Food was good, what I'd expect of a Renee Erickson venture. Ambience was excellent, mostly due to the design of the courtyard, (that's the architect, not the restaurant.) Junior waitstaff was delightful and pleasant, but the house manager/"host"/bouncer was about as rude as I've ever experienced in a restaurant setting. The other reviewer who said host was channeling Jack Reacher got it spot on! Steer clear of the place if that guy's at the door.
Kaeli Fertal
Absurdly overpriced. $30 for a half dozen oysters?! I’ve certainly had much fresher for far less in many other places. We could have forgiven that, but we also ordered the burrata ($20) which came with ONE slice of bread… we asked for more and they literally brought us one more single slice ? The bartender was great and gave us some wonderful info on the wine, but it’s simply not worth the price compared to the portions and quality of the food.
Terry Hemphill
Awesome cocktails, wine , food and excellent service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melissa H.
Everyone was super friendly from the moment we walked in. Everything we tried was delicious- martini, smoked fish mouse, liver pate, clams, salad, panna cotta. The space truly reminds me of Paris. It doesn't look like anything else in Seattle. I will say, since it's so small inside, the tables are sort of close together and it was a little loud. Will go back anyways! Food is more like heavy snacking. Hard to get a full dinner unless you order almost all items.
Maureen M.
A friend & I dined at Lioness this evening-- in the darling outdoor courtyard area. The courtyard- which serves Lioness and Ben's Bread- is a brilliant architectural idea in these days of continuing covid cautiousness. I had the burrata; my friend had the clams. The burrata comes with one piece of bread-- the server said to let him know if I'd like more bread. I did-- and received another piece. It was a bit surprising to learn later that I was charged for it. The food was tasty and the experience pleasant. My friend asked for a take out container for the remaining portion of her meal. "Oh, we don't do take away..." Here's a tip: if you try to make a res via their reservation system, don't believe that they are booked up. The server told us that the system maxes out at 6 reservations-- so they may very well have room. Call them and ask if they have a table-- sometimes the old school methods trump the new.
Liz W.
Was really impressed by everything! We ordered 4 dishes ( clams, pate, salad and cod mousse). This place has such an amazing vibe. As soon as you walk into the space you feel like you are in Paris . The staff was amazing. Pulling chairs out and folding napkins when you leave the table. Very friendly and happy to serve. Will absolutely be back!
Sabrina Tilley
Highly recommend giving this place a visit. Recently opened (within the last month), Lioness has an incredible vibe from the moment you walk in the door, which is carried through in the incredible menu, food, and experience you receive while dining here. While walk-ins are first come, first serve to find a place to stand at the bar, this was the kind of experience I was looking for as a single diner, and the servers and my bartender made the entire experience a memorable one. If you do want a sit-down dining experience, I would still highly recommend, just be sure to make a reservation well in advance. I did have to order a glass of wine next door while I waited for a spot to open up at the bar, but I thought it was well worth the wait. Incredible cocktails, incredible wine/food, and especially incredible service, Lioness is definitely the fun new spot worth checking out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sky S.
One of the best restaurants in Seattle hands down. The entire staff is incredible! Standing at the bar is such a unique experience that takes me back to times spent in Europe. The ambiance is spot on and the food is some of the best around. Huge shout out to the bar program/Hudson. Such an outstanding cocktails menu and incredible bartending skills. Will be back again and again.
Middle-aged L.
