Jason Wilson (Crush) wins best chef NW at James Beard Awards

[Jeffo405]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html...

[cocktailhour]

I agree with Tom that there are always going to be some people who like a restaruant that's generally considered great. I am that "no" person with some other Seattle restaurants, but I have always had a great meal at Crush.

[Jazzaloha]

So, is this place all that it's cracked up to be?

[Tom Armitage]

Like almost any top restaurant, there are a few people (I've been one of them) that would answer "no." But the overwhelming opinion, including those of people whose food knowledge and palates I greatly respect, is "yes." It ranks up there with Spinasse, Cafe Juanita, Corson Building, Joule and a few others as one of the best restaurants in the Greater Seattle Area. For each of these top restaurants, you will always find some dissenters. But that doesn't mean that they don't clearly belong in the top tier.

[Jazzaloha]

Thanks for the response, Tom.

[firecracker]

I have to agree with Tom. I am underwhelmed by Crush. I find the food mediocre and overpriced. Service, while okay, does not live up to the prices charged. The restaurant is very crowded. On a positive note, I like the minimal decor.

[landguy]

Food awards are highly suspect from my experience. Hard to tell who can cook and who is just good at butt kissing and marketing. Sorry to say.

[FoodKitCat]

i LOVED it. Did a birthday party there, for which Jason and his wife (I think her name is Nicole), prepared a special multi course meal. Presentation was gorgeous, service impeccable, wine very good and food out-freaking-standing. Delicate, seasonal dishes, beautiful pairings. The plastic moulded chairs were a bit uncomfortable, but otherwise, I haven't one even mediocre thing to say. I think he deserves the award. Next time I'm back in Seattle, which I unfortunately won't be for a while, I"ll be back.

[Lauren]

Count me in the underwhelmed group. For the most part, the dishes have too many ingredients to let any of them 'wow' me. When they first opened, I loved his short ribs and the marrow bones. Haven't had either of those recently though.

[barleywino]

I have always been a huge fan of Crush but when I returned last night after an absence of almost 3 yrs, the spot prawns w/ gnocchi in coral sauce (one of my faves from back when) arrived smelling of ammonia, very disappointing, I had to send them back. The beef short rib was as good as always, although the portion has gotten smaller. Desserts were very good. Service, although friendly, was inattentive despite the lack of crowds, another surprise, and the meal took an inordinate amount of time. There was no amuse bouche. They were kind enough to accomodate special requests on mocktails and vegetarian dishes for one member of our party, which was appreciated. Overall not my best experience at Crush.

[Lauren]

Thanks for the update barleywino. Where else have you gone since you've been back?

[barleywino]

unfortunately I didn't get to hit any cocktail places, partly because I was with minors most of the time and partly because I had too much sake on two occasions (at Nishino, who currently have a great nama shiboritate sake, and at Sake Nomi) and had to sleep it off... had a great meal at Joule (smoked tofu of course, and their prawn stone bowl which was total comfort food, also their short rib burger which was quite tasty but not something I could eat every day), also Book Bindery (enjoyed the wagyu ribeye (small but tasty) and crab gazpacho, desserts were ok but not spectacular), also lunches at Matts (catfish sandwich of course) and Steelhead (gumbo of course and the burger) and Monsoon (shrimp chive dumplings (requested "extra crispy" to avoid their chronic problem of undercooking the inside), wagyu pho (very nice fatty brisket), banh xeo)...had to leave too soon, can't wait to come back to hit the places I didn't get to!

[Lauren]

Sounds like you hit a lot of places. I haven't been to Nishino in a while, thanks for the reminder!

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Nishino
3130 E Madison St Ste 106, Seattle, WA 98112