We went here for restaurant week. I love the atmosphere! It was so cute with the lights surrounding the restaurant. This is perfect for a first date. My boyfriend and I felt like the youngest couple here as I think more older people like to come here. However, the food was tasty! I got the cauliflower soup, tuna dish, and the chocolate tart for dessert. I liked all of my dishes especially the chocolate tart. Oh my goodness! Definitely chocolate heaven in your mouth. The crust was amazing, so flaky and tasty! I can't believe I am talking about the crust, but wow it was good. Service was great, can't complain - friendly, informative, and water was always full. read more

Another restaurant that has been a consistent winner. It's a cool place to scope out some more obscure dishes and fine French-fusion cuisine. I've been here twice, the first time ordering the Sweet Onion Tart with Jerusalem Artichoke Chips and Hazelnut Butter and Veal Sweetbreads with Butternut Squash Puree, Pea Vines and Aged Balsamic Vinegar then finishing with a Rhubarb Cobbler with Crme Fraiche Ice Cream. Sumptuous! And excellent service, too. Haha, the first I came here was on a impromptu date and through one screwup or another on my part I walked in not really knowing what to expect dressed in camo-pants and your average Buffalo Exchange print t-shirt and a radiant date who was dressed to perfection. Haha, I felt more than a little out of place, but fortunately we were the only ones there and the server wasn't the least bit condescending :)) read more

My girlfriend and I went here for Seattle restaurant week so this review is quite delayed. We had an excellent dining experience and enjoyed the wonderful food options. They definitely did not skimp on portions even during SRW. The ambiance/decor kinda caught me off guard but wasn't bad read more

Went there for dinner on a Friday night and there weren't many customers. Here were my observations: Service: Average - ordered cocktail and a bottle of wine. Our server was a guy, but from time to time, a lady stopped by and helped out with removing the dishes off our table Ambiance: Background noise wasn't too loud so I can enjoy my conversation. Food: cocktail was so-so. Oyster was good; they sourced from Discovery Bay. Duck breast was plain as I expect duck meat to have a lot more flavors than other types of meat. Price: Average compared to other restaurants in Seattle. In conclusion, with that price range and quality, I would try other restaurant. read more

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Thought we would finally have worthy place to have good brunch around Green Lake after weekend walk. Place is clean, bit old school simply done. Service was slow cause of the single host/server/cook at the restaurant at the time. Host told us; they are doing their best to make it better brunch place, hope they would work on the menu and hire or bring more help during opening hours. Waiting for someone to bring some more coffee is no fun, specially when you noticing host doing her best to accommodate 5-6 tables on her own. Ordered: Salmon Bagel, Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, Lemon Cinnamon Cake, coffee. All tasted simple, nothing special, no specialty sauces or recipes. Cake tasted the worst. Gave two stars cause it is bit below average overall but for food only would give average 2.5-3 stars. Would not go back unless they change menu for brunch but will give it a try for dinner. Will support our neighborhood small business. read more

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Been there once and ain't going back. Even if it is 2 blocks from our place. Staff was snobby and atmosphere is that of a restaurant in a strip mall. I felt like my grandparents might enjoy this place, if they forgot to take their meds. Fish is fresh. There, I said something positive. Happy, mom? read more

I came to Seattle not expecting much ;-p, but was pleasantly surprised by this place. My local relatives picked out the place, and after this I trust their judgment. The first thing that I noticed upon entering was that the kitchen was enclosed in glass, so you can see the chefs preparing food as you walk back to the bathroom. The meal started off with some excellent bread, and although I didn't order a salad, those appeared pretty tasty. For dinner, I had a fish that seemed a lot like mahi mahi, and was cooked nearly perfectly and glazed with some fruits. Next we had the cheese plate, which included some nut bread and an assortment of excellent cheeses. For dessert, I had the brownie with peppermint ice cream. The meal wasn't cheap, but it was definitely worth it. The ambiance and service were nice, and the place was appointed well. Would come back any time. read more

I've driven/biked/walked/run by Nell's hundreds of times and never even noticed it was there. Some friends took us there for dinner a few nights ago and it was fantastic! They are right by the park at Greenlake and have a patio that must be super nice on a warm summer evening. We'll be headed back there for sure! read more