The food was delicious. The wine was nice. The ambiance was quite lovely. The service was not great. The house manager/host was awful. I was first in line at 4:00 p.m. The house manager came out to greet the line. He ignored me and handed menus to the couple behind me to look at while we waited for the restaurant to open. I knew something was up when he then wouldn't make eye contact with me at the 4:00 p.m. opening. I don't know if it was that I was there alone waiting for my friend to join me, that I am a middle aged woman, or a combination of both. As Bruce Springsteen says in the song, Dancing in the Dark, before I left the house, I checked my look in the mirror. I was more than presentable looking in my green cashmere sweater and high end jeans and suede boots. (Why does that even matter?) After smiling continually at the man with my mouth and Irish eyes, he had to acknowledge my existence. He brought me into the empty restaurant and seated me at the far end corner next to the wall. Hidden away from all to see. The next couple were seated near the entrance. My host warned me that I had the table until 6:00 p.m. Two hours seemed plenty. I was quickly greeted with sparkling water and a menu. I was able to order a cocktail while I waited for my tardy friend. Then I was ignored...except of course by the clearly annoyed house manager. As the house filled up, he had to seat a couple next to me. My small purse was placed next to me on the bench. House manager announced that he was seating someone next to me, and indicated with some obvious flicks of his hand that I should move my purse. (It was not in my neighbor's seat.) I obeyed him. As my friend was tardy due to having to drive in not one, not two, but three 20 mph school zones, she was later than anticipated. While I waited for her, It took three tries to get my wait staff's attention to plead for olives. (She was standing with her back to me on her phone announcing to the sous chef that it was International Women's Day.) House manager returned to the scene of the crime (me) and responded to the wait staff's inquiry on how things were going. He replied, "Good, except, we have this one." nodding in my direction. I still am unclear of my crime. My fabulous and charming dinner companion arrived. She entered with a splash of PTSD, not from her commute, but upon being confronted by the house manager as she attempted to enter the restaurant. But for his blue cotton chef's jacket, one might have confused him with a 1970's Manhattan bouncer at the famed dance club, Studio 54. (No matter how amped up on coke you were, you were not getting pass them). Puffing his chest, legs astride, Jack Reacher style, he demanded to know why my friend wanted to enter his den. (Get it? Lioness?) She humbly pleaded permission to meet me, her friend, inside, being held hostage. Relieved to learn that he seemed to just not like me, but perhaps middle aged women in general, we got right down to the business of ordering burrata for appetizer, (delish) the pasta dish and the meatball dish for entree (double delish) and the chocolate cake for dessert (ridiculously delish.) At this time, I thought may be we were on a role. We only had to beg for attention twice more to get our order in and respect our 6:00 p.m. deadline. Alas, that was not to be. The people seated next to us were attended to and served quickly and efficiently and were able to leave in due course. As my wonderful friend and I were held hostage waiting to be served, house manager paid me another visit: he was again seating people next to us; he again needed to flick his hand in an aggressive manner, this time with lips pursed, at the insolence of my purse lying next to me on the bench. We left at 6:45. There were tables open in the restaurant so may be the 6:00 p.m. deadline no longer applied; we were trying hard to be respectful of that deadline. It was just that hard to get service. We got the check. l never check the check. I checked the check this time--may be because of the intricate
Sara R.
What a wonderful atmosphere and experience. Attentive service and simple, but thoughtful menu.
My wife and I we were celebrating and brought a nice bottle of wine. This was a second attempt at this place we were trying to support a new neighborhood restaurant unfortunately their wine list was not to our taste. We sat outside in the cold which was ok for the first 15-20 minutes but got really old as the heaters only kept us half warm. The server proceeded to open our wine we expected a typical $15-$30 corkage. After opening our wine she informed us they don't offer corkage and she opened our wine by mistake so they would make an exception. The food came out and it was decent however the two managers acted like it (they) were very special which it was not. When our bill came they charged us a $50 corkage! Which ends up over $55 with tax I've only been charged a corkage that high at a Michelin starred restaurant trust me this is not one of those. The attitude of the staff and the blindside bs with the corkage lost them our business forever.
Julie Rapp
We just came to Lioness few weeks ago having a descent meal. Coming back to support a new young endeavor close to home we just had the most embarrassing experience bringing in a bottle of wine to celebrate.Server opened our wine, which corkage is customary in wine growing states to offer a reasonable fee to do so, which ranges from 12.00-30.00 and is stated clearly on menu or from server before opening the bottle.You want to attract a certain clientele whom appreciates food and wine but to slap them in the face after you open wine and state we don’t do a corkage but we will tack on a fee of 55.00 of course with tax without you knowing after the fact not classy and disrespectful.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Tyler Richey
Food and drinks were good, but not great, especially when considering the cost.
