Seattlest Pix: 08Dec06

i really liked ray's the one time i went there by chance for a work function. it seems like a place that isn't visited by a lot of locals just because it's something you kind of have to plan to and make a point to visit. it's never like...where do you want to go for dinner? oh, ray's sounds great.

/my 2 cents.

I've lived in Seattle my whole life, moose4you, and still wouldn't recommend Ray's unless you have out of town guests, visiting family, or a boss to impress.

It's got lovely views and follows the idea of what an upscale old-school Seattle restaurant is, but there are a hundred restaurants in Seattle that I would recommend to folks, including our readers first.

I really like Ray's, but I prefer the Cafe upstairs to the more traditional restaurant downstairs. Great views and the food is good, which it doesn't need to be considering the views.

I probably go there four or five times a year, admittedly mostly with out-of-town guests. They're always surprised by the quality of the food.

Yay for Ray's.

Whoa Nelly (and moose4you)! I've been to Ray's plenty of times. You're going a long way on the strength of an inkling. Besides, the discovery process is ongoing--I've lived here 20 years and there are still places that I keep meaning to get to. Though I will cop to genuine "institutions" being under-represented partly because they're institutions and it's assumed everyone knows about 'em. So maybe you have a point. Dammit. Lemme think about this.

I lived in Seattle for about 25 years before going to Rays. Too touristy, I thought.

I was wrong - after that first visit some years ago, I'm sure to hit it several times a year. Way better than it could be.

Never been to Ray's Boathouse? This just supports my inkling that many of the bloggers on Seattlest are not as in touch with Seattle's institutions as one would hope for a city blog. Ray's is great - and for the record blows Anthony's out of the water. The upstairs cafe is a great place for a drink and dinner on a summer evening!