Visiting Seattle (Spring 2016 Update)

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by BuckeyeOne, Mar 26, 2016.

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  1. TheBronze

    TheBronze Initiate (0) Apr 16, 2009 Washington

    During your time in Wallingford, Bouwers is a must and also consider Sixgill and Burgundian. Enjoy your stay!
     
    #101 TheBronze, May 10, 2016
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  2. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't know anything about the SeaTac area, but, the light rail can get you downtown and back fairly quickly, and it runs frequently and late: http://www.soundtransit.org/Schedules/Link-light-rail
     
    #102 BBThunderbolt, May 10, 2016
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  3. BuckeyeOne

    BuckeyeOne Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 Washington

    1) A short cab ride into Burien will take you to Elliott Bay Brewery and Brewpub. The food is above average pub food and their brew is more than decent. They do have guest taps as well. If you really want to just stay in SeaTac and walk someplace, Roasters right there by the airport and hotels will fit the bill. They'll have a solid taplist and sports on the TVs.

    2) The Wallingford/Fremont area is the best area for beer in our city IMO. You'll have access to Bottleworks, Burgundian, and Latona Pub in Wallingford. There's also an Elysian brewpub but it's not recommended since they sold out to InBev. In Fremont, Fremont Brewing, Brouwer's, and Sixgill are highly recommended.

    In addition to these spots, Toronado Seattle is not far from Wallingford. It's about a half mile from Latona Pub. There's a Whole Foods as well right around the corner from Toronado. They have a great beer selection at Whole Foods.
     
    #103 BuckeyeOne, May 10, 2016
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  4. ballardbeer

    ballardbeer Pundit (779) Nov 10, 2013 Oregon

    this immediately jumped out to me. stumbling monk is <5 min walk from the capitol hill station.
     
    #104 ballardbeer, May 10, 2016
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  5. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I haven't done it yet, but I think light rail will make it easier for me to do a weekend in Seattle. I don't need a fancy hotel room, and the motels by the airport are cheap, and just what I need. Having the Link run, will make a beery weekend easier.
     
    #105 BBThunderbolt, May 10, 2016
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  6. JouerAvecLeFeu

    JouerAvecLeFeu Pooh-Bah (2,032) Apr 17, 2015 Washington
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm heading up to Seattle for a few days next week, and I was wondering if I could get a recommendation for a bar / taproom / restaurant that has:
    A) A respectable taplist that hopefully isn't all IPAs.
    B) Decent grub. Preferably, somewhere that uses bacon as a condiment.
    C) A view of the Puget Sound where I can watch the ships go by...​

    Not sure such a place exists, but I figured if it did - this would be the place to ask. Thanks in advance.
     
    #106 JouerAvecLeFeu, May 10, 2016
  7. BuckeyeOne

    BuckeyeOne Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 Washington

    Ray's Cafe (http://www.rays.com/cafe/). Their taplist is decent --- I've had saisons, hefes, porters, etc. there. While bacon might be a stretch, their food --- mostly seafood --- is some of the best in the city. And there's not a better view of Puget Sound that isn't a residence.
     
    #107 BuckeyeOne, May 10, 2016
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  8. Coldstorage

    Coldstorage Initiate (0) Oct 1, 2014 California

    Thanks guys. Either that light rail didn't exist last time or I'm just an idiot because I remember taking busses that were 30-45 min into town.
     
    #108 Coldstorage, May 10, 2016
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  9. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Following up on my post. Canlis is unable to offer corkage service on beer, only wine. Bummer.

    Overpriced bottles or $16 pours of Bear Republic Tartare. Huh.
     
    #109 distantmantra, May 10, 2016
  10. ExVashonGujy

    ExVashonGujy Pooh-Bah (2,114) Mar 7, 2013 Washington
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Unable? As in, the Liquor Board won't let them do it, under terms of their license?

    Or just unwilling? As in, they're really all about the wine.

    I ask this question only as a matter of curiosity, since Canlis is not in our budget.
     
    #110 ExVashonGujy, May 10, 2016
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  11. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm not sure really sure. They offer corkage service on wine bottles ($10 a person). I emailed them last night asking if this extends to 750s of corked beer as well. The response I got was "
    Unfortunately, we can't offer a corkage policy for beer. I'm so sorry about that!"

    Like I said, I'm not sure. I don't appreciate wine enough to drop a bunch of money on their wine flight or anything. They're making an effort with beer so I had hoped they'd extend that service.

    And yeah, this is a one time dinner for us. Never been, probably won't be back for a long long time.
     
    #111 distantmantra, May 10, 2016
  12. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader


    Just my two cents on this, but what possible reason could there be for Canlis not allowing you to bring in your own beer? I'm assuming having proper glassware isn't a problem, and as long as you're willing to pay the corkage for any beer you bring, why should they care whether you bring in wine or beer? The amount of profit they're going to derive from alcohol sales is the same either way, no?

