Staple & Fancy

Italian restaurant · Ballard

Staple & Fancy

Italian restaurant · Ballard

4

4739 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

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Staple & Fancy by Infatuation - Reviews
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Staple & Fancy by Photo by Jim Henkens
Staple & Fancy by Photo by Jim Henkens
Staple & Fancy by Photo by Jim Henkens
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Highlights

Housemade pastas, rustic Italian, stylish space, communal tables  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler

4739 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 Get directions

ethanstowellrestaurants.com
@stapleandfancy

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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4739 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 Get directions

+1 206 789 1200
ethanstowellrestaurants.com
@stapleandfancy
𝕏
@esrseattle

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Sep 27, 2025

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@infatuation

Where To Get Some Pasta And A Glass Of Wine By Yourself - Seattle - The Infatuation

"Staple & Fancy is probably the closest you’ll ever come to eating pasta in a classy brick shipping warehouse, even if that’s not on your bucket list. Have a nice seat at the bar next to your own personal lamp and order a glass of red and the pappardelle bolognese topped with ricotta and orange zest." - aimee rizzo

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/where-to-get-some-pasta-and-a-glass-of-wine-by-yourself-seattle
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@infatuation

The Private Dining Directory - Seattle - The Infatuation

"Staple & Fancy’s main dining room is already great for special occasions, but they have a private room in the back with a big, long table that’s an extra special place to get their $85 chef’s tasting menu." - aimee rizzo

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/best-private-dining-restaurants-seattle
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@eater

Saddest Seattle Restaurant Closures of 2019 - Eater Seattle

"Multiple restaurants closed as part of a deal to free up more cash and focus on expanding existing concepts." - Gabe Guarente

https://seattle.eater.com/2019/12/23/21034259/saddest-biggest-seattle-restaurant-closures-2019
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@infatuation

Staple & Fancy Mercantile - Review - Ballard - Seattle - The Infatuation

"You could have a terrific birthday dinner around a big table at Staple & Fancy if you order small plates, eat pasta, drink wine, and call lit a night. Or, you could spend $60 a person for the tasting menu. It’s a great way to do something celebratory without going totally overboard, that way nobody has to resent the guest of honor for tricking everyone into spending the majority of their rent on a few bites of food. The space looks like a classy brick shipping warehouse, so whether you decide to dress up or wear jeans, you won’t feel out of place. photo credit: Chona Kasinger" - Aimee Rizzo

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/reviews/staple-fancy-mercantile
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Stefany Bruna Rufino

Google
We had an amazing experience at Staple & Fancy! The burrata with pistachio pesto was absolutely unforgettable, really the best pistachio pesto I have ever had. The salmon crudo and crab ravioli were both incredible, full of fresh flavor and perfectly executed. To top it off, their homemade ginger beer was spectacular, refreshing and unique. The service was excellent, with a friendly waiter and a warm, welcoming host who made us feel right at home. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience!

B V

Google
A true gem in Seattle’s dining scene! Staple & Fancy is everything you want in a night out—elegant yet approachable, creative yet comforting. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and welcoming, and the service was impeccable—knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the food. We went with the “fancy” tasting menu, and every single dish was a delightful surprise. Perfectly paced, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. Highlights included the handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and the unexpected little bites that arrived between courses. You can tell there’s serious culinary talent in the kitchen. The cocktails were expertly crafted, and the wine list offered thoughtful pairings that complemented the meal perfectly. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate or simply indulge in a memorable dining experience, Staple & Fancy delivers on every level. Can’t wait to come back!

Oksana Z

Google
I have been here for the Chef’s Menu with the wine pairing and for the happy hours. Chef’s menu was great and gourmet. Happy hours were good, small portions and less variety than the full course menu. Service was good, but I would highlight that it also depends upon your order.

Rashmi J

Google
We had a birthday dinner at Staple & Fancy and opted for the chef’s menu. Overall, the food was tasty, though I was slightly disappointed with one of the main vegetarian dishes—it was mostly just squash, which became a bit overwhelming. That aside, we had a great experience. The service was good, and the wine pairing was delicious.

MAXIM PAK

Google
Went for a dinner during Seattle Restaurant Week. The offerings looked really promising on paper but in reality underwhelming in flavor and quality. Starters were good but lamb pasta lacked balance in flavor. Desserts were pretty bad: I didn’t finish my tiramisu as it was the worst one I’ve had in a long time. The service was great though. Overall going there for a Seattle Restaurant Week wasn’t worth it. With a $200+ you can dine in so many places off a la carte menu and get so much better food.

