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Anchovies & Olives
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Seafood Italian, Seafood [Edit]
1550 15th Ave(between Madison St & Pine St)
Seattle, WA 98122
Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill
(206) 838-8080
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
236 reviews for Anchovies & Olives
Review Highlights
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"Atmosphere was fun/modern with an open kitchen." In 28 reviews -
"I'm a huge fan of Ethan Stowell restaurants." In 21 reviews -
"Hey- who doesn't love a dozen oysters for $12." In 67 reviews
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236 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew M.
4/11/2012
Almost a crime against humanity for this place to have 3 1/2 stars. Seattle, I'm talking to you here, I'm starting to think you truly don't know what the h*ll you are talking about. In comments I read, where people downgrade things....I'm just baffled sometimes.
Let's get real here, this place is top notch. If you disagree, well you just don't know.
I've eaten here 3 times since moving back, and like Ethan's other restaurants, I have not been disappointed once. Not once.
First of all, the pasta is stunning. Every time. They are just too good, and too creative to say anything less. The most recent trip stand-out was Pappardelle with crab, mint, smoked trout and basil. Almost not to be outdone, was a linguini dish with clams and the most delicious Uni butter sauce. Yes I said it UNI BUTTER SAUCE. And that's what's up.
I've had some amazing salads, and some amazing tastes off the crudo menu. I will admit, I've had one or two entrees that were not perfect (hence my review would really be 4 1/2 stars if I could), but there are always other dishes that make up for it.
I actually read a review that said the portions were small........honestly, where are you eating my friend? Claim Jumper? You have to be kidding me, every time I walk out of here I request for them to bring their wheel barrel over to roll me to my car. Wise-up Seattle-ites, this place is excellent.
Highly recommended, and again, my review is 4 1/2, not 5, but because there are too many reviews here from planet Mars, I'm rounding up. (GIVE ME MY HALF STAR YELP!) -
Review from Joy H.
4/22/2012
Sorry Ethan . . . you're just "the other restauranter" in a city where Tom Douglas "reigns"!
I had heard good things about Anchovies & Olives and with a catchy name like that, I was intrigued! We went for Restaurant Week - maybe that's our bad, but I feel like sometimes restaurants don't put out their 'A' game when they're doing a promotion??
Anyways, I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant - very cute, cozy, open kitchen, etc. Because the restaurant is so small, it can get a bit crowded space-wise and it looks like they have limited staffing because the service was a bit slow. The wait time between the starter and the entree was a good 30 minutes. Other tables looked like they had bread to nibble on (I don't know if that's because they ordered it or because they weren't doing Restaurant Week?) . . . just wished there was something to tie us over while we waited!
For starters, we had the fish crostini (enh, it's ok - just glad that it wasn't overly fishy) and the crudo (ok - this one was a bit fishy. The color palette of greens & pinks was pretty interesting). Entrees ~ mackeral (nice and crispy but small portion) and clam linguini (with a grand total of 8 clams). The pasta was al dente and very good and the sauce packed a nice heat. It was a very simple but tasty dish, just wished that I could count the number of clams on my hands AND my feet.
Finally for dessert, I had the panna cotta (divine) and the chocolate brownie (bit dry). Overall, it's a solid meal - but for fine dining, I expected just a little bit extra! -
Review from Steve S.
Baltimore, MD
3/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Arrived on A Saturday night for a 9:00 p.m. reservation (had to choose between eating at 6:30 p.m. or 9:00 p.m.). There was a slight wait for a table but gave us the chance to wait the chefs cook - as the space has an open air kitchen. There is a small bar toward the back of the restaurant with a good selection of wine and local spirits.
Appetizers are excellent, including the olives (of course) - the $5 portion was way too much for one person alone, and the fried chickpeas (with smoked paprika and lemon). Main course was a striped bass with cauliflower, olives (again) and apricot. Everything was cooked to perfection, with a very knowledgeable waiter, eager to answer questions but otherwise unobtrusive. -
Review from Kelby J.
Seattle, WA
5/13/2012
This gem shines in a hipster neighborhood. Its unassuming exterior is definitely misleading. When you walk in, you're right in the kitchen (literally), which definitely puts a new spin on the open kitchen concept. The ambiance was solid and it's small enough to still be intimate. The food wasn't over the top good, but it certainly classifies as great. Andrew (who posted another review recently) was spot on with his Pappardelle dish suggestion. The service was also something to brag about. The help was knowledgeable and friendly. I'd recommend A&O for any occasion.
