Staple & Fancy Reviews

Staff was very friendly amd service was great. The food was not great. Pasta was salty, some of the tasting menus dishes were flavorless.

Delicious food and top notch service. A great place for friends or family or a date night. Nice wine list. Portion sizes are just right, many things can be split. Definitely a must-try restaurant if you are in the Seattle area

The modified the number of people in our party and with a little bit of pushing on our part the staff was able to find us a table large enough for our party! Thank you Staple and Fancy. The food and wine were both very good. The potato gnocchi was very good. Our server was not having her best night.

We had the most delicious food at this restaurant. The choices were suitable for everyone and they will customize your dishes if you have special dietary needs.

The menu is four course shareables. The first six plates were starters ranging from asparagus with squid ink, a small tasty salad, a rich mushroom soup, hamachi, a sardine with crunchy baby greens and a fresh cheese with lemon oil. Each was absolutely yummy and plentiful. For the pasta course we had a choice of two and chose shrimp with shells and prosciutto- mildly spicy and perfect. Out next course was a generous service of rack of lamb- cooked rare as I like it with roasted eggplant. For dessert we each had our own choice- lemon sorbet for me and a malted chocolate mousse for my spouse. The service was perfect- nothing rushed and no long waits. My descriptions do not do justice to this lovely meal. Go with the flow and enjoy!

Staple and Fancy was incredible! My husband and I did the tasting menu with wine pairings and it was delicious! The gnocchi was actually one of the best dishes I have ever had! They were also very accommodating; I am a vegetarian and they did a tasting menu for me and my husband who is not vegetarian. I couldn’t recommend more highly!

We chose to eat at this restaurant because of the unique experience you can have. They offer a regular menu but you also have the opportunity to have a 4 course meal that's a sunrise from the chef for $55 a plate. Pricey, yes. Worth it for the experience while on vacation, yes. We went for it because we've never done anything like it and we are so excited we did! Even though it's served family style and it was just the 2 of us, they have the proper portions. And, if you have dietary guidelines (gluten free) or a request (for me, nothing too adventurous like octopus) they can meet the criteria. We were served: Appetizer: Soup Cesar salad with anchovy dressing Steak tartar with toasted bread Prosciutto Buffalo cheese with toasted bread Fried clams Roasted broccoli Entree: Ravioli stuffed with ricotta Steak Dessert: Chocolate cake Orange sherbet ice cream So delicious and great industrial atmosphere with exposed brick walls. Highly recommend!

One of the best meals in Seattle (better than Canlis!) We went for the Fancy menu as my friends have visited before and they recommended it... We were not disappoined... Food quality, quantities, pacing of the meal... it was all excellent... homemade ricotta, speck and pears, gnocchi, pork loin, sea bass... it was all amazing! It seems a bit expensive but very worth it, the quality and quantity of food is worth the expense...

We were lucky enough to have the private table in the wine cellar down stairs, it was an excellent dining experience. There were 10 of us and were taken care of by Michael who did an exceptional job. Highlights of the meal included the beef tenderloin an absolute must, 2 great pastas, a spectacular plate of meats and cheese. The dessert was also excellent. A place worth trying if you are in the Seattle area!

4 of us dined at Staple and Fancy and were happy to have done the "Fancy". The food was delicious, beautifully presented and the service was very good. An easy 5 stars on food and service just two things disappointed us. First was the restrooms. Found our way out back, down the metal staircase, past the dirty laundry (required guessing no signs) to find the door required a CODE. Not really a problem, but shouldn't someone have told us before we headed to the basement. Second, at the end of the meal I wanted a tea. Had consumed enough wine - just a tea. "Sorry, we don't serve tea, would you like an espresso?" Really? It is not that difficult to carry tea bags and throw one in a cup with hot water.

This restaurant was on my list of places to try and as we had eaten next door the night before and liked the area, we came back to try this one. The staff were great, but wanted them to know a bit more about the menu. We went for the chef's selection which I thought was very good value for what got. It was a lot of food. I was expecting to be a bit more wowed by the flavours of the ingredients considering the dishes were all simple. I lived in Tokyo for a very long time and it is the ingredients that make most restaurants there shine, so perhaps my benchmark is too high. I'd like to try some of Ethan Stowell's other restaurants before passing a hasty judgement. Worth a try in my books!

This place is a terrific stop! We had appetizers and drinks. All was fantastic. The food is excellent and atmosphere is upbeat. It is so much fun to sit at the counter and watch the bartender work with unpretentious surgical precision

Ok. . Ok . .Ok . . Sign me up . .Chefs Tasting Special . . I can't even begin to describe it . . I highly recommend it . .just go . .just do it. . Crazy good!

Working our way through Ethan Stowell's restaurants, we finally came down to Staple and Fancy for Father's Day. It's advertised as simple, Italian inspired food, and though the food was mostly good, I didn't find it as good as it could have been. We ordered three or four of each course - I only remember one of the appetizers, a seared tuna, which was tasty but not especially so. The pasta, again underflavored, with the beef and pork papparedelle overcooked and tasting suspiciously like I remember the Chef Boyardee lasagna from the can. The wood grilled whole fish was probably the best dish, with fresh trout crispy with fried capers and herbs. Desserts were blah, the panna cotta was not yet set, with scant buttermilk flavor. We've enjoyed Rione XIII and How to Cook a Wolf more than this much-touted place, and even Mkt. and Goldfinch Tavern ranked higher in my book. But gotta go if you're going to make the Ethan Stowell round.

We reserved a table over the holiday weekend for the tasting menu. . It advertises a four course tasting menu but the first course is a sampling of 7 dishes, needless to say we were stuffed by the time the entrees came. The third course (pasta) was by far our favorite. We recently took a three week trip to Italy and the pasta at Staple and Fancy was on par with some of the best we experienced in Rome. They don't have a set wine pairing like most traditional tasting menus. Instead they paired each course with a half glass of wine off their menu and tallied it up at the end. The wine pairing was the only disappointing part of this meal; some of the pairings weren't great matches and the waitress didn't explain anything about the wine. Outside of this, it was a great value.

We recommend letting the chef plan your meal and be surprised with each course. The first course turned out to be several small plates served with blitzkrieg speed. Each plate was great, but we definitely felt rushed. Even after telling the waiter to slow down, the plates kept piling up. Fortunately, subsequent courses arrived at a more leisurely pace.

Our second night in Seattle brought us to Staple and Fancy. We wanted to try their “fancy” menu where the chef cooks for you and his creativity come out. A very good value at $50.00 per person. Staple and Fancy did not disappoint as most of the dishes served were well prepared, flavorful and ample portions. The first of four courses is actually a series of small plates (I counted 8!) that are varied and a great introduction to the kitchen. I can't remember all of them but included a tasty crudo, beef tartar, fried oysters with remoulade, mozzarella with figs, porchetta with shaved parm, butter lettuce salad and a couple I can't remember. All were very good to excellent. Course two was pasta, tagliarini bolognese, marscapone and mint. This was a very large serving, wife thought the mint was a bit strong, I thought it was perfect. A refreshing take on a classic pasta dish. Course 3 were seared scallops with a root puree. This was our only disappointment of the evening. The scallops were good but could have used more sear and they were VERY salty. Last course was a creamy cheesecake with blueberry puree. We are picky about cheesecake and this was a very good one and an excellent end to the evening. Very nice wine list, we alternated white and red between courses. Service was very friendly and helpful throughout dinner. Lots of good dinner choices in Seattle, Staple and Fancy is one of them

Made reservations at Staple and Fancy for our vacation after reading such great reviews online. We chose the fancy style, letting our server know that we aren't fish people. They brought out probably the most food I've ever had, but it was all incredibly delicious. The first course was a salad with anchovy caesar salad. I'm not a huge fan of anchovies, but if you like them, you would love this salad. The next course was various appetizers which included arancini balls to die for. After that was gnocchi, steak and then dessert. Leave room for dessert!!! The mousse tart and ice cream were so delicious. This dining experience really awakens the senses. The atmosphere is also very hip and I love being able to watch the staff make everything. If you are in Seattle, don't miss out!

The service was poor probably due to the mandatory 20% service charge. We poured our own wine and had to grab someone whenever we wanted something after our entrees arrived. The whole fish wasn't dry, but it wasn't moist and flaky. No need to return to this restaurant with the array of excellent choices nearby in Ballard.

Was pretty disappointed with Staple and Fancy. We did the tasting menu and not one dish was memorable - everything was okay, but I was expecting more than okay. There are a lot of restaurants in Seattle that are much better than Staple and Fancy and I won't be going back a second time.

Getting a reservation at Staple and Fancy was NOT easy, especially on the last day of Restaurant Week, but the effort was SO worth it. I loved the idea of getting a little "sampler" of every appetizer, as opposed to having to decide. I was so surprised that I enjoyed every single one too! Highlights were the beef tartare (although I'm not a fan of raw beef!), the beef was so incredibly creamy, paired perfectly with the texture of crunchy bread. I would return for their fried oysters and aioli alone! For mains I ordered the steak and snuck a bite of my friend's ragu tagliatelle - both were absolutely phenomenal. The steak was very flavorful and well-seasoned, paired well with charred vegetables. I loved the citrus note in the tagliatelle, really cut the greasiness of the sauce but didn't overpower the dish at all. Amazing! We finished with a delicious cheesecake & brownie - the brownie was good, but the rhubarb cheesecake was the perfect finish. Somehow the consistency was light and fluffy but still super creamy! The rhubarb had great texture and worked so well with the cake! I would 200% recommend this place!! Definitely coming back for a taste of their regular menu!

I have very specific dietary restrictions (FODMAP) that often make it difficult for me to eat out. My boyfriend and I went to Staple and Fancy for a celebratory evening and went with the ‘chef’s choice’ menu where they built our entire meal and paired it with wine. I listed off the variety of food items I can’t eat, feeling a bit guilty for how annoying it may be for the chef but the server and kitchen were beyond friendly, always checking in that their next creation wouldn’t have any issue items. We enjoyed an amazing meal and were so thankful for the service we received.

Visited for dinner and from moment we entered service was attentive, friendly and simply excellent. Had the chefs tasting menu - highlights for me were steak tartar (delicious), the ravioli (with beurre noisette and walnuts - amazing), fillet of beef with nettle purée (wow) and a chocolate and orange dessert (choco ecstasy). A lovely evening we will remember from our holiday.

