4. Restaurants

Altura

617 Broadway E, Seattle, WA, 98102
  • (206) 402-6749
  • Store is closed

Altura Menu

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  • Pete S.

    Impeccable service, presentation and of course the food is exquisite. It was a joy watching the team work together in the open kitchen. True professionals and the top of their craft. I will be back again and again. The Wagyu beef,, gnocchi, corn soup were some of the highlights. Thanks for a great night.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey M.

    One of the best meals I have ever had. Got the 3 course, but think I'll try the tasting menu next time. Definitely pricey though.

    (5)

  • Greg D.

    We did the fixed menu for Valentine's Day with the wine pairing. One of the top 5 meals of my life. As you would expect, the restaurant was slammed with customers, but they had the tables arranged such that we did not feel cramped or crowded or rushed. Pre-appetizer with salmon eggs was wonderful. Following courses were equal or better. I cannot imagine a better evening with my sweetie. Carpaccio first course was memorable, especially with "fried" quail egg instead of the usual raw egg. Looking forward to returning in March. Expensive, but worth it.

    (5)

  • Denis A.

    Simply ... perfectly ... one of the finest restaurants I've ever experienced.

    (5)

  • J W.

    We chose Altura to celebrate the best week my partner and I had. It was a great choice! We had the three course menu and I chose our own bottle of wine, what a fine dinning experience it was! We had the Waygu steak, and oh my! It melted in my mouth and it was the best beef I have ever had. I had the veal crudo and my partner had the parmesean budino, they were both so delicious. The pasta dishes were veal ravioli and the smoked elk pansotti, and all the yummy flavor and food were having a great party in my mouth!

    (5)

  • Angie W.

    If I died and went to heaven, I could only hope it is as amazing as Altura! My friends booked a table here for my last night in Seattle (moved to Austin). Because we were a party of six, they advised we would have to do the chef's tasting menu that was pre set. I have a pretty unrefined palate and when I saw the menu I have to admit I was confused and worried. Give me a nice bowl of pasta and I am happy. Then I caught wind of the price and I proceeded to do everything I could to talk my friends into something else. THANK GOD they didn't listen to me. This dinner was nothing short of amazing. There were 10 courses (or small bites) that covered ever taste you could imagine. A few of my favorites: - Grassfed Beef Crudo - Frito Misto (note - has nothing to do with chips) - Wagyu Beef - Every single desert! This is a place you go to have your taste buds dazzled and to experience food the way it was intended. For smaller groups, they have many options in terms of the number of bites you can order. Their wine and cocktail options were top notch and the sommelier will help you pair the best options if you choose. This was a night I won't forget. Good food! Great friends! An experience to be beat!

    (5)

  • Vijay B.

    This is the best restaurant in Seattle. Canlis is fancier (with its dress code), Sitka and Spruce has more avante-garde dishes and Spinasse is a bit more traditional for Italian food. But for pure quality of food, Altura wins. Some of the best meals of my life have been here, and I've been to places like Per Se and French Laundry. The bone-in ribeye is the best steak I've had in my life and the pappardelle is also the best pappardelle I've had. The presentation of dishes is immaculate and it's a joy to watch the staff prepare them (so sitting at the bar is actually recommended). The decor is down-to-earth but homey and the vibe is fairly casual so it's ok to not dress up (you won't look out of place if you do want to dress up, however). The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming and we've become good friends with some of them. Try this restaurant out before it gets a Michelin star and becomes more expensive!

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    During our 7 day stay in Seattle, we made it a point to eat as much as possible from as many different places as possible. Without a shadow of a doubt, the meal that we had at Altura was the absolute best meal of the trip. In fact, it was one of the best meals I have ever had in my life. I am no stranger when it comes to Italian food. I taught myself how to make handmade pasta, gnocchi, risotto and all kinds of sauces. Back in Hawaii, I eat a lot of Italian food. I've eaten Italian in many places including New York, San Fran, Austin, Anaheim, Juneau, Portland, Washington DC.. you get the idea. I don't know what I've been eating all my life, but it wasn't as good as the stuff from Altura. For $67, you can choose your own 3 course meal. The only stipulation is that only one entree can be chosen. If you want an entree and two desserts, so be it. I love this flexible menu and wish more restaurants would adopt it. We each tried three different courses and closed the night with THE most amazing dessert I have ever eaten. Details are below: AMUSE BOUCHE: This was complimentary: fennel panna cotta with beets and a parsley foam. Oh my god.. so delicious GRASSFED BEEF CRUDO: I was expecting a carpaccio of sorts, but it came out looking like a beef tartare. Once it hit my mouth, I didn't care what it looked like because it was absolutely delicious RISOTTO: There were wild mushrooms and foraged greens. Also a foam and some peas. The rice was perfect and it tasted lighter than most risottos I've made and eaten elsewhere. Delicious. This was the best risotto I have ever eaten. GNOCCHI: Wagyu and lamb ragu? Done. Healthy shavings of cheese? Done. The gnocchi was perfect. So light and pillowy. Clouds of heaven to be sure. Delicious. This was the best gnocchi I have ever eaten. PAPARDELLE: There was also a ragu in this dish. This one was made of tripe and oxtail and some spice. It was amazing. The pasta was perfect and helped gather up all the amazing goodness. This was the best papardelle I have ever eaten. ZABUTON STEAK: Its hard to describe this one. Yes, it was delicious, but it also tasted so clean. Lots of flavor and very filling RABBIT FIVE WAYS: The most I've ever eaten rabbit before was one way. This dish had various parts laid out in a beautiful presentation. Wrapped in cabbage, chicken fried, rack of rabbit, kidney, wrapped in bacon.. they were all amazing. In a night of standout dishes, this one stood out slightly more and it was also the best rabbit I have ever eaten. MEYER LEMON IN VELO: Any additional dishes would be $11 more. I'm glad we decided that we could handle dessert. Words cannot describe how amazing this dish is. The flavors were so intense and the dessert itself I found to be very velvety. This was the perfect end to an amazing meal and to no ones surprise, this was the best dessert I've ever had. I would suggest anyone who is even remotely into food to come here. Sit at the bar like we did so you can witness the action of Chef Nathan Lockwood and his team first hand. You will not regret this decision. Altura is now on my list of permanent fixtures every time I come to Seattle and it should be on yours as well.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth M.

    One of the best meals I have ever eaten, and in a fabulous atmosphere. We had the tasting menu, which was amazing. Definitely the best meal I've had in Seattle. The perfect place for a special occasion, and the very nicely accommodate food allergies. If you go, splurge and get the tasting menu. Not an everyday occurrence, but worth every penny. Every "course" was delicious, but some highlights included the Columbia City filone with duck liver mousse, the squash blossom frito misto, and the caviar. I plan on coming back for future special occasions!

    (5)

  • TheTruth W.

    Awesome meal from start to finish. It is very expensive, but IMO it's totally worth it for a special occasion. We did the chef's tasting menu, and literally every single dish we tried was amazing and unique. I also want to give huge props to the sommelier who made some amazing wine recommendations for me, since I admittedly don't know very much about Italian wines. The bottle I ended up getting was on point! Their staff is very friendly and courteous, which is a must in my book, especially at the price you're paying to eat here. I've eaten at many one and two star Michelin restaurants in Northern Cali, and this place is right up there with the best. If I ever visit Seattle again, I will definitely eat here again. Thanks to the chefs and staff for making my mom's B-Day meal so memorable. She deserved a meal like this! You guys are awesome!

    (5)

  • Jessica M.

    We celebrated our anniversary here recently. We got there 15 minutes before our reservation time of 8pm, but no problem, the hostess sat us right away at the counter as we'd requested. Because it was a $$$$, I wanted to dress up for the occasion, but luckily I didn't. I wore business casual and anything more than that would have made me feel over dressed. The place has more of a cozy bistro feel than that of a fine dining establishment. As for the cost of the tasting menu, I recommend you check out Altura's website for current pricing. When we went on 6/11/15, the tasting menu was $137 with $95 beverage pairing. This means with tax and tip, you are looking at $300/pp. I believe this is slightly higher than they charged just a few months ago. Our tasting menu included a total of 14 dishes (10 savory, 4 desserts) served with a different beverage every dish or two, for a total of 10 drinks. if you come for the tasting menu, do not pre-eat. Each dish was small in portion, but 14 dishes will definitely fill you up to the brim and some. We are not light eaters, and yet, we forced ourselves to finished the 13th plate and take the last dessert home. Perhaps Altura should lower the price and reduce the amount of food/drinks served. I would say my experience here was a solid 3.5 stars. I removed 1.5 stars for 3 reasons: 1) casual ambience that is just at odds with the high price; 2) the service was good, but again, is not up to par with other establishments with similar price range; 3) only 3 dishes stood out to me (fermented vegetables with caviar, Columbia City Filone with black truffle, porcini and duck liver mousse and Black Cod cured with colatura caramel smoked with Martina wood) the remaining 11 were beautifully (painstakingly) presented, but flavors were just ok to me. Beverage pairing was awesome and I found 2 drinks that will become my all time favorites.

    (4)

  • Linda Z.

    Altura is a great restaurant for special occasions and perfect if you don't want to be stuck in an appetizer-entree-dessert prix fixe menu as they allow you to choose any three dishes (max. 1 entree/person). This is great for trying different things if sharing between multiple people. The food is vibrant while still familiar and comforting and the ingredients are fresh and deliberate. The most memorable dish was the salsify soup, which was unique and perfectly balanced with the creamy salsify puree, meaty oyster and salty roe. We also really enjoyed the tajarin, gnocchi and the tails and trotter pork shank. I suggest sitting at the counter so you can observe the open kitchen. Reservations recommended. Service was slow at first but eventually the dishes came at a steady pace.

    (5)

  • Rich T.

    Wow what a wonderful place. The chef is so friendly and happy to work with various allergies. The pasta is amazingly fresh and the preparations inventive. We loved the smoked oysters with the smoke under glass a terrific touch. The chicory salad with pomegranate was really a terrific and unusual flavor combinations. Bravo! The seafood is fresh and prepared in simple ways that highlight the ingredients freshness. The pasta is so fresh and wonderful. The lamb and the pork have been delicious. The wait staff is excellent and the kitchen counter is a great place to learn the fine points of gourmet cuisine. We loved the wine selections and the variety. We tried a Slovenian wine which was excellent. So feel free to let them direct you. The presentation is really beautiful and chef Nathan is super attentive in the kitchen. This place gets crowded so be sure to have reservations. Or come as we do at 530pm and enjoy the quiet and the attention of the staff :-)

    (5)

  • Greg L.

    You want to get your socks knocked off! The service, the food and atmosphere are everything the other reviews state. Yes it cost a few dollars but its well worth it. Plus if you order multiple courses and make friends with your waiter you may get a few extra treats! I don't need to blab on about it. Just go here!

    (5)

  • Arthur K.

    Rather than go for the chef's tasting menu, a group of 5 of us decided to do the 3 course option and just order all the items on the menu. We're glad we did as we were stuffed at the end and incredibly satisfied with our meal. Everything was masterfully crafted and a few were beyond description. Service (5/5) - The service as expected here is impeccable. From the hostess who sat us immediately as we arrived to the server who made sure all our needs were met right away. She was also incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Even the hostess helped deliver dishes which I've never seen in other restaurants but it seems that everyone chips in to make sure things are done quickly and with class. Spicy Grilled Octopus (4.5/5) - The octopus was cooked just right. It wasn't too chewy but had a good snap to the outside of it. I didn't really taste much spice but it was still seasoned well and had plenty of great flavor. Chicory Salad (5/5) - I'm usually not a fan of fancy salads as I don't really like bitter greens. They tend to overpower the salad, but this salad did not do that. Everything in this had a perfect balance and never did I feel like I was eating a healthy salad. Grassfed Beef Crudo (Abstain) - This was probably my least favorite appetizer but that's probably because I'm not a huge fan of beef tartare. I love medium rare meat but rare is not my thing so I can't really tell people if this was really good or not. Foie Gras Seared & Chilled (4/5) - The foie gras was good but not the best I've had. It definitely had a more mineral-like flavor than others I've had which does make it more reminiscent of actual liver, but it did have the butteriness that we all have come to expect of it. Carnaroli Risotto (5/5) - Wow! Just wow! This risotto is probably the best I've ever had. The creaminess and unbelievable flavor just rocked my tastebuds. If this is on the menu it's a must eat! Papardelle (5/5) - This pasta was easily my favorite pasta of the night. Be warned though as it does have a little kick so if you can't handle spice at all, this one isn't for you. The tripe & oxtail give it a balance that I never even imagined before. It just worked so damn well. Again, this is a must eat. Gnocchi (5/5) - The gnocci's ragu is another flavor that I wish I could have all the time. Damn was it good. You can't go wrong ordering this dish. It's only just slightly behind the papardelle. Pansotti (4/5) - Though this was a very good dish on its own it was a bit hidden behind all the other better pasta dishes we had. Honestly, I'm having a hard time remembering much about it besides that it was pretty good. House Special Pasta (4/5) - This dish was a supplemental charge of $55 because they add white truffles to the dish. We figured between the 5 of us why not splurge a little and all have a few bites of this. The dish was the smallest of all the ones we ordered, but was pretty good & the white truffles gave it a nice punch, but compared to the other pasta dishes, this was probably my least favorite one. Potato Crusted Petrale Sole (5/5) - What I really like about this dish was how light the sauce was so that the fish would really stand out. This is probably the best sole dish I've ever tried. It was very flakey, yet tender. I couldn't have asked for a better fish dish. Snake River Farms Zabuton Steak (3.5/5) - The quality of the steak is top notch. It was even cooked just right. I'm just not a big fan of char grilled. I prefer my steak to have grill marks and not all black on the outside. That's the only reason for the lower mark. Roosevelt Elk Saddle Cut for Two (5/5) - The elk was my favorite entree by far. It wasn't too gamey. Actually, it was unbelievably tender. Lopez Island Goat (4/5) - The goat came beautifully plated and served goat multiple ways which included sausage, braised neck and roasted saddle. This is my first time having goat and I'll have to say it's not my favorite type of meat but braised neck was pretty awesome. Canoli (4.5) - The canoli is made in a light mold rather than the traditional thick one that you get at most restaurants. The ricotta cheese was light as well. Vanilla Semifreddo (5/5) - This dessert is awesome. The grapes balanced out the meringue with a great sweet & tart burst. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Daniel T.

    Altura is amazing. I was seated promptly as I arrived just in time for my reservation. I had requested and was seated at their dining bar which allows you to watch their chefs preparing dinner, which I recommend if you are a party of one or two. Service was excellent throughout and they have a wonderful wine list. I had the chef's tasting menu, which is simply a page-long list of ingredients from which they decide a full menu for the evening. In other words you are ordering on faith without knowing your courses' exact content or quantity. But it is faith very well placed. Each of my 13 courses, from savory to desserts, is served and described with perfect timing and each is balanced and delicious. I added the beverage pairings as well, which began with a gin cocktail (I don't even like gin and it was great), champagne, wines, a beer and port. These come every few courses, as they are meant to be paired. The meal was certainly pricey at just over $300 for the full tasting menu, beverage pairings, an espresso and tax, but it was well worth the kingly sum. Altura ranks on a short list of one of the top meals I've ever had, I highly recommend it and am looking forward to my next visit when in Seattle again in a few months.

    (5)

  • Dwayne Y.

    Very good Italian restaurant in Seattle. Place was a little small and they tried to put us at the counter. After talking to the hostess, they moved us to a table which was much more comfortable. Grassfed Veal Crudo was excellent. The meat was fresh and not very gamey. The anchovy and bone marrow complimented the dish very nicely. The Octopus was grilled nicely. It was tender. Unfortunately, the spices overpowered the Octopus and we couldn't taste the natural and delicate flavors of it. The Braised Tripe and Ox Tail Pappardelle was the best dish of the night. The tripe practically melted in my mouth. The ox tail was very succulent. The anchovy crumb added a nice texture to the silky pasta. The Gnocchi was cooked perfectly. But the ragu of beef and sage masked the gnocchi. The flavors did not work well together. The Snake River Steak was cooked excellent. It was a perfect medium rare and had nice flavor. It was seasoned wonderfully and it enhanced the beefy flavor of the steak. Our dessert was the Bourbon Caramel Semifreddo. This was a nice way to end the dinner. The flavors worked well together. Overall this is a very good dinner and moderately priced. We would go back again and adjust our orders a little.

    (4)

  • Meera S.

    An insanely indulgent and fascinating meal that had me almost uncomfortably full but still happy and curious before we were much more than halfway done. Beautiful service. And two dishes incorporated lovage blossoms (Ligisticum sp.), which I was delighted to recognize from alpine meadows! I'd say more but I have to go to sleep now.

    (5)

  • Jennifer Arlem M.

    My favorite Italian in all of Seattle!!! I've been here a few times and I love it. We stopped by two weeks ago for my mom's birthday dinner. The service was above top notch, the food was to die for and the place was perfect. Probably one of the best dinning experience that I've had in a while. I strongly recommend it. Take your time and enjoy every bite. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Emily W.

    We splurged for the tasting menu, complete with wine pairings, and were sorely disappointed. First, the dinner from start to finish took over 3 hours. We enjoy long dining, but there were many times we just felt the wait was too long. Second, the food was nothing but mediocre, and incredibly overpriced. We enjoyed a few of the dishes, but several (too many) were beyond salty, lukewarm instead of hot, and just plain not that enjoyable. Not what you'd expect for a $500 meal rated the best in the city! The wine pairings were ok, but it didn't knock out socks off, and a few didn't seem to pair at all (the sommelier admitted he had difficulty). The staff was wonderful--that was the highlight of our night. We won't ever go back, and don't recommend this place. If you want a dinner that owe your mind come on over to Bainbridge Island and enjoy the tasting menu at Hitchcock for 1/3 of the price. Perhaps we are spoiled by unbeatable food on the island? Either way, don't waste your time or money here.

    (2)

  • Matthew H.

    I'll echo what others have, it's expensive but it's completely worth it!! I did the whole culinary tour of Seattle and I thought this was the best meal we had and that includes Canlis. The menu at Altura is fun, exciting, and more importantly inventive. I went in convinced that I was not doing the tasting but once I got in and saw what this place was all about I knew that I had to, couple that with a 9 gram $23 truffle addition and you have a winner here. I will not spoil the surprises for anyone that in contemplating doing the tasting but I will rattle off a few of my favorites, the uni eggroll, the gnocchi, the duck, the steak, the smoked cod, and so many more. On the menu you will see a list of ingredients that they will use in your tasting menu and that's all they give you so you are largely in the dark. The service is flawless as are the drinks that they serve. This is certainly a must-go to if you are in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Chris A.

    Altura is top notch. Don't let the location or decor dissuade you. This food is mind boggling. Tasting menu is simply the best I've ever had. Each dish is mind blowingly better and better! Local Super Seasonal fare will have you scrambling for more and more (but don't worry you will leave more full than you can handle). The staff is uber helpful and perfectly polite. This is an outstanding establishment!

    (5)

  • Alana J.

    If I could give more than five stars, I would. My brand new husband and I came to Seattle as our first stop on our honeymoon. Our very first meal as a married couple was an Altura tasting menu, and we opted to also have the beverage pairing. We had made our reservations months before, and included the fact that it was our honeymoon on the reservation. When we arrived, our server brought us a palate cleansing sippable, and asked us if we drink. We told him we did, and he brought us two glasses or congratulations prosecco. We ordered, and our drinks and tastings came out, and truly were astonishing. Each dish that came out was better than the last. My absolute favorite thing that came out was a truffle bread with a duck liver mousse. Now, let me tell you about this bread. When it came out, I was disappointed. I couldn't believe that for the price, one of my dishes was bread. Then they opened the parchment paper it came in, and the smell that escaped had my mouth watering. They had pre-sliced the bread, spread butter and scallions (I think) in between each slice, re-wrapped it, and let the butter melt. The duck liver mousse was sublime. It was savory and tangy and creamy and melted when I put it on the bread and in my mouth. My husband loved the braised pig feet. It had a sweet, tangy sauce on the meat itself, almost like a barbecue but not quite, with torched kale and orange shavings. The other thing that had us going was one of the desserts. It was a panna cotta with a 25 year old aged balsamic drizzled on top. Now, we didn't know what we were getting before the dishes showed up at our spot at the bar, but they set down a spatula before we got the dish. It was a cute spatula, don't get me wrong... it looked Crate and Barrell-ee or like it could have been from Williams and Sonoma, and it was small enough that you could get it into your mouth. When they explained the balsamic to us, I realized they gave us a socially acceptable way to lick our plate. And good heavens, am I glad they did. I would have had no problems making a fool of myself and picking up the bowl and licking it clean, right there in front of God and everyone. This was the absolute perfect way to start our incredible honeymoon. We flew out to Seattle, rented a car, and drove back down the coast over the course of about two and half weeks. We ate amazing meals at fabulous restaurants, but none of them held a candle to Altura. We have been married about 4 months now, and still frequently look back and revisit this exquisite meal. I had to write Altura a thank you card when we got home. What a way to start a marriage,

    (5)

  • Joshua B.

    I loved the food here and sitting at the bar it was fun to watch the chefs work, and getting to interact with them a bit with food questions. I appreciate the farm-to-table attention and conceptually can't complain with the many-course prix fixe style menu with each item carefully related to the other ones. I just can't rate it 5-stars because it's over-priced compared to similarly fancy options by easily 25% (maybe 50%). I'm not saying every upscale restaurant has to be hush-hush/suit-wearing, but this is a loud, small restaurant where you're surrounded by fleece-wearing northwesterners - I wouldn't say there's anything particularly "romantic" about it. Secondly, we had to wait a bit for our check, and while the food was awesome it's not better than other 5-star top-end restaurants I've dined at in SF, NYC and even Seattle. Considering you're paying a minimum of +$100 per person without alcohol, I expect more than just great food. Again, not going to knock it down that far, but it's just not hitting it out of the park because of those downsides.

    (4)

  • Alex C.

    Was in Seattle and looking for great restaurants. Saw Altura and all of the great reviews, and was able to get reservations. After dining, I can confidently say that Altura was all it was billed up to be. Were Michelin stars to be given in Seattle, I think Altura would get 1 Michelin star; it was similar in quality to Gary Danko's in San Francisco and Tru in Chicago - 2 of my favorites, and both earning 1 coveted Michelin star. Now, onto the food: Did the chef's tasting menu - 13 courses/bites that were all well done and crafted nearly perfectly. I'll describe each course, attach pictures of each, and rate each from 1-10 Course 1: An excellent take on "potato soup" - salty, fermented potato foam, with perfect bites of steelhead roe and a sweet brown butter and arugula pesto at the bottom to cut through the richness. -9/10 Course 2: Mussel, wrapped in house cured pancetta, and smoked. Smokey, meaty, and done very well. Came with house made focaccia, which was excellent. -8/10 Course 3: Bone marrow roasted beets, with assorted vegetables and an incredibly tasty parmesan cream. One of the highlights, as the beets and vegetables were done so well, with the parmesan and bone marrow giving meaty, salty notes. -10/10 Course 4: Abalone, with kale, pigs feet, and sweet garlic sauce. Garlic sauce was incredible, as were the pigs feet, which were sweet from being braised in apple juice. Kale was a tad too salty, but overall, the dish was still very good. 7/10 Course 5: Asparagus risotto with king crab. Not a huge fan of risotto, but this one was done so well. Not too rich as to mask the sweet crab and asparagus, and the rice still had some tooth to it, which I appreciate. Served with an Italian fry bread and house cured meats, which was outstanding. 8/10 Course 6: Squid ink pasta with prawns, squid, scallops, and greens. This dish, I could have over and over again every day. Seafood was fresh and delicious, pasta cooked perfectly, and an outstanding use of red chili - just enough to taste and feel, not enough to detract from the delicate flavors. 10/10 Course 7: Essentially, mushroom ravioli. Was very well done. Served with house made truffle bread and pate. Tried to stop eating this bread, and couldn't. The bread was that good. I almost forgot that the ravioli was the main dish and the bread was the accompaniment. 9/10 Course 8: Pigeon (aka Squab) breast, leg, and heart/liver pate. This, I was a big fan of. Squab was cooked perfectly, and wasn't even as gamey as some duck I've had. Cherry mostarda was acidic and helped cut through the Squab, as did the root vegetables served underneath. 9/10 Course 9: Their play on a cheese plate - good, but my least favorite part of the meal. Chase was a sharp, assertive, tasty brie, but the "cracker" it was served on was difficult to eat and a bit of a waste. 6/10 Course 10: Tart kiwi sorbet, sweet blood orange, and herbaceous sorrel - an excellent, balanced sorbet. 9/10 Course 11: A vanilla and rum panna cotta, with kumquat, orange, and drizzled with 25 year aged balsamic. This was the epitome of a perfectly balanced dessert round. Sweet, light panna cotta, the acidic, slightly fermented, and sweet taste of the aged balsamic, the sharp note of the rum, and the fruity complexity of the assorted fruits (imagine that) all came together for an excellent dessert course. 10/10 Course 12: Hot chocolate affogato with a mascarpone gelato. Best hot chocolate I've ever had outside of Italy. Aerated yet rich, chocolatey but not too sweet. Very rich towards the end of the meal, but a small enough portion to give us a great taste without hurting us. 10/10. Course 13: Assorted goodies - an excellent chocolate meringue, bourbon cherries, etc. All very good. 9/10 Atmosphere was very nice and cozy. A smaller, intimate place with an open kitchen, Altura was neither imposing nor pretentious. Likewise, service was very good. Altura was all that it was propped up to be. I'll be sure to go back if I find myself in Seattle again.

    (5)

  • Jenna C.

    My family and I had a birthday meal at Altura for my 28th and were generally pleased with the overall experience, but there was definitely room for improvement. My first impression of the place was not positive. The decor, lighting, and furniture does not adequately reflect the level of cuisine. When we first entered the empty restaurant at 5pm we were sat right near the cooking station where we could see food refuse and mess, not appealing. The place feels a bit cold overall. We asked to move to another table and also asked they turn the heat up (which they did). There are two dining style options- getting the full tasting menu with an optional wine pairing or choosing three dishes with an optional wine pairing. I found this limiting and disrespectful of the customer. If someone in the party wants to order just a couple of small dishes or even one dish I think they should have that freedom. We opted for the choose three with the wine pairing. The food itself was delicious. My stand out dish was my desert- a camembert/black truffle plate of delectable delight. I also loved the plating of the amuse-bouche, a foam with tiny flowers within. The wine pairings on the other hand were sub par, the sommelier failing to say much at all about the wines or ask our personal preference. For what I expected from this level of a restaurant, I give it 3 stars. Great food but lacking elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Eduardo O.

    It is expensive but absolutely worth it. This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the city, and I consider it better than Cascina Spinasse (my second favorite). We don't go there very often, so each of our visits has a different menu. But we trust them enough to know that the prix fixe will always be a treat.

    (5)

  • Patrick Q.

    I am heartbroken to say that my first time back at Altura in almost two years was disappointing. Although the food was absolutely fantastic, just as I'd remembered - the service has fallen quite far from the quiet and unassuming place I used to visit once a month. I could overlook the lack of rapport with the wait staff and the fact that we were seated at a table that seemed to be in everyone's way (a table that has been added since the last time I was here.) But if I'm paying almost $300/pp for a meal, I expect that you're not going to rush me out the door as I enjoy it. Very disappointing.

    (4)

  • Sean M.

    The tasting menu was in the top 3 food experiences of my life. Every single plate, which was crafted beautifully, was delicious. I've never been served 13 plates in a row before, and it will probably be a long time before I experience something like this again. The chefs came out and explained each dish and how best to eat it. Everyone was incredibly professional and each bite showed the talent of the chefs. Thanks for one of the most memorable experiences in Seattle!

    (5)

  • Vanny H.

    Considerably pricey but well worth it! My boyfriend and I got to sit at the counter where we could see the chefs at work preparing our food at the open kitchen! Truly a work of art on the presentation, and the taste was unquestionably sublime...

    (4)

  • gregory t.

    We had the complete tasting menu w/o the wine pairing- the dinner lasting 3+ hours seated @ the counter in front of the Chef and company. The Chef is extremely caring and has a high attention to detail! Everything we tasted was excellent and the execution was outstanding. The service was the best we have experienced in Seattle. Where it comes apart for me is that it is more about a food performance and complex food plating. In my opinion,it really is a taste portion and extremely overpriced- they are not entrees. However, they have a large staff w/ few seats,so the high price may be necessary to cover the overhead. FYI, again in my opinion it is NOT an Italian rest, not even close. Our bill was approximately $500 for two w/ 2 glasses of wine and 2 cocktails. I will not return.

    (3)

  • Matt S.

