I've been to Altura twice, 1 year apart. The first time I had a great time and I loved it, the food, the wine pairing, the service, everything. It felt on par with a 2 Michelin star restaurant. Unfortunately, just as my friends told me, the quality at this restaurant is inconsistent. Second time around, the food is still good but not great. The chef was being experimental with more flavors. Plating was still extremely pretty but the servers didn't make sure the plate was oriented correctly. A dish that had 3 times left to right was presented right to left for others at my table. The servers poured us wine but didn't introduce the wine this time. Last year, my table had a blast but this time the experience was just meh and not as good as I had remembered it, Still good but not excellent and not consistent so I cannot give this restaurant 5 stars for how much it costs. Atmosphere is still romantic though. I would definitely take a date here. They would be impressed. read more

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Came back for a second meal this weekend - first one was six months ago. Still an exceptional dining experience, especially at the counter. Altura only does a chef-driven menu every night. They offer a choice of non-alcoholic, every-other-alcoholic or each-course wine pairings for drinks. There's often a theme running through the meal, ours was tarragon and herbal notes. Food and drink expertly matched for flavor, with each complimenting the other. This is a three hour experience, with each course prepared as the prior is being served. Counter seats include being able to see all the different techniques, a must for foodies. Easily on par with Michelin star restaurants. A must do for true foodies. Our optional bonus this night was hand shaved Italian white truffle along with the goat pasta. Of course we said yes, and of course it was a taste experience. read more

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It was my first time at a tasting menu. My boyfriend and I came here for a date. The place was clean, and had a rustic and calming feel. The entire tasting menu was a 3 hour experience where the chefs takes your taste buds on a rollercoaster ride. I think this is honestly the best meal I ever had. When we first sat down they gave us a palate cleanser. Then we ordered a drink if you did not want your meals to be paired with drinks. We just ordered a glass of white wine since we are not big drinkers and we had a flights to catch the next day. Then the meal starts we had oysters, steak, pasta, caviar (basically a range of food) and each dish was a different taste focus. For desserts we had cannoli, chocolate and a brûlée. The service here was excellent. Everyone was very kind and when you get up they get you a new napkin. read more

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Best meal from the weekend was an experience like nothing I've ever had. The 3+ hour adventure was a 9 course tasting menu with seats at the bar allowing us a direct view into the kitchen as the chefs worked their magic like a well choreographed ballet. Starting the evening was the stuzzichini consisting of pancetta wrapped mussel, a mustard green sponge cake with Vitello tonnato, and an olive oil baba. Nope. Don't know what any of that means except that it was delicious. Next up was fermented potato with cured salmon roe, a savory sea urchin cannoli, and whipped foie gras. 3rd course featured black cod with smoked ostera caviar, 4th was a wild mushroom risotto and 5th was a goat tortellini with shaved white truffle, house made sourdough and cultured butter. Next was a remarkable grape sorbetto with a tarragon granita, followed by an incredible dry aged duck breast with a delectable potatoe purée and pickled cherries. The 8th course, affectionately named "1st dessert" was a ginger semifreddo paired with huckleberry and 2nd dessert was a pistachio gelato, cherry grappa, aerated hot chocolate and cannoli - with caramelized white chocolate covered brandy preserved figs. The food was delicious. The chefs skilled and entertaining. The drinks were skillfully paired with each course to highlight and amplify the flavors. Worth every penny. read more

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I used to read about Altura often, but I never got around to dining here the last time I lived in the Emerald City.  Now that I'm back again, I made a point of connecting with one of my fellow food adventurers to head here for dinner.  I turned out to be even better than I had imagined it would be! Altura has a multi-course tasting menu they create each day, using seasonal ingredients sourced from both the garden and from the sea.  Your server will describe each plate as it's served, and a menu with full details for each course is provided at the end of the meal.  The meal begins with a series of small bites (know in Italy as Stuzzichini), and then progresses to several beauitfuilly presented and well-plated dishes.  There are various house-made beverages (wine, beer, and/or non-alcoholic) available to pair with with your meal. Tip: The price for the tasting menu is $175 per person Service is attentive, the venue is small and cozy and the overall feel is warm and intimate.  Each and every course in our meal was off-the-charts delicious, so it's impossible to single out any single dish as a favorite; when you dine at Altura the entire dining experience will become an instant favorite! read more