Made reservations, but came in early and was seated right away. The format is more like tapas which gives you the opportunity to check out the breadth of menu. Perfect for sharing, if that's your thing.

We went here for my husband's birthday and tried the tasting menu. We had 7 appetizers, pasta, main course and desert. Everything was delicious. I tried things I wouldn't normally order. The service was fantastic. The appetizers sometimes came out a little bit too quickly but that isn't too much to complain about. Do plan on staying for a while if you order the tasting menu. Great food and great experience. I believe the restaurant is in an old warehouse. The floor is uneven and if you have trouble with your footing you may have a little issue walking back to the restroom here (which is in the rear and downstairs).

We went after spending a whole day at Pikes place and worried that we would be so tired and full eating here but we were not disappointed. At the advise of all the previous reviewers, we chose the family style menu and were blown away by the innovative menu and presentation. The portion size was perfect. I think any larger and it would have ruined the whole concept. For me, I thought the flavors were very balanced. My cousin felt the meat could have used a tiny bit more salt whereas the fish was salty for me but for him but it was good. ;) I would definitely come back again whenever I get back to Seattle.

This is our 4th? 5th? visit to Staple & Fancy. It's one of our can't misses for restaurant week. The family style appetizers for the table are a great way to start. My favorite this time was the porchetta, while others especially enjoyed the fried oysters with remoulade or the little cup of potato soup. We had a table of 4, and there were 4 options for entrees, so we ordered 1 of each and ate family style! All were tasty, and we especially liked the rabbit rigatoni and the mackerel with potatoes & cauliflower. We tried all 3 desserts as well - the favorite was definitely the chocolate terrine with the crunch of the walnuts to contrast. I want to especially give a shout out to our awesome waiter who gave us excellent wine pairing recommendations! Another fabulous evening at Staple & Fancy.

I was hoping for the whole fish but that was not available. I chose the lamb shank. It was big and lacked the delicate flavor of a smaller shank. Plenty of meat but more mutton than lamb. Cocktails were lame. My friend was not impressed with the pork chop. Very thick but tough.

Staple and Fancy is upscale place for dinner in Ballard. It was a bit hectic but it was Friday night in Ballard. Lots of 30 somethings jockeying for a table. Fortunately we had a reservation. The highlights were the octopus starter and the snap pea's that we got in addition to our main dish which was the salmon. (which was very good) The ambiance is attractive and loud. Will definitely go again.

Enjoyed an excellent business dinner here last week. Sat in the cellar and was treated to an excellent meal- appetizers, first course and then their steak. Very tasty whether it was the charred romain salad, fried oysters, pasta or risotto. The selection was varied as we had people from China, Sweden, England and the US. Everyone was well fed- and the service was excellent as well.

The ravioli and pappedelli were amazing! Highly recommend! Tomatoes w mozzarella were great too. One of our best meals

this restaurant is good in so many ways. this is our third visit. GO FOR THE TASTING MENU. each course has individual dishes unique to the season, and you will think it is the best thing ever. but wait, there is more! a seemingly unending parade of memorable dishes. and in the end, you will be left with a memory of the experience. a balanced meal that filled you with pleasure. this restaurant is located in a factory setting, rustic but polished. and you will appreciate the aha moment when your guests are seated. such a delight. bon appetite!

I chose this restaurant due to the "Fancy" option....I'm always intrigued when someone has the courage to choose food for you...and I'll take that gamble every time...however, in order to partake of the "Fancy" option, all members in your party must participate....my two coworkers were less adventurous than me...so Staple it is... All 3 of us ordered the pork loin, and though it was excellent...its slight portion was a bit disconcerting....a bit skimpy... The Chocolate dessert was excellent...and due to the meager portion of the pork loin, there was plenty of room to try the lemon olive oil cake...not bad...but the Chocolate was excellent.. Service was very good...the restaurant is very cool...and it's in a great neighborhood...that gives you a completely different vibe from the Pike's Place scene.... Still wishing I had more adventurous coworkers....but over all...very good...

Are Ethan Stowell and Stephanie Izard related?!?! Reminded us of the Randolph St area but easy parking! Warehouse like neighborhood (read: you're only paying for the great food vs extra for the rent). Best service we've had in the Seattle area; informed and engaged staff, water and wine regularly refilled, request to slow down courses fulfilled. If we were talking, we were served. If we wanted to chat, the staff was happy to indulge and always informative. Food was fresh, inspired, presented with casual elegance and complex flavor. Sommelier listened to what I wanted and recommended the perfect $45 bottle. We'll be back with friends!!!! Do the chef's menu!!!

turns out this restaurant will charge you a MANDATORY 20% on top of your bill as a “service charge” regardless of the quality of your experience. It’s not that I’m a cheap person....I would gladly tip an appropriate amount such as this but the service charge ought to be strictly voluntary and commensurate with the quality of service. Not mandatory!....I will steer clear of all of Ethan Stowell‘s restaurants and encourage you to do the same if you don’t want mandatory “service fees” to be a thing. Shame on you Ethan Stowell - we don’t want to pay your employees, that’s your responsibility. “service fee” = mandatory tip...do you think all of your customers are stupid?

First the good: service was lovely, and there were two tastings we liked - a soup, and the roast / sausage entrée. Presentation of items was mostly thoughtful overall. And there was enough to not leave hungry, so that was very good. But otherwise I was left with the persistent feeling that the flavors were lacking. Many of the samples struck me with only one or two notes, such as the tartare and egg yolks that tasted primarily of salt. There was a deep fried green tomato that, while expertly prepared, left me wanting something to blend the mouth feel and flavor of the tomato well with the other seasoning and toppings. The pasta might have been better if the meat/crumb topping blended better with the base, but every bite felt like all one or the other, and even when they were balanced it seemed a bit bland. The cake had a dense top layer (ganache?) that was difficult to cut compared to the base layers; the whipped cream didn't add what I was looking for, the crumb seemed grainy somehow, and the caramel felt like an afterthought. I know the restaurant's palate is described as simple, so perhaps I've come to expect complexity and nuance of restaurant flavors and simplicity just isn't for me. I don't think I'd go back; for the price, I'd like a place that leaves me feeling like I experienced something I couldn't improve on myself.

So liked this restaurant for dinner last night with our family. The vibe is warm and inviting, the interior cozy and contemporary- in a renovated warehouse building. The staff was extremely accommodating, given that we were challenged by the size of our group and available seating, but they were gracious, kind and incredibly lovely. We choose to order ala carte, vs the set menu and were very happy witih our selections. The salad was wonderful, as were the beets. The whole fish entrée was to die for, and the linguine and clams were just great. Highly recommend this restaurant for couples, romantic nights out and friends out for a good time. Great job, clearly you know your stuff.

Very nice food, good atmosphere and service. Plates are shareable, good wine list. Quite loud and hard to hear the people who you are dining with.

3 of us ordered the tasting menu (now $48/person). I believe we had 9 courses!!! and every one was terrific. I never would have ordered smoked mackerel, and now will. Same for beautiful fried oysters! Green Salad with shaved parm & walnuts, Creamy butternut squash soup, pasta with clams, 2 main dishes and then 3 chocolate desserts. We were stuffed to the gills but kept eating as it was beautfully presented and tasted perfect. Service was impeccable. Yes it gets a little noisey as it fills, but what spot doesn't, right? Worth making reservations quite a bit ahead of time to get in. LOVED it.

The tasting menu is pricey so not for the average night out. It is always a delight. Restaurant pros and cons: Pros: excellent quality, great service, lively atmosphere. Cons: pricey but we feel worth it, very busy so you need reservations, automatic 20percent added for service but the service is excellent. (Kudos to the staff and management.)

The "fancy" is an unscripted tasting menu. The appetizer course consisted of 6 or 7 excellent plates. Also of note, an unbelievably good dessert course with chocolate cake and salted caramel gelato and a panna cotta with basil and huckleberries. The server was not very friendly and only mildly efficient. Not bad. But, not on the level of the food. I would give a 4.5 star rating if it were possible.

great place for special occassions and for out of town guests. try the chef tasting menu. nice cocktails too. free street parking.

We were staying in downtown Seattle, so it took a bit to get here, but it was definitely worth the ride! Based on Tripadvisor reviews, we decided to order the Fancy and we were very pleased. The only instructions we gave were that we preferred seafood. Absolutely best meal we had while in Seattle. Server was knowledgeable and friendly, food was fantastic. Each small plate served (7) was a delight. Then there was a pasta dish, our seafood dish (salmon) and delicious dessert (salted caramel gelato and a chocolate torte - amazing!) Definitely a memorable meal.

We had the Chef's Choice menu, and it was fantastic! It was expensive and worth every dollar. So much food! I can't remember how many courses they brought to the table, but it was at least 10. All five of us agreed that everything was fabulous and worth the money. The wine was excellent also. The service was exceptional and friendly. It was a great birthday party night that I would repeat whenever possible.

We celebrated my husband's birthday at Staple and Fancy upon a professional chef's recommendation. Small, fun restaurant with an unusual menu for foodie's or gourmet cooks to enjoy. Do not take a hamburger and fries lover to an Ethan Stowell restaurant. Without hamburgers on the menu, my son and his daughter could not find anything plain enough for their tastes while the rest of us were happy and willing to experiment with the unusual dishes. You do not order a main course per person but instead order small plates (which were like hor duerves and very, very small portions) to pass around family style. The food was well prepared and delicious, but the meal for 8 people was quite expensive and we all left hungry and went home and ate. I come from a family of gourmet chefs and we are used to great food which Ethan Stowell restaurants provide, but next time my husband and I would go alone because it's just too expensive to take family.

Staple and Fancy is our new favorite restaurant in Seattle! The food and experience is phenomenal! This is the perfect place for a romantic dinner or special occasion. We went with another couple and I wasn’t sure whether the chefs tasting menu would work for the four of us as my partner and I are vegetarian though the other couple isn’t. We appreciated that the restaurant not only accommodated our vegetarian diet but it in a creative and thoughtful way. It is difficult to find restaurants that do tasting menus, let alone tasting menus that are entirely vegetarian (and thoughtfully curated for each of us!) not to mention the fabulous food, lovely ambiance, and friendly staff. Staple & Fancy does not disappoint. This is what going out to eat should be like! I wish there were more restaurants like this. We loved all of the food, especially the appetizers! I feel like we could’ve done a meal of appetizers alone! We especially loved the bruschetta, tomato soup shooters, artichokes, watermelon, and most of all, the cacio e pepe!! The timing of everything was fabulous. The value for your experience is incredible and we thought the cost was very reasonable given the amazing meal we had. The wine pairing was perfect and our server was very friendly, and made it a fun and exciting experience for everyone. He had said he didn’t even know what we’d be getting until he brought it out to us, which added to the surprise! Thank you for such a wonderful evening. We can’t wait to return.

