Ray’s Boathouse

I made a reservation several months in advance to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday at Ray’s. After arriving, we had to wait 10 minutes, then we were led to our table. I was quite disappointed we did not get a window seat for the occasion given that I had made the reservation the first possible day it could be made, and the picturesque view is at least half of the reason to eat dinner there. Before sitting down with my back to the amazing view, I did relay my dismay to the two hostesses who were seating us. I was told I could go to the front to talk to the woman “running the book,” if I wanted. I decided to not make more of a fuss and left it alone. Multiple window tables did become open and remained empty before we had even ordered a drink and we were not offered the chance to move. The service was slow and our waitress came off as inexperienced. The highpoint was the food. My girlfriend got the chef’s special, Grilled Fresh Copper River Salmon ($52). I got the Applewood Grilled Sablefish in Sake Kasu ($51). The tastes were fantastic and the portions were decent, though neither of us left feeling “full.” Nothing stood out, good or bad, about the drinks. For dessert, she got a strawberry guava sorbet that came in a generous portion. For the price and high expectations, it did feel like a bit of a let-down. I think if the staff was more friendly, warm, and attentive the experience would have been much better.

This place is just right. The food itself is excellent, not just flavorfull but technically very good as well. A number of restaurants around this area feature high end food, and not all of them manage to be memorable. I enjoyed this food a lot, I remember what I ordered, and I remember how it tasted all the way til the end of dinner. Table side service was excellent as well. Attentive, gracious, thoughtful, proficient. The view.. The wine catalogue.. An ambiance where fine dinning meets good people and relaxing conversations.. I look forward to coming back to Ray’s.

Familial 16th birthday celebration, something that began 51 years ago at another iconic Seattle restaurant, we were excited to add Ray’s Boathouse to the event memories. Hostess was lovely but very soft spoken, 2 additional hostesses or seaters beside her were in a conversation that went to a hush but didn’t stop upon our entrance. Nice but not an overwhelming feeling of “YES, this will be memorable!” When making reservations, I advised that we were celebrating my grandson’s 16th birthday. The seating hostess did acknowledge his birthday upon seating us. Nico, our server, made the experience for Ray’s. Bottle and sell him, what a treasure!!! He understood we were having a slow and enjoyable experience and let us take our time with each course, answering questions and being extremely personable. He described the menu, daily fare, and preparation of dishes and was generous of his time and knowledge. The young busser was readily available, very polite and gracious also. My grandson is reserved and doesn’t say much; his words count. From a 16 yr old front line football player who loves food and its preparation, he acknowledged that the clam chowder he had at Anthony’s in Edmonds two nights earlier would be his preference. More flavor. I had the manilla clams (from the happy hour menu) not by design but just the timing of our reservations. Beautiful full clams in a delicate broth of white wine, butter, and chopped garlic served with a finely toasted baguette slice. For the main course, his choice of copper river salmon was perfection. Cooked medium rare with potatoes and mushrooms gave a hands down winner. I ordered the handmade pappardelle with mushrooms, which was a hesitant choice but a surprisingly fabulous one. Deliciously balanced pasta, mushrooms, sauce, and cheese. Generous portion. For dessert, my grandson chose the warm brownie with madagaskar vanilla ice cream, caramel, and pecans. I chose Affogato, satisfying both my love of espresso and vanilla ice cream. Although served with a gluten-free sugar cookie, it was brought home to my family, not something I typically indulge in. While this experience doesn’t quite meet the bar set in 1974 at the iconic Mirabeau, it most assuredly ranks high with the view, the dish selections and pairings, and Nico. Grazie!!!

Had happy hour, the food was just ok, also had the brownie a la mode, again just ok and it’s on the pricey side. Service was good though.

Went there last May to celebrate a late Mother’s Day Dinner. The bus boy/runner dumped 4 glasses of water on me. Server and Manager did not acknowledge situation. Did receive an apology from the runner and a towel for getting drenched. Food came out and was bland retirement food. Clearly the management is not taking care of their staff and relaying on hiring younger folks/high schoolers with little pay. Would discourage anyone from going here in the future will not return after experience or support business.

Had the best lunch there. Best Calamari ever! Service was great 👍

After 40 years of coming here it was still fantastic. King salmon was outstanding and the view was spectacular!

Amazing seafood! Good wine selection, heavy on Washington and Oregon wines.