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Category: Restaurants [Edit]
Neighborhood: Fremont
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I went to Art of the Table in August for a wine tasting event, and had a great time and really good food. Most were hors d'oeuvre, and most were excellent. They had a duck rillette with pickled rhubarb that was unctuously awesome.
Had a chance to step into the kitchen and talk for a minute with Chef Dustin. Really, really nice guy that loves food and the experience of cooking. I'm definitely looking forward to going back, if not for a dinner soon, for one of his Monday happy hours.
When you go, try to sneak a moment and talk with Chef Dustin, always nice to know a little about the people that create our enjoyment.
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We did the Farmer's Market menu on Friday and had a lovely time. It's so evident that Dustin loves his craft and treats it as such. The menu was wonderful and the wine pairings were perfect-- he even got me to enjoy a Beaujolais again! ;) One thing that struck me was the fact that when he introduced a dish, he made sure to thank his farmers and talk about them a lot. It made the evening quite memorable and we had a great time sitting at the communal table, sharing conversations and tips with wonderful strangers :) Dustin also was amazing and made sure to spend a little time after dinner chatting with us. Heading to Art of the Table is the highlight of my Seattle trips as of late...I can't wait to get back to it.
07/31/2008
I almost didn't want to review this for fear that I'll be letting even more people know about this… Read more »
Art of the Table is one of the few Seattle restaurants I've eaten at that I think could survive in New York, Boston, San Francisco. The food is top quality - thoughtfully paired, well seasoned, creatively constructed, organically / sustainably grown.
I loved the quick explanations Dustin the head chef would give prior to each course - briefly discussing ingredients, their origins, preparations, and what they bring to meal.
The entire experience is distinct, well conceived, and fully appreciated by both diners and restaurant staff. The "pride of ownership" shines through in every element of this experience. I truly got the sense that the satisfaction of the customers and their enjoyment was the priority, not how much money the restaurant cleared that evening.
I can't recommend this restaurant enough for any occasion.
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I've been here 5 times (!) and each menu, each COURSE blows me away every time. Seriously, no course I've had at Art of the Table has ever even remotely come close to disappointing. Favorite restaurant of all time. ALL FREAKING TIME. Even my recent trip to Chez Panisse can't compare to Chef Dustin's magic. The only gripe I have is that sometimes you'll have one or two really obnoxiously loaded people there who make the place quite loud and don't know how to behave themselves. But you won't be paying attention to that. Because the food trumps all. Seriously. Go. Now. Before Chef Dustin gets too famous.
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04/26/2008
A++ WOULD BUY FROM AGAIN
Wait, where am I? Oh yes, Yelp. Sorry, Dustin's dinner last night must have…
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Answer this: Can you be a "foodie" and still enjoy lowbrow meals? Specifically, can you be in love with the experience and food of Supper Club at Art of the Table as well as crave a Dick's burger every so often? Even more, can you rave over a salad containing grilled peaches and hazelnuts and a course that includes corn flan and micro-greens and gush about a vegetable tian and perfectly seared halibut and then the next night at home cook a tuna noodle casserole made with canned mushroom soup and potato chips because once or twice a year you really need to eat it even though your mother never made it when you were growing up? Can paper thin slices of heirloom tomatoes, balsamic reductions and lemon verbena ice cream share the same space in your heart as canned asparagus and Lifesavers sugar free Popsicles?
In my case the answer is yes to all the above. Sue me. I'm a complex person. Unlike Art of the Table which is clean, fresh and deceptively simple. At Supper Club Chef Dustin will sound a gong between courses and in his own unique way will tell you stories about himself and his food and where and who the ingredients in your meal came from. It's refreshing and unpretentious - both his delivery and the meal. Expect to spend 3 hours in the warm and cozy place, but you'll be welcome to step into the kitchen and watch the masters at work or go outside to the patio between courses. Order the wine flight with dinner. It's well thought out and perfectly paired. Go with friends. Reserve your own table (there aren't many) or be adventurous and dine at the community table. Prepare to be enchanted. And quit worrying about whether or not you're a foodie. You can have your Twinkie and eat it too. Trust me on this.
