Nell's Reviews

The restaurant was packed, very glad we had a reservation. Service was very slow and yet ok, as we were a group of old friends having the time to catch up. Probably not the best time to truly find what the food is like since they’re pumping out huge numbers of selections for the three course meal. We had the pumpkin soup, which was good although the pumpkin seeds were not toasted enough and thusly inedible. The calamari entree only had 2 pieces of calamari mixed in with potatoes? For our entrees, we enjoyed the pork tenderloin with apples, kale & mashed potatoes- very tender. Also the cod, which was nicely cooked. Dessert had a choice of an apple crisp with a delicious ice cream, a chocolate cake or gingerbread. The chocolate was delicious, the gingerbread dry. All in all, a lovely meal and nice setting. Best to try without being restaurant week - took 2 1/2 hours for dinner.

Served alongside a small portion of the regular sauternes for comparison, which was tasty as well. But the Grand Cru described as "Angels Tears of Joy" will make your taste buds sing. Excellent wine list and selections of wine by the glass, also a knowledgeable manager and wine steward if you'd like help, thank you Nathan! Nathan recommended a Barbera d' Asti to go with our grilled pork tenderloin, which had a slight smoky flavor - an inspired choice. Veal sweetbreads had a crispy crust and the insides were like butter. The sweet onion tart had a flaky phyllo like crust and sunchoke chips on top. The attention to detail is impressive, the tabletops are padded so your plates and silverware are quiet and stay where you put them, The butter for the bread was lightly salted and soft. Multiple payments on one bill were a breeze. And there's a parking lot! Highly recommended for foodies and oenophiles.

This was the last night in Seattle for me and my husband so we wanted a really good dinner. We were quickly seated, but an hour later our food had still not been served. When I checked on it, the waiter admitted it wasn't close to being served. The chef had left for a catering event and the restaurant was left with two very slow workers. We left, and the waiter was embarrassed and apologetic. Prices were high -- and we have no idea how the food was. Very disappointing.

Friends and I recently enjoyed a quiet Tuesday evening at Nell's. Not a busy time. Staff relaxed and no urgency on our part to clear the table for waiting customers. Friends' first time to Nell's, and they have a lot of experience with "East Coast eateries." From the moment they entered the business, they remarked its casual elegance reminded them of "back East," which included the Mid-Atlantic area where both they and I have lived. Offerings that evening included venison as the summer sampling menu entrée. Been decades since eating venison, and so different from my mother's overcooked wild meat, onions-and-bacon in brown sauce version. Wonderful!. Several risotto dishes; sampled each other's and frankly the meal could have ended there if a bucket of each was delivered to us! Wonderful! There was a corn soup for one who was sorry when came the last slurp. As I've been there before, and was familiar with many dishes (if not identical then similar), I opted for what was new to me. Two of us wanted a halibut dish but for whatever reason the waiter said they were out of halibut. Well, not true, it turned out but perhaps only enough for one plate. We opted instead for a cod dish. My one friend eats no meat and no poultry. He from Maine thought the cod dish was great! Good enough for me. The other friend had the summer sampling menu which included the venison, and she thought it outstanding! Rarely found on Seattle menus, and this entrée was tender and a touch on the rare side which was her preference. She shared with me. Lucky me. Service by Bertram, I think? Apologies if not correct name. He was well informed; made good wine recommendations. Fairly new to Seattle; glad he came West!

Bit on the pricey side but the food was very good and prepared well. I ordered off the small plate menu and had oysters, risotto and salad. Nice atmosphere and excellent service.

This was at least our 4th visit to nells and it never disappoints. 3 couples enjoyed the halibut, black cod and morel risotto. Great service. A lovely delicious evening

We chose Nell's after searching for quiet conversation restaurants, as my stepfather is quite deaf. The restaurant was indeed quiet, and very conducive to including him in the conversation. We found the food to be a bit better than average, but not necessarily up to the elevated verbiage in the menu, and though the servers were very nice indeed, getting food to the table took quite a bit longer than average.

Locals cram this Green Lake restaurant and for good reason. The food is outstanding. What to order? Anything and everything. It's all good

I hadn't been to Nell's in years. It has always been a favorite of several friends but its location in Seattle's north end has become inconvenient for those of us who live in the south end as local traffic congestion has worsened. I tried Nell's again with one of my north end friends who frequents the place and was very glad I did. We both had the tasting menu, which costs only $56 per person. The night we were there, it included a fish course (perfectly cooked halibut), a meat course (rack of lamb) and several other courses. There is an optional cheese course for an additional $11, which I took advantage of--the cheese selections were all wonderful and served with sliced pear and bread. For dessert, I had a house-made chocolate brownie with ice cream that was perfect--extremely "chocolatey" but not overly sweet. It strikes me that as high end dining goes, Nell's is good value for the money and a comfortable space in which to spend a few hours with friends. I need to get back there more often.

The tasting menu was exquisite with wonderful variety and flavors. Go for the extra cheese plate, it’s worth it. Also a nice wine offering. Don’t skip the grilled octopus. It’s yum!

We had a very nice evening at Nells. Excellent food preparation, pleasant staff, good wine list. Not rushed. A bit noisy and several tables were filled with iPhone dominant individuals, but no reflection on the restaurant.

Most of the restaurants around Greenlake cater to the quick bite or family-and-friends casual crowd. Nell's is a long-time, linen-tablecloth restaurant, with a good tasting menu and European-style service. The five-course tasting menu is a good value, but don't be in a rush. We were there for more than two hours, so leisure to enjoy the experience is essential. The service was competent and the food was...good. Nothing adventurous or exciting, but good, fresh food, competently prepared and nicely presented.

This is consistently one of our favorite places in Seattle. The food is outstanding and the service is great (kudos to Skye, Gabriel, and Wyatt). Prices are also very reasonable for such a high end establishment.

While on business I ate at Nell's. Often when you eat alone you are treated as such, sad and lonely. However tonight at Nell's, I was treated like I was a party of 12 and the food was awesome. I decided against the tasting menu (which if you ate meat looked amazing) and decided to make my own. I had the Celery Root Soup (creamy and decadent), the Organic Beet Salad (so far from the canned beets of childhood), the Butternut Squash Ravioli with mushrooms (not a mushroom fan but the savory ravioli was fantastic and the Local Petrole Sole (flaky and melt in your mouth). I asked for a suggestion for a half bottle of white wine and the suggestion from my server was perfect, a Rhone blend that accented each course without overpowering. I ended with the selection of cheeses (amazing triple cream) with a pairing of a suggested muscat and a chocolate hazelnut torte (when in the pacific northwest go with the hazelnuts) with a killer cappuccino. Overall I was so impressed with service and food that I would go back again even though there are plenty of restaurants in Seattle and I am only here for six weeks.

