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Chez Gaudy - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
1802 Bellevue Ave(at E Belmont Ave)
Seattle, WA 98102
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
(206) 329-4047
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
About This Business:
Renowned for its Northern Italian cuisine, La Spiga is authentic enough in both food and ambiance to make you feel a wave of nostalgia, even if you've… read more »
155 reviews for Chez Gaudy
Review Highlights
"I'm personally partial to the wasabi grilled cheese."
(in 12 reviews)
"8 bottles of wine and scrumptious tapas."
(in 25 reviews)
"I had the ravioli and my date had the flaming goat."
(in 9 reviews)
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155 reviews in English
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Review from Bryan C.
Seattle, WA
6/14/2010
So sad...this place is now closed...I didn't even get to finish my review
:(
Please bring back Chez Gaudy...
Tuesday night is incredible. Great wine prices and delicious tapas/ tidbits. -
Review from Gabriel A.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 4/6/2010
I'm told they're closed now.
That breaks my heart!
I loved this place. The service was friendly and the food was tasty.
bye, Chez Gaudy1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/20/2009
For real, the food here is GOOD.
There were three of us at the table and we each tasted each other's… Read more »
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Review from Calvin Y.
8/7/2009 ROTD 2/12/2010
WHORE!
(I promise the word relates to my review and I'm not just going through a case of Tourette's)
Now that I got your attention -- from Merriam-Webster, the etymology for puttanesca is the following, "Italian, short for alla puttanesca, literally, in the style of a prostitute." How can you resist getting a pasta dish that's named after prostitutes? (I suppose if they were named after the ladies of the night on Aurora, then yes, you should probably resist it...)
Just like the origin of the word, puttanesca, your taste buds will get loads of action because it's spicy, tangy, and... wait for it... SALTY. This is of course due to all the tomatoes, olives, peppers, and capers which add a lot of flavor to the red sauce. The pasta is wonderfully cooked - al dante and that's the way I like it.
As an appetizer, we had the wasabi grilled cheese sandwiches and that comes with a mustard spread, pickles and fruit chutney (the chutney was so good that I didn't want to give it up when the waitress cleared the table)! The wasabi grilled cheese is very good - it has a hint of wasabi so it's not too strong and it tastes wonderful with chutney and mustard. For dessert, I ended the night with their trifle and guess what? The chutney came back! Very good trifle - the sponge cake was really moist!
The place is really cute, very cozy. The lighting is dimly lit, but with strings of decorative lights going across the restaurant. Music choices are wonderful too - it was Ben Gibbard and Imogen Heap night since they only played Death Cab, Postal Service, and Frou Frou. The only thing that was weird ---was that their power kept going out and they had to restart the generator several times throughout our dinner, maybe the A/C was working too hard for a hot Seattle night?
Like the description of the puttanesca on their menu, I will totally sell myself for another trip to Chez Gaudy.Listed in: CAPITOL Hill
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Review from Jon L.
Seattle, WA
10/10/2007 ROTD 1/25/2008
Holy freaking tapasooolos!
$7 Wine Tuesdays! As in: "the bottles are over there, the wine key is on the table, feel free."
We totally stumbled upon this happy event last Tuesday and went back the following. The spaces are individual and well thought out (like Gaudy's Broadway relative). The food was good, and interesting, though having been there two weeks in a row switching up the tapas menu a bit would have been incrementally more interesting.
The owner/manager/guy running the place is wonderfully accommodating and entertaining - I owe him my thanks for seating us the first time and for letting us lounge around for 2 hours (!! I had no idea..) when they were just as busy last night.Listed in: Aarrr Oh TeeDees
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Review from Katie S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 3/20/2009
Like a torrid love affair, I keep going back for more.
Carly and I split the Mezza Board and the Pizza du jour tonight and both were absolutely fabulous. The white bean spread was fabulous with just the right amount of rosemary and garlic. The tapenade was perfectly tasty and the hummus, slightly spicy.
The flatbread pizza was a generous portion and at $8.99, it's one of the tastiest, most reasonable flatbread pizzas I've seen. Marscapone. Artichoke. Garlic... olive oil and cheese. It was divine.
Our bill worked out to about $15 per person and we had plenty to eat.
Chez Gaudy definitely redeemed itself tonight. I'll stick to every other night but Tuesdays when I dine here... it seems to work out best for both of us this way.Listed in: Cocktail Culture Vulture, Drinks on the hill, Epic FALL!
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/5/2009
I was not impressed with Chez Gaudy on NYE. NOT AT ALL.
Unfortunately, I've eaten several meals at… Read more »
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Review from Charlie D.
Seattle, WA
1/2/2009
Well I personally use to be a huge fan of Chez Guady but after our last visit I don't think I will ever be back. Why you ask? Well we had our NYE dinner there and for that evening they only offered tapas. Where as some plates would cost $5 to $8 dollars and a bottle of champagne was $16. Sounds pretty reasonable right? WRONG!!! Because our bill for the four of us came out to $220!!!! Outrageous huh?
