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Green star Cedars Restaurant on Brooklyn (University District)

4759 Brooklyn Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 527-4000
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Hours: Mon-Sat 11 am-10 pm, Sun 3-9 pm
Categories: Restaurant

Restaurant Details

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Green star Cedars Restaurant

Capitol Hill 500 Broadway    phone (206) 325-3988
 
 

Average Rating:
  • 3.11000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (28) RSS

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28

Refused to serve us with our service Labrador

Refused to serve us with our physical service Labrador. I called ahead and explained to a nice young lady that we were walking 7 blocks in the rain from our hotel, and asked if we had time to make it before they closed. I was told they were closing at 9:30, and she asked me to try to be there by 9:15. We arrived at 9:12. As the same nice young lady was seating us, three men came from the back. They pointed to our service animal (who was wearing his service dog vest) and spoke excitedly in their language. They gave the young lady a command, and she said, "I'm sorry - we are closed". One of the men offered to get us food to go, but refused to seat us. Food was still coming out of the kitchen, and was being delivered to tables.
It was very obvious they did not want our service dog in their restaurant, and their refusal to continue seating us was thinly guised as a sudden decision to close. Our service Labrador is very clean, calm and well trained.
If you are handicapped and in need of a service animal, I would not recommend this restaurant. The food smelled wonderful. We were very hungry after a long drive, and it was difficult to walk away without food.
Posted by Tripp on November 27, 2011 at 11:52 PM · Report
27

It's the Shish Taouk every time

I go to Cedars with a small group of friends from work every few months when I can't stand NOT going any longer. The first time I went I thought I would probably eventually try a large number of their menu items...but all I've ever ordered is the Shish Taouk. It's so amazing I just don't care if I never try anything else! Most of my friends have fallen into the same rut, and we couldn't be happier. We usually have garlic naan to start out with and sit there for a moment with closed eyes going "mmmmmmm!" after the first bite. Heaven!
Posted by mamacita on April 6, 2011 at 1:00 PM · Report
26

Butter Chicken from Heavan!

Ive tried the butter chicken at every Indian restaurant I've been to and cedar's butter chicken with their tandoor garlic naan is defs at the top of my list! The restaurant is a simple homestyle place with very friendly servers. Very busy on the weekends but with a reservation you shouldn't wait more than 20 minutes for a table. I strongly reccomend their endless chai tea!
Posted by Britney on March 1, 2009 at 4:08 PM · Report
25

BEST INDIAN FOOD IN SEATTLE

I've been a patron of Cedars since 2007. i was good friends with Mohammad the previous owner. Last night my wife i ate here and we were as always very satisfied with our experiance. I've been to many indian restaurants around area and this is by far the best.
I reccomend their Chicken Tikka Masala, and a Tandoori dish that has a combination of tandoori treats. Their naan is to die for but it doess fill you up quite easily.
i talked to the friendly new owner and asked about what changes they've made. He said they havent changed anything about the food apparently the main chef has been with the restaurant for 15 years!! They've
changed the interior front, looks clean.
Staff always very friendly, and it seems their non-tip system doesnt affect their customer service, they must pay their staff well?
All in all, Cedars is all you need if your looking for a fullfilling indian food experiance..
Posted by Mike on February 22, 2009 at 5:26 PM · Report
24

we give the best...welcome

We the team at cedars...Shah, Sadia and us..are providing the best we can...we hire ppl for fast n excellent service...if we have ever had some problem with the food or anything we always change it and the friendly owner does not even charge if any complaints come up....
we r growing well and if u r a well wisher please suggest us what can be done for the betterment..
always there for ur service.....
we" the cedars team"
Posted by sam on October 3, 2008 at 5:19 PM · Report
23

cedars and the odd combinations

I ve been eatind here from 5 years.this time it was after 8 months and every thing including the owner n his crew was different/new.I had my dinner last night. there were odd combination of waiters= some dont even know how 2 speak in english and some providing the 1st class service with neatness and politeness...like a 5 star..
the food is excellent but every time i eat the butter chicken the colour is always different =reddish/orangish/yellowish ...may be depending upon the chef's mood..
I ve always been a well wisher for cedars but I dont like to tip like i used to do before...
who actually serve dont get anything...thats the rudest thing in America ever seen with indian places..this is spoiling our western culture/ narrowing ppl's mind
Posted by serena on October 3, 2008 at 5:14 PM · Report
22

Changed Management

We used to love this place before. To be fair, the vegetable Biryani was great. However everything else has gone down in taste and quality. The quantity however has gone up. They do not server the pickles (achaar) in the beginning anymore. Also no complimentary dessert in the end. The naans we got were cooked in a hurry (i am Indian and can tell) and got a bit burnt on the sides. However, the place is still better than most other indian restaurants in seattle.
Posted by Lalit on July 17, 2008 at 3:08 PM · Report
21

