| About: | Words like warm, cozy and romantic all fit this wonderful storefront French restaurant. The menu changes often and takes advantage of the area's fresh produce and seafood. In addition, Bruce Naftaly, the chef and owner, enhances his creations with produce and herbs grown just outside the restaurant. The menu is prix fixe with a twist: Choose from among five or six appetizers and entree selections. Sauteed Rabbit, Roast Duckling with Black Currant Sauce and organically raised Beef Tenderloin with a Gevrey-Chambertin are a sampling of what you can expect. For dessert, try the plate of handmade Okanogan cheeses. |
| Hours: | Monday Closed, Tuesday Closed, Wednesday 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM, Thursday 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM, Friday 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM, Saturday 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM, Sunday 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Categories: | Seafood Restaurants, French Restaurants, Restaurants, Wine |
| Parking: | Street |
| Payment: | Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Debit Cards |
| Specialities: | Local and organic ingredients. Northwest French |
| Products and Services: | A great wine list |
| Cuisine: | Contemporary, Fish & Seafood, French |
| Ambiance: | Elegant, Romantic |
| Feature: | Bar, Great Wine List, Outdoor Seating |
| Reservations Policy: | Suggested |
| Dress Code: | Business casual |
| Price: | $30+ |
| Other Contact Info: | Fax: 206-789-4348 Email: info@legourmandrestaurant.com |
One of the top five restaurants in Seattle: I live in Seattle but have traveled the world, especially France, and I know French (and that means GOOD) food quite well. Le Gourmand is as good as it gets outside of France, though the menu isn't strictly French but more NorthWest French. This is a small venue, rather cozy, and perhaps the best restaurant in Seattle for a romantic evening paired with fabulous cuisine. There may be more romantic places but I haven't found them have quite the level of care in meal preparation. Bruce, the owner and chef, specializes in sauces from what I can tell. They are divine. He uses local ingredients for most everything including game, fowl, and produce. Portions here are a little larger than in France perhaps, but smaller than American portions and that is a welcome change! You will not leave hungry, however. The wine list is quite good and surprisingly offers some rather inexpensive but satisfactory selections. Bring your own bottle if you like, they are happy to serve it though the corkage fee is higher than average. I've never had anything here that was even remotely bad, and the service is good but not perfect. The staff are all very friendly and accomodating. Desserts are a treat as Bruce's wife is the pastry chef and is quite accomplished. Le Gourmand even offers cooking classes which are delightful solely for the education but are even better because the results are eaten! This is my favorite restaurant in America and I've probably been there a half dozen times or more, so my experience (and this review) are not simply the result of one good (or bad) evening. I would dine here more often but it is one of the more expensive places to eat in Seattle. Overall this is a gem of an establishment!
Such a dissapointment: One of my customers gave me a $100 voucher for this restaurant and I saved it for a dinner with my fiancee on my birthday. The food was very mediocre, with tough overcooked meat. I should have complained at the time but didn't think it would be worth it. But did find a really good restaurant for our honeymoon in WHistler, Le Gros, food, wine, service and price excellent.