Food was good, what I'd expect of a Renee Erickson venture. Ambience was excellent, mostly due to the design of the courtyard, (that's the architect, not the restaurant.) Junior waitstaff was delightful and pleasant, but the house manager/"host"/bouncer was about as rude as I've ever experienced in a restaurant setting. The other reviewer who said host was channeling Jack Reacher got it spot on! Steer clear of the place if that guy's at the door.
Absurdly overpriced. $30 for a half dozen oysters?! I’ve certainly had much fresher for far less in many other places. We could have forgiven that, but we also ordered the burrata ($20) which came with ONE slice of bread… we asked for more and they literally brought us one more single slice ? The bartender was great and gave us some wonderful info on the wine, but it’s simply not worth the price compared to the portions and quality of the food.
Awesome cocktails, wine , food and excellent service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everyone was super friendly from the moment we walked in. Everything we tried was delicious- martini, smoked fish mouse, liver pate, clams, salad, panna cotta. The space truly reminds me of Paris. It doesn't look like anything else in Seattle. I will say, since it's so small inside, the tables are sort of close together and it was a little loud. Will go back anyways! Food is more like heavy snacking. Hard to get a full dinner unless you order almost all items.
A friend & I dined at Lioness this evening-- in the darling outdoor courtyard area. The courtyard- which serves Lioness and Ben's Bread- is a brilliant architectural idea in these days of continuing covid cautiousness. I had the burrata; my friend had the clams. The burrata comes with one piece of bread-- the server said to let him know if I'd like more bread. I did-- and received another piece. It was a bit surprising to learn later that I was charged for it. The food was tasty and the experience pleasant. My friend asked for a take out container for the remaining portion of her meal. "Oh, we don't do take away..." Here's a tip: if you try to make a res via their reservation system, don't believe that they are booked up. The server told us that the system maxes out at 6 reservations-- so they may very well have room. Call them and ask if they have a table-- sometimes the old school methods trump the new.
Was really impressed by everything! We ordered 4 dishes ( clams, pate, salad and cod mousse). This place has such an amazing vibe. As soon as you walk into the space you feel like you are in Paris . The staff was amazing. Pulling chairs out and folding napkins when you leave the table. Very friendly and happy to serve. Will absolutely be back!
Highly recommend giving this place a visit. Recently opened (within the last month), Lioness has an incredible vibe from the moment you walk in the door, which is carried through in the incredible menu, food, and experience you receive while dining here. While walk-ins are first come, first serve to find a place to stand at the bar, this was the kind of experience I was looking for as a single diner, and the servers and my bartender made the entire experience a memorable one. If you do want a sit-down dining experience, I would still highly recommend, just be sure to make a reservation well in advance. I did have to order a glass of wine next door while I waited for a spot to open up at the bar, but I thought it was well worth the wait. Incredible cocktails, incredible wine/food, and especially incredible service, Lioness is definitely the fun new spot worth checking out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best restaurants in Seattle hands down. The entire staff is incredible! Standing at the bar is such a unique experience that takes me back to times spent in Europe. The ambiance is spot on and the food is some of the best around. Huge shout out to the bar program/Hudson. Such an outstanding cocktails menu and incredible bartending skills. Will be back again and again.