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Don't tase me, bro! I know I've got a different opinion than most Seattle foodies, but I think my critique is legit. Some of our food was good.. Just not great. The green onion soup complex yet salty, the duck pate delish but lacking in bread substantial enough to spread it on. I'll couch the experience like this--what not to do at AOTT's happy hour Mondays. I really believe that if we had known the following, this review would be at least a four-star.
1. Do not expect that the $8 happy hour menus, except the duck pate, will be more than a few bites.
2. Do not arrive on an empty stomach, you will be ravenous by the time you get wine.
3. Do not think the two of you will make it out of there spending anything shy of $50.
4. The window seat at the corner is charming, but don't sit there. Your very sweet waitress will not be able to see you, your food, or the looks on your faces that say, "What do we need to do to flag her down?!?!?"
5. Don't hope that you can sit in the mysterious "back." Unless you are one on the chosen few, it will remain elusive.
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Who gives a shit about same sex marriage? I want to know if it's legal to marry mole duck on a cheddar biscuit.
But maybe it's better if I don't marry you, mole duck, because then I'd cheat constantly with the other items on the small plates menu. And a duck should never be cuckolded.
All right, it's settled, I'm an Art of the Table whore.
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Aptly named restaurant. This is farm fresh food crafted to the level of art.
If you are an Alice Water's Chez Panisse restaurant fan you will love this place. In several ways this place is BETTER than Chez Panisse. Such as:
*It's a more intimate setting. Just 24 seats. 2 cooks, one server. Every guest gets personal attention.
*Casual & comfy downscale dining room is located on a quiet residential neighborhood street where parking is easy.
*The wine and beer list is more extensive than Chez Panisse & contains many adventurous selections that taste good and are fairly priced.
*The chef owner is always in the kitchen & running the show.
The format is one fixed meal. The chef bangs the dinner gong. He quiets the guest chatter & then explains each course as it is delivered to table.
A four course meal consumes 3.5 hours of time. Don't plan to see a movie "after a bite".
This is one of the best restaurants in Seattle. Make that one of the best in the Pacific Northwest.
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I know, big surprise, 5 stars. I decided to take my husband here for his birthday last night, and made reservations like a month ago, WAAY before a menu was planned. So we were totally flying blind.
Last week, when we got the email from AOTT with the menu, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed- it was a lot of tropical/southeast Asian flavors, which I don't normally go for at restaurants (what can I say, I'm a francophile), but we figured wtf, it's supposed to be great.
So we showed up at 7:25, frustrated by the misleading google maps directions, parking stymied by some Buddhist leader at the temple next door, and were welcomed into the warm folds of a happy little womb of nourishment.
Chef Dustin came out with a little amuse bouche of stir fried eggplant, sesame, mint and chile, drizzled with chive oil. Heavenly. I could already tell I was going to LOVE this meal. We also were really impressed by the rosemary water we were served.
A few minutes passed and Dustin was out with his first course: a chilled avocado soup with basil lemon yogurt and Chinese chile peppers. So creamy, yet deceptively light. We practically licked the bowls. It was served with a DeLoach chardonnay, which was kinda meh, but I don't like Chards, so there you go.
Next course: Columbia river Sturgeon with garlic spears, pea shoots, creamy jasmine rice and an asparagus/ lemongrass broth. The broth/ veggies were a-maz-ing. And the sturgeon was cooked impeccably, with a lovely crust on the outside. I could have used a touch more salt on mine, but that's a minor gripe. Paired beautifully with our Walla Walla riesling.
Before the third course, everyone in the restaurant had begun commiserating together, eavesdropping, chatting about food. It was like a gourmet paradise. Dustin presented a palate cleanser- a little cup of sherbet which people thought at first to be lemongrass. But I was the one who guessed it right: Kaffir lime. Nice.
