We had a private company dinner in the executive room. Beautiful view of the water. The restaurant is well furnished and has low lighting. Staff is incredible! Everytime a patron walks by, they all step aside and offer to help you find where you're going. They also have the most amazing restrooms I've ever seen. It's like looking into a zoo habitat. The food was good, but a little pretentious. Wine is overpriced (as is usual in a restaurant). They allowed us to bring our own wine, but I believe the corkage fee was around $35 per bottle. The minimum we had to spend for the room was also incredibly high. Our office is small, so with spouses, we only had 10 people. We had to add an extra person, specialty drinks, coffee, and desserts to meet it. Overall experience was great, but I don't think we'll be returning for another private dinner.
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Absolutely amazing dining experience! The service was over the top awesome. We were celebrating a birthday and they made it incredibly special. We had the chef's tasting menu and loved it all! You'll spend some money but it is completely worth it.
As many others have noted it is far from inexpensive or even affordable but it is definitely worth the cost for a special occasion. There is valet parking, excellent views and wonderful atmosphere. The food was delicious and the portions slightly larger than I expected (which was a pleasant surprise), and the wine was good as well.
The Canlis brings to mind the tale of the Emperor's New Clothes. It was very expensive, portions were small and food was served warm; not hot. This was intentional I was told. I like my food hot. Beautiful setting, great ambiance and good service.
We had a great dinner at Canlis! The most professional and courteous staff we have ever been served by. Food and drinks were amazing, wine pairing was perfect Will definitely be going back!
They really nailed the ambiance - nice view, lighting, background piano music
The Bumpei Akaji cocktail was really good. Slightly sweet and topped with a cranberry/white chocolate/coconut toffee-like substance that gave the drink a nice scent.
We both got the four course tasting menu with the sommelier wine pairing. The wine pairings were interesting overall, but next time I would order cocktails or ask the sommeliers for specific wine recommendations instead.
For the food itself, the quality is lacking for the price. It comes out to roughly $34 per dish. Apple Confit dessert was a really good dish - the best dish by far. Much better than the pumpkin dessert. Haiga rice was also good.
The kanpachi tartare would have been a lot better with more rice cracker and maybe an interesting cream topping. For the 3rd course - both the sea bream and the pork dishs accompaniments were really good. The sea bream's creamy broth was really rich and flavorful.
We paid an extra $60 for truffle pasta, but they struggled to cut the truffle and we got tiny scraps as everyone around us got a nice serving size. To make it more frustrating, a small chunk fell on the table and I asked to keep it but they removed it anyway.
I could not be more disappointed. I appreciate what they are trying to do but this is the most offensive form of subtle robbery ever. The quality of this food is NOT worth the $175+ I paid for it. It's basically food that was cooked god knows when and stuck into the fridge for sometime and then delivered cold and dry. I really cant believe we spent this much on this. I hate myself right now.
We had the four course menu for $110 per person plus service charge and tax. I found that reasonable for such an upscale dining experience. I liked having choices, so you could try more. We had prawns, beets, squab garganelli, dungenous More
From the moment we stepped in the restaurant, we were greeted with first class service. Our server Kaitlin was extremely knowledgable, yet approachable and down to earth. The food and wine were exquisite and the atmosphere unforgettable, Absolutely one of the most beautiful and memorable dining experiences in my life.
My main course was the pork, and it was my first time seeing the raw pork as a dish, so I asked to make it well done, but it was still not well done until I asked the second time. Our server told me that it was delicious, but I will still not recommend it, and you will understand if you do some research online.
One Thing I love about this restaurant is that when you sit down for a meal you don t get up for hours. It s like in Europe where dining is not so much about eating as an experience. The views, of course, make the experience of the more richer. But the food and the full staff really know how to make your dining experience extraordinary.
We have been eating here since 2010, and their food quality has been amazing! We love this restaurant and take all of our visitors there. The prices are reasonable, and the service is great. They have indoor and outdoor seating so you can have your pick. I would recommend a reservation if going at a busy time.
The experience at Canlis left me speechless. From the moment I was escorted out of my car, to the final goodbye, every event was beyond perfection. My husband entered me in a radio station contest to win a beautiful evening out at Canlis with a complementary car service. It was to celebrate my birthday. I was a little nervous to dine at an establishment so perfect, but impeccably dressing and preparing for this evening out was worth the wait. We thank the chefs, the servers and the other supporting staff for allowing us to escape the fears currently facing our community and world for a night of beauty and elegance. We hope your new business model will be successful in serving Seattle during an uncertain time and keeping people experiencing your cuisine, your hospitality and ingenuity, while keeping people working in the community they love.
