Just ate here last night on a date, and really liked the place. Our server was very attentive, and our waitress offered us some great wine recommendations. The pizza was absolutely incredible, we got the Roasted Squash with gorgonzola and loved it! We'll definitely be coming back here again!
(5)
A R.
I cannot stop day dreaming about their squash pizza. Always delectable!!
(5)
Rose N.
We keep coming back...yes we live a few blocks away but the service, fresh (daily selected and bought) quality ingredients, and lovely atmosphere are just wonderful.
(5)
Kathleen M.
A dreamy intimate spot with pleasant service and thoughtful food. I liked it. A lot. Small plates, fresh salads, artisanal pizzas and sweet desserts. It's a tapas menu with local and sustainable foods from Salumi, Zoe's meats, Husky Deli, West Seattle Farmer's Market, Stumptown Coffee, Painted Hills Beef and many more. Some rotating entrees listed on their blackboard with many vegetarian and vegan options too. They know their wines and have the perfect pairing for each and every plate. Grab a seat. Relax. Sip. Taste. Chat. Mingle. Enjoy.
(5)
Charlie C.
If you're looking for a romantic and intimate evening in Alki this is the spot. Great appetizers, I highly recommend the fiery prawns. Pizzas are amazing! Very friendly staff as well. Can't go wrong here.
(5)
Carl M.
Horrible
(1)
Leah S.
This is a romantic and warm family run restaurant on a beautiful Alki beach front setting. The food and service is amazing! Many gluten free options. Awesome staff and amazing menu and wine list! A must go for all and new regular spot for me!
(5)
Kayan H.
Nice little place on Alki. We had: -Olives: okay -Flank Steak: pretty good -Scallops: pretty good -Truffle oil pizza: Delicious! -Mushroom Gnocchi: okay -Bread: good and the olive oil/vinegar it came with was great! You have to order this, it doesn't come complementary with meal so I'm listing it as a separate item I think if we had ordered more pizza and less of everything else it may have gotten a 4 star. But since it's a tapas place, I thought it best to actually try the tapas; however, as most of the reviews stated, not worth the price. I've had better tapas (for example at Black Bottle), but the pizza was pretty good. I don't love it as much as Bar Del Corso though.
(3)
Michael K.
A truly perfect date spot for the pair (or adventurous threesome) that enjoys good food, good wine, and a fantastic dining experience. The decor and lighting are intimate and romantic and the waitstaff is professional, while maintaining a warm and friendly demeanor. Thankfully, my partner in crime on this occasion shared my inability to order appropriate amounts of food, so we were able to try a great deal of the menu items. Fiery prawns and scallops - Both of these were phenomenal and certainly my favorites. The sauce had so much flavor packed in to each bite, and despite the very admirable amount of spice, none of the flavors ended up masked. The scallops were cooked perfectly, as well, which while clearly necessary, just doesn't seem to happen at as many places as one would hope. For small plates, the portions were generous. Pesto Pizza - If a dish has pesto in it, chances are I'm going to absolutely love it, regardless of the rest of the ingredients or style of dish. Regardless of this, the pizza here is pretty incredible. The crust has that perfect crunchy outside, chewy inside finish, and the mozzarella and feta were perfect. After a childhood filled with the belief that Pizza Hut was the best pizza in the world, I'm certainly glad that my taste buds have grown up, even if I haven't. Buffalo Caprese - I can't say no to a caprese salad, regardless of whether I'm eating the same ingredients on a pizza. The mozzarella and tomato were both fantastic, and I really enjoyed the Olive Oil they used, which was a lot lighter and tangier than some of I've tried (Tangier is not the right word - in fact I'm not sure it is a word...). Hummus and Baba Ghanoush (I think there was something else - Delicious. Superb. Their pita bread was awesome too - didn't even think about how I wished it was na'an as I do at most places. Yum. I think I said it already. Fantastic first date spot. Fantastic drink wine and eat food spot. **Special request - please move to Seattle proper... preferably within three blocks of my house. West Seattle Bridge makes Mike a sad panda.
(5)
Coleena S.
Beautiful spot located on Alki beach. If you go at night there should be ample parking right out front or on the adjacent streets. Tapas are excellent. They leave you feeling full but not gluttonous. I met my friend here on a Friday night and the place was full, not to worry though there's plenty of space at the bar, where I waited until she arrived. We ordered 6 dishes, perfect for sharing between two people: *Trio of Spreads - hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh served with warm pita *Grilled Portabella - in a sweet balsamic clove reduction with arugula *Saffron Chicken - with roasted red chili and watercress *Fiery Prawns - accompanied by habanero oil, red chili, cilantro and garlic *39 Spice Beef - Painted Hills all natural beef with crimini mushrooms and arugula *Mixed Greens - field greens with balsamic raspberry vinaigrette, Bosc pears, candied Marcona almonds, and gorgonzola dolce. I really loved the salad, it was perfect. Other than that my favorite dish was the 39 Spice beef and the Fiery Prawns. Total for that was around 60 dollars with tip. Seem steep for small plates? I admit when the plates came out I was surprised at how small some of the portions seemed. However upon tasting everything, it became obvious that some of the finest ingredients are used to make those dishes taste amazing. Much if not all of those ingredients are sourced from local sustainable companies, often organic too. I'm not going to go there every day, but I liked it. The atmosphere is great. It's candlelit with a dimmed light and the service is reasonably fast.
(4)
Mariela M.
Well sourced ingredients, expertly prepared and artfully presented. Exquisite, unique flavors that tantalize the tastebuds. I had 2 small plates: the garlic beans with creamy tarragon sauce and the flat iron steak with balsamic and an arugula/pickled pepper trimming. Perfect. Delectable. I also had a pizza and that was OK. It had a thin but doughy crust and I think I like something a little more crisp. Personal preference. I ordered the pizza without 2 of the main ingredients so it tasted a little bland, but that was probably due to the way I customized it. After I was done eating I was left with a happy full feeling that comes from having a good quality meal. Not a meal pumped full of salt and cheap oils to jack up the flavor, but a meal made with real, quality ingredients like good olive oil, fresh produce and well sourced cheese. Food meant to please and nourish, not just briefly entertain. This place has soft lighting and mellow, contemporary music. It's a little more expensive than other spots on Alki, but it's worth it. It's a culinary experience. .
(4)
Charity R.
Definitely a great spot on Alki. Food was delicious. Would be a great spot for a fancy date night.
(4)
Danielle F.
My new favorite spot on Alki. Usually, I go down to Alki solely for the ambiance of being near the water, but La Phonecia is good enough that I'd go location aside. We split a couple of the pizzas, both of which were excellent and made with the highest quality ingredients.
(5)
Amanda M.
A couple good friends of ours live right off Alki, just a block or two up from Phoenecia, and they had been raving about this place for months. They promised it would be worth the drive out to West Seattle. We finally made it over there for dinner at Phoenicia, and all I can is I wish we'd done it sooner! The pizza was unexpectedly stupendous. We all got a different pizza for dinner and there wasn't a dud in the bunch. My favorite was off the specials board - I can't remember the exact ingredients now, but I do recall that it combined salty meat with sweet figs - an excellent and surprising combo. The Alki with spicy salami, caramelized onions, kalamata olives and a medley of cheese was also mouth-wateringly delicious. I would encourage you to branch out and try something a little different rather than just getting a basic margarita or pepperoni pizza - you might be surprised! We didn't even get to the tapas menu, with the exception of the 39 Spice Beef... it packs a punch! Tons of flavor and tender meat, great for sharing as an appetizer. Prices are in the mid-range but certainly justified given the quality of the food. Love the focus on local, sustainable ingredients. This a really a neighborhood gem. Great spot for a date or dinner with friends. The front windows offer a gorgeous view of the sunset behind the Olympics... but go early if you want to snag a window table (or hope you get lucky!).
(5)
Brian B.
On a Saturday near the end of June when the pouring rains cleared late and the sun *finally* came shining though at around dinner time, everyone came down to Alki to eat & hang out. Our table for 9 wasn't quite ready when we arrived so they offered us each a glass of prosecco while we waited and kept us updated until we could be seated. They did a great job of getting tables (and even a few other customers!) shuffled around and organized; everyone was happy & smiling. It was clear that we were all much more interested in talking than ordering so they helped us choose a variety of appetizers for the table. These were all very tasty, probably my favorite was the 39 Spice Beef which was very tender and super flavorful. When it came time to order our meals a few folks had a specific entree in mind and the rest just shared a variety of pizzas, again with the helpful recommendation of the staff. The fig pizza from the specials board was a huge hit because of it's great mix of flavors. The Alki and the Sausage and Peppers pizzas were also very good. The mushroom & ox tail risotto from of the specials board was off-the-hook delicious - highly recommended! We shared ice cream, baklava, and tiramisu plates for dessert and liked them all. We were celebrating and the birthday girl even got a chocolate creme brulee which was a nice surprise in addition to being quite yummy! While we clearly loved the food I must make a special point to say that the two ladies running the show did a great job. Their service and assistance with the ordering were just awesome and we had a great night because of their efforts. Thanks so much for a memorable evening!
(5)
Steve A.
I want to like this place, but I really can't justify eating here on a consistent basis. The good: 1.) Good wine, good pizza, good charcuterie. 2.) Good wine bar atmosphere with good music selection. The bad: 1.) Wayyyy too crowded. 2.) No reservations for parties of 4 or less. You've gotta be kidding me - people line up out the door for a table, the restaurant and bar are far too crowded, and you can't control the flow by setting up reservations for the most common table sizes - couples or small parties? Ridiculous. 3.) The small plates are nothing special. True, ingredients are "local and sustainable", but the flavors need revamping. The spiced beef tastes like someone dumped pumpkin spice on the plate. The saffron chicken tastes like someone dumped the sauce on boiled chicken and called it good. You don't get good value for the taste. 4.) Price. You pay a premium to eat here and leave full. If this could just be a wine bar and serve pizza and charcuterie, along with a happy hour, I'd be so happy with the place. But, since there's a lack of good restaurants on Alki to meet the demand, I don't see any changes coming to Phoenecia. I'd recommend Phoenecia for after-dinner drinks or a small snack, but that's about it.
(3)
Anthony B.
Phoenicia has been around for a long time, in several locations, integrated into the fabric of the Seattle restaurant scene. Since William has taken over from his dad, Hussein, it hasn't been better. The remodel and new menu provide a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine in Seattle and the service is spectacular. If you haven't been, the squash pizza is must. This is a great place to go if you are looking for an experience and want to dine for a couple hours on Alki Beach.
(5)
Sharon W.
In our neighborhood of Alki, there are only a few gems and Phoenecia is one of them. It is so nice to be welcomed by Inam, Nadia and Sonia; they're created a warm mediterranean bistro vibe that is always a pleasure to walk into If we're lucky, we grab a window table to people watch as well as admire the view of the beach and Olympics. Off the chalkboard menu, I usually order the lamb shank or eggplant parm but when I'm in the mood for pizza, I get the spicy Alki, rosemary lamb sausage or proscuitto and arugula. The flavorful crust is made from a secret recipe with special yeast. One evening I brought friends from San Francisco and we shared a bottle of Sharecropper's cab sav as well as a variety of tapas - saffron chicken, crab cakes, portobellos, caprese salad, bean salad, pizza - plenty of variety for every palate. It was a memorable night in Seattle for them and I was proud that Phoenecia is right down the street and my favorite "go to" spot. Check it out in any season but summer. The winter is when it returns to us locals . . . much easier to get a table! But if you come on a warm sunny day, get there early because many others feel the same way as I do!
(5)
Sarah M.
Awesome location, great food, confusing service, good drinks makes for an all around good experience. You can't beat the location. Located right on Alki beach in the midst of the action, it's a great place to people watch from. We snagged a great table by the window and could watch pedestrians as they walked by... The service was confusing because I felt like we had 4 different servers waiting on us (which we did). Every time we looked over, someone else was there. It didn't ruin the experience by any means but was just...odd. Good drink recommendations for wine and beer...was very happy with my sauvignon blanc. So...we all ordered pizza which seems to be what they are known for. When I first saw the pizzas, I will be honest, I was disappointed. There was SO MUCH CRUST and nothing to the pizza. I thought I would be starving by the end since there was no "meat" to it. Pun intended. Well, I was totally wrong about my preconceived notions because the pizza was excellent. I do wish there was more to the pizza but I left feeling incredibly full and happy. I had the Alki pizza with olives, carmelized onions, and sausage which was excellent. I'd totally recommend it. Couldn't tell you how much the check was because the boys paid this time around. Definitely a "nicer" place on Alki...it's a tiny restaurant though and they only take reservations for 5 or more so get here early!
(4)
Sasan A.
The 39 spice beef had a very sophisticated mixture of flavors which made it a unique taste for me, very different and definitely recommended. The squash pizza was also very different and tasty. I tried the trio dessert, ice cream + baklava + tiramisu. The tiramisu was not special at all, but the other two were really good. This place is by the water and has great view. The have very good choice of background music and good lighting.
(4)
Emmett B.
Appetizers were delicious.. the pizza was unique and one of the best pizzas I ever had. Yes, you must order one of their specialty pizzas, otherwise you'll be missing out. This place was intimate yet had a lot of character to it. Did I mention, they have a great wine list! Oh gosh, their pizza was delish!
(5)
Katya L.
I had a coupon for Phoenecia that was expiring, so a friend and I made the trek down to Alki to sample this restaurant's wares. Upon arrival (about 45 minutes after opening) we were told that there was an hour wait. After some consideration, we decided to stick around, and we were so glad we did! I got the call a half hour after we put our names down - not an hour, as quoted, so that was a nice surprise - and we made our way back to the restaurant to get promptly seated. The space is tiny, and pretty packed with tables. We were inches away from a couple on my left and a sizable family party on my right. Kind of annoying, but it was Mother's Day, so probably not the best time to go out in the first place. We dealt with it. Ordered two glasses of a decent pinot noir (generous pours) and the scallops to start. For the main course, we split one of their special pizzas, a rosemary lamb sausage, eggplant and mozzarella creation. The flavors were great - the scallops were tender, moistened with olive and hot chili oils, and the lamb sausage tasted delicious, although it could have used more eggplant. My main complaint with the food was the crust of the pizza - it took up about half of the pie's circumference. It was puffy and airy and the dough was great, but the actual topping to crust ratio was way off. I don't want to eat two inches of crust when the slice itself is all of four inches. The service was prompt and friendly and the flavors of the food were great. I really enjoyed the experience, but considering the serving sizes and the prices (2 scallops for $12, ouch) I probably won't be back. Food is delicious, but the value isn't the best.
(4)
Seattle F.
Soda served by the can to my table? How elegant, nothing says that this place deserves a $35 main course like a can of diet coke sitting on the table. Pour it. The can of DC is great at Paseo's to go with my $7 sandwich, but not with my main course here. The food was ok, not great. Be prepared to spend if you want to eat any real amount. Much like Serious Pie, the pizza here is a big load of bread with not a lot on it besides a ton of oil. The only a la carte main course dishes really are the nightly specials. That's great and all, but it puts you at the whim of whatever untested recipe of the day that the cook has dreamed up. The service was alright. It's a busy and small place, so service is going to be limited. We did have the wrong meals delivered, but it was obvious given that we had ordered just 2 minutes before. Thankfully, neither of us touched them so they went on to the proper owners. Phoenecia needs to figure out if it wants to be low end or high end. The mutt blend that they're doing now leaves something to be desired. ps. What the heck is 'phoenecia' anyways. Did they mean Phoenicia? I couldn't find the place in GPS due to the spelling.
(2)
J K.
A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. The pizza is to die for. Trust me.
(4)
Robyn S.
Absolutely LOVE Phoenecia! I've been here twice and can honestly say it's in my top 5 Seattle restaurants. There's so much about this place that I adore. The ambiance is small, quaint, dark, romantic - a perfect date spot. The service is amazing. From the time you walk in to the time you stand up to leave - everyone you encounter here is gracious, attentive and welcoming. I just get the feeling that everyone who works there, WANTS to be there and wants the customers to enjoy their meal. I usually never comment on a restaurant's service too much unless it was completely horrible - but for Phoenecia, it's quite the opposite. When I recommend this place to friends, I rave about how lovely everyone here is. And now the food - all dishes I've tried here on both visits were fantastic. Get the cheese plate, it's awesome! Several cheeses, fig jam, pears and crackers. Simple, yet delicious. Their pizzas are great too. Hummus plate, quinoa salad, 39 spice beef...all of them are 5-star worthy. Bottom line, Phoenecia is awesome! LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.
(5)
Aaron H.
Top rated place on Alki Beach with a little outdoor seating, well dang....let's give it a try! We procured a couple of seats outside so we could watch the evening entertainment stroll along alki beach. The service was nice and the meal consisted of a couple small plates and a pizza. We tried the 39 spice beef (honestly, could do without probably 20 of the spices since they just blended together and left almost a paste texture in your mouth because of the spice consistency), the trio of spreads, and the phoenicia pizza. The spreads were nice and I wanted more, but the pizza was ok. This is the kind of pizza where it really isn't special and doesn't hit that pizza craving spot. The crust is also huge on the pizza taking up some much needed toppings square footage. Overall it is a nice quiet spot away from a lot of the hectic activity of the beach strip. It was a nice meal with decent prices, just nothing stood out that would bring us back.
(3)
Stephanie T.
Phoenicia is just another reason that I think West Seattle is awesome. Situated right on Alki Beach, it's hard to imagine a more lovely spot to have a drink, watch the sunset, and enjoy a wide variety of delicious food. There's something for everyone: pizzas, steak, seafood, and the mark of any good restaurant: a rotating specialty cheese plate. Two things I might particularly recommend are caprese salad (served with a basil-infused olive oil) and the 5-spice beef (I don't know what the spices are but they are pretty darn good). Our server told us that their sweet potato pizza was one of their most popular varieties and it didn't disappint - it was sort of like combining Thanksgiving with fresh wood-fired pizza. If that sounds gross, I'd challenge you to go and let me know what you think. In any event, a step above and beyond the normal tourist/mediocre beach food you get in many of the establishments nearby with an intimate ambience to boot. Now all they need is a full liquor license!
(5)
Sarah R.
My husband and I visited Phoenecia for a belated Valentine's dinner last Friday and I'm sorry to say the experience was a disappointment. I hesitate to write this review because I know it is a hard working family restaurant and I'm a big advocate of our West Seattle establishments. That said, we intentionally visited Phoenicia for a low-key, inexpensive meal (prompted by a Scoutmob coupon for 50% off) and were sorely misguided. Here's a breakdown of our dinner: Mixed green salad ($10) - nice dressing, but fairly small and a bit measly on the plate. Also missing candied marcona almonds as described in the menu. Fiery Prawns ($12) - flavorful, but another basic portion of four small shrimp with no other garnish. Sausage & Peppers Pizza ($15) - terrific Fig Special Pizza ($15) - terrific Baklava - We were full from our pizza, so we asked for two orders to go. The waitress handed us a container with six small pieces along with the check, including a $16 charge for our dessert. (For reference, the menu on the wall described this dessert as served with fresh berries and Husky deli ice cream - neither of which were offered or included with our to go order.) Total cost (including a glass of wine, a beer and a soda) - $89 The kicker was our Scoutmob coupon for 50% off -- MAX $10 LIMIT. Laughable, considering it didn't even cover the tip. Admittedly, we didn't make a fuss over any charges or errors at the time - a mistake in retrospect. I think we were trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, and the bill caught us off guard. I'm not sure what I find more frustrating - that our meal was so expensive, or we that we didn't choose a place like Staple & Fancy or Revel where it would seem justified.
(2)
Tom B.
Great spot, great room, great kitchen, great wine program, great staff. This place really has it all. It's pretty comical to see them getting knocked for not offering good greek food...only the name is greek. Everything behind the sign is purely a modern american foodie bistro. First off, it sits up against a wall of tabletop to ceiling windows framing a spectacular view of Alki and the Alki sunset. You can't overstate the effect that has on the dining room. It's a small place, just a few tables and barstools. But the menu and wine list (even the beer list) are all adventurous and ambitious. They specialize in pizzas, with lots of great dishes and appetizers complementary to a good pizza roster. And pizza really is a fair specialty here; they say their oven hits 900 degrees and does things to the crusts that lesser ovens simply can't do. Bottom line, this place is a great laid back spot for interesting dishes and drinks with first class ingredients in a totally unpretentious setting. They do a great job of blending the best of everything with a totally easy-going attitude.
(5)
Diana L.
We had dinner there and every thing on the table was a piece of perfect. Try eggplant parmesan, one of their pizzas and spread trio. Great food, good service and nice views of the beach (especially for the sunset).
(4)
Melissa B.
Went here last weekend with a bunch of girls- we got there shortly after they opened- 5:15. Thirty min later the place was filled! The 39spice beef was the most amazing thing! However, there were only two people on staff, so service was not that great.
(4)
Robert B.
I know I said my last review would be my last, but darn it, it would be injustice if I didn't call out brilliance when I see it. Phoenicia 101: if they announce a special, ORDER IT!! You will be in for a 'Top Chef' experience. Right now (May 2011) they are featuring a rack of lamb special. So what, you say? Everyone does rack of lamb. But not like these guys, Sparky! A generous serving of 'lollipops' of marinated lamb ribs, each dressed with a dollop of house pesto sauce, is served over a dome of savoury rice pilaf. All seemingly ordinary, but the brilliance is in the details. The flavour profile is carefully planned, and each 'lollipop' bursts with Mediterranean power. Normally a 'throw-away' adjunct, the pilaf has been taken to the next level by being 'punched up' with pistachio, almonds, and pine nuts, and a secret blend of herbs and spices! I was here on a rainy Wednesday night and the place was PACKED! Foodies are on to these guys, but come anyway. Come early or late and avoid the rush, and enjoy this island of sunny Mediterranean goodness on Alki beach. Oh yes, BTW, this staff (mom and her two daughters) HUSTLE! A packed dining room, and they were on top of it! Mad props to this family!!!
(5)
Kay H.
This is a family business and truly a neighborhood gem. Wonderful and cozy atmosphere and the food is amazing. They have a standard and a rotating menu. Try the lamb shank, it is juicy, tender, and flavorful. Great date place for dinner or just a glass of wine.
(5)
Vickie D.
We love the new atmosphere here and the food is simple and deliciious. The family and staff is great and we always feel very welcome. In the past few months I have been scheduling business dinners here instead of in the city. My colleagues from around the world love the menu, service and location.
(5)
Lindsey S.
Love this place!! Everything was great: food, service, and atmosphere! Started off with the Artisan Cheese Plate, we didn't care for one of the cheeses so the server offered to substitute another. Great selection and really yummy fig jam on the side. For our main course we had pizza....SO GOOD. Upon the servers suggestion I had the Truffle Oil, and couldn't have been more happy. It was incredible, very light but great flavor. My boyfriend had Zoe's Pepperoni and loved it as well. Everything from start to finish was great. Highly recommend for a date night, girls night out, anything really!
(5)
David W.
I have never had a bad experience here. It is uber small so you may want to call ahead. It will be cozy when you sit...but the food, to me, is worth it. Delicious wood fired pizzas, Pasta and wine selection are great and the ladies that run the place are very friendly and helpful in wine selection or food recommendation.
(4)
Conrad C.
You can't beat this location on a nice evening - great views, the beach right nearby, and the sunset. The food is pretty good too. The three of us shared the 39 spice beef, which was alright - way too saucy in my opinion, in an attempt to mask the beef, which was nothing special. We each got a pizza - 2 Alki's and a fig and prosciutto special. I enjoyed it more than my dinnermates. The quality of the ingredients stood out, although the pizza is incredibly greasy. I think that turned off the other two. But each of the pizzas was good and, combined with the location, is a reason to go back.
(3)
K A.
Over priced, small portions and not that great for the money. I was excited to try this restaurant, so my husband and I went on a busy Friday night. We got a $12 scallop appetizer and a $12 prawn appetizer. The food came out and there were 2 small scallops and 4 prawns. Both were drizzled in the same pepper olive oil. For 4-6 bucks a pop, definitely not worth it. We ordered a pizza because we didn't know they had entrees (they weren't on the menu and no one told us). It took awhile to be brought out and was pretty good, but again, small and not worth the price. If you are looking to spend money in a romantic atmosphere and leave not hungry, go to La Rustica instead.
(2)
Fatima G.
This place rocks, the server told me she loved my purse and really that's all that matters to me. Okay fine, the food was pretty amazing too. We came here for my birthday and snagged a table by the window. It was one of the last sunny days in Seattle, so to spend it with views of the water was pretty amazing. I can appreciate the european atmosphere of the restaurant, down to not being rushed by the service at all. We started with the hummus plate and then moved on to pizza and their 39 spice beef. I felt like I could taste every single one of those 39 spices, the beef was tender and so flavorful. Definitely a highlight!
(5)
Audrey L.
A great view AND great food is hard to come by these days. This little restaurant has them both. With amazing tapas, pizzas, and pastas, it's a bit of a European fusion cuisine. A cute and romantic spot, great for birthdays, dates, or just a night out. **Grilled Portabella - Grilled to perfection. Wish there were more! **39 Spice Beef - can't believe this dish had 39 spices! I'm not sure if our palette is capable of tasting that many flavors at once even. The spices may have started to blend together, because while it had a lot of flavor, it didn't quite meet the high expectations of that many spices **Pizza Special - This this crust was one of the best I've had. The pizza itself was slightly greasy; you could see the oil dripping off. Hopefully it was healthy olive oil, haha. The combination of ingredients went really well together though. **Seafood Marinara - I normally don't like seafood, but this was quite tasty. **Poached Pear - tender and flavorful, just as it should be!
(4)
Angela K.
Delicious food, fantastic service! Definitely try the kale salad and fig pizza - you can't go wrong!
(5)
A V.
Perfection! Try everything on the menu. When you consider paying $10 for a salad, also consider that it is all local and organic. Their produce and ingredients are simply superior to what you would find at most restaurants. We have ordered lamb at all the best restaurants in Seattle. Most of the time it has a weird after taste or is over cooked. Phoenecia cooks their lamb shank to perfection. I love how inspired their food is. It is evident that someone with a deep passion for great food carefully operates this establishment.
(5)
Sandy B.
This is my favorite restaurant on Alki. The lamb and pizza dishes are excellent. The employees are friendly as well.
(5)
Dean R.
Another outstanding pizza experience. The sausage & pepper and the truffle oil (I added sauce) rocked. I wish the pies were a touch bigger and the sauce/cheese ventured closer to the edges, but this place is approaching Apizza Scholl's quality. Bananas Foster pretty dope as well.
(5)
Jody N.
If it wasn't for yelp, I don't think I ever would have wandered into this darling little spot. The outside signage and decor is nothing to rave about, however, the second you walk into their front door you are welcomed to one of the most warm, inviting atmospheres I've ever experienced in a small restaurant. The menu is hand written on the giant chalk board, the staff is ready and waiting for your arrival, promptly bringing food, wine and water and the music gives enough of an ambiance without making you yell during conversation. My boyfriend and I shared numerous small plates (which were actually quite large) including the olives, beef platter and antipasto plate. We shared a salmon dish which was to die for, and if I could have fit anything else into my stomach I would have dove into their gluten free pastas, and hummus dips accompanied by gluten free crackers. This little gem in West Seattle is perfect for a date or get together with friends. The perfect location allows you to enjoy the Alki walkway. With all the food you'll eat, you'll need a little walk to help digest :)
(5)
Nathan H.
I brought my mother and stepfather here to celebrate my mothers birthday. Other than the usual hassles with finding a parking spot on Alki, I was once again impressed by this restaurant. My mother has this annoying habit of always trying to pay for dinner when we go out. While I appreciate the thought, this was for her birthday and there was no way in hell she was going to pull that tonight. I let the waitress know that it was her birthday and she was not to accept payment from either my mother or stepfather and she agreed immediately and help enforce my request at the end of the meal. =) The food was absolutely delicious, and even my stepfather, who has gluten issues, was able to find several dishes that he could enjoy. The wait staff was fabulous and the wine was awesome. HIGHLY.RECOMMEND.YOU.TRY.IT.
(5)
Michelle Z.
My husband and I headed to Phoenecia in late summer, per a friend's recommendation. Right on the beach in beautiful, walkable West Seattle, we decided to make the most of a beautiful day and make an evening of it. Phoenecia is a family run restaurant (which made me like it immediately) and specializes in "artisanal pizza" and tapas, despite its Greek name. Though my gluten-free friend had raved about the tapas - it was really the pizza that won us over. The chewy but crispy crust was phenomenal, and the crimini mushroom-truffle oil toppings weren't half bad either! We ordered some wine, enjoyed the sunset, and had ourselves a delicious evening!
(4)
Elishema F.
I love this place! The service is always great, the location is perfect (right on Alki Beach), and the food is delish. Try one of their pizzas, you won't regret it.
(5)
Stephanie C.
Still my fav restaurant in Seattle! Again, I brought visiting family to Phoenecia. It's a great place for anyone who's never been to Seattle before because you get amazing views of the sunset in the mountains and the city with all of its lights at night. As usual, my family was really impressed and enjoyed our experience there. I really enjoy how fresh and simple the food is. My family also remarked how table turnover isn't very fast. I said it's because everyone is enjoying their food, wine and the view! Food was great. This time I tried the fig pizza (a-ok, not amazing though) and the bean salad (loved). Service wasn't so great this time. The cooks closed our ticket too early and forgot to bring out the pizzas so by the time 2 people were done with their pasta we other two just got our pizza. However, they apologized and gave us two free desserts, which was nice. My only other issue is the layout of the restuarant. It's a very tight squeeze between tables. I hope they get a larger space someday!
(4)
Peter A.
Phoenicia at Alki is one of the best restaurants in the City- for its food, character, and view of the Sound. It has fantastic food and the staff is among the best. The menu has a little for everyone and if there are multiple things on the menu you like or changes you want to make to a specific dish, Hussein is more than happy to make the dish to your specifications. Hussein is one of the most personable characters. He will likely tell you what you should have and make you something "special." You won't be disappointed regardless of the dish or the wine he brings you. I could not recommend this restaurant more.
(5)
Ian L.
I visited Phoenicia a few months back during the summer after hearing good things from a friend. My party was 8 people, so we half assumed that we would be tagged for automatic gratuity. What we didn't know was that it was 20% gratuity *after* tax, so 22% gratuity pretax. That would have been good to know up front. Regardless of that, our experience was pretty decent. All of the plates were delicious, and especially the lamb shank that was available at the time. The pizzas seem to be the best value for your money, and we got the sausage & peppers one. We also tried the 39 spice beef, but I can't remember how it tasted. The lamb was incredibly tender and tasty though, and it practically fell off the bone. Price-wise, this place is a bit harder on your wallet, but the atmosphere is charming, and our waitress was at least nice enough to stop us from over-ordering even more than we did. Overall, Phoenicia offers very tasty food, but I probably wouldn't come back with a group of 6+.
(3)
Stephan J.
This place is top notch! I love how friendly the family who runs this place is. Order from the chalk board and you won't be disappointed. I had a fantastic kale salad and the lamb sausage pizza. They both were exceptional.
(5)
Bianca T.
SO happy to have finally made my way over to try Phoeneia. I've lived in West Seattle for nearly 10 years and have always heard murmurs about them. Then, not too long ago, I read that the father/owner of Phoenecia unexpectedly passed. When I saw all the condolences and kind remarks about him and the restaurant, I knew I was missing out on something special. Luckily the family decided to persevere and re-open. We arrived on a Tuesday night around 6. Just a few tables were occupied, and we were warmly greeted. As per usual we just took a couple seats at the bar. There was a huge chalkboard menu taking space on the huge wall, and the view of the beach and sound was amazing. The wine and beer selection was really great. Lots of local and non-local selections for both. Then the menu is made up of all small plate items...charcuterie (Salumi's and Zoe's), cheeses, salads, and PIZZAS. We decided on 3 to start: Bean Salad, 39 Spice Beef, and Coppa Pizza. W.O.W. Amazing flavor on all levels. So simple, yet so complex. I don't know what all those spices were on the beef, but I'm pretty sure I tasted at least chocolate, cinnamon, and cumin. You gotta try this. The dessert selections I recall were Tiramisu, Baklava, Lavender Rose ice cream, panna cotta. True to form I had the Tiramisu. It was nice, but a bit too mellow for me. Needed more of a kick. If I had more room in my belly I would have tried the ice cream. Love me some lavender :) Anyway, I'm happy to say we have a new favorite restaurant in the 'hood...even though it's been around for years and years. Lots more on the menu we need to try..and I can't wait.
(5)
Yat G.
Tapas Places, will definitely show when you search for Tapas in Seattle. Food is good, not as good as Ocho but good. Instead of Spanish flavors you definitely get more of the Mediterranean spice palate. It is a really good deal if you are getting a bottle of wine - see here goo.gl/YHxnl . With decent food and a different place in west seattle all in all and ok experience. I would stay away from the Pizza unless you wanted to each Pizza. Nothing special about it. 3.5 stars
(3)
Alex H.
Decided to go to the Phoenicia for a birthday dinner after reading the rave reviews on Yelp. This place did not disappoint. My wife and I ordered the Sea Scallops, 39 spice beef, saffron chicken, mixed green salad and Coppa and Hot pepper pizza. The 39 spice beef was great. Perfectly seasoned as was everything else. The pizza was some of the best we've had and we were amazed at their crust. We plan on making a return visit with friends.
(5)
Rhonda P.
last night could have been the best pizza I've had in Seattle. The dough is a perfect balance of chewy, crusty and fluffy...and the toppings were great too. My husband had the lamb sausage (on special), I enjoyed the proscuitto and my son had the Alki. Individual sized pizza's ran about $15 each. The service was very friendly and you can't beat the location along the beachs of Alki. I can't wait to go back and check out their other dishes.
(5)
Guy N.
