I have followed Off Alley for about four years and finally made it. They did not disappoint. The intimate setting and excellent service is my kind of experience. The menu was creatively composed and made me curious. As dishes came out, they were beautifully plated and made me order more just to have a chance to experience more of the food. I didn't need salt or pepper. It was beautifully seasoned. My favorite by far was the rabbit kidneys on toast. Wow!! Mind blowing Michelin worthy dish in my mind. The kidneys had a lovely sear on them, cooked beautifully and topped with a rich sauce. The bread underneath was soft with a lovely crust and absorbed the sauce so well. I enjoyed my meal in totality. I'm placing pictures but won't tell you everything I ordered. Go early or make a reservation (your best bet) and order a variety of dishes and see if you happen to order anything like I got to experience. I am an absolute foodie and enjoy Michelin restaurants and unique cuisine experiences and for what I got at Off Alley, it was up there! When I got my check, I expected to pay more because it was such a niché experience with high quality products. It really should cost more. I'll certainly head back...soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Clarissa Cardenas
Amazing spot, especially if you want to have an more involved experience with the food! The head chef Evan Liechtling explained every dish perfectly and you can TASTE the passion. Must go for any foodie!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angus Bennion
Everything was great - the space, food, people, music, all of it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas Jaehnigen
We'd spent most of our trip to Seattle indulging in excellent seafood and asian cuisines. But I am, at my core, a guy that likes places that make food out of the parts a lot of people don't consider eating. Like blood sausage.
Anyway, Off Alley does this sort of thing as well as a lot more and I knew we needed to go, so we did.
The space is weird. The front half of the space is a long counter/table where everyone sits side by side and faces the wall (which makes it hard to see the chalkboard with the menu - so take a picture before you sit down!). And it is what I like to call 'Parisian seating' - where you are very, very elbows close to your neighboring diners. Not my favorite thing but I will forgive all of that because of the food.
The back half of the space is the kitchen - it is likely no wider than 10 feet (the whole space) - crazy!
The wine list and cocktails are all hand written in a notebook, but they have more so just tell them what you are looking for and they probably have something that fits. Their beverage markup is quite high (4x instead of 2-3x) - but I again forgive this because of the food (and service!).
The four guys that do it all, we met two of them (the chef owner and and the front of the house guy) - they did all of the serving too, were great at pacing things out and getting us anything we needed before we ourselves realized we needed something.
Now the food. THE FOOD!
1) Roasted escarole with a parmagiano tuille and we added anchovies to - So great. No parts, but little fishes! Delicious!
2) Blood sausage with apples and apple butter (to cut through the decadence of the dish). Let me just tell you, they got a fine and perfect crust on that blood sausage without ruining the rest of it - no small feat, that! And oh my gosh I could have eaten so much more of that. Incredible!!
3) Pig's feet and peach hand pie - Pig's feet are so under rated. And in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing, it is a treat. But all of this and the peach was encased in a glorious lard crusted dough - so crispy and good. Two 'parts' in this dish!
4) Chanterelle and wild boar pot pie - again with who knows what parts of the boar we got also underneath another exceptional hand made (likely with lard again) crust - this was Course of the Night (and we had a great line up to choose from!) - Wow. Just wow.
5) Foie Gras, Trotter cake and jam on house made English muffin, cut like a breakfast sandwich (the best you may have!) - Trotters and fois - more 'parts'!
6) Rye custard with pluot jam - nice not too sweet dessert to 'fill in the cracks' - this was wonderful. It could only be better if left to warm up for 15-20 minutes before digging in (but we were too impatient!). Delicious!
We opted for a mostly pinot noir wine from Alsace and it went with pretty much everything we ordered. Delicious. Tried an American whisky, but it was a big too angular for my tastes.
And there were other things to try - brains, rabbit kidneys and more - we will have to come back to Seattle just to go here again.
It may be an acquired taste, but I definitely recommend this place - especially folks who like a little adventure in their dining experiences and yes, if you like dining on the many 'parts' most folks do not. Try it!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Gary
Better than L’Oursin
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brett Niessen
Ludicrously overpriced on top of seriously small portions (2 tiny squash blossom crab rangoons for $24, a tiny cake of cornbread with pork fat for $15, and a single tomato filled with a couple tablespoons of mashed black cod and a couple miniscule sardines on top for $36 and one cocktail on the menu was almost $40!!!), everything is oversalted or bland - somehow they made chanterelles boring, the smarmy service (will everyone please stop with the tired script: Have you dined with us before? We're a small plates, tapas style restaurant and we recommend 3 dishes per person...), the mess of a wine menu, the insultingly small 3 ounce wine pours, and the choice between painful looking stools inside or communal tables outside next to thumping bass cruising cars all night. Not to mention, they ask during the reservation process if it was a special event, and I replied anniversary. No mention whatsoever the entire evening. I can't believe I'm saying this, but listen to Nancy Reagan: Just say no.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Danelle Katherine
It only took me ten years but I found the best place to eat in Seattle.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicole Di Placido
We absolutely love this place! Every time they knock it out of the park. We love the vibe, the staff, and their creativity. Food is always delicious and we enjoy the stories behind the dishes. Feel lucky to have such an amazing spot in our neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Addis Barge
My husband and I randomly decided to have dinner here 2 months ago. I still rave about the food, and how kind the chef was.
Not only was the food incredibly and well considered, it was great getting to hear from the chef himself about how he sourced ingredients, and I was obsessed with the napkins and silverware, and loved hearing how he found them.
It felt like you were having a laid back dinner and conversation with a friend, but the food quality and taste reminded you that it wasn’t so causal at all.
It was fantastic, and when I feel like bruising my husbands wallet again I’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Anderson
Off Alley blew me away with its bold, unpredictable menu. Combining punk energy with refined ingredients, the dishes multitask between artistic and delicious. A dining experience unlike any other.
Pig feet muffin was the best sandwich we ever had!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Richard Priest
Ive been to Off Alley 6 times now and I have to say the experience is WILDLY inconsistent. When they are good they are on fire, excellent food, warm and charming service and a great atmosphere. When they are off, the place feels (and tastes) unwelcoming, unrefined and sarcastic. SERVICE Our first three times were warm, charming and professional. The last three, not so much. I think the owners don't deal with the stress of running a restaurant very well, and seemed quite happy to take it out on customers. Curt and snide is show I would describe it, which is not a great experience for this price point. FOOD Ive had some incredible dishes at this place, there is no doubt. But again Ive had some real clunkers. What they do with market fresh ingredients is wonderful. HOT TIP. Always order from a la carte, that's where they shine. The set menu is less inspired and doesn't have the thrill that goes along with ordering what's new each day (or week). Ive also had cold fish (the kitchen is 6 feet away from where you sit, so no real excuses), aggressively seasoned (read SALTY), and clumsy dishes. You take the good with the bad, but not at this price point. Again, all my disappointing dishes have been in the set menu, so please go a la carte. OVERALL I wish these guys the best but it's hