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26 reviews for ART Lounge
Review Highlights
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"I love this place for happy hour." In 8 reviews -
"Well played, Four Seasons." In 8 reviews -
"Floor to ceiling windows provide a wonderful view of the..." In 3 reviews
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26 reviews in English
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Review from Danielle M.
Seattle, WA
3/18/2012
So my beer-loving husband went through a random phase last year wherein he became obsessed with specialty cocktails that contained egg white as an ingredient. Yeah.
As a result, ART became our special event drinking place. They do make probably some of the best cocktails I've had, and I think the service is fantastic (though we always sit at the bar and deal directly with the bartender).
And the last time we went there, we saw Axl Rose which was pretty rad. -
Review from Marcus O.
3/3/2012
i'm not sure how useful this review will be. i most likely won't ever go back, but that's because i don't live around here -- and when i'm here, i would be looking for something new to try.
i stopped by on the way to back to my hotel to have a drink. unless you're exceptional evil at beer handling, you really can't mess that up. the crab cake bites, though delicious, were a bit misleading because the crab cakes were not pan fried but were deep fried. just fyi, in case you didn't know.
service was prompt and friendly. the view in the lounge is pretty nice during a sunset. given that i had so little of the fare, i can't really rate it a five. besides, the housewives of seattle gibbering kind of ruined the atmosphere. :) -
Review from Clover A.
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm................... cheeeeeeeeeeesssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I like it almost as much as Kate S, and that's saying something.
We went together so for further details, read her review.
For me, I liked almost all of it. I am picky about somethings and I didn't think that the desserts were as good as the price tag so I'd skip those, spend your money on that killer cheese buffet though. Serious.
I also got the truffle butter on the burger which is really thick but really small (no, smaller than that) but the flavor was great. I was perturbed (I know, I'm picky) by the printed fries on a clear runner on the plate. Don't tempt me with fake fries. It's mean.
The drinks on the happy hour menu were great, not so much of a regular vodka collins, it was 'meh, I've had better' to 'just okay' at best.
I'll go back for happy hour anytime, and cheese, oh, that cheese is calling me even now.Listed in: Visiting Seattle? Downtown…
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Review from Kate S.
1/17/2012
This may come as a shock to you folks...Especially the ones that know me well; but, in all honesty...I may have ate ~too much~ cheese.
Yup, I said it. Too much cheese.
The cheese buffet at the ART lounge has long intrigued and taunted me.
"All you can eat?"
"Will it be worth it?"
"Will I be able to share with my company?"
Well, there was more than enough cheese for the four of us who went here the other night, even with me gleefully going back for more (and more) cheese. The selection was actually more varied than the previous reviews had led me to believe, and there was plenty of bread, crackers, charcuterie, and other nibbles to enjoy along with your giant piles of cheese. I enjoyed almost all the lactose-laden offerings I tried, except one surprisingly spicy hard cheese that punched all of us in the face when we tried it. The dried mangos were also overly enjoyed by our entire table.
We made it here while it was still happy hour, so a bubbly drink and crab cakes were ordered. For $6 the crab cakes were spectacular. Full of meaty chunks of crab, but not too heavy or greasy. I was supremely happy with them. My drink (a bubbling monk?) was fruity, fizzy, and tasty -- but I don't think it'd be worth the higher price-tag outside of happy hour. The bartender also made me a fabulously mixed last word (A bit boozier and less citrusy than other places, but delicious none-the-less).
Even with our bellies swollen with cheese we decided to have dessert. We split a pumpkin cheesecake (more cheese!) and doughnut holes with a bourbon caramel dipping sauce. I have to say the doughnuts were AWESOME in that extra strong sauce, but not worth the $14 price tag. I mean, they were just doughnut holes. The cheesecake was lovely too.
Service was professional and friendly -- from the hostess to our waitress to the chef manning the cheese buffet. It's located in the 4 Seasons so the dining area is snazzy, darkly lit, and very nice for a mood setting date (or double date). The view wasn't top notch (Hi storage company!) but you could still see the bay and Olympics off in the distance. We were here for a couple hours and I was completely comfortable the entire time.
