CanlisOutstandingPhenomenal first class restaurant in all aspects. Service, Food, Atmosphere and of course the magic Valet.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfectionExcellent in every way, the attention to detail is exquisite. The wait staff is knowledgable and eager to see that you will be thrilled. Best steak I ever had (Wagyu tenderloin) hands down, worth the price. The piano player is fun, too. Beautiful music of all kinds, you can play "name that tune".
If price is not an issue, then you owe yourself dinner at Canlis.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMgreatwonderful meal and service was great very accomadating in meal prep...awsome views...the bartender james is the best mixologists in town..5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely Food, Perfect ServiceCanlis exceeded our expectations in every way. The service was the best I've experienced on any continent, and the food was perfectly prepared. A remarkable experience.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMCanlis is a GemA tasting menu was tempting, but we opted for the steak and chicken - both highly recommended. Our meals were perfectly prepared with distinction, taste, and culinary excellence. From salad to soup to entree to dessert, the meal was impeccable. The piano bar was a delight - the music was well-played, and while the service was attentive, the staff never interrupted our conversation - almost unheard-of these days.
Without a doubt, Canlis had the best service I've ever experienced in any place I've ever dined from New York to Los Angeles. From the valets, to the hostess greeting us at the door, to the serving staff, the service was just impeccable, well-timed, and almost mysterious in how they anticipated our needs as the evening progressed.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful TImewe went for our anniversary. Food was wonderful. Service is amazing. Highly recommend to anyone.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMMagic with six star serviceIt will be worth blowing your paycheck. That is what you have to tell yourself. The experience of Canlis is said best as fantastical. Waiters in suit whisk about you ready to cater to your every whim. You MUST get the truffle fries, chicken (trust me, it's not just "chicken"), and the coffee diablo. Afterwards you will be left lighter n your wallet but fuller for the experience.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMMagical! Bucket List!My husband and I had planned this dinner for three months and it exceeded our expectations. The view is breathtaking. The Canlis staff are there to serve and anticipate your needs. Our waiter was extremely smart and wanted to help us find the perfect wines to go with our meal. When I ordered a Chardonnay with my duck, the waiter brought me my wine but also brought me a complimentary glass of Pinot since he thought that would go better. I couldn't have imagined a more beautifully displayed and crafted meal. Brian Canlis came to our table and asked us if we'd like a private tour of the restaurant. We thought we were in heaven.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMsuperb attentivenessMy husband and I had been wanting to visit Canlis for some time and finally decided to go on my birthday. The food was very good (we had the duck and it was sublime) and the expert attention by the wait staff (amiable and fun - not stuffy or pretentious) working together as a team, clearing items, refilling, etc. - made for an exquisite time. But the best part was the chef/kitchen's ability to accommodate my several food intolerances. I did not have to sacrifice anything as they seamlessly modified every part that was necessary. THAT is service. We did not order dessert, but they still surprised me with a lovely fruit and sorbet medley with Happy Birthday written in chocolate, and a cute little candle. We will definitely return.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolute perfectionThere is a reason that Canlis has been _the_ special occasion restaurant in Seattle for so long. We went for my mother's 60th birthday, taking along my 8 year old daughter. She learned a new vocabulary word that day: impeccable. The service was like a dance. The food, flawless. A truly amazing experience.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, loud musicI booked this a week in advance with no trouble and the restaurant was able to easily accommodate a last minute change. We arrived early as we overestimated the time required to arrive from downtown and were quickly seated in the lounge. Drinks were very good and generous. Unfortunately, the piano player was very loud and it was difficult to carry on a conversation. We were seated after 15 minutes and the views from the main window are spectacular. However, we barely moved from the lounge, so the piano was still quite loud. English pea soup and the beef tartar were excellent ways to start and the aperitif of carrot curry soup was blissful. Everyone was pleased with the food and the wine recommendation was spot on. Good overall.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMBest 5 star restaurant in Seattle!!The very best. Service. Presentation. Food (well, maybe not the best, but up there for sure) Romantic. View. Vibe. Tradition. Awesome awesome awesome!!!5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMDinnerThe Halibut was the best I've had since I can remember. Everything else was very good.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMCanlis is awesomecanlis was everything I expected. and more. very beautiful. service was top notch. pricey but well worth it.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMCanlis is a lovely restaurant.Canlis is a lovely restaurant. While the food was good....nothing was truly outstanding. My halibut was very salty and the crab cake was just okay.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for a special occasionBoth the service and the food are excellent. The staff was very attentive without being bothersome. In addition, the staff was both personable and professional. The duck for two was very well prepared with a great pairing of other flavors. My wife and I left the restaurant both feeling that Canlis made our special day that much more special.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingEvery time I come to Canlis it seems the restaurant keeps getting better. The food and service were outstanding5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMA Seattle LandmarkThere is a reason this place has been in the same location for SO LONG. I remember seeing and hearing of this institution when I moved here in 1969. It has been since then until now till I was finally able to dine here. It certainly is not eh most expensive place to eat in Seattle but is right up there; however, the price justifies the results. EVERY THING is top shelf, form the valet parking, to the service to the wine list and most notably the food. The view is outstanding and the décor is old school elegance. While I could not eat every week, a certain amount of celebrations are going to occur here from now on, it is just that special.