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Review from Fiona J.
Seattle, WA
5/8/2012
As other reviewers are, I am puzzled by some low ratings given to Anchovies and Olives. This has been a favorite of ours since it first opened. We just had a terrific meal, with terrific service. We had some old favorites, olives, oysters and the Bigoli pasta which has anchovies. Tonight we had the geoduck crudo, which is truly amazing. Thinly sliced geoduck with fennel and fresh garbanzos, beautifully seasoned and presented. We also had the Dungeness crab pappardelle with meyer lemon-delicious. A sinful chocolate caramel tart with gelato to finish-yum! Really, do you think this would have been rated one of the best new restaurants by Bon Appetit if it wasn't this good? Try it!
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Review from Erica D.
Seattle, WA
4/25/2012
I have to say I had higher expectations of this place. It does have good ambiance, but the menu is small and the food was just ok. I wanted more flavors from my pasta dish and my fiance's dish was also a little lacking. The appetizer of fried oysters we got was extremely salty and we didnt even want to finish it (which is not common!!)
I wont be back. -
Review from Nikki C.
Tacoma, WA
2/23/2012
Waiter acted like everything we said/did was a personal insult.
Food was bitter and overpriced.
We will never go back. -
Review from Kira A.
Seattle, WA
2/14/2012
I'm totally guilty of spending at least one night a week here. Whether it's dinner with a friend or an after work happy hour, A&O is the perfect joint for a drink with apps or a full-fledged 4 course meal.
It's a must try for all Seattlites and a great option for out-of-towners looking for the best northwest neighborhood restaurant.
Crafted with the most care, the food is consistently prepared. Everything in this restaurant is dialed in and seamless.
The oyster selection and accompaniments are delightful. Be sure to try the himachi dishes when on the menu.
The fish preparation goes no further than being true to the ingredients and all dishes are prepared as simply as possible. If you expect your fish to be smothered in sauce and overcooked you will be disappointed, and I'll be disappointed in you for calling yourself a food lover.
They take their open kitchen seriously here. Watch the chefs fine tune each dish and roll their eyes when a server is moving a hint too slow. It's almost as if you're watching a drama production; the dynamic between the kitchen, bar and serving staff offers some great entertainment and is somehow not annoying or distracting (maybe because they actually get sh*t done). It offers diners a peek into the crazy world of a kitchen, which all must experience to truly appreciate a meal out.
This place does not disappoint on any level, however, I'd recommend heading down the road to Spinasse to end your night with the best desserts on Capitol Hill. -
Review from clint w.
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's beautiful inside, with lots of wood and large windows to peek out and people watch.
We grabbed a corner table and experienced oyster power hour! We ordered a dozen and I wanted to grab some more, but my friend wanted to move on to entrees. Seafood linguini and the risotto with clams were on the agenda.
The linguini was al dente and not bad, but I really enjoyed the risotto. The arugula pesto gave some bite and was just right. I forgot that we snuck in some hamachi crudo, as well.
All in all, a great time. Staff was great and I've now hit for the cycle, sampling all the Stowell restaurants. -
Review from Avitania B.
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
For the most part, totally awesome. Got a reservation for four on a Saturday night at around 7:30 with only about 2 hours' notice. Hostess was super nice and seated us promptly. My dining companions and I ordered a round of appetizers, which knocked our socks off clear to Timbuktu. The boys ordered a dozen oysters, which I can't comment on, but judging from the orgiastic sucking sounds they made, I guess they liked them quite a bit. In lieu of oysters, my female DC and I ordered olives, fried chickpeas, escolar and the burrata -- all of which inspired similarly passionate cries of ecstasy. Those olives, man, are awesome. All shiny and green and fresh. The escolar is something to behold, too -- totally buttery amazing.
Unfortunately, we weren't as jazzed about our entrees. I had the creamy polenta with prawns. The prawns were overcooked and rubbery; the polenta was a bit runny and a little too salty. My husband and the arctic char ravioli, which insanely salty, even more so than the polenta. Not sure what's going on in the kitchen, but apparently we came on a day when they were getting really heavy handed with the salt box. Hooooboy.
Outside of the less-than-stellar entrees, our experience at Anchovies and Olives was a good one. I'd definitely go back, but I think next time I'll just stick to the small plates. -
Review from Jinah Y.