The third course was pepper crusted pork belly with pickled cucumber and rhubarb. Oh lord. He had me at pork belly, but this was different than any other belly I've ever had. It was tender and shreddy (like a pork shoulder) with a nice little fatty peppery bark on the outside. And the rhubarb pickles? I'll be stealing those for sure. It was served with a 2006 Beaujolais, which was light enough to not overpower the citrusy acidity of the sauce, but had enough balls to stand up to the pepper on the pork.
By the time dessert rolled out, it was almost 10 pm, and I was in love. With my meal, with my husband, with life. We were served a lightly sweetened vanilla bean panna cotta with a mango, pineapple and strawberry relish and mint syrup. And it was fabulous. I wanted to stay there forever and eat 4 more courses.
We were both sad to see such a fabulous dinner end. The innovative and inspired food, inviting atmosphere, and fantatsic and personable service ensure that we'll be back- probably not for a little while (a tad pricey, but worth it) but we will indeed.
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"But that's not how Picasso painted
That's not how Beethoven played
They rearranged tradition
And history was made" Romanovsky & Phillips
Dustin Ronspies might not be making history but he certainly is breaking American traditions. Seated at a communal table, we are to eat whatever he creates in his kitchen. It is prefaced with a nice, yet awkward, introduction. We are aware of the fare before we go in, but I think it might be fun to let it be a surprise.
My favorite course was the third: Hazelnut-Crusted Ruby Trout with Pancetta, Fiddleheads & Green Garlic-Parsley Pesto--now that's a mouthful. It was served with a Chelan Estate Pinot Noir. They were generous with their wine flight pours.
I suggest leaving the paint by numbers at home, grab a friend, and let your free-spirit commune with total strangers.
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Julia Child's birthday is a time to celebrate! Even though it is now known that she was a spy* The perfect location is Art of the Table with Chef Dustin.
Art of the Table is a thought-out passionate dinner club. To truly enjoy you need to dedicate a night, find a menu to approach and push your boundaries, relax as the club paces itself- and try a new wine, local or international beer, or Dry soda.
My menu-
first
Mediterranean
Onion Tart with
Frisée Salad
second
White Wine~Poached Fish Fillet with Shrimp Sauce & Sautéed Green Beans
third
Roast Duck Leg with Poached Peaches, Spinach & Duck Jus
last
Julia's Crème Brûlée with Summer Fruit Compote &
Sable Cookies
In addition to a wonderful set of courses was an amuse of Oyster with concentrated lemon meyer and oil -topped with wonderful herbs from the back yard- and a palette cleanser of sorbet... my best guess was that it was a version of berry- I tasted some cranberry or tartness?
My dinner thoughts-
*I loved hearing the reasoning behind each dish- Dustin's thoughts on it- the details such as flavors and source- and the gong to signal he was going to talk was entertaining especially after a glass of wine
*The flavors were clear, crisp, savory/sweet, and many of them new to my palette
*The rosemary water was refreshing and provided a perfect clean cleanser throughout the meal
*The local oyster was one of the best I have had
*The onion tart-lets crust, a grandma's recipe, was addictive with it's savory herbs, tenderness, and salty finish- It's onions were pitch perfect and the anchovy-olive topper a great flavor touch
*The white wine sole dissolved at the glaze of a fork and continued to com-bust in my mouth with an explosion of leveled tastes
*The fresh green beans with poached small shrimp, in shrimp sauce, was comfort to the mouth- the creamy sauce was fresh in red color and depth of spice and contrasting tastes - it was a nice eye and tongue pleaser- I wanted to lick the bowl! - bread was provided during the course for sopping up the sauce in a more gracious way
*The duck was tender and the skin was a crisp crackle coated in exceptional spice- the duck jus was amazing in it's lightness and unique taste- the duck jus was thick enough to coat the peaches as I worked to get every last drop from the plate- this by far was the best dish of the night and showcased Dustin's love for food
* The creme brulee was a surprising finish- the paired berries were accented by liquor and a great texture variance when submitted to a spoon of deeply vanilla accented creme brulee- the sable cookie was of the sand style like promised and provided a salt to the sweet of the dessert course
My experience at Art of the Table was exceptional. I felt like I had walked into the home of a new acquittance and had been blessed with receiving a taste of their exploration of food, technique, and flavor with grace and passion. When someone is in love you are drawn to them. This is so with Art of the Table.
