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Ray's Boathouse, Cafe & Catering
Categories: Nightlife Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Seafood Nightlife, Canadian (New), Seafood [Edit]
6049 Seaview Ave NWSeattle, WA 98107
(206) 789-3770
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
343 reviews for Ray's Boathouse, Cafe & Catering
Review Highlights
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"The sablefish sake kasu was so delicious." In 11 reviews -
"Sunset at Ray's for happy hour cannot be beat." In 38 reviews -
"...my entree the formidable Trident Alaskan Red King Crab Legs." In 5 reviews
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342 reviews in English
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Review from Aaron E.
5/25/2012
While I typically end up upstairs on the amazing deck at Ray's Cafe, every now and then I find myself downstairs in the more upscale Ray's Boathouse. My most recent visit was on a sunny day and I can't think of a better restaurant to enjoy an amazing sunset and view of Puget Sound. Despite not having a reservation, we were seated at a baller table by the window.
We started off with cocktails. Their version of an Old Fashioned and Manhattan. Both drinks definitely were heavy handed on the pours. They were smooth, tasty, mixed well, and strong. While I enjoyed the Old Fashioned I ordered the best, I wouldn't hesitate to order the Manhattan on a future visit (their version included a splash of peach schnapps which was a unique sweetness much different from your standard sweet vermouth).
For an entree I ordered the Grilled Alaskan King Salmon. While their entrees all sounded delicious, the salmon was served with a Manchego-Marcona Almond Gremolata. Anything with Manchego is #winning in my opinion so I had to order this dish. It was also served with mashed taters, asparagus, and basil aoli. For starters, I was surprised how massive the piece of salmon was. I immediately fell in love after my first bite. The salmon was buttery, flaky, flavorful, and a perfectly cooked medium-rare. The gremolata was flavorful and the heaviness and richness of it complimented the salmon without overpowering it. The creaminess of the basil aoli was also a great accompaniment. The potatoes were also rich and decadent and while I've never had mashed potatoes with salmon I thought it was a nice pairing. The asparagus seemed to lack seasoning and was a little overcooked for my taste. But with all of the amazing flavors on the plate some mediocre asparagus definitely wasn't a deal breaker.
My dinning companion ordered the sampler, which included small servings of the crabcake, sablefish, and the amazing salmon I ordered. The crabcake was seasoned nicely and the greens it was served on top of were amazing. Sablefish is a fish I'm not entirely familiar with but have always enjoyed. It's much richer and has a high fat content. The texture is unlike any other fish I can think of and I definitely enjoyed it.
We ended up ordering a bottle of chardonnay with our entrees. The bottle we selected (with their sommeliers assistance) was incredibly creamy and oaky. While I'm sure we could have found something that complimented our dishes a little better, it was important for us to have a wine that we both enjoyed and this certainly was a satisfying bottle.
For dessert we shared the sampler (a special), which included ginger creme brulee, a very dense and rich chocolate cake, and a berry "shortcake." The shortcake was light and refreshing and the berries were fresh. The chocolate was oh so decadent and rich. The creme brulee was oh so smooth and creamy and the hard sugar coating cracked perfectly. Plus, the ginger was so flavorful.
Throughout the course of the night service was impeccable. Pair that with an amazing view and delicious food and beverage and it was an epic, memorable night. I didn't see the bill but I wouldn't recommend coming here if you're watching your budget.... head upstairs in that case. -
Review from Pete S.
Seattle, WA
5/25/2012
Just had lunch here today 5/25. Amazing view and decent food. Chowder was good but fish and chips was mediocre to say the least.
What's annoying is the server spilled a half full beer on my friend. She says I'll go get you a new pint. Comes back with a small glass with about an inch of beer in it. "Sorry that's all the bartender would give me, otherwise I'd have to pay for it". Seriously? What kind of place is this? This is why people gravitate towards smaller, less corporate places where they value customer service. Total BS. We left feeling pretty unimpressed and annoyed. Kind of reminds me of the space needle where they rely on the location and view, and could give two sh*** for the food and the customer experience -
Review from John M.
Seattle, WA
5/18/2012
Brought my girlfriend in last night (5/17) since she had not been to Ray's yet.
Food: 4/5 - The cioppino could have used more sauce but the flavor was fine. The waiter recommended some of the new "small plates" so we tried the halibut; this was the clear winner. I had the sablefish before so I might as well put a plug in for that, it's well worth it.
