My wife, parents and myself went to the Salish recently for dinner. This has been a special location for us, as we spent our wedding night there four years ago. We hadn't been there in a while, and we felt it was time to revisit the restaurant. The menu changes often at the Salish in order to reflect seasonal dishes. We got our menus, and that's when my eyebrows first furrowed. Nothing leapt out at me. I ended up going for the venison and a salad, as did my stepfather. Mom had the beef tenderloin, my wife had something else that I don't recall. Copper River salmon was on the fare, but I'd had salmon twice that week already. The appetizer was ordered: scallops and oysters. Out came this HUGE plate stuffed with one oyster and two scallops. Cost: $13.00. Bites: 3. Satisfaction: 0. Then came the salads: a bed of weedy looking leaves. Cost: $ 8.00. Satisfaction: less than zero; possibly the worst salad I've ever had at an elegant restaurant. At least the dressing was very tasty. The entrees were next. Once again, the HUMONGOUS plates were brought out. I mean, these things were like sombrero size, but once again, where was the bloody food? On a plate that had to be about two feet across, there was maybe a fistfull of delight. Yup, the food, as always, was very yummy, but at $30-35 a plate I felt like we'd been totally ripped-off. We all left hungry and slightly miffed. There were no leftovers for lunch like we usually have at any other restaurant we go to. Where do restauranters get off charging prices like this for portions that are less than adequate? Don't get me wrong; except for the salads the food was great, but it would have taken three entrees to make a good meal. When one lays out a couple hundred for dinner and drinks he should expect to leave with a full tummy and thinking happy thoughts; not asking for directions to the nearest McDonalds. I can't really rave about the service either, but it was ok. In short, avoid the Salish if you're hungry. It is a romantic restaurant with a great view, but it seems like that's what you're really paying for. We won't go back for a very long time if ever again. Give me Ruths, the Met, Canlis, Bandoleone. IMO, these are the real stars in this burg. For the same price you get total satisfaction and really great service, not a plateful of ceramic cuteness and vapor. -- Getty
Seattle, WA