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Canlis
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Seafood Canadian (New), Seafood [Edit]
2576 Aurora Ave NSeattle, WA 98109
Neighbourhood: Queen Anne
(206) 283-3313
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Formal (Jacket Required)
- 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:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
433 reviews for Canlis
Review Highlights
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"Dessert: Crème Brûlée and Chocolate covered chocolate." In 23 reviews -
"We shared an add on order of Truffle Fries." In 30 reviews -
"We had the tasting menu and a shared gustatory orgasm." In 37 reviews
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433 reviews in English
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Review from Melissa K.
Seattle, WA
5/1/2012
What's not to love. I've now been here twice, once for a fundraiser in the lounge area and more recently for a romantic dinner date. I had made the reservations and they greeted me with Ms. and then my last name, which they pronounced correctly and for that I give them huge kudos. I know they do a lot of "behind the scenes" work here, and it really shows. The table next to us, we overheard them mentioning the lady's birthday and they were there for an anniversary. When they inquired, the waiter told them that they had made a note because last year they came for her birthday. Amazing!!
Of course this is one of the most expensive places in town, and the food did not disappoint. I got lobster, and my boyfriend got steak and I have to admit it's hard to find a better in town. And of course, getting dressed up to go to dinner is always fun, and the calm, clean, romantic atmosphere was delightful. I'd go there much more often if I could! -
Review from Nina S.
Seattle, WA
4/30/2012 1 photo
I finally came here for the first time! I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday and he loved it. The service was wonderful, the view was beautiful, & the food tasted amazing. They have a huge selection for a wine list also.
We ordered two appetizers, the Hamachi and Oysters. They were raw and I usually do NOT like raw nor eat raw. But these were GOOOOOOD! They were fresh and you can taste it. It's not even bad at all!
Now for our entree's we ordered the Lamb and Waygu or Steak, I don't remember which one. But as for the Lamb, BOY..... I LOVED IT! It was cooked perfectly, not dry, so flavorful and the mashed potato, didn't even look like mashed. It looked like sour cream, it tasted.. soooooooo good. I wish I had big plate full! The other entree with the Steak or Waygu, that was also amazing! I mean we paid the same price at Daniel's Broiler and it wasn't even that great there! Canlis has such a great fine dine! It was amazing (: -
Review from Linda T.
4/17/2012
My amazing bf took me here for my birthday dinner this year. From this experience, Canlis is one of the top 5 on my list for outstanding service! From the valet person, to the host/hostess, to all the waitstaff, everybody offered superb service. The restaurant is gorgeous on the inside and has amazing views of Lake Union. We got a tour of the upstairs private dining room and were impressed by the views.
The food was so delicious! We had the steak tartare, Canlis salad, copper river salmon (special that night), and wagyu steak. Everything was amazing and we were absolutely impressed by the salad. We didn't order any desserts, but they brought over a complimentary chocolate fondant with a birthday script and lit candle. As if we weren't full enough, they brought more complimentary desserts (chocolate nougat and macaron), that were made in house.
Our waitress was fabulous, she kept up conversations with us throughout the dinner, and watched us like a hawk. Not in a creepy way, but more like she was ready for us at all times. At one point my bf was scraping his breadcrumbs off the table and she swooped in with her table scooper. They had our jackets ready and car at the curb all warmed up as soon as we were out of our seats.
They had a whiskey cocktail that I really enjoyed. I'd love to come back here again, maybe just to sit in the bar and order a few snacks, and be spoiled by the service. -
Review from Paul S.
Seattle, WA
5/21/2012
As a new Seattlite, I heard that Canlis is a very good restaurant. So tonight I decided to drive from Belltown to the burbs to check it out. When I arrived, however, I was disappointed to learn it's valet parking only. WTF! So now I've got to securitize my car; as you guys know, I'm thinking to myself now I've got to hide the change and sunglasses, lock the glove compartment, expect the seat to be adjusted, and hope and pray they don't open a door on my car, back into another car or scuff it up. Rather than take that chance, I drove back to the city. If you want to worry about your car while eating, this is your place. I'll stick with Seattle restaurants, thank you very much.
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Review from Kate B.
Miami Beach, FL
5/17/2012
AMAZING from start to finish! We celebrated the last night of our honeymoon here and loved it!! The view was breathtaking, the service impeccable and the food delicious. Before we left our waiter invited us upstairs and had 2 glasses of champagne (on the house) waiting for us. We felt very special!
The Peter Canlis prawns were delicious and the crab cake was pure crab!
A wonderful experience and HIGHLY recommended!! -
Review from Kay L.
Bellevue, WA
5/22/2012
Not a favorite even though somehow they know what car you drive when ur ready to leave. We have been here several times and each time we get set either upstairs in an awful corner or back by the kitchen. The food is overrated and it must be that you have to be from Seattle to get good service and great food. Never feels like they really want our business. Our salads were good but the rest of the food was just marginal for all the reviews we had read about. Maybe it was an off night for the staff but even the delivery of our food was off. Appetizers came out too early and they seemed to be rushing all of our food. We probably will not be going back even though the views are awesome here. Next time if there is a next time we will rent a Maserati and see if that gets us anywhere.
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Review from Jewelyn T.