Dustin and his staff served with attention and love. We were taken care of and thought of during our time in their space. I left feeling educated, content, inspired, and lucky.
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Such a tasty dining experience. All the food was amazing and the atmosphere was great, though a bit too "earthy" for my tastes at some points in the evening. We enjoyed the Italian Country Table menu and everything was delicious. I even ate a whole piece of fish, which is quite amazing since I hate the stuff. But there was no fishy taste. Quite an accomplishment in my mind.
By far the best dish of the evening was the pork chop. He grilled them outdoors on cherry wood logs and they were AMAZING. So flavorful and tasty, we nearly gnawed the bones clean.
It was a very enjoyable evening, though my only complaint was that the whole dinner took a bit too long for me. (almost 3 hours) But overall, an excellent experience.
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Weekend Supper Club at Art of the Table is not like other Seattle restaurants. 22 seats, one menu, and three hours of great food. It's a like the best dinner party you'll ever attend (heck, I have the same chairs). The food is great, the service is warm, and they put rosemary in the water.
We went for the "Italian Country Table" dinner. Eggplant amuse, herb tortellini in tomato brodo, wine-poached sturgeon over the world's best tomato, a sorbet to cleanse the palate, pork chops grilled on a barbecue in the backyard served with fantastic polenta and a Sicilian sauce, and cannoli with a chocolate hazelnut sauce. Before each course Chef Dustin came out to tell us a little about what we were about to eat and how he ended up assembling everything the way he did. The menu changes every week, but the level of creativity and craftsmanship displayed in each course means that you should expect a great meal no matter what the theme. I even ate and enjoyed the things I normally don't like!
A highlight was taking a tour of the garden behind the restaurant while Dustin was grilling the pork chops on a barbecue. Not only is just about everything local, but much of it is grown less than twenty feet away from your table. Being able to hear chanting from the Buddhist center next door added a level of surreality to the whole thing.
Don't worry about the price. To get four courses at a nice restaurant in Belltown or Capitol Hill would cost as much or more and you certainly wouldn't get a personal introduction to each dish from the chef. The wine list is very reasonable, though unless you're trying to save some cash I'd recommend the pairings instead. As dinner is a drawn-out affair, you'd probably end up ordering a second bottle anyway.
Few Seattle evenings could be as pleasant as an evening spent at Art of the Table. I slept very well that night.
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So, I haven't submitted a review in quite a while, but this gem deserves the recognition.
I went to Art of the Table last Friday night with a group of friends, 6 total in our group. Dinner was to be served at 7:30, but 4 of us arrived early, so Laurie (hostess extraordinaire) told us we were more than welcome to hang out in the back patio area and enjoy drinks while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. So, we walked through the tiny kitchen and met the chef/owner, Dustin [angels singing] and co-chef, Phil [cutey pie], who were hard at work preparing the food for that evening's guests. Laurie brought me and a gal friend of mine each a glass of Lillet with an orange twist. A perfect compliment to the picnic table in the herb garden feel to this tiny outdoor space. I actually could have been perfectly happy hanging out there all night, but I digress....
The rest of our party showed up in time for dinner, and we were all seated at the table for 10 and met 2 nice young couples that put up with our [probably] inappropriate stories that we felt comfortable to share with strangers after a couple glasses of wine, and for this I [don't] apologize. They seem to have had a great time regardless. Again, I digress...
