AlturaWonderfulWent for our anniversary dinner and sat at the counter. Delightful scene. The food is amazing. What a treat.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMCharming restaurantMy wife and I found this restaurant on Open Table on a week long trip to Seattle. We received very personable attention while dining here, without even asking they had me taste test a couple of wines that I wasn't familiar with, and offer great suggestions for a fantastic dining experience.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThumbs up from a foodieMy husband and I celebrated his birthday at Altura this year and it was a great experience. We had the 7 course tasting menu and 5 of the 7 dishes were outstanding. This is my second time to the restaurant and both times the food has been very good. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to others. The service drink service was a little slow which seemed a little odd.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother fabulous eveningMy husband and I celebrated our anniversary with a dinner here. This place never disappoints. We ordered the chef's tasting menu. What a treat! Great food with ingredients I would never have tasted. Great wine, too. Our only disappointment was a lamb dish. The lamb tasted muttony, and we didn't care for it. This is the first time that has happened, and I consider it a fluke. Be sure to ask for seating at the "viewing area", a fancy word for counter. Sit there and you'll be able to watch the amazing chefs work their magic.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMHaving just returned fromHaving just returned from Italy and eating some fantastic meals, the bar was set high for Altura. It did not disappoint. The pastas were as good as any we sampled in Italy. We appreciated that we were not rushed through the courses and could savor each delicious bite. The wait staff was courteous, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. Altura remains at the top of our favorite Seattle restaurants!
SJO6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMMet all of my expectationsOur entire dining experience was fabulous. The staff was outstanding throughout and we never felt rushed- we were able to savor every bite! In particular, Nancy (our main server) was a delight.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMBeyond expectationsAltura is that restaurant you leave and immediately start thinking about what to try on your next visit. If you are a party of two consider sitting at the counter. There is a food ballet going on behind the counter that is incredible. Impeccable service.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGemas always everything was great....I hate the word "foodie", but I am sure it would qualify for their highest rating!!!!5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful as always!This was our third time at Altura, and this visit was as good as our previous ones. We love the ambience, the chef's artistry, the little open kitchen, the attention to detail paid to all the dishes, the uniqueness of the ordering system, the friendly yet stellar service, the fresh delicious bread served while we wait for our meal, and the always-welcome complimentary pre-dinner amuse-bouche conjured up by the 'magician' owner & head chef (Nathan Lockwood). We will be back again, and again, and again...need I say more? :-)5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMBest meal ever!I love the chef's tasting menu and the idea of customizing that by choosing my own courses. The wine pairings were impeccable. Food was inventive, delicious and beautifully presented. I'd love love love to go back!5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious dinner in cozy ambienceThe food and wine was exceptional at Altura. They have a set course (7 course dinner) or a make your own course (3, 4, 5 course dinner). Every dish was delicious! The plates were also beautifully presented. Cozy ambience. The service was attentive but not overwhelming.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first visit toThis was our first visit to Altura, but be sure, we will be back! The food was excellent, from the seasonal green salad to the lamb cheeks and rum vanilla panna cotta with fruit. It is noisy, particularly if you are sitting at the counter watching the cooking! But what fun. And you can ask questions as well. The food may be the best we've had in some time, including in New York. The portions are not large, but you don't go away hungry! We had room for the dessert without feeling like we had overeaten. The wine list is not large, but some very good wines to choose from.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMDisappointing PastaThe appetizers and entrees were both creative and delicious, however we were very disappointed by the pasta dishes. They both just tasted like smoky, salty meat (was listed as a garnish). Service was also excellent. Great place for a special occasion.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous food in SeattleFirstbvisit tonSeattle and we chose Altura from various food reports. We were mot disappointed. Had the tasting menu. Was exceptional. We opted for the wine course as well and unlike many of these, this was excellent with very interesting selection of Italian wines.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWould have given the foodWould have given the food five stars but for an entree (the short rib ravioli) that wasn't very hot (kind of a pet peeve of mine). Otherwise, the food, wine and service was outstanding.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMStill the OneAmazing, as always. If possible, our dinner Saturday was even better than our last few visits. The chef's tasting menu is a tour de force from start to finish. We'll be back as soon as we are able!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a Good BetFrom the oh-so-smooth wait staff to the deftly balanced cuisine Altura never disappoints.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is to die for. HadThe food is to die for. Had a great time with fellow foodies so we were able to cover a lot of the imaginative menu.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth a special tripOutstanding restaurant. The foie gras and the risotto were both amazing.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMArtfully crafted menu withArtfully crafted menu with a very updated PNW spin on seasonal Italian. House made pasta was the best I've had since Spinnasse.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMToo noisy too carry on a conversatiToo noisy too carry on a conversation at a table for 2 once it filled up - hence only 4 stars. Possibly still the second best restaurant to our taste in Seattle.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMEXCEPTIONAL!Altura is a rare and unique dining experience for the sophisticated diner.
My family and friends feel that Nathan Lockwood is an exceptionally talented chef and we are thrilled to meet up and dine in this charming small restaurant. We try for after work reservations as they are hard to come by on the weekends.