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BRAVO!!! I had one of the best culinary experiences of my life sitting at the counter of this magnificent place. Did the wine pairing, which definitely added to the experience! Great pairings and flavor combinations, with relatively simple wines. The first little opener they gave was a little drink, something fizzy with melon. It tasted of ambrosia, I would have loved to bring a jug of that home. I long for that taste from time to time HAHAH. Next was a trio of appetizers, eaten from left to right. Fantastic, brilliant, genius. The intense flavor profiles were a journey, each blending wonderfully but providing diversity after the next. The thoughtfulness behind the textures was so fun to eat as well. My favorite in this course was the light cake topped with mussel. The cake was so soft and complimentary to the strong flavors of the mussel. Then the next trio of appetizers came. Possibly even more impactful than the first. The cannoli reminded me of what a sour cream and onion chip could be if it went on to get a PhD, become a surgeon, and impress its Asian parents (haha, i jest). Blew me away with familiar flavors combined in a way to form something completely different-- and better. The other two were also just breathtakingly good, I would say perfect, in my book. The hot appetizer brought warmth to my soul and more, while the cold with beef was a brilliant explosion on my taste buds. Next we got the tomatoes, and let me tell you. The best bites of tomato I've ever had in my life. I was so happy with how "natural" the tomato form was left to, so I was able to experience their additions in a way that drastically enhanced the fruit instead of changing it. The ling cod was delicious, but much overshadowed by other courses. Especially the next one. A floral pasta, lavender butter. First off, an absolutely stunning dish. The colors and plating were gorgeous, and the pasta tasted like mythical high end fairy food or something. Sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. Soft yet firm, and the lavender really came out. I was so pleasantly surprised, and I've never had anything like it. Next was a sorbet before the entrees. It was very pretty, decent but nothing compared to everything before. There was a slight bitter aftertaste that I personally didn't love. The entrees, my partner got the steak and I opted for the lamb. I thought the lamb was much better than the steak, but both were tender and well cooked. Steak was pretty cooked through (more than medium I would say), which is not my preference, so I think it lost a bit of its juiciness and some of the flavors I like in rarer meat. Still, both were good. Dessert starts, and the first dish is beautiful. The melon balls were super tasty, and they built a good mixture of flavors. Little too much on the grapes, which were surprisingly a bit heavy, not sure why. Second round was fantastic (except the chocolate Cherry tasted a bit too boozy). The hot chocolate gelato was the PERFECT ratio of sweetness and bitterness, they hit it right on the mark. The pistachio tuile was also extremely tasty and had great diversity in textures. Overall, they exceeded my expectations and took food to the next level. I would love to come back and see their future menus. A full hearted (and stomached?) thank you to the chefs and servers there, what is done there is art. read more

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We came here for my birthday dinner with my family and it was the best meal I've had in Seattle. Yes, it's pricey but food quality is superior to other restaurants with the same price point. We splurged for the wagyu course and it melted in your mouth- totally worth it. read more

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I've now been here twice and each time has been extraordinary. The first time we didn't know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised at the Michelin-quality food and service. The second time was more seafood-focused than the first, which was good with me since I love seafood. Each course was explained in detail and I really like sitting at the counter so I can see how much precision and attention to detail goes into every part of each dish. read more

This place is one of the best restaurants in Seattle and probably one of my favorite restaurants in general! The restaurant itself looks very unassuming and you would never guess that inside is an amazing fine dining experience. The courses are well paced and the portions will leave you full at the end. The price is a little bit on the pricier side but it's definitely worth it to come once in a while for a nice meal during a special occasion. All of the ingredients were super fresh and I loved the interesting flavors they used! There were some dishes and flavor combinations that I never would've imagined, but somehow, all of the dishes here were in perfect harmony with a fantastic balance of salty, acidic, and sweet. One of the more creative dishes was the Roasted Corn Pansotti. The pasta itself was tender but had a nice chew and was filled with a creamy sweet corn filling. It was paired with a nutty browned butter perfumed with floral scents of lavender. Contrasting the sweet tender pasta was a crumbly salty cheese and crispy herby fried sage leaves. All of this together truly made for an unforgettable dish! Everything else was delicious also! Some of my favorite dishes were the Dry-Aged Duck Breast and the Pacific Rogue Wagyu. The duck breast had a crispy skin and the meat was tender but firm. The flavor was complex and had a little funk from the dry aging, and it paired really well with the creamy mashed potatoes and sweet roasted radishes. The wagyu was obviously good since it's wagyu, but it was paired with an assortment of mushrooms that I love such as chanterelles and morels. The dish was rich and meaty and full of umami flavors. There's a reason why this place has so many 5 star reviews and I agree with all of them. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Seattle and I will definitely be revisiting since the menu changes seasonally! read more

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Came for a birthday celebration. This was the best Japanese A5 wagyu I've ever had. It is an add on to the menu and you can choose 2-5oz. Wine pairing was terrific. Wish they had a combo wine pairing/mocktail. Over $700 for two ppl so would only come for a special occasion. Highly recommend sitting at the counter to see all the intricate work that is put in. read more

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I've been lucky enough to try various prix fixe menus all over the world. Some are good, some--not so good. We've dined at Altura several times over the past few years and they never seem to miss. Period. They change up their menu regularly so there's probably no point in describing each course. Just know that, although their menu is technically Neo-Italian, they incorporate a bit of Seattle into each bite (so expect some seafood, a little Asian fusion, etc). Check out our pics from the last time we were there. Their waitstaff is super friendly and informative and they describe each course in detail. They have a knowledgeable sommelier who can recommend a glass/bottle that goes best with the meal. Or if you are feeling saucy, you can add on the wine pairing for about $145 (2023 price). But be careful, they were very generous with the pours and we definitely felt it towards the end (our fault for enjoying too much). The restaurant is nice and cozy and the dress code is casual+. It's not formal by any means, maybe more of a casual elegant. read more