Last year, some local magazine ran a review of Seattle's ethnic restaurants that shouldn't be missed, and Phoenicia was listed among them. After reading the reviews on Yelp, my girlfriend & I added it to our personal list of places to try out. I was particularly enthusiastic about going since I'm a big fan of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. BTW - I'm not sure why some reviewers referred to this as a Greek restaurant. As best I can tell, it's Lebanese, which would be consistent with its name - "Phoenicia" (ancient name of the area where Lebanon sits). But I digress. We arrived for a very late lunch (4pm-ish) and were starving. We ordered the Trio of Spreads small plate, and the Bean Salad to start. I then ordered the Lamb Shank daily special while my girlfriend ordered the Sausage & Peppers pizza. What a disappointment. Nothing was bad, but nothing was great either. When going to a restaurant that got reviewed so well by both a magazine and Yelpers, I had higher expectations. In fact, with the kinds of reviews this place gets, the food should've been extraordinary. And it just wasn't. In fact, just about the best thing Phoenicia has going for it is probably its view along the Alki Beach waterfront. But even that comes at a price because it's a bit of a nightmare finding parking nearby. Those of you raving about Phoenicia's food either haven't had good Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, or just don't have very high standards. If you're looking for something that's genuinely extraordinary, just send me a message and I'll be glad to recommend places I think are much better.
(2)
Holly S.
Yes, it's a beautiful location. It's Alki Beach! However, this is clearly an attempt for the family to rally after their patriarch passed away. I believe they modernized too quickly, and weren't terribly interested in jumping so quickly into the limelight. We tried the Mediterranean dip plate, seafood marinara, and the wild mushroom pizza. On the positive, I believe they are all trying very hard and always have a smile and a kind word. Also, the food is quite nice. The big chalkboard with daily specials was very appealing. And the pizzas are absolutely delicious. The crusts are moist yet crisp at the same time. Beautiful. And we loved two of the three dips - the hummus and baba ganoush were delicate and very tasty. We loved the pasta and the sauce used in the seafood marinara, but it seemed overpriced. On the downside, the place is too loud and really should have more tables and a podium of some sort so we know who to talk to when we get in. Too much space is now taken up by the bar. The bar stools are too short for the counter, so we felt like we were children all over again. It was very hard to get their attention, even when they were speeding past us every minute. Also, we were confused by the constant recommendation that we spread our least favorite dip (tasted like cream cheese) on the already perfect pizza crust. We tasted it, and were reminded of a bagel with cream cheese. We would have rather enjoyed the pizza for itself without adding even more calories. And it was strange to constantly see the chef looking out of the kitchen with a frown on his face. Guess he's interested in how the dining room is faring but looked disappointed. So, all in all, we could tell that there is a genuine effort to get it going. We'll likely go back but not on a hectic Friday night. Perhaps in the middle of the week or during the off season.
(2)
Alisa B.
Phoenecia is a tapas bar and wine bar in the truest and most quintessential meaning of the phrase. Dark interior with huge front windows allowing a view of alki at sunset, dark tables and chairs, a chalkboard the size of the wall listing wine specials and some of their food options such as cheese of the week, wine racks line the bar and the decor is subdued. Romantic? Hells yes! Our server was sweet and actually seemed to REALLy like her job, in other words I don't think she was pretending to have a good time, she just honestly was having a good time. The food was stellar! A well thought out cheese plate complete with fruit, jam and other acoutrements, a spiced meat dish over warmed arugula the meat done rare and complimenting the spicey bight of the arugula, the only mediocre thing were the scallops. The dessert was a lovely scoop of vanilla ice cream and overall a take on a bananas foster, quite tasty. My wine was a bitey bordeaux with a lot of depth and my firend had a few types of beer durring the night cause he's a total beer snob and seemed to appreciate most of the menu.... Overal it was an awesome little spot and I'll be back soon.
(5)
Joyce J.
Dined for the first time at Phoenicia Monday night and I am sad that I have never been there before. The food was really good and the service was friendly and personal. Other reviewers have commented on the small dining room and close-together tables. Yes, it's less roomy than some but I didn't find it to be a problem. We sat by the window and enjoyed a beautiful Alki sunset. Our table of 4 enjoyed the mixed greens salad and the Kale salad that was on the special board. Both were delicious. We also sampled the 39 flavor beef, yum! and the seared scallops small plate...definitely should not miss that one...One couple shared the sausage pizza with mama lil's peppers...mmmmm. And the other had the Margarita pizza. I am from Jersey so usually like thin crust east coast style pizza but this crust was very flavorful and melted in your mouth...this Jersey Girl gives it a thumbs up! We also tried the baklava which was just the right portion and fantastic. Highly recommend trying Pheonicia. We will be back again soon.
(4)
Gaëlle G.
Worst Tiramisu ever! If you choose the small plates it becomes very expensive... pizzas looked good and more affordable.
(2)
Danny D.
Amazing Pizza, super attentive and friendly/genuine service, you can tell this is a family owned restaurant where they take pride in what and how they make their food. Did I mention the pizza was amazing ? Compares favorably with Via Tribunali, and I might say (heavens... don't tell the foodies) better crust ? There, I said it. It's clean, classy, simple, great menu, good mix of Mediterranean and pizza, good beer selection. The Baklava was great with ice cream, the offered me Turkish coffee, but it was too late in the day for me, I can't wait to go back for lunch and try some other options on the menu !
(5)
Kelly H.
If I could give this place 10 Stars, I certainly would. Not only is the food amazing, but the atmosphere is great...and the people are the best! The combination of all the things that make a fabulous restaurant, are what gives them 5 Stars and more! I have always wanted to have a 'favorite' restaurant, but never have been able to say it. I can now say with certainty that Phoenecia is my favorite restaurant of all time. I love it. I have tried most things on the menu, but my tops are the Trio of Spreads, 39 Spice Beef, Garlic Green Beans, Saffron Chicken, Artisan Cheese Plate, and the BREAD! (It's not on the menu, but ask for it, it is amazing)!!! The Baklava is homemade and super delicious! Amazing! After the first time we ever stepped into this restaurant, they have remembered us, and are the most friendly people ever. I love them! Anytime I walk in, Nadia asks if I want the Sierra Nevada, which of course, I sure do! :) This is a family business, with a family feel, and they make you feel like family. Thank you Phoenecia for being so amazing!
(5)
Drew S.
My favorite place to on Alki, particularly fun to take guests, as the location/views are amazing. This has become our favorite neighborhood place - pizza and lamb shank are especially delicious.
(5)
Elena H.
Went here on a date night with my boyfriend. Pretty crowded. Limited menu. Tasty food. We were seated at a table (as opposed to the bar) and we were nearly elbow to elbow with another couple. It was hard not to overhear their conversation (in french...so I couldn't really understand it). They had the most AMAZING garlic fingerling potatoes. I didn't hate it but I don't know if I'll be back.
(3)
Amanda C.
What a great gem amidst a sea of so-so restaurants on Alki. This restaurant would be great in any location, but the fact that its on Alki gives it an extra boost. All the dishes we ordered were very tasty, especially the hummus trio and cheese platter. I rarely eat red meat, but their 39-spice beef would convert me back. And their pizza was delicious; much better than the pizza joint down the road. A great wine selection, yummy food, cozy atmosphere and attentive service make Phoenicia one of my top spots on Alki.
(4)
Casey H.
View is divine Food is consistent and incredible Ambiance is to be remembered Service is way above average Wine list is great They have nailed it. It reminds me of little cafes you would stumble upon in NY - quaint, bustling and certainly welcoming. It's officially my new West Seattle fav!
(5)
Jason G.
We went here for our anniversary recently, and it was just terrific. We had their "sausage and peppers" pizza (spicy and awesome), a tasty pesto chicken pasta special, and delicious bananas foster for dessert. Great views, great atmosphere. A treat!
(5)
Margaret M.
We ate here last night for the first time. The service was great but the food was fabulous and the wine recommendation was spot on. We were reminded of the ambiance and flavors of Cesar in Berkeley Ca. (Founded by ex Chez Panise chefs) but without all the pretention and crazy wait times. The small plates are fun and the pizza is ridiculous, with the best crust ever. We will be eating here often.
(5)
Joy P.
phoenecia is quickly becoming my go-to place to take friends who want to brave the west seattle bridge for a trip out west. the fact this restaurant continues to flourish despite the untimely death of the owner 2 years back is testimony to their commitment to the community and to good food. they've revamped things but the changes have all been positive. the pizzas are quite tasty and reasonably priced, with lots of flavor options. the small plates are also great for sharing. the ravioli are great as well. i've been pleased with every thing i have ordered in my multiple dining experiences here. the wine offerings are thoughtfully chosen and the staff usually goes above and beyond to make sure you are happy with whatever you are eating. a great place with great food.
(4)
Brendon I.
Altogether a different experience this time around. Everything from last time seemed like a parallel universe, although a good number of the same people were there (none of the mean ones, though!). From the jump, errrything was way different. Walked in sat down, right away, was strangely empty though I guess Alki not as poppin on a overcast mid July day, but this is Seattle. Everyone was very nice to us, our service was great (though they did recognize us, which was both awkward and nice), and most importantly the food was delicious. We had the following (item titles may be slightly off): -Truffle Mushroom Pizza (special of day, I believe?) -Coppa plus Hot Pepper Pizza -House Salad -Spicy Beef -Fiery Prawns -Charcuterie Plate -Cheese Plate -Dessert Trio Not one of these items wasn't delicious, the dessert was the least remarkable and still better than average. The truffle mushroom pizza blew my mind, the spicy beef was great. Everything else solid all around. I expected based on last time that my experience may have been an outlier. This time, polar opposite, great time. My only complaint would be that service was so quick that we felt rushed sometimes, and hey... I guess you can always tell them you are in no rush.
(5)
Jeff G.
If you see an extra bright star shining over Alki that's probably Hussein smiling his approval of the family's reboot. The place looks very different with darker tones and a sleek granite bar. One whole wall is now a black board dedicated to specials. The family is there in force with the same warmth and friendliness that Hussein always showed. The emphasis now is on small plates and artisinal pizza. We had the caprese salad which had delicate mozzarella, EVOO and a little tomato relish on top. The pita with three spreads was also very good. The pizzas are also really good, very different than their two Greek pizza neighbors. They're hand thrown with lots of fresh ingredients, the Delicata Squash with gorgonzola was good. One quibble is that the blackboard is a little hard to read and there were a lot of words spelled incorrectly. (Zucini, Mozzerela) It didn't bother me but one of my dining partners was pretty annoyed. This is a really good addition to the Alki Restaurant scene and for my money, a far better Alternative to Tutta Bella.
(5)
Meghan M.
I know something you don't know.... well ok, maybe you know if you;ve read other recent reviews, but can you just pretend to be surprised and amazed for me? Here it is... Phoenicia version 2010 is here!!!! And it is A-MAZING! I went last Wednesday for the soft opening and lined up multiple dinner dates for myself so I could sit there for hours and try some of everyone's food. Needless to say I got a nice start on my goal of tasting all of the Phoenicia's new delights. So here it goes, I had 3 of the new fancy pizzas, Sausage and Peppers, made with the BEST sausage ever (I am totally a sausage connoisseur so you can trust me) and Mama Lil Peppers. I LOVED it, loved it loved it. The pizzas are a perfect size to share as an app or have all to yourself for a meal. I don't know about you, but I love me some options with my food. Next was the The Alki, with spicy salami, Walla wallas, and tons more yumminess. The spice level was perfect! The final pizza came in and stole the show. It is a seasonal special so you need to hurry down there and try it.. are you ready? SQUASH pizza. I know, I know, its sounds like some weird vegetarian pizza, I mean, where is the meat? But let me tell you it was SO GOOD!!!! I have to say I think it was the best pizza of my life. I was blown away, just try it. On to apps, I had the Artisan Cheese plate, which was so fun, you can mix and match all the yummy cheeses with this perfectly crisp pear and fantastic fig spread, then the Charcuterie, your fancy meat plate, which I would suggest ordering along side the Artisan Cheese, just to make the options that much more abundant. We also enjoyed the Trio of Spreads, humus, baba ghanoush, and labrieh (which I've never had, but it my new favorite spread!!) I know you are tired of reading by now, but the desserts!!!! You have to hear about the desserts. The lovely Nadia brought us the Bananas Foster and an yummy ice cream, sauteed pear dish, but were perfect, not too sweet, just a bit of a bite with the pear which was great, but the Bananas Foster was pure heaven. The new vibe is also really fun. While it used to be more of a fancy dining experience for me, birthdays, etc. Now I feel like I can drop by any night for a quick bite on my own, or a long drawn out dinner with friends. The family has done a great job of carrying over the love and perfection in the recipes that Hussein did so well, but with a new funky, more casual dining vibe. I couldn't be more excited for their new adventure or more impressed with what they have accomplished. So go, go soon, and go often because I am pretty sure you will also feel the need to get through every menu item as fast as you can possibly expand your tummy.
(5)
Cindy K.
Came here with a group of 9-10 on a busy friday night. We ordered several different types of pizza and the mushroom gnocchi. We also had some kind of cubed steak dish that was also pretty delish. Phoenecia definitely is not a large restaurant, but the small size added a home-y feeling to it, which I liked. Servers were prompt with refilling our water glasses. Overall, an enjoyable experience.
(4)
Kathy D.
How did I get so lucky? Happened to be in West Seattle, decided to see if Phoenecia was still open now that Hussein is gone, and happened on the "soft open" for the new Phoenecia. It was wonderful. The family has remodeled, refocused and reopened while totally honoring the spirit and quality Hussein provided for so many years. Old favorites in new forms, attentive and amiable service, pleasant surroundings, upbeat music, and the view are all there in spades. The Lamb Ratatouille with Curry was amazing--savory, with tender lamb and perfect veggies, perfect with a glass Chianti. Dessert, a pear poached in wine with a scoop of Husky's vanilla ice cream, was firm, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Don't wait--you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Dave G.
Phoenica is OPEN OPEN OPEN!! It's been 5 months since we lost Hussein suddenly. His family had regrouped, redsigned, and rebuilt. Soft open tonight. The food is delicious, yet different. The focus is on small plates, as well as a few amazing staples for main dishes, and AMAZING pizza. A very complete wine list, turkish coffee, and a banana's foster dessert are just SOME of the highlights. my fav thing tonight was the curry lamb rattatoiulle....droooooool. more to come in future reviews, but, the family is back, and Phoenica is back, in a true honor to Hussiens legacy, as well as a whole, new dining experience for Alki Beach.
(5)
Alan N.
Location: Phenomenal, you couldn't get much closer to Elliott Bay. Venue: Small, cozy, contemporary. I doubt you could ask for much more. Service: Amazing, knowing that it was our first time there. They made some great recommendations and were very attentive to our needs. I just feel bad leaving a small tips. (My excuse? The economy...) Food: We ordered the Portabella mushrooms, the 39 spice beef, the scallops and prawns and the quinoa. All of it was really delicious to varying degrees. I think the only disappointment were the scallops. They didn't seem very fresh and lacked the flavor that you would expect being cooked in such a delicious sauce. Overall: one of my favorite meals I have had in Seattle. It is a must for anyone looking for a good meal in the area!
(5)
Tim B.
Lovely experience, going with Rocky (no longer called "Squirrel") and Belle on a grand journey to Lady's over on Alki. She took us around the corner to a little neighborhood taverna that turned out to be Phoenecia. Lady had told us a little of the history of the place before we went, so we knew some of what to expect, but nothing could have prepared us for the evening we had. We decided on a dinner of small plates, rather than entrees. We worked our way through the menu with gusto and abandon. I particularly recommend the charcuterie, and the cheese board. Also high on the list were the trio of spreads, the flat iron steak, and the saffron chicken. We rounded out the meal with a sampling of desserts, including the poached pear, bananas Foster and baklava, each exceptional in their own right, but the pear really shining. The space is clean, spare and personal. The restaurant is family-run, and it shows in the easy familiarity they have with each other and many of their customers. Also, there is a strong vibe that strangers are not strangers for long. I can't wait to go back in summer, to really enjoy the water view. Pretty good when the only complaint I have is that the meal left me wanting more...
(5)
Vachi B.
Loved the service and the food. I had a birthday party for my husband here and it went very well. The owner was very accommodating for our group. I have to say that the cheese plate and the trio of spreads were DELICIOUS and the 39 spices beef was also good. However, my favorite had to be the cheese plate and it was paired perfectly with my wine. My husband had a truffle pizza and I had a sausage&pepperoni pizza. All were tasty. No one in our group had any complains about the food/pizza. Note: Pizza has a lot of crust, but I love carb!! No problem there for me. The service was great and they didn't rush us at all. Will make the Phoenecia our regular date night/hanging out night with friends restaurant.
(5)
Thom P.
Food ranged from good to fantastic. We ordered about ten different plates so I'm sure we got a good idea of their average. I would have given them a four, perhaps five star except for the check. We were 4 adults one 4-year old and a baby who didn't eat. They tagged us with a 20% gratuity that applies to parties of 6 or more. Yes we occupied 6 spaces but that was weak. A baby? No, they weren't so busy that the baby was taking a seat away from someone else. They were only half full, lots of empty seats. Auto-grats are fine, and I would have tipped that well anyway. But, as a former server myself, I would never use a baby to force an auto-grat.
(3)
Trevor D.
Stumbled upon this amazing unassuming restaurant and had a fantastic evening and unbelievable food. Go. Get the 39 spice beef, have a bottle of wine and you'll never regret the decision.
(5)
Jadd S.
Wow. We don't live in West Seattle, but when we were out there shopping a week and a half ago, we found ourselves starving with no clue where to go. Yelp led us to this ultra quaint and very romantic little place, with more of an upscale bistro feel than a pizzeria. That said, the pizza was delicious. Light, perfectly thin and crispy-edged crust, indescribably devourable flavors, neither heavy nor greasy. And I must mention the chocolate panna cotta - I've had panna cotta in the past, and the version I had was a jiggly vanilla custard with a texture between a creme brulee and jello but a less appealing flavor than either... Phoenicia's chocolate panna cotta was as a rich and dense as a thick mousse, with a deep chocolate flavor impossible to leave even a swipe of in the bottom of the dish. Very happy with this find! Oh, and let's not overlook the enticing view of the water out the front window.... worth taking a ride to if you're in Seattle proper for certain!
(5)
Bharti G.
Amazing food with great views...love this place at the Alki Beach...The food prepared them is totally organic and amazingly tasty...we have tried everything on their menu...the trio spreads, the olives are just to die for...the pizza dough is as fresh as it could be and the ingredient used in everything are just fabulous....they run specials every week and they are highly recommended...a great place for a family dinner or for a date night....
(5)
Robert N.
My brother-in-law and I were looking for a new place to try on a Saturday night. I checked on Yelp for restaurants in the West Seattle area. We chose Phoenicia on a whim. Good choice on our part! We happened to come in on their opening weekend. You can tell right away that these are people that love this restaurant and what it stands for. We were told a couple of times about the history of the place and the unfortunate passing of their father 6 months ago. The staff seemed to be very appreciative of their patrons. The staff was incredibly friendly. We had at least 3 different people come to our table and chat with us for a bit. The food was fantastic. We ordered the saffron chicken, flatiron steak, and 39 spice beef, the cheese platter, and the pesto pizza. I really can't say which was my favorite. However, they spoke very highly of their own pizza and I must say I agree with them. This is a place you just have to experience. We felt very welcome and the food was great. My only complaint was that the music was a bit too loud, other than that, Phoenicia is one of my new favorite restaurants. Try it out!
(5)
Myrtle B.
good family place to eat and the prices are average
(4)
Mustafa R.
this place never, ever, ever dissapoints. fantastic wine list, on the beach, with amazing food and cheese selections, run by people who clearly enjoy their job and love being a part of it. the owner will make your day better if she knows you. nothing i have ordered here has ever disappointed, and it's basically a slam-dunk for any kind of date.
(5)
Lee L.
Our friend, who lives in West Seattle, told us about Phoenicia - "The place is really highly rated, but the owner recently passed away and they're changed things, so I'm not sure what to expect." We were not disappointed. From the moment we walked into the smallish room close to the beach, it felt like a warm, bustling and friendly place. Apparently, they've moved away from white table cloths and carpet to a more modern look with concrete floors, no table cloths and a giant, well designed chalkboard. I could go on and on about the food - the cheese plate and charcuterie - with sweet coppa and prosciutto from Salumi and Zoe's. The 39 spice beef or the scallops. I didn't try the pizza, but it looked delish. It was a great meal - but what I really felt at Phoencia was a sense of family - family dedicated to making Phoenicia the best it can be. Our server, who is the daughter of the recently passed owner, was still learning a bit about the wines, but what she didn't know about wine, she made up for with awesome service and great recommendations. Over the course of the meal, we met her Mom who helped tell our fortunes from a turkish coffee cup. (BTW, get the turkish coffee). I'm guessing the bartender, who checked in with us a few times during the meal, was our server's brother. All were extremely helpful and friendly. Of course, family doesn't always make restaurants great - but this family and this restaurant have a formula that works and it makes me want to go back. From just one visit, it feels a little like home.
(5)
Gene B.
Reopened and updated, Phoenicia has been transformed into a sleek, urban cafe. There is more of a focus on small plates and appetizers as well as gourmet pizzas. There is now a bar where you can eat and the wine selection has been beefed up. Specials are written on a massive chalk board and there is more black and metal in the decor and fewer of the earth tones that the older place had. I went on a Wednesday night, still part of their soft opening, but the place was packed. I think a lot of people are going to honor Hussein's memory and to support his surviving family, but I also think that everyone will be pleasantly surprised on how well they've recreated the restaurant and what a great place it is to grab a bite to eat and a glass of wine.
(4)
Alex K.
First of all, I'd like to thank the Phoenecia waitstaff for being so accommodating to my group of friends, you were great! So, it was a Saturday night, we were salsa-ing on Alki beach, and it started to rain. We were all energized from dancing, and I popped onto Yelp on my iPhone and read some good reviews about Phoeneica, which happened to be just across the street. We went in, and they had to move some tables all around for our big group, and it was clear that we were a little louder than the rest of the customers. However, we calmed down a bit, shushed each other a couple of times to remind ourselves, and sat down for some delicious wine and appetizers. I had some amazing red wine and the humus/labneh/baba ganoush appetizer with some olives (and they were warm!!! so weird, but so tasty). The rest of the table had dessert, cheese plates, and wine. It was all delicious, and our waitress was super-nice, even though we were a little bit of a tough table. The pizza looked great, and I definitely will be going back to try some. It's got such a great romantic vibe in there, and the wine was really good! I definitely recommend it!
(4)
Colleen W.
We really enjoyed our late evening meal here. Beyond the view, the service is great and the menu consists of some great tapas and wood fired pizzas. The three dishes we selected were: fiery prawns: delicious burn with habanero oil mixed greens: loved the bite from the raspberry vinaigrette the alki pizza: perfect crust, quality toppings The pizza crust was the standout of an evening filled with good food. It was perfectly grilled and crispy/chewy. It has a sexy intimate atmosphere and would make a great date night. You could go casual or dress it up here. Note: tapas are between $8-$16/plate. It can get a little pricey.
(4)
Noriko A.
Upgrading my original 4 stars to 5 stars. They continue to impress me every time. I like the atmosphere of the place. I had Salumi's lamb prosciutto which came with arugula and shaved cheese, Quina (sp?) tabbouleh salad, spicy scallop appetizer and a squash pizza. I enjoyed the Lamb prosciutto as it is a lot more flavorful than regular prosciutto. Scallops were cooked PERFECTLY, seared outside and rare inside. My favorite was the salad. It is so light and refreshing with a perfect amount of veggies. I didn't enjoy the pizza as much as other people. Just the dough wasn't flavorful enough and was little dry. I would definitely go back there and try other dishes. It is my favorite place on Alki.
(5)
Chandler N.
Love it,best pizza :)
(4)
Layla G.
We wanted to find a romantic place for a special occasion and we found Phoenecia. On Valentine's Day no less. We hadn't made a reservation because we were short on funds and hadn't planned to go out. But the mail brought an unexpected payment from a client. Off we went. As we drove down Alki, a car pulled out of a space right in front of Phoenecia. It was almost 5:00 and I thought they've got to be fully booked even for the early seating. They were. But the owner took pity on us and gave us the table he usually uses. We had a choice of ordering tapas in "small plates" (2-3 per person) or the special prix fixe Valentine Dinner. I couldn't resist the prix fixe: 4 courses (savory pastry with herb salad, stuffed black mussels, choice of entree (lamb chops, fish, confit chicken or ravioli) and duo of desserts at $110/couple. It was too good to pass up! Phoenicia sells wine by the glass so we could indulge without blowing the budget. While we waited for our appetizer, we were mesmerized by the sight of the sunbeams dancing on the water off of Alki Beach. It was hypnotic. The herb salad arrived, and was so fresh and crisp it was as if it had just been picked. The combination of herbs used added a complex depth to the crunch. As good as the first course was, it was surpassed by the mussel dish. The mussels were visually beautiful: inky black gems glistening on the plate. The crumbling stuffing was a textural counterpoint to the chewiness of the mussels. For the main course, my husband selected the lamb chops while I had the fish. The fish turned out to be a tilapia filet steamed in parchment paper with string beans and potatoes. It was firm and flaky and so flavorful the only enhancement it needed was lemon. And the green beans were deliciously al dente. The lamb chops were tender and perfectly pink in the center, with not even a hint of gaminess. Dessert? Well, how can you go wrong with chocolate? Especially when you're watching a beautiful sunset on the sound. All in all, the service, the ambiance and the cuisine combined to make it a most romantic evening.
(4)
Sarah H.
I cannot believe this place has such high ratings. I went here on a Tuesday night and the place was packed! Seemed like a good sign. It was 7:00 and my friend and I weren't terribly hungry so all we ordered was 1 pizza to start and figured we could order more if it wasn't enough. We also got wine. After at least 45 minutes of waiting I finally flagged down our waitress (who seemed to be intentionally avoiding eye contact) and asked when we could expect our food. She told us it was almost ready. 15 minutes later the tiny pizza shows up and, despite only having 3 ingredients that were suppose to be on it in the first place, is only 1/3 correct. I assumed we go the wrong order, asked our waitress and she tells us that if we want she can bring us the missing ingredients on the side. We said forget it. Waitress offered us free glasses of wine which we took full advantage of. I will never go back BUT my friend thought it deserved a second chance and went again this past Friday and had a repeat of this experience. I don't care how good the food is, when the service sucks the restaurant sucks.
(2)
Laura G.
We knew we were going to be in West Seattle so I searched for restaurants. After finding Phoenicia on ScoutMob and reading the reviews, we decided to give it a try. We had never been to West Seattle so really had no idea what to expect. Let me say, what a cute area and Phoenicia was outstanding! It was Friday around 7:00 pm. The restaurant is small and was completely full when we arrived. We were greeted by a pleasant young lady and seated within ten to fifteen minutes. We decided to order off the Tapas menu. The food was phenomenal. Everything we had was full of flavor and cooked to perfection. All the while, multiple employees checked on us to make sure we were enjoying everything. We had a great experience and will definitely go back!
(4)
Leianna Z.
Incredibly high quality ingredients. Better than a lot even more expensive restaurants. The food look way much better than the yelp pictures also. I'm so happy I gave it a try. It is not close to my home, but it still attract me always want to go. Now I went there 6 times already.
(5)
Jonathan F.
Slightly different Menu, if you remember the old place, but rest assured, it is still as good.
(4)
Allison G.
This place is FANTASTIC. My husband and son (6 yr old) went here for a nice dinner out. Yes, we took a 6 year old here (he's a bit of a foodie). Every item we got was wonderful, fresh and full of flavor. We shared several small plates, two salads and the sausage and pepper pizza. The waitress recommended two delicious wines that were NOT the most expensive on the menu! The staff was so friendly, attentive and not pretentious! It's hard to find good service in Seattle and it's even harder for find friendly wait staff, in my opinion. They were very attentive to our son and made sure that he was well taken care of. We were really impressed by that! Great location...you can finish up your meal with a walk along the beach and take in the beautiful Seattle skyline. How fabulous is that??We will most definitely be visiting this place again.
(5)
Carolyn S.
A true gem in Alki. Family-run and run incredibly well. Great place to bring a date - fantastic ambience with food to match. And what I loved the most was the service. Each and every staff member was attentive and pleasant - very client-oriented. Definitely a place to frequent!
(5)
Ari Y.
Wow! Amazing food, on the beach for great views, good service . . . They serve a tantalizing variety of small plates (tapas) and other good stuff. We ordered several small plates and shared: stuffed crimini mushrooms, fiery scallops, pizza (great crust), field greens salad, spinach pies and more. Every single item was yummy (and one member of our party is a chef).
(5)
David Y.
This place... I've walked by it probably a thousand times and looked through the window at the white linens (back when they had white linens) and wondered, is it any good? Is it too dressy for the way I'm dressed right now? I noticed one thing in particular about the place - it was either completely empty because it was closed or packed to the paint because it was open. Surely a good sign, yeah? The Phonecia had been closed for quite a while, the family run business suffered a great loss, the father. After he passed it took some time before the mother and daughters reopened the restaurant and they decided to change a few things. Gone are the white linens. Makes it much more inviting to the casual crowd that happens to walk by on an early evening beach stroll... So, finally, after all these years of wondering, I went in. The place was packed and there seemed to be only one daughter and the mother staffing the joint. After a brief chat with the mother, she told me one of her daughters was ill and couldn't come to work so they were understaffed... and, who can't be understanding about that? No worries, I said and we waited for a table to be cleared and got seated within about 15 minutes - not an unheard of wait time, especially when we just happened in! We were a party of 2 and were seated at a 4-top... after getting our water and beers, the 2-top next to us opened up... knowing there was a party of 3 and a party of 4 behind us, we offered to move to the 2-top, the mother was grateful and we were happy to accommodate. The family here is so well loved, a regular customer got up and started serving water to all the patrons, a kind gesture to both us eaters and the restaurant owners. If nothing else, a testament to the wonderful people running the place and the relationships they have built with those that come in. Despite the business, the mother made time to chat with us a bit and made us feel so incredibly welcome. As with the other reviewers before me, I cannot say anything bad about this place. The food was fabulous and beautifully presented. We had the Caprese salad and the Alki pizza. Delish! The pizza crust - incredible. It was light and airy and crispy and smoky and tasty... the toppings, understated and balanced, simply a delight to eat. I got a look at every plate coming out of the kitchen and simply cannot wait to go back and try other dishes... everything looked fantastic and smelled wonderful. Simply put, I love this little place and so will you.
(5)
Colleen L.
Phoenecia's been on my list for about a year (a friend of mine knows the owner and had been tirelessly recommending!) and we finally broke bread there. It was worth the wait! We shared the scallops, perfectly seared and sweet, and the grilled shrimp, which were a perfect start. We then tucked into some great 'Za! My pizza had figs, pancetta and other glorious things. Crazy good crust. Service is wonderful- family run with a touch of Beirut elegance. Wine list is thoughtful and very complementary to the menu. The view? Good Lord- it is perfect. The evening we went was bright and clear- the view of Seattle, across the Puget Sound, is memorable.
(4)
Dana L.
Phoenecia was the best find I've had in a long time. Don't be intimidated by the West Seattle address, because it's worth every mile away from the city. Some friends and I went on a Friday night in search of something quaint and our expectations were surpassed ten fold. We were pleasantly welcomed by the Son/ Owner who gave us complimentary champagne and explained to us a little about the menu, family, and restaurant. He provided some suggestions and we followed his lead. We got a few of the small plates, tried one of the pizza's, and since we were impressed with everything, decided to share the Halibut entree (which was INCREDIBLE). The food was delicious. Simple but so flavorful. It felt like fresh comfort food. I've been telling all my friends and family about this place since. I highly recommend you try it out and experience what it feels like to eat out, but feel right at home.
(5)
Erin C.
The other reviewers are right! This place rocks. It's both low-key and upscale (how they managed that I have no idea). The view can't be beat (it's on the beach!) The food is delicious (MUST try the squash pizza like everyone says). But the best part of the whole place...THE STAFF. They are smiling, genuinely happy people (none of that fake, bitter stuff you get at chain restaurants). They make excellent food and wine recommendations, they're attentive, they're relaxed. The whole vibe of this place is intimate, relaxed and refined. Must go!
(5)
Gene D.
Delightful family owned restaurant featuring mediterranean/middle eastern cuisine. I tried the mixed grill with lamb, chicken and shrimp, with rice and pine nuts. But my favorite would have to be the prawns in house curry sauce. Reasonable and eclectic wine list. The service and room is oriented toward large parties. There are special dishes for family style dining. Since this is Alki, the view is unobstructed and lovely.
(4)
Maria Cristina B.
What can I say... It was wonderful. Service was excellent. Food was great! Pizza spectacular. Try the banana foster dessert. Was simple and yummy. The 39 spiced beef app was amazing! Go, eat, enjoy!
(5)
Bella B.
Truffle oil drizzled pizza. Nom nom nom! Its what turned me on to truffle, now i want it on everything! I celebrated my birthday here. They made us wait for a bit cuz someone confused our reservation but they made it up to us. Even with all that, its still my "go to" place on alki.
(5)
Ginger W.
We've been here twice now and really love it! You have to get there early though. They typically get sat all at once, so the service, although good and friendly, can be slow. But it's worth the wait!
(5)
Leah M.
Truly amazing. The rumors are true, the Delicata Squash Pizza is lovely. Although the pizza is about $15 per, you can easily share one or two pizza's between 2 or 3 people ... easily. Great intimate date location as long as you don't mind rubbing elbows with the table next to you and loud conversation. Thursday night was a great night to go and once 7 rolled around the place packed out. Great wine selection, great staff, and AMAZING food made me a very happy customer. Prices weren't that steep, considering the quality and careful preparation of the food.
(5)
Jaime G.
