Staple & Fancy MercantileGreat eveningWe had the chefs choice 4 course dinner. The food was excellent and plentiful. There was great variety. It is fun to watch the preparation in the big open kitchen. Service was good. The bag of fresh pasta we were given before we left was a nice touch. It is not noisy which is unusual these days. We have made reservations to go with a friend who is visiting from Ohio soon.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic Place, Fancy FoodMy wife and I have frequented Staple & Fancy Mercantile since they open a couple years ago. It's always a sure fire bet. Great people, service and food. And moderately priced! I love taking out-of-towners here as well. There's always a local-spin on the menu and it's great place to sample some of Seattle's best food!6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of Seattle's Finest RestaurantThe food was outstanding. We had the chef's Prix Fixe menu. It's certainly a bargain. There were about 7 or 8 starters which were very creative and delicious. We have no dietary restrictions so we were served everything from lovely vegetables to soft shell crabs to fabulous pork with cherries. The ravioli course was superb. The main course, duck, was also terrific. The dessert was nice and light, especially since the frist three courses were very rich. We could not finish the entire main course. Although it was described as Italian, I would say that it definitely has Italian influences, but the fresh ingredients prepared in a throughtful, careful manner was done with true Northwest style and flair. I definitely will be going back.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Experience!The tasting menu is a must! The dinner started with 5-6 small plates to share. It was awesome to have the opportunity to try a variety of items (from soup served in espresso cups to fried olives). Next was a pasta course. We received lemon-ricotta ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce. Yum! And lastly, we had grilled pork w/ spring onions & asparagus followed by a strawberry rhubarb shortcake with mascarpone gelato. Everything was VERY good! Will definitely go back.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMake it FANCYEven though you could probably have a great meal by ordering off the menu, make it spectacular by putting yourself in the chef's hands with the "Fancy" menu. Four courses will delight you - no matter what your palate. My first time, I went with my college-aged son, and we had a delicious unfussy set of dishes that appealed to a 20-year-old and his mom. More recently, we were a table of adults and the sophistication and variety escalated. The chef will willingly vary the menu to accommodate special needs or requests. The fish appetizers were my personal favorite, but we cleaned every plate, right through dessert. Don't miss it.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMExceeds expectationsThe chef's menu is a must. Not knowing what the kitchen would bring out next, added to the excitement. The food is amazing and was by far one of the best meals I've had in my life. Such unique flavors!6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMSeattle's BestI love this place! The food, atmosphere and service are unsurpassed. And it's a neighborhood gem located on historic Ballard Avenue. I highly recommend it!5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMNiceDid the chef menu; great choice. Absurd variety and quantity of creatively prepared food. Perfect service. A bit too loud for conversation. Wonderful overall. The staff clearly enjoys being there.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat little Neighborhood Gem....Great little Gem with great food. Old Decor, but very cozy.. will for sure be back. Had the Pork Cheeks and they were very moist and very flavorful. Wife had the Chicken and she loved it.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat ambiance and interesting foodOnce again I had a terrific dining experience...interesting food, wonderful waiter, great ambiance. I always order the chef's menu and love being surprised.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday celebrationWe had a wonder experience at Staple & Fancy. As recommended, we let the chef select our meal. We weren't disappointed. Everything we were served was fresh and at times - surprising. The wait staff was very attentive. This combination created a memorable birthday celebration.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMChefs MenuA lot of food. The openers were a little bit blah, but the pasta, meat, and dessert dishes were all outstanding.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb in every wayIt's no surprise that Ethan Stowell's gem was nominated for a James Beard award. This place was functioning flawlessly. A great experience in every way.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat, but I was upsoldThis place was great, but I was definitely up-sold on a couple of things. I ordered a cured meat plate and fried oysters as an appetizer, and the waitress said the large meat plate was a more appropriate size. I the meat plate ended up being way to much. The waitress also called the whole trout "the smallest fish we have" so I ordered an extra dish. Again, the fish was larger than expected and there was too much food.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMBest dining experience ever!!!!Yes really!!!! The 4 course chefs choice meal was outstanding, ambience very comfortable, and Erin is the best waitress ever!!!! :)5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMLived up to the billingWOW! What a treat. We deliberated before just going for the chef's menu (I lobbied for this all along) and we were not let down! One tip for you, come hungry! They continued to bring so much food, all of which was excellent. From the little starter plates to the pasta, main dish, and dessert... It was absolutely amazing!! Loved it and we will be back!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMEat here. Start with a cocktail.Eat here. Start with a cocktail. Order the Fancy/omakase dinner. Enjoy.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMKeeping the customer satisfiedI arranged to pre-order dinner for my wife and I to celebrate Mothers' Day. I had talked with Jen from the restaurant office, who helped me with my order. She was outstanding at giving suggestions, and when we arrived, they were prepared for us. The waiter, whose name escaped me, was excellent, patiently explaining each course as it was served. My wife was very pleased, I was very pleased, and I picked up style points from my wife for the dinner choices I made. Thanks to all at Staples & Fancy Mercantile for a great dinner and a great time.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMfavorite Seattle dining experience!The ambiance--softly lit restored brick warehouse--attentive and personable service, and quality and variety of the foods were exceptional! Definitely choose the 'fancy,' family-style option, where the chefs prepare a selection of dishes for your table. The food was exquisite and the dishes just kept coming! Highly recommended!5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMChef's MenuDon't even bother ordering - ask for the chef's menu so you receive the freshest items of the day. Go with a small group and eat family style. An absolutely amazing restaurant for special occasions and foodies!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGood place for dinner and good atmogood food, nice atmosphere, good service, very relaxing, excellent choice5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu says you should justThe menu says you should just hand it back and try the tasting menu. Do it! Great selection of food and very reasonable price for so much variety.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, great service.Great food, great service. Order the chef's menu. You won't be disappointed.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in the CityAbsolutely amazing experience. From the moment we walked in until we left. Great service and excellent well thought out meals that were perfectly prepared.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is one of our favoriteThis is one of our favorite restaurants. The food and service has always been great. We always order the chef's menu. The small bites are a perfect way of experiencing a variety of taste. We leave feeling content but not overstuffed. My only complaint is that it is somewhat noisy so we usually go on Monday nights when it is not so busy. Great food and service at a very reasonable price. Try it, you will like it:)4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWent for Seattle RestaurantWent for Seattle Restaurant week. The fried oysters were out of this world delicious! The house made smoked ricotta w/honey was super tasty. I do wish that I ordered the pork loin because I had a bite of my friends and it was cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth. I ordered the gnocchi because it is by far one of my favorite dishes but the pork just stood out more in my mind. The chocolate terrine was by far my favorite dessert.
