An Evening in Paradise...Hello Palisade

Where Seattle Celebrates...and where I will celebrate from now on.

Do you ever get those feelings? Those few and far between moments, where the world stands still and you just soak in the now? I know it sounds cheesy and etherial, but for me, the first time I walked into Palisade will be etched in my memory for years to come. Sure, it had a lot to do with the man holding my hand, but for now I just sit back and think about the picture perfect entrance that kissed my vision last Sunday.

The grand entrance, and grand it is, is marked by two stout lion scupltures on either side of the stairway, sitting perfectly astute under the portico, flanked by attentive valets and a gorgeous view of Elliot Bay Marina. Parking is ample, and the view of the sunset even bigger. We easily whisked our way into a prime parking spot, just steps away from the main doors. Even though we had made reservations for our belated Valentine's Day date months ago (a good recommendation if you plan on going on high traffic nights or holiday times), our plans almost came to crashing halt as our 5:45pm reservations were quickly surpassed by our 6:00pm entrance, purely human error on our part, but late nonetheless. However, after a few frantic calls and a special approval from our friendly maitre'd, our reservations stood heroically and we were seated just minutes after our tardy arrival.

Filled with Koa wood, imported from farmers from the great Island of Hawaii herself, the interior is as warm as the staff that greets you at the door. After we checked in, checked our coats, we meandered over to salt water pond, where live starfish and sea anemonies played in the man-made sea. We were seated minutes later along the water, a table for two, complete with a complementary starter (fresh crab filled wontons) from the kitchen as it was our first time dining. We choose to come for the First Dining, a fabulous concoction for those that care to dine before the 6 o'clock hour. This comes with an appetizer, entree and dessert for a mere $30 per person. I began my meal with a Maytag Blue Cheese Salad, with Shrimp, Pear and Macadamian Nuts, and my date started with their delicious Seafood Chowder. The chilled fork and soup spoon were accommpanied by the bread basket, and the flavorful Pomagranite-Raspberry Mojito, muddled perfectly with mint and raspberry rum.

After we sufficiently polished off our starters, my date was then given the thrill of King Crab stuffed Scallops in the half-shell, sitting on a bed of rice pilaf and tomato relish. My meal consisted of succulent Mushroom Encrusted Tenderloin Medallions, primly resting on perfectly mashed potatos and garnished with fresh green beans, lightly flavored with butter and lemon. Need one say more of the melt in your mouth meat, perfectly cooked, or the tasty crab wonderfully porportioned with the scallops? You must try for yourself.

Our lengthy dinner (over two and a half hours!) had the perfect ended, split evenly with a burnt cream duet of Vanilla and Mocha creme brulees, and a grown up banana sundae. After much deliberation, we decided that the Vanilla creme brulee was by far the best we had ever encountered, and the butter rum sauce floating lightly across the homemade banana ice cream was equally notable.

Overall, I cannot rate highly enough the perfect evening that we shared with Palisade this past Sunday night. The waitstaff-wonderfully attentative without overbearing; the food-flawless; and the environment for picture perfect memory making-unforgettable. For your next celebration, may the words of my incredible date linger in your mind: "This (Palisade) was quite possibly the best fine dining experience I have ever encountered in my entire life. Period."