Wow! Very impressed by Nell's. My fiance and I started with an asparagus salad that came with a poached egg and bacon bits. I have no idea what type of vinaigrette came on it, but it was absolutely fabulous. The asparagus and the egg were cooked perfectly. Also for starters we had the sweet onion tartlet. Beyond amazing... Wow! It was like nothing we'd ever tasted. So light, yet creamy. Never would have thought Jerusalem artichoke crisps would pair so harmoniously. For my meal I had the pork. Pretty bold statement coming.... Best pork I've ever had! It was cooked med to med-rare and it was delicious. Little medallions of porky heaven. Sooooooooo tender. The service was impeccable and food blew us away. Don't let the exterior appearance of this place deter you.... It's worth a stop in. Definitely. read more

I feel more confident in what I'm about to say after reading a couple recent reviews about one person having to explain that she felt she was seated in a certain area because she was "underdressed," and another saying that she probably would not return because she was not made to "feel unwelcome." I made a reservation for me and my partner on Open Table, and, in the notes, asked for a romantic seat. When we arrived, the person who seated us attempted to do so in a place where we felt hidden and unwelcome. Before, I explain further, I want to say that our waiter was awesome, we really liked the food, and we were satisfied with the nice view in the romantic seat we ended up with after we expressed displeasure with the first seat we were directed to. When we got to the restaurant, it was about 20%-ish full (and that was true the whole time we were there). The person who "greeted" us with a stern face, tried to put us in a corner at a table with no view, meant for a large group, next to a large and noisy group. We asked for a seat with a view, and were then given a romantic table with a view of the lake. It was the type of seat where you sit adjacent to each other, i.e., romantic and intimate. It had a view of the scenery which, of course, you want to see when you book a restaurant across from Green Lake. In the middle of our meal, I asked my partner whether he felt weird about where they tried to seat us at first. He said he did, and (like me) he felt like they were trying to hide us away. Since I am better with conflict, we decided to wait until after we ate, after we paid, and after he walked outside for me to bring the issue up. After dinner, I explained the situation to our waiter. He asked if I wanted to speak with the manager. I said I'd be glad to speak with either the manager or the person who seated us because my goal was not to get the latter person in trouble. A couple minutes later, the manager came by. I explained the situation and he said something to the effect that he didn't understand what my problem was. (I'm pretty articulate). I said flat-out that I did not understand why, when we asked for a romantic table, we were placed at a table meant for a large group, next to another large group, with no view. His excuse was that he had placed us there when he saw our reservation, that a lot of people ask for that table, and that he did not know a large group would be there. I don't believe him. First, the idea that he didn't know that a large group would be sitting at a table meant for a large group is either a lie, or it's pure stupidity because it was a Friday night and - well - the table next to us was MEANT for a large group. Also, the restaurant was pretty empty elsewhere. Wouldn't you ask a couple if they wanted a more intimate table with a view, instead of a table meant for a large party next to a large party who was already there? Wouldn't that make even more sense if the couple asked for a romantic table in the notes? Finally, the person who seated us was unfriendly and the manager was defensive. Again, instead of apologizing, he expressed that he didn't even understand what the problem was. read more

I'm sorry this place needs Robert Irvine and the ambiance, plateware, and food are kind of corny. I must admit, the service was nice. This place totally belongs in the 90s or you can come here for a retro restaurant experience. Or it belongs in a Reno Strip Mall. Take your pick. Also it definitely does have an older demographic. I had the "special" of the day porkchop, though it was superdry and lacked flavoring. Not worth the $30 price tag and not special. My GF had the salmon, which was ok and nothing to spell about. We can leave the review at that...cause there's no more to say. read more

Nell's is one of my favorite restaurants to go to. The food is always spectacular, the service is always good, this place does not disappoint. Every time I go here, the food is always fresh and delicious. My favorite thing to order is their steak. It's so juicy & cooked to perfection. I've also had their calamari, which is by far, the best I've had. They have very good oysters & scallops here, as well. I'm basically in love with this restaurant & everything I've ordered here have been incredible. read more

If the prices were more reasonable for what you get, I would give them a 4 star for quality of food, service, and ambiance. We had dungeness crab salad and local tomato salad, both of which were nice. The wine selection, by the glass was limited and not very exciting, but sufficed. Main course Alaskan Coho Salmon with spaghetti squash was good, but not anything special. The Scallops with tomatoes was very good with nice balsamic sauce. Both were pretty small portions with no rice or potatoes for the $28 price. We sat outside on the nice patio and the evening was nice, though the waiter seemed not to get out there very often and the main course was a long wait. We would go back, but it was nothing special and if we were feeling tight in our budget, we would skip it. read more