Las Vegas, NV
3/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Canlis I love you!!!!
I've eaten all over the world and love fine dining.
Canlis... from your service, food, presentation, ambiance and view... everything is PERFECT!
If you're ever in Seattle... you have to have dinner at Canlis! Best dinner in Seattle and top 5 places I had dinner in the world.
I smile everytime I think about my dinner at Canlis!
Love it! Seattle you're spoiled!
-Miss Yelp 2012 -
Review from Jen L.
Updated - 3/15/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I feel that this place is the most technically perfect restaurant in Seattle. I've been here multiple times over the last few years, and Canlis never disappoints me!
#1 the bread has changed multiple times over the years. The most recent (soft, fluffy, moist, with a light sugary glaze), isn't quite my favorite, but didn't deter me from eating 2 of them. The best was a potato roll (about 3 roll types back) which was a soft and fluffy football shaped roll, with coarse grain salt on the butter.
#2 Appy faves in order:
- Canlis Prawns -best ever, huge prawns, in the creamy buttery sauce
- Dungeness crab cakes - lump crab without a whole bunch of filler
- Hamachi tartar - so fresh and with a bit of acid
- House cured smoked salmon,
- Teriyaki Tenderloin - very tender and not overcooked. Not too salty either
- Goat Cheese Crostini with beets,
- Steak Tartar - flavorful.
- Mushroom quiche - pass, used to be better
#3 Canlis original salad - such amazing flavorful and plentiful amount of bacon! with a touch of mint and oregano.
#4 Entrees, we got a few of them:
- Beef Short Rib - my favorite! so tender and flavorful, melts, no knife needed!
- Pacific King Salmon: always fresh, never over cooked, lightly seasoned.
- Lamb Chop - yum!! I love the croquette.
I'm not a huge fan of the potato puree -better if it was a bit thicker. But the combo with the meats is fab.
Get a side of mushrooms! Truffle fries are also a winner.
#5 Desserts
- Chocolate souffle - dont forget to order at the beginning as it takes time. It's so special! You have to get it.
- Pumpkin Pie - so delicious
- Pumpkin ice cream - seasonal and the best I've ever had,
- Chocolate Covered Chocolate: molten chocolate cake, chocolate covered salted caramel ice cream. AMAZING!
- Creme Brulee - perfect specimen of what it should be like. Listen when you crack into it,
Perfect service, valet parking, romantic and intimate. Gorgeous views. I'm in love with Canlis!Listed in: Seattle Faves
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/9/2011
I've been there many times, always for dinner. It's very classy and has great food. The salmon dish,… Read more »
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Review from Wing-Yiu W.
Seattle, WA
3/28/2012
My Wife and I just celebrated our 1st Anniversary here at Canlis!
As others have already stated, service is exceptional.
The hostess was gracious enough to offer us a table even though we arrived a half hour early. We were seated close to the windows with a nice view overlooking Lake Union. The 'unique' thing about these tables however, is that you're looking right at the tables seated next to the windows, but after awhile you don't notice the people and just enjoy the view. LOL!
Our hostess, server, support staff were on point the entire evening.
MacKenna, our main server recognized that it was our first time at Canlis and asked if it was a special occasion! We were offered a complimentary serving of Rhubarb soup which was served in a nice little cup. As each dish is served, we were given a description of each.
The food itself, while not exceptional, was better than most. We started off with the asparagus soup and crab cake. The soup was while not lacking flavor, could have had a stronger punch. The crab cake I'm still on the fence about... It's all crab meat, no fillers! Then again does that in-and-of-itself make it good?
For our main courses we had the king salmon and wagyu beef. The salmon was definitely the best dish of the night. Out of all the 'American' restaurants we've visited, Canlis is currently the only one that cooked their fish to perfection. It was moist, tender, and flavorful. The wagyu beef was also perfectly cooked and tender, but wasn't as juicy as I would've liked. The cut was pretty lean, so it was surprising that it was as tender as it was, but probably also explain the lack of 'juice'.
MacKenna had a sweet little surprise for us, our condiments were served on a candle lit dish with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate!
So, our conclusions?
Canlis is a wonderful place, however it is tough to recommend it if you're only interested in the food itself. Let's face it, there are plenty of restaurants for that.
However, if you're looking for a place to spend a special evening with guests, friends or a special someone where you're treated with service all establishments should aspire to, then Canlis is definitely worth a visit. -
Review from David N.
Seattle, WA
Thank you GF! For my bday dinner I had the most fine, classy, exquisite dinning experience ever in my life. We enjoyed the fois gais, waygu steak, sea bass, truffle fries, crume brulee, and parting macarons. All were done very nicely. Waygu was charred with the perfect softness. Seabass was done nicely and balances. Truffle fries were a lil salty for pallete. Creme Brulee was perfect and a must have.
If you know Canlis, it is Seattle's most finest dining experience with many accolades such as James Beard, Food & Wine, and other foodster recognitions. The views are impeccable and best enjoyed when its light out. Ambiance is refined, classic, and with a touch of NW. I love it. Only way to park is valet, but why not....It's Canlis
FYI for fellas, your blazer most remain on at all times.
see more pics at
http://foodhipster206....Listed in: Seatown's Must Swag Dining…
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Review from Anthony S.
