04/29/09

great place for good people

by bast123

its kinda like a reward when ever you go here.... the outside is very pleasant and the inside structure of this restaurant is quite simple but elegant... you should try it here...

• Pros: stewart
• Cons: stewart

03/04/09

Why go here?

by MartinJV

What makes this place so great? I don't know if it is just the food or maybe the service or even the cook in the kitchen. Some how all of these things coming together in one space works incredibly well. Everyone seemed to actually care I was there. Was like being adopted for the evening.

Speaking of food, we enjoyed the rich crab gratin first and then shared a fabulous chop salad that was so simple it was amazing. For dinner we split two entrees. I had the perfectly cooked fresh salmon, still pink in the middle like it should be and crispy skin on the outside. My wife enjoyed the seared scallops, well she got a few bites that I didn't eat. I'm not sure where they get their desserts, but I'd like to find out. Our server presented us with a tray of tarts ranging from chocolate to salt to fruit stuffed. We went with a luscious chocolate one. I can't remember the name and I was told they change all the time. Who knows what we'll have to pick from next time.

I'm sure I could write all night, but I'll have to save something for next time.

• Pros: Feeling like you are adopted by a family that cares about you.

01/03/09

I put my comments in the back hall

by mitchtripp

I have to say 94's back wall is far more interesting and entertaining then the "gum wall". I think it should be deemed a new market landmark. 1000s appear to have left their messages about what they loved and some even disliked about 94. This was actually my first time there, but won't be my last. Turns out I've been walking right by them every week. That is one thing I love about the market, finding new things all the time. I've lived here three years and I don't think I've even seen it all yet. Next time you are at Pike Place stop in and leave your legacy and see what others left behind. Don't worry, it won't turn your stomach like the "dna" wall as I like to call the mess of gum.

• Pros: Great staff who you can tell love what they do.
• Cons: Can't eat out every meal.

01/02/09

Good food, but not terribly welcoming.

by bangwhistle

Dined here New Years Eve, which did cause me to lower my expectations for service knowing they would be busy. Be sure to visit their website first, they have a lot of "expectations" of their customers. Such as don't ask for recipes, don't look for salt and pepper, be sure to communicate any special needs, be realistic about size of wine pours etc. I actually found this refreshing as they are being honest with people.

I had the tasting menu, and was pleased with every dish (mushroom and arugula salad, scallops, risotto, tenderloin, pumpkin tart). The wine pairings (five in all) were both exceptional and disappointing. My wife had a parmesan fettucini that was rich (damn the diet) and tasty.

One area where they could improve- service was competent but rushed. The "cards" with pending reservation times noted in other reviews were missing but the same information WAS written on the butcher paper tablecloth. So we knew we were expected to vacate our table 90 minutes after being seated. This also explained why our table location was sub-par even though nicer tables were available- they plan it all in advance. Our dessert order was taken with 15 minutes to deadline. We weren't shown the dessert tray, just given the verbal rundown (my choice was fixed but my wife could order from the full menu) nor offered coffee or after dinner drinks (my wine pairing was automatic). As noted, it WAS New Year's Eve so perhaps on less crowded days they don't subtly rush you through your meal. On the plus side, our water glasses WERE kept full, and our server was pleasant if not overly friendly. The chef thanked us on the way out.

I am glad we tried this restaurant, and may visit again on a non-holiday weeknight to see if the service is any different, but I'm not raving about it.

• Pros: Good food, cozy
• Cons: Rushed service, a tad pricey

06/21/08

Treasure at the Market

by jtflynn

Just ate at 94 Stewart this week after reading about it in various magazines. What a find! Although our server had a bit of an odd demeanor, he was extremely knowledgeable about the food and helped us pick some excellent wines. The food was outstanding in every respect, from the seafood chowder to the black cod to the steak. I can't wait to return to 94 Stewart again and again - this will surely become one of our favorite places in the city.

• Pros: Setting, menu, wine list
• Cons: Parking can be tough during the day

02/28/08

Dissapointing from all these Great Reveiws

by foodandwine1

Let me start by saying we eat out quite a bit. My wife and I visited 94 Stewart for the first time on Valentine's Day 2008. At first impression it is very quaint and cute with a walk through hanging drapery separating the entrance and the dining area. After we were seated is when we started to feel awkward. Every table had free-standing reservation cards with a heart and the party's name on it (which was a nice touch) however, on the back side facing us was the time of the reservation as well as a "Out Time". We already felt rushed and we hadn't even seen our waiter yet, according to the card we had 1 hour 15 minutes to eat and get out. Anyway, we thought it was just overlooked and that the waiter would pick it up. They didn't, and it was placed prominently on our table and everyone else's table for our entire meal. I understand that Valentines Day is a busy night, however not what I would have expected on such an occasion and for a restaurant of this price level (my wife and I spent $150 for our meal with tip for two). There are several other restaurants at this price that would have given us the experience we desired.

