Catering Companies, Restaurants, New American Restaurants, Traditional American Restaurants, Eclectic & International Restaurants
$$$, Fine Dining, Local Favorite, Notable Wine List, Outdoor Dining, Prix Fixe Menu, Quiet, Romantic Dining, Open 7 Days
Nell's is an intimate, chef-owned restaurant located in the vibrant Green Lake neighborhood. Dine inside or on the outdoor patio, overlooking the tranquil lake. Open for dinner seven nights a week, Nell's offers European-inspired New American cuisine featuring the finest Northwest seasonal ingredients. A very talented & widely hailed Chef Philip Mihalski unites his training from some of the most celebrated kitchens in New York City & France with his passion for freshness & simplicity. When dining at Nell's you can choose from our current seasonal fare or enjoy our sumptuous 5 course tasting menu. This tasting menu is the finest of what we offer from appetizer through dessert, at a single fixed price. Nell's menus are designed to pair beautifully with your wine selection from our hand picked wine list. Vegetarian & vegan options available on request.
When we called, knowing we could be late for our reservations due to a medical emergency, the manager was so kind--indicating our table would be held, hoping our problem turned out ok. Once we arrived, late, we were welcomed with smiles, pleased all was ok. The food was delicious, beautifully presented--but the best was the staff with their smiling help with suggestions and comments. A great evening had by all!! Jayme J
Posted 03/27/09 | Report Abuse
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The desserts here are amazing! The smore dessert is really yummy. I love the herb and ricotta ravioli and my friend's salmon was reall good as well. They also offer a tasting menu that changes frequently.
Posted 01/18/09 | Report Abuse
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Pricely but worthy
by unfix8r
I took my wife here for an anniversary, and I know one of the chefs there. It made for a great time. The staff was friendly, although I could see how delicate the balance was on over doing it vs. helping you out. We had rockfish, awesome, BTW, and chicken which actually was cooked. I would go again, if I came into more cash!
Pros: Great spot
Cons: Interior sucked. Music was marginal.
Posted 01/09/07
Raw Chicken
by celesteduncan
I'm a Seattlite currently living abroad in a developing country. I'm home for 3 weeks, and though I don't have much money now, I wanted to treat my friend to dinner to thank him for letting me stay with him. I chose Nell's because it was on the 25-for-25 list, I'd had an excellent meal there before, my friend had never tried it, and the reviews were great. It was such a disappointment. My friend's chicken was only slightly seared on the outside. Although we're both big fans of sashimi, raw chicken is just not safe. My friend is shy and insisted I not complain, but an astute server would've noticed he didn't eat any of his entree, cut into cubes so you could see the rawness. My friend will never go back, but worse, I feel terrible because I wanted to treat my friend to something special.
Pros: seated promptly, good bread, other food good
Cons: raw chicken, service, cold when door opened
Posted 11/20/05
Amazing food at a great value
by ben2e
Nells food is as good or better then any restaurant in Seattle and I have tried most all of them. The food is continental / Northwest, and has complex flavors and ingredients but is not too heavy. Unlike downtown, you can actually park in their lot or nearby quite easily. Although you should call for a reservation, they often have space even calling the same day. As other reviewers have mentioned, the place isn't "Hip" but it's quite comfortable and I've always had excellent service.
Pros: Food, Value, Parking
Posted 06/16/05
My favorite place in Seattle
by eatsouttoomuch
Seattle has many great restaurants, but this is my favorite. I think it may be because they are not in a restaurant hot spot like Belltown and, therefore, have to be a little better to attract people. My favorite items are the Duck Confit, Black Cod, Pork Cheeks, and Braised Lamb. However, the items rotate on and off the menu depending on the season. The tasting menu is always great, too. And be sure to ask your server about the wine list. I learn something new about wine every time I go.
Pros: Wine list
Posted 06/08/05
Excellent
by bostock
A definite must try. Wonderful sweetbreads, very tender with great flavor. The Onion tart was also delicious, like eating a cloud! Try the seared duck breast with chard and potatoes. Very tasty and filling. The decor is modest and could be updated to be more romantic and elegant.
Pros: delicious, good service, good value
Cons: , parking, ambiance
Posted 11/07/04
Earthen Elegance
by east_by_nothwest
You could easily blink and miss this charming spot on Greenlake's shore as we almost did, but a stop for dinner invariably demands a return vist. While the decor is a modest cry from trendy Belltown epicurean archtecture, the cuisine is far more rewarding. Superb attendance to service trumped my initial aesthetic bias--where the decor lacks intimacy, the staff makes up for it. And the food itself is absolutely solid. Saleh's Calamari Salad is an institution that never leaves the menu with good reason. Squid was perfectly tender with an irrestistible interplay of fried capers and aioli. Salmon done to perfection has a new take each season, this fall paired with buttery gingered squash, sauteed mizuna, and thick slices of heart-warming porcini. Don't miss the Kobe Beef or Pear Upside Cake. Our server had 4-star timing, and a welcomed professional warmness. A great place for to sample solid NW flavors.
Pros: NW cuisine with flair, An exemplary winelist, Gracious service
Cons: Basic decor, Can't afford often!
Posted 10/24/03
zorbajim
by zorbajim
The service was so inferior as to ruin the meal. The waitress failed in all respects even preparing the bill.
Pros: food, selection
Cons: service, service, cramped
Posted 03/16/03
Fantastic Food - Great Service
by jack_olson
We had a great meal at Nell's. The food was perfect, rich but not too heavy. The service was friendly but not intrusive, just enough information.
Pros: Awesome food, easy parking
Posted 09/19/02
Nell's wasn't swell...
by skyflyer3
Terrible service, food was so-so, and just an overall unwelcomed feeling. Lot's of seats were available, but they wouldn't let us in without a reservation. Overall, very disappointed.
Cons: Service was snobbish
Posted 07/03/02