    We've gone back multiple times since my original review and found the food to be consistently amazing. We have never had a meh dish... and that's a seriously impressive feat considering we generally order a lot of courses. The food is always beautifully presented, interesting, and delicious. When we have guests visiting that are sophisticated diners, we take them here. Altura is easily my favorite restaurant in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Melissa H.

    From the wine, to thee entree to the desserts, everything was amazing! The staff is super friendly and entire ambience of the place is very peaceful and attentive. Thank you! We will be back very soon!!

    (5)

  • Ronnie M.

    The meal was expertly crafted, truely enjoyed every bite. Probably the best meal ive eaten in 2015 thus far. Only thing I'd b**ch about is how the waiter didn't explain the fine print on the menu. Had a couple prior to arrival. We ordered a 3 course meal at $76 per person, excluding wine, as if that shouldn't cover gold plated food only to see an additional $76 charge for an entrée which should have been included. Granted it was there in the fine print, just beware because they do not point this out and it quickly turn a $200 meal into a $300 one. Ouch!

    (1)

  • David F.

    Next to life changing food. Sat at the "bar" and watched the masters cook and amaze me. My colorful waiter picked my wine, whiskey and burbon with amazing skills. I can't wait until I have the opportunity to visit again. You can't miss this place if you're in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Seattle G.

    Food was excellent, best pasta and steak I've had. That said docking 2 stars for timing between courses. There was easily 30-45 mins between the pasta and main course, which is way too long especially given the prices they charge.

    (3)

  • Sam H.

    Went on a double date and everyone was very happy with their choices. Our server was also top notch. My favorite was their amuse bouche that's not on the menu. Gnocchi was also a highlight. Expensive but great.

    (5)

  • Russell P.

    This is one of the best restaurants in the region and a great place for a big splurge. We have gone several times, and it was very good each time. Get reservations as it is difficult to walk in.

    (5)

  • Maki P.

    I love that so many restaurants in Seattle manage to straddle the two worlds of artful fine dining and a warm, inviting environment-- not casual, but still comfortable. Altura carries this off perfectly in its intimate, unassuming space with knowledgeable, accommodating and not at all ostentatious staff. We sat at the bar and had the full tasting menu accompanied by the wine pairing, and had a delicious and surprisingly fun experience. The sommelier provided us with just enough information with each pairing to allow us to enjoy and fully experience what we were drinking without overloading us with unnecessary trivia. Our courses were served by a number of staff, including the chef himself, and each of them was friendly and informative. Most importantly, the food was incredible. Standouts for me were an unusual course featuring both abalone and pig's feet (paired, surprisingly, with a dry hard cider that I loved-- the whole thing tasted like it should have been served in front of a campfire in Montana), a small but flavor-packed smoked mussel, and the meyer lemon in velo: perfectly ethereal. Somehow, all of the dishes at Altura hit the magical spot of food that is unique, uplifted and refined without being at all fussy. My idea of a perfect evening.

    (5)

  • Amanda I.

    Cute little joint in Cap Hill: it's a long, narrow warm-yet-industrial looking spot that seats around 40. I'm someone that's a huge fan of tasting menus, and have had the opportunity to enjoy several in the Seattle area. Altura's is one of my favorite. We indulged in the 13 course menu, which includes 3 "mains" and 8 tastes, and the pairing. I'm not sure if the menu is seasonal, but several dishes were bitter/sour, yet really unique. From bacon wrapped scallops to grilled octopus to fresh seafood ravioli, each dish was really special and offered a unique texture and flavor. That said, I wasn't impressed with the pairing. Not worth it in my opinion, although they never left our glasses empty. This is a top 3 favorite, and I'll be back for more octopus again soon. Sit at the chef's counter (faces the open kitchen) for a great "show" and call at least a week in advance to grab weekend reservations: they go quickly!

    (5)

  • Gina L.

    A true dining experience in Seattle. If you have never dined at Altura, you owe yourself a treat. My client brought me and my assistant here and we were truly impressed. Taste, presentation are one of the best in Seattle. Smoked oysters, hand made Gnocchi, vibrant and fresh seafood dishes to name a few. Wow.

    (5)

  • Brian B.

    Just moved here from the Bay Area and have sampled a dozen excellent restaurants and ALTURA outranks them all by far. Reminds me of the early days of HAVEN opening in Oakland (days long gone sadly), but a whole level up. Chef Lockwood has some 'mad skills' that must be viewed from the chefs counter. Do not miss this. Do. Not. Miss.

    (5)

  • Aaron P.

    This place was pretty amazing. Probably one of the best dinning experience that I have ever had. The service was above top notch. Most of the food was pretty flawless. Not everything served was the best I have ever had, but for the most part, pretty well executed! I would definitely dine here every visit I have in Seattle. Next time I will definitely try the tasting menu.

    (5)

  • Katie F.

    This place seriously needs valet parking! OMG - I don't know how people in Seattle can handle coming here! Hubby and I booked my b-day dinner here during our weekend away, and I had super high hopes since it was the top ranked Seattle restaurant in 2012 and I absolutely love Acquerello, the SF resto where the chef previously worked. But the torture of trying to find parking in this area for an 8 pm reservation was ridiculous both at meters, on the street, and even in the paid lots. Seriously took us 30 mins to find a spot! That put us both in a crabby mood... so not off to a great start. Service was pleasant and we eventually settled in. That being said, I wouldn't come back. Pros: - Decent service - Lovely birthday dessert acknowledgement - Food quality is excellent - pastas are beautifully done, we both loved our meat courses, and some of the amuse bouches were very interesting (popcorn!) Cons: - Super small portions... seriously, I thought one of my hubby's courses was one of those filler ones that they give you sometimes to even out the courses when the couple orders different amounts - Terrible spacing in between courses... we didn't leave until after 11 pm. My hubby and I had huge gaps in between the courses, so although we liked the food, we both had to eat so much bread just so we had something to do! At this price point, I have pretty high standards. Sadly this did not live up to the best restaurant of 2012 claim in my books.

    (3)

  • Michael T.

    We returned to Altura for our wedding anniversary dinner and were treated to an excellent table and the same superlative experience we had on our first visit. Fantastic.

    (5)

  • Julian B.

    If you ever find yourself with a pile of extra cash, do yourself a favor and eat here. The food was incredible, from the gnocchi that melted in my mouth to the lemon ice dessert with an assortment of beautifully-placed garnishes. My girlfriend and I shared a 24 oz steak, which may have been one of the best steaks I've had in Seattle. The waitstaff were very accommodating and extremely polite. Upon hearing that I don't drink alcohol, our waiter offered to "fix me up something special." What it was exactly, I'm not sure, but I do know it was delicious. I would love to come back here again and try the chef's menu.

    (5)

  • Heywood J.

    We have been here many times, and again, we did the tasting menu with wine pairings. They are proud of it, but it turns out to be quite the feast. Do not despair that the first few courses are rather small. It builds perfectly, Service was impeccable, with two servers bringing each course (four of us). It was a little tough to be precise with the placement of plates (yeah, I know, what a tragedy . . not) because adjoining tables make it difficult at times. But if that is your biggest complaint, then you need to either (a) get a life, or (b) become a food critic for a rag in another town. As supported by our many return trips -- would recommend this restaurant and the tasting/pairings any day of the week. please visit and enjoy. Only downside -- and it is not their fault, so not reflected in the review -- they are on Capitol Hill and we got caught up in the Black Friday/Ferguson protests. So, even though the protests are infrequent, pay attention to that, and also be prepared to park some distance and walk. Still -- not enough to keep me from going back.

    (5)

  • Greg W.

    Went here for Valentines late night dinner. This was a 5 course meal that had several choices for each course. I am no chef, so I cannot really describe the food in immense detail but what I will say is every dish was amazing. Very complex flavors, kitchen staff showed some real culinary magic. Hand-made gnocchi was amazing and I used to work in a pasta shop, so I know great pasta. Wow... yum. The service was also top notch from beginning to end. Hostess was super friendly and stunning. Waiter described each course in great detail and suggested a perfect pairing of wine. If I were to subtract anything from the total experience it might be the slightly crowded setting. We shared a table with another couple and there was no divider between the dining area and the kitchen. Not exactly the romantic setting I had envisioned. The decor was pleasant, just crowed. Also the waiting area had enough room for about four people standing, so if there is a long wait or the weather is nasty I would advise having them call you from the bar next door once your table is ready. We arrived early for our 9:30 reservation but our table was not ready until almost 10 pm because they do not ask anyone to leave (some had been sitting close to four hours!). I think on special occasions they should limit how long people can sit. Still, totally worth the wait. I had forgotten how amazing food can be when top notch chefs and attentive staff bring out their A game. Unless you are rich, this will hit the wallet a little hard but I could never say it was overpriced, I just need to make more money. Hope to be back for another special occasion.

    (5)

  • Roberth K.

    The food is really good. The wine is really good. The sommelier really knows his wines and know how to follow up with questions about preferences in order to find you a really good wine to go with the meal. The noise level was a bit on the loud side for this type of restaurant. When I get beautiful dishes that are "crafted" rather than cooked I tend to expect a setting where you can talk in a loud voice to the person sitting next to you. Not so much here. Still. Worth coming back for new experiences. We don't have too many of this class of restaurants in Seattle and the funny thing is that in this area there are two within spitting distance of each other. My wallet does not like it as much as my palate though...

    (4)

  • Al C.

    I'd say perfect. We came for the valentines day special 4 course meal and it was flawless. The service was great and the food was even better. The salmon and roe amuse bouche wasn't my favorite. The filet with foie gras was phenom. This spot was expensive, but a very good meal indeed. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Wendy W.

    Went for a holiday dinner with three girlfriends. From the moment they take your coat at the door to the minute your coat is ready for you when you leave, the experience is outstanding. We all had the multi-course white truffle tasting menu and each course was better than the last. Of course having Chef come to the table and shave truffles on the a few of the courses was a very nice addition to the food - he is charming. The sommelier was extremely knowledgeable and went out of his way to look up where to find a wine we were discussing to find where to locate it - not even a wine we were tasting that evening. Lovely dinner!

    (5)

  • Mark D.

    3 courses - 67 w/o wine, 108 w/ wine 5 courses - 83 w/o wine, 148 w/ wine Tasting Menu - 123 w/o wine, 218 w/ wine You get to pick 1 entree, and then any of the other items for your other courses. I really like this system because I can choose to get an additional savory course instead of a dessert course. ===Bread=== Didn't like the bread. It's not warm. Shell is too hard. Inside not soft enough. Butter was too hard and difficult to spread. The evoo was however amazing. Not sure what it was but the residue at the bottom was really good. ===Appetizers=== Beef Carpaccio (Pickled Ramps, Parmessan Fondutta, Bone Marrow, Arugula) - A must get. The beef is extremely fresh. The rest of the ingredients don't really stand out, but this dish was the highlight of the meal. Chilled Melon Soup (Salumi, Nepitella Mint, Ligurian Olive Oil) - A nice, refreshing course. There's pieces of watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews. Would recommend. Foie Gras Seared and Chilled (Strawberries, Rhubarb, Tarragon, Amaro) - I had a piece and it was pretty good. The fois gras itself is not sweet nor drenched in sweet sauce, which was perfect for me. ===Pasta=== Pansotti (Rabbit, Summer Savory, Taggiasca Olives, Parmesan Brodo) - I'm not a fan of olives so I wouldn't recommend this. I couldn't really taste the rabbit anyways. Would pass. Papardelle (Spicy Calabrese Style Ragu of Braised Tripe and Oxtail) - This was delicous. The sauce was so tasty with a bit of spice for a much appreciated kick. The oxtail and tripe were delicious too. Pasta was also very nice. Highly recommend. Agnolotti (Braised Duck and Squab, Porcini, Summer Truffle) - Not a fan of truffles so didn't care much for that. The sauce was too salty, which ruined this dish imo. There's a bunch of peas that comes with it and some of them were a tad undercooked. Duck and Squab were not noticeable. I would not recommend this. ===Entree=== Slow Roasted Lamb Loin (Crispy Artichoke, Roasted Ribs, Diavolicchio, Polenta) - Tried a bit of everything but I didn't really find this interesting. I would pass. Wagyu Beef (Porcini Mushrooms, Lovage Oil, Potato Puree, Asparagus) - The potato puree just seemed like mashed potatoes haha. Asparagus were very thin ones. Wagyu beef was decent, it was cooked closer to rare than medium rare. It's an okay dish, but doesn't really blow me away. Pan Roasted Halibut (Sweet Corn Sformato, Spicy Crab Brodo, Frutti Di Mare) - The halibut was just okay. The corn sformato was really good. There's also a few pieces of geoduck and prawn in this one. I think this is the best entree out of the 3 we got. A very good experience at a restaurant that is on par with michelin star restaurants. Also excellent value as I hate deserts and love being able to replace it for a different item on the menu.

    (5)

  • Stan L.

    my wife and i came here for dinner to celebrate valentine's day.. of course we never celebrate on the day so we came the week prior.. in any event.. we got the tasting menu and we were extremely satisfied.. they even changed a couple dishes ever so slightly based on my wife's dietary restrictions without skipping a beat.. the service was excellent service.. but the pacing of the meal could have been slightly quicker.. the food itself is presented in a very artistic manner.. and it's truly a delight to eat.. i do love the fact they make their own charcuterie in house.. we'll definitely put this as a regular place on our fine dining rotation

    (5)

  • Celeste T.

    I went here on a whim with my husband - we had seen that Altura was rated 5 stars on OpenTable, which immediately made us wonder "why haven't we heard of this place?!" We used OpenTable to make a reservation for 15 minutes after finding the 5 star rating. We miraculously found excellent parking right in front of the restaurant, and were greeted pleasantly upon entering. The hostess also took our coats to hang up for us, which is always a nice touch. We sat at the counter, overlooking the open kitchen, which was fun. I always enjoy it when you can peer in at the cooking, and chat with the chefs from time to time. Plus, all of the chefs were friendly, open, and opinionated - definitely fun to chat with! They have an interesting pricing system, which is priced based on the number of courses you have and not the particular courses you eat. So, a 3 course meal is something like $68, and a four course meal is something like $78. (Those are my memory prices, probably not quite accurate to the menu prices!) You could do an appetizer, entree, and dessert, or three appetizers, or an appetizer and two pastas, etc for your 3 course meal. I chose to get two appetizers, a pasta, and an entree. My husband got an appetizer, two pastas, and an entree. (It was too much food!! But delish...more on that later.) My app was a creamy soup with croutons, salmon eggs, and Shigoku oysters. Very creamy, rich, and lovely. I shared my second app, an olive oil flight, with my husband. That was a lot of fun, and I didn't guess which would be my favorite properly - normally I like the green, grassy oils best but this time, I enjoyed the spicy peppery middle weight/middle colored oil best! My pasta was a buckwheat pasta - I love the chewy texture of buckwheat! And it's such a rich dark mahogany color, very pretty on the plate. I had a fish entree for a finale - and of course, couldn't eat it all. By this time I was absolutely stuffed! Holy moly :) I had a couple of their cocktails as well, each of which was tasty and delish. Definitely try the pepe, a black pepper-infused Manahattan. Service was exceptional, the atmosphere is pleasant - lots of unique touches (bull horns! fancy knives! wine boxes!) and a comfortable, lived in but neat feel.

    (5)

  • K J.

    One of the best meals I have ever had! The taste of each item is like an explosion of your senses. Everything was wonderful and made with such detail. I loved that to have this experience we did not have to dress up and it was not a stuffy atmosphere. I have had the pleasure to eat in many wonderful restaurants in many cities and countries (yet not a foodie), and this was an incredible surprise. Be ready to wait along time between courses (only downside) and portions are not made to quench hunger but you will not leave stuffed or full. (Maybe we should have eaten the bread). The melon soup, Waygu beef, and spring salad were superb. Gnocchi was fabulous too! I wish I would have taken more pictures!

    (5)

  • David W.

    Good, but perhaps I just like more robust favors than subtle. My wife and son both loved it, though I was less than thrilled for the price. The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, but having 3 people on a tiny table for two despite coming at opening time with no other patrons for 30 minutes was disappointingly cramped and noisy. The food was all good, but the portions were small and lacked anything especially thrilling taste wise.

    (3)

  • Tanya J.

    My dear husband is not always the most romantic type, but after 5 years of being married and us celebrating the big 5 yesterday, one thing he has learned over the years is the best way to my heart is through food. Smart man. He also learned to do some research and I happened to have this spot book marked for awhile now! Lastly, when you're 32 weeks pregnant, there are few things better than good food so yeah... the hubby got some big points for this one. We opted for the 3 courses option and added on dessert. -Summer Blackberry Cooler -Chicory Salad -Annie's Choice Salad (Burrata, tomatoes and melons) -Butter and Sage gnocchi -Spinach dumplings in a spicy tomato sauce -Steak with potato puree, cippollinis, green sugar peas, potato chips -Chocolate Truffle Cake Perfection. All of it. Want to know what struck me the most about this place? There was no need for an abundance of salt or sugar masking the natural flavors. I know that seems like such a basic concept but when you have food that makes you realize that, you start to look back and even some of my favorite restaurants over indulge in salt or sugar with their desserts. Nothing was too sweet. Nothing tasted too salty. Additionally, this place reminded me a lot of our experience at Lummi Island's Willow's Inn or even Sutra to some degree with the courses concept, however, of the 3, my vote is on Altura. Sutra and Willows Inn are wonderfully exotic. This was amazingly flavorful and quite new in tastiness with it's unique course combinations yet had a touch of familiarity that I welcomed. I can't wait to try the 11 courses next time!

    (5)

  • Diana K.

    As my husband dropped me off to get parking, I have to admit staring at the entry door handle, as it was meticulously designed. Everything else in the restaurant was as elequently thought through. While on the high end side, it was worth every penny for the casually sophisticated experience. The Rhubarb taster with the tiny custard, expertly prepared. When the waiter said there was orange in the topping and I am highly allergic, he removed it. Most restaurants, that would have been the end of it, but our waiter came back within minutes with one with no orange. The wine was wonderful and every course (we had the three course dinner) was better than the last. It reminded of the serving style of our favorite night out in Paris, where we had an articulate five course dinner. Your choice was three course, five course or sampling of many of the dishes artfully prepared from the kitchen. We were almost late for The Lion King at the Paramount and missed one course, which they refunded. Be prepared for an evening of delicious food in a casually well thought out environment. Can't wait to return and this time include the wine pairing with dinner.

    (5)

  • Mia S.

    My boyfriend and I went together with a couple of friends and we had a blast. The food was wonderful.

    (5)

  • Mary J.

    Comparing reviews between yelp, urban spoon and 1 other site, it looked like Altura is the top rated restaurant in Seattle. I made reservations for 6pm Saturday night. The hostess was very pleasant & welcoming. We were seated right away. The lights were very low. The menus are a nice paper, maybe vellum? Unfortunately they were hard for us to read. I grabbed the candle, leaving my friend in the dark. ;) The waiter came by a couple times to say he'd be with us soon. It was probably over 20 minutes before he was ready to talk to us. The menu is simple yet complicated. The "tasting menu" featuring rare, seasonal white truffles was $167 per person. The paired wines are $98 per person. I'd planned to do this menu but we changed with a change in who went with me. The other option starts at 5 courses for $67 & paired wines for $48. We couldn't agree on who would drive us home so we both skipped the paired wines. We started with a nice proseco & bread with garlic butter with a sea salt sprinkle & an olive oil dip. The sea salt was magical! I forget the menu names.. i had veal carpaccio? It was good. She had the salad. It was excellent. We added the octopus. It was also good. Next was gnocchi, which is the best I've had, anywhere in the world. Her pasta was a fine ribbon, maybe stuffed... in a very light broth. The broth reminded us of pho. It was also an excellent dish. We both had the American wagyu steak. So.. they had the best Japanese wagyu that night too. It wasn't on the menu. The waiter raved about it but advised that it's only served black & blue. Neither of us thought to ask when we ordered the American wagyu. It is also served chicago. He should of mentioned it. Had I realized either way that I'd be eating an extra rare steak... We would of had the Japanese wagyu. So we missed out but the American version was excellent. Around this time... the hostess brought the water pitcher over. No notice, no excuse me... she swung right in front of my friends face extremely fast and reached to the far side of the table to fill her glass. I worked in restaurants 15 yrs. It was one of the rudest, least professional & slightly dangerous moves I've seen in years. My friend was almost slammed in the face! I was appalled!!!! That would never happen at "the best" restaurant in any city! The cheese course was next. There were 2 options. We shared the Robiolo? cheese plate. The concept was lost on me. It was a light airy... Idk what. With melted cheese. It was like a strange french version of nachos but we couldn't figure out how to eat it. It disintegrated when picked up and was equally hard to eat with a fork. I took 1 bite & decided it wasn't worth the effort. She liked the flavors and ate it but we both gave it a fail. She had the lemon velo for dessert. It was excellent. I had the chocolate, coffee, hazelnut semifreddo. It was ok. In general we agreed that most of the food was excellent. But some was just ok. With 20-30 minute wait to begin service and some of the bussing issues.... for $275... I had slightly higher expectations.

    (4)

  • Doug H.

    Just spent $450 for food, drinks and tip for my wife and I. Food was excellent. I didn't mind paying the $125 per person Valentine's day menu, but I am offended by them charging me $14 for my bourbon and soda- especially as I said their well bourbon was fine. It's inexcusable when specialty drinks on the menu are $12.

    (2)

  • Zoe B.

    Altura is the ultimate dining experience in Seattle. The chefs take their time preparing each course and pay attention to the details ingredient-by-ingredient, while you can sit back and savor the perfection that makes you smile with every bite. The wait staff also works seamlessly together to serve and walkthrough each plate with the same care that the chefs put into preparing the food. The restaurant is quaint with a rustic charm. Street parking is easy. The setting is casual and non-pretentious. Altura is all about great food. The tasting menu is a must. If you're seeking heavy pasta dishes and are in a rush, go somewhere else. If you're willing to be adventurous and taste an array of flavors, Altura is THE place to go. Each dish is well thought out, well balanced and simply delightful. I also thought 14 courses at $128/per person (without wine pairing) is very reasonable. At the end of the meal, you receive a little gift to take home as a keepsake to remember the night. A nice touch. Dedicate an evening at Altura. The tasting menu took us nearly four hours to complete, but it's absolutely worth it and a memorable experience you'll never forget.

    (5)

  • Mylene B.

    An explosion of textures and flavors are what's in store when you visit Altura and sample Chef Nathan's cuisine. The cold tomato soup paired sweet and savory with melon foiled by a cucumber granita -- superb! Stuffed calamari and octopus (cooked like I remember them in Greece) burst with flavor. Pastas made up the rest of our adventure -- velvety risotto / light fresh-flavored cavatelli and snails / agnolotti stuffed with sweetbreads and framed by chanterelles and morels / pillows of gnocchi with a spicy kick / and delicate ribbons of tagliatelle in a rich ragu with a little kick of heat at the finish to remind you these guys aren't fooling around! The wine pairings are delightful and will take the pressure off whoever is responsible for choosing a bottle. Save room for dessert -- the mom-traditional cannoli's are with a try. Enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Orlene C.

    This is a lovely location for a special occasion because it combines the tasting/seasonal menu experience with the best type of cuisine - Italian! It is nice that after choosing the number of courses, you have the flexibility to decide to have more than one of any of the course types except for the exception of only one main entree. Thus, if you fell for a pasta during the pasta portion instead of dessert, you could decide to have another pasta. I know this place is known for the wine pairing, but I have to note that I tasted the best beer of my life here with the Flemish Kiss, and I am not normally a beer person.

    (5)

  • Lauren P.

    Sat at the bar and we ordered the tasting menu. The overall experience was incredible! Food was beyond delicious and watching the chefs create their masterpieces added even more. Would definitely recommend going to Altura!!

    (5)

  • Hitchiker R.

    But for one kink, this would have been a 5 star restaurant. Allow me to elaborate. The restaurant does have really good food. They have 5 courses from which you can choose 3 - besides the appetizers, entrees, dessert, they have the option of pasta, coffee and cheese. Fantastic. For appetizer, I had the salsify soup which was excellent. The roe fresh except the oyster, not so much. Not stale, but it wasn't super fresh. It's weird since Seattle has no dearth of fresh off the ocean oysters. My husband had the salumi plate which was excellent. All made in house. Lip smacking good. For entree, we had the venison and pork shank. Both excellent, excellent. The venison was definitely worth the extra $.. why have I not had this before?! So tender and not overpowering. What hurt me the most was the dessert. Now I have a sweet tooth, but the dessert was completely uninspired. It is what I would make if I had a bunch of leftover things and mood swings hit me. I ordered the semifreddo which was awful! As I said, they just dumped leftovers together. No thought, no love, not the work of a good pastry chef. My husband had the cannoli which would be fine except the filling was thicker and tasted like it was made a year before(Fresh ricotta? Nope). It is possible that they made it themselves or had a bad batch? The huckleberry was decent and the candied lemons were the only things that allowed me to finish the dessert (we split the dessert, half) All in all a good restaurant. It is a little loud for an upscale place but not bad considering the open kitchen and small space. Service is excellent. The cocktails were stiff.

    (4)

  • Katya L.

    I had an absolutely EXQUISITE birthday dinner here. I wish I hadn't waited two weeks to review Altura so the experience was fresher in my mind! My boyfriend had called and made reservations. Immediately, the service was outstanding. They asked him if we wanted to sit at a table or at the bar so we could view the open kitchen. They also asked about food allergies, so our server and the kitchen could be prepared for any specific needs. I'm gluten-intolerant, and I'd had no idea that the host had asked the boy about allergies, so I was very pleasantly surprised when our server began describing the gluten content on the menu and the different ways they could alter dishes to accommodate my needs. So considerate! The space itself is great - it's small and intimate without being too crowded or loud. We sat at the bar so we could watch the chefs work, and didn't bump elbows with anyone all night. Altura manages to hit that very fine point between unpretentious, neighborhood restaurant and fine dining - obviously it's upscale and the food is divine (and the price point reflects that) but it's not stuffy or stiff, but welcoming. Chef/owner Nathan Lockwood was in the kitchen himself, cooking up a storm, and took the time to greet and chat with the diners. Overall, the service was excellent - just like the space itself, our server was professional and welcoming, just casual enough to make us feel at home and at ease. The sommelier nailed the wine pairings. I could really see how much heart, care and hard work went into Altura and its everyday functionality, and it made me happy to be there. We chose the four-course menu with wine pairings. The kitchen started us out with an amuse bouche which I've already forgotten (don't judge me!) but that doesn't mean it wasn't memorable! For the first course, I had the chilled melon soup with lobster and speck (a cured proscuitto-like meat) and it was fantastic! The soup itself was delicately, lightly flavored and complemented the tender, delicate lobster perfectly; the speck added a little salty, smoky kick. The boy had the Oregon quail - sliced stuffed breast with green beans and hazelnuts, also with speck. Tender, warm, succulent, the meat melted on the tongue. I said to hell with the gluten thing for once (it's my birthday!) and got a pasta course. Pappardelle is my favorite pasta in the universe and I couldn't turn it down. It was tossed with braised tripe and oxtail in a light tomato sauce with calabrian chiles - I was a little apprehensive about trying tripe for the first time, but Chef Lockwood told me not to be afraid ("it's not scary tripe; it's friendly tripe") so I bit the bullet and I'm glad I did! The tripe and oxtail were cooked perfectly, to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, the pappardelle was just a touch past al dente and the chiles added a smoky, spicy kick. The boy had the agnolotti with duck, pheasant, chanterelles and crispy fried sage. Not quite as memorable as the pappardelle, but still excellent and prepared to perfection. For our mains I had the halibut with spinach, fried artichoke and diavolicchio peppers. Again, perfect! Tender, fall-apart halibut that wasn't at all fishy; the diavolicchio added a depth to the dish without overwhelming heat and the artichoke provided a bite of salt. The boy had the duck breast, and it was tender, succulent, moist - some of the best duck I've ever tasted. Instead of dessert, we both ordered the cheese course. I had a soft, creamy water buffalo milk cheese (!!) and the boy had a pungent, salty gorgonzola. The water buffalo cheese was served with a generous portion of pork belly, crumbled nuts and fried crispy sage, presented on the plate as an Italian flag! I found that amusing, and it was absolutely delicious. And even though we hadn't ordered dessert, the kitchen presented us with tiny cups of mascarpone with whipped hot cocoa poured over, with a candle in a raspberry and a 'Happy birthday!' written on the plate. Luckily it was a dessert we could drink, because at that point we were both stuffed! The four-course meal took us just over four hours (!!) and we left shortly after midnight. The restaurant had closed at that point and the chefs were cleaning up and putting away the ingredients and instruments, yet they still took the time to chat with us and no one rushed us to leave. We were welcome to take our time, savor the food, enjoy the experience and roll out fat and happy. No wonder Seattle Magazine had given Altura the Best Restaurant award! It's well-deserved.

    (5)

  • Kathleen W.