Many of the small(cold) plates were really small and way over priced!! And the warm plates were good but no where near their price tag. I just feel like we where over charged for a simple meal. I been to many tapas restaurants and I have never spent this much money. Again I know it was NYE but we where simply taken advantage of. So "Chez Gougy" you're no longer in favorites club and have left us all feeling cheated!!! :( -
Review from Carly L.
3/23/2009
I think I need to get out more.
Or maybe out more to the right places with the right people. Katie and I marched our sassy shoes over here after a wine tasting, or two, up on Cap Hill and needed to eat. Stat. I have heard so much about this place, and am so glad I went.
This place is a bit hidden, although they did have a sandwich board out front. We were given our choice of seating (which all seemed a bit close to other tables, but whatevs)... and looked at the menu.
The Mezza Board and Pizza du Jour were delish. The pizza was topped with marscapone, artichoke hearts, salami, parmesan, and probably some other gluttonous items and it was big enough for us to have a couple pieces each with leftovers to take home. The Mezza Board was yummy, although K-Town found an uncooked noodle in our white bean spread. Other than that, it was all tasty.
Our service was good, food came out quick, and once again, another place I have now been and can check off my list. -
Review from Dan P.
Seattle, WA
7/22/2008
Guy: Hey
K: Hey
(Confused...thinking maybe this guy knows K from somewhere. Trying to read her reaction.)
Me: Hey
Guy: Hey
(Slight awkward pause)
Guy: So...has anybody told you about the specials tonight?
(Slow realization that this guy is our waiter. Or at the very least - somebody from another table that's being really helpful.)
This is the sort of interaction you might have at Chez Gaudy - because it's about as casual a dining experience as you're gonna find in Seattle. Which is saying something.
It's a little bit like walking into somebody's ground-floor apartment (through an alley) and asking "Uh...hey...mind if we eat here?" (Which, generally I don't recommend. People can get all bent out of shape when you do that. They never have food ready or much of a wine list. Cops get involved. It gets ugly. Stick to restaurants that have that ground-floor apartment feel, as opposed to actual apartments.)
While the service and the ambiance put a capital-C in Casual, the food is a step up. I went with the lasagna...which puts a capital-C in Cheese.
Gawdamn...it was a Cheese explosion. I'd conservatively estimate they use 7 grillion different types of Cheese in that dish. Even the noodles tasted like Cheese. If you've ever had the desire to take a Cheese fondue pot, break those gawdamn skinny little forks over your knee, elbow your dinner companions outta the way and guzzle the whole thing - then I'd recommend the lasagna here. -
Review from Jim C.
WA
8/18/2008
I really wanted to *love* this place. As it was, I just kinda liked it.
Let's lead off by saying that the staff who work here are, well, "rad". Our waitress was both (as my wife put it) totally freaking adorable, and really friendly. And helpful. And patient. Another server who helped me find C. and B. in the lounge, and who brought us food and stuff later on, was also pretty, and really friendly and cool and helpful. So was the bartender. Really, I wish I could give more stars just for the awesome service.
Why not more? Well, first, I think the restaurant's concept is, frankly, really precious and irritating. It's not inherently "intimate" to make your restaurant difficult to navigate and kind of uncomfortable. Eating hot plates of food off of our laps because there were "no tables for us" (even though several were empty) is kinda lame.
Second, the food was just -- meh. We started out by sharing some small plates -- a cheese board, some shrimp cakes, prosciutto-wrapped aspara-grass. The cheese was good -- the shrimp cakes rocked... the pita was really not very good. A lot of it was *soaked* in oil. The various gherkins and prosciutto and such were yums, but that's what quality ingredients get you, yes?
As for the entrees, no one was blown away. My wife's pasta and my lasagna were both just kinda bland... I try not to salt food prepared by a talented chef unless totally necessary, but my lasagna bolognese was *so* bland that I found myself constantly adding a touch of salt. The texture of the ragu was probably superior to mine, but my homemade lasagna was much tastier -- not what you want when you're eating out.
I'll give you another chance, Chez Gaudy, but you really must try a bit harder. -
Review from Kat S.
Seattle, WA
6/3/2008 ROTD 11/9/2008
There's life after Tuesday Tapas @ Chez Gaudy - and it's just as awesome!
Our "regulah Saturday night thang" is often Chez Gaudy - where my betrothed and I munch on one of the cheese boards, usually followed by Wasabi Cheese Toast and another app.
We rarely have room for a full entree - if the special sounds good, we'll share that and forgo the apps. It's really so much food though, that splitting small plates is the way to go.
Greg is the bomb (yes, I just said that), and has created the perfect environment for escaping the world for a while and relaxing in a warm, cheezy womb.
If that didn't sound so gross, it would totally make sense...just go, and you'll agree, I swear. -
Review from Bounce B.
Seattle, WA
10/20/2006 ROTD 12/21/2006
There's this condition called honeymooner's palsy that happens when you love someone so much that, despite excruciating pain, you keep your arm around their shoulder in a movie theater long enough to cut off the blood supply to the radial nerve in the underside of your arm, which causes paralysis of your fingers and wrist.