After driving past this place thousands of times over the years without even a second glance, we finally went in after the raves from West Seattlites finally got my attention. But when people on Yelp are raving about the fact that this place has the best Greek food in Seattle, despite the fact that this place is more Turkish, you have to wonder and also think that maybe people who's diet consists mainly of Hot Pockets maybe shouldn't be writing restaurant reviews. Not that Hot Pockets aren't a pure delight. But I'm just sayin. First thing that strikes you they need to clean their menus. Yup. You guys have gotta have a bottle of blue stuff tucked under some cabinet somewhere. Once and a while spray some of it on a rag and clean the grease, paw prints, drool and other bodily fluids off the menus. K? The menus looked like they had been used as placemats for a 2 year-olds fried chicken themed birthday party. The wine menu seemed sparse and ancient. When I inquired about some better wine that I could see on the bar across the room, I was invited up to get a closer look and to just pick from the bar with no benefit of seeing everything side by side with prices. Weird. The owner of the place, Hussein, is a charming, gregarious, kind man who dawdles about the restaurant in an 80's era Cliff Huxtable sweater and sports a very faint bouquet of B&O railroad (Yes, a restauranteur who has captured the fleeting scent of a NYC cab ride). With that said I can't understate the charm enough. No restauranteur in Seattle will make more of an effort to learn about you, appreciate you and probably will remember you if you go back. We heard the best thing to do at Phoenicia was to ignore the menu and just put yourselves in Hussein's hands. So we did that and he brought us our a large plate of salad. No iceberg in sight. Simply made but fresh with an almost too sweet balsamic. This came with a small basket of warm bread and a shallow dish of house-made hummus. Fresh pita would have been better than the crusty bread and the hummus needed more acid. But both we are a nice, simple start. For dinner he brought us a large platter of delicious, succulent lamb that was covered with a very large, crepe-thin pancake of dry bread that we were supposed to use to wrap the lamb in. It was too brittle and dry for that to work very well. And the bigger problem, and what kept the meal from being transcendent was the fact that the pita bread (at last!) which was enclosed below was fairly dry and not fresh enough as was the cardamom-flavored rice under the lamb which clearly was not cooked the same day we were in the restaurant. Dessert was a shared plate for two with baclava and something else based on phylo (that the young waitress told us was Creme Anglaise until we informed her that it clearly wasn't) and a scoop of ice cream. He also brought out an ibriq of Turkish coffee. Bottom line: The meal was adequate. The owner/host was kind and charming. The food wasn't over-priced but the whole experience definitely was over-rated.
(2)
c h.
Triple yum. The roasted squash pizza....I still dream about it. Friendly staff, great selection, rotating specials, good wine list.
(5)
Kieran S.
Excellent pizza and dessert! I had the sausage and pepper pizza and the bannana foster dessert and it was AMAZING!!! Very good service as well, there was a long wait and it took longer than the waitress told us, so she brought everyone in my group a drink to make up for it.
(4)
Henry S.
Their charcuterie and cheese plate go hand in hand. And their Delicata Squash Pizza.. Oh gosh! You're too good to be true.
(4)
Aivanett N.
This is my favorite restaurant of all times...Sure, now and then I do find other great places...but The Phoenicia is by far the best and my go to restaurant when I am looking for a classy but casual eatery. I have not had one dish that I was not pleased with. I love everything about it...the different plates, the presentation, the flavors, the wine and desserts...to me everything is amazing. The staff is lovely and always remember us and they are also very knowledgeable and helpful with wine pairings. It gets a little loud at times but nothing too unbearable. I love the Caprese Salad, the Artisan Plate, the 39 Spice Beef and the Pizza...Yum!!! AMAZING!!!
(5)
Amy E.
Great place - nice atmosphere, good service and great food. My husband and I stumbled on it late one night and had a wonderful evening. We ordered two rounds of several small plates and enjoyed a few glasses of wine/beer. The food was excellent - perfect portions for sharing giving you just enough to taste, but not enough to be full so that you enjoy other small plates. The entrees on the blackboard were tempting, so we'll definitely be back to try those.
(5)
Alex S.
I was sooo impressed with this restaurant as was my whole family. I wanted to take them to Alki for the scenery and when I found this cozy little gem, made reservations and crossed my fingers that everyone would like it, I soon realized that there was nothing I need worry about. The atmosphere and lighting was intimate and rustic, the servers were delightful, the food was outstanding, melt in your mouth creations that were perfectly proportioned. Everyone who attended made me promise we would return. simply amazing!
(5)
Edna B.
I love this restaurant, they serve great food with warmth that goes everywhere they go. This family owned restaurant is a great contribution to West Seattle & Alki Beach. My last visit I had the wood burning stove pizza & house salad - the perfect meal for 2 gals, it was perfect. I would put them on the top for restaurants on Alki.
(5)
Lumberjackal O.
I am not sure what to say but that this is the best restaurant I've ever been to. I don't like to oversell a place but it's true. Sorry.
(5)
Michael B.
Is it good? Yes! Is it great?! Unfortunately no! I can imagine it was great when the original owner was still alive and passionately managing the kitchen staff making sure everything was just right. I just don't think his family have the same mojo workin. Our server was very sweet and accommodating, and she was running the show out front with a little help from Mama. If not for the lovely service, we would have been sorely disappointed. The food is good, but I think there are much better places to spend your hard earned money. The olives were nice, warm and garlicky. The green beans were very average, the saffron cream sauce a bit diluted and boring. It didn't really add anything to the dish. Our Fiery Prawns came out dry and very rubbery. We sent them back and received a slightly better version, but not impressive overall. Found the prices far outweighed the portions. We had mixed reactions about the Pizza. We tried 2 on the chalkboard. The non crust lovers won't enjoy this pizza. Its mostly crust, with a few big bites of toppings. However, I really liked the crust. They could spend some more time with their red sauce, and beef up the toppings for sure. For $15, you should get more of those "fresh, local ingredients" they tout on the menu. It was tasty, but not really OMG good. 2 of us liked the fig, pancetta, chevre, sweet onion pizza, and the other liked the lamb sausage roasted eggplant one. If I have a serious craving for pizza, I may return, but the appetizers (tapas/small plates) were not appetizing enough to lure me back. I may come back to try one of their seasonal entrees when I'm feelin fancy. They mean well enough, and I liked the atmosphere. Perhaps with the right dish, they can convert me into a fan, but for now Phoenecia is OK.
(3)
Richard U.
Hussein is gone but the restaurant lives on. Those that loved the old Phoenecia might have been disturbed by the drastic change in menu and decor. I myslef was a bit skeptical. The menu features artisan pizza as a centerpiece with very nice locally sourced ingredients. Small plates also highlight the menu like diver sea scallops and painted hills beef. I went with the lamb shank with mashed potatoes and kale. Actually a very nice dish although a bit pricey at $29. My friend went with the pasta which was very good. Service as it was very friendly. The interior now has a more sleek bistro looks with a large marble bar. The acoustics have suffered a bit since the make over and it can get pretty loud in the dining area. It was packed tonight as well which is something I rarely saw in the older restaurant. Despite the crowded evening, our entrees came out extremely quickly which was commendable. Those of you who remember Hussein will remember that although he cannot be replaced, I was happy to see that people were still coming and supporting the place. I will be back to try the pizza so stay tuned for an updated review!
(4)
Sarah M.
I celebrated my birthday last night at Phoenecia. The best meal I have had in a loooong time. We ordered the truffle oil fingerling potatoes and the garlic green beans for our appetizer. Both dishes were gone in less than 5 minutes. We vacuumed that food up embarrassingly fast. We ordered the cheese platter and some wine after our appetizer which were heavenly. To top off our dining experience we ordered the mushroom pizza and the pesto chicken pasta as our main dishes and shared. Delicious. This is a hidden gem on alki beach. I am still in awe about how wonderful the experience and the food was at Phoenecia. I LOVE this restaurant :)
(5)
Bounce B.
The highest praise for a restaurant isn't "I want to go back"; it's " I wish they knew me there." It implies something wonderful about the kitchen and the staff---an alchemy of kindness, efficiency, and talent that draws us in, makes us want to be more than a partaker. This is is the way I feel about Phoenicia. Greek restaurants...there's a million of 'em. A grape leaf here, an olive there, and lamb all around. You learn not to be surprised, and yet Phoenicia surprised me several times. When I got there (a bit late), beau had an open bottle of wine on the table. He didn't seem to be drinking to forget, and celebration seemed unlikely; so there it was: simply a grace of wine. Then came the firm bread and herbed oil. The (unbidden) salad was a lovely balance of spinach, lettuces, feta, and balsamic vinegar. We ordered calamari, expecting little, and were surprised at how good it was. They serve it naked---little pink spades and frills tucked into a mellow tomato relish. I hadn't quite read the whole menu when Hussein stepped up to the table and suggested "magic lamb." I desperately scanned for a description, but he shook his head and said it was special. We only squirmed a little when he said it was the best lamb we would have for the rest of our lives. (How do you make that sort of promise unless you know something tragic about your guests' futures?) But we ordered it anyway. Now, I'm familiar with many varieties of lamb: tough lamb, gristly lamb, stringy lamb, but magic lamb? In fact, this was the best lamb I remember having: strips of melt-in-your mouth meat, rice, whole succulent mushrooms, herbs, and fat little garlic cloves in a giant bowl. You eat it Ethiopian style, tearing off pieces of a vast flat bread to wrap little presents for your mouth. It was a lot of food, so we demurred on dessert. Nevertheless, Hussein returned shortly with a giant blow torch and a smallish ramekin. Creme brulee, for sure. The sugar glaze, when he gave us the dish, actually made that little "tap tap" sound that is so unfortunately rare in brulees. The custard itself was light and just a waft floral. "Lavender?" I asked Hussein. "That's right," he beamed. "And rose."
(5)
Emily W.
Aside from the gorgeous location and warm modern decor, amazing food, and attentive service, what I love most about this restaurant is that you are served by the most delightfully sweet and beautiful family. They love their restaurant, they love their food, and they love that you chose to spend your evening with them.
(5)
Hola A.
Cozy and cute. The sausage and pepper pizza is heavenly goodness. We also had the cheese plate, 39 beef spice appetizers, halibut pasta special, and figs pizza but my favorite was the sausage & pepper pizza and we actually got that by mistake lol. As for the service, it was great. The server was nice and the food came out quickly. I would def dine here again.
(4)
Sea C.
This is my favorite restaurant on Alki, hands down. Its tiny, but that's part of the charm. The location is ideal, the atmosphere is lovely, and the service is great. They've got a great wine list, and the food is amazing. BEST PIZZA EVER. Ever. Unique and delicious.
(5)
Gretchen B.
I have driven by here so many times, but made it here late one night. What a fool I have been, not coming here sooner!!! It was hands down one of the best meals I have had in West Seattle. We opted to do small plates, but they also offer big plates. We ordered about 12 small plates for our table. The green beans with tarragon cream sauce were so good that I am still thinking about them. The curried chicken was delicious and tender. The portobello mushrooms glazed in balsamic vinegar with greens were a favorite and perfectly prepared. The spicy shrimp in chili oil, spicy scallops, trio of spreads....every single plate was delicious and they have a great wine list. I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Aleks V.
Had a really good dinner here! Excellent all around! Big selection of wine/ beer! The poached pear was a fantastic finish!
(5)
Melissa G.
Phoenecia is a lovely date night spot with delicious small plates, romantic ambience, and a really fun and knowledgeable staff. I have always been impressed with the quality of the food, wine selection, and service!
(5)
Kelli F.
Great new menu with lots of small plates to choose from. We had the cheese plate, three dip and pita plate ( the best babaganoush ever!) the pizzas look amazing and affordable. Since they just opened up, we were greeted with champange, a very nice touch. I think the new vibe if the place is perfect for great tapas style eats and a bottle if wine. Plus, you gave the beautiful alki beach to walk along. Would have been 5 stars, but the wine is over priced.
(4)
Chris T.
A great spot for dinner with friends. I had one of the specials, Purple potatoes, topped with crab, scallops and asparagus. Scallops are tough to get right and they nailed in. The champagne leek sauce was out of sight. Started with some small plates that were also great (a cured meats selection and a artisan cheese plate). Had one bite of my friends pizza and ordered one to go. They also have a huge selection of wines (More of a beer guy myself, but my friends enjoyed a couple bottles). Try the Lev beer, first time and I'm hooked. The place was very high-end inside but felt very casual. The staff was always there when we needed them but never when we did not. My new favorite on Alki!!!
(5)
Mia K.
If I lived in Seattle I would be a regular here. My fanatsy is to walk in when they open and just stay there until we have seen and/or tried everything. The flavors are wonderful and the ingredients are all on my favorites list. The pizza is a bit of heaven. We stopped on our way back from a long bike ride to see about making reservations post shower and realized we were already quite hungry. They sat us in the front window, despite our togs. It's nice to feel welcomed when you're having a truly off hair moment and otherwise look as though you might smell of bike chains and perspiration.
(5)
Maria C.
"I make special for you" Hussein's food is AMAZING and when I eat here, I feel important and special. My favorites - calamari appetizer, hummus, Jewel of the Ocean. Next time I'm back up north, we're so eating there...
(5)
Andrea R.
Always love going to Phonecia! The atmosphere is great and the staff could not be more attentive. You really cannot go wrong with any of the food here. We always get a pizza to share, and a few small plates. The wine is reasonably priced and you get to people watch onto Alki.
(5)
Karah K.
Cheese plate + Fig Pizza + Vino = Amazing. Second time to Phoenecia and was equally as happy as the first. Stoked to try it in the summer and sit out side. I wouldl urge you to go to Phoenecia if your into tapas (share plate) style of dining. If not then this probably isn't your place.
(4)
Van M.
the pizza is a 4! only the pizza tho, the rest of the food is arite. awesome awesome crust....nice and thin and chewy and crispy in all the rite places. cute lil bistro type atmosphere. good for chillin with friends over wine on a quiet sunday. we came later at nite and only one other table was there. super surprised comin from LA where u have to rsvp for monday and tuesday nites and then also wait another 40min :(
(4)
Wendy R.
The Phoenicia is wonderful. Established by Hussein Khazaal, this place was known for elegant, delicious, (and occasionally mind blowing) Mediterranean dining until his untimely death in 2009. Now transformed by his children, wife, and the talents of Cook Ali and Chef Byron, the Phoenicia continues Hussein's legacy by offering lighter versions of his famous cooking as well as amazing wood-fired pizza and a lovely tapas selection. I've tried many dishes on the menu, and each one is superb. My favorites include squash pizza, hummus (available with the Trio), flank steak, the numerous seafood specials, and of course, Mom's baklava! Do not expect quick dining. Instead be prepared to sit, enjoy excellent food and conversation, drink wine, and take in the fabulous view of Puget Sound.
(5)
Micha M.
Phoenicia may be the best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant I've eaten at in recent memory. The food is scrumptious, no matter what you get. Hussein, the owner, is extremely friendly to all of his guests, which creates a great atmosphere (in addition to the great views this restaurant has). There is a printed menu, but there are typically daily specials, which you waitperson (probably Hussein) will relay to you. Don't miss your opportunity to get a "Special Dessert," you won't regret it!
(5)
Anna J.
Everyone else basically says it all. This haiku is for the haters. This is NOT a two-star restaurant. Pants almost busted After eating such good food It began to hurt
(5)
Leo L.
RIP Hussein. :(
(5)
C. J.
This place is great...I've only been there twice, but the food was absolutely amazing. Hussein was a real treat and both times, we let him plan our feast for us. I think it's about time for a third visit!
(5)
Patty W.
One of the best restaurants I have been to in Seattle and by far the best Greek I have ever had. My co-worker and I decided to head here for a celebration dinner after I fired a particularly troubling employee. We had the calamari as an appetizer which was good though I prefer mine fried. For main courses she had seafood and I had lamb. The best lamb ever. It was so tender it fell off my fork. On top of the food the service was excellent. It is pricey but well worth it.
(5)
Diane K.
The food was incredible and not your usual plain fare! But on top of that the family working there gives you wonderful service.
(5)
Lil W.
We just had a great meal at the re-opened Phoenicia. The pizza was great (I think better than any other brick oven pizza places I've been to around town). I can't wait for a sunny (weekday) evening to walk along the beach and then go in for pizza and wine and a few small nibbles. The prices are a nice change too. Two people could eat just pizza for as much as it costs to order Pagliacci's.
(5)
Bertram W.
How could food taste so good? :-) This is one of the best restaurants in Seattle. The food is awesomely and consistently delicious. The ambiance is neat. The host is gracious, considerate and helpful with suggestions. And the view is good too. As other reviewers here have mentioned, they are happy to make something customised for you if you'd like to go with something not on the menu. The desserts also are great. To balance this review, here's one drawback the place has: there is only location and that is in West Seattle. :-) From an East-side resident, hoping for another location closer by.
(5)
Isabel W.
Fun restaurant. We went there after a movie at bout 9 and there was no crowd/wait, so we received intimate service. Great food, decent but not great wine.
(4)
Rachel S.
I have lived in Kunming, and in Taichung, in Seoul and in Hong Kong, and so have had many a very good meal in my time, but while some may have equalled the lamb and eggplant I ate at Phoenicia, none surpassed it. It had mushrooms, tomatoes, pine nuts, olives, as well as the lamb and the eggplant, and I was transported. Even the person on the other side of the table, who tends to think everything better unsullied by vegetable matter, had to admit my lamb and eggplant was better than his just plain lamb. Though his lamb was very good too.
(5)
Terri W.
Fantastic and so original! My son and I were visiting my brother and his wife and had a lovely dinner at Phoenicia. We had a gorgeous view of Alki Beach. I especially enjoyed the fiery prawns and the cheese plate. I love eating Tapas portions so I can try several different things and the portions were large enough for all of us to try each dish. Best of all were the desserts at the end: homemade ice cream so creamy and baklava. The service was also excellent- Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Dave R.
Very nice local West Sea spot. Hussein is a good guy with an interesting menu. Wine list is only average. Beats a chain restaurant any day. Lovely views.
(4)
N D.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm a food snob. I am not hesitant to turn my nose up at some of the "better" places to eat in Seattle. What most people think matters little to me as most people are clueless. With that preface, let me just say that the Phoenicia is quite likely, especially for the money, the best restaurant in Seattle. Every time I see 22s and 25s on the menu instead of 55s I have to shake my head. Backstory? After we finished our job at the owners house one afternoon several years ago he invited us to his restaurant for a "special dessert". I was skeptical, but it was our last job and we were hourly so why not? So off we went and I was admittedly spacing out ... until I saw the slab of baklava practically the size of my fist. At that point he had my full attention. Baklava doesn't come in fist sized slabs. Puff pastry with pistachio filling, rose petal ice cream, all around extremely impressive. We have been back, mainly for birthday dinners, at this point 6 or 8 times. In fact we are going tonight as it is my birthday, the reason I am writing this is that I was googling for the phone number and yelp happened to be the first return. We have never had a disappointing dish, let alone a disappointing meal, on any visit. Even one day when I was out on Alki and stopped in for a bowl of soup. As expected the cream based soup wreaked havoc on my lactose intolerance, but I viewed that as a small price to pay. I dont give 5 out of 5 reviews. In fact I can't think of a single instance in the past in any situation where I have done so. I can only think of one other restaurant in Seattle I would even consider giving a 5. The other reviews are probably right on the wine list, but it's a small operation so I wouldn't be expecting a hundred wine choices. And I dont drink wine anyway so it's of no importance in my world. But with location, the family always being friendly and interactive, the attention to detail and the quality of the food, I cannot in good conscious give them anything but a 5.
(5)
Courtney H.
My boyfriend and I decided to give this place a try the other night and were pleasantly surprised. Everything looked so good that it was hard to decide what to order. In fact, it took us a little extra time to make up our minds and the staff was quite patient with us. We went the sharing route to give us maximum taste possibilities. We started with the 39 spice beef with mushrooms and spinach...Wow! The flavors in that appetizer are amazing. Then we shared the mixed green salad, which was fresh and delicious. And finally, we shared the margarita pizza. They used sliced cherry tomatoes to give it a little extra sweetness that I was a big fan of. The crust, oh the crust...very authentic and tasty. The only downside to the pizza was that the crust bubbled up so much causing all the toppings to head to the center of the pizza, making it a little uneven in coverage. Still, I would get it again for sure.
(4)
Alex M.
We've lived in West Seattle for 7 months, and not coming here sooner has been a big mistake. Everything we ordered was excellent. The prices are a bit steep for the size of the plates, but the quality of the dishes make up for it. Don't hesitate to give this place a shot.
(5)
Kenneth K.
the food was excellent, but the service was inexcusable. everything started off ok, but after our food came it's like we became invisible. we wanted to order more food and beverages, but we sat for what felt like forever with empty plates and glasses. ?? it turned what would have been a nice experience into a bad experience. we would have been back, but not now.
(2)
Sunny Y.
Located on the Alki strip, this Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant not only serves delicious food but also has great hospitality. The owner/waiter is a charming Lebanese man who treats his patrons as if we're own his family members. He is warm and kind; pays attention to each customer and recommends items from the menu that he finds suitable to the customer just simply by getting to know them. The lamb skewers is highly recommended; succulent and tasty, served with rice risotto and grilled vegetables. What I love most about this place besides the owner is the delicious rose flavored ice cream. Sweet and heavenly. The ambiance is semi-romantic with views of Alki Beach. Price ranges from $15-$25.
(4)
Ebru Y.
Honestly, when I go to Phoenicia, I feel like I am visiting a friend's house or something like that. The owner actually comes around to your table and asks you what you like, then decides what to make for you! I always had a good experience here, the food is flawless and full of flavor. If you like Middle Eastern food, give this place a try, you will not regret it. Also try the baklava, it's one of the best!
(4)
Travis P.
While looking for a tapas place on Seattle, I came across this place. The pictures of the inside looked like this would be a nice, low key, causal atmosphere perfect for a dinner with my wife. The food was not a disappointment. We were both happy with the decision to venture to this part of Seattle and experience the delicious food available at Pheonecia. We ordered the Margaherita pizza, the chartecurie, the flank steak and the trio of samples. They also have a wide selection of wines to go with you dinner selection. Anyone looking for a place to unwind for a quiet and intimate setting, check this place out.
(4)
Rose G.
I came on a Saturday evening (we had reservations) and had a good experience. I gave 4 stars because the food was really excellent, but the service was only average. The restaurant is small but has a comfortable ambiance, although not as romantic as I had read/expected. I was really impressed by the pizza and the flat iron steak - the spiced beef was good too. As an appetizer, we loved the mushrooms. Overall, I had a very nice time here and I would come back.
(4)
Brandon K.
I had the cheese board and charcuterrie with a glass of wine. Fantastic evening by myself. Very quaint. Great view of the bay. Moderate noise. Close tables.
(5)
Christine W.
Love this place. The owner, Sonia, is wonderful. We had great wine with our appys (rose) and dinner (OS blend). It was relaxed even though the place was packed. We've been here in the winter and it is consistent no matter the time of year. The squash puree pizza was a surprising delight. All three of us really liked it. We had the tiramisu and baklava for dessert and they were hits, as well. This is one restaurant we like to go back to over and over.
(5)
Katie B.
If you are in Seattle do yourself a favor and go to Phoenecia! Fantastic food, great wine and a fabulous view right on Alki Beach. Our favorite meal in Seattle!
(5)
Melisa C.
I might have had an off night, and I didn't try the pizza which I've heard is amazing, but overall my experience wasn't good enough to go back. 1. Service - just ok, waited a long time for water to be served to our table Windows - couldn't see a thing as the windows were fogged up all night. Even after the evening went on and people cleared out, the steam didn't subside. Kind of gross, they need to figure out how to fix that. 2. Tapas - just ok, nothing worth raving about 3. Seafood Linguine - chewy noodles that weren't cooked all the way. White wine sauce was good but nothing memorable 4. Lamb Gnocci - chewy lamb and pasta sauce was not flavorful. I'll consider trying it one more time for the pizza, but I wouldn't go back for anything else that I've tried.
(2)
Very I.
WOW. Everything we ordered was delicious. I can't wait to go back. I'm so excited to have found a new restaurant that the fiance and I both love!
(5)
Sarah L.
I've been here twice now and both times were not great. I really wish I would've received better service because it's blocks from my house and right in the beach. I would've loved to have a place I love going that close for this type of setting. It's very cute, intimate and romantic inside. Great location right on Alki. My problem was when I came in for dinner 2 nights ago. The restaurant was COMPLETELY open. They asked to sit me and my step mom at a tiny 2 person table. We knew we wanted to order a good amount of food and table would've been uncomfortable and cramped so I asked for a bigger table. They said they needed to save those for other guests. Shouldn't you be taking care of the guests at hand at the moment? Another couple walked in at this time and were sat at the 2 person table we didn't want to sit at. Problem solved right? No! Part of the restaurant was having water flooding issues so 3 of the tables were in an inch or so of water. So they decided to sit us at that table! I couldn't believe it. So the restaurant is still empty and now every table available is a 4 seater and your still sitting us at the table in the water? I felt like they were purposely trying to be difficult and prove a point. I was shocked they have 5 or 6 tables available and you want to sit us at a table sitting in water after I've already mentioned can't we sit at another table? After I vented to a friend about this they mentioned they haven't had the best service their either. I was very frustrated. I'd recommend a company meeting about customer service. It needs to improve.
(2)
Stan L.
they have pretty good pizza.. the crust was chewy and flavorful.. and they do use some premium toppings.. we ordered a one of their chalkboard special pizzas (fig and gorgonzola) and the alki pizza.. they both didn't disappoint.. just ask for a few napkins because they were a bit on the greasy side.. lucky for us.. we got situated next to a window and we had great views of the water as well as pedestrians..
(4)
Jessica B.
Perfection. The location, ambiance, service, food, wine. It's all amazing. I love the small-family business mentality, the attention to detail, the kindness of every single person who works there, and the way you feel like the only diners in the entire restaurant even when it's busy. I love this place and I can't wait to go back again, and again.
(5)
Lisa U.
I think I ordered the wrong thing while eating here, as my thoughts on their pizza don't match up with everyone else's reviews. Three stars until I give this place another try.
(3)
Gentle V.
Overall, I enjoyed my visit and would come again. The food was good and the customer service was attentive. The restaurant is small and intimate, which makes for a charming setup. We ordered: -Phoenecian pizza -39 spice beef -trio of spreads (hummus, etc) -panna cotta for dessert. The pizza was okay, but the highlight of dinner was the panna cotta - so delicious!
(4)
Jingwen Y.
I like this place. Atmosphere has an intimate and European feel and best of all it's next to the waters. Dishes are cute and made for a delicate appetite. I think it's one of those places where you take a date to wow her with your company and your culture before or after a walk along the waters.
(4)
Melissa A.
Gotta love the truffle pizza here. Actually most of the pizzas here are pretty tasty. But the truffle oil one holds a special place in my heart. There are a few other dishes that are tasty, but I would definitely prefer to stick with the pizza here. They also have a bread option (not on the menu) with oil and vinegar that is tasty as well. We've also had some of the seafood and pasta entrees that they have but nothing will beat their pizza. Another family owned and operated store in West Seattle that I would love to support.
(4)
Lili P.
: / A little bummed out because the food was DELICIOUS, but it took over 30 minutes to get our first dish... and the last dish , flat iron steak, took an hour . Came here monday night and it wasn't busy, as there were a few tables open. Prior to arriving, I had called the restaurant to see if there was a wait for a table, and whoever I spoke to said no wait and that she'd save me a table. Really appreciated that ! We ordered the alki, 7 spice beef, flat iron steak, and scallops, all at once. The 7 spice beef was wonderfully flavorful and the pizza had the most PERFECT crust (though I wish the pizza had just a bit more cheese) . The flat iron and scallops were good too. I would give the food 4 stars, but it was such a shame that our food took so long... not quite sure if our server perhaps entered in our order late or if the kitchen isn't efficient in controlling the tickets and getting the food out. big sigh...
(3)
Shreyas S.
These guys have great topping flavor combinations on their pizzas but their crust has no crunch or flavor.
(3)
Tori D.
As always, ...Another divine culinary experience @ Phoenicia. & with Alki Beach being its locale~~~? Well, .. You'll just LOVE it, & not regret your decision one bit. The food is fantastic and it's Family owned and community centered, they even donate x% to a local charity or family in need at times. And, if you're lucky, u may even get to join the matriarch after hours, at the bar, sharing story and a home made meal. if, ...you're lucky??? Phoenicia is a "10"! with all around great ambiance, spectacular selection of wines, friendly family staff, delicious menu items, and for "the cherry on top"? A stroll down Alki beach. perfetto!
(5)
Jason F.
Had my first visit to Phoenicia and had a great time. This place is hard to describe appropriately because if I do, it might not sound as great a place as it really is. It's a great location just off Alki with a tremendous view of the Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains facing west. There are 8 seats or so outside facing the water but I was seated inside. The staff is great, I think at one time two or three different people were serving us. The restaurant itself is relatively small With a European cafe feeling as you're seated close to others. The menus is a varied selection of small plates, entrees, salads and a great selection of pizzas. I did like the pizza and they have a terrifically chewing doughy crust. That's not my favorite but the ingredients are fresh and the flavor is great. Prices are affordable and the wine list is good. At the end of our meal we enjoyed a great bananas foster from the dessert menu.
(4)
Eryck Q.
Our experience here was pretty good. Alot of the dishes are spicy and have the same exact sauce on them! the prawns, scallops and spice beef seem all very similar. But they do have a good flavor. We liked the fig pizza! all the pizzas though have huge crusts and not as much toppings as you'd like for the price. as one reviewer mentioned, it really is a bit pricey, especially considering the small portions of most everything. Good service and view tho!
(3)
Ryan V.
Great place for tapas and pizza! The perfect romantic spot to relax after an afternoon strolling along Alki.
The food was a bit pricey, but the quality of the ingredients made up for it. My favorite items on the menu were the scallops and the fig and pancetta pizza. The rest of the food we tried was good, definitely above average. I wasn't expecting to find food with this quality near Alki so I was a bit surprised. The dessert was a little disappointing though. I tried the Nutella cheesecake and although it was good, it didn't compare to the rest of the meal. The crust was too soft and sort of tasted like just a spoonful of Nutella. I strongly recommend the fig and pancetta pizza. It was amazing and had so many flavors that complimented each other so well!
(4)
Brian H.
My favorite is the squash pizza. I'm not vegan, but I enjoy it more than their meat pizzas. It has a perfectly sweet and savory flavor. Try it!
(5)
Sarah B.
We had a great time at Phonecia! We'd read that Phoenecia was the best pizza in West Seattle and I would say it is the best Artisan Pizza in West Seattle. It's definitely good! Just wasn't quite what we were expecting. Our table was also pretty cramped - I was less than an arm's length from the table next to mine (with strangers) and it felt hard to have a conversation. All that being said - we had a good time! The food was good, wine was lovely, and the server was incredibly knowledgeable about the place and the menu. Would definitely come back!
(4)
Talia E.
Tried Phoenicia for the first time on a Monday night, dinner around 7pm. I give it a solid 3.5 but will round up. 5 stars for flavors, 3 stars for prices and portions. The restaurant was about 80% full when we got there and maybe 30% full when we left. Food took a little time to come out of the kitchen but was very good. I had a fig and pancetta pizza with goat cheese and caramelized onions -- such a great pizza! But it cost $16 and the portion seemed more like a $13-$14 portion, if that makes sense. Anyway, the crust was perfect and the kale salad was quite good, and so I would quite possibly reorder both things if I returned. Shrimp appetizer was good too, but only four fiery shrimp on the plate, so keep that in mind if you are feeling hangry :) Supposedly 3-4 appetizers equates to one entree portion. (At $6-$12ish per app though, watch your tab.) Entrees are mostly pizza options, but like mouthwatering swanky Mediterranean pizza options. Nom. Ambience is average but gets the job done -- you can get away with jeans here and/or heels. Dark tables and a chalkboard menu on one wall, exposed wine rack shelves on the other wall. Nice family owns/manages the place and they source local ingredients from Salumi's and others. Not sure this would be my absolute first stop next time I am in the area, but I think I will be back eventually.
(4)
Trina D.
This is a cute little Mediterranean cafe located in Alki Beach (West Seattle). You can't really beat the views of the water. Reservations are recommended because it can be quite full on a Friday night. We had reservations at 7:30 pm and they seated us within 5-10 minutes. We had to wait for a table to clear so that they could seat us. My friend Joa K. wanted me to try their fig & pancetta pizza. So we ordered 2 of them. Her boyfriend Jess also joined us for dinner so he had a whole pizza to himself. We also ordered the scallops which were perfectly seared with a sweet glaze. Only two scallops arrived but that was the perfect amount since one of our party didn't eat fish. The 39 spice beef was tasty but I could only detect 5-spice, not 39. A little disappointed by the beef but it was still good. The saffron chicken was amazing though. So saucy and delicious. We had quite a bit of food and a bottle of wine to share. This place is a great find and during this time of year, the sunset at 9:45pm is kind of amazing. The service was great once the food started arriving, it never really stopped. The fig & pancetta pizza was a delicious blend of sweet and salty. Nice find, Joa!
(4)
Elle K.
I personally think 4.5 rating for Phoenicia doesn't make any sense- it is definitely overly hyped in my opinion! After reading so many great review, I went there for dinner twice, and both of my experience was ' meh ' with mix of pros and cons. CONS: -The first time we went, we were sitted within 5-10min of our reservation time, but the second time, we had to wait for more than 30minutes past our reservation time. -39 beef had too strong flavor and wasn't tender at all. It felt like eating a block of a stock cube with hint of herbs. Similar feelings for spicy prawns and caprese. One of the saltiest capreses I've ever had. Overall, foods are heavly seasonsed, and can't taste the flavor of natural ingridients at all. PROS: -Trio dip with pitta and chacuteri/cheese platter were good and pizzas were great as well. -Great wine selection -Alki beach view during sunset. I probably wouldn't go back for food, but I think its still a nice place for late night wine and cheese.
(3)
Ilya S.
I am not a big fan of writing reviews, neither I am big fan of pizza. However this place was so great I decided to share this. We spent our anniversary here with my wife and it was such a great experience! The view is great, it's really great place to be at your date. The pizza is incredible and wine is really nice! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to make your Seattle summer evening a sweet experience!
(5)
Dennis B.
The fiery scallops were awesome. So we're the portabella mushrooms. I have been here a few times. And the braised lamb shank with creamy garlic kale is my favorite dish. I love coming here... Nice friendly staff, great food.
(5)
Anna Z.
Food: 4.5 Ambiance: 4 Service: 4 Here's what we had: Lamb and Chevrie, chili oil pizza Flat Iron steak Alki Pizza Garlic green beans The pizza is amazing. The other dishes are a little pricey and very small, but tastey so if you're into that stuff, it's worth it. The place is very cute, right by Alki Beach. It has a huge window so you can see the sunset basically from any seat. It is a little crowded though. It's a small place and the tables almost fit in like puzzle pieces. Service is great and you can order pizza to go. (.... After dinner we went for a walk and couldn't resist trying another pizza. We ordered one to go and ate it outside by the beach)
(5)
D y.