Seattle, WA
3/2/2012
I don't know, can a $375 dinner for two really be justified? The setting, service, presentation and food are all top notch, but nothing "out of this world." The service is a little over the top, but no overbearing. Their legendary salad was OK, supposedly made some list of the 100 best recipes of all time. Steak tar tar was about average if not bland. Pork belly appetizer was just OK. The much hyped sea bass was nothing to write home about. The roast duck looked pretty cool but I'm not looking to pull money out of my HELOC to try it. I guess I'm not sophisticated enough to appreciate this place . . .
One thing refreshing to see was an extensive wine list that had good selections under $150. -
Review from Nina H.
2/19/2012 6 photos
I celebrated my 25th birthday here with my bf and it was one of the most memorable dining experiences I've had thus far. We ordered way too much but when you're at a once in a lifetime restaurant, what do you expect? Greed takes over...
We started with some cocktails in the lounge area, I ordered the Halekulani and the bf got something with whisky, I can't remember the name but we decided that the Halekulani was the better choice. Right then and there, I gave extra points to Canlis for the Hawaiian connection. (Fun fact: Apparently, Peter Canlis used to stay at the Halekulani hotel when he visited Honolulu.)
Anyway, back to the food, we tried the Canlis salad (lives up to the hype), scallops (not a huge fan), pork belly (A+), hamachi (melt in your mouth GREATNESS), and for our main entree, our server friend recommended the muscovy duck... and to this day, I still think about the lovely duck.
I loved the experience because they had synchronized service!!! I'm quite easily amused so I really enjoyed it when the servers would come behind us and place the plate at the same time in opposite directions. Super cool... it's also really cool that the valet folks don't give you a slip, they just KNOW which car is yours. Love that professionalism.
Service was spot on and we had an amazing view right by the window. I'm no wine connoisseur but the wine pairings that they recommended for us were spot on! Especially the Merlot with the duck and the whites with the salad.
Our friend definitely made our evening amazing and memorable because he gave us a little tour of the restaurant after our meal too. I love restaurants with history and prestige and Canlis is definitely one of them.Listed in: Date Night
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Review from Charlene I.
Seattle, WA
3/19/2012
You get what you pay for! And you pay a lot LOL
First off, this restaurant is valet only, so you know it's fancy from the get!
Upon entry, there is a warm fireplace and the host/ess looks up your reservation(if you made one) and takes your coats to hang up. Everyone you encounter are amazingly professional & friendly. And the view??? Amazing!!
The 1st time I came here with my significant other, we were seated in a beautiful booth with a spectacular view of the sun setting on the water!!! Wowwwwwwwwww... it was breath taking!!
We had 3 course meals and everything was ON POINT! Even the crackers & cheese(or is it butter?) that they bring out initially were tasty. The king salmon & filet mignon were soooooooooooooooooo good! They used to have this chocolate cake type of dessert on their menu that was HELLA BOMB, but they no longer serve it. :(
The waiters are extremely attentive. I don't think my glass of water ever went under 3/4 full. LOL...but I loved how nice they were to us.
BASICALLY, I'm saying that this is best resturant in Seattle. I give it 5 stars in every category! (except price hahahaha) -
Review from masako t.
Seattle, WA
3/4/2012
Disappointed.
Their food was too normal to be true. Steak and lobster wasn't bad. They were overpriced diner food that taste better than your normal restaurant.
Talking to their wine steward was painful.
We waited 20 minutes for the wine to arrive watching warm dish going cold.
Peter Canlis Prawns and Foie Gras were good, but noone can eat just two dishes at a place like that and leave.
You might have to come here for 50 times before they start treating you nice especially if you are not rich looking?
Sad experience. -
Review from Goro S.
Honolulu, HI
5/17/2012
miss them in honolulu...great spot and all around fantastic experience...kinda embarassed about my wife and daughter stalking josh groban at the restroom...
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Review from Ava M.
Seattle, WA
1/23/2012
Despite the breathtaking views and delicious (though overpriced) food, I simply cannot in good conscience recommend this as a dating venue.
Why?
Because unless you pulled up in a Porsche, there is a good chance you will be made to feel like second-class citizens.
Recently, I went to the Canlis for a rather special occasion, and made the reservation well in advance. My date and I arrived looking very spiffy, if I do say so myself, and then we were shown to a table...
...in the corner. Over by the kitchen.
When I explained that this was a special occasion and that we were hoping for a table with a view, they told me that the area by the windows was "unavailable" this evening. When I pointed out that other people were being seated there, the waitress looked annoyed and told me that this was, "Table one, best seat in the house."
Now, what I wanted to say was, "Look lady, just because this happens to be the first table in your arbitrary numbering system doesn't make it a good location. And when a person calls a month in advance to make a reservation for a very special occasion, you might want to let them know that all the window seats will be mysteriously unavailable that night."
But I didn't. I smiled politely and asked her to bring us some wine.
Why?
Because that's what Yelp is for, bitches. -
Review from Jenetta H.
Kirkland, WA
3/18/2012
Our experience here was so amazing! Our server was so nice and it felt like we were friends after only a minute. She was always present without being overbearing or hovering. She was not just polite but very happy to answer our questions and talk to us about everything.