I for sure WILL be back. I love cheese too much not to -- but considering how the price tag can add up, and how FULL you can get, i'll stick with just the buffet the next time around.Listed in: The quickest way to my…, I lub Cheese
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Review from Regina W.
1/21/2012
I liked this place a lot. I was in Seattle at the end of a road trip. (I got a great one-way RV deal!) A friend told me about the ART Lounge's cheese and antipasto deal. I figured it would be a great way to say "thanks for putting me up" by treating my host to a wonderful view of the city.
It was absolutely great. I prefer soft cheeses, so I was happy with the selection. I'm not a connoisseur by any stretch. For me, it was a nice treat with a beautiful view.
The people who work there were very friendly. I'd taken my bike with me during my road trip, and had stopped at a local bike shop earlier that day. I didn't have time to take my bike back to where I was staying, so it was time for a fun downhill ride to downtown. I got there and didn't notice any safe places along the street to lock up my bike, so I asked where I could park it. They then told me they could park it if I was going to the hotel. Since I was, that was great!
I got the same level of friendly service when I got into the lounge. I explained I was meeting a friend and was early. I asked if it would be okay to have a drink and work while I waited for my friend. That was no problem. The host showed me to a table near a plug. I powered up my mobile hotspot and got to work. She came back and took my drink order and all was good.
Overall, I had a really nice experience there and would recommend it to others. -
Review from T N.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 4/19/2012
Came here for business lunch. Pork cheeks was major disappointment. It was more pasta than pork. Cheesecake was only so-so as well.
1 Previous Review:
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12/10/2010
Beef sliders are very yummy, although very pricey during non-happy hour times.
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Review from Mary X.
Chicago, IL
6/21/2011
For Happy Hour Only:
The views are great, the waitress was very friendly and courteous, but the actual deals for Happy Hour were bad. They have a few drink specials, priced at $4 and $7, but there were no specials on food. I heard they used to do a $5 HH food menu, but that's no longer the case and you just have to pay for food items at full price, which is expensive. Mini-burgers were $4 a burger, and $1 for each additional topping. The other food items ranged more in the $8-$15 range. I do have to say that the mini-burgers were delicious, but pricey given their small size, and that each person would probably eat 2-3 mini-burgers to be decently satisfied.
I hope that they bring back the $5 HH food menu, and then I think it would be a great deal. Art Lounge - I hope you read this review and bring food specials back! -
Review from jun w.
4/20/2011
Don't think the price and presentation compensates for mediocre - tasting food. appetizer: pork cheeks; entree roasted chicken
Though the hummus spread and dessert,strawberry pavlova w/rhubarb sorbet, was tasty. That and good service rescued this to a 3 star. -
Review from Jamie Y.
12/29/2010
Surprisingly, I was actually underwhelmed by my experience at ART Lounge. My first visit was on my birthday and my second was on Christmas Day.
By all means, the view is wonderful. Floor to ceiling windows provide a wonderful view of the Sound. The staff greets you with smiles. FYI-I was told when I called that the attire was business casual, yet I have seen folks wearing jeans.
Even though the comfy single couch/chair seem appealing, I would avoid them. The reason? The are square shape and you are to share a small round table with three others. This makes it difficult to sit and eat your tapas or reach for your drink (if you are short like me). I would pick sitting close to the wall as you can adjust your space. If I was going for a glass of wine and write in my journal, I would totally select one of the comfy chairs!
As for food, I found the "all you can eat" cheese selection to be okay. They had the standard goat cheese, mancheta, and soft local cow cheeses. I noticed there were only 6 different types of cheeses with three of them repeated on both sides to make it appear like there were more. Also, they did not provide bread in this spread. They had two types of thin crackers, but that does not go well with all cheeses. There were strawberries, figs, nuts, and grapes in addition. Yet, I found moldy grapes which made this experience, in total, a "meh".
