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Elemental Next Door
Categories: Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Restaurants Canadian (New) Wine Bars, Canadian (New) [Edit]
3309 Wallingford Ave N(between Northlake Way & 34th St)
Seattle, WA 98103
Neighbourhood: Wallingford
(206) 547-2317
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
63 reviews for Elemental Next Door
Review Highlights
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"Spicy goat cheese salsa I dream about you everyday." In 4 reviews -
"We started with truffle popcorn." In 5 reviews -
"Oh, the food - don't miss the Manchego Stuffed peppers." In 5 reviews
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63 reviews in English
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Review from Thomas J.
4/28/2012
QUICK! GO THERE! They are closing June 21st!
Quite a nice spot in the neighborhood - it will be missed. The food is great, the service is friendly, and you can get a taste of the experience next door in a slightly different setting. -
Review from Shannon H.
Seattle, WA
3/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Favorite HH spot, hands down.
Only downside, its on the wrong side of Lake Union and the opposite direction of my house. Hard to get to after work.
But, if I can make it over there to meet my girlfriends, I definitely enjoy it! The service is amazing, the wines are delicious and the food is always great. We loooove the truffle popcorn and always order at least 2.
I may not be able to make it to Elemental any time soon, but I'm so glad that END exists so I can get a small taste of the experience without the full multi course meal.
Parking is limited, but on weekends I don't have any trouble finding something within a few blocks. -
Review from Minnie K.
Seattle, WA
1/25/2012
I'm a fan and look forward to going back. We had planned to be at the restaurant but it was closed for a private event so we had dinner in the bar.
If you do try to dine in the bar, there are a few 4 tops and a long table for communal seating. It was a nice casual atmosphere. Someone had their dog with them under the table.
You can't just sit down and order. You have to learn the rules first - no menu, no wine list. Go walk back to the entrance where the chalkboard is posted (we took a pic with our camera phone.) Walk up to the wall of wine and pick what you want, or let them select a full bottle or 1/2 bottle for you. At first I was put off by the rules, but then I was handed a glass of sparkling wine and I was happy again.
I can't recall everything we ate by name - there was some chevre, some fois gras, steelhead? rack of lamb. My favorite of the night was a baked squash. I was open to trying whetever my friends ordered for our table and it worked out great.
Next time I hope to enjoy the full service at the restaurant next door! -
Review from Drew R.
Bothell, WA
5/21/2012
DO NOT got here. We were so very disappointed. VERY rude staff. We went in hoping to have some wine. It took forever to be greeted. There were three open tables. Without a proper greeting, someone looked up and asked what we needed. Said we would like a table. Without stopping what he was doing (he was picking up some plates and glasses from a dirty table), he said that they would not have an open table until 11pm - which was three hours away. No offer to take our name or anything - no apology - just walked away.
-
Review from Melissa R.
Seattle, WA
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went here for my birthday dinner and thoroughly enjoyed everything. Especially the glass of champagne that they greet you with when you walk in the door!
We had the artichoke dip, the fois gras mousse, and the beet and chevre terrine (sp?) to start. All delicious. I kind of wish I would have tried the pate, but I'll have to try that next time. My date had the black trumpet ravioli - BEST ravioli I've ever tasted in my life. I had the rack of lamb - I ordered medium rare, and it was a little too raw for me. Parts of the meat were still cold and definitely cooked more rare than mid-rare, but the flavors were all amazing.
I wish I could give 4.5 stars instead of just 4! This place was great and the pricing is very reasonable. I would definitely recommend, and will be going back for sure. I can't wait to try Elemental! -
Review from Kay C.
11/26/2011
Ultimately if I had to choose b/t the 2 Elementals, I'd prefer the other one ....
The food was good. However, there were only like 2 dishes with bigger portions, and not very much meat or seafood - I love vegetables but I just wish they had more choices ...
I like that all the wines are the same price and you can just go up and pick the one you want.
I do like the ambiance, and it is definitely more casual than Elemental. However, the wait is just as long, if not longer, and I think it's more worth it to wait for the experience for Elemental rather than come here... -
Review from Tarah M.