Yes way. And I'm thinking about it because I believe I gave myself honeymooner's palsy of the ass last time I went to Gaudy and sat for so freakishly long on Satan's own wooden stool, just because I loved everything else there so much. Very. Painful.
And that's about all there is to say about it. The rest you can pretty much guess -- especially if you know Bleu. It's got great food (cheese, Gromit!) and an impressive wine selection. The staff is fast and friendly. And the atmosphere is cozy and candle-lit. Why you have to enjoy it all from such a grand collection of oddly sadistic seating devices, I'm not sure. Bottom line (heh): if you go, choose your chair carefully.
Update 8/2007: Tim O's review reminded me that Gaudy has more recently revamped their menu--apparently to purge it of all the best parts. In addition to the recent death of lava-cake-love, they've gotten rid of their cheese board. The reason, we were told, was because the new chef believes he should have sole discretion to choose which cheese goes with your whatever. Docked a star. Jerk. Still a nice place for a romantic dinner, but not on the whole worth a pain in the ass. -
Review from Emily T.
11/15/2008
I am another year older. While I'm not sure how I feel about that, I do know that Chez Gaudy helped ease me into my 24th year. Instead of thinking about my quickly aging self, my brain and stomach went to a happy place once I walked through Chez Gaudy's door. And a happy place is where you should be on your birthday.
It's easy to miss Chez Gaudy from the street. Don't be fooled though, this tucked away, hole in the wall eatery fills up fast. Knowing this, my boyfriend and I made reservations a few days prior to secure our place on Friday night. Once we arrived, we were escorted to our table in a small side room. While there were a few other tables in this room, our table felt private and quiet. The ambiance is charming. The service here was top notch, as well. We were immediately greeted by our server and her attention to us did not wane throughout our meal. And the food! The food was delicious. I tried the carbonara with smoked salmon and chard, while Bryan had the ravioli, which was amazingly and deliciously cheesey. And the starter salad deserves a shout out, too. Tasty!
Really, I couldn't have asked for more from a birthday dinner. -
Review from Ian M.
6/14/2007
We went here on a Tuesday, knowing about the wine special, but not knowing it was "tapa night." The place is charming enough in its own right, with its eclectic decor and layout; and inviting nooks and crannies. Tuesday brings with it an assortment of nicely priced $7 bottles of wine, and--to our surprise--no real dinner service.
For $7, you'll not hear me complaining about the wine. I've paid substantially more for a single glass at other establishments. And the gentleman who seemed to carry an air of friendly authority about him seemed like a pleasant, jovial individual.
Past this, though, is only my disappointment. The self-serve mini plates are a little ho-hum, and not priced accordingly. A $5 smallish wedge of brie begins to reveal how the $7 wine is a clever gimmick that brings people in to pay for overpriced appetizers. The tapenade would have been better if it were a traditional olive tapenade. Several of the dishes would seem to pair naturally with crackers or even bread, but wisps bread are served piecemeal in small glasses.
Warm dishes are offered occasionally by waitstaff roving through the place. I'm unsure how much these cost, but going by the $5 brie, I'd wager, "too much." I didn't find anything inspiring about the warm dishes, although I was curious about the wasabi grilled cheese (having been tempted by it at Bleu Bistro, but having been there after the kitchen had closed). The last one was taken by the table next to us, and we were assured that more would be out. When none materialized a bit later, we asked again and were encouraged that we'd be brought some, but they never showed.
When all was said and done, four of us ended up paying around $90 for two bottles of wine and some nibbles that left us feeling full, yet somewhat unsatisfied.
All in all, I'll come back for the ambience and the cheap wine on Tuesdays, and maybe grab one thing to snack on--and head elsewhere for dinner. They get an extra star for offering whole bottles of wine so cheaply in such a cozy atmosphere. It's conceivable that I'd try it for dinner, but I have no special desire to make this happen any time soon. -
Review from Denice M.
Seattle, WA
12/27/2008
The more I return, the more I truly fall in love with this place. The setting is so intimate and cozy, and the staff are wonderful. If you can find the front door (down an alley), you have found a little piece of heaven.
They have a fantastic wine selection, with many wonderful choices that are reasonably priced. The food is amazing--I recommend the chop boards to share with a group (particularly the one with the brandy pears), and the lasagna (made with creme fraiche instead of ricotta--yum!). Eat, drink, enjoy! -
Review from Michelle B.
Seattle, WA
8/30/2006
SNOWMAN IN A CAVE!!!!!
That is what I like to yell at this restaurant when folks start to slump. The appropriately named drink is a concoction of coffee, chocolate, rum, mint schnapps, and some other stuff for good measure, all topped off with a dollop of whip cream. The buzz combo can't even be beat by a red bull and vodka cliche combo.
Quite a while back I went on a date here, and we liked it so much we decided this was the place to kick off our New Years party.
We were not disappointed. They easily accommodated our ever growing group even though we had only made a reservation for 30 people. The Tuesday night small plate thing (read the other reviews) made eating a secondary event and allowed everyone to focus on their bottles of sparkling wine.
Then, when my East Coast jet-lagged friends started to droop I yelled - SNOWMAN IN A CAVE!!!!