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect venue for special occassionPerfect choice for celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary - we were fortunate to have beautiful sunny weather which only enhanced the incredible view fro our table. The food was fantastic - oysters, king salmon, Kobe beef and an amazing chocolate dessert and the service lived up to its impeccable reputation. This was a wonderful first visit to Canlis, and we will definitely be coming back!5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst review of a Seattle iconWhat a amazing night at a wonderful place! Great food with beyond wonderful service. The drinks were perfect the lighting and the view were amazing along with the people who served us. Staff was very knowledgable about everything on the menu and were very helpfull in helping us choose the right meal for the evening. I will be back for sure.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AM25th Anniversary DinnerMy husband and I went to Canlis to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The staff was very courteous and friendly.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMDining So Good, It need Savoring!This wonderful restaurant experience was a gift from friends. It was part of a special get-a-way vacation to Seattle. We dressed for the occasion and were rewarded with one of the nicest seats in the house, sitting side by side looking at the unobstructed view of Lake Union. The service, food, and ambience were perfect. We chose the Moscovy Duck and sides, which were prepared to perfection. No complains about this great dining experience.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMimpeccable service and staffAlthough flawlessly executed, the food lacks the imagination necessary to really become a world class destination. Everything was perfectly prepared, but there were no unexpected (or hoped for) twists or turns....4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have been to some of theWe have been to some of the finest restaurants in the country, so for us to rate the Canlis as one of the top five on our list has true significance. Interestingly, the exterior of the establishment is swomewhat bland, but what a contrast to the interior, which reminded us of a movie setting from the 1960's. We were warmly greeted by the owner of the restaurant who treated us like friends of the family. The view from the top of the hill overlooking the cityscape below was breathtaking. The service was some of the finest we have encountered--but in no way pretentious. The food was wonderful and the presentation exquisite. The next time we are in Seattle, our first stop will be the Canlis.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Dining Experience EverMy experience at Canlis was absolutely outstanding. From the minute I walked in, I felt comfortable and welcome. The food was delicious and perfectly prepared. The service was attentive without hovering. The ambiance was nice with the tables spaced so that you're not super close to other tables. The view is fabulous. I will definitely go back.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMBest meal everCanlis has it all: amazing food, gorgeous views and interiors and sublime service that makes this more than a place to eat -- it is an experience nothing short of fine theatre.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing food, best steak I'veAmazing food, best steak I've ever eaten. So tender you could cut it with a butter knife. Gorgeous view of the lake with a one of a kind dining experience. The staff at Canlis made our honeymoon dinner something we will never forget.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and impeccableExcellent food and impeccable service. A true fine-dining experience in every sense of the word. The wine list is excellent, although pricey. For bourbon lovers, their list is impressive, including some very rare bottles.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were in town and had aWe were in town and had a special event. The table, the setting, the service, and the food were exceptional.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMBeing highly recommended,Being highly recommended, I ordered the steak filet. The filet itself was cooked to order and was very good. However, the bed of vegetables and sauce over which the filet was placed was off-putting. I wish I had ordered the fresh halibut.
The Irish Coffee was too see-through (translucent vs. opaque) and the coffee weak. Irish Coffee is supposed to look like a glass of Guinness draft, bishop's collar and all. Served in Ireland, an Irish Coffee will feature a strong coffee presence. If you've ever had an Irish Coffee in Ireland, your expectation of one served anywhere else in the world would be set by that experience. The only thing that resembled a "real" Irish Coffee was the bishop's collar. Service was discrete and excellent.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a party of 5 and everyoneWe had a party of 5 and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the food, wine, cocktails and service.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMSo worth it!We had an amazing time celebrating a birthday here. We received a table by the window and enjoyed a wonderful meal which was prepared to accommodate my many food allergies. Our waiter even gave us a full restaurant tour at the end of our meal, kitchens and wine cellar included! We will definitely be back!4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful dining experience.Wonderful dining experience. I took a small group of my clients to dine at Canlis and was extremely impressed with the entire experience. The view of the lake and the mountains was spectacular. The food and its presentation were delighful. The servers and the entire staff were welcoming, appropriately attentive, and made us all feel like we were the only people dining in the restaurant that evening. I now know why Canlis is a Seattle institution.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThe level of service was onThe level of service was on such a high plane that it eclipsed the food and wine offerings, which were both excellent. Another restaurant would have been content to let the food quality and wine selection define their character, but Canlis went further than just the fare, much further. I will not keep the memory of the exact food that I ate, but I will not forget how they made me feel important, pampered, and welcome. And it was a genuine feeling, not something taught during training. That is why I recommend it and will return.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was amazing! ThereEverything was amazing! There was not a detail that they did not pay attention to. I cannot wait to go back to this place! Worth every penny :)4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were expecting a fabulousWe were expecting a fabulous dining experience. Honestly, Canlis met all of the ingredients of a fabulous experience minus the food. Both of our entrees were a disappointment. The tortellini was left under a heat lamp. It was chewy and dry on top. The halibut, which was in season, was too salty to finish eating. The service, ambiance, view, wine made up for the less than desirable food. We still had a spectacular evening.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went for our honeymoonWe went for our honeymoon dinner. It was a fantastic experience4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMTreated Like RoyaltyIf you want to be treated like royalty for an evening, book a table at Canlis. It was so peaceful to just sit back and be taken care of. Nothing is rushed. Everything is elegant. The food is simply prepared from top-quality seasonal ingredients. It is simple perfection with no showy bells and whistles. The service is impeccable. Everything they could do to make us happy, they did.