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Altura is an upscale Italian restaurant with a Pacific Northwest flair serving a fixed priced, pre-paid tasting menu only. Their booking is usually 3+ weeks out for a weekend seating, so do plan ahead if you're interested. We didn't plan ahead so this is our 30 years + 5 weeks anniversary dinner. LOL!!! With a tasting menu, what is coming up is unknown. It was fun to be pleasantly surprised as each dish is presented. Altura serves dishes with complexity and depths of flavors that impress the palate. Every dish was genuinely impressive. The only thing that didn't work is one piece of the beef in the main course. The dishes below are in the order served: 1. Aperitivo - Berries & Mint Soda 2. Osetra Caviar, Fermented Potato, Nasturtium 3. Stuzzichini Platter - 3a - Manila Clams with Fermented Poblano and Kinome Leaf 3b - Savory Cannoli with Hokkaido Sea Urchin, Douglas Fir Tips. This one has its own throne and was very flavorful. 3c - Green ones: Mustard Green Sponge Cake with Albacore Tuna, Caper Leaf 3d - Red ones: Grassfed Beef Crudo, Parmesan Fondutta, Cured Egg, Carasau 4. Mussels Platter 4a - Mussel - Charcoal Grilled, Pancetta, Smoked with Madrone Bark 4b - Mussels Sformato, with Salmon Roe and Onions. A sformato is an Italian savory flan. The mussels flavor is infused. The texture & flavor reminded me of uni. 5. Kanpachi Crudo - Melon, Cucumber, Sea Bean, Aleppo Pepper. Who knew cucumber and honeydew went so well together! 6. Two Kinds of House Made Bread with Cultured Butter and Smoked Salt 7. Pasta Course - Scarpinocc Pasta with Roasted Corn, Morels, Lavender-Brown Butter 8. Palate Cleanser - Strawberry-Rhubarb Sorbetto with Tarragon Granita, Garden Herbs, and Finger Lime 9. Main Course - Pure Country 21-Day Dry Aged Steak and Pacific Rogue True Wagyu with Colibruium Little Germs, Variations of Radish, Sugar Snap Peas. Sadly, one of the beef was stringy. The stringy tendon in the right piece of beef can be seen in the photo. 10. Vanilla Semifreddo - Anise Hyssop, Pink Peppercorn, Local Berries, Black Mission Fig 11. Affogato 11a - Vanilla Gelato, Green Chartruese, Aerated Hot Chocolate. I'm already ridiculously full by now, and 3 more desserts show up. 11b - Pistachio Zabaglione with Cocoa Nib Tuile 11c - Local Cherries, Marzipan, Chocolate 12. 2x Cannoli to take home and a Menu -- You didn't think I memorized all that^^, did you? Hahaha. Service was genuine and impeccable. I would easily return to eat at Altura again. read more

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We chose Altura to celebrate Valentine's Day, fully expecting the higher-priced holiday menu, which we wouldn't have minded if the service and food had met expectations. Unfortunately, they did not. Our reservation was at 5:00 PM, and we were seated promptly at 4:58. However, despite waiting for 15 minutes, nothing was brought to our table, while we noticed that all other guests received a small welcome drink, we asked the waitress to confirm that we were on the same menu as everyone else and to double-check our wine pairing (one wine pairing and one non-alcoholic pairing). Five minutes later, we were brought a glass of champagne--after reviewing the menu, we realized this was actually the first wine pairing, though the waitress never clarified. Still, we never received the welcome drink that other tables did. A table seated after us not only received their welcome drinks but also started their first course at least 10 minutes before we did. It was clear that the restaurant was unprepared for Valentine's Day, both in terms of service execution and staffing levels. The staff seemed overwhelmed and disorganized, struggling to manage the evening's reservations. The issues continued throughout the evening--our wine pairing was forgotten again during the main course. Having experienced fine dining around the world, this was by far one of our worst experiences. If a restaurant chooses to charge more for a special occasion, it should ensure that its staff is well-trained and capable of handling the increased demand. read more