    Lifetime top 10 dining experience. Definitely worth the wine pairing.

    (5)

  • Sisi Z.

    Too excited to say anything. Too cool to describe with any words. You will feel regret if u don't try it.

    (5)

  • Neil W.

    This was probably the best dining experience I have had in Seattle Proper. From the service to the food; everything was excellent. We were warmly greeted at the door and immediately sat. The place is pretty small, but it is not overly crowded. The kitchen is center stage. It is beautiful and clean. I was worried that the kitchen commotion would distract from the experience and evening, but you really did not notice it unless you wanted to. I love the menu! My wife and I don't have the same diet and chef's menus are always off the table. Here the entire table does not have to get the chef's choice menu like at other places. You get to pick and choose how many courses you want (1-5 plus the chef's choice which was 6 courses I believe). The prices for the course were very reasonable and if you just wanted a dish you can order ala carte. I started with the crudo of scallop, razor clam, uni and something else (sorry). It was a bright and wonderful start to the meal. It was just the right size with nothing overwhelming the plate, very good balance and seasoning. Next was the grilled octopus with a very spicy chili oil and white bean puree. The octopus was tender with a little chew and the bean puree was amazing; it was creamy and cooling with just the right amount of seasoning. The chili oil, while a little too hot for me, was a nice compliment to the flavors. My pasta was the Dungeness crab tagliatelle pasta with guanciale. Perfect sized portion of pasta cooked to a perfect al dente. The guanciale added a nice salt and smoke to the dish. The crab was a little lacking in flavor and texture. I was hoping to get a few more meaty bites, but the meat was a little too broken down. The main course was rabbit 5 ways. Mousse wrapped in skin and cooked off like a sausage section. It was tender and wonderful. Slow cooked shoulder wrapped in cabbage; tender and comforting, it was my favorite. Grilled and sliced kidney, which was surprisingly delicious. Braised shank, think was a little tough. Rack, this was really small and difficult to get off the toothpick sized bones, but full of flavor. The least favorite was the chicken fried liver. It was chalky and flavorless. I watched my wife enjoy her tomato 3 ways and pasta. She still talks about the tomatoes. There is a small selection of spirits and good wines. The service was wonderful. Our server was nice and accommodating. We never felt rushed. I would not recommend this for large parties. It is a great atmosphere for a romantic date or a dinner with friends. Altura is a diner centered restaurant; from the exceptional customer service to the amazing food. I never felt an ego from the staff, kitchen or menu; just pure dining enjoyment.

    (5)

  • Jade D.

    Altura in 3 words: superfab dining eXperience. not just a restaurant but truly an eXperience. the Fincy and I had an absolute blast--some courses of the tasting menu better than others but overall just delightful. loved the food, staff, ambiance. plus the sous chefs were engaging, in love with what they do, and entertaining.

    (5)

  • Clint W.

    Whoa, pretty dang nice. It's a long skinny place, with an open kitchen and a semi loft up above. The space reminded me of Tavolata, except you can sit around the kitchen like at Harvest Vine. I think it's their love child. I opted for the tasting menu and was blown away by the aperitif.....grapefruit juice, beet juice and dandelion. Very nice. I wanted an entire bowl of it. A nice pasta followed, that spoke of freshness and herbs. There was a shrimp and lobster dish, with a sprinkling of caviar...a wagyu gnocchi that was oh so tender, followed by a wagyu baton dish. Accompanying the wagyu was a bowl with a few baby turnips covered with almost a creamy turnip soup. Wonderful, especially I'm not necessarily a turnip fan. Honestly, I snuck a sample of my friend's lamb saddle and I preferred hers to my wagyu. I expected more melt in your mouth and flavor burst. The dish I liked the least was the finish, micro greens with cheese, beets and some carmelized onions. They allow plenty of mixing and matching and the next time, I think I want to dive into more of the pastas. I'm a big risotto fan and of course, there is always the papardelle. The bill packs a wallop, just so you know. It's good and a special occasion place but it delivers. Also, the noise level can be very loud and it was difficult to hear dishes being explained at times.

    (4)

  • Lucien S.

    As good as Seattle has to offer for high end dinning. Chef Nathan works every shift on line thats why is so good, if you can splurge take both flights

    (5)

  • Holly D.

    I'm not sure how we have missed this in our frequent visits to Seattle. We usually spend a bit of time preparing our dining out plans and prioritizing our restaurants. ..so much deliciousness in Seattle. I agree with the previous poster regarding atmosphere. It's the perfect restaurant to go on a date, with close friends or alone. So warm,inviting and lovely. All of our dishes were delicious, we sat at the bar and watched the chefs who are so totally focused on perfection it was impressive and endearing. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Annie B.

    Food was amazing and the hostess was kind and helpful. Me and my boyfriend will defiantly be back. This place is on my favorite list.

    (5)

  • David W.

    Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere. Wonderful wine pairings to inspired food. Slightly uncomfortable chairs.

    (5)

  • Troy H.

    Great food but limited bar unless you like wine, poor atmosphere and lighting and too crowded for the small space. Very wine-oriented, and I don't like wine. Ordered a Bombay Sapphire martini, called a "classic martini" by the waitress, but was served in a low-ball glass -- the olives didn't even touch the gin. Dogfish Head's 90 Minute IPA was served in a pilsner glass, very amateurish for a very expensive restaurant. It's also way too crowded, they pack you into the bar seating like sardines. I've been to crowded singles bars on a Saturday night with more elbow room - it must be a fire code violation to stuff so many seats together.

    (4)

  • Dan O.

    Had dinner here with my Wife - a very Pregnant Wife.. and we got sat on the counter. We were told that it would be another 30 minute wait to get a table- so we figured we'd just "suck it up".. mind you, normally when you drop $200 plus on dinner- "sucking it up" should really not be part of the experience... ...on sitting on the counter- you get to see the action of the meal- 4 man line so it was entertaining to watch, the cooks move really well and the plating was nice. But with the slow service, the counter becomes a very uncomfortable place to sit for a easy going dinner. So its pick your poison, but apparently policy for 2 tops is crap shoot- table or counter depending on what is available. As for the meal- it was Good- its a choice tasting so- no ala carte items- but the prices were reasonable. We started with a Salumi- decent choices- mortadella, coppa, duck and I think lard. For the Second- we got Pasta choices- and this was the highlight of the meal- tripe with parpadelle and ravioli- all made well, the portion to me was ideal- not the standard big bowl pasta you stereotypically expect- really just a few bites of perfectly cooked pasta with a complimentary sauce. 3rd Course I got Tail & Trotters dish- reminded me of a mini porchetta very nicely prepared, with the right crisp etc... Wife had Cod and she ate most of it except the flan/panna cotta that accompanied the dish- again, must have been a miss for her. Dessert was the most disappointing- Crostata beautifully presented but again- Wife left a lot on the plate. I got the Aceto Balsamico- b/c big fan of 25 year aged Balsamic... paired with Mascarpone Gelato and Olive Oil Cake- and at $15 supplement (I'm assuming for the Balsamic Vinegar) was expecting something more than olive oil cake, scoops of mascarpone gelato- some cookie crumbles, and pomegranate seeds.. and tuiles ..& a drizzle of the vinegar. Coffee arrived half way through desserts- Server gave us the option of getting coffee during or after dessert and we chose during.. but I guess the timing was off. Cappuccino foam looked like it was scooped into coffee, and was deflated by the time I took my first sip. As for service- it was slow, 10 minutes to get 1st, 15 minutes for 2nd another whopping 15 for 3rd ... for a Course Meal, it seemed lacking in timing. Overall- the food was very good- but I doubt we would return and be regulars just on the total experience- its a great once in a blue moon jaunt- but for the cost, the hassle of getting there- parking is awful, style of service and the lack of the little things that make a dining experience impressive - I'd have to say Altura isn't in that weight class yet. But they sure make killer pasta... Kudos to them on that.

    (3)

  • Jennifer B.

    We went back 2 years later and everything was just as exquisite as it was the first time around. My only regret is not licking each plate clean for fear of getting the side-eye from the folks seated next to me. I have a feeling that the kitchen staff wouldn't have minded much, though. I would only subtract a star due to that enormous white truffle that was wafted at me and how its intoxicating aroma continues to haunt me four days later.

    (5)

  • Loralee V.

    A fabulous little gourmet Italian/NW fusion place hidden on Capitol Hill. Before I could even enter, the door handle, a beautifully iron sculpted scape door handle captured my heart! - This scape (a leafless flower stalk) ironically and deliciously ended up in several of my menu choices. - mild garlic taste. Every dish is made with great care, executed flawlessly, and packs some serious flavor. The menu, which changes weekly, is a tasting format, so you choose three, four, or five courses from the menu or the 7-Course Chef's Tasting menu. Seasonal changes allow them to showcase the finest and freshest ingredients in season with artisan technique. Although considered high-end with pricing to match; refreshingly, this is not a stuffy or formal restaurant. The intimate setting is genius and complete with passionate flawless service. This is a great place for romance or to spend time with good friends/family. Altura and its amazing owner/chef have not only been showered with accolades locally, they have also received quite a bit of attention on a national level. A must for every Seattleite and visitor!

    (5)

  • Mishel F.

    The best meal of 2013 so far, simply perfect in every way. This cute little restaurant in Capital Hill belies an amazingly sophisticated kitchen with ingredients foraged locally so that each day's menu is as fresh and local as can be. We opted for the 5 course tasting and one person in our party had severe allergies which were accommodated without any problems. Another one was vegetarian and despite a very meat heavy menu, they also modified each dish without the meat. I highly recommend the wine pairings which included obscure varietals I never would have chosen and perfectly complimented our meal. The vegetarian ravioli was so incredible, we actually ordered seconds - it wasn't on the menu but we had asked for a pasta with no meat. The cocktail list while small was very creative. Loved the ambiance, especially the bathrooms (sounds weird but you just have to try). The service was excellent, not overly solicitous but very competent. Our server was knowledgeable of the menu and all the ingredients in each dish. Yes, it's pricey but you get what you pay for and it was worth every penny. Cannot wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Mitchell M.

    Another amazing Seattle dining experience. I suggest sitting at the chef's table if you are a party of 2 or 3. The chef's table is actually a counter that gets you up close and personal with the chefs in this open kitchen restaurant. It is fun to watch them cook, and some will interact with you & discuss the food if you want. However, I feel bad as I think they have to tone it down a bit since they are under a microscope. The service is good. Nothing crazy. Really just what I would expect at a restaurant of this caliber. That said, a restaurant of this caliber shouldn't overcook salmon either, so nothing is a given. As for the rest of the food, it was all very impressive. The beef carpaccio should be their signature appetizer if it isn't already. The octopus and cuttlefish was also very good, though if I could only order one appetizer...it'd have to the be the carpaccio. The papardelle is amazing as advertised, but the tagliatelle with basil fed snails was the best pasta dish I've had in recent memory. The rabbit five ways is fantastic, though not a filling dish, so even though they will shrink the pasta course if you want...I would say bring on the full course pasta if you are ordering rabbit. I couldn't help but fell like a giant while eating the rabbit rib chops. They have a very nice selection of wine although options under $40 are limited. They have a good selection of Pacific Northwest vineyards, and we really enjoyed the Pinot Noir we had from Williamette for $64. Light to medium body. Perfect for pasta, fish & rabbit...but I think it would pair well with red meat also. It was the Beaux Fréres Les Cousins '11 if you think you'd like to order. We had a great experience here, and would recommend as one of the must visit restaurants in Seattle. We were also very impressed with their flexibility around the menu, especially the tasting menu options.

    (4)

  • Kate T.

    OH MY WOW! We went here last night for date night with another couple. It was truly amazing and special and yummy and everything else you would want from a restaurant! We were a party of 4 so we decided the 3 course dinner and then the boys got dessert and cheese as well :) Everything was fresh, paced perfectly, perfectly paired with wine and just perfect..did I mention perfect? Even the bathroom was awesome...washcloths instead of towels...LOVE! I don't know what else to say other than everything and everyone was amazing and it was SOOOO PERFECT!!

    (5)

  • Anna P.

    WOW! This place ranks up in the top 3 dining experiences I have had in Seattle, right up there with Sutra and Spinasse. Why? Because it was memorable and delicious. There is a reason Altura won restaurant of the year in 2012: thoughtfully made food executed flawlessly. Each bite was backed up with serious flavor, you can tell the chef takes quite a bit of time to craft the menu which is something I appreciate since I love to cook. It's expensive but you 100% get your moneys worth in food and service. I recommend sitting at the bar/counter because you get the opportunity to watch the chefs prepare the dishes and chat with them about everything they are preparing--they are super friendly. Menu is done in a tasting format so you pay for a package vs. a la carte. Changes seasonally to showcase the freshest ingredients in season. Recommend to anyone who appreciates good food and doesn't mind spending a little extra for the special touches. Not the best place to take someone that doesn't really get into the restaurant scene or wants a bargain meal. It is a small space so recommend making a reservation ahead of time if you go on the weekend.

    (5)

  • Chris D.

    Was lucky enough to grab a reservation for last Saturday for four, and a later seating (9pm). Have heard lots of excitement around the place so was looking forward to the visit. First impression was great. The room is warm, fragrant, and bustling with energy. From the packed dining room, both at the counter and the tables surrounding, to the kitchen, very well staffed with each person behind the counter busy and focused at his or her unique task, getting beautiful plates out to the hungry patrons. I read an article that described the place as "serious", Not serious as in solemn: solemnity is the pious affectation that diminishes so many otherwise worthy dining rooms. There are many reviews here so I am going to keep it straight forward and simple. For me, a night out, especially one where you are going to shell out more than a few of your hard earned dollars, there has to be a balance of ambiance, service and of course food. Altura nailed all of these and more for me. Each plate that was carefully and eagerly placed at our table was not only atheistically crafted, but a delight for the taste buds. From start to finish, this was about as good as it gets. Be prepared to believe the hype.

    (4)

  • Victoria C.

    My bf and I went here for an early Valentines Day dinner on Feb 13th and we were both disappointed in our experience. I had such high hopes for this place, given the high reviews, but the food was just not that great. Having dined with prix fixe menus before including a 2 Michelin star restaurant in Versailles, we expected the same level of excellence in both service, ambiance, and food. Perhaps our expectations were too high for Seattle. PROS: 1. Great drinks. I can't remember what I ordered, but it was delicious and strong. 2. Lots of options on the menu. Sure, it's prix fixe, but you can pick and choose your own menu, somewhat a la carte. CONS: 1. The food was sub-par. We each ordered five courses. I ordered a forgettable salad, the salsify soup, gnocchi with ragu, tripe pappardelle, and scallops. Some negative things of note include: the gnocchi was the wrong texture--it sort of crumbled on my plate and fell apart, and the ragu sauce was bland; the tripe was not prepared right. If done well, it should melt in your mouth. Instead it was tough and chewy. The scallops were way too salty. I will say the salsify soup was the best thing I ate--super delicious, creamy, and full of intense flavor. 2. Ambiance is lacking. The tables are just way too crowded. I felt like I could hear the conversations of the couples next to us even at a whisper, and we were pretty much elbow to elbow. 3. Disinterested staff. The staff never came by to check on us--we only saw them when they delivered our courses. The place left a bad taste in my mouth and sadly, I will be steering clear of the place and warning my friends to do the same.

    (2)

  • julie L.

    Exceptional dinner. Fabulous service. Delicious food. Imaginative (venison ravioli with chocoate infused sauce!) and extremely well balanced taste and texture in every dish. Kudos to the chef. It was my husbands birthday, and it was most excellent. Especially loved the razor clams with semolina crust. Just outstanding. Tough to get a reservation, but worth doing so well in advance to have a special meal at this top notch seattle restaurant. Pricing was fair--$49 for three courses of your choice! Yummy.

    (5)

  • Katy H.

    My boyfriend and I just created the absolute BEST new holiday tradition. Spend Xmas Eve with his family, Xmas Day with mine, and the day after Christmas we spend alone going to dinner and a movie. It was a great way to treat ourselves after spending way too much time with family. Having wanted to check out Altura for months, we finally realized that dream last night. Having heard nothing but great things, I was already set up to be impressed. But what followed was a meal and a dining experience that more than met each and every expectation. Walking in on a cold rainy night, we were greeted by a lovely, happy, smiling hostess who offered to hang our coats for us. Wanting to sit at the chef's table (or bar top) we were able to nab to seats where we could enjoy each other's company and also watch everything going on in the kitchen. It was fascinating to watch a team of 4 cook meals for a restaurant that seats 40! We admired how every square inch of the kitchen was used in innovative and creative ways to keep the staff organized. Even the top of the oven was used as a warming station so dishes in the middle of preparation were able to stay out of the way and stay warm at the same time. Browsing the menu we realized that everything here is sold by courses. You can oder as few as 3 courses and as many as 7 or 8? It was incredible! And each course could be paired with a wine or you could choose a wine or cocktail of your choice. Just as we began to browse the menu we were offered small a amuse-bouche and and apertif. Lovely little touches! Because we typically love to share plates, we went with the 3 course option and each chose 3 different dishes for the evening. This would allow us to swap plates and try 6 different dishes throughout the evening. From white truffle pasta dishes to rabbit cooked 5 ways, the meal was incredible. Passing our plates back and forth we really stuffed ourselves! The highlight of the evening (aside, of course from the shaved white truffle) was the pork loin. It was wrapped in Speck and had a quail egg cooked on top. It was absolutely incredible and I was so glad we'd ordered it. Each dish was fantastic, the service was impeccable and for a few brief seconds the chef engaged in conversation with us between preparations. It was lovely to watch everything and I was really impressed with how comfortable barstools were. I could have sat there all night! When it came time for dessert we absolutely ached. Practically needing to be carried out we were so full, we sadly declined a 4th course of dessert. And as if we needed to be impressed even more, the server brought over a little complimentary mini hot chocolate dessert! Everyone was so gracious and so kind here. Not only did I love it as much as all of my friends had insisted, I loved all of the extra touches I hadn't heard about. Smiling service, a great wine list, casual yet classy decor, etc. I definitely have a new favorite restaurant in Seattle and it won't be next Xmas until I'm back!

    (5)

  • John F.

    best dinner I've had in a long time in seattle.

    (5)

  • Linda F.

    My husband and I went to Altura for the first time last night to celebrate our anniversary. Having moved here from LA about a year ago, I didn't want want to get my hopes up because I've been disappointed by Tom Douglas and other celebrated chefs in Seattle. However, we were pleasantly surprised by our experience and blown away by the food and hospitality. We decided to have the three-course menu instead of the tasting menu because my husband really wanted to try the pappardelle with tripe and oxtail ragu and we were told that we couldn't have that with the tasting menu (although we later found out that we could). I couldn't have any of the delicious-looking pasta because I am allergic to gluten and eggs (damn celiac disease!), but here's what we had: * Panna cotta amuse bouche - so light and refreshing * Salsify soup - delicious but felt a bit heavy afterwards (full disclosure: this might have been because of my sensitivity to dairy, but my husband said he felt the same way) * Chicory salad - delicious; perfectly tart and acidic to follow the creamy soup * Pappardelle with tripe and oxtail ragu - again, I couldn't have this, but my husband couldn't stop raving about it and said that it tasted just like the delicious tripe we had in Florence, Italy last year * Zabuton steak - my husband really liked this dish, but he thought the mushrooms were a tad salty and the toasted farro was just okay * Ling cod with spot prawns - I think this was my favorite dish of the night; perfectly balanced flavors, the cod was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was light and flavorful * Meyer lemon in velo - delicious; light and tart and not too sweet (just how I like my desserts) * Vanilla-rum panna cotta - this was good, but we didn't love it, and there was a supplemental charge of $15 for this one; the panna cotta itself was really good, but I thought the aged balsamic overpowered the rest of the flavors Service throughout the meal was impeccable. Our server, James, was lovely and attentive, and he checked with the kitchen numerous times to make sure they could modify my meal choices for my gluten and egg allergies. I had also mentioned my sensitivity to dairy, so he checked with me each time before he served anything with dairy. We sat at the counter and watched the chefs work and, after our meal, we got to talking to Sous Chef Nicholas Apt about the tripe dish. I asked him if he could make a gluten-free version of the dish for me next time so I could try the tripe and oxtail ragu, and, even though they had already almost finished cleaning up the kitchen for the night, he immediately offered to whip up something for me right then and there. Wow! So, even though we were already stuffed to the gills, I got to try Nick's impromptu "cheesy tripe fries" (tripe and oxtail ragu over crispy potato strips and fresh grated cheese). YUMYUMYUM!!! And, as if we still had any room in our stomachs, our server James brought out one last course to refresh our palettes after the tripe - kiwi sorbet (made from kiwis from James' mom's garden) over blood orange granita. Ohmygosh. All in all, we absolutely loved our experience at Altura. I hardly ever write five-star reviews, but this restaurant definitely deserves a rave review. We've already booked our next reservation at Altura (a.k.a. my new favorite restaurant in Seattle) for my birthday next month, and this time we're going to try the tasting menu. Can't wait! Thanks James and Nick and everyone else at Altura who made our anniversary so delicious. We'll see you again soon.

    (5)

  • Sharon F.

    This might go down in history as my longest review, but there's just so much to say about Altura! It's hard to capture it in a simple review, but from the moment you enter the beautiful open space, you know it will be an experience that elevates your understanding of cuisine. I've been on several occasions, every time for the 3 course meal, which if you supplement with dessert/cheese plate, is plenty. The seats at the bar are also the best seats at the house if you're in an intimate group. The amuse is always inventive and seasonal, and there's always an extra cost foie gras dish on the appetizer list. I recently tried their foie of the hour - seared and chilled foie, with cherries, pistachio and cocoa nibs. It was out of this world! Who knew foie gras tastes better chilled?? Since the menu changes on a weekly basis, it's hard to comment strictly on food. What's surprising about Altura, is how fresh their seafood can be. On one visit there was a Crudo Misto with very fresh sea urchin and perfectly zesty citrus dressing. If the Vitello Tonnato - essentially a veal tartare - ever comes back on the menu, I would highly recommend it. The mixture of veal, quail eggs, pickled beets and arugula was perfect. The Pappardelle is also a staple, and a must-get. Since it's an open kitchen, when the braised tripe and oxtail ragu is heated up, the whole restaurant smells like a warm Italian nonna's supper call. Altura is also a carnivore's paradise. I can remember the taste of the pork shoulder with smokey speck, blended foie gras and rabbit as tender as can be. Their duck breast, flatiron steak and diver scallops are also divine, but my favourite is their venison saddle. It was cooked perfectly medium-rare. The meat had a gamey but creamy texture, and the plate was served with braised cabbage, apples, parsnip, and a sweet potato/potato mille-feuille of unthinkably thin slices, and truly demonstrates the knife work of the chefs. Service was impeccable. Our water was refilled frequently and our server knew just when to offer us another drink or the bill. Sitting at the bar also offers a perfect view into the preparation of the dishes. In review, I've used the word "perfect" 4 times because it really is the best way to describe Altura.

    (5)

  • Joseph L.

    Fresh delicious food. Fantastic to try variety of dishes while trying the 5 course meal. That being said don't go hungry because you may not leave full unless you weigh 100 lbs like my dinner partner. Great experience and flavors either way.

    (4)

  • Shaman D.

    Inventive, Italian. Intimate Atmosphere. It's amore! We went here for our friends birthday a couple of nights ago. It was the perfect choice. The atmosphere was cozy and warm. The noise level was low to moderate. While the menu is limited and changes weekly, it offers a wide range of alternative meats such as venison, rabbit, elk, oxtail, and squab. The food was savory and delicious. The menu allows you to choose 3, 4 or 5 courses ranging from $57-$79. We ordered 3 courses and it was a good amount of food - we were all stuffed. We had the crudo misto, pumpkin risotto, squash soup, the baby octopus (spice and my favorite), crispy duck risotto, flank steak, black cod, and venison. We of course tasted each others dishes and savored each bite. For dessert we had the apple crostada with homemade gelato. I was impressed with the staff. Especially because they called me the day before my reservation to let me know they would decorate the plate for my friends birthday! They also asked what other type of surprises/decorations I would like. During the meal, we did have a few glitches with the meal - but they were extremely accommodating to my vegetarian friend.

    (5)

  • Caitlin C.

    AS GOOD AS DINING GETS. I had extremely high hopes of this restaurant from all of the reviews I've read, and I'm a pretty high maintenance diner. From the moment I walked into the door at Altura on a busy Saturday night, I was not disappointed. The 4 course meal my fiancé and I enjoyed was just over the top in every aspect - with flavor, texture and visually appealing - every dish was like a piece of artwork. The thing that makes this restaurant of only a year and a half so incredible- is that the owner, Nathan Lockwood, is also the chef, and touches every single thing you are eating. I loved watching him in the kitchen - it was like a beautiful dance. The restaurant is arranged so the kitchen is in the middle, and is really the focus; its a great conversation piece, and next time, my fiancé and I will for sure sit at the bar top so we can interact with the chefs more closely. There are only 32 seats in the restaurant, so you will feel by that you are being very taken care of by the very alert, and prompt waitstaff. Our waitress, Nancy, was outstanding. When she realized our first course hadn't been brought out (a miscommunication with the kitchen), she graciously brought us wine pairings for the rest of our dinner -- complimentary. I would recommend a few dishes but Nancy informed us the menu rotates every month or so, which I find completely intriguing to return here even more often! Altura is a 5 star restaurant with the best service, the best food and atmosphere I have experienced in a long time. Do yourself a favor, enjoy a special evening out, and be wowed!

    (5)

  • Suzanne S.

    Wow. One of the best dining experiences my husband and I have had. Well crafted and designed small plates, exceptional wine pairings, and attentive service. I ate the melon soup, carpaccio, and steak and my husband chose two of the pasta dishes and pork. Every dish was terrific.

    (5)

  • Nina N.

    I hate to do this, but seriously? it was so not memorable. the service was on point, but the food was not even at the level that I wish it were on, and it was uber expensive too. Mostly since we wanted to try everything. I would say that even if it were cheap, it still wasn't up to the level that I had been waiting for. Sorry, I have had much better...... I would recommend the blind pig bistro if you want that foodie fix. now that place was out of this world good

    (2)

  • Alli B.

    Amazing food, incredible service (thanks Ron), and great wine pairings. I couldn't have asked for a better meal to share with good friends. The food here appeals to both the sophisticated palate and to those of us who just like to eat. The dishes were both fresh, seasonal, and beautifully presented. The best part was watching the chefs prepare each individual dish. Everything was properly seasoned and every mouthful made me happy. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Missy M.

    It is rare to be able to say that every bite you had in a tasting menu you enjoyed, but that was the case here. We had the chefs tasting menu and sat at the counter (recommend). The food included ribs that fell off the bone, literally, pasta with escargot, fish carpaccio and the most wonderful foie gras I have had since Provence, with rhubarb and strawberries. Note: the restaurant seats in the 6 o'clock and 8 o'clock hours so don't be discouraged if you don't find a reservation at 7, cause it doesn't exist :-)

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    Still one of my all-time favorite restaurants in terms of quality and service - anywhere. And yes, I mean in the world. We went for our second visit last Saturday night and even with my expectations being as high as they were, we were not disappointed. The service was professional, attentive, but still friendly and not taking themselves or us too seriously. Also I have to give props to the hostess too because we did not have a reservation but she was genuinely friendly about trying to squeeze us in. After checking for a moment she said they wouldn't have anything until later. I said we didn't mind and gave her my cell # and told her we would camp out across the street for awhile. Just as we were finishing our first cocktail she called and said they had a cancellation and had a table ready for us right then -- perfect. I won't go through everything we had but I chose the 4 course, 4 wine pairing and my wife chose the 3 X 3 and they timed it all perfectly such that we never really noticed (plus we were sharing a lot of bites anyway). Everything was incredible and presented with such attention to detail it is mind-blowing (without being overdone or the least bit pretentious). Sure, it is relatively expensive but you could easily take a more 'al-a-carte' approach to bring the bill down. But really, when I think about how rarely I get to eat the inspired creations of a chef like Lockwood, once I get a hold of that menu, I have to go a little crazy, The great thing about Altura is that I've not yet had an ounce of buyer's remorse the next day. Hope to see you again soon Nathan! -R

    (5)

  • Jennifer M.

    We went there for our anniversary dinner. Food, presentation, and service were perfect. Our server Phillip was a true professional, explaining each course and wine pairing. He was attentive but not intrusive. The food was spectacular. I ate slowly to savor each bite. We had a wonderful time! It is our new favorite place.

    (5)

  • Tonya N.

    Absolutely perfect evening! The service is fantastic and the food is wonderful here. I am so glad we have this gem in Seattle. It's a very high end restaurant without the stuffiness. It's a small rustic space, charming and a packed house. Everything we ordered was delicious I wish I could say one item sticked out as the clear choice but everything was equally devine. Foie, carpaccio, steak, lamb, porconi ravioli, gnocchi, marscapone gelato... Perfectly executed, just the right portion, temperature and timing. Tip to guests: note the surcharges on certain menu items, I didn't notice until I got the bill, no biggie but they add extra for Foie and 200 year Aged Balsamic on the tasting menus. Worth every penny! 5 stars!