Travis Good

Google
My girlfriend and I came here for dinner because the website said they accommodate dietary concerns and allergies. What we experienced was much more than just "accommodating". From talking to the head chef via email before we arrived, to the constant double checking and confirmation from our waiter during service, the whole experience was incredible. We both had the chefs choice tasting menu and left everything up to the experts in the kitchen. The food was incredible, the care to detail and customer service was impeccable. Hands down the best all around dining experience we've ever had.

Kristina S.

Google
Our anniversary meal here was a stellar choice. The chef’s tasting was innovative and delicious; creative but not pretentious. Everything was executed very well, from composition of dish, plating, timing, and taste! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal from start to finish. The highlight of our experience was the service. Casual but very attentive. Everyone was so friendly but our server, Katelyn, was an absolute gem. We really appreciate how engaged and genial she was in making our time there special. Hope to visit again soon!

Stanley L

Google
Strongly recommend their happy hour menu. The pasta comes with great portion and reasonable price. The flavor is pretty decent but are less salty compared to other pasta houses, I personally like it but for people that prefer more savory flavors might need to keep a note on it. The appetizers are also awesome with decent value. A recommended place to go for happy hours!
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Ginger G.

Yelp
Seth was our server and boy was he GREAT. The only thing better than Seth was the food. I highly recommend the chef's tasting menu, it's $85 a person but soooo soooo worth it. I can't wait to go back because apparently the menu changes all the time. 10 out of 10 for service and food
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Lynette A.

Yelp
Amazing service!!!! Food was absolutely incredible!!! I will definitely be back! Management was also great! They checked in to make sure everyone was fantastic! Very classy and comfortable place!
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Walter P.

Yelp
Something has changed here. A new manager maybe? They no longer have half-priced bottles of wine on Wednesdays. We were surprised by that on June 2. And the bread course, which we normally enjoy with salad before pasta, was paltry and uninteresting. Also, there were only a few customers. So we paid more and got less. What gives? This was our favorite Seattle fine-dining spot.
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Kyle W.

Yelp
For this current month (August), $60 tasting menus on Mondays (normally $85!) I made a reservation here for 2 people to, of course, dine on Monday to take good advantage of the deal. The tasting menu is 4 courses, but the first course is a selection of 6 small bites as appetizers so you get quite a good amount of variety. As we dined at 5pm, it was happy hour so we opted to get the Cocchi Americano spritz and 3 glasses of wine (white, rose, red), $10 each which is good value. The food quality versus the value is high up there, and service exceeded my expectations for the price point, so it was a 5 star experience for me First course: - Proscuitto with melon ball: fairly light, charcuterie type of format - Cucumber gazpacho: refreshing, a little herbal and floral - Tuna crudo: sharp peppery notes and the tuna itself is fairly fresh - Green salad with blueberry dressing and breadcrumbs: I am a big fan of this dish and will get this in the future if I come back. The dressing has very small hints of fruit but just works well with the slightly garlicky breadcrumbs - Smoked salmon bruschetta: fairly solid, bread slightly toasted, but overall a little bit of a heavy dish - Fried oysters with fennel salad: decent overall, nothing outstanding Second course: lumache (pasta with pork belly and pecorino): cooked to al dente perfectly, quite creamy and a little heavy, but pairs really well with the red wine Third course: ribeye, cooked to medium rare and quite tender. Served with smashed potatoes with rosemary which I delightfully enjoyed Fourth course: dessert course, tiramisu. A nice finish to the meal. The almond crackers on the side is very almondy and flavorful. Service is excellent. Despite a mandatory 22% service charge, they well deserved it. They let us sample even the happy hour wines first to see if we like it before we commit to a full glass, even though a glass is just $10 and acceptable to yolo it. They clear out our plates each course. They wiped down the table in between most courses. They brought out the dishes at the right cadence and the associated glasses of wine for the most optimal pairing experience, even though we opted to not do the wine pairing for $50/person. Overall, for a tasting menu format type of restaurant, the price is well justified and this is one of the better value ones out there. You won't be missing any elements of fine dining here just because it is cheaper than other fine dining restaurants. While in general Ethan Stowell restaurants are fairly consistently average / above average and of mediocre value outside of happy hour prices, targeting different clientele across the restaurant group, Staple and Fancy definitely sets itself at least one tier above the typical ESR restaurant.
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Nancy G.

Yelp
Horrible menu and huge prices. Automatically add 22% for top that wasn't well deserved
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Sophia Y.

Yelp
Another Ethan Stowell review - surprise, surprise. I really like staple and fancy because of the ambiance and service! It has such a cute romantic vibes inside with the exposed brick and they have delicious lighter fares on the menu. I really enjoyed the beef carpaccio and the steelhead crudo apps - with the pasta dishes, I find that I like tavolata's pastas little bit better... I can't quite figure out why but I just do. I'd like to come back soon to try some of their larger mains and desserts! Overall a great spot for a date night or a girls night out that hits on vibes.
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Michael C.