I have heard about Nell's for years..."Great food!", "Fabulous meal", but I had never been. Was it the Green Lake Way address? The lack of hipster buzz? Who knows, but I am SO glad I finally went! I loved the tasting menu. It looked like a great value for four courses and a great sampling of the local and seasonal fare, but we went instead with 3 selections from the small plates and 2 from the large plates. We were VERY happy! We started with the goat milk flan, followed by the trumpet mushroom risotto and the nettle agnolotti. All were fresh, interesting, and delicious. We had the Columbia River sturgeon and the lamb as large plates and we followed up with the strawberry rhubarb crisp with sour cream ice cream! Perfect! I like to pair my courses with a wine that will really amplify both the food and the wine. Our server was very knowledgable and they generously allowed us to split a glass between the two of us so that each course was nicely wine paired. They had a good selection of wines by the glass, which is tough in Seattle most times. We really enjoyed our entire experience at Nell's and while it took me years to get there I will be back in no time...maybe this weekend!

Nell's is the kind of place that you are lucky to find and then return again and again to explore the things you missed the first or second or third time. It is rare to find a restaurant that hits it out of the park consistently and Nell's does it. Chef Phil Mihalski is a modest man with a very creative yet tasty palate. He is probably the most knowledgeable chef in Seattle when it comes to pairing wine and food. His food doesn't overpower wine, it compliments it. I could go on, but if you like risotto, don't miss it. And you will never have better seared scallops. If the score allowed 6 stars, Nell's would get them.

Attempts to set a more formal, high end atmosphere ... does not work. Food is fine, not your normal menu -- more formal. Food ok .. not at level you would expect. Seating is cramped but the rest. is small so must cram people in. Service is fine.

We had the 4 course "Summer Tasting Menu" . Service was excellent and the restaurant is not pretentious. As the restaurant is just across from Green Lake, the clientele includes customers of all ages and dress. Very open and airy decor and extremely friendly(not overly) staff. Each dish was explained and wine choices offered by the experienced staff. Presentation was perfect. Each dish was beautiful! A great choice for those who want to avoid Seattle's noisy and touristy spots.

Final night of vacation. Beautiful location just outside centre; interesting shops, park, lake nearby. Cosy, welcoming atmosphere. Great menus, excellent winelist - food and service stellar and amazingly good value for such a quality offering. A hidden gem.

A Sunny Sunday lunch at Nell's was a great way to say good-bye to summer. We were with Seattle friends, and had a superb meal here. A couple of us split the calamari as a starter - it was simply incredible, possibly the best I have ever had. Sandwiches were excellent; side dishes are thoughtful, imaginative and yummy. A single scoop of home-made Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream was a perfect ending, though the fruit crisp was also said to be superb. They offer a short but thoughtful list of wines by the glass, and lots of lovely wines by the bottle. Our server was lovely, warm and knowledgeable . The reviews below make me want to return and sample all the things I did not have this time. We would gladly recommend this restaurant.

My husband and I celebrated our 30th anniversary at this restaurant on a Friday night. It was full but not crowded. We loved our window seat, enjoying our view of Greenlake Park and an incredible sunset. The recommendations from our waiter were spot on. My husband's steak was perfect. Even the salad was unique and interesting. Great service, delicious food, wonderful view--a perfect evening!

Outstanding reception, service and food. Excellent and varied menu selections. Wonderful atmosphere. Easy to have conversations. Convenient location to Seattle Downtown.

At first, seeing as this restaurant is kind of in a strip mall, I was not sure we had made the right decision. But the restaurant outperformed my expectations, and we had a very nice meal. The fish dishes were simply outstanding and the service was very friendly and professional.

We had a pleasant dinner for a party of eight people. Food was good price reasonable for a night out. Staff was friendly and helpful. Accommodated for gluten free options. I would definitely return. Recommend calling ahead for a reservation.

Nell's is a comfortable, small restaurant in the Green Lake district of Seattle. You can get there by public transportation in about 30 minutes from downtown. Nell's features wonderfully prepared food with excellent service in a small restaurant. Don't be deterred by the storefront entrance. Fresh food, understated presentation and tasty. From appetizer through main courses worth the price and the trip. Put this on your list of restaurants to try in Seattle.

We ate at Nell’s for the first time as we are visiting the area. The food and service were excellent! It is nice to be able to view the Chefs whilst they are preparing your meal. The tasting Menu represents good value and is well worth trying. The flavours in every course were just wonderful and our Lamb was the best ever. We would not hesitate to return.

In a world of over ambient hipster noise and latest foodie trend of the moment, Nells stands out as a calm oasis. A refined, but comfortable room, a sturdy wine list, and a creative menu using fantastic ingredients Nells is a total respite from the crazy Seattle restaurant scene. The staff was attentive, but not overly so - knew not to pull pates when others at the table were still dining, and the kitchen provided for perfect pacing of courses. Every item we had was outstanding - including an Heirloom salad , Onion tarte, Salmon, Confit and two desserts. One note on the wine list - while the front can be intimidating - the back few pages have some outstanding bottles at very reasonable prices. Also the pours by the glass were VERY thoughtfully chosen. A lovely night - Thanks Nells !

Six of us had dinner here recently, and enjoyed every tasty bite. We started with martinis, which were great, and moved on to sample the delicious calamari, then to a variety of entrees, including fish, liver, lamb, and more, finishing with some sensational desserts -- don't miss the chocolate pot au creme. Service was attentive and got every order right. There's a nice view from the restaurant of Greenlake, and there is even a (small) parking lot beside the restaurant. Reservations strongly recommended.

We dined at Nell's twice on the same trip in 2004 (we are from NY), and returned in August 2009.. It is hard to find a restaurant where every course is excellent, but this is true at Nell's. It was the best restarant we found in a two week trip in WA and OR. Nell's seafood is cooked to perfection. They have interesting appetizers and entrees. The staff take the time to answer any questions. We will always stop at Nell's when in Seattle.

This is a 5 star restaurant hidden in the greenlake neighborhood. We are torn in that we don't want others to find out what a gem this is but obviously we wish continued success to Philip (chef/owner) and his amazing staff.

I think this is an average restaurant pretending to be a fine dining establishment. The food was ok, but nothing special.

I like Nell's. It's quiet. A nice place to have a meal and be able to hear your dinner companions speak - unlike so many other restaurants these days. The menu is very good, though it doesn't vary much. The risotto is top notch, Italy-worthy, and they do a very credible lamb.

We have been to Nell's many times, and it is always very good. It is also not noisy (a big plus), the wait staff is pleasant and helpful and the ambiance is lovely. They don't rush you In order to get a quick turnover. The menu changes according to what is on the market, so I can't say that what I had will be available. But I did have a most unusual salad with cantaloupe, prosciutto, greens and a nice dressing, and I had roast lamb with interesting veg and potatoes. Too much to eat, and no room for dessert, but on other occasions have had dessert, and it has always been good. There are large and small dishes rather than appetizers and entrees. Brunch is served on the patio on summer weekends, and there is parking.

