4. Restaurants

Nell’s Restaurant

6804 E Green Lake Way N, Seattle, WA, 98115
  • (206) 524-4044
  • Store is closed

Nell’s Restaurant Menu

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  • George F.

    From the beginning of dinner after seeing a rotating menh, I knew this place was special. My girlfriend and I started with the red roasted beet salad and goat cheese, it was an excellent choice! The salad was very crisp, fresh, complex yet simple. Lots of complementary flavors. The second small plate was the fried calamari, again excellent it was. Very fresh, crispy not chewy at all. For my main course I went with the halibut. Very flaky, one of the best I have ever had, flaky, and perfectly portioned. Came with a creamy, sauce w/green lentils. My girl got the mushroom risoto, and medium rare tenderloin. I tried the tenderloin, it was perfectly cook and very prime cut, soft and very well seasoned; great beef flavor. Did not get to try the risoto, but she said it was very velvety, cheese and had good mushroom flavor. Parma Sano regiono on top, I could only imagine. Yes it was worth price, our service was great, very friendly and explained the menu very well. Gave you choices to give you ideas. We will be back soon.

    (5)

  • Brian E.

    We have come here a couple times per year since it was saleh. Usually pretty good. I wish there was more beef on the menu. I had to drop off at least 2 stars for the yucky sides served with the Kobe beef. Any guesses why rutabaga puree is not as popular as mashed potatoes? Yuck. Also, apparently changed out the Brussels sprouts for an even more bitter green nobody wants to eat. No salt and pepper available....they just know you are going to like it.

    (3)

  • Angela B.

    The good, the bad, and the ugly. So the things I like about this place are the lovely view of Green Lake from the restaurant. Getting a reservation is pretty easy and they can be accommodating to people with disabilities and helpful in getting the wheelchair in and out. The food is really good, but I wouldn't say it's superb. I enjoyed my drink as well, so they can pour a good & strong cocktail. Also, I love, love, love that they have a parking lot. Although the last time I came, it was during restaurant week and the lot was full so it took me 10 min of driving around Green Lake to find a spot. Great safe neighborhood that it's in and very mellow relaxing feel to the restaurant. The only bad things are that it's a bit pricey for the size and quality of what they are offering, and that service is typically slow. So I guess if you want a place that you can lounge at & spend a lot of time talking, they won't rush you and this would be the perfect place. If you're in a hurry, this is the wrong place to be. The ugly? Ok there really is no ugly. It's a lovely little restaurant. Overall, I really enjoy it but can't say it's one of my favorites. Would definitely come back though.

    (3)

  • Jen B.

    Nell's is a French restaurant located in Green Lake. One can see the lake from the view inside the restaurant, which is a pleasant distraction on spring days and if your dinner mate is sharing TMI. Ambience: Nell's is white cloth, but like many Seattle restaurants, it's casual dress. I felt overdressed in my sweater dress. Food: Lamb shoulder blade: Lamb was roasted to perfection: juicy meat that fell off the blade and melted in your mouth. If you've ever been to The Purple Pig in Chicago, be prepared to cancel that reservation and stay in Seattle for this lamb shoulder blade. Asparagus salad: light and airy. It takes skill to julienne asparagus the way these folks did. Julia Child would be proud. Duck confit and pappardelle pasta: house-made pasta that you know was house-made. Blew the pasta at Eataly Chicago out of the water. Duck was tender and even juicy. Excellent job not masking the flavor of the meat. Marlin: Over-cooked and tough to cut into, but the accoutrements of asparagus and mashed potatoes (almost the consistency of high quality hummus) were the stars of this dish. Brownie with raspberry sauce and creme fraiche: over-baked brownie that was almost impossible to cut into. Raspberry sauce was sweet and slightly tangy. Strawberry rhubarb with ginger ice cream: Creamy ice cream that complemented the rhubarb well. Ginger and rhubarb are like two sisters separated at birth. Thanks for re-uniting them, Nell's. Superfantabulous service. I wish more people my age ate here. There's more to Seattle than the bars in Belltown and Capitol Hill. Maybe they'll catch up when they're 50.

    (4)

  • mr e.

    Bottom line: not cheap but good value for money. After a series of disappointments with other Seattle restaurants, found ourselves at Nell's. The food is some of the best we've had so far in Seattle. Very high quality. Service was excellent - our waiter was professional and pleasant. Highly recommended if you're looking for an upscale dining experience without spending a fortune.

    (5)

  • Chris O.

    We enjoyed a lovely, intimate supper for 2. Very attentive staff, always easy to park. Dining room is elegant, calm & comfortable. Great view of Greenlake. The food always is very good here. I wish they would change their menu more often. Classy place...go there and have a lovely, quiet dining experience.

    (4)

  • Dembe N.

    Thought we would finally have worthy place to have good brunch around Green Lake after weekend walk. Place is clean, bit old school simply done. Service was slow cause of the single host/server/cook at the restaurant at the time. Host told us; they are doing their best to make it better brunch place, hope they would work on the menu and hire or bring more help during opening hours. Waiting for someone to bring some more coffee is no fun, specially when you noticing host doing her best to accommodate 5-6 tables on her own. Ordered: Salmon Bagel, Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, Lemon Cinnamon Cake, coffee. All tasted simple, nothing special, no specialty sauces or recipes. Cake tasted the worst. Gave two stars cause it is bit below average overall but for food only would give average 2.5-3 stars. Would not go back unless they change menu for brunch but will give it a try for dinner. Will support our neighborhood small business.

    (2)

  • Alias H.

    Were it not for restaurant week this year (2015), I probably would never have found this gem. If I were to have walked in off the street to have a peek, I'm not sure that I would have chosen to eat here. It looks dated (90s Wolfgang Puck) and to be observant but bordering on discriminatory - it was filled with a lot of older white people which gave it a stodgy feel. Don't let this dissuade you! FOOD Appetizer: House made Papparadelle with Duck Confit -To use millennial speech ... THIS. It was served in a hearty portion. The pasta was nicely cooked and the duck was amazing. I would eat an entire entree of this (which is unfortunately not on the real menu). I wanted to lick the bowl clean but lucky for my dining companions, I refrained. Entree: Grilled New York Steak with Rutabaga Gratin, Rapini and Horseradish Juso -The steak was well seasoned but a bit chewy. The rutabaga gratin was interesting but unfortunately all of the cream and butter in the world probably can't make rutabaga more appealing to me than potatoes. The rapini was particularly bitter but a good companion to the steak. Dessert: Strawberry + Rhubarb Crisp w/ Ginger ice cream -Nothing cutting edge here, but done well. These flavors really go well together. The crisp comes warm, which was comforting on the night I went (stereotypical rainy/cold Seattle). The ginger ice cream was really good. I love ginger, and I thought that it imparted a good ginger flavor without being either too subtle or overwhelming. SERVICE Good service. Polite and attentive but not hovering. Our server handled our questions with ease and was very good at describing the dishes that wasn't just reading the menu back at us. ----------------------- They are not trying to reinvent the wheel here but do classics pairings well. I'd be excited to come back here and try the goat cheese flan and black cod. The tasting menu ($47) looks like a good bargain.

    (4)

  • Jeremy M.

    My wife and I were visiting Seattle for our honeymoon and I was wagering that Nell's would be the best culinary experience of our trip. Full disclosure: I used to work there back in the 00s and figured I knew what I was getting into. Suffice to say that Nell's did not disappoint. From start to finish the service was exceptional and the food was phenomenal. Highlights were the Kobe beef hanger steak, the beet salad and the homemade sorbet. I can't rate this gem highly enough. Definitely worth a trip to the Greenlake neighborhood the next time you are in Seattle!

    (5)

  • Kate M.

    Nell's is the most surprising dining experience in Seattle that I know of. Set in what looks like an old Izzy's Pizza or some early 90s restaurant, the decor will throw you. ...But that's kinda the best part, because then you are seated, served excellent cocktails and get to choose from a thorough menu of dishes on either their tasting menu or a la carte menu. We almost always go with the tasting menu and are never disappointed. The wine list is also impressive, and we love their young-yet-very-knowledgeable sommelier. I've hesitated about writing this review because I love the ease of securing a table on a whim, the ability to carry on intimate conversation without having to shout, and the quaint consistency... BUT I want Nell's to stick around. So, if you're looking for a quiet and spot to indulge in a great dinner with your special someone, give Nell's a try, and enjoy the quirky 90s feel.

    (5)

  • Lindsey K.

    This restaurant was very delicious! My hubby and I stumbled upon this little gem during Seattle Restaurant Week and we are so glad we tried it! For our starters we had the asparagus salad with bacon bits, pear, and goat? cheese (which was amazing) and the fettucine with clams and cherry tomatoes (a bit on the salty side but still okay). For our entrees we had the Swordfish with Buttered Parsnips, Rapini, Meyer Lemons and Ginger Confit (surprisingly soooo moist!) and the Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Celery Root Puree, Asparagus and Pear, Fennel Seed Chutney (delicious!). For dessert we had the Granny Smith Apple Tarte Tatin with Rum Raisin Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce (hubby liked it...I'm not a big fan of cooked apples...) and the Chocolate Hazelnut Torte with Whipped Cream and Raspberries (YUM!). Apparently they change print their menus nightly and they tweak it a little. Service was EXCELLENT I might add. I would definitely come here again!

    (5)

  • Andrew C.

    This was one of my favorite meals of the year! I've run by Nells many times over the past years, but never really knew anything about it until my parents raved about their experience. Then I read that it was one of Ethan Stowells favorites! So tbought we'd give it a try. We weren't disappointed. The decor is understated and cozy. Everyone from the waiters to the chefs seem to enjoy working, which reflects nicely on the restaurant. We started with the beet salad and butter nut squash soup. Both were well sized and had interesting flavors. The main course was a cod for my partner, and the King salmon with chard and potatoes. This seemed like a pretty typical northwest fish so I was a bit skeptical, but the presentation, flavors, and texture of the salmon were among the best I've had in Seattle. Overall, Nells is a hidden gem, and we will definitely return for a date night in the future.

    (5)

  • Jenny E.

    Was so pleasantly surprised by the dining experience at Nell's. The staff was great and super attentive. They didn't rush you at all through the meal but allowed you to savor the great food and provided some yummy recommendations. The potato salad w/ smoked salmon belly was amazing. The red beet and apple salad had some great textures. I had the hanger steak and it was cooked perfectly. The decor is definitely a bit strange and doesn't quite fit. However, the food totally won me over and will definitely be coming back for a 2nd visit. I can't believe it took us this long to finally try Nell's!!!