Scared to write a review and give this 2 stars b/c I don't want angry emails from Andrew C.!! Okay, I'll take the risk b/c I'm bummed that the "nicest" restaurant right next to Greenlake had bland food. A good analogy would be food for the suburbs. I tried the local oysters with the cranberry mignonette; organic field green salad with goat cheese crostini and sherry vinaigrette; braised kobe hangar steak with yukon gold potato gratin, brussel sprouts, and horseradish jus; and pan seared duck breast with french lentils, lacinato kale, and cranberry jus. The oysters and the salad had the same sauce on it. The steak and the duck lacked flavor even with the jus. We asked for medium rare but we got medium. The waiters weren't friendly. I feel that this restaurant could use an overhaul into the 2011's. Greenlake please bring better restaurants and stores to the neighborhood so the people who live near there can walk to cool places and not have to hop in their car to go someplace tastier and to shop. read more

Not a bad restaurant but it's geared more toward the older set. Not that I'm young but I'm guessing I have a couple more decades before Nell's appeals to me. read more

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I had a wonderful dinner with friends at Nell's last night. It's hard to imagine it is by looking from outside, but Nell's is an excellent restaurant. We initially went there for the Dinner for 30 deal, but we ended up ordering some extras, too. Everything we had was great--Scallop, duck, calamari, soup, etc, etc... Wine recommended by our server was exquisite. Service is one of the best, too. I really like the very quiet setting of their music. I could barely hear it, so it did not disturb conversation over our table, but it was enough to erase conversations from other tables. Perfect. It wasn't cheap, but I wouldn't call it too expensive. Their food and service are worth every penny you pay. read more

Consistently excellent. We dine here frequently and they always knock our socks off. For a starter, I often have one of their fantastic pureed vegetable soups. I used to think spinach or carrot soup sounded boring, but they are always amazing! In the same way, I've learned that their sorbets are more exciting than I would have imagined. The pear sorbet combined with a valharona chocolate sorbet is heavenly! The atmosphere is refined and not at all noisy. (Some people actually prefer noisy. Not me!) The waitstaff, especially Andrew, are excellent. Great entrees, and a great wine list. Nell's is currently my favorite nice restaurant in Seattle. read more

I love Nell's, this is a consistent restaurant with high quality food. I have always had excellent service and delicious food. Always looking forward to our occasional visit when we are in town. read more

Wow! The service was slow, like the other reviewer said, but that, I thought, was th3e whole point.. The dinner was AWESOME... the wagyu beef was exactly what beef should taste like. We also had the canary rockfish... wow. We also had the foie gras, and it was awesome. Food was well priced, and we even got a visit to our table from the chef.. that's rare. Highly recommend it if you have some cash. read more

I fear hipsters will find this place out. The food is amazing. Every time. The seasonal menu is well executed. The cocktail list is short but they make a mean Manhattan. read more

This was one of my favorite meals of the year! I've run by Nells many times over the past years, but never really knew anything about it until my parents raved about their experience. Then I read that it was one of Ethan Stowells favorites! So tbought we'd give it a try. We weren't disappointed. The decor is understated and cozy. Everyone from the waiters to the chefs seem to enjoy working, which reflects nicely on the restaurant. We started with the beet salad and butter nut squash soup. Both were well sized and had interesting flavors. The main course was a cod for my partner, and the King salmon with chard and potatoes. This seemed like a pretty typical northwest fish so I was a bit skeptical, but the presentation, flavors, and texture of the salmon were among the best I've had in Seattle. Overall, Nells is a hidden gem, and we will definitely return for a date night in the future. read more

Were it not for restaurant week this year (2015), I probably would never have found this gem. If I were to have walked in off the street to have a peek, I'm not sure that I would have chosen to eat here. It looks dated (90s Wolfgang Puck) and to be observant but bordering on discriminatory - it was filled with a lot of older white people which gave it a stodgy feel. Don't let this dissuade you! FOOD Appetizer: House made Papparadelle with Duck Confit -To use millennial speech ... THIS. It was served in a hearty portion. The pasta was nicely cooked and the duck was amazing. I would eat an entire entree of this (which is unfortunately not on the real menu). I wanted to lick the bowl clean but lucky for my dining companions, I refrained. Entree: Grilled New York Steak with Rutabaga Gratin, Rapini and Horseradish Juso -The steak was well seasoned but a bit chewy. The rutabaga gratin was interesting but unfortunately all of the cream and butter in the world probably can't make rutabaga more appealing to me than potatoes. The rapini was particularly bitter but a good companion to the steak. Dessert: Strawberry + Rhubarb Crisp w/ Ginger ice cream -Nothing cutting edge here, but done well. These flavors really go well together. The crisp comes warm, which was comforting on the night I went (stereotypical rainy/cold Seattle). The ginger ice cream was really good. I love ginger, and I thought that it imparted a good ginger flavor without being either too subtle or overwhelming. SERVICE Good service. Polite and attentive but not hovering. Our server handled our questions with ease and was very good at describing the dishes that wasn't just reading the menu back at us. ----------------------- They are not trying to reinvent the wheel here but do classics pairings well. I'd be excited to come back here and try the goat cheese flan and black cod. The tasting menu ($47) looks like a good bargain. read more