Yelp
Just had a truly wonderful meal at Staple and Fancy. Every dish was a hit, Really appreciated that my wife and I were able to do the prix fixe menu while my kids could utilize the Sunday all day happy hour menu. I just love when every dish is really well made. Even the salad was elevated. My kids loved their pasta. Good service where people were friendly. Only minor issue was the wine pairing timing. Usually the wines are delivered before the course which works much better. Sometimes the wines were late. The wines themselves were excellent. I also didn't know what to drink with my first two wines which came out with 6 small dishes. I still give the service high marks despite that oversight because we had such a lovely dinner. And that's all that really matters. Gave my compliments to the chef, Brandon Caro, who really brought it today.
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Morgan R.

Yelp
We ate outside ... a little chilly for that, but that was our choice. Drinks: The sangiovese was good, as was the Cardamaro Against Humanity cocktail. The food was delicious: Bucatini Amatriciana, halibut cheeks, winter greens, topped off with cheesecake. The service was adequate, but not up to the usual standard of Ethan Stowell restaurants -- we'll chock that up to a one-off with that particular waiter. As at all Ethan Stowell restaurants, it was not a cheap dinner -- and while that kind of price seems fair at Red Cow (a steak-frites type Ethan Stowell property), it was more than I'd like to spend on Italian food that was good, but not overly special. I'd go back to Staple & Fancy, but I'll go to Red Cow again multiple times before I do.
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Hucky K.

Yelp
We went during the spring 2023 ESW Restaurant Week and had the $65/person tasting menu. Pros: great atmosphere, professional staff, hospitality, elegant dining experience, innovative menu, fresh infringements Cons: while some dishes were superb (Lumache, potato leek soup, baby greens, and bruschetta for me), some where not to my liking (pork chuck loin, chocolate torte, and the snickerdoodle cookies in the salted caramel gelato). Pork chuck loin was too salty, chocolate torte was too sweet, salted caramel gelato was also too salty, and the snickerdoodle cookies was too hard. (These are just my personal opinion).
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Nicole P.

Yelp
This was our second time dining at Staple & Fancy, and we had a member of our party celebrating a birthday. They were kind enough to provide us with Cava to toast to his birthday. We all ordered the Chef's Choice Tasting Menu, and it was a bit difficult to hear and remember what was being served. We also had the tasting menu when we first dined at Staple & Fancy last year in August, and all the menu items were different this time around. Our server said that the chefs like to change up the menu and they accommodate most dietary restrictions and preferences. Their cocktails were very enjoyable, and you can request off the menu classic cocktails if that is your preference. Food came out in a timely manner and we enjoyed the food served, which was also nicely portioned. By the end of the meal we were quite stuffed so we took some items home in a to go box. The ambiance of their restaurant is comfortable and cozy, and I would recommend dining here for special occasions. We will be returning to dine again.
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Rebecca C.

Yelp
We had a wonderful meal here tonight. We started with the grilled bread that came with yummy butter and honey. I had the pork chop, which was fantastic! My husband had the boar ragu that was also delicious. We ended the meal with the best tiramisu I have ever had (and I eat a lot of tiramisu!). It came with a coffee ice cream that was amazing. The ambiance with the old brick walls makes this a cozy, yet sophisticated place for dinner. Highly recommend!
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Devin R.

Yelp
Actually pretty bad food. Focaccia was descent. Drinks were average. Other than that, I would rather go hungry. Service was whatever. Looks cool from the outside walking by & that's where I would like to stay.
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Victoria S.

Yelp
my fiancée and i ate here for valentine's day, which they had a preset menu for. the restaurant is very chic with low lighting but not stuffy or pretentious. the servers were very polite and attentive but we felt the food and cocktails were a bit overpriced. we got the foie gras for an extra $25 but it was bitter tasting due to being burnt unfortunately. regardless it was a nice romantic night!
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Ly V.

Yelp
Agree with other reviews on the lack of quality/taste of the foods here. Our main dish (porchetta) was so tough and salty to the point we both did not eat it. Let our waitress know but no actions were taken to correct it. Selection of beers is bad. Cocktails were tiny here. We won't come back.
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Roxanna Z.

Yelp
I've had their tasting menu twice. I would say from both experiences, there were 1-2 dishes that were big misses and the rest all enjoyed the table. Depending on the group size, we got a few apps to share, then a main protein, a pasta dish, a dessert. I think from these two experiences , vegetarian and meat dishes as a whole were great. Honestly, their vegetarian options are probably top notch in my book. Their carrot soup is deeelicious and their pasta mains are super tasty. But really anything that had seafood was just not great, sadly. Once we had a crudo and the fish didn't seem fresh and it smelled super fishy. Something just tasted off. We also had their seared tuna 2x in both meals. Didn't finish it in either. It was overcooked and dry in both. Desserts in both instances were great!