We wanted a reasonably priced tasting menu and we were not disappointed! The 4 Course Family Style "Fancy" menu was perfect. At just 55.00 a person it was delicious and very fun presentation. The 1st course was 7 wonderful and well presented small plates, followed by a pasta dish, main course (ours was steak) and a wonderful dessert. Different tables were being served different things so I think it is somewhat of a toss up what you get, not a set menu. We also did the wine pairing and had a half glass with each course and we loved that we were greeted with a glass of prosecco and a note since we were celebrating our anniversary there! Attentive staff and more! Thank you!

Italian food is quite difficult to find, but this place really captured the taste. Best pasta dish I have had in my life! I really enjoyed the food and would definitely consider dining here. It is an ideal location for dinner and caters to large parties as well.

For their 43rd anniversary my brother and sister in law chose S&F and brought me along. It was my first visit and I loved it! The prix fix menu option allows for generous sampling of many and varied tasty bites. All well prepared, presented and satisfying. A special dining experience !

Go ahead...put your meal planning into the hands of the chef...you won't be disappointed! Experienced 7 appetizer plates to share. Pasta course was, well, probably the best bolognese I've ever had! Fish course perfect. And the dessert to die for. Spring for the wine pairings. It's a stretch, but these folks know what they're doing! Note: Made reservation through Open Table on the day I wanted to dine and the only time avail was 5:15 or 8:45. When I got there for my 5:15 res, the hostess said I should of called as they have cancellations and frequently can work w/you. Also, parking can be a bit of a problem.

This wonderful restaurant was recommended by a local and it was a highlight of our trip. Best food and amazing service by everyone. They do family meals small plates and you don't really know what you are getting but they know exactly what you like and don't like by the time you are seated as the time spent with the pre dinner drinks is where they glean their intel as to what people want to eat :) Thoroughly recommend this place it was our last night in Seattle and would return just to go back to Staple and Fancy!!!!

Called at 7 on a Sunday night to get a reservation and they didn't have anything until 9:45. Friends assured us it would be worth the wait and it was! We did the chefs tasting menu, they brought out course after course if delicious and unique dishes. The atmosphere was wonderful, great music and fun decor. I would recommend this place to anyone for a fun night out.

Staple and Fancy is a perfect example (at least for me), where TripAdvisor did not disappoint. While planning my first trip to Seattle, I combed the internet for "best restaurants in Seattle." I finally stumbled upon Staple and Fancy. After reading mostly amazing reviews, I made a reservation. I loved atmosphere. Reflecting the current industrial trend with exposed brick walls, you definitely get the vibe that this is the place to be. Most reviews I read suggest ordering 'the Chef's menu." This was great advice! While there were several things on the menu, we loved the idea of getting a sampling of what the restaurant was all about. We told our waitress, we'd simply like to avoid fish, but were open to pork, poultry and beef. It was 6-8 courses and we were BLOWN away. We tasted and experienced things we had never tasted, EVER. I've since recommended S&F to several people and will definitely be going back.

Dairy free was not a problem. The staff was completely knowledgable about what they served so they swapped out the few items that were dairy based (from the 'Fancy' offerings) with beautiful healthy choices.(bring a few lactaids anyway, butter is sneaky) I didn't feel left out in anyway and felt great later! Portions were satisfying and very creative, It's hard to pick a favorite! Wine by the glass seemed to be the best way to go for the price, nice choices as well! 6 of us made resv. in advance for this special night out! We will go again, can't wait!

This is my favorite, go to restaurant in Seattle. The food is always excellent and the space is nice and cozy. Great wine selections as well. I recently ate at the bar with a friend and the service from Kelly was superb! Kelly and the rest of the staff really took care of us. Unfortunately the service at some of Ethan's other restaurants has declined quite a bit since the implementation of the 20% service charge. I'm happy the service is still very excellent at Staple and Fancy! I can't wait for my next meal here.

Living in Seattle, there are countless places to eat amazing food and I make an effort to try as many as possible. In all of my 30 years here, I have written zero review on places to eat. There are many good places, few great, and rarely is there a place that I would take the time to review. Staple and Fancy is everything that sums up Seattle- cool old renovated space in Ballard. The noise level which can be intolerable in many places now to carry on a good conversation, was just right. Good music but not too loud, and not so quiet we had to keep voices down. When we arrived- we were sat promptly. Who does that now? Most say it will be a couple of minutes, which turns into 10. Some say the other table is still sitting and let us buy you a drink ( or not) and then it's 30 minutes. This place right on the money. Our table although right next to another was just fine. Comfortable seats - couldn't hear the people next to us nor us them. The waiter came right over and explained how the menu works- order off the menu or pay $50 a head per person and they set the menu. We choose the latter and asked he pair some wines for us at $25 a head. You would think $50 a head would be a few small plates in this town but no- we had 7 appetizers, 2 pasta dishes, and 2 mains and 2 desserts. All healthy portions, all A+. Each table may have something different too which makes it fun. I could list everything we ate but it was all excellent and a mix of things- fried oysters, homemade mozzarella with toast, salmon, pasta with clams, on and on and ON. And every single dish perfectly made. The service was just right- he wasn't at table too much but when we needed him he knew it. The wines chosen were perfect for our courses. I will go back without question, and back again, and again....don't wait to try this place. It is one in a million.

We were with a group of six, so were required to choose the tasting option. No exceptions. The four course meal progressed through a series of poorly conceived and executed dishes from cloyingly sweet peach gazpacho at the start to the bitter and gritty chocolate mousse at the end. In the running for the worst meal I've ever paid (a lot!) for. Perhaps the only thing worse was the pretentiousness of the place. All in an all a terrible dining experience.

We happened to be here during restaurant week, so only a tasting menu was on offer. It was terrific, every dish more delicious and creative than the last. And the amount of food was perfect--I felt replete but not stuffed.

My big takeaway from Staple and Fancy was the service. Incredible attention to detail and in depth knowledge of the menu. I think if you go here and don't get the chef's tasting--then you have really missed it. Order the "Fancy" and let them bring you what is good and fresh today--you will not regret it.

Dang, it's really good. We had 7 apps and 2 entrees plus dessert. They do everything well particularly the team-based servive.

Trendy place surrounded by three other restaurants. The atmosphere is hot and loud. The food is well done, tasty and ample. The service is fast and friendly. Worth the visit when leaving Seattle and headlines north.

We celebrated Julia's 30th birthday here ( my son's fiancé ) and it was perfect. First of all, I love the neighborhood, urban, full of surprises, a bit artsy but not cutesy. So just roaming around Ballard gets you in the mood. The restaurant itself sits in a rejuvenating semi-industrial part of Ballard Ave that is slightly away from the densest part shops and restaurant row. High ceilings, ware house feel, but the bar and tables all feel cozy. We had one right near the wall which helped the cozy, private atmosphere for us. The key here is the tasting menu. Bite after bit of delicious surprises, all carefully made. And sweet gestures. For example, they ask you if you have an allergies, AND any aversions. I have two blue cheese and beets. ( Feh!) When one of the salads had blue cheese they brought me my own private concoction, unasked for but appreciated. The steak they served was perfection, so was the fish ( wild salmon). We loved the cheese cake sliver, and of course they brought a chocolate desert with a candle in it for Julia. There were so many small, fun dishes that we were barely hungry when the main event came, but we ate it anyhow-- it was all that good. Their wine list was very good, but I brought my own anyhow-- a relatively young Leonetti that was fantastic and an equally lovely 2009 Cote de Betz Syrah. The corkage feel is 20 dollars but unless you have wines of your own you must have ( I did) they have really good bottles for 45.00 which I thought was very fair and welcoming. We had a terrific time- it suited the gravitas of this celebration and I highly recommend the restaurant. We will be back- is there a higher compliment than that?

Great atmosphere, service, wine and food! Amuse bouche strawberry peach tomato gazpacho. Fried Oysters, fennel salad, Calabrian chili aioli. Linguini Manila clams, spring garlic, Calabrian chili, white wine. Had the rose from France and the house refs blend and both were wonderful.

We always enjoy seeking out a tasting menu when on holiday and have experienced some wonderful introductions to specialist dishes in places in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. So when it was suggested we tried Staple and Fancy we jumped at the chance. Having read the reviews we thought we were in for a treat and were curious to find out what this seemingly well regarded restaurant could offer. But this was not what we expected, and far below the standard of previous tasting menus. Usually such a meal involves being offered a fusion of flavours which are explained by the host who tells how they decided to combined the elements to produce the final dish. But at Staple and Fancy the food just looks like a variety of starters and mains with no noticeable craft or experimentation behind the construction. There were no flavours that stood out, just large portions of very ordinary everyday grub slopped down on a plate and totally lacking in any culinary artistry. And it was all served in such a rush with a gabbled explanation from our waitress of what has been put on the plate. Courses come one after the other without any time to pause and digest. Sometimes we had three courses on the table at the same time. As soon as we finished another arrived with an equally gabbled description. And when asked about the food, the wine or the beer, our server seemed nonplussed and unable to add any more information than was already printed on the menu. Extremely disappointing. I suppose we have been lucky in the past. Every other tasting menu we have experienced has been a Trip Advisor 5* experience, but I am struggling to give this one two stars.

We had a good meal here. My husband had delicious pasta and I had fantastic scallops. The salad was Fresh and fabulous. Go and enjoy a meal at Staple and Fancy when you are in Seattle.

Yes, you can choose off the menu and I am sure it would be delicious, but just hand the menu back to them and for the bargain price of $50, the chef's menu will take you on a fantastic dining experience! Not only was each and every course absolutely delicious but the servers were extremely knowledgeable conveying the components of each plate as well. The meal is well paced and portioned so that you shall not leave hungry! The wine list is affordable and they are very helpful with the wine list (you won't find any attitude here). It appears that they truly want you to have a fabulous dining experience without breaking the bank. This is a definite "must-do" if you are in the area. Bon appetite!

