I can't believe no one's mentioned the amazing experience in the bar! Here's how I do Canlis: Skip the fine dining and all the time (and expense) that goes along with it and grab a table in the bar... More

I can't believe no one's mentioned the amazing experience in the bar! Here's how I do Canlis: Skip the fine dining and all the time (and expense) that goes along with it and grab a table in the bar (no rez necessary). Then proceed to order delicious, perfectly balanced cocktails that are really quite strange and interesting, and a few bar snacks, and walk away having spent about $15/per person for a great little night. You'll spend that much anywhere. My friends and I get all dressed up and come here just for the experience sometimes and to pretend that we're high rollers. You should sit in the bar!
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This is my absolute favorite restaurant in the city. I love the food, the location, the creativity of dining options (see their website), the decor, the service. . . The waitstaff are ultra... More

This is my absolute favorite restaurant in the city. I love the food, the location, the creativity of dining options (see their website), the decor, the service. . . The waitstaff are ultra attentive and helpful. Every time I come here, I get the sense that my server sincerely cares about making my experience at the restaurant the best it can be. I am never rushed when I come here. The few hours that I spend having dinner here is an experience that causes the stresses and strains of the world to melt away. They have a HUGE selection of wines. I usually like to pair my wines with my appetizer/course, so I rarely order a bottle here. The Sommelier is helpful and extremely knowledgeable. I love many of their appetizers, especially the calimari, crab cakes, and oysters. For the main course, my favorite is the Wagyu tenderloin. It is so tender and juicy - well worth the money. I also like the duck breast and lamb chops. A great place to spend a long evening unwinding with a date or some close friends. Canlis is sure to impress, and leave a lasting impression on your palate.
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They've gotten sanctimounius, cutting people off from more wine - and not being too stingy telling others in the restaurant. How pleasant can it be to be afraid of your waiter?- the decor, which... More

They've gotten sanctimounius, cutting people off from more wine - and not being too stingy telling others in the restaurant. How pleasant can it be to be afraid of your waiter?- the decor, which once was so elegant, is disturbingly bad. The menu has gotten more and more boring. And it's like the creepy old has been's of Seattle go there to die.
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We have celebrated two of our five wedding anniversaries at Canlis as well as my husband's birthday and a my Mom's visit from Boston. Canlis never disappoints. The service is IMPECCABLE, the view... More

We have celebrated two of our five wedding anniversaries at Canlis as well as my husband's birthday and a my Mom's visit from Boston. Canlis never disappoints. The service is IMPECCABLE, the view wonderful and the food is fantastic (read: chocolate lava cake.) I also give Canlis three cheers for having a male AND female wait staff - not something you always see at the country's finest restaurants. Canlis is a class-act.
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After hearing for years about Canlis's reputation, and reading favorable reviews, we were expecting a truly special fine dining experience. Nothing about our evening was bad, but nothing about it... More

After hearing for years about Canlis's reputation, and reading favorable reviews, we were expecting a truly special fine dining experience. Nothing about our evening was bad, but nothing about it was really outstanding, either. Service was friendly and very polite but slow. The waiter was slow in refilling wine and forgot one of the desserts we ordered. The food was just mediocre, especially when compared with other "fine dining" restaurants. Both my husband's lamb and my halibut arrived overcooked. The waiter did graciously send both plates back, and when we got new plates, they were both perfectly cooked. The lamb was a very nice cut, and the Israeli couscous that came with it was tasty, too. My halibut was fine, but nothing special, and I think better seafood can be had at any number of places in Seattle. The mango, avocado, and prawn salad was great. Canlis salad was decent. The Grand Marnier souffle was very good, but again, not exceptional. When spending over $200 for dinner for two, I think the experience should be a lot closer to perfection than this one was. Finally, the valet parking is a nice service, but the $5 charge for it was an unpleasant surprise. Maybe this sounds nitpicky, but when you have no choice but to valet, and you're spending so much on dinner, the $5 valet charge just felt like being nickel and dimed. Bottom line -- great view, gracious but slow service, average food. Pros: Beautiful view, gracious service, extensive wine list Cons: Mediocre food, slow service
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If Canlis were in France, it would be a starred restaurant. Some of the finest dining experiences I have had in the world were right here in my own backyard at Canlis.... Pros: From the valet... More

If Canlis were in France, it would be a starred restaurant. Some of the finest dining experiences I have had in the world were right here in my own backyard at Canlis.... Pros: From the valet parking through the ambience, wine list, service Cons: ???????????????
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Amazing food, stellar service and a beautiful dining space are all enhanced by the amazing view. Traditional but modern and creative menu options are done very well. Our service was consistently... More

Amazing food, stellar service and a beautiful dining space are all enhanced by the amazing view. Traditional but modern and creative menu options are done very well. Our service was consistently warm, friendly and competent from the valet to our waiter to the coat check. The dining room has a great Pacific Northwest feel from the wood and stone to the decorations and there are spaces for large groups while romantic couples can still find quiet corners.
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Just got back from dinner with my wife for her bday. From the valet to the steak to the lava chocolate dessert and a glass of Oban 14 scotch, just perfect. they do things right and you feel as if... More

Just got back from dinner with my wife for her bday. From the valet to the steak to the lava chocolate dessert and a glass of Oban 14 scotch, just perfect. they do things right and you feel as if someone has not forgotten the old school things that make a great restaurant. Car out front warmed up when you leave? You bet. Well done and that special occasion place but worth every dime.....
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The piano playing in the background, the feeling of being high above, and the dim lighting is perfect for a Romantic date with your significant other. I've been to this restaurant at least 4... More

The piano playing in the background, the feeling of being high above, and the dim lighting is perfect for a Romantic date with your significant other. I've been to this restaurant at least 4 times, and each time I've been pretty pleased with the service and food. I love their mango/avocado salad with fresh crab meat drizzled with a vinegret. As for their main courses, try their Kobe beef, it's so soft, you can cut it with a fork! Totally good! Their Salmon is always a good and safe choice too. If you really want to shower your date with extra attention on that special anniversay day or even planning a proposal, Canlis has a private dining room for you to book. It comes with your own waiter and your own music system. You can enjoy your dinner with your significant other w/o any interuptions or background noises! Best of all, in your private room, there is a telescope for you to look at the stars or the city. Great view and highly recommended if you're planning something special.
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The food at Canlis was just OK. That's not acceptable when you are paying over ~$100 per person for dinner. Yes, the view was amazing, the piano player was great, ambience was fantastic...but when... More

The food at Canlis was just OK. That's not acceptable when you are paying over ~$100 per person for dinner. Yes, the view was amazing, the piano player was great, ambience was fantastic...but when it comes down to it, the food is really what matters to me. You can have all the components of a great restaurant, but without great food, it's just not worth it. The foi gras was cold and overcooked, the Peter Canlis Prawns were too salty, and the fish entree (halibut) should have been served with a starch instead of just a frizze salad...it didn't "go" together. Anyway, escargot was great...but not great enough for me to come back.
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