Seattle, WA
1/27/2012
Atmosphere: Pretentious
Server: Very nice although the upselling was a bit extreme
Food: For a renowned chef I've had better at hole in the wall restaurants
Oysters were very fresh- Make sure to bring your own tobasco.
Food - Parpadelle Pasta - Extremely underwhelming. The flavors were just not developed well together. I took the leftovers home but wasn't motivated enough to heat it up and eat it again because I'd be unsatiated.
Food - Pork Loin - Once again extremely underwhelming. Salt and pepper would've been better. I thought all those fancy manuevers the chef's were doing would make it taste somewhat decent - but apparently that didn't help.
White wine - I believe it was the house white wine. The worst I've ever had. The after-taste was awful.
At the end of the day the food was underwhelming. Not worth the price. -
Review from Skye D.
Madrona/Leschi, Seattle, WA
2/12/2012
Wonderful...Bday dinner tonight
ended up sitting at the bar for the whole night because we liked the bartender so much...
amazing soft boiled egg [done to Perfection] with an underlying kind of ancho chile thing and topped with a sardine was one of the best appetizers Ever...
i had the sea bass for an entree which was literally extraordinary...
couldn't say enough about the friendly staff and once again how great the bartender was in Every Way!...thanks Angel!....thanks Anchovies & Olives! truly memorable bday dinner.....
the only critique!...and i really have to laugh....when i walked in i immediately thought, 'What a great decor!'....nice design elements and color scheme and lay out of the open kitchen....really nicely done....and then we sat up at the bar while we waited for a table....and behind the bar...Huge painting...wild guess...about 7 feet by 5 maybe...and i swear...it looked exactly like some Huge Paint by Number style of seascape....like an artist was making a joke or something!....i really laughed at what a Weird Design Element to throw off all the wonderful choices in design & fixtures...
please A & O......
get another phreaking painting!!! -
Review from Lana R.
Seattle, WA
2/1/2012
Our firm had our holiday party at A&O this past December- couldn't be happier with the experience.
From an admin POV, Jen, the event planner for all the ES restaurants was great- polite, responsive and easy to work with. We have a few employees with special dietary considerations (one GF/couple vegetarians), and the menu planning was a breeze.
The actual party was a huge success- excellent food, great wines, and really awesome, fun, friendly staff. It was like being at a dinner party at your friend's house- except your friend is a flipping fantastic chef with 4 restaurants and more than a few world-renowned admirers. Point being, they didn't take themselves too seriously and just made it seem like it was their mission to let us be our wacky selves, eat some great food, and have an amazing time.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend A&O for a buy-out; business, wedding or otherwise. -
Review from Ryan D.
Seattle, WA
11/4/2011
I felt that my meal here was a bit like a roller coaster...some great heights...but some drops to lows as well. We went during restaurant week, a week we use for "try outs" for higher price point restaurants.
Atmosphere:
I love the open kitchen concept and the layout of the place. It is intimate, but not too cozy that you hear your neighbors lamenting about Kim Kardashians divorce. It is really cool to see your meal being cooked and the techniques they use. If you have a guest or yourself like to cook...this is built in entertainment!
Appetizer:
We had a fish appetizer (ack forgetting name...my italian goes as far as chianti...) which was fantastic. A great cut of fish, and pickled veggies with a light sauce the accented the flavor. The wine pairing was perfectly chosen.
Entree:
This is where coaster dropped out. I had the octopus bolognese pasta. First the pasta was excellent...very fresh and perfectly cooked to the second...the sauce I was not a fan. The pork taste totally overwhelmed the sauce and the octopus was a secondary ingredient which you really could not identify past the saltiness of the sauce.
Dessert:
Again a high point. The chocolate torte is the best dessert I have had in a long time. The italian cherries are amazing and if you aren't full by the entree course you will be by dessert!
Service:
Disappointed. I ordered the wine pairing with my meal and every glass was delivered halfway into the course...usually after reminding the server I had the wine pairing. When I gave feedback on the entree (Im not one to hide critique behind my computer screen) the server seemed uninterested. The server seemed more interested in getting the last seating out the door than providing good service. -
Review from Rob B.
