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This past weekend, we did the last bit of celebrating of our 20th anniversary: we had dinner at a super high-end, fancy restaurant. Canlis.
It wasn't the fanciest place we've ever eaten - that would be The Herbfarm, which is still the best dining experience I've ever had. But Canlis is a Seattle institution. If you say super fancy restaurant in Seattle to folks of a certain age, Canlis is what comes to mind.
Which means I was mildly freaked out. Not because it was a super fancy place - again, we've been to The Herbfarm - but because of my personal history and issues. I grew up poor. Not "where is the next meal coming from?" poor, but I knew from a very young age that we didn't have money for extra things. So I never, ever expected to go to Canlis. Ever. When the Stroppy One suggested it, my eyes bugged and I may have hyperventilated a bit.
I'm glad we went. It was a lovely evening. But there's always going to be a tiny part of my brain going "Holy crap, I went WHERE?!"
(For the record, The Walrus and the Carpenter has better steak tartare.)
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I know what you mean about feeling the awe. I love going out to eat, but can't afford even casual places regularly, and my upbringing (while well enough off) was pretty frugal. A place like this is definitely a rare treat and a bit intimidating. It's reassuring, in a way, that a more affordable place did a better steak tartare.
Do they have a dress code? Did you wear something special? I apologize for being nosy but I also love the shallow fashion details... :D
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They sort of have a dress code: "dressy", with no casual or athletic attire, and gentlemen must wear a suit or sport coat. Mind you, I saw a lot of other women in outfits that *I* would not call "dressy", but I realize I have very different standards for that sort of thing. (However, leggings? Not dressy. I'm going to stand by that statement.)
I wore a long skirt from Kambriel, a black high collar blouse with cascading ruffles and tightly buttoned cuffs that went halfway up the sleeves, my long red velvet waistcoat, and my hair pulled back with a fascinator with veiling and black and red roses.
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I am glad you mentioned the food. I have always wanted a real opinion from someone who a) knows from good food, b) has several similar tastes to mine, and c) isn't likely to fall into the "well it's CANLIS, so of COURSE its the best food in Seattle" type of thinking (not to mention has also been to The Herbfarm, since that place is QUITE the experience).
and YAY FOR LOTS OF THINGS FOR ANNIVERSARY!
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I almost went to Canlis once. There was this guy I was dating who really wanted to go, just to try it, and I had money at the time, so I agreed to take him. Then he was a complete dick on the way there, we had an argument, and he refused to go. I had to call and cancel our reservation and take him home again. One of these days, I will go. I'd much rather go the The Herbfarm, though.
I betcha I could figure out how they did the chocolate parchment shell, though.
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