Where do I even start with Altura? It's definitely a very quaint and intimate restaurant. The angel statue in the back is kind of creepy but I sat my back to it so I didn't have to look at it during dinner. Service was exceptional, might be one of the best ever and I eat out fairly often. My friend had booked reservation for us here for my birthday. Tasting menus are our thing and this was right up there with the best we've had. Started with stuzzichini which consist of Ian's kombucha with huckleberry and pine, lightly grilled Pickering pass oyster with fermented escarole butter, savory cannoli filled with Maine sea urchin, parsley root cream, beef crudo mixed with parmesan fondutta, quail egg, and carasau, and last a mustard green cracker topped with tarragon butter and Israeli amber cavier. Out of the 4 bites. My favorite was the oyster and beef crudo. They just had this really amazing flavor I really wanted to eat more haha. Next course was two separate dish, one was bark smoked mussels that I really enjoy. The presentation for that alone was fun to witness. I really enjoy the roe dish that accompanied it. Reminded me of a Japanese steam eggs. The consistency was almost very similar but this dish was very light and airy packed with a ton of flavors. The next dish after that was the stinging nettle gnudi, it was a rabbit ragu with sage. That was delicious and I consumed every last bit. Had a very salty taste which assuming is from the pecorino. Next after that was the mamas bread and lobster ravioli with sweet shrimp and this delicious lobster brodo my friends and I used to dip some of the bread into. The brodo has such a nice kick to it. Ravioli was delicious. Always wonder why you only get one though haha. I'm hungry and I want 3. We had a blood orange sober to for a palette cleanser and that was delicious! The main course was either lamb or A5 wagyu and we all opt for the wagyu. This entree was amazing to say the least. We all thought 4oz wouldn't suffice and quickly retracted that statement. We were served with two different cuts and lemme tell ya. They're so rich and buttery. We all fell into a food coma shortly after. It felt like the meat was just melting! I couldn't even explain to you how tender it was and how delicious it was with the mash potato(I'm assuming) , whatever it was very light had a slight sweetness to it that I thought worked well with the wagyu in terms of balancing out the richness of the meat. The dessert course was last and honestly very beautiful presented. It was a trio and I honestly tried everything just out of curiosity but I could have passed on dessert. I was so stuff from the meal. There was a bourbon caramel semifreddo and affogato. I enjoyed the caramel gelato and chocolate cake topped with meringue more. Altura was such a great experience and who knows when I'll have the chance to come back but I definitely think everyone should experience this at least once. They were fantastic for my birthday and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to spoil a loved one. read more

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Food is wonderful. I visited on my birthday. Pretty much like all the courses. Service is also very good. They changed my forks for every new course. The environment is chill. read more

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Is it worth the money? That is the question I continually get when people find out I was taken here for my birthday dinner. I would say YES! Not that I know the exact price was but know the range. This is definitely what some would call pricey but it was probably one of my most favorite meal experiences I have had and that is me comparing it our engagement dinner at Canlis as well. If you are not into fine dining, small portions, appreciation for the arts then I would not recommend you go here. I think to describe our night here it was not just a dinner but a whole experience. The food was not only on a whole other level of delicious but the service was exceptional. They brought each course to you with separate cutlery, explained what it was and made sure you were satisfied along the way. They wait on you like you see in the movies. You get up for any reason, they replace your napkin - that level of fancy. For me, it was a struggle to take pictures of each course and just live in the moment. I highly recommend living in the moment. Savoring each bite and truly enjoy every second. I could tell you about the what we had but it wouldn't make a difference. Everything was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully. They switch up the menu so you are in for your own surprise. Definitely once in a lifetime type of meal. I cannot wait for another special occasion to go back or maybe even some random date night where we want to splurge. read more

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This was one of the best dinners I've had in Seattle. They have a preset menu and I'd recommend doing the wine pairing with it. They bring out many courses and pair each one with a different wine. These were a few of the courses we had. The decoration inside the restaurant is done really well, and it's a small & intimate restaurant. I'd definitely recommend for a date night or a special occasion. read more

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I really wanted to give this place 5 starts, but unfortunately, burnt truffles on top of an overdone steak isn't going to do it. The printed course menu needs to be updated as the octopus listed is not even an option. Staff/service was below expectations for fine dining. One server barely knew the menu and would only describe the food with minimal detail. Hmmmm I could do that! The only reason I gave it a 2 start is because the stuzzchinis were delicious and had great presentation. Maybe they were just having a bad night ‍ but I wasn't impressed. read more