    (4)

  • Rachael M.

    My fiance and I came here for a date night to celebrate 6 months until our wedding. We were quite impressed with this affordable but upscale dining option. We both had the $45 four course tasting menu. On the night we came, we started with a tuna tartare appetizer. After that, we had a mushroom risotto. The main course was a rack of lamb. For dessert, we had ice cream sandwiches with coffee flavor ice cream and an excellent caramel sauce. Every single dish was better than the last. Our service was excellent. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful, but still gave us our privacy. The restaurant also has a very nice ambiance. The inside decor was very nicely done. We will definitely remember Nell's for other celebrations - while not cheap, it's a relatively affordable option for a fancy night out.

    (5)

  • Mimi R.

    They tried to seat us at the worst table, ear-level to the bar. First they said all the other tables were taken. After 5 minutes of them ignoring us, and us standing up ready to leave, they "found" another table. The waitress then proceeded to lecture us in the nicest possible way about reserving a specific table next time. A few minutes later, another couple was seated at the same bad table and went through the same rigmarole until they were reseated. Also, woefully understaffed. Lots of inattention, and over two hours for dinner. Good food, tho, and a cozy neighborhood feel.

    (3)

  • Evy L.

    I was excited when I heard Nell's is open for brunch on the weekend. We live within walking distance--and always love having places to go for brunch. Unfortunately, we were not very happy with our meals. First, it took a VERY long time to receive our order. There were only two other occupied tables (for a total of 10 people, including us) in the restaurant. I think we waited at least 30 minutes for our food. Second, the food itself was not very good. I had the mushroom omelette. The eggs were overcooked, and the mushrooms were bland. Perhaps I expected too much since I had heard that Nell's was an excellent restaurant. But I thought something as simple as an omelette would be perfectly done. Plus, the toast that came with it was whole wheat sandwich bread--that tasted a bit stale. My partner didn't like his meal either. So, perhaps dinner is the way to go at this place. Or maybe they are still working out brunch. But there are MUCH better brunch places in Seattle--and even just a couple blocks away.

    (1)

  • Laurie S.

    We dined at Nell's for the first time last night. It was my birthday, and I was hoping for a delightful experience. The meal itself would have met my expectations had it not been for the cold and unwelcoming attitude we encountered at the door. We arrived a few minutes early for our reservation and were seated in a very tight corner table with a bar ledge jutting inches from our heads. There was plenty of available seating. When I asked the hostess to be seated at another table for two nearby, she made it clear that she couldn't care less how we felt and immediately turned and looked the other way. I continued standing next to her until she grudgingly agreed to let us move. I will be going elsewhere for special evenings in the future.

    (3)

  • Cameron O.

    I came here for restaurant week after randomly clicking on their link among the 160+ participating restaurants. The menu looked interesting enough that I thought I would give it a try. To start we had the hand-made fettuccine with mussels (solid but nothing special although when it comes to pasta, it's hard to get better than solid) and the asparagus salad (also solid, but not great). For our entrees we got the pork tenderloin and the braised lamb shoulder. Both were very tasty, and the celery root puree with the tenderloin was unique and and might have been my favorite part of the dish. For dessert my gf ordered the chocolate hazelnut torte with raspberries and I had the strawberry rhubarb crisp. My girlfriend does not like fruity desserts so she was a little worried, but she enjoyed it and said it was just the right amount of fruity. It also came with a huge dollop of whipped cream...score! The strawberry rhubarb crisp came with black pepper ice cream, which really intrigued me and is the main reason I ordered it. I tried a quick taste of the ice cream and thought "Blech this is too peppery", but when I tried it with the crisp...oh man...so good. The dessert was my favorite part of the meal. What that says about the quality of the first 2 courses or the dessert, I'm not sure, but it was definitely a highlight. The restaurant was a weird space and was surprisingly quiet given how busy it was. Service was excellent as well, considering this restaurant has an 'older' crowd and is probably busier during restaurant week than it normally is.

    (3)

  • Rebecca P.

    I came here last night for my birthday with my boyfriend. It wasn't very busy, and it was quiet and pleasant inside. We decided on the tasting menu ($45 each) and we weren't sure what to expect, but the portions were very generous. Each course was progressively better, with the best being the tenderloin over truffled mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a delicious sauce with ramps. It was eye-rollingly good! I could eat this every day. We decided to share the cheese course ($10 extra) which was good, but not necessary. We finished with the ginger pannacotta with fresh berries. It was so good we couldn't believe we still had room for it! The service was wonderful, the waitress was very friendly and our plates were removed and replaced with the new ones at a great pace. She mentioned that the place was interested in attracting a younger clientele, and I hope they do, because the food is wonderful. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice place for a date, or just a nice night out with some great food. A+!

    (5)

  • Kay N.

    We went here for restaurant week. I love the atmosphere! It was so cute with the lights surrounding the restaurant. This is perfect for a first date. My boyfriend and I felt like the youngest couple here as I think more older people like to come here. However, the food was tasty! I got the cauliflower soup, tuna dish, and the chocolate tart for dessert. I liked all of my dishes especially the chocolate tart. Oh my goodness! Definitely chocolate heaven in your mouth. The crust was amazing, so flaky and tasty! I can't believe I am talking about the crust, but wow it was good. Service was great, can't complain - friendly, informative, and water was always full.

    (5)

  • Nicole O.

    We went to Nell's last night for date night, and it was quite nice. Although we live in the neighborhood, we drove and were pleasantly surprised by a convenient onsite parking lot. It has a very calm and quiet atmosphere, great for chatting. The crowd was quite a bit older than us, but we did go on a Sunday evening. Onto the food...I had the tasting menu (which changes daily) while my boyfriend ordered an assortment of small plates and an entree - we shared them all. Most places that offer a tasting menu don't let parties mix, so I really appreciated that. My favorites were the Yakima tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic vinegarette, the fancy mushroom risotto, and the beef tenderloin (a-mazing!). The beef was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection with a delicious sauce, the only downside was the potatoes served with it were very undercooked, close to raw. My boyfriend was a huge fan of the flakey halibut served with zucchini spaghetti and friend green tomatoes. He also really enjoyed the ahi tuna tartar. Our server recommended a half bottle of white wine that was a vintage we were unfamiliar with...he likened it to a Chardonnay. It was not our favorite, but drinkable. Overall, we are glad we came here and really enjoyed our food experience, but not sure we would frequent this location.

    (3)

  • Kathy A.

    What a cute neighborhood restaurant! I don't know if it gets busy on the weekends but it was practically empty on a Wednesday evening, which frankly I actually enjoyed. It has a very clean and refined ambiance and there is a view into the kitchen. Service was great. They made sure to keep waters filled and bring refills on drinks. They also brought out two different kinds of breads and the seeded one was delicious! To start we all had different salads. I had the beet salad which was light and refreshing. There were plenty of plump beets scattered around the plate and a nice vinaigrette to top it off. For my entree I had the king salmon with red peppers and cucumbers and creme fraiche. The dish was a bit bland overall and the fish not as cooked as I would like. The kobe steak looked fantastic as did the ahi. For dessert I had the chocolate pecan pie which was rich and delightful. By far my favorite dessert, however, was the parfait with chocolate cake. Make sure to save room for this because it is big and absolutely amazing. Each bite has a bit of everything in it and there are huge chunks of chocolate cake throughout perfectly complemented by caramel sauce. YUM, I'm drooling as I talk about it.

    (4)

  • Nina H.

    I came here with my friend for Restaurant Week so the review may be a little biased because we chose from the set menu. I had never noticed this place driving around Greenlake, to my surprise. But this place is pretty cute and I like that they have a parking lot. Makes life way more convenient - but it's small so be warned. Service was spectacular! The food was divine as well; we both ordered the same three dishes... lame, I know, but it sounded the tastiest at the time. We had mussels, steak and the brownie with vanilla ice cream... mmm... I am drooling as I think about the food. They also have a wine selection but we opted for pale ales. They were excellent and I normally don't even order beer. $4 beer for a night after work? Heck yeah, why not. The crowd does seem a bit older... even when it was restaurant week so I assume that might be the norm. But I really enjoyed the open kitchen area where diners could see what the chefs were doing. But it did get a little distracting when I saw when the dishes were ready because I would get antsy anticipating my food.

    (5)

  • gary h.

    This restaurant somehow slipped off our radar. We went back and had a great meal. The server (Jenny) was terrific and we especially enjoyed the calamari and calf liver. We will definitely return soon!

    (5)

  • Ariel Z.

    Really, really lovely. The location and the restaurant itself do feel a bit dated, but that's easy to get over. Service was fabulous - everyone was attentive, great with questions, and the courses were timed nicely. We came in for Restaurant Week with another couple, and everyone really enjoyed the experience. As far as the food goes, it's tasty. The portions were much larger than I expected and we were definitely full by the end of that. SO got the wine pairing with the Restaurant Week menu, and the wine pours were extremely generous. It was a great deal, for sure. My cauliflower soup was served piping hot, which I loved, with fragrant fresh dill. The grilled tuna I had was good - not outrageously fabulous, but good - and the sides that came with it were complementary and very flavorful. The strawberry rhubarb crisp that I had for dessert was excellent; the crisp was CRISP and it was a great balance of sweetness and cream. Really yummy! Everyone else on the table enjoyed their meals (I think we sampled the breadth of it between the four of it) and everyone left with full stomachs. Their regular menu seems averagely priced for the kind of restaurant it is - upscale, small neighborhood place. There's an extensive wine list and a full bar, so you can go with whatever you want. The atmosphere is relaxed - we never felt pressured or rushed - and really enjoyable. Recommended!

    (5)

  • Ed H.