Seattle, WA
3/1/2012
This was our first time at A&O, and we couldn't have been more pleased. The food was great, as was the wine. But what I want to focus on is the service. Our waiter, Paul, was excellent! He was friendly, helpful, conversational, and knowledgable. And tactful, too. We used a gift card and there was a problem with it. He handled it perfectly. It could have been awkward, but he was on top of it. Kudos to him and the rest of the staff there.
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Review from Amy M.
Seattle, WA
2/20/2012
Dined at this Capitol Hill gem Sat 2/11/12 with my husband. The crudo is excellent with perfect accompaniments for the oysters and scallop. Initially the server was a bit standoffish I think because I asked for oysters that are not too "creamy" and he didn't understand. But you know what I mean, I like the smaller oysters that are not too plump full of briny innards. After I declared the 2 types of oysters he suggested delicious, he was much more personable. The pastas are creative, different from the usual Italian offerings. The chocolate dessert with sweetened cherries was divine. I like that they only serve you bread with olive oil if you want it but you don't have to pay for it. So many places now charge for bread and butter. We liked the ambience of the place and you could actually have a conversation with your dining companion. Can't wait to go back.
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Review from Diane S.
Milpitas, CA
4/22/2012
What a fabulous meal!!! My husband and I dined at Anchovies & Olives for the first time and we were very pleased with both the food and service. Our server, Tiana was so pleasant and had so much information on the food when we asked for her recommendations. We went with what she suggested and boy were we satisfied! Her favorite entree was the trout so we went with it. It was the whole trout grilled - so yummy! It reminded us of all the fresh fish we ate in Italy, Turkey and Greece, fresh whole fish grilled with lemon and olive oil. Our beet salad was also very satisfying with tons of beets, they were very generous with the portion. We couldn't resist the marinated octopus as an appetizer with this special pepper sauce with a hint of heat. We liked the sauce so much, we used part of it for our bread. Overall meal was delicious!! We will definitely return, and we hope to get same delightful server.
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Review from pauline c.
Los Angeles, CA
9/7/2011
Love love love their oyster power hour for some good goodies at a steal. Enjoy oysters of the day for a buck a piece, Sunday - Thursday, 5PM to 6PM and 10PM to close. Heaven!!
The service is awesome and the interior decorations are similar to the other ethan stowell institutions. Sleek, modern, rustic.Listed in: Seattle
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Review from Deverie H.
Seattle, WA
10/26/2011
Visited during Restaurant Week and enjoyed the experience. Wasn't a dining "whoa-ment" but overall it was good.
Cons: Strange music pumped in overhead, like 80's rock. Seemed like an odd pairing with an Italian/Seafood upscale restaurant.
Our server had a very rehearsed intro which we heard him repeat verbatim to every table on our side of the restaurant, in a monotone mumble. Strange.
Pros: Very friendly check-in when you arrive. And for food freaks like myself, it was super fun to see the chefs at work in the forefront. They keep everything super clean and clearly enjoy what they do.
The wine list was good, and the olive oil with bread before the meal was outstanding. The Chioggia beet/walnut salad was great, and the crudo was delish. My husband and I both enjoyed the Bigoli and agreed it was like nothing we'd ever had before. Nutty, long pasta the same thickness as yakisoba noodles smothered in anchovies, chili, garlic, and pangrattato - we had to share the bowl meant for one - there's a lotta pasta in there!
The desserts were fantastic too. Creamy and slightly salty panna cotta with apricots and pistachios is not something that I'd normally order but so glad that I did. Subtle and sublime.
Bonus: Take home packets of fresh campanelle pasta for each diner. We cooked it up the next night with some simple red sauce and it was a pretty rockin' comfort pasta. I'll definitely be looking for Ethan Stowell pastas to make at home during my next visit to Whole Foods. -
Review from Jessica N.
Campbell, CA
9/21/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Do not come here if you are starving, you will only be angry because the food is intentionally slow. Really slow. I had the (raw!!!) geoduck because our waiter, Ernest Hemingway, told me it was a staple of the Pacific Northwest's seafood industry and I simply must have it raw. Well, I will say it was damn good for raw shellfish, but it was also raw shellfish and I'll probably never do that again.
The octopus salad was good if you don't mind cold seafood, but the linguine with lemon and chili and clams was MUST have. The panna cotta is also good (we were not permitted to have the other dessert because Hemingway said it was an abomination and he wouldn't allow us to order it).