Drinks: 5/5 - Only really speaking about the beer list since we didn't have any cocktails. We got to taste a few of them before making our selection. I wish I could have tried all of them.
Atmosphere: 3/5 - I think they bank too much on the splendid view from their location. The interior looks like it was built in the 70s. If it were just for the view, it would be 5/5.
Service: 6/5 - Our server, Wade, gave us some great recommendations and explained the new food. We could see he was busy but he still took the time to take care of our questions with a caring smile. My girlfriend said she felt right at home. Even the bussers were nice, and we could tell one of them was brand new. Cheers to the staff all around.
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If you don't mind the craziness that happens over the summer, I highly recommend making the trip out there. Just be warned, when the sun comes out, you're probably never getting a table on the deck unless you're willing to wait for a long time. I suggest going midweek. -
Review from Peter L.
Seattle, WA
5/18/2012
Note: This review is for Ray's Boathouse dining room, not the cafe upstairs.
That's a real five stars, folks. Ray's is among the best restaurants in Seattle and is legitimately world class. The menu is contemporary northwest seafood, and the fish is exceptionally fresh and exceptionally prepared. The wine list is expansive and impressive. The service simply has no equal in Seattle; they are fast, efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly without a hint of attitude.
The atmosphere in the dining room is relatively casual. There's no dress code (this is Seattle) but you'd be under-dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, so step it up. The views of Shilshole bay, Puget Sound, and the Olympic mountains are breathtaking, but it can be bright with the sunset shining off the water. Expect to pay $70+ per person for dinner with wine and appetizer plus tip. Make a reservation in advance for the dining room. -
Review from Brendan M.
Seattle, WA
5/1/2012
I've been going to Ray's Cafe (the more casual, upstairs part of the establishment) for years, ever since I first moved to Seattle. You know what I like about them? They have something for *everyone*. Fish and other seafood are, of course, the focus of the menu, but they always have poultry, beef, and vegetarian options available. The token tofu entree gets the same attention to detail as everything else coming out of the kitchen, so no one has to compromise.
Sometimes the wait for a table gets surprisingly long, as I found out last Thursday, when our party of five waited 45 minutes during the dinner rush. We took our buzzer to the bar to have drinks. There are plenty of great beers on tap, but I chose a cocktail called the Nordic Summer: aquavit, lemon sour, pineapple puree, bitters, soda. The drink sounds complicated, but the simple pairing of aquavit and fruit flavors tasted great, and fairly strong to boot.
My Crispy Miso Tofu entree was almost as good as my cocktail. About 12 1.5-inch cubes of deep-fried tofu circled the plate with rice, choy sum slaw, and curry sauce in the middle. Everything was perfect except for the spicy curry. Why is there so much heat lurking in the entrees at Ray's? I don't understand it. Thank goodness there wasn't much curry on the plate to begin with.
We always have good service at Ray's. There are plenty of food, beer, wine, and cocktail options to suit different tastes. The water views are a nice touch. No wonder I keep coming back here.Listed in: Cocktails for beginners
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Review from Nique F.
4/17/2012
I think the term "happy hour" may have been born on a sunny afternoon in Seattle, because I've never seen happier human beings than Seattleites in the sunshine. Add to that scenario a sprawling view of the Puget Sound, a cold beer or stiff Bloody Mary, and some fresh seared ahi and you've landed smack in the middle of happy hour at Ray's.
I was beyond thrilled with Ray's location. Even though the restaurant itself feels a little hokey/ corporate, the view from their upstairs dining room and patio cannot be beat. Happy hour is a mob of all ages, and you'll have to be stealth (or early) to snag a good seat, because you rarely see folks move from their prime happy hour real estate once they're all comfy.
The food quality is not 5-star, but better than I expected and the portions were generous considering the HH discounts. Lots of $5-6 seafood plates like mussels (good curry broth, whimpy shriveled mussels), seared ahi with cucumber sesame salad, hot wings with ranch (blah), and calamari ceviche (surprisingly fresh!)
We spent our last few hours in Seattle at Ray's, before jetting to the airport, and I don't think we could have spent it more happily, or more economically. How rarely those two can be found in one place!Listed in: Go Solo!, Sunshiney Day, Beer Here, sEATtle me!, Go Fish!
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Review from Quynh T.