    Last week our restaurant group went and checked out a popular Green Lake Restaurant named "Nell's". Mel has been wanting to try it for a while now, and her interest in the restaurant had peaked mine. So I was excited when one member of our group had picked out Nell's for February's spot. The cool thing about Nell's is the menu is printed everyday. That just screams creativity and fresh dishes. I decided to go with the "Chef's Tasting Menu", which means you get a 4 - 5 course meal for $45. I was thinking about piecing together my own meal from the menu, but I think I wanted everything that was on the taste list anyways. We did deviate a little and start with a round of calamari, and a few oysters. Oh oysters how I love thee! The Chef's tasting menu this night had us starting with some monkfish (very tasty and a decent portion, it was slightly buttery and cooked just right), then some wild mushroom risotto (I am a sucker for anything wild mushroom, and this did not dissapoint), then finishing with a nice piece of wild boar (very tender and flavorful, I highly recommend). Dessert was a chocolate cheesecake of sorts with some ice cream (there are fancier terms I am sure and I could be wrong, but look at that! It was soo good...). Nell's (2) The evening was very present and we had some great conversations. The staff was super friendly and our waiter surely earned his tip that night. He was very engaging and knowledgeable, again on of the great aspects of living in Seattle, awesome wait staff! It was a bit pricey, but I tell you this is a great date night spot that would leave any foodie impressed!

    (4)

  • Xuan-Nhi N.

    Nell's is one of my favorite restaurants to go to. The food is always spectacular, the service is always good, this place does not disappoint. Every time I go here, the food is always fresh and delicious. My favorite thing to order is their steak. It's so juicy & cooked to perfection. I've also had their calamari, which is by far, the best I've had. They have very good oysters & scallops here, as well. I'm basically in love with this restaurant & everything I've ordered here have been incredible.

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    Ignore the fact this restaurant looks like its attached to the Senior Living Facility. Ignore the rather out dated decor. Ignore what other's might have told you about Nell's and come for a visit of fantastic culinary delights. I have been to Nell's a few times now, each time failed to disappoint. Rather upscale type cuisine without the upscale price tag. Inventive and uncommon combinations of ingredients that marry very well in execution. You can tell by the flavors, sauces, techniques and preparations that the head chef has professional training. Rarely does it occur that everyone at the table (5+ people) raves about their meal. Highlights include....everything! All the ingredients are locally sourced and the menu changes daily. One might expect to find a preparation including duck breast, seared ahi tuna, lamb, scallops, pork tenderloin, hangar steak, even vegetarian entree options. It is a wonderful dining experience where you want to feel upscale without paying the price.

    (5)

  • Kate D.

    One of the nicest meals we've had in Seattle. Very creative menu with a wide variety of great choices. Wonderful wine selection. We always love it when Sancere is offered. We enjoyed raw oysters with a delightful minionette, a scrumptious tuna tartare salad that had avocado mousse topping, then salads followed by leg of lamb cooked perfectly and black cod over zucchini spaghetti with favas and porcinis. Beautiful preparations that were equally delicious. Lovely; low key but elegant ambience.

    (5)

  • M L.

    While we have had many lovely meals at Nell's in the past, the other night was a total let down. We were understanding about the incredibly slow service, as they were understaffed, but this is no excuse for 2 dishes being so undercooked (salmon entree cold, raw in the center) that they had to be sent back. The dishes did not return until the other diners had finished their courses. And frankly, when a second dish needs to be sent back, there should be some compensation for the guests. The meal was painfully long as we waited without bread or water refills between courses. I found it unprofessional that each fumble was blamed on others, "not enough help tonight," "chef doesn't listen." There should be a gracious "I am so sorry, let me take care of this, and dessert is on us."

    (2)

  • Sasa G.

    4 star for food + 1 for price/service $14 for its 14th anniversary Half Dozen Local Oysters with Lime Ginger Vinaigrette $13 3/5 - The oysters were fresh but it wasn't too exciting comparing to the other dishes. The lime ginger vinaigrette was a little too strong for me. Sweet Onion Tart with Hazelnut Butter and Jerusalem Artichoke Chips $11 4.5/5 - to my surprise! We couldn't taste any of the onion (which is very important for me, I hate eating onions). I thought the Jerusalem Artichoke Chips on the top were onions! I couldn't taste any of the hazelnut. I was looking forward to see how the hazelnut butter would blend in =(. Matsutake Mushroom Risotto with Basil and Reggiano Parmesan Cheese $13 4/5 - flavourful cheese but I felt like the risotto was cooked unevenly. Some were a little undercooked. Sea Scallops with Roasted Potatoes, Endive, Romesco Sauce and Hedgehog Mushrooms $14 4.5/5 - I could totally tell the natural salt from the sea scallops. The size was generous and there were 3 of them. I wish there were 4 but nothing to complain for $14. Too many potatoes and I wanted more veggies. Kobe Hanger Steak with Truffled Mashed Potatoes, Rapini and Green Peppercorn Jus $14 4/5 - Cooked perfectly! Generous amount of truffle oil in the mashed too. Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Yam Puree, Lacinato Kale and Cranberry Jus $14 3.5/5 - little bit overcooked. I'm not a big fan of duck breast. The yam puree and kale were flavourful. Alaskan Black Cod with Celery Root Puree, Ruby Chard and Matsutake Mushrooms $14 4.5/5 - The black cod was cooked perfectly. I had a feeling that it was slow cooked. The black cod fall off itself after lightly touched. I would come back for this. Sorbets Trio: Valrhona Chocolate, Bosc Pear and Plum Ginger with Anise Seed Biscotti $7 4/5 - I love the pear and the chocolate sorbets!. Rarely found a dark chocolate sorbet. The bosc pear was a little too sweet for me. The plum ginger was more like raspberry. The ginger wasn't too strong but still I didn't enjoy it too much. Service was great and wasn't intrusive. Our server cleared our plates and filled our water soon. He also replaced all of our cutleries even though it was a full house. I would go back for it! I'm really glad that they had this offer (especially on a weekend) Usually restaurants would only do it on weekdays, so that I can come for a visit. PS: I forgot to take a picture of the menu so I emailed the restaurant. I couldn't believe that the chef Philip Mihalski wrote back to me after a couple days.

    (5)

  • Stefanie W.

    I have been going to Nell's Restaurant for years. Philip has a great staff that knows how to keep the menu consistently good. The staff is attentive, quite friendly (we love Amelia), and knowledgeable. They are extremely flexible with the menu. And the food rarely disappoints me. Highly recommend options: onion tart, veal sweetbreads, hanger steak, duck, whenever they have a risotto, or salmon...these dishes are usually on the menu year round and shouldn't disappoint you either. Also, the wine list is well done.

    (5)

  • Wayne L.

    mangalitsa FTW!! If i had to choose one thing and one thing only to eat in Seattle, this is it.

    (5)

  • Luke M.

    Went here on a Wednesday night, it was wonderful. Very quiet sitting area with nice views of the lake. The servers were amazingly friendly and cheerful. The food was great, well worth the price and then some. Risotto was well cooked and spiced, the salmon was perfect and the duck was one of the best I have had. Didn't have dessert but it all sounded great. They also have weekend afternoon well priced menus that I can't wait to come back for.

    (5)

  • R.W. B.

    Four of us had a fabulous dinner here last night...a Wednesday. Our reservation was for 6:45 and we didn't leave until 9:30....we were not rushed at all. I was attracted because of their reputation as a quiet place where you can have a conversation. Such it was. The restaurant was only about half full and I can't figure why. The food was excellent...especially the sweet breads which our companion shared and the chocolate for dessert. Definitely try the tasting menu. There is plenty of food, but you still won't want to skip the cheese course which is $10 more. My only disappointment for the evening was the young man next table over who had no class. His attire was a baseball cap turned backwards and skimpy tee-shirt... for a nice dinner? Nevertheless, we will be back to Nell's for sure.

    (5)

  • Zach G.

    Ok, the decor is dated. Yeah, it is. So what? I've been to plenty of much more modern-feeling restaurants that didn't deliver anywhere near the experience that Nell's provided on a Tuesday in the midst of Restaurant Week. In a way, it's a good thing (for us diners) that the restaurant isn't busier, because it ensures that the experienced and caring staff have plenty of time to devote to each table, but it's a shame because in the unceasing lust for the latest and greatest restaurant plenty of people (myself included) have overlooked one of the best dining experiences you can have in Seattle. The food was exceptional, and that's all the more impressive given that it was in the midst of SRW. For some restaurants, that's an excuse to dumb down the menu and churn out decent but unspectacular plates, but that was far from the case at Nell's. The menu was interesting, diverse, and every plate we order was well executed. Standouts included a delicious nettle and ricotta agnolotti, rich and flavorful duck liver terrine, a stellar pork tenderloin with some of the best brussels sprouts I've ever had, and a lovingly-prepared risotto. As a wine dork, the list was simultaneously exciting and deeply depressing, mostly because I can't afford to order bottles of Domaine Romanee-Conti. If any of you out there can, you should Nell's at the top of your "to-do" list, because their selection and price is hard to beat in the city. Even so, we found several delicious bottles that fit our more modest price point, and had we been inclined to splurge a bit more there were plenty of bottles that would have been an excellent choice. The service was pitch-perfect: helpful and guiding when needed, reserved and restrained when desired. Pacing and timing were also great, which again is a somewhat positive (for the diner) side effect of a less-than-full restaurant. As mentioned above, there have been few dining experiences in my recent past that can compare, and considering I dine out 1-3 times a week, that's saying a lot. I will definitely return soon!

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    Scared to write a review and give this 2 stars b/c I don't want angry emails from Andrew C.!! Okay, I'll take the risk b/c I'm bummed that the "nicest" restaurant right next to Greenlake had bland food. A good analogy would be food for the suburbs. I tried the local oysters with the cranberry mignonette; organic field green salad with goat cheese crostini and sherry vinaigrette; braised kobe hangar steak with yukon gold potato gratin, brussel sprouts, and horseradish jus; and pan seared duck breast with french lentils, lacinato kale, and cranberry jus. The oysters and the salad had the same sauce on it. The steak and the duck lacked flavor even with the jus. We asked for medium rare but we got medium. The waiters weren't friendly. I feel that this restaurant could use an overhaul into the 2011's. Greenlake please bring better restaurants and stores to the neighborhood so the people who live near there can walk to cool places and not have to hop in their car to go someplace tastier and to shop.

    (2)

  • Phil C.

    This place is great. I went here with my girlfriend randomly and we both thought the food was amazing. I had the Grilled Hanger Kobe Steak (can't remember what she had) and it was one very good steak. The reason I decided to write a review though was because of the dessert. I had the red wine poached pear with ginger ice cream and candied pistachios and it is one the of the greatest things I have ever had. My favorite fruit is pear and I didn't know it was even used like this. I went here a month or two ago and can't get that dessert out of my head. If you don't feel like spending much money, aren't hungry enough for a meal, or really any reason, just go here and get that poached pear.

    (5)

  • Brian K.

