94 Stewart Restaurant

Just ate at 94 Stewart this week after reading about it in various magazines. What a find! Although our server had a bit of an odd demeanor, he was extremely knowledgeable about the food and helped us pick some excellent wines. The food was outstanding in every respect, from the seafood chowder to the black cod to the steak. I can't wait to return to 94 Stewart again and again - this will surely become one of our favorite places in the city.

Let me start by saying we eat out quite a bit. My wife and I visited 94 Stewart for the first time on Valentine's Day 2008. At first impression it is very quaint and cute with a walk through hanging drapery separating the entrance and the dining area. After we were seated is when we started to feel awkward. Every table had free-standing reservation cards with a heart and the party's name on it (which was a nice touch) however, on the back side facing us was the time of the reservation as well as a "Out Time". We already felt rushed and we hadn't even seen our waiter yet, according to the card we had 1 hour 15 minutes to eat and get out. Anyway, we thought it was just overlooked and that the waiter would pick it up. They didn't, and it was placed prominently on our table and everyone else's table for our entire meal. I understand that Valentines Day is a busy night, however not what I would have expected on such an occasion and for a restaurant of this price level (my wife and I spent $150 for our meal with tip for two). There are several other restaurants at this price that would have given us the experience we desired.

The food was again just OK, and not breathtaking, the fried avocado was the only uncommon treat. We had the scallops and steak (I can't remember which cut it was). The scallops were pretty salty for my taste and would have much rather been able to taste the scallops than only the salt. The steak for my wife was prepared a little better but still left you thinking of other things.

Overall we felt very blatantly rushed in and rushed out. Didn't enjoy the feeling of "dining out" on such a special occasion with the time cards on our table and the food was just average for an above average price. I would have much rather gone to Campage or Canlis for the price.

I love taking business associates and friends to 94. I always know we'll be treated like real people, not just dollar signs. I don't think I've ever seen the same menu item repeated a single time. The kitchen limits their selection to whats fresh. Our server is always willing to stand behind every single one of them too. How many times have you been out to eat to ask the server about a particular dish and they have to have a side bar with you in order to tell you to avoid that sub-par dish. NEVER at 94. Sometimes the soups aren't for me, but I still steal a little bite if I'm with friends and EVERYtime I've been blow'n away no matter what it is. I'm sure the kitchen does just throw in a little of this and a little of that. If they ever made a manual on everything they put out of that small kitchen I'm sure it would be in volumes that had to be added to every month. And get real, if I was the cook down the street I'd NEVER walk up to another in the business and demand a recipe. A good chef doesn't even have them, it is just a little of this and a little of that. I've learned that much watching my father cook when I was a youth. I'd suggest reading their website if you haven't had a chance to join this family. It's as honest as they are in side that door.

We were attending the PCMA Convention in Seattle when we decided to take a free afternoon to check out Seattle. There were 3 of us, and all being from other cities Conventin & Visitors Bureau's, we dine out a lot and love to check out the local cuisine. We had heard that this restaurant had very good food. Yes, this was true; the food was good, but wow the attitudes there were so snooty. Our server was very condescending. When we asked what a "must have" was on the menu, his response was a very haughty, "everything on our menu is good." After dining, I asked if the Chef would share the recipe for her soup. Instead of handling this diplomatically, he just hedged by saying that she just "throws stuff in there." So I went and spoke to the Chef herself telling her how much I enjoyed her soup and could she tell me what she puts in it. She was just as haughty and kept answering me that she uses spices. When I asked which spices, she finally said, "I don't share recipes." She said this so rudely to me that I was taken aback. It wasn't like I was from the restaurant down the street and planned to steal the recipe. I felt that I was complimenting her, and she was simply rude about it. Whether she shares her recipes or not (and really get over yourself), to speak rudely to someone who has just complimented you isn't very smart business sense. We left feeling that our experience was less than positive. If you want good food, by all means check out this restaurant - just don't expect to be treated kindly.

I absolutely loved this place. The food was well prepared, timely and un-rushed. The wait staff are not only friendly, but truly like doing what they do... and it reflects in their service.

In a city bowled over with chowders, this one is certainly the best!