    I guess if it were me, I would take another stab at it (maybe by email if that's possible), and explain where you're coming from (no one in your party likes wine and you have some special bottles of beer you'd like to bring in). Emphasize that you're more than happy to pay the corkage fee, and maybe even ask them (politely of course) why they can't accommodate your request, if they're able to offer corkage service for wine.

    If they still say no, I would consider taking my business elsewhere, as that sounds completely unreasonable. Obviously, this is going to a fairly spendy night out, and as you're paying for an outstanding dining experience, why shouldn't the restaurant do everything within their power to accommodate what sounds like a very reasonable request on your part.

    Again, just my two cents on this, but I really don't understand why there should be any problem with Canlis accommodating your request.
     
    #112 John_M, May 10, 2016
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  13. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm the only person in our party of six that isn't into wine. I already shot off a response asking if there was any possible exception, but I'm not cancelling dinner for my wife and friends if I can't bring a Cantillon bottle. Has anyone been to a place that offers corkage on beer? I don't think I have.
     
    #113 distantmantra, May 10, 2016
  14. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes, but not at a fine dining restaurant like Canlis.

    However, the GF and I are both into wine (much more so than beer actually), so this isn't an issue that ever comes up for us.

    If you can't get them to relent on their policy, I'm not sure that leaves you with any recourse, other than the ones you've already mentioned.
     
    #114 John_M, May 10, 2016
  15. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah, it's not a big deal and I was actually thinking they'd say no, but it never hurts to ask.

    Part of me wonders if they think I'm trying to bring in some cheap bomber or something, and not a corked "fancy pants" bottle. I can't even imagine what they'd charge for AA if it were on their beer list (a $50 Scaldis Nuit is $112 at Canlis). Oh well.
     
    #115 distantmantra, May 10, 2016
  16. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    In my experience, I think the biggest problem is a shift in perception. It seems like the expensive, high end restaurants are often the most conservative and slow to change, and like you said, most of them probably still think in terms of a bottle of bud or Heineken when it comes to beer (no matter what craft offering they may carry on their list). It's still a "lesser" beverage for a lot of high end restaurants (though I do think this is changing).

    I also think another problem is a practical one. Most restaurants think in terms of a 750 ml bottle when it comes to wine corkage, which makes it somewhat easier to come up with a price. But for beer... are you bringing a couple of 12 ounce bottles (likely their biggest concern), or are you bringing a bomber or some other size variant? If so, would it be appropriate to charge $10 for each 12 ounce bottle (and as I'm sure you're aware, in this day and age, a $10 corkage fee is pretty cheap for a high end restaurant. Imagine if the restaurant was charging the far more customary $15 or $25 for each bottle opened... I suspect that rather than running the risk of pissing off a customer with their "one size fits all" corkage policy, they simply decided that it was safer not to allow any corkage service for beer).

    That being said, I think you raise a very good point, and I would consider running this by them again. Again, I would emphasize that you're bringing a very special bottle of beer, one that comes in a corked 750 ml bottle (something they're all too familiar with). I would even consider telling them that it's bottle of Cantillon from Belgium (just so they're fully apprised of how "special" this beer is ).

    Shrug. That's all I got. I really hope this works out for you.

    Good luck!
     
    #116 John_M, May 10, 2016
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  17. retinaMark

    retinaMark Initiate (0) Sep 3, 2008 Colorado

    Had dinner at Canlis in December while visiting friends in Seattle. Brought a bottle of Cantillon LPK. Didn't ask beforehand. Just handed the bottle as well as another wine bottle to the hostess to have chilled as she sat us. Sommelier poured the LPK with our starters with no questions asked. Paid the standard $10 pp corkage fee when the check came.
     
    #117 retinaMark, May 10, 2016
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  18. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I think I saw your checkin on Untappd. I'll shoot them an email and ask about this. Thanks!
     
    #118 distantmantra, May 10, 2016
  19. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'd follow this course of action. Bring the bottle with you, hand it to them without mentioning it's beer, and see what happens. It's much harder to refuse a customer face to face than claiming restaurant policy over the phone or email, and I'm guessing it's not the sommelier driving this restriction. From the restaurant's perspective, it may be easier to say no than having to get specific about what is an isn't acceptable. I'm definitely not an authority on WA liquor license provisions or Canlis' policies, but I think the worst that can happen is that you take an unopened bottle back home.

    Anyone know what would happen if someone took a 1.5L bottle of Kirkland Signature Cabernet to Canlis (or similar) and requested corkage? Pretty sure they'd make an effort to steer someone away from bringing the bottle if they received an email or call beforehand, though.
     
    #119 sharpski, May 10, 2016
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  20. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't think you're going to get them to "publicly" say it's OK, even if they look the other way when someone brings an appropriate beer bottle. They can imply it was the guest's deception or a misunderstanding and they don't condone it, and you may decrease the chance of them looking the other way for you. Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
     
    #120 sharpski, May 11, 2016
    Last edited: May 11, 2016
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