It is the Four Seasons, so the decor is top notch and it can be pricey for drinks. Overall, you are paying for the decor, name, and location, but I think I have a few other spots I would rather go to in the area. -
Review from J K.
Seattle, WA
4/20/2011
Pricey and overly fancy presentations.
Good service, but a little snooty. -
Review from Sarah S.
Seattle, WA
5/6/2009 ROTD 6/26/2009
If you ever want to take a vacation in your own city, you might want to consider booking a stay at the new Four Seasons. I assume the rooms are as beautiful and nice as the ART Lounge...
I walked in to the hotel and was greeted by at least six cute valets/doormen. Six of them! "Welcome!" "Welcome! Let me get the door for you." "Welcome!" We were off to a good start.
I headed back toward the ART Restaurant and Lounge to meet a friend- stopped at the AWESOME host desk which is made out of a 300-year-old cedar tree trunk (I know that because I now follow them on Twitter), and was directed over to the lounge, which has floor to ceiling windows with views of the water, the viaduct, and some buildings. Sat myself at the bar, chatted with the bartender, was joined by my friend, and enjoyed a peach Bellini martini, a "summer daze" (watermelon juice + tequila yumminess), and a vodka drink with a scoop of "Douglass Fir" sorbet. All excellent cocktails, all $5 from 5-7 Sun-Thurs.
Food-wise, we felt we HAD to get the mini-burgers because everyone raves about them. $5 for three. Add .50 PER burger if you want cheese or mushrooms- which, if you want both, adds up to $8. That's kind of annoying, but wev. They're delicious and come with sides of mayo, ketchup, and mustard which you spread with these cute little spoons. We also tried the lobster salad roll (good), and watched a guy order and eat the shrimp, which comes with a mini-bloody mary. Yum.
The have a private dining room that seats between 10-20 people. Beautiful bathrooms that rival the great stalls at Ruth's Chris. Neat bar lighting that changes colors. Bright and light and cheerful ambiance thanks to the giant windows. Really friendly bartenders and servers. A nice mix of comfortable armchairs and tables. Great view of the Sound and the ferry runs. Overall, a really sophisticated atmosphere that you don't often find in Seattle. My new fave bar.Listed in: Hotel Bars & Restaurants, rotd's
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Review from Maggie B.
Seattle, WA
6/19/2009
ART might be the swankiest new spot in town to get your happy hour on in style. I came here with my girlfriends last night to celebrate an engagement, and we had such a lovely time thanks to the ultra-chic ambience and fabulous bites and cocktails. Well played, Four Seasons.
If you're like me and have champagne taste on a beer budget, ART needs to be at the top of your happy-hour list. We took full advantage of their incredible five-dollar menu, noshing on the tuna roll (served with silver chopsticks; possibly the best tuna roll I've ever had), mouth-wateringly delicious, juicy mini burgers, delicious calamari, and the blue shrimp served with a bloody mary dipping sauce. I had to restrain myself from applauding after every bite. My liver selected a delightful peach bellini, followed by two alpine martinis -- he was quite satisfied. (Yes, apparently my liver is a man.)
P.S. Seattle's finest movers and shakers seemed to be in the house last night, too. To all the single ladies (now put your hands up! wuh uh oh wuh oh oh oh.... sorry, I'll stop): come in here and check out the merchandise while you coyly sip on your martini and bat your eyelashes. I think you'll like what you see. -
Review from Lori S.
Seattle, WA
8/23/2009
Several of us hit up ART for some cocktails and we were not disappointed! The Lounge is very swanky, with accented lights along the bar and sushi counter that change from purple to green to blue every 5 minutes...so chic!
With a setting as thoughtfully designed as a work of art (hence the name), the restaurant's interior features woods native to the Pacific Northwest. ART also has a 12-foot wine wall, with a focus on the Northwest wines (over 100 wines available by the glass!).
We sat in comfy chairs admiring the wonderful waterfront view (floor-to-ceiling windows with a spectacular view of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains), and found ART the perfect start to our evening. I'll definitely be back for happy hour (Sunday to Thursday 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm)! -
Review from Stephanie P.
