Trellis or Barking Frog?
We are staying the night in Seattle to celebrate my Fiance's birthday. We are staying at the Heathman in Kirkland. I can't decide where we should go for dinner - I have reservations at both Trellis (restaurant at the hotel ) and Barking Frog (in Woodinville, a few miles away).
Is Trellis nice enough for a birthday celebration? I like that it is reasonably priced, conveniently at the hotel but I have seen mixed reviews on the food.
Is Barking Frog worth the extra expense and taxi-ride?
I would love your opinions - I hate making these decisions on my own ;-)
lcaunter
Aug 05, 2009 12:56PM
what about Cafe Juanita? I have not eaten at trellis. I recently ate at Barking Frog and it was very good, but the prices were still a bit extreme.
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I haven not eaten at Barking Frog. On the eastside Cafe Juanita is probably the best that I'm aware of, but it will be considerably more pricy than Trellis. I am very fond of Trellis myself, and when it's warm, the outdoor dining is a joy--we were there during the most recent heat wave. I am also impressed that the chef grows a lot of his own produce. But Cafe Juanita is definitely more innovative and as a whole, the food will be "better."
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Trellis is very good as is Cafe Juanita. Barking Frog is good, but maybe not worth the ride.
Another option within walking distance of the Heathman is Purple http://www.thepurplecafe.com/menus.html
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Are you opposed to coming into Seattle? If you're coming from very far away anyway, it might be worth the experience. I'm always in favor of restaurants that serve local foods/where the chef grows some of the produce, though I've never heard of Barking Frog or Trellis. (Although I do have a letter here from a Mrs. Trellis...)
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If you are not opposed to going into Seattle I would recommend taking the 255 bus. It leaves from right by the Heathman and will take you directly into the heart of Downtown. It runs every 30 minutes or so until fairly late. http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/bus/schedules/s255_2_.html
Some places that are reasonably near where the bus would drop you off downtown are Dahlia, Palace Kitchen, Steelhead Diner and Serious Pie.
http://www.tomdouglas.com/restaurants/dahlia-lounge or http://www.steelheaddiner.com/
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Wow..... never heard of Barking Frog or Trellis. I guess Trader Vic's at the Westin is still the hot spot in Seattle, huh?
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I don't think Trader Vic's was ever considered a hot spot in Seattle. If I'm not mistaken it has closed.
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I have not been to Trellis but have had many great meals at Barking Frog. Their wine list is fantastic.
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please do yourself a favor and seriously consider Cafe Juanita. it is only a 8 minute drive from the Heathman & it is by far the most consistently excellent food and service on the eastside. Trellis has been mearly pedestrian on my 2 visits there. Barking Frog is usually quite good, but not in Cafe J's class. and it's further away. you won't regret changing your plans.
ps-going into Seattle would be a serious waste of your valuable b-day time!
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Thank You ALL for your input. Its the first time I have posted on here and I found all your responses very useful. I have made a reservation at Cafe Juanita - looks fantastic and very much looking forward to it!
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Too late for the original poster, but Barking Frog is doing the 30 for $30 thing - might be a good time to sample their food at a good price.
http://www.dinearoundseattle.org/rest...
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Did that tonight and can't recommend it. Have had decent meals there in the past, but tonight was just off. The bread pudding with the monkfish was too salty to eat and the monkfish was over cooked. The caramel sauce on one of the desserts was grainy and the garnishes with the rillettes didn't complement the dish. The couple we were with didn't want to say anything and our server never asked if there was a problem when we left quite a bit.
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Great decision - you will be happy with Cafe Juanita. I had lunch once at the Barking Frog and was completely disappointed. I would not go back.
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