I still like this place! Haven't been here for about 9 years. I brought my out of town cousin here on a Sunday night. Service and food were great! Wine, salad, flatbread!! Loved the view and sunset too. This place has been updated nicely since 9 years ago. It still feels like a cool neighborhood joint worthy of showing off. The only thing is that I miss the rose ice cream. Bring it back please.
(5)
Tiffany F.
Very good place. Really small location so it makes it more of an intimate atmosphere, but there's a direct view of the beach and you could sit outside watching the water. The food and drinks are fairly pricey, but delicious all the same. We made reservations ahead of time and there was a table ready for us, but on a Tuesday evening it seemed like people were just walking in as well.
(4)
Cassie B.
Foods not bad, but it is overpriced for what it is. Charcuterie plate has a few good meats but is otherwise boring - the pickled items aren't rich in flavor. It's a cute spot, dimly lit and somewhat intimate yet casual. Service was kind of slow - I appreciate when a waiter or waitress isn't hovering over you - but there were long periods of time she didn't come by and I did want to order coffee. My boyfriend ate an entire pizza with ease before she came back to check on us.
(3)
Abby S.
This is our favorite date night spot in Seattle! The food is original and delicious, the atmosphere is top notch, and the family who runs Phoenecia is so kind. Love the low lighting, cozy feel, and giant chalkboard wall menu. The lamb pizzas are fantastic, and we never skip on Turkish coffee for dessert!
(5)
Stephen M.
This place is simply amazing. We were lucky enough to call ahead and hustle over upon hearing that 2 of the 6 outside seats were freeing up. The restaurant does not take reservations for the small outside area, only the indoor area which can probably seat 20 or so. The outward-facing, gated storefront area is perfect for shade-seeking dogs, people watching, and seeing the sun go down over Alki in summertime. Throw in some motivated zumba and salsa dancers across the street, and it makes for a memorable evening. Meal price is what you would expect for West Seattle. The menu centers on pizzas that are somewhere between individual-sized and enough for 2. Round off a single pizza off with a starter or 2, and you'll be set. Ordering 2 pizzas probably means leftovers, unless you've been out in the sun all day and skipped lunch. Quinoa tabbouleh is a great take on a traditional dish and pairs well with the extensive white wine list. Pita for hummus seems fresh, an area where other places seem to noticeably skimp. OK selection of beers, including some finds not often found in the area. Service at any indoor/outdoor place is tough on staff, but Phoenecia comes through by balancing the right pace: we felt neither rushed nor neglected, and we had enough space to enjoy the scene around us. Manager/owner fills in as needed and makes sure the customers are happy and empty glasses quickly get filled. A few tips: --The coppa pizza is capocollo (pork). Non-Italian-speaking vegetarians beware! --For dog-owners, they have cleaned lamb shanks in the fridge. Just ask. --They have spare sunglasses for forgetful folks who left them in the car and find themselves blinded by the 7-8 PM summertime sun. Will def return.
(5)
Laura T.
We went to Phoenicia for the first time this past weekend and were underwhelmed with the dinner menu. There was a decent variety of options, however there was a lot of redundancy in ingredients, i.e. goat cheese and mozzarella on most every option. The best part was our salad and the wine/beer. Pizza dough was very good, but for $15 I want more than bread and red sauce. The pizza toppings were very scant. Ambiance and service staff are good. Needless to say, we'll go elsewhere for pizza or Mediterranean next time.
(2)
Sarah F.
Went here for NYE dinner. The place is cute/intimate with great staff. We ordered Kale salad to start. It was delicious. I think it had some kind of crunchy dried garbanzo beans on it... it was really good. I ordered Alki pizza and my friend ordered fish. The pizza was great, fish was just okay. Either way we're fans and would totally come again for the salad and pizza. One disappointment was that we were really looking forward to seared scallops based on website menu...but we assumed maybe different menu because of NYE. We will go again soon :-)
(4)
Linna S.
We ordered the following items: spice beef, fig & pancetta pizza & the board of charcuterie. This place popped my charcuterie cherry & has been on my mind since. I have explored various places offering up charcuterie after this visit and this place seems to have been the best thus far. Sooooo delicious. The dishes are so creative. Particularly the fig & pancetta pizza. You bite in and think "who would have thought up this creation." A great creation at that. YUUUUM!!!
(4)
Jonathan B.
Such a great little family owned place on Alki. The layout and decor is great for a date. The main dishes are tapas style and reasonably priced. We had the trio of spreads, the saffron chicken, and the 39 spice beef. All were delicious!
(5)
Santosh B.
Great place for a couple with good food, service, location and all others. Definitely will be back
(5)
Tom F.
This place gets 5 stars because everything was so consistently good! Except for perhaps the green beans, everything was intensely flavorful and served beautifully. The cheese plate was a delicious sampling, the fiery prawns were outstanding and had just the right level of heat, and the fig and pancetta pizza with caramelized onions was incredible. One of the best pizzas I've had in forever! Salty, sweet, creamy cheese, wonderful doughy but crispy crust... Additionally, the atmosphere was lovely and the service was so friendly and helpful while still being genuine. It's also nice and cozy inside and there's a great view. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Kathleen C.
This is a place to return to. Magnificent pizza and small plates. Kind and efficient staff. A family owned business and it shows. Great on a summer night watching the wacky crowds stroll by on Alki.
(4)
Debra H.
We live within walking distance yet had never been. What a great meal we had and plan to return soon. I just wish there were more great places to eat on Alki. We ordered: Olives - which were served warm. Very good. Trio of spreads - hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh served with warm pita, all good. 39 Spice Beef - Would order something different next time Kale salad - Very good And we had a pizza special - delicious!
(5)
Lokesh K.
Fantastic pizza! One of the best that I've had in Seattle. You can also sit outside and enjoy the sight of the waters. Don't forget to try the baklava too!
(5)
Billy L.
My wife and I live on Queen Anne. We wanted something romantic and in a different area of the Seattle. After reading several of the reviews on Yelp we decided on Phoenecia. We had the Trio of Spreads, Saffron Chicken, Fiery Prawns, 39 Spice Beef, and the Lamb and Eggplant pizza. The quality of ingredients, taste, and presentation was "awesome" for every single dish! PLEASE understand, these are "small plates" not full portions. I share this since several people mentioned portioning in their reviews. With our order there was more than enough food for my wife and me. Service was excellent. So, if you are looking for a restaurant that offers outstanding quality, taste, service, with great ambience, and waterfront setting try Phoenecia.
(5)
Rick D.
One word: lamb shank! Er, two words? We shared and there's still a lunch. Green beans excellent. Shrimp. 39(!) spice beef. No wrong choice. 5 stars.
(5)
Jerome B.
I think this place is okay, not spectacular and not terrible. The first thing though that put me off, was that they charge $3 for soda. When I asked if it's refillable the nice waitress told me it's from a can. WHOA--talk about inflation! I opted for the more expensive $4 mexican coke (with the real cane sugar) because it's something I normally don't get... The space is quite small but quaint. The large windows offers nice lighting during the day, and subdued lighting during sunset. My friend got the Truffle oil pizza. I had a bite, and I was praising to the lord about how good it was. SO. GOOD. My Pancetta and fig pizza was alright. The crust was pretty large and tough, which made some trouble for me eating. If you come in a large party, bring cash or your mathematics skills--they don't divide the bill for you.
(3)
Josie C.
Very nice! Great view, great foods, great service. Will put this one in my pocket list.
(5)
Jeg M.
Bomb ditty Bomb BOMB Trio of spreads and squash pizza are absolutely fantastic. They also have a pretty nice wine list which is not overpriced. This place is definitely one of my wife and my favorite places in West Seattle.
(5)
Marlene S.
Beautiful views, great atmosphere (just under being too loud to hear across the table), and the tapas and pizzas were amazing. While the rest of the table got dessert, I ordered a second Fig Pizza. Service was very friendly.
(5)
Sarah R.
Like many of the other yelpers... I am having a hard time deciding on how many stars to give this place. I really feel it's about 3.5... but that isn't an option. So I'm rounding up. First thing is first. The saffron chicken was to die for. OMG is was heavenly. The server suggested ordering a side of pita bread to go with it to soak up all the delicious sauce. We did just that and used every piece of bread to get every bit of sauce. I would maybe bathe in this stuff if I could. The 2nd thing we ordered was the flat iron steak. The flavor was delicious, but it was extremely rare and had some very chewy/inedible bits. Wouldn't order beef here again. The third item we ordered was the Alki pizza. To be fair, their style of pizza is not my favorite. All the flavor and toppings are in the very middle and are surrounded by tons of big, fluffy, not much flavor crust. My hubby actually enjoyed it enough to get it again. The toppings and sauce were so good, but there just was way too much crust. So I would pass on their pizza. The last thing we had was the bananas foster. Pros- It was bananas foster, which is effing delicious. Cons- The caramel sauce was cloyingly sweet and 2 little ice cream scoops would have been better than 1. We got a table in the corner where we could look out two windows and see the beach across the street. It was really a lovely view and one reason I would definitely eat here again. It was small and a bit cramped in there. But with that view, I wouldn't say it seemed like much of a problem. My biggest gripe is the price of the food for the portions served. It's quite outrageous actually. I cannot stress enough what a teeny tiny amount of food is on each 9-10 dollar plate. The incredible chicken dish was $9 + $2 for the pita bread. So that's $11 for about 7 bites of food. The steak was probably closer to 6 bites for $10. I will return for that view and the saffron chicken. Even for the price... it was THAT good.
Order: 16.00 Lamb Pizza 14.00 Truffle oil pizza 08.00 Banana Foster I like this place. My wife gives it a 5 star, I give it a 4.5. So I'll just round up, because it could very well be a 5 star kinda place. It's a small, cute and intimate place. It's facing the water with outside seating. Service was great! The pizzas are Neapolitan style I think. My wife got the truffle oil, which I though was ok. It was like bread and cheese. But she loooooooved it. I like my pizza with red sauce. And wouldn't want it any other way. So I liked it. I'd say I like it a tad bit more than Tutta Bella's pizzas. It was also a tad bigger. For dessert, we shared a Banana's Foster. It came a la mode. It was delicious, but it was the first time I've had that dessert anywhere. So take that thought with grain of salt peeps. TL;DR Neapolitan style pizzas that are a bit bigger, and a little tastier than Tutta Bella's pizza. And yummy Banana's Foster.
Very intimate restaurant right along the main drag at Alki. It's so small that while sitting there, I felt a little cramped and hard to get out of my seat to go to the restroom. They mainly serve pizzas and some other appetizer/tapas-style small dishes. First off, I absolutely love the location. The day we went, the weather was gorgeous, we watched the sun set at Alki - couldn't have been a more perfect day. We ordered a couple of their pizzas to share with a total group of 6 ppl (can't remember specifically which ones). I thought they were right on par with other thin-crust pizzas. For small plates, we ordered the Fiery Prawns, 39 Spice Beef, and Mixed Greens Salad. I loved them all. I would go back sometime, especially when it's nice weather, to try the other items on their menu. Definitely make reservations though, it is small and there is hardly any room for waiting.
(5)
Shahani F.
I went for a V-day dinner. They ran out of the soup, appetizer and couple of the main dishes. This when they had a prix fixe menu for the night. Not cool. Service was also not that great. The tables were laid so near, I was afraid I would tip off the candles throughout the dinner.
(2)
Terry P.
I must say that I don't agree with the 4.5 star. Maybe it was the food we ordered or a glitch in the staffing when we visited, but based on my experience it was a 3 star. We were promptly seated on a Friday night, great! But it didn't seem like the restaurant was busy between 7 - 8 pm on that particular Friday. The service was good but a bit inefficient. For one, everything, including the drinks, came out within five minutes of each other...yikes! We couldn't take the time to enjoy the salad and the cheese plate because the pizza was getting cold. That little table couldn't fit more than two dishes at a time, so we spent more time juggling the plates than eating the food. Perhaps the inefficiency comes with the fact that there is not one person dedicated to each table--we must have dealt with three different waitresses within the 45 minutes when we were there. Regarding the food, I guess I had my expectation too high before the visit. The menu did look better than the taste. We ordered a kale salad, but it had no kale? Regardless, the salad was good but not exceptional--this would be the description I would use for the other dishes. Relative to the quality, the price was way too high for the quality/amount of food. At Phoenicia's price point, e.g. $16 for three small wedges of cheese and $8 for two pieces of prochiutto, I expected better if not more than what was served. The pizza was an average size. I was really excited to check out the place when I saw it on Yelp. Honestly, it is one of the better places on Alki, but again, I really don't need to drive all the way there for average food.
(3)
Dom M.
Semi-satisfied. Maybe I had my walls up bc this place was on Alki Beach, so was expecting to be overcharged for semi-good eats. And yes, that was the case, semi-good service, semi-good food, and smaller portions than what you would expect for your money. The price for the view and the parking situation on a Monday evening was not worth it. There is so much to choose from in Seattle, that it's just better to stay off Alki when dining. Wine selection was good, beer selection not, & I didn't see any mixed drinks on the menu.
(3)
Joa K.
I'm very happy to branch out of my Eastside/downtown areas. West Seattle, you are growing on me quite rapidly. Phoenecia has a lot to offer - small plates (but not "tapas") style in a warm and cozy setting. Huge windows, of course, to see the water and beach. I love staring out the window with coffee or tea or wine in hand - even on a gray and rainy day. Something about it...it's kind of romantic in a very simple way? The restaurant is laid back. It's nice enough to be considered a great date spot and chill enough where I can be my ghetto self ;) The service is quite friendly and nice. Water glass was never empty - there was a slight spill at one point but they were quick to clean it up. No worries! My favorites, hands-down: fig pizza and 39 spice beef. Please - just put the pizza in my mouth. Shove it down my throat. I don't care. I want it. It's delicious. Perfect sweet and savory balance...which, by the way, is my favorite flavor combination! The crust is good too - crispy but soft and doughy and cooked through. Magic. It's so simple but so good. OK I need to move on because I'm going to faint just reminiscing about this. The 39 spice beef had a good amount of kick to it but not too much. The beef itself comes in small bite sizes - perfect! Tender meat and good flavors! Yay! I actually think this tastes kind of Asian. I can definitely see my very Korean mother enjoying this dish with a side of steamed white rice (duh). Hell yeah I'd love to come back.
(4)
Erin T.
I would actually give them 2.5 stars, but rounded up...From the moment we walked in without reservations, we never once felt particularly welcome. After much sighing and carrying on by the hostess- and eventually the manager- we were told they would 'squeeze us in.' We're talking 5p because we had a toddler in tow and only one other table had patrons...Anyway, we loved the idea of ordering various small plates. Not one single dish was amazing. The mixed greens salad and the flat iron steak were both very good. The saffron chicken and the fiery prawns were good, but nothing special. Same for the Alki pizza- the crust is very good, but the toppings are just meh. The biggest issue we had with the food is that it came out in stages, with two of the items arriving after we'd completely finished the rest of the meal. No apologies or anything. It's obvious that the place is understaffed (just the manager and 2 waitresses- all of whom are spending ample time socializing). Everything is overpriced, even by Seattle standards. $3-4 for a soda from a can?! The menu states that most diners order 3-4 small plates, but at a minimum of $9 a pop, that's just absurd. The charcuterie small plate, for example, is $16! When we asked the waitress if they offered a half portion, she said, 'oh, it's already really small...' Again, some of our food items were pretty good, but won't likely return...
(3)
Mateja A.
Without exaggeration this restaurant deserves 7 stars. I at the best lamb pasta w tomato sauce i ever tried. Period! For the first time in my life i had goose bumps while eating!! I grew up in southern europe and i am very used to delicious Mediterranean cuisine, but never tried anything like it!!!
(5)
Robert M.
Thanks Phoenecia, you really delivered for me. Looking for intimate dining experience, I had made reservations on a Friday night at 8:30. Upon arriving, by some miracle, I was able to park right in front the restaurant. Wow! When we entered there was a table available, but they asked if we would want to wait a few minutes for a window location. We said yes, and they seated us at the bar for about 5 minutes until they were able to clean up. For Starters we had the 39 spice beef plate,(we thought the mushrooms were the best part) , and the Caprese salad. both were excellent, As for dinner we had the Fig and Pancetta pizza, which really lived up to the great reviews from fellow Yelpers. It was fantastic! The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and timely. We are definitely coming back for more :)
(5)
George S.
A wonderful spot in West Seattle that is not a beach bar or a burger joint. We had dinner there last night and it was fantastic. The only reason why I am not giving it a five was the pizza oven was broken and that's what brought us in. Service was great and we had an eggplant parm that was so good I ordered one to go. Great place looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Steven S.
Last night we enjoyed a great meal at this lovely spot on Alki. We sat outside (there are only about 8 spots at a bar) and enjoyed the evening, sunset, and the circus of people and cars that is Alki in the summer. We started with the olives and trio of spreads. Both were tasty and very nice as starters. We also had the Caprese salad, which was perfect as the evening was warm when we sat down. For our main, we enjoyed the Lamb pizza which had a generous amount of lamb sausage with cheese, and a nice red sauce on a light, hand-made crust. I enjoyed a fine glass of Bordeaux and my date liked her Chardonnay. The only drawback to the night was that the service was a little slow at the beginning as the place was packed, even at 8 pm on a Sunday night. Be prepared for that. All in all a great experience. I am sure we will be back and I recommend this for anyone looking for something nice on the beach.
(4)
Orlene C.
Went here for a friend's birthday and had to drag my husband back a week later. Such a cozy spot with great small plates to share along with a glass of wine. Here are the results from the two visits: Fig pizza with caramelized onions, Prosciutto, chevre (special on board) A+ - Absolutely in love with this! Hope it is one of those specials that always seems to be a special. The Alki with Zoe's spicy salami, caramelized onions, mozzarella, Grana Padano, and their EVOO sauce A - Excellent! Toppings very yummy and have to say their dough is delicious! The type of dough one would not want to leave behind. A+ Sea Scallops - When my friends choice this dish, I was a bit disappointed because I am not typically a scallop person but their scallops were the BEST super tender and flavorful. Trio of Spreads - hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh served with warm pita A - All the dips were perfect. Great appetizer. Quinoa Tabbouleh A - Refreshing appetizer to add some veggies to your meai Garlic Green Beans B- - Not bad but nothing special Saffron Chicken & 39 Spice Beef C+ - Both were too salty but tender Wines (forgot exact wines tried) A - Both the white and red that the waiter recommended were very good
(5)
Stephanie S.
Simply amazing. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Danny K.
I loved the food - surprising ingredients, deliciously made, and very beautifully plated. Professional and courteous service. Nice dusk view of the water on Alki beach was a welcome extra. My only comment is that the place as a whole has a casual atmosphere, which does not exactly match the fanciful plating and the price range that goes with it. I'd prefer the same quality food served more simply and costing somewhat less. I can't be a regular here at the current price range. No complaints other than this.
(4)
Marjory B.
To the old guy that sat behind my boyfriend today around 5:30 pm and gave him a dirty look because you apparently thought he was sitting too close - you obviously are not very intelligent if you were blind to the fact that this restaurant is TINY and all of the tables are about 12 inches away from each other. Get over yourself. Food is decent, kind of overwhelming on the seasonings...but the small plates are REALLY small. Not the place to go if you are starving unless you feel like spending a lot of money. The food is alright but neither worth the price nor the discomfort of sitting so close to other people that you feel like they are at your table. Won't be back.
(2)
M W.
The restaurant is nice. It has a great vibe, good music, and feels inviting on a cold night near the beach. The service was friendly but just a little bit slow since there were only 2 people running the show out front. That's fine though, they did a good job and you kind of go there to relax and have a conversation. That pace is nice and something you see more often in restaurants in other countries. We just ordered small plates and wine. The food was really good but when they say "small" plates the emphasis is on small. I don't need large portions by any stretch and am fine not stuffing myself, but $13 for 2 scallops is a little ridiculous. Maybe it's a reflection of how expensive things are getting in Seattle but to me the value wasn't there. Because of the prices, it's likely I won't go back unless it's a special occasion. But again, it was nice, they generally did a good job, and we had a good time. So I figure if you have the money, it's worth 4 stars.
(4)
Liz K.
Expensive. However, I really love this place and think it's worth a fantastic date night. I like the tapas feel. My husband and I take the time and try lots of different things to share. The pizza is delicious. Like a wood fired pizza. The steak appetizer and hummus trio are great. It's a lovely place.
(5)
Lily D.
QUALITY is amazing! They do not try to use greasy or sugary to light up their food. It is real gourmet!My forever love in Seattle!
(5)
John N.
Great great pizza. We had a group of 4 and they sat us quickly and the server was super nice. The menu is interesting and delicious. The atmosphere is a bit too dark for my taste especially if you're there for anything besides a super romantic date. But if you do want a romantic place right in the middle of Alki, this is the place.
(4)
Stringtown A.
We got engaged at Phoenicia, and were amazed at the positive reaction... one couple bought our dinner for us, and two women seated to our other side sent us the best tiramisu we've had. The owner and her daughter were so friendly and congratulatory, and the pizza was the best we've had beside Parygary's in Sacramento CA. Delicate and perfectly cooked, with a delicious wild boar salami. Loved the artisan cheese platter, and would absolutely go back when we're in the area again!
(5)
Mark M.
Girlfriend and I went here on a Friday night. Really intimate and romantic setting. Food was a bit pricey (but typical for Alki), portions were a lot smaller than we had hoped but it was all really good. Service was great - we had arrived a bit earlier than our reservation, so the waitresses sat us down and moved us to a table near the window once it opened up. Overall good experience
(4)
Tam Q.
Cheese+ Charcuterie + Wine = a very happy girl. I love this place on Alki. Very warm and intimate. They have a great selection of wine, cheese and meats. One of my favorite places for date night.
(4)
John F.
Not my cup of tea. I really wanted to like this place. It is my son's favorite restaurant and where he proposed to his fiance. Went there for dinner the other night and was under impressed. First, a little history. The Phoenecia opened up in the location of the old "The Restaurant". Yes, that was its name. We loved it. Would regularly drove from South Seattle to Alki to eat there. Once it closed, we stopped making the drive for dinner - too far away. So wen we walked in and realized it was the same location, our hopes were raised. We ordered the cheese plate, the spicy prawns and the Alki pizza. We then watched as others who ordered after we did get the food before us. Frustrating!!! All the food tasted good, but the cheese plate was anemic and we only got 4 prawns. The center of the pizza was done well and very tasty, but the crust is HUGE. I really wanted to just skip eating the crust, but I needed to in order to fill up. Lastly, the noise level was pretty high. Not a place for a quite romantic dinner.
(3)
Sur S.
Great spot by alki beach. Warm service and amazing Pizza. Perfect from small groups and dates.
(4)
Melissa M.
So sad to give this place a low rating, but it is deserved. We had a reservation for 6 people and arrived right on time. We were promptly seated and it was a really really good thing that we had two children with us otherwise we couldn't have sat at the table. We were smashed up against the chairs for the bar where a couple was seated. The couple was petite and took up little room, so the table should have been given more room by the restaurant, but it wasn't. The little kids (ages 4 and 8) were able to fit behind the couple, but it was a tight squeeze. No regular sized adult could have fit there. We sat and it was fin, but it was a bit of an omen. We ordered drinks and food and then the wait started. We ordered an appetizer and that came our quickly but we also ordered entrees. The entrees took a full hour to arrive at our table. After 45 minutes of waiting, the waitress came by sand said "They just put your pizzas in the oven, the pizzas take a long time and are what is slowing everything down". So confused. Why didn't they put them in earlier? Why didn't they come by and at least update us earlier? Our food eventually came and was good but not great. My husband enjoyed his salmon, but it was really small for the price (compared to other entrees and their prices). I had the Pasta Diablo with lots of seafood in it. It was ok, but too many types of seafood in the pasta muddled the flavors. For dessert, we wanted something, but we were informed that the bananas foster would take a long time and we immediately nixed that! I got the Tiamisu and it was unusual and not very good. We split our bill but when our credit cards were run, they overcharged one of the people by $75. Good thing we caught it, because we just wanted to get out of there and would have signed anything! They quickly rectified the problem, but it's too bad it happened to begin with, especially after such a long evening. I would not go back here and if you value your time, I would suggest you skip this place too.
(2)
Emily V.
This family owned and run restaurant is a true alki gem. The lamb shank is amazing. The wine list is actually pretty good considering the size of the restaurant. The ambience is intimate. My favorite place in Alki. I would highly highly recommend.
(5)
Bernadette M.
Mixed. Server v friendly at first - offered a taste of Lebanese wine which I've never had (was good!) but when she asked how the food was and I gave her my opinion about the kale salad - she was clearly unhappy. (Kale salad is apparently one of their top sellers but I would not order again... I've had many at other restaurants that were MUCH better) - kale was on the tough side ... Including big chunks of the stalk- and hadn't been massaged or marinated enough w dressing to become tender. Trio of dips was average - rigatoni w figs and pancetta was delish!! Still - flavors in kale salad were good enough - am taking home to marinate over night and have high hopes for lunch leftovers tomorrow! Finally - they brought out each dish WAYYY too quickly- I hadn't finished the trio of spreads when the salad was brought out and hadn't taken more than 2 bites of kale salad before the pasta was on my table.
(3)
Gabriela S.
I have been to Phoenecia twice now. The first time we had tapas (cheese plate, charcuterie, salad, etc) and they were all outstanding. The second time was salad and pizza. The pizza is great, it is almost as good as Delancey and Serious Pie - not quite as good but close. The service and the location across the street from Alki beach also really make this place great. The prices are fair and the place itself is really cute. I will definitely be back, especially when I want a pizza without waiting for an hour like at Delancey and Serious Pie (either location).
(4)
Kimberly P.
Thinking back on everything I ate in 2010, my meal at Phoenecia tops the list. Everything we ate here rocked my world in a slyly subtle way. The flavors were perfectly balanced and every bite left me wanting more. The service was top notch, lovely story about the owners and you could feel the love they poured into the restaurant and the food. My top choice for dinner in Seattle. The view at sunset is an added bonus.
(5)
kyle t.
Ate here awhile ago with some friends...awsome trufle oil pizza, delicious array of tapas...a couple favorites were the scallops and warm olives, also very tasty spiced oil for dipping!
(4)
Tim R.
The BEST pizza in Seattle. The nicest people. Great location. Go there....NOW!
(5)
Matthew C.
To start, the host and servers were really friendly and happy to have us. Great service, check. The wine we ordered was apparently from someone who lived down the street and great. The pizza crust was absolutely incredibly. The rest of the pizza was great too,but the crust was the best part. The pizzas are perfect for splitting if you get a salad as well. The restaurant is really small, but gives you that comfy, homey feeling. And every table has an awesome view across the sound. The only reason it is not 5 stars is because my Carese salad was just so so.
(4)
Lee T.
I have only ever had the pizza here. It is one of the better pizzas I have had in Seattle. BTW, I am a snob when it comes to pizza (I am from Chicago). I like that they use quality ingredients. I don't like that there is almost as much crust to each slice as there is "pizza". Oh, the Turkish coffee is delicious and the baklava is yummy, though pretty skimpy portion. It gets a bit loud in here, so speak up. It is much better since they have put dampers on the ceiling.
(4)
Samantha H.
Great location right on Alki Beach! The first time I went there I thought the food was mediocre, but I went there again and the food tasted amazing. Order a couple tapa style food and entrees so share. Loved the fig pizza and the lamb shank. They do have really good food, and right at the beach which is very convenient after a nice stroll.
(5)
Monika H.
disappointing tapas and super expensive. I had my first greek food experience in DC and loved it so much I couldnt wait to find a place back home. I read the reviews here for this place and thought sounds good. But it just wasn't as awesome as the place in DC. Small menu for the shared plates and it was just rather average in general and the prices seemed high.
(2)
Grace C.
Phoenecia = good food, great service, relaxed ambiance overlooking Alki beach. Love their great selection of beers and wines lined against the wall. Tried their famous 39 spice beef and handmade pizzas which were delicious. Best of all was the service - the owner joked we can call in ahead of time if we bring dates and he can prepare a rose if they were cutting flowers that day :).
(4)
Bonnie G.
We went here for a Ladies Night Out a few nights ago and the food was terrific. There were 8 of us and we ordered several small plates/appetizers a few salads and a few pizzas to share. All 3 pizzas we ordered were wonderful. (fig, margarita and pesto pizzas) The small plates were super yummy (especially the fiety prans and 39 spice beef). I am looking forward to returning. I had been to Phonecia years ago before it was redone and I must say I do like it a lot. It was great before and still great.
(5)
Juan V.
We just moved to the neighborhood, and what a great find. Right on the water, local and very well prepared ingredients, great service, and top notch food for the price. what more could anyone want??
(4)
Eleen W.
The food was good, but nothing amazing like Sitka and Spruce. I suppose you would come here for the view of Alki beach, and a romantic dinner over wine. It works, but doesn't make me beg for more.
(3)
Nick M.
Forget Salty's! Phoenicia sets the standard for fine dining on Alki. My wife an have lived on Alki for one year, and we have been to Phoenicia three times so far, with many more visits planned. My mom's side of the family is Lebanese, so I know what real Lebanese cuisine is all about. Don't tell my family, but the food at Phoenicia is by far the best I have ever had. So far, I have had the chicken, lamb, salmon, baked kibbee, and even some of Hussein's special "magic sauce". The lamb and salmon dishes are my favorite. Phoenicia is about way more than just the food. The owner, Hussein, is one of the kindest and easiest people to talk to that you will ever meet. Don't expect to order off the menu though. Hussein is always prepared to make you something very special that is not on the menu. My wife an I recently patronized Phoenicia for our second wedding anniversary, and Hussein recommended some broiled copper river salmon with special magic sauce. He even let me sample the magic sauce before I ordered. The salmon was so tender that it melted in my mouth, and the magic sauce gave it a better flavor than any salmon I have ever had. I have no idea what was in it, but it was great. Don't forget to save room for desert!!! The baklava is outstanding. Last time, we had the rose/lavender cream brulee. Hussein went back in to the kitchen, made lots of noise, then promptly returned with the cream brulee in his left hand, and a huge yellow blow torch tucked under his right arm. He proceeded to melt the sugar on top of the cream brulee right there in front of us. It was so much fun!! Take it from me, this is a great place to eat. My wife an I get out a lot, and we have sampled food from all over the Seattle area. Phoenicia is by far our favorite place to eat. I joined yelp for no other reason than to give Hussein 5 stars.
(5)
Jackie K.
Hands down. Best salmon dish I have ever tasted. And I've tried a lot of salmon...
(5)
Alex C.
My favorite restaurant on Alki. Great food and service!
(5)
Heather W.
Decided to eat here on a whim after walking up and down Alki with a friend and 2 toddlers. Not exactly a place I'd take a toddler to again, but I'd go back again on a date or with other adults. In fact, I'd say this is a really good spot for a date (before/after a walk on Alki - boo yah!) It wasn't that they weren't warm and welcoming to children (shoot, I couldn't get them to stop playing with my son and bringing toys from the back for him!), it was just very nice and a bit too fancy for him to understand how to properly behave in such an environment. The service was excellent, and the owner is amazingly kind and attentive. Great presentation, good flavors, wonderful hummus. Good wine selection and enough tasty appetizers to ensure you never make it to the main course.
(4)
Ginger B.
A few friends and I stumbled into this place after walking around on Alki one windy winter afternoon. It felt like we had been welcomed into someone's warm home, forced to stuff ourselves with the most tasty food this side of Gibraltar, and sit for a while to watch the sunset. This is the place to take a date. Impress them with your knowledge of a wonderful, obscure restaurant. Dazzle them with the quality of the food. Then walk them across the street for a smooch by the Sound. A perfect evening.....
(5)
Lana J.
Amazing food and amazing service!! Family like atmosphere. Dishes were solidly prepared with fresh ingredients. We would definitely recommend this restaurant and we will dine here again!
(5)
Dave A.
Outstanding tapas, pizzas and wine.
(5)
Mac J.
So dang good. I'd heard good things since Hussein's sad passing, and they were not wrong. We only had a simple dinner, appetizers and pizza. We had a caprese salad with perfect buffalo mozzarella, as well as some perfectly tender scallops. The pizza was fantastic, each ingredient adding its taste in perfect harmony. I'll be back here soon. It's good to see Hussein's family carrying on his tradition of great food with warm service. One of the best kinds of neighborhood joints.
(5)
Chris R.
So not the first date like the last review, but date night after 20 years. What a great spot. Had no idea what to order so asked the wait staff to just take care of us. They inquired about any allergies, and then we had an amazing evening of food. The truffle pizza was amazing, the spicey beef, and don't pass on the desserts--and the Turkish coffee. They even came out to read the coffee grounds at the end of the evening. Everything had incredible flavor. Atmosphere is casual but romantic with low lights. Give this place a try, worth the trip to West Seattle, and parking was not a problem and free, not like downtown.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Emily Z.
Just ate here last night on a date, and really liked the place. Our server was very attentive, and our waitress offered us some great wine recommendations. The pizza was absolutely incredible, we got the Roasted Squash with gorgonzola and loved it! We'll definitely be coming back here again!
(5)A R.
I cannot stop day dreaming about their squash pizza. Always delectable!!
(5)Rose N.
We keep coming back...yes we live a few blocks away but the service, fresh (daily selected and bought) quality ingredients, and lovely atmosphere are just wonderful.
(5)Kathleen M.
A dreamy intimate spot with pleasant service and thoughtful food. I liked it. A lot. Small plates, fresh salads, artisanal pizzas and sweet desserts. It's a tapas menu with local and sustainable foods from Salumi, Zoe's meats, Husky Deli, West Seattle Farmer's Market, Stumptown Coffee, Painted Hills Beef and many more. Some rotating entrees listed on their blackboard with many vegetarian and vegan options too. They know their wines and have the perfect pairing for each and every plate. Grab a seat. Relax. Sip. Taste. Chat. Mingle. Enjoy.
(5)Charlie C.