The atmosphere of the restaurant is great, just make sure you're of the hunger level "could eat" instead of "I need food NOW". -
Review from Rachal B.
Seattle, WA
10/23/2011
So this place was good. Not great, but good. I thought it might have been overrated a little from looking at fellow yelper's reviews. I guess I would go back but I am interested to see if there are better seafood joints around.
Interesting to have the kitchen in the middle of the place. But I dunno, I guess try it but don't go in thinking it's the best place possible for seafood. -
Review from Lee O.
Seattle, WA
9/7/2011
Had parents in from out of town, and a friend recommended I check this place out. I should have known it was not the right place for my stepdad when he asked the hostess if they have a blender to make frozen drinks. Ha. They don't in case you couldn't guess. So right off the bat, I knew he would probably hate the restaurant. It didn't help that he said he couldn't understand the menu; it is traditional Italian, so several courses. Because my stepdad had made up his mind to hate the restaurant, I was praying that the food would be amazing and win him over.
Unfortunately when the food arrived it was a mixed bad. The octopus and bolognese gnocchi I had was good, and reasonably priced at $15. But the salmon my parents ordered was just very not good. The almond soup was bland, the figs were an interesting touch, but over all the fish was small (about 3/4 the size of and thinner than a dollar bill for $26) and a little boring.
To top it all off the wine my mom ordered, one of the Pinot Nero, tasted a little bit like vinegar and church wine.
The ambiance was nice and the wait staff was pleasant, although I think they knew we weren't having the time of our lives...my stepdad continued to sulk through the meal.
Are we uncultured, unable to appreciate the delicacy of the food? Perhaps. Did we not order the best things on the menu? This is a definite possibility. Was it just the wrong place at the wrong time? Maybe. But I probably won't be taking friends or family back here.
I got my stepdad Molly Moo's afterwards and all was well. -
Review from T N.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 3/26/2012
Came here again recently for Friday night dinner. Perfectly executed beet salad and bigoli. I'm still befuddled by the commenters who say this place is too pretentious. Wanted to sit at bar instead of table, and the staff was nice enough to watch out for me when guests at the bar were leaving, and they moved us quickly from our table to the bar.
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/27/2012
Sat at bar, great service and wine recommendation by Ethan (bartender). Always perfect crudo, beet… Read more »
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Review from Mel B.
Seattle, WA
8/26/2011
This place is for Seafood lover!
I walked pass this place so many times, it wasn't till my friends suggested happy hour, champagne and oysters. What a delicious surprise! I took my bf back for dinner, and note my bf does not typically eat oysters, however Anchovies and Olives served up two order and all the oysters were devoured. The special was a fish, I cannot remember the type, it was the cheek of the fish... it was so good, we ended up trying everything, the beet salad is amazing! It's topped with marcona almonds and sardines... Sardines never tasted so good, the olive oil infused with garlic and sardines was a delectable! Dessert was salty and sweet, the other was sour and sweet. MMMMMM" We paid a pretty a penny. The bill was a little over $100... yet it was well worth it!!!! :D -
Review from Linda I.
Steilacoom, WA
9/21/2011
Was meeting a friend for happy hour - just scooted in before 6 so I ordered the HH Bubbles (quite tasty) and a dozen HH oysters (from Hammersley Inlet) while I waited for my buddy.
The decor is a bit sparse/industrial for me but I appreciate the things they've done to minimize the noise. Bar stools are comfy for big butts (like mine) but they need handbag hooks under the bar.
The oysters arrived just as my friend did (darn, now I have to share!) and I was a bit taken aback that they'd put the mignonette on the oysters. But one bite put it all right. Delish but unconventional, it was a scallion/coriander seed combo that was FAB!
I had looked over the menu a bit but wasn't feeling inspired (more seafood than Italian - or even Italian seafood) when my friend suggested we just order a few apps. Fine with me! Typical Italian starters - Castelvetrano Olives, Proscuitto, Marcona Almonds (aren't those Spanish) and the Soft Boiled Egg. All were good but the soft boiled egg with bits of smoked fish in an aioli was sublime. I am a sucker for anything Egg. The bread service (upon request) was good...actually the bread was good - the service not so much.
We sat at the bar and the bartender was great. Prompt, courteous, able to give good information. He made a REALLY good dirty Martini for my friend - 2 pushed him over the edge into drunk land. **Most of the time he can have 4 before that happens. This guy pours and mixes generously but with finesse.
