We will be staying at the Fairmont. Neither one of us have ever been to Seattle. We were definitely planning seafood one night- but, for the first night as a married couple, I was hoping for something extra special!

Canlis. Be sure they know it's a special occasion. This is a wonderful spot and you will be treated like royalty.

Be sure to make a reservation!

I think the Georgian Room at the hotel is even nicer than Canlis and the food is even better. The view is nicer from Canlis, but the Georgian Room is IMO more elegant.

For a very memorable time, go up the Space Needle and eat there! It is pricey, but very perfect for your situation.

Depends on what mood you want. Some very personal opinions:

Canlis is very good, excellent food and great service, plus a fine and rather unusual view (of Lake Union, not Puget Sound like most "view" restaurants.) Also, however, it's not downtown and you would need a cab to get there - confusing to drive for the unfamiliar - and very pricy. It's the standard "old Seattle" place to go for major anniversaries, junior proms, things like that. IMO not so much a newlywed scene as a retirement party scene, but perhaps that's unfair.

The Georgian Room is elegant, convenient, but also quite big and the sort of scene that you can duplicate at many big-city grand hotels around the world.

The Space Needle can be very hit-and-miss on the food front, plus I believe overpriced and it can be rather noisy and busy-feeling. Obviously great view but IMO better in the daytime when you can see the mountains. You don't say when you're coming; if it's during the summer the Space Needle at sunset offers stunning views but gets quite packed with tourists.

So where would I send you?

Two places in the Pike Market come to mind. Chez Shea is a tiny, intimate place with excellent food and IMO a reasonably romantic setting. www.chezshea.com.

I first went to the Place Pigalle in the 60s when it was a serious sailors' dive, really in keeping with its Parisian name. That all changed years ago and now it's a very intimate restaurant with some tables (call ahead and be insistent - play the honeymoon card to the hilt) that have killer views over the central waterfront - ferries moving across the bay, Olympic mountains silhouetted - plus usually very good to excellent food. It's located at the end of a tiny alley right where the guys throw fish around for Japanese TV crews; smack in the middle of the action at the Market but amazingly "hidden" and secret-feeling. Perfect for a first night IMO.

Congrats, spousal units!

Please, do yourself a big favor and don't eat at the Space Needle! If you have the time and you get good weather, by all means go there for the fabulous views and have a drink, but don't eat there!

The Herbfarm in Woodinville would be VERY special. I have not yet been, but have read rave reviewws from those who have been there.

It would definitely be a night to remember! Congratulations! ***kim***

Yes, Canlis is "old school" which can mean "old" patrons, but it is a dining experience unique to Seattle and the service is the best in town.

Reserve "The Nook" upstairs, it's a private dining area for 2-4 people, VERY romantic. I think it's $100 to reserve it, plus cost of dinner.

You have gotten some great advice. I will also echo to stay away from the Space Needle, it's really a tourist trap and the food is quite poor.

My vote for special event dinners in Seattle would be Rovers. It is just amazing! http://www.rovers-seattle.com/ This is a very special occasion restaurant.

For a really nice seafood restaurant I can't say enough about Waterfront. It has amazing views, fantastic service, wonderful food and is gorgeous!

Congrats!!!!!

Rover's is French, very good, very pricey, in a neighborhood that will require taxi or car.

The Herbfarm is a hundred bucks a head and requires reservations months in advance. Better part of an hour from the Olympic Hotel. Reports since they moved (old place burned) are mixed.

Two or three places that are wonderful in their own ways, but not "romantic" in the candle-lit sense, but very grown-up feeling, are Le Pichet on First Avenue next to the Market (very French bistro-ish and atmospheric), and, if your trip is in the summer, the roof deck at the Pink Door, overlooking the Pike Market and the bay - on a summer night the view of the sunset, skyline, a little wine, a little pasta... just about as good as it gets in Seattle.

Finally, a new place that spouse and I went to on Valentines (not hugely romantic but not bad) - with some of the flat out the best food we've had in years (in Seattle, NYC, Europe...) is a small no-reservations place called Lark, on 12th Avenue (cab or car but close). Smallish dishes (and prices) meant to be shared like tapas, not Spanish at all, but all fabulous.

Or there's always room service...

Correction, the private dining room is called "Cache," not "The Nook." But it is $100. Canlis has a very good website if you want to check out menus, etc.

The Herb Farm, but make reservations now. Count on $200 per person, everything included, with wine pairing for each course, usually starting with a Northwest sparkler. No menu choices. They have a web page which lists the menus and when they are served, e.g.there is a mushroom menu in the fall, and usually a hunter's menu as well, but not offered simultaneously.

Room service is as special as a newly wed couple would want. get some champagne and strawberries and perhaps and in-room massage.

Michael, when was the last time you dined there and was it wonderful? Could you give us some details about your dining experience? This place is on my list for our 25th wedding anniversary. ***kim***

I agree that the Space Needle, although fun & different does not always have the best food.
Canlis is very classy and romantic.
If it's steak you want, The Metropolitan Grill is great. Oceanaire is a beautiful restaurant with great seafood, ambiance & service.

Enjoy ! Best Wishes!

kimamom--we were there in mid December for the Hunter's Table. Seven courses, seven wines plus a 1901 Madeira. The courses were (abbreviated); A Hunter's Renewal (caviar, oysters, sea urchin); Dungeness crab and Fennel Hankerchief; Rabbit Crepinette; Seared Artisan Foie Gras; Douglas Fir Sorbet; Herb-Crusted Saddle of Fallow Venison; Quillisascut Goat Cheese Blintz; Festival of Holiday Desserts; Brewed Coffees, Teas and Infusions; A Selection of Small Treats. It probably is a better meal for an anniversary than for a first night married in Seattle.

The Herb Farm is fabulous, but it's in Woodinville, which is a 30-40 minute drive from Seattle. If you guys are downtown at the Fairmont, then I'd suggest something in the city. I'm a big fan of Chez Shea! Very intimate and very romantic. The sunset view is amazing. Check out their website: www.chezshea.com