7/28/2011
Any place that greets me with a glass of champagne will automatically do its job at bribing me to write a good review. Sorry, I'm a sucker for free bubbly. Although, considering the prices are a bit high at END, I'm sure I paid for it in one way or another. Here is what I loved at Elemental:
Intimate, yet chic, atmosphere...candles everywhere made me say oooh!
Great selections offered that change weekly
Wiiiide array of delectable wines
AMAZING popcorn w/truffle oil. YUM!
White cake w/strawberries had me seeing stars
My only gripe was that my zucchini and avocado salad was a bit on the salty side. Also, it fills up quickly becase the space is small and they don't accept reservations. The good thing is that if you can snag a spot here, you're well on your way to enjoying a bit of heaven.Listed in: Dinner Dates
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Review from Alli C.
Seattle, WA
2/13/2012
Very enjoyable experience here at Elemental Next Door. I'm not familiar enough with Elemental, the main restaurant located right next door, to make a comparison between the two places, but our experience at END was just what we were looking for on our (much too infrequent) night out without kids. It is more or less a small-plates restaurant, with items presumably changing frequently enough that they forgo printing individual menus. Selections are handwritten on a large roll of paper and posted up front. The staff was friendly and helpful in a standoffish kind of way- answering questions and offering suggestions efficiently and without pretense. Our server did ask us if it was our first time there, and gave us tips on ordering, which we appreciated. He quickly explained we were welcome to come up to look at the menu as needed, or take a photo (which seemed to be the unofficial etiquette here). The beverage selections (wine & beer only) are offered in bottles on shelves along one wall of the restaurant. It's clearly a wine bar, and while my partner and I enjoy wine, we were impressed to see a nice selection of craft beer as well, so we decided to go with some limited edition brew instead. The place is nonjudgmental enough that we felt comfortable ordering beer in a wine bar, unclassy as that may be (and wow was it good). You pick your bottle off the shelf, and the server will exchange it for a cold one from the fridge. Wine works similarly (pick from the shelf, they'll uncork at the table). Decor is sparse & utilitarian- no art on the walls, butcher block tables, etc. Though not a romantic space, it's intimate; with dim lighting and warm colors, it's cozy and comfortable, perfect for sharing good food and conversation. We thought we'd avoid a wait by arriving early, but when we got there (before 6 PM on a Saturday) we were told it was going to be a 1-1.5 hour wait. We were surprised because the place didn't look packed, but there are only a few tables (three 4-tops and one long communal table for about 12) a small bar near the entrance (maybe 6 seats) was also full. At first disappointed, we were appreciative when the server/host offered to seat us at the end of the large communal table, as long as we didn't mind sharing with the large group already there. We didn't, and it turned out to be fine.There was no awkwardness; despite the large party next to us, we still felt like we had our own space and were able to converse and enjoy ourselves. To my knowledge they don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait, or get there very early or late, especially with a group.
As for the food, it was good, if not very good. Nothing out of this world, but interesting and flavorful enough to feel special. I can't think of anything that was a true standout, but nor was I disappointed in anything we ordered. I'm a fan of the small plates menus, I like trying a variety of new and different things. They aren't looking to turn tables here- we were encouraged to take our time and the server asked if it was OK to bring out one course at a time to share, which we did. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. Prices are inclusive of tax & service, so when the bill came, we felt like we really got a bargain for the experience. They provide the good food and drink, so if you go here with good company, you can't be disappointed. -
Review from Joshua B.
We've been meaning to get to Elemental forever, but when we went it was closed for a private party. Boo-hoo, what to do? I know, walk 2 feet to Elemental Next Door where they advertise "same food, less attitude".
On that they delivered. Plenty of delicious small bites paired with a veritable overload of wines that are all priced under $30. We shared some lamb, manchego stuffed piquillos (best dish, imho), a cheese board and some other stuff I can't remember (did I mention the $30 wine). We had the toffee cake for dessert which was great ending to the meal.