    (5)

  • Miguel T.

    This place is the best restaurant in Seattle. Hands down. Nathan does such a great job here. I've only sat at the counter and would absolutely recommend it. You get to see the meticulous care put into every detail which makes you appreciate even more the explosion of flavors that come with every bite. They have some very unique dishes that yield unique and amazing tastes.

    (5)

  • Ellen C.

    I'd been meaning to go to Altura since it opened, and I wasn't disappointed. I waited until my grandmother and aunt came to town, since we've historically gone to New York to do Prix Fixe menus together. We opted to go with the Chef's Tasting, which is similar to the five course tasting, but you don't pick at of your dishes (they do ask for any restrictions/allergies ahead of time). We left it entirely in their capable hands. I'd definitely recommend it if you're considering going with the five course meal with wine. Before I get into the details of the meal, I want to also recommend the chef's bar. It was fantastic to watch how the cooking went- Nathan Lockwood was precise, but calm. There was very little extraneous talking between chefs (which surprised me) and it was neat to see which things were pre-chopped, and how the construction went. If you have 1-3 people, I'd recommend it. It'd get much more challenging with more. We ended up sitting there because no tables were left by the time I made the reservation, but I was glad that's what we did! Anyway, back to the food... I started out with the spring salad with speck- given the menu, I doubt I would have picked a salad, so I'm really happy they picked it for me. The dressing was perfect, and I loved the inclusion of asparagus. My aunt had the crudo, and I'm forgetting what my grandma had, but both were also delicious. I think my big takeaway there was that I really should consider going for some of the "simpler" foods at fancy restaurants. A perfect version of a classic is fantastic. Second, I had the wild boar gnocchi. I was beyond thrilled- it wasn't on the menu, although boar fettucini and gnocchi were independently. I love both of those things though, and it really might have been my favorite dish of the night. My aunt had the risotto (which she liked, despite not usually being a risotto person) and my grandma had the squid ink tagliatelle. Third, we all had the salmon. It was great salmon, but probably the least creative of the courses. Not too much to say there. Fourth, I had the rabbit. As anyone who knows me in real life knows, I love rabbits (I've had a stuffed one since I was born). As much as it was emotionally challenging - I'll eat lamb or veal with far fewer qualms - it was worth it. The rabbit was prepared three different ways. My grandma had the duck. Blanking on what my aunt had (I need to write these sooner!) We finished off with the cheese plate. There were three cheeses, and I actually liked all of them. My favorite was the one on the far left, then the second, then the third (the mildest of the three). The wine pairings were also really great. A nice variety, and there wasn't a pairing I didn't like all night :)

    (5)

  • Joseph K.

    I'd give Altura four and a half stars if I could, but I'll round up. Really tasty, inventive Italian with a great atmosphere. Definitely expensive, but worth a try. I walked in mid-week and had no trouble sitting at the bar. The staff were all friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The kitchen is open behind the bar, so you can watch the chefs work, which is fun. The wine list is great, and the food is even better. I had the octopus salad appetizer, which was only OK. IMHO, the peppers were a little bit too strong for the rest of the dish. Everything else was off the chain great, though, especially the pappardelle with oxtail ragu - rich, smoky and perfect. I loved Altura -- highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Vanessa A.

    Not just a restaurant... an experience. I took my partner there for his bday and it was unforgettable. Ron was our server and he was just fantastic. Attentive, interested, knowledgable without being snooty, which is always a fear for me at fancy pants places like this. $49 gets you three dishes of your choice. $37 more if you want to pair wine as well. The lamb gnocchi was excellent. SO flavorful. The pork was to die for, my favorite dish. The halibut was a very generous portion and yummy. I loved that they brought us a few little items from the kitchen including this mascarpone whipped chocolate gelato dessert that I will NEVER forget. Holy cow it was good. The chocolate cake was also delicious. We sat at the bar to watch the chefs do their amazing work. The presentation was just so beautiful and they were friendly with guests who had questions about the food. We had such a great time. Be sure to leave plenty of time to really enjoy the experience. Can't wait to find another reason for some special occasion dining.

    (5)

  • DD C.

    One of the best restaurants in Seattle!!!! Great food, Great wine, courteous staff... and very reasonably priced for the top notch courses!!!!! If I had to complain about anything... probably don't get the cheese plate for any of the courses . The cheese plate is great, don't get me wrong, but it's nothing comparing to other delicious made-on-site appetizers , pastas, or main courses!!!! Will definitely go back for special occasions!!!

    (5)

  • Xela H.

    Competent service. Cozy. Food was very good. Fresh white truffles were delicious. Of course it brought the price tag way up. But well worth it for a special occasion. The drinks were less impressing especially non alcoholic lime drink - $8 for very sour pour. Stick with the well balanced wine list. Duck liver was splendid as well as sole dish.

    (5)

  • David D.

    We made a reservation for our Anniversary for 9PM thinking it would be a safe bet for getting a decent table. From the reviews we had read, the food sounded great but the place sounded small and noisy. We arrived on time and were told very niucely "sorry we are overbooked, and we can't seat you till close to 10PM." FYI, the restaurant closes at 10.. The restaurant really is small and there is no waiting area. They use the bar as part of the eating area. So... we left and started looking for some place to find a drink. We ended up going across the street where not only did we get great service, and a wonderful quiet table but an incredible meal. By the time we got a call to "come baclk" we were enjoy our cocktails and eat succulent shrimp, an incredible mango salad and the most amazing dumplings. Maybe the food is great at Altura. But with so many good restaurants in the city, to be treated so poorly does not bode well. It seems Seattle people will forgive poor service if the food is different or great. Seems Altura is going that route. I wil lake my business where it is appreciate and I am respected.

    (1)

  • Joel R.

    Altura opened to a lot of fanfare, and I came to dinner one recent weeknight wondering if there are as good as advertised. In short, I would say so. While our meal (prix fixe) was certainly expensive, our food was certainly worth the asking price. I never imagined that I'd like tripe, but I did, so there you have it. The menu is very meat (and offal) heavy, so this food is not for everyone. What vegetables there are on the menu are fresh and seasonal, which is frankly a must for any decent restaurant operating in the northwest. The atmosphere is a little casual for such an expensive restaurant, but it works. The service follows from the atmosphere: cheerful, friendly, laid-back. Our servers were very forthcoming about portion sizes and quite helpful generally. Overall, I enjoyed this restaurant tremendously and will be back.

    (5)

  • Heather B.

    I've eaten here twice and was pleased both times. Original, flexible menu. Everything I've ordered has been delicious. Definitely a special occasion restaurant. Small place so make a reservation and request the chef's bar. Great service with one exception - My last time in, I ordered dessert and then handed my menu to the server. At the same time, I saw a different dessert delivered to the woman sitting next to me and asked the server if he'd recommend that option instead. He said "absolutely yes" but failed to mention that there would be a $15 up-charge. I wish he had let me know.

    (4)

  • Bernadette N.

    OH. MY. GOSH. Was this place for real? We had a pre fixed menu due to our large party, and the chef picked out the menu for us. It's been over a month since I've been here and my mouth is watering NOW as I recall the food here. Started off with an oxtail ragu. WOW. I could have eaten that as my dinner, but I moved on as an entree to (and now I wish I had written this review sooner) .. this pork dish that sat on greens and topped with a quail egg. Dinner got even better. Then - dessert. A trifecta of rich, delectable and delicious sugar that was not too heavy or overwhelming, and the three items complimented the other. It's strange - I don't do lemony desserts - heck I don't do dessert at all, but this was worth it. Roman hot chocolate - you must. The intention was to take a bite of each and put the rest aside, but I finished the entire thing, as did everyone else at my table. 5 stars. The company was great, the service was superb, and the food - hands down the best dinner I have had this year so far. The best part? Proportions were just enough to satiate without over indulging (although if you were to, this is THE place to do it) or overwhelming the tummy. All the sin, none of the guilt. LOVE.

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    I cannot say enough good things about Altura. I own a restaurant in Portland and am pretty picky when it comes to eating at other establishments. I have been to Altura twice and both times walked away thinking - 'That was the best meal I have had all year!' Everything is executed with precision, integrity, and passion, and I think that it is actually a bargain for the quality of food and service. I would recommend sitting at the chef's counter - amazingly entertaining to watch the talented chef's prepare your meal with grace and flair. A perfect place for a special night out, or just to celebrate life. My friend and I were literally giggling with pleasure at how outrageously good the food was. Go! Go now!

    (5)

  • Frankie O.

    My boyfriend surprised me with reservations to Altura for our anniversary. I was immediately thrilled when he told me while getting ready to go to dinner. We arrived on time for our reservation at 8:30 and were immediately escorted to our seats at the chef's counter. I love sitting where the action is. The buildup of anticipation with each dish we see plated is fantastic. Our server greeted us, told us a bit about that evening's menu. She was very precise and her spiel was effortless. We ordered a bottle of wine and enjoyed show. Every course was pleasing. Every dish was balanced just fine. But, there wasn't one course single dish that stood out to me. We enjoyed it, but we didn't LOVE it. We weren't totally enthralled with anything in particular, the way we should be with one of Seattle's top restaurants. I was very disappointed that the pasta course was not AMAZING. As we were relaxing in the aftermath of our dinner, we contemplated whether or not get dessert. Being in the pastry business, I decided I just had to try the chocolate dessert. I was totally underwhelmed. The plate did not tie together at all. The panna cotta was nothing special, just panna cotta and it was topped with a thick chocolate disc! This is not a functional component! How am I supposed to cut through a thick chocolate disc. How is it supposed to be complimentary to the panna cotta? This dessert was a mess. On another note, I felt the chefs were a little too comfortable. One of the chefs, who I believed to be the sous, kicked a shaving of white truffle that fell on his shoe into his mouth. This is not a joke. Yes, it is kind of funny, but at the same time kind of not. I would like to note, the service was really nice. My settings were always immediately cleared when I was finished, and immediately remarked. Water glass always full, wine glass never empty.

    (3)

  • vivian c.

    Visited Seattle over Labor Day weekend with the hubby. Really liked the "choose your own number of courses" option. Great atmosphere - cozy but energetic. We got to sit at the chef's table! I just love watching kitchens in action. Appreciated the hooks underneath the bar area. The chefs weren't terribly chatty with us - I'd almost say they were ignoring us in a nice way - it must be weird to cook while a whole bunch of people are staring at you 3 feet away - but maybe it's because we were sitting next to a very chatty group that ordered the chef's menu. The food was really good. We were always guessing whether they were cooking our dishes or not. Waitstaff was great. There was a fair bit of time between courses, though. The room wasn't terribly full, but the waitstaff always seemed to be waiting for dishes. Maybe it's not as obvious at other restaurants without a chef's table. We also did the olive oil tasting, which was delicious. They give you a card describing the qualities of the three oils. Bathroom's in the back and was nice and clean. I'd go back next time I'm in Seattle and have already recommended it to my friends. We ate at 7:30pm and found a parking space on the same block with no problem - miraculous?

    (5)

  • Amy Z.

    One of the better meals I've had in Seattle. You can order items a la carte, or go with one of their course setups where prices are fixed according to the number of courses. Their menu is extremely flexible and you can pick and choose any item from any category - for instance, if I picked a 3 course meal, I could pick 3 very large, filling entrees, or a more traditional appetizer, entree, desert setup. I had the chance to sit at the bar and make friends with a couple of the line cooks - their servers and sommelier (Guy Kugel from Flying Fish) were all very hospitable. Amazing food + great service + cozy atmosphere (almost looks like it used to be an old coffee shop?). I'm a big fan.

    (5)

  • Brian T.

    Came here recently for our 9'th anniversary and could not have left more satisfied! The service and food was top notch. Next time we will be getting the chefs tasting menu.

    (5)

  • Chris H.

    Happy birthday to me! My partner decided to take me here for my birthday dinner last evening, and I am so glad he did. The menu, delicious. The wines, superb. One of the best experiences of dining I've had in Seattle. At first the prix fixe menu might be quite startling to your some American diners, but considering what you get for that dollar, it is very worth it. Everything on the menu looked absolutely delicious but I knew I could not afford the 20 course meal of EVERYTHING that was there, so I decided to go with the four course meal with wine pairings. I just knew I had to have the duck as my entree though, however i decided to leave it up to the server to make some choice for the other courses that would make for a great meal. I have found the chef and server will NEVER steer you wrong if you leave the choices in their capable hands. I ended up with the carpaccio to start, followed by the risotto. Duck of course and ending the the most delicious velo dessert. All paired with most excellent wines. If I had only one nit to pick, I would have liked the skin on my duck a bit more crispy, but could that just be the difference between Italian technique and French technique? Overall 100% score on this though, and knowing that the menu changes frequently, you can be assured I will keep watching the menu and returning when something delicious catches my eye.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth V.

    Altura Italian Ristorante & Trattoria is a worldly starred in fashion on stylish platters in season changes weekly for differences! Not just a house of Pasta it's handmade fancier recipes in designs to flavored themes! Products from selections into various seafoods, meats, and cold-cuts or cheeses all combine with vegetables in seasons! Wines from everywhere and were various kinds in selections not to expensive but not without after drinks either ! Decorations artisty also like a any museum. Wait staff have total knowledge onto everything as well at prix-fix menus in courses on three or to five at amounts.

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    The first time I went to Altura a month ago, the only thing I knew about it was the name, as o'girl had put it on my calendar (I would forget my own name if I could not consult my Outlook calendar). So my expectations were nonexistent. First of all, we were sat at the counter. Which normally would not be my preference. But in this case, if you are eating with 2, I HIGHLY recommend sitting there. The counter is literally like sitting in the kitchen. You don't just watch the preparation of the food, but you can literally talk the entire time with the absurdly talented chef and team. These guys are about as unpretentious as it comes, which is shocking, because they are the absolute real deal, and anyone who disagrees (with all due respect) has no idea what they are talking about. Dish after dish was stunningly good. I was pretty blown away. But I chose to wait on reviewing it until after one more visit, because I thought maybe my judgment was being blurred by the wine, and the experience of watching and chatting with the team. We decided to go back with my brother/wife-in-law for a blow out New Year's Eve dinner. It was a set menu (which is not normal - it is coursed out, but you can choose how many courses and chose options for each course) of 6 courses. We did the wine pairings as well. The food was stunning. Simple as that. As good as I've had, and I've had some pretty spectacular stuff in my eating career. We started with a kampachi crudo, with blood oranges and olives. It was perfectly balanced and an excellent start. Next came a homemade agnolotti stuffed with rabbit, in a very light and balanced broth which was very nice. Despite how many courses we had to go, I couldn't help but sop the broth up with bread. Next came the cotechino dish with lentils. To say it was a stunner was an understatement. It was beyond delicious. Prepared to perfection (just don't ask all of what goes into their cotechino - because one member of our table almost wouldn't try it once she knew). The next course was a decadent pheasant with foie gras dish. Again, it was just amazing. At this point, they were hitting everything out of the park, and due to the amount of wine consumed (they just kept refilling), I was literally stuffed. The entree was a fantastic beef tenderloin, prepared in a simple presentation that really worked after the richness of the previous dishes. I honestly could not finish it though, as I was near bursting at the seems. Of course I did somehow stuff some of the dessert cake into my fat face, so I guess I wasn't that full. The wine pairings were generally spot on, though I didn't love one. But I'm being REALLY nit-picky here, and should probably delete this sentence. Overall, fantastic. One of the best meals I've had since moving back from San Francisco, and reminded me very much of SF overall. These guys have real skill, and you can't help but pull for them. I have little doubt they are going to do big things. Cheers fellas, I'll be back in soon!

    (5)

  • Rachel P.

    There is always a reason why a certain place cannot be the best restaurant in town and here is why. The food was really delicious overall. I had 7 course tasting menu with wine pairing to get the overall taste experience. Also added ox tail pasta, rabbit and venison to it, so total 10 course. The service was moderate - overall alright, I thought food was awesomely good, until this happened. (sat there for about 4 hours to get all the food.) The manager was constantly walking around in the small restaurant, sometimes poured water and served dishes. At the end when we were about to pay and leave, he came to my friend and I, and he said 'I hate to say this..' but asked us to leave soon because there is a few customers waiting outside. Trust me, I didn't do anything rude or crazy except eating tons of food. We made a reservation, ate not that much but ate $400+ worth of food and also tip added to it, so approx. about half of 1k of money there, just for 2 people. And you're telling us to leave? Also a few tables were empty throughout the night. Um, ok? Was feeling good from the food and wine so couldn't realize we were mistreated until I got home. Oh honey, we will leave, don't effin' worry. We have cars and home to sleep so I believe we won't stay too long when we are done eating anyway. I've never had this kind of horrible service from any restaurant before, and could not help but to decide not coming back here in my life, ever again. Good bye and please, live a long life in Seattle, Altura.

    (1)

  • The H.

    Everything was solid, albeit sloooow. Food: Flavors we radical, Pasta courses were ridiculously small. Service: super friendly, pretty knowledgeable Overall: Gives Spinasse a run for it's money (just need to bolster the pasta portion). We were very impressed, should be 5 stars, but slow and pasta size.

    (4)

  • John J.

    The food here was amazing, as everyone else is conveying. The chicken entrée was playful and delicious, and has made me conclude that chicken skin is indeed better than anything else in the world. Because my girlfriend and I blazed through the gnocchi so fast, the kitchen gave us free butternut ravioli -- hard to beat that sort of service. The kitchen also accommodated our off-menu order of herbed potatoes after seeing the chef make some for the steak dishes. The highlight for me -- a guy who loves to cook at home -- was the open kitchen. Maybe I haven't been looking, but this is the most open kitchen I've seen. We sat at the bar and watched the team throw things into a dutch oven full of oil, carve and sear duck breast, and otherwise make delicious food. It made me want to cook at home that night after running to a restaurant supply store. That's a huge compliment to Altura.

    (5)

  • Philip S.

    Foodies take note. Altura is the real deal. Our experience at Altura this Saturday was the best we've had in the 3 years we've lived in Seattle. The food is nothing short of outstanding. Altura does the course pairing price fix thing. Dinners can do 3 combinations, 4. 5 at a fixed price point. The menu is updated every Tuesday with the freshest of local ingredients and is currently divided into 3 sections: appetizer choices (about 5), pasta choices (about 5), and main entree (about 5). The portions are balanced for an ideal 3 course pairing that essentially equates to an entree and appetizer at your average fine dining establishment. All of the choices on the menu, regardless of the section, were fascinating, unique, and mouth watering. I chose a califlower soup with charred brocolli, then the parsnip gnochi with wild boar ragout, and finally the wagyu beef with fried rice balls. The soup was outstanding. Things really picked up when the gnochi arrived though. Holy cow folks! The gnochi was tender flavorful and the wild boar complimented it perfectly. Then the beef arrived and wow again. Perfectly grilled with just the right char. My wife had a nice salad to start with apples, hazelnut, and gorgonzola. She skipped the second course and went right to the man dish....she chose the scallops. Again total score. They were prepared with parsnip mash and fennel for perfect sweet and savory combination. All the while we sat at the counter and watched the masterful chef Lockwood artfully prepare every dish with care. So much effort went into the perfect pairing of elements and presentation of each dish. It really added to the fun of the night. The chef was even kind enough to give us a taste of the duck dish on the menu which was out of this world and, again, the best I've had in Seattle. He also gave both my wife and I a taste of the proscuito wrapped sturgeon that was very unique in presentation and taste. Altura also has a large wine selection, a small but, interesting beer selection, and a small spirit selection. I'd love to see them try their hand at cocktails down the road. All in all chefs of Seattle be very scared. Totally outstanding!

    (5)

  • A. B.

    I'm pretty surprised with the great reviews here. we went in a group of 4 based on the raves on Yelp but for me it was a 3.5 stars. we had a loooong wait inspite of having a reservation, though the staff was very apologetic & 'i think' gave us free champagne to make up. so service was overall very good. food was mixed - some things were AOK, such as the Kampachi crudo, though it had great flavors, the fish was overdone or the rabbit main dish that my friends ordered which had come highly recommended by the server. meanwhile the kobe beef appetizer & the parsnip gnocchi were as good as promised. given it was a really expensive tab by Seattle standards, i'm not sure i'd go back - at that price i expect everything to be perfect. period.

    (3)

  • Heather N.

    I admit I don't go to a lot of fancy restaurants with courses and wine pairings; however, I will after my experience at Altura. We sat right at the bar, so we kind of get to see "how the sausage is made" so to speak. Kitchen dynamics & chef's interacting, so that was pretty fun. Not sure how much they like it, but we did! We did 4 courses and were stuffed at the end. Wine pairings were so cool--again, I'll admit I have almost nothing to compare this experience--and it made the meal. I absolutely loved every single bite (well, except for the sea urchin on top of the cod, but maybe that is an acquired taste!)

    (5)

  • Jill T.

    Delicious food! I have dined here twice now. The first time, i fell in love!! The service was superb, every single bite was delicious. I could not wait to go back and I told all of my friends they had to try it. The second visit was a bit disappointing after my first visit. The food was great, but the service was poor this time round. The waitress rushed through any questions on the menu and was not interested in telling us about the food, she missed one of my courses and was not apologetic whatsoever about that. We waited over an hour for our first course and was never checked on during this time and it was never mentioned that our food would be a while. I hope I can chalk this up to one person on the wait staff having a bad evening.

    (3)

  • Steve M.

    Altura serves up high quality Italian fare in an intimate (almost verging on cramped) Capital Hill environment. Sit at the bar, and you'll be entertained watching Chef Nathan keep the calm kitchen running smoothly and get to see every step of your food being prepared. The menu here is very accessible and is not very fussy. The grilled octopus preparation was a popular seller, and was flavorful with the slight kick of pepper. Ours was particularly rubbery, though. The sweetbread preparation was quite good. Stinging nettle ravioli was a nice Northwest touch, though we found the potato gnocci more to our liking. And the pork tenderloin wrapped in speck was divine. The mix and match ordering concept (pay for 3, 4 or 5 courses, and pick whatever you like) was refreshing and liberating. And the wine recommendation we were given paired nicely with everything. Certainly, not a cheap date night, but a very good meal does not come free.

    (4)

  • Jerry L.

    Yes. I am an Altura fan. A lot of yummy choices to chose from but we decided to try the seven course tasting menu instead. Wow.. what can I say. This place rocks! My favorite was the Pumpkin Risotto with Balsamic and redicchio. I'd lick the plate if I was alone. I highly recommend this place. The service was top notch and the ambiance was comfy and relaxed. I plan on coming back again and trying some of the other dishes.

    (4)

  • Darlene D.

    Went for one of my best friends birthdays and it was great! Food was amazing, service was excellent and the staff and chef were very attentive to our party. They deserve the accolades they have been receiving. It's a special events dining place for sure!

    (4)

  • Anton Z.

    Great, inventive food with a hint of genius. We went for the pre fixe meal, and staggered our courses so that we'd get to try each of the various options. Service was friendly and outgoing, but seemed almost stifling (we had someone come by every couple seconds to refill our water). Though it took a while to get menus, the staff was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable when we had questions. Food was outstanding - the salad was light and flavorful while the pasta was fresh and had deep flavors. I enjoyed the cheese plate for our last course, which had a nice selection of different cheese and accompaniment. Our only concern (in addition to the service) was the pacing of the courses - we had choices that seemed to be very spread out, while others seemed to have food come in really short intervals. This might just be growing pains, and certainly the food was worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Corinna K.

    There are so many things I love about you, Altura. I love your complimentary orange juice and Campari aperitif and creamy sweet corn panna cotta with steelhead roe and onion flowers amuse bouche. Baby, your cold-smoked kampachi crudo with anchovy, peppercress, horseradish-lemon emulsion, and toasted brioche crumbs is intoxicating. And your grilled octopus? With that butter bean purée, Maltby cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and Calabrian chili - well, darling, I just can't get enough. Your silky foie with cocoa nibs, mint, fresh and pickled cherries, currants, and brioche toasts is heaven. And oh, sweet thing - how I adore your cavatelli with duck sugo and chanterelles. As if these weren't enough reason to love you for life you've also gifted me your rack of lamb with raddichio, seared turnips, turnip purée, and pear mostarda. You're the one for me, baby, you and me always. Your wine pairings are exquisite. Your pacing - superb. And oh my god, is that what I think it is? Are you...are we...three complimentary desserts with after-dinner drinks? Yes! Yes, Altura, I will marry you! I will treasure you as long as we both shall live. I love you.

    (5)

  • Keith W.

    This restaurant was referred to us by some neighbors who are self-confessed "foodies." We had a friend from England in town so we decided to go there. It was truly outstanding! This is the type of "good restaurant" that one can actually experience the incredible level of excellence of culinary achievement and care. More than that, the service was extremely knowledgeable (which you might expect) and generous and kind in spirit (which is exceptional). Definitely try Altura! By the way, our English friend thinks the US is, by far, the most evolved country on earth, possibly due in some part to the meal at Altura.

    (5)

  • Nanny T.

    Would have given 5 stars based only on the perfect service, but two stars for the noise level and probably 4 stars for the savory courses, but only 2 stars for the dessert entree which was boring and unimaginative. I so wanted to ask them to turn the music down but didn't, and found it distracting throughout the evening. It felt more like a bistro than a fine dining restaurant. If you like loud music and impeccable service with 4 star quality savory entrees and don't particularly care about dessert, this restaurant is probably a good choice.

    (3)

  • A N.

    The best meal i have had in seattle. Granted, i have never been to Canlis, Herb farm, Rovers, etc. But I presume this restaurant is in this league of restaurants in terms of food. The atmosphere is a little noisy and crowded, but being on broadway, this is sort of expected. The food however was perfectly executed. its a pricey meal, but worth it. inventive flavorful food. we ordered many things on the menu and all of them were superb. we would definitely go back, if we have a special occasion or can afford the splurge.

    (5)

  • Joshua K.

    Best in Seattle, hands down! Had the Christmas Eve chef's menu and it blew our mind. For fun, sit at the counter to watch and interact with the chefs while they prepare some AMAZING food. Can't wait for my next meal at Altura!

    (5)

  • Lorali D.

    I am in LOVE with this restaurant! I am a very decent cook so very picky. This guy is amazing and the menu is well priced!! Wish I could eat here monthly!!!

    (5)

  • Adelyn Z.

    Great bathroom hand soap. Seriously, I'm not kidding. My date and I both recognized it independently. It's floral, sweet-yet-fresh aroma lingered with me all the way back to my table. I liked it so much that I later emailed the restaurant, found out what kind it was, and put in an order for a giant bottle of "Ms. Meyer's Geranium scented hand soap." Right now you're thinking "why is this yelp reviewer focused on bathroom handsoap?" A valid question. It goes to the great lengths that this establishment goes to to perfect the overall dining experience through careful attention to detail. Furthermore, they are amazingly flexible with their pre fixe menu. For example, if you order the 4 course pre fixe, you can chose any 4 items off of their menu. If you want to do 4 dessert tastings, go right ahead. As for the rest of the food, the other reviews are spot on, it's an explosion of flavors. Anyways, huge pulgares arriba (thumbs ups) to Altura for amazing food, selection and hand soap.

    (5)

  • Melanie S.

    Gosh, I guess I am breaking from the pack here... I thought the food was just okay, nothing special (except for the oyster soup which was excellent). It is way overpriced for what you get and we left hungry. The wild boar ragu was ordinary and the wild guinea fowl was nothing special. The service and ambience we're great though, but we will not be back.

    (2)

  • Tigger N.

    This is not an Italian restaurant in its pure definition. I would call it an international restaurant with original dishes that carry an Italian influence. The menu set up is odd as it asks you to order not the traditional appetizer, primo and then secondo, but 3 or 4 dishes served at once tapas-style. You can choose to order in the traditional style however, but you must state whether you want the dish to be appetizer portion or entree portion. A bit complicated, really. I ordered the Cauliflower soup which was flavorful and smooth with its velvety veloute texture. If you are vegetarian, the chef can create a veggie version of most dishes on the menu for you on the fly, depending on what ingredients he has in the kitchen, a very nice touch. For the main course, I ordered a Rabbit Agnolotti, which came delicate and balanced in a bit of broth and ragu. This is very unusual but it was delicious. The service was friendly, energetic, attentive. Our wine was off so we returned it. The waiter took it back with apologies. Perhaps the one thing that I will criticize about this restaurant is the rather small portion of its 'main courses' for the price charged. You would have to ask for a larger portion, or the 'entree portion', for which the price would be higher. Do not come here expecting traditional Italian. The food is good, but it is inspired by Italian cooking and traditions. Expect twists and innovation, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

    (4)

  • Scott T P.