The service problem came with the staff that brought the food to us - they couldn't answer basic questions - like what kind of cheese is that? without checking with someone else. And we asked for more bread when the ditzy girl was clearing the bar but it never happened. So we skipped the dessert that we'd been wavering on and paid and left.
Wouldn't go out of my way to go back but would tell friends to check it out. -
Review from Arden J.
Seattle, WA
8/31/2011
Know your market!!
I've been here several times. Always great service and delicious food...but this time I had to leave because the music was so annoying. I was getting agitated rather than relaxing with a glass of bubby and enjoying some oysters.
In a restaurant that caters to an over 35 yr old crowd, there is no need to play screeching Doors tunes. It's not the right setting! It may appeal to the bartender, but certainly not to me. -
Review from Karen W.
Seattle, WA
4/4/2012
Have eaten here a handful of times. The servers are always knowledgable about gluten free options and double checked with the chefs on everything. The oysters are delicious and whatever polenta option they have is always good as well. The food can be slightly salty for my taste, but next time I think I will just ask them to go easy on the salt.
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Review from Jack F.
Seattle, WA
1/3/2012
Despite a previous bad experience at Anchovies and Olives, I returned there this past Saturday as part of a group (a friend had chosen the restaurant counter to my suggestion to dine elsewhere). Our reservation was for 8 pm on December 30th, and there were 9 of us seated in the corner, our server was "Ethan 2.0" according to my receipt. I'm not sure if that is his real name or just a monicker/pseudonym used by the software that handles reservations and purchases. The server was absolutely the worst part of the entire experience. He was curt, unfriendly and generally unhelpful, and acted as though he was annoyed by having customers. I asked about whether any of the Chardonnay's were oaked, and was promptly corrected in a snobby manner as the server remarked that "all of our chardonnays are pure and uncontaminated". He didn't encourage me to try another Chardonnay, or suggest a similar wine or even offer a taste of what he did have. My companion and I both ordered the pork loin, which was not worth the $24 it cost - it was tough and salty, lacked flavor and was an unimpressive cut of meat that seemed overly lean. The service was just abysmal - I recall asking about the cured tuna heart that comes with the potato gnocchi and was appalled when the server explained that curing it was a way to make "crappy food" that "poor people would eat" taste better. Honestly it was just about the worst service I've ever had. I love other Ethan Stowell restaurants, especially 'How To Cook A Wolf', but both times I've tried Anchovies & Olives it has been a huge disappointment.
To add insult to injury, the snobby server over-charged us. He billed my companion for a more expensive wine than he ordered (the Chianti is what he ordered which should have only been $9 a glass but the bill was $11). I had asked early on for separate checks, and when it came time to actually get the bill he announced to the whole table that "some at your table have requested separate checks - is that really what everyone wants?", a flippant remark spoken in such a way as to make it seem like a huge inconvenience. He still added an absurdly high 20% gratuity, which was not at all warranted. I know that restaurants are keen on adding in a gratuity to tables of 6 or more, presumably because when people pay as a group there's always under-payers which result in a diminished tip. But in this case, with separate checks, everyone had a very clear bill of their own to pay so there was no need for mandatory gratuity, and certainly NOT 20%.
If the only way their servers are tipped well is by forcing customers to pay 20% gratuity then that in and of itself should be a huge red flag that service is seriously lacking. -
Review from Danna K.
Seattle, WA
7/4/2011
Truly excellent. As a general rule, I try to avoid restaurateur restaurants, but Mr. Stowell has made it onto my exception list.
The exterior is misleading. Despite occupying the ground floor of a modern generic looking apartment building, the interior is warm and inviting. This place gives a new meaning to open kitchen. The kitchen is literally right in front of you when you walk in. The prep island doubles as the hostess stand.
We had the famous anchovy app, which was great for sharing, and came with tongs, a nice touch. The dish is on the spicy side, but not excessively so.
I ordered the scallops. I have a tendency to order items on menus that pair ingredients you'd never think would work. These perfectly cooked scallops came with pickled cantaloupe (who thinks of that?), I want to say prosciutto, pine nuts, and tarragon. Seriously genius.
A friend ordered the Halibut which was also quite good. A nice mix of textures and flavors.
Our waiter was an excellent guide and very funny. I generally prefer the kind of service that you do not notice, but he really contributed to the entire experience: one which was both delicious and completely unpretentious. -
Review from Robin P.