The experience began with Laurie bringing out a big carafe of ice water with a huge sprig of rosemary in it and poured us each a glass. Great idea! I'm using that one. Then, Chef Dustin [angels singing] appears and with a soft gong of the gong, he proceeded to tell us about his background and previous life as a private chef for wealthy yacht sailing folks who probably would have been perfectly happy with chicken fingers. (Sadly, money buys yachts, not taste.) So he broke out on his own and together with his partners created the lovely space that is Art of the Table. He spoke of his philosophy and the importance of sustainable living and supporting local farmers and that all the meats, veggies and fruits he prepares come from local farmers who sell their fresh products at the Ballard farmer's market. So cool! He also spoke of the freedom he now has to be creative and prepare beautiful meals for people that will actually appreciate everything that goes into the experience. I know I did, as did my group and everyone present that evening. I could go into detail about the food, but AOTT is not just about food. The food is excellent. It's the wholistic experience of the intimate space, coupled with the welcoming staff, the obvious passion for creativity, sustainable living, supporting locally and educating everyone that comes in the door about the importance of all of these things.
However, I WILL mention my favorites: Dustin's Grandma's pie crust, which was the foundation of the appetizer he prepared with a flavorful tomato "jam", a creamy goat cheese spread, some blanched cherry tomatoes and basil - yum! I also loved the cooked-to-perfection salmon and crispy salmon skin (I'll never throw the skin away ever, ever again!)
Lastly, our group ended up being the last to leave and had endless questions for Dustin, who came out after a long day of preparation and was probably BEAT, but graciously and enthusiastically answered all our questions and entertained us all. Laurie snuck away and returned soon thereafter with a tray of [complimentary] Limoncello shots for everyone - what a nice touch and a perfect way to end a perfect meal.
Many years ago, I knew a restauranteur who told me, "You know, a truly GOOD restaurant is not really about the food...it's about the way you make people feel when they're there that makes them want to come back."
So, if you enjoy great food, ambiance, and would enjoy an educational and entertaining experience, I highly recommend Art of the Table for an amazing experience you will never forget!
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I was lucky enough to be part of a private party that reserved the entire 20-seat restaurant for a dinner last night. The experience was sublime, from the warm service to the locally-sourced seasonally perfect food.
When we arrived, Chef Dustin came out and explained the philosophy behind the restaurant and quickly reviewed our fixed menu. Apparently my experience was similar to the weekend supper club but somewhat smaller in scope. The service was great, it really was like we were Laurie and Dustin's houseguests. (I mean, what the hell: I've only eaten here once and I'm referring to them like they're friends of mine. That should tell you something.)
Our menu was great. I won't go into the local sourcing of the individual ingredients, but the first course was a spring onion, wild nettle, and potato vichyssoise with a sort of ham and cheese on toast (except, you know, fancy). The vichyssoise was a brilliant Spring green and was light and refreshing even with the dollop of cream on top. The ham and cheese provided a nice salty crunch to complement the soup: I would have complained the soup was slightly underseasoned but the pairing made it all work out.
The second course was a halibut with asparagus, pesto, and a garlic-shallot sauce over home made pasta (papardelle, I think). I'm not the biggest fish fan in the world but I would eat this for dinner every day if I could. In particular the garlic-shallot sauce was a perfect choice for both the pasta and the fish.
Third course I was least looking forward to: a lemon tart with blueberry compote and a lavender ice cream. Not that it didn't sound good, I'm just not a dessert fan. But wow, while lemon and blueberry is a pretty classic combination, the addition of lavender was wholly unexpected and just cut the overacidity I come to expect from lemon-blueberry dishes.
The next time I'm in Seattle I am absolutely coming back here to eat. Chef Dustin has a very, very special thing going on here.
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Dropped by for Happy Monday at about 5:15. Place was full by 5:45 and had a very nice vibe and ambiance. The wait staff were very friendly and relaxed (even with the line of people waiting outside). The small plate approach was quite fun and the sequencing seemed quite good. I especially liked the Ahi Tuna and the Peas dishes, but everything was quite tasty.