I live nearby and had somehow missed this wonderful place. We had a lovely celebratory meal with family, outside, with a nice view of Green Lake. It was surprisingly quiet, being far enough from traffic and a wide sidewalk. Highly recommended.

I call Nell's "Canlis Light," in that you get a similar dining experience at a less expensive price. The atmosphere is quite elegance, rather than blaring, crash, bang constant noise. You can actually hold a conversation there. As far as food—locally sourced ingredients cooked to perfection. I had the duck breast last week and it was the best I have ever had. The hanger steaks are always on the menu, and deservedly so. The wine selection is top notch and desserts are not to be missed.

We enjoyed most of our first wine dinner at Nell's. There were 7 courses for $90 per person and of course that included the wine. The food ranged from good to really good. The oysters were only "ok" and the crab spring rolls a little disappointing. The goat cheese tart was a hit. But the sea scallop was awesome and the duck was really really good. The salmon was really good, but the veal was under-cooked. Good pea risotto, but only an ok dessert. I am guessing there were 40 to 45 people and they had trouble with the logistics. They were short plates of food and were confused about which tables had been served. I wasn't impressed. The wine servings were very nice with appropriate pours. They didn't skimp, but there was no trouble driving home. If you attend do NOT sit near the food pass because it is loud and you can't hear the speaker. They also are having to wash glasses constantly and it was distracting. So, I enjoyed the food, and if a wine maker visits who I just can't miss I would attend, but I would choose a different table and hope they have figured out the serving issues.

My wife and I were invited to join a group of colleagues, most of whom I did not know, for dinner at Nell's. Too often restaurants are noisy and conversation around a table devolves to speaking to one person close to you only; at Nell's the 10 of us could converse quite freely and had a great evening. Everyone enjoyed their selection from the excellent menu - despite not being very extensive there was much variety on offer, and the fact that it changes every night would, if I were a regular (and I might well be if I lived near there!), more than make up for that. My wife and I had halibut and salmon entrees respectively, both of which were very tasty and cooked to our satisfaction. The duck had been another option - colleagues who had that seemed to enjoy it though it looked a bit rare for my liking. I also enjoyed the fact there was a good variety of wines serve by the glass so everyone could order what they preferred rather than having to select one or two wines for the table – or, as some of us did, we could sample a few different wines. (My experience is that most restaurants serve only a very few wines, often of inferior quality, by the glass.) I cannot comment on the value for money as I was an invited guest.

We have had three occasions to dine at Nell's in the past two months. In each case it was a special event--out of town visitors or friends' anniversary. Nell's is located opposite Green Lake and is relatively easy to access from anywhere in Seattle. In the summer street parking can be a challenge, but they have a private lot adjoining. The restaurant's interior is calm and, apart from some muted background music, quiet--great for conversation. The menus offer a diverse set of choices including a (currently) $45 tasting menu which looks interesting, but we've not tried it. Otherwise there are "small plates" and "large plates"--the former including generous salads, various savory offerings and, in a tip of the hat to the owner of the previous establishment in this location (Salah's al Lago), Salah's friend calamari--lightly breaded and not cooked to the condition of being rubber-like. In our most recent visit, several in our party also enjoyed fresh oysters with an interesting accompaniment featuring shallots and lime. The large plate selections included a seared Ahi, a black cod, several beef entries, and a king salmon; each of these were delivered in perfect condition. The daily offerings have always included at least one risotto offering and each of them have been winners. Here I will note that on two of the three visits to Nell's the interval between the small plate starters and the arrival of the mains was notable. Since we were always there for a relaxing evening, this did not create any anxieties, but if you are on a short timetable, it would be wise to share this with your server. Speaking of servers, the folks who have waited on our tables have been cordial and professional. On a recent Tuesday evening we enjoyed exceptional service from Jenny, who offered very helpful menu advice and whose service was impeccable. Desserts may be a challenge after the generous and delicious entrees, but they are definitely worth exploring. The restaurant makes its own ice cream in small batches and this allows for some striking combinations: a peach crisp with oregano ice cream! (Seriously--it was outstanding.) Others in the party enjoyed other sweets. The wine selections are good, although due to some medication contradictions, we did not sample this time. In the past the quality and price range have been excellent. Nell's is not a 'view' restaurant although the glimpse of the park and lake across the street give a nice "Seattle feel" to the place. In the summer there are several tables outside. In short, I think Nell's is a real treasure for its food and service especially, and also for its relaxed and quiet ambience. In a city where far too many establishments operate on the business model that noise generates profitable consumption, Nell's is a welcome haven.

I was underwhelmed by the caliber of their food. Wait staff was fine, location across from the lake is nice, I was just disappointed in the food at the price they charge.

Highly recommend this Lake side restaurant. Excellent hors’ D. (Included Octopus). Main course included lamb..yum. And dessert was brownie and choc ice cream. What’s not to love?

It started with the wine. A lovely, multilayered boutique wine from eastern Washington. Not easily found, but very nice to discover. The rest of the meal was equally good fare. A neighborhood find, with very nice food preparation. I found my dish excellent while the rest of the dinner party thought the meal components good standard food. The difference may have been that I took the more creative dishes. I liked that the service was friendly and prompt, the setting a busy but quieter dining room (when many rooms are now so noisy). A pleasant site, executing well, a wonderful find in a neighborhood bistro.

The location is lovely, across from the lake. They have parking, which is a huge plus. The waitstaff was friendly and efficient. It was really the food that was uninspiring. I had halibut, and ended up with the tail piece which was dry and tough. Why restaurants even serve that piece is beyond me. It is never as nice as the thicker pieces of fish, and don't you want to give your very best? On a night when you're not busy, and you surely have other pieces of fish in your walk-in, why in the world would it even make an appearance on a plate?? $35 for a small piece of dry fish is just ridiculous. Other dishes were fine. Nothing spectacular. Desserts were tasty, and the wine list is lovely but a could use a few more options in the low to mid-range.

New Years Eve at Nell’s is always excellent. A variety of offerings in the seven courses varies from year to year, and the surprises are always fun. However, I would like to make one suggestion. Could they always have risotto on the menu? It is the world’s best risotto, comparable to that made in Milan. The only time we had it here is on New Year’s Eve. We would love to look forward to it each year. It is not only excellent. It is superlative! I must mention that all of our visits to Nell’s during the year have been excellent with attentive, but not intrusive, service, lovely ambience, and a reasonable noise level.

We love to come here for our special celebrations. In our opinion the oysters are the best in Seattle, always fresh and flavorful. The tasting menu is different every night and reasonably priced. Darryl and Gabriel are our favorite servers. They remember us and treat us like family. We always look forward to going back again.

