CanlisWe don't get a chance to visitWe don't get a chance to visit Canlis as often as we'd like but as always, it was spectacular. It was great to "show it off" for friends who had never experienced Canlis before, and they treated my husband (the birthday boy) like a king. We were even able to get a window table with a great view of the Lake and watched as the sun went down and the restaurant started twinkling. I love this place.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary celebration....My husband and I came to Canlis, celebrating our 44th anniversary. What a delightful experience we had! The wonderful cuisine plus all of the special touches made for a very special evening.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMbest in the country!I have been going to this restaurant for a great many years. we took our oldest grandson to Seattle and ended our trip at dinner the other night. first class all the way I wholeheartedly recommend this fabulous place for dining. a great experience. this restaurant could hold its own in any city!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing and wonderfulCanlis is the most wonderful place in Seattle for special events. In fact, it is so magical, that it will be hard not to save just for special events.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMCanlis: the epitome of fine dinningExcellent service, amazing food, and a superb dining experince. Canlis is arguably the finest dining establishment in the Seattle area. Expect challenging, delicious fare in a no rush, formal dining environment. Choose between a 3 or 4-course pre fixe menu, or alacatre. We chose one 3-course and one 4-course meal to sample a wide varity of meats and seafood, with little disappointment. We did, with great reluctance, send the halibut back due to excessive salt, which our waiter acknowledged the head chef agreed with. The take home brownie cake was a pleasent addition.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMI took my boyfriend here forI took my boyfriend here for his birthday and it was such a great evening. Both of our meals were exceptional, we had amazing views, and the service was wonderful as well. I would recommend this restaurant as a great place to dine, especially for special occasions. I look forward to dining here again as well.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMSeattle's BestA fabulous dining experience. Great view, perfect atmosphere and outstanding food. We were attended to by gracious, professional staff and yet we did not feel over-served. We loved every minute of this memorable evening. Thanks so much.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMIt lives up to the hype-- and more!If I am going to pay for a really nice meal, I want to eat something inventive and surprising, as well as delicious. Canlis delivers on that 100%. We all did the tasting menu (one person did the vegetarian tasting menu), and every dish was amazing.
The cured tuna was probably my favorite (and a surprisingly large portion!)
They were very flexible, allowing my husband to substitute a chocolate dessert for the apple tart, and switching out one of the wine pairings when he wasn't crazy about what was served.
We all left stuffed- and I'm 5.5 months pregnant, so that takes some work!
And I don't normally even notice the music in restaurants, but their pianist was phenomenal! It was popular songs, reworked as classy piano pieces. Super fun.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMOverall glad we wentWe were delayed a few mins but there was no hesitation at all about it when I called; we arrived to a warm welcome.
I would suggest dinning earlier in the evening as it got a bit loud as the night progressed. The server noted our allergies and explained the menu. She let us know that anything we wanted could be accommodated ie. tasting menu choices could be a la carte. The food was wonderful--presentation was impressive!!! The only thing worth adding about the food is that I found everything I ate to be very salty*, while my dinning partner agreed he didn't mind.
Overall I'm glad we went, it was worth the visit. note: seating by the windows was for parties of 4 or more.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMtop notchFrom the food and wine to the service and view, it doesn't get any better than this.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a great experienceThe service was truly outstanding and notable. The servers anticipated our needs, but were not obtrusive. The courses came out in a timely manner but not too soon or too late. If we were observed getting up, someone was there to pull out our chair, re-seat us and even help with the napkin. Loved that the table was "crumbed" consistently but not so much that it was annoying. Our server tossed the famous Canlis Salad tableside, was gracious, professional, courteous, and very personable. Just perfect! Oh! and our dishes were delectable and at proper temperature. I had very similar Duck at Georges in Paris at the Pompideau Musee.... loved it!6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful serviceMathew, our waiter for the night, was great. He brought a special flair to the dining experience. Pairing our wines perfectly and substituting some aspects of the dinner to suit our special occasion (5th anniversary).6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent fine dining experienceFrom the custom cocktail the bartender agreed to create for us to the magic appearance of the car on the way out, Canlis provided the perfect special ooccasion experience for our celebratory event. The meat eaters and vegetarians alike werw thrilled with each of their four courses. The sommolier helped select the perfect wine. The wait staff was friendly knowdgable and yet unobtrusive. Even the owner was delightful and helpful as he recommended the best single malt scotch selections I have ever tasted. The pricing is what you would expect for a fine dining experience, but in every other way expectations are exceeded. .5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderfulCanlis is not so much for dining as a dining experience. The staff was wonderful and polite and not at all pretentious for such an establishment. The food was delicately simple and delicious.