Altura - Burnt truffles on top of steak - Italian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is quite a small and modest place for fine dining but I'd say a few dishes were certainly comparable to some Michelin stars in sf/nyc. The vibe inside the restaurant is very cozy and casual rather than classy and formal. We got the chef's table and wine pairing which really amplified the experience. Here are the 7 courses that were served for the night and my personal opinions: One of the first things they served was a plate of three different flavors which were quite aesthetic. The bacon wrapped Mediterranean mussel just tasted like what you would expect with some green onion under. The sponge cake in the middle had some interesting kick to it and I liked the tartare on top. The last item tasted like Chinese donut to me but they made it "oily" on purpose so oil can burst in your mouth upon the first bite. The next dish had a very unique presentation as well. It's rare to see big leaves like this rather than exquisite decorations. In the middle we have some salon roe on fermented potato which is basically potato puree with a yogurt taste. I really enjoyed the little parsley cannoli next to it. It had an earthy taste and the texture was thin and crunchy. I thought it was a creative play of the ingredients, which is the key in fine dining. The foie gras and sea urchin combination was ok but too overwhelming for me. I prefer to have my foie gras mixed with other stuff so the taste isn't so intense and fatty. The black cod here at Altura deserves so much praise! I'd say it tastes better than the ones I had in Le Bernardin which is a 3 star seafood place in NY. I have mixed feelings about seafood at fine dining in general because it's really hard to be creative and they just rarely exceed my expectations. I did notice green onion being a repeating element in fine dining a lot especially served with caviar. So classic and yummy. Duck is again another popular dish in fine dining that you see a lot in Chinese cuisine. The dry aged duck here was very different from the ones I've had before. It was medium rare, juicy and not too dry. Watching them prepare it was the most fascinating thing which is why I highly recommend reserving the chef's table. I wasn't super impressed by the goat tortellini because I've been to a specialized place called girl and the goat which sets the bar high. However, it was still pretty well made and not gamey at all. I do want to say the lemon flavored cannoli here was TO DIE FOR. I miss it just by looking at the pictures and the aerated hot chocolate on sicilian pistachio gelato was DELICIOUS as well. It reminds me of a cup of lava cake with a hint of almond. Overall it was very cool to see the chefs preparing food in front of you in a very streamline fashion and they don't just make one plate at a time. Even though the presentation was very delicate, it still feels very much like a family owned kitchen which I really enjoyed. I think the difference between the food here and other Michelin places is they tend to preserve the original taste of the ingredients rather than renovating them to taste like something completely different. There were many common ingredients and familiar tastes but the variety was perfect. 5 stars! read more

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My partner and I were visiting from out of town and chose this place as our special birthday celebration dinner. The reservation process was seamless through Tock - the restaurant even let me cancel and re-reserve since I found out you can book using Chase points! We arrived at 830pm on the dot and were promptly seated. However, I am diabetic, and took insulin to prepare for the meal and we didn't start eating till almost 930pm!!! My glucose levels dropped super low and I thought I was going to die in this restaurant. Luckily, they were super accommodating and brought me a delicious and sugary drink to get me back up to normal levels. I just wish we had been able to get started eating on time, but they do service all together for every table. The food itself was delicious. I loved the tiny bites in the beginning and I think it was like a mochi cracker? Also the agnolotti with truffles.. omg drool. AND AND AND the chocolate affogato was a great way to end the meal. The only reason why I docked a star is because I didn't feel the service exuded the usual passion. There was one couple there who seemed to be regulars who got all the attention of every server and the chef. No one really engaged with us and would just put down our meals, serve our wine, and not really offer anything that made us super excited to be there. I also watched another guest stand up, awkwardly look for the bathroom, and sit back down because no one approached him and he was just awkward. I feel like most places...and most humans in the industry would be like a hawk and offer assistance. read more

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This might be one of the most amazing food experiences of my life. I'm not even sure I can properly describe it. So apparently their menu changes daily and that's so difficult to know because that just means I'm going to constantly want to go back but my wallet knows better unfortunately. The service was amazing and I like the concept of going in without knowing what we'll eat (and being given the menu at the end of the meal as a souvenir). Each course was incredibly creative, delicious, beautifully, and unique. I really want to describe each one of them but then this would turn into an essay. But it also sounds contrived to say that it wasn't just a meal, but a mind-opening experience. I just couldn't hold in my shock with each bite that the food could taste the way it did. My head literally kept shooting up from the food to look at my boyfriend to try to express the feelings I was feeling from the food. Did I mention that EVERYTHING was amazing??? Even the things that were raw (very few) which I normally really can't eat. And there were so many courses that we started counting down and guessing how much more we would get. We also had an extra entree - during one of the courses, there was a small little blip in the food (not anything big at all and nothing that hindered my enjoyment of the food) so to make it up for us, we got both the entrees: both the lamb and the wagyu. And we were STUFFED by the end. Like couldn't have managed a single more bite stuffed. We didn't get a drink pairing either but did do a couple cocktails. I like the pairing options though: their menu had a wine pairing, non-alcoholic pairing, and a "balancing act" where they alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic. I also really liked the number of desserts: the first one before the entree as a palate cleanser, 2 more after the entree, and a box of sweets to take home. Overall everything was so thoughtfully and tastefully done, the chefs looked like they were having fun in the kitchen, and through the entire FOUR hours of the meal, I had a blast. Never would've guessed how long we stayed there. The next day, my friend tried to get me to do a tasting menu at another place and I realized that my taste buds had already been so overwhelmed at Altura that I physically couldn't lol. read more

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One of the best meals I've ever had! The food was creative, interesting and absolutely delicious. It was definitely a splurge but an experience we will remember. The service was great and the low key, unpretentious atmosphere certainly made the experience more enjoyable. read more

