On Friday, I missed nunchacku-entertainment to go on a night out to the Metropolitan Grill in Seattle. Here's my range report:
- When you have a $125 gift certificate to the establishment, don't forget it at home. It really hurts to notice this 5 minutes before your reservation, after the valet has driven off with your car.
- The restaurant was very easy to find, right off exit 165 in downtown Seattle. Unfortunately, it had no view of anything, except in some areas you could watch downtown traffic. This wasn't a big deal, however, as from most places you couldn't see the traffic, therefore it didn't detract any.
- For some reason, I was under the impression it was a quiet, intimate, coat-and-tie affair. This appears to not be the case. The restaurant was very busy, noisy, and crowded. Although there were some people wearing a coat and tie (myself included), and the wait staff was very well dressed, there were a number of men wearing collar-less shirts, polo-shirts, jeans, and/or athletic shoes. I will admit, the atmosphere this created was a little sub-standard and I was disappointed in this area. It's the sort of atmosphere I would expect at Applebees or the Ram on a Friday night. I've had better atmosphere at the Olive Garden and CI Shenanigan's. Although I did not feel out of place wearing a coat and tie, I was clearly over-dressed for the evening.
- The staff, however, was very friendly, very personable, very professional, and very prompt. Easily the best service I've had at any restaurant, ever. They remembered who we were, what our names were, and details from conversation throughout the evening. There were different people seating us, taking our order, collecting our plates, and serving our food, and they were all extremely professional and friendly, and worked very well together as a team.
- The food, also, was top-shelf. We had the Chateaubriand and a bowl of clam chowder. Both were arguably the best I've ever had. It's been quite a long time since I've had quality steak or clam chowder, so I can't authoritatively say either was "the best," but they easily came within the top-three. Back to the wait staff, the server explained how the Met's Chateaubriand was different from other restaurants', and explained in detail what went into their sauce as he prepared it table-side. The dish also came with some mushrooms and a tomato, both cooked in some way I don't know, but both were quite delicious. I can't say I've ever eaten a whole tomato, by itself, and considered it "delicious" before this dinner.
- It also came with a choice of baked potato, garlic mashed potatoes, or steak fries. I got the mashed potatoes, and Jessie got the steak fries. Both were, unfortunately, "meh." They were neither superb nor poor. But both were good, of quality one should expect from just about any sit-down restaurant. The Ram has them beat, here.
- We didn't try the desserts, because the entree was quite filling. They looked quite good, however, and I may try one next time.
- The meal was expensive, but not prohibitively so. After tax and tip, I paid $150. It's not the sort of place I'd go regularly, but for the occasional nice dinner, it's acceptable. Drinks are expensive, though, and we both declined to purchase any. Bottled water starts at $6. The less expensive glasses of wine ran around $40 each. I didn't really look into mixed drinks any.
- Overall, I would have to give the restaurant a 7.5 out of 10. The lack of atmosphere really hurt them. I will definitely go back, however, as I still have that $125 gift certificate.
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