And the party was once again going strong.Listed in: Capitol Hill - A Seattle…, Getting Lucky in Seattle
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Review from David M.
Lynnwood, WA
11/14/2010
Great food and awesome atmosphere. A great date place.
I went on my first date with my wife and 2 years later: married! -
Review from Kreag S.
11/30/2007
Guady it that one night stand that seemed like a good idea at the time...but like any dirty trist ends up leaving you feeling used.
Upon entering into the situation you think "this is neat, something new..different..not something I'd normally experience" but as soon as the initial flirt begins you are totally rebuffed and rejected..and then pulled back in confused by the mixed messages and suddenly sat at the bar "cause we had to make room for you".
So at the bar things get a little better and once again you try to pick yourself up and flirt a little more...things start looking up..but lets be honest..everthing looks better after a few drinks!
Once you get to the food was like the point in the flirtaion where you really have it...great presentation..confidence..you are on fire!...but you have to work for it...like any good booty call...you sometimes have to resort to begging.."oh waitress...waitress...hmmmm..is there a waitress..oh I see, it's in the name..WAIT-RESS..guess we have to wait"? It's like she's trying to decide if you're the one for her that night..or if there is a better fish in the Gaudy sea..
Ok..let's wrap this up...so you in the end get what you want out of the situation..you work for it..but you get it in the end..boy do you get it. Although, like any one night stand/booty call...you really want it...you kinda like it..it seemed like a good idea...but you end up rode hard and put away wet!! And when the lights come up at the end of it all..and the booze starts to wear off..you know it ain't gonna be that pretty!
I'm sorry Chez Gaudy..I just don't know if I have it in me for another round...to me you are just a disappointing one nighter that left me feeling cheap and unsatisfied! -
Review from Matthew M.
Seattle, WA
4/6/2009
Speaking of hard places to find. Chez Gaudy's is Seattles best kept rumor. I wouldn't say secret because the word is out and apparently so is a sandwich board. I love everything about Chez Gaudy's but the sandwich board.
Lets jump in our Mr. Rogers magic trolley and go to the land of imagination and pretend they don't have a sandwich board out front.....Are you there? Ok. This place is perfect!
Seriously though good luck finding it. I had been there three times and would still walk past this place wondering where it was (pre sandwich board days) Once you find it you walk into a very narrow alley with your now concerned date. Turn to her and say "no its cool you can trust me there really is a resteraunt back her.....trust me" Find and navigate through the door situation and once your in, you know you are in a great place.
Fireplaces, fake fireplaces, curtains, Christmas lights, candles, the place is intimate, bohemian and kind of resembles maybe a rustic, cowboy, romantic, opium den.
The food is super rich in a good way. You will get a foodie high. Take note that Tuesdays is more of a social night. If you do take a date it's a good idea to make reservations. The ravioli I have found to be one of the best things on the menu. Its cheese heaven.
This is the 2nd stop on the perfect date.Listed in: Romance on Capitol Hill (the…
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Review from Danielle C.
Seattle, WA
10/30/2008
This place is very unique, built inside of an old hotel lobby. Even though it is right off of Denny Way the sign on the corner is not lit and the entryway is in the alley. When you walk in, there isn't anyone to greet you - in fact it almost feels like you've accidentally walked into the back door. The hallway snakes around, with tables tucked into little alcoves but the space never really opens up into a full room.
On Tuesday nights they feature $8 bottles of wine, self serve appetizer plates for $2 each and they come around with trays of small plates of various entrees for $3-$5. Some of the best of the night included the baked mac-and-cheese, beef brisket, and the mushroom penne. Even with the low per-item cost, you can still rack up a pretty hefty bill. I loved getting to see the food before I selected it though, and the service was great.
Quote of the night was when we asked the waiter (who turns out to also be the owner) if we could have more bread and he merrily replied, "fuck yeah you can!"
I'll definitely be coming back. I'd recommend reservations, they really don't have any room for walk-ins and from what the wait staff said they are booking all the tables on most nights. -
Review from Eugene C.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 2/6/2009
Went back on Tuesday for another round of 8 dollar wines and tapas. They call themselves the "original speakeasy," I like it. Although it gets crowded at times, especially when they are transitioning between sets of reservations. It's really hard to maneuver sometimes because the place is mostly seats without decent-sized walkways.
One thing I realized the second time back is that they don't have a wide variety of tapas. All of the things that I tried the first time were still there the second time. Except this time they had some desserts in there too. The desserts were pretty freakin delicious. Good dessert coupled with good wine makes for an awesome Tuesday evening.
(hope to see you there.)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/29/2009
I spent last tuesday here with lovely fellow yelper Alice, who happens to be my girlfriend. Lucky… Read more »
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Review from Beth H.
Seattle, WA
6/5/2009
A friend took me to dinner here and I found the whole experience pretty great. Although, I should also say that the good company and cheap wine (1/2 price on Sundays!) could have bolstered my opinion a smidge.