Changed Ownership - Rancid Sandwhich

I used to love this place, but it changed hands a few months ago. I stopped in to get a chicken sandwich to go, and the chicken was rancid. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.
Posted by jill on June 25, 2008 at 6:56 AM · Report
20

linty naan serving dish

I ate here once and it was fine. However, I noticed that the wicker-style basket that the naan was served in had obviously never been washed. It was linty and greasy, which made me lose my appetite.
Posted by Rachel on April 16, 2008 at 12:55 PM · Report
19

Bad Place

Yes, the food is good. But seriously, the service is insane and the waiters don't get to keep their tips. Maybe you don't feel sorry for the white college kids who choose to work there but the owner exploits the heck out of Indian and Mexican immigrants. But if you do go there for the food at least you don't have to leave a tip!
Posted by Riley on April 10, 2008 at 11:46 AM · Report
18

quit yer whining

I've been going to Cedars for YEARS and it is EXCELLENT Indian-definitely the best I've found in Seattle. Yeah, the staff hovers and the owner can be grumpy, but that doesn't change the fact that the food is awesome. I went last night and I think that it was the owner's son (??) manning the counter and I heard someone say that he is the new manager. VERY nice man and he gave free baklava to every customer.
Posted by foodie on January 17, 2008 at 2:20 PM · Report
17

Great Food, Freaky Service

Everyone seems to think that the staff is overwhelming, and I must admit, the constant presence did deter from the meals I've enjoyed. As I dipped my naan in my mango lamb curry sauce, I felt a slight twinge of pity for the college-aged wait staff, always looking as nervous as rodents they are. I've heard horror stories about the management and the employees' agitation only seems to confirm that it is hell to work at Cedars on Brooklyn. And even though it's heavenly to dine there, I won't be returning any time soon.
Posted by originalusername on August 21, 2007 at 8:48 PM · Report
16

Decent

With a few once-off exceptions, I've found the food consistently and reliably good. It's entirely possible for a light-medium eater to make dinner off the appetizers. Often the entrees are not spicy enough-- if you like heat, don't mess with the 3-4 stars. Go straight to five, and maybe even repeat that when your order's being taken. Butter chicken, extra spicy, has become my staple food when I have the flu. The downside is the atmosphere: the way the waitstaff does constant rounds crowds you. Although your glass will never empty -- unless they want you out of there- you're also not going to get a chance to dally at your table. From what I've heard, I would never, ever work there.
Posted by Jabberwockgirl on August 8, 2007 at 11:48 PM · Report
15

crappy food, ambience, service

the food here is definitely over-rated. it's greasy and sub-par; i've had much better indian and mediterranean elsewhere. the place is definitely over-staffed and the staff hover over the tables like flies, leaving you no time to enjoy dinner or conversation. the staff are not tipped (i know this from someone who used to work there) and if you want to sit down and enjoy a meal, this is definitely the wrong place to go. perks: their naan is good, as is their chai.
Posted by rainydays on August 7, 2007 at 5:13 PM · Report
14

Unassuming and Amazing

Both the name and decor of Ceders hints at some other kind of food entirely. Upon entering my first impression I must admit was "Holy god is this crowded!" Don't let that dissuade you. The food is amazing, the staff is polite and the Chai tea is addictive. Order any random thing and stick it on some garlic nan, your taste buds will adore you for it.
Posted by acharmingkiddo on July 20, 2007 at 5:59 PM · Report
13

Too Crowded

I love Cedars for the price and the quality of food, but the wait staff is clearly in a big hurry to get you out the door and I don't like to be rushed. When I eat at Cedar's I get it to go and enjoy it on campus far away from the vulture like waiters.
Posted by Juanita on July 17, 2007 at 1:51 PM · Report
12

who cares about the staff

seriously! whai cares if they are overstaffed? the food is incredible, this is the best indian food in town and their chai is damn good. i didnt even like chai before try it at cedar. another deliciuos drink is mango lassi: to die for. if you are hungry but on a budget, order cedar surprise (under appetizer) it will fill up belly and palate.
Posted by la brava on July 5, 2007 at 2:08 PM · Report
11

Odd place - American-Indian Food Ok

The food at this place was fair, i asked for everything to be spicy and it all simply tasted like butter-very Americanized Indian food. This place had the worst most pequliar service i had ever seen. There were so MANY waiters everywhere, and there was a freakin' "Now Hiring," sign on the window, the owner must be a moron. Our plates were cleared before we were finished and our table was cleaned while we were still sitting there! Two guys put a gross sponge on the table that was soaking in dirty water and scrubbed, water god on my company which was incredibly embarrasing. The service is awful and the owner is a greedy, disgusting man.
Posted by Seattlelocal on July 4, 2007 at 3:04 PM · Report
10