    I accompanied my wife for her Team's Annual Christmas dinner. She said we had to go to this Capitol Hill restaurant - Alturas. I was very impressed from the moment we entered the room. Small but well set, lighting excellent, service top quality, food outstanding and wine was perfect! If you need to nail your next dinner, professional meeting or just have a great night of food and wine...you should go to Altura!

    (5)

  • Katie M.

    A group of us experienced Altura last night and it was wonderful! Be prepared to be there a LONG time. We had the four course tasting menu and were there for a little over 3 hours. On the one hand, that's really nice. On the other, the courses did seem to drag on. They bring you presents! We were presented with infused apple cider and a delicious soup. Both were outstanding. All our dishes were delicious and perfectly portioned. I wish more restaurants would get on board with small portions...no one needs an entire rib rack for dinner. Our server also gets high marks. He really knew the menu and it was clear he had an appreciation for all things food. My only negative comments (and these are really nitpicky) have to do with atmosphere. Our table was right next to a speaker so we had to talk loud to be heard. Additionally, we were right in front of the silver station so we heard silverware clanking all night. When you're spending nearly $500 on a Tuesday...can they do that in the back? Overall impressions: Very good but expensive. Go there prepared to drop $100/person at least. However, the way they do their tasting menus is total genius: you decide how many courses you want and then pick the specific items from the menu. Way better than a set menu. I hope they survive. It's gutsy to put a restaurant like that on Broadway but it really is delicious.

    (4)

  • The Metropolitan Damsel K.

    Came here for a double birthday and had an amazing time. Our server was incredibly attentive, knowledgable, and sweet. The food was delicious, but very rich, so don't expect to be doing much physical activity after dinner. I would recommend doing the wine pairing with the coursed menu. The wine is amazing and complimented the dishes perfectly. The food is spaced out allowing you to savor the flavors without a rush. Ambiance is intimate and romantic. On the other hand the prices are pretty steep, but the experience and food is well worth it.

    (5)

  • Jamel K.

    A little crowded, but I still give it five stars. The food was excellent, and the service even better.

    (5)

  • Melissa L.

    simply amazing. we chose altura to celebrate my gf's engagement party and rebecca was great helping set up dinner. for large parties you have to go with the 5 course tasting menu. there were a couple of do not like items and allergies within my party, but she made it easy to figure out what menu would be best suited for the group. service was outstanding. it's small and cozy inside, and everyone seems genuinely happy to be working there. from start to finish the food and drinks were delicious. i couldn't have asked for a better experience. thank you altura for helping us create a memorable celebration!

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    A fantastic meal from start to finish. The finest and freshest ingredients and exceptional service.

    (5)

  • Luis P.

    FAIL on North Broadway. Food: I was here the 2nd Friday after it's initial opening with my date and we both got the $49 - 3 course meal. Our total bill was around $150. The food was a disappointing 2 stars. This is not something you'd expect from a $$$ restaurant. At the end of the meal I wish we had gone across the street to Poppy instead. Unfortunately, me and my companion left with a craving for something flavorful, wonderful and delicious --something Altura couldn't deliver. Service: Meh, I wasn't particularly happy that it took our waiter over 20 minutes just to give us drink menu's. He could have been a little bit more attentive, especially since there were only two other tables being occupied in the entire restaurant. Also, the hostess was very pretentious and uninterested. Seriously? Pretentious? You work in the "hospitality" industry, start showing some. To sum things up: Altura's food was bland and mediocre at best, which compliments it's service. Go to Spinasse if you'd like to dine on delicious Italian food that tastes as good as it looks while enjoying exceptional service that is worth the price. If you have average standards I suppose this place would work for you.

    (2)

  • Jen C.

    Sublime. I celebrated my birthday there last night and opted to sit at the counter. So glad I did, we had a lot of fun watching and talking to the cooks and the chef. We wanted to try as much as possible to both did the 4 course. Not a note off key. I rank this meal with great dinners at Cafe Juanita, Lark, and enjoyed it even more that Tilth. Hard to pick favs, but would order again the crudo misto, squab, rissotto and flat iron.

    (5)

  • H C.

    We had the chef's tasting menu and it was pretty good. Some of the dishes were excellent, like the lobster, and some were only ok, like the duck. The server we had was really soft spoken, so I couldn't really hear anything she was saying. I had higher hopes for this place, but it was still an enjoyable evening out. We ended up spending about $150 per person. I opted to get a truffle supplement, where the shave fresh truffle tableside, and that was probably the most disappointing part. For an extra $55, it was definitely not worth it. What a shame!

    (3)

  • Florencia K.

    Love it so muchhh. You will get all you want here. The taste is delicious, and the service is so nice as well. The best part is you can try several menus for a good price. I kind of forget what I got at that time but everything was delicious. I will come back for sure. The reason why I gave 4 stars only is because the size is too small. Make sure you grab something before you get there.

    (4)

  • Dianna G.

    wonderful place, great food. great service and they are really italians:thank you altura! bravi! it is really small so make sure you have reservations otherwise...........there is always to wait!

    (5)

  • Amol P.

    After much deliberation between Rover's and Crush, this place was the chosen one for my birthday dinner celebration. To my surprise, my better half decided to reverse the order of surprises and I was offered a complimentary basil gelato to kick off dinner service. This was cloyingly sweet especially when combined with some candy like component, so was not overly impressed with it. We typically get a cocktail as well for dinner so I went with the basil and gin drink. They use opal basil in the kitchen which gave the cocktail a deep purple color. The drink was herbacious but not worth the price we paid for it. The amuse offerings were strictly ok as well, I've had better surprises elsewhere. The bread service was pretty dismal as well with no creativity on offer. I opted for the 4 course tasting menu and my wife went with 3 courses. These guys are super flexible with mixing and matching different dishes from the menu. The most stellar dish in comparison to all the plates was the tagliatelle with DUNGENESS CRAB, CHILI, BASIL, GUANCIALE, CHERRY TOMATO. It was very simple preparation but a nice balance of flavor profiles with the right amount of kick from the chili. My next favorite was the FLATIRON STEAK with PARSLEY ROOT PURÉE, GRILLED TREVISO, BLACK TRUFFLE JUS. They sous vide the meat before pan searing it. I quite liked the intensity of the parsley root puree and the earthiness of the mushrooms to go with it. The PAN ROASTED ALASKAN HALIBUT with CORN BROTH, SUMMER SQUASH, ZUCCHINI BLOSSOM, CHIVE was good but not impressive. Least favorites were the seared and chilled foie gras and malfatti with rabbit ragu. The first bites were good but we grew tired of finishing the entire plate. I've had a lot of foie gras in other fine dining establishments, unfortunately the promise here did not live upto the hype. The dessert recommendation was APPLE-HUCKLEBERRY CROSTATA with PINE NUT PRALINE GELATO which was too simple for our taste. We will likely not go back to this place again since for the price you pay it does not blow you away .. The portions are really small as well so don't come here if you are super hungry. The service is on par with fine dining establishments, if only the flavors were half as good this place would have made it to list of "going back here again one one foot" kind of places

    (3)

  • Mike W.

    We had a hard time deciding between Spinasse and Altura for one of our dinners on a recent trip to Seattle but ended up going with Altura because, at least on paper, the menu seemed more appealing to us. We also are big fans of Acquerello in SF and saw the chef had previously worked there. My wife and I each ordered the four course tasting menu with three appetizers, two pastas, two entrees and one dessert. We started with squash soup, squab and foie gras. The squash soup was very good but the portion size was very, very small. The squab was cooked rare and I enjoyed it. The foie gras did not blow me away as it was served chilled which is not my favorite preparation. From there we moved on to pastas. One was a pappardelle with tripe and oxtail ragu. The other I believe had sea urchin ans was my wife's choice. Her pasta did not blow me away but I enjoyed mine. For entrees I had the Oregon venison saddle. The preparation of the venison was perfect and the meat was tender with just a hint of game, but again the portion size was very, very small. My wife had the Black cod with black truffle and matsutake mushrooms. This dish was very good but the fish serving size was very, very small. Dessert was apple huckleberry crostata which did nothing for me. Our service was excellent. We brought a 1998 Barolo as it is our anniversary year and our waiter brought appropriate stemware and was accommodating. His wine suggestions for white were spot on. Our dinner was marred a bit by two women seated next to us half way through dinner who were drenched in perfume but that's not the restaurant's fault, but is the risk with tables that close together. We sat at a table not at the bar and tables are very close together. We enjoyed our meal but I thought it a bit overpriced. We hardly ever complain about portion size in restaurants as usually portions are too large if anything but given the prices, I thought portions should be larger (or prices lower). Perhaps that was just a product of what we ordered on this particular night or perhaps we were very hungry from walking so far to get to the restaurant. Overall I was not blown away by the experience. I consider it a four star experience but the prices have me wishing I could rate it at 3.5 stars.

    (4)

  • Chris B.

    Super gracious staff treated us to complimentary sparkling wine because our table wasn't ready. It was totally worth the wait...despite the hour and that we were her last table of the night our server was knowledgable, helpful and friendly. The food was outstanding, too.

    (5)

  • Anne C.

    My husband and I dined at Altura on a Wednesday night and had a fantastic experience. I opted for the 3 course option, and my husband went with 4 (although we happily shared the dessert). For me, the highlights of the meal were an amazing light and delicious agnolotti with asparagus puree, caramelized onions served three ways with my chicken saltimbocca (the puree was inspired - so flavorful, it tasted fantastic with everything else on my plate!). Finally, the dessert included a mascarpone gelato with dehydrated strawberries. It all tasted a bit like a strawberry short cake. It was amazing. A week later, I'm still thinking about that tart and tasty ice cream with crunchy strawberries... I highly recommend Altura!

    (5)

  • S C.

    I am a bit out of my element when dining at really nice restaurants. This place is really nice, yet has a very comfortable and casual atmosphere. We sat along the kitchen and watched the chefs in action. I was amazed the amount of detail, finess, labor was put into every single plate they sent out. I literally saw them place every noodle perfectly in the pasta bowl, align each arugula leaf just so, wipe and double check, adjust many times before sending each dish to the table. Not only was the presentation perfect, the plating, the art, the complete look was tweaked to perfection. While the menu only had a handful of options for each course of the meal, it was enough. I have to admit many of the ingredients I was unsure of what they were and what to expect but based on what I saw coming out of each plate, I knew they all looked delicious. They start you out with a "palate cleanser" which was some kind of grapefruit drink in a tiny cup. It was good. Then they set out a tiny bowl of...I'm not sure...it was white like yogurt with ramps, salmon eggs and other little things delicately placed on top. I assume this was also some kind of palate prep. I ordered the Spring Salad which was the perfect balance of savory, citrus-y, pepper-y. It was perfectly portioned and very tasty. Next I had the beef carpaccio which was plated with some kind of sauces, grilled ramps, pickled ramps, pouched egg yolk and bone marrow crisp. I have to admit, the thought of bone marrow sounded a bit adventurous for my taste buds but it really was AMAZING. All the flavors together was nothing short of perfect harmony. My husband also thought the carpaccio was beyond amazing. As my entree, I chose the Ox Tail and tripe Parpadelle which also sounded out of my league but I decided to give it a try. It was incredible. The meat melted in my mouth and the sauce had a nice heat. OF course, the pasta was nothing but perfect. My husband ordered the short rib ravioli which I tried and we both agree it was incredible. The service was good and attentive without being interrupted mid bite or mid sentence. My water was refilled before it was every empty, finished dishes quickly cleared. Everything we ate was amazing. The restaurant was small and quaint, comfortable. If you want a truly incredible dining experience where you can eat slowly, enjoy each bite, and each flavor and see the intense amount of pride that goes into every single dish, this is the place to go. Great for a night out, great for a special occasion.

    (5)

  • Austin W.

    First of all, Thank you Nathan Lockwood for leaving San Francisco and coming to Seattle. Altura is pushing the Seattle culinary seen in a very good direction. Tho the price is a bit higher then most places, the food was superior to any restaurant in area and is more then worth it. My girlfriend and I went in for my birthday, I had the Tasting menu. we were there for over 4 hours and had at least 9 courses. Our server, Seth, was very knowledgeable and helpful guiding us thru the menu but his expertise of wine was parallel to any Sommelier Ive seen. He (Seth) severely improved our time and created a true dining experience that we will remember, thank you. In addition, the atmosphere was perfect, it wasn't the cleshay dark dining room that you would see at most restaurant to mask the dirt. There wasn't the classic piano music that's boring and has been over abused for years. The staff was helpful, but not snobby and the Chef was polite. He talked with us for a bit and asked us about the food, even though the restaurant was full. We never felt rushed, and it never seemed like we (or anyone) was a burden to the busy staff. In conclusion, if you would like to out to a nice diner steer away the Toms, Ethans, and Jasons. Sorry, your food is good but not this good. If you go to one fine dining restaurant in Seattle it should come here because you wont be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Mark Z.

    Went here for a celebration dinner for me moving to Seattle. We got the chef tasting menu with wine pairing. Both the food and the wine were amazing with a lot of variety. I had a Spatburgunder 2010, which apparently is a Germany Pinot Noir, that was absolutely incredible. Each dish is also very well designed. I also liked how the kitchen was right out in the open. It was fun to watch the chefs make the dishes.

    (5)

  • Jill R.

    I've been here twice now and the first time I thought it was good - but the second time it was a religious experience. One of us ordered the chefs tasting menu and the other a 3 course meal so we could share and taste as many things as possible. Pure heaven and the best meal I've eaten eaten Seattle this year. Great service with none of the stuffy attitude you get some places. Don't miss the melon soup.

    (5)

  • Helen Y.

    I went here for the first time recently and loved it! The kampachi, foie gras and wagyu ribeye, risotto and ling cod were fabulous! I didn't care for the canederli nor the hostess who seemed to be in a bad mood. Our waitress offered wonderful service and the chef sent over extra goodies that were delicious too! Highly recommended!

    (4)

  • Jaimisa G.

    Finally had the chance to go to Altura and enjoy a wonderful meal at the chef's table! The nettle gnudi is a MUST and was the highlight of the meal. The parsnip gnocchi and the beef carpaccio were also raved about by the entire group. Our server Seth was knowledgeable and really welcoming, as was the entire staff including chef/owner Nathan Lockwood. Will definitely be going back again and highly recommend!!

    (5)

  • Tom A.

    I had my first dinner at Altura last night, and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had in a long time. I thought the conception of the dishes, the balance of flavors, and the execution of the preparations were outstanding. For instance, a small bowl of Matsutake mushroom soup with some shaved raw Matsutakes on top wondrously captured the pure essence of the mushrooms. The prosciutto-wrapped sturgeon was a study in how to perfectly cook sturgeon - which is notoriously hard to get exactly right. Chef Nathan Lockwood first cooks the sturgeon sous-vide (without the benefit of a fancy machine), and then finishes it by sautéing prior to serving. It was accompanied by toasted pumpkin seeds, a luscious, naturally sweet puree of Kabocha squash, and Brussels sprouts leaves. My desert was poached quince on amaretti crumbs topped with vanilla gelato drizzled with a 25-year-old Gold Seal Aceto Balsamico. The flavors and textures of this desert were perfectly balanced and the overall result defied criticism. Did I have some minor nits to pick? Yes. Two pastas were under-seasoned (a problem with the salt level in the pasta water), which was easily corrected by asking for some salt and adding it to the pastas after they were served. My grilled Wagu cullotte steak was slightly overcooked for my preference, particularly on the thinner, tapered ends of the steak, but it was still one of the most intensely flavorful and lusciously tender steaks I've had in a long, long time. The tajarin wasn't quite as ethereal as that made at Spinasse, but it was still first-rate, and the chanterelles and shaved Alba white truffle more than compensated. So these are only very minor nits. The overall meal was absolutely marvelous. Chef Lockwood's attention to sourcing is intense, and it shows in his dishes. The butter served at Altura is Crémerie Classique from Larsen's Creamery in Oregon, and Chef Lockwood can discourse at length over the texture and flavor differences of different butters (e.g., Crémerie Classique vs. Plugra vs. Vermont Butter & Cheese) or American producers of Wagyu beef (Snake River Farms vs. Mishima Ranch). The meal certainly isn't cheap, but neither is the cost of the uniformly high quality ingredients (you can purchase your own Gold Seal Aceto Balsamico for a mere $239.25 for a 3.4 ounce bottle). My overall first impression: Chef Lockwood certainly has a place among the best chefs in the Greater Seattle Area (e.g., Holly Smith, Jason Stratton, Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi), and Altura is destined for the top tier of high-end Seattle restaurants. A big bravissimo to the chef and staff at Altura!

    (5)

  • Mary W.

    Worth months of eating at home just to go here for dinner. The most careful, elegant, earthy deliciousness ever. LOVE.

    (5)

  • Jai S.

    After 20 years on Capitol Hill, we move to West Seattle and came back to Broadway for our first date night after our new baby. Clam and precise. Food was the real deal. Service was very inviting. Thank you.

    (5)

  • Stephen B.

    Went again on Dec 30th. We did the chef's tasting menu paired with wine. Never ceases to amaze. Nathan Lockwood and staff are the real deal.

    (5)

  • Jeff P.

    Right now, this is the best dining experience in Seattle, hands down. Seattle has a lot of great places to eat right now but a lot of them aren't perfect in all the categories. Service can be off, the food spotty, or the atmosphere isn't quite right. Altura completely blew me away with the mastery of the all of the details that make a fine dining restaurant so special, all without the feeling of stuffiness that can permeate such an attempt. I told the waiter (Rachel, who was truly outstanding) that the food had literally changed my life and it is true. Like most self-professed foodies, I have eaten out a lot and there isn't much that surprises me these days. The food at Altura surprises, delights, and impresses. Here are some of the highlights of my 12 course, 3.5 hour email (2 people splitting 6 courses a piece which I highly recommend): The Service: You know how Canlis impresses with the fact that your car is ready for you right when you leave? Altura may not have valet but the wait staff are all perfectly attentive and yet completely unobtrusive. Coats were taken at the door, water filled without ever asking, questions answered carefully and with consideration, and the speed of food delivery perfectly matched out stated desire. The Chef made a point to come over, say hello, and genuinely cared about how our experience was going. I felt supremely comfortable yet totally pampered. There are restaurants in Seattle that have tried for years to get a staff so well tuned, so Bravo to the Chef, Nathan Lockwood, for inspiring such a talented team to do so well. The Atmosphere: The location on Broadway scared me a bit, although Poppy and recently Bako have proved that this location can really support fantastic atmospheres. Altura's atmosphere is comfortable, refined, perfectly lit, and the right volume level. The bar also looked like a wonderful place to pop in after a long day and enjoy a great meal and a glass of wine. The cost of this place probably prohibits such a schedule of casual dropping in, but the space would certainly welcome you with open arms. The food: Now here's the not-so-secret weapon. If the service and atmosphere were great you could get away with hoping the food would be better on the next visit. Thankfully, though, Altura completely over-achieved on the food. We had 12 items of food (plus bread and wine) and nothing was less than spectacular and many were "best in my life" worthy. Highlights include a brussel sprout 'slaw' that was a complete revelation in terms of taste and texture. The linguini with crisply parsley was un-freaking-believable. Somehow the medley of flavors in that dish came together to take such stand-by comfort foods and elevate them such that every bite almost brought tears of joy. Scallops wrapped with homemade pancetta (or was it prusciutto?) were accompanied by a delectable sauce, sturgeon was so moist that it changed forever my thoughts on what that fish could taste like, gnocchi in a sauce that made me moan, and beef carpaccio on a bed of the most insanely unique and rich mushrooms were all so wonderful that I can't really single out any one of them. I don't need to, though, as the menu is going to evolve and I have NO doubt that pretty much anything this man prepares is going to be less than stellar. Overall: I have to proclaim this the best dining experience right now in Seattle. Maybe Altura will inspire some future Chefs to come along and up their game, who knows. But for right now, Nathan Lockwood has created such a star, such a treasure box of delights, that I can only recommend that you make a reservation right this very instant. And even when some Chef does come along and top him at his game, you can just look forward to making this that regular neighborhood restaurant that never disappoints and always makes you glad you came.

    (5)

  • Nyx C.

    Amazingly executed food. Flavors are complex, everything is perfectly seasoned and nothing is overcooked. The staff is delightful, wine pours are generous, and the tasting menu options are flexible. I went with one other person and we both did the 3-course tasting menu. What's awesome is that you can pick your three choices from any portion of the menu. Don't want an app and want 2 mains? You got it. Not into dessert and would rather have two pastas? Sure thing. And... Everyone can do their own combination. It's rad. Again, high praises to the chefs at Altura. The food is outstanding and I would eat anything off that menu any day of the week. If you haven't been, check it out. And if you have, go back soon.

    (5)

  • Lincoln P.

    This foodie was well impressed by our visit to Altura. Very warm and welcoming dining room. We sat at the open kitchen bar which I'd highly recommend. It's fun to see the chefs in action, like watching an artist create his work. Each dish was better than the next. Service was top notch. Not only was our stunning(!!) waiter Mario charming, he knew the menu & ingredients up and down. The hostess and GM were also friendly and exceptionally accommodating when we had to wait just a few to be seated. All around great staff, great experience, and divine food.

    (5)

  • Andy F.

    A+. Love the place! An impressive carved angel keeps watch from the lofted space above the dining room. I hoped she had come from the prow of a pirate ship... but alas her provenance is more Manhattan and less maritime. She keeps the kitchen moving through orders, keeps the wine flowing, and keeps the hostess on top of her greeting and coat-check responsibilities. After enjoying a three hour dinner on opening night, I suspect that more than one angel is keeping a close eye on this place. To me, the word Altura carries some connotations. It's big. It's uplifting. You get pulled up out of the soggy person who walked down rainy Broadway to the front door. This part of Broadway is waking up. There is thoughtfulness and wit at almost every turn. The seating has been made carefully. The linen on the tables is chosen carefully. The starting lineup was chosen carefully, and they worked so well together. I'll level with you - when I have dinner at this price point I don't have to think about much. You know the hand soap in the bathroom is going to smell nice. And it does. You can just turn your order over to the chef and let him pick what you'll have for dinner. The food will taste good. I was warned that the bar was newly stocked and selection was limited, but they poured Aperol for me without a second glance. This is where the details matter and only you can really judge whether it's your kind of place or not. I'll give you a few more examples -- I appreciated the butter knife and the grain in the wooden board on which the bread was served. I remember seeing metalwork like that at the V&A museum in London. It's a little thing but it was picked out with care. The grain in that wooden board was special. It was made by hand. In the bathroom, a painting of a woman keeps an eye on you. Thoughtful restaurants give you something to look at. This place? They give you something that looks back. I think these little things add up. If you're attentive to detail they will continue to reveal surprises for you. We asked Nathan how often he would switch up the "seasonal" menu. He smiled. "Every week" he said. "I call my guys and they get us the very best that they've got every week." That's an ethic lost on too many places. Of course I hope some of my favorites don't get switched out too fast -- the baby octopus is incredible. Tasty little squigglers. And the lamb is actually lamb served three ways, on a scale from buttery filet to "wow that tastes like lamb." Some of the very best ideas from The Ruins live on the menu too; the pasta preparations in particular gave my wife and I a smile when we tasted the reference. We continue to love The Ruins but quickly remembered what made Nathan's tenure memorable. Suggestions? I think the bathroom doors would benefit from some unisex signage to avoid confusion. Am I a man or am I a woman? Is this the right door for me? After a couple glasses of wine you may ask yourself these questions. I think the pendant lights were a little too bright. They gave us a clear view into the slicing and searing and butter-bathing, but outshone the candles a bit. Balancing the electric lights down would kick up the class. On the website, I'd recommend giving a clear shout-out to the bank's parking lot across the street. It's the closest sure bet, especially in the drizzle. Parking there was easy. For my time and money, I'll point to Altura before Spiga or Spinasse. Machiavelli and Terrazzo Carmine take care of different moods (more quick and more formal, respectively), but I have to tell you that this Altura place is in the hands of angels.

    (5)

  • Joe W.

    Altura blends fabulous and inventive food with old world charm of dining in the home of your Italian cousins (without the language issues). I was in a large party dining at 7 pm on Friday. I think you would call it a prix fixe meal. Price is based on the number of courses you choose to enjoy (3, 4, or 5). There are several dishes to choose from for each course. The chef stopped by our table and offered to put a combination of plates together and I asked him to do something around the lamb entree. While I would never have chosen the dishes he selected for me, I was thrilled by each course. We didn't really have a server - we had a family serving us: the hostess; a couple of waiters; the sommelier; the chef - they all appeared and all contributed. Starters, appetizers, and courses just appeared. It was natural and not choreographed. We had 4 courses over 3 hours and it was a perfect pace for our table. It is a small space, so they have seating at a bar looking at the kitchen. In addition, they have a limited number of tables running from 2-8 persons. The furnishings and décor are comfortable and come with a story. The staff is happy to share.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    Oh man, this place is great. Perfect level of service - attentive, but not stifling. It was incredibly crowded, even at 9:00pm on a weeknight. I highly recommend reservations, and not having a large party.

    (5)

  • Joseph A.

    We had dinner for 4 people. Starters, pasta and deserts were great. Beef and fish of the main course were good but not excellent. Wine list is limited.

    (4)

  • Putbory T.

    Boyfriend made late valentines day reservations here for a surprise dinner, got us two seats at the Chef's counter. Great experience watching the kitchen in action. We each had the four course with wine pairings. The eight courses we had were: albacore crudo, veal sweetbreads, beef carpaccio with boquerones, gnocchi with spicy lamb and kobe beef ragu, pappardelle with braised tripe and oxtail, pork shank, lobster fricassee, and tangerine in velo for dessert. My favorites were the pappardelle (the tripe was reminiscent of the tripe I had at a tripe cart in a Florentine marketplace in Italy); the beef carpaccio (so rich, fresh, delicious); the Pork Shank (melt in your mouth goodness); and the Gnocchi with spicy ragu. The service was spectacular (Thanks Ron for your knowledgeable tips on the wine and food). The atmosphere was not stuffy at all, we interacted with the chefs on the other side of the counter throughout the night and it made the experience that much more fun. The price tag: A little bit under $300 for two, worth it for a special occasion.

    (5)

  • Jennifer G.

    Our dinner was AMAZING. The homemade gnocchi just melted in my mouth. It reminded me of what my Italian grandmother used to make. My other favorite was the warm apple crostata. Everything was delicate and beautifully presented. Next time, I want to sit at the bar so I can watch the food being prepared. Two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Liz T.

    Thank you Nathan for a memorable meal! We got the opportunity to sit at the counter, which is one of my favorites. We got to watch Nathan carefully craft each plate and the staff delivered it with care. We each had a three course meal and tasted the sweetbreads, foie gras, risotto, gnocchi, pork and scallops. The foie gras was rich beyond belief and paired with a deep berry jam. The risotto was deep in flavor and has nice bitts of crispy stuff. The pork was wrapped in shank and placed on a bed of greens, which was a perfect compliment. The food, the service, the ambiance were all delightful. My water glass was always magically full and they even knew just which coat was mine and had it held and waiting when I was ready to leave. I would highly recommend all of it!

    (5)

  • Jennifer W.

    This restaurant serves excellent food. Our table of 3 ordered the four course menu and every dish was good. We started with octopus, which paired nicely with sea greens, butter beans and chilies. We tried all the pastas. My favorite was the oxtail and tripe ragu, but I'd be happy to have seconds of any of them. For entrees, the salmon won out over the duck and the halibut. I don't know what they did- it tasted like it was slow roasted, but had very crispy skin. It was rich and delightful. Again, they were all very good. We didn't have the 4th course. The service was nice and knowledgeable, but we waited 45 minutes before we got our first course and then about 25-30 minutes between courses. By the time we finished our 3rd course, we'd been there 2 hours. That said, we did push our 5:45 reservation out to 6:15, the place was full, and I think we were on the tail end of the ordering/preparation cycle. I would give Altura 5 stars otherwise. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Simon H.

    Based on our visit this past thursday (only one day after opening night), it's clear that this restaurant is run by a chef with a passionate (bordering on fanatical) love of Italian food. And to top it off the restaurant itself is wonderful - every detail has been very well thought out. Well worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Susan A.

    Delicious! The menu was slightly limited but I often find that to be a sign of a great place. We did all five courses with wine pairings. WARNING: They give you heavy pros on those wines... The dessert course is a little fuzzy... :) The food was amazing though and I would certainly return.

    (4)

  • Matthew C.

    My gf and I stopped into this place not knowing what we were walking into at all, just looking to get a late night light dinner. The menu items looked perfect (burrata cheese!) but it appeared to be price fixe, which we were not interested in. The hostess assured us we could order a la carte, so we obliged. The food was really delicious but very expensive. Had we looked at yelp before we went in and were prepared, we probably would have come back on a planned evening. We had an extremely light meal (AKA I left and almost picked up a jacks burger on the walk home), and it still cost us almost $100 each (we did each get one glass of wine). I do not recommend ordering a la carte. We ordered two small plates, one entree, and a dessert. They included the two small plate and dessert in the "3-course price fixe" and then charged the entree a la carte. Creative but annoying.