This is probably one of the most memorable meals I've ever had the fortunate opportunity to experience in Seattle. I can still recall all the ingredients for each course from memory. Let me share a little bit about each course.
Amuse bouche: handmade ravioli with goat cheese and herbs
Trio of Tarts: (1) eggplant caviar with white anchovy (2) goat cheese and asparagus (3) gulf prawn with garlic and shallot butter
Nicoise Salad: with the quail egg and everything!
Entree: Duck confit with carmelized onion tart, arugula/basil pesto
Dessert: Rhubarb and mango soup with a scoop of fromage blanc ice cream and topped with a lavender-meyer lemon cookie.
All of these courses were TO DIE FOR! All the ingredients are local and amazing in quality. The amuse bouche had the best goat cheese I've ever tasted! The quality of food, atmosphere, and excellent wine pairing is well worth the money you'll be spending. Pick up the phone and make your reservations now.
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"I refuse to be chased out of my favorite restaurant by a crappy waiter"
~Huzbeau
Maybe not, but the FREEZING temperatures have me staying in on my regular AOTT night.
That's right - my pouting has reached I-refuse-to-leave-the-house proportions.
If I KNOW I'm pathetic, does that make it any less so?
I think not.
This is our favorite place : Great food cooked up by cute boys and usually served by a pretty lady.
Until now.
______________
Dear AOTT dudes:
WHO is the guy with the beard and the stoopid cap and too much cologne??
You know the one with the overly loud voice who interrupts conversations and talks too damn much when you are trying to show your friends this restaurant you have been going on and on about for months!!!???
I hope he is not like the third brother or something, cuz then I guess I'll have to apologize - only I won't cuz I am right about this!!
His presence in your little jewel box of yumminess, love and all things warm reminds me of that game - "which one does not belong".
Bring pretty Elizabeth back - or Laurie - what is she up to? PLEASE!!
I Love you Guys!!
Affectionaley Yours:
Miss MAD and Huzbeau
(And to those of you reading this - start kissing my ass now, cuz I'm having my next birthday party here).
//
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Weekend supper club at AOTT is the kind of place where you go for a holistic food experience - perfect wine pairings, intimate company, detailed knowledge of dish composition and place of origin (chef Dustin gives a colorful explanation of each course), and most importantly INCREDIBLY TASTY FOOD. I could go on for 5000 words about the food, but it was so delicious and elegantly prepared I think all that must be said is, if you have some money and like food at all you need to carve out a place in your budget and bring yourself to AOTT. Unless you have been here before or had a similar experience (maybe in France or Italy somewhere, but not in Seattle) you will leave with a new view of the relationships between food, producer, chef, and yourself.
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I was persuaded to give this restaurant a "try", and boy, am I glad I did.
Simply put, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE! You WILL go back for more.
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I went to the first Vegetarian supper club with the hubby & had a scrumptious dinner! The group that we sat with was really interesting and I will definitely be returning next quarter when the return of the vegetables to Art of the Table is rumored to happen! Chef Dustin said they do have veggie offerings on Monday nights, so perhaps we'll be able to get into one of those "Happy Mondays"!
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SIX STARS. SIX.
I don't even feel like I can write a review that will do this place justice, but I'll do my best. I had no idea what to expect from this restaurant (the dinner was a surprise and I'd never heard of Art of the Table beforehand). Once I got inside, I was overwhelmed by warmth -- of the restaurant, of the welcome we received, and of the smells coming from the kitchen. I felt at home in less than a minute.
We were originally seated at a smaller table along the wall, but I felt a little too far away from Elvis (that dapper young gent I've been mentioning as of late). I wanted to be able to talk to him and steal kisses once in a while, so we asked to be moved to the higher table near the window. They were happy to accommodate.
The water was served in a carafe with a large sprig of rosemary and half an orange in it. I've never seen this anywhere else, and it was brilliant. I took it as a sign that I was in for something very special. And as it turns out... I was very right.