I think this is definitively my favorite meal I've ever had in Seattle, and maybe my favorite meal of all time. The food was excellent at every course. The drinks were superb. The service was always friendly and attentive. The ambiance was warm and cozy. The chefs were kind and it was entertaining seeing them work. I treated myself out for my birthday, and I had such a fun time. As a note, parking will be hard as usual for Capitol Hill. I found a pay lot across the street but otherwise it's mostly street parking. read more

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Amazing! Absolutely spectacular! This was not just a wonderful meal but a great experience! We dined in for an 830 dinner set and was given Prosecco as we waited for our first course. The dishes came out one by one in beautiful presentation, and we were given this very professional elegant description of what was plated. Lots of fancy words I just nodded at, but it really was hard to pay attention with the delicious food looking at me. They gave us room to have our conversation, but paid close attention to us to notice when we needed a drink refill or had dropped our napkin and needed a fresh one. They seriously were top notch in service, and we were delighted to be treated with such care and professionalism. The food was absolutely amazing. It's not what you think of when you think Italian. My husband joked and asked why we were going to a tasting menu of pastas. There was foie gras, uni, a black/wild rice risotto of some sort, seared duck breast, delicious desserts with multiple elements, chocolate adffogato of some sort, yeah I really can't describe the food here to do it Justice you just need to come and eat appreciate the art, experience, and tantalizing dishes created by the masterminds here. I rave a bit more about this place on my IG nhungu_eats if you're interested! 10/10 would recommend as a fancy special occasion out. The cocktail I had was about 23$ each and dinner sets for 4 was 700. It adds up to quite a bit, but at the end of the day you're paying for a specially curated experience and wonderful service with attentive waitstaff. Our friend had an upset stomach and the staff was able to whip up a lovely ginger tea to help calm her stomach. They really went the extra mile with being accommodating and patient. Good vibes only :) read more

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Great place, exotic food, highly recommend! Food: 4/5 | Service: 4/5 | Atmosphere: 4/5 read more

The food is EVERYTHING! Our meal was spectacular and worth every penny. The flavors, textures, temperatures, colors, and plating were all very purposeful. It was a meal I will not soon forget. I won't specify what we had because it changes every day. I will be back! The only 2 improvements would be: 1) larger wine pours. At $22/glass I want wine in my glass. I felt they skimped there by a lot!! And 2) invest in new chairs that aren't worn and torn. For the amount of money I paid for dinner, I don't want a cheep torn chair to sit on. Other than that, everything was a pleasure. The service was lovely. The staff was knowledgeable about the food. Dinner through dessert was paced well - definitely didn't leave hungry! read more

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I must say, the overall experience was beyond phenomenal! Staff, chefs, everybody was amazingly respectful and knowledgeable of what they're doing and serving. Atmosphere of the restaurant was nice, mellow, nice jams, and the lighting is just right. We don't eat chef's menu often and as an avid foodie, I must say the food was BOMB! To be honest, I wasn't sure what we were eating half the time but it was one of the best foods we ate. The waiters/waitresses would explain to us what was being served and typical me, don't listen and just want to dive right in. The whole experience from beginning to end was about three hours as stated on their website. We sat at the chefs table, where we can see the chefs make the amazing goodness before our eyes. You can conversation with the chefs, ask questions and so on. They are respectful and knowledgeable in their craft. I can't say it enough the food and overall experience was top notch. Reservations. Yes, Altura only accepts reservations, no walk ins (maybe if you're lucky). Parking is troublesome but there are some parking lots around the area. read more

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One of the best dining experiences in Seattle. A few months ago I surprised my girlfriend by taking her here for a special occasion and they didn't disappoint. There are two seating times a night and get exceptional service. Staff were all very friendly and attentive. The head chef/owner was also there and we got to chat with him throughout the night. We were given a personalized menu that had ~10 amazing courses. My favorites were the abalone, halibut, and Wagyu. They were all cooked perfectly with complimenting notes. My least favorite was the dessert. The cherry (dessert) had a very strong rum flavor that wasn't to my liking. 5/5 and would strongly recommend to any friends looking to celebrate an occasion. read more

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Overall a good meal but not wowed. You can tell the chef really tried to mix different kinds of concepts and flavors, but the tastes were not delicates enough. Our first small bites were very salty, and the albacore tuna was completely over powered by cucumber. Tomato variation was really interesting. Loved the ling cod and the A5 wagyu we paid $75 extra for. The other main course was duck breast that only came in one slice which is incredibly small. I think the experience was priced at $175 for its creativity, but taste and portion didn't do the price tag justice. Likely won't return in the future because there're a lot better restaurants with this price. read more