Seattle, WA
4/30/2012
Amazing view and yummy food. We came here in a big group during restaurant week right as the sunset which made for an amazing view...and a good deal. Their cocktails were also super yummy and refreshing, and they had this spicy lemonade deal which gave you a nice kick in your pants.
As always, none of us really showed up in time, but they were gracious and seated us as we came and made sure we had a drinks while we waited. The service was good, and the food was hot, delicious, and had good presentation...and oh man, the desserts...we all ordered different ones and got to taste them all...sooo good. Super rich and pretty to boot.
The only thing that marred our experience was we had an extra bottle of prosecco charged to us that took us and them a while to figure out...but no harm no foul. -
Review from Hanna K.
Seattle, WA
5/25/2012
This is the best restaurant in the entire world! They have the most friendly employees and they make every time here perfect! I have been coming to Rays for almost 23 years. It was the very first restaurant my family went to when we moved to Seattle! Great for special occasions!
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Review from Elibe E.
Seattle, WA
4/18/2012
Ray's is a solid establishment in the Ballard community.
It's a great place to catch some rays when the weather ISNT being a bastard.
Here we go...
Ray's offers some of the same fare that the place next door has served for decades. The biggest difference, however, is in quality. The service here is excpetional. Everyone from the catering staff to the management seems to really aim to please.
If you want to try more of the menu, you should try to snag a seat (hard to come by) at the bar and hit up the HH menu. The bartenders offer friendly, casual conversation (really cool).
I don't know what else to say. If you like the place next door, Ray's is at least 1.5 notches better. -
Review from Jimmy Z.
Seattle, WA
5/13/2012
I had been here once before, and had a good experience, so we were very excited to have a reservation in the downstairs restaurant for Mother's Day brunch. With a high-priced menu of elegant breakfast options we expected a great meal, but what we got was very disappointing.
My girlfriend and I both ordered their take on eggs benedict. when they came out both of our eggs were completely overcooked to the point that we had to send them back. Our waiter was nowhere to be found for a while, finally we were able to waive down another waiter who promptly took them back and said he would bring us new ones.
The replacements were pretty much just as bad. some of the eggs were still way overcooked, one or two were kind of runny, but all of the eggs were cold. When you poach eggs in a large batch for a breakfast like this I understand poaching them in advance and chilling them in ice water, but for over $30 a plate you would at least expect them to heat the eggs back up! On top of that, the english muffins were all way over-toasted to the point we could not cut into them (even people that ordered something other than the eggs benedict had this problem).
I'm rarely one to send things back or nit-pick, but this was a very expensive Mother's Day brunch at a very reputable restaurant. What we got was below average food and below average service. The meal was pleasant, but we could have had just as good a time at a local diner and would have gotten much better food and service.
Maybe Ray's just doesn't know how to do breakfast, but what they were offering was a very expensive, special brunch that we were excited to secure a reservation for. We left regretting having picked Ray's for the occasion.
Any other place I would have given 2 stars for the quality of the food/service, but this is a very nice place that we paid a lot of money for, so I really can't give them anything higher than 1 star. -
Review from Etta T.
3/28/2012
While (expectedly) expensive, Ray's is a great dining experience. We went for lunch one sunny winter day and really enjoyed looking out on the water. The place was very busy (also expected) and we waited an hour for a table for two so I definitely recommend a reservation. I also recommend that you try sitting in the bar area if regular tables aren't available... the hostess did not tell us this was a possibility until we'd already been waiting nearly an hour for a table to open up (and even then, we found out by overhearing another couple talking about it)
We ordered the salmon burgers which were just okay... partly our fault though, as we expected salmon filets and not salmon patties (it discloses this information on the menu but we missed it). The burgers were alright - just a bit dry. The service was alright... our beer glasses sat empty a few times for a while before being filled but as I said the place was pretty busy.
Anyway, nothing out-of-this-world... but worth it for the view. If I go again I'll dry dinner and/or ordering a bit more careful... and *definitely* getting a reservation. -
Review from Jonathan W.
3/10/2012
Amazing views, so I guess you' really can't complain.
The food is average. Nothing to write home about. The apps were a bit salty. Crab cakes weren't that fresh but the sablefish was very nice.
Great place to catch a break and calm the nerves. -
Review from Andy P.