    A true gem. Nell's easily belongs on any 'Top 10' list in Seattle (right up there with Canlis and Rover's). We came here for Seattle Restaurant Week and couldn't be happier. First off - their wine list is amazing. I recommend their half bottles. Only 2.5X markup versus 4X. Translation - you get better quality wine for the same price. They have a lot of great Washington wines. We had the Guardian. It's a small restaurant that screams 80's elegance, but I think it gives it charm. It's such a unique floor layout. Service was great even though the entire place was full. Food was great. Prices are on the higher end - but it's worth it. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Edda O.

    After getting lost trying to find our way to Green Lake, I was pretty hungry when we stumbled upon Nell's. Our group of 8 were deciding between Nell's or the Taco place next door. Hearing it was Italian, we picked it only to be disappointed by a very small patio menu (should have noticed the menu right smack in the front!). Neways, had only one server working and patio filled up fast. Service was sllloooowwww.... she took well over 15 minutes to drop out waters and grab our order. I tried: Sliders - tasted pretty much like mini pull pork sandwiches. Smothered in BBQ sauce. Not bad Grilled cheese sandwich - it says there is bacon on the sandwich but we only found a teeeeny little piece. I didn't taste it at all. But pretty good sandwich Ribs - very very good. tender and not overly saucy. We polished these off fast. Steak sandwich - mediocre... hard to eat and the beef itself was bland. Pretty decent selection,Ok prices although none of them include sides... There is a menu for sides. Service was pretty bad, especially when there was only 5 patio tables occupied. The server was overwhelmed and everything took forever...

    (3)

  • Quinn I.

    I went to Nell's the other night for Seattle Restaurant Week with some friends and I would say overall we had a good time. However, Nell's seems to really "get it" on the food end (delicious!) and really not care about the ambiance. So to start with, the food. We all chose from the Restaurant Week fixed menu; I had the Rutabaga soup with was interesting, creamy, albeit a tad cold when served. I liked the crusty bread sprinkled on top which added a nice texture to the creamy soup. For the entree course, I had the steak, which was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. It was served with a dollop of mashed celery root which was amazing -- something my friends and I all enjoyed, and I plan on making at home! If you've never had it, imagine celery but creamy like masked potatoes. Sweet! Finally, for dessert I had the strawberry rhubarb crisp with ginger ice cream. Very delicious, and just the right amount to end the night. We all had a beer or glass of wine to go along with dinner, which was reasonably priced as well. What makes me take off a star here is the restaurant itself. I am a firm believer that you can make the best food in the world, but if you don't serve it in the right establishment the whole experience just isn't the same. It's like having an Iron Chef set up shop in a foreclosed Burger King. Nell's has that same aesthetic, both inside and out. As another reviewer noted, it definitely hearkens from the strip-mall-restaurant days of the 90's gone-by. The tacky brass, the "Applebee's-esque" sun room thing, and the electrical tape holding the lamp above our table together. I really want to like Nell's, and their food is definitely worth a visit, don't get me wrong. However, I don't know if I'd be back to bring someone there for a nice dinner, just because there are so many other restaurants in Seattle that have put both sides of the equation together.

    (4)

  • Oliver S.

    Nell's restaurant was an amazing experience! We started the night with three appetizers: Veal Sweetbreads, Sweet Onion tart, and the calamari. They were all keepers, especially the calamari, which albeit being fried, still had a soft consistency. For the main course, all of us had a seafood entree. I ordered the sea scallops and they were melt in your mouth delicious! The scallops had a delicate texture and were packed with some great flavors. I really tried to slow down to try and savor every bite! I ended the night with a Creme Brulee, which was pretty standard. Cleaned the plate! Strangely, the atmosphere felt very much like we were at an Olive Garden. I didn't mind it, although I found it inconsistent with the kind of food they were offering. The crowd is a little older. Great view of Greenlake for those nice summer days/nights. Overall, a great dining experience.

    (4)

  • Sydney H.

    Best service I have ever had. The atmosphere was a bit lacking, but was very clean and simple. I feel terrible because I can not remember for the life of me what our servers name was but he was amazing. Help guide us through the meal and was able to offer excellent solutions based off of vague descriptions. Didn't rush us, helpful but not too chatty. He really made each course an experience with suggestions of wine pairings. It was delicious and I was very pleased with our evening.

    (5)

  • Lisa N.

    Varied, wonderful menu options and delicious food. Great service. Wonderful ambiance. I'm 6 months new to the area and needed a special place to take my husband for his birthday. I found Nell's on Yelp. My great experience began with the reservations - the hostess was so warm and helpful, didn't rush me, and recommended how much time to allow for drive time (since I'm unfamiliar with the area). The restaurant was very beautiful and the service was great. Very important to me is the noise level. Nell's was quiet enough so that we could hear each other speak and the music they played appealed greatly to us. The menu choices were really fabulous. My husband had duck and I had pork loin. Both were beautifully served and cooked to perfection. The only issue we had was with dessert - my husband ordered sorbet and it took 20 minutes to serve. Either they were making it fresh with a sorbet machine or we ordered it at a peak rush moment. We were in a bit of a hurry and our waiter tried to accommodate us but simply couldn't get it to us faster. Still, everything else was so wonderful, we are keeping their ratings at 5 stars. We will definitely be back and highly recommend them.

    (5)

  • Kay H.

    We came here for restaurant week, and loved it. The food is obviously super fresh and great quality, and every single item we had was delicious. The service was excellent as well. The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is the atmosphere which was just slightly loud and cramped. Overall wonderful restaurant, and we definitely will be back!

    (4)

  • Marty T.

    The Alaskan halibut with zucchini spaghetti and tomato anchovie jam was outrageously good. I will return to try the ahi my friend enjoyed. I only wish they were open for lunch.

    (5)

  • Cindy S.

    The food and service were fantastic - I don't know why reviewers are rating it lower because of the ambiance. It's not your typical sprawling fine dining establishment, but that didn't impact my experience at all. We sat outside on a warm summer Seattle night after walking Greenlake. Our server was just the right mix of friendly/personable and that more formal server persona. The Halibut with lobster sauce was the most succulent fish I've ever had. My friend ordered tomato basil gnocchi and loved every bite. We were with another friend who doesn't like anything but very traditional foods and flavors, nothing on the menu suited her. Our waiter offered an off-the-menu-to-suit-our-friend butter, Parmesan bow tie pasta dish with a side of sauteed green beans. She enjoyed it tremendously . The accommodation on the part of Nell's and the waiter was very nice and ensured everyone in our party was able to have a wonderful dining experience. I intended to forgo desert, but when I saw the menu selection, I had to try one! No regrets! Worth every bite! I would go back every opportunity I could. I'm glad we decided to venture in to try a new place. Even though the cost is "$$$" there were menu options for about $12 . I splurged on the Halibut, but you could dine here without spending a bunch of money.

    (5)

  • Lee h.

    Upscale dining is rare in Seattle despite the prices and the attitude you encounter. Nell's is a place worth dressing up for, but you don't have to. Great cuts of meat, divine salads, and so much more. It's fun to dine just on appetizers. The staff are meticulous but mellow.

    (5)

  • J K.

    Not a bad restaurant but it's geared more toward the older set. Not that I'm young but I'm guessing I have a couple more decades before Nell's appeals to me.

    (2)

  • David N.

    I'm sorry this place needs Robert Irvine and the ambiance, plateware, and food are kind of corny. I must admit, the service was nice. This place totally belongs in the 90s or you can come here for a retro restaurant experience. Or it belongs in a Reno Strip Mall. Take your pick. Also it definitely does have an older demographic. I had the "special" of the day porkchop, though it was superdry and lacked flavoring. Not worth the $30 price tag and not special. My GF had the salmon, which was ok and nothing to spell about. We can leave the review at that...cause there's no more to say.

    (2)

  • Clint W.

    Third year in a row for dinner here with pretty much the same crew. It's their 10th anniversary so we had a couple of their $10 specials. Calamari, scallops and crab cakes were shared all around. As per my usual MO, I stuck with the hanger steak, which was really good and when combined with my small plate, stuffed me. We had one person show up late to the meal, so that threw the staff and kitchen off a bit. Her black cod came out a bit late, which was to be expected and wasn't that good. All in all, not as good as past years, but still a favorite. It could be the economy, but the restaurant was not even half full. Times are tough and they may need to downscale a bit, even being in the Green Lake area.

    (3)

  • S.C. S.

    I give this restaurant 5 stars and add it is slowly becoming our favorite restaurant. Usually the service is wonderful and the food is amazing. It's the kind of place where you can come as you are, settle in and have a lovely dining experience. The staff has been there a long time, the menu keeps some favorites and cycles through many different choices. You can sit back and have a leisurely meal--unless it's Valentine's Day--there isn't a rush to get you in and out.

    (5)

  • Cat Y.

    What a great neighborhood find! Fresh, seasonal ingredients, great flavors, and good service. I'm so glad fellow yelpers led me in the right direction for a great place to catch up with an old friend. The pork tenderloin with butternut squash tasted like fall on a plate and the apple crisp with rosemary vanilla ice cream was the perfect ending to a good meal. The ambiance had enough noise to keep it lively but not so loud that I heard other table's conversations. Five stars all the way.

    (5)

  • Jeff L.

    8 of us ate at Nell's New Year's Eve. Food was fantastic. We brought our own wine, but the wine cellar there is outstanding. Great local Gourmet restaurant.

    (5)

  • Necia D.

    I keep getting harassing and profane notes from a guy named Andrew C. about this review. Andrew C. also sent flaming messages to other reviewers who gave 3 stars or less. Given that a guy named Andrew is referenced in other reviews as a waiter at Nell's, it's not hard to imagine that's who submitted raging comments in my "compliments" area (which I did approve; have a look. They're on my profile, 9/15/10). I stand by my review as a candid and honest assessment of this place. It's fine, but overpriced. I think many other reviews, as you read through, bear this out. Reviews are nothing more than opinions. I don't purport that mine are the most educated opinions to be found on earth, but they surely aren't the least. The point of Yelp is that it offers a spectrum of opinions. Seize on one, or average them out, ignore them all--it's up to you. But as for the unhinged Andrew C., you should know that not only is harassment on Yelp prohibited, but it does nothing to alter my opinion OR my review, and it reflects very poorly on the restaurant. I doubt the owner would appreciate the service you are doing in writing things (to me and to others!) like "You should stay with Dicks, keep shovein (sic) in your mouth!" on public Yelp forums in retaliation for a poor review (in a "compliment" entitled "For your review of Nell's"). It speaks much more poorly about you (and, unfortunately, any place that continues to employ you) than my review ever did. Andrew C., three stars is a perfectly adequate rating. Take a B vitamin and move on.