Nell's is a small contemporary American restaurant in the Green Lake area of Seattle. It is well-worth the drive if you're a downtown visitor. We went for Pacific Northwest seafood, and it was all delicately prepared and absolutely delicious. Corn was in season at the time and featured in a variety of appetizers and side dished. My daughter still talks about the fresh corn "risotto" that accompanied her meal. Our server, a Seattle native, was a delight, friendly and attentive. The wine list compliments the menu well, and the cocktails were exceptional.

I think this might be the best restaurant in Seattle right now for an intimate dinner, sensational food and one of the most thoughtful wine lists in town. Sunset dinner on Greenlake is hard to top, and you won’t find more professional service. Five stars

Service and food make us want to return! We attended a private winemaker dinner here. Granted there were items on the menu that may not appear on the regular dinner menu, but our expectations were exceeded. In particular a smoked lobster, where only the shell was smoked. The meat cooked separately and served in the shell. What a technique! Great presentation and service was notably outstanding. This is the sort of restaurant one wants to return frequently.

Server's attitude was very bad. Food was not edible and no one asked why....just cleared the plates. This used to be an outstanding restaurant but it has really slipped. Nell's at one time was very busy and it was not on the last two times we have dined there. This may be part of the reason. Poor service, marginal food, if that.

Have to say the decor is a little odd, kind of like a high end Denny's but everything else is superb. Menu changes daily, with both al la carte and tasting menu options, all reasonably priced. Wine list is very, very heavy on Burgundies, limited on Bordeaux and is priced from great values for less than $50 a bottle to thousands of dollars for exquisite vintages. There is also a full bar. Servers are knowledgable and personable. Our favorite restaurant in Seattle.

Perhaps I went on a bad night for them, but the food here was actually quite bad. Overcooked octopus for my appetizer and overly pungent *chunks* of goat cheese in my goat cheese ice cream.

Sad to say, Nells, which we have been going to for years, and has always been excellent, was not this time. The first wrong thing was that we were kept waiting an unconscionable amount of time for our main course. The tables on either side of us, who both arrived after we did, finished and left before we were even served. However, the waiter did keep coming by to assure us that our dinner would be out in a few minutes. The second thing which was amiss was one of our.guests, who ordered loin of pork, told the waiter that the pork was delicious, but it was so tough that he could hardly chew it. No apology, but the waiter did offer to not chargie us for that item. However, that did not excuse what had happened, and I was embarrassed that my guest was unhappy. This may have been an aberration, but it may not have been.

Nell's maybe the best Seattle dining destination for good food accompanied by an ambiance quiet enough for conversation. And there's typically parking available in their lot! A menu favorite - Saleh's Calamari starter - is a gracious nod to the former owner (Saleh Joudeh) and always good. Any of the seafood entreés promises to bring smiles. Bon Appetit. . .

Great food, extensive wine list, professional and friendly service -- every time we've been here. Started this time with a half dozen Royal Miyagi oysters in Nell's great mignonette. Then lobster risotto and goat cheese flan for appetizers -- both exceptional. The flan was melt-in-the-mouth smooth and creamy. Pork tenderloin and Kobe Hanger steak were our large plates. The steak came with a great potato gratin and some brussels sprouts. The pork was on a nice bed of spaetzle. All accompanied by a great bottle of Vacqueyras. We finished with a pear tart and coffee/latte. In my opinion, Nell's consistently ranks with the best Seattle restaurants.

Visited with friends and enjoyed a nice meal with maybe the best calamari I've had in the US. We actually ordered more once the first share plate was gone. Good cocktail and wine selections and very competent fish preparations. Good quiet spot for talking and well lit.

Excellent cuisine with friendly, prompt service and superb wine list. Contemporary, comfortable decor with the appropriate acoustics to make conversations convenient. The staff is knowledgeable and the chef has a varied, creative menu selection.

The food was really good, but the Ambience was OLD. Nell's is right next to a high-end retirement community. It shows. The wait staff was old (fine if you like that), the food was pretty traditional. There were very limited Veggie entries. Take your Gamma or old Aunt here.

I have eaten here over 10 times in the last 4 years, and Nell's never fails to delight. I live north of Seattle, so getting here is much easier than getting to downtown, but if that were not the case, I would still brave downtown traffic for Nell's. It may not do justice to the menu to call it "Northwest Cuisine," but suffice it to say that Nell's takes the bounty of the seas and works magic with it. For meat-lovers, the same applies. The menu changes frequently, depending on season and supply which I find delightful. The view of Green Lake Park is always serene and interesting. My sister, who visits from the East Coast annually, usually wheedles and invitation with the promise, "I'll take you to Nell's." That always works!

My husband and I are foodies from Boulder, CO and dined here with our son and daughter-in-law for the first time. We love chefs who source food locally with ever changing menus. Everything was perfectly prepared and paced appropriately from beginning to end. The service was outstanding, too! We will definitely dine again.

We enjoyed our dinner at Nell's and would recommend. In general, the appetizers stole the show from the two main courses. (Appetizers: sweetbreads, oysters, risotto. Dinner: halibut (needed seasoning), beef tenderloin.) Dessert was great-- Bing cherry chocolate tart. We also had a refreshing cocktail called Forever Summer. The staff was very nice and accommodating. However, the 80s pedestrian decor did not match the quality of the food.

SORT BY: S 635 reviews FOOD5 AMBIENCE5 SERVICE5 VALUE5 After our disastrous experience at Nell ... After our disastrous experience at Nell's some months ago I said I would never go back. I am so glad l didn't listen to me. We went there with a group of friends on New Year's Eve, and the meal was spectacular. It was five courses plus an amuse bouche to start. Fortunately all were small because at the end of dinner we were not stuffed. Everything was so good I cannot say which was anyone's favorite. However, I must single out one dish in particular. For one of the courses my husband and I both chose risotto, and we agreed it was the best risotto we have eaten since we went to the restaurant which invented risotto in Milan many years ago

We eat here fairly often on those nights when no one feels like cooking and we want a treat. And since the menu changes often it’s never boring. It’s white tablecloth dining with a casual twist. The service is lovely, professional but not chilly. No one has ever introduced themselves and told me that they were my waiter and no one has ever asked me, mid-bite, if the food was ok- both things I hate. The bar is excellent, the wine list has always been just fine. Lots of small plates that they have expanded to mains when asked and they are more than happy to accommodate my family’s desire to mix and match sides. The tasting menu is always a great choice and great value. And, what we appreciate when entertaining clients is the noise level- not dead quiet but just enough background noise to be comfortable but quiet enough to carry on a conversation with out yelling. We love the place

You know...the food is great with a great presentation but the reason we keep going back is the service and atmosphere. They can tell if you are in a hurry or want to linger and adjust accordingly...don't have to say anything, they just know. You can also carry on a conversation across the table. The opposite of Joey where they blast music. Nell's is a classy joint.