The food was excellent. My only complaint about the food would be the Canlis Salad which tasted a bit too salty for me with the salty dressing and the smoky bacon. The prawns tasted very fresh and firm without being chewy and overdone. The crab cake was a perfect mixture of butter crust and fresh crab in the middle. My salmon entree melted in my mouth with every bite and my husband's Waygu tenderloin was the best steak we had both ever tasted. Cooked to a perfect medium rare. All the sauces were a perfect accompaniment to their respective dishes and everything was the right temperature. We also ordered two mocktails which were excellent as well.
We were so excited to be able to watch the creation of their Flaming Coffee Diablo for the next table over. What a show to go along with dinner!
Because we went there for our 5th anniversary they brought us a complimentary dessert of French macarons and some chocolates. Both were wonderful as was the amuse bouche we enjoyed which was a rhubarb soup in a tiny cup.
Yes, it's expensive there, probably a little more expensive than it should be but you are not only paying for wonderfully fresh food but impeccable service as well.
Definitely a place we will return to for special occasions. It was so fun to dress up and go out, we made a pact right there to come back for every 5th anniversary dinner! :) -
Review from Chris Y.
2/28/2012 2 photos
Just had an amazing dinner at Canlis. My second time here...
If the Michelin people were to ever come to Seattle, Canlis would be a restaurant that would be a candidate for three Michelin stars. Canlis is a restaurant that is worthy of the phrase "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey" that is used to define the 3rd Michelin star.
Everything moment from start to finish is impressive. From the moment you walk in, they treat you as if you're a regular at the restaurant. It really has that personal touch that Peter Canlis started and continues to be upheld by his family. The menu often shares small tidbits about his travels and what inspires certain dishes. Such as his connection to Hawaii and his favorites there such as the Halekulani drink and Malasadas.
I started with the Canlis Salad. The waiter described it as a Caesar salad with a Lebanon twist. The highlights of the salad were the crunchy croutons and the crispy bacon. Huge bonus points for serving it on a cold plate.
For appetizers, I had the Foie Gras and Wagyu Tenderloin tartare. The foie gras just melted in your mouth and was complemented with a piece of brioche toast. The wagyu tenderloin tartare was also great and was seasoned very well. I point that out because a lot of steak tartare dishes are not seasoned very well and can be very bland tasting.
The highlight of the night was the 14-day aged Muscovy Duck. WOW! This has to be the best duck dish I've ever had! The skin is perfectly crisp and the breast meat is so tender. So many places dry out the breast meat, but this one is very juicy. If this is your first time here, you must try the duck. They bring out the whole duck and it's quite a magnificent presentation.
For dessert, I got the Grand Marnier souffle. It was excellent and very light & fluffy on the inside.
Something of note is the coffee service here. They have this Chemex system that uses thicker paper filters and is suppose to make a smoother cup of coffee. I love coffee and I'm always on a quest to try the best beans I can get my hands on. I tried the Kenya Thiriku Blend from Intelligentsia Chicago. Upon taking a sip, you notice the acid first but the finish is long and smooth. Not one of those huge, bold in-your-face type of coffees, but more delicate to highlight the different flavors.
Canlis is a really special restaurant and you realize that they've been around for 60 years for a reason. I can't say it's the best food I've ever had in Seattle, but I'd say it's top 3. But if I had to grade the whole experience, Canlis is #1. -
Review from Jonathan M.
Kirkland, WA
2/13/2012
Review #393!
This place is so pedestrian compared to some of the wonderfully creative food coming out of the kitchens just blocks away (re. Walrus & the Carpenter) that it is a wonder this place still lives.
Of course, nobody will top the service (napkin in and out of lap, you look around for too long and they check that everything is ok, etc), but the '50's are long gone.
No seasonal specials, a Canlis salad that has seen its better days, a Filet Mignon, that is cooked to perfection but still boring......we had a large party (8) and tried many a many things.
I realize it is an institution and many high level companies need places like this to bring clients/guests/affairs, but I walked out lighter in the wallet and my wife and I saying that the most memorable part were the truffle fries, something every pub makes these days. -
Review from Alex R.
Sugar Land, TX
1/17/2012
An evening at Canlis is without a doubt the fanciest, nicest and one of the most enjoyable meals I have ever had.
Yes, the girl that I love joined me, which makes everything amazing, but.....
With that aside, this meal was with out a doubt, a fantastic experience. I was able to reserve the private room for our evening and right away was surprised with the amount of support I received in planning my evening. I was able to have my own music playing, the windows surround in candles and really anything else I could have thought of. The wait staff was gracious, enjoyable, and just what a wait staff should be. At first I was a bit nervous with being a bit affectionate in front of them, but when our waiter mentioned the couch in the room we can enjoy, I felt right at ease. One thing I really liked is that they would knock before coming into the room.
We decided to go with the seven course micro-seasonal tasting dinner and it was amazing. Each course had flavors I would never have thought possible, but I guess liquid nitrogen can make anything possible.
I had a wonderful evening, it was a dinner I will never forget. When looking for a special place to spend an evening with the one you love, this place does a wonderful job. -
Review from Lloyd C.
Dallas, TX
4/13/2012
I should give this place a 6 star. All around good service.