    (3)

  • Dennis M.

    I'm surprised; I've lived within 5 miles of this restaurant for over 10 years and never thought of stopping to eat. Let me get the negative aspects out of the way. The place is in a strip mall, so zero curb appeal. The inside of the restaurant is ordinary as well. The positives were the service and delicate flavors though out the meal. I ordered the tasting menu. The black cod was cooked to perfection. The seasoning was not overpowering (some may call bland), but the fish and crispy skin are allowed to shine. This was more of a Japanese preparation allowing the fish to be the star. The next course was matsutake mushroom risotto. The risotto was quite good and the mushrooms were delectable. Big plus for using regional ingredients in season. Main course was grilled leg of lamb with celery root puree. Puree was excellent, but grilling could have been better on the lamb. My wife ordered the grilled Mangalitsa pork and this is the big minus one star. The grill failed again. This was the equivalent of seared ahi tuna. I don't like my meat overcooked or past medium, but this was cooked "bleu/blue" Last, but not least the service was second to none. I have been to "finer" dining establishments and our waitress outdid all of them combined. Will be back to Nell's for the fresh ingredients and innovative menu. Hopefully they learn how to use the grill before then.

    (4)

  • David V.

    Keeping in mind the restaurant was almost full, the service could have been better coordinated, attentive and pleasant. The food was imaginative but not well executed, over-cooked and arrived at the table lukewarm. Nice place to have in the Greenlake neighborhood but would likely choose else where due to food preparation.

    (3)

  • Lil B.

    Wow! Very impressed by Nell's. My fiance and I started with an asparagus salad that came with a poached egg and bacon bits. I have no idea what type of vinaigrette came on it, but it was absolutely fabulous. The asparagus and the egg were cooked perfectly. Also for starters we had the sweet onion tartlet. Beyond amazing... Wow! It was like nothing we'd ever tasted. So light, yet creamy. Never would have thought Jerusalem artichoke crisps would pair so harmoniously. For my meal I had the pork. Pretty bold statement coming.... Best pork I've ever had! It was cooked med to med-rare and it was delicious. Little medallions of porky heaven. Sooooooooo tender. The service was impeccable and food blew us away. Don't let the exterior appearance of this place deter you.... It's worth a stop in. Definitely.

    (5)

  • Ella T.

    Nell's is amazing. It is my go to for special dinners. I have been three times. Most recently my birthday. The server was extremely nice and genuine. All the people working there are not snobby even though there prices are up there. THE FOOD OH THE FOOD. It is amazing. Everything is perfect and sends me into utter bliss. My favorite main was a black cod perfect crunchy crust and delicate texture. Save room for dessert. The world does not contain enough words to describe the feeling of enjoying the amazing desserts. I am a huge creme brulee fan. I make it at home all the time. Well Nell's creme brulee flavors change and it is awesome to try something new. But the best thing I have ever eaten in my life was the "Madagascar Vanilla Bean Penna Cotta with Local Berries and Bay Shortbread Cookie" it changed my life. It was creamy and rich with fresh berries to contrast the Penna cotta. Overall Nell's has not disappointed and will return again. So giving Nell's 5 stars was a no brainier.

    (5)

  • Bob C.

    I've driven/biked/walked/run by Nell's hundreds of times and never even noticed it was there. Some friends took us there for dinner a few nights ago and it was fantastic! They are right by the park at Greenlake and have a patio that must be super nice on a warm summer evening. We'll be headed back there for sure!

    (4)

  • Evan M.

    Quick side note: This review earned me an angry message from "Andrew C." who may or may not be associated with Nell's. Huzzah! Let's just say it was an "older crowd." It was like being in an upscale cafeteria around 3pm on Sunday for the blue plate special after the church service was over. The food ended up being pretty decent, but nothing super spectacular. Like Lori M. said, things were under seasoned and just not poppin'. Also, as Lori M. pointed out our waitress was VERY unfriendly--honestly perhaps the most unfriendly service I've ever had. I'm writing this a little while after having gone there and I can't even remember what I got it as it was pretty unremarkable (I think it was fish).

    (3)

  • Ben D.

    We headed to Nell's for part of Seattle Restaurant Week. I was reasonably impressed by the food (a tasty, but salty arugula salad with goat cheese, oranges, and hazelnuts, an incredibly cheesy mushroom risotto, and a chocolate banana bread pudding), but the ambiance was lacking. For some reason, I felt like I was in a hotel restaurant in a small city in the Midwest. Probably near an airport and not a particularly busy airport at that. I wouldn't condemn them for the physical space, as the wait staff was efficient, communicative, and helpful and we enjoyed ourselves once the lights were dimmed and the space became less obvious. That said, the normal price points seem high for the offerings and the food did not stand out so much as to rationalize these prices. I would say if you're near Green Lake and want a nice dinner with helpful suggestions from the staff, Nell's is a good choice, as they have a wide array of offerings. I, however, will likely only go back for the desserts. The desserts were intriguing enough that I would like to try more, even at full price. The bread pudding was a little salty, a little sweet, and with plenty of different texture to enjoy. By far the highlight of my meal. I had a taste of the poached pear with chocolate ice cream as well and was impressed. If you're going for Restaurant Week, be warned: they have a limited supply of these options. Our party of 6 lost out on three appetizers and two desserts because they had run out. They will offer you something else off the fixed three course menu, but it didn't seem they were willing to go beyond those offerings, so this may not be a good choice for a picky eater.

    (3)

  • Lori M.

    Came here for restaurant week. We walked in and we were surprised at how much older the crowd was. Def mostly people in their 40's - 70's. The inside of the restaurant reminded me of a revamped old school diner place - something about the layout and architecture. People were also a lot quieter (more sophisticated and proper?) than us. We were just three people, but I think our laughter from our conversation was really loud in the restaurant (sorry everyone who was there... we just uh, laugh loudly...). So I guess if you're on the louder end and younger end, this may not be your "scene." The food was fine. I had the spinach soup which was very under salted. Of course they didn't put salt on the table. My pork with cumin was quite yummy. The rhubarb crisp was just ok. My companion complained that it wasn't warmed :( Things would have been better too if our waitress wasn't so fricking unfriendly. I have no idea what her name was, but every other server in the place was super nice to us. Our waitress looked like she resented serving us and having to be there. Sorry if you were having a bad day missy... but please don't take it out on your customers!

    (3)

  • Taylor B.

    Here is the Shining Star in Seattle's North End. The lovely split-level dining room makes you feel relaxed and welcome. You can see but not hear the kitchen through shiny-clean glass walls. Cocktails are terrific, wonderful wine list, and a menu which always offers amazing fish and meat dishes, with fresh and carefully selected seasonal vegetables on the side. This is a restaurant for adults, I might add. By that I mean I have never seen any 20-something make or receive a cell phone call while at the table. Be sure to try the oysters on the half-shell with Chef Phillip's wonderful ginger-lime mignonette...the perfect start to whatever elegant meal you choose.

    (5)

  • Andrew R.

    Went in last night for a light dinner to go with a great bottle of wine my friend brought to town (2001 Chateau Montalena Cab) Wasn't very crowded on a Monday night, so we just grabbed any table we liked. Service was attentive but not overbearing. A good mix of formal enough for the setting, but willing to joke around a bit with us- felt comfortable Had a cheese plate to start our wine with, small portions of 5 different cheeses, liked the irish blue and the soft rindy cow very much. The raisin bread they served was a bit too much for the flavors of the cheeses Celery root (kohlrabi on the menu) soup with dill & truffle oil was real nice, simple flavors came through nicely the goat cheese flan was good but not great my cornish game hen was only a half so kind of small portion of meat, but easy to eat, although a bit less thoroughly cooked than I would have liked (I like my fowl to fall off the bone)- the jus was succulent and the artichokes & asparagus were perfectly fresh and delicious my friend's fettuccine with beef ragout and hedgehog mushrooms and english peas was very tasty, well prepared and generous with the fungus All in all, this is a classic fresh/local/organic Seattle place that I'm happy to return to whenever I'm looking for an upscale meal in a relaxed setting. I've always heard that it's consistently good and I wasn't disappointed.

    (4)

  • Liv L.

    Great food and GREAT staff who really knows about food. I get the reviews that say the interior is a bit 'denny's like'...but I think it has to do with that funny shuttered huge bay window. Nice place, take your mom.

    (4)

  • Sara D.

    My husband and I love coming to Nell's. Phillip (the owner) and his staff always take exceptional care of us. As a result of this we had them cater our wedding. To this day, our guests rave about how amazing our wedding food was. We know our meals at Nell's will be predictably amazing, so we choose to come here for many special occasions. We have never been disappointed. We especially enjoy the cozy corner booths where we can sit and sip wine and enjoy multiple courses as the hours pass by. We have celebrated many special evenings at Nell's and will continue to do so.

    (5)

  • Christina W.

    I wanted to dress up fancy for dinner. Like, heels & a dress. While driving past Green Lake a few nights before, I had mentioned how nice the area was so when it came to picking a place for dinner, Nell's was perfect. The candlelit restaurant was almost empty, but it was late on Sunday night. The waitress was really sweet and joked with us when we decided to order the same salad (the Organic Field Greens with Goat Cheese Crostini and Sherry Vinaigrette) to start. Everything was delicious, especially the bread. For dinner we chose to order different dishes and share everything. The Alaskan Halibut with Roasted Carrot Puree, Miner's Lettuce, Ramps and Aged Balsamic was out of this world amazing. The Seared Sea Scallops with Buttered Parsnips, Fava Beans and Green Garlic Vinaigrette, which I thought I'd favor, were good too but I didn't like lemon. We decided to skip dessert, but the table beside had ordered some. We heard them raving about how perfect it was. I think they said it was homemade ice cream. The tab for the two of us was around $130, but well worth it. It was a really lovely way to spend one of my last nights in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Erica G.

