Canlis (Queen Anne)
2576 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 283-3313
Website
Richie-riches, businesspeople, and gourmands love this midcentury marvel of a restaurant with its amazing view of Lake Union and its fancy-pants, imported-from-New-York-City, award-winning chef Jason Franey. The menu is "geeked-out comfort": wagyu tenderloin, lobster, foie gras, and so forth, dressed up with Franey’s modernist techniques. The former dress code: “At Canlis, you cannot be overdressed.” The new dress code: “At Canlis, we consider serving you a special occasion and hope you will consider this when planning your attire for the evening. We are a dressy, fine dining restaurant and we ask that gentlemen wear a suit or sport coat if possible.” The music: live piano. Make a Republican take you. Make them pay.
Categories: Restaurant
Restaurant Details
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Reviews/Comments (10)
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10
Jeans go grungey
I think that is awesome that you can't wear jeans here. Isn't Seattle all about wearing jeans everywhere?
So you can go everywhere else in YOUR jeans. Just don't go here cause I don't wanna see your grungey ass. I spent an extra two minutes tying my tie and I don't need to look at your lazy decorum tonight baby!
So you can go everywhere else in YOUR jeans. Just don't go here cause I don't wanna see your grungey ass. I spent an extra two minutes tying my tie and I don't need to look at your lazy decorum tonight baby!
9
Ridiculously expensive
Canlis, the patina of an old martini glass, a lost pillbox hat, chenille and leopard skin. Yes Canlis had it all and maintains the atmosphere that your parent may hold dear. It's kind of nice that there's at least one restaurant in Seattle with a dress code.
But really people? $40 for a small piece of salmon no veggies or potatos? $98 for duck for 2? A fabulously inattainable wine list (year dear, you can have the 1990 DRC RC tonight for a mere $9500).
For real gourmandosizing, there's lots better palces around Seattle that will cost half or less.
But really people? $40 for a small piece of salmon no veggies or potatos? $98 for duck for 2? A fabulously inattainable wine list (year dear, you can have the 1990 DRC RC tonight for a mere $9500).
For real gourmandosizing, there's lots better palces around Seattle that will cost half or less.
8
I don't trust anyone else for fine dining.
This restaurant simply cannot be compared with any other spot in the city. I'm so proud we have a place of this caliber in our city to recommend to folks coming from cities where the standards of dining go beyond a nice piece of meat in a dark room.
Canlis has never failed to deliver on three things, which are seemingly very difficult to balance, since no other restaurant in Seattle has come close: perfect food, sincere hospitality, and a real sense of beauty. They don't treat you like a number, or even an appreciated toosh in a seat. You are a family friend and they are inviting you into an experience.
And I was surprised to learn, after a bit of consumer research, that Canlis is not, by more than a few, the most expensive restaurant in the city. You can't get more for your money anywhere else - nor, I dare say, for more money.
Closing hint: Check out the bizarrely affordable lounge food (at less than $8 a pop), replete with can't-miss cocktails to melt away your New Year's resolve.
7
Seattle Proves it Believes in World-Class Fine Dining
After searching high and low in Seattle, I have finally come home. Canlis Restaurant proves why they have been internationally renown for over 57 years. From the moment the suave valet took my car to the final pours of wine from our dashing sommelier, I knew I was experiencing the best hospitality has to offer. The view was splendid, the food fabulous, and the company warm and inviting. I am a believer in this award-winning Seattle landmark, but in the way I believe in the goodness of my grandfather.
6
Not as blue-haired as you might think
Just ate here last night for our anniversary. Way less stuffy than I had thought, especially based on its rep as a haven for old-money Seattlites. Case in point: The pianist played Death Cab for Cutie's "Soul Meets Body," and no member of the waitstaff appeared to be older than 40. Regardless of the clientele inside, it's a beautiful spot -- you can't beat the view, and the interior boasts the kind of faux-Prairie School angularity that Dwell yuppies fawn over. My lobster tail was the best I've ever tasted. It was massive, and the butter sauce was the least-buttery butter sauce I've been around. The tasting menu looks great, as well. I've heard that the Canlis Salad has been prepped tableside in the past, though it wasn't on our trip. C'est la vie.
5
A Classic...
I know of no other restaurant in Seattle that consistently meets all my expectations like Canlis. BUT, it does not come cheap, and as such, I only eat here about once a year.
Service—I am in awe. This is the “Nordstrom” of restaurants—always attentive, available, informative, personalized. I only wish other restaurants could learn from Canlis.
Food—the menu is not very adventurous, but each dish is very well prepared.
Wine—I don’t know squat about wine, but the list is endless. The sommelier is extremely helpful.
Atmosphere—1950’s modern meets contemporary Northwest. Dressy but with a relaxed elegance. Quintessentially Seattle.
4
Big Night Out
I've been to Canlis a few times and I'll be honest, the first time we had a really bad experience. I decided to write to them about it and they invited us back for a complimentary meal, and everything that second time was amazing. Sure, you might have to dress up, but if you are going to drop several hundred for a nice dinner, you want to feel like you got the experience you paid for. Don't expect to see that ubiquitous person wearing cargo shorts and flip-flops that can be spotted at any social event or restaurant in Seattle. I recommend the tasting menu, as I've had good experiences with it all the times I've gone. Plus you can pair it with a flight of wines too. Oh yes, and they have that mysterious valet parking service too...
3
One of the best of "Old Seattle"
The place is straight out of a high-styled 50's movie. The food is excellent, the service old-school and professional (which you don't often see in Seattle) and the view is sublime.
You want to dress up when you go there, because you want to be part of the theatre of the place. So put on a suit or a dress, take out a second mortgage (because it's pricey) and experience Canlis. It's well worth it.
2
Everyone should go once
Visiting Canlis is like a trip back in time. The service is excellent, the food OK. Check out the teenagers in their prom best stumble over conversation. See how many face lifts you can spot on the ladies and some of the men. Watch blue haired ladies gaily oggle the piano man. Don't order the pepper steak (the peppercorns are huge and will stick in your teeth -- a big social no no) or the over salted teriyaki.
1
you can't wear jeans here
Expect to see at least three marriage proposals while you're there. LAME. Overpriced. And wouldn't you rather be wearing jeans anyway?
Canlis
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