My wife and I were visiting Seattle for our honeymoon and I was wagering that Nell's would be the best culinary experience of our trip. Full disclosure: I used to work there back in the 00s and figured I knew what I was getting into. Suffice to say that Nell's did not disappoint. From start to finish the service was exceptional and the food was phenomenal. Highlights were the Kobe beef hanger steak, the beet salad and the homemade sorbet. I can't rate this gem highly enough. Definitely worth a trip to the Greenlake neighborhood the next time you are in Seattle! read more

My friend and I decided to stop in for Restaurant week and while everything was satisfactory it didn't blow our minds. We went with wine pairings for our three course meals. We both went with the mussel appetizer, I had the pork ribs as the main and ended with the strawberry rhubarb with ginger ice cream. We both didn't like the dessert wine and only took a sip. Other wines were fine. I was really looking forward to the dessert but found the flavors conflicting; in addition, the ice cream was pretty melty on the plate. My friend had the pineapple dessert and said the cookies that went with the dish were rock hard. My pork ribs were fine, but I've had better. She believed her risotto could've been cooked longer. Service was fine but slow at start and end. We both enjoyed our time there but agreed we probably won't be returning. read more

Great food and GREAT staff who really knows about food. I get the reviews that say the interior is a bit 'denny's like'...but I think it has to do with that funny shuttered huge bay window. Nice place, take your mom. read more

Four of us had a fabulous dinner here last night...a Wednesday. Our reservation was for 6:45 and we didn't leave until 9:30....we were not rushed at all. I was attracted because of their reputation as a quiet place where you can have a conversation. Such it was. The restaurant was only about half full and I can't figure why. The food was excellent...especially the sweet breads which our companion shared and the chocolate for dessert. Definitely try the tasting menu. There is plenty of food, but you still won't want to skip the cheese course which is $10 more. My only disappointment for the evening was the young man next table over who had no class. His attire was a baseball cap turned backwards and skimpy tee-shirt... for a nice dinner? Nevertheless, we will be back to Nell's for sure. read more

The food here is superb, highly recommend the kobe steak! The service was wondeful, waiters are highly attentive and have great recommendations. The ambiance is soothing and intimate, Nell's has quickly become a new favorite. read more

Huh, I followed the yelps, and for the first time they led me wrong. Decided on Nell's in for my gf's bday. There weren't 5 people in the whole place the whole time we were there, and the service was intermittent and snobby. Waitress spent most of the time looking bored with the cook. She must have bored him pretty good because he sure made some boring-ass food. Then I got a check enema. I have no problem paying top dollar for good food, but I believe that you get what you pay for... meaning you should GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Boo! read more

We had dinner at Nell's for my boyfriend's birthday with a couple of our friends. It was a fantastic experience. It was a very snowy Saturday night, so the place wasn't as busy. The service was phenomenal and the food was great. Highly recommend. 11/10 stars. read more

We went on a Saturday night around 9:30 and the restaurant was 1/2 full which was nice. But the patrons looked like there was a field trip from the nursing home and Nells was first on the list of attractions. Food: Amazing. Service Wonderful. Ambiance ehhhhh not so much. Fennel Ice cream and poached pears is a wonderful treat after a savory Halibut dish. Very good, highly recommend the food just not the experience. read more

I wanted to dress up fancy for dinner. Like, heels & a dress. While driving past Green Lake a few nights before, I had mentioned how nice the area was so when it came to picking a place for dinner, Nell's was perfect. The candlelit restaurant was almost empty, but it was late on Sunday night. The waitress was really sweet and joked with us when we decided to order the same salad (the Organic Field Greens with Goat Cheese Crostini and Sherry Vinaigrette) to start. Everything was delicious, especially the bread. For dinner we chose to order different dishes and share everything. The Alaskan Halibut with Roasted Carrot Puree, Miner's Lettuce, Ramps and Aged Balsamic was out of this world amazing. The Seared Sea Scallops with Buttered Parsnips, Fava Beans and Green Garlic Vinaigrette, which I thought I'd favor, were good too but I didn't like lemon. We decided to skip dessert, but the table beside had ordered some. We heard them raving about how perfect it was. I think they said it was homemade ice cream. The tab for the two of us was around $130, but well worth it. It was a really lovely way to spend one of my last nights in Seattle. read more

