As a Seattle native, I want to belive that my city is full of great, innovative restaurants. But when my wife and I try to come up with a place to go for dinner, we always wind up reciting the same tired list of "perfectly good" downtown expense-account places like Wild Ginger and the various Tom Douglas food factories. Even the "authentic" spots like Matt's in the Market or Le Pichet somehow miss the mark when we're looking for someplace that's offers both great food and a festive, lively atmosphere.
The one happy exception to this lament is Harvest Vine, a tiny Spanish/Basque tapas restaurant in the Madison Valley. Truly excellent, innovative and handcrafted dishes; a lively, inviting space; warm-yet-professional service; sidewalk dining (in warm weather), and a kitchen that's open past 9pm - a true rarity in this sleepy town - all combine to create the most completely satisfying casual dining experience in town. (And I didn't even mention the excellent and fairly-priced wine list).
Admittedly, Harvest Vine's menu is not for everyone. With a focus on traditional Spanish tapas - cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and out-of-the ordinary sea-life (tiny fresh sardines, baby squid, octopus, etc.) - you wouldn't want to bring your suburban meat-and-potatos friends here. But if superb cooking and convivial atmosphere are your goals, Harvest Vine should be on your shorlist.
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