One of my favorite Seattle spots for happy hour is conveniently located near the Seattle Center, and is our go-to for pre-show cocktails. Lower Queen Anne's Crow is like the cool neighborhood bar that everyone wants to hang at. From its unassuming brick facade, you might pass it off as just another watering hole, but let me tell you, the cocktails are as exceptionally shaken as the perfectly cooked food is prepared. It's a spot that's not to be missed.
On a recent evening, I scooted in the door at 5:50 pm, a cool 10 minutes before the end of happy hour... though mine was only just beginning... snagging two stools in a prime spot along the bar. While Ryan found street parking, I squeaked an order in before the happy hour pricing ended. I opted for a glass of their house rose, a refreshingly dry and well balanced wine, and I ordered a house manhattan for Ryan. For food, we shared the house mixed greens perfectly dressed with a tangy vinaigrette, and the seasonal vegetable, snap peas that were cooked al dente so that when you bit into them you got that all-too-satisfying crunch, but the peas themselves were steamed and sweet. The snap peas were so good in fact, we both deemed them the surprising highlight of the night, and not just a side dish to be ignored. And, the chef happily prepared them with olive oil instead of butter, a win for the vegan.
For entrees, Ryan opted for the happy hour housemade lasagna which had more layers than mille feuille and arrived plated amidst a moat of tomato sauce that brought him back to his semester abroad in Rome. Equal parts vinegary and sweet, the tomato sauce was balanced in garlic, olive oil, and basil. I selected the fava bean bruschetta, which the chef prepared for me without the cheese. I really think the key to bruschetta is good bread, and this baguette had a crispy crust but was soft in the middle, and perfectly toasted to hold up to the toppings. The fava bean and pea puree had the texture of hummus and was thickly slathered over the bread, topped with cherry tomatoes that were sweet like candy, all drizzled in a balsamic reduction. The dish was so divine that we asked the chef for the ingredients so that I can try to replicate it at home.
The dim lighting and muted colors of the restaurant have all the makings of a romantic spot, but the real win is the food itself. Crow is the spot you should flock to for the reasonably priced happy hour cocktails, but really settle in and roost for the food, ambiance, and service (See what I did there!?).
On a recent evening, I scooted in the door at 5:50 pm, a cool 10 minutes before the end of happy hour... though mine was only just beginning... snagging two stools in a prime spot along the bar. While Ryan found street parking, I squeaked an order in before the happy hour pricing ended. I opted for a glass of their house rose, a refreshingly dry and well balanced wine, and I ordered a house manhattan for Ryan. For food, we shared the house mixed greens perfectly dressed with a tangy vinaigrette, and the seasonal vegetable, snap peas that were cooked al dente so that when you bit into them you got that all-too-satisfying crunch, but the peas themselves were steamed and sweet. The snap peas were so good in fact, we both deemed them the surprising highlight of the night, and not just a side dish to be ignored. And, the chef happily prepared them with olive oil instead of butter, a win for the vegan.
For entrees, Ryan opted for the happy hour housemade lasagna which had more layers than mille feuille and arrived plated amidst a moat of tomato sauce that brought him back to his semester abroad in Rome. Equal parts vinegary and sweet, the tomato sauce was balanced in garlic, olive oil, and basil. I selected the fava bean bruschetta, which the chef prepared for me without the cheese. I really think the key to bruschetta is good bread, and this baguette had a crispy crust but was soft in the middle, and perfectly toasted to hold up to the toppings. The fava bean and pea puree had the texture of hummus and was thickly slathered over the bread, topped with cherry tomatoes that were sweet like candy, all drizzled in a balsamic reduction. The dish was so divine that we asked the chef for the ingredients so that I can try to replicate it at home.
The dim lighting and muted colors of the restaurant have all the makings of a romantic spot, but the real win is the food itself. Crow is the spot you should flock to for the reasonably priced happy hour cocktails, but really settle in and roost for the food, ambiance, and service (See what I did there!?).