Sandra L.

Yelp
The food was so tasty, I loved the way the dishes were presented, and I would absolutely come back again. The service and ambiance were really attentive and friendly.
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Marie R.

Yelp
I've been wanting to go here for about 2 years now! My friend and I were in downtown Seattle and were looking for a place that's open late. We were able to make a reservation for 930pm. When we got there, there were only 2 tables occupied so we were seated pretty quickly. My friend and I both got the This Ones Verjus drink, which is non-alcoholic. We both wanted something sweet and this drink was yummy! The baguette was sufficiently warmed. It came with anchovies in olive oil. That was my first time having bits of fish in olive oil. I loved it! I could eat that every day! I pressured my friend to get the rigatoni so she can give lamb another chance. She didn't taste any gaminess or the weird taste she normally get from the other lamb dishes she's had. We also got the cacio e Pepe. It was delicious. Ethan Stowell serves the best pasta dishes! Super Al dente, the cheese just adds to the dishes, the sauces don't overpower the pasta, and the portions are pretty generous. The vibe here is also super chill. Your typical Seattle modern industrial vibe. I will def be back here! I love this place as well as Ethan Stowell's other restaurants!
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Tim C.

Yelp
First time in Seattle, this was not on the 'to hit' list but definitely a very happy accident. We ordered the Stracciatella to start and Pappardelle main, and finished off with the chocolate cake. Taste 1/1* Both the Stracciatella and Pappardelle were astonishing, definitely one of the best pasta we've had! Stracciatella had a nice complex mix of flavours and texture, a must try!! Unfortunately did not finish off on a great note as we did not enjoy the dessert as much, still an amazing experience overall! Value 1/1* For the quality of appy and pasta, we'll worth it! Service 1/1* Even though we sat at the patio, service was fast and friendly Cleanliness 1/1* No complaints Overall/Revisit 1/1* Hell yeah! We be back for the pasta!! Paying for ambience? MAYBE Above and beyond? 0/+1* NO
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Brooke V.

Yelp
The food was great! It's expensive but the service, accommodating staff and ambiance is wonderful. We had the chef 4 course menu there was nothing that fell flat on our table that night
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Olaf D.

Yelp
Rarely am I moved to give a 1 star review but this place has earned it. I don't know what was worse, the $34 spaghetti with Dungeness crab where I couldn't taste the crab or the grilled sardines well past their prime that I'm still tasting an hour later. If you're unfortunate enough to end up here, go with the chicken liver bruschetta - the only thing I tried here that I enjoyed.

Haley P.

Yelp
Tasting menu was fantastic! Our server Owen's timing was perfect. I loved the selection of nonalcoholic wines and beverages!
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Allie L.

Yelp
I took my husband here because I heard their Chef's Choice Tasting menu was delicious! We ordered it and a bottle of wine. One by one we were treated to 6 amazing dishes! By the time the pappardelle and seared tuna came out our taste buds were already in harmony to a symphony of flavors! We couldn't believe how mouthwatering the pasta with short rib sugo sauce tasted. The albacore tuna was seared perfectly with an outer crust and a soft, tender center. To finish our meal we were treated to a chocolate cake with nuts and a light orange caramel sauce. Wow, truly an evening to remember! Our compliments to the Chef and the entire kitchen and restaurant staff. They made the entire night unforgettable! I can't wait to take family members and friends here!
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Me C.

Yelp
Have dined there previously and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We were going to dine there now but when I checked the menu on my computer prior to making a reservation I saw they serve Foie Gras. No restaurant should ever be serving this... ever! "" The pricey delicacy foie gras is based on incredible cruelty to animals. Through force-feeding, ducks and geese are intentionally tortured and made successively ill in order to produce this "luxury product". A metal pipe is rammed into the esophagus three times a day."

Walter P.

Yelp
For us, this is Seattle's best kitchen. Our only concern last night was that there were no greens on the menu -- typically they have a delicious salad, like at Tavolata or Rione 13. (We hope this won't happen again.) But they accommodated us by increasing the arugula portion alongside the burrata--a complete success. We combined it with the bread, a savory pasta ragu, and a bold red wine. Utterly wonderful.
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Steve S.

Yelp
Absolutely amazing dinner! This will be a short review because we did the chefs tasting menu which I highly recommend. It's a wonderful experience! Our service was amazing as well. In honor of our wedding anniversary no phones were out, sorry for no pics

Emily B.

Yelp
Overall, meh. We were talked into doing the "tasting menu". Super, super overpriced and for what we got, I don't think we got a full meal each. We also felt SUPER rushed. The meals came extremely quickly even after I said we felt rushed. We also were seated right by the kitchen and just heard SERVICE screamed every few minutes. For the amount of servers near us, we were ignored the entire time. Our server never told us really what we were eating, as we just honestly guessed what the meat was (pork). I left here and went to Dick's for a cheeseburger. That's how hungry I was after a $400+ bill on a Saturday night.
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Shannen B.

