Where would you have Bill Gates take you to dinner?

[AMG PHD]

Clueless in Seattle wants to know if your boss was taking you out for Suit and Tie Dinner and said you could go anywhere you want, where would you go and what would you order?

[AMG PHD]

FYI

Thank you

We've tried a dozen of the suggestions all were great none as good as most, in other major cities in the world.

Herbfarm was by far more our style.

[bighound]

Le Gourmand.

[itsonlyfood]

I suggest any of these places: Lark, Union, Olives and Anchovies, Portage or Waterfront.

[rp1760]

I am curious as to why no one named The Herbfarm.

[RetiredChef]

Maybe because it's overpriced pretentious dinner theater with mediocre food.

Just a thought ;)

[mrnelso]

I second this. Way low on the price-to-value curve and entirely too precious for us. I might not go all the way to mediocre, as I did enjoy the attention in most presentation, and was grateful of it, but it is crushed under the burden of its hype.

[rp1760]

Ah, good to know. Thank you.

[forkit]

I would like him to get me into one of those private dinners at Salumi.

[terrier]

Yes, this, if Salumi still did these.

[clearskies0810]

Bill Gates and Paul Allen are both known to be a big fan of Dick's: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20021105&slug=erik05

Dick's has also recieved numerous awards: http://www.ddir.com/Dicks_Drive_In_Re...

The specialty of the house is the Delux.

Ties optional.

[HungWeiLo]

Paris. Rome. Tokyo. Duh... :-)

[AMG PHD]

We are really looking for someone to offer .... more than one recommendations to be honestly considered legitimate. Also you should add their Zaget and James Beard and other awards. Moreover what are their specialties? We like French tasting menus most of all like at The Herbfarm

What to know of
Rovers?
Poppy?
Lark?
La Gourmand?
Champagne?
Margaux?

[babette feasts]

Zagat is meaningless and James Beard awards should be google-able, as are menus for most of those places.

You seem to be hoping that Seattle has more fine dining and finer fine dining than we actually have. We do not have the French Laundry, Masa's, Alinea, Robuchon, Ducasse, etc etc. We do have some very good food, usually low on the ostentatious scale.

I'm not sure anyone is really doing French tasting menus. Thierry Rautureau may be the Frenchest chef in town, but the website for Rovers claims it is not a French restaurant. Campagne is closer to traditional French, but even Chef Daisley plays around with Moroccan spices and local specialties. He might be willing to put together a tasting menu if you ask nicely, but normalyl they have ala carte or possibly a 3 course prix fixe.

You would probably have liked Mistral when it was open, keep your eyes open for news of William Belickis' next venture, coming soon.

On an unlimited budget in Seattle I would certainly consider Rovers but would probably end up at Harvest Vine because I like the food so much and always lament my limited budget and stomach space.

[babette feasts]

Actually, I was just looking at the menus for Rovers and might go there instead if I really wanted to celebrate, or possibly have a fabulous brunch (if I were into brunch). There is an 8 course tasting menu, but more importantly the food sounds good.

[barleywino]

babette, given a limited budget I would do Crush over Rovers, which I found to be overrated, overly precious, overly formal and overpriced (ymmv) -btw, welcome back!

[babette feasts]

But I thought Bill was buying?

I do still need to give Crush another chance, have only been once for dessert and was disappointed, but that was a few years and a few pastry chefs ago.

Thanks for the welcome back. If I can find a job, I may even stick around!

[barleywino]

sit at the bar, do the beef short rib sous vide and/or lobster gnocchi w/ coral sauce (or variations thereof), finish with the ice cream sandwich trio (if they offer it)

[Charles]

Just ate at Crush last weekend had a fabulous time! Great “tasting menu” consisting of most of the appetizers. They split and individually plated everything but the pastas beautifully presented food. Great service.

Last time I tried to eat at Harvest Vine I was told it would be a 1/2 hour wait for the bar, even though 2 seats were empty. An hour later when I gave up and went to Crush, those 2 seats were still empty but I couldn’t be seated. Also you speciffically say in your post that it is a suit and tie dinner…

If Uncle Bill were paying he could fly me to Barcelona and feed me at El Buli.

Fortunetly or unfortunetly we don’t have a lot of tie required type restaurants here in Seattle. Canlis will certainly give you the experience but I am not sure the food is that interesting or exciting.

Shiro’s has excellent Sushi and will do a fantastic Omesake (sp) menu. I have never had a bad meal at Spinnasse but the space might be a little casual for you and your boss.

[RetiredChef]

barleywino,

I must be missing something, we always spend more money at Crush then we do at Rover’s - what’s your secret?????

Just my .02 Rover’s is better but I am a big fan of French food done well and Thierry is awesome. He almost tops my other favorite French Chef in America Pascal Oudin of Pascal on Ponce in Miami - Mmmmmmm good.

Crush is also very very good but I tip my hat to Rover’s.

[natalie.warner]

Canlis...

[Sal Vanilla]

Yep. I would order a Wagyu tenderloin. I never want to fork over the cash myself for one(out to dinner or for home grilling). I would also have their twice baked potato. I am not sure I could stuff those two down and also have a nice appetizer and a salad. I might manage it.LOL If I could I would order their spicy shrimp and their caesarish salad.

If my Boss was not Bill Gates rich, I would order the tasting menu. It is lovely and a good value.