    (4)

  • Lisa L.

    Food was great. Service was one of the worst we've ever experienced. We had a dinner reservation for two at 8:45pm and upon arrival was told that it would be a 20 minute wait max....It turned into a 45 minute wait. When we asked when we would be seated, the hostess was defensive. There was not a single apology or anything from the wait staff for the wait. They rushed us through dinner as well. We ordered the Chef's Tasting menu and before we were even done with dessert, they dropped off the check. Oh yeah, the food was good. But with service that terrible, our night was ruined. From the other reviews, our experience doesn't seem to be an anomaly. I wouldn't come here on any occasion of importance as you might find your night ruined as well.

    (1)

  • Amy K.

    Excited about yet another new restaurant in our hood and this one even closer to home we made reservations for Altura's second weekend in business and walked over to what was going to prove to be a wonderful dining experience. From the moment we arrived we felt welcomed into the tiny space. We were seated at the counter which at first both of us questioned (to ourselves) but quickly came to understand how coveted these seats were to watch the chefs create culinary masterpieces before our eyes. Our server was Ron and had made his introduction with an aperitif (can you say fast friends?) and explained that all meals will start with an aperitif and an amuse from the kitchen which would arrive next. After we had our aperitif and amuse he brought over the wine list and menu. I know typically you are provided with these pieces of information upon being seated but because they bring you a drink and a treat from the kitchen I didn't feel slighted. Love the fact that the tasting menu is SO flexible. You can order 3, 4 or 5 courses and mix and match as you please. We were also told you can order ala carte if you wanted. I went with the 3 course selection while JP opted for the 4. The portion sizes are perfect for a multi-course meal but if you are starving you may want to opt for more courses. I started with the burrata and JP had the grilled octopus (delicious). For my next 2 courses I had the gnocchi (with the lamb ragu...wow, I would have licked my bowl clean if possible) and the scallops. JP had the agnolotti and ravioli and then the lamb trio. All dishes were well done but the lamb was incredible. Since we had spent the better part of our dinner sipping wine and watching the chefs assemble dishes we knew we had to order dessert. We went with the apple crostata. Everything at Altura was fresh (pasta is all made in house daily) and service was outstanding. Would love to make this place a regular stop in our neighborhood but after spending over $200 for a Saturday night dinner Altura definitely won't make the weekly restaurant rotation. I would add this to your must check out and then special occasion/splurge type place.

    (4)

  • Tom K.

    The service was attentive and pleasant, the food was creative, light, and delicious, and the price was very reasonable. I'd definitely recommend it. Looking forward to many more meals here in the future. I took one star off for the atmosphere, feels like they're still settling in their ambiance (the statue was a little odd).

    (4)

  • Alan N.

    OVER PRICED and not worth the money!!! I'm not sure why all the rave reviews on here. The food was just ok. Nothing game changing. First of all it is crazy expensive. Let me start by saying that the menu limited to only 3 course, 4 course, or 5 course. NO a la carte ordering which is uber pretentious, especially for Seattle on Broadway and no fair warning of this until you sit down. The atmosphere is overly lit, small, room with cheesy decor of some hideous angel from a European chapel. ??? Why...it makes no sense. The place seems to be lacking an identity. For two of us, we each had the 3 course meal and a very, very delicious $40 bottle of red wine and the bill with tip was a whopping $170. OVERPRICED with the portions being small and nothing to write home about. The presentation was average not "artfully presented" as some reviews stated. Seattle is often noted for in the Forbes most OVERPRICED city and this is a prime example. My first course was the Veal sweetbreads. They were fairly good but I would hardly call them "crispy" as noted on the menu. My dinner companion had the Albacore and Bresaola Salad. The Albacore wasn't fresh, a bit fishy, and all in all the dish was quite bland. For the second course I had the Beet Green Gnudi. This was the best dish of my 3 courses. The Gnudi was light and doughy in a delicious rabbit ragu. My friend had Nettle Ravioli is was fine. Nothing too exciting by that dish in the first place. As for our third course I had the Skate Wing. I LOVE SKATE WING. It's rare to see it on the menu and I was very, very excited about this dish. However, it was a big disappointment. Skate wing is supposed to be delicate and light this however was dense and oily with a heavy batter that did nothing but destroy the fish. My friend had the fillet of beef which was cooked well and accompanied by scalloped potatoes which were the third best thing of the dinner. However, the beef was a bit cold. :( All in all this restaurant is no where near close to deserving the James Beard award for #1 restaurant in Seattle, let alone in the country!?!? Very disappointing and at those prices. I gave it two stars because the server was very knowledgable and attentive. The service was the only thing that I found above par about this experience.

    (2)

  • Mitch N.

    Gone back a 2nd time. Same great experience, phenomenal customer service, and superb food and food presentation. However, again, a slightly longer gap than desired between some of the latter courses. They say 10min is all it takes for your body to tell your brain you're full. The wait is a bit more than that, and your body after 3 or so courses is getting to the point of fill'age... Still, I would go back there as much as possible if I could justify it. We're thinking of making it a seasonal affair now. :-)

    (4)

  • Kyle F.

    Freaking amazing meal. The flexibility of the tasting menu makes it easy to spend and eat a little or a lot. For the first time ever I tried tartar and rabbit kidney, I was not disappointed. My only minor complaint was the noise level made it hard to hear the servers explain the dishes. I did love the open kitchen. Best tasting I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Birgitta C.

    The ratings for this place are far overblown. I went here and ordered the chef's tasting menu. While everything I tasted was adequate, I wasn't blown away. The service was good, the ambience was good. I just left feeling as though I'd spent more money than I should have on food that wasn't stunning.

    (3)

  • Gabriel B.

    Shockingly bad service. Overpriced, too. Went there on a Saturday night, around 5:30. Not the busiest time of the evening, certainly should be easy to get things right. Showed up, got to our table, offered the complimentary muddled rosemary-cran-grapefruit thing that tastes like cough syrup. Not my thing, but OK. Everybody's happy. Little sardine on toast opener, yum, we feel like we're on our way. We order some prosecco, it's a little dry for my taste. But our order's in and we're doing fine. Except we're not. We wait for our salad course. And wait some more. Ahh, languorous Euro style meals, we should learn to relax . . . and then we notice something - they brought our salads to the wrong table. Oh, how silly! The couple next to us is amused and pleased at their free course, compliments of the house, haha! And what about us? The poor losers who lost their food? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The server never mentions it. The manager does not apologize. Buy us a drink? Comp dessert? Zippo. Nada. So we wait another 20 minutes for our salads. Wow. The kitchen is slow. We can see the entire waitstaff standing by the counter, waiting for the kitchen to get their orders up. Not a good sign. When they finally arrive, the salads are fine. The next course, pasta, is good, so good that I actually can't recall what it was. Wait, it had rabbit in it. Yeah, that was pretty good. The server's wine recommendation was completely wrong, so we try again. Finally, the main course, duck breast. I'm a big fan of duck. This was inedible. Criminy. So there you have it. There's some good food to be had here, but the price, in terms of $, time and exasperation, is far from worth it. The front and back of the house do not have their act together. They should be ashamed. If you want a really good meal, go to Olivar around the corner. That place has been consistently excellent for years. Or save a bundle and go down the street to Pho Cyclo, get the lettuce cups and the grilled chicken Bun, or just some plain old honest Pho, made for you by people who cook and serve like they care.

    (1)

  • Peter C.

    We had read very good reviews of this place on several boards, so decided to go one Friday night amidst the snow storm of 2012. We got a last minute reservation at the bar, which we prefer so that w can see what is going on in the kitchen. The price is on the higher end for our wallet ($200 for two with wine but without tip) - we routinely eat the spectrum from much cheaper to more expensive. We chose the 3 course option with sharing so that we both could experience the variety. The choices were two first courses, two pastas and 1 main course and one dessert. We chose the wine pairings which we have found to give the sommelier the opportunity to shine. The orange and bitters palette cleanser was very good, so we thought we are off to a good start. Amuse bouche followed including bacalao fritter on a bed of garlic aoili and some season small greens. Wow a great dish. We were on a roll. The two starters arrived. One a crudo which was not traditional raw fish with oil dressing but a seared albacore with the center almost medium to medium rare, Not exactly a crudo I was expecting but a well executed dish nonetheless.The accompanying garnishes were good and well presented. The other starter was a razor clam dish. The clams were tasty and well prepared but the accompanying items were too busy. There appeared to be about 6 other elements in the presentation which detracted from the flavour. It felt like eating through a jungle. The wine pairings were very well appointed and explained. So not so great at this point. Although nothing that was bad. The wine pairing arrived at least 15 minutes before the dish, so being hungry and thirsty, we almost finished the wine before the dishes. They saved themselves by refilling. Thte two pasta dishes arrived 20 minutes apart. Although as before the wines (2) arrived at least 10 minutes bfore the first pasta. Not wanting to get sloshed at dinner we slowed down. The first one was a fettucine with shaved tuna heart. The pasta was luke warm, the sauce was greasy. It would have been considered greasy in a spanish restaurant. Where was the tuna heart? I have eaten this dish in other Italian restaurants including in southern italy and have prepared it at home. Celearly this dish had no heart literally. when asked whether I liked the dish, I usually do not say much unless it was bad. This time I explained the problems. The waiter said she would mention to the chef. Nothing came back as to reaction. Where was the other pastadish. We called the waiter who explained that they thought the other was a main across from the main course we ordered. I said, clearly that was not the case since we had ordered them to be brought together and why did the two wines arrive at the same time. It was not logical. The waiter admitted to a screw up. The wine pairings were very good. At this point we had been observing the preparation (exactly in front of us). We watched the very junior Chef de Commis working with Nathan L assembling various dishes. What hit us was the variability with the dishes and the clumsiness of the plating. A ling cod dish withsea urchin and foam, was prepared at least 4 different ways, with the sea urchin omitted on one dish and extra foam added. Also in the Pacific NW we have wonderful sea urchin which can be prepared very well at good sushi restaurants. This uni looked like it had done two rounds with Mike Tyson, battered and frayed to say the least. The second pasta arrived - Agnolotti with a duck interior. It was good although I have tasted better at Perbacco in SF. But overall good. Then the single main course arrived - boneless rack of lamb with potato onion and greens with a wine reduction. An exceptionally good dish which was plated for two. Now this is where the wine sommelier went off track. We had ordered the wine pairing so were expecting to share a single glass - which we often do in these circumstances. But we were greeted with two different wines. One a cab, the other purported to be a Sangiovese. My cab was great. My wife tasted her "Sangiovese" and it did not taste right - now it tasted good but no a Sangiovese. We called the sommelier over and asked the wine and could he bring a bottle over. It clearly was a blend but the Sangiovese was a minor component with Cab and merlot the predominant. When questioned, he indicated that they must have changed the wine on him. Nobody changes a wine on the sommelier - he changes the wine. And also don't you check the wine before bringing out. Not good marks. The dessert arrived - a chocolate brownie with mousse - very good with a good dessert wine. Coffee was very good. Summary - 3 good,2 mediocre and 1 bad dish - good wine pairing but poor attention to detail - not a place to go back based on last night. One of us is a food writer in the NW and the other a restaurant goer across the world. Our son is also a chef in Michelin star restaurants in San Sebastian, London and now New York.

    (2)

  • Eric M.

    Altura is a little oasis of Manhattan right here is Seattle. It's got a good vibe as soon as you walk in the door. For example, the hostess was over behind the bar making handmade pasta when we walked in. She saw us, stopped making pasta, washed her hands and ran over to seat us. We had reservations but decided to sit at the bar....do this! Sit at the bar and watch Nathan Lockwood work his magic. He's surprisingly chatty if you engage him about the food. We had a nice conversation with him. The other thing I love about Altura is the menu layout. You can order 3, 4 or 5 courses. But did you know that you could order all of the courses from the appetizer or entree section of the menu and they will just switch up the portions to app or entree size? How cool is that? I ordered the octopus (my index dish for comparison) and it was perfectly prepared, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. As good as I've had ever. At Nathan's suggestion (blatant name drop) we tried the fresh pasta with black truffles. He opened a little jewel box filled with truffles and let us smell them, then he shaved a very generous amount of truffles on top of our pasta. It was like food porn before our very eyes. Yum! Altura is a worthy addition to Capitol Hill's "restaurant row" with Poppy across the street and Olivar around the corner. I can't wait to return.

    (5)

  • Jermaine D.

    really good meal

    (4)

  • Fiona J.

    If I could give Altura another star, I would. My husband and I went there last night for our anniversary, and it did not disappoint. We went ahead and ordered the chef's choice with wine pairings. This is not an inexpensive restaurant, but well worth it. We are fortunate, as we can walk to this wonderful place. The service is also exceptional. They brought different things for us each course, so we got to try many things. I started with an asparagus and green garlic soup-fabulous. Jim's tuna crudo was also delicious. This was followed by a spring pea risotto for me, and a squid ink pasta with baby octopus for Jim, both just lovely. Then I had amazing potato gnocchi with lamb and beef ragout, Jim had the pappardelle with oxtail and tripe. This was the first tripe that I actually enjoyed! Jim had the a perfectly cooked snake river rib eye next, and I had the most incredible pork shank imaginable, from one of my favorite farms, "Tails and Trotters". We picked dessert, Jim had the truffle cake, and I had the cheese plate, which was served with Columbia City walnut crostini!. They wrote "Happy 25th Anniversary Jim and Fiona" on the rim of the plate. The wines Ron paired with the food were all perfect. This meal went on for hours, service impeccable, we never felt rushed, and were never waiting for what was next. We did bring a "human bag" home, there was just so much delicious food. For us we have found our special occasion restaurant. Fortunately we have birthdays to celebrate before our next anniversary, so we don't have to wait a year!

    (5)

  • Ben M.

    We went last night for our anniversary dinner and did four courses each, plus one wine pairing. Great service and great food, properly prepared and artistically presented. Meal kept getting better and then the desserts (we had the Chocolate Mint Panna Cotta and the Chocolate Truffle Cake w/rosemary) were quitely simply among the best I have ever had. We enjoyed sitting at the counter and watching the food being prepared. The chef and line cooks exuded this calm professionalism... very interesting to study their techniques. Altura is on top of its game....

    (5)

  • Wendy C.

    Great meal. We eat out a lot and this was recommended to us by some very good chefs. Food was outstanding and memorable, service was great and it was nice to be in a seattle restaurant that wasn't pretentious. Prices very reasonable, extremely customer-friendly menu options- eg, three choices from apps, past and main dishes for $41. Meat, seafood and dessert were perfect plates. Get a reservation at the (food) bar where you can see the chefs cook.

    (5)

  • Dub B.

    Had an outstanding meal (three courses) and was treated well as a solo diner sitting at the bar. At the risk of sounding gauche, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I thought the fettuccine was slightly undercooked (I've eaten fettuccine at good restaurants here as well as in Italy, and in Italian homes, so I'm not expecting Chef Boyardee). Everything else was perfection, especially the slow-roasted duck, and the thoughtful choice of butter for the bread (Cremerie Classique--the waiter brought it out to show me when I asked) was an especially nice note.

    (5)

  • James L.

    Woah--watch out Spinasse, the ante for Italian food on the hill just got raised. We went here for the first time last Thursday, and were majorly impressed. The space is small and comfortable, with the open kitchen blending right into the dining room. We got the tasting menu, and almost everything was spot on. The wines were all interesting and well-paired, and the service was *exceptional*. Everything was well-balanced and well-seasoned, with the exception of one pasta dish that felt a little bland. When the waiter heard, he immediately responded that the kitchen would replace it with something more to our liking, and brought us out a lovely pappardelle (with very spicy Calabrian chiles). They considerately gave us two fairly different tasting menus, so we got to end up tasting about 9-10 different dishes. Some highlights were the red and white salads (one with endive, prosciutto, and pomegranate, the other with a trio of caviars), the luscious sweetbreads, the Waygu steak, and the nettle fettucini. Then there was the dessert; I am not a dessert fan by any stretch of the imagination, but this was phenomenal... so good that I've forgotten the ingredients--there was chocolate, there was an amazing sorbet (with chunks of apricot, I think?), and there were many awesome textures. Yum.

    (5)

  • Aaron J.

    I was extremely impressed at my experience at Altura. I've been waiting a long time for a restaurant like this to come to Broadway. If you're looking for a quick in and out dinner, this is not that kind of place. Make sure you have at least a couple hours, because you can really tell they put an emphasis on creating a dining experience, not just a meal. I got the 4 course meal with the ribeye steak being the entree, and it was to die for. Also, the gnocci was tasty and elegantly prepared. The service was attentive and knowledgeable and did a great job pairing wines with my meal. One thing I really enjoyed about dining there was the open kitchen where you can see them prepare your food that you're about to eat. It's not somewhere I'm going to be coming to all the time since it is a bit spendy, but I will definitely return when a special occasion comes up.

    (5)

  • Jennifer R.

    We tried Altura for the first time for my husband's birthday - since it was Valentine's Day week their Vday tasting menu was still available so we both had it along with the wine pairings. Each small course was amazing!!! - so delicious and beautifully presented. We just read in the paper the chef Nathan Lockwood is now on the James Beard list - after eating here....he deserves it!!!

    (5)

  • rhiannon l.

    Altura was awesome. My boyfriend and I went for our anniversary and we got the 3 course dinner. My favorite course was dessert (I got the panna cotta) but my boyfriend freaked over the steak. We also liked the open kitchen layout and watching the cooks prepare our meal (which they were able to do surprisingly quietly). It's a little pricey for us so we probably will save Altura for another special occasion, but we'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Neil M.

    One of the best and most enjoyable dinners I've had in Seattle

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    What a joy! Well-conceived from start to finish, we had an outstanding meal of impeccably-produced thoughtful and thought-provoking food. The open kitchen is a graceful assemblage of choreographed function with everyone, from chefs to front-of-house working together. Each course was perfectly timed and the food- wow. Everything you read about the pastas is true- the best gnocchi in town and the agnolotti is dreamy, with just the rich combination of light pasta and rich ducky depth inside. The wagyu beef was another winner in a series of superior dishes. We'll be trying the steak for two next time...that looked great. Outstanding, carefully-selected products prepared by expert hands in a setting offering smart, not stiff, elegance. The oohs and ahhs from all sides represented that we were surrounded by happy people who know and appreciate amazing food. Bravo!

    (5)

  • Malcolm A.

    My new favorite Seattle restaurant. Wonderful and sincere staff. Food is fantastic and holds its own against my other fav local Italian restaurants Spinasse and Cafe Juanita. Have to go back and try the rest of the pasta dishes next time!

    (5)

  • Paul G.

    Excellent food but a somewhat odd experience. We had a party of 6 for dinner but one couple was late primarily because there is no parking nearby unless you are early in the evening or lucky. So they were outside the front door of the restaurant looking for parking about 10 minutes late but took an additional 15-20 minutes to finally find a spot in a garage down the street and get in. During this time the server brought a little juice concoction to stimulate the palate but that was it. No bread, no asking us if we wanted drinks while we were waiting, etc. By the time the other couple arrived and allowing for time to determine what they wanted the server finally took our order approximately an hour into the evening. Still no bread (a little amuse bouche cracker with spread but nothing of sustance) and no requests for drink orders although one of the other couples took mattters into their own hands and asked for a bottle of wine. We were opting for the wine pairing so elected to wait even though by now we were ready for a drink. Within 15 minutes or ordering we had our first course and everyone enjoyed. The gnocci with wine pairing was delicious. The glass of wine to go with the meal was probably 75% the size or a normal glass. Unfortunately and oddly for the next two courses I got nothing. I had ordered a 3 course meal with appetizer, main entree and dessert. One person ordered a 4 course meal and some others ordered 3 course appetizers and entrees but no dessert. Given this, I could have understood sitting out one of the courses but sitting there for another hour with no food or drink while most of the others had both was a bad experience. I had arrived hungry and had nothing but an appetizer, a little bread and less than a glass of wine two hours into the evening. Had I known this I would have ordered a drink to at least have something to do while I was sitting there. I wasn't driving so the only reason I didn't was because I didn't know I was going to be sitting a couple out. We actually got the impression they were worried about overserving alcohol so were not about to ask if we wanted anything beyond the wine that was paired with the meal. To make a long story short I finally got my entree with pairing about two hours into the evening followed by dessert shortly thereafer. It was all quite good but expensive. Given the odd service and the price we probably will not be returning. It was generally a nice evening but there is lots of competion in the Seattle area and we enjoy new experiences.

    (4)

  • Gregg K.

    I was so looking forward to my dinner at Altura, but it turned out to be one of the greatest restaurant disappointments of the year from the standpoint of the food. On the positive side, we had a terrific server who was knowledgeable and efficient. I was also impressed with the wine list which didn't have insane prices; good bottles could be had for under $50. However, the food was mediocre at best and I found the servings to be so restrained and somewhat precious that I actually prepared an omlette when I returned home since I was still hungry. We each had the three-course, $49 menu. I won't go into detail about every dish, but nothing knocked my socks off, and--as I mentioned--the servings were very small. I left feeling like I would have rather spent my money at Poppy or Olivar.

    (2)

  • David S.

    I went in thinking this was a new place and looked festive. Had been snacking at some of other the local restaurants and wanted give it a try. While there I observe the owner disciplining staff, albeit could not hear him, but gestures are all telling and thought him a son of a you know what. I order from the "appetizer menu" and a cocktail, then at the finish was presented with my bill. Seems I was being charged for everything on the "appetizer menu" and the cocktail despite ordering only three items. I asked the waiter about the bill and was told it was all inclusive. I asked about three "appetizers" and a drink being such an outrageous amount and asked for the manager. Turns out the owner (and truly a son of a you know what) was still going to charge me full price for three morsels and a drink that would have been twenty dollars or less any where else. It took several moments of me raising my voice and begin to make a scene for "the son of a you know what" to back down and agree to charge me only for what I ordered. The you know who frowned as the waiter, being most apologetic, escorted me to the door, asking what he could do... I doubt he could have fired the owner. And one star is one too many.

    (1)

  • Tanya Z.

    I came here for my birthday and the dinner was outstanding and probably the best I've had in Seattle to date. At first I was iffy on being sat at the counter, but it actually turned out to be a pretty cool experience as we got to watch the chefs cook and plate. Every single dish was presented beautifully and was out-of-this-world delicious. The dinner will take a while to get through if you're doing one of the bigger tasting menus, so if you're in a hurry or looking for a quick dinner, this isn't the place to go.

    (5)

  • Daisy K.

    My friend brought me here for an early birthday dinner this past Saturday. You have the option of a 3, 4 or 5 course dinner. Our server explained that the menu changes every week and that the more courses you get, the smaller the scale of each course (FYI they charge a few dollars more if you'd like more than one meat dish). We had a really yummy roe and sweet corn panna cotta amuse bouche and a citrusy aperitiff. My friend and I each went with 3 courses, her a salad, pasta and meat, and me a pasta, meat and dessert. We split the salad and dessert. We weren't too impressed with the melon/nectarine salad since it was something we could've made at home, but my duck confit risotto was delicious! So creamy and crispy in all the right places! I had the venison next, which was done really well and thankfully not gamey. My friend had the lamb, and it was great, from the little bit that I sampled. The dishes were more traditional and straight-forward than "interesting" and multi-layered so it wasn't like I was blown away, though I wasn't expecting that; it was just plain, flat out, reliably GOOD. The best part was the CHOCOLATE PANNA COTTA!!!! I could've eaten a giant bowl full! I ordered a cappuccino afterwards and the server was apologetic when she said they ran out of milk and that the manager was running to get some. I turned it down since we were in a hurry so they didn't bill us for that, but I ended up with a cappuccino anyways. :) There was barely any foam, but I figured they were trying to hurry to get it to me, which I appreciated. The specific dish recommendations probably won't help since it'll change soon, but my overall impression is that this place will deliver good food each time. The service was excellent, noise level was fine. It's right on Broadway down the street and across from Poppy so parking might be harder in the evenings.

    (4)

  • Wissam K.

    I came here after dining at Aquarello in SF. The chef was an apprentice of the chef in Aquarello and was highly recommended. We got the 3 course menu and we could choose from any items. We were 6 and we all ordered a little of everything and some common items. The portions were uneven and were different per person. Three meals came cold and two super salty. Will never go back, this was a very disappointing experience and very slow service.

    (1)

  • Chris G.

    This place was amazing. We had the 5 course meal and the food was a pretty as it was delicious. The gnocchi was incredible. Well, pretty much everything was incredible. The wine pairings we right on point and the service was impeccable. One of the best meals I've had in years.

    (5)

  • Joleen Z.

    What an insanely delicious dinner! Everything from the service, to the ambiance, to the olive oil, to the happy feeling I had as the dinner concluded was bliss. This restaurant is perfect for a special occasion or a romantic dinner. Make sure to do the olive oil tasting - a must! The pastas are not to be missed - the parpadelle and the gnocci were standouts. I've heard nothing but great things about this place, and all the talk was completely true. We had a cozy table for two on the side, but next time I can't wait to sit at the bar and watch the chefs create such spectacular dishes. Also, the service - impeccable. In Seattle, I've yet to be impressed with the service in many places, but Altura raises the bar. BRAVO! Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    Some of the best food we've had in Seattle in a long, long time (that isn't a sushi place). - One of the best soups I've ever had - 1st - Salsify Soup - shigoku oyster, smoked steelhead roe, and watercress. The broth was leek and buttercream. - 2nd starter - Cold Smoked Kampachi - parsley, blood orange, smoked olive, and shaved fennel. This was excellent. I love raw fish though. - 3rd starter - Foie Gras seared and chilled - huckleberry mostardo, vin santo, honey brûlée. This was so incredibly good! - Pasta courses. 4th - Pappardelle - braised tripe and oxtail ragu with spicy Calabrian chilies. It was pretty good. Rich and nice flavor. 5th - Beet Green Gnudi - rabbit ragu, veal sweetbreads and crispy sage. This was okay and something I wouldn't order again. Final course - 6th - Magnolia "True Wagyu" Ribeye Steak with herb fried potatoes, puntarella, parmesan, colatura and bone marrow. I liked this a lot. I love wagyu. I've also had better wagyu. The outside had a little too much char for me. 7th - Crispy Potato-Crusted Ling Cod with pancetta wrapped mussels, sea urchin, and meyer lemon. We weren't crazy about the cod. The fish itself was perfectly cooked but the who combo wasn't our favorite. Dessert - 8th - House Made Mascarpone Gelato with aceto balsamic tradizionale extra vecchio. This I didn't like at all with the aged balsalmic. It was too tart and made me pucker. I was disappointed by this b/c it was recommended by the waiter. Another thing we didn't like was the extra "surchages" in tiny print that added $39 more to the bill. It was a 3.5 hour meal with lots of food. We did like how attentive and good the service was.

    (4)

  • Carol R.

    Fantastic. Personalized service and attention. Love their tasting menus.

    (5)

  • Kimi R.

    Very good and very expensive. Our waitress, enjoying her 15 minutes of fame, affected what could have been an amazing night out. We will return, as it reminds me of a perfect California/ Early Seattle restaurant, but our "Emo/Goth" waitress was a bit too much of a know it all, correcting us on our knowledge of wine and truffles - never sexy. In your town, Isn't the customer always right? I'll cross my fingers for a less superior waitress next time, or simply sit at the chef's table.

    (3)

  • Sharad A.

    As my wife can tell you I am not a big fan of restaurants with "white" table cloths, but Altura was a terrific experience. The menu was very creative and the service outstanding. The staff has a real passion and knowledge of the cuisine and presentation is a true work of art. I highly recommend this for true foodies AND simple eaters like me.

    (5)

  • Raymond C.

    It all depends on why you chose to go to Altura. If it is to impress, then you will enjoy it. If you look at comparable restaurants....well less so. I have eaten though-out Europe and the USA at multiple restraurants. I left Altura hungry and disappointed in my wine selections. Essentially a diner for 3 was $400. Sorry...not worth the cost....service was great. However despite reservations we were offered the worst table in the place, despite being the only people in the restaurant. No one sat at that table 2 feet from the bar/kitchen!

    (2)

  • Chris M.

    Excellent! Elegant!

    (5)

  • Jen H.