Ethan Stowell has been in the business for a long time and with good results. Staple and Fancy, with not a large menu, serves outstanding food paired with excellent wines. Whether one orders off the menu, or lets the kitchen prepare a series of dishes paired with wines (1/2 or whole glasses), one can't miss. We've done it both ways and were delighted each time. S & F is always on our restaurant list when we visit Seattle.

We were not able to get a table on short notice, but after calling the restaurant I was informed by a most helpful hostess that they had seating at the bar. We excitedly proceeded to the restaurant. We were greeted warmly and shown to the bar where a most delightful bartender/waiter informed us of our choices for the evening. His recommendations were not only informative and unbiased, but most helpful. Kudos the the hostess, bartender, servers, and chefs! A most excellent meal!!

We went for dinner on a Saturday. The building is very cool in an industrial way. Everyone there was very friendly and attentive. Unfortunately the food was just average. Probably the best thing we had was the beet salad. We also had the fried oysters which were ok, the steak which was not good quality meat, and the scallops which were also just ok - nothing special. One last note, this place has gone to the automatic 20% service charge instead of the tipping system or as my girlfriend outs it, the participation trophy of tipping. Fortunately the service was very good but we have been to other service charge restaurants where they obviously didn't care about the service since they were getting 20% no matter what.

The daily tasting menu offered by the chef provides the diner with a great sample of what the full menu has to offer. The tasting menu consists of 4 courses. Appetizers/starters, pasta, protein and dessert. The starters course is worth the tasting menu in itself. This course consists of 6-7 small plates of all varieties. Be sure to come hungry when you want to order the tasting menu. This is great for a couple or for the table to share.

We checked in with a server before deciding to eat here to see if the pasta on the menu was vegetarian. She said it was but we couldn't have a table because they take reservations and were booked for the evening. So we ate at the bar. The bartender was very chatty and friendly and the cocktails were delicious. Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. The food menu doesn't appear exciting. The bread and butter is $4. It comes with a few olives that taste like orange. My friend got some sort of sausage pasta. He said it was good. I got the pea vine and mint ravioli. The flavor was delicious, though the portion was small for the price ($15). The problem was that my pasta was not cooked all the way. Crunchy edges. The bartender offered to take it back but I was so hungry after the 45 minute wait for the food, I just cut off the hard parts and ate the rest. They offered us free dessert, which was a nice gesture but we didn't get it because we were actually headed to dessert plans after. I fully expected to pay full price because I had eaten my food and not accepted the dessert, but the kitchen took my meal off the bill anyway. Very classy and professional. I'd go again. But I would make a reservation.

Unique tasty cuisine you will not find elsewhere. Lots of opportunity to try different combinations with your meal. Friendly, informative and attentive staff. Highly recommended!

We ate with friends, who did not want to try the "Fancy" option, so we ordered a la carte ("Staple" option) from the menu. Everything was great, from our mozzarella and nectarine, beet salad, and smoked bruschetta appetizers, to the entrees of king salmon, steak, pork loin, and whole (branzino) fish, to the three desserts we tried, the chocolate terrine with raspberry ice cream, the admirable ricotta cheesecake, and the amazing sorbetto with shortbread cookie. I loved my Sicilian red wine too. My big tip for this place is BOOK IN ADVANCE, well in advance. And consider the "Fancy" whenever you are there with a group.

Stowel's restaurants tend to be heavy on the red meats and unusual items, so I was hesitant to try tasting menu. But I am so glad we ordered this. There were at least 5 appetizers served (fried oysters, steak tartar, buffalo mozzarella, different but tasty gazpacho, ham, tuna, salad; two pasta dishes of gnocchi and another with chard and tomato; two entrees pork with delicious chard, salmon with corn; two desserts ricotta cheesecake and chocolate slice with salted ice cream - every dish of high quality and plenty of food. They are courteous as ask if there are any allergies or preferences and work around those. Wine list was extensive, with more $$ wines. But server matched a soft red that did fine for the wide range of foods presented to us. This wasn't a tasting menu of extremes that sometimes occurs as the flavors all worked together yet each was distinct. Bravo.

We had dinner with friends. By now we know the best plan is to opt for the $55/person “fancy” option, and let the restaurant decide on our dinner choices. (They are very careful to find out dietary preferences first.). Everything was fabulous, from the specialty cocktails to the killer red Barbara by the glass, to the splendiferous array of dishes, to the wonderful dessert. This dinner was a birthday present for one of the guests, and the restaurant also took care to leave birthday wishes at his plate and bring him a special dessert. We all walked out in a happy foodie daze. Definitely make reservations at this fabulous place, well in advance.

We visited Staple and Fancy while in Seattle and it was fantastic! We tried the four course chef tasting menu for $55 per person. They bring you seven (yes, seven) small plates to start the meal. They were all incredible and it was an excellent way to sample many flavored on the menu. Our first course included smoked salmon, steak tar tar, fried oysters, proccuito with olive oil, soup, salad and house made ricotta. The second course is a fresh pasta, which was a carbonara. The third course is a protein, which was a steak. The course course is desert, which was a grape sorbet. All excellent. The restaurant is dimly lit and great for date night. I highly recommend going here!

The smell coming from this restaurant as we walked by stopped us and we went in. Very romantic restaurant. We sat at the bar and noticed that they had a grill. As we had some food at another place down the street, we decided to try some of their wines. The recommendation from the bar tender was for a Sicilian which did not disappoint. In fact, we tried to find the bottle the next day. We saw how they grilled a complete fish and decided to go in for the grilled octopus. I love this dish but many restaurants don't know how to do it properly. They cooked it perfectly and served it with a nice creamy sauce with herbs, beans etc. Great place, enjoyed it and will come back to try the full menu.

Great food, great atmosphere! Simply a pretty cool place to eat! The chefs menu was outstanding and took the thinking out of a great a la carte menu.

From the first course to the last, the food was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing plus the service was outstanding. The Restaurant Week menu was fantastic - first course included Porchetta de Testa, Parsnip Soup, Fried Oysters, Beef Tartar and Gem Lettuce served family style. We selected the Rigatoni with braised rabbit and the grilled coulotte steak for our main course and we were not disappointed - both were delicious. As if that wasn't enough, we were then presented chocolate terrine and seasonal sorbetto for dessert which ended our meal perfectly. This was our first time at this restaurant and it will not be our last!

A warm and inviting environment, service,excellent and food. I had a wonderful Lamb leg.The 3 of us shared , sea bass, and pasta squid ink ,

We went here last night with our daughter and son-in-law who live in Seattle and we chose the 4 course dinner. The staff was friendly and helped us pick out a great bottle of wine. The 7 appetizers came at varying times, spaced well, and we thoroughly enjoyed them all. The yellow tail, in our opinion, was amazing, however, we all felt we should have been able to have 2 pieces each (only 7 were included). Next were the 2 pastas which we all enjoyed. All was going very well. Next were the entrees and here's where we were quite disappointed. The 2 pork loin slices were more of a portion for 2 and not 4 and the salmon was tiny and under cooked. The salmon was good quality and when we questioned how undercooked it was cooked we were told it was cooked properly but we could get it cooked more. We chose to keep it as is (we like sushi). The table next to us with 3 people had 2 much larger pieces of pork on their platter and they got the special seafood of the night, sea bass, another healthy portion and larger than our salmon for 4. Lastly came the desserts, panacotta and a wonderful peanut butter and chocolate dessert which was amazing. So overall we were all pleased. The bill came to $358 ($90 a piece), including tax and tip which while most of the meal was fantastic the entree sizes were not acceptable. We enjoyed our experience but will not be going back.

We stopped by to get a gift card to another restaurant, and didn't realize we were at a different place until after some oysters and wine. Best mistake we've made in a while. This is cozy, pleasantly noisy, with fresh briny oysters. The wine selection is small but quality, and the atmosphere is perfect. We wished we had more time to get back for a full meal, but that will wait for another day. If you like fresh oysters on the half shell and a good red wine, check this place out.

Save yourself some time and head-scratching... go for the $45 chef's menu served family-style. I am generally a pretty modest spender when I go out, but I decided a summer splurge was in order. This was a dining event (wear stretchy pants). Each plate was amazing and very different from the next. My only critique: the appetizer plates were brought out too quickly and we felt like we were racing to keep up. Otherwise it was a memorable meal w/ excellent service. [make a reservation]

I went to this restaurant with my spouse and some out-of-town friends and had a very lovely meal. We elected to "Do it Fancy" and felt this was a great choice. Every plate that they brought to us was absolutely delicious. It was also exciting and fun to wait to see what they would bring us next. I believe they brought us a total of 4 appetizers, 2 main plates and 2 desserts. Overall it was so much food that we had a difficult time finishing everything. Definitely worth the $50/person. The service was good, not extraordinary, but better than average. Our waiter was fairly attentive, as was the barkeep. The atmosphere is not really romantic since the setting is somewhat small and intimate in terms of how close you are to other diners. Be sure to make reservations since there is limited seating.

Not our first visit by a long way, we went to S&F for Seattle Restaurant Week. The five appetizers were presented for the table but as my wife is a vegetarian I tasted the meat dishes and she tried the non-meat. She reported that the house made arancini were very good and she also enjoyed the salad. I got the prosciutto, smoked salmon and chicken liver mousse - all perfectly executed and delicious! For the entree course she chose the ravioli with peas and I elected for the culotte steak. Both dishes sounded wonderful on the menu and neither disappointed. Victoria reported that the chocolate amaretto cake was ever so slightly dry and could have done with more of the orange anglaise. For my part the sorrel panna cotta with rhubarb was light and delicious!

Although we live close by, we had not visited until this week when we had family in town. We really enjoyed it, great service and a nice tasting menu that features a group of appetizers so you can sample a variety without too much of any one. We will return.

Chef's dinner has been different each time I have had the distinct pleasure of dining here. When in Seattle this is a must stop. In a city full of fabulous food this place still manages to stand out. Creative, fresh, delicious all in a warm intimate environment. Feels like you are in your friend's kitchen and they keep whipping up amazing dishes for you to try! WOW!