Nicely laid out space with all the wine on one wall, a bunch of tall tables to sit around and the kitchen actually in Elemental next door so it doesn't feel too loud.
3 bottles of the aforementioned $30 wine, plenty of small plates, dessert and some good company - I was totally satisfied, had a good time and would definitely come back. -
Review from Marie B.
Bellevue, WA
10/24/2011
This place is PHENOMENAL!!!! Great ambiance and outstanding dishes. Service is to die for!
Recommended for a date night or any small group of friends.
Prices are great and their menu is ever-changing.
Cons- Parking. -
Review from Jeff K.
Seattle, WA
7/24/2011
Catching up on reviews, and another "fine, quite good, not up to the hype" experience. We continue to hear that the full Elemental experience is fantastic, but given it is supposed to be same menu at END, we just weren't wowed. Very good, worth going, a fun evening -- especially the "wall of wine" approach to the list with unique options (we had a fun Chilean Carmenere you never see in US restaurants.
It's been about 2 months, but I can barely recall any of the dishes -- a nicely acidic simple crudo, a tasty duck dish I can't fully remember, etc.
I'll hold judgement until trying Elemental itself, but net net we were underwhelmed. All on a scale of very lofty expectations so was of course very good, but underwhelmed nonetheless. -
Review from Eric K.
Kirkland, WA
3/5/2011
I had wanted to go to Elemental/END for a while, but after checking it out I don't think I'll be back. I don't have anything horrible to say about END, I just only really liked two of the many plates we ordered and though the interior was quite bland. But, the service was very friendly and I'd probably like the place a lot more if I could indulge in the great wine selection (I'm allergic to wine).
When ordering it seems more expensive than it is since tax and tip is included in the price. So it was nice in the end realizing that overall the dinner wasn't as expensive as it felt like it was going to be. It definitely wasn't cheap though and considering both of us weren't a bit fan of most of the food (it was all off in some way or another - preparation, accompaniment, etc.) I won't be going back. -
Review from sara c.
Seattle, WA
6/14/2011
Oh my God I love this place and I want to take everyone I know here. That's probably the only reason I don't mind the communal tables.
Everything we ordered was delicious, but when we got to the cheese plate... Okay. I swear this is one trillion percent true. Upon trying my second piece of cheese, Eddie Money's "Take Me Home Tonight" slammed into my head, and all I wanted to do was sing it to the cheese plate.
The service was fantastic. You will feel guilty that they don't even give you a chance to leave a tip. -
Review from Angie B.
4/11/2011
Cool spot with $30 bottles of wine (all of them, anything off the shelf!) & tasty bites to share...you have to read your choices off the paper in front (no menus) - but it's an interesting concept.
Food was good...we went to go to Elemental & it was closed for a private party. That left me a little disappointed - but we'll be back for the full meal deal soon!!Listed in: I'm a wine-o
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Review from Christen A.
Seattle, WA
10/23/2011
Before you can even make the decision on what to eat you first need to figure out how to get there and then what door to enter at Elemental.
My trusty GPS took me there but the address is a bit deceiving as the location is actually at the top of the stairs where my GPS ended. If you are directly across the park dont' wonder into the park turn towards the condos/apartments and head up the stairs. What you won't want to do is call for directions as the guy is super rude and will act like both you and your GPS are idiots for not realizing where this not packed restaurant is at. Now that you made it to the restaurant, hang a left for the chef's tasting menu (one fixed price for all courses) or hang a right to go to the "wine bar" where you can pick and choose small plates to share. Note that I did stop in the "chef's table" entrance and asked for a table of four and at what point the rude man (think we found who answered the phone) said "there's the tables, grab one." Wasn't going to spend my money supporting someones therapy sessions - on to the "wine bar" next door.
Food: 4
The way it works is there is a long list of items listed on the scroll as you walk in (see photo) and you get to pick and choose items from the list. You can pick all at once or as you go. All the food was delicious, different, and fun to try. The wine "list" is also fun as there is no list, you simply walk to the wall of wines and choose one for $30!
