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Wild Ginger (Downtown)

1401 Third Ave
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 623-4450
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Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Restaurant Details

  • Downtown's Asian-fusion institution Wild Ginger has provoked wildly varying reactions among Stranger reader reviewers, ranging from the relatively effusive ("good for pretty much anyone and anything, anytime... everyone'll be happy") to the gravely disappointed/physically ill ("Kept hearing great things about this place, not sure why... waiters acted like they were doing us a favor... absolutely abysmal"). The place was once capable of transcendence, its cuisine revolutionary. Now, the house specialty seems to be passable training-wheels pan-Asian, with servers who may or may not be able to answer basic questions about the food and decor that's less than well-cared-for in the corners. Nor is it inexpensive. Nevertheless, many people are perfectly happy here, and the place's 450 seats fill (and refill) nightly.
  • Features: Bar/Happy Hour, If Your Parents Are Paying, Late-Night Dining, Reservations Required and Romantic
  • Cuisine: Pan-Asian
  • Serving Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30 am-1 am; Sun 4:30 pm-1 am
  • Price Range: $$$

Bar Details

The Stranger's Reviews of Wild Ginger

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 3.00000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (12) RSS

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12
I will not be going here again- the food was gross, greasy and overpriced and the service was slow and condescending. If you want similar cuisine, you can surely find better quality for cheaper elsewhere.
Posted by lc123 on June 24, 2009 at 3:37 PM · Report
11

  • 5/5 Stars.

had the best dinner of my life last night
Posted by kelly b on April 19, 2009 at 8:57 AM · Report
10

Very Vegan Friendly

Lots of vegan options, plus they can make just about any dish vegan if you ask!!!
Posted by Veeg on March 17, 2008 at 4:05 PM · Report
9

Disappointing...

I went there during the November 30 for $30 thing. Perhaps that was my first mistake, but I was disappointed by all 3 courses. It was bland and boring. I probably won't go back.
Posted by Looking for YumYum on January 5, 2008 at 2:51 PM · Report
8

I Felt Hustled

This was once a better place when located at Pike Place Market many years ago. Went to Benaroyal w/Mom and wife for the symphony last year, and made a rez at WG. It was slightly fresher-tasting than strip mall Teriyaki, but roughly three times the price. An appetizer didn't make it to our table and after asking twice we gave up. Basically because we decided the food kinda sucked anyway. The duck dish I ordered came with four (4) thumb-sized pieces of okay-tasting duck. After the concert we were famished and just went home for soup and sandwhiches. I could tell my Mom was disappointed because WG was supposed to be an "amazing" dining experience. They still have this rep, probably from their PPM days. You can do way better for "pan Asian" at the friggin' mall. And I won't talk about the columns of horrifyingly smelly liquid that repeatedly bolted from my body the next day, only to say I am not sure if WG was the reason.
Posted by poof! you're a drink on January 2, 2008 at 2:00 PM · Report
7

Wildly Overrated

Features bland oily food on pretty colored plates. I do not understand this restaurant, or how it became so popular. I guess they advertise in Airline magazines or something. It just was rated in the top five most unsafe restaurants in Seattle by the Health Department AGAIN! For the love of God, stop eating in this shithole.
Posted by toasterhedgehog on January 1, 2008 at 1:23 PM · Report
6

Not that impressed

Food is very good (not the best I've ever had), ambiance is a little over the top - dark, portion size for 'family style' is stingy. Service is doting. On a scale of 10: Food - 7 Ambiance - 7 Value - 3 Service - 8
Posted by Wild Ginger diner on December 10, 2007 at 1:47 PM · Report
5

yummy

I've never been disappointed here. The seven flavor beef is great...the drinks are always tasty and stiff..the service is excellent...I'm only giving four stars instead of five becuase..well I am not really a fan of hoity toity atmosphere..I am a dive bar girl..my kinda asian food is safeway chinese, so this place understandably makes me a bit uncomfy! Definitely a little more than casual. Worth it!
Posted by randi on September 18, 2007 at 9:13 AM · Report
4

A lot of hoopla over nothing

Kept hearing great things about this place, not sure why, maybe just the bar is good. The food was absolutely sub-par and the portions miniscule (especially for the price). The waiters acted like they were doing us a favor. And out of the four of us who went, only one person did not end up with food poisoning. Complained to management and fell on deaf ears...absolutely abysmal. If I could give it no stars I would.
Posted by hungryhungryhippo on July 6, 2007 at 11:15 AM · Report
3

Can;t go wrong

As you can see from the other reviews, it's good for pretty much anyone and anything, anytime. Good food, good drinks, nice atmosphere if a little frenetic. You can go there with a friend, date, parent, vegetarian... and everyone'll be happy.
Posted by Charles on May 28, 2007 at 8:08 AM · Report
2

cute matches

Wild Ginger has PURPLE-headed matches. Pick up a box if you can, they're so cute!
Posted by Katelyn on May 19, 2007 at 7:05 PM · Report
1

Oh, vegetarian friendly!

Your parents will love it and you can get your veggie on as well. A great place for out of towners.
Posted by M.F.er Food Eater on May 17, 2007 at 8:22 PM · Report

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