We attend as part of a surprise party for a friend's retirement, in the Cellar Room. We've eaten at Staple and Fancy before and always enjoyed it very much, so we had pretty high expectations; Chef David Glass and his crewed exceeded them and helped make the evening a memorable experience. We started with some snacks around the bar, and then sat down to an amazing meal. There were several appetizers (the Bruschetta, Roasted Beet Salad, Roasted Carrots, and I can't remember what else). The Pasta came next -- Ravioli and a Puttanesca not on the menu. Entrees were the Wood Grilled Whole Fish with Sprouts, Crispy Potatoes (simple but outstanding), two items not on the menu -- a Salmon dish, and fresh green beans. Everything was delicious and nicely presented. We were 14 people total, including some with various dietary restrictions; Chef David was able to work accommodate everyone. We have our own celebration coming up later this year, and we're planning to come right back to the Cellar Room at Staple and Fancy. One thing to note -- be prepared for the Cellar Room to be a bit cool.

We enjoyed a fabulous experience last night at Staple & Fancy. There were dishes with ingredients such as lamb cheeks, ravioli with foie gras, appetizers included a kale salad with anchovy, a beet salad with apples, yogurt and nut granola. There was a nice selection of wines, too. The best part for us, being four vegetarians/pescatarians, was that many of the items could be customized to eliminate meat. The whole fish was delicious, for example. We plan on coming back.

We stopped in waiting on a table for another restaurant and stayed for drinks, & came back the next night for a great dinner. The taster option of the menu is a great way to go and worth every penny. Service was very cool and offered some great options for live music while we were in town.

We had the excellent Chef's Menu. Very reasonably priced, excellent selection, everything was delicious and the kitchen was able to accommodate my desire to not eat fish while still bring the famous oysters for the rest of the table. Highly recommend.

Went there after a busy day and was not disappointed. Service was spot on and food was well prepared, delivered on time and delicious! Only issue was with the drinks and it's just a personal thing. I hate it when pours come in a mini carafe to show you you're getting the "correct" amount. IMO, if you're going to do that, fill it to the top to let the customer know their getting a little more than normal!

My husband and I went here for our wedding anniversary and it was such a wonderful experience! When we called to make reservations they where already booked but the hostess told us to call on the day of and they may have cancellations and they did!! They do have a walk up bar area that is a first come first serve area. Our waitress was welcoming and really fun personality. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and the booth we sat in felt private. We followed other recommendations and ordered the "fancy menu" which was chef choice and I'm so glad that we did. The appetizer dish comes out very fast, don't be overwhelmed, they won't bring the next course until you are finished. Overall, we had a great experience and plan to return often.

To be fair, we ordered the "staple" when the "fancy" might have met our expectations. After looking at the reviews, it seemed like those who gave such positive ratings had done so. We dined with our family while on vacation and ordered a nice selection off the menu. We saw that there was an option for the chef to cook his choice but the whole table needed to order that way. Given that we were with 3 youngish kids, it didn't make sense to us so we went ahead and ordered regular items. The seafood gnocchi was so fishy it had to be sent back as it tasted as if it had gone bad and the lamb in the papardelle was chewy and also off-tasting. I would give this 2.5 stars if that was an option. We drove kind of a long way for a mediocre experience.

We really enjoyed this restaurant...loved the atmosphere and dinner was delicious. We chose to go the Staple route, and while I wished we would have been able to try the Fancy menu, we were definitely NOT disappointed in any of our choices ordering ourselves. Would highly recommend Staple & Fancy and would definitely come back again!

We are world travelers and this place is one of our all time favorite restaurants. The only problem is getting a reservation due to its popularity. We heartily recommend the chef's tasting menu, which changes often. Every dish was superb and a taste sensation. The service was quick without being rushed- each course appeared shortly after finishing the previous one. Each dish comes with special touches, amazing flavors and well presented. The place is cozy and vibrant, located in a renovated old brick structure in Ballard. Don't miss this place!

This restaurant was a favorite on our recent trip to Seattle. The food was exceptional, the service awesome, and location easy to get to with a taxi from downtown Seattle.

Pros: excellent service, interesting and perfectly prepared food. A real treat! Cons: music is too loud and pricey but you do get what you pay for.

I ate here for restaurant week a while ago and absolutely loved everything we had, from beginning to end. I know we had a tartar and a small soup... everything you eat will be good so try a little bit of everything if you can! It's super busy and we were about 30 minutes late getting our table but we were able to stand/sit at the bar and get drinks until our table was ready.

As a fan of other Ethan Stowell restaurants I was prepared for an imaginative but not overly trendy experience. Our group of 5 opted for skipping the tasting menu. The first course options are very limited and the two we had were just average. A side order of bread was ordered, $5, seemed petty. The main courses ranging from whole fish to pasta dishes were all very good. The restaurant has moved to a tipping model that builds 20 % into your bill. Having waited many a table in college I always tip at least that. Only problem is the servers don't get the majority of it. 7 percent is given to kitchen help and the rest is split with the bar. In an effort to comply with new minimum wage requirements in Seattle, they have found a way of passing that cost on to the consumer and in the process actually hurting the waitstaff. This idea, although at first glance a progressive version of tip pooling and spreading the tips out among kitchen help, bartenders and the like, is really just a way of the proprietor passing on the cost by taking tips from waiters and allocating them toward the minimum wage requirement. It's a bad deal for the workers and they should reconsider this transparent approach.

This restaurant always stands out at one of my favorites. The food is unique with interesting dishes and at the same time feels like good comfort food. Great wine menu. Fun place to go with friends. Always fun when Ethan Stowell drops by your table to see how everything is going!

One of our favorite Seattle restaurants and our favorite of Ethan Stowell's. We always get the Chef's menu and its delightful. Highly recommend.

I went with a group of 5 to Staple and Fancy and had a delightful time! We opted to let them create our meal, so had no idea what we were going to get. I honestly can't remember everything we ate, but it was well worth it. Everything is served on a plate, bowl or platter and you and your friends are left to divvy it up between you. Sometimes it's just a bite, sometimes it's a little more, but by the end of the meal you will be satisfied. They brought out about 5 appetizers to start - fried speck, panko-breaded and fried oysters with a spicy aioli, endive, fennel and pomegranate salad, a demitasse cup of potato soup with micro-chives, seared albacore, etc. Next came 2 perfectly cooked pork loin pieces (with sauce and baby bok choy), and a nice piece of swordfish with red lentils. Wasn't sure how we were going to divvy up between 5 of us, but we managed. Last came desserts - one was a delicious cheesecake (2 thin slices) with some kind of yummy sauce, and a panacotta with crunchy pineapple bits on top (super-light and delicious). We consumed two bottles of a sweet white German wine (whose name I can't pronounce or spell - we let the waitress pick for us). I'm sure we spent a pretty penny (I was lucky enough to be treated for dinner) but it was really excellent. Worth it if you want to treat yourself to a great experience. Our waitress was very friendly and just delightful. All in all, a great evening. Parking nearby or you can find street parking. More for adults than children. Enjoyable, relaxing, never felt rushed. Make reservations in advance to get the time you want as this is a small restaurant with limited seating. Really great gem right in the heart of Ballard.

We joined some friends at Marine Hardware for a birthday celebration. Talk about an awesome experience. We all did the 4 course chef's choice but also ordered the smoked foie gras. Everything we had was simply outstanding! We had the Ahi Crudo, Crab Salad, Smoked Foie Gras Terrine, English Pea Agnolotti, and Prime New York Strip Steak. We finished with a variety of desserts that were all excellent as well. If you don't order anything else, at least try the Smoked Foie Gras, it is insanely good. The sauce on the Prime New York Strip is one of the best reductions I've ever had. We all agreed it was truly one of the best meals we've had in Seattle, or anywhere for that matter. We were also fortunate to be served by Gabriel Hodges, the restaurant GM. He was awesome and the service was as good as the meal. Truly a memorable evening for a special occasion! We will be back.......often!

Fabulous restaurant in Ballard. The Chef's Menu changes, so I'm not sure how much good it does to rave about particular food. Three of us shared house-made prosciutto which melts in your mouth, fried oysters which was the low point, wonderfully crisp salad with green goddess dressing and hard boiled egg, barely charred albacore tuna which also would melt in your mouth, steak tartar which was slightly spicy and delicious, a lightly sauteed white fish with a garbanzo bean salad, roast pork that tasted like it might have been brined as it was tender and juicy, and topped off with a chocolate something and vanilla something with toffee crumbles. This is all a real bargain at $55 a head. Noisy, fun atmosphere! Go - you will love it.

Nice ambiance, thoughtful and attentive service, and wonderful food. We did the four course menu and would definitely recommend it. It's a lot of food (which makes the price less surprising), and is spaced nicely so you don't get full or feel rushed. Simply excellent.

Three of us went for the tasting menu. It was a great evening. We started out tasting seven appetizers. A salad, ahi tuna, Prosciutto, parsnip & pear soup, Broccoli Rabe, Fried oysters and steak tartar. Next was a pasta with snap peas. Then there was sea bass and pork loin. Finally dessert consisted of panacea with pineapple and caramel pearls and a peanut butter cake and ice cream. All were delicious. Of course my descriptions do not really do the dishes justice, but trust me they were very good. Service was also very friendly, efficient and helpful.

We loved our dinner at S&F, and the atmosphere of the old building was delightful. Its location in the downtown area of the Ballard neighborhood makes for great pre- or post-meal walking and/or bar-hopping. We shared the tuna bruschetta for an appetizer, and they use extremely fresh, sustainably caught tuna which you can buy on the Farmer's Market in Ballard on Sundays. Delicious! In addition to generously sized green salads, we had the pork chops and the whole fish (branzino, de-boned) entrees. They both were cooked and seasoned perfectly. We shared the hazelnut chocolate terrine for dessert, and also enjoyed it. In all, highly recommended!

My husband and I came her to celebrate my birthday. We decided to be adventurous and try the "Do it Fancy" chef's choice menu. What I really liked is that they asked us if there was anything that we were allergic to or absolutely do not like. As for libations, my husband ordered his usual old fashioned and I ordered a champagne cocktail. Both were very delicious! The food came out very quickly. We had about 5 or 6 small appetizer plates consisting of a salad, cheese plate, fried oysters, a mini soup, and a couple spreads. They were all quite unique and very flavorful. For dinner they brought us each a New York strip steak. I was hoping we would get something a little more unique for our entree. The steak was okay, not the best I've ever had. Then for dessert they brought us the cheesecake. It was good but again, I wish they brought us something a little more unique/foodie. Overall, very good! But, next time we come here, we will order our own items off the menu, just so we can ensure we are able to try what we want to try.