If you're looking for a romantic and intimate evening in Alki this is the spot. Great appetizers, I highly recommend the fiery prawns. Pizzas are amazing! Very friendly staff as well. Can't go wrong here.
(5)Carl M.
Horrible
(1)Leah S.
This is a romantic and warm family run restaurant on a beautiful Alki beach front setting. The food and service is amazing! Many gluten free options. Awesome staff and amazing menu and wine list! A must go for all and new regular spot for me!
(5)Kayan H.
Nice little place on Alki. We had: -Olives: okay -Flank Steak: pretty good -Scallops: pretty good -Truffle oil pizza: Delicious! -Mushroom Gnocchi: okay -Bread: good and the olive oil/vinegar it came with was great! You have to order this, it doesn't come complementary with meal so I'm listing it as a separate item I think if we had ordered more pizza and less of everything else it may have gotten a 4 star. But since it's a tapas place, I thought it best to actually try the tapas; however, as most of the reviews stated, not worth the price. I've had better tapas (for example at Black Bottle), but the pizza was pretty good. I don't love it as much as Bar Del Corso though.
(3)Michael K.
A truly perfect date spot for the pair (or adventurous threesome) that enjoys good food, good wine, and a fantastic dining experience. The decor and lighting are intimate and romantic and the waitstaff is professional, while maintaining a warm and friendly demeanor. Thankfully, my partner in crime on this occasion shared my inability to order appropriate amounts of food, so we were able to try a great deal of the menu items. Fiery prawns and scallops - Both of these were phenomenal and certainly my favorites. The sauce had so much flavor packed in to each bite, and despite the very admirable amount of spice, none of the flavors ended up masked. The scallops were cooked perfectly, as well, which while clearly necessary, just doesn't seem to happen at as many places as one would hope. For small plates, the portions were generous. Pesto Pizza - If a dish has pesto in it, chances are I'm going to absolutely love it, regardless of the rest of the ingredients or style of dish. Regardless of this, the pizza here is pretty incredible. The crust has that perfect crunchy outside, chewy inside finish, and the mozzarella and feta were perfect. After a childhood filled with the belief that Pizza Hut was the best pizza in the world, I'm certainly glad that my taste buds have grown up, even if I haven't. Buffalo Caprese - I can't say no to a caprese salad, regardless of whether I'm eating the same ingredients on a pizza. The mozzarella and tomato were both fantastic, and I really enjoyed the Olive Oil they used, which was a lot lighter and tangier than some of I've tried (Tangier is not the right word - in fact I'm not sure it is a word...). Hummus and Baba Ghanoush (I think there was something else - Delicious. Superb. Their pita bread was awesome too - didn't even think about how I wished it was na'an as I do at most places. Yum. I think I said it already. Fantastic first date spot. Fantastic drink wine and eat food spot. **Special request - please move to Seattle proper... preferably within three blocks of my house. West Seattle Bridge makes Mike a sad panda.
(5)Coleena S.
Beautiful spot located on Alki beach. If you go at night there should be ample parking right out front or on the adjacent streets. Tapas are excellent. They leave you feeling full but not gluttonous. I met my friend here on a Friday night and the place was full, not to worry though there's plenty of space at the bar, where I waited until she arrived. We ordered 6 dishes, perfect for sharing between two people: *Trio of Spreads - hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh served with warm pita *Grilled Portabella - in a sweet balsamic clove reduction with arugula *Saffron Chicken - with roasted red chili and watercress *Fiery Prawns - accompanied by habanero oil, red chili, cilantro and garlic *39 Spice Beef - Painted Hills all natural beef with crimini mushrooms and arugula *Mixed Greens - field greens with balsamic raspberry vinaigrette, Bosc pears, candied Marcona almonds, and gorgonzola dolce. I really loved the salad, it was perfect. Other than that my favorite dish was the 39 Spice beef and the Fiery Prawns. Total for that was around 60 dollars with tip. Seem steep for small plates? I admit when the plates came out I was surprised at how small some of the portions seemed. However upon tasting everything, it became obvious that some of the finest ingredients are used to make those dishes taste amazing. Much if not all of those ingredients are sourced from local sustainable companies, often organic too. I'm not going to go there every day, but I liked it. The atmosphere is great. It's candlelit with a dimmed light and the service is reasonably fast.
(4)Mariela M.
Well sourced ingredients, expertly prepared and artfully presented. Exquisite, unique flavors that tantalize the tastebuds. I had 2 small plates: the garlic beans with creamy tarragon sauce and the flat iron steak with balsamic and an arugula/pickled pepper trimming. Perfect. Delectable. I also had a pizza and that was OK. It had a thin but doughy crust and I think I like something a little more crisp. Personal preference. I ordered the pizza without 2 of the main ingredients so it tasted a little bland, but that was probably due to the way I customized it. After I was done eating I was left with a happy full feeling that comes from having a good quality meal. Not a meal pumped full of salt and cheap oils to jack up the flavor, but a meal made with real, quality ingredients like good olive oil, fresh produce and well sourced cheese. Food meant to please and nourish, not just briefly entertain. This place has soft lighting and mellow, contemporary music. It's a little more expensive than other spots on Alki, but it's worth it. It's a culinary experience. .
(4)Charity R.
Definitely a great spot on Alki. Food was delicious. Would be a great spot for a fancy date night.
(4)Danielle F.
My new favorite spot on Alki. Usually, I go down to Alki solely for the ambiance of being near the water, but La Phonecia is good enough that I'd go location aside. We split a couple of the pizzas, both of which were excellent and made with the highest quality ingredients.
(5)Amanda M.
A couple good friends of ours live right off Alki, just a block or two up from Phoenecia, and they had been raving about this place for months. They promised it would be worth the drive out to West Seattle. We finally made it over there for dinner at Phoenicia, and all I can is I wish we'd done it sooner! The pizza was unexpectedly stupendous. We all got a different pizza for dinner and there wasn't a dud in the bunch. My favorite was off the specials board - I can't remember the exact ingredients now, but I do recall that it combined salty meat with sweet figs - an excellent and surprising combo. The Alki with spicy salami, caramelized onions, kalamata olives and a medley of cheese was also mouth-wateringly delicious. I would encourage you to branch out and try something a little different rather than just getting a basic margarita or pepperoni pizza - you might be surprised! We didn't even get to the tapas menu, with the exception of the 39 Spice Beef... it packs a punch! Tons of flavor and tender meat, great for sharing as an appetizer. Prices are in the mid-range but certainly justified given the quality of the food. Love the focus on local, sustainable ingredients. This a really a neighborhood gem. Great spot for a date or dinner with friends. The front windows offer a gorgeous view of the sunset behind the Olympics... but go early if you want to snag a window table (or hope you get lucky!).
(5)Brian B.
On a Saturday near the end of June when the pouring rains cleared late and the sun *finally* came shining though at around dinner time, everyone came down to Alki to eat & hang out. Our table for 9 wasn't quite ready when we arrived so they offered us each a glass of prosecco while we waited and kept us updated until we could be seated. They did a great job of getting tables (and even a few other customers!) shuffled around and organized; everyone was happy & smiling. It was clear that we were all much more interested in talking than ordering so they helped us choose a variety of appetizers for the table. These were all very tasty, probably my favorite was the 39 Spice Beef which was very tender and super flavorful. When it came time to order our meals a few folks had a specific entree in mind and the rest just shared a variety of pizzas, again with the helpful recommendation of the staff. The fig pizza from the specials board was a huge hit because of it's great mix of flavors. The Alki and the Sausage and Peppers pizzas were also very good. The mushroom & ox tail risotto from of the specials board was off-the-hook delicious - highly recommended! We shared ice cream, baklava, and tiramisu plates for dessert and liked them all. We were celebrating and the birthday girl even got a chocolate creme brulee which was a nice surprise in addition to being quite yummy! While we clearly loved the food I must make a special point to say that the two ladies running the show did a great job. Their service and assistance with the ordering were just awesome and we had a great night because of their efforts. Thanks so much for a memorable evening!
(5)Steve A.
I want to like this place, but I really can't justify eating here on a consistent basis. The good: 1.) Good wine, good pizza, good charcuterie. 2.) Good wine bar atmosphere with good music selection. The bad: 1.) Wayyyy too crowded. 2.) No reservations for parties of 4 or less. You've gotta be kidding me - people line up out the door for a table, the restaurant and bar are far too crowded, and you can't control the flow by setting up reservations for the most common table sizes - couples or small parties? Ridiculous. 3.) The small plates are nothing special. True, ingredients are "local and sustainable", but the flavors need revamping. The spiced beef tastes like someone dumped pumpkin spice on the plate. The saffron chicken tastes like someone dumped the sauce on boiled chicken and called it good. You don't get good value for the taste. 4.) Price. You pay a premium to eat here and leave full. If this could just be a wine bar and serve pizza and charcuterie, along with a happy hour, I'd be so happy with the place. But, since there's a lack of good restaurants on Alki to meet the demand, I don't see any changes coming to Phoenecia. I'd recommend Phoenecia for after-dinner drinks or a small snack, but that's about it.
(3)Anthony B.
Phoenicia has been around for a long time, in several locations, integrated into the fabric of the Seattle restaurant scene. Since William has taken over from his dad, Hussein, it hasn't been better. The remodel and new menu provide a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine in Seattle and the service is spectacular. If you haven't been, the squash pizza is must. This is a great place to go if you are looking for an experience and want to dine for a couple hours on Alki Beach.
(5)Sharon W.
In our neighborhood of Alki, there are only a few gems and Phoenecia is one of them. It is so nice to be welcomed by Inam, Nadia and Sonia; they're created a warm mediterranean bistro vibe that is always a pleasure to walk into If we're lucky, we grab a window table to people watch as well as admire the view of the beach and Olympics. Off the chalkboard menu, I usually order the lamb shank or eggplant parm but when I'm in the mood for pizza, I get the spicy Alki, rosemary lamb sausage or proscuitto and arugula. The flavorful crust is made from a secret recipe with special yeast. One evening I brought friends from San Francisco and we shared a bottle of Sharecropper's cab sav as well as a variety of tapas - saffron chicken, crab cakes, portobellos, caprese salad, bean salad, pizza - plenty of variety for every palate. It was a memorable night in Seattle for them and I was proud that Phoenecia is right down the street and my favorite "go to" spot. Check it out in any season but summer. The winter is when it returns to us locals . . . much easier to get a table! But if you come on a warm sunny day, get there early because many others feel the same way as I do!
(5)Sarah M.
Awesome location, great food, confusing service, good drinks makes for an all around good experience. You can't beat the location. Located right on Alki beach in the midst of the action, it's a great place to people watch from. We snagged a great table by the window and could watch pedestrians as they walked by... The service was confusing because I felt like we had 4 different servers waiting on us (which we did). Every time we looked over, someone else was there. It didn't ruin the experience by any means but was just...odd. Good drink recommendations for wine and beer...was very happy with my sauvignon blanc. So...we all ordered pizza which seems to be what they are known for. When I first saw the pizzas, I will be honest, I was disappointed. There was SO MUCH CRUST and nothing to the pizza. I thought I would be starving by the end since there was no "meat" to it. Pun intended. Well, I was totally wrong about my preconceived notions because the pizza was excellent. I do wish there was more to the pizza but I left feeling incredibly full and happy. I had the Alki pizza with olives, carmelized onions, and sausage which was excellent. I'd totally recommend it. Couldn't tell you how much the check was because the boys paid this time around. Definitely a "nicer" place on Alki...it's a tiny restaurant though and they only take reservations for 5 or more so get here early!
(4)Sasan A.
The 39 spice beef had a very sophisticated mixture of flavors which made it a unique taste for me, very different and definitely recommended. The squash pizza was also very different and tasty. I tried the trio dessert, ice cream + baklava + tiramisu. The tiramisu was not special at all, but the other two were really good. This place is by the water and has great view. The have very good choice of background music and good lighting.
(4)Emmett B.
Appetizers were delicious.. the pizza was unique and one of the best pizzas I ever had. Yes, you must order one of their specialty pizzas, otherwise you'll be missing out. This place was intimate yet had a lot of character to it. Did I mention, they have a great wine list! Oh gosh, their pizza was delish!
(5)Katya L.
I had a coupon for Phoenecia that was expiring, so a friend and I made the trek down to Alki to sample this restaurant's wares. Upon arrival (about 45 minutes after opening) we were told that there was an hour wait. After some consideration, we decided to stick around, and we were so glad we did! I got the call a half hour after we put our names down - not an hour, as quoted, so that was a nice surprise - and we made our way back to the restaurant to get promptly seated. The space is tiny, and pretty packed with tables. We were inches away from a couple on my left and a sizable family party on my right. Kind of annoying, but it was Mother's Day, so probably not the best time to go out in the first place. We dealt with it. Ordered two glasses of a decent pinot noir (generous pours) and the scallops to start. For the main course, we split one of their special pizzas, a rosemary lamb sausage, eggplant and mozzarella creation. The flavors were great - the scallops were tender, moistened with olive and hot chili oils, and the lamb sausage tasted delicious, although it could have used more eggplant. My main complaint with the food was the crust of the pizza - it took up about half of the pie's circumference. It was puffy and airy and the dough was great, but the actual topping to crust ratio was way off. I don't want to eat two inches of crust when the slice itself is all of four inches. The service was prompt and friendly and the flavors of the food were great. I really enjoyed the experience, but considering the serving sizes and the prices (2 scallops for $12, ouch) I probably won't be back. Food is delicious, but the value isn't the best.
(4)Seattle F.
Soda served by the can to my table? How elegant, nothing says that this place deserves a $35 main course like a can of diet coke sitting on the table. Pour it. The can of DC is great at Paseo's to go with my $7 sandwich, but not with my main course here. The food was ok, not great. Be prepared to spend if you want to eat any real amount. Much like Serious Pie, the pizza here is a big load of bread with not a lot on it besides a ton of oil. The only a la carte main course dishes really are the nightly specials. That's great and all, but it puts you at the whim of whatever untested recipe of the day that the cook has dreamed up. The service was alright. It's a busy and small place, so service is going to be limited. We did have the wrong meals delivered, but it was obvious given that we had ordered just 2 minutes before. Thankfully, neither of us touched them so they went on to the proper owners. Phoenecia needs to figure out if it wants to be low end or high end. The mutt blend that they're doing now leaves something to be desired. ps. What the heck is 'phoenecia' anyways. Did they mean Phoenicia? I couldn't find the place in GPS due to the spelling.
(2)J K.
A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. The pizza is to die for. Trust me.
(4)Robyn S.
Absolutely LOVE Phoenecia! I've been here twice and can honestly say it's in my top 5 Seattle restaurants. There's so much about this place that I adore. The ambiance is small, quaint, dark, romantic - a perfect date spot. The service is amazing. From the time you walk in to the time you stand up to leave - everyone you encounter here is gracious, attentive and welcoming. I just get the feeling that everyone who works there, WANTS to be there and wants the customers to enjoy their meal. I usually never comment on a restaurant's service too much unless it was completely horrible - but for Phoenecia, it's quite the opposite. When I recommend this place to friends, I rave about how lovely everyone here is. And now the food - all dishes I've tried here on both visits were fantastic. Get the cheese plate, it's awesome! Several cheeses, fig jam, pears and crackers. Simple, yet delicious. Their pizzas are great too. Hummus plate, quinoa salad, 39 spice beef...all of them are 5-star worthy. Bottom line, Phoenecia is awesome! LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.
(5)Aaron H.
Top rated place on Alki Beach with a little outdoor seating, well dang....let's give it a try! We procured a couple of seats outside so we could watch the evening entertainment stroll along alki beach. The service was nice and the meal consisted of a couple small plates and a pizza. We tried the 39 spice beef (honestly, could do without probably 20 of the spices since they just blended together and left almost a paste texture in your mouth because of the spice consistency), the trio of spreads, and the phoenicia pizza. The spreads were nice and I wanted more, but the pizza was ok. This is the kind of pizza where it really isn't special and doesn't hit that pizza craving spot. The crust is also huge on the pizza taking up some much needed toppings square footage. Overall it is a nice quiet spot away from a lot of the hectic activity of the beach strip. It was a nice meal with decent prices, just nothing stood out that would bring us back.
(3)Stephanie T.
Phoenicia is just another reason that I think West Seattle is awesome. Situated right on Alki Beach, it's hard to imagine a more lovely spot to have a drink, watch the sunset, and enjoy a wide variety of delicious food. There's something for everyone: pizzas, steak, seafood, and the mark of any good restaurant: a rotating specialty cheese plate. Two things I might particularly recommend are caprese salad (served with a basil-infused olive oil) and the 5-spice beef (I don't know what the spices are but they are pretty darn good). Our server told us that their sweet potato pizza was one of their most popular varieties and it didn't disappint - it was sort of like combining Thanksgiving with fresh wood-fired pizza. If that sounds gross, I'd challenge you to go and let me know what you think. In any event, a step above and beyond the normal tourist/mediocre beach food you get in many of the establishments nearby with an intimate ambience to boot. Now all they need is a full liquor license!
(5)Sarah R.
My husband and I visited Phoenecia for a belated Valentine's dinner last Friday and I'm sorry to say the experience was a disappointment. I hesitate to write this review because I know it is a hard working family restaurant and I'm a big advocate of our West Seattle establishments. That said, we intentionally visited Phoenicia for a low-key, inexpensive meal (prompted by a Scoutmob coupon for 50% off) and were sorely misguided. Here's a breakdown of our dinner: Mixed green salad ($10) - nice dressing, but fairly small and a bit measly on the plate. Also missing candied marcona almonds as described in the menu. Fiery Prawns ($12) - flavorful, but another basic portion of four small shrimp with no other garnish. Sausage & Peppers Pizza ($15) - terrific Fig Special Pizza ($15) - terrific Baklava - We were full from our pizza, so we asked for two orders to go. The waitress handed us a container with six small pieces along with the check, including a $16 charge for our dessert. (For reference, the menu on the wall described this dessert as served with fresh berries and Husky deli ice cream - neither of which were offered or included with our to go order.) Total cost (including a glass of wine, a beer and a soda) - $89 The kicker was our Scoutmob coupon for 50% off -- MAX $10 LIMIT. Laughable, considering it didn't even cover the tip. Admittedly, we didn't make a fuss over any charges or errors at the time - a mistake in retrospect. I think we were trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, and the bill caught us off guard. I'm not sure what I find more frustrating - that our meal was so expensive, or we that we didn't choose a place like Staple & Fancy or Revel where it would seem justified.
(2)Tom B.
Great spot, great room, great kitchen, great wine program, great staff. This place really has it all. It's pretty comical to see them getting knocked for not offering good greek food...only the name is greek. Everything behind the sign is purely a modern american foodie bistro. First off, it sits up against a wall of tabletop to ceiling windows framing a spectacular view of Alki and the Alki sunset. You can't overstate the effect that has on the dining room. It's a small place, just a few tables and barstools. But the menu and wine list (even the beer list) are all adventurous and ambitious. They specialize in pizzas, with lots of great dishes and appetizers complementary to a good pizza roster. And pizza really is a fair specialty here; they say their oven hits 900 degrees and does things to the crusts that lesser ovens simply can't do. Bottom line, this place is a great laid back spot for interesting dishes and drinks with first class ingredients in a totally unpretentious setting. They do a great job of blending the best of everything with a totally easy-going attitude.
(5)Diana L.
We had dinner there and every thing on the table was a piece of perfect. Try eggplant parmesan, one of their pizzas and spread trio. Great food, good service and nice views of the beach (especially for the sunset).
(4)Melissa B.
Went here last weekend with a bunch of girls- we got there shortly after they opened- 5:15. Thirty min later the place was filled! The 39spice beef was the most amazing thing! However, there were only two people on staff, so service was not that great.
(4)Robert B.
I know I said my last review would be my last, but darn it, it would be injustice if I didn't call out brilliance when I see it. Phoenicia 101: if they announce a special, ORDER IT!! You will be in for a 'Top Chef' experience. Right now (May 2011) they are featuring a rack of lamb special. So what, you say? Everyone does rack of lamb. But not like these guys, Sparky! A generous serving of 'lollipops' of marinated lamb ribs, each dressed with a dollop of house pesto sauce, is served over a dome of savoury rice pilaf. All seemingly ordinary, but the brilliance is in the details. The flavour profile is carefully planned, and each 'lollipop' bursts with Mediterranean power. Normally a 'throw-away' adjunct, the pilaf has been taken to the next level by being 'punched up' with pistachio, almonds, and pine nuts, and a secret blend of herbs and spices! I was here on a rainy Wednesday night and the place was PACKED! Foodies are on to these guys, but come anyway. Come early or late and avoid the rush, and enjoy this island of sunny Mediterranean goodness on Alki beach. Oh yes, BTW, this staff (mom and her two daughters) HUSTLE! A packed dining room, and they were on top of it! Mad props to this family!!!
(5)Kay H.
This is a family business and truly a neighborhood gem. Wonderful and cozy atmosphere and the food is amazing. They have a standard and a rotating menu. Try the lamb shank, it is juicy, tender, and flavorful. Great date place for dinner or just a glass of wine.
(5)Vickie D.
We love the new atmosphere here and the food is simple and deliciious. The family and staff is great and we always feel very welcome. In the past few months I have been scheduling business dinners here instead of in the city. My colleagues from around the world love the menu, service and location.
(5)Lindsey S.
Love this place!! Everything was great: food, service, and atmosphere! Started off with the Artisan Cheese Plate, we didn't care for one of the cheeses so the server offered to substitute another. Great selection and really yummy fig jam on the side. For our main course we had pizza....SO GOOD. Upon the servers suggestion I had the Truffle Oil, and couldn't have been more happy. It was incredible, very light but great flavor. My boyfriend had Zoe's Pepperoni and loved it as well. Everything from start to finish was great. Highly recommend for a date night, girls night out, anything really!
(5)David W.
I have never had a bad experience here. It is uber small so you may want to call ahead. It will be cozy when you sit...but the food, to me, is worth it. Delicious wood fired pizzas, Pasta and wine selection are great and the ladies that run the place are very friendly and helpful in wine selection or food recommendation.
(4)Conrad C.
You can't beat this location on a nice evening - great views, the beach right nearby, and the sunset. The food is pretty good too. The three of us shared the 39 spice beef, which was alright - way too saucy in my opinion, in an attempt to mask the beef, which was nothing special. We each got a pizza - 2 Alki's and a fig and prosciutto special. I enjoyed it more than my dinnermates. The quality of the ingredients stood out, although the pizza is incredibly greasy. I think that turned off the other two. But each of the pizzas was good and, combined with the location, is a reason to go back.
(3)K A.
Over priced, small portions and not that great for the money. I was excited to try this restaurant, so my husband and I went on a busy Friday night. We got a $12 scallop appetizer and a $12 prawn appetizer. The food came out and there were 2 small scallops and 4 prawns. Both were drizzled in the same pepper olive oil. For 4-6 bucks a pop, definitely not worth it. We ordered a pizza because we didn't know they had entrees (they weren't on the menu and no one told us). It took awhile to be brought out and was pretty good, but again, small and not worth the price. If you are looking to spend money in a romantic atmosphere and leave not hungry, go to La Rustica instead.
(2)Fatima G.
This place rocks, the server told me she loved my purse and really that's all that matters to me. Okay fine, the food was pretty amazing too. We came here for my birthday and snagged a table by the window. It was one of the last sunny days in Seattle, so to spend it with views of the water was pretty amazing. I can appreciate the european atmosphere of the restaurant, down to not being rushed by the service at all. We started with the hummus plate and then moved on to pizza and their 39 spice beef. I felt like I could taste every single one of those 39 spices, the beef was tender and so flavorful. Definitely a highlight!
(5)Audrey L.
A great view AND great food is hard to come by these days. This little restaurant has them both. With amazing tapas, pizzas, and pastas, it's a bit of a European fusion cuisine. A cute and romantic spot, great for birthdays, dates, or just a night out. **Grilled Portabella - Grilled to perfection. Wish there were more! **39 Spice Beef - can't believe this dish had 39 spices! I'm not sure if our palette is capable of tasting that many flavors at once even. The spices may have started to blend together, because while it had a lot of flavor, it didn't quite meet the high expectations of that many spices **Pizza Special - This this crust was one of the best I've had. The pizza itself was slightly greasy; you could see the oil dripping off. Hopefully it was healthy olive oil, haha. The combination of ingredients went really well together though. **Seafood Marinara - I normally don't like seafood, but this was quite tasty. **Poached Pear - tender and flavorful, just as it should be!
(4)Angela K.
Delicious food, fantastic service! Definitely try the kale salad and fig pizza - you can't go wrong!
(5)A V.
Perfection! Try everything on the menu. When you consider paying $10 for a salad, also consider that it is all local and organic. Their produce and ingredients are simply superior to what you would find at most restaurants. We have ordered lamb at all the best restaurants in Seattle. Most of the time it has a weird after taste or is over cooked. Phoenecia cooks their lamb shank to perfection. I love how inspired their food is. It is evident that someone with a deep passion for great food carefully operates this establishment.
(5)Sandy B.
This is my favorite restaurant on Alki. The lamb and pizza dishes are excellent. The employees are friendly as well.
(5)Dean R.
Another outstanding pizza experience. The sausage & pepper and the truffle oil (I added sauce) rocked. I wish the pies were a touch bigger and the sauce/cheese ventured closer to the edges, but this place is approaching Apizza Scholl's quality. Bananas Foster pretty dope as well.
(5)Jody N.
If it wasn't for yelp, I don't think I ever would have wandered into this darling little spot. The outside signage and decor is nothing to rave about, however, the second you walk into their front door you are welcomed to one of the most warm, inviting atmospheres I've ever experienced in a small restaurant. The menu is hand written on the giant chalk board, the staff is ready and waiting for your arrival, promptly bringing food, wine and water and the music gives enough of an ambiance without making you yell during conversation. My boyfriend and I shared numerous small plates (which were actually quite large) including the olives, beef platter and antipasto plate. We shared a salmon dish which was to die for, and if I could have fit anything else into my stomach I would have dove into their gluten free pastas, and hummus dips accompanied by gluten free crackers. This little gem in West Seattle is perfect for a date or get together with friends. The perfect location allows you to enjoy the Alki walkway. With all the food you'll eat, you'll need a little walk to help digest :)
(5)Nathan H.
I brought my mother and stepfather here to celebrate my mothers birthday. Other than the usual hassles with finding a parking spot on Alki, I was once again impressed by this restaurant. My mother has this annoying habit of always trying to pay for dinner when we go out. While I appreciate the thought, this was for her birthday and there was no way in hell she was going to pull that tonight. I let the waitress know that it was her birthday and she was not to accept payment from either my mother or stepfather and she agreed immediately and help enforce my request at the end of the meal. =) The food was absolutely delicious, and even my stepfather, who has gluten issues, was able to find several dishes that he could enjoy. The wait staff was fabulous and the wine was awesome. HIGHLY.RECOMMEND.YOU.TRY.IT.
(5)Michelle Z.
My husband and I headed to Phoenecia in late summer, per a friend's recommendation. Right on the beach in beautiful, walkable West Seattle, we decided to make the most of a beautiful day and make an evening of it. Phoenecia is a family run restaurant (which made me like it immediately) and specializes in "artisanal pizza" and tapas, despite its Greek name. Though my gluten-free friend had raved about the tapas - it was really the pizza that won us over. The chewy but crispy crust was phenomenal, and the crimini mushroom-truffle oil toppings weren't half bad either! We ordered some wine, enjoyed the sunset, and had ourselves a delicious evening!
(4)Elishema F.
I love this place! The service is always great, the location is perfect (right on Alki Beach), and the food is delish. Try one of their pizzas, you won't regret it.
(5)Stephanie C.
Still my fav restaurant in Seattle! Again, I brought visiting family to Phoenecia. It's a great place for anyone who's never been to Seattle before because you get amazing views of the sunset in the mountains and the city with all of its lights at night. As usual, my family was really impressed and enjoyed our experience there. I really enjoy how fresh and simple the food is. My family also remarked how table turnover isn't very fast. I said it's because everyone is enjoying their food, wine and the view! Food was great. This time I tried the fig pizza (a-ok, not amazing though) and the bean salad (loved). Service wasn't so great this time. The cooks closed our ticket too early and forgot to bring out the pizzas so by the time 2 people were done with their pasta we other two just got our pizza. However, they apologized and gave us two free desserts, which was nice. My only other issue is the layout of the restuarant. It's a very tight squeeze between tables. I hope they get a larger space someday!
(4)Peter A.
Phoenicia at Alki is one of the best restaurants in the City- for its food, character, and view of the Sound. It has fantastic food and the staff is among the best. The menu has a little for everyone and if there are multiple things on the menu you like or changes you want to make to a specific dish, Hussein is more than happy to make the dish to your specifications. Hussein is one of the most personable characters. He will likely tell you what you should have and make you something "special." You won't be disappointed regardless of the dish or the wine he brings you. I could not recommend this restaurant more.
(5)Ian L.
I visited Phoenicia a few months back during the summer after hearing good things from a friend. My party was 8 people, so we half assumed that we would be tagged for automatic gratuity. What we didn't know was that it was 20% gratuity *after* tax, so 22% gratuity pretax. That would have been good to know up front. Regardless of that, our experience was pretty decent. All of the plates were delicious, and especially the lamb shank that was available at the time. The pizzas seem to be the best value for your money, and we got the sausage & peppers one. We also tried the 39 spice beef, but I can't remember how it tasted. The lamb was incredibly tender and tasty though, and it practically fell off the bone. Price-wise, this place is a bit harder on your wallet, but the atmosphere is charming, and our waitress was at least nice enough to stop us from over-ordering even more than we did. Overall, Phoenicia offers very tasty food, but I probably wouldn't come back with a group of 6+.
(3)Stephan J.
This place is top notch! I love how friendly the family who runs this place is. Order from the chalk board and you won't be disappointed. I had a fantastic kale salad and the lamb sausage pizza. They both were exceptional.
(5)Bianca T.
SO happy to have finally made my way over to try Phoeneia. I've lived in West Seattle for nearly 10 years and have always heard murmurs about them. Then, not too long ago, I read that the father/owner of Phoenecia unexpectedly passed. When I saw all the condolences and kind remarks about him and the restaurant, I knew I was missing out on something special. Luckily the family decided to persevere and re-open. We arrived on a Tuesday night around 6. Just a few tables were occupied, and we were warmly greeted. As per usual we just took a couple seats at the bar. There was a huge chalkboard menu taking space on the huge wall, and the view of the beach and sound was amazing. The wine and beer selection was really great. Lots of local and non-local selections for both. Then the menu is made up of all small plate items...charcuterie (Salumi's and Zoe's), cheeses, salads, and PIZZAS. We decided on 3 to start: Bean Salad, 39 Spice Beef, and Coppa Pizza. W.O.W. Amazing flavor on all levels. So simple, yet so complex. I don't know what all those spices were on the beef, but I'm pretty sure I tasted at least chocolate, cinnamon, and cumin. You gotta try this. The dessert selections I recall were Tiramisu, Baklava, Lavender Rose ice cream, panna cotta. True to form I had the Tiramisu. It was nice, but a bit too mellow for me. Needed more of a kick. If I had more room in my belly I would have tried the ice cream. Love me some lavender :) Anyway, I'm happy to say we have a new favorite restaurant in the 'hood...even though it's been around for years and years. Lots more on the menu we need to try..and I can't wait.
(5)Yat G.
Tapas Places, will definitely show when you search for Tapas in Seattle. Food is good, not as good as Ocho but good. Instead of Spanish flavors you definitely get more of the Mediterranean spice palate. It is a really good deal if you are getting a bottle of wine - see here goo.gl/YHxnl . With decent food and a different place in west seattle all in all and ok experience. I would stay away from the Pizza unless you wanted to each Pizza. Nothing special about it. 3.5 stars
(3)Alex H.
Decided to go to the Phoenicia for a birthday dinner after reading the rave reviews on Yelp. This place did not disappoint. My wife and I ordered the Sea Scallops, 39 spice beef, saffron chicken, mixed green salad and Coppa and Hot pepper pizza. The 39 spice beef was great. Perfectly seasoned as was everything else. The pizza was some of the best we've had and we were amazed at their crust. We plan on making a return visit with friends.
(5)Rhonda P.
last night could have been the best pizza I've had in Seattle. The dough is a perfect balance of chewy, crusty and fluffy...and the toppings were great too. My husband had the lamb sausage (on special), I enjoyed the proscuitto and my son had the Alki. Individual sized pizza's ran about $15 each. The service was very friendly and you can't beat the location along the beachs of Alki. I can't wait to go back and check out their other dishes.
(5)Guy N.
Last year, some local magazine ran a review of Seattle's ethnic restaurants that shouldn't be missed, and Phoenicia was listed among them. After reading the reviews on Yelp, my girlfriend & I added it to our personal list of places to try out. I was particularly enthusiastic about going since I'm a big fan of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. BTW - I'm not sure why some reviewers referred to this as a Greek restaurant. As best I can tell, it's Lebanese, which would be consistent with its name - "Phoenicia" (ancient name of the area where Lebanon sits). But I digress. We arrived for a very late lunch (4pm-ish) and were starving. We ordered the Trio of Spreads small plate, and the Bean Salad to start. I then ordered the Lamb Shank daily special while my girlfriend ordered the Sausage & Peppers pizza. What a disappointment. Nothing was bad, but nothing was great either. When going to a restaurant that got reviewed so well by both a magazine and Yelpers, I had higher expectations. In fact, with the kinds of reviews this place gets, the food should've been extraordinary. And it just wasn't. In fact, just about the best thing Phoenicia has going for it is probably its view along the Alki Beach waterfront. But even that comes at a price because it's a bit of a nightmare finding parking nearby. Those of you raving about Phoenicia's food either haven't had good Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, or just don't have very high standards. If you're looking for something that's genuinely extraordinary, just send me a message and I'll be glad to recommend places I think are much better.
(2)Holly S.