We "found" Nell's on TripAdvisor and later learned that it is our cousins' favorite restaurant in Seattle. They have had more experience that we do with Seattle's restaurants but if we lived there, it would probably be one of ours. The tasting menu - grav lax, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb rib chops and a stunning creme brûlée exceed expectations - especially for the price ($52). Would definitely go back!

My husband and I ate dinner at Nell's last night for the first time. It was recommended in a local magazine as place to eat that does not have the high pitch noise factor that most restaurants seem to have these days. We agree. The ambience at Nell's is very nice. Jazz music played softly in the background throughout the meal. The service was attentive without being overbearing and there is a great view of Greenlake at the front of the restaurant. My husband really liked the hanger steak and his dessert of the trio of sorbets. I started with a salad that included goat cheese crostini that was nothing special. In fact the dressing was very bitter and since the salad was almost drenched in the dressing, it was almost inedible. I was hungry, though, so I ate it all up even though the bitterness was painful. I had the mushroom risotto as my main course and it did not disappoint. Although there was nothing outstanding, no interesting flavors to tackle in this dish, it was of good consistency, flavorful in its own right, and just the right amount of food. You can't go wrong if you order this dish. For my dessert, I had the chocolate bread pudding, which was somewhat disappointing. Why were there grapes in the bread pudding? And I guess I was a bit disappointed that the caramel sauce was only used as decoration on the plate and not a bit of it was drizzled onto the pudding itself? The coffee after dinner was excellent. Although I didn't love the food (there was nothing on the menu for main courses that was vegetarian, for example), I would come again because I get the sense that this place is reliably good, the ambience is perfect and the service was exactly to our taste. Just a quick note about the decor - unfortunately, the flooring in the entrance is very, very dirty looking vinyl. Replacing that would take this place up a notch.

I went here with some girls for a bridal shower dinner and I can't wait to go back to take my boyfriend! The food and service were excellent! Its a small restaurant with a friendly feel and the menu items were a unique twist on usual staples such as salmon, tuna and steak. Everything was delicious and our waiter was very attentive. It's a little pricey but typical for Seattle. Nothing over the top. Can't wait to go back!

Nell's is a restaurant for grown-ups. No flashy lights, loud noises, silly decor. Quality food, well-prepared by chefs who know what they are doing and care. Atmosphere and decor are understated, waitstaff is attentive without hovering, and the details are well executed.

My family went to this restaurant in November-ish! They have excellent food! I would recommend this place in a heart beat! (Warning: a little pricy)

I had not been to Nell’s in quite awhile. Friends took for a birthday dinner during Fall Restaurant Week in Seattle. I had the pumpkin soup which was very good, the risotto with chanterelles which was good and the apple crisp. The wine pairings were very good. The service was good.

We love this place. Yes, the decor is, oh so ,ho hum. Who cares! The food is sublime, the staff friendly and a refreshing respite from the "bars",cafes and general boom chuckachucka places around the city. So nice not to have to fight noise to visit and enjoy a delicious meal. Lovely, peaceful and a real value. Just go.

Our most favorite Seattle place for dinners. Halibut, a steak and roast duck entrees. Service always excellent and helpful with recommendations.

The atmosphere was quiet with a lovely view of Greenlake and the summer's activities. Had lovely morel risotto and a sliced tomato salad. Service was excellent and I'm told the wine was quite nice. I would gladly return.

We have been to Nell's often when visiting Seattle. Always enjoyable, especially the calves liver which is not often on menus.

After many years of hearing about this place, we used a special day to celebrate here. The menu is very sophisticated and worthy of any food enthusiast. While a little pricey, you will not be disappointed. We tried the fixed price four course meal option and were gastronomically delighted. There are folks who eat here every single week it is so good.

This is a bit out of town, but only a short drive or taxi ride from downtown. Nice location on the edge of Greenlake, calm interior, very good to great food, and, most amazing these days, a spot for a quiet dinner and conversation. This in great contrast to the somewhat frenetic and over-edgy feel you get in a lot of big city restaurants. We will go back. Many times.

We have come to Nell's after Saleh gave up the restaurant several times. This time was a major disappointment. It was 6 pm and they were out of the chicken dish. On a limited menu on Friday night what a problem. We had the soggiest calamari we ever had and this was supposed to be a signature dish. Many airport hotels do this better. The salad grant you was good. No glujten free options on a very limjnited menu and no gluten free bread. Can get this at many less expensive places of course as itr can be kep frozen. Not at Nells. The main courses okay. The bill? $225 for two coup0les. So don't have a cocktail and drink wine at thse prices. Much better food downtown restaurants. Yes the place is nice. The service was mediocre. I miss Saleh. But this place is a miss.

Very nice ambiance and menu. We had the tasting menu, the duck breast and the halibut and shared desert. Dishes were delicious and well presented. For a slow evening, our waiter could have been more engaging and better understood the menu items.

Nell's never disappoints. A quite unassuming neighborhood gem serving top notch food comparable to any "name" downtown restaurant. Phillip's cuisine, a blend of French technique and northwest inflected ingredients, is elegant, flavorful and satisfying. His hand with soups is incomparable and both flesh and fish are typically cooked to perfection and attractively presented. The tasting menu is always attractive and very reasonably priced. The extensive French option heavy wine list provides a wide variety of excellent choices from the modestly priced to the outrageously expensive and it is always fun to find good matches for your dining choices. Service is invariably attentive and knowledgeable. During the summer months, dining on the sunlit patio with its view of Green Lake and its athletic fields is a delightful plus. A Seattle standout not to be missed.

Relaxing ambiance with low lights. Delectable cuisine -- braised lamb thumbs up. Service friendly but a bit slow. Local wine selection decent.

outstanding service, very good wine recommendation. good food quality. nice getaway on a Tuesday night

The food and ambiance at Nell's Restaurant was wonderful. We had taken a client for dinner and everyone raved about their entrees and desserts! I had the Magalitza pork chop and it was superb. The wine list was extensive but not much available if you like beer. Also, Nell's is very classy and doesn't have a "loud" bar atmosphere. I will definitely go back!!

My wife, daughter and I ate at Nell's on a recent Saturday night when it snowed, a are event. We had a front row seat and a beautiful view of the lake. The wine recommendation was on point. The dinner was very good. The fish entrees were perfectly prepared as was my daughter's steak. Service was excellent.

We live in the neighborhood and Nell's is a real find. White linen table cloths and napkins, great food and impeccable service. It is cozy, quiet, and the music is subdued, so you can actually talk in a normal voice. The food choices are many; there is a tasting menu, but we usually oder a la carte. We have ALWAYS liked every item we have ordered. In addition, the drinks are well made and generous. You'll love this place if you like intimate dinners, lovely service, great food and cocktails.

