Nosh Pit

Say that Again? I Can’t Hear You!

When is a noisy restaurant too noisy?

Posted by: Christopher Werner on Feb 04, 2010 at 09:00AM 2 Comments

Yesterday the Wall Street Journal posted this article about noisy restaurants. WSJ guesses the surge in “noise traps” has to do with design trends—high ceilings, open kitchens, wood floors—that are more in line with today’s recession-driven informal diner.

I, for one, love a packed restaurant—won’t eat in one that’s not. Nothing really amps up an evening out more than that buzz and energy. Call it a diner’s high. Still, I will agree with WSJ in that there is a fine line between high decibels and obnoxious din. Like if I’m shouting more than I am eating, and when I’m eating food flies out of my mouth because I’m shouting. (I’m looking at you, Oddfellows.)

A quick, informal office poll came up with this list of places to avoid if you’re seeking quiet conversation: Umi, Bastille, Cafe Presse, Black Bottle, Spring Hill, Lola, Crow, Tavolata, Flying Fish…

Did we miss any?

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Tags: Restaurants, Restaurant Gossip

Three Seattle Restaurants Make OpenTable’s Most Romantic 2010

What do you think of OT’s picks?

Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Feb 03, 2010 at 11:32AM 2 Comments

Lowlit and intimate, Spring Hill is romantic by night. And the food is great all the time.

Just saw this on Eater.com. For Valentine’s Day, Open Table listed 50 romantic restaurants around the country. In Seattle: Chez Shea, Il Bistro, and Canlis.

The two market spots are admittedly romantic, and happy hour at Il Bistro is a thing of beauty. But they’re also a little bit…how to say…past their prime. And Canlis is such a no-duh choice. If I had to pick just three romantic Valentine’s destinations where the food is also up to snuff: Crush (although it’s already booked), Spring Hill, and Spinasse.

What are your three?

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Tags: Valentine's Day, Pike Place Market, Seattle in the News, Restaurant Gossip