What we had:
Truffle popcorn
Spicy Goat cheese salsa
Duck
Porcini with black rice
"Link lab" tube for today (German sausage with mashed potato)
Cheese board
Service: 2
I give this a two as I was so turned off by the guy on the phone and the entrance. You can't be this snotty and rude for a restaurant that is this dead. However I must mention that I did, as well as all my girlfriends a complimentary glass of champagne and when we didn't like the first bottle of wine they happily changed it out.
Atmosphere: 3
Ikea modern if you will. Simple, white, fun but not anything special. I did really like the wine wall - who wouldn't?!
Price: ~$38 for 4
Awesome deal for all of us girls, two bottles of wine and many tasting plates.
Recommended: I would go back to the Wine Bar again for a chill night out with some girlfriends but wouldn't go for a special occasion. This reminds me more of a "happy hour" type place where you want to chill, get a few different things, and decide to stay another hour and get another bottle of wine. -
Review from Christina O.
Seattle, WA
8/7/2011
Four stars, and I wish it could be 4.5. The food was great, the waiter was helpful and friendly, without hovering (sometimes a difficult balance to strike). And after a long day at work, I appreciated being met at the door by a smile and a glass of champagne!
So why not a perfect score? It's a hard place to find, and after following Google Maps to the spot, I still had no idea where it was. When I called the number listed online, I asked if the address I had was correct. Whoever answered the phone was curt and made it clear that if I wasn't able to find them, someone else would so no big deal. Not sure if Elemental and END share the same phone number, but it did make me consider going elsewhere for dinner.
Overall, it was great and I recommend. Just trust Google Maps on this one and head over to the nondescript building it points you to. -
Review from Joshua T.
San Francisco, CA
6/6/2011
Elemental Next Door (END) must be one of Seattle's best-kept secrets. I hesitate to review it because I don't want it to get too busy!
I have been to END at least once per month for the last year, and I have never been disappointed. Each of my experiences at END has been excellent. The food is modern, original (shittake mole, anyone?), and well-executed. Everything from the artichoke dip (with real artichoke pieces) to the foie pate and beet (not beef!) tartare is simply delicious.
When you walk in, you're greeted with a glass of sparkling wine, which never appears on your tab. All prices include tax and gratuity, to the point that when you pay by credit card, there is no line to add gratuity to the base amount. Together, this means that I always end up spending less at END than I anticipate, and I always feel like END is an unbeatable value for the quality and preparation of the food.
Give END a try and I'm sure you'll love it. Before you go, though, make sure to make note of the address -- it's really tucked away and there's no chance you'll ever notice it unless you're specifically looking for it. -
Review from Sennet C.
Seattle, WA
3/3/2011
This place was awesome! I appreciated the fact that they don't have a menu, however the server asks the 'have and have not's' of your diet before they just start bringing food to you.
All of the food was good, paired well with wine combinations - all done by our server and completely on que. It makes food taste better when the right wine is served, and especially when you don't have to put any thought into it!
Great food, great service, great concept - a little on the pricey side for dinner for two, but delicious all the same :-) -
Review from Michael E.
Pittsburgh, PA
11/30/2010
Delicious wonderful food and fun wine set up... but....
It's just not Elemental, and the only reason I've ever ended up here is because I was hoping for Elemental but it was booked, etc.
So, you go in, snap a pic of the menu that's posted, order some popcorn, because how can you not at an elemental, and head to the wine shelf.
Take them all in. They're all priced the same so you can't use that barometer to judge the bottle for you. Pick one. Ask for help even.
Then order, really just bring enough friends so you can have one of each.
A fantastic accompaniment to the flagship that is next door! -
Review from Saritah K.
San Diego, CA
10/22/2010
"I drink alone, with noooobody else. When I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself."
Or I prefer to drink at END, on Fridays when Scott and Patrick are working. Such nice young men. They greet me (and everyone else too) with a glass of sparkling wine and give me time to contemplate my wine choice. They don't bat an eye when I order a half bottle for myself, and whenever they have a moment they engage in a bit of convo with me so I don't look like a lonely sap sitting at the bar all alone.