    Our first experience at Altura was in 2012 and it was probably the best meal we've had in Seattle. They were running 30 min behind on out reservation but the service (and the food) were so superb that we even forgot how the evening started. They gave us complimentary champagne to apologize for the wait and 2 complimentary dishes to match my dinner to my boyfriend's (I ordered the 3 courses and he ordered 5), which was super nice. Our waiter, Ron, gave us the best service we've had in our lives. And the food was amazing! Since then, we've been craving to go back and that finally happened last week. Unfortunately a lot has changed since then: - the service was good but not nearly as memorable - we waited a good 45 min between the second and third courses and got no word from the waiter in the meantime - the prices increased significantly! ( it used to be $45 for 3 courses, $55 for 4 courses and $65 for 5 courses. Now, on the regular menu you pay $63 for 3 courses and $83 for 5 courses) - they have tons of sous chefs and chef Lockwood mainly calls the orders and chit chats with the customers seating at the bar - the food all in all is still delicious Two years ago I would have given Altura 6 stars and rated it the best restaurant in Seattle. Given my most recent experience I would probably rate it at 4.5 stars.

    (5)

  • Naurry K.

    I fear this review will not do justice to this incredible establishment. Altura's impeccable food and service is complimented by its understated style in the quiet part of Capitol Hill. Typically the culinary landscape mimics Seattle's sartorial flavor of over-priced and under-delivered, mistaking aloof for casual. However, I can't help but gush about the dining experience at Altura as what dining should be. (Again, I won't be specific because I can't - when one enters culinary nirvana details vaporize into the ether.) The experience began something like this... We started with an apertif and a mouche bouche. Delicious. First course with wine. Delicious. Second course with wine. Incredibly delicious. Third course with wine. Impossibly more delicious than the first two. Fourth course with wine. I experience exhaustion from too much of a good thing. Fifth course with wine. Altura has beaten me with amazing food and service. I have been bested by the best. What an experience! Personally, I think 5 courses is too much but I can't think of a better way to spend 3 hours.

    (5)

  • Dawn G.

    In a word: amazing. My husband and I agreed that our experience at Altura was the best meal we have ever had. We both had the truffle tasting menu, and every single course was incredible. We also enjoyed sitting at the bar and watching the chefs at work. The service was impeccable and the decor cozy. Do yourself a favor and go eat here. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Angela R.

    Simply AMAZING!!! Both atmosphere and food-

    (5)

  • Sam C.

    Inconsistent and overpriced. Service: the hostess and busboy provided impeccable service. Warmly greeted upon entering and leaving the restaurant. I don't know how that busboy managed to clear and set every table in the place so deftly. Kudos to those two. The waitress, however, provided inconsistent service. Offering to remove the empty breadboard instead of asking if we wanted more bread (we asked, so we got 3 more slices) was the low point. Waits between courses are excessive which I attribute to the labor intensive nature of the food as well as the fact that most patrons appear to be enjoying wine pairings with each course. Ambiance: Beautifully decorated and charming. I'd recommend sitting at the counter where you can see and interact with the chefs. The noise level is high, however, making it difficult to hear the waitstaff and, at times, even to carry on a conversation. I think the wine pairings and small portions contribute to "under the influence" loudness. Food: Upon seating, we were served a grapefruit, quince and something drink to stimulate our appetites, followed by a fennel flan with some kind of roe and thinly shaved celery pieces. These were exquisite (and free!). Sliced bread is served with butter and an anchovy garlic olive oil - very good. We opted for the three course meal with a single glass of wine instead of the pairing. I had a chicory salad with razor thin sliced honey crisp apples, toasted hazelnuts, and Gorgonzola. It was beautifully presented, but overpowered by black pepper. Seemed to have more radicchio than chicory, but balanced in textures. My second course was Pappardelle in a pork ragu with fennel, chili, and Pecorino. I nearly laughed out loud when I saw the "portion" before me - a single Pappardelle noodle seemed to have been snipped into 4 small pieces - I could hardly even taste the pasta. The sauce did not cling to the pasta either. The Pecorino was in the form of a cooked wafer, rather than grated. My final course was a saddle of lamb - described as fried rib, braised neck, olives, turnips, polenta. The polenta was no bigger than my index finger. There were two tiny turnips, one small onion, and a few pieces of green leaves along with a few very salty olives. The fried rib was delicious. There were a few clumps of fatty lamb meat I assume was the neck and then two small, but perfectly cooked lamb portions. Although all of this was swimming in a sauce, the sauce had no flavor other than salt, which seems to be the seasoning of choice. After those three course, we decided not to frustrate ourselves further by ordering dessert. I went home and had a large bowl of nonfat yogurt. Cost: At nearly $200, including tax and tip, this place is not just expensive, it is overpriced. I don't mind paying more for good food, impeccable service, and a beautiful setting, but paying through the nose to sit in a noisy restaurant, eat salty food, and go home hungry is just not my idea of a good time.

    (3)

  • Jeff B.

    An easy 5, all-around. And I don't give out many 5's. Our first 20 minutes were negative and that threatened to set tone for the evening--but the Altura staff recovered magnificently within 3 minutes of seating us. More on that below under "SERVICE". Exceptional attention to detail throughout the experience: Food, Wine, Service, and Ambiance. My wife and I had dinner. Good for couples and for groups. DRINKS. 5. We had wine pairings with each course, finishing with port. All were excellent. When we go back, we'll probably share some glasses because it was a bit much if one is driving afterwards. Altura might want to consider offering half-serving wine pairings. FOOD: 5+. We each essentially had 4 courses, and shared the cheese plate afterwards, with wine pairings. EVERYTHING was outstanding, and beautifully presented. Before the courses we were served two tiny plates. The first was a custard-like substance with a few trout eggs. First taste was incredibly heavenly. And that impression didn't go away after the first spoonful--I had the same wonderful feeling with every taste. A high standard was set for the rest of the courses--and they didn't disappoint. The second small plate was a few tiny melon pieces with a shaving of ham--great. I had Foie Gras, Cavatelli pasta (chanterelles, duck, etc), Malfatti pasta (rabbit ragu with kale and dandelion greens) before the main course. All were simply fantastic, and diverse. For main course I had elk--lean and outstanding. My wife had sea urchin--uni (incredibly fresh), grilled octopus with cucumber, Tagliatelle pasta (dungeness crab, etc), and flatiron steak; all also outstanding. We ended with cheese plate (sheep, goat, cow, and water buffalo cheeses) with port. Excellent. Afterwards I had a black coffee, and it was delicious. SERVICE: 5+ Ron was our server. Very experienced, and (along with other people who helped us) extremely attentive. The people here enjoy their work. Our initial negative was a 20 minute wait to be seated after our reservation time. We had already knocked off a star before we even sat down, and were in mood to look for the negatives. Two servers -- Ron and another gentleman -- immediately prepared to bring us free apertifs of champagne. Their attitude, actions, and the wonderful taste easily restored that star and our mood -- a new experience for us. Ron was cheerful, obviously enjoyed his work, knew the food and wine intimately, and offered spot-on advice throughout. And, anytime either of us went to the restroom, when we returned we found our napkin refolded waiting for us. AMBIANCE: 5. We sat at a table for two along the wall. TIP: Couples are also seated at the counter facing the open kitchen--if you want a table I recommend requesting one when you make reservations. No guarantee, but ups your chances. Everything contributed to a superior experience. Interior felt warm and comfortable, with a subtle hint of patina. High on the back wall is a lifesize old Catholic-looking angel holding a lantern, looking benevolently down on the scene. Though I am no longer Catholic, it did lend a nice "guardian angel" atmosphere. On the table was a small candle in a glass cup. At many restaurants I extinguish such candles because of the brightness--not here; the design on the glass cup muted the light. And the the overall interior light level was perfect. We had no problem reading the menu, despite the low level. Noise level was very nice. We couldn't hear what was being said at the table next to us, and could understand each other no problem. Music was well-done in style and volume. Strange, kind of Cajun jazzy style. And you heard it only when you wanted--otherwise it stayed in the background. (I couldn't find the speakers until Ron pointed them out high on the ceiling.) Restrooms were of course clean, but also nicely decorated and with wall-mounted candles. (I don't think I have ever before mentioned restrooms in a restaurant review.) Easily one of my very top restaurant experiences.

    (5)

  • Aaron H.

    Why can't I be rich??? And by rich I mean Scrooge McDuck jumping into a pool of $$ wealthy because if I was this is my spot to eat in Seattle every single night of the week. Guess Altura will have to remain a special occasion spot for me and the wife. We were able to sit at the counter last night right in front of Chef Nathan's area and watch him do his work in the open kitchen. We love being able to see the food being prepared and it almost adds a show like quality to the dinner. Embracing the unique menu and ability to choose from a 3, 4, or 5 course meal we were advised that if you wanted to make all of your choices only desserts or even all main courses you could do that too. The menu was treated like an open book and you were allowed to manipulate your choices in any way you like. We chose to go with a 3 course meal tonight......2 pastas and a main for me then!! The food between the wife and I for the evening included a Wagyu Carpaccio, Gnocchi with lamb and beef ragu, Risotto with mussells and speck, Tagliatelle with dungeness crab, Rack of lamb, and some grilled Wagyu beef. All of the food was FANTASTIC! The BOMB! RAD! HELLA GOOD! Whatever else the kids are saying these days.......My wife even leaned over to me at one point and whispered in her wagyu meat breathe that a bite of her steak was one of the singular best bites she has ever had (this girl has eaten at some amazing spots too). We skipped dessert this time, learning from previous lessons that we are usually too full, but next time dessert is mine. The pasta dishes are smaller, but the flavors are so bold. I also loved that the restaurant serves beer, which means that they aren't too cool for their own good. I would rather have a nice local beer with my dinner than wine to be honest. At the end we thanked Chef Nathan for a great evening and left after our perfect anniversary dinner.

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    I've been in Seattle for four (4) months and have loved the restaurant scene, but Altura is tops. The place was hopping on a Tuesday night. We were there for a 8:15 p.m. reservation, but at 9:30 p.m., instead of winding down - the chefs were fired up (on a Tuesday!). We sat at the chef's table - in the heat of things. Truly, we could feel the heat from the stove but loved the performance of watching the chefs as they went about their routine. Chef Nathan Lockwood was extremely friendly, more than happy to answer questions about what he was preparing and how. At the chef's table it is easy to become friends with diners on either side. It's like being at a dinner party - with your own private chef cooking for you. Service was impeccable. The food - I had the three course tasting menu (they offer a four or five course - with the portions sized accordingly so as not to overwhelm). I started with the cold smoked kampachi (with anchovy, peppercress and horse-radish lemon emulsion). A perfect, sushi-like refreshing and light appetizer. Second course, ravioli - veal and porcini filled with marinated olives. Third course - opah (a fish I'd never heard of) with potatoes and capers. Could not have asked for a better meal. The price, including drinks, for two - $133 plus tip.

    (5)

  • Dean W.

    One of those meals that started with great expectations and excitement and went slowly downhill as the courses progressed. The physical restaurant is beautiful....low key, simple, quality in the details from table to silverware. However, for the prices charged the food left us a bit underwhelmed. Had the 3 course tasting menu with a glass of wine. The amuse bouche was wonderful. The salad first course of tuna with fennel and caper berries was good but not spectacular. Deftly spread out over the plate (using tweezers I noticed) I felt like I was grazing a field trying to find things on the plate. The second course (or primo piatto really) was paccheri with a grilled octopus and shredded pork sauce. This was the best dish I had all evening...an odd combination that worked. However, I think I had 3 little paccheri on the plate...tiniest portion of pasta I'd seen, even by Italian first course standards. The secondo piatto was the Tail & Trotters pork with endive. More like a slice of a large boudin it was uneven in texture and taste and fell apart messily as soon as I cut into it. Also large globs of collagen and connective tissue that didn't melt down as it should have. And here's where my complaint comes in....the sauces on both second and third courses were way too salty and overwhelmed the main ingredients. It was a bit like eating demiglace poured directly on the plate. And everything tasted a bit the same....I missed other flavor and texture options such as bitter, sweet, sour, as well as different herbs at least. Definitely more a retro nouvelle cuisine interpretation of Italian. Felt and looked a bit 1980's cuisine minceur on the plate...don't get me wrong....really beautifully done, but still.... Service was slow...a bit of attitude from the waitress. And I know I'm being fussy here, but if you're going to put something like paccheri on the menu please train your wait staff to say it correctly. It's PAC-cheri, not pac-CHIE-ri as she corrected me upon delivering the plate. Her version is a mistaken spelling and the stress is on the first syllable because of the double C. She also didn't recognize the French wine I asked for...at $100-200 a person, the wait staff should be impeccably trained (I speak both French and Italian.) Also, the owners should find a way to cut the noise level down....the restaurant is very romantic and beautiful but you can't have a conversation because it's so loud and jarring. Update....am in Naples as I write this, home of paccheri. Ate it several times here...it is pronounced PAC-cheri, stress on first syllable and eri not ieri on the rest if the word. Just confirming....

    (3)

  • janice L.

    New twist on old friend cannoli was delicious. Service was stellar. The mix of flavors was surprising and delightful. Highly recommend for a leisurely dinner over courses.

    (5)

  • Noyonima H.

    Really loved this place. It's a little too small for my liking, we were literally sitting next to another couple and felt like they were a part of our table. But the food was great! Loved the wine pairings except it's probably the booziest prix fixe I have ever been to lol! We were soo drunk after! The chef kept sending over complimentary little bites to eat which was nice. Think it had something to do with the fact that my husband took me there for our anniversary :) really nice! Will go back.

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    We dined here last evening for our anniversary. For us it's a special occasion kind of place since our tab usually exceeds $200. But I have to say it's worth it! The spot prawn crudo was excellent, the gnocchi with lamb, beef and iberico ragu was the highlight of tour dinner. I could have eaten that alone and been perfectly happy. Everything is cooked with skill and care. The amuse bouches, a rhubarb juice with tarragon oil and savory panna cotta with "popcorn" were delightful. Service is impeccable. With an open kitchen, you can watch chef Nathan and his staff cook. The choices are the entire tasting menu or 5 or 3 courses priced accordingly not including drinks, tax or gratuity although wine pairings are offered. The two times we've dined here, we've been blown away by the great food, service and attention to details offered. I think this is one of Seattle's top dining experiences.

    (5)

  • Holly M.

    Amazing food... A late review...but as I had just written a negative review of another SEA restaurant; it prompted me to remember how well done the food was here. This is definitely not a place you go to on a daily basis; dinner (with tip) was $350 each for myself and my BFF. Admittedly; we went a bit crazy; cocktails; bottle of bubbly; paired wines; and the tasting menu. Split 3 desserts for the two of us... But there was not a bad dish in the bunch. Wines were perfectly paired. Best Foie gras I have ever had. Dining is more casual than you might expect for the price point; but who cares. Service attentive without being obtrusive. Worth *every* penny

    (5)

  • Mark B.

    Cant say enough good things about Altura. Sat at the counter and thoroughly enjoyed watching them painstakingly prepare every dish. This is a well oiled machine. The food quality and taste is matched by the amazing plating. I can't believe it has taken me this long to get there but to me, this is the #1 food experience in the city. Period.

    (5)

  • David M.

    Came here for our anniversary dinner and were blown away! We both did the Chef's Tasting Menu and it was the perfect amount of food. Being from California, I had to ask for an extra course so I could get sone foie gras (which is banned in my state). It was so good I almost cried. We opted to sit at the counter and it was so cool to see all the skill and live going into every dish - especially the ones that ended up in front of us! This was one of the best meals I've had this year and I'm putting it at the top of my list when we come back to the city!

    (5)

  • Lisa J.

    This place is wonderful. The food is very impeccably prepared, masterfully presented and delicious. The service is highly attentive, but not intrusive. A wonderful environment and changing menu, so each time is a surprise. The environment is quiet and intimate; able to accommodate an anniversary celebration or a business meeting. Parking is typically o.k. in this area, depending on the time / day. It's great to see such an upscale restaurant in Capitol Hill, without a pretentious environment. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Krys G.

    FOOD - 5. (Fresh, flavorable, artful - everything was delicious, but the pasta was amazing!) DRINKS - 5. (Wine pairing was perfect) SERVICE - 5. (Server was great - he was very flexible, attentive, and knowledgeable) PRICE - 5. (It's the right price point; comparable to other fine dining restaurants) Favorites: Lamb ravioli (special of the day) Cavatelli with chanterelles and duck Additional Notes: Nice place for special occasions - Altura made my mother-in-laws birthday dinner a wonderful experience. We brought my 9-year old son. They don't have a kids menu, but server was VERY accommodating about when to bring the food and was very flexible on what they could make. They made a kid friendly aperitif with blood orange soda to match the adult drinks - too cute! And the Chef Nathan Lockwood stepped away from his busy kitchen to check with us both before on food preparation and after to make sure my son got his food the way he wanted it - that was so very thoughtful!! They genuinely wanted to make sure we had nice family meal for all us. Menu is very flexible in terms of how you want to do your courses and have a lovely wine pairings. Everything was fresh, super flavorful, and was plated beautifully. Portions were just right - didn't over eat or felt hungry. This is a smaller restaurant with limited table seating or else there is counter seating with a view of the open kitchen. If you are looking for something more intimate, you may want to go somewhere else.

    (5)

  • Thia G.

    DELICIOUS food, sit at the bar so you can watch them prep your food (and ask the chef questions), and order lots of pasta and meat dishes..! Since you get to choose 3, 4, or 5 courses from the menu, without any restriction on which courses / how many from each category, you have the choice of getting app, main, dessert, or app app app, or main main main, or dessert dessert dessert. Basically, you choose what you want to eat. As a bonus, you get an awesome amuse bouche to start the night off. Also, this isn't a fast food restaurant, so it does take time to prep everything exactly right for all the guests. There are only 4 chefs working very hard in the kitchen, so be prepared to spend your night enjoying the food (and maybe bringing your own bottle of wine, I believe corkage was $25). PS - you won't be able to find parking, so either cab or park far away and walk. I would DEFINITELY come back! ...and with more money, try the chef's tasting menu one day.

    (5)

  • Jon K.

    I love you, Altura!

    (5)

  • Anna M.

    This restaurant is quite possibly the best in Seattle for amazingly creative and refined dishes. There is a serious attention to detail and you can taste even the smallest additions. On our second visit, we splurged on the wine pairings and were blown away by the choices. Sit at the bar - you will see the level of effort that goes into it and appreciate it even more.

    (5)

  • Diane T.

    Ok I'm starting to think that a 5 star dining experience cannot be replicated. It's been about a year, but we finally made it back! It was almost the same menu(spicy octopus, pappardelle, rabbit, etc) with some various modifications., maybe seasonal. I applaud the creativity, but I think they were just trying too hard or have run out of ways to make the staples.... Don't get me wrong, it was still good, but I was expecting another out-of-this-park experience. I like variety, but why mess with a good thing? The dessert, on the other hand, was unexpectedly amazing! We had the wood sorrel sorbet with olive oil cake and strawberries. The oaky flavor along with the herb-y tangy sorbet was excellent and unlike anything I've ever had before.

    (4)

  • Calvin Y.

    "SOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD." I don't know how else to describe Altura -- whatever I can possibly say it would just be understated as Altura is far beyond the dichotomous good and bad. Altura is just sooooo good! Altura does a 3, 4, or 5 course meal for $49, 59, and $69 respectively. I got the 3 course meal starting with a pasta course, entree, and dessert. For the pasta -- I got the braised oxtail and tripe pappardelle pasta. The chewiness of the thick linguine matched with the tender tripe and the flavors of oxtail is pure delight. I ordered the Tails and Trotters Pork Shank as my entree. The Pork Shank is curled up into a discus-like shape. To quote, Altura, they call this the "best pork hockey puck you'll ever eat." The fat and pork melts in your mouth! I finished my meal off with the Chocolate and Mint Panna Cotta which was jiggly and chocolately -- a perfect finish for a perfect dinner. While I do not think that I could afford to eat the 3 course meal regularly here at Altura, I wouldn't mind coming in for the a la cart --- as they do offer it as an option. Similar to the food, the service was remarkable -- the server was able to share stories that helped connect us to the food. His recommendations were extremely helpful when navigating through the menu and figuring out whether or not to do a pre-fixe menu or their course offerings. I highly recommend making reservations at least a week in advance if you want to schedule a dinner. I made reservations a week in advance via Open Table and still only managed to get a table for Friday night at 9:30 as Saturday and Sunday were all booked up!

    (5)

  • O G.

    While this is Italian, don't expect a simple bolognese or carbonara. Explore ragus of tripe and oxtail, or elk hearts and chanterelles. The chefs here are so good that you can trust them to offal preparations that will leave you curious for more. As for the portion sizes, if you're concerned about them, don't come, or eat a small meal beforehand. Get the wine pairings. The best thing about the menu is that it is seasonal, so I will definitely return. Sidenote, if it's just the two of you, go for a counter seat and watch the chefs at work. They are so focused, so fluid, and as the night wears on, they become engaging as well.

    (5)

  • Jackie Y.

    My husband and I came here to celebrate his birthday. The experience was awesome. Menu is flexible. You get to choose 3, 4, 5 course or the tasting menu and can choose whatever you want. Price is much more reasonable compared to other upscale restaurants in Seattle. the food was delicious. We especially like the foie gras. Service was good. However, the ambience is not as romantic as I anticipated. It's quite noisy and we shared a table with another couple.

    (5)

  • Stephen H.

    Our first experience was a bit hit and miss, but the hits merited a five star rating. Some of the dishes were surprisingly unremarkable, and we even sent back some badly overcooked chicken (and were amused to see the chefs in the open kitchen dissecting it). Having said that, the best dishes were amongst the finest food we've had in Seattle, and on par with the best food we've had anywhere, Michelin-starred restaurants included. Highly recommended. Update: Our second visit was like the best of the first visit, without any of the previous disappointments. We'll have to go here a few more times before we're absolutely sure, but right now we're both thinking this is our new favorite Seattle-area restaurant. Delicious.

    (5)

  • Brooke S.

    Wow. Had the pleasure of dining at Altura this past Saturday. The first dish off of the tasting menu arrives - veal crudo with farm egg, mushroom and truffle. I take my first bite. My date has really built up expectations and nervously asks if I like it, I show him my arm... it's covered in goosebumps it's that good. The night continues on like this. Other top dishes were the lobster tail and risotto with pork belly. I would skip the pork shank if I went back, but it was still cooked perfectly. Total bill was 275 including tip which covered one tasting menu, three dishes off of the regular menu, two cocktails and a bottle of wine - we shared everything and were beyond full. Worth every penny. My favorite restaurant in town. Service was excellent. Perfection. Thank you!!

    (5)

  • Jason K.

    I took my wife here for her birthday about a year ago and totally forgot to leave a review. Altura is as good as it gets. It's not a stuffy super formal restaurant but the food speaks for itself. My wife and I ordered a total of 9 courses (5+4) with wine pairings. The food: you could tell each one was made meticulously and with a lot of thought. Every dish was amazing. The wine pairing: It was good but I think we would have been better off ordering a bottle of our own. For the price, it didn't seem like we got much wine, seemed like just a taste of each. Overall, it still was an amazing experience and we recommend it to all our friends who are looking for a special night out.

    (5)

  • JJ W.

    Reservations book quickly the earliest I could get was a couple weeks out. It was sooo worth it though! The food was amazing, service was great! Some highlights: Rabbit agnolotti was amazing! I'm still not quite sure how they make it but it tasted scrumptious! Pappardelle - I'm not a huge tripe fan but this was amazing and the tripe was fantastic in it! One of the bests meals I've had in awhile!

    (5)

  • D L.

    Here's an oxymoron to add to your list: Dainty Italian food. Every component on each dish is literally 2-bites. Unnecessarily fussy presentation. "Refined" should not equate to "Pretentious". If you are impressed by frenched rabbit ribs, tweezer placed microgreens and 5-way cooked whatever... this is your spot.

    (2)

  • Jeff L.

    The service amazing! The food fantastic! The wine superb! There is no doubt that this is one of the best restaurants that i have experience in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Dana R.

    I'm so glad that Chef Nathan Lockwood's family is in Seattle and that we were able to lure him away from San Francisco's Aquerello! Every course was fantastic; the service was exquisite; the decor and feel of the space is cozy, yet refined and inviting. Last night's dinner was hands-down the best Italian meal I've had in Seattle; sorry Spinasse and Cafe Lago (our two other favorites). It started with a shot of limoncello, orange juice and soda water, then continued with a cicchetti (an amuse bouche) of a perfectly toasted thin quarter slice of homemade Tuscan-loaf style bread, with a flavorful, creamy white cheese (similar to Humboldt Fog goat cheese) with a mixture of spring onion and stinging nettle and topped with a fried mint leaf -- one (or two) bites of beautiful texture and flavor. I started with the Winter salad in red. Individual leaves of red endive, very thin slices of crimson star pear, thinly sliced prosciutto rosso, 6-8 brunoise of pickled persimmon and 10 or so pomegranate seeds artfully arranged on a rectangular white plate and served with the perfect amount of balsamic reduction. I left the red beets off. Beautiful dish, packed with finesse and flavor. My husband's beef carpaccio (which was more like a tartare) was outstanding. It comes with a parmesan fondue crouton (a perfected toasted block of bread with a parmesan cream sauce in the middle), halved black olives (not the kind from a can ...), fresh white anchovies (again, not the kind from a can or jar ...), and arugula. The beef is very finely chopped, making it clean, fresh and tender and is topped with an over medium quail egg. Mixing the different elements of the dish together makes the perfect bite. The dish was beautifully presented as well. My husband and I then shared potato gnocchi with spicy Abruzzese style lamb and Kobe beef ragu -and parmesan shavings - my god, the ragu is perfectly rich and spicy, but still delicate ... I wanted to lick the bowl but they cleared it too quickly (the busser told me that many people have commented on wanting to lick the bowl). The gnocchi is pillowy and had good texture (not quite as delicate as the gnocchi at Hearth in New York, but a completely different type of dish). Simply outstanding. Next, I had the best Ling cod I've eaten -- a thick piece (may be about 2.5 inches thick), perfectly cooked to medium-rare with a beautiful brown and crispy crust and served on a bed of melted leeks, sea urchin foam, and Meyer lemon and topped with with a delightfully crisp, yet light, mandolin julienned Yukon Gold potato frizzle. The fish was flaky, the leeks bright and oniony, the sea urchin foam added a rich saltiness, the Meyer lemon balanced the richness of the foam and leeks, and the crispy potatoes provided an interesting and flavorful textural element. yum. The Alaska troll-caught King salmon my husband had was also perfectly cooked. It comes with skin on -- so beware if you're a little skittery of fishy flavor, but once set aside the fishiness abates. The fish sits on a bed of sunchoke puree and is garnished with brussels sprout leaves, rainbow carrots, sunchoke, and is topped with a smattering of baby beet greens. He loved it. I finished with the chocolate-mint panna cotta -- served in a whimsical white bowl and topped with shaved chocolate, white meringue shards, fresh mint and an Italian (Roman style) warm chocolate sauce (on the side). I don't eat entire desserts ... I ate this entire dessert. Again, artfully presented and prepared with complimentary flavors and textures. The panna cotta texture was perfectly silky and had only enough gelatin to keep it from breaking - lovely. My husband's chocolate truffle cake with blood orange caramel, giandiuja (hazelnut/chocolate), praline cream was outstanding. He particularly liked the candied blood orange rinds. Another beautifully balanced and presented dish. Everything was fresh, fresh, fresh, and simple, yet perfectly prepared and presented. Our server, Seth, was outstanding. The overall service is of the very highest caliber ... attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, yet not intrusive or pretentious. They fold your napkin when you temporally leave the table ... a service feature you typically find in white tablecloth establishments, yet Altura is much more casual in appearance and atmosphere. At the end of the meal we (and others) had the opportunity to meet Chef Nathan. After lauding him with praise for our meal, we told him that next time (which means next week), we will sit at the chef's counter (literally 12 or more seats right in front of the entire kitchen) to "keep an eye on" him. He responded jovially "so you can tell me what I'm doing wrong" ... that would be nothing, nothing wrong.

    (5)

  • Kimanh M.

    Sure, this place won my heart with their absolutely delicious and artfully presented dishes, but what really left me in awe was their mastery of textures. Every bite was so intelligently balanced; I had to resist the urge to blurt out my adulation and interpretations of the dish like a judge on Iron Chef! The taste and textures of the duck agnolotti yielded the "perfect bite" by layering pasta filled with crispy duck confit (sealed like ravioli) in a light, black truffle butter broth, topped with thin shavings of black truffle and flash-fried sage leaves. The crispness of the confit and fried sage burst through the smoothness of the pasta and sliced truffles, with the light, yet savory broth bringing it all together. Silky, savory and smooth! I heart Altura!

    (5)

  • Jamie J.