Seattle, WA
4/15/2012
I've been to this place many times, and never been disappointed, so far. Food was always good and service the way you'd normally expect it at a place like this. Yesterday however, the experience couldn't have been worse. It started with the waiter patronizing my girlfriend several times, that she should speak up as he had a hard time hearing her. It was busy and bit loud, but she wasn't mumbling either and definitively not in the mood for shouting her order over the table. A waiter can easily step a bit closer or pay attention to the items pointed out in the menu, problem solved. However, it didn't stop there. We ordered drinks and some food, just to have the food arrive at least 5m earlier than the drinks. Needless to say that order matters, just like you don't start a dinner by eating desert. Speaking of deserts: we were actually interested in a desert, but before we could even make up our mind about it, the waiter had already slammed the check on the table, while I was still finishing my entree. Way too early, and really just sends one message only: get out of here. Really, that's how you see your customers?
Worse, when I actually had a question on why an 18% tip was already included (was using my Passport card) the waiter walked away, turning his back to me while I was still talking to him. We had gotten the menu again at that point, so that we could take a look at deserts. But while the waiter was having us wait for a good while to pick up the order, my girlfriend had enough and we decided to leave.
Dear Ray's café, your waiter Wade has either an attitude problem or doesn't know how to stay professional on a busy day. If I decide to ever bring a party back to your place, I will refuse service from him. -
Review from Kevin C.
3/15/2012
excellent service, dining room, and staff.
Food is hit or miss. I missed completely choosing my dinner, but my cousin hit every good thing on the menu (dine around seattle).
The duck leg confit is the one to go for, avoid the risotto. -
Review from Ninette C.
Seattle, WA
3/15/2012
Came here for a Girl's Dine Around Seattle night.
The area and dining room are beautiful! I requested a table by the window and they told me over the phone that they didn't has tables of 5 on the window side but that there wasn't a bad view in the house and they weren't kidding! There are floor to ceiling windows. We also had a round table. This may seem small but it made a big difference for our group. It was much easier to chat and I really appreciated it. The service here was very good. We were busy being girls so they were good about being helpful but not too chatty.
Food: we ordered:
Appetizers:
-Seared St. Jude Albacore, seared rare w/ cilantro salsa verde, pickled ginger and toasted coconut (mine)
-Saffron Mussel Bisque, crispy pork belly, chervil
Entrees:
-Muscovy Duck Leg Confit, arugula, roasted beets, onion confit, artichokes, roasted chanterelle jus
-Carnaroli Seafood Risotto, clams, mussels, prawns, pancetta, saffron, tomato broth (mine)
Desserts:
-Quadruple Chocolate Mousse, semisweet and milk chocolate mousse, chocolate cookie crust, caramelized orange sauce, theo cocoa nibs
-Vanilla Crème Brûlée, shortbread cookie (mine)
-Toffee Bread Pudding, espresso crème anglaise, theo cocoa nibs
The highlight of the meal was the albacore tuna and the quadruple chocolate mousse. After tasting my friend's mousse, I really regretted not ordering it (as I usually do not order chocolate desserts). The risotto was good, but not amazing.
I like that this place offered many dishes even though it was Dine Around Seattle. They did change the creme brulee to a plain vanilla and the dishes were a little small, but we were still comfortably full.
Overall, I had a great time. I would give the view 5 stars, the service 5 stars and the food 4 stars simply while good because there isn't much worth talking for miles about. -
Review from Melissa S.
Seattle, WA
We had our wedding ceremony and reception here in July 2011. We chose Ray's for the awesome view and intimate feel of the reception building. Additionally, hosting a reception at Ray's is really affordable (compared to other waterfront venues) because the Northwest Room only holds up to 120 people. Amy, the wedding coordinator, was attentive throughout the entire process and met with us several times to tour the property, pick the menu and hold our rehearsal.
Our ceremony was on the dock right outside the restaurant. For a fee of $595, Ray's will host the ceremony (setup/breakdown the chairs, provide runner, use of bridal suite, etc). It wasn't super private because there were a few restaurant guests on the balcony above who could watch, but we knew about that ahead of time and so it didn't bother us. Everyone nearby was extremely respectful and quiet during the 30 minute ceremony. There is no speaker system outside (and we didn't rent one) so some of our guests said they barely heard anything. We didn't realize it would be sooo hard for people to hear, so that sucked. Ultimately we loved it though because its so convenient to the reception area; guests can valet park their cars once (free!) and stay in the same location for the entire event.
