The food was very good (I had the skirt steak), albeit some of the menu items were a bit over-priced. The appetizer special (fresh mozzarella over a bed of arugula on a crisp piece of bread) was... More

The food was very good (I had the skirt steak), albeit some of the menu items were a bit over-priced. The appetizer special (fresh mozzarella over a bed of arugula on a crisp piece of bread) was $12.50! Our waiter was very nice until my dining companion and I didn't order more cocktails or wine with our dinner. All of the sudden he turned rather haughty, which really put a damper on what would have been a nice dinner. Given that they're on the 25 for $25 list, I may try this place again. I'm definitely not a cheapskate, but I'm not sure if this place is worth the money.
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Always hear about this restaurant and have lived here a long time so last Thursday my wife and I finally got it done. Yep, its great. Food, ambiance, service all super and my expectations were... More

Always hear about this restaurant and have lived here a long time so last Thursday my wife and I finally got it done. Yep, its great. Food, ambiance, service all super and my expectations were high. Its a very Seattle place so good to recommend to friends visiting town too.
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At the high end, new restaurants tend to flame out pretty quickly. After the initial rush of local buzz and gushing reviews, cracks start to appear - usually driven by real gaps between lofty... More

At the high end, new restaurants tend to flame out pretty quickly. After the initial rush of local buzz and gushing reviews, cracks start to appear - usually driven by real gaps between lofty prices (and expectations) and the inconsistencies that tend to bedevil such a complex product. So when a restaurant starts out great and stays that way, it's something to celebrate -- especially in a town with relatively few strong contenders. My wife and I have eaten at Zoe a half-dozen times over the past several years (most recently this past Saturday night), and our respect for the place has only grown as Scott Staples and his crew have delivered a great experience, time after time. From food to service to wine to overall ambiance, Zoe is the Energizer bunny of Seattle's best restaurants, still going strong long after many of its flashier contemporaries have fallen on hard times. As some previous reviewers have noted, the experience at Zoe isn't about flash or "high concept" cooking, and that's exactly the point. Doing something difficult very well night after night is what separates the great from the well-promoted, and Zoe has earned its place on the list.
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Nice and cozy place, good ambiance. Food was good but not great.I don't think it was worth the price (my wife disagrees).

Nice and cozy place, good ambiance. Food was good but not great.I don't think it was worth the price (my wife disagrees).
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Hopefully the house smoked hanger steak is still as I I remember it. The aromas that waft up from my plate were clear: charcoal, meat juices, roasted tomato, fresh rosemary and thyme. The... More

Hopefully the house smoked hanger steak is still as I I remember it. The aromas that waft up from my plate were clear: charcoal, meat juices, roasted tomato, fresh rosemary and thyme. The well-marbled steak was cold-smoked and grilled rare. A savory cabernet veal jus eliminated any call for table salt. Side dishes included a radicchio cup that looked like a catcher's mitt full of buttery mashed potatoes served atop grilled zucchini and a roasted tomato ragout. Dinner wine was an easy choice. The deep, ruby McCrea Ciel du Cheval syrah from Washington was perfect with that steak. Normally I eat fish on Friday...perhaps I will make an exception tonight. Cheers!
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Zoe's is a great downtown restaurant. The space is elegant and upscale but still feels casual and down-to-earth and the new American fare is terrific. I had a seared foie appetizer and steak for my... More

Zoe's is a great downtown restaurant. The space is elegant and upscale but still feels casual and down-to-earth and the new American fare is terrific. I had a seared foie appetizer and steak for my main course and both were tremendous. As someone who moved here from NYC, Zoe stands up to anything in that dining mecca. I'm not sure if it's the quintessential Seattle dining experience, but it's a great meal out. Enjoy. Rahul
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Zoe is my favorite Seattle restaurant. I like it so much that we often arrive before dinner starts just to sit at the bar and relax. Food is always impeccable, service as well. Owner Scott Staples... More

Zoe is my favorite Seattle restaurant. I like it so much that we often arrive before dinner starts just to sit at the bar and relax. Food is always impeccable, service as well. Owner Scott Staples is almost always there.
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Our first visit last Saturday night, and the service was awesome. Host was friendly, personable, and made sure we had a great time. Waiter was also good. Food was good, very light on the heavy... More

Our first visit last Saturday night, and the service was awesome. Host was friendly, personable, and made sure we had a great time. Waiter was also good. Food was good, very light on the heavy sauces which made us happy, we don't like food where all the flavor is provided thru some heavy sauce or pool of butter.
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