The first course was white sweet potato soup with pork cracklins. The soup was perfectly creamy without being heavy, and the pork provided just the right touch of saltiness to counteract the sweetness of the potatoes (and the white wine paired with the course).
Next came root vegetable tian (prepared with 12 different varieties of vegetable) with garlic-leek sauce and a side of microgreens. The tian was unbelievable, and the sauce was an excellent complement. I was especially fond of the red wine paired with this course, which was a Wallace Brook Pinot Noir.
Course three was roasted squab with white bean ragout, foie gras butter & caramelized carrots. The squab was... (I'm sorry, I can't focus on this because I'm thinking about it right now and my eyes keep glazing over in ecstasy... Give me a minute... Oh god. Anyway.) It was bloody rare and buttery tender. I'd never eaten squab before this and I feel blessed to have been introduced to it in such a beautiful way.
Dessert was an apple-pear tart in a hazelnut crust with chevre ice cream. It seemed like perhaps the tart was left in a little longer than planned, but the crust wasn't burnt by any means and was still wonderful. The fruit and the ice cream formed an amazing combination, playing to four of my five senses in a way that capped the meal in the best way possible. The port sherry served with dessert had a smooth honey flavor to it that I loved.
Some things that stand out in my mind which made this an experience, rather than just a dinner:
-Dustin (the chef/owner) came out after each course was served to tell us about the ingredients (what they were, where they came from, etc...) and share his thoughts behind the dish. He also thanked the farms which were the most instrumental in bringing the dishes together.
-After dinner, everyone cleared out and Elvis had a chance to speak with Dustin for a while. (I listened in, but since I apparently suck at conversation I didn't pipe up much.) I can tell that he truly enjoys what he does, and that he pours his heart into it. The amount of thought and planning that goes into each supper club is impressive.
-After Dustin went back into the kitchen to clean up, they sent out complementary glasses of sherry for us to enjoy while we sat and talked. It was a thoughtful gesture, and much appreciated.
If you're looking for the perfect place to take your special somebody, I highly recommend giving Art of the Table a call.
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After hearing of this place from a few trusted friends, I decided to try it out myself. I stalked their website for about a month, waiting for a menu that would fit four different pallets appropriately. At last, we decided to try their beer dinner last Thursday night. The restaurant itself is the perfect size for intimate dining. We were a group of four and sat at their communal table (seats 6). The service was immpecable, the food blew us all away. Each dish was delicious and interesting! We loved the wine list and the chef, Dustin, was so friendly and engaging and gave an introduction before serving each delish dish! I would highly reccomend this place! Not only was the food amazing, it is much more of an "experience" than simply going out to eat! We loved it and will be back!
A fun, foodie-friendly find.
I was down during Happy Monday kind of full from a previous meal and a little liquored up (don't ask). The small plates were great for me.
Had the avocado soup, a little strange but delicious. It was served cold and would have been perfect on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, it's been chilly recently, so I could only imagine how it would taste. If anyone tries the soup on a warm day, tell me how it goes.
Followed it up with an unmemorable fish (I'm thinking stripped bass) over chickpeas dish. I wish I got the pork belly.
Anyway, the menu rotates around a lot, and the chef obviously cares about food, so I'm coming back less drunk for a second round.
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This is the best place ever.... EVAR!!!!! =)
www.artofthetable.net
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Great little (and I do mean LITTLE) gem right off of Stone Way N. I think the max seating is 20-ish.
They have a pre-fixe menu on Thurs/Fri/Sat, aka "Weekend Supper Club". Three course meal plus dessert for $48/person.
Rather than wait, we decided to partake in their "Happy Mondays" to see if it's worth making weekend reservations or not. Happy Monday is basically open seating (no rezzies) and a limited menu of small plates - deliciously delicious small plates. We had:
An amazing veggie curry dish
A seared ahi tuna plate
A lobster mushroom quiche (I ate it and I'm still a real man)
An heirloom tomato/mozzarella plate (much like caprese)
A couple of glasses of wine, some excellent service and we were sold. The chef (Dustin) actually came by to see if everything was enjoyable.