I liked the eclectic decor and the fact that everything in there is for sale. The staff was friendly (though I could have done without the Ashton Kutcher style trucker hat and clothing homage to Flashdance on our server but hey, it's Capitol Hill) and service was quick. This may be silly but they also manage to get the lighting perfect so I recommend going here on a first date if you're freaking out about the giant zit at the end of your nose or something.
We started out with a platter of cheese, pickles and home-canned pears, a very tasty pile of salami, and some pita bread wedges. I could have made a meal out of this alone. However, I ordered the ravioli and that was a good choice. It's a basic cheese ravioli but they manage to make it richly creamy and, the best part, to get the cheesy top perfectly crispy and blackened in spots. So good!
Chez Gaudy is a little out of my price range for regular visits but it made for a lovely special night out. -
Review from Dawn R.
Seattle, WA
12/28/2007
The closest thing I've ever had to an out of body experience, was the veal at Chez Gaudy. So thin, so delicate and crispy, drowned in herb butter. I lost the ability to converse for 15 minutes once I tasted it. And now it is no longer on the menu. Sigh. I could weep thinking about it.
That said, the food is always good, even if it will never match up to that veal. And the drinks are every so yummy. I love the atmosphere, as I am the sort of person who actually enjoys getting crowded up near total strangers while eating, and it is so perfectly cozy. Plus, the waiter is one of my all time favorite flirts...he always makes me feel adorable. It is one of the few places I'll tolerate going to twice in one month.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Nicole E.
Seattle, WA
1/2/2010
Based on food alone, I would have given this place 4 stars, but the service put them up to 5+ for me.
My sis-in-law and I were heading out to a 7pm show at the Paramount Theater on a Wednesday night. We wanted to stop somewhere for a quick bite and drink. I called Chez Gaudy at about 5:00pm to make reservations for 5:30pm (I know, super last minute). The person who answers the phone tells me they don't even open until 6pm (oh no!)...BUT she would ask the cooks if they could get us in right at 6. Turns out, if we could get there at 5:45pm, they would seat us then! So sweet! I ended up getting there early (5:30pm), and they sat me right away and I had a glass of vino within 2 minutes.
The servers were very knowledgeable about the menu items (food and wines) and were enthusiastic about their recommendations.
The food itself was delicious. I ordered the sweet potato risotto cakes (warm, spicy, hearty) and the goat cheese and fig small plate (sweet and creamy, atop perfectly crunchy toasts). Bonus: all small plates were $5.50 that day!
All food items came out promptly and wonderfully seasoned. Even though they got us in and out quickly (as we had asked), we never felt rushed frantic. It was a perfectly paced meal.
Staff was attentive (always a full water glass) and thoughtful: our main server (after hearing from the hostess that we were catching a show) offered to call a cab for us. He timed it perfectly: the check came when we were both taking our last swigs of wine, cab pulled up as we were putting on our coats. Our server even walked us out to the cab to say good night!
I was so happy to have found such a sweet spot. I will definitely be back with my sweetheart for a romantic date night. -
Review from Robin N.
Seattle, WA
3/3/2008 10 photos
OMG.... I have found my new heaven.
A group of 5 of us went here tonight for a friend's birthday... I called the night before to make a reservation for 5, and they were already pretty full, so call 2 days early if you have a group going. ;)
I LOVE this place... There is nothing better than an amazing wine selection, ESPECIALLY with 1/2 price bottle of wine night on a Sunday night and the AMAZING food they have there!!! We relaxed on the back cozy velvet couches and enjoyed our evening at this great hidden treasure of Seattle...
We had:
* 2 bottles of wine (one was a Chateu de la Chace Broilly I believe, don't know the name of the other - both 1/2 price for Sunday!)
* Caprese Bruschetta - fresh mozzarella, olive oil, pesto and tomatoes on lovely hardy bread
* Greta & Anzlo woodblock - gouda, brie, herbed cheese, salumi, pears infused with apple brandy and rosemary
* Flaming Goat - tangy goat cheese flamed tableside with brandy and squeezed lemon. I have to mention that the bread they served with this dish was our favorite - a rustic potato and rosemary bread... we asked for another side of it since it was so delicious!
* Ignazio's Affair woodblock - manchego, salut, stilton cheeses, apple slices, toasted almonds and honey, flatbread
All of this cost 5 of us $96. The bottles of wine were at least $40 normally, but only around $20 on a Sunday
And OMG, talk about an orgasm of food - I was dyeing over the honey and toasted almonds, the cheeses were all amazing, fresh greens, the bruschetta had the freshest and most succulent mozzarella and pesto.... ugh... I felt like re-enacting the Meg Ryan cafe scene from "When Harry Met Sally"
And the owner, Greg, who has a page in the menu called "Greg's 7 wine wonders of the world" was SOOO fabulous, along with his waiters, they made us feel extremely at home and comfortable, and we had the best time ever!!!
5 SOARING STARS through the roof!
Can't wait to go back! If you love cheese and wine and good bread, this is the place for you! Reservations recommended :) -
Review from Tim C.
Eugene, OR
8/15/2008
Talk about a great out-of-the-way, hard-to-find-even-if-you-walk-past-it-all-the-time restaurant that you almost want to keep to yourself so it doesn't become too popular. I've been to Chez Gaudy with a small group (three people) and with a large group (thirteen people), and the service was stupendous. Even with the large group, they came off as wanting to make sure that each person felt important and well-served.
