Seattle - Romantic Restaurant
 

Hi,

I'm looking for a truly romantic restaurant in Seattle, with candles and all. Aim: to impress my wife of two months. Seriously, I've done my research, both here and on other websites, and can't make up my mind. The cost is of no importance. Help! Thanks in advance.

In a word--Canlis.

Canlis is a Seattle institution - excellent food with high class service.

Personally though, I like the Dahlia Lounge on 4th St. downtown. There are also many small places near Pike Place Market with a view of Elliot Bay.

Thanks, that's the kind of an answer I was looking for.

The problem with Dahlia Lounge is that not tables for two are not equally romantic.

Can you be more specific about your idea of what constitutes a romantic restaurant?

We find the dinner-serving music venues Jazz Alley and The Triple Door to be very romantic, but you may not.

My definition...hmm, it's a tough one. Candles, dimmed lights, slow music (piano?), little noise, decent clientele...

The Georgian Room at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel is swanky and romantic.

For Italian, it doesn't get more romantic that Il Terrazzo Carmine.

Both places have a clientele that is descent or better.

Before booking, check out if on the night of your dinner a favorite of yours is playing at The Triple Door or Jazz Alley.

www.tripledoor.net
www.jazzalley.com

Here's another huge recommmendation for Chez Shea.

I agree with all of the recommendations so far. I also think that El Gaucho is pretty romantic especially if you get one of the cozy booths up above the main floor.

If you're going in warm weather, I'd recommend the outdoor patio at The Pink Door. It's steps away from the market and has a wonderful menu. =) Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. I'm looking forward to our trip!

So...where did you end up making reservations?

My job sent me to Seattle in the early 60's for 6 months. Somebody recommended Canlis. Probably one of the best restaurants in the country. Have no idea how many times we ate there.

The Georgian Room is very romantic.
Canlis is romantic too, but I've been a bit disappointed with the food the last two times we were there.

I've only eaten in the cafe part of Campagne and thought the food was excellent, and the restaurant is probably more romantic.

We're going to Rovers on Thur.--will let you know how that is. Also going to Maximillians the next week, so will let you know about that one too.

When do you plan to go?

Oh me gosh, I haven't heard the name Canlis mentioned for thirty years! Is it still that good?

The restaurant in the Olympic Hotel wasn't called the Georgian, it was something else...

Hi, artlover! (See you soon!)

NWWanderer, I haven't made the decision yet but will do so in the next day or so. We'll be there this weekend...problem with reservations?

If you're going Sat night, you might have trouble getting the exact time you want at some of these places, although the fact that it's a holiday weekend should help.

I'd get on it if I were you though ;-).

Ok, now I know I should've acted earlier.

Canlis is fully booked 'till 10 p.m. (too late for dinner).

I will have to decide between Chez Shea and The Georgian (leaning towards the second).

Then, IMHO, definitely go to The Georgian. It is an excellent restaurant in one of the most beautiful and dramatic public rooms in the city.

Do you mind if I ask how old you are? The Georgian is lovely but it definitely skews older--not that there's anything wrong with that (I'd put myself in that category ;-))! But if you are in your 20s it may not be the best fit.

I'll bite my tongue.

Crush
www.chefjasonwilson.com

Veil
www.veilrestaurant.com

We're 32 and 31.

Thanks, suze, I'll check these out.

You're most welcome. Just trying to get a bit more creative.

Canlis is a classic Seattle main-stay, has been forever, same as the Georgian Room. I'm sure they would both be superb. But I think there are more interesting choices if you're a day under 50
:-)

Oh I see Campagne, the Market, hasn't been mentioned yet.

I am a fan of Tom Douglas restaurants, but I don't think any of them are cozy or romantic or perfect for a special occasion. Maybe Dahlia Lounge (but definitely not Palace Kitchen, Lola, or Etta's, all too noisy).

I don't mind middle-aged crowd (doesn't life nowdays start at 60?!). :-) I'm just looking for candles and music, that's about it :-)

Hi there - I thought that I would throw in a couple more - just to further complicate things :) I live in the Seattle area and my husband and I are going to get to the city for a romantic pre-baby getaway next weekend. There are two restaurants that were suggested to me that I did not see on the above thread - one is Place Pigalle in the Market (right behind the pig) - very romantic and a bit old school. Secondly , Mistral - which is a newer Seattle spot in the Belltown area that comes highly recommended for leisurely romantic meals. Have a wonderful time!

I would call the Georgian to see if they have a piano if live music is important to you. I know the Garden Court at the same hotel has (or at least used to have) live music but I don't remember a piano in the Georgian.

Chez Shea does not have live music--they usually have jazz on the stereo--but it does have the view.

And I just realized no one mentioned Il Bistro--again, I don't think they have live piano music, but it's dark and candlelit and very romantic.

Il Bistro is one of the most romantic restaurants in the city imo (if you don't mind no music and no view).

Oh boy, was Rover's a disappointment! Nix that one.

Really???? How so? I have loved Rovers every time I've been there but it has been a while, so I'd be interested in hearing about your experience.

NWWanderer,
I was surprised too. I had done a lot of research before picking this place--we were being taken out by a group from out of town and I wanted it to be very nice. And I have to say, I'm a bit embarrassed by this pick because I felt it was so pretensious and overpriced. Of course I'd be even more upset if we had to pick up that tab!:D

DD claims it takes 6 months to get over "food shock" after being in Europe, so maybe that's the problem--we were in France and Spain all of April, but really, this meal just didn't hold up to the reputation.

For example, I ordered the tuna tartare as an appetizer--and it was the size of a silver dollar--I'm not kidding you. My main course of lamb was good, but not great, and consisted of 3 very small pieces (sauce was very good).

DD ordered the complete menu and even he was hungry after several courses--the portions were so small that it was a joke. Really, we just ate at some great places in Paris, and we don't even like huge portions, but this was ridiculous.

The place itself was nice, but not as nice as many others (Georgian Room, Canlis, Oceanside, etc.). And the service was really just so-so--didn't refill our water glasses etc.

I rated it in the restaurant section here in Fodors, but see it hasn't shown up yet--out of 5, gave the food a 4, atmosphere a 4, service a 3, and value a 2 (3.3 total I believe).

If others have had better experiences, great, but we were very disappointed.

(However, the wine was great :D)

And add Maximillians at the Market to romantic (in front room) and good and reasonably priced restaurants.

Sort of fascinating hearing the criticism, especially since I think
Rovers is the second best restaurant in the city (Mistral is the best, for what it's worth) but it seems like you are criticizing the tasting menu for not having more than a bite or two of each entree. That's what tasting menus are supposed to be - whether in Europe (where I travel often) or in Seattle. Rovers is not what I would consider a romantic restaurant, incidentally.

Just DH and my opinion and we travel to Europe yearly, so maybe we expect too much. And I do agree, I don't think Rovers is particularly romantic. For me, when people ask for restuarants in Seattle, I think they're best off with Asian or seafood--I haven't found a French or Italian place I'd recommend yet.

You don't like: AL Boccalino, Il Terrazo, Il Bistro, Assagios, or La Fontana? None of them?

Canlis...........no doubt..........

suze,
Of the ones you mentioned, have only been to La Fontana, and yes, I don't like it.

We've always liked Al Boccalino and were last there only about a week ago. Something has changed, though. Food is still good, but there is a sort of heavy-handed maitre d'. that said, if you're willing to go along with it, you'll have fun. Don't think of it as a romantic restaurant now, though.