Is Canlis still considered one of the best restaurants in Seattle? (Sequim: credit, school)

[mamainfl]

I hear of a lot of newer restaurants that are supposed to be really good. I know that Canlis has been around since 1950, and from the pictures it is one of those places I would like to go before I die.

Any others that are on the same page for atmosphere and food quality and service?

[Jalhop]

I've read that the Herbfarm is up there with Canlis.

[BellevueNative]

Yes. Canlis stands out as a true fine dining restaurant - possibly no other in Seattle like it.

Herbfarm is a 9-course pre-fixe menu with wine pairings, all revolving around a theme. Similar experience to The French Laundry in Calif. I have not yet been, but will go one day.

[Hemlock140]

I have been to Canlis, and it was great, probably the best I have been to in Seattle. Until I tried Canlis, Palisade was our favorite. The only restaurant I like better is not in Seattle, at John Wayne Marina, just outside Sequim, small and a long way to go but we often stop when in that area visiting relatives. Fabulous Crabcakes!


Dockside Grill on Sequim Bay - Home

[beautifulseattlehomes]

Canlis and Herbfarm are very different experiences. Canlis feels very swank and old school Seattle with stunning views and a buzz in the dining room and while the Herbfarm is just as expensive if not more than Canlis, it has that whole country French inn feeling going on even though it is in Woodenville. I have eaten at both and while the Herbfarm was good and the service was excellent, both my husband and I left underwhelmed. Tried it a second time and thought the same thing. it did not in my opinion hold a candle to French Laundry or The Inn at Little Washington, which it is often compared to and certainly wasn't worth the cost.

I used to love Rovers in Madison Park but alas no more. It closed this past spring so that Thierry could open his newest restaurant Loulay which is downtown. Trying it next week but judging by the menu, it is no Rovers.

As a side note....If one has it in them to take a long but beautiful drive...The Willows on Lummi Island is sublime and truly one of the greatest meals I have had in the whole region. It has had some amazing press by some of the most knowledgeable foodie writers out there who consider it to be one of the best food experiences to be had in the whole country. Worth the drive!

[baba_yaga]

Seattle in general has a more casual dining vibe. There just isn't that much desire for truly upscale, dressy dining experiences. On the contrary, Seattleites look for excellent food and drink in a comfortable, casual setting (eg., Spinasse). That said, Canlis would probably be a Michelin-starred restaurant if they gave out those awards here.

[JBVirtuoso]

Originally Posted by baba_yaga

Seattle in general has a more casual dining vibe. There just isn't that much desire for truly upscale, dressy dining experiences. On the contrary, Seattleites look for excellent food and drink in a comfortable, casual setting (eg., Spinasse). That said, Canlis would probably be a Michelin-starred restaurant if they gave out those awards here.

This is true in many cities. There's still an old guard that appreciates black tie fancy restaurants, but those restaurants generally aren't innovative and aren't as appealing to the middle class and younger people. Back when I lived in Chicago, no one really cared about the old school French and Italian restaurants. The real talk of the town centered on modernist cuisine, farm to table, killer brunch, and other more inventive restaurant trends. This largely mirrors what I've seen in Seattle. Every time I've heard Canlis come up in conversation, it's usually about how pretentious it is. People seem to prefer their restaurants low-key.

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by JBVirtuoso

This is true in many cities. There's still an old guard that appreciates black tie fancy restaurants, but those restaurants generally aren't innovative and aren't as appealing to the middle class and younger people. Back when I lived in Chicago, no one really cared about the old school French and Italian restaurants. The real talk of the town centered on modernist cuisine, farm to table, killer brunch, and other more inventive restaurant trends. This largely mirrors what I've seen in Seattle. Every time I've heard Canlis come up in conversation, it's usually about how pretentious it is. People seem to prefer their restaurants low-key.

Been to Canlis twice, was quite impressed once and not so much the second time. To their credit, hosting a reception/party of 40 may not have allowed them to put their "best" foot forward. It was very good, to be clear, just not "exceptional" that second time.

To the above, our reception was rather "pretentious" to begin with, we were patting ourselves on the back for a job well-down (Master's program, 2 years of hell for mid-career professionals).

I personally like the ambiance of El Gaucho (Belltown, not the others) more for that kind of experience. That "experience" being an excuse to wear a coat and tie, not otherwise easy to find in Seattle, see above. To-die for food, as-well, as one might expect. I'm a surf-and-turf kind of guy. Depends what you're after.