The first time I went, I ordered the vegetarian spaghetti and "meatballs." Wow. Yes, I am vegetarian, but this dish would be enough to convert even the most staunch non-vegetarian. It's apparently the only dish to have been on the menu consistently from the day the joint opened.
Sadly, when I returned with a large group, the spaghetti was not on the menu. It will return, I was assured, but it was temporarily bumped to make way for more summer-fresh options (i.e., to take advantage of having an overabundance of summer produce). This turned out to be a good thing, because I tried something I would not have normally gotten, which was equally eyes-roll-back-in-your-head good. (Sadly, I can't recall what it was, but I'd order it again.)
The drinks menu was also quite extensive. I sampled quite a few, and found them all delicious. This isn't surprising, because the drinks are also quite good at Chez Gaudy's sister restaurant Bleu Bistro (just up the hill at Broadway and John/Olive).
...and I can't wrap up this review without commenting on the ambiance. Just plain, old-school, hodge-podge decor. That, when combined with dim lighting, makes for a very romantic environment. Great date place!
Check it out! -
Review from Stephanie T.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2007
$8 bottles of wine? (That's right, the whole bottle.)
Plates of food that are constantly available? (Yes, and you don't even have to serve yourself.)
A large table in your own corner without any kind of pressure to leave? (Even if the place is kind of packed!)
Dimly lit, timeless atmosphere? (Complete with dollar store decorations and LCD torches on the wall.)
What's not to love? Clearly very little about Chez Gaudy on a Tuesday night, this place is a steal (seriously, where else are you going to find $8 bottles of wine...that'll get you 3/4 a glass in Belltown) and also a really fun experience (the owner and staff are clearly invested in ensuring everyone is both drunk and full).
If this place adds board games, it might be more fun than your best host friend's house. -
Review from shain r.
11/26/2007
hhhhrumphf!
You know no matter how good the food is, or how great the restaurant is. If you cant get decent service it can leave a bad taste in your mouth for sure....
BLECK!
We arrived at the restaurant and were greeted to "I'm positive I've got nothing open, but let me check before I turn you away."........WRONG ANSWER CHEZ GAUDY!
Thats when I new that the diner was on a downward spiral that would doubt ably crash and burn in a pile of flames and debris....
after a couple of black velvets (yum) and some amazing blu balsamic bruschetta, I was content to get over my discouraged beginning.
oh and word to the wise be prepared to sing for your buns and probably you will have to ask for diner plates so you can eat....
overall I wanted to luv it but if you dont get good service you loose my vote for sure.
I think the best part of the diner was the gafaws I shared with my diner dates. -
Review from Michelle F.
Seattle, WA
8/25/2010
Nooooo! It has been on my list to go back to, and now.. *sob* they're CLOSED!?!?
I am utterly heartbroken. -
Review from Tim O.
Seattle, WA
2/12/2007
I've had a few drinks there - nice! But consider that a far second to the REAL reason I've been there a few times - the chocolate lava cake. *drool*
Imagine my disappointment when the last time I went, they "weren't doing that dessert now". Whaaaaa?!?! Ok, I'll have a quick drink and leave and never come back until the lava love is back.
I do like the atmosphere and the fact it's sort of hard to find. -
Review from Sparky T.
Seattle, WA
7/15/2008
Small, hidden (literally - go around the back and through a screen door to enter), delicious and fun!
Fun food with a menu frequently changed by the chef to suit his whims and latest creations. The owner Greg is a kick in the pants and always fun to chat with. Great place for a first date on any night of the week - even better on Tuesdays - cheap wine and tapas all night. -
Review from Kevin S.
Seattle, WA
3/6/2009
So the adventure started by me driving by the restaurant and not seeing the sign (because it was DARK). This was followed by me calling my cousin for directions and then calling the restaurant while I was standing right in front of it. After which, it took me another minute or two to find the door. So needless to say, for first timers drive slow and pay attention as this place is sort of hard to find. Though I'm guessing the only reason I was able to get a table for 4 at 730 on a friday was due to the fact it is so hard to find (despite being very well reviewed).
That said, once we got there it was definitely a cozy place with great food. The portions were decent and I thought the drinks were definitely well mixed. Plus I have to admit the Onassis disk I had was probably the best pasta dish I've ever had at a restaurant. Definite must check out place in capitol hill, but go slow otherwise you'll end up wandering about aimlessly till you bumble in the door. -
Review from Beth C.
11/13/2009
We had a pretty great experience here. We were in the mood for pasta - hot, delicious, flavourful, comforting pasta, and one of us had been here before, and suggested it.
Perfect. When we arrived (about 8:30 on a Saturday night), we had to wait for a table, but the wait was only 10 minutes if that, and while we waited they led us to a comfy couch area and took our drink orders and let us peruse the menus. Very comfortable.
The decor is busy and very cool - lots to look at, without being too dimly lit (I hate that).