Yes, it's a beautiful location. It's Alki Beach! However, this is clearly an attempt for the family to rally after their patriarch passed away. I believe they modernized too quickly, and weren't terribly interested in jumping so quickly into the limelight. We tried the Mediterranean dip plate, seafood marinara, and the wild mushroom pizza. On the positive, I believe they are all trying very hard and always have a smile and a kind word. Also, the food is quite nice. The big chalkboard with daily specials was very appealing. And the pizzas are absolutely delicious. The crusts are moist yet crisp at the same time. Beautiful. And we loved two of the three dips - the hummus and baba ganoush were delicate and very tasty. We loved the pasta and the sauce used in the seafood marinara, but it seemed overpriced. On the downside, the place is too loud and really should have more tables and a podium of some sort so we know who to talk to when we get in. Too much space is now taken up by the bar. The bar stools are too short for the counter, so we felt like we were children all over again. It was very hard to get their attention, even when they were speeding past us every minute. Also, we were confused by the constant recommendation that we spread our least favorite dip (tasted like cream cheese) on the already perfect pizza crust. We tasted it, and were reminded of a bagel with cream cheese. We would have rather enjoyed the pizza for itself without adding even more calories. And it was strange to constantly see the chef looking out of the kitchen with a frown on his face. Guess he's interested in how the dining room is faring but looked disappointed. So, all in all, we could tell that there is a genuine effort to get it going. We'll likely go back but not on a hectic Friday night. Perhaps in the middle of the week or during the off season.
(2)Alisa B.
Phoenecia is a tapas bar and wine bar in the truest and most quintessential meaning of the phrase. Dark interior with huge front windows allowing a view of alki at sunset, dark tables and chairs, a chalkboard the size of the wall listing wine specials and some of their food options such as cheese of the week, wine racks line the bar and the decor is subdued. Romantic? Hells yes! Our server was sweet and actually seemed to REALLy like her job, in other words I don't think she was pretending to have a good time, she just honestly was having a good time. The food was stellar! A well thought out cheese plate complete with fruit, jam and other acoutrements, a spiced meat dish over warmed arugula the meat done rare and complimenting the spicey bight of the arugula, the only mediocre thing were the scallops. The dessert was a lovely scoop of vanilla ice cream and overall a take on a bananas foster, quite tasty. My wine was a bitey bordeaux with a lot of depth and my firend had a few types of beer durring the night cause he's a total beer snob and seemed to appreciate most of the menu.... Overal it was an awesome little spot and I'll be back soon.
(5)Joyce J.
Dined for the first time at Phoenicia Monday night and I am sad that I have never been there before. The food was really good and the service was friendly and personal. Other reviewers have commented on the small dining room and close-together tables. Yes, it's less roomy than some but I didn't find it to be a problem. We sat by the window and enjoyed a beautiful Alki sunset. Our table of 4 enjoyed the mixed greens salad and the Kale salad that was on the special board. Both were delicious. We also sampled the 39 flavor beef, yum! and the seared scallops small plate...definitely should not miss that one...One couple shared the sausage pizza with mama lil's peppers...mmmmm. And the other had the Margarita pizza. I am from Jersey so usually like thin crust east coast style pizza but this crust was very flavorful and melted in your mouth...this Jersey Girl gives it a thumbs up! We also tried the baklava which was just the right portion and fantastic. Highly recommend trying Pheonicia. We will be back again soon.
(4)Gaëlle G.
Worst Tiramisu ever! If you choose the small plates it becomes very expensive... pizzas looked good and more affordable.
(2)Danny D.
Amazing Pizza, super attentive and friendly/genuine service, you can tell this is a family owned restaurant where they take pride in what and how they make their food. Did I mention the pizza was amazing ? Compares favorably with Via Tribunali, and I might say (heavens... don't tell the foodies) better crust ? There, I said it. It's clean, classy, simple, great menu, good mix of Mediterranean and pizza, good beer selection. The Baklava was great with ice cream, the offered me Turkish coffee, but it was too late in the day for me, I can't wait to go back for lunch and try some other options on the menu !
(5)Kelly H.
If I could give this place 10 Stars, I certainly would. Not only is the food amazing, but the atmosphere is great...and the people are the best! The combination of all the things that make a fabulous restaurant, are what gives them 5 Stars and more! I have always wanted to have a 'favorite' restaurant, but never have been able to say it. I can now say with certainty that Phoenecia is my favorite restaurant of all time. I love it. I have tried most things on the menu, but my tops are the Trio of Spreads, 39 Spice Beef, Garlic Green Beans, Saffron Chicken, Artisan Cheese Plate, and the BREAD! (It's not on the menu, but ask for it, it is amazing)!!! The Baklava is homemade and super delicious! Amazing! After the first time we ever stepped into this restaurant, they have remembered us, and are the most friendly people ever. I love them! Anytime I walk in, Nadia asks if I want the Sierra Nevada, which of course, I sure do! :) This is a family business, with a family feel, and they make you feel like family. Thank you Phoenecia for being so amazing!
(5)Drew S.
My favorite place to on Alki, particularly fun to take guests, as the location/views are amazing. This has become our favorite neighborhood place - pizza and lamb shank are especially delicious.
(5)Elena H.
Went here on a date night with my boyfriend. Pretty crowded. Limited menu. Tasty food. We were seated at a table (as opposed to the bar) and we were nearly elbow to elbow with another couple. It was hard not to overhear their conversation (in french...so I couldn't really understand it). They had the most AMAZING garlic fingerling potatoes. I didn't hate it but I don't know if I'll be back.
(3)Amanda C.
What a great gem amidst a sea of so-so restaurants on Alki. This restaurant would be great in any location, but the fact that its on Alki gives it an extra boost. All the dishes we ordered were very tasty, especially the hummus trio and cheese platter. I rarely eat red meat, but their 39-spice beef would convert me back. And their pizza was delicious; much better than the pizza joint down the road. A great wine selection, yummy food, cozy atmosphere and attentive service make Phoenicia one of my top spots on Alki.
(4)Casey H.
View is divine Food is consistent and incredible Ambiance is to be remembered Service is way above average Wine list is great They have nailed it. It reminds me of little cafes you would stumble upon in NY - quaint, bustling and certainly welcoming. It's officially my new West Seattle fav!
(5)Jason G.
We went here for our anniversary recently, and it was just terrific. We had their "sausage and peppers" pizza (spicy and awesome), a tasty pesto chicken pasta special, and delicious bananas foster for dessert. Great views, great atmosphere. A treat!
(5)Margaret M.
We ate here last night for the first time. The service was great but the food was fabulous and the wine recommendation was spot on. We were reminded of the ambiance and flavors of Cesar in Berkeley Ca. (Founded by ex Chez Panise chefs) but without all the pretention and crazy wait times. The small plates are fun and the pizza is ridiculous, with the best crust ever. We will be eating here often.
(5)Joy P.
phoenecia is quickly becoming my go-to place to take friends who want to brave the west seattle bridge for a trip out west. the fact this restaurant continues to flourish despite the untimely death of the owner 2 years back is testimony to their commitment to the community and to good food. they've revamped things but the changes have all been positive. the pizzas are quite tasty and reasonably priced, with lots of flavor options. the small plates are also great for sharing. the ravioli are great as well. i've been pleased with every thing i have ordered in my multiple dining experiences here. the wine offerings are thoughtfully chosen and the staff usually goes above and beyond to make sure you are happy with whatever you are eating. a great place with great food.
(4)Brendon I.
Altogether a different experience this time around. Everything from last time seemed like a parallel universe, although a good number of the same people were there (none of the mean ones, though!). From the jump, errrything was way different. Walked in sat down, right away, was strangely empty though I guess Alki not as poppin on a overcast mid July day, but this is Seattle. Everyone was very nice to us, our service was great (though they did recognize us, which was both awkward and nice), and most importantly the food was delicious. We had the following (item titles may be slightly off): -Truffle Mushroom Pizza (special of day, I believe?) -Coppa plus Hot Pepper Pizza -House Salad -Spicy Beef -Fiery Prawns -Charcuterie Plate -Cheese Plate -Dessert Trio Not one of these items wasn't delicious, the dessert was the least remarkable and still better than average. The truffle mushroom pizza blew my mind, the spicy beef was great. Everything else solid all around. I expected based on last time that my experience may have been an outlier. This time, polar opposite, great time. My only complaint would be that service was so quick that we felt rushed sometimes, and hey... I guess you can always tell them you are in no rush.
(5)Jeff G.
If you see an extra bright star shining over Alki that's probably Hussein smiling his approval of the family's reboot. The place looks very different with darker tones and a sleek granite bar. One whole wall is now a black board dedicated to specials. The family is there in force with the same warmth and friendliness that Hussein always showed. The emphasis now is on small plates and artisinal pizza. We had the caprese salad which had delicate mozzarella, EVOO and a little tomato relish on top. The pita with three spreads was also very good. The pizzas are also really good, very different than their two Greek pizza neighbors. They're hand thrown with lots of fresh ingredients, the Delicata Squash with gorgonzola was good. One quibble is that the blackboard is a little hard to read and there were a lot of words spelled incorrectly. (Zucini, Mozzerela) It didn't bother me but one of my dining partners was pretty annoyed. This is a really good addition to the Alki Restaurant scene and for my money, a far better Alternative to Tutta Bella.
(5)Meghan M.
I know something you don't know.... well ok, maybe you know if you;ve read other recent reviews, but can you just pretend to be surprised and amazed for me? Here it is... Phoenicia version 2010 is here!!!! And it is A-MAZING! I went last Wednesday for the soft opening and lined up multiple dinner dates for myself so I could sit there for hours and try some of everyone's food. Needless to say I got a nice start on my goal of tasting all of the Phoenicia's new delights. So here it goes, I had 3 of the new fancy pizzas, Sausage and Peppers, made with the BEST sausage ever (I am totally a sausage connoisseur so you can trust me) and Mama Lil Peppers. I LOVED it, loved it loved it. The pizzas are a perfect size to share as an app or have all to yourself for a meal. I don't know about you, but I love me some options with my food. Next was the The Alki, with spicy salami, Walla wallas, and tons more yumminess. The spice level was perfect! The final pizza came in and stole the show. It is a seasonal special so you need to hurry down there and try it.. are you ready? SQUASH pizza. I know, I know, its sounds like some weird vegetarian pizza, I mean, where is the meat? But let me tell you it was SO GOOD!!!! I have to say I think it was the best pizza of my life. I was blown away, just try it. On to apps, I had the Artisan Cheese plate, which was so fun, you can mix and match all the yummy cheeses with this perfectly crisp pear and fantastic fig spread, then the Charcuterie, your fancy meat plate, which I would suggest ordering along side the Artisan Cheese, just to make the options that much more abundant. We also enjoyed the Trio of Spreads, humus, baba ghanoush, and labrieh (which I've never had, but it my new favorite spread!!) I know you are tired of reading by now, but the desserts!!!! You have to hear about the desserts. The lovely Nadia brought us the Bananas Foster and an yummy ice cream, sauteed pear dish, but were perfect, not too sweet, just a bit of a bite with the pear which was great, but the Bananas Foster was pure heaven. The new vibe is also really fun. While it used to be more of a fancy dining experience for me, birthdays, etc. Now I feel like I can drop by any night for a quick bite on my own, or a long drawn out dinner with friends. The family has done a great job of carrying over the love and perfection in the recipes that Hussein did so well, but with a new funky, more casual dining vibe. I couldn't be more excited for their new adventure or more impressed with what they have accomplished. So go, go soon, and go often because I am pretty sure you will also feel the need to get through every menu item as fast as you can possibly expand your tummy.
(5)Cindy K.
Came here with a group of 9-10 on a busy friday night. We ordered several different types of pizza and the mushroom gnocchi. We also had some kind of cubed steak dish that was also pretty delish. Phoenecia definitely is not a large restaurant, but the small size added a home-y feeling to it, which I liked. Servers were prompt with refilling our water glasses. Overall, an enjoyable experience.
(4)Kathy D.
How did I get so lucky? Happened to be in West Seattle, decided to see if Phoenecia was still open now that Hussein is gone, and happened on the "soft open" for the new Phoenecia. It was wonderful. The family has remodeled, refocused and reopened while totally honoring the spirit and quality Hussein provided for so many years. Old favorites in new forms, attentive and amiable service, pleasant surroundings, upbeat music, and the view are all there in spades. The Lamb Ratatouille with Curry was amazing--savory, with tender lamb and perfect veggies, perfect with a glass Chianti. Dessert, a pear poached in wine with a scoop of Husky's vanilla ice cream, was firm, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Don't wait--you won't be disappointed.
(5)Dave G.
Phoenica is OPEN OPEN OPEN!! It's been 5 months since we lost Hussein suddenly. His family had regrouped, redsigned, and rebuilt. Soft open tonight. The food is delicious, yet different. The focus is on small plates, as well as a few amazing staples for main dishes, and AMAZING pizza. A very complete wine list, turkish coffee, and a banana's foster dessert are just SOME of the highlights. my fav thing tonight was the curry lamb rattatoiulle....droooooool. more to come in future reviews, but, the family is back, and Phoenica is back, in a true honor to Hussiens legacy, as well as a whole, new dining experience for Alki Beach.
(5)Alan N.
Location: Phenomenal, you couldn't get much closer to Elliott Bay. Venue: Small, cozy, contemporary. I doubt you could ask for much more. Service: Amazing, knowing that it was our first time there. They made some great recommendations and were very attentive to our needs. I just feel bad leaving a small tips. (My excuse? The economy...) Food: We ordered the Portabella mushrooms, the 39 spice beef, the scallops and prawns and the quinoa. All of it was really delicious to varying degrees. I think the only disappointment were the scallops. They didn't seem very fresh and lacked the flavor that you would expect being cooked in such a delicious sauce. Overall: one of my favorite meals I have had in Seattle. It is a must for anyone looking for a good meal in the area!
(5)Tim B.
Lovely experience, going with Rocky (no longer called "Squirrel") and Belle on a grand journey to Lady's over on Alki. She took us around the corner to a little neighborhood taverna that turned out to be Phoenecia. Lady had told us a little of the history of the place before we went, so we knew some of what to expect, but nothing could have prepared us for the evening we had. We decided on a dinner of small plates, rather than entrees. We worked our way through the menu with gusto and abandon. I particularly recommend the charcuterie, and the cheese board. Also high on the list were the trio of spreads, the flat iron steak, and the saffron chicken. We rounded out the meal with a sampling of desserts, including the poached pear, bananas Foster and baklava, each exceptional in their own right, but the pear really shining. The space is clean, spare and personal. The restaurant is family-run, and it shows in the easy familiarity they have with each other and many of their customers. Also, there is a strong vibe that strangers are not strangers for long. I can't wait to go back in summer, to really enjoy the water view. Pretty good when the only complaint I have is that the meal left me wanting more...
(5)Vachi B.
Loved the service and the food. I had a birthday party for my husband here and it went very well. The owner was very accommodating for our group. I have to say that the cheese plate and the trio of spreads were DELICIOUS and the 39 spices beef was also good. However, my favorite had to be the cheese plate and it was paired perfectly with my wine. My husband had a truffle pizza and I had a sausage&pepperoni pizza. All were tasty. No one in our group had any complains about the food/pizza. Note: Pizza has a lot of crust, but I love carb!! No problem there for me. The service was great and they didn't rush us at all. Will make the Phoenecia our regular date night/hanging out night with friends restaurant.
(5)Thom P.
Food ranged from good to fantastic. We ordered about ten different plates so I'm sure we got a good idea of their average. I would have given them a four, perhaps five star except for the check. We were 4 adults one 4-year old and a baby who didn't eat. They tagged us with a 20% gratuity that applies to parties of 6 or more. Yes we occupied 6 spaces but that was weak. A baby? No, they weren't so busy that the baby was taking a seat away from someone else. They were only half full, lots of empty seats. Auto-grats are fine, and I would have tipped that well anyway. But, as a former server myself, I would never use a baby to force an auto-grat.
(3)Trevor D.
Stumbled upon this amazing unassuming restaurant and had a fantastic evening and unbelievable food. Go. Get the 39 spice beef, have a bottle of wine and you'll never regret the decision.
(5)Jadd S.
Wow. We don't live in West Seattle, but when we were out there shopping a week and a half ago, we found ourselves starving with no clue where to go. Yelp led us to this ultra quaint and very romantic little place, with more of an upscale bistro feel than a pizzeria. That said, the pizza was delicious. Light, perfectly thin and crispy-edged crust, indescribably devourable flavors, neither heavy nor greasy. And I must mention the chocolate panna cotta - I've had panna cotta in the past, and the version I had was a jiggly vanilla custard with a texture between a creme brulee and jello but a less appealing flavor than either... Phoenicia's chocolate panna cotta was as a rich and dense as a thick mousse, with a deep chocolate flavor impossible to leave even a swipe of in the bottom of the dish. Very happy with this find! Oh, and let's not overlook the enticing view of the water out the front window.... worth taking a ride to if you're in Seattle proper for certain!
(5)Bharti G.
Amazing food with great views...love this place at the Alki Beach...The food prepared them is totally organic and amazingly tasty...we have tried everything on their menu...the trio spreads, the olives are just to die for...the pizza dough is as fresh as it could be and the ingredient used in everything are just fabulous....they run specials every week and they are highly recommended...a great place for a family dinner or for a date night....
(5)Robert N.
My brother-in-law and I were looking for a new place to try on a Saturday night. I checked on Yelp for restaurants in the West Seattle area. We chose Phoenicia on a whim. Good choice on our part! We happened to come in on their opening weekend. You can tell right away that these are people that love this restaurant and what it stands for. We were told a couple of times about the history of the place and the unfortunate passing of their father 6 months ago. The staff seemed to be very appreciative of their patrons. The staff was incredibly friendly. We had at least 3 different people come to our table and chat with us for a bit. The food was fantastic. We ordered the saffron chicken, flatiron steak, and 39 spice beef, the cheese platter, and the pesto pizza. I really can't say which was my favorite. However, they spoke very highly of their own pizza and I must say I agree with them. This is a place you just have to experience. We felt very welcome and the food was great. My only complaint was that the music was a bit too loud, other than that, Phoenicia is one of my new favorite restaurants. Try it out!
(5)Myrtle B.
good family place to eat and the prices are average
(4)Mustafa R.
this place never, ever, ever dissapoints. fantastic wine list, on the beach, with amazing food and cheese selections, run by people who clearly enjoy their job and love being a part of it. the owner will make your day better if she knows you. nothing i have ordered here has ever disappointed, and it's basically a slam-dunk for any kind of date.
(5)Lee L.
Our friend, who lives in West Seattle, told us about Phoenicia - "The place is really highly rated, but the owner recently passed away and they're changed things, so I'm not sure what to expect." We were not disappointed. From the moment we walked into the smallish room close to the beach, it felt like a warm, bustling and friendly place. Apparently, they've moved away from white table cloths and carpet to a more modern look with concrete floors, no table cloths and a giant, well designed chalkboard. I could go on and on about the food - the cheese plate and charcuterie - with sweet coppa and prosciutto from Salumi and Zoe's. The 39 spice beef or the scallops. I didn't try the pizza, but it looked delish. It was a great meal - but what I really felt at Phoencia was a sense of family - family dedicated to making Phoenicia the best it can be. Our server, who is the daughter of the recently passed owner, was still learning a bit about the wines, but what she didn't know about wine, she made up for with awesome service and great recommendations. Over the course of the meal, we met her Mom who helped tell our fortunes from a turkish coffee cup. (BTW, get the turkish coffee). I'm guessing the bartender, who checked in with us a few times during the meal, was our server's brother. All were extremely helpful and friendly. Of course, family doesn't always make restaurants great - but this family and this restaurant have a formula that works and it makes me want to go back. From just one visit, it feels a little like home.
(5)Gene B.
Reopened and updated, Phoenicia has been transformed into a sleek, urban cafe. There is more of a focus on small plates and appetizers as well as gourmet pizzas. There is now a bar where you can eat and the wine selection has been beefed up. Specials are written on a massive chalk board and there is more black and metal in the decor and fewer of the earth tones that the older place had. I went on a Wednesday night, still part of their soft opening, but the place was packed. I think a lot of people are going to honor Hussein's memory and to support his surviving family, but I also think that everyone will be pleasantly surprised on how well they've recreated the restaurant and what a great place it is to grab a bite to eat and a glass of wine.
(4)Alex K.
First of all, I'd like to thank the Phoenecia waitstaff for being so accommodating to my group of friends, you were great! So, it was a Saturday night, we were salsa-ing on Alki beach, and it started to rain. We were all energized from dancing, and I popped onto Yelp on my iPhone and read some good reviews about Phoeneica, which happened to be just across the street. We went in, and they had to move some tables all around for our big group, and it was clear that we were a little louder than the rest of the customers. However, we calmed down a bit, shushed each other a couple of times to remind ourselves, and sat down for some delicious wine and appetizers. I had some amazing red wine and the humus/labneh/baba ganoush appetizer with some olives (and they were warm!!! so weird, but so tasty). The rest of the table had dessert, cheese plates, and wine. It was all delicious, and our waitress was super-nice, even though we were a little bit of a tough table. The pizza looked great, and I definitely will be going back to try some. It's got such a great romantic vibe in there, and the wine was really good! I definitely recommend it!
(4)Colleen W.
We really enjoyed our late evening meal here. Beyond the view, the service is great and the menu consists of some great tapas and wood fired pizzas. The three dishes we selected were: fiery prawns: delicious burn with habanero oil mixed greens: loved the bite from the raspberry vinaigrette the alki pizza: perfect crust, quality toppings The pizza crust was the standout of an evening filled with good food. It was perfectly grilled and crispy/chewy. It has a sexy intimate atmosphere and would make a great date night. You could go casual or dress it up here. Note: tapas are between $8-$16/plate. It can get a little pricey.
(4)Noriko A.
Upgrading my original 4 stars to 5 stars. They continue to impress me every time. I like the atmosphere of the place. I had Salumi's lamb prosciutto which came with arugula and shaved cheese, Quina (sp?) tabbouleh salad, spicy scallop appetizer and a squash pizza. I enjoyed the Lamb prosciutto as it is a lot more flavorful than regular prosciutto. Scallops were cooked PERFECTLY, seared outside and rare inside. My favorite was the salad. It is so light and refreshing with a perfect amount of veggies. I didn't enjoy the pizza as much as other people. Just the dough wasn't flavorful enough and was little dry. I would definitely go back there and try other dishes. It is my favorite place on Alki.
(5)Chandler N.
Love it,best pizza :)
(4)Layla G.
We wanted to find a romantic place for a special occasion and we found Phoenecia. On Valentine's Day no less. We hadn't made a reservation because we were short on funds and hadn't planned to go out. But the mail brought an unexpected payment from a client. Off we went. As we drove down Alki, a car pulled out of a space right in front of Phoenecia. It was almost 5:00 and I thought they've got to be fully booked even for the early seating. They were. But the owner took pity on us and gave us the table he usually uses. We had a choice of ordering tapas in "small plates" (2-3 per person) or the special prix fixe Valentine Dinner. I couldn't resist the prix fixe: 4 courses (savory pastry with herb salad, stuffed black mussels, choice of entree (lamb chops, fish, confit chicken or ravioli) and duo of desserts at $110/couple. It was too good to pass up! Phoenicia sells wine by the glass so we could indulge without blowing the budget. While we waited for our appetizer, we were mesmerized by the sight of the sunbeams dancing on the water off of Alki Beach. It was hypnotic. The herb salad arrived, and was so fresh and crisp it was as if it had just been picked. The combination of herbs used added a complex depth to the crunch. As good as the first course was, it was surpassed by the mussel dish. The mussels were visually beautiful: inky black gems glistening on the plate. The crumbling stuffing was a textural counterpoint to the chewiness of the mussels. For the main course, my husband selected the lamb chops while I had the fish. The fish turned out to be a tilapia filet steamed in parchment paper with string beans and potatoes. It was firm and flaky and so flavorful the only enhancement it needed was lemon. And the green beans were deliciously al dente. The lamb chops were tender and perfectly pink in the center, with not even a hint of gaminess. Dessert? Well, how can you go wrong with chocolate? Especially when you're watching a beautiful sunset on the sound. All in all, the service, the ambiance and the cuisine combined to make it a most romantic evening.
(4)Sarah H.
I cannot believe this place has such high ratings. I went here on a Tuesday night and the place was packed! Seemed like a good sign. It was 7:00 and my friend and I weren't terribly hungry so all we ordered was 1 pizza to start and figured we could order more if it wasn't enough. We also got wine. After at least 45 minutes of waiting I finally flagged down our waitress (who seemed to be intentionally avoiding eye contact) and asked when we could expect our food. She told us it was almost ready. 15 minutes later the tiny pizza shows up and, despite only having 3 ingredients that were suppose to be on it in the first place, is only 1/3 correct. I assumed we go the wrong order, asked our waitress and she tells us that if we want she can bring us the missing ingredients on the side. We said forget it. Waitress offered us free glasses of wine which we took full advantage of. I will never go back BUT my friend thought it deserved a second chance and went again this past Friday and had a repeat of this experience. I don't care how good the food is, when the service sucks the restaurant sucks.
(2)Laura G.
We knew we were going to be in West Seattle so I searched for restaurants. After finding Phoenicia on ScoutMob and reading the reviews, we decided to give it a try. We had never been to West Seattle so really had no idea what to expect. Let me say, what a cute area and Phoenicia was outstanding! It was Friday around 7:00 pm. The restaurant is small and was completely full when we arrived. We were greeted by a pleasant young lady and seated within ten to fifteen minutes. We decided to order off the Tapas menu. The food was phenomenal. Everything we had was full of flavor and cooked to perfection. All the while, multiple employees checked on us to make sure we were enjoying everything. We had a great experience and will definitely go back!
(4)Leianna Z.
Incredibly high quality ingredients. Better than a lot even more expensive restaurants. The food look way much better than the yelp pictures also. I'm so happy I gave it a try. It is not close to my home, but it still attract me always want to go. Now I went there 6 times already.
(5)Jonathan F.
Slightly different Menu, if you remember the old place, but rest assured, it is still as good.
(4)Allison G.
This place is FANTASTIC. My husband and son (6 yr old) went here for a nice dinner out. Yes, we took a 6 year old here (he's a bit of a foodie). Every item we got was wonderful, fresh and full of flavor. We shared several small plates, two salads and the sausage and pepper pizza. The waitress recommended two delicious wines that were NOT the most expensive on the menu! The staff was so friendly, attentive and not pretentious! It's hard to find good service in Seattle and it's even harder for find friendly wait staff, in my opinion. They were very attentive to our son and made sure that he was well taken care of. We were really impressed by that! Great location...you can finish up your meal with a walk along the beach and take in the beautiful Seattle skyline. How fabulous is that??We will most definitely be visiting this place again.
(5)Carolyn S.
A true gem in Alki. Family-run and run incredibly well. Great place to bring a date - fantastic ambience with food to match. And what I loved the most was the service. Each and every staff member was attentive and pleasant - very client-oriented. Definitely a place to frequent!
(5)Ari Y.
Wow! Amazing food, on the beach for great views, good service . . . They serve a tantalizing variety of small plates (tapas) and other good stuff. We ordered several small plates and shared: stuffed crimini mushrooms, fiery scallops, pizza (great crust), field greens salad, spinach pies and more. Every single item was yummy (and one member of our party is a chef).
(5)David Y.
This place... I've walked by it probably a thousand times and looked through the window at the white linens (back when they had white linens) and wondered, is it any good? Is it too dressy for the way I'm dressed right now? I noticed one thing in particular about the place - it was either completely empty because it was closed or packed to the paint because it was open. Surely a good sign, yeah? The Phonecia had been closed for quite a while, the family run business suffered a great loss, the father. After he passed it took some time before the mother and daughters reopened the restaurant and they decided to change a few things. Gone are the white linens. Makes it much more inviting to the casual crowd that happens to walk by on an early evening beach stroll... So, finally, after all these years of wondering, I went in. The place was packed and there seemed to be only one daughter and the mother staffing the joint. After a brief chat with the mother, she told me one of her daughters was ill and couldn't come to work so they were understaffed... and, who can't be understanding about that? No worries, I said and we waited for a table to be cleared and got seated within about 15 minutes - not an unheard of wait time, especially when we just happened in! We were a party of 2 and were seated at a 4-top... after getting our water and beers, the 2-top next to us opened up... knowing there was a party of 3 and a party of 4 behind us, we offered to move to the 2-top, the mother was grateful and we were happy to accommodate. The family here is so well loved, a regular customer got up and started serving water to all the patrons, a kind gesture to both us eaters and the restaurant owners. If nothing else, a testament to the wonderful people running the place and the relationships they have built with those that come in. Despite the business, the mother made time to chat with us a bit and made us feel so incredibly welcome. As with the other reviewers before me, I cannot say anything bad about this place. The food was fabulous and beautifully presented. We had the Caprese salad and the Alki pizza. Delish! The pizza crust - incredible. It was light and airy and crispy and smoky and tasty... the toppings, understated and balanced, simply a delight to eat. I got a look at every plate coming out of the kitchen and simply cannot wait to go back and try other dishes... everything looked fantastic and smelled wonderful. Simply put, I love this little place and so will you.
(5)Colleen L.
Phoenecia's been on my list for about a year (a friend of mine knows the owner and had been tirelessly recommending!) and we finally broke bread there. It was worth the wait! We shared the scallops, perfectly seared and sweet, and the grilled shrimp, which were a perfect start. We then tucked into some great 'Za! My pizza had figs, pancetta and other glorious things. Crazy good crust. Service is wonderful- family run with a touch of Beirut elegance. Wine list is thoughtful and very complementary to the menu. The view? Good Lord- it is perfect. The evening we went was bright and clear- the view of Seattle, across the Puget Sound, is memorable.
(4)Dana L.
Phoenecia was the best find I've had in a long time. Don't be intimidated by the West Seattle address, because it's worth every mile away from the city. Some friends and I went on a Friday night in search of something quaint and our expectations were surpassed ten fold. We were pleasantly welcomed by the Son/ Owner who gave us complimentary champagne and explained to us a little about the menu, family, and restaurant. He provided some suggestions and we followed his lead. We got a few of the small plates, tried one of the pizza's, and since we were impressed with everything, decided to share the Halibut entree (which was INCREDIBLE). The food was delicious. Simple but so flavorful. It felt like fresh comfort food. I've been telling all my friends and family about this place since. I highly recommend you try it out and experience what it feels like to eat out, but feel right at home.
(5)Erin C.
The other reviewers are right! This place rocks. It's both low-key and upscale (how they managed that I have no idea). The view can't be beat (it's on the beach!) The food is delicious (MUST try the squash pizza like everyone says). But the best part of the whole place...THE STAFF. They are smiling, genuinely happy people (none of that fake, bitter stuff you get at chain restaurants). They make excellent food and wine recommendations, they're attentive, they're relaxed. The whole vibe of this place is intimate, relaxed and refined. Must go!
(5)Gene D.
Delightful family owned restaurant featuring mediterranean/middle eastern cuisine. I tried the mixed grill with lamb, chicken and shrimp, with rice and pine nuts. But my favorite would have to be the prawns in house curry sauce. Reasonable and eclectic wine list. The service and room is oriented toward large parties. There are special dishes for family style dining. Since this is Alki, the view is unobstructed and lovely.
(4)Maria Cristina B.
What can I say... It was wonderful. Service was excellent. Food was great! Pizza spectacular. Try the banana foster dessert. Was simple and yummy. The 39 spiced beef app was amazing! Go, eat, enjoy!
(5)Bella B.
Truffle oil drizzled pizza. Nom nom nom! Its what turned me on to truffle, now i want it on everything! I celebrated my birthday here. They made us wait for a bit cuz someone confused our reservation but they made it up to us. Even with all that, its still my "go to" place on alki.
(5)Ginger W.
We've been here twice now and really love it! You have to get there early though. They typically get sat all at once, so the service, although good and friendly, can be slow. But it's worth the wait!
(5)Leah M.
Truly amazing. The rumors are true, the Delicata Squash Pizza is lovely. Although the pizza is about $15 per, you can easily share one or two pizza's between 2 or 3 people ... easily. Great intimate date location as long as you don't mind rubbing elbows with the table next to you and loud conversation. Thursday night was a great night to go and once 7 rolled around the place packed out. Great wine selection, great staff, and AMAZING food made me a very happy customer. Prices weren't that steep, considering the quality and careful preparation of the food.
(5)Jaime G.
After driving past this place thousands of times over the years without even a second glance, we finally went in after the raves from West Seattlites finally got my attention. But when people on Yelp are raving about the fact that this place has the best Greek food in Seattle, despite the fact that this place is more Turkish, you have to wonder and also think that maybe people who's diet consists mainly of Hot Pockets maybe shouldn't be writing restaurant reviews. Not that Hot Pockets aren't a pure delight. But I'm just sayin. First thing that strikes you they need to clean their menus. Yup. You guys have gotta have a bottle of blue stuff tucked under some cabinet somewhere. Once and a while spray some of it on a rag and clean the grease, paw prints, drool and other bodily fluids off the menus. K? The menus looked like they had been used as placemats for a 2 year-olds fried chicken themed birthday party. The wine menu seemed sparse and ancient. When I inquired about some better wine that I could see on the bar across the room, I was invited up to get a closer look and to just pick from the bar with no benefit of seeing everything side by side with prices. Weird. The owner of the place, Hussein, is a charming, gregarious, kind man who dawdles about the restaurant in an 80's era Cliff Huxtable sweater and sports a very faint bouquet of B&O railroad (Yes, a restauranteur who has captured the fleeting scent of a NYC cab ride). With that said I can't understate the charm enough. No restauranteur in Seattle will make more of an effort to learn about you, appreciate you and probably will remember you if you go back. We heard the best thing to do at Phoenicia was to ignore the menu and just put yourselves in Hussein's hands. So we did that and he brought us our a large plate of salad. No iceberg in sight. Simply made but fresh with an almost too sweet balsamic. This came with a small basket of warm bread and a shallow dish of house-made hummus. Fresh pita would have been better than the crusty bread and the hummus needed more acid. But both we are a nice, simple start. For dinner he brought us a large platter of delicious, succulent lamb that was covered with a very large, crepe-thin pancake of dry bread that we were supposed to use to wrap the lamb in. It was too brittle and dry for that to work very well. And the bigger problem, and what kept the meal from being transcendent was the fact that the pita bread (at last!) which was enclosed below was fairly dry and not fresh enough as was the cardamom-flavored rice under the lamb which clearly was not cooked the same day we were in the restaurant. Dessert was a shared plate for two with baclava and something else based on phylo (that the young waitress told us was Creme Anglaise until we informed her that it clearly wasn't) and a scoop of ice cream. He also brought out an ibriq of Turkish coffee. Bottom line: The meal was adequate. The owner/host was kind and charming. The food wasn't over-priced but the whole experience definitely was over-rated.