Thank you Altura for wonderful culinary memories!4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGonna come back Quarterly!Love this place. Some of the best tasting food in Seattle. Unpretentious and hip. Wine list is reasonably priced. The staff worked around my wife's lactose intolerance. Totally fun night!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a fantastic dinner atHad a fantastic dinner at Altura at the chef's counter. Bravo for imaginative, beautifully prepared food. Service was friendly and well informed. Overall 5* dinner.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMAltura is one of the greatAltura is one of the great restaurants in this country. Everything that you ever dreamed about can be found at this restaurant: unbelievable food, beautiful presentation, impeccable service, wonderful ambience, tasty wine, interesting menu. Nothing fell below a five-star rating.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMA cannot miss- great experience!!This is my first open table review. I am from the SF Bay Area (Sacramento) and booked Altura while visiting Seattle. My partner and I sat at the bar, that overlooks the kitchen- this added to the experience by making it unique and if you love food it may inspire you as you watch each plate become a piece of art. We each ordered the 4 course tasting menu wine wine pairing- each dish stood on its own and the wine pairing was outstanding with the wines provided being from limited vinards from around the world. The welcomed surprise was when the chief (owner) had a dish we didn't order delivered to us- pappardelle with tripe and oxtail(a must try that was outstanding- I was too scared to order tripe). The staff made the night! Outstanding!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMVery interesting place, sittingVery interesting place, sitting at the chef's counter was a treat3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Northern Italian-inspiredExcellent Northern Italian-inspired food. Asparagus soup with superbly fresh oysters. Pastas were exquisite. Desserts delicious.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had not been to AlturaWe had not been to Altura for several months. Frankly, we were disappointed. The food was good, but not outstanding as in previous visits. The combination of foods was interesting, and the presentation was lovely. Many dishes were quite salty; there was not a green salad to be found.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMVery pricey, but a foodiesVery pricey, but a foodies dream to try all sorts of creative fair. Rabbit cooked 5 ways? Oyster soup? Smoked tuna salad? Had to ask what half the menu meant. Very high quality3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best dining experienceThe best dining experience I have had in a very long time. Service was flawless and you knew there was love in the food with each bite. Conversations is easy since it is cozy and quiet. Perfect for a special occasion.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of Seattle's top restaurants,One of Seattle's top restaurants, without question and equals top places in many other and larger cities. Well chosen wine list.Will recommend to friends.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfectionThe best restaurant in Seattle. Period. Every plate is a work of art. It's always a special evening with Chef Lockwood and staff.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMHave eaten here 3 times andHave eaten here 3 times and each time has been outstanding. Eating at the counter can be a bit noisy and there aren't a lot of smaller tables, but overall it's a great find.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMBest restaurant in the PacificBest restaurant in the Pacific Northwest. Every course was a revelation of flavor and beauty. This is dining for the sophisticated palate. Delicious vegetarian courses were created for an out of town guest. Try for counter seats in order to watch this very talented chef.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AMPaulaIf you enjoy inventive food and talented customer service, you'll love this place. We had the 7 course tasting and fell in love3/8/2013 12:00:00 AMNot by accident.Watching the staff work is like watching perfectly coreographed dance. They are almost silent, fluid, yet their communication is spot on. It is a model for any kind of team or professional collaboration. They respect each other, they repect the food, they respect the diners. Service is generous, prompt and informative without a note of unctuousness. Food is fabulous, clean and inventive putting virtually every dish in the category of exceptional. This was our fifth visit and we brought French friends who happen to be in the catering business. They were sputtering with delight. Nathan Lockwood has created a total experience where the art of dining has been so scrupulously considered it could be used as a pattern for any endeavor.2/27/2013 12:00:00 AMVery well prepared food, butVery well prepared food, but not the best place for a comfortable meal. Many diners are seated at the counter, which can be interesting at times, but is also not the most comfortable way to eat. Given the prices, you would expect a decent table. Instead you're squeezed for space so they can accommodate the maximum number of diners possible.
The menu is inventive and the charging system interesting (prix fixe for dinner based on # of courses chosen). Wine pairings were interesting, but not what I would have chosen.
I would go back, but would really like a table not the counter.1/29/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding as usual. TheOutstanding as usual. The seasonal cocktails are a lovely addition and the service remains at the highest level. Keeps us coming back!1/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThey do a ribeye here likeThey do a ribeye here like nowhere else. We had the 3 course menu with wine pairings. Foie gras was special as were the pastas--nuanced and sublime. Not only was every course a culinary masterpiece, but the wine pours complimented and brought out the flavors, making each dish even more delicious. We have experienced wine pairings in many fine and fancy restaurants in the US and Canada, but no one has a better knack of pairing each dish with the right wine that enhances both food and the wine experience than the sommelier at Altura.12/28/2012 12:00:00 AMAmazing, as always! The chef'sAmazing, as always! The chef's tasting menu was particularly good on Saturday night when my wife and I dined. Wine pairing excellent too. And service perfect. Cannot wait until our next visit!11/17/2012 12:00:00 AMFantastic MealEach course flawlessly executed and creative. One of Seattle's best restaurants.9/11/2012 12:00:00 AMSeattle's BestWith all due respect to the coffee company of the same name, this Emerald City gem is really the finest. Delicious and beautiful food, terrific service and a breath-taking wine list pair nicely with impeccable service for the perfect Northwest dining experience.8/8/2012 12:00:00 AM