Seattle, WA
6/2/2010 3 photos
I've been thinking hard about the all-you-can-cheese buffet since hearing about it a few months ago, but a visiting out-of-town friend who REALLY wanted to go made it happen. It's totally worth the $12 price tag for cheese lovers.
The lounge is quiet, spacious, and naturally lit, with a nice view from the picture windows. The cheese bar is set up at a central buffet board (not to be confused with the inferior, and mostly ignored, $14 appetizer buffet). About two dozen cheeses were spread out on boards, ranging from the mildest buttery Brie to the most pungent blue cheese, with goat cheese, Parmesan, Beecher's, gorgonzola, and a wide variety of other flavors. With crackers, dried fruit, and nuts to round it out, this is really an excellent value and the buffet is available for happy hour and dinner.
Drink specials are OK at happy hour - a few $5 specialty drinks and some $5/10/15 wines to pair with the cheese. The service was friendly and quick - they were always checking on us, whisking away used plates, and asking if we needed fresh drinks. Happy hour goes until 7:00, so you have plenty of time to pillage the cheese to your heart's content.
Our table just stuck with cocktails and cheese, so I can't speak for the other food, but it's an elegant, quiet lounge that would be equally nice for getting together with friends, a first date, or an informal business/networking meeting. I'll definitely go back again - once I've worked off the cheesy calories from my first visit. -
Review from Megan O.
Seattle, WA
9/19/2011
Based on the price, they're certainly proud of their drinks. And while the top-shelf vodka martini was as-expected pristine and lovely, the cocktails were bland, watered down, and quite frankly a let down. Certainly not worth the $14+ per bev.
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Review from J K.
Seattle, WA
5/4/2009
My favorite time of day? Happy hour. My new favorite place to spend it? ART. A mere 5 blocks from the building I work in, ART is everything a happy hour should be. $5 fancy drinks/wine/beer, $5 yummy apps. Did you wonder where Cascadia mini burgs and alpine martinis had gone? Well, they're here. Along with the yummiest tuna roll I've ever had.
In addition to the food and drinks, is there anything wrong with walking up to the Four Seasons and having two handsome valets swing the doors open for your arrival? How about enjoying a gorgeous view of the sound with the sun twinkling on the water?
Heads up: Happy hour is 5-7, Sun-Thurs. You'll probably see me there. -
Review from Jessica S.
Seattle, WA
6/24/2009
I went to ART for a networking event with my boss. I was impressed by how good the food was-there are some really talented chefs at ART, who are imaginative with their dishes and take great care to make them beautiful. I appreciate that.
Upon entering ART, you are greeted warmly. Finding a seat with a beautiful view is not a problem; ART has plenty of large windows which allow a lot of sunlight in and a peak at the sound. The table set is very unique also. And the servers were all smiling and friendly.
The cheese table they had was amazing. Seriously, I was in goat cheese heaven. And the rose wine was really good too, and I don't drink wine! And their Big Dill cocktail? Hello, perfect summer drink!! They had mini pizza things-I can't remember what they were called but they were topped with cotton candy, which sounds weird but was amazing. They had mini beignets with different sauces...very, very good, especially the rhubarb.
I am totally coming here for happy hour! -
Review from Laura P.
Seattle, WA
12/17/2009
Determined to hit their last Chocolate Buffet for 2009, we showed up super early. Several other people were streaming in and out of the lounge around the same time, so we grabbed a table even though I reserved a table for the restaurant. We never made it to the restaurant, since the lounge was quite adequate for our needs. Happy hour was from 5-7, so we got some of their delicious mini burgers (3 for $5!) and the more cheese, please buffet. It was an-all-you-can-stuff-yourself affair with several stellar cheeses from around the Pacific NW and the world. Basically it starred a couple varieties of Beechers (which baby loves), several blue cheeses, a gigantic wheel of pecorino and others. Mounds of grapes, figs and strawberries and marcona almonds, quince jam, and crackers rounded out the cheese extravaganza.