(2)c h.
Triple yum. The roasted squash pizza....I still dream about it. Friendly staff, great selection, rotating specials, good wine list.
(5)Kieran S.
Excellent pizza and dessert! I had the sausage and pepper pizza and the bannana foster dessert and it was AMAZING!!! Very good service as well, there was a long wait and it took longer than the waitress told us, so she brought everyone in my group a drink to make up for it.
(4)Henry S.
Their charcuterie and cheese plate go hand in hand. And their Delicata Squash Pizza.. Oh gosh! You're too good to be true.
(4)Aivanett N.
This is my favorite restaurant of all times...Sure, now and then I do find other great places...but The Phoenicia is by far the best and my go to restaurant when I am looking for a classy but casual eatery. I have not had one dish that I was not pleased with. I love everything about it...the different plates, the presentation, the flavors, the wine and desserts...to me everything is amazing. The staff is lovely and always remember us and they are also very knowledgeable and helpful with wine pairings. It gets a little loud at times but nothing too unbearable. I love the Caprese Salad, the Artisan Plate, the 39 Spice Beef and the Pizza...Yum!!! AMAZING!!!
(5)Amy E.
Great place - nice atmosphere, good service and great food. My husband and I stumbled on it late one night and had a wonderful evening. We ordered two rounds of several small plates and enjoyed a few glasses of wine/beer. The food was excellent - perfect portions for sharing giving you just enough to taste, but not enough to be full so that you enjoy other small plates. The entrees on the blackboard were tempting, so we'll definitely be back to try those.
(5)Alex S.
I was sooo impressed with this restaurant as was my whole family. I wanted to take them to Alki for the scenery and when I found this cozy little gem, made reservations and crossed my fingers that everyone would like it, I soon realized that there was nothing I need worry about. The atmosphere and lighting was intimate and rustic, the servers were delightful, the food was outstanding, melt in your mouth creations that were perfectly proportioned. Everyone who attended made me promise we would return. simply amazing!
(5)Edna B.
I love this restaurant, they serve great food with warmth that goes everywhere they go. This family owned restaurant is a great contribution to West Seattle & Alki Beach. My last visit I had the wood burning stove pizza & house salad - the perfect meal for 2 gals, it was perfect. I would put them on the top for restaurants on Alki.
(5)Lumberjackal O.
I am not sure what to say but that this is the best restaurant I've ever been to. I don't like to oversell a place but it's true. Sorry.
(5)Michael B.
Is it good? Yes! Is it great?! Unfortunately no! I can imagine it was great when the original owner was still alive and passionately managing the kitchen staff making sure everything was just right. I just don't think his family have the same mojo workin. Our server was very sweet and accommodating, and she was running the show out front with a little help from Mama. If not for the lovely service, we would have been sorely disappointed. The food is good, but I think there are much better places to spend your hard earned money. The olives were nice, warm and garlicky. The green beans were very average, the saffron cream sauce a bit diluted and boring. It didn't really add anything to the dish. Our Fiery Prawns came out dry and very rubbery. We sent them back and received a slightly better version, but not impressive overall. Found the prices far outweighed the portions. We had mixed reactions about the Pizza. We tried 2 on the chalkboard. The non crust lovers won't enjoy this pizza. Its mostly crust, with a few big bites of toppings. However, I really liked the crust. They could spend some more time with their red sauce, and beef up the toppings for sure. For $15, you should get more of those "fresh, local ingredients" they tout on the menu. It was tasty, but not really OMG good. 2 of us liked the fig, pancetta, chevre, sweet onion pizza, and the other liked the lamb sausage roasted eggplant one. If I have a serious craving for pizza, I may return, but the appetizers (tapas/small plates) were not appetizing enough to lure me back. I may come back to try one of their seasonal entrees when I'm feelin fancy. They mean well enough, and I liked the atmosphere. Perhaps with the right dish, they can convert me into a fan, but for now Phoenecia is OK.
(3)Richard U.
Hussein is gone but the restaurant lives on. Those that loved the old Phoenecia might have been disturbed by the drastic change in menu and decor. I myslef was a bit skeptical. The menu features artisan pizza as a centerpiece with very nice locally sourced ingredients. Small plates also highlight the menu like diver sea scallops and painted hills beef. I went with the lamb shank with mashed potatoes and kale. Actually a very nice dish although a bit pricey at $29. My friend went with the pasta which was very good. Service as it was very friendly. The interior now has a more sleek bistro looks with a large marble bar. The acoustics have suffered a bit since the make over and it can get pretty loud in the dining area. It was packed tonight as well which is something I rarely saw in the older restaurant. Despite the crowded evening, our entrees came out extremely quickly which was commendable. Those of you who remember Hussein will remember that although he cannot be replaced, I was happy to see that people were still coming and supporting the place. I will be back to try the pizza so stay tuned for an updated review!
(4)Sarah M.
I celebrated my birthday last night at Phoenecia. The best meal I have had in a loooong time. We ordered the truffle oil fingerling potatoes and the garlic green beans for our appetizer. Both dishes were gone in less than 5 minutes. We vacuumed that food up embarrassingly fast. We ordered the cheese platter and some wine after our appetizer which were heavenly. To top off our dining experience we ordered the mushroom pizza and the pesto chicken pasta as our main dishes and shared. Delicious. This is a hidden gem on alki beach. I am still in awe about how wonderful the experience and the food was at Phoenecia. I LOVE this restaurant :)
(5)Bounce B.
The highest praise for a restaurant isn't "I want to go back"; it's " I wish they knew me there." It implies something wonderful about the kitchen and the staff---an alchemy of kindness, efficiency, and talent that draws us in, makes us want to be more than a partaker. This is is the way I feel about Phoenicia. Greek restaurants...there's a million of 'em. A grape leaf here, an olive there, and lamb all around. You learn not to be surprised, and yet Phoenicia surprised me several times. When I got there (a bit late), beau had an open bottle of wine on the table. He didn't seem to be drinking to forget, and celebration seemed unlikely; so there it was: simply a grace of wine. Then came the firm bread and herbed oil. The (unbidden) salad was a lovely balance of spinach, lettuces, feta, and balsamic vinegar. We ordered calamari, expecting little, and were surprised at how good it was. They serve it naked---little pink spades and frills tucked into a mellow tomato relish. I hadn't quite read the whole menu when Hussein stepped up to the table and suggested "magic lamb." I desperately scanned for a description, but he shook his head and said it was special. We only squirmed a little when he said it was the best lamb we would have for the rest of our lives. (How do you make that sort of promise unless you know something tragic about your guests' futures?) But we ordered it anyway. Now, I'm familiar with many varieties of lamb: tough lamb, gristly lamb, stringy lamb, but magic lamb? In fact, this was the best lamb I remember having: strips of melt-in-your mouth meat, rice, whole succulent mushrooms, herbs, and fat little garlic cloves in a giant bowl. You eat it Ethiopian style, tearing off pieces of a vast flat bread to wrap little presents for your mouth. It was a lot of food, so we demurred on dessert. Nevertheless, Hussein returned shortly with a giant blow torch and a smallish ramekin. Creme brulee, for sure. The sugar glaze, when he gave us the dish, actually made that little "tap tap" sound that is so unfortunately rare in brulees. The custard itself was light and just a waft floral. "Lavender?" I asked Hussein. "That's right," he beamed. "And rose."
(5)Emily W.
Aside from the gorgeous location and warm modern decor, amazing food, and attentive service, what I love most about this restaurant is that you are served by the most delightfully sweet and beautiful family. They love their restaurant, they love their food, and they love that you chose to spend your evening with them.
(5)Hola A.
Cozy and cute. The sausage and pepper pizza is heavenly goodness. We also had the cheese plate, 39 beef spice appetizers, halibut pasta special, and figs pizza but my favorite was the sausage & pepper pizza and we actually got that by mistake lol. As for the service, it was great. The server was nice and the food came out quickly. I would def dine here again.
(4)Sea C.
This is my favorite restaurant on Alki, hands down. Its tiny, but that's part of the charm. The location is ideal, the atmosphere is lovely, and the service is great. They've got a great wine list, and the food is amazing. BEST PIZZA EVER. Ever. Unique and delicious.
(5)Gretchen B.
I have driven by here so many times, but made it here late one night. What a fool I have been, not coming here sooner!!! It was hands down one of the best meals I have had in West Seattle. We opted to do small plates, but they also offer big plates. We ordered about 12 small plates for our table. The green beans with tarragon cream sauce were so good that I am still thinking about them. The curried chicken was delicious and tender. The portobello mushrooms glazed in balsamic vinegar with greens were a favorite and perfectly prepared. The spicy shrimp in chili oil, spicy scallops, trio of spreads....every single plate was delicious and they have a great wine list. I can't wait to go back!!
(5)Aleks V.
Had a really good dinner here! Excellent all around! Big selection of wine/ beer! The poached pear was a fantastic finish!
(5)Melissa G.
Phoenecia is a lovely date night spot with delicious small plates, romantic ambience, and a really fun and knowledgeable staff. I have always been impressed with the quality of the food, wine selection, and service!
(5)Kelli F.
Great new menu with lots of small plates to choose from. We had the cheese plate, three dip and pita plate ( the best babaganoush ever!) the pizzas look amazing and affordable. Since they just opened up, we were greeted with champange, a very nice touch. I think the new vibe if the place is perfect for great tapas style eats and a bottle if wine. Plus, you gave the beautiful alki beach to walk along. Would have been 5 stars, but the wine is over priced.
(4)Chris T.
A great spot for dinner with friends. I had one of the specials, Purple potatoes, topped with crab, scallops and asparagus. Scallops are tough to get right and they nailed in. The champagne leek sauce was out of sight. Started with some small plates that were also great (a cured meats selection and a artisan cheese plate). Had one bite of my friends pizza and ordered one to go. They also have a huge selection of wines (More of a beer guy myself, but my friends enjoyed a couple bottles). Try the Lev beer, first time and I'm hooked. The place was very high-end inside but felt very casual. The staff was always there when we needed them but never when we did not. My new favorite on Alki!!!
(5)Mia K.
If I lived in Seattle I would be a regular here. My fanatsy is to walk in when they open and just stay there until we have seen and/or tried everything. The flavors are wonderful and the ingredients are all on my favorites list. The pizza is a bit of heaven. We stopped on our way back from a long bike ride to see about making reservations post shower and realized we were already quite hungry. They sat us in the front window, despite our togs. It's nice to feel welcomed when you're having a truly off hair moment and otherwise look as though you might smell of bike chains and perspiration.
(5)Maria C.
"I make special for you" Hussein's food is AMAZING and when I eat here, I feel important and special. My favorites - calamari appetizer, hummus, Jewel of the Ocean. Next time I'm back up north, we're so eating there...
(5)Andrea R.
Always love going to Phonecia! The atmosphere is great and the staff could not be more attentive. You really cannot go wrong with any of the food here. We always get a pizza to share, and a few small plates. The wine is reasonably priced and you get to people watch onto Alki.
(5)Karah K.
Cheese plate + Fig Pizza + Vino = Amazing. Second time to Phoenecia and was equally as happy as the first. Stoked to try it in the summer and sit out side. I wouldl urge you to go to Phoenecia if your into tapas (share plate) style of dining. If not then this probably isn't your place.
(4)Van M.
the pizza is a 4! only the pizza tho, the rest of the food is arite. awesome awesome crust....nice and thin and chewy and crispy in all the rite places. cute lil bistro type atmosphere. good for chillin with friends over wine on a quiet sunday. we came later at nite and only one other table was there. super surprised comin from LA where u have to rsvp for monday and tuesday nites and then also wait another 40min :(
(4)Wendy R.
The Phoenicia is wonderful. Established by Hussein Khazaal, this place was known for elegant, delicious, (and occasionally mind blowing) Mediterranean dining until his untimely death in 2009. Now transformed by his children, wife, and the talents of Cook Ali and Chef Byron, the Phoenicia continues Hussein's legacy by offering lighter versions of his famous cooking as well as amazing wood-fired pizza and a lovely tapas selection. I've tried many dishes on the menu, and each one is superb. My favorites include squash pizza, hummus (available with the Trio), flank steak, the numerous seafood specials, and of course, Mom's baklava! Do not expect quick dining. Instead be prepared to sit, enjoy excellent food and conversation, drink wine, and take in the fabulous view of Puget Sound.
(5)Micha M.
Phoenicia may be the best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant I've eaten at in recent memory. The food is scrumptious, no matter what you get. Hussein, the owner, is extremely friendly to all of his guests, which creates a great atmosphere (in addition to the great views this restaurant has). There is a printed menu, but there are typically daily specials, which you waitperson (probably Hussein) will relay to you. Don't miss your opportunity to get a "Special Dessert," you won't regret it!
(5)Anna J.
Everyone else basically says it all. This haiku is for the haters. This is NOT a two-star restaurant. Pants almost busted After eating such good food It began to hurt
(5)Leo L.
RIP Hussein. :(
(5)C. J.
This place is great...I've only been there twice, but the food was absolutely amazing. Hussein was a real treat and both times, we let him plan our feast for us. I think it's about time for a third visit!
(5)Patty W.
One of the best restaurants I have been to in Seattle and by far the best Greek I have ever had. My co-worker and I decided to head here for a celebration dinner after I fired a particularly troubling employee. We had the calamari as an appetizer which was good though I prefer mine fried. For main courses she had seafood and I had lamb. The best lamb ever. It was so tender it fell off my fork. On top of the food the service was excellent. It is pricey but well worth it.
(5)Diane K.
The food was incredible and not your usual plain fare! But on top of that the family working there gives you wonderful service.
(5)Lil W.
We just had a great meal at the re-opened Phoenicia. The pizza was great (I think better than any other brick oven pizza places I've been to around town). I can't wait for a sunny (weekday) evening to walk along the beach and then go in for pizza and wine and a few small nibbles. The prices are a nice change too. Two people could eat just pizza for as much as it costs to order Pagliacci's.
(5)Bertram W.
How could food taste so good? :-) This is one of the best restaurants in Seattle. The food is awesomely and consistently delicious. The ambiance is neat. The host is gracious, considerate and helpful with suggestions. And the view is good too. As other reviewers here have mentioned, they are happy to make something customised for you if you'd like to go with something not on the menu. The desserts also are great. To balance this review, here's one drawback the place has: there is only location and that is in West Seattle. :-) From an East-side resident, hoping for another location closer by.
(5)Isabel W.
Fun restaurant. We went there after a movie at bout 9 and there was no crowd/wait, so we received intimate service. Great food, decent but not great wine.
(4)Rachel S.
I have lived in Kunming, and in Taichung, in Seoul and in Hong Kong, and so have had many a very good meal in my time, but while some may have equalled the lamb and eggplant I ate at Phoenicia, none surpassed it. It had mushrooms, tomatoes, pine nuts, olives, as well as the lamb and the eggplant, and I was transported. Even the person on the other side of the table, who tends to think everything better unsullied by vegetable matter, had to admit my lamb and eggplant was better than his just plain lamb. Though his lamb was very good too.
(5)Terri W.
Fantastic and so original! My son and I were visiting my brother and his wife and had a lovely dinner at Phoenicia. We had a gorgeous view of Alki Beach. I especially enjoyed the fiery prawns and the cheese plate. I love eating Tapas portions so I can try several different things and the portions were large enough for all of us to try each dish. Best of all were the desserts at the end: homemade ice cream so creamy and baklava. The service was also excellent- Can't wait to go back!
(5)Dave R.
Very nice local West Sea spot. Hussein is a good guy with an interesting menu. Wine list is only average. Beats a chain restaurant any day. Lovely views.
(4)N D.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm a food snob. I am not hesitant to turn my nose up at some of the "better" places to eat in Seattle. What most people think matters little to me as most people are clueless. With that preface, let me just say that the Phoenicia is quite likely, especially for the money, the best restaurant in Seattle. Every time I see 22s and 25s on the menu instead of 55s I have to shake my head. Backstory? After we finished our job at the owners house one afternoon several years ago he invited us to his restaurant for a "special dessert". I was skeptical, but it was our last job and we were hourly so why not? So off we went and I was admittedly spacing out ... until I saw the slab of baklava practically the size of my fist. At that point he had my full attention. Baklava doesn't come in fist sized slabs. Puff pastry with pistachio filling, rose petal ice cream, all around extremely impressive. We have been back, mainly for birthday dinners, at this point 6 or 8 times. In fact we are going tonight as it is my birthday, the reason I am writing this is that I was googling for the phone number and yelp happened to be the first return. We have never had a disappointing dish, let alone a disappointing meal, on any visit. Even one day when I was out on Alki and stopped in for a bowl of soup. As expected the cream based soup wreaked havoc on my lactose intolerance, but I viewed that as a small price to pay. I dont give 5 out of 5 reviews. In fact I can't think of a single instance in the past in any situation where I have done so. I can only think of one other restaurant in Seattle I would even consider giving a 5. The other reviews are probably right on the wine list, but it's a small operation so I wouldn't be expecting a hundred wine choices. And I dont drink wine anyway so it's of no importance in my world. But with location, the family always being friendly and interactive, the attention to detail and the quality of the food, I cannot in good conscious give them anything but a 5.
(5)Courtney H.
My boyfriend and I decided to give this place a try the other night and were pleasantly surprised. Everything looked so good that it was hard to decide what to order. In fact, it took us a little extra time to make up our minds and the staff was quite patient with us. We went the sharing route to give us maximum taste possibilities. We started with the 39 spice beef with mushrooms and spinach...Wow! The flavors in that appetizer are amazing. Then we shared the mixed green salad, which was fresh and delicious. And finally, we shared the margarita pizza. They used sliced cherry tomatoes to give it a little extra sweetness that I was a big fan of. The crust, oh the crust...very authentic and tasty. The only downside to the pizza was that the crust bubbled up so much causing all the toppings to head to the center of the pizza, making it a little uneven in coverage. Still, I would get it again for sure.
(4)Alex M.
We've lived in West Seattle for 7 months, and not coming here sooner has been a big mistake. Everything we ordered was excellent. The prices are a bit steep for the size of the plates, but the quality of the dishes make up for it. Don't hesitate to give this place a shot.
(5)Kenneth K.
the food was excellent, but the service was inexcusable. everything started off ok, but after our food came it's like we became invisible. we wanted to order more food and beverages, but we sat for what felt like forever with empty plates and glasses. ?? it turned what would have been a nice experience into a bad experience. we would have been back, but not now.
(2)Sunny Y.
Located on the Alki strip, this Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant not only serves delicious food but also has great hospitality. The owner/waiter is a charming Lebanese man who treats his patrons as if we're own his family members. He is warm and kind; pays attention to each customer and recommends items from the menu that he finds suitable to the customer just simply by getting to know them. The lamb skewers is highly recommended; succulent and tasty, served with rice risotto and grilled vegetables. What I love most about this place besides the owner is the delicious rose flavored ice cream. Sweet and heavenly. The ambiance is semi-romantic with views of Alki Beach. Price ranges from $15-$25.
(4)Ebru Y.
Honestly, when I go to Phoenicia, I feel like I am visiting a friend's house or something like that. The owner actually comes around to your table and asks you what you like, then decides what to make for you! I always had a good experience here, the food is flawless and full of flavor. If you like Middle Eastern food, give this place a try, you will not regret it. Also try the baklava, it's one of the best!
(4)Travis P.
While looking for a tapas place on Seattle, I came across this place. The pictures of the inside looked like this would be a nice, low key, causal atmosphere perfect for a dinner with my wife. The food was not a disappointment. We were both happy with the decision to venture to this part of Seattle and experience the delicious food available at Pheonecia. We ordered the Margaherita pizza, the chartecurie, the flank steak and the trio of samples. They also have a wide selection of wines to go with you dinner selection. Anyone looking for a place to unwind for a quiet and intimate setting, check this place out.
(4)Rose G.
I came on a Saturday evening (we had reservations) and had a good experience. I gave 4 stars because the food was really excellent, but the service was only average. The restaurant is small but has a comfortable ambiance, although not as romantic as I had read/expected. I was really impressed by the pizza and the flat iron steak - the spiced beef was good too. As an appetizer, we loved the mushrooms. Overall, I had a very nice time here and I would come back.
(4)Brandon K.
I had the cheese board and charcuterrie with a glass of wine. Fantastic evening by myself. Very quaint. Great view of the bay. Moderate noise. Close tables.
(5)Christine W.
Love this place. The owner, Sonia, is wonderful. We had great wine with our appys (rose) and dinner (OS blend). It was relaxed even though the place was packed. We've been here in the winter and it is consistent no matter the time of year. The squash puree pizza was a surprising delight. All three of us really liked it. We had the tiramisu and baklava for dessert and they were hits, as well. This is one restaurant we like to go back to over and over.
(5)Katie B.
If you are in Seattle do yourself a favor and go to Phoenecia! Fantastic food, great wine and a fabulous view right on Alki Beach. Our favorite meal in Seattle!
(5)Melisa C.
I might have had an off night, and I didn't try the pizza which I've heard is amazing, but overall my experience wasn't good enough to go back. 1. Service - just ok, waited a long time for water to be served to our table Windows - couldn't see a thing as the windows were fogged up all night. Even after the evening went on and people cleared out, the steam didn't subside. Kind of gross, they need to figure out how to fix that. 2. Tapas - just ok, nothing worth raving about 3. Seafood Linguine - chewy noodles that weren't cooked all the way. White wine sauce was good but nothing memorable 4. Lamb Gnocci - chewy lamb and pasta sauce was not flavorful. I'll consider trying it one more time for the pizza, but I wouldn't go back for anything else that I've tried.
(2)Very I.
WOW. Everything we ordered was delicious. I can't wait to go back. I'm so excited to have found a new restaurant that the fiance and I both love!
(5)Sarah L.
I've been here twice now and both times were not great. I really wish I would've received better service because it's blocks from my house and right in the beach. I would've loved to have a place I love going that close for this type of setting. It's very cute, intimate and romantic inside. Great location right on Alki. My problem was when I came in for dinner 2 nights ago. The restaurant was COMPLETELY open. They asked to sit me and my step mom at a tiny 2 person table. We knew we wanted to order a good amount of food and table would've been uncomfortable and cramped so I asked for a bigger table. They said they needed to save those for other guests. Shouldn't you be taking care of the guests at hand at the moment? Another couple walked in at this time and were sat at the 2 person table we didn't want to sit at. Problem solved right? No! Part of the restaurant was having water flooding issues so 3 of the tables were in an inch or so of water. So they decided to sit us at that table! I couldn't believe it. So the restaurant is still empty and now every table available is a 4 seater and your still sitting us at the table in the water? I felt like they were purposely trying to be difficult and prove a point. I was shocked they have 5 or 6 tables available and you want to sit us at a table sitting in water after I've already mentioned can't we sit at another table? After I vented to a friend about this they mentioned they haven't had the best service their either. I was very frustrated. I'd recommend a company meeting about customer service. It needs to improve.
(2)Stan L.
they have pretty good pizza.. the crust was chewy and flavorful.. and they do use some premium toppings.. we ordered a one of their chalkboard special pizzas (fig and gorgonzola) and the alki pizza.. they both didn't disappoint.. just ask for a few napkins because they were a bit on the greasy side.. lucky for us.. we got situated next to a window and we had great views of the water as well as pedestrians..
(4)Jessica B.
Perfection. The location, ambiance, service, food, wine. It's all amazing. I love the small-family business mentality, the attention to detail, the kindness of every single person who works there, and the way you feel like the only diners in the entire restaurant even when it's busy. I love this place and I can't wait to go back again, and again.
(5)Lisa U.
I think I ordered the wrong thing while eating here, as my thoughts on their pizza don't match up with everyone else's reviews. Three stars until I give this place another try.
(3)Gentle V.
Overall, I enjoyed my visit and would come again. The food was good and the customer service was attentive. The restaurant is small and intimate, which makes for a charming setup. We ordered: -Phoenecian pizza -39 spice beef -trio of spreads (hummus, etc) -panna cotta for dessert. The pizza was okay, but the highlight of dinner was the panna cotta - so delicious!
(4)Jingwen Y.
I like this place. Atmosphere has an intimate and European feel and best of all it's next to the waters. Dishes are cute and made for a delicate appetite. I think it's one of those places where you take a date to wow her with your company and your culture before or after a walk along the waters.
(4)Melissa A.
Gotta love the truffle pizza here. Actually most of the pizzas here are pretty tasty. But the truffle oil one holds a special place in my heart. There are a few other dishes that are tasty, but I would definitely prefer to stick with the pizza here. They also have a bread option (not on the menu) with oil and vinegar that is tasty as well. We've also had some of the seafood and pasta entrees that they have but nothing will beat their pizza. Another family owned and operated store in West Seattle that I would love to support.
(4)Lili P.
: / A little bummed out because the food was DELICIOUS, but it took over 30 minutes to get our first dish... and the last dish , flat iron steak, took an hour . Came here monday night and it wasn't busy, as there were a few tables open. Prior to arriving, I had called the restaurant to see if there was a wait for a table, and whoever I spoke to said no wait and that she'd save me a table. Really appreciated that ! We ordered the alki, 7 spice beef, flat iron steak, and scallops, all at once. The 7 spice beef was wonderfully flavorful and the pizza had the most PERFECT crust (though I wish the pizza had just a bit more cheese) . The flat iron and scallops were good too. I would give the food 4 stars, but it was such a shame that our food took so long... not quite sure if our server perhaps entered in our order late or if the kitchen isn't efficient in controlling the tickets and getting the food out. big sigh...
(3)Shreyas S.
These guys have great topping flavor combinations on their pizzas but their crust has no crunch or flavor.
(3)Tori D.
As always, ...Another divine culinary experience @ Phoenicia. & with Alki Beach being its locale~~~? Well, .. You'll just LOVE it, & not regret your decision one bit. The food is fantastic and it's Family owned and community centered, they even donate x% to a local charity or family in need at times. And, if you're lucky, u may even get to join the matriarch after hours, at the bar, sharing story and a home made meal. if, ...you're lucky??? Phoenicia is a "10"! with all around great ambiance, spectacular selection of wines, friendly family staff, delicious menu items, and for "the cherry on top"? A stroll down Alki beach. perfetto!
(5)Jason F.
Had my first visit to Phoenicia and had a great time. This place is hard to describe appropriately because if I do, it might not sound as great a place as it really is. It's a great location just off Alki with a tremendous view of the Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains facing west. There are 8 seats or so outside facing the water but I was seated inside. The staff is great, I think at one time two or three different people were serving us. The restaurant itself is relatively small With a European cafe feeling as you're seated close to others. The menus is a varied selection of small plates, entrees, salads and a great selection of pizzas. I did like the pizza and they have a terrifically chewing doughy crust. That's not my favorite but the ingredients are fresh and the flavor is great. Prices are affordable and the wine list is good. At the end of our meal we enjoyed a great bananas foster from the dessert menu.
(4)Eryck Q.
Our experience here was pretty good. Alot of the dishes are spicy and have the same exact sauce on them! the prawns, scallops and spice beef seem all very similar. But they do have a good flavor. We liked the fig pizza! all the pizzas though have huge crusts and not as much toppings as you'd like for the price. as one reviewer mentioned, it really is a bit pricey, especially considering the small portions of most everything. Good service and view tho!
(3)Ryan V.
Great place for tapas and pizza! The perfect romantic spot to relax after an afternoon strolling along Alki.
(5)Mekhala E.
Dining at Phoenecia was an absolute delight! A colleague of ours who lives in the area loves going here. It was quite packed on a Wednesday, luckily we had a reservation! It's a tiny place with cutesy décor and great views of the beach. My absolute favorite thing was the 39 spices beef - so many flavors packed into this one, it was just an explosion of flavors in each bite. The beef was cooked perfectly, the mushrooms very flavorful, I could eat this all day long! My second best favorite was the Fiery diver sea scallops and the fiery shrimp - two bomb dishes, they are on the spicier side as the name suggests, all the three preparations (beef scallops and shrimp) are spicy and a little on the oily side as well. But you can soak up that oil in some pita bread and go to pita bread and spicy oil dip heaven, just sayin ;). If you order the scallops, know that you only get two scallops in each dish. We ended up getting two orders of scallops. I think the second wave of favorites were the - Alki Pizza, Squash pizza and the Turkish coffee affogato. The squash pizza is very unique; we asked them to add some arugula to this pizza to balance the sweetness of the squash. The manchego was not overpowering and worked perfectly with the squash and arugula. I did taste a hint of cinnamon in this pizza, so if you are averse to cinnamon, this pizza might not be for you. This wave of dishes were good but not mind blowing - Pesto Pizza, Garlic green beans, Trio of spreads Prosciutto de parma (small plate), Sausage and peppers pizza I do want to make a note though, this is not a $$ restaurant, we were a party of six and ended up paying just a little under $350, for $55ish per person, it's $$$ on yelp. That said, I think if yelp ends up increasing it to $$$, it is still well worth it.
(5)Sheila G.
The food was a bit pricey, but the quality of the ingredients made up for it. My favorite items on the menu were the scallops and the fig and pancetta pizza. The rest of the food we tried was good, definitely above average. I wasn't expecting to find food with this quality near Alki so I was a bit surprised. The dessert was a little disappointing though. I tried the Nutella cheesecake and although it was good, it didn't compare to the rest of the meal. The crust was too soft and sort of tasted like just a spoonful of Nutella. I strongly recommend the fig and pancetta pizza. It was amazing and had so many flavors that complimented each other so well!
(4)Brian H.
My favorite is the squash pizza. I'm not vegan, but I enjoy it more than their meat pizzas. It has a perfectly sweet and savory flavor. Try it!
(5)Sarah B.
We had a great time at Phonecia! We'd read that Phoenecia was the best pizza in West Seattle and I would say it is the best Artisan Pizza in West Seattle. It's definitely good! Just wasn't quite what we were expecting. Our table was also pretty cramped - I was less than an arm's length from the table next to mine (with strangers) and it felt hard to have a conversation. All that being said - we had a good time! The food was good, wine was lovely, and the server was incredibly knowledgeable about the place and the menu. Would definitely come back!
(4)Talia E.
Tried Phoenicia for the first time on a Monday night, dinner around 7pm. I give it a solid 3.5 but will round up. 5 stars for flavors, 3 stars for prices and portions. The restaurant was about 80% full when we got there and maybe 30% full when we left. Food took a little time to come out of the kitchen but was very good. I had a fig and pancetta pizza with goat cheese and caramelized onions -- such a great pizza! But it cost $16 and the portion seemed more like a $13-$14 portion, if that makes sense. Anyway, the crust was perfect and the kale salad was quite good, and so I would quite possibly reorder both things if I returned. Shrimp appetizer was good too, but only four fiery shrimp on the plate, so keep that in mind if you are feeling hangry :) Supposedly 3-4 appetizers equates to one entree portion. (At $6-$12ish per app though, watch your tab.) Entrees are mostly pizza options, but like mouthwatering swanky Mediterranean pizza options. Nom. Ambience is average but gets the job done -- you can get away with jeans here and/or heels. Dark tables and a chalkboard menu on one wall, exposed wine rack shelves on the other wall. Nice family owns/manages the place and they source local ingredients from Salumi's and others. Not sure this would be my absolute first stop next time I am in the area, but I think I will be back eventually.
(4)Trina D.
This is a cute little Mediterranean cafe located in Alki Beach (West Seattle). You can't really beat the views of the water. Reservations are recommended because it can be quite full on a Friday night. We had reservations at 7:30 pm and they seated us within 5-10 minutes. We had to wait for a table to clear so that they could seat us. My friend Joa K. wanted me to try their fig & pancetta pizza. So we ordered 2 of them. Her boyfriend Jess also joined us for dinner so he had a whole pizza to himself. We also ordered the scallops which were perfectly seared with a sweet glaze. Only two scallops arrived but that was the perfect amount since one of our party didn't eat fish. The 39 spice beef was tasty but I could only detect 5-spice, not 39. A little disappointed by the beef but it was still good. The saffron chicken was amazing though. So saucy and delicious. We had quite a bit of food and a bottle of wine to share. This place is a great find and during this time of year, the sunset at 9:45pm is kind of amazing. The service was great once the food started arriving, it never really stopped. The fig & pancetta pizza was a delicious blend of sweet and salty. Nice find, Joa!
(4)Elle K.
I personally think 4.5 rating for Phoenicia doesn't make any sense- it is definitely overly hyped in my opinion! After reading so many great review, I went there for dinner twice, and both of my experience was ' meh ' with mix of pros and cons. CONS: -The first time we went, we were sitted within 5-10min of our reservation time, but the second time, we had to wait for more than 30minutes past our reservation time. -39 beef had too strong flavor and wasn't tender at all. It felt like eating a block of a stock cube with hint of herbs. Similar feelings for spicy prawns and caprese. One of the saltiest capreses I've ever had. Overall, foods are heavly seasonsed, and can't taste the flavor of natural ingridients at all. PROS: -Trio dip with pitta and chacuteri/cheese platter were good and pizzas were great as well. -Great wine selection -Alki beach view during sunset. I probably wouldn't go back for food, but I think its still a nice place for late night wine and cheese.
(3)Ilya S.
I am not a big fan of writing reviews, neither I am big fan of pizza. However this place was so great I decided to share this. We spent our anniversary here with my wife and it was such a great experience! The view is great, it's really great place to be at your date. The pizza is incredible and wine is really nice! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to make your Seattle summer evening a sweet experience!
(5)Dennis B.
The fiery scallops were awesome. So we're the portabella mushrooms. I have been here a few times. And the braised lamb shank with creamy garlic kale is my favorite dish. I love coming here... Nice friendly staff, great food.
(5)Anna Z.