Yes, what I'm saying is that END is a great place to hang sola (or solo as your gender may be). It's hard to find an upscale place where you don't look like a total idiot sitting there alone, but at END they make it easy. There's a big communal table, if you'd like to sit there, or you can snag one of the three seats at the bar. That's where I prefer to sit.
The food is good, there are interesting wine choices, and just to be super clear- tax and tip (and that first glass of sparkling wine you had when you first came in) are included. How much easier can it be? -
Review from Crystal L.
Seattle, WA
8/12/2010
If you love food and wine. You have to come here. No questions asked.
I'm a big fan of Elemental, but we tried to go there when it was closed. So we ended up next door. There is 1 large menu in the front, and a wall full of wines to choose from- all the same price. If you have a lot of dietary restrictions, this isn't the place for you. The food menu consists of less than 15 items total.
We thought we were going to stay there for appetizers, but settled in for dinner. We chose 1 wine, drank one half of the bottle, and then decided to drink the other half of the bottle. We had truffle popcorn, mushroom pate, a tuna poke dish, cherry tart. Everything was stellar except dessert. But maybe we should have gotten the chocolate cake anyway.
It's not cheap, but tax and tip is included with the bill like Elemental. Service is very good Also like Elemental, this isn't a quick in and out. It's an experience, so plan accordingly. You immediately know that the owners and staff are very passionate about what they do, and they do it well. It's quite inspiring! -
Review from Chira V.
9/24/2010
Came here for some conversation so only nibbled on one thing.
How could you go wrong for $15 for half bottle? Or $30 for a whole? -
Review from Foodluster S.
Las Vegas, NV
2/10/2011
Spicy goat cheese salsa I dream about you everyday. Love you!
Amazing prices! -
Review from Giang L.
10/9/2011
Got rejected by the other Elemental so we came here! They serve the same food as Elemental. $30 for full bottles and $15 for half bottles...this applies to all of the wine here. That makes it so easy...to drink with friends. We sat at a table that could fit 8-10 people. I think it's a great, casual place to have some wine with friends and share a few plates of food. The service was friendly, we were welcomed with a glass of champagne and they never rushed us out.
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Review from Drew D.
Seattle, WA
11/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
Love this place - will be back many times hopefully soon, been telling all my friends. I can't believe I have walked / run by it so many times and never have gone and it's this good. Took yelp to get me there.
Love the split the bottle for the same price as whole and one price for all concept. Makes trying new things less intimidating. Also the gratuity and tax included though it makes the prices seem a little high at first actually makes this place a huge steal for the quality you are getting. There was not even a line for "extra tip" on our card receipt which is what I expected from working in the biz before. This is truly unheard of anywhere.
The food was great and paired well with the wine. The server was knowledgable about all the food and had good recommendations on size of the items and what to order.
Only thing I didn't really like was not having a visible menu while you are eating - you have to keep referring back to the giant scroll in the front which is not visible to any table. -
Review from Joel R.
7/24/2011
After hearing much about Elemental (and its less formal sibling END) for what seems like a few years, I finally got around to coming here. While these restaurants aren't perched in the most intuitive location, they don't seem to have much difficulty drumming up business here. I strolled in to END with my wife on a late Thursday evening and was pleased to find an open table. Welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine, our host indicated the menu and the wine selection (believe me, this isn't a traditional restaurant arrangement), and set us on our merry way. We went with a sampling of dishes and a half-bottle of Viogner (they'll pour the bottle into a carafe and save the remainder for other purposes). I can't remember all the dishes but they were very, very good. I do remember my halibut, however, and that was a true standout for the evening. The goat cheese salsa was also an excellent starter.