The crab shack was amazing, great local crab, perfect corn, peach and heirloom tomato salad. You can tell that the team there are hospitality professionals, they know their jobs, take them seriously and are always willing learn and do better. This is a great place, I need to save up and go when it goes back to the fine dining format.
Since COVID-19, Canlis's alternative meals to go (and delivery!) have been wonderful. I am impressed with their innovation, continued commitment to quality meals, and their genuine care for Seattle. We have a family of four, and we've had their to go meals almost once a week. Unfailingly good quality.
Wow, this is easily the best restaurant I have been to but admittedly its the only one in this price range that I've eaten at ($200+pp). Its for sure a league above the rest of the nice Seattle restaurants like Palisades, Ray's Boathouse, Metropolitan Grill, etc.
I ordered the prawns, steak tartare, venison, and souflee, Everything was excellent with the venison and steak tartare being the standouts. Not a crumb went back to the kitchen.
The atmosphere is awesome and truly classy while making you feel comfortable. I like the jacket requirement for men since its nice to know that you wont be dining with people wearing t-shirts and gym shorts like I've seen and the nice restaurants elsewhere in the Seattle.
The attention to detail in the service was phenomenal and I really liked how a team of servers set the food down for everyone simultaneously and then explained the dish. The waitress did forget the twice baked potato that I slipped in at the end of ordering but its not a big deal.
We'll for sure be back for the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings.
My first time dining here, they made a special occasion very special. We had the four course, everything was excellent. Service, view & food were unlike anyplace I've ever been. Truly remarkable, not like any other place in Seattle. Unique and worth every penny.
The food and service is top rate, even down to how they memorize you and your car and have it ready for you as you walk toward the door after dinner, no valet card needed. The wine list is just amazing.
Food was good but not great. The canneloni in particular was disappointing. Good service, a couple of good pastas. Great ambiance, but better Italian elsewhere in the city.
Arriving at Canlis we we're greeted by not one but at least 4 valets and several hostesses verbally. It already felt a bit rehearsed and awkward. We waited about 5 minutes for our reserved table and were seated facing the windows and the spectacular South Lake Union view.
The server was very nice and helpfully described some of the dishes on the menu we were curious about. Before the first course we were served two separate sets of "snacks". The first round was a seaweed cracker and a fried ?squash? bite, and it was quite delicious but I thought it was flavor heavy for a first bite at a fine dining restaurant. The second set was two buckwheat based snacks and I thought both were too heavy and salty. It didn't feel like I was being set up to enjoy a carefully prepared tasting experience.
I ordered a Chardonnay and started with the salad. I quite liked the salad. It was salty and minty; complex but simple at the same time, though it was quite a large portion.
Next I had the Dungeness crab and it was delicious, but as I often enjoy cracked crab at home it didn't seem more delicious than any other good Dungeness. It was just good, but not special.
Next the servers brought bread (soda or buckwheat?) and butter. My husband and I started to butter the bread when the two servers returned and one literally took the butter knife from my hand and the plate from in front of me and my husband both, and replaced them with the next meal, the ribeye. It was so jarring to have a utensil taken right out of my hand with no words exchanged. I was so surprised that I actually said "oh, pardon me!" The second server awkwardly commented about 'clearing some space' and they left us to the steaks. Right then I was feeling so awkward from that interaction that I could barely think about the meal in front of me.
I mentioned this interaction to the waitress when she returned, and she did immediately apologize and said she would pass it on to the manager. I tried to put it out of mind and enjoy the meal: the steak was good but not special.
The waitress returned after a while and asked for a better description of the server who had taken the butter knife, and apologized again.
Maybe this seems like a small thing to you, but imagine you're eating out, even if it's Red Robins or even Denny's, and someone took a fork right out of your hand as you were using it. Its kind of unthinkable, and so rude... I was wrestling with it for the rest of the night trying to decide if I was just being uptight, but my husband was also pretty weirded out.
Dessert (mille feuille) and coffee was good, not exceptional or special, and honestly all I could think about was the awkward encounter and ensuing tension... It really was over after that moment for me. No manager ever came to follow up and nothing was compensated, leaving me with just a bad/weird experience and less $450+.
It ended up being a mediocre food experience, and a pretty terrible overall experience just because of the one super weird moment. Maybe if that hadn't have happened I would remember the food differently, but it didn't seem very refined or balanced to me. I was overly full afterwards but still felt unsatisfied and that the flavors and textures were heavy and salty, and not dynamic enough. The service overall was great unless you don't like people being overly personable; I tend to find it a bit patronizing though I understand it's well intended. Totally shattered any illusion of luxury when the flatware was snatched from my hand though.
I would easily prefer to go to Shiros, Matt's, Kashiba, Pink Door, or truly any number of places in town and never have to worry about feeling awkward from over the top or weird service or not very much enjoying the food.