Me and my wife went here for my birthday, and it was a good choice. The establishment is right over the lake. The view was spectacular! Huge windows with trees right outside over the hill. We were treated like VIPs, from the valet to our table.
We shared the truffle fries, which was a lot and we didn't finish. I had the night's special, White Alaskan King Salmon. My wife had the Halibut. Then we finished it off with Creme Bruleeeee~ and Chocolate cake. We had a bottle of red, a 2009 Oregon Pinot, to die for! You'll have to experience it your self, a review doesn't do it's justice. I was going to book for the private room for 2 upstairs, but it was booked. I would suggest booking it a month ahead for the private rooms. We went on a Friday night, and they had live piano. The sound, smell, taste, and the atmosphere were all at a all time high. I will go back for sure, and their menu changes depends on the fresh produce they get form the farmers.
LC~ -
Review from Jack H.
Seattle, WA
1/17/2012
My partner and I went here to celebrate our registration as domestic partners. The food was excellent; we had the duck and an array of goodies. Additionally, the service and amenities were impeccable.
Take your "gold" card with you... The bill was nearly 300 dollars and we consider ourselves to be modest. Anyway, we'll probably go back for a special occasion.
Have a great day! -
Review from Evita-Marie R.
Seattle, WA
2/29/2012
I've been here twice. Both times have been absolutely memorable.
Last September, I came here for a surprise dinner with my boyfriend.
The experience was just as wonderful as the first time. The service attentive & knowledgable, the food amazing & the atmosphere & view-- breathtaking.
This is an amazing dining experience that everyone should at least have once in their lifetime. Canlis has a great reputation and its clear they deserve it. -
Review from Larena H.
Canlis is undoubtedly the finest restaurant in all of Seattle. When I say finest, I mean one of the most expensive (believe it or not, they're #5 on the list). When I say one of the most expensive, I mean bring $250 per person, especially if you're planning on having a drink with your meal. When I say if you're planning on having a drink with your meal, I mean you need to have a drink or three in order to feel more comfortable with paying the tab at the end of the night :)
This is definitely one of those "special occasion" restaurants -- birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, job promotions, graduations, etc. They do their best to accomodate all requests. Make sure you ask for a table with a great view, and speak up if you're not happy with it.
We came here for a special occasion, and we were not disappointed! We had a couple of drinks and glasses of wine prior to our dinner reservation. Jackets are required here, so make sure you remember that, gentlemen.
I ordered the Canlis prawns appetizer. They were so delectable, I let out a soft whimper when my plate was empty. Our waiter was seemingly stalking our table to see when we were done with our plates so they could bring out the next plate. They did this so flawlessly too!
I also ordered the Live Maine Lobster - Butter-poached, with cauliflower, ratatouille, romanesco. The single most perfectly peeled lobster claw arrived at my table (see the pics I uploaded), and it was so delicious. Though to be quite honest, I developed a very serious case of food envy when I tasted the Wagyu filet mignon. I don't remember if they brought out a special steak knife with it. If they did, they didn't need it. That filet mignon quite literally melted in my mouth. I've never had a filet mignon that good in my entire life. I didn't hardly have to chew it at all!
We also ordered the twice baked potato. It is a 60 year old recipe, and it was definitely tried, true, and delicious.
The dessert course was the item on the Seattle Foodie 100 list -- the Grand Marnier Soufflé with crème anglaise. Wow. Just... wow. That was an awesome dish! It was gorgeous too! Dare I say it though, I think that Wagyu filet mignon deserves the spot on the Seattle Foodie 100 list instead of the soufflé. We also tried the trio of chocolate desserts, but they had a little too much coffee/dark chocolate flavor for my taste.
Special tip: they have a handful of their recipes online, including the Canlis prawns recipe.
All in all, it was a lovely evening. The view of the magnolia trees in bloom was just lovely too. On our way out, there was an older woman in front of us who had just finished dining with her husband and her 2 adult children. They grabbed a small handful of mints, and she said: "Grab some more! We just spent $1,000 on dinner!" Hahahahaha! I love the candor of old folks :)
They do have valet parking, and those valet attendants will have your car ready for you as soon as you come out the door. They're like ninjas that way.Listed in: Seattle Foodie 100
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Review from Simone L.
Woodinville, WA
3/4/2012
Absolutely stellar experience. The service was impeccable, friendly, just attentive enough and knowledgeable (and when our server didn't know, she made a point to find out - satiating the curiosity of a culinary arts student and a wine student can be difficult, we ask a lot of questions!). The wine pairing was excellent, and the bartender cranked out some spectacular non-alcoholic pairings for those in my group under 21.
The food was definitely the show stealer - the course progression was monumental, but perfectly executed and fantastically delicious (except for a somewhat lackluster dessert - great idea, not sold on the final result, the custard a a bit too dense, and the pumpernickel 'dirt' was just a little overabundant on my plate, but the pear sorbet was divine.). Torn between the salmon and the steak as my favorite course - the perfectly cured salmon in the salty-sweet consomme vs the perfectly sous-vide'd steak with black trumpet puree and cauliflower transcended... Hard choice.
Will definitely go back again when the menu changes over to spring inspriations. -
Review from Julia C.
Diamond Bar, CA
2/17/2012
DEEEELICIOUS!!! with a capital D!