Have lived in Green lake fro 4 years and always wondered if this restaurant was worth the price. Well during the heat wave we decided to give it a try( it was air conditioned ). We had a fabulous experience. The food is top notch- I had duck in cherry sauce and my wife had the Ahi. Great wine selection as well. Small intimate place with no rush service and open kitchen where the chef/owner and several offer chefs were busy all night. Sorry we only tried the homemade sherbet as several others looked great.

Well, I read the reviews of this place and we chose it for a special birthday celebration brunch. I cannot imagine that we are on the same page or at the same place that the other reviewers have reviewed. Firstly, for the first 45 minutes, we were the only folks in the place so it wasn't busy at all. We had made reservations because it was supposedly a busy place. Secondly, My brother-in-law and I ordered the omlettes. Luckily, I ordered mine with the sausages. The plate had a small, half cooked omelette (very wet in the middle) with a few mushrooms, supposedly wild, but looked like white ones from the grocery, a couple of pieces of fruit. On a separate plate was a cold, thin, rock-hard piece of white toast. Sausages were great, but it was a bitter disappointment. My sis ordered the salmon and bagel, but was told she would have to have it on toast as they had no bagels. She had the grilled salmon with lentils instead, which was good. My husband had the french toast which was supposed to have brioche, but it looked and tasted like plain old egg bread slices similar to Wonderbread. The wild huckleberry comfit was wonderful though. Their coffee is fantastic and for me, probably the only truly enjoyable part of the meal, besides the company. It is a beautiful facility. I'm sorry to say, after trying to find a new brunch location and reading the trip advisor reviews, it was a bust. My advise would be to make the omlette with about three times as many mushrooms, add at least some parsley for color, even sprinkle a little around the plate, and drizzle with a little truffle oil before serving. I don't think it was even salted. Use thick sliced brioche and cook it until it has a custardly texture with a little vanilla or some Grand Marnier to scent the eggs. Dress up the plates so they don't look like we are on a starvation diet. I don't expect to have a monstrous meal in the morning, but the plates shouldn't look bare or scant.

Enjoyed a pan seared Pacific Cod prepared perfectly such that it melted in your mouth. Nice ambiance in a quiet setting.

A group of nearly twenty people dined on preset menu at a very reasonable price. We were allowed to bring our own wine for a corkage fee so that really helped keep the price down. The service was fantastic and the food even better (especially the black cod and the mushoom risotto).

So glad my husband and I ate at Nell’s on our Pacific Coast Highway trip. It is located in a residential part of Seattle called Green Lake. Menu was farm-to-table with interesting combinations of flavors. And a very good wine list. After, at sunset, took a lovely walk around the lake.

Nell's is a neighborhood gem. Small menu that satisfies meat eaters, seafood lovers and vegetarians alike. Fresh and fun presentation; the staff is friendly and accomodating. We've been coming here for years and it's still one of our favorites.

We were invited to Nell's Restaurant on Thursday night by the in-laws to experience a celebration of Julia Child and her cooking. Since I am an avid cook, especially of French cuisine and a fan of Julia Child I looked forward to the evening. The menu for the evening was: MENU (6:15pm) Passed Hors d'oeuvres Domaine de Triennes, Rosé, Provence, France 2008 ~ (7:00pm Dinner) Chilled Watercress Soup with Crème Fraiche Jean-Luc Colombo, Cotes du Rhone Blanc, La Redonne, FR 2007 ~ Scallops Poached in White Wine Sylvain Langoureau, Saint-Aubin, FR 2007 ~ Chicken - Coq au Vin Chateau Caronnes Ste. Gemme, Haut- Medoc, FR 2005 ~ Casserole-roasted Pork with Turnips and Mustard Cream Sauce Domaine de la Maurelle, Gigondas, FR 2006 ~ Napoleons - Puff Pastry with Pastry Cream, Confectioner's Sugar and Summer Berries Chateau Coutet, Sauternes, FR 2003 We arrived at the restaurant at 5:40 and found the doors locked. They were serious about the 6:00 start but it seemed like a bad business decision for we went next door and spent 20 dollars on drinks which could have been their's. The tables were very neatly arranged and I love it when they set multiple wine glasses for the different courses. The first course, the Passed Hors d'ourvres consisted of what basically was curried eggs, oyster on the half shell, and cheese filled pastry. What it really tasted like was Deviled eggs, oysters with salty breadcrumbs on top and a tortilla filled with velveeta. Not off to a good start. I was already asking myself, "Would Julia be proud of this?" The next course I was hopefull as a cold soup consisting of Watercress and decorated with Créme Fraiche looked appetizing. My first spoonful changed my mind. It might have well been cream mixed with salt. I only got a hint of watercress and my expectations were now low for the rest of the evening. I was revived by the scallops poached in white wine. Not being a fan of scallops poached in general I held my judgement on this course but the butter sauces infused with tarragon was very nice. I've never had a Coq au Vin before even with my forays into French cooking so I can not compare the famous dish to others. The plate was presented nicely with the traditional dish that was pleasing but not necessarily anything special. I expected a deeply tasteful chicken considering you are suppose to marinate it for a day, sometimes two. All and all it was good but it left me wondering why it was so famous compared to so many exquisite and interesting French recipes as and alternative. Now my favorite course (this is not hard) was the Casserole-roasted Pork with Turnips and Mustard Sauce. The pork was a bit too done for me but I loved the turnips. The mustard sauce again was average and nothing unusual. The dessert course had been sitting way to long. The top layer of the Napoleon's were very soggy and hard to cut but the bottom layer was firmer. My experience with Napoleon's is that the pastry is usually crisp and friable. The cream and summer berries taken alone was quite nice but hey....it's cream, how could it be bad. In between all these courses we had " food personality", Ernie Pino talk to the dining crowd and gave anecdotes about Julia Child and his life in the food world. This gentleman had a charismatic personality but the presentations were basically about what a "in" guy he was in the food world, dropping names like Martha Stuart, Graham Kerr, etc. and of course his encounters with Julia Child. After his fourth presentation I wondered if this whole dinner wasn't prearranged so he could tell his stories to an appreciative audience. The end of the dinner, everyone gave the chef a round of applause. Did I miss something or is it the "polite" Seattle thing to do. Guess I never got that lesson. All and all for the 80 dollars it was a great deal. For the wine alone! They must have served us three bottles for our party of four, pouring at will. But can you justify the meal because of the price? Maybe, depending on your expectations. I would have preferred to spend twice as much and get a delectable meal.

While staying at the nearby Green Lake Guest House we enjoyed dinner at Nells. It was restaurant week so the $28 three course meal was a deal we couldn't pass up. Hangar steak was delish as was the butter squash rissotto. Duck terrine, celery soup and amazing deserts all pair with wines (+$18)...

We came here for Valentine's Day and every dish was delicious. The oysters were perfection and the flank steak tender and not over cooked. We have been here several times before, and they never disappoint. The only downside was that the service, especially at the end was pretty slow. It took us 30 minutes to get dessert, even after we reminded the waiter.