Two possible black mark: it's awkward seating and it can get very loud in there, if there is a large group at the big table.
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Sure it's pricey, but I've never been to a place that treats its customers as well.
Chef Dustin comes out and introduces you to the food you're about to eat, providing a much appreciated context that only enhances the fantastic flavors.
If you're looking for a night-to-remember style dinner, I don't think you could do much better.
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Dustin fed me the best meal I've eaten in Seattle.
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The menu was Italian, food was great. Dustin said it was the first time he had cooked octopus. Paired with the Calamari over the wild green salad it had the perfect snap. The Eggplant Parmigiana with the roasted tomato stacked in the center was awesome. The Housemade Taglieatelle with the Ragu alla Bolognese was also tasty. Dessert was Honey Semifreddo with Raspberry Sauce and Almond Cookies.... I was very full by this point, but managed to eat the whole thing. Dinner was $48/$78 pp with the wine pairings. We sat at the communal table with two other couples that made great company. It is a great experience and we'll definitely be back. It can get a little loud and warm, but isn't that a result of good food, wine and company!!??
After all the great reviews on this place I've been dying to give it a try. I wanted to start with a Happy Monday but had to wait for the football season to end so finally got a chance this week. I definitely wasn't disappointed. I knew it was a small place but had no idea how small! To me this is a plus - it really had a great feel to it. We got there a little late but there was still room at the big table. Chef Dustin greeted us and gave us a quick rundown on the menu for the evening as well as some advice on the wine selections. It's obvious (as other reviewers have mentioned) that he loves what he does and really pours himself into it. Ally was our server and she was great. We tried a couple of different red blends that were decent - nothing to get all worked up over but they were reasonably priced so I can't complain. From the menu we shared ahi tuna with smoked salmon and kale (this one was my fave), a red and gold beet terrine with chevre and a warm quinoa salad. They were all delicious but we were still hungry so we finished with a pink lady apple with pork belly stuffing.
All in all Art of the Table was a great experience on a Happy Monday. We will definitely be back for the weekend supper club!
Go. Eat. Here. Now.
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After a lot of hype from Melisa we went to their Happy Hour this past Monday (5-10 p.m., but get there early, it fills up fast!) $5 glasses of wine (one red, one white) but also reasonably priced bottles (we had a cotes du rhone for $25) and beer (I *think* they were $2?!). We were seated at the communal table and I am sure the older gentleman sitting on one side of us got a complete kick out of our weekend update conversation. Happy Hour menu is all small plates, and our server advised us that the food was pretty hearty, comfort-fall fare, so 1.5 per person should be enough. We started with the eggplant dip which was delish and each ordered a "main" dish and split the carrots with pistachios (yum!) A friend and I both had the pork loin (it was ok, a bit tough for my taste which is why I am only giving it 4 stars) and my other friend had the snapper. We capped our dinner off with the apple creme brulee, which was excellent....couldn't get enough of the apple sorbet that was served on the side.
Service was great, Dustin the chef (who by the way is adorable) came over to chat with us, and everyone at our table was super nice. I am looking forward to heading back to celebrate a friend's birthday there in a couple of weeks as part of one of the weekend supper clubs.
The space is VERY small so don't look for any intimate moments here, but rather go for the incredible food and conversation amongst friends, new and old!
11/17/07: UPDATE I had to update this review and make it 5 stars. We had 16 people for a birthday party supper club last night and it was such an incredible experience. Each course (theme was Greece) was amazing, although my fave was the 3rd course with the feta and mint stuffed lamb. Dustin and his staff did an incredible time with pacing the courses, keeping wine and water glasses filled and entertaining all of us with stories about the food and culture. If you haven't been to Art of the Table yet....RUN, don't walk and check it out. You will not be disappointed. I can't wait to go back!!
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