    We chose Nell's at the last minute from other reviews here. We,d originally planned on having inner in downtown Seattle but were staying in Green Lake and looking for someplace local. Are we glad we did! Nell'smwas just a short stroll from our guest house and we completed the 3-mile circuit around the lake after dinner. A perfect evening. As for Nell's itself: this was a great dining experience in every way. As others have notes, the service is extraordinary in attention to detail. It's easy to see why there is clearly a very devoted clientele. Everything about he the food preparation showed the same care. The sweet onion tart is apparently never off the menu and deservedly so. We shared that for a starter with an heirloom tomato salad which was flavorful and also beautiful on the plate. The black cod was tender and perfect with cooked watermelon radish and Swiss chard. Desserts were simple and homey and plentiful. Sadly, we're just tourists here. If Seattle was our home, we'd come here a lot. Bravo to the chef and wait staff!!

    (5)

  • Anondah M.

    I had a wonderful dinner with friends at Nell's last night. It's hard to imagine it is by looking from outside, but Nell's is an excellent restaurant. We initially went there for the Dinner for 30 deal, but we ended up ordering some extras, too. Everything we had was great--Scallop, duck, calamari, soup, etc, etc... Wine recommended by our server was exquisite. Service is one of the best, too. I really like the very quiet setting of their music. I could barely hear it, so it did not disturb conversation over our table, but it was enough to erase conversations from other tables. Perfect. It wasn't cheap, but I wouldn't call it too expensive. Their food and service are worth every penny you pay.

    (4)

  • Lisa G.

    I had the pan-seared duck breast, and it was incredible. This restaurant sources its food locally, including its mushrooms and huckleberries-- which it gets from a forager. Pricey? Absolutely, but worth it. The quality of the food is undeniable. The staff is also incredibly friendly and helpful.

    (5)

  • Jeff W.

    We went on a Saturday night around 9:30 and the restaurant was 1/2 full which was nice. But the patrons looked like there was a field trip from the nursing home and Nells was first on the list of attractions. Food: Amazing. Service Wonderful. Ambiance ehhhhh not so much. Fennel Ice cream and poached pears is a wonderful treat after a savory Halibut dish. Very good, highly recommend the food just not the experience.

    (4)

  • Andrea H.

    This is such a strange place. It feels like a Denny's remodeled now trying to pull off fine dining. The important points of my experience. 1. Sat for 15 minutes before being acknowledged or offered water. 2. Waited another 10 minutes before my beverage was delivered. 3. Beverage was made via bartender book by a non-bartender. 4. Returned drink and waited another 10 minutes before replacement given. 5. Food... good, but not as gourmet as you'd expect, especially for the price, even from the smaller tasting menu. 6. Charged once for someone else's table. 7. Charged again for our meal with multiple mistakes and incorrect items. 8. Charged again for the corrected amount (all mistake charges held from my account for days after). The bottom line: there are so many other places worth the money with better food and atmosphere, I'd just keep this place off your list.

    (2)

  • Abigail L.

    If I were commissioned to dole out advice about living life grandly, I might start by saying that it's good to have a party trick. Like if you can moonwalk or know sleight of hand or can sing an Abbey Road track backwards to reveal hidden messages--let that light shine! Or if you have a glass eye or something, why not dislodge it during a conversation lull and pop it in your mouth to the room's soaring delight? Do you know who has a fine party trick? Chef Philip Mihalski of Nell's. He transforms a jerusalem artichoke and some onions and a little phyllo dough and a hazelnut--POW!--into a Tastebud Event. He maneuvers calamari and aioli and parsley--BAM! Revelation. Bosc pears, cardamom, currants, rosemary, ice cream: KLUD! Divinity. Or to put it plainly, he "can take a rainbow, wrap it in a sigh, soak it in the sun and make a stra'bry lemon pie." Yes, he "can take tomorrow, dip it in a dream, separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream...'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good." The expert servers at Nell's have party tricks, too. Example: a bullseye wine recommendation (full bodied, complex, balanced) at a humble price: C.G. di Arie. BANG! Renewal. If you seek a simple spot with superb service, relaxed atmosphere and thoughtfully delightful cuisine, then Nell's is for you. Ciao, off to rehearse my party trick--reciting all the prepositions in alphabetical order: "Aboardaboutabove, acrossafteragainst, alongamidamongaround, atbeforebehindbelow, beneathbesidebetweenbeyond, bydownduring--" Wait--where are you guys going?

    (5)

  • Eutreptia V.

    Consistently excellent. We dine here frequently and they always knock our socks off. For a starter, I often have one of their fantastic pureed vegetable soups. I used to think spinach or carrot soup sounded boring, but they are always amazing! In the same way, I've learned that their sorbets are more exciting than I would have imagined. The pear sorbet combined with a valharona chocolate sorbet is heavenly! The atmosphere is refined and not at all noisy. (Some people actually prefer noisy. Not me!) The waitstaff, especially Andrew, are excellent. Great entrees, and a great wine list. Nell's is currently my favorite nice restaurant in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Faye J.

    My husband and I dine at Nell's several times a year. We love Nell's for a number of reasons: the food is inventive and delicious, service is the best in Seattle, seating is comfortable, the ambiance is quiet, and the low light and Green Lake views give a special feel. We have been here with guests, older and younger family members, during Restaurant Week, on special occasions, and for a Chef Tribute night. The food is consistently great. Once, on a Dine Around Seattle night, I had some beef that seemed very ordinary, but that is my worst criticism of the place. Some of the reviews of Nell's I am reading here are really offensive. They suggest that a place isn't worth going to if older folks like it, or that it's a downer to be around older folks. To them I would say: (1) Though it's not a hip, happening place, I see a broad range of ages at Nell's. (2) Second, many adults appreciate the quiet atmosphere and the comfortable seating that also appeal to the elderly. Not everyone wants a loud, bustling restaurant. (3) Undoubtedly, the higher prices, leisurely pace and gourmet menu bring out an older crowd. I would not have bothered coming here with my young children. But since when is it okay to diss a restaurant because of the (perceived) demographic of its patrons? We don't do that with race or ethnicity, why do it with age?

    (5)

  • Chelsea L.

    First off I'll start that the food last night was great!! The onion tart was very flavorful and creative. I got the mushroom risotto as an entree and it was awesome as well. My other diner guests also really enjoyed their meal (calamari, seared scallops, and mahi mahi all mouth watering!!). I'm giving them 2.5 stars for 2 reasons. First, my friends entree was supposed to come with brussel sprouts (a main reason why he chose it) but it showed up with green beans. We asked about it and they said they were out of brussel sprouts -- this would have been a good think to mention when he ordered his entree so he could have chosen a different entree. Second, the mushroom risotto was awesome but the portion size was incredibly small, 2 small spoonfuls maximum! I asked if this was my full entree and the waitress said yes and didn't offer anything else. If we hadn't gotten an appetizer then I would have gone home very hungry! Both of these just show how the wait staff was not helpful nor cared to make things better.

    (3)

  • Jay P.

    Salty, boring, old-people restaurant, awful decor, dark, blah, poor service... That sums it up. Yuck.

    (1)

  • Jocelyn E.

    I haven't seen my favorite "lab" partner from culinary school. We settled on Nell's after almost every single person I know who found out I lived near Greenlake suggested that I go there (Well, they were more fascinated by the fact that I had never seen it, despite my weekly walks around the lake. Then they suggested that I go there.). I loved it. It was very empty when we got there (middle of the week, early dinner). I was bummed that they didn't have lemonade for an Arnold Palmer - but the waiter made up for it by squeezing lemons and providing me with a little mini-pitcher of simple syrup. Plus, the E and I haven't seen each other in so long, we sent the poor waiter back and forth five times before we finally decided to order dinner. The food was fantabulous. It was great. My fish was perfect - tender inside and crisp on the outside. The sauce was light and refreshing. For dessert I got the smore. Yum. Yum. Yum. How come I never learned anything this awesome in culinary school? The view was great, but the music next door from the Mex restaurant was loud and annoying. As the waiter put it, the more they complain, the louder the music seems to get. I think it's weird that they would have put a "nice" restaurant next door to happy hour Mex. I will definitely come back. Pricey, but the service and the food were absolutely worth it to me. Now if the neighbors would move, I'd be happier.

    (4)

  • Melinda W.

    What a find! We rarely get to the Green Lake area but that may change now after finding Nell's. Wonderful service & fantastic food. Everything was perfect. We started with the cheese plate of 6 different cheeses with berries, pecans & 2 different kinds of bread. The 3 of us all had the heirloom tomato salad - very tasty tomatoes. For entrees we had the Ahi, scallops & salmon. We all loved the flavors & freshness of the dishes. Dessert included the blueberry crisp with peach ice cream made in house & the warm apricots. very delightful. The wine list has some VERY reasonable excellent wines which the bartender was very helpful in recommending. Shannon & the bartender (whose name we failed to get) was our servers & they were fun & attentive. The perfect meal!

    (5)

  • Alex W.

    Often, when I go to a shop or a restaurant, I think 'sure, I'll yelp this - it was fine.' But then I never do. I've just got home from Nell's and I want to review it right away. The ambience is gorgeous; gentle, relaxing, private - intimate, even. Our server, Shannon, was aces: knowledge but not preachy, solicitous but never intrusive. The pricing is 100% reasonable. But it's all about the food. Sweet onion tarlet with hazelnut butter and jerusalem artichoke crisp, monkish with cumin seeds, pea shoots and grapefruit, poached halibut with spinach, warm beets and a horseradish cream, a trio of sorbets so creamy you won't believe they're non-diary. It is a wonderful, super affordable, and very special place. Go.

    (5)

  • Mark L.

    Five Star Performance by the folks at Nell's on one of the busiest days for a restaurant - Valentine's Day. They offered a fixed price dining pleasure with two choices for all 5 courses. Jane and I did the right thing by ordering so that we could sample everything. From fresh oysters to venison to dessert we were not disappointed. It was another compliment to the staff that they maintained even though some jerk had broken out the front door the night before! Thanks for an enjoyable evening!.

    (4)

  • Kelley H.

    I'm a bit conflicted about how to rate Nell's. I ate here for dinner on Wednesday. I'd been once before but about 9 years ago. I remembered the food being good, but the atmosphere being. . . odd. Sure enough on this Wednesday night, the food was wonderful - the atmosphere was. . . odd. I can't put my finger on it, what about it is odd. . it's nice enough. . it just. . .is a bit off. When we walked in our waitress seemed put off that we were there, as the evening went on she warmed up and explained they only had 2 people working. Wednesdays are not usually busy, but becasue they have A/C and Seattle has had extreme heat the last couple days they were more busy than usual. We split the Dungeness Crab Salad, the kitchen split the plate for us, which was nice. It was WONDERFUL! The entire meal was great. . have 2 glasses of wine and you won't notice that the ambiance is strange.