We have been going to this little gem for years. Great service and the food very innovative. If you can find it....especially if your are not from Seattle. You can't go wrong by going here! Our aunt is going to be 99 years old this June and we always go here. They are very accommodation.....especially if she is in a wheelchair and that how good the food is!!!!!

If you're in the Green Lake area this is a must. Hard to tear me away from the sweetbreads (so hard to find) but this time we did the tasting menu and it was delicious. The service is always the best and you always feel welcomed.

I do not usually repeat restaurants too frequently since Seattle has so many good ones but I keep going back to Nell's. The food is always great and a good value for the price. The service is always impeccable. My one and only complaint may be that the wine is a little overpriced which is fairly common in Seattle.

This restaurant in the Green Lake neighborhood has a good reputation, but we were disappointed. We arrived early for our 6:30 p.m. reservation, were taken into an empty dining room, and offered a table squeezed into a corner under the bar. We asked to be seated at any one of the other tables in the room and were told that they were reserved for others. When we decided between ourselves that we would rather dine elsewhere than sit under the bar, the hostess relented and begrudgingly gave us a more desirable table. The food was spotty. Smoked salmon was good, but sweetbreads were mushy. Halibut was flaky, but monk fish was tough and tasted of too much salt and pepper. I've eaten better upside-down cake and rhubarb crisp in my grade school dining room. This would be a good place to take your mother if you happen to live in the Green Lake neighborhood, but it is not one of the many "destination" restaurants in Seattle.

I have eaten at Nell's from time to time for many years and always had good experiemces. The food is good, the offer of wines excellent and the service very good, The ambiamce is good and pne can have a pleasent quite dinner.

We got married here and had a fabulous sit down dinner with wine pairings for 35 people. The food, service, and event organization were impeccable. I asked that 2 seats at every table be reserved for the bride and groom so we could move from table to table between courses and Shayla made sure they were seats that were easy to get in and out of, fantastic attention to detail. There were printed out menus for everyone, including special kid's and vegetarian menus. I was amazed at how 3 servers could get each course out so quickly and seamlessly to everyone. The menu was fantastic, thank you Philip and the wine pairings were excellent, thank you Shayla. Perfect evening and I can't wait to go back!

A very comfortable neighborhood restaurant, unpretentious yet classy; enough clientele for us not to feel lonely, but never noisy. Four of us loved the sweet onion tart appetizer; three enjoyed their Kobe beef well enough though it could have been more tender. I had quizzed the server on the Dover sole and was assured it was a single sizable fillet. What arrived were three or four thin little fish like I can buy in my local market any day of the week, swimming in some sort of thin gravy, with a few mushrooms and wax beans. Enough said; one day I'll go back to Nell's and enjoy my entree more.

We enjoyed dinner at Nells on Tuesday night. We were not terribly hungry, so we just ordered a series of small plates. The calamari was quite good, only lightly breaded, as was the cantalope and prosciutto. The assorted cheese plate was fine, but not that interesting. The waiter was very helpful. All in all, it was a good (but not great) meal. I would like to go back some time to try one of the large plates.

We visited Nells on a Saturday night for an early dinner. Booked reservations through Open Table. All in order when we arrived. The restaurant filled quickly. My husband had the spring tasting menu ( changes daily but the $47 included 4 courses and we added $10 for the fruit cheese plate). I had an a la carte entre (Duck). Presentation, service, food was top notch. A Foodie will not be disappointed. The crowd was a little bit older but that reflects the neighborhood. People mostly dressed up a bit but other were in jeans. The Chef and Sous Chef were visible through a glass window and you could watch your order come to life. Servers were attentive but not intrusive. We chatted a bit with the couple next to us. Tables are pretty close together. I gives it a thumbs up and would send somebody there in a heartbeat. If the weather is decent you can dine outdoors and then take a walk around the lake.

This restaurant somehow slipped off our radar. We went last night and had a terrific meal. Great service (Jenny), and the food (especially the calamari and calf liver) were excellent. We didn't think it was expensive for such a quality meal. We will certainly add it back to our regular rotation.

I love Nell's. I especially love the sweet breads, their fish dishes and cheese selections. They also have a great wine selection and a super nice wine steward. This is the place for great service, food and a quiet elegant atmosphere.

Nell's has been around for a number of years and the kitchen remains top notch, as is the service. However, when we went for dinner the other evening, there were not many customers----much less than the experience deserved. The only reason of which we thought was that the Green Lake location was less than ideal. But with free parking, very good food and service, it remained a mystery. We would return with zero qualms.

The decor is dated. The clientele is older. But the food is really good and often innovative. Not too many places in town offer sweetbreads, calf's liver, calamari plus the standard poultry, beef and pork options. And do a good job with all of it. He and I made a dinner of the small plates. Wonderful half dozen oyster, sweetbreads with fave beans, a beet & arugula salad, sautéed (not deep fried) calamari. Our friend opted for the traditional salad and the calf's liver. It's not a big menu, but even timid eaters could put together an interesting three course meal. More adventuresome eaters will love the choices. Not a cutting edge restaurant, but a darn good one. Cocktails are good, too. Good wine list. And it's quiet, for some people that really matters. Service is good and when we had to wait for our bill because of a computer glitch, the server comped our cocktails. Nice touch, but we would be back anyway.

A business colleague and I recently had dinner at Nell's during a visit to Seattle. We had a first rate experience all around. The staff is friendly and welcoming, the décor is stylish but comfortable, and the food was outstanding. The menu changes based on what is available, and everything on it sounded terrific. We had both fish and meats. Each dish was excellent, but the chef has a particular way with fish. Nell's is tucked away in a neighborhood on a block of retail stores. If I lived in the area, I would go there regularly. It is a sure thing that I will be back there the next time I am in Seattle.

I hadn't been here in nearly twenty years and was surprised how great it still is. This was THE high end restaurant in Greenlake way back when but i would contend it has kept up with the times and continues to be top notch. Service was spot on and though it was busy with people always waiting for a table, we didn't feel rushed. The smoked salmon appetizer was fabulous. Pacific Cod delicious but all the meals at our table were top notch.

Had a wonderful dinner here with friends-the food is delicious and the atmosphere is a delight-cozy and friendly and quiet-it is easy to have a conversation while enjoying your meal (this is sadly rather rare in Seattle now). Highly recommended!

We ate at Nell's recently and found the staff to be pleasant and efficient, the food to be very good and the prices quite reasonable compared to many other Seattle restaurants. We didn't absolutely love everything we ordered but the food was high quality and well-prepared; it was just a matter of our personal taste. I'm not sure I'd consider Nell's to be a destination restaurant but judging from the packed dining room the night we were there, it is well-loved by many.