The Northwest Room is set up to fit 80 people inside and 40 people outside (under a permanent canopy), but the large doors are propped open so it doesn't really feel divided. Ray's provides white floral centerpieces for each table (included in the price!), so we didn't buy any flowers for the tables. They provide linens in the color of your choice and simple white china. The decor was simple, but the view of the water provided a stunning natural backdrop. We didn't regret going with a more natural look (as opposed to lots of candles, centerpieces, favors, etc). The outdoor area has white twinkle lights and paper lanterns which was great when the sun went down. This Northwest Room is in a separate building from the restaurant which was great - it has its own restrooms, coat closet, and kitchen staff.
The food was delish. We had a dinner buffet because we didn't want any of our guests to go hungry. We had flank steak and halibut, and several people went back for seconds. Ray's staff even packed up the leftovers in a doggy bag for us (which was great because we spent very little time eating). Ray's offers at least 5 different options for serving alcohol, which was great because we were on a budget. We ended up doing beer and wine. Ray's doesn't make wedding cakes though so you'll have to bring your own. There is a cake cutting fee of $2/guest which kind of sucked though.
Overall the Ray's staff was FABULOUS. They kept the whole evening running smoothly and everything on track (toasts, first dance, cake cutting, etc). The evening went by in a whirlwind and I will remember it forever! -
Review from Scott L.
Seattle, WA
4/22/2012
Two stars only for the view. I don't see how this place has some how fooled people into thinking this is a top tier dining establishment. People must be intoxicated by the views to give this anything other than one star. If it did not have the real estate to back it up, it would be out of business within a year.
Ordered their wings as an appy and when she placed on the table on the table I audibly laughed. It looked as though I had ordered breaded frog legs, tiny and without any meat.
The food is ummemorable and terrible -
Review from Leona Y.
2/18/2012
Great place for a family dinner, date, or just for a nice night out! Make sure to get a window seat so you can enjoy the gorgeous sunset on summer nights!
Steamed Clams Appetizer: Great appetizer to share with 2-3 people. Make sure you save the broth and dip the warm bread in it since it is DELICIOUS! My mom even asked the waiter to box the rest of the broth to take home -__-
Smoked Scallops Appetizer: The portions are fairly small for this one so it's more for sharing with 2 people. The scallops are served chilled and the smokiness was perfect. Not too salty and not too dry.
Alaskan King Crab Legs ($57): Generous portions of crab legs which comes with a side of mashed potatoes and string beans. They give you a side of warm butter to dip the crab in but I suggest asking for a side of soy sauce with lemon which is a healthier and (personally I think) a tastier alternative!
Creme Brluee: This was large enough to share with 2 people. I loved that the top was super crunchy! This is pretty rich and creamy so I would order some hot tea or coffee to help wash it down.
Ginger Blackberry sorbet: This may not be available year-round since it was a seasonal flavor. There are pieces of candied ginger on top which complemented the blackberry sorbet very well. It comes with 2 scoops so it's plenty to share with 2 people.
I will definitely be coming back for future birthday dinners and maybe for happy hour which seems to be very popular as well. -
Review from Elyse M.
Madison, WI
4/14/2012
Gorgeous view of the water - we had a great time at Ray's catching up and enjoying the atmosphere. I definitely recommend getting reservations - both the restaurant and parking lot fill up fast, but there is free valet parking. The ricotta gnocchi and boathouse salad were excellent.
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Review from George C.
Seattle, WA
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
So many good things going on at Ray's.
The view
Great food and service
Plenty of parking
Good cocktails
I can go on and on but the atmosphere and food got me hooked. I ordered the Ray's Sampler and it was AWESOME. 3 different samples all served with sides. Each sample portion was a decent size too! The sampler offers salmon, sablefish and a crab cake. Everything was perfectly cooked and delicious.
This place is top notch. I've only been to Ray's once but I can't wait to go again. I've been to Ray's Cafe before and it's very good but sit downstairs and get the full experience. -
Review from Jen C.
12/27/2011
Ray's is a nice place to bring out of town visitors to eat if you are not the one paying. The view is amazing and that is pretty much all it has going for it. The menu is limited and pricey and the food is not very good. The beer selection is pretty standard and the desserts are not to die for. Happy hour is okay but when the weather is nice you will probably not find a seat in the cafe area. I've been to Ray's many times over the years and that's my assessment.
If you want a classy restaurant with a sea view and better food, I recommend Six Seven or Palisade (both have a happy hour). Salty's is the place with the most spectacular view of all (in my opinion) but the food is not reliably good. -
Review from Matthew M.
Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA
4/12/2012
Good food and great service. Halibut was very tasty and the drinks were good. Very reasonable prices for how nice the restaurant was.
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Review from Kyla C.
Seattle, WA
1/23/2012
This place is a Seattle institution, deservedly so. I really enjoy eating here for multiple reasons: the view, the ambiance, the wine list, the service and of course the food! Don't get "Ray's" mixed up with "Ray's Cafe", two completely different worlds. This time we ate at the real "Ray's" (downstairs) for my husband's birthday. It's fancier and the menu is totally different from what they offer upstairs. The cafe is great for more casual meetings and happy hour is awesome up there too but try out the downstairs for a special dinner, it's worth it.
We both got salads to start (mine with goat cheese, dried cranberries and carmelized onions - super yum!) and I got the Alaskan Ling Cod as an entree. It was served on a delicious mound of gruyere mashed potatoes and it had a lovely tomato broth on it as well. It's was very good. My husband got the sampler plate (crab cake, salmon and sablefish) and he liked them all. The only one I got a bite of was the sablefish and it was super tasty. We shared a chocolate cake for dessert and left happy and satiated, but not super stuffed. Another lovely dinner at Ray's - what's not to love?? -
Review from Josh H.
11/28/2011
Let me give you one more reason to love Ray's: Generosity.
I'm a volunteer at a soup kitchen run by the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood association. On occasion, as happens with any large restaurant/catering business, Ray's has had excess food after a holiday or event. They have been kind enough to give us a call.
I'm not talking about lame left overs or out of date food. I'm talking about fresh, well prepared food and fresh deserts. This food leaves Ray's, comes back to the the soup kitchen, and goes directly to the plates of hungry people.
A huge thank you to Ray's!!!!!Comment from Carol Anne L. of Ray's Boathouse, Cafe & Catering 11/29/2011
Thank you Josh! We are so glad that we were able to help.… More » -
Review from Alice B.
1/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Finally a great Seattle seafood place! I've been searching for great seafood here, which shouldn't be hard to find, but until now I've been disappointed.
The smoked salmon appetizer was amazing. They get the salmon directly from one of three Alaskan fishermen and smoke it right there. Now I know what really good smoked salmon is supposed to be like.
The Trident King crab legs were very fresh and the portions were very generous. But at $57, it is the most pricey entree on the menu. I had a taste of my husband's trio sampler, and the sablefish was by far the best of the three. Not something I would have thought to order on my own, but I would consider it next time. The crab cakes were a bit dry, however.
The interior is very warm and cozy and most of the tables have a pretty good view of the water. There is plenty of parking out front.
I would definitely bring out of town guests back to this place! -
Review from P R.
Seattle, WA
5/7/2012
Ray"s the Restaurant pretty good ,nice view ,could be expensive .
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Review from Teresita C.
Seattle, WA
10/17/2011
When we went into Ray's on this rare, sunny October day we were all in high spirits, smiles and warm goodness all around.
When we exited it was with sprinkling of sadness and disappointment, at the below average meal we all paid way too much for.
There are approximately 1,000 above-average to excellent restaurants in Ballard and we wasted our lunch here, damn.
Each member of our five-person party had something different and it was all mediocre. The 'Upper Deck' salad had two walnuts, 4 miniscule dots of apricot and almost none of the blue cheese they call by name. My partner's calamari was dripping with grease and salt.
My girlfriend has the hummus platter with another salad that suffered from a lack of ingredients and care. There were several wilted/blackened leaves of greens on our plates.
Our other two friends had seafood and chowder, which neither claimed as delicious. I don't know if the lunch chef had a migraine, was angry or just hates his or her job but the food tasted like someone's bad attitude.
To add insult to injury our server was unfriendly and dour and possibly ingested some of the sour milk that affected the kitchen staff.
A restaurant with this much history (and real estate) should be above average at all times, not just at dinner. -
Review from New C.
Seattle, WA
4/26/2012
Was fortunate to have a social club of which I'm a member hold a dinner here. Best salmon I've ever had in a restaurant, and the service was impeccable.
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Review from Paul C.
Seattle, WA
11/28/2011
We've been going to Ray's for years and it's always been a favorite of ours. We decided to stop by for lunch on our anniversary the other day and enjoy the view and have some good food & drinks in the cafe.
The last couple of times we went it was late night happy hour and we were treated as though they were doing us some sort of favor by letting us partake. We just chalked that up to being busy, the late hour, bad day, and didn't worry about it too much because the food was good and it wasn't a big deal.