Canlis is definitely an extremely fancy restaurant and of course with that title comes with it everything else "fancy" or should I say classy -- fancy servers, classy ambiance/decor,and absolutely loved the live piano music.
As I have been to many other fancy restaurants, the atmosphere of this was definitely on a whole nother level!
It is so fancy to the point where it makes you feel kind of embarrassed that they're serving you like you're the queen of England.
To start, the bread was good, had a tint of rosemary with yummy dipping sauce. They never give you too much at once, but it always keeps coming if you want more.
I love that everyone dining here dresses up for the occasion and it just overall has a very professional feel to it.
The steak was cooked just right and the amount of food was perfect, not overly excessive! Since the bf and I were there celebrating our 1 year anniversary they also made sure to make us feel really special and allow us to have a memorable experience! With a complimentary dessert!
Bring a big appetite and you will definitely leave happy! :) -
Review from Joe O.
Updated - 12/28/2011
We ate here for the second time last night and have to say, was quite unimpressed. Sure the view is great, but that's one of the two stars I give it based on my experience.
Perhaps we were awe struck in our inaugural visit by the view and the overall ambiance of the place, second time around, this place did little to impress. Rarely do I get up in arms about white glove service but at this place and with their prices, it's expected. Call it an "off" night or an anomaly but missing a patron's uneaten steak over the course of 30 minutes while pulling side plates and wine glasses is inexcusable. Leaving empty plates in the process is equally disturbing and frankly, unacceptable.
I have no illusions of the service I will receive when entering a dive bar or a restaurant with paper napkins - you pay for what you get. But the experience at Canlis is fine dining showcasing Seattle's best. What a far cry this was from our first meal here, bad enough that I doubt we'll be back anytime soon.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/13/2008
After dinner at Crush two nights before this place, I didn't think there was better food to be had… Read more »
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Review from Senthil M.
Tacoma, WA
2/25/2012
Every bit as good as its traditional reputation.
We had celery root amuse-bouche. It was unbelievably tasty. The other patrons around us were actually licking the little cup it came in.
There was an incredibly rude patron complaining about everything and just showing off to his party. The waiter and manager handled it excellently and deserve credit for professionslism in a difficult situation.
It was an expensive evening but outstanding flavors and service. The only reason for not giving it 5 stars is we literally had to have the table moved to get in and out of our sets - it was cramped. -
Review from Stephen H.
Bellevue, WA
3/17/2012
After reading in Seattle Met magazine that local chefs asked to name a world class Seattle restaurant overwhelmingly replied "Canlis", I was really looking forward to trying it. It was, in a word, disappointing. The dishes were artfully presented and evidently constructed with care and attention to detail. My problem is that they just didn't taste that great. They weren't bad, but nothing in their tasting menu jumped out as particularly noteworthy compared to other high-end Seattle restaurants, let alone "world class". Adding insult to injury, Canlis' website and reservation confirmation mail both make a big deal about its dress code; I dressed up accordingly, only to see other patrons wearing jeans and even fleeces. :-(
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Review from Devan D.
Bellevue, WA
3/14/2012
The professionalism and polish of the wait staff wowed me. The space is lofty and spectacular. The owner/chef/ manager visited tables to check on satisfaction with the meal. The portion size was just right. The menu had enough varied choices. The bread was out of this world delicious. I had fish and my husband pork . Mine was cooked well and very memorable. The overall feeling was one of opulence. I will return when I want to go somewhere special with a special guest. Terrible neighborhood though!
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Review from L J.
Chicago, IL
3/22/2012
This place is very average in my mind. Yes, the service was impeccable, the view was amazing, and the presentation was good, but the flavors just weren't there! I went there for dinner with parents. After visiting all those Michelin stared restaurants in Chicago, I was hoping Canlis was in the same category. Nope! We had the tasting menu, and everything was good. but not impressive as a supposedly one of the best restaurants in Seattle should me. I was disappointed and definitely won't come back.
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Review from Kimberly P.
Renton, WA
3/23/2012
To be honest Canlis is a pretty nice restaurant but I don't really care for it because their view isn't all that awesome plus their table are tooooo close to each other. I really like their wine list option and the way they prepare the lamb chop. The location is kind of out the way.
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Review from Bert S.
Seattle, WA
4/3/2012
Canlis is on my top 5 restaurants in Seattle 'list'. Many details are covered in so many other reviews, so I won't bother to repeat all that. I've eaten here a number of times over the years, and have never been disappointed. Had one of the best steaks of my life here. Always look forward to eating here!
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Review from Sam D.
Kenmore, WA
4/9/2012
Suppose you've lived in Seattle for 17 years and are about to move to the east coast. You get to have one last meal at the Seattle restaurant of your choice. You want it to be a meal you'll remember forever--one that will make you think of your old stomping grounds fondly. Where do you go?
Yep, I went to Canlis. Mission accomplished. Three things stand out about Canlis: (1) the service; (2) the food; and (3) the view--in that order.
Simply put, I've never had better service than the three times I've been to Canlis. Always prompt and attentive but never intrusive, the staff has perfected the science of restaurant service. Those thinking about long-term careers in food service should pay for a meal at Canlis just to observe how they do it--for a few hundred bucks you'll get a great meal and an invaluable education. As tuition goes, it would be a bargain!
