Elliott’s: Pass the oysters!
1201 Alaskan Way Pier 56, Seattle, WA
We spotted Elliott’s from our perch on the Seattle Great Wheel and had to check it out. The restaurant is divided into two sections: a fancier dining area indoors and a patio for more casual dining. Since it was a warm and clear evening, we opted for the patio. The patio offered pretty spectacular views of Seattle’s waterfront at sunset.
I loved the little metal basket of complimentary chips at our table, even though it was a mixed selection of chewy stale chips and crispier, freshly fried pieces (I was just very hungry at that point!).
The first thing we ordered was oysters! Fresh on the day that we visited were Dabob Bay oysters, Hammersley Inlet oysters and Eld Inlet oysters.
The Eld Inlet oysters were the plumpest and smoothest in flavour with a clean finish and velvety flesh.
The Hammersley Inlet oysters were like the meatier and chunkier cousins of my beloved Royal Miyagi oysters with a fruity finish and clean, smooth salty taste.
The Dabob Bay oysters were the most briny in flavour. Although, they’re from the west coast, their flavour reminded me of Boston oysters.
We couldn’t eat at a seafood restaurant without trying the mussels! Served on a giant bed of shoestring fries with mayo and ketchup for dipping, the mussels were steamed in white wine and herbs. I was pleased with the chubby mussels, practically bursting out of their black shells. This totally satisfied my mussel craving.
We also ordered some breaded and fried oysters with chips. Somehow the fried oysters were much larger than our freshly shucked ones on the half-shell but I’m not complaining. I loved the crisp and crusty coating on these oysters and the moist and juicy oyster meat inside.