This time we got off to a good start when the waitress tried handing me the menu, bobbled it and it fell on the floor. After giving me a dirty look for her dropping it while trying to hand it to me, she picked it up and handed it to me again with a disgusted look. Hmmm... really lady?!
The service continued on this path for the remainder of our lunch. Food and drinks were just tossed on the table in front of us with no smile, eye contact, nothing. We kind of laughed and said that it must just be a miserable place to work and that it seemed everyone was suffering from the same rudeness.
To make matters worse, it wasn't just the exceptionally bad service, but now the food! We ordered the mussels which are always great and were shocked that NONE of them had been cleaned / de-bearded! We didn't send them back because we didn't want to take the time to wait... and besides what were they going to do? Debeard an already cooked mussel??
Anyhow, we've come to the conclusion that Ray's has become way overpriced for the type of establishment that it is now. It once had good prices and good food, now I'm afraid that the only thing it has is a great view. -
Review from Judy C.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 3/12/2012
I had to write another update as we just went here for my honey's birthday dinner tonight. Once again a wonderful meal. The Dine around Seattle promotion is also going on. We have partaken in this in previous years and the one thing I can say is Ray's always outshines other restaurants who participate in this. The portions are ample, the selection is varied and the quality is fantastic. You truly get the full Ray's experience. We always share dishes no matter where we go, just makes it a fun dining experience.
Appetizers: We started off with a new Smoked Scallop appetizer which was a perfect way to start the meal, would definitely order this again. We then moved onto the Steamed Mussels, one of our favorites. The mussels were small and tender, just like butter. Of course we added martini's to this experience.
Dine around Seattle portion:
Appetizer - we both chose to go with the Seared Albacore Tuna. We are Seared Ahi fans from Rays Café. The first dish came out with the tuna nearly cooked/ not seared. Our server noticed it as she approached the table to check in with us and immediately offered to take it back and bring us lightly seared tuna. The 2nd dish was cooked perfectly, and melted in your mouth.
Main Dish - We ordered the Duck confit which was out of this world, highly recommend. The Duck literally fell off the bone and was mild in flavor. The other dish was the Lamb Shank. I am not a big lamb eater so I just had 2 bites , my honey ate the rest.:) The lamb was tender and flavorful. We decided if we went back during this Dine around Seattle month we would order the Pork Loin next time in place of the lamb for something different. We would definitely order the duck again!
Dessert - I am so thrilled to see that Ray's has changed the dessert menu to include truly decadent style desserts. We dines at Rays last month and tired out the Tiramisu Cheesecake and the Double Chocolate Mousse and loved it. We normally have not ordered dessert in the past as there tended to be more cakes or tarts on the menu. I really like this change and much to our surprise these 2 desserts were part of the special menu tonight. We order one of each and it ws the perfect way to finish our dinner.
Service - Darn it I meant to get our servers name. She was really fantastic. She did not rush us and seemed to appear just as we needed her.
Environment - We had a lovely window seat and not only had a calming view but ease for conversation. Definitely recommend Rays again...a great restaurant to share with friends. If you go during the week you can enjoy dinner conversations and a nice intimate experience.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/11/2010
I have been remiss on not writing a review before now as I have dined at Ray's for many years. I… Read more »
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Review from S H.
Seattle, WA
5/14/2012
We had an awful Mother's day brunch experience. The food was disappointing to say the least. The salmon scramble consisted of scrambled eggs sprinkled with tough thick nuggets of salmon jerky--NOT traditional smoked salmon as the menu described. The halibut was overcooked and the filet was sinewy and almost raw in the middle. Overall, the meals lacked flavor--and at $28-$38 a plate, this is unacceptable. By the time our meals arrived, we still had not received our croissants. Rather than acknowledge his mistake, the waiter lied and said they were just coming out of the oven. When he did bring our croissants, they were stale and very cold. The only decent part of the brunch was the family style desserts--they were delicious (hence the two stars). But they were not enough to salvage our brunch experience. When we received our bill, the waiter had charged us for 2 extra plates. So we had to go through the hassle of getting our bill revised to get an accurate total. Since we were a party of 9 we could not voice our frustration and complete disappointment with a reduced tip since they automatically added on 18% gratuity. My family and I cannot afford to eat out very often, so when we do, it is a special occasion. Thank you Ray's for providing us with a terrible Mother's day brunch experience for such a ridiculous expense. We will not be coming back.