Examples: Our left-overs were placed in our car, in an elegant custom bag, without us asking. Our server met us in the lobby after our dinner and was warming my coat in front of the fire before helping me into it.
This was our first visit to Canlis, but it won't be our last.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, Canlis was superbAs always, Canlis was superb -- the food, the service, the view, everthing was perfect. If we lived in Seattle, we would go there more often. It is our favorite restaurant in the country.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and great service.IExcellent food and great service.I have not had better service since Madrona Manor in Healdsburg (no,I do not work there)
I had asked for a window seat but did not get one,although I do not know if one was available.
I do think it would be helpful if your staff was more versed on the spectacular view.If I am not mistaken you can see Mt Baker,Glacier Peak and Mt Stuart.I could not see Mt Rainier but I assume it was visible from some seats.There are some other minor peaks,too.Not a big thing but a way to take advantage of the great view.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThis isn't your every-nightThis isn't your every-night meal out. From the valet only parking, to multiple servers, and elegant dishes sure to amaze, this makes for a truly outstanding dining experience for those special occassions.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMBased on the fame, and expense,Based on the fame, and expense, we expected much more.
Made a reservation 2 months ago, stating we were celebrating an anniversary, and requested a window table. Both of the men in our party wore the required jacked and tie. We were
brought to a table in the center of the restaurant, and had to request a window table.
We were given a new table with a remarkable view.
Drinks were ordered, but only one was brought in a timely manner. We had to remind a server that all four of us had ordered cocktails.
Both of the other couple in our party sent back their salad course, stating that they were over dressed.
I ordered a filet mignon, but actually received a New York steak. Ate it anyway, it was
delicious. Need to ask for bread.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMTREMENDOUS serviceMy girlfriend and I went to Canlis for our birthdays. Since it was a special occasion we were willing to spend more than we typically do on ourselves and enjoyed 3 courses each. We also ordered drinks which were great and later enjoyed a nice bottle of wine that came recommended by our GREAT waiter. The service was what impressed me the most. Our waiter spent at least 15 minutes making wine recommendations and was observant enough to know we weren't looking to "break the bank" on our selection. He made 4-5 recommendations and helped explain what flavors each one would offer. To top it all off, once the bill was paid valet had the car running and waiting for us at the door which was great since it was raining.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe employees at Canlis areThe employees at Canlis are wonderful. We had a fabulous evening.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMUnfriendly host.Everything about Canlis was excellent, except that we were greeted by a not so friendly host. A welcome gesture is always appreciated by guests but we did not get even a smile or a good evening. He just asked our last name and turned around to look for our reservation. That was it. On the ohter hand, waitresses, waiters and sommelier were outstandingly friendly.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesomeNot much more to say about this place. It is a top-100 restaurant in the world so what more can you expect but the best? I was here for a 2 year anniversary dinner and ordered the tasting menu--it was amazing. The wine pairings were excellent, as well. I've never had such well paired and balanced wines before in my life. I'll certainly return but will try the duck; it looked sinful.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMService was excellent. WeService was excellent. We all chose three appetizers rather than an entrée and were not disappointed. Prices are high, but the evening was worth it.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had an absolutely lovelyWe had an absolutely lovely evening. The staff could not have been more gracious, and the food was delicious.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMClassClass. Not just in attitude or appearance, but throughout the entire experience. This is a first time where there was a hiccup on the restaurants behalf with our reservation, however, they made up more than I have ever experienced with a restaurant. First and foremost, the food was exquisite (Michelin, are you reading/listening?), service was outstanding and never without, ambiance was dreamy, and the attention to detail (minus some minor aesthetics - loose canned lighting, not asking for a dark napkin while being seated, etc) - this locale is up there on my list. And to finish it off - they prepare and serve real espresso. Unlike most authentic "Italian" restaurants do. If ever a dining experience felt as if it were a dream, this was it.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAs anticipated, excellent.It met our expectations only because it is well hyped in Food/Wine/Travel blogs. Despite booking 4 weeks in advance did not get a window table for a special occasion. Elected for the tasting menus with wine pairing. Vegetarian menu was creative, delicious, but not balanced for any protein content or carbs which is important when consuming wine & satiation. Meat tasting menu was superb. Service personnel second to none, with the exception of the taller sommelier with snooty attitude. . I do not disclose that I am ISG trained to wine stewards, as the wine/food experience is life long learning & exploration. This guy was curt & rude, I merely asked what other wine would you pair with a pickled vegetable course (did not enjoy the rose).4/11/2013 12:00:00 AM