Blueacre Seafood Restaurant Review in Seattle

Kumamoto Oyster

Sashimi Grade Ahi Tuna A'la Tiradito

A fairly new seafood restaurant, Blueacre seafood, opened their doors March 19, 2010, from the owners of the Steelhead Diner. It has an eclectic mix of the menu offerings from the Steelhead Diner and Oceanaire, the predecessor of Blueacre. Chef/Co-owner Kevin Davis has worked for Oceanaire since 2001 and has now taken ownership of the spot with his wife Teresa Davis, an accountant since 2002 for the old restaurant as well. Their comment for the once overly ritzy locale is that, "we want everyone to be able to visit us, whenever they want, without having to take out a second mortgage." Blueacre Seafood offers unique seafood dishes at a convenient location without breaking the bank.

Read about their opening here.

Curb Appeal: This sassy joint is conveniently located next to Pacific Place Shopping Center, which is, walking distance to the Seattle Waterfront, Belltown, and Pike Place Market. At the heart of downtown, Blueacre is easily spotted with their bright blue mild lighting. They offer parking on the street (which is the easiest) and also discounted parking at their building after 5 pm. The largely renovated space now offers seating for 200 people in the main area. From the entrance is a split-way where on the left veers to the bar/lounge area, while to the right leads to the main dining area. I love the open floor plan, classic-style tables and lighting, and the squeaky clean waxed wooden floors (though you must be cautious walking around here because these waxed floors are slippery!). I definitely had to take my time walking to the Ladies Room in my high-heeled boots.

Check out the venue here.

Customer Service: The customer service here was ok. We got seated about 5 minutes from when we got there, though it didn't seem very busy, there was just no hostess at the front. There was nothing exceptional about the customer service here, nor this wouldn't be a reason for me to go here. We weren't told about any Chef's Specials and had to ask for water aside from our alcoholic drinks. The wait in-between ordering drinks was also way too long and so was the wait for ordering food and for the food to come out. If I could rate their customer service with 5 stars, I'd give them a 2, just below average because we seriously had to talk to 3 people about ordering or they'd approach us and ask us if more people were coming because of our large table. Seriously, is that how you talk to a guest on her birthday!? I hope the owners of Blueacre do something about their customer service/management because from the looks of reading other's reviews, their service is poor.

Food Quality: The oysters came out served on ice and my Kumamoto one had a spicy taste to it which I liked. I also enjoyed the Sashimi Tiradito, though it seemed they went a little overboard with the sauce. I really loved the drinks here and felt I would've enjoyed my experience more at the bar/lounge area (that is a definite must next time).

Price: Expensive meals ranging from $20-60, but their cocktails are yummy at $7-10. I loved their unique drink names such as "Attractive Nuisance," "Maliscious Mischief," and "Diminished Capacity." I'd recommend coming here during brunch or happy hour, or if you're really hungry, do their Wintervention dinner where you get an appetizer, main course, and desert, all for $30.

Specials/Happy Hour: Happy Hour is available at the lounge only between 3-6 pm. They offer $1 oysters, $5 cocktails, $1.50 Rainier beer, $2 Session cans, and $3 featured draughts.

Dinner Wintervention, offering 3 for $30 (starter, main course, and desert).

They also offer brunch on Saturday and Sundays.

Website: http://www.blueacreseafood.com/

Hours of Operation:
Open everyday from 11 am to 10 pm.

Phone: (206) 659-0737

Address:
1700 7th Ave
Seattle, Wa 98101
Intersection: 7th and Olive


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Read Other's Reviews:

From UrbanSpoon
From Yelp
From TripAdvisor

Chickpea Tagine Recipe

Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 45 min
Makes: 4 servings

Nutrition Information: 350 calories, 11 g protein, 64 g carbs, 8 g fat (1 g sat), 12 g fiber


Ingredients:
1 1/2 tbsp extra-viring olive oil
1 red onion, quartered and thickly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste
2 small carrots, sliced lengthwise, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices (about 3/4cup)
1 1/2 cups cubed, peeled butternut squash (6 ounces)
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
3 quarter-size pieces peeled fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon harissa paste (available in most grocery stores), plus additoinal to taste
2 teaspoons honey, plus additional to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 whole cinnamon stick
1/4 teaspoon tumeric
4 plum tomatoes, cored and chopped ( 1 pound)
1 medium zucchini, quartered and cut into 1/2 inch chuncks (2 cups)
10 dried apricots, sliced (1/4 cup packed)
1/2 cup water
1 19-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Freshly squeezed juice of 1/2 lemon, plus additional to taste
1 cup whole-wheat couscous, cooked according to package directions (optional)
4 teaspoons sliced, toasted almonds

1. In a large heavy pot over medium to low heat, warm the olive oil; add the onion and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 mins. Add the carrots and continue to cook for 5 more minutes.