    (4)

  • kip w.

    Nell's is our go to restaurant for special occasions. Birthdays and anniversaries...it's Nell's. Why? The food is consistently excellent, the service is great (they can tell if you are in a hurry to get to a show or want to linger and adjust accordingly) and the wine list has a section called "gems $30 or less" with stellar selections. Contrast this with a fine restaurant like Crush which has almost as good food for more money, less than attentive staff and the least expensive wine is $48 and rising quickly from there and you can see why we love Nell's. Well worth the travel from Mercer Island. Just for point of reference our other favorites are Ponti, Cantinetta, Serafina and La Medusa.

    (5)

  • Zach M.

    If the prices were more reasonable for what you get, I would give them a 4 star for quality of food, service, and ambiance. We had dungeness crab salad and local tomato salad, both of which were nice. The wine selection, by the glass was limited and not very exciting, but sufficed. Main course Alaskan Coho Salmon with spaghetti squash was good, but not anything special. The Scallops with tomatoes was very good with nice balsamic sauce. Both were pretty small portions with no rice or potatoes for the $28 price. We sat outside on the nice patio and the evening was nice, though the waiter seemed not to get out there very often and the main course was a long wait. We would go back, but it was nothing special and if we were feeling tight in our budget, we would skip it.

    (3)

  • Dana L.

    I came to Seattle not expecting much ;-p, but was pleasantly surprised by this place. My local relatives picked out the place, and after this I trust their judgment. The first thing that I noticed upon entering was that the kitchen was enclosed in glass, so you can see the chefs preparing food as you walk back to the bathroom. The meal started off with some excellent bread, and although I didn't order a salad, those appeared pretty tasty. For dinner, I had a fish that seemed a lot like mahi mahi, and was cooked nearly perfectly and glazed with some fruits. Next we had the cheese plate, which included some nut bread and an assortment of excellent cheeses. For dessert, I had the brownie with peppermint ice cream. The meal wasn't cheap, but it was definitely worth it. The ambiance and service were nice, and the place was appointed well. Would come back any time.

    (4)

  • Derek S.

    Another restaurant that has been a consistent winner. It's a cool place to scope out some more obscure dishes and fine French-fusion cuisine. I've been here twice, the first time ordering the Sweet Onion Tart with Jerusalem Artichoke Chips and Hazelnut Butter and Veal Sweetbreads with Butternut Squash Puree, Pea Vines and Aged Balsamic Vinegar then finishing with a Rhubarb Cobbler with Crme Fraiche Ice Cream. Sumptuous! And excellent service, too. Haha, the first I came here was on a impromptu date and through one screwup or another on my part I walked in not really knowing what to expect dressed in camo-pants and your average Buffalo Exchange print t-shirt and a radiant date who was dressed to perfection. Haha, I felt more than a little out of place, but fortunately we were the only ones there and the server wasn't the least bit condescending :))

    (5)

  • Mutant O.

    Whoa! Strike that line about becoming a vegetarian in 2009. What was I thinking? I had the Kobe hanger steak at Nell's last month, and the memory of that meal still gives me pause, makes me stop in wonder at just how marvellous and completely beefy the experience.

    (5)

  • Amanda K.

    It's restaurant week, and I decided to give this place a try. It was unbelievable! The service was great, and there was a casual relaxed atmosphere. They have a great list of bottles of wine that are less than $40, we bought a bottle that was recommended by our server, and had a nice light fruity flavor...The menu selection looked so good that it was hard to decide what to order. We were scoping out all the other diner's food. For an appetizer I ordered the leek soup which was pretty good and potatoey, the croutons added a nice buttery flavor that complimented the potato flavor, and although I never do this, I took the bread, and slopped up some of the soup. For an entree I ordered the trout, which was phenomenal!!! It was in this amazing sour, almost lemony sorrel butter, and it was cooked crispy to perfection. It was a big piece of fish, but I ate it all, it was jut too delicious. I almost licked the plate for this one, again something I don't really do. Lastly I was debating between the rhubarb and strawberry crisp and the bread pudding. I chose the rhubarb which was fresh from the oven, buttery and delicious!! Another plate licking moment. My husband ordered the bread pudding which is good for the chocolate fiends, but I stick with my choices. I will be back soon, and I'll come prepared to lick the plate.

    (5)

  • fortysixandtwo a.

    Huh, I followed the yelps, and for the first time they led me wrong. Decided on Nell's in for my gf's bday. There weren't 5 people in the whole place the whole time we were there, and the service was intermittent and snobby. Waitress spent most of the time looking bored with the cook. She must have bored him pretty good because he sure made some boring-ass food. Then I got a check enema. I have no problem paying top dollar for good food, but I believe that you get what you pay for... meaning you should GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Boo!

    (1)

  • Kate B.

    Oh, Nell's, how do I love thee? I have only been twice but both visits have been extraordinary. The first time was for the 3 for $30 and everything was good. The soup is the freshest thing I have ever tasted, the risotto was creamy and the escolar was the best fish I have ever had. Top it all of with the strawberry rhubarb and - wow! - I am a happy. This most recent trip featured the dungeness crab salad and the duck confit. Our waitress, probably the best I have ever had, accidentally brought us out the rabbit instead of the duck and, yep, I prefer the crispy duck. They do excellent wine pairings here, too, so, if you can swing it, go with that.

    (5)

  • Gary E.

    Had a great time here last night. Many selections of small plates that ended up not being that small. Crab salad was light and all crab. Great way to start the meal. Risotto with morels was rich and earthy. The onion tart was refined, with crisp fried parsnip chips on the top. We had the halibut that the kitchen split for us without our asking, very nice and perfectly cooked. For the quality, taste, presentation, and portions, this was very reasonably priced. Where can you get halibut with asparagus and morels for $26? The server was most knowledgable and helped us make the hard decisions about what to choose. Not sure about the comments re:atmosphere and ambience. The view toward Green Lake was special, with the light of sunset reflecting on the lawn and activities of families. There was background music so don't come here for a loud musical vibe. Rather, to enjoy the company of the people/person you are with and some very special food. If you do, you will have a most enjoyable evening.

    (5)

  • Lucy T.

    Food was good, not great. Sweet breads app was terrific, mushroom risotto was gritty due to improper cleaning of mushrooms, pork dinner was uninspired. Service started out strong before it got busy. Once it started to fill up, we hardly saw our server and it took 30 minutes inbetween courses to get our final cheese plate. He got a bit snippy at the end probably because he could tell we were annoyed. I'm sure he was swamped due to a lack of enough servers during the busy time, but rather than apologizing for the obvious, he got defensive. It's a nice place, especially in a neighborhood that really lacks nice sit-down restaurants. However, we probably won't return due to the slow and rather disappointing service and noisy bar.

    (3)

  • Eugene C.

    I really enjoyed my meal at Nell's. But there are a couple of good things to keep in mind before coming here, some of which have been previously discussed in other yelp reviews. Number one, you might run into your mom and dad, grandparents, or possibly friends of your parents here. This is not one of those trendy,hip, seen to be seen restaurants, unless you happen to subscribe to aarp magazine. Number two, there is no sit down bar. There is a bar where the bartender has a spot to mix drinks and pour, but no place to lounge and have a drink and maybe a bite to eat. Not a place for solo diners or those who like to eat communally with others. If you are okay with these two things, this is a wothwhile place to try. The service I received on my one visit was exemplary, although i have heard that it was less so for others. But I myself saw no evidence of poor service from my server or others. My server was very attentive, helpful, and courteous. The food was good. I had a bleu cheese pana cotta for a starter. It was an interesting change of pace from what i usually get from most restaurants. For my main course I had the braised lamb shank. It was a little gamey, but not terribly so. I suppose this is to be expected with lamb. It was fork tender, juicy, and seasoned well. Overall, well executed food and great service.

    (4)

  • Tim O.

    Been there once and ain't going back. Even if it is 2 blocks from our place. Staff was snobby and atmosphere is that of a restaurant in a strip mall. I felt like my grandparents might enjoy this place, if they forgot to take their meds. Fish is fresh. There, I said something positive. Happy, mom?

    (2)

  • Lisa D.

    We've eaten here once so far, and it was very nice. We made sure to sit outside, as the weather was lovely and the inside of the restaurant seemed to be kind of dark and gloomy. I tried the Dungeness crab salad and was not disappointed, the crab was fresh and flavorful. The wait service was well paced in my experience, as we spent time savoring the food and enjoying the nice weather. The bill for two with wine was about $120; not something I'd spend more than once every few months but well worth the splurge.

    (4)

  • Mary L.

    Good food, good service, good prices, but, rather staid. The food is good enough and the menu is inventive and interesting. Never had anything here which wasn't very good, nicely plated. Well prepared duck breast with lentils and cabbage, great salad of prosciutto, radicchio and poached egg, goat cheese flan, delicate onion tart --- and the service has just the right combination of friendly, relaxed and knowledgeable. But the crowd is mostly gray haired (from the high rise retirement home across the street?). The furnishing are 1980's blond wood (where are the hanging ferns?) with a beige palette. You can almost always get in without a reservation which is a real plus. Bartender knows what he is doing and plenty of wines by the glass.

    (4)

  • John T.

    Fantastic food and service in a nice location looking out at Green Lake. Not inexpensive, but almost a bit of a value. Perhaps the room could be updated and that is why people aren't lined up to get in. If you go to a restaurant for the food, this is it.

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    This place made me sad. $100 for mediocre food and less than attentive service? No thanks. It's been years since I patronized a restaurant during Dine Around Seattle month but my last experience at Zoe's was a bright one. I still want to go back. Maybe Nell's isn't as up to March Madness? Years ago a local pastry chef, well-known for high profile stages, told me that this was an overlooked gem. My fiance and I were mulling Thursday night dinner plans and as we drove home, I remembered her comments and we decided to stop inside. It was early into dinner service -- only one other duo was seated. As we stayed it filled to capacity. For appetizers, I got the celery root salad & my fiance got his own salad. Both, interesting and good. Next, he got the kobe hangar steak and I ordered pork tenderloin. Quite good, but around the time of the entrees, it was getting harder and harder to catch our waiter's attention. We'd finished our first drinks & were ready to order another, but I was never able to do so. We waited...and waited...and waited about 20 minutes more to remind them to bring the tarte au citron. When it finally arrived, it was dry-tasting yet delicately situated in a thin layer of water. Combined with the $100 tab (2 $30, 2 pre-dinner drinks, + tip) that arrived shortly after, we left on a bad note, at least a half hour longer than we wanted and on a overly acidic note. I'd have had better luck with pre-packaged pie at the Safeway. This place had its pluses, but is in need of an overhaul. I really wanted to love this place. Caveat emptor.