The food was again just OK, and not breathtaking, the fried avocado was the only uncommon treat. We had the scallops and steak (I can't remember which cut it was). The scallops were pretty salty for my taste and would have much rather been able to taste the scallops than only the salt. The steak for my wife was prepared a little better but still left you thinking of other things.

Overall we felt very blatantly rushed in and rushed out. Didn't enjoy the feeling of "dining out" on such a special occasion with the time cards on our table and the food was just average for an above average price. I would have much rather gone to Campage or Canlis for the price.

• Pros: Quaint
• Cons: Average food for the price, Thought of other places we could have been for the price while we were dining there

01/31/08

Excellent Food, Outstandingly honest service

by joanna1515

I love taking business associates and friends to 94. I always know we'll be treated like real people, not just dollar signs. I don't think I've ever seen the same menu item repeated a single time. The kitchen limits their selection to whats fresh. Our server is always willing to stand behind every single one of them too. How many times have you been out to eat to ask the server about a particular dish and they have to have a side bar with you in order to tell you to avoid that sub-par dish. NEVER at 94. Sometimes the soups aren't for me, but I still steal a little bite if I'm with friends and EVERYtime I've been blow'n away no matter what it is. I'm sure the kitchen does just throw in a little of this and a little of that. If they ever made a manual on everything they put out of that small kitchen I'm sure it would be in volumes that had to be added to every month. And get real, if I was the cook down the street I'd NEVER walk up to another in the business and demand a recipe. A good chef doesn't even have them, it is just a little of this and a little of that. I've learned that much watching my father cook when I was a youth. I'd suggest reading their website if you haven't had a chance to join this family. It's as honest as they are in side that door.

01/28/08

Good Food, Bad Attitudes

by cmhee

We were attending the PCMA Convention in Seattle when we decided to take a free afternoon to check out Seattle. There were 3 of us, and all being from other cities Conventin & Visitors Bureau's, we dine out a lot and love to check out the local cuisine. We had heard that this restaurant had very good food. Yes, this was true; the food was good, but wow the attitudes there were so snooty. Our server was very condescending. When we asked what a "must have" was on the menu, his response was a very haughty, "everything on our menu is good." After dining, I asked if the Chef would share the recipe for her soup. Instead of handling this diplomatically, he just hedged by saying that she just "throws stuff in there." So I went and spoke to the Chef herself telling her how much I enjoyed her soup and could she tell me what she puts in it. She was just as haughty and kept answering me that she uses spices. When I asked which spices, she finally said, "I don't share recipes." She said this so rudely to me that I was taken aback. It wasn't like I was from the restaurant down the street and planned to steal the recipe. I felt that I was complimenting her, and she was simply rude about it. Whether she shares her recipes or not (and really get over yourself), to speak rudely to someone who has just complimented you isn't very smart business sense. We left feeling that our experience was less than positive. If you want good food, by all means check out this restaurant - just don't expect to be treated kindly.

09/29/07

Superbly Pleasant Dinner

by mgarland

I absolutely loved this place. The food was well prepared, timely and un-rushed. The wait staff are not only friendly, but truly like doing what they do... and it reflects in their service.

In a city bowled over with chowders, this one is certainly the best!

• Pros: Ambience, service

09/01/07

This Cheese Smells...

by restcritique22

Before going to most restaurants that are over the range of fast food money, I usually check their reviews. And i must say 94 stewart had award winning raves, with their wine menu and many advertised statements of being a family ran and owned restaurant, that I'm sure every restaurant would love to be labeled as. The first time dining their I was semi-fascinated about what lurked beyond the burgendy and gold curtains, to the dimly lit dining room. But when entering, the one thing that confused me the most had to be the cheaply cut paper coverings with crayons on the table. Now I'm all for entertainment throughout dinner, but what the hell? Theres a difference between denny's and a supposed fine dining establishment, I'm an adult or was the place attracting strictly children... again the confusion. The servers were attentive enough, I drowned in water, and the pacing back and forward with the hostess was a little bit too distracting for me. I wanted to tell him to sit down somewhere and let the servers serve... OH the food was okay, over priced for its portions are true, i read it in a review but experiencing it in real life cements the fact. I'm paying alot, i mean can i get some seconds maybe? lol... being that it looked like all the servers were gay... I love gay men mind you... being overly vulgar about it is the difference. I know your gay... it is okay.

• Pros: Wine list and the cheese stewart
• Cons: Chef never on the floor, crayons and paper