Overall I am sorry to say I didn't really enjoy my Canlis experience.
Absolutely phenomenal. The deviled quail egg they brought us between plates was the best tasting thing ive ever put in my mouth. Expensive but well worth it for the experience.
This was one of our most amazing dinners! Excellent service and a beautiful view. Everything was perfect! Thank you for an astonishingly memorable evening.
Classic, great service, lovely food. Not the best food in Seattle IMO, but there's a whole lot more to a great restaurant experience than food and Canlis is impeccable in terms of service, atmosphere, and presentation. The ultimate experience for a special night out in Seattle.
The best Restaurant ever!!! Hands down this was my best dining EXPERIENCE in my life. Emphasis on the experience! It s a restaurant but so much more. You get transported into a different world here. Definitely will come back.
The coursed meal was delicious, the Lamb and mushrooms Devine, the desert fabulous, the wine pairing was amazing, and great service all around. Thank you so much!
Canlis is always a beautiful experience. I rarely feel as cared for or about as when my wife and I visit the restaurant, and the food is consistently better than I remember it being. I'm not sure how they perform as well as they do
Went there for the Christmas Eve. Firstly when I walked in, I could not find a person guiding me. I talked to two people that I have made a reservation but they left me standing there with no further explanation. It's so weird when standing there without knowing what to do. We waited for half an hour to order a drink when a waitress finally came and said she was actually not supposed to serve us. I saw them standing in line and talking. There were many people there but very few were actually serving the customers. The food was good, though the oysters were too small to spot. But the service was not comparable to other high-end restaurants.
If you're looking for the fanciest and likely most expensive meal in town, look no further. Fine dining, the best wines, a great view, white tablecloths etc etc. Yes there is a dress code. Yes you better take your damn hat off. Show some manners and some class if you plan to eat here.
A night to remember, that much is for certain. This restaurant exudes perfection in so many aspects. From the stunning views, to the impeccable service, and exquisite flavor combinations - you can't help but look back on the experience as just that. An experience through and through. Certainly you pay for such a night, but if you're looking for a special place to celebrate an occasion, or just want to be taken care of in every regard, you can't go wrong booking a reservation here.
Word to the wise - be sure to give a solid month at the very least before the intended date to get the date/time you want!
Went after Valentines Day. Service was wonderful. Food was innovative but mediocre; that evening I chose the pork item which ended up being thick slices of ham. Might go back for another occasion and hope for a more 5 star food experience like others have allegedly experienced. Overall, nice location.
Canlis is everything you've heard, and then some. Perfect food, perfect presentation, perfect atmosphere - this is a go-at-least-once-in-a-lifetime place.
Closed for COVID so ordered delivery. The delivery driver had a hard time finding my place and needed multiple attempts. Food was just okay. Probably better to wait until they reopen.
A wonderful experience all-around, even if you choose to eat/drink in the lounge. Great food, great drinks, and amazing service. Also loved the pianist!
One of the best dining experiences I ve had! The interior is as lovely as the view. (Even the restroom is Wow ) Food was incredible, needless to say. The most impressive thing for me was the bread and butter! I d go back just for the bread, but all the other courses were amazing too. Definitely recommend.
Elegant! Seattle's finest restaurant, Canlis has flawless service, unbeatable night time views for a restaurant, and delectable food choices. My husband and I are from out of town and didn't have time to make a reservation so we sat in More
Had dinner here for the first time. Staffing is amazing and efficient. Food was well done. Ladies restroom has individual stalls, hooks and smelled lovely. You get your choice of paper towels or a disposable thick Canlis towel. Lotion and Lola lady products available if needed. Sitting room also available.
Beautiful view of the lake, stunning restaurant and amazing food and wine list. Menu is a 4 course choice, everything looked great. Didn't have a fixed price wine pairing, which was odd, but somelier had amazing knowledge so could sort one out.
The decor and views in here are amazing - they have a beautiful view of Lake Union and the city. There is a fireplace when you walk in, and the overall appearance gives you very high expectations for the food. However, the food, while it looked as gorgeous as the decor, did not meet expectations. I ordered a bean dish and a fish dish as 2 of my courses, and the beans in the bean dish were undercooked and didn't have much flavor, and the fish was fishy - I couldn't finish it. The best part of the meal was the fresh baked bread, but when we ordered more it took them 20 minutes to bring it out. Additionally, there were no vegan deserts aside from bland fruit. Overall, the views and decor were very nice, but I wouldn't say the food was worth the price.