The food was terrific, as always. My fiancee and I created our own six-course tasting menu. We shared five dishes and asked the staff to pick a glass of wine to pair with each course (we split the glass, so altogether we were into it for 2.5 courses and 2.5 glasses each over the course of three hours--gluttonous, yes, but not over-the-top indulgent). We then each had a dessert with coffee. Our five courses: the Canlis salad, the Peter Canlis prawns, the crab cake, the ivory salmon special, and the Wagyu tenderloin. The wine pairings with each were perfect complements. Our favorites were the salmon and the beef, but we enjoyed all of them immensely. For dessert, we had the souffle and the Mille Feuille--though we ended up sharing each one. Like the regular courses, the desserts were amazing. I won't say it's the best food I've ever eaten anywhere, but it's easily among the best.
The view outside is simply unparalleled, though you do have to get lucky and have a seat by the window for full effect. The first two times I dined at Canlis I was seated in the upper tier. It offers some view, but it's nothing compared to what we got when we finally got to sit in the lower tier close to the window. I guess we got lucky. I'm not sure how you can make arrangements to assure a seat close to the window. It may have helped that we had an early reservation so we were among the first to be seated.
I hope that wasn't my last meal at Canlis, as I plan to return to Seattle some day, at least to visit. But if I never have another meal there, at least my last meal in Seattle was one I will never forget. -
Review from Jeremy R.
Seattle, WA
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
There is no hesitation in giving Canlis five stars. I would give them six if it were an option. Heck, even seven for the dress code... I think that it's wonderful to expect that people dress for the occasion.
I went for an anniversary dinner, and the staff took every step they could to make it a fantastic evening that will never be forgotten.
Drinks in the bar were a must, so we arrived early. I can say that the Black Maple Hill Old Fashioned is one of the best Old Fashioned's I have ever had.
Dinner proceeded to be one of the finest meals that I have enjoyed in my entire life. I do no think that it has an equal here in Seattle when it comes to the caliber of both the food and the service. The service and timing are top notch. Everything good that can be said about it has already been typed, but there is not a moments hesitation in saying that all of the good news is true.
The dinner rolls were fantastic, though I only tried the milk and honey (olives are not my thing). The Canlis Salad is a must try, though I will admit that it is a bit big for a first course. Then there was the Steak and the Twice Baked Potatoes... The Wagyu beef is really quite incredible, and there is no real way to convey just how tender it is without just saying TRY IT. The potato is super hot when it arrives, but after a moment for it to cool it was thoroughly enjoyable. I can see why they have been making it all this time.
Dessert was the Grand Mariner Soufflé... Order it... Order it ahead of time though because they do take a bit to make. :-)
After dessert was of course the biggest surprise of the night, the check! Everyone goes on and on about how expensive Canlis is... It was not anywhere near the most expensive meal that I have very eaten and I really was quite pleased with the cost. It won't be the cheapest night out, but at the same time this is a place that anyone can attend for a special occasion. Save a bit if you need to, and experience like this is worth it.
The ticketless valet and coat check is seamless and flawless. My car was waiting out front with the seat heaters on (we did go in January), after ladies fur and my coat were elegantly draped onto our shoulders.
I will be back to Canlis sometime soon. -
Review from Karlo R.
Bothell, WA
11/9/2011
I went here for the first time with my wife for our anniversary last weekend and was prepared to spend the money. I knew what I was getting into but after the dinner - i didn't really understand what ALL the hype was about. I'm probably a little jaded since they stuck us in the middle of the restaurant away from any windows or a view and sitting next to each other while awkwardly facing other customers the whole time (especially since i made the reservation way in advance and let them know the special occasion). It felt like everyone was forced to watch other customers eat. Or we accidentally entered a contest to see who could make the most awkward eye contact with other patrons facing you - I guess we lost because we ended up with a $500 bill.
Dont get me wrong - If it was for the service, then yes, it deserves 5 stars but the food was ok at best. The pizza we had when we got home was off the charts though. -
Review from Nikolai N.
Bellevue, WA
3/15/2012
This place will fancy the pants off of you! It has a formal dress code and the prices are sky rocket high. But if you want to impress someone then there is nowhere else you should go! The food is great and the service is top quality! Also try the souffle!
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Review from Capt k.
Kirkland, WA
Canlis the Seattle destination restaurant. I have heard that for years and choose the place for my birthday. The first impression of the restaurant, very high class. You don't get a ticket because valet has good memory on who you are. The service was great. The restaurant does not want to maximize seating capacity, which would cramp the diner into a tiny, tiny space. At one point of dinner, I told my friends that I feel relaxed. I think that speaks volume.
As far as meal goes,
The Amuse Bouche is great, sweet butternut squash with balsamic vinegar added a bit of tang and toasted pumpkin seed added a bit of crunch.
Canlis prawn is just Ok, for some reason the prawn texture is a bit odd for my personal liking.
The crab cake is full of crab but lacks moisture. I don't think I can finish the cake by itself without the lobster bisque. Also, I wish they put a lot more lobster bisque because I have to half of my crab cake without the bisque.
The whole duck is delicious and I am really amazed how they can squeeze one duck leg into one small golf size ball.