I finally tried Staple & Fancy after hearing about it for years. Ethan Stowell's restaurant did not disappoint with its creative kitchen. Interesting and successful unusual combinations of spices and herbs, terrific sense of creative textures, excellent service that was present but not intrusive. My only warning is to be prepared for the check.

Tasting menu was fantastic. Every item was a stand out. Service charge is included and is outstanding. Everyone was well fed and happy at the end of a great meal.

The food in the chef's tasting menu is amazing, truly every bite is fabulous. But you should know, because no one told us, including the wait staff, how MUCH food is coming your way. We were served plates of sardines, then salmon, then burrata, then salad, then tuna on toast, and then soup, and we were full. The plates kept coming, and we ate every delicious bite thinking we were finished. Not. Finished. Next came two types of pasta. Next came pork chops and tuna steaks. Next came ice creams and cake. Come hungry if you elect to have the tasting selection. You can also order from the menu. Whatever you choose, the food is truly, memorably exceptional.

My husband and I dined here on the weekend. Our seats were in front of the kitchen and it was VERY hot. I didn't mind so much, but my husband was uncomfortable. I'm giving this restaurant a 4 star rating because I really didn't think the service was as good as I hoped. Also I don't mind tipping 20% if I'm getting 20% service. Was a little surprised with that being added to our bill automatically. Food was nice, but my husband and I both agreed we wouldn't be back.

We visited Staple & Fancy for our anniversary and couldn't have been more impressed! We opted to be "fancy" and enjoyed the $55/person, 4 course menu. Ariana was outstanding! She, as well as the rest of the serving staff, carefully explained each item brought out to us. We enjoyed 7 appetizers, seafood pasta, a pork entree, as well as a chocolate raspberry dessert. Ariana also did a fantastic job of pairing the wines with each course. The atmosphere in the restaurant was just right, we could easily talk to the other person, yet knew our conversation was private. From the food to the service to the ambiance, this was a true "culinary experience"!

We had the four course chef's special in this unique restaurant. Service and preparation was excellent. In old Ballard. Parking is a little tough, maybe offer valet?

We hosted a birthday party with 10 people. I was a little put out by the fact that for a table of six or more you are required to order the tasting menu rather than the ala carte menu. As it turns out the tasting menu is over the top, wine list is exceptional and service is spot on. Great find in the Ballard area.

This is a hot, hot restaurant in the trendy (and also old time Scandinavian) Ballard neighborhood in Seattle. Its companion restaurant, which is adjoining, is the equally excellent Walrus and the Carpenter. This place absolutely requires advance reservations, and your best bet would be to book well before you actually arrive in Seattle. It is a lively space with exposed brick walls and lots of energetic conversation. The food is simply extraordinary. We were a group of 4 and opted for the 4 course menu, which got us an astounding array of fabulous appetizers, a wonderful pasta course, a main course, and a pair of delicious desserts. I don't eat meat and my friends do -- no problem, we got an alternate choice, or more, with every course. We also sampled the wine, which was outrageous. Service was expert, friendly, and attentive. Try to eat here, it is special.

So, its hard to say why I don't love this place but I just don't. Can't quite put my finger on it - the room is good, the staff is wonderful, its always crowded and the food is always nice. And the bar and wine list is also good. But it's not so good that I find myself going back all that often. And when I get the bill I realize that I can have the same good experience at other places, often for less. I think that its the divide between the clientele who enjoy a buzzy restaurant and are less concerned about perfect food and those of us who are less interested in the buzz and more interested the food. Not to say that there aren't gems on the menu but taken as a whole it just doesn't come together for me. But the service is always great! and so is the bar.

This place is resting on its laurels on the past. The cooking has gotten lazy and uninspired. Do yourself a favor and go next door.

I was here Sunday night and really liked the food. I was In town visitin and my friends took me here. Overall, the food was creative and fun. we split everything. 3 appetizers - the burrata, beets and abalone. All delicious. then we each ordered a main. I had the salmon, one firend had the halibut and another the Bolognese. All were very good, but frankly the Bolognese was the standout. It had some mint in it that just really leant a good flavor. No dessert as we were tired and stuffed. The tables on either side of us ordered the tasting menu. I'd probably try that next time. Overall, good service and tasty food. I'd return.

Excellent samplers for 6 of us! Personal favorite was the pasta plates, also loved the tuna, halibut and deserts!!! Service was timely, polite, and all suggestions by the waitstaff were spot on. I would recommend it highly, but it is a tad pricey.

We are always looking for a restaurant where our daughter in law can pursue her vegan lifestyle, and Staple and Fancy is just such a place. Although the tasting menu might seem pricey, it is actually an excellent value. Were you to order just a few courses off the main menu the price would be the same. Wish they had one where we live in Southern California.

We had gone out intending to go to another restaurant, but it was unexpectedly closed. Staple and Fancy was nearby, so we decided to see if they could seat us — 8PM on a Sunday. Their tables were all reserved, but they offered us a seat at the bar. Normally my wife is wary of barstools, because she is short and on some barstools her feet dangle, which is uncomfortable, but the stools at Staples and Fancy had rungs, so she could get comfortable. We happened in on one of the nights of Seattle Restaurant Week, when a number of restaurants in Seattle offer a three-course meal at a reduced price. At Staple and Fancy, the set menu consisted of five tapa-sized appetizers with each dinner, plus a choice of entree and a choice of dessert. The appetizers comprised prosciutto and parmesan; steak tartare with grilled bread; arancini, a kind of crusted rice ball; gem lettuce salad (like mini-Romaine), anchovy dressing, croutons; grilled albacore with fennel. I thought they were all delicious little bites; my wife was not enthusiastic about the arancini. For the entree, I had the seared scallops with fregola (like couscous); the other choices were culotte steak, rigatoni with bolognese, and ravioli with butternut squash. The scallops were also delicious, tender. My wife had the rigatoni, and regretted that she hadn't also gotten the scallops. We both had dulce de leche panna cotta; the other dessert choices were a brownie, or pomegranate sorbet with a shortbread cookie. The panna cotta was not too sweet, the caramel didn't overpower it, and the raisins and streusel were great accents. The bartender was very accommodating. When I told her that I'd like a non-alcoholic drink (driving), she suggested a mocktail with orange and cranberry juice, rhubarb bitters, and another bitters. A taste treat. We have eaten here before a couple of times, both for the tasting menu with the whole family and for separate entrees. Everything is prepared and presented with care, and the food is wonderful. The place is an old commercial building in the old part of Ballard, and a lot of the original finish of the store, which sold Staple and Fancy Merchandise, is still there: heavy, gouged and stained wood plank flooring, exposed brickwork walls, an open metalwork staircase down to the bathrooms. The line cooks are busy at the grills and ovens along one wall, with the bar nearer the entrance on that wall. The lighting is subdued. It can be a little noisy because of all the hard surfaces: wood, brick, metal. It's on one floor, not large, with maybe twenty tables, seating 50-60 people. It's a very comfortable place with great food.

Everyone had something different and we all agreed the food was great! The Caramele dish was very savory with a rich sauce. The brussel sprouts were shared between 4. Excellent!

Went there for a nice dinner with my wife, who is vegan. Wait staff was super accommodating, pointing out menu and tens like the beet salad with raddiccio (wow), roasted brussel sprouts (with anchovy dressing on the side), and they made her a vegan rissotto with mushroom that she thoroughly enjoyed. Impressive wine list, although I went with the Taylor Made cocktail and had an Amari with dessert (cheesecake with huckleberry), she had a delicious sorbet. I had a the swordfish, so perfectly for done. A rare 5 star review!

Know that there are four, yes, four fabulous places in one trendy building. We had heard good things about the Walrus and the Carpenter and a little bit about the Barnacle (love the name) but knew nothing about Staple & Fancy and Marine Hardware - all in the same building. All fabulous but slightly different. Staple & Fancy is more food than bar whereas the other three seem more bar with some food. Plus, it has a muted environment of darker woods, and feels more like a den, where as the other venues are brighter. All except the Barnacle, which charmed us with it's glass-enclosed bar and leg of prosciutto prominently displayed, have outdoor seating. Don't let Staple & Fancy's diminutive menu fool you - there are many tasty options. I had the Hamachi crudo and a salad of mixed greens (needed to keep it light...although got a little stuck on the warm baguette with butter, sea salt and olive tapenade) my husband ordered the conchiglie nero - the black pasta was yummy (had to sneak a bite) and wonderful looking. People in the know were ordering the four-course meal, served family style, with all sorts of good-looking tapas. We plan to do the same next time.

This was my first time eating at Staple and Fancy; my friend had dined there once before. This was the first time either of us ordered the tasting menu. Whether you put yourself in the chefi's capable hands with a tasting menu or just order a la carte, I would be surprised if most diners couldn't find something to like about Staple and Fancy. The food is over-the-top good and the service excellent. We were served by Mary, who did an admirable job of explaining the menu. The tasting menu is more of a leap of faith than in most comparable restaurants because you don't know for sure what is going to be served--it will be items from the regular menu but the restaurant doesn't commit to telling you exactly which items in advance. That said, we had the opportunity to make our likes and dislikes known in advance and were told if there was something in particular that interested us to let Mary know. I was particularly impressed by the tapas that started the meal--there were a lot of different items in that one course and it seemed as though each one was better than the last. I am not normally a fan of liver pate but Staple and Fancy made me a believer with their light, airy version. The pasta dish (ravioli) was letter perfect. The main course was hanger steak, not a cut I normally would have ordered, but it turned out to be surprisingly tender and tasty. At $55 per person, the tasting menu seems to me like the right way to go. A word about service: we had someplace we needed to be for a show following dinner and we let Mary know that. She and the kitchen were very accommodating and we made our show on time with no problem. When I go back, I will allocate more time just to enjoy dinner but know that Staple and Fancy is not a bad choice for a pre-show meal.