Seattle, WA
1/5/2012
Second (and last) visit. Pork was dry (too lean?), tough and bland. And expensive for its low quality. Wine list glass pours were limited (and overpriced). Gloomy with no real atmosphere - though not busy, the music was way too loud. Disappointed.
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Review from Kiran A.
Seattle, WA
10/13/2011
Great food, especially if you like shellfish/seafood.
Got oysters, fried oysters, geoduck, and squid spaghetti.
Service leaves a bit to be desired. -
Review from Carol L.
5/21/2011 4 photos
Named one of the "10 Best New Restaurants in America" by Bon Appetit in 2010, but it's received a mixed bag of reviews on Yelp (currently averaging 3.5 stars). The menu is very limited and that honestly might not appeal to those who want lots of options. Moreover, I saw what others noted about the service...cool, but not in the cool I like you kind of way.
I asked my server about how folks usually order from their menu and he gave me some general parameters. There were two oysters offered that evening and I started with one each: a KUMAMOTO oyster topped with a scallion mignonette and a KUSSHI oyster topped with orange and coriander ice. I enjoyed both and when the server came back I delighted in the fact that the orange and coriander made it taste like one of fave beers, Blue Moon. He just looked at me, unamused, and said that it was pure coincidence. Excuse me... I ordered two more and this time when he brought my oysters he introduced one as the Blue Moon. I don't know if he saw the look on my face the first time around and was trying to make up for his less than friendly attitude.
For my entree I had the STURGEON. It was grilled and sat on a bed of corona beans, clams and spring onions in a delicate ham broth. At $20, I was kind of surprised at the generous portion size. Check out my pictures! The whole dish, especially the fish, was absolutely delicious!
I skipped dessert, which featured a panna cotta, a rhubarb tart and something else that night. But no chocolate! :o/ -
Review from Alice T.
7/1/2011
Went here last night, on a Thursday, for dinner. First, allocate some time to find parking; it was ridiculous.
The restaurant performed solidly. Waiter was friendly, maintained eye contact, and smiled. He checked back the right frequency.
The gnocchi was nicely prepared. We also ordered the Branzino but I was not a fan; they served it whole and Branzino has a lot of bones. Perhaps I was not paying attn to the preparation of it on the menu, but I think a filet option would have made for a smoother palate experience. Kinda like eating watermelon that is seeded. Who does that anymore?
I'd go back if a friend suggests it but probably won't go out of my way for this place, due to the challenging parking experience. -
Review from Todd K.
Phoenix, AZ
9/27/2011
Wow... I happened to be in Seattle at the start of Restaurant Week. The place that was recommended as #1 was booked, so I ended up here. What an AWESOME find! I ordered off the Restaurant Week menu... the sturgeon was amazing (first time I've had sturgeon, and I hope I don't judge all further sturgeon dishes against this experience, because they'll never be good enough). Then came the swordfish with fingerling potatoes and grape vines... another amazing creation.
I don't normally go for dessert, but dessert was included, so I went for it. The Vanilla Panna Cotta with rhubarb and pistacchios was perfect.
The cocktail before dinner was great (they all looked fantastic) and the Bianco wine was just about perfect. Great server, too.
I normally wouldn't spend my money on a full price dinner like that, but the next time I'm in Seattle, I'll save up a whole bunch of pennies to just enjoy dinner here again. It's worth it. -
Review from D I.
Bellevue, WA
2/1/2012
The food was just outstanding. The Geoduck was cooked perfectly, the Oysters were amazing. My wife and our friends all shared food, everything was cooked and seasoned wonderfully. If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be the Mackerel - wow was that delicious.
The bartender was super nice and the server was also very good. The atmosphere was good, nice but not pretentious.
I would definitely go back to this place. Prepare to shell out a few bucks - I would say $50-$100 per person if you are drinking, pretty standard for this type of place. -
Review from Hayley V.
3/24/2011
IT IS A BOLD RESTAURANT THAT DOES NOT PROVIDE TABLE SEASONING. Bold and some might say cocky but A & O doesn't seem to mind the implication and I can't say I missed the seasoning.
