Canlis is a large place on a hill overlooking Seattle. The interior and view from the windows is spectacular. The interior is filled with stone and wood with windows along many sides to enjoy the view. The tables are on different levels so all can look out. The well spaced good sized tables are covered with white clothes and matching napkins. Lighting is lowered and live piano music is in the background. The piano is in the bar which is the first part of the building and short barriers provide privacy as well as good sound dampening, but the lovely sounds surrounds all. The menu is a fixed price for 4 course with a 20% service charge added to all bills. Each of the 4 courses has 5 choices. Service was excellent, attentive without being intrusive and the meal pacing was good – not too fast or too slow. Portion control was also good. Continue reading
Matt’s in the Market is on the second floor of a building overlooking the popular Pike Place Market. There are plenty of signs directing you to get there. We have been there for lunch a number of times and always enjoyed it so it was time to try it for dinner and that was a great decision. The place is extremely busy thus reservations are a must and noise level is moderate. There are a few stools facing the bar and tables fill the rest of the room. Windows get a lot of sun during the day but look directly down on the busy Market, which is a show in itself. An open kitchen is in an ‘L’ shape and the tables next to it are another fun show with the kitchen movements and the variety of ingredients in jars atop the divider. The staff were all friendly and go out of their way to make your visit wonderful. For example, one of our martinis arrived with an olive rather than a lemon. Rather than replace the garnish a whole new one was made and brought to us without asking. 