Good food isn't the only reason to love a restaurant, and it's the atmosphere and service that set END apart from the rest of the field. The concept here, with the open kitchen, single menu, and self-serve wine selection, is clever, but in the wrong hands could be executed disastrously. However, END does manage this informal arrangement quite well and with smiling, pressure-free service to boot. Overall, one of my favorite restaurant experiences in Seattle or elsewhere. Highly recommended. -
Review from Ian S.
1/31/2009
So next to Elemental, they have opened a place named Elemental Next Door. Catchy name.
Basically the deal is that you can have some wine or a plate or two and not the full run commitment of the 7 course meal on the other side of the wall.
For example, a couple of glasses of wine with some truffle oil popped corn in their semi-industrial themed space can be yours here. -
Review from Emily T.
Austin, TX
2/17/2009
LITERALLY next door to me. So END can stand for Elemental Next Door OR Emily Next Door. How did they know?! So clever!
Uhhh... anyway.
GOOD! I mean, it's just good! Do you like Elemental? Do you like their amazing owners/staff? Do you sometimes not like having to wait forever? Or do you like having small plates and wine instead of a huge 80-course meal? Then you'll like Elemental Next Door!
(Not to say that I don't like regular Elemental or 80-course meals because... come on. Clearly.)
It's a lovely, cozy space. We had rosemary gnocchi with rabbit-mushroom ragu... and a huge cheese board... and a completely unnecessary amount of GREAT wine. Oh and complimentary champagne. Nice.
Although it's called END... this is just the beginning of a fruitful relationship. -
Review from Kristy S.
10/31/2009
Elemental Next Door was absolutely amazing. First, anyplace that hands me a flute of bubbly when I walk in has already scored a lot of points. And, the service was impeccable - Scott took care of our party of four all evening.
Oh, the food - don't miss the Manchego Stuffed peppers. They were so amazing, with perfectly melted manchego, I insisted we get a 2nd order. The artichoke dip was made with, get this, FRESH artichokes - fabulous. Entrees change daily, but we all shared a delicious chick pea "stew" over creamy polenta. I couldn't get enough, and I don't normally like polenta. The Osso Bucco was spectacular - shaved off the bone.
Finally - if they have them DO NOT MISS the milk chocolate BACON truffles. Yes, bacon done in the best way imaginable.
I can't wait to go back - if I lived upstairs I would eat and END every day. -
Review from courtney p.
Chicago, IL
2/7/2011
* All the bottles of wine cost $30, so your date doesn't have to cheap out. Price point taken away = good move.
* Great for sharing. We shared wine, a crab pate plate, sheppard's pie, and panna cotta and were very satisfied
* Free glass of sparkling? Yes, please! Way to reel us in!
* Atmosphere that is both romantic and friendly. Great service!
* Took sheppard's pie off the bill and thanked us for being "adventurous"
-He offered to tell us what was in it and I told him no. I did say "I don't eat organs". There was tripe (sheep stomach), and he was very nice about us not liking it.
* Sustainable! There's only one menu, so they don't waste paper!
I will definitely be spending many more evenings at E.N.D -
Review from Linda H.
Seattle, WA
2/3/2010
Love! Love! Love! My new favorite restaurant! END has it all: style, coziness, great food, reasonable prices and a champagne greeting. What's not to love?!
After sitting through Nine (horrible movie, save your money) we wrapped up our GNO by heading to END. I knew they don't take reservations and showing up with 5 people at 9pm was risky but surprisingly, we only had to wait a few minutes. After our champagne welcome (love it!) we were lead to a communal table. There was plenty of room to spread out so although we were technically sharing with another party, it was not intrusive and actually added to the cozy ambiance. With champagne in hand, we perused the well edited wine wall and tried to remember the menu posted on a single sheet of butcher paper. I have to say, it's hard to order when you don't have the menu in front of you so although I think stylistically the butcher paper is cool, it's not very functional. Our poor server had to practically recite the entire menu to us.
We started with truffle popcorn. The richness of the truffle oil and the sharpness of the pepper was a pleasant surprise. The Manchego Stuffed peppers were amazing and the portions were actually quite large. The artichoke dip was the best I've ever had, period.