Yelp
Came here for the New Year's Day 4 course special ($95 per person). Place was a bit hard to find in the dark (and in the snow) but has a beautiful, dark interior perfect for a special occasion/date. Appetizers started off really well. I particularly loved the endives which were charred deliciously. The foie gras was also amazing but then again... who can really mess up foie gras? The oysters were also outstanding! The taste was fresh and clean. The only appetizer I didn't love was the beetroot panna cotta, which had a deep earthy flavor that my palate was not accustomed to. The pasta we got was the strozzapreti. Despite its unsuspecting appearance, the pasta was amazing! The shaved truffles simply added to how delicious the pasta was. I was very impressed by everything in the special thus far until we reached the main course. I chose the New York Wagyu. A little bit salty for my taste but it was very flavorful. However, the steak was so tough! It took so much for me to chew through it, considering it was wagyu. For a meal worth $95, I would sure hope that the main course was at least easy to chew through. The dessert, not pictured, was a choice between ricotta cheesecake and a spiced chocolate mousse. I chose the former and enjoyed the subtle flavors it had. Overall, the meal was good, though the main course could do better. Service from our waiter, Morgan, was phenomenal! He was very attentive. If not for him, the experience wouldn't have been as great.

Monica Tidwell ..

Yelp
Amazing service and amazing food. We came here for my sisters birthday and when she spilled on her shirt our waiter Trey came in clutch with a tide pen!!!!!! 10/10
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Meghan Y.

Yelp
We recently visited for the first time post-pandemic and did the set menu for a party of 6 with one gluten free guest. Let's start with the service: 9/10. Our server was so lovely, kind, and attentive. Only gave her a 9/10 because of a few mixups with food preferences that weren't communicated to kitchen staff, but were fixed. Drinks: 7/10 It's Verjus was one of the best mocktails the table had ever tried. The alcohol free old fashioned was a bust. Everything else was fine--nothing notable but good standard cocktails. Dinner: 7/10 Overall, most of the food lacked balance and seasoning and of course there isn't salt or pepper on the table to adjust. Portion sizes were also an issue. We were assured upon selecting the set menu that none of the 5 regular guests would suffer for the gluten free guest. That turned out to be incorrect--with one other guest having to eat the modified dishes several times due to a lack of adequate portions for him and suffice to say, he wasn't pleased. Managing expectations around this could be done much better--either truly bring out enough food for the number of adults at the table or make sure they know someone else will have to share the modified food. Dessert: also a bit of a bust. Two pieces of cheesecake were brought out to be shared between 4 of the guests, a pretty small portion size even for one. The other two guests received gelato to share, and when the bill comes down to $300 a couple, the restaurant has been forewarned that one person is gluten free, and the 5th guest was told he wouldn't be forced to eat the gluten free subs--it was a bit of a slap in the face. A zero effort dessert that also isn't justified at the price point. When we left, we all grabbed tacos as no one was full. All things considered: we would go back for a cocktail and maybe to dine a la cart, but do not recommend the set menu if you have anyone with a food allergy and/or if you're feeling particularly hungry.
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Sindy A.

Yelp
Highly recommend doing the Tasting Menu here! We made sure to also make a reservation for Friday night and the reservation itself does note that this is specifically for the Tasting Menu. The Tasting Menu changes every so often, so keep that in mind when looking at the reviews! The following items were what we chose for our dinner in September 2021. First Course (You get 6 dishes to share): - Chilled Tomato Soup w/ Parmesan Oil - Bruschetta - smoked fish, aioli, pickled red onion - Baby Lettuce - bing cherry, aged balsamic, pangrattato - Hamachi Crudo - pickled melon, cucumber granita, chili oil - Smoked Sardines - salsa verde, pine nuts - Burrata - heirloom tomato, grilled bread, basil Second Course (You choose 1 of 2 Options): - Rigatoni - corn, lobster mushroom, truffle butter, grana padano Third Course (You choose 1 of 2 Options): - Grilled Lamb T-Bone - baby squash, salsa verde, black garlic yogurt Fourth Course (Choose 1 per guest, there were 4 options): - Malted Budino - cocoa nib, malted whip cream - Ricotta Cheesecake - roasted strawberries Every single bite or each dish was an experience, so delicious! You can tell that the ingredients are fresh and you see the chefs making the food right there in front of you. It was especially fun to watch them use the wood fired grill to cook the meat portion of the menu. We were both incredibly full by the third course and thought we weren't going to have room for the dessert. However, both of our options were so perfectly decadent and light that it was the perfect ending to our dinner. The ambience was very intimate and nice, with the lights dimming a little later into our dinner. Everyone around us seemed to be in great spirits, which made the experience even better! We would definitely come back again to try another Tasting Menu. For the price of $60 a person, this is definitely worth trying!
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Amanda A.

