ELLIOTT'S OYSTER HOUSE - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

ELLIOTT'S OYSTER HOUSE

Seattle, Washington

We got a great tip from the hotel manager where we were staying in Seattle.  When we asked where to go for good seafood, she recommended Elliott's on Pier 56.  Wow...was she right.  This place got it all right.  Atmosphere, service and food.  We arrived for our 6:30 p.m. reservation and the bar and restaurant were already packed.  They have the best oyster bar I have ever seen.  Dozens of different oysters displayed on ice in front of a small bar.  Everything FRESH.  We were seated at a nice table overlooking the boat docks.  Great people watching as there were several large parties going out on the boats.  With the dinner menu you are given a separate menu of fresh oysters.  I have never seen so many different types of oysters.  I thought about ordering six to start because I don't eat a lot of oysters.  We opted for a dozen of the best.  At $23 it was a bit expensive to me.  When the platter of oysters arrived I thought we would never finish them.  After one bite, they were flying off the plate.  To our surprise, our 7 year old daughter was now a "oyster monster".  She devoured the things one after another.  The dozen was gone in minutes.  They were by far the best oysters we have ever had.  Up there with the ACME Oyster House in New Orleans.  What a way to start the meal. I started with a cup of calm chowder.  It was very good, but not as good as Pike Place Chowder.   Keli enjoyed a nice dish of fresh salmon with asparagus.  It was cooked perfectly and very good.  Shirley had Clam Linguini with Pesto served with asparagus.  I had the Alaskan King Crab legs with...you guessed it asparagus.  The asparagus in Seattle is great.  So fresh and tasty.  My Crab Legs also came with a huge pile of the best mashed potatoes I have ever had.  Don't know what they put in them but they were fantastic.  The crab legs were huge and very sweet and delicious.  Shirley enjoyed the Clam Linguini but thought it was a bit bland.  The clams were very small at consumed mostly by Keli.  Our little girl is a clam and oyster eater to the max.  This dinner was a bit expensive but worth every penny.  A great evening on the water.  Our table was located near the open kitchen where you could hear everything the cooks were saying and doing.  Probably one of the most professional and organized kitchens I have ever seen.  As orders were barked out the staff would respond "yes chef".  Everything moved quickly in a manner that is rarely seen or heard in kitchens.  Fantastic crew in the kitchen.  Our waiter explained that most of the staff had been there for ten or fifteen years working together.  It really showed here.  Don't miss Elliott's Oysters when you are in Seattle.