You'll be waited on by a cast of thousands

I concur with the most of the other reviewers. The problem with Cedars is the service. An overabundance of waitstaff results in intrusive, unpleasant service. They frequently tend to look/act grumpy, suggesting that they are mistreated, and given the number of them, most likely bored. As for the tip issue, I'd also heard that they don't keep their tips so my friend and I asked one of their waitresses. Her answer was evasive enough that I can't verify if they do or not, or at least can't remember how it works out. Still, it seemed fishy, so my friends and I won't eat there, which is a shame because I like their food. They do have the best Spinach Naan in the city and their baklava (sp?) is incredible.
Posted by I love to eat! on July 4, 2007 at 9:42 AM · Report
9

over rated and unfair

The waitstaff does not get any of the tip, they get paid something like $9 when they start working there. Maybe they get raises, but I doubt it. The food IS usually good there.
Posted by a bengali girl on July 3, 2007 at 5:24 PM · Report
8

horrible, over rated

Their inclusion of Middle Eastern and Indian dishes on their menu make all the dishes wrongfully generic. The service is indeed horrible, with waiters who specifically take drink orders and others that only take food orders. I'm not sure that's the best way to go. One time during lunch hour, one of the waiters decided it was an appropriate time to vaccuum the carpet, even under the tables where people were seated. NOT recommended
Posted by Danny on June 26, 2007 at 3:16 PM · Report
7

good food, crappy management

The food is reliably tasty. I agree that they're overstaffed and a bit too attentive. I quit going here when I found out that the owner pockets all the tips for himself.
Posted by some russ on June 2, 2007 at 2:32 PM · Report
6

Why are they always overstaffed?

I love the food -- love love love it -- but it really puts me off when my water glass gets refilled every time I take a sip and no fewer than FOUR people ask me if I'd like anything else, interrupting the conversation I'm having with my dinner partner to boot. Obviously they're overstaffed and the servers are bored, but it really ruins the experience for me to have people hover when I eat. I also get the feeling that I'm being hurried, and nothing's more unpleasant than that. Another thing: the owner (the old codger who's always sitting at the cash register) is mean to his staff. Doesn't make you want to patronize his restaurant.
Posted by food snob? moi? on May 31, 2007 at 4:11 PM · Report
5

YUM!

This is by far my favorite place to eat in Seattle. This is the first place I take out of town visitors and my first pick for birthday dinner ever year. I find myself craving their chai all of the time and their Spinach Naan is the best in the city. I've tried other places that are closer to where I live, but they all pale in comparison! Even my kid, who is a very picky eater, LOVES their food! Must Try Dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala Coconut Chicken Curry
Posted by Lilblackcat on May 31, 2007 at 11:40 AM · Report
4

Damn good every time

I've eaten there dozens of times and have never been disapointed. First I've heard of their weird tipping policy in the other reviews (but the employees seem to stay there for a long time). Anyway, the chow is great as is the wait especially on weekends (take out works). Nice beer selection, great butter chicken. I'm not a fan of their fish but all other meats are great. The only better Indian you're going to get is at VeeJays (sp?) in Vancouver BC but that might be the best Indian in North America. I can't give Cedar's 5 stars when I know VeeJay's exists but almost...
Posted by Chowbert on May 23, 2007 at 7:46 PM · Report
3

Paneer is the best but the waitstaff doesn't get tips

The waitstaff does NOT get tipped, the owners get the money. The waitstaff DOES get paid slightly better than average. (Not enough to compensate, in my opinion.) On the other hand, the coconut curry and butter masala are both SO good. The paneer here is addictively tender and the portions are plentiful, plus there is a fair wine and beer selection. Don't miss out on the deals if you're a poor student... but if you have enough money to "vote with your wallet", go elsewhere.
Posted by Katelyn on May 19, 2007 at 11:02 AM · Report
2

Bottomless Chai

This place is great!!! The Chai is so damn good and they just keep on bringing it to you. The food is tastey and consistenet which is more than I can say for a lot of places. I go on a regular basis and see the same people working so they must get tipped, maybe they pool the tips? Just thinking about the food is making me want to go there tonight.
Posted by Lizzie on May 19, 2007 at 10:09 AM · Report
1

Always busy

Always busy and you can't tip? or the wait-staff don't get the tip? Something like that. That doesn't sit right with me. Why is this place so crowded all the time when there are many delicious Indian options in walking distance with zero crowd? It's nothing spectacular.
Posted by M.F.er Food Eater on May 17, 2007 at 10:06 PM · Report

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