Yelp
The service was rough and I'm not sure why. It wasn't very busy on a Wednesday. My friend really hyped this place up to me but it fell a little flat. The Cacio e Pepe was good but not out of this world and very pricey. I want to give them another shot because it has great ambiance and could be a great date night experience.
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Liz F.

Yelp
OKAY the pasta noodles here were SO GOOD! The pasta dish itself was fine... they didn't offer me a spoon to wind my pasta up with, so that should tell you how Italian this place is ;) But the noodles were perfectly al dente. They had great flavor. We stopped here for restaurant week - unfortunately, the only option was outside: a picnic table under an awning on the street with a space heater that didn't direct the heat toward us. I would not sit outside in winter here unless they have a better heat solution. The restaurant was very mindful of my nut allergy - ensuring that everything was made nut-free and that I felt confident. The restaurant week menu was... SO MUCH FOOD. I was so full I didn't finish two of the items and took them to go. Here is what we had: 1. Tall Grass Bakery Baguette with bone marrow butter (we added this on, very good) 2. First course - little bites enough for two: geoduck crudo, porchetta di testa, beet salad, sardines, bruschetta with smoked salmon, chickpea soup 3. Tonnarelli with bianco ragu, sage, grana padano 4. Pork Belly 5. Ricotta Cheesecake and Chocolate Amaretto Cake
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Andrew W.

Yelp
A small group of us did the prix fixe menu here and it was really good! Particularly the pâtés were really nice. I also really enjoyed the pork belly. I do have to say that the pastas were my least favorite part of the evening and I didn't expect pasta to be upstaged by everything else, but here we are. The food was good but the waiter and waitresses were really cool. One of the waiters engaged in really fun conversation about art - that's a trigger for me to want to sit around and talk all night. I'll be back with my wife if time and fate permit.

Thomas S.

Yelp
We have eaten here many times over the last several years and not once have we had a bad dinner. On the contrary, each meal, and by meal, I mean "the tasting menu," has been extraordinary. We celebrated my birthday there last night as it's my favorite restaurant in all of Seattle. The service was impeccable, atmosphere wonderful, and, of course, each dish impeccably served and beautiful. I can't say enough about this restaurant, but want to thank them for making each of our visits memorable, and last night's celebration a delight. Thank you.
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Dawn G.

Yelp
We dined at Staple & Fancy during COVID and sat at an outdoor table covered with a tent that had a space heater. Fortunately the temperature was in the 40s and the tent and heater kept us comfortable. I didn't even need the blanket I had stashed in my car. During our visit they had brought back their tasting menu and I was really excited to try it. First surprise? They provide all 7 appetizers to share! That was a lot of fun and unexpected. It was really nice to try the various appetizers and not have to choose. For the pasta course and the main dish we had to agree on the choices. Fortunately we were both craving the bucatini all'amatriciana pasta (oh my yum) and the steak (which we both prefer cooked rare). Those dishes were so very good. Lastly we were able to each select a dessert and didn't have to agree on the selection (but we did). The olive oil cake with poached pear was delicious. Those dishes were made even better with wine and cocktails. I'm really looking forward to eating here again soon!

Brad L.

Yelp
We walked in without a reservation on a cold and rainy Tuesday night. We really did it up right with cocktails and shared a salad, grilled broccolini, pasta and a pork chop, 3 glasses of wine, dessert and espresso. The food was wonderful, the service was wonderful AND WE COULD TALK IN NORMAL VOICES ALL THROUGH DINNER!!! Amazing. Not inexpensive but a wonderful 2+ hour experience. Just what the doctor ordered.
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C Hayley H.

Yelp
I visited Staple and Fancy last night with some friends during Seattle Restaurant Week. This was probably the most COVID-conscious restaurant I have dined at to date. They take your temperature before seating you, ask that you wear a mask not only when you are moving around the restaurant but also when your server is tableside, and they offer a contactless payment option (QR code on your bill so you can pay with your phone). I also noticed employees heavily sanitizing and wiping down the tables and seats, more so than other establishments. One other note is that they ask you to limit your time in the restaurant to two hours. The food itself was fantastic. This year, the Seattle Restaurant Week pricing was $35 for a 3-course meal. For the first course, I had the Caesar salad. Great ratio of dressing to lettuce, topped with a ton of cheese! The croutons were also very tasty. For my second course, I had the 6-oz wagyu hanger steak with fries. The steak itself was cooked medium rare, as recommended by the chef. It had good flavor and a chewy texture. I was not the biggest fan of the fries, but my friend liked them. The horseradish cream sauce that came with it was not consistent between my friend's portion and mine; hers had no hint of horseradish, while mine was very strong. For dessert I had two scoops of gelato with a shortbread cookie. It's hard to go wrong with gelato. The flavors were rich, and the lightness of the cookie went well with the scoops of gelato. Service was good, and it was enjoyable meal! This restaurant is located next to Walrus and Carpenter and Barnacle Bar, and there was ample street parking available, as it's located near the end of Ballard Ave NW.
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Staci F.