The food was delicious. The wine was nice. The ambiance was quite lovely. The service was not great. The house manager/host was awful. I was first in line at 4:00 p.m. The house manager came out to greet the line. He ignored me and handed menus to the couple behind me to look at while we waited for the restaurant to open. I knew something was up when he then wouldn't make eye contact with me at the 4:00 p.m. opening. I don't know if it was that I was there alone waiting for my friend to join me, that I am a middle aged woman, or a combination of both. As Bruce Springsteen says in the song, Dancing in the Dark, before I left the house, I checked my look in the mirror. I was more than presentable looking in my green cashmere sweater and high end jeans and suede boots. (Why does that even matter?) After smiling continually at the man with my mouth and Irish eyes, he had to acknowledge my existence. He brought me into the empty restaurant and seated me at the far end corner next to the wall. Hidden away from all to see. The next couple were seated near the entrance. My host warned me that I had the table until 6:00 p.m. Two hours seemed plenty. I was quickly greeted with sparkling water and a menu. I was able to order a cocktail while I waited for my tardy friend. Then I was ignored...except of course by the clearly annoyed house manager. As the house filled up, he had to seat a couple next to me. My small purse was placed next to me on the bench. House manager announced that he was seating someone next to me, and indicated with some obvious flicks of his hand that I should move my purse. (It was not in my neighbor's seat.) I obeyed him. As my friend was tardy due to having to drive in not one, not two, but three 20 mph school zones, she was later than anticipated. While I waited for her, It took three tries to get my wait staff's attention to plead for olives. (She was standing with her back to me on her phone announcing to the sous chef that it was International Women's Day.) House manager returned to the scene of the crime (me) and responded to the wait staff's inquiry on how things were going. He replied, "Good, except, we have this one." nodding in my direction. I still am unclear of my crime. My fabulous and charming dinner companion arrived. She entered with a splash of PTSD, not from her commute, but upon being confronted by the house manager as she attempted to enter the restaurant. But for his blue cotton chef's jacket, one might have confused him with a 1970's Manhattan bouncer at the famed dance club, Studio 54. (No matter how amped up on coke you were, you were not getting pass them). Puffing his chest, legs astride, Jack Reacher style, he demanded to know why my friend wanted to enter his den. (Get it? Lioness?) She humbly pleaded permission to meet me, her friend, inside, being held hostage. Relieved to learn that he seemed to just not like me, but perhaps middle aged women in general, we got right down to the business of ordering burrata for appetizer, (delish) the pasta dish and the meatball dish for entree (double delish) and the chocolate cake for dessert (ridiculously delish.) At this time, I thought may be we were on a role. We only had to beg for attention twice more to get our order in and respect our 6:00 p.m. deadline. Alas, that was not to be. The people seated next to us were attended to and served quickly and efficiently and were able to leave in due course. As my wonderful friend and I were held hostage waiting to be served, house manager paid me another visit: he was again seating people next to us; he again needed to flick his hand in an aggressive manner, this time with lips pursed, at the insolence of my purse lying next to me on the bench. We left at 6:45. There were tables open in the restaurant so may be the 6:00 p.m. deadline no longer applied; we were trying hard to be respectful of that deadline. It was just that hard to get service. We got the check. l never check the check. I checked the check this time--may be because of the intricate
What a wonderful atmosphere and experience. Attentive service and simple, but thoughtful menu.
Restaurantji Recommends
My wife and I we were celebrating and brought a nice bottle of wine. This was a second attempt at this place we were trying to support a new neighborhood restaurant unfortunately their wine list was not to our taste. We sat outside in the cold which was ok for the first 15-20 minutes but got really old as the heaters only kept us half warm. The server proceeded to open our wine we expected a typical $15-$30 corkage. After opening our wine she informed us they don't offer corkage and she opened our wine by mistake so they would make an exception. The food came out and it was decent however the two managers acted like it (they) were very special which it was not. When our bill came they charged us a $50 corkage! Which ends up over $55 with tax I've only been charged a corkage that high at a Michelin starred restaurant trust me this is not one of those. The attitude of the staff and the blindside bs with the corkage lost them our business forever.
We just came to Lioness few weeks ago having a descent meal. Coming back to support a new young endeavor close to home we just had the most embarrassing experience bringing in a bottle of wine to celebrate.Server opened our wine, which corkage is customary in wine growing states to offer a reasonable fee to do so, which ranges from 12.00-30.00 and is stated clearly on menu or from server before opening the bottle.You want to attract a certain clientele whom appreciates food and wine but to slap them in the face after you open wine and state we don’t do a corkage but we will tack on a fee of 55.00 of course with tax without you knowing after the fact not classy and disrespectful.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Food and drinks were good, but not great, especially when considering the cost.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Great food and a friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great vibes and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5