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Enjoyed an amazing dinner at Altura last evening with my husband to celebrate our anniversary. It was our first time dining at the restaurant and I'm looking forward to going back again in the future. Our meal was amazing--each course was delicious & beautiful--and the generous & attentive service made everything run smoothly. If possible, I suggest getting a counter seat as you can watch the magic happening behind the scenes! The eight courses were paced well which allowed us to savor rather than feel we needed to eat quickly before the next course came. With tomatoes in season right now, the team put together an excellent dish; I'm curious how other seasonal items are highlighted throughout the year! We chose to have a cocktail & bring a bottle of wine from home rather than do the wine pairings--I noticed a few people doing the pairings, but no one close enough for me to gauge how they were reacting to them :) Personal note: I understand why this restaurant is considered "Italian" due to the menu format and inspiration, but it took over seven years for us to come because we avoid anything categorized as Italian. Is this a contemporary take on Italian perhaps? read more

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Absolutely stunning plating, incredibly creative dishes that also taste great, and highly attentive service. Kind of funky decor and relaxed feel. All in all one of the best all around meals in Seattle. Better food than Canlis. Just as innovative as Violet. Very expensive but worth every penny. Before drinks it runs about $250 a person including service and taxes. Would have been happy if it cost even more. read more

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AMAZING ONCE IN A LIFETIME CULINARY EXPERIENCE $$$$ You and your special someone will never forget your evening at Altura. There are only 2 seatings per day! One at 5 and another one at 9. The menu is chef's choice and you are not told in advance what is on it! Well, yes, you can tell them if you have any allergies or things you won't eat. The first course is a variety of small plates. And as the night goes on the portions become larger but never big. My wife got an award with a monetary benefit for a dinner at a special restaurant although it did not cover our full meal. We ordered a couple of add ons. One was the "wine pairing" complete with a sommelier who took the time to explain everything about the wine at each course and answered all our questions. The other was a $45 extra for HUGE slices of truffles in one of our courses. Yes it was sooooooo worth it. I mean these were actual slices not shreds like at the Italian place. "What Italian place Tony?" Never mind. We never felt rushed, as this is NOT a "turn tables " type of establishment. Rather a team of chefs and sous chefs prepare each course in exquisite detail. I mean. We sat in direct line of the open kitchen and marveled at the orchestration of preparation of each course. Since there are only 2 sittings per day, the crew and the patrons can take the time needed to prepare and enjoy respectively each course. At the end of our experience we were presented with a scroll and 2 tiny gift boxes containing 2 delectable desert truffles each. The scroll contained the names of the courses we were served (See Picture) as a remembrance of one of the best meals we have ever had. I have to recommend Altira for anyone that wants to share an exceptional culinary experience with a special person in your life. Reservations must be made weeks in advance for a seating. You and your special someone will never forget your time at Altura, although you may have to spread the cost out on your CC. So, for all those reasons I will award 6 stars! Unfortunately, the reviews only hold 5, but you know what I mean. BTW, if you enjoyed my review or found it useful funny or cool, please don't hesitate to click the little button to say so, or better yet, go ahead and friend me. So go on! Press that button, and never miss a single one of my epic reviews in the Seattle area and beyond. Excelsior! . read more

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Oh my goodness, all the 5 star reviews on here are correct. I cannot emphasize enough how much of an extraordinary experience dining at Altura is!! The gorgeous ambiance, above and beyond staff, and mind blowing food are just phenomenal. This was by far the best dinner I've ever had!! I can't even imagine how the flavor profiles of these dishes were created because it's so far beyond what an average restaurant serves you. I believe I had 8 courses brought out to me and each just got better and better. I love the concept of being served without a menu selection, it's all beautifully curated for you. TRUST these chefs because they have it all figured out!! My favorites (although the menu changes seasonally) were the kale salad and the pork entree. Can't forget the AMAZING three desserts you get too! The aerated hot chocolate will be in my dreams for at least a year. Do yourself a massive treat and take yourself to a dinner at Altura. I don't say it lightly when I say your standard for fine dining will forever be raised thanks to this stunning restaurant!! read more