Yelp
Great customer service! They had a prefix 4 course menu. 6 appetizers for the table to share, a pasta dish to share, 2 entrees to share and a dessert for each person. Apps: all apps were very delicious and all 6 apps were a diverse offering and great perfect portion size. My favorite was the scallop. Pasta: we ordered the pesto pasta. This was delicious and very flavorful Entree: the salmon dish was ok, nothing super exciting. The pork belly was flavorful. I thought both entrees were just ok. There was nothing really outstanding about either Dessert: I ordered the sorbet, and the other ppl I dined with ordered the semolina cake and malted budino. All desserts were great. Great portion size and not too sweet
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Shreya K.

Yelp
My friend and I came here for Seattle Restaurant Week and were truly blown away. The food, the ambience, the service - everything was phenomenal. I've done tons of Seattle restaurant week restaurants and experienced a breadth of menus but this has to be one of my top experiences. They start by bringing out all of the appetizers for the table and this was the star of the show for us. Each and every thing was spectacular. The carrot soup was particularly our favorite and we also really enjoyed the asparagus. Then you get a choice of a pasta and a main, we picked the Bucatini and the steak - both were amazing. The Bucatini was our favorite between the two, we loved the thick noodles and the super flavorful sauce. The steak was perfectly tender as well. Desserts finished off strong with an amaretto cake and pistachio gelato. Again, both were really yummy, the cake was probably our favorite of the two. We will definitely be returning to try their regular menu and highly recommend for anyone looking for a delicious Italian experience! Special shout out to our super kind and helpful waitress as well.
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Teresa R.

Yelp
We decided to visit here during Seattle Restaurant Week. The Seattle Restaurant Week menu included six appetizers, two main courses, and two desserts (for two people). Appetizers: Carrot Soup, Amberjack crudo, baby greens, bruschetta, burrata, and charred asparagus. There was a fun variety of appetizer items and everything tasted good. We really enjoyed the charred asparagus and carrot soup. The asparagus had a Caesar dressing that was quite tasty. The carrot soup was rich and creamy and was complimented well with the pistachio. Two mains: We chose the bucatini amatriciana and the Newport steak. The bucatini was delicious; the pasta was al dente and I enjoyed the guanciale cubes in the dish. The Newport steak was cooked nicely and the sides paired well with the steak. Desserts: Chocolate amaretto cake and cheescake. The chocolate amaretto cake was pretty dry; I think it could have used more of the anglaise sauce. The cheesecake topped with rhubarb was good but the crust was pretty crumbly. Overall it was a good dining experience. The servers were all very attentive and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere. I'd likely come back again to try their regular menu items.
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Crystal C.

Yelp
I just can't believe the restaurant automatically charge 22% of the gratitude on top of the bills. Service was ok, food is really salty and overall food is over priced. Maybe if you are there for the vibes but no different compared to other restaurants. I would not recommend this restaurant at all. Save your money to other places.
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Steve C.

Yelp
Overpriced ($50 "half" chicken, $33 meat-lite pasta, mandated 24% tip, etc.). Food was overly rich and salty. Service just OK.
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Louise F.

Yelp
Heard a lot about this place so now that they're doing their own restaurant week and my friend was visiting, I figured it was time. I think to eat here, you have to be very compatible with whoever you're with since you need to share plates. Both similar tastes and appetites are pretty much necessary for this to work. Each appetizer was a tiny little bite but they were mostly good. Not as complex in flavor as a few of the other tasting menu items I've had before in this city but still nommy. Even though there are a few different dishes, it felt like I had a pretty empty stomach after breezing through them all. I felt that way until most of the way through the pasta we chose and then immediately transitioned into being stuffed. The bulk of this meal is 100% in the pasta because each of the others are sparse at best. There were also a lot of repeating flavor profiles. I didn't really like the scallops or the sweet glaze for it but getting those over the pork chops was a compromise I made. The chocolate torte at the end was wonderful though. The standout was either that or the tiny little fried oyster at the start of the meal.
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J K.

Yelp
It's a great restaurant with good food, people, and atmosphere. However, the older I get, the more I realize that restaurants on the fancy end of the spectrum aren't for me.
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Eric W.