The chocolate buffet was quite popular with cotton candy dusted with chocolate, mini mint chocolate shakes, white chocolate dipped strawberries, panna cotta, truffles, chocolate tapioca, and an amazing chocolate beet baked alaska. I'd have to say that the cotton candy, tapioca, and baked alaska really made the trip worth while. Otherwise, the cheese spread is reason alone to go.
Service is ok- they seemed pretty uncoordinated and a tad busy with the hordes of people hoping to snag a seat for happy hour/chocolate buffet. Don't get me wrong. The servers were perfectly nice and helpful. They stowed our stroller and brought us out a slim high chair tailored for the space (the lounge space is limited). However, we were sitting for 15-20 min. and had to ask for the high chair. Again, they were totally helpful. When I ordered milk for the little one, they brought it out in a gorgeous ice cold sippy cup. Nobody batted an eye when she started dropping pretzel sticks and bits of cheese and fig all over the place (hubby cleaned it all up before we left).
We didn't try the tapas or anything else off the $5 HH menu, but we'll be back. We frequently pop in here and let the little one roam the lobby (she adores the fireplace) and the quiet second floor. The modern carpet pattern fascinates her, as does the full-length mirrors in the bathroom. Best of all is a birds eye view of 1st Ave and SAM, so she is kept busy and keeps us entertained. -
Review from Lisa K.
Seattle, WA
12/14/2009
Great cocktails, but poor service. My husband and I sat at the bar where there were three bartenders working. After our first drink was served, we were never asked if we'd like to see a food menu or a second drink. We had to ask for everything every time, including the check so we could get out of there.
The atmosphere was great and staff wasn't rude, just inattentive. You can get better service at a dive bar. -
Review from B H.
Seattle, WA
4/1/2010
I love this place for happy hour. Interesting cocktails and food for only $5 each. Great sliders, calamari, etc. Be careful of the tab, though. Once our friends paid their tab and left, then when we finished and paid ours, our friends' bill was also on ours because they rang theirs up incorrectly, so we. There was another error with the tab that I can't remember, but it was equally weird.
I'm sure the place is quite pricey when not Happy Hour, though. -
Review from Aaron E.
12/6/2008 2 photos
The other night my date and I arrived to at the SAM about half an hour early for an office Christmas party and we decided to go somewhere for a drink beforehand. We checked out The Brooklyn which was jam packed, and briefly considered wandering around but ultimately decided it was too cold to walk outside. Where to go? The Four Seasons had recently opened and I knew we wouldn't be disappointed, and we both wanted to try something new so we checked out the Four Seasons Hotel Bar.
Upon first impression, the hotel is absolutely gorgeous. Very chic, elegant, modern, sleek, inviting, impressive! Everything! Perfection!
The bar area was really crowded, but the host was able to find us an empty table after waiting only a few minutes. He really went out of the way to accommodate us. It took a while for our server to acknowledge us, but it was super, super busy so I guess I'll forgive her. Overall, our server was kind of a b!tch but I suppose I'll let it slide. Afterall, the setting was marvelous. Again, the bar area was equally chic as the rest of the hotel. The chairs were overstuffed and comfortable (but still sleek with clean lines) and the view was amazing! The viaduct didn't at all impact the view and we could see Elliot Bay and tons of boats with twinkiling lights. The ceiling also changed colors, which was niiiice... sort of a fresh, quirky touch to a very upscale bar.
The drinks were on the expensive side, but they came out quickly and were mixed really, really nicely. I had a ridiculously strong, but ridiculous ice tea tasting, Long Island. The alcohol was super faint in taste, but they managed to pack it in there. My date had a Grey Goose Lemon Drop which she greatly enjoyed.