Could smell the rank cleaning solution from the kitchen. Because you system requires a 100 character minimum only makes this a poorer review

Seattle is a "restaurant town" with many fine establishments, but we always seem to come back to Nell's for special occasions. Why? Because the food is simply superb. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but not extravagantly so, and reasonable prices on the extensive wine list help keep the total within reason. Service is impeccable, too. Hint: Work up an appetite by taking the easy and lovely 2.8 mile walk around Green Lake before dinner. Allow an hour for a leisurely stroll.

We love Nell's and have been there many times, but this is the first time we went for lunch. Nothing extraordinary, but everything was the best. I had a melted chase sandwich on toast with tomatoes and bacon. Not unusual, but unusually good. What, I wondered, do they know that I don't? It was accomplished by kale slaw, which was out-of-this-world excellent. Never had anything like it. For dessert I had pineapple sorbet. Yummy. I also tasted my husband's coffee cake. Also yummy.

Foodie San Francisco types we spent two weeks recently eating out every meal in Seattle. We knew that we were supposed to hit the biggie chef:s Ethan Stoll, Maria Hines and Tom Douglas, among others, and we did that but local friends took us out to Nell's in Green Lake, a neighborhood we likely wouldn't have gone to on our own as tourists. Described on its web site as "... European-inspired New American cuisine featuring the finest Northwest seasonal ingredients." that is exactly correct. Excellent, very straightforward food; no loud thumpa thumpa music; perfect wine advice from the staff. Meat dishes were as good as the seafood; appetizers were excellent and the atmosphere and location are great. Worth searching out in Seattle (the big chefs were not worth searching out . . .).

This place will surprise you, It is a bit dated, and not to busy, then you will be delighted by the menu, food choices are amazing, from Oysters to Kobe Beef, Duck, cheese's, choose a menu item or a pre-set dinner. I will never visit this area of Seattle without going to Nell's for dinner. The price is so good, for the quality of food they prepare for you.

Nell's continues to be the best place for great food (always) wonderful service, and you can actually have a conversation without screaming. Our family loves it, when asked where they would like to have their reward dinner out they always choose Nell's. Our most recent business dinner was a stunning success - nice quiet table, attentive professional service from the time we were greeted at the door, none of the "my name and I will be your server tonight" no "how is your food" interruptions and yes they do ask but always at a "good" time - drinks are always top notch and simply ordering the always great tasting menu keeps the business evening flowing. And, when entertaining kids, this restaurant is always very pleased to switch sides so picky children can mix and match to fit their taste and NO FUSS about checking with the kitchen. So, pretty simple, a reliably great event at a place where the food is wonderful, the room has that desired quiet buzz and the staff are charming, pleasant, warm and very, very professional.

This was a nice place. Bet it's fun to eat out on the patio. Had the 3 for 30 Dine for Seattle promotion. The pork loin we ordered was medium rare and the rest of the food wasn't all that either... Probably won't go again unless it's drinks and appetizers on the patio.

We had a lovely intimate dinner at Nell's on a cold winter night. With the lower ceilings and warm colors, it felt welcoming and was very easy to carry on a conversation in this restaurant setting. The service was very good, shared between the wait person and bus person equally. Food was fresh, hot and innovative. We had the Calamari as an appetizer, prepared with a simple flour coating and fried with a bit of aioli on the side. Then we shared a beet salad, which was perfect as a starter for three people. The waiter nicely offered to put it on our plates for us. We had the Duck Confit ($28) and the Lam Rack ($35), some wine off the extensive wine list and a couple martinis. Total for three $200 before gratuity. Will definitely return!

My ahi tuna was good but not excellent. My friends said that their meals were good-but not excellent We had a nice table and the service was attentive When asked for the code for WiFi our server gave me a 14 digit code- I thought it was a joke like the sort they play on candid camera. Apparently no joke just a lot of digits to deter would be Trip Advisor reporters

My husband and I enjoyed a meal at Nell's during a vacation to Aspen, and it was a delightful experience. The service was helpful and outstanding, and the food was delicious. I had some of the freshest seafood I have ever eaten along with several amazing cocktails. My husband was impressed with their extensive wine list, and we both enjoyed a pasta dish with egg yolk. Nothing short of remarkable.

This is a great dinner spot near Green Lake (go for a walk before or after). You must try the onion tart, the morel risotto is pretty darn good too. We also had the cod and the Iberico pork loin. All were amazing. We finished it off with the strawberry rhubarb tart with cream cheese ice cream. Everything was outstanding. Service was excellent, our waitress was helpful and friendly and gave us suggestions of things to do around town. Nicely appointed dining room, Mostly older folks; not loud, you can hold a real conversation.

I struggled with giving this restaurant a four star rating because I did not feel the food was good value for money paid. Don't get me wrong, Nell's has a nice menu and the food is good, but expect to shell out some dough. Service is good and view of the lake is excellent. The restaurant is up in the Green Lake area a bit North of the city so unless you are visiting in this area, I would not take the drive. There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Seattle.

I'm part of a birthday dinner group, where each birthday celebrant selects where the group will host the celebrant's birthday dinner. That brought us to Nell's, a place none of us had heard about. Our understanding is this restaurant has operated for 14 years. The menu offers what we considered a "continental cuisine" which would mean "European." There is a "tasting menu" of four courses including dessert. "Small Plates" and "Big Plates" constitute the rest of the menu. The small plates can be appetizers, salads and soup. The big plates would be entrees, but one can stay with the small plates only. Some of our group opted for the tasting menu; others for the small/big plate choices. Wine list reflects a major cellar of offerings, across a wide price range ($20-30 up to several thousand dollars). In spite of our friend's urging for one of the atmospheric choices, we settled on a $45 Washington State product which fit our menu selections and pocketbooks. Ambience? Quiet; a bit art deco; open kitchen. Great place for dinner conversations. Wait staff helpful and added to the enjoyable experience. Parking no problem as there is a restaurant lot and midweek ample street parking. Duck, lamb and pork entrees for our table. Wonderful layers of flavors in all dishes. We will be back, and regret not having known about Nell's until now!

We were a group of seven women having a reunion and looking for a special place to have dinner. We found it at Nell's, which we picked virtually at random because it was near our rental house. Our wonderful waiter Paul got us all seated and spent a lot of time taking our drink order, bringing us several wine samples so that we could choose the right wines. He then took our order, taking great care to explain all the details of the possible choices. Some of us had small plates, and several of us had salmon, preceded by soup or salad. The bread was crusty and delicious. All I can say is that everything was elegant, fresh, and delicious. We ordered caramel ice cream with caramel sauce for dessert. We had explained to the waiter that we were celebrating a special birthday year, and to our surprise and delight each ice cream arrived with a lit candle. All of us come from large urban areas and are food savvy. We all thought that the food was delicious. Special mention of our waiter Paul, who went WAY above and beyond expected service.