The souffle is delicate and delicious.
That is all the positive about my experience.
The negative.......
1. The menu said the whole duck, I expect the whole duck including the legs especially they told me THE DUCK IS MINE and charge me for the whole duck. The restaurant claim the they roasted the duck when ordered is placed. I still don't believe them since there is no way to roasted and whole duck, rest and served at the perfect temperature in 40 minutes.
2. The souffle is served when one of the diner is not at the table especially the waiter assume the person who is not at the table is the birthday guest. I know people said souffle waits for no one but one of the reason to order the souffle is get the visual WOW.
3. What is up with fine dinning restaurants asking whose birthday is it when they seat the person or anytime during the service. The waiter served the "birthday dessert" to my friend rather than me and he insulted my friend in the process of digging himself out of the hole (My friend is 10 years younger than me and he told them my age when he made the reservation.)
4. My past experience for restaurants that charges for valet is that the car is waiting for me at the door when I step out of the restaurant. This is not the case in Canlis. I have to wait few minutes for my car. I know this is nit picky. But I except more from a restaurant that claim to be the premiere restaurant in Seattle,
P.S.
1. I love the copper grilling station. something unusual.
2. I think I will ask for the bones (just like I always do at Chinese restaurant when I ordered the Peking duck). I ordered the duck and I want everything including the bones. -
Review from Johnny W.
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Sorry Canlis, for continuously mistaking you for a French restaurant. I blame it on the fact that I've always envisioned you as the equivalent of The French Laundry, for Seattle. Whether this is actually true is a different story, as I've never been, but it provides a sense of where Canlis falls among Seattle restaurants: fancy, upscale, famous among the city's denizens, and costing a pretty penny. Or two. Or tens of thousands.
But, thankfully we have a little something known as Restaurant Week here! And thankfully, last year, Canlis actually properly partook (after a year prior where they only offered one or two options per course). Alas, I was not the only one who thought this was a bright idea, so by the time I called to make reservations, the two weeks that were Restaurant Week had already been completely booked, with the exception of large parties. So, what's a cheap foodie to do? Well, find eight other friends, that's what!
So along came our group of nine, sitting center stage in the restaurant, as the largest, loudest, most Asian, and youngest group, given that all the other patrons were couples that were all easily more than double our age. After a bit of strategizing (and a few excellent cocktails to get us through), our lot finally put in all our orders. By the end of the night, I'd tried a multitude of dishes, including a rhubarb strawberry cold soup served as our amuse bouche, salad, pea soup, salmon, black truffle risotto, a two-way chocolate dessert, strawberry upside-down cake, and a complimentary chocolate mousse dessert.
And all in all, the food was quite tasty. The rhubarb strawberry soup was definitely an enjoyable, and interesting amuse bouche - but, not knowing what it was (I wasn't paying attention), I failed to appreciate it as much, gulping it down rather than slowly savoring it. The salad, simple as it was, was awesome; the pea soup was good; the salmon was excellent, cooked to perfection; the risotto was amazingly tasty, although I've never been a fan of al dente grains, and this still held true; the chocolate dessert was okay, but paled in comparison to the upside-down cake, and the chocolate mousse (fortunately, since other people were too full by this point, I was able to enjoy... several of these).
Service, as one would expect, was impeccable. I can't even begin to imagine how much wait staff they have working here, as I feel like there's one person staffed for every two or three customers in the restaurant. One of the highlights of our night, perhaps because we're not accustomed to such fine dining, was when the wait staff came out and engaged in synchronized coffee pouring for all those who'd asked for coffee! Well, that, and when Brian Canlis himself came by and started chatting with us (Sorry most of us didn't know who you were! And I apologize for my friend who was stink-eyeing you, thinking you were about to take someone's wallet). And, as others have mentioned, they had all four cars ready for us by the time we left the restaurant - which, mind you, was 2.5 hours after closing, unbeknownst to us (in other words, they didn't rush us out). Oh, and there was no valet charge - sweet! I suspect this was just an exception made for Restaurant Week though, and not the norm.
So, after that lengthy writeup, would I come back, outside of Restaurant Week? Yes, actually! This will come as a surprise to those who know me as one who has never been impressed by expensive restaurants (you're usually paying for the service and ambiance, which I don't care much for, instead of significantly tastier food). But, the caveat here is that this will probably only be limited to extremely special occasions (a dinner here will fetch me two or three at my beloved Poppy, after all!). -
Review from Joco F.
Concord, CA
5/1/2012
The funnest fine dining experience I've ever had. Mind you this review is a bit overdue but everytime I go out to dinner with friends I always seem to talk about my evening here. The food was above average. Granted I've probably tried better of the dishes we ordered that evening but the whole package was what made it worth the trip. From the Hostess to the busboys everyone was excellent at customer service and making you feel welcome. Our waitress and Sommlier were the best I've ever met and did an amazing job of making us not feel like we didn't belong. The wine paired with our dishes was perfect and at the end of our meal our waitress printed out directions to her favorite sandwich spot simply because my friend talked about pastrami sandwiches with her. I can't say enough but I need to mention the pianist who was doing Nirvana and Soundgarden covers mixed in with his Jazz and Classical pieces. So cool and so memorable I had to write about it today.