My wife and I love to try new restaurants so on a special occasion we tried Canlis. I was excited to see on the menu that they had sashimi options I love fish. Well usually, I honestly have not tasted Sashimi this bad since I ordered eel at a place I should of known better to order from. The lamb was actually cooked very well and would of been enjoyable if it wasn't drenched in sauce. The only thing I can honestly say I enjoyed was my licorice chocolate desert, the vegetables (they had a Kale appitizer that was amazing which is strange for me I am a meat and fish guy usually) and the drinks weren't bad.
My suggestion would be if you want the view you have plenty of other options with better food, if you want the quality this place doesn't have it (at least the week we went the menu changes every week I believe) if yoy want thw experience just good to the bar. The view is probably better if you are not a regular and you sitting close to the piano player who is very talented and plays modern music as well as oldies.
Very nice dining experience -- wouldn't expect anything less from a Relais and Chateaux property. Service was efficient, friendly, and I enjoyed that the tables were quite large for two diners (but we were seated side by side so it still felt intimate). They had two non-alcoholic drinks (passionfruit and papaya), which was a treat for someone who doesn't normally drink. The 4 course meal is a very good value, with unique / Japanese ingredients. The uni ravioli stood out to me most, and the souffle was a perfect way to end the meal. My husband said his filet mignon was probably one of the best cooked pieces of steak he has ever had. Also enjoyed the preface on the menu that gives a background of the family-run restaurant. Would definitely return!
A surprising (in a good way) tasting menu with some memorable highs. Be on the lookout for Apples dish (covered with shaved fois gras torchon), boudin noir agnolotti, and aged squab, they are must gets. There's also a halibut dish with a forgettable hunk of fish but an absolutely mind-blowing side of artichoke hearts. Gorgeous panoramic views if you're at the right table.
Generally attentive service and knowledgeable wine staff, but there was one glaring miscue: we were not even offered coffee/tea with our dessert/mignardises.
I had a great night, impeccable service, cozy atmosphere with beautiful view of Lake Union, amazingly delicious four-course dinner, I asked for suggestion about my cocktail, and I was very happy with that choice, even though some people complain about portions of dishes, in my opinion it was perfect, specially with starters, amazing house bread and butter, and also desserts you will never forget.
$700 dinner experience didn't wow, in hardly any way :( We did the tasting menu + wine pairing.
Don't get me wrong, it's a Seattle staple... the ambiance is fantastic (if feeling a bit dated), view is amazing... you do feel it is a special place.
But really, after that? Meh. We did the tasting menu, with wine paring. I do have to take my hat off to the sommelier, as the wine paring was exquisite. It really enhanced the flavors of each dish. Unfortunately, they needed it. Out of, oh 7 or so, dishes, I'd say only 2 or 3 were delicious, the others were pretty bland, ridiculously small or just gross (oysters, I love you but wow, now I understand why some people don't like you now). One carrot dish came with a long description that felt more like vindication for the fact it was basically a baby carrot sliced lengthwise into 5 bits, with some sauce. No kidding, see pic. When it was time for savory dishes to give way to sweet, I was still wanting more savory (shockingly, the golf ball size bit of lamb, sliver of carrot, cup of soup and flake of fish wasn't enough). After realizing the next dish started into sweets, we were asked how we were doing so far. I was honest and said I wasn't ready for sweets yet and was still pretty hungry. To the waiter's credit they brought out a plate of cheese with crackers (obviously store bought, I recognized them) to help fill us up. The cheese was really amazing! And was done with a nice creative flair. But I digress. Honestly the best dishes were probably the beginning salad, ebleskiver and souffle for dessert and the tea at the end. Overall, they could have easily doubled the size of each dish and still have not worried one bit about overfeeding us (a fit couple in our 30s).
Service was good, but felt forced, and fake. The most truly friendly person interacting with us was the bus boy. He took the time to ask our names, made small talk and joked with us. If not for him, the whole experience would have been just uncomfortable (I mean, how are you supposed to react to a $100 plate of one baby carrot).
Continuing with service... When I made the reservation, I was asked if it was a special occasion, I said yes, my girlfriend's birthday. Upon arriving, they asked again, so they doubly knew, fine. Later there was little mention of the birthday, but a surprise small candle on her dessert dish. This was cute, and appreciated. But a few moment later the couple next to us received their dessert, and their special occasion was decoratively written in their dessert plate, with a big deal made of it by their waiter. It was a bit awkward...was our special occasion somehow less special? Fortunately the souffle happened to be one of the delicious dishes, steering us away from examining this further and simply toward enjoying the dish.
Overall, the experience was average and sometimes even disappointing. Nothing justified the price of over $700, not one thing. Save yourself hundreds of dollars and go to somewhere like Tilth that also does a tasting menu + wine pairing, it's way yummier and the service feels more genuine and less stiff.
canlis.com