The wait staff were friendly, and they have a great list of original, cool cocktails (they're modeled after a prohibition-era speakeasy to some extent, so that was sort of a given). My two dates had beer, and I had two cocktails...a 'Colony cocktail' (Gin, grapefruit, Luxordo maraschino liqueur and a cherry) and a...I forget what the second one was. It wasn't on the menu, and it had lots of lime. Both were pretty good.
The food was great. We shared a dish of the five-spice pumpkin seeds that were SO yummy. And then, we'd ordered pasta, but they brought us each a nice, light side salad first, which was a nice touch. And then the entrees were great - I had the lasagna, which was rich, gooey, cheesy, garlicky, sausagey perfection. If you like light food, and don't like things rich, this isn't for you. Fortunately, it was perfect for me. My boyfriend had the pasta puttanesca (olives etc), and our friend had the pasta carbonara (bacon etc) and both were also great. I commented that you know the food is good when you could trade dishes with anyone at the table and still be happy.
The fifth star is left off because for the portion size and the food, the price seems a bit on the steep side - and because five stars is a rarity for me, and I want to go back once more and be sure. But we had a great time, and there WILL be a next time. -
Review from Chris F.
Seattle, WA
11/1/2007
Welcome to Capitol Hill. Basically Chez Gaudy is like any other "trendy" restaurant in the area: good drinks, fusion slash neo-American fare and crazy decor. Unfortunately it also comes with slow service, which seems to be a very popular thing in Capitol Hill. It's a cozy place not unlike Bleu Bistro, with curtains and claustrophobia everywhere. They even have the same little LED flickering candles at your table (which for some odd reason some older people at the table next to us decided to try and light. With fire!)
I had the ravioli and my date had the flaming goat. Both were delicious as expected, but as I am getting increasingly jaded, I suspect that I could make both dishes at home myself, and I won't make me wait 20 minutes to get seated.
I was probably just in a bad mood that night. Chez Gaudy is exactly what it sounds like. Quirky kitsch with good food and wine, and low lighting. Whether you enjoy this or not is up to you. I think I do. -
Review from Kristen M.
Portland, OR
12/14/2009
I went here with a group for a Tuesday night happy hour. I love the speakeasy atmosphere and the cozy seating. The concept is simple: small plates and $8 bottles of wine. The food was great and plentiful! With the prices so cheap, we started off with 4 different bottles and treated it as a wine tasting. As for the food, I recommend the wasabi grilled cheese and the chocolate cake.
We ended up being the last group there, so I definitely encourage making reservations for the 8:30p time slot if your group likes to linger. Groups: they only accept a max of 4 credit cards per table, and won't split the bill, so make sure you have cash. -
Review from Kimberley D.
Seattle, WA
1/10/2007
I was all excited about the tuesday special, so I headed down with three friends, none of whom had been before. What we didn't realize was that although the bottles of wine are a fantastic deal, the tapas are less so. Most of them are tiny plates with two pieces of cheese for $4. They are 90% cheese, 10% other stuff (which is things like olives, olive tapenade, etc.) I think of tapas as little entrees. Waiters do periodically walk around with small plates that I would describe as tapas. Unfortunately, it's so busy that you pretty much have to mob the waiter as soon as they appear to get a plate. Here are what was on the plates which we got for $4-6 from the waiters:
- a single prawn
- vegetarian meatballs which were warm on top but ice cold at the bottom, leading me to believe they were probably frozen and microwaved
- two pieces of chicken that were each about 1/3 of the size of your palm, which i ignored since i don't eat meat
Also, since they're very busy, 20+ minutes may pass between when the waiters appear with the tiny tapas plates.
All this led me to believe that the sole purpose of tuesdays was to get totally drunk, so I did. But I wasn't drunk enough not to freak out when the bill arrived - $120 for four of us, and I was still totally starving and felt like I'd barely eaten anything. (Which really I hadn't.... a vegetarian meatball which I couldn't finish because the frozen part at the bottom was nasty, and maybe 4 pieces of small bread about 1/4 the size of your palm and cheese and some olives.) The only thing that seemed more posh about Chez Gaudy vs Bleu was the price.
I am still giving it three stars even though I was very unhappy because I do think the wine deal is a good one... the wines were all pretty tasty. This would be a great place to go to drink inexpensively after dinner. It definitely isn't a good place to go FOR dinner on a tuesday when you haven't eaten much all day and want an entree. I didn't think it'd be an issue because I've gone to plenty of tapas-style dining places when I was really hungry and just ordered a bunch of mini entrees.
I still might go back on a normal day and give their normal entrees and drinks a chance because I really love Bleu... but my unemployed self is wincing from the pain of that bill and will be for quite some time ;)
......
update: i went back for dinner. i was unimpressed by my entree (scampi... the chef's specialty according to the menu). it was almost $20 and consisted of a ball of pasta smaller than the size of my fist and three prawns. i know that sort of thing is common for pricy restaurants and is probably better for the waistline, but i don't want to pay $20 for an entree and still be hungry afterward. the creme brulee was tasty but nothing amazing. i drank black velvets.. they were the best part of the meal. i have now officially written off chez gaudy. -
Review from Jen P.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 11/20/2009
After getting the boot from Knee High (I didn't text the password, or learn the handshake, or something), we searched out another speakeasy for a late dinner on a Saturday night.