We loved our evening there.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Fine Dining in SeattleI went to Canlis with my fiance to celebrate my birthday and we had a wonderful time. The food was decadent and delicious and the service was top notch. I would absolutely go again, but of course the bank account will have to recover first :) One of my favorite parts of the night was actually the piano player who was phenomenal.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways outstanding!Canlis was the reason for staying overnight in Seattle. A truly wonderful restaurant.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMExpensive with impeccable serviceI honestly think the service was better than the food! Impressive to watch everyone in unison and tending to their tables.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMCanlisIt is rare that an institution lives up to "hype." Canlis somehow managed to exceed expectation. A very pleasant surprise.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMOut of town dining experienceWhile visiting Seattle, we wanted a dining experience that would be a great representation of the City. I think we made a good choice with Canlis. The ambiance was rustic, but sophisticated; the view was captivating; and the food was representative of the region. The service was outstanding. From the moment we walked in the door, everyone was courteous and accommodating. Dietary constraints we presented were handled with grace. We dined off the main menu. Everything was well prepared, perfectly cooked, and very tasty. The only remark I would have about the food is it did not look like what we expected when comparing to photos of dishes shown on the restaurant website. The dishes we were served were not as elaborate in presentation.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingPhenomenal first class restaurant in all aspects. Service, Food, Atmosphere and of course the magic Valet.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways ExcellentOne expects superb service at Canlis, ranging from the greeting by the Maitre De to the valet parkers who have a sixth sense of when you are leaving the restaurant and whisk your car directly to you as you depart the restaurant. Combined with attentive waiters and knowledgeable-but-not-over-the-top sommelier service, this restaurant has the finest service on the West Coast.
Now to the food. Instead of the Tasting Menu (which is varied and creative), we oped for the Canlis Classics-- Salad, Peter Canlis shrimp; Muscovy duck, filet mignon. All were excellent. Prepared to order. And a good value compared to over-priced steak houses in Seattle.
Save room for the Gran Marnier souffle. Wonderful.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThanks for a memorable anniversary!Seattle was the place of our honeymoon and we came back from Tulsa, OK to celebrate our 8th anniversary - and a visit to Canlis for dinner made it uber-special! What a beautiful location... What a wonderful view of the city... What spectacular service... and, what amazing food! From start to finish, we were very impressed! Truly, the reputation of Canlis is well-deserved. Thanks for a memorable and special anniversary! Our dinner at Canlis was the highlight of our trip.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 AMYet another great eveningWe thoroughly enjoyed another great evening at Canlis. Everything was superb and our main server Mathew is the best. Thank you.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 AMSuperb every timeBrought a client here for a business dinner and even though I hadn't been in several months they remembered what starters I ordered the last time and greeted me by time. One of my favorites in the world.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 AMWonderful TImewe went for our anniversary. Food was wonderful. Service is amazing. Highly recommend to anyone.5/13/2013 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 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 AMGood, but not greatWe've heard a lot about Canlis, and our dinner there was good, but the experience did not wow us. Perhaps we just had very high expectations. I would still recommend it, if only to experience a Seattle institution that has been there for generations.5/6/2013 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 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 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 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 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 AM