Our server was very nice and attentive without hovering over our table. He was great about spacing out our courses without making us feel rushed.
I can't believe I have never been to this restaurant before, but I will definitely be back! I really want to try the chef's menu where you can pay $45/pe4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe ate from the RestaurantWe ate from the Restaurant Week menu, and it was one of the best meals I've had in my life. After each course we thought, "It can't get better than this," and then it did. I was particularly blown away by the fried oysters and the chocolate dessert. I have a new favorite restaurant!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional menu served byExceptional menu served by an outstanding waitstaff. We tried a variety of dishes and liked them all.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWe ordered the family styleWe ordered the family style tasting menu and it was exceptional. Highly recommend it.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWent here with some friendsWent here with some friends and our child (10 y.o.) for my husband's birthday. We chose to enjoy the chef's tasting menu, which was the way to go. They modified it for our referenced dietary restrictions (one pescatarian and one no shellfish) and yet to food was richly varied and plentiful. We were brought plate after plate of interesting foods - fried duck eggs, fresh ricotta with honey, pea vine salad . . . and yet our offering were different from the table next to us.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were here during SeattleWe were here during Seattle Restaurant Week and duly impressed. Although the restaurant was full, there was no compromise on the quality of the food. Appetizers ( 5 dishes to a table) were delightful and the flavours were well balanced and complemented each other well. For our entrees, i had the spanish mackerel with salsa verde and roast potatoes, and my husband, the pork loin. They were both delicious and cooked just right. Our desserts- a yummy chocolate terrine and ricotta cheesecake topped off a fantastic meal. Service was great and accomodating. Our server ( a pity we did not get her name) although young, was very efficient and friendly. We will definitely be back for more...totally worth the long drive!4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMThe staff is helpful and friendly.The staff is helpful and friendly. Great with recommendations when everything on the menu looks equally delicious. They're also accommodating to special diet needs, gluten and dairy free are no problem at all. Food is phenomenal.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWe loved the chef's tableWe loved the chef's table and the service. A truly delightful experience.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had the chef's choice tastingWe had the chef's choice tasting menu and it was outstanding. Everything was bursting with flavor. I particularly loved the seared scallops and the house-made charcuterie, though I could just as easily mention every dish that arrived on our table. Gnocchi mmmm. Wine list very good. Service excellent -- always there but never overbearing. We can't wait to go back.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative, delicious, goodCreative, delicious, good value. Bacon lovers' delight.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMFour of us ordered the FancyFour of us ordered the Fancy menu and we were delighted! Out of many dishes, there were only one or 2 dishes (garbanzo beans with cuttle fish and another fish dish) that we didn't care for. Otherwise, we got to taste dishes that we wouldn't have necessarily ordered which made for an dining experience rather than just going out to dinner.
Can't wait to introduce other friends to Staple and Fancy AND am looking forward to trying other Ethan Stowell restaurants.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWe brought friends from ChicagoWe brought friends from Chicago to this restaurant because we knew the food would be good and the atmosphere fun. It's a great slice of Seattle.
Instead of ordering off the menu, we opted for the tasting menu. If you eat here, try the tasting menu! They accomodated my dairy & gluten free allergies and served the rest of our party dairy-filled treats as well. All-around it was a fun and delicious dinner.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and ambience!!!Excellent food and ambience!!! Had a great time with our friends!3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThis establishment is justThis establishment is just FUN. The atmosphere and staff were outstanding and there food was even beyond that. I'm looking forward to returning with a group of friends and trying the "whole table'" experience!!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMOrder the chef's specialFantastic food!! This was my first Ethan Stowell experience and we ordered the chef's special for $45 where they just bring you an assortment of whatever the chef decides. Best decision we could have made! We had 5 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 pastas, 2 meats and 2 desserts. We were stuffed and it was a great sampling of everything. That is definitely the way to go!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMAmbience and service wereAmbience and service were fabulous. The food was good, but we paid for the chef's selection and I would suggest that was overpriced.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMExquisite food!The whole Branzino was exquisite--perfectfully cooked! The fried oysters and gnocchi were also excellent!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AM