Food: 4.5 Ambiance: 4 Service: 4 Here's what we had: Lamb and Chevrie, chili oil pizza Flat Iron steak Alki Pizza Garlic green beans The pizza is amazing. The other dishes are a little pricey and very small, but tastey so if you're into that stuff, it's worth it. The place is very cute, right by Alki Beach. It has a huge window so you can see the sunset basically from any seat. It is a little crowded though. It's a small place and the tables almost fit in like puzzle pieces. Service is great and you can order pizza to go. (.... After dinner we went for a walk and couldn't resist trying another pizza. We ordered one to go and ate it outside by the beach)
(5)D y.
I still like this place! Haven't been here for about 9 years. I brought my out of town cousin here on a Sunday night. Service and food were great! Wine, salad, flatbread!! Loved the view and sunset too. This place has been updated nicely since 9 years ago. It still feels like a cool neighborhood joint worthy of showing off. The only thing is that I miss the rose ice cream. Bring it back please.
(5)Tiffany F.
Very good place. Really small location so it makes it more of an intimate atmosphere, but there's a direct view of the beach and you could sit outside watching the water. The food and drinks are fairly pricey, but delicious all the same. We made reservations ahead of time and there was a table ready for us, but on a Tuesday evening it seemed like people were just walking in as well.
(4)Cassie B.
Foods not bad, but it is overpriced for what it is. Charcuterie plate has a few good meats but is otherwise boring - the pickled items aren't rich in flavor. It's a cute spot, dimly lit and somewhat intimate yet casual. Service was kind of slow - I appreciate when a waiter or waitress isn't hovering over you - but there were long periods of time she didn't come by and I did want to order coffee. My boyfriend ate an entire pizza with ease before she came back to check on us.
(3)Abby S.
This is our favorite date night spot in Seattle! The food is original and delicious, the atmosphere is top notch, and the family who runs Phoenecia is so kind. Love the low lighting, cozy feel, and giant chalkboard wall menu. The lamb pizzas are fantastic, and we never skip on Turkish coffee for dessert!
(5)Stephen M.
This place is simply amazing. We were lucky enough to call ahead and hustle over upon hearing that 2 of the 6 outside seats were freeing up. The restaurant does not take reservations for the small outside area, only the indoor area which can probably seat 20 or so. The outward-facing, gated storefront area is perfect for shade-seeking dogs, people watching, and seeing the sun go down over Alki in summertime. Throw in some motivated zumba and salsa dancers across the street, and it makes for a memorable evening. Meal price is what you would expect for West Seattle. The menu centers on pizzas that are somewhere between individual-sized and enough for 2. Round off a single pizza off with a starter or 2, and you'll be set. Ordering 2 pizzas probably means leftovers, unless you've been out in the sun all day and skipped lunch. Quinoa tabbouleh is a great take on a traditional dish and pairs well with the extensive white wine list. Pita for hummus seems fresh, an area where other places seem to noticeably skimp. OK selection of beers, including some finds not often found in the area. Service at any indoor/outdoor place is tough on staff, but Phoenecia comes through by balancing the right pace: we felt neither rushed nor neglected, and we had enough space to enjoy the scene around us. Manager/owner fills in as needed and makes sure the customers are happy and empty glasses quickly get filled. A few tips: --The coppa pizza is capocollo (pork). Non-Italian-speaking vegetarians beware! --For dog-owners, they have cleaned lamb shanks in the fridge. Just ask. --They have spare sunglasses for forgetful folks who left them in the car and find themselves blinded by the 7-8 PM summertime sun. Will def return.
(5)Laura T.
We went to Phoenicia for the first time this past weekend and were underwhelmed with the dinner menu. There was a decent variety of options, however there was a lot of redundancy in ingredients, i.e. goat cheese and mozzarella on most every option. The best part was our salad and the wine/beer. Pizza dough was very good, but for $15 I want more than bread and red sauce. The pizza toppings were very scant. Ambiance and service staff are good. Needless to say, we'll go elsewhere for pizza or Mediterranean next time.
(2)Sarah F.
Went here for NYE dinner. The place is cute/intimate with great staff. We ordered Kale salad to start. It was delicious. I think it had some kind of crunchy dried garbanzo beans on it... it was really good. I ordered Alki pizza and my friend ordered fish. The pizza was great, fish was just okay. Either way we're fans and would totally come again for the salad and pizza. One disappointment was that we were really looking forward to seared scallops based on website menu...but we assumed maybe different menu because of NYE. We will go again soon :-)
(4)Linna S.
We ordered the following items: spice beef, fig & pancetta pizza & the board of charcuterie. This place popped my charcuterie cherry & has been on my mind since. I have explored various places offering up charcuterie after this visit and this place seems to have been the best thus far. Sooooo delicious. The dishes are so creative. Particularly the fig & pancetta pizza. You bite in and think "who would have thought up this creation." A great creation at that. YUUUUM!!!
(4)Jonathan B.
Such a great little family owned place on Alki. The layout and decor is great for a date. The main dishes are tapas style and reasonably priced. We had the trio of spreads, the saffron chicken, and the 39 spice beef. All were delicious!
(5)Santosh B.
Great place for a couple with good food, service, location and all others. Definitely will be back
(5)Tom F.
This place gets 5 stars because everything was so consistently good! Except for perhaps the green beans, everything was intensely flavorful and served beautifully. The cheese plate was a delicious sampling, the fiery prawns were outstanding and had just the right level of heat, and the fig and pancetta pizza with caramelized onions was incredible. One of the best pizzas I've had in forever! Salty, sweet, creamy cheese, wonderful doughy but crispy crust... Additionally, the atmosphere was lovely and the service was so friendly and helpful while still being genuine. It's also nice and cozy inside and there's a great view. I highly recommend it.
(5)Kathleen C.
This is a place to return to. Magnificent pizza and small plates. Kind and efficient staff. A family owned business and it shows. Great on a summer night watching the wacky crowds stroll by on Alki.
(4)Debra H.
We live within walking distance yet had never been. What a great meal we had and plan to return soon. I just wish there were more great places to eat on Alki. We ordered: Olives - which were served warm. Very good. Trio of spreads - hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh served with warm pita, all good. 39 Spice Beef - Would order something different next time Kale salad - Very good And we had a pizza special - delicious!
(5)Lokesh K.
Fantastic pizza! One of the best that I've had in Seattle. You can also sit outside and enjoy the sight of the waters. Don't forget to try the baklava too!
(5)Billy L.
My wife and I live on Queen Anne. We wanted something romantic and in a different area of the Seattle. After reading several of the reviews on Yelp we decided on Phoenecia. We had the Trio of Spreads, Saffron Chicken, Fiery Prawns, 39 Spice Beef, and the Lamb and Eggplant pizza. The quality of ingredients, taste, and presentation was "awesome" for every single dish! PLEASE understand, these are "small plates" not full portions. I share this since several people mentioned portioning in their reviews. With our order there was more than enough food for my wife and me. Service was excellent. So, if you are looking for a restaurant that offers outstanding quality, taste, service, with great ambience, and waterfront setting try Phoenecia.
(5)Rick D.
One word: lamb shank! Er, two words? We shared and there's still a lunch. Green beans excellent. Shrimp. 39(!) spice beef. No wrong choice. 5 stars.
(5)Jerome B.
I think this place is okay, not spectacular and not terrible. The first thing though that put me off, was that they charge $3 for soda. When I asked if it's refillable the nice waitress told me it's from a can. WHOA--talk about inflation! I opted for the more expensive $4 mexican coke (with the real cane sugar) because it's something I normally don't get... The space is quite small but quaint. The large windows offers nice lighting during the day, and subdued lighting during sunset. My friend got the Truffle oil pizza. I had a bite, and I was praising to the lord about how good it was. SO. GOOD. My Pancetta and fig pizza was alright. The crust was pretty large and tough, which made some trouble for me eating. If you come in a large party, bring cash or your mathematics skills--they don't divide the bill for you.
(3)Josie C.
Very nice! Great view, great foods, great service. Will put this one in my pocket list.
(5)Jeg M.
Bomb ditty Bomb BOMB Trio of spreads and squash pizza are absolutely fantastic. They also have a pretty nice wine list which is not overpriced. This place is definitely one of my wife and my favorite places in West Seattle.
(5)Marlene S.
Beautiful views, great atmosphere (just under being too loud to hear across the table), and the tapas and pizzas were amazing. While the rest of the table got dessert, I ordered a second Fig Pizza. Service was very friendly.
(5)Sarah R.
Like many of the other yelpers... I am having a hard time deciding on how many stars to give this place. I really feel it's about 3.5... but that isn't an option. So I'm rounding up. First thing is first. The saffron chicken was to die for. OMG is was heavenly. The server suggested ordering a side of pita bread to go with it to soak up all the delicious sauce. We did just that and used every piece of bread to get every bit of sauce. I would maybe bathe in this stuff if I could. The 2nd thing we ordered was the flat iron steak. The flavor was delicious, but it was extremely rare and had some very chewy/inedible bits. Wouldn't order beef here again. The third item we ordered was the Alki pizza. To be fair, their style of pizza is not my favorite. All the flavor and toppings are in the very middle and are surrounded by tons of big, fluffy, not much flavor crust. My hubby actually enjoyed it enough to get it again. The toppings and sauce were so good, but there just was way too much crust. So I would pass on their pizza. The last thing we had was the bananas foster. Pros- It was bananas foster, which is effing delicious. Cons- The caramel sauce was cloyingly sweet and 2 little ice cream scoops would have been better than 1. We got a table in the corner where we could look out two windows and see the beach across the street. It was really a lovely view and one reason I would definitely eat here again. It was small and a bit cramped in there. But with that view, I wouldn't say it seemed like much of a problem. My biggest gripe is the price of the food for the portions served. It's quite outrageous actually. I cannot stress enough what a teeny tiny amount of food is on each 9-10 dollar plate. The incredible chicken dish was $9 + $2 for the pita bread. So that's $11 for about 7 bites of food. The steak was probably closer to 6 bites for $10. I will return for that view and the saffron chicken. Even for the price... it was THAT good.
(4)Heather H.
Came here for my birthday dinner in the middle of a busy Wednesday night. I usually take that as a good sign the place is hopping with customers midweek. However the expectations of this place slowly got lower. Place seemed understaffed with just two waitresses on the floor and our food took awhile to get out to us. While the menu offered a pretty good selection of items, once we tasted our food it was bland and dare I say normcore. The hummus trio, sounded fantastic but nothing more to write a rav about. Same goes for the salads. Our last entrée was a truffle pizza. Expecting the shaved truffle flakes I had previous had before on many pizzas - this one was an oily cheesy mess. No taste of any truffle, although there was a faint amount of truffle oil used, it was mainly just a cheese pizza. The only highlight of the place is the drink menu. Great selection of wines and Prosecco! I decided to make up for the lack luster by having a few glasses of the bubbly instead to pass it off.
(3)Deano S.
Order: 16.00 Lamb Pizza 14.00 Truffle oil pizza 08.00 Banana Foster I like this place. My wife gives it a 5 star, I give it a 4.5. So I'll just round up, because it could very well be a 5 star kinda place. It's a small, cute and intimate place. It's facing the water with outside seating. Service was great! The pizzas are Neapolitan style I think. My wife got the truffle oil, which I though was ok. It was like bread and cheese. But she loooooooved it. I like my pizza with red sauce. And wouldn't want it any other way. So I liked it. I'd say I like it a tad bit more than Tutta Bella's pizzas. It was also a tad bigger. For dessert, we shared a Banana's Foster. It came a la mode. It was delicious, but it was the first time I've had that dessert anywhere. So take that thought with grain of salt peeps. TL;DR Neapolitan style pizzas that are a bit bigger, and a little tastier than Tutta Bella's pizza. And yummy Banana's Foster.
(5)Cathy H.
was very good...sat at the bar and felt like a mini me. We had the trio of spreads, sautéed mushrooms, hot fire prawns for apps...pesto pizza, fig and pancetta pizza and Margerita pizza. scrumpdilicious
(4)Christy N.
Very intimate restaurant right along the main drag at Alki. It's so small that while sitting there, I felt a little cramped and hard to get out of my seat to go to the restroom. They mainly serve pizzas and some other appetizer/tapas-style small dishes. First off, I absolutely love the location. The day we went, the weather was gorgeous, we watched the sun set at Alki - couldn't have been a more perfect day. We ordered a couple of their pizzas to share with a total group of 6 ppl (can't remember specifically which ones). I thought they were right on par with other thin-crust pizzas. For small plates, we ordered the Fiery Prawns, 39 Spice Beef, and Mixed Greens Salad. I loved them all. I would go back sometime, especially when it's nice weather, to try the other items on their menu. Definitely make reservations though, it is small and there is hardly any room for waiting.
(5)Shahani F.
I went for a V-day dinner. They ran out of the soup, appetizer and couple of the main dishes. This when they had a prix fixe menu for the night. Not cool. Service was also not that great. The tables were laid so near, I was afraid I would tip off the candles throughout the dinner.
(2)Terry P.
I must say that I don't agree with the 4.5 star. Maybe it was the food we ordered or a glitch in the staffing when we visited, but based on my experience it was a 3 star. We were promptly seated on a Friday night, great! But it didn't seem like the restaurant was busy between 7 - 8 pm on that particular Friday. The service was good but a bit inefficient. For one, everything, including the drinks, came out within five minutes of each other...yikes! We couldn't take the time to enjoy the salad and the cheese plate because the pizza was getting cold. That little table couldn't fit more than two dishes at a time, so we spent more time juggling the plates than eating the food. Perhaps the inefficiency comes with the fact that there is not one person dedicated to each table--we must have dealt with three different waitresses within the 45 minutes when we were there. Regarding the food, I guess I had my expectation too high before the visit. The menu did look better than the taste. We ordered a kale salad, but it had no kale? Regardless, the salad was good but not exceptional--this would be the description I would use for the other dishes. Relative to the quality, the price was way too high for the quality/amount of food. At Phoenicia's price point, e.g. $16 for three small wedges of cheese and $8 for two pieces of prochiutto, I expected better if not more than what was served. The pizza was an average size. I was really excited to check out the place when I saw it on Yelp. Honestly, it is one of the better places on Alki, but again, I really don't need to drive all the way there for average food.
(3)Dom M.
Semi-satisfied. Maybe I had my walls up bc this place was on Alki Beach, so was expecting to be overcharged for semi-good eats. And yes, that was the case, semi-good service, semi-good food, and smaller portions than what you would expect for your money. The price for the view and the parking situation on a Monday evening was not worth it. There is so much to choose from in Seattle, that it's just better to stay off Alki when dining. Wine selection was good, beer selection not, & I didn't see any mixed drinks on the menu.
(3)Joa K.
I'm very happy to branch out of my Eastside/downtown areas. West Seattle, you are growing on me quite rapidly. Phoenecia has a lot to offer - small plates (but not "tapas") style in a warm and cozy setting. Huge windows, of course, to see the water and beach. I love staring out the window with coffee or tea or wine in hand - even on a gray and rainy day. Something about it...it's kind of romantic in a very simple way? The restaurant is laid back. It's nice enough to be considered a great date spot and chill enough where I can be my ghetto self ;) The service is quite friendly and nice. Water glass was never empty - there was a slight spill at one point but they were quick to clean it up. No worries! My favorites, hands-down: fig pizza and 39 spice beef. Please - just put the pizza in my mouth. Shove it down my throat. I don't care. I want it. It's delicious. Perfect sweet and savory balance...which, by the way, is my favorite flavor combination! The crust is good too - crispy but soft and doughy and cooked through. Magic. It's so simple but so good. OK I need to move on because I'm going to faint just reminiscing about this. The 39 spice beef had a good amount of kick to it but not too much. The beef itself comes in small bite sizes - perfect! Tender meat and good flavors! Yay! I actually think this tastes kind of Asian. I can definitely see my very Korean mother enjoying this dish with a side of steamed white rice (duh). Hell yeah I'd love to come back.
(4)Erin T.
I would actually give them 2.5 stars, but rounded up...From the moment we walked in without reservations, we never once felt particularly welcome. After much sighing and carrying on by the hostess- and eventually the manager- we were told they would 'squeeze us in.' We're talking 5p because we had a toddler in tow and only one other table had patrons...Anyway, we loved the idea of ordering various small plates. Not one single dish was amazing. The mixed greens salad and the flat iron steak were both very good. The saffron chicken and the fiery prawns were good, but nothing special. Same for the Alki pizza- the crust is very good, but the toppings are just meh. The biggest issue we had with the food is that it came out in stages, with two of the items arriving after we'd completely finished the rest of the meal. No apologies or anything. It's obvious that the place is understaffed (just the manager and 2 waitresses- all of whom are spending ample time socializing). Everything is overpriced, even by Seattle standards. $3-4 for a soda from a can?! The menu states that most diners order 3-4 small plates, but at a minimum of $9 a pop, that's just absurd. The charcuterie small plate, for example, is $16! When we asked the waitress if they offered a half portion, she said, 'oh, it's already really small...' Again, some of our food items were pretty good, but won't likely return...
(3)Mateja A.
Without exaggeration this restaurant deserves 7 stars. I at the best lamb pasta w tomato sauce i ever tried. Period! For the first time in my life i had goose bumps while eating!! I grew up in southern europe and i am very used to delicious Mediterranean cuisine, but never tried anything like it!!!
(5)Robert M.
Thanks Phoenecia, you really delivered for me. Looking for intimate dining experience, I had made reservations on a Friday night at 8:30. Upon arriving, by some miracle, I was able to park right in front the restaurant. Wow! When we entered there was a table available, but they asked if we would want to wait a few minutes for a window location. We said yes, and they seated us at the bar for about 5 minutes until they were able to clean up. For Starters we had the 39 spice beef plate,(we thought the mushrooms were the best part) , and the Caprese salad. both were excellent, As for dinner we had the Fig and Pancetta pizza, which really lived up to the great reviews from fellow Yelpers. It was fantastic! The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and timely. We are definitely coming back for more :)
(5)George S.
A wonderful spot in West Seattle that is not a beach bar or a burger joint. We had dinner there last night and it was fantastic. The only reason why I am not giving it a five was the pizza oven was broken and that's what brought us in. Service was great and we had an eggplant parm that was so good I ordered one to go. Great place looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Steven S.
Last night we enjoyed a great meal at this lovely spot on Alki. We sat outside (there are only about 8 spots at a bar) and enjoyed the evening, sunset, and the circus of people and cars that is Alki in the summer. We started with the olives and trio of spreads. Both were tasty and very nice as starters. We also had the Caprese salad, which was perfect as the evening was warm when we sat down. For our main, we enjoyed the Lamb pizza which had a generous amount of lamb sausage with cheese, and a nice red sauce on a light, hand-made crust. I enjoyed a fine glass of Bordeaux and my date liked her Chardonnay. The only drawback to the night was that the service was a little slow at the beginning as the place was packed, even at 8 pm on a Sunday night. Be prepared for that. All in all a great experience. I am sure we will be back and I recommend this for anyone looking for something nice on the beach.
(4)Orlene C.
Went here for a friend's birthday and had to drag my husband back a week later. Such a cozy spot with great small plates to share along with a glass of wine. Here are the results from the two visits: Fig pizza with caramelized onions, Prosciutto, chevre (special on board) A+ - Absolutely in love with this! Hope it is one of those specials that always seems to be a special. The Alki with Zoe's spicy salami, caramelized onions, mozzarella, Grana Padano, and their EVOO sauce A - Excellent! Toppings very yummy and have to say their dough is delicious! The type of dough one would not want to leave behind. A+ Sea Scallops - When my friends choice this dish, I was a bit disappointed because I am not typically a scallop person but their scallops were the BEST super tender and flavorful. Trio of Spreads - hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh served with warm pita A - All the dips were perfect. Great appetizer. Quinoa Tabbouleh A - Refreshing appetizer to add some veggies to your meai Garlic Green Beans B- - Not bad but nothing special Saffron Chicken & 39 Spice Beef C+ - Both were too salty but tender Wines (forgot exact wines tried) A - Both the white and red that the waiter recommended were very good
(5)Stephanie S.
Simply amazing. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Danny K.
I loved the food - surprising ingredients, deliciously made, and very beautifully plated. Professional and courteous service. Nice dusk view of the water on Alki beach was a welcome extra. My only comment is that the place as a whole has a casual atmosphere, which does not exactly match the fanciful plating and the price range that goes with it. I'd prefer the same quality food served more simply and costing somewhat less. I can't be a regular here at the current price range. No complaints other than this.
(4)Marjory B.
To the old guy that sat behind my boyfriend today around 5:30 pm and gave him a dirty look because you apparently thought he was sitting too close - you obviously are not very intelligent if you were blind to the fact that this restaurant is TINY and all of the tables are about 12 inches away from each other. Get over yourself. Food is decent, kind of overwhelming on the seasonings...but the small plates are REALLY small. Not the place to go if you are starving unless you feel like spending a lot of money. The food is alright but neither worth the price nor the discomfort of sitting so close to other people that you feel like they are at your table. Won't be back.
(2)M W.
The restaurant is nice. It has a great vibe, good music, and feels inviting on a cold night near the beach. The service was friendly but just a little bit slow since there were only 2 people running the show out front. That's fine though, they did a good job and you kind of go there to relax and have a conversation. That pace is nice and something you see more often in restaurants in other countries. We just ordered small plates and wine. The food was really good but when they say "small" plates the emphasis is on small. I don't need large portions by any stretch and am fine not stuffing myself, but $13 for 2 scallops is a little ridiculous. Maybe it's a reflection of how expensive things are getting in Seattle but to me the value wasn't there. Because of the prices, it's likely I won't go back unless it's a special occasion. But again, it was nice, they generally did a good job, and we had a good time. So I figure if you have the money, it's worth 4 stars.
(4)Liz K.
Expensive. However, I really love this place and think it's worth a fantastic date night. I like the tapas feel. My husband and I take the time and try lots of different things to share. The pizza is delicious. Like a wood fired pizza. The steak appetizer and hummus trio are great. It's a lovely place.
(5)Lily D.
QUALITY is amazing! They do not try to use greasy or sugary to light up their food. It is real gourmet!My forever love in Seattle!
(5)John N.
Great great pizza. We had a group of 4 and they sat us quickly and the server was super nice. The menu is interesting and delicious. The atmosphere is a bit too dark for my taste especially if you're there for anything besides a super romantic date. But if you do want a romantic place right in the middle of Alki, this is the place.
(4)Stringtown A.
We got engaged at Phoenicia, and were amazed at the positive reaction... one couple bought our dinner for us, and two women seated to our other side sent us the best tiramisu we've had. The owner and her daughter were so friendly and congratulatory, and the pizza was the best we've had beside Parygary's in Sacramento CA. Delicate and perfectly cooked, with a delicious wild boar salami. Loved the artisan cheese platter, and would absolutely go back when we're in the area again!
(5)Mark M.
Girlfriend and I went here on a Friday night. Really intimate and romantic setting. Food was a bit pricey (but typical for Alki), portions were a lot smaller than we had hoped but it was all really good. Service was great - we had arrived a bit earlier than our reservation, so the waitresses sat us down and moved us to a table near the window once it opened up. Overall good experience
(4)Tam Q.
Cheese+ Charcuterie + Wine = a very happy girl. I love this place on Alki. Very warm and intimate. They have a great selection of wine, cheese and meats. One of my favorite places for date night.
(4)John F.
Not my cup of tea. I really wanted to like this place. It is my son's favorite restaurant and where he proposed to his fiance. Went there for dinner the other night and was under impressed. First, a little history. The Phoenecia opened up in the location of the old "The Restaurant". Yes, that was its name. We loved it. Would regularly drove from South Seattle to Alki to eat there. Once it closed, we stopped making the drive for dinner - too far away. So wen we walked in and realized it was the same location, our hopes were raised. We ordered the cheese plate, the spicy prawns and the Alki pizza. We then watched as others who ordered after we did get the food before us. Frustrating!!! All the food tasted good, but the cheese plate was anemic and we only got 4 prawns. The center of the pizza was done well and very tasty, but the crust is HUGE. I really wanted to just skip eating the crust, but I needed to in order to fill up. Lastly, the noise level was pretty high. Not a place for a quite romantic dinner.
(3)Sur S.
Great spot by alki beach. Warm service and amazing Pizza. Perfect from small groups and dates.
(4)Melissa M.
So sad to give this place a low rating, but it is deserved. We had a reservation for 6 people and arrived right on time. We were promptly seated and it was a really really good thing that we had two children with us otherwise we couldn't have sat at the table. We were smashed up against the chairs for the bar where a couple was seated. The couple was petite and took up little room, so the table should have been given more room by the restaurant, but it wasn't. The little kids (ages 4 and 8) were able to fit behind the couple, but it was a tight squeeze. No regular sized adult could have fit there. We sat and it was fin, but it was a bit of an omen. We ordered drinks and food and then the wait started. We ordered an appetizer and that came our quickly but we also ordered entrees. The entrees took a full hour to arrive at our table. After 45 minutes of waiting, the waitress came by sand said "They just put your pizzas in the oven, the pizzas take a long time and are what is slowing everything down". So confused. Why didn't they put them in earlier? Why didn't they come by and at least update us earlier? Our food eventually came and was good but not great. My husband enjoyed his salmon, but it was really small for the price (compared to other entrees and their prices). I had the Pasta Diablo with lots of seafood in it. It was ok, but too many types of seafood in the pasta muddled the flavors. For dessert, we wanted something, but we were informed that the bananas foster would take a long time and we immediately nixed that! I got the Tiamisu and it was unusual and not very good. We split our bill but when our credit cards were run, they overcharged one of the people by $75. Good thing we caught it, because we just wanted to get out of there and would have signed anything! They quickly rectified the problem, but it's too bad it happened to begin with, especially after such a long evening. I would not go back here and if you value your time, I would suggest you skip this place too.
(2)Emily V.
This family owned and run restaurant is a true alki gem. The lamb shank is amazing. The wine list is actually pretty good considering the size of the restaurant. The ambience is intimate. My favorite place in Alki. I would highly highly recommend.
(5)Bernadette M.
Mixed. Server v friendly at first - offered a taste of Lebanese wine which I've never had (was good!) but when she asked how the food was and I gave her my opinion about the kale salad - she was clearly unhappy. (Kale salad is apparently one of their top sellers but I would not order again... I've had many at other restaurants that were MUCH better) - kale was on the tough side ... Including big chunks of the stalk- and hadn't been massaged or marinated enough w dressing to become tender. Trio of dips was average - rigatoni w figs and pancetta was delish!! Still - flavors in kale salad were good enough - am taking home to marinate over night and have high hopes for lunch leftovers tomorrow! Finally - they brought out each dish WAYYY too quickly- I hadn't finished the trio of spreads when the salad was brought out and hadn't taken more than 2 bites of kale salad before the pasta was on my table.
(3)Gabriela S.
I have been to Phoenecia twice now. The first time we had tapas (cheese plate, charcuterie, salad, etc) and they were all outstanding. The second time was salad and pizza. The pizza is great, it is almost as good as Delancey and Serious Pie - not quite as good but close. The service and the location across the street from Alki beach also really make this place great. The prices are fair and the place itself is really cute. I will definitely be back, especially when I want a pizza without waiting for an hour like at Delancey and Serious Pie (either location).
(4)Kimberly P.
Thinking back on everything I ate in 2010, my meal at Phoenecia tops the list. Everything we ate here rocked my world in a slyly subtle way. The flavors were perfectly balanced and every bite left me wanting more. The service was top notch, lovely story about the owners and you could feel the love they poured into the restaurant and the food. My top choice for dinner in Seattle. The view at sunset is an added bonus.
(5)kyle t.
Ate here awhile ago with some friends...awsome trufle oil pizza, delicious array of tapas...a couple favorites were the scallops and warm olives, also very tasty spiced oil for dipping!
(4)Tim R.
The BEST pizza in Seattle. The nicest people. Great location. Go there....NOW!
(5)Matthew C.
To start, the host and servers were really friendly and happy to have us. Great service, check. The wine we ordered was apparently from someone who lived down the street and great. The pizza crust was absolutely incredibly. The rest of the pizza was great too,but the crust was the best part. The pizzas are perfect for splitting if you get a salad as well. The restaurant is really small, but gives you that comfy, homey feeling. And every table has an awesome view across the sound. The only reason it is not 5 stars is because my Carese salad was just so so.
(4)Lee T.
I have only ever had the pizza here. It is one of the better pizzas I have had in Seattle. BTW, I am a snob when it comes to pizza (I am from Chicago). I like that they use quality ingredients. I don't like that there is almost as much crust to each slice as there is "pizza". Oh, the Turkish coffee is delicious and the baklava is yummy, though pretty skimpy portion. It gets a bit loud in here, so speak up. It is much better since they have put dampers on the ceiling.
(4)Samantha H.
Great location right on Alki Beach! The first time I went there I thought the food was mediocre, but I went there again and the food tasted amazing. Order a couple tapa style food and entrees so share. Loved the fig pizza and the lamb shank. They do have really good food, and right at the beach which is very convenient after a nice stroll.
(5)Monika H.
disappointing tapas and super expensive. I had my first greek food experience in DC and loved it so much I couldnt wait to find a place back home. I read the reviews here for this place and thought sounds good. But it just wasn't as awesome as the place in DC. Small menu for the shared plates and it was just rather average in general and the prices seemed high.
(2)Grace C.
Phoenecia = good food, great service, relaxed ambiance overlooking Alki beach. Love their great selection of beers and wines lined against the wall. Tried their famous 39 spice beef and handmade pizzas which were delicious. Best of all was the service - the owner joked we can call in ahead of time if we bring dates and he can prepare a rose if they were cutting flowers that day :).
(4)Bonnie G.
We went here for a Ladies Night Out a few nights ago and the food was terrific. There were 8 of us and we ordered several small plates/appetizers a few salads and a few pizzas to share. All 3 pizzas we ordered were wonderful. (fig, margarita and pesto pizzas) The small plates were super yummy (especially the fiety prans and 39 spice beef). I am looking forward to returning. I had been to Phonecia years ago before it was redone and I must say I do like it a lot. It was great before and still great.
(5)Juan V.
We just moved to the neighborhood, and what a great find. Right on the water, local and very well prepared ingredients, great service, and top notch food for the price. what more could anyone want??
(4)Eleen W.
The food was good, but nothing amazing like Sitka and Spruce. I suppose you would come here for the view of Alki beach, and a romantic dinner over wine. It works, but doesn't make me beg for more.
(3)Nick M.
Forget Salty's! Phoenicia sets the standard for fine dining on Alki. My wife an have lived on Alki for one year, and we have been to Phoenicia three times so far, with many more visits planned. My mom's side of the family is Lebanese, so I know what real Lebanese cuisine is all about. Don't tell my family, but the food at Phoenicia is by far the best I have ever had. So far, I have had the chicken, lamb, salmon, baked kibbee, and even some of Hussein's special "magic sauce". The lamb and salmon dishes are my favorite. Phoenicia is about way more than just the food. The owner, Hussein, is one of the kindest and easiest people to talk to that you will ever meet. Don't expect to order off the menu though. Hussein is always prepared to make you something very special that is not on the menu. My wife an I recently patronized Phoenicia for our second wedding anniversary, and Hussein recommended some broiled copper river salmon with special magic sauce. He even let me sample the magic sauce before I ordered. The salmon was so tender that it melted in my mouth, and the magic sauce gave it a better flavor than any salmon I have ever had. I have no idea what was in it, but it was great. Don't forget to save room for desert!!! The baklava is outstanding. Last time, we had the rose/lavender cream brulee. Hussein went back in to the kitchen, made lots of noise, then promptly returned with the cream brulee in his left hand, and a huge yellow blow torch tucked under his right arm. He proceeded to melt the sugar on top of the cream brulee right there in front of us. It was so much fun!! Take it from me, this is a great place to eat. My wife an I get out a lot, and we have sampled food from all over the Seattle area. Phoenicia is by far our favorite place to eat. I joined yelp for no other reason than to give Hussein 5 stars.
(5)Jackie K.
Hands down. Best salmon dish I have ever tasted. And I've tried a lot of salmon...
(5)Alex C.
My favorite restaurant on Alki. Great food and service!
(5)Heather W.
Decided to eat here on a whim after walking up and down Alki with a friend and 2 toddlers. Not exactly a place I'd take a toddler to again, but I'd go back again on a date or with other adults. In fact, I'd say this is a really good spot for a date (before/after a walk on Alki - boo yah!) It wasn't that they weren't warm and welcoming to children (shoot, I couldn't get them to stop playing with my son and bringing toys from the back for him!), it was just very nice and a bit too fancy for him to understand how to properly behave in such an environment. The service was excellent, and the owner is amazingly kind and attentive. Great presentation, good flavors, wonderful hummus. Good wine selection and enough tasty appetizers to ensure you never make it to the main course.
(4)Ginger B.
A few friends and I stumbled into this place after walking around on Alki one windy winter afternoon. It felt like we had been welcomed into someone's warm home, forced to stuff ourselves with the most tasty food this side of Gibraltar, and sit for a while to watch the sunset. This is the place to take a date. Impress them with your knowledge of a wonderful, obscure restaurant. Dazzle them with the quality of the food. Then walk them across the street for a smooch by the Sound. A perfect evening.....
(5)Lana J.
Amazing food and amazing service!! Family like atmosphere. Dishes were solidly prepared with fresh ingredients. We would definitely recommend this restaurant and we will dine here again!
(5)Dave A.
Outstanding tapas, pizzas and wine.
(5)Mac J.
So dang good. I'd heard good things since Hussein's sad passing, and they were not wrong. We only had a simple dinner, appetizers and pizza. We had a caprese salad with perfect buffalo mozzarella, as well as some perfectly tender scallops. The pizza was fantastic, each ingredient adding its taste in perfect harmony. I'll be back here soon. It's good to see Hussein's family carrying on his tradition of great food with warm service. One of the best kinds of neighborhood joints.
(5)Chris R.
So not the first date like the last review, but date night after 20 years. What a great spot. Had no idea what to order so asked the wait staff to just take care of us. They inquired about any allergies, and then we had an amazing evening of food. The truffle pizza was amazing, the spicey beef, and don't pass on the desserts--and the Turkish coffee. They even came out to read the coffee grounds at the end of the evening. Everything had incredible flavor. Atmosphere is casual but romantic with low lights. Give this place a try, worth the trip to West Seattle, and parking was not a problem and free, not like downtown.
(5)