My friend and I decided to try this place even though the name of the restaurant is ridiculous. The atmosphere was nice, the servers were great, the food was wonderful, but the desserts were mediocre. I suggest that the restaurant hire a real baker, do some taste tests and bring the dessert quality up to appetizer and entree level.

We were in Seattle for the holidays and our dinner at Staple & Fancy was a big highlight! I have to say that my Coulotte steak was the best I've ever had. The chef (Ricky) on the grill was hustling all night, but took a moment to come to our table so we could thank him in person. Wonderful atmosphere and great service. Bravo!

This meal was amazing!! We were visiting friends in Seattle, who have been wanting to try this restaurant. We didn't know anything about it, but after seeing the menu, we were in. We debated over Staple (a la carte) or Fancy (chef's choice) and decided to go Fancy. What a great decision! We were told the first course would be like tapas, the next would be pasta, the 3rd protein, and the 4th dessert. We informed our awesome server (wish I could remember her name but she has very cool glasses and LOVES her job) of our food quirks, and then just relaxed until the food came out! The first course was amazing! Housemade mozzarella, Speck, local romaine with anchovy dressing (so crisp & refreshing), seared albacore with chili, smoked blue fish pate on crostini (delicious!) , English spring pea soup (my friend said she could eat just that every day for lunch) & deep fried seminola encrusted oysters (and I could eat these.) I am hopefully remembering the preparations, since there was no menu! The second course...pasta...was 2 separate dishes. Gnocchi with a spicy tomato clam sauce (Diavolo?) and linguini with garlic, butter and black truffles. That linguini was out of this world! Protein: Perfectly cooked beef striploin, over Farro. And a crisp, moist piece of salmon over a cauliflower puree. We were so happy and so full, but there was still dessert! Dessert was also 2 items: a light but rich panna cotta with raspberries, and a chocolate terrine, with chocolate ice cream over chocolate crumbs. We were SO happy with this meal. Our server helped us pick out a very reasonably priced wine to go along with it (okay, 2 bottles.) We thanked the chefs, who are cooking right there in sight of everyone, and discovered that they customize the dishes per table, depending on ingredients, customer food issues and their creative flair! What a treat. This truly seems like a labor of love, and we are the lucky recipients.

My spouse surprised me for a "significant" birthday with a dinner with friends at this restaurant. Unbelievable and one of the best meals of my life. We had the Chef's tasting menu and from the first bite to the last, fabulous pairings of flavors. The ambience of the restaurant was just what I love, dim but not too dark, and small enough to feel intimate but not claustrophobic. I was worried by "tastes" that the food would be "precious" and not enough of it for the guys but there honestly was almost too much! One of our friends actually stood up and let his belt out a notch after the pasta course. Not for picky eaters (we had beef tongue and pork cheeks for the meat course) but they did ask before the meal if there were any allergies or foods that anyone didn't like. If you like adventurous dining at a great value for the money, make your reservations now before they realize what a deal this is for one of the top restaurants in Seattle!

What a delightful experience. We ate with a group of 6 and were required to chose the tasting option. Each and every one of us loved it. They did a great job of meeting our do not like options. All 4 courses were great and we all agreed they were all items we wouldn't have ordinarily ordered. Try it!

My niece and her friend suggested we meet at this restaurant on our recent visit back to Seattle. We decided on the chefs choice and it was a great decision. Our server Cate was excellent in her description of each course and wine serving. I tried things that I would never have before and enjoyed most. The rest of the party indulged in what I didn’t want. We had bruschetta, beets, kale salad, carrots and turnips, oysters, moist chicken and dessert. I may have missed something too! It was a special night.

We had a 5p reservation and our table was ready. We were escorted by a very nice wait staff. Our server was Miriam and she was fabulous. She explained each course and made sure on of the guest with dietary challenges was happy. Some courses were disappointing; fried oysters(dull and rubbery), House made cheese on bread(meh), squash soup (not as refined as it's description). Otherwise other offerings were good. We had a particularly noisy table next to us but they were having fun and we managed.

I had a fantastic dinner at Staple and Fancy on a recent trip to Seattle. We had planned on doing the "fancy" tasting menu, but we were not starving when we got there, and didn't want to eat several courses. We ordered right off the regular menu instead. We shared the grilled octopus appetizer, which was perfectly cooked and seasoned. My husband had paccheri pasta with clams and I had the gnocchi. Both pastas were fantastic. The kitchen is open, and we enjoyed watching the chefs in action. Our server was super friendly and enthusiastic about the food she was serving. The place is small, with an intimate brick interior. We went on a Wednesday night, and the place was packed, so I would say reservations are a must.

Loved this place! Great food, ambiance and cool vibes with an occasional singing chef! They were playing Sir Duke and singing along while preparing the food. We had the bucatini, summer squash ravioli and grilled snap peas. Highly recommend this place!

Everything about Staple and Fancy was lovely. Food creative and delicious, drinks strong but tasty, and service smiling and quick. Normally, this would be 4.5 stars. However, there was a fruit fly in one of my dishes and I immediately alerted the bartender (we were eating at the bar). I wasn't overly concerned because it's a restaurant and I know that you can't really control that, but at a restaurant of this caliber I at least expected the dish to be removed from our check. Overall, I get it, I didn't appear to be overly alarmed by the situation, and highly doubt this is a regular occurrence, but I do believe the procedure for a bug in one's dish should involve ensuring the customer does not pay for that dish.

We sat at the bar with an adorable bartender Michael, or as I called him – Mikey. He was the perfect amount of attentive and snarky that added to our meal. We split a few apps – the chick pea salad and the heirloom tomato and watermelon. Both were out of this world good. So good, I barely had room for my perfectly cooked, fresh from the ocean off the coast of Oregon scallops. Karen went with a pasta stuffed with an English pea purée and served with mushrooms. She was still reminiscing about Canlis. Both entree’s were also fantastic, hitting the spot and filling the bellies. Luckily we had a little walk before we got dessert (enter the hot cakes…)

We went for a business dinner and had a private room. Showing up in the Uber I was confused where I was. Our private room was hidden. I felt like I was in an old speak Easy. The room was in the basement but it was nice. The food was great. Oysters, mozzarella, Salad, steak, ravioli, etc. the only part of the meal I didn’t love was dessert. It was fine but not great.

This is one of the most popular places I take friends, family and business partners when they visit from out of town to show off Seattle. I always have a great experience here - perfect for a date night, but so much fun in a larger group as well (you'll get to taste more variety!). Ballard is a short enough cab ride north of downtown that getting to the neighborhood is easy to do. Reservations are a must. Even though online reservations are sometimes completely booked I've had luck (not always, but sometimes!) when I've called the day of to see if they could squeeze me in. ALWAYS do the 'fancy' option - the chef's menu. Be prepared to spend a couple hours enjoying a family style tasting menu; you'll be sharing the dishes with the table. There are usually around 6 appetizers, followed by a pasta course, main course, and dessert. I can never finish everything - it ends up being more than enough food. If you're not quite sure you are adventurous enough to put yourself in the hands of the chef don't worry - even if there's an appetizer or two mixed in that you're not up to finishing you'll still leave satisfied. The waitstaff always makes sure to ask if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies beforehand as well. The service is friendly and attentive, even while the place is busy - I've always gotten great wine recommendations and have never felt rushed to finish, even though some nights it's completely booked. The menu is constantly changing, so I like to get back at least seasonally for different dishes. I absolutely love the gnocchi, and am always thrilled when it's included on the menu. I'll be back again and again. :)

9p on a cold rainy Monday night, what a port in the storm. Staff markedly friendly and relaxed. Champagne, Hamachi, scallops, squash ravioli, and winter Brussel sprouts. 2012 Barolo. A beautiful date. It doesn't come much better.

My partner and I have had this place on our list for some time. We visited during Seattle Restaurant Week and did their tasting menu. Overall we enjoyed most of the dishes, and would recommend visiting (especially during their 5-6 HH with great value). Again, this is part of the Ethan Stowell empire, so you’ll get consistent quality and service, but admittedly not the most creativity. A solid 4/5. Food: All appetizers were included, and we also got some Sea Wolf baguette on the side (always to drool for). Appetizers were the let down for me, especially the acorn squash soup. The beef tartare was extremely well done though, and my partner liked the fried oysters (admittedly I didn’t). Mains were potato gnocchi and hanger steak. Stowell always nails his gnocchi! Hanger steak was well balanced and overall filling. Dessert was Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake (recommend) and Amaretto Cake (hard Pass. Literally was over baked and dried out). Drinks: We shared two cocktails and found them average. Nothing exciting for the price, but the half glasses of wine are of decent value. Atmosphere: Social, quaint and lovely. A great romantic date night, with lots of places to start or end around.

So I have heard a lot about his place. Everything I have heard were favorable remarks so of course I had to try it for myself. I hate to start out by saying that I particularly was not totally taken with this place. While it is a cool place visually the service, in point our server, was not that great nor was my meal. The server had some kind of attitude that was not appealing at all, very cold and not friendly, In fact, my husband remembered him from the last time he was there. Same reception or lack there of... He took our order after delivering our drinks. We did not order any starters as we anticipated just being able to only have enough room for our entrees. The server was taken by the fact we did not want any starters and abruptly pointed out to us what we ordered would take up to 20 minutes or so. We told him were fine with that...and what a weird look he gave us...??? Some people are not big eaters like others. Then we did get a bit hungry while waiting so I stopped another server, as our server never checked on us after giving him our order even though he pasted our table a few times without look our direction, we ordered some bread. She made it clear to us that they charged extra for that, as if we looked like homeless people off the streets, not quite. My husband got his pork chop entree and I the whole fish. Very underwhelming! The pork chop was just fine but not great and my whole fish was under seasoned and soggy, literally. Not just moist but soggy. You ask why did we even go if my husbands last time there was not that good either because he wanted me to judge it for myself without his pre determined opinion. After all of that we ate and ran. I won't be going back but do love a few of the other places that are affiliated with Stable and Fancy/ESR like How to Cook a Wolf, Tavolata and Ballard Pizza. This is just my opinion and experience.