2. Add the butternut squash, garlic, and ginger and raise the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.

3. Add the harissa, honey, cumin, cinnamon stick, and tumeric and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, zucchini, and apricots and stir well. Pour in the water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover and reduce the heat as needed to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but not mush, 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Add the chickpeas and lemon juice. Raise the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the chickpeas are heated through and the liquid has thickened slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Season to taste with additional salt, harissa, honey, and lemon. Serve over couscous if desired and garnish with sliced almonds.

Found this recipe from a February 2010 Fitness Magazine edition. You can check out their site at: Fitnessmagazine.com

The Lobster Shop Restaurant at Dash Point

Alaskan King Crab




 Curb Appeal: The Lobster Shop at Dash Point is an unknown gem in Tacoma that has been around since 1981. You can find this charming and cozy restaurant nestled amongst a residential area on Puget Sound overlooking the vast ocean. The views are endless with its open windows and perfect shots of the sun-setting. You get views of Vashon Island, Des Moines, and a bit of Seattle. The drive down here may be a bit daunting, but it is well worth it. You instantly can tell how stunning this place would be on a special night with its cozy and romantic feel.



Dungeness Crab Cakes



Its unique placement was due to the fact that the Lobster Shop was once a residential home remodeled into a restaurant. You go through Brown’s Point, and right when you think you’re in the middle of nowhere, you’ve found the place. It’s a smallish restaurant that has about a 100-person occupancy.  This small feel  makes the service even more special and personalized as your every need is taken care of here.

To read more about the Lobster Shop Story…

Customer Service: We came here, late one evening, when the sun has already settled, but the beautiful candlelit tables and the soft blows of the ocean wind made the night much more romantic. We were seated right away by one lady, who seemed to be the only one working at the time. We ordered our meals, and the lady was very attentive and offered up her own suggestions. She immediately brought us iced water and remained attentive throughout the night to meet our needs. Like other reviews have said, it's true they do treat you like royalty here.



Lobster Shop Signature Salad



Food Quality: The crab cakes were ok, there wasn't anything special about them, but I loved their Signature Salad with the walnuts, bleu cheese crumbles, and sliced apples. I also loved their King Crab Legs and Lobster with the warm butter sauce dip. The steak my date ordered to be medium-rare came out overcooked and charred. He did complain and our server did not charge us for the steak, but we didn't want to wait for another one. I felt that she should've not charged my date's whole meal which was the Lobster Tail and Top Sirloin Steak, as it pretty much ruined his appetite. But my crab legs were delicious. So in spite of that, I'd recommend going there for their Seafood, great views, charming seating areas, and personal attention. I blame the overcooked steak on the chef who was gone by the time we complained.

Steak and Australian Lobster Tail. Does the steak look rare-medium to you?

*Note: According to their menu, they "serve Nebraska corn fed Black Angus beef, aged 21 days for flavor and tenderness," and "all the steaks are basted with the Lobster Shop's Signature Maitre'd butter."

Price: Pricey like any other Seafood joint, but well worth it! Dungeness Crab Cakes $16.95 for two, Lobster Shop Signature Salad $7.95, Lobster and Crab prices vary among the Market rate. Entrees alone are $20-40 each. I definitely advise coming during the Twilight hours (4:30-6pm), especially in the winter when the sun sets earlier.



We brought our own wine from a wine tasting event in Leavenworth. You can bring your own bottle too for a corking fee of $15.



Specials/Happy Hour: Between 4:30-6pm they have a Twilight Menu where you can choose between a two-course meal for $14.99 or a three-course meal for $16.99.



The three-course meal offers chowder or salad, entree, and dessert. The two-course meal offers an entree with salad, chowder, or desert. You may also add a Shrimp Cocktail or Dungeness Crab Crostinis for only $1.00.

Website: http://www.lobstershop.com/

Hours of Operation:

Dinner Only

Sunday - Thursday 4:30pm - 9:00pm



Friday - Saturday 4:30pm - 10:00pm

Phone: (253) 927-1513

Address:

6912 Soundview Drive Northeast

Tacoma, WA 98422





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Read Other's Reviews:

From UrbanSpoon

From Yelp

You can also try their newest location at Commencement Bay in Tacoma click here.