Yelp
One of the worst experience for Seattle Restaurant Week. We have a party of seven and we were told to share an entree with two person. Waitress told us that one of the entree will have an enlarged portion for the extra odd numbered person. 1). We found hair wrapped around lettuce in one of the appetizer salad. Server took it away and told us that a new salad will be replaced. We never see the replacement salad. 2). The portion for the appetizers were not adjusted to accommodate the seventh person. We had only two plates of appetizers to share among seven person 3). The entree (the albacore) that we wanted to enlarge in portion to accommodate the seventh person was mixed up with another normal size entree (New York steak). The seventh person has to eat an entree that he did not order. The waiter's attitude was also condescending when we brought this up, and only asked us how many people want medium/medium rare. 4). Server took our orders for dessert before any food was served. Then when we were ready for desserts a brand new waitress showed up and looked surprised that we ordered the desserts already. We had to choose desserts again. In addition, the kitchen ran out with one of the dessert choice by this time so we had to go with an alternative choice. 5). We saw a lot of the same ingredients and sauces among the appetizers and entrees that were merely reorganized to create different dishes. In general, we were very disappointed with the experience tonight and most likely won't recommend other Seattlites to visit. Ambience of the restaurant is nice; the carrot soup, asparagus, and the grilled onions were good, but the servers' attitude and the lack of depth in the flavor and texture made it a disappointment

Gerry C.

Yelp
Chef's Choice Four Course meal was fabulous. Food, service, ambiance all top notch. A great way to try food you might not normally order.
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Austin H.

Yelp
My girlfriend and I went here during Seattle Restaurant Week and while we throughly enjoyed our dining experience neither of us thought it was near the level of How to Cook a Wolf. Obviously that is a very high level to achieve but I still expected everything to be excellent and some dishes were just okay. One awesome part was that we got to try every appetizer they had for the Restaurant Week. The acorn squash soup and salad were both solid. The fried oysters with aioli tasted delicious and the beef tartare was sensational and easily my favorite of the small starter plates. My gf loved the porchetta the most. For the mains I got the hangar steak and my gf got the gnocchi. I would 100% get the hangar steak again as it was cooked perfectly and it had great flavor with its sauce and accompaniments. The gnocchi however we both agreed wasn't great. It was way too orange forward and it was easily the worst thing we ate the whole night. We were both shocked by this as we thought the pasta was going to be amazing. We were each feeling kind of full after all that we had but Seattle Restaurant Week is such a good deal that for $35 a piece dessert was included for each of us! I got the lemon ricotta cheesecake and my gf got the amaretto cake. Both were very good and a nice way to close out. All in all I really enjoyed my dining experience here and getting to try all that we did for $35 but I can't see myself coming here and paying full price when I know I can get amazing pasta at a similar price point elsewhere.
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Tammy E.

Yelp
Note to those wanting to try S&F, you'll want to make a reservation! I had been looking at reservations for this spot for weeks and finally found an early 5:45pm availability on a weekend evening and seized the opportunity! My friend and I got our nails done and then high-tailed it over for a pleasing tasting menu dinner. I loved that they took all of our food allergy needs into account and were able to customize each of the courses brought out to us throughout the evening. I was also excited that they incorporated several greens and fresh produce into the small plates they brought out to us. It was also great to see they offer half pours of their glasses of wine, in case you want to try a few different options. Having had the tasting menu I don't think I could ever have a meal here any other way. I loved being surprised by what plate came next and the way the chefs mixed flavors and textures throughout the meal. I'm a pescatarian and my friend cannot have shellfish, so where she had beef, I had beets or scallops, and where I had a fried oyster, she was presented with a fried cauliflower. The substitutions made sense and neither person was ever disappointed with the substitution they received. The squid ink pasta was exactly what I had wanted to try so I was thrilled it was part of our tasting menu. Our server let us know if there is ever anything we know we want to taste we can let them know and they will be sure to put it into the tasting menu - now that is great service! From start to finish Staple and Fancy brought their A game. We were seated right away, not ever rushed, and thoroughly enjoyed our meal, especially the finishing touch of the hazelnut chocolate dessert. I look forward to coming back and seeing what else is on the tasting menu - can't wait!

Luke W.

Yelp
Went for new years dinner with family. Starter crab bisque was fine, but things just got progressively worse as the courses came. Pasta was also noticeably over-salted but passable. Main course of meat was also covered in flakes of salt and was edible simply because salt doesn't ruin red meat but definitely the saltiest steak I've had in a long time. The Seafood for feast of the seven fishes was so salty that it was inedible with the mustard greens being so salty I had to spit them out. I did tell the waiter that everything was very salty and fish was inedible and she noted she would pass it on to the chef. Service was pleasant but getting single star for food quality. All in all a disappointing experience and couldn't recommend.