After satisfying (and filling) appetizers, we each ordered an entrée. I ordered a bone marrow dish. The sweet, richness of the bone marrow was balanced with the fresh, bitterness of the frizzy endive. Although our goal was to share, I have to admit I shamefully devoured most of this dish.
One of our favorites was the celery risotto. I've never been a big fan of celery or risotto for that matter, but OMG - it was a brilliance burst of freshness in a sweet and cozy blanket. I think about this risotto constantly and can't wait to order it again (their menu changes quite a bit based on what's fresh so I'm really hoping I'll have another opportunity for pure celery orgasm.)
We did not order desert. Instead we drank 1.5 bottles of wine. Did I mention each 1/2 bottle is $15 bucks and a full bottle is $30? We originally ordered 2 bottles but I really appreciated that the server noticed we were slowing down and just poured a half. I felt like she was really taking care of us.
Total damage was $30 each. Did I mention all menu prices include tax and tip already? $30 bucks for an amazing meal, in a delightful setting, surrounded by great people is truly more than I could have hoped for. I'm a huge fan. Can't wait to come again. Love! Love! Love!
Tip: END is located on the ground floor of what appears to be a condo complex at the cul-de-sac of Wallingford Ave N. -
Review from Julia L.
San Francisco, CA
10/23/2010
Our friends gave us gift certificates to Elemental for our wedding. When we got there, there was a 2.5 hour wait so we hopped over to END.
This is such a great place. You're greeted with a glass of champagne when you arrive. The waiter/host is so friendly.
We ate things like truffle popcorn, duck pate, the cheese board, crab shepherd's pie, bison, and pumpkin cheesecake. Everything was so delicious. I don't think you could choose something wrong off the menu.
They also have a large wine selection to go with dinner. We had about 4 bottles for 6 people. The whole meal ended up coming out to $250, which is so reasonable for the quality and amount of food we got.
I would go here every week if I lived in Seattle. -
Review from Adrian L.
San Francisco, CA
5/12/2009
Life's too short, you should always review dessert first. Bacon truffles. Bacon is so well suited to be paired with sweet things and it works well with chocolate. Like they were cousins separated at birth. I wouldn't say the BT from END changed my world, maybe if they were dark chocolate instead of milk. But I definitely like the crunchy bacon bits encrusting the melt in your mouth chocolate ganache. Apparently "scientists" recently figured out why bacon tastes so good. What did they do, eat some, Maillard reaction? They are so smart, those scientists.
Moving backwards, my duck and gnocchi was pretty good. Nice chunks of duck breast wading in a mushroom and pepper infused sauce. All atop some pillowy soft rosemary gnocchi. I'd have to say that maybe a little of the magic was gone since i watched all the preparation from my bar seat, but on the other had I am impressed that such dishes come from such a small and simple cooking space, makes me ashamed that my kitchen ain't so fruitful.
Reversing the flow of time even further, i enjoyed strolling around END, examining the menu scrolled upon a sheet of butcher paper and admiring the wall of wine. Actually, they have a pretty awesome wine selection, especially considering that every bottle, is available as a half bottle or by the glass and all for the same price. Crazy.
Back even further, I emerge hairless from the nether regions of my mother, crying, wet, hairless, and completely helpless.... Wait too far.
I really liked this place and feel lucky that my adventuring in Seattle led me here. It was a bit surreal since i went by my lonesome to a place that initially had no other patrons. The chef/server was very friendly, as were some of her aquaintances who showed up and joined me at the bar as the night wore on. I extended my dinner to water drinking at the end end enjoying the company of strangers. The kitchen here seems tiny since it occupies only a corned of the restaurant, but I felt like I was dining at a friends place, chatting and eating and drinking. -
Review from Pieter E.
Seattle, WA
3/7/2010
The Champagne, gratis.
Wall of wine, any glass 8 bucks.
Generous small plates. -
Review from Marina M.
Seattle, WA
6/13/2009
I almost want to write a fake review and tell you that Elemental Next Door is awful so you'll never go and I can always have a table to myself. But that would be horribly wrong and selfish of me.