Altura - Italian Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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If the Michelin folks ever decide to come to Seattle, I'll be willing to bet that Altura deserves a star or two. I booked a party of six to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary and the experience at Altura was among one of the best for dining in Seattle. LOCATION: The restaurant is on Broadway in trendy, hippy Capitol Hill. Limited street parking but they have pay lots across the street from the restaurant. AMBIANCE: Open kitchen, very relaxing and laid-back vibes. It doesn't seem like a typical Italian restaurant. Modern, upbeat music too. DINNER: The tasting menu is about $150/pp and will last about 3 hours. Folks do need to decide on the main course (duck breast or wagyu), and whether to supplement the pasta dish with white truffle (~$80/gram). You'll get the smaller bites coming out quickly, and them things slow down toward the larger portions, main, and desserts. The cuisine is Italian but with a Pacific Northwest twist. The food is gorgeous and the flavors really popped. 1. The first dish of fermented potato and cured sturgeon roe set the down and blew everyone away. Potato like a smoky cloudy foam of flavor, which played nicely with the salty roe. 2. Next came this trio of clam, razor clam, and a really meaty oyster. Although served in their shells, all three were cooked by poaching and then chilled. Nice surprise and full of briny goodness. 3. Uni Cannoli was probably the most luxurious finger food ever. Listed as savory, I found this more decadent and better than a regular dessert cannoli! 4. Next came a trio of beef dishes that may have been the Chef playing mind tricks. A soft beet (not beef) sponge cake topped with smoked beef tongue. Then a pumpkin crostada with beef fat filling. Another fried eggroll-like dish with beef crudo. 5. The duo of mussels was up next. One served in a container from the smoke of Madrona bark and the other with a nice creamy sabayon. 6. I liked the next dish of prawn served in its broth with black rice. Prawn was almost lobster-like in texture. We were less impressed with the fried shrimp heads, designed to be dipped in the broth. A bit too oily compared to Japanese Tempura-style shrimp heads. 7. Before the main course there's pasta, and its always better with some shaved white truffle. 3g for 6 people is enough and is worth splurging for. Chef Nathan Lockwood himself shaved them for our table, which was awesome! Although we did not choose duck for our main, we got a chance to taste it in the pasta along with fried sage and porcini! 8. Everyone loved the main course selection of Wagyu. Very juicy and flavorful. Less impressive was the caramel radish which I found a bit too firm. The radicchio with foie gras snow added some nice bitterness and richness at the same time. 9. The palate cleanser before dessert was duck tea, which reminded me of SF's Saison. A bit too salty IMHO, but my sister seemed to like it. 10. Lastly, two excellent desserts. A Creamsicle sorbet made with sumo oranges and crispy meringue wafers that dissolve on your tongue. Then, this really impressive affogato with aerated hot chocolate. The side of orange zest gelato turned out to be the boozier dessert! Definitely recommend Altura as one of Seattle's finest restaurants. Service, creativity of dishes, and flavors are hard to beat! read more

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Excellent food and service for that very special night with your very special person.

Food is great. Every dish is a surprise! The service is also great! Wine collection is good too. If I had to say the bad impression, it would be the truffle... it felt a little wired that a saleswoman/waitress took the truffle to you table and asked if you want to add to your pasta for a separate cost. And she didn't mentioned how much is going to add. In the end, we found adding too much makes the pasta tasted all of truffle flavor. The total cost $400+/person after the tax. Even though the reservation told you $160/person, remember the tip, tax, alcohol and they recommended truffles. read more

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We had a great tasting experience dining at the "chef's table" with wine pairing at Altura. I'm surprised it does t have a Michelin star yet. We actually almost missed our reservation, slight oversight on timing on my part, arrived 13 minutes late dressed super casual. Definitely felt underdressed as many diners were on a date for an anniversary or birthday. We were visiting from out of town. In any event they made us feel comfortable none the less. The chef's table is a seat at the counter where the chefs are preparing your food. It's a fun experience if you're on a date. The chefs were not very interactive or talkative, most were just really focused. I personally prefer a little more interaction but I get it, their job is to make you the best food experience they can. This team did not disappoint. One downside was they offered a substituted finale as an upgrade (eye of the ribeye Wagyu for $25 an ounce). The $25 felt like a high mark up for a substitute vs. an add on. For reference, this pricing is similar to other restaurants base pricing (over last few months) for Japanese A5 Wagyu Ribeye without having to substitute a dish. That said, for most dinners, another main might have been too much food... I'm a 6'3" growing boy!!! Overall, this was a really nice experience, the best dinner we had during our visit to Washington. It's a beautiful little restaurant and the tasting menu was very unique and memorable. It's comparable to Michelin rated dining experiences. I would absolutely go back. Book reservations well in advance! read more

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Atmosphere is nice though, I do quite like the 'casual fine dining' thing they have going. Service however is subpar. The food is lackluster for such a fine dining experience. There's nothing wrong with the portion size, the ingredients they use, or anything like that. Just... there's nothing special at all about the food. It's not even 'different', really. It all tastes okay... not bland or overseasoned or anything like that, but just okay. Imagine if you get a meal from a cafeteria or something? It's kind of like that. And yes, there's original spins on the food, but that shouldn't be a sole determinant of whether the food is 'good' or not. read more

Worth every single penny and then some. This is a meal I'm going to remember for the rest of my life. I almost can't put into words how delicious, artistic, and genius this multi-course experience is. I absolutely love how you don't get to see a menu beforehand that explains what each course is. They don't hand you a detailed menu until after the dinner so you have a chance to explore the flavors on your own without reading what's in each course. The utter craft and skill that the chefs show at Altura is truly magical. I nearly got emotional at each course as the mastery shined through in presentation and taste. A truly unforgettable experience I could not recommend to anymore more who has the means. Beautiful and so, so well done. Hats off. read more

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We were on a family vacation to PNW that coincided with my birthday. Our children and significant other had never experienced a tasting menu. We got wine pairing and one N/A pairing. Everything from the moment we walked in was perfect. It was not formal at all which suited our group, but the food and service was indicative of a fine dining restaurant. We were over fed and over served in the best way possible. We got several ounces of the waygu add on as well. Just perfection. read more

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