Absolutely the rudest experience my wife and I have had at a local restaurant. I would give zero stars if I could. We made a reservation through Open Table, showed up only to be told that they were closed for a private 20th anniversary event. The manager was extremely rude, could have cared less, and said that someone should have called us. Of course no one called since we drove 45 min to get there. I understand mistakes happen and that they forgot to call, but the manager, named Sky, was not empathetic at at. I've been wanting to try Nell's for a long time based on their reviews, but now I would never go back. For a small chef-ran Restaurant, every customer matters, but apparently not in this case. read more

Went here for Seattle restaurant week and their food was amazing! The mussels had a great sauce and their pineapple yogurt dessert was so good! I cleaned the plate. The server, Skye, was friendly and attentive. read more

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My fiance and I came here for a date night to celebrate 6 months until our wedding. We were quite impressed with this affordable but upscale dining option. We both had the $45 four course tasting menu. On the night we came, we started with a tuna tartare appetizer. After that, we had a mushroom risotto. The main course was a rack of lamb. For dessert, we had ice cream sandwiches with coffee flavor ice cream and an excellent caramel sauce. Every single dish was better than the last. Our service was excellent. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful, but still gave us our privacy. The restaurant also has a very nice ambiance. The inside decor was very nicely done. We will definitely remember Nell's for other celebrations - while not cheap, it's a relatively affordable option for a fancy night out. read more

Whoa! Strike that line about becoming a vegetarian in 2009. What was I thinking? I had the Kobe hanger steak at Nell's last month, and the memory of that meal still gives me pause, makes me stop in wonder at just how marvellous and completely beefy the experience. read more

This is such a strange place. It feels like a Denny's remodeled now trying to pull off fine dining. The important points of my experience. 1. Sat for 15 minutes before being acknowledged or offered water. 2. Waited another 10 minutes before my beverage was delivered. 3. Beverage was made via bartender book by a non-bartender. 4. Returned drink and waited another 10 minutes before replacement given. 5. Food... good, but not as gourmet as you'd expect, especially for the price, even from the smaller tasting menu. 6. Charged once for someone else's table. 7. Charged again for our meal with multiple mistakes and incorrect items. 8. Charged again for the corrected amount (all mistake charges held from my account for days after). The bottom line: there are so many other places worth the money with better food and atmosphere, I'd just keep this place off your list. read more

A true gem. Nell's easily belongs on any 'Top 10' list in Seattle (right up there with Canlis and Rover's). We came here for Seattle Restaurant Week and couldn't be happier. First off - their wine list is amazing. I recommend their half bottles. Only 2.5X markup versus 4X. Translation - you get better quality wine for the same price. They have a lot of great Washington wines. We had the Guardian. It's a small restaurant that screams 80's elegance, but I think it gives it charm. It's such a unique floor layout. Service was great even though the entire place was full. Food was great. Prices are on the higher end - but it's worth it. We will be back! read more

We had a wonderful meal there last night. We were celebrating our anniversary. Everything we ordered was delicious. My husband particularly enjoyed the steak. They should be busier than they are. Go support this great business. read more

We went to Nell's last night for date night, and it was quite nice. Although we live in the neighborhood, we drove and were pleasantly surprised by a convenient onsite parking lot. It has a very calm and quiet atmosphere, great for chatting. The crowd was quite a bit older than us, but we did go on a Sunday evening. Onto the food...I had the tasting menu (which changes daily) while my boyfriend ordered an assortment of small plates and an entree - we shared them all. Most places that offer a tasting menu don't let parties mix, so I really appreciated that. My favorites were the Yakima tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic vinegarette, the fancy mushroom risotto, and the beef tenderloin (a-mazing!). The beef was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection with a delicious sauce, the only downside was the potatoes served with it were very undercooked, close to raw. My boyfriend was a huge fan of the flakey halibut served with zucchini spaghetti and friend green tomatoes. He also really enjoyed the ahi tuna tartar. Our server recommended a half bottle of white wine that was a vintage we were unfamiliar with...he likened it to a Chardonnay. It was not our favorite, but drinkable. Overall, we are glad we came here and really enjoyed our food experience, but not sure we would frequent this location. read more

This is one of my favorite places!!! Doubt let the outside or decor fool you. Their food and dining is five star quality. The chef here is amazing and he is very creative with his dishes. Plain old chicken was mouth watering and I crave it every day. Service is top notch. Can't wait to go back. read more