    (2)

  • Tom L.

    The service was a tad slow but the food was fricking delicious. I had a great crab salad, a very respectable kobe steak, and the best dessert of my life. The Peach Crisp with blueberry ice cream and a cup of Earl Grey was the most pleasure I've ever had with my mouth.

    (4)

  • Margaretta L.

    My favorite cuisine is Northwest-French: the use of Pacific Northwest ingredients and approaches in French cooking, and Nell's captures this balance perfectly. Upon chatting with your server you'll find out that Nell's was named for the owner's wife, and despite what could have become a stiff, expensive French restaurant, Nell's continues to carry off an intimate, familial energy. The menu is pricey, but this is absolutely the right choice for a special occasion.

    (5)

  • Elisa M.

    My husband and I decided to try this restaurant for our anniversary instead of heading downtown for once. We chose Nell's as neither of us had ever been there. When we arrived the restaurant was practically empty, we thought because it was a Thurs evening. We were unsure of where everyone was as we stood around for a few minutes waiting for someone to come out and greet us. Finally the waitress came out of the back and greeted us and also sat us. She was extremely nice and very helpful. We decided not to do the tasting menu as it differed than what we originally saw online. For starters my husband had the veal and I had the risotto. Veal was delicious and perfectly plated, my risotto however was a little more al dente than I would normally have it, but the flavors and creaminess were there. Entrees, my husband had the braised rabbit and I had the seared scallops, both dishes beautifully plated and had amazing flavors as well. I would've given 4 stars if there had been a prompt greeting and my risotto had been cooked a little longer, and also the decor didn't seem to match the greatness of the food, but the overall experience with food was great!

    (3)

  • Diane A.

    I'm going all the way and giving them all Yelps got. I got to go to Nell's for Valentines Day dinner and it was FABULOUS!! Everything was spectacular and didn't mind the coziness. Great atmosphere, great staff, great food, great wine and just all around GREAT. Ten out of Ten for sure and that's hard to do.

    (5)

  • Fun Girl S.

    Enjoy a crisp chilled white wine on the outside deck across the street from Green Lake in the warmer months moving on to a few delectable choices from a succinct but enticing menu. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Donald L.

    Went on a Friday night with 5 others. After several minutes we had to flag someone down for a cocktail. Bartender was doubling as a waiter. He was competent, professional and mature . What a pleasure ! I'm 51 and appreciate service that is not overly familiar like many "young" restaurants seem to push. Menu is silly in that every dish has 5 or more main ingredients. Very "Fancy" instead of well-executed! Kitchen was glacially slow. It was not pacing either . Main dish came out one hour after salad. Mine was lukewarm and soggy not to mention near-miniature. Others dishes looked better than mine.. Obviously mine had been ready early on while it took another half hour+for the other dishes to be completed. At one point the hostess was sent to tell us "The kitchen will begin plating your meals as soon as the meat has finished resting" 1) I doubt she knew what that meant and 2) Get your restaurant in order if you're going to charge $30 for an entree. If they had any clue they'd have bought us a round of drinks while we sat for an hour waiting. Great waiter. He should find a better employer.

    (2)

  • Joel M.

    So, after eating at Nell's a half dozen times in the past 3 or 4 years (no small feat on my budget), I can officially say I'm a huge fan. The food is just so consistently great. It's not the most new, exciting restaurant in town, and doesn't attempt the newest flavors, but what it does it does better than anyone else. To use a sports analogy, this restaurant waits for it's pitch, and hits it out of the park. I never want to order the calamari, (you can get fried calamari anywhere!) but Saleh's calamari is out of this world better than anywhere else I've had it. The duck is hands-down amazing, and the mangalitsa pork...well, enough said...it's mangalitsa so get out of the way. Soup is always great, and I recently had calf's liver that blew my socks off. Really, I don't like liver but loved this dish. The wait staff know the food, help you out if you ask, and get out of the way. That's all I ask. Great service. With so many great new restaurants in the city, a place like this needs to be great, and it truly is.

    (5)

  • A B.

    Had a great meal here a couple months ago when I was in Seattle for work..... this was a little far off the beaten path for me (i.e. outside the downtown area, which i hadn't yet ventured beyond), but this neighborhood seemed charming and the food here was fab. I had the Leek risotto to start, and then the Kobe hanger steak cooked to perfection... and BTW, I did not know whether I was a fan of parsnips, but the way they served this puree with the steak was really good. All this washed down with my favorite Pinot - J (I know this one's not for everyone - but I like it cuz it's a bit on the light side). I don't remember what I had for dessert, but I remember really liking it. A good time was had by all! Can't wait to visit Seattle again!

    (4)

  • Andy R.

    We went to Nell's solely to check out a restaurant that we don't go to all the time. Our regulars are starting to get played out. So when the 30 for 30 listed Nell's we decided to give it a try. We were really happy we did in the end. The restaurant decor is upscale (cloth table cloths, napkins, etc) the building and interior I'd say is slightly dated but don't ever let that stop you from tasting the food. I had their mussel chowder for an appetizer which had plenty of the little buggers for me to chomp down on. I'd say about 10-12 in the bowl. The broth was a rich cream based broth in white wine. Yumm. For my entree I had the boneless pork chop which was cooked perfectly. It sat atop a a bed of sauerkraut and broccoli. Quite good overall. For desert I had chocolate cake with an orange creme ice cream. I'd definitely go again and suggest it's a good place for a date to impress or taking your parents out, etc..

    (4)

  • Stephanie C.

    This is hands down, so far, my favorite restaurant in Seattle. Everytime I've come here, the food is excellent and it's a very unique menu which I always think is important. Seriously, why would I want to order a $30 dish if I can go home and make it myself. But sweetbreads? These things are godly. If you're one of those types that order a good steak well done, go ahead and pass this place up. I'd hate to see a good dish go to waste. I'm only sad because the old wine guy apparently left...and he recommeded to me what is my favorite wine as well.

    (5)

  • judy n.

    caveat: i'm rating this based on a review originally posted on my personal blog in march 2007 during the 25for$25 promotion. so, all the reviews were pretty good but none of us had been. sounded like a perfect 25for$25 opportunity because the place is pretty pricey. then again, after perusing the regular menu vs. the 25for$25 menu, i felt like nell's was going to be one of those restaurants (unlike six-seven) that treats 25for$25ers like red-headed stepchildren. still, i figured it would be a good way to try it out without committing to a budget-busting dinner. pork belly w/frissee & fingerling potatoes: i loves me some pork but pork belly is WAY too fatty for me. scott seemed to really like this though. grilled octopus w/organic greens & white beans: while the grilling added a nice flavor to the octopus, i felt that it got a bit tough. the greens were nicely, if innocuously dressed but the beans added a really nice textural note. alaskan cod w/wilted green stuff: this was originally supposed to be skate wing but they must have run out. this was lucky for scott because otherwise we would have had to throw down, since we both wanted what i eventually got (see, as part of our wedding vows, we agreed to never order the same thing so that we can try as many things a possible). he was very happy with this. i don't even remember what the rest of the stuff was like (or even what it was) but the fish was fresh, crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. very well prepared. duck confit w/brussel sprouts & jus: you'd be surprised how much meat is on a duck leg... this was very tender & tasty &, while i liked the brussel sprouts, i felt like they should've done something more with how the leg was dressed. it was a bit one-note. still, the duck itself was good. *chocolate banana bread pudding w/one of those big turds of whipped cream: this looked nothing at all like what i expect from bread pudding. it's just too tidy. luckily for me, it also tasted not at all like i thought it would. not too banana-y. unfortunately, it wasn't particularly chocolatey either. i would say that this was ok. lemon olive oil cake w/lemon curd & lavendar ice cream: this right here is a reason to eat at nell's. the cake was super moist without being heavy & the combination of the lemon curd with the heavenly lavendar ice cream created a nice balance between citrus & floral. it was simple but divine. overall, nell's was good but not outstanding. the service was professional, if lacking in charm. the atmosphere was warm if a bit bland & glossy. i definitely think it warrants another visit though, because i'm convinced they reserve their most interesting dishes for the full-price patrons. *i thought i'd take this moment to address a trend that i'm sure has occurred to some of you. why is it that scott always orders the chocolate dessert while i get the alternative? i already mentioned our no-redundancy-dining rule, so we can't both get it &, to be honest, i find that when it comes to dessert, chocolate is chocolate (don't me wrong. i love chocolate. we keep loads of chocolate around the house just for our own pleasure). the thing is, i don't feel as if i'm getting the most interesting thing when ordering the chocolate option. the chocolate is good or bad whereas the alternate can range from truly nasty to something i want to spend time alone with, in a darkened room, lit only by candlelight.

    (3)

  • Maria C.

    If you know someone wealthy who will pay, or you want to impress a significant other's parents, go here. Attentive service, gourmet food, great wine choices, beautiful food presentation. The interior decor is all about white linens on the tables, but bland elsewhere. Good company and good food make up for it, as well as the view of Greenlake. Go on a weeknight if you want to avoid crowds.

    (4)

  • Cortney C.

    Often...I feel that the amount of money I spend at a fancy restaurant isn't worth it. Nell's is different. It's a little pricey...but worth every penny. The food is amazing. My boyfriend and I started off with the veal sweetbreads which were very good. The table bread they provide is also pretty delicious. For dinner, I had the scallops, and my boyfriend had the duck. They were both cooked and seasoned to perfection. For dessert...we had creme brulee, which was one of the best creme brulee's that we have had. The atmosphere is very nice and relaxing and the wait staff was very personable and professional. I highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Amikam R.

    After too long of an absence we went to Nell's on a dark November evening and chose to sit at the table which caused so much consternation to another reviewer who complained about sitting "under the bar". Well, there is no bar where people sit and imbibe. There is a raised counter where bottles are sitting waiting to be poured. The table below is quiet, away from the general hubbub. The food is still innovative and good. The service is attentive without being intrusive or patronizing. There is no view to speak of, but the good food would more than make up for that.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

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

Nell’s Restaurant

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