As far as snacks go, guests are served dishes of toasted almonds and wasabi coated peas. Very nice. The people next to us received quite a few replenishments of these tasty little nibblers. We decided to order some calamari, which may very well have been the best idea of the night. The calamari was fried to perfection with a very light, airy coating. It was served with a Chipotle Aoli which was probably the very, very best dipping sauce in history. It was very creamy and smokey with the perfect amount of spice to it. Also, tangy and citrusy notes were flawlessly mixed in. The lemon that was served with it was a half lemon and was wrapped in cheese cloth (so seeds don't get on your food when you squeeze the lemon over your calamari). It's little things like this that makes ART stand out from other bars. Also, I was given a black napkin opposed to a white one (so white lint wouldn't get on my black slacks).
The prices were quite high (over $40 for two drinks and an appetizer before a tip), but overall it was well worth it since the quality was so good. It would be 5 stars since the renowned elegance and service from the Four Seasons really does shine though, but the b!tchy waitress and high prices were their only downfall.Listed in: Places I go to when I want to…
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Review from Angel I.
2/25/2010
I came here for their Dine Around Seattle lunch menu ($15 for lunch) and found the food just alright. Nothing too memorable about the meal, but the space was lovely but a little bit stuffy feeling. I did feel luxurious going into the Four Seasons for a meal though :)
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Review from Alisa B.
7/21/2009
Ok our drinks were SUPBERB but the food was barely ok! I am a huge Sears fan and when i heard that he had taken his sliders and alpine martini with him to the four seasons Art Lounge I was thrilled that he had moved just a few blocks closer to me. We enjoyed multitudes of martinis this saturday evening after a rather long wedding and were overwhelmingly surprised by the martinis... supberb!
Our party had a few drinks but to name a few were the peartini (lovely, light and the ginger sugar rim fabulous), toasted drop (fabulous with egg white to thicken it slightly and cinamon sugar rim too die for), a brandy apple drink i can't remember teh name of, also tasty, and my fave of which i also can't remember the name of (it was four martinis in i'm amazed i coudl find the door!) was stunnign a mix of agave, cucumber and tobasco which left my palate suprprisingly cool and cleansed. We also ordered sherry which was perfectly served in a perfectly sized glass.
The food however was a total bust! The steak tartar sushi was just barely ok, tasting mostly of sushi rice and ver little beef flavor, our crab spring roll wonton things were ok at best, rather boring truthfully and way overpriced for hte protion size. The sauce that accompanied said wonton thing was far too salty and just lacked depth.
i adored the sliders at cascadia and will certainly go back for yet more alcohol and get the sliders in hopes that they too have not suffered food vandalism. -
Review from Becky W.
Seattle, WA
9/11/2010
The chairs are as comfy as they look: You cannot help but want to plop yourself down in one of them. And once you do, you aren't disappointed. The view of Elliot Bay is nice.
I ordered a Pisco Sour even though I had never even heard of Pisco before. It was so delightful, I wound up having three. Didn't partake of the famous cheese since I try to live dairy-free but the other food I ordered was good.
The place is definitely expensive, just as you would expect, but this will be my de facto neighborhood watering hole when I win the lottery. But seriously, the prices are more reasonable than at the bars at the Fairmont Hotel (in the building Four Seasons used to own, between University and Seneca streets and 4th & 5th avenues). -
Review from Malia F.
Bothell, WA
8/26/2009
You get two stars for ambiance and view. Your food is awful! Calamari, sliders, crab spring rolls, truffle gnocchi, corn crusted scallops... all horrible! Perhaps it was a Monday, your executive chef is off... he better work 7 days a week, or his restaurant goes to sh*t! Your management has no idea what is going on. We ordered the molten chocolate cake, frozen. Returned the cake to pastry chef, again came out cold... not to mention it was the same damn cake. Seriously, you will not get rated if your management is defensive and rude. So sad, such a hot space!
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Review from A. B.
Seattle, WA
8/28/2010
finally made it there last evening after friends had been raving about this forever! we just hung out & had a few drinks & some oysters. oysters were great, the watermelon cocktail was so amazing that we ended up having 2 each! the views & coolness factor without attitude make it all the more fun. i'll be back!