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Review from Cameron M.
Seattle, WA
10/18/2011
I just went to Rays for lunch with my coworkers and I was really impressed. Its not just another Seafood restaurant in the Seattle area. This place has its own charm and really cool view might I add.
When you drive up you get to see the big Rays sign above the building. Then you head into the building and see really cool old pictures and lots of nice wood beams. The greet you and take you to your seats.
I had the blacken Red rock fish for lunch. Had green and red peppers on the plate as well. I would say if you like fish, try this out! It came with this grain like potato salad.
For dessert I tried the creme burlee with a chocolate biscotti. Let just say that went down FAST!
Really happy with the whole meal there and service! -
Review from Lizabeth M.
Woodinville, WA
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fun playing operation, twister, & jenga at the Small Lots Party with Lisa. Kevin, Wendy, Jason, Ross & Darin. Great wine & delicious food... very fun night!
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Review from Colin D.
9/18/2011
Ray's used to be my go-to date spot in Seattle with good food, slightly upscale feel and arguably the best view (certainly for sunset) in the city, but I'm not as in love with it as I used to be. The restaurant downstairs is pretty pricey, though you get a a very upscale feel which is great for certain events. But, both the restaurant and the cafe seem to have gotten much, much saltier than I'd like since I started going and the seafood no longer blows me away with how perfectly cooked it was as I used to espose to friends and family.
That being said, I still go there quite often. Usually for the happy hour in the bar when they server my favorite (the seared ahi tuna) for nearly half-off and you can have that and some good local beer for a reasonable price.
My recommendation is to go early when it's nice out and catch happy hour in the bar at the same time as there are few enough people around that you can get a nice seat near the window enjoying the view. -
Review from Briana W.
Renton, WA
9/27/2011
My husband and I celebrated our first anniversary and second anniversary at Ray's Boathouse. Our first anniversary was divine! We were seated next to the windows looking out on the water and were treated very nicely. The food was excellent and we never mind having a $100 + bill at Ray's because it is worth every penny!
This year, our second anniversary, I brought dessert for my husband as a surprise (it was the top to our wedding cake made at Morfey's cakes on Denny Way-they had a picture of it and made it special for our anniversary!). I dropped the cake off a day early and they kept it in the fridge until the next evening. I gave detailed instructions of when to bring it out and they did exactly as I requested!!! They made our second just as special as our first, maybe even more! The waiter and hostesses knew what was going on but never let my husband see that they knew! I was all giggles!
Thank you so much Ray's
-The Soldier and his wife! -
Review from Don M.
Seattle, WA
2/13/2012
It was all right but I was disappointed overall. U get more for ur buck at anthonys next door. The bread was hard and not warmed, and the portions were small. I don't mind paying 40 a plate but I wanna get full. Anthonys is better plain and simple!
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Review from Dean W.
Seattle, WA
9/25/2011
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!
I can hardly say enough good things about Ray's. I don't think I've ever had a bad meal here. The service is always great, and the food is outstanding. They really know fish. It's such a Seattle "institution" and can't imagine Seattle without my favorite seafood restaurant! I would recommend this to anyone who loves seafood, and always try to take guests here from out of town. It's not the cheapest, but considering the food quality I actually think it's a good value. If you haven't been here yet you HAVE to try it out! -
Review from Susan C.
Renton, WA
3/6/2012 Seated via OpenTable
I love going back to Ray's. I had the chef's special that night and it did not disappoint. My friends ordered the sampler, and the sturgeon. The server was great, even though she did spill half a bottle of wine when dropping it off at our table! The bread was cold, which I was told, is normal for this type of bread. Great views, great ambiance, good place to visit. They also participate in Dine Around Seattle, and maybe Restaurant week.
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Review from Samara S.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 3/2/2012
Had a nice birthday lunch there the other day. The sable fish was delicate and buttery - perfectly cooked! A bit of crunchy rice, though, and way too much sauce on the plate. The peanut butter pie was a winner, though!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/29/2011
We don't go here often (enough!) as it's more of a special occasion place (we do go to Ray's Cafe… Read more »
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Review from Tomeo W.
Seattle, WA
2/20/2012
Went here on my first date with my fiancé. Amazing view of the water. Exquisite food. I had the salmon and it was amazing. Also there oysters are wonderful. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a romantic evening
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