My friends were like, where are you taking us? Who lives here?
Patience, people. Patience. You'll see.
We were seated right away even though we hadn't made reservations. They had rearranged the place since last time we'd visited--it's more open now, which I liked. We ordered nearly everything on the menu. It was all flavorful, filling, comforting. The meat & cheese appetizer board was delicious. The lasagna is to die for! Best dish of the bunch by far. Our service was friendly, attentive, chatty, and well-timed. We polished off a couple of bottles of wine and had a great evening.
I love the quirkiness of everything, that all of the furniture is for sale, that they change up their offerings and have a kind of a bizarre way of doing things.
By the way, can't wait to spend a Wednesday here--5.50 cocktails, 5.50 food from 6-11pm. Anyone want to give me a piggyback ride home?1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/30/2008
Went for the Tuesday Tapas and will be returning. It was such a novel dining concept and my husband… Read more »
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Review from Lori G.
Seattle, WA
1/27/2007 2 photos
Like an overgrown dinner party at your friend's Paris flat, this place consistently maintains a friendly low-key yet saucy ambiance.
Similar to it's older more rebellious sibling, Bleu Bistro, charm and surprise are everywhere in the decor - desks used as tables, wall hooks with vases or curios hanging from them set in a circuitous hidey hole layout. Throw in a decidedly French country place setting and it seems like that unique and special restaurant you happened upon on your last getaway, relocated to your own neighborhood. Tucked away and barely denoted in it's public frontage, spending a long leisurely dinner or happy hour here is a perfect end to a long work day.
The food is a satisfying fusion of traditional & modern Italian with some French & Latin accents on the menu and while it's not exquisite or amazing or consistent, the specials are often excellent and there are a few regular menu stand-outs... The lemon picata chix or veal is a favorite and the Wasabi grill cheese appetizer is suprisingly good with lovely side sauces. Most of the appetizers are pretty tasty in fact, and they do rotate new things in quite nicely. One thing that is strange is that the entree portions are just fine, but the appetizer portions are teensy- making sharing a bit of covetous push and pull...
But not to be missed, the drinks! Well made, generously liquored and often over-sized, they are best of all sweetly served from the colorful bar by it's warm and relaxed staff. In fact, the service here is quite good- it feels personal and not robotically efficient. Sometimes it's slow, but that's because they are usually quite busy. I never mind though, I always budget time here because what I love best about this place is the personality of the staff and the overall atmosphere and charm of the surroundings.
You might find yourself making a habit of the place if you have even one romantic bone in your body! It is a excellent place for a first or 100th date or special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. They have tiny sweet two person tables or booths as well as some great larger tables or cubbies too.Listed in: Chow
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Review from Tomas K.
San Jose, CA
5/18/2006
If you don't go for the food (very good), go for the decor, and the warm welcome you get. Off the beaten path, it's a nice place to relax and spend some time with friends.
In terms of price, expect a dinner for about $40/pers.
The food has mostly some Italian flavors. -
Review from Heather H.
Seattle, WA
11/3/2009 3 photos
Some love, some hate. Or you can flatline yourself right down the middle like me when it comes to this place.
I got a little giddy when first trying to find this hole-in-the-alley spot. The entrance is in a narrow little alley opens to what we thought was the back door but turned out to be a mini-maze.
Ok, so heres the good part: food. Worth the wait.............we definatly waited. It was damn good food and probably the most delicious wine I had.
Between the fresh salads, bubbling mac n' cheese, faux meatballs and numerous glasses of wine I deemed it worthy of "good eats".
Downers:
the mini-maze into the dining area
the mini tv screens placed around featuring very-faux fish underwater. Did-not-get-that.
the wait for the food was awhile unless you've order some wine prior.
I feel like Chez Gaudy was fine for that one-time expierence. Lets just leave it as it was.Listed in: Seattle Lamour
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Review from Justin P.
Minneapolis, MN
4/20/2009
Came here for the first time a few days ago for drinks and was really, REALLY happy I finally experienced Chez Gaudy.
Atmosphere- Dark, funky, fun yet mysterious. Very unique layout with lots of intimate seating. The bar area was a real surprise. Not very big, but a really great couch/lounge section good for a group of 6-8 or so.
Food- I only had the wasabi grilled cheese, but it was pretty tasty. Nothing too over the top, more rustic fare if any. I'll be back another time to truly experience their cuisine.
Drinks- Hooray for Laura (sp?)!!! She was running the bar when i was there. Very personable, keeps the drinks moving even with large groups and wait...she's a fellow Michigander!!!! (I'm a bit biased being a Michigan native). Two thumbs up for their "white peach sangria". Yum.
Service- I was told they are now under new management and are really trying to turn a new chapter in the school of service. No complaints from me. Both the waitresses were right on spot and very personable.
Two thumbs up to Chez Gaudy! Only reason I'm not giving them 5 stars is no HH and crap parking.