I'd give E.N.D. six stars if I could. The atmosphere is cozy, the wine selection varied (and every bottle is $30), the staff is utterly fantastic and friendly, the food's delicious, and they have bacon truffles. It's hands-down my absolute favorite place in Seattle (and it's so close to both Tilth and Cantinetta that this distinction is not easily won).
No life can be complete without a glass of port and a bacon truffle here.
There are only four tables (plus a few seats up front), and they don't take reservations, but at the moment wait times -- even on Friday or Saturday night -- are impressively short, probably because they only market via word-of-mouth. -
Review from c y.
Seattle, WA
3/22/2010
Tired of hearing raves from friends we finally made it to END- Elemental Next Door. We had tried neither END or Elemental and actually walked passed them. It has limited signage and is in a condo complex just north of Gasworks Park.
I understand, END is the more casual of the 2 restaurants. Where Elemental is a drawn out dining experience. END is a little more conventional and casual but still far from ordinary.
You are greeted with a complimentary glass of Champagne. The only menu is that posted in the entry way. We were seated at a large community table, It's your choice to be social or keep to yourselves. All wines are $30 per bottle and it's wonderful to go to their wine display shelves to pick out your bottle for the evening. Our server was very gracious in letting us taste several different Oregon Pinot Noirs before we made our decision.
We started with a fresh artichoke dip and followed with a quinoa salad, both were absolutely delicious. Our lamb and our halibut main courses were fantastic. I do wish the halibut portion would have been a little more generous. We finished with a trio of herb and fruit sorbets which were the perfect finish to our dinner. Your bill is all inclusive, tip and tax are already included. We were extremely pleased with our dinner and the more than reasonable price. -
Review from Damon C.
Seattle, WA
3/28/2009
Wow. Utterly perfect, ultimately awesome, fantastically delicious little dinner.
I went there with a few friends. The waiter was super-friendly and extremely knowledgeable of both the menu and potential wine pairings. I love the wine concept as well of a flat price for any selection. Browsing the selection against the wall I felt like I was at home with a bunch of friends as opposed to dining out in a restaurant.
And the food. Wow. From the appetizer through the entree all the way to the bacon truffle...Yes, I $hit you not. Bacon. Truffle...everything was indescribably scrumptious.
I really can't describe how perfect the combination of an amazing atmosphere, wine, food, and service is at Elemental Next Door. Just go there now. And eat. And enjoy. -
Review from Yann R.
Seattle, WA
9/4/2011
Great experience and ambiance. Elemental Next Door is not your usual night out, with a simple down to earth, no fuss attitude toward excellent food and nice wine. Go there to impress or enjoy, but go there!
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Review from A. B.
Seattle, WA
3/27/2011
Laurie is a hidden gem in the world overcome by celebrity chefs!! everything she creates is amazing!! i'm still dreaming about the truffle popcorn, the endive/mango sald, the tilapia ceviche & the bread pudding...wish i could eat there every day!
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Review from Quinn S.
Henrico, VA
6/22/2009
MMMM! Oooh, cheese trio... I loves yous. You know, I love cheese plates. Hell, I love cheese. Give me some roquefort and I'll throw it down the hatch, no questions asked. After I savor it, letting it roll around all sides of my tongue, of course.
Anyway, I went here at about 5pm on Saturday after being rejected from Elemental (damn its trendiness!), and the place was a ghost town. Despite the phrase "it's 5 o'clock somewhere," it seems that Fremont-Wallingfordians aren't early drinkers. My Favorite Man and I took a seat anyway, after the charming staff member poured us some complimentary champagne (love me some bubbly), and helpfully gave us a recommendation of a bottle to purchase. Their wine is $15 for the half-bottle, which is reasonable, but his choice was actually a bit off from our what we described. Oh, well. It's interpretation, I guess.
More people trickled in around 6pm, which made us feel slightly less lame for having not gotten into Elemental. E.N.D. is not a replacement, I'm sure, but was pleasant and mostly affordable.