Amazing!!! Just amazing! This restaurant is my top three meals in Seattle. For value for money my top meal! If this is your first time -- I highly recommend the chef's menu! We were concerned we would leave hungry like we did at Rover's (where we paid 3x the cost and ended up at Dicks at the end of the night) - I am sitting here stuffed! Here is how everything rolled out - 4 courses: 1. Small Plates: 7 dishes! Amazing!!! a) prosciutto (AMAZING!) b) Ricotta with peas and bread cracker (AMAING) c. Potato leek soup shot (AMAZING...see the theme!) d. Beef Tatare (AMAZING!) e. Salad (okay) f.hamachi crudo (AMAZING!) g. oysters (AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!) -- the was course 1! 2. Pasta course was delicious - it was a thicker spaghetti noodle with paramesan and fried pancetta....absolutely delicious...I would have loved a bowl to myself! 3. All about pork!! Four types of pork: homemade pork sausage, pork croquette, slice of pork belly and pork loin! To support the all pork course was mushrooms and parsnips! Again amazingly delicious! 4. Chocolate terrine with vanilla ice cream and orange compote - the perfect end of an amazing dinner! We supported by this with a double espresso and Americano - again super delicious!! I can't say enough about this meal - all of this for $110 for two people. Our overall bill was higher because of the alcohol consumption but well below Cafe Juanita and Canlis. This restaurant was up there with Canlis and Cafe Juanita -- but the value for money is here!!! You must go!!!

If you are looking for a unique dining experience in an amazing place that will make you feel like a local in the heart of Ballard, one of Seattle's hippest neighbourhoods, this is the place. If you want outstanding food with a superb value price tag, the chef's menu is what you've been looking for. If you want service that's genuine and friendly and personal and doesn't think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread but thinks that you are, this is the restaurant you're after. Thirteen courses hand selected and made for our table with everything from oysters to steak to salmon to pasta to soup to gelato, this place is something special in how it will make you feel and all without breaking the bank or feeling like you're just not cool enough to be here... For the full review and photos, please take a moment to visit: http://edibleangel.com/2014/08/23/becoming-a-seattle-local-for-1-night-over-13-courses/

Great service, great food, and a wonderful rose` wine that apparently is a staff favorite all made for a fun evening with a friend. Though many of the items on the menu look fabulous, the thing to do (really, do it!) is to go with the chef's menu aka the Fancy Menu. Based on previous advice we did not do the wine pairing that often goes with the chef's menu, but the table next to us did and we decided we were fine sharing a bottle we knew we would like. Just a preference thing.

First I should just tell you that Staple and Fancy's clam linguine is fantastic and you should order it if you appreciate perfect pasta and succulent clams. But honestly, everything we ordered was of premium quality and very skillfully - though not fancily - prepared. Groups of four or more should definitely consider ordering family style.

Went with a girl friend, had the Ravioli. Enjoyed the meal IMMENSELY (who'd have thought ravioli could be "fancy"), service was terrific.. wasn't s fan of the mandatory 20% gratuity. I would've tipped 20% happily by choice, but was annoyed at being forced to do so.

Anniversary Tasting Menu (60 a person) (in 2020) 2 Hours Awesome! I was particularly happy to see the Southern Italian influence in the food. The spicier (Calabrian) butter & aioli and seasonings in a few of the dishes was delicious, think nduja. The Southern Italian wines were also represented well. We drove 1200 miles through Southern Italy last year and it is nice to see the representation. The atmosphere was also very nice. Very open and fun to watch the bartender and cooks, but with the dim lights, it felt intimate and comfortable. The staff is a team and we felt like we were taken care if by everyone including of course our server. A full bar with custom cocktails too :) All in all a great anniversary dinner!

After striking out at another restaurant in Ballard (45min wait), we decided to try Staple and Fancy. I was quite happy we did! I started with a choice from their extensive wine list and we ended up with a very nice Sangiovese wine that we all really enjoyed. While we were waiting for the wine to show up, we looked over the menu and decided that rather than picking from the a la carte menu, we would all go with the $55/person chef's choice. It came with a large number of appetizers that were shared tapas style, a pasta dish, two main dishes and two desserts for a table of three people. All of the dishes were well conceived and prepared well by the kitchen staff. The food as beautiful to look at as it was to taste. The service was also very good - the staff seemed to keep just exactly the right numbers of dishes on the table at a time which took some doing with the 5-6 different appetizers that were brought out along with the other courses. The place is a bit on the expensive side - I spent over $125/person with the wine and a fairly generous gratuity included, but I would absolutely come back here again.

You can order nearly anything on the menu (depending on your likes) and have a very happy set of taste buds. Some of the best pasta dishes in Seattle. Combined with a very lovely wine and cocktail menu to compliment your food. And a lovely atmosphere round out a lovely dinner.

Wow. Go for the Chef's tasting special, "Fancy" and let them choose your 8 course dinner, all for under $50. Exceptional food and service. Each dish was over-the-top good. We could not have eaten another morsel of food. Every course was light but simply too good not to eat it all. Interior was warm and cozy with direct viewing into the kitchen area. Go. Go. Go. Will definitely go back on future visits to Seattle.

If you visit Seattle this is a must! Get the chef's tasting multiple course meal, it is unbelievable. Great service and really good food! Will be back again for sure.

We were nicely greeted at the door by Dan Rogers, the front of the house manager, and conversation started as we were being seated. Knowledgeble discriptions of the menu items followed, each promising just a bit of something extra and and not expected. And when the food arrived, every plate was better than had been promised. All the plates look good to the eyes, the flavors intense with just enough different to spark the conversation of exactly how this is all being done. As Dan returned, we pulled him into these conversations which he seemed to be more than happy to engage. Before long, the conversations got longer and after a while chef Branden Karocu(?) came by to greet and spend a few minutes with us as well. It became familiar enough that before long we were talking about the Seattle restaurant scene and who's doing what. The chef community is pretty well informed and, as the comfort level grew, we were getting restaurant ideas of where to go and what to try. It's the sign of a pretty solid restaurant that feels good enough about itself to recommend to their own customers of other places to explore. And so we did go to a couple of the recommended places. Before leaving Seattle, we returned one more time to Staple and Fancy to discuss with Dan and Branden of how we fared. Picked up right where we had left off, chatting about where to go the next time we are back in town. In a couple of days we are once again on our way New York to Seattle, eagerly looking forward to our arrival dinner at Staple and Fancy.

Great Restaurant with great food. Nice and Cozy scene. Gets pretty busy during the weekends so make sure to book reservations well in advance

I like the How to Cook a Wolf and MKT, so was looking forward to this Ethan Stowel restaurant. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. The beet salad was fine but not unique, the asparagus was buttery. The time between the appetizers and the main dish was over 20 minutes, and when arrived where not memorable. I had the ravioli which was bland, my friend had the gnocchi which was chewy and heavy.. The service was friendly but sporadic. What is more, it was at least 10 degrees hotter than outside making the time in the restaurant rather unpleasant. A good place to skip next time you are in Ballard.

Thanks to all of the reviews here on Trip Advisor, my husband and I made a reservation for Staple and Fancy. We took the Rapid Ride bus out to the restaurant and decided to try the "the fancy" which is the chef's tasting menu. It's great that you can specify any food allergies and/or food that you dislike. Every course (and there were about 9 of them ) was excellent. My particularly favorite courses were the tomato and peach gazpacho, the steak tartare and the pasta bolognese. My husband adored the chocolate cake with salted caramel ice cream. Ballard is an up and coming neighborhood and reminds me of Williamsburg, Brooklyn about 10 years ago. We were stuffed after the meal and didn't feel like waiting for the bus to go back so got an Uber car which came within in 3 minutes. Dinner at Staple and Fancy was one of the highlights of our trip to Seattle!

My wife and I sat at the bar because we didn't have a reservation. We couldn't get into walrus and carpenter and then i find out a childhood friend owns the place and we could have gotten the hook up, oh well thats another story. We sat at the comfortable bar and ordered the chefs picks. tons of antipasta. oysters, salty cured meat, and a bunch of others. We then had a beef cheek bolognese, ricotta chess cake and stuff i don't remember because the full wine glasses are really really full wine glasses. It was really really good simple chow as it should be. great bartender, I don't remember his name but he rode a motorcycle so we had a lot to chat about. good times!

First, I would like to say, the food here is excellent. This is definitely a foodie gem. The staff was very polite, although our server did not seem to understand/speak english very well and he seemed confused throughout the night. I would say the average dress was business casual, most were wearing jeans. I would recommend this restaurant if you're just interested in the food and don't care about the atmosphere.

Every once in a while you have a meal that reminds you that the vast majority of humanity now and throughout history have had very limited food options and that even those of us firmly in the modern middle class have dining choices now that were completely unavailable to the even the wealthiest not so long ago. It makes you grateful to live in an age, and in a place, where you can walk into a restaurant, just a normal person, sit down, and have a meal at a place like Staple and Fancy. Try the chef's tasting menu - brilliant. Many of the items were challenging and unusual, but everything was superb. Service was excellent. Hyperbole aside, very highly recommended.

Went with friends last night. The food was superb, every bit of it. But the noise! It was a relief to get outside once more into the quiet night. I can't imagine that level of noise is healthy for anyone--the managers, chefs, wait staff, or diners. Is it to drive people out quickly so that the table will be free for new people? I won't go back unless I know for sure it's a slow night or unless they put in some kind of muffling. Such a shame.

We were told by everyone we know in Seattle to go fancy; we did and it did not dissappoint. Going fancy is essentially paying 50 bones a head for the chefs to bring you a smorgasbord of whatever they feel like cooking. You can specif allergies prior to ordering if you want. We were brought about 8 or 9 appetizers for the two of us to start, all sorts of things from a simple kale dish to fried oysters to charcuterie. There was then s mall pasta round, then a meat entreé and a small dessert. Everything was delicious and it was quite fun to have the waiters come out with another plate every two or three minutes at the beginning. Only let-down was a rather limited beer list, though not terrible. Will return next time I am in Seattle, without a doubt. Great value for great food.

I wish I discovered this neighborhood earlier, very cool. This restaurant served up some great food and we had an excellent waitress to guide us through the experience. We ordered the sampler meal and were not disappointed with anything. Friendly service and great food.

Three of us celebrated a birthday with staple pasta, pasta and pasta. Everything was delicious! You won’t go wrong with the Bucatini! Will definitely try the fancy next visit!

A lovely spot for a delicious meal. Service was attentive but not rushed. Nice wine list. Warm, cozy atmosphere. Ordered off the "staple" menu and had the mushroom pasta dish which was amazing. Next time will try the "fancy" menu for sure!