We had:
-kumamotos oysters
-white anchovies and gaeta olives: couldn't resist the namesake
-a perfectly dressed endive and arugula salad
-Bigoli: salty spicy bold flavors
-Daurade: fregola pasta and clams with a pepperonata broth
-Yellowfin Tuna: the Kale was really the star of the dish here
Their open kitchen comforts me and I learned the perfect technique for dressing a salad by spying on our chef. If you want to learn it you'll have to go and earn it for yourself. Our server even put in a wrong dish for us but we were feeling fuzzy from the first round of food endorphins so we just ate what he brought to us. I don't even remember what we originally ordered but i do recall plate licking. -
Review from Shayne P.
Seattle, WA
4/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Seattle Restaurant Week 2011!
Our meal: escolar crudo with avocado/beet and endive salad (appetizers), swordfish/clam risotto (entree), vanilla panna cotta/olive oil cake with vanilla gelato (desserts)
This is one of Ethan Stowell's restaurant gems and was named top 10 new restaurants in 2009 (GQ Magazine). This was both our first time in and the center piece of the restaurant was the open kitchen you see right when you walk in. The ambience is nice and well lit with candles on every table and huge windows with the Space Needle as a backdrop for a wonderful night. Service was fantastic and our server suggested which delicious food we should try. Thank you, Erin!
The food was delicious! Each plate came out looking like art - and it is true, we definitely eat with our eyes first! Every bite was flavorful. We both enjoyed our meal, but agreed that our appetizers were the best!
** Tip: you can make reservations with Open Table.
Do I see ourselves going back again? Sure. I could not help but notice the power hour menu in the background during dinner... $1 oyster shooters? Yes, please! -
Review from Bethany M.
Seattle, WA
9/26/2011
We enjoyed a phenomenal dinner on Sunday night (9/25/11) -- our table shared 4 dishes from each area of the menu except the crudo (Marea does that best + we were too excited to try the cichetti, primi and secondi to waste time on the raw stuff). Stars of the meal were definitely the soft boiled eggs, bigoli, ravioli (what's not to love about brown butter, pine nuts and salty fish?), whole grilled branzino, and the scallops with cauliflower/bagna cauda/olives. Low points (which were relative, in comparison to the other items) -- burrata (too runny, plus the pairing with the figs/saba skewed super-sweet), room-temp octopus salad (some of the potatoes were under), the mostaccioli and the swordfish (the escarole was sooo bitter, and I happen to like bitter...).
Service was great. The waiter struck the right balance between being attentive/helpful, and leaving us to enjoy our gluttony in our own corner of the cozy dining room. Much love for the gutsy deliciousness of the seafood at this restaurant. We will be back. -
Review from Jason R.
Natick, MA
8/2/2011
My wife got a number of oysters (not for me), we shared the four raw fish "crudo" dishes, as well as a gnocchi dish. Service was good. Atmosphere was fun/modern with an open kitchen. Their stock of All-Clad dishes is impressive. First, the bad. The gnocchi was underwhelming. They were seared after boiling and some were burnt; but the main disappointment was that they were too firm and a tad gummy. Gnocchi should be soft and cut cleanly.
In contrast, all the raw fish dishes (we got tuna, fluke, yellowtail and escolar) were superb. Note that some people are alergic to escolar---we aren't. We recently dined at Oya in Boston (tasting menus) and found that the A&O raw fish was superior---fully seasoned, good portions and flavors that made the fish shine. I found it awfully surprising that an Italian place would do raw fish better than a Sushi place that has received the highest of raves!
My wife said the oysters were good, but not the best she's had (NB: she's somewhat new to oysters).
IIRC, we had mueller-thurgau and barbera wines which accompanied the dishes nicely. I was particularly impressed with the Mueller---racy acidity with fruit/floral flavors and maybe a bit of sweetness for balance. Great wine for raw fish & oysters. -
Review from Matthew M.
Seattle, WA
4/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
My experience at Anchovies and Olives was surprising and delightful. I had a late night date and was looking for any place that was decent and still open. I took a gamble on Anchovies and Olives and it was a hit.
We began with Olives, Olympia Oysters and Sauvignon Blanc. We then ordered the sword fish and the Mackerel. It was heavenly.
The mood, the food and the atmosphere was wonderful. City views behind my date created a magical backdrop.
The waiter was friendly, respectful and informative when it was needed.
We finished our date with an espresso ice cream dessert and a tasty Cognac. This whimsical date has inspired us to desire a return with friends and possibly an exploration through all of their appetizers and a bottle or two of wine.