    If you're the kind of person who keeps a list of restaurants that have yet to be tried, move this one right up to the top. What an amazing addition to Capitol Hill. The big dogs better move over, because we have a new chef in town! A couple tips: 1. Sit at the bar to watch the chefs work their magic - much like Harvest Vine - this elevates the dining experience and you actually get to know the chefs. 2. Don't rush. Leave a good block of your evening to really enjoy this experience and to get to know the lovely people who are guiding you along. Now the food... Everyone in my party ordered the 3 course dinner. You can pick 3 dishes of your choosing from whatever section; you can pick 3 desserts if you want (I did think about it for a second). The Chef presented a separate truffle menu that was hard to pass up, so each of us ordered the truffle pasta dish that came topped with a serious load of shaved white truffle. I think I died in my chair. [To start] Cauliflower Soup (courtesy of the chef); amazing. Just give me the pot! [Next] Parsnip Gnocchi, wild boar ragu. Hello. Welcome to the big time. A must try. [Truffle Dish] You must order something with truffle. Chef Nathan has big huge truffles (black and white) that are just waiting to be used. Ask him to smell them. He will graciously allow to take a couple wiffs. [Main] I ordered the roasted chicken which was to die for. Best chicken I've ever had; no joke - slightly genius. I also tried the scallops which were delicious. [Dessert] We ordered all but one of the desserts on the menu and they were all so good! I have to say my favorite was the salted caramel chocolate goodness/cake. Overall, the food was amazing. But I really loved the very cool and welcoming attitudes of the chefs and staff; it's casual and the food, and accompanying experience, are what count. At one point, the hostess was behind the bar rolling out little gnocchi - darling. The chefs were creating our food from start to finish right before our eyes; you can't get a more personal experience. All of the chefs were so friendly. Chef Nathan is a very cool dude who is more than willing to answer your questions and let you taste the random bits floating around the kitchen. To add, the wine pairings were superb and the knowledge of the staff, stunning. Spinasse was my favorite restaurant in Seattle... until last night. Altura totally swept me off my feet. [insert heavenly sounding, eye-opening, music here] Check out what Eater had to say: seattle.eater.com/tags/a…

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    I was blown away by everything here! The service was attentive, small delicious tastes were served between entrees, and a every taste was divine! I would honestly call this place the best place I've ever eaten in Seattle. There is a review for Altura which is 3 stars because this restaurant does not have valet parking. This is Seattle and if you expect valet parking then you are living in the wrong city. Capitol Hill is packed to the brim, but you can pay for parking and walk a couple of blocks if you can't find street parking. There are a lot of really fantastic restaurants up here on the hill and I can't think of one that has parking. To give this restaurant a measly 3 stars because you have parking issues is really sad.

    (5)

  • Peter L.

    I checked out Altura to see if it was worth the hype and the price. Even though it has been called the poor man's Canlis, it ain't cheap by any measure but I am happy to say that it delivers on almost all fronts. I went for the upgrade for white truffles on the pasta course, which then made it more expensive than the tasting menu at Canlis but I digress. The deconstructed soup was a great start to the meal. The black cod was perfectly cooked and very rich with fall vegetables. The highlight was definitely the agnolotti pasta, and the chef came out to shave the white truffles (loved the little shaver as well!). We opted for the 3 course meal, but definitely don't skip on desserts. The only criticism might be that the tables might be spaced too closely, but it's a minor one, as it is a very civilized dining room and crowd. Service was solid, and there are a surprisingly large number of affordable bottles on the wine list. Definitely nice place to splurge a bit but without being overly stuffy or formal.

    (4)

  • Tzu-Jung C.

    Soup was a bit salty. I had something severed with truffle. That was really tasty. I think I will visit again if I am not the one who pays check.

    (4)

  • Mel M.

    Altura is amazing. Everything we ate was fantastic, the service was impeccable, and we would return in a heartbeat. A few tips. First, based on the prices and structure of the menu (and as tourists unfamiliar with the area), we dressed to the nines. You don't need to. It's certainly fine dining but it's also a neighborhood restaurant -- Tuscan villa meets boho chic. You will be very comfortable there in a sundress, chinos, etc. Second, get the wine pairings. I'm not usually a fan of wine pairings, as I inevitably end up with a bunch of expensive wine I don't particularly like. This was different. The wines are paired not to the course but to the dish. So if you do what we did and each get different dishes for each course (an excellent strategy, as everything is delish) you will get six (or more) different -- and perfectly paired -- wines. Third, everything was scrumptious, but the dishes I would reorder again and again: the Pappardelle, the Gnocchi, and the Sorrel Granita. In short, dine here, understanding that it is expensive but will be a head to toe excellent culinary adventure.

    (5)

  • B J.

    AMBIENCE - A (cool and relaxed ) SERVICE - A (server made recommendation when dishes should come out) FOOD - A (I like like delicious artful food) PRICE - A (like the 3 - 5 plate options/pricing - you can order anything!) Sat at the bar and fun watching food being cooked and prep. Presented with an Aperitif . Presented with a comped. leek custard w/ mushrooms and macro greens? I chose the 3 dish options where I could order literally anything and not stuck to a starter/entree / dessert. I could have had 3 entrees! My date and chose - -Squab and Pheasant agnolotti with Chantrelle and blk truffle mushroom. - Tagliatelle pasta with sea urchin and dungeness crab with tarragon lime. - Fennel pollen dusted scallop with potato parsnip purée with grilled fennel and treviso (radicchio) - one of my first bites of a scallop was overcooked and I was worried that whole dish was ruined, but thank goodness the other scallops were more al dente. -Anderson ranch lamb - Loin, Shoulder, Rib with olives artichokes greens. -Roots chicory salad -Panne Cotta Nice wine selections. I hear the chef used to work at the "Ruins" - another favorite old haunt of mine... good luck to ya' in your new personal endeavor! I can't wait to go back... and wonderful great restaurant addition for the neighborhood. WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

    (5)

  • Bertrand R.

    Good. Yes. Great. Maybe. Service was excellent. Ambiance was good. Food was good but not as good as I expected (I expected Michelin 1 to 2 star level food)

    (4)

  • Stephan J.

    I don't know why I waited a year to come back for dinner at Altura, as I can confidently say this is hands down the best meal I have ever had in Seattle. We enjoyed the chefs tasting menu on Christmas Eve. The service is wonderful and the food will blow your mind. Sitting at the counter you really get to observe the magic of the kitchen. The chef really has some passion for what he is doing and accepts nothing but perfection. I witnessed him have a dish replated as it didn't meet his standards visually. From beginning to end there was no item on the menu I didn't love. My two standouts from the evening were the pumpkin risotto and a pasta stuffed with pheasant tossed in Brussel sprout leaves and a butter sauce! Don't miss this place as you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Lor B.

    This place was voted best restaurant in 2012 for a reason. Its good. Oh so good. I'm a huge fan of pre-set courses - as there are not very many places that do this right. The menu here is very flexible (a little daunting and confusing at first) but once you get it -you'll be fine. Here's what rocked my world the night we dined: winter red salad, pappardelle w/tripe, waygu Ribeye (worth the $25 upgrade), guinea fowl, and chocolate done 3 ways (flourless cake, gelato & aerated hot chocolate). Wine list is good. Service and ambiance is up to par. It's a lovely experience to dine here. Will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Derrick L.

    Came here for dinner with my girlfriend to celebrate her promotion at work and enjoyed a memorable 2 hour dinner. As we were seated, we were quickly served an amuse. We were then served another little bite of fennel panna cotta with salmon crudo and roe. An elegant touch to something very simple, imo. We decided to both do the 3 course dinner. She had the risotto, paperdelle, & waygu, all which were delicious. The waygu definitely was our favorite. I had the sweetbread, squab, & rabbit. Again, delicious! We loved the presentation of our plates. At the end of dinner, we decided to share a dessert, the hazelnut gelato. It had three little components to the dessert all which ends the meal in a fun, semi-sweet note. Service was friendly. Overall, delicious food, good wine & an inviting environment. Altura puts their own elegance with Italian food.

    (4)

  • Marc T.

    It's taken me almost a year to write this review and it probably would never have been written if not for the terrible italian food I've been having lately in Los Angeles, whcih has really made me appreciate what is probably one of the finer meals of my lifetime. Anyways, I came here with my girlfriend about a year ago while we were passing through Seattle. We really wanted to check out the local food scene and somehow by God's divine miracle ended up at Alturas. Now, when it comes to food I'm a fairly no frills type of dude and a bit of a purist at that. I could care less about ambiance and how many hours the chef spent patting himself on the back for sourcing locally grown bean sprouts that have been meticulously placed upon my plate with surgical care. Again, I don't really care too much about ambiance, but all I can say is that Alturas is definitely "warm" in every sense of the word. It's a place that doesn't have the pretension that you find in a lot of the restaurants in LA & SF. More importantly, the food is well executed and the menu straddles the often contradictory worlds of inventive, traditional, and balanced. The seafood I had that night which consisted of giant clam, uni, and caviar was morning dew fresh. The pasta was complex and eye opening and the seared iberico was the best bite of pork I ever had. suffice it to say, I'd move in next door if I could. Alturas, I miss you, I really do and my girlfriend does too, hope to see you soon

    (5)

  • Irina M.

    After i heard this place won best restaurant in 2012, we had to find out what it was all about. One of the best dining experiences to date in Seattle. We had the Valentines Chef's dinner, although it was pricier than we'd normally spend ($125 per person) it was a special occasion and well worth it. Each course seemed to easily transition from one to the next and was perfectly prepared. The service was impeccable and wine list well done. Even the small chocolates they give you on your way out were amazing. I would definitely come back here, although i would suggest booking in advance unless you are willing to eat dinner at 9:30pm. Luckily i'm a night owl!

    (5)

  • Farz D.

    Wow, wow. Okay, this was a great dining experience. Altura is a small restaurant so you'll have neighbors and be privy to some of their conversation but an open kitchen, which allows diners at the bar to watch some serious culinary magic go down, and seriously good food will keep you in your own world. When trying a new restaurant I tend to opt for the tasting menu and wine pairings. Ron, a fantastic host, picked great wines and well..he's just a pro and you'll be happy if you get him. Now to the food. We picked (in order): Tuna and red pepper stuffed with tuna belly (added photo of this dish) - might have been best dish of the night mixto crudo - sea urchin, scallops - very good gnudi w/rabbit - so delicious Tagliattle w/dungeness crab - I haven't had pasta this good outside of my grandma's kitchen, ever. (she's 100% Italian and still makes her own pasta from scratch at 89) Halibut - Just perfect. Flatiron Steak - Again, just perfect. House made mascarpone ice cream with balsamic vinegar sauce and a Rose ice wine pairing? Yeah, a pretty good way to end the meal. A few notes for those planning a visit: 1) Portion size for tasting menu items was huge compared to other places. Do not pre-eat! I didn't even have to post-eat. 2) You can request table seating but if it's just the two o'you then I suggest the bar. Watching the chefs work is always fun. 3) Be sure to let them know if you're a first time visitor if you like a run down of the whole menu/history of a restaurant/etc. 4) The "current menu" on their website may not actually be their current menu. So if you're like me and like to preview a place then just be wary. You may not find a dish available that you saw online. This will definitely be on the return to often list. Five stars.

    (5)

  • Clark B.

    Add another impressed, pleased and happy customer to the list. We had booked reservations about 6 weeks out and the "core hours" of 6:30-9:00 were already filled so opted for 9:00pm, and it was a perfect way to spend, and end, an evening. Service: Absolutely fantastic. From the warm greeting from the hostess, to our waiter, to the entire staff we felt well cared for. Don't recall our servers name but he was knowledge, attentive and just the right amount of friendliness to compliment an enjoyable evening. Food: Absolutely fantastic. Two in our group did the 7 course Chef's Tasting menu and the other two did the three-course, with an order of the Foie Gras to share. Each course very well prepared, amazing flavors, and timed perfectly to keep an easy and enjoyable flow to our evening. Of standout were the Braised Tripe and Oxtail Pappardelle and the Wagyue Ribeye Steak. Ambiance: A very warm, inviting, intimate yet open feeling (I know, seems a contradiction, but true). Absolutely deserves the accolades and recognition it is receiving.

    (5)

  • Olga L.

    Oh Altura, you had me at Amuse... We had 8pm reservations last night and we had high expectations that were not disappointed. We start our night with drinks - me, I had this Gin and Basil drink that was on their specialty drink list and my hubby had what he called the perfect dirty martini. The olives were really spicy and I knew he was loving that new twist to his drink. I love basil and can say my drink was delish and herby. We were lucky enough to sit at the bar - which we love to do - and we could see everything that was going on in the kitchen. We were amazed at how beautiful the plates were and how meticulous they were with each one. We ordered the chef's tasting menu and buckled our seat belts. We were given a couple of different amuse bouche's at the beginning: a chilled fruit palate cleanser, an amazing cold savory panna cotta with caviar on top and a chilled melon soup. In my rule book, anything with caviar is good but the panna cotta was outstanding The courses were: baby octopus with a hummus-like sauce (amazing), the risotto with Iberico ham and mussels with fresh fennel (OMG), Perfectly cooked Elk with an awesome black truffle jus, gnocchi bolognese (worthy of plate-licking), the chilled foie gras, the cheese plate and dessert, which for me was a blueberry crisp with ice cream. The only thing I would change if I could would be the fact that I prefer foie gras seared and hot vs. cold. Even cold, however, it was truly excellent. Forest, our server, was amazing and was there when we needed him and wasn't when we did not. That is the art of a great server. We had such a great time that we are putting this on our regular "go to" restaurants for Seattle. It's elegant without being stuffy and everyone including Chef Nathan and Chef Tim were very personable and obviously great at what they do. Oh yeah, we're going back...

    (5)

  • Leah W.

    Dinner here can go on my "top five meals in Seattle" list. Hubs and I treated ourselves to the tasting menu plus wine pairings for our anniversary and it was a fantastic night chock full of culinary delights (a four hour long night, so be advised of that). We sat at the bar and were served plate after plate of impeccably prepared, delicious food and gorgeous wines. The pasta was a highlight. Service was fantastic and we chatted it up with the cook a bit which was rad. Sometimes when I sit at the bar in an open kitchen I feel like there is an invisible wall there and I am reluctant to bother the staff so I just ogle them, which is fine, but actual interactions enhance the experience. I really like their coursed menu concept and want to come back to try that asap. I will say the décor is a little homier than I anticipated, to the point of approaching dumpy. I almost expected to see a doily or two.

    (5)

  • V S.

    Conext: I have lived in cities where there is amazing culinary options- New York, London, New Orleans. This is as truly as good as it gets. I would rate the experience at Altura with 11 Madison Park in NYC. The design of the entire meal and how it was orchestrated with the wine pairings was truly exquisite YET the ambiance was friendly and the service was informed and friendly. I am not going to belabor this other than to say you simply have to go and let them do their magic- it's absolutely top-rate.

    (5)

  • Ms J.

    Looking for fine dinning restaurants in Seattle and find Altura with $$$$ and a very good rating on Yelp. So I booked a table without hesitation. I was there in March and I tried their tasting menu - only 2 dishes out of 10+ are actually delicious. This restaurant charges a Michelin Star price (paying over 700 for a table of 4) but failed to deliver a Micheline star level of dinning environment, experience and pleasure. The staffs there are friendly, but if you are looking for a fine dinning experience, I hope this review helps you to adjust/fine tune your expectation before going. The close to a 5 stars rating on yelp puzzles me, perhaps I ordered the wrong thing from the menu.

    (2)

  • Carol B.

    While traveling through the Pacific Northwest, we decided to have our anniversary dinner at Altura...and it was one of the best dinner's ever! We were the first people to show up at the restaurant and were seated at the bar...Shortly after, the restaurant filled up! Get your reservations, folks. We did the tasting menu with the beverage/wine pairing. I've never encountered a staff that was so knowledgeable about beverage pairings. In addition to wine, it also came with champagne, cocktails, and a few beers. The meal was excellent from start to finish. Because we sat at the bar, the kitchen staff seemed to go the extra mile to time our food. I really loved watching them prepare each plate. We even got to meet the head chef/owner (and of course, we sung our praises). Each bite was flavorful and well-planned. Each step of the meal played into the larger scheme of the overall feast. I was so full by the end, but couldn't leave without finishing each bite. Definitely come to Altura for A+ food, service, and ambiance. Couldn't have asked for a better experience!

    (5)

  • Colette H.

    Hard to find anything bad to say about our experience at Altura. We had our first experience there tonight, celebrating my mother's 75th birthday. We were a party of 5 and we all did the tasting menu. I arranged the reservation and had great communications with the restaurant before arriving. The interior is inviting and charming but not too fancy. It initially felt laid back with an open kitchen design. The staff in the kitchen seem highly disciplined and calm from the start. We were seated immediately and given menus which was slightly confusing since on the reservation we said the whole table would be doing a tasting menu. The server came by, informed us of some specials we could add to our tasting and swept our menus away. I'm going to spare you a course by course description of the vast tasting menu and say only that while some might balk at a $137 price point, the amount of care, time, and attention that is given to the experience make it feel like a bargain by the end. There was only one course that I frowned at and only two that I felt so-so about. Otherwise, the 11 course experience is padded with a lot of sweet details and extras, unique ingredients, and multi-layered flavors. Some of our favorites included a concord grape sorbet with finger limes and sorrel granita, fermented vegetables with osetra caviar and nasturtium pesto, panna cotta with fascinating slices of honey truffle, filone with black truffle, chantrelle and duck liver, kona kapachi that came in a globe of smoke and sung of the sea, and on and on. There really is an amazing care put into each dish and I haven't a clue how that kitchen juggles their regular clientele and our 3-4 hour course meal at the same time. Numerous staff worked to make our experience seamless. Everyone seemed very disciplined and focused. If we were going to say anything bad, it would probably be that they do tend to up sell you which I find a bit off at these price points. Folks who are willing to spend this price point on a culinary experience are going to ask for what they want. Granted, it wasn't too aggressive but we definitely felt it, despite being a party of five already spending $137 a head and paying to add an additional course. My sister was covering the wine for the evening and requested a very specific price point on the wine (especially because she intended to buy two bottles) and they brought her a wine that was $16 over her requested price point. She felt uncomfortable sending it back in front of our guests so she accepted it. I also felt that the way the space was laid was open and airy, the kind of space that made it feel like a place where diners could coo and share their joy over the food, dish with the staff and compliment and converse with the kitchen. However, the service style was more suited to the type of place that had more enclosed, private seating areas, a more intimate setting with low lights. It was the service style that the servers left you alone, swept in and out with your flatware and plates, and there was a lot of aloofness. I have no problem with that style. While I often enjoy interacting with the staff who make the magic happen, I don't expect my server to be my buddy. Nor do I always want to be joshing and dishing with my server. I just felt a bit of tension with the atmosphere and style of service and the feel of the interior. That said, our server was excellent and attentive, as well as the support staff.. Though we did sense a bit of pretentiousness and grumpiness in the hostess--but who knows--it could be our flawed perception or she could have just been having a bad day. Everyone is allowed that. These are probably the two things that kept me from giving the fifth star but don't let that deter you from enjoying Altura. I'll close by saying, it's well worth a trip here. The quality and effort is clear. They don't skimp on the experience and every detail is attended to. One of my best meals in the Seattle area to date. I hope to return on a future visit and try a three course meal ($73).

    (4)

  • Richard N.

    7 Stars In My Book! I've been wanting to go here for a while made reservations and finally went. This was an experience and fantastic! All of us did the $137 each tasting menu yes including our 12 year old daughter. From Abalone with fried kale and sautéed sea beans, to Waygu beef with beef smoked bacon, to herbed chibatta bread with black truffle pate, bouncing from Ocetra Caviar in a potato mouse with asparagus and flower blossoms, to deep fried squash blossoms with a fiery heat, then finishing with 3 dessert plates Panna Cotta, chocolate cherries and blueberry fruit bowls and other bites so numerous thank goodness they give you a copy of your nights menu. For an additional $95 per person you get the wine pairings an adventure in and of itself. Yes for 3 of us it was over $700 w/tip. My wife did the wine, I did single barrel Four Roses Bourbon instead but tasted all the wine pairings and my daughter did a rhubarb herb smash drink. The chefs loved my daughters adventurous culinary embrace of all the tastings, not once did she say "ewww" as we all savored this experience! Highly Recommend! Foodies Heaven !!! You watch master chefs create beautiful plates and flavors on Food Network - So Live It and Taste It - 7 Stars !!!

    (5)

  • Jeremy S.

    Fantastic food. Best meal I had in the northwest. Best creamy bleu cheese I've ever had. If you're in Seattle you must go here! Be prepared to spend money on food and wine!! One tip to the chef, make sure serving staff will stuff the olives with blue cheese for martinis. He refused to for me. Fantastic chef and sommelier. Try everything- I wish I did testing menu.

    (5)

  • Kathy S.

    Went here for my anniversary in May and it was too good for words. Best meal with wine pairing I have ever had in my life. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Latifa S.

    My favorite Italian in all of Seattle!!! Altura is as good as it gets to all things truffles, pasta and italian dishes. It's also the only place you'll find authentic dishes outside of Italy. And it also helps that it is located right up my street. 2 minutes drive to all things pasta, truffle and delicious things. Oh the joy of it all :) Chef Nathan Lockwood has taken all things fresh in PNW and created an amazingly tasty Italian meal. The menu changes weekly but it's a set menu. You can get 3- 4 or 5 courses. And if you are really hungry or want to try it all, try the 7 course tasting menu! Each dish will be presented in an ooooh worthy fashion. The place- cute little tiny place on the south end of the Broadway. You might have passed by and never noticed it. But it is the warmest adorable place you can find in this area. From the moment you walk in till the moment you walk out, everything is magic. Food- whether you get 3, 4 or 5 courses, you will get pampered with little amuse bouche in between. They are all so perfectly portioned and tasty. Wine pairing is a must. *First bite- beet soup! So refreshing!! I love beets and this was just perfect. *Albacore crudo- capers, anchovy, lemon! Yummm. * Wild red peppers with quail egg and anchovy thumbs up *Corn panna cotta with truffles! Eeeeee this is where I start squealing with excitement. Omg....it was sooo beautiful and tasty! Like magic on drug. So goood. It looks nothing like what it should taste but you can taste every single ingredient in here. I can have this as my meal and be pretty happy with it. Luckily, I didn't have to stop here :) **** Pastaaaaa- you can add fresh shaved truffles for $25 on your dish. And you know what. It is worth every penny! My advice- always do it when truffles are in season. The rule of thumb? Black truffles are in till Summer (end of summer ish), white truffles come out in October and then some. Altura obviously will carry whichever one is in season! ** Ravioli with truffles and olive oil- divine! Truffle on top of this was divine. **Bolognese sauce with goat and kobe beef! Yummmm ( be mindful that these are all tasting portions. Everything is about a few bites. But great few bites are better than plenty of mediocre bites.) ***Rolled up pasta with tripa!! This is a classic roman dish and oh so tastyy! ** Alaskan Halibut - with anchovy crust, artic charr and fried artichokes! YUmmmmmmmm! **Magnolia Farm Wagyu with potato , bone marrow crisp and chantrelle mushrooms! On nom nom nommmmm! ** Clabrian chilli- roasted with sea salt. **** Slow Roasted Duck Breast with mustard green, confit budino and cherry mostardo! My favvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv! Such a stunning and tasty dish. It's super light. **Mozzerella di bufala - with sun gold tomatoes, watermelon and basil! So refreshing. Every bite was better than the next. And since I opted for the truffles on my main dishes, I get the Chef coming on by my table every few minutes! In the end, I got to go into the kitchen and go nuts over the truffles with both Chef Nathan and his souchef! Woot woot :))) Oh yea, ended this phenomenal 10 courses with a perfect dessert! House Made Mascarpone Gelato - with beautiful figs, pears, peaches + drizzle of traditional aged balsamic on top. Food was solid 5 stars all around. Wine pairing was right on the spot! And the service and atmosphere? Just fantastic. People next to our table was so friendly and intrigue with my food picture obsessions, they offered me to taste their food. How cool was that? Such nice ladies!! Love it when that happens :) This place is and will always be my favorite place to go celebrate any birthdays, occasion, non occasion, dinner dates , girls night and then some. The only problem? Large groups are kind of hard since they only seat about 32 people. So no 22 people dinners here. Altura is such a place that you want to enjoy your every bite. And you'll get to if you have less distractions :) 5 stars all around!! Thanks Chef!!!

    (5)

  • Susan S.

    Amazing! Altura served one unforgettable meal when we visited Seattle. I'm planning on writing a detailed post about our experience on my blog, but I wanted to write a quick review to let others know about this gem. We did chef's tasting menu, and it was about 12 courses total. Each course was meticulous, intricate, and delicious. I had some that I liked more than others, but I didn't have one bad dish. I loved the beautiful simplicity of each dish, and it was like a culinary adventure. The restaurant is not stuffy, which I liked. There were some people that were dressed up, but some people that were casual. Loved the open kitchen where you can see the chefs working hard. We were very well attended to. What I liked about the service was that everyone from the hostess to the chef came by and made sure we were doing ok. Price-wise, it is one of the most expensive dinners we've had. You can go the less expensive route by doing three courses rather than chef's tasting menu. We went all out and had the chef's tasting along with wine pairing, and it was about $300/pp with tax and tip. One thing I didn't like was that they don't do chef's tasting unless everyone at the table does it. I've been to other fine dining restaurants that accommodate whatever each customer wants, but that was not the case here. Also, I wasn't a big fan of some of the wines we had. I didn't feel that the wine pairing was as seamless or an enhancement of the dish. But on the food alone, I would give it 5 stars.

    (5)

  • Jessica N.

    I LOVE Altura. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Seattle and I'd venture to say some of the best food I've ever had. Haven't been able to splurge on the tasting menu yet but everything I've had off the three course menu has been superb. I love that you can mix and match from different sections to order exactly what you want. The flavors in every dish, from appetizers, to main dish, to dessert... Especially dessert... Will blow your mind. We asked for an intermezzo pallet cleanser before our dessert, even that was had unique flavors and so delicious. The ambiance is nice. Intimate and welcoming. For the price I'd expect a little more but I do enjoy sitting down and enjoying my meal without being rushed. This isn't the place where you get in and out, instead sit back, relax and enjoy the night. I came here 3 times, twice for special occasions and once just because. Its expensive, and just didn't feel worth it unless we were celebrating something that was worth really splurging on. I'd definitely revisit but would recommend going for special occasions so you can really enjoy and appreciate the food, even if you may break the bank!

    (4)

  • Bianca T.

    Seriously impecable service and outstanding food. You all know how it works...choose your number of courses...choose the dishes you want from the entire menu...want all apps? no problem; all entrees? done; special dietary requirements? boom...sit back, relax, and wait for the magic to happen. Sitting at the counter was especially great because you get to watch the masters at work. I LOVE their prep drawers. My dream set-up. Anyway, I've added pictures of our meal for you to drool over. Believe me, it was absolutely worth every penny. We'll be back with others!

    (5)

  • Paul R.

    Fantastic service and food. Gnocchi was killer!

    (5)

  • Estelle R.

    Worthy of a Michelin star! 9 grams of fresh white truffles on home made pasta with brown butter/sage sauce. Every dish was a revelation of surprise. Relaxed atmosphere, no rush, enjoy the moment lovely restaurant with expert service. A refreshing change from San Francisco.

    (5)

  • Mark L.

    One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Yes the tasting menu is pricey but so worth it! Things that stood out: the duck, sorbet, the octopus salad, and the japanese caviar soup. unreal.

    (5)

  • Morgan R.

    A locavore menu tasting of spring and artfully done Our first experience there was superb - way above expectation. Less Italian and more Northwest locavore cuisine, we had a fabulous experience. We had the fixed price menu, and it was fabulous. Everything was in season and the flavor pairings were amazing. From grilled calamari with pasta and a hint of chile, to the spring salad, to the pork shank - everything was tasty, tastefully arranged, and oh so good. We had a hard time getting a reservation, but the wait was definitely worth it.

    (5)

  • Crystal F.

    Husband & I went on a romantic getaway to seattle for a few days. We are always looking for exciting & unusual dining experiences. Altura did not disappoint!!! Beautiful restaurant. We sat at the bar and had a great time watching all of the chefs do their magic. Very entertaining. All of the food was amazing & beautifully placed. We did the 3 course with wine pairing plus desserts. EVERYTHING was delicious!! This was our favorite restaurant in seattle. GO!

    (5)

  • Yeelin T.

    My fiance came here and tried their Valentines Day prefix menu on the Friday after Valentines Day. The service was impeccable, the food was flawless. The real standouts were the sturgeon plate which had sashimi as well as caviar, the squab mezzaluna with duck confit, the mushroom ravioli and the estancia beef tenderloin. The weakest dish was probably the dessert, though the spiced hot chocolate was pretty tasty. The first take on the blood orange drink I got was too watery, but the waiter brought me a new one no questions asked. My Fiance's sparkling blood orange drink was very tasty and I wish I could drink one right now! Overall, their valentines day menu was expensive, but totally worth it. We will definitely come back, though we will try to pick a less busy night because parking in the area is a real hassle.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : No
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Romantic
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Categories

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Altura

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