAS GREAT.

by jeslynn

Went to see Amel Larrieux. The performance was phenomenal! Beautiful performer, great voice, and wonderful band. As far as the restaurant, poor service, small and very light drinks, and the worst food I've had at any restaurant. I would have been more satisfied with fast food. For the price of the meals and the ambiance of the place, the food should be on such a higher level than it is. I would suggest this place for the shows, but not for the food. Go out somewhere half the price and twice the quality before watching a show.

• Pros: Great atmosphere. Live music.
• Cons: Poor service. Poor quality food.

06/24/08

Wicked show, abysmal food

by tdrisdelle

Went to the Maceo Parker show a few nights ago, it was my first Jazz Alley experience. I knew the show would be amazing (and it was), but I was brutally surprised by the awful food - expensive and food-court quality. Clearly the owners are jazz-lovers, not restaurateurs. Imagine what they could do with some easy changes to the kitchen and the dining!

09/25/07

Great place

by curatipsum

Great place for jazz lovers. Dinner and drinks were fine, but nothing special. The ambiance is fantastic!

• Pros: Fun place