Market Street Grill

04/27/2008 Posted by dineoutguy

Well Market Street is gone. Thanks for all your support through our eight years. For those who supported us when we were great, and those who told us when we were not, we can't thank you enough for your honesty and support. For those who didn't have the guts to tell to our face when we didn't meet your expectations, SHAME ON YOU!!!!! You are nothing more than cyber cowards!!!!

03/10/2008 Posted by msmasie

I have been here a few times. But not recently. I understand that the restaurant is under new management. While the atmosphere was pleasant, the food was.....Not. I really felt that my friend and I were dismissed as customers because we chose beer over wine with our dinner. It was a friday night and the place was pretty empty. We started with a shared salad that was eally quite lovely. But I was really disapointed with my entree. My roasted chicken appeared to have been boiled. The skin was a pasty white and the dish somewhat flavorless. It was ok but definitely not worth the $20 price. My companion's pork dish was lovely. Back to the service, I really fely that had we ordered wine and perhaps not shared a starter that we would have garnered more attention. While our meal was passable, I feel that I spent too much on a dinner that could have been better. I most likely will not be back.

09/11/2007 Posted by jisgur

My date and I visited Market Street Grill for the first time on a quiet Tuesday night around 7. We were one of the only couples in the place, and accordingly service was fine, though perfunctory. The food, however, proved disappointing, especially considering the prices. A "Scallop Two Ways" appetizer offered a tasty sashimi preparation and a slightly mushy piece of tempura with a heavy sauce--not an inspired way to prepare a scallop. Sadly, this dish was the highlight. Wild boar was nicely cooked but dull. The lamb was a cut that apparently should never be prepared in the manner it was. Fatty, sinewy, and chewy, the thick pieces required sawing with a steak knife. The nearest equivalent would be a quickly grilled London broil -- not a good idea. To conclude we ordered a chocolate hazelnut tart which appeared to come straight from a Marie Calendar's box. It was cold, the crust looked premade and was hard as rock, the filling tasted like instant pudding. This dessert was $8. Our entrees were each over $20. We don't mind spending money for quality food, but nothing we ate this night came close to rising to fine dining standards. Maybe we just came on an off night? Ordered the wrong things? We won't be returning to find out.

Pros: Nice ambience

Cons: Overpriced, poorly executed food

06/25/2007 Posted by jkborne

I have been to the Market Street Grill twice in as many months. Both evenings were Saturdays and I ate at the bar both times. The food was fantastic, perfect drinks from the personable bartender, and the general ambiance was just great. The first time I was there I just ate off the bar menu, which was better than most. I had the pate and the bar steak (cooked a perfect mid-rare). The second time I ate off the dinner menu, I had the sausage, although it is not called that it is something else. Best sausage I have ever had. I did not eat dessert but they all looked good. All in all, my favorite restaurant in Ballard. Everybody should go and enjoy the Market Street Grill. I will definately go back.

05/16/2007 Posted by tomjones111

I cannot tell you all how truly exceptional my last two dining experiences at Market Street have been. The service and ambiance are just fine, good in fact, but the food....the food...WOW!!! I was shocked at the quality of the food my friends and I had last month. There were four of us and we had apps and entrees and all of the dishes were superb, truly superb. I can't go into all the items as we did a good job of snacking up a good third of the menu but three dishes come to mind. The Fois Gras Brule, the Duck Tart and the Rib Eye. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am running a bit long here so I will end by just letting you all know that the food at Market Street is some of the best in the city. My favorite restaurants in Seattle are Cafe Juanita, Monsoon, Crush, Lark, Union and now...Market Street Grill. You all simply must give it a looksy if you are as into food and wine as I am...oh yea, great old world wines on the list as well. FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!

Pros: Amazing Food, Tons of Parking, Great friendly service

Cons: I was too full to order the dozen or so other items I wanted to try!!!

03/19/2007 Posted by tedwin

Unmemorable food for above average prices. Thank god for the $25 special because the regular prices charged are definitely not worth it. In hindsight, I should have tried the roasted garlic soup of the day and the duck breast. The $7 baby arugula salad was small with a tiny dollop of roq cheese, a nice touch of sliced bosc pears and toasted nuts. The salad was unbalanced with less greens and cheese and a lot of nuts. The $26 main entree of 3 scallops with white beans and truffle was decent with carmelization on the scallops. The micro greens added on top did not belong, more like an afterthought for color and fancy presentation. Nothing stood out that justified a $26 entree. Ray's offers 5 scallops with artichoke and spinach for a few dollars more. The $7 lemon tart's pastry tasted like it was just thawed, not flaky, yet it took a very long time to serve. The service was mediocre at best and I was dining at 5:00pm. I would hate to see the scenario at peak time. Don't sit next to the window because you'll see flies buzzing around and wonder what the kitchen is like. I saw one enormous fly that seemed to have been around a long time. Overall, the name speaks for itself, a grilling restaurant with some high end ingredients that doesn't deliver in originality and doesn't justify the prices in an area surrounded by local shops.

Pros: Complimentary bread with EVOO and balsamic vinegar

Cons: Mediocre service, Overpriced and basic cuisine, Outsourced lemon tart

03/07/2007 Posted by uwjohnny5

I took a friend here for an after work dinner and was very pleased. Our server was great, not pretentious or in your face. The food was amazing, by far the best arugula salad I’ve had. My friend had the Steak with truffle oil fries which turned out to be both delicious and immense. I had the duck which put any duck I’ve eve made to shame. Deserts were presented well and they know how to do chocolate right, not too sweet and not too bitter. Highly recommended to anyone who wants great food and service without all the fuss.

09/26/2006 Posted by susancandrews

Fabulous food, warm and inviting atmosphere, service is friendly and attentive. Parking is easy (on the street or in lot behind the restaurant). Nice variety on the menu. I've been back several times and the food is consistently excellent. Pleasant bar if you just want to stop in for a drink and something casual. Try the Kobe beef burger - it's terrific!

04/12/2006 Posted by onesimpleguy

I hadn't been to Market Street in two years. Boy, what an amazing experience. First of all our server was incredible, I don't know her name but she knew so much about the food and the wine list it made our night a breeze. We started with the lamb empanadas in a creamy raita. We followed with a simple but elegant green salad that was dressed with a lemon vinaigrette and finished with pine nuts and roquefort-perfect! I had roasted halibut served with black-eyed peas, fennel and a piquillo pepper cream! Yum!! My date had the Sea Scallops with these unbelieveable white beans and a citrus brown butter. We shared the lemon goatcheese cheesecake for dessert, the creamiest ever. So good we made reservations for next week!!

Pros: Great Service, Unreal Food, Romantic

Cons: Off the map, to far fromm home

03/06/2006 Posted by fightingirish10

Great place to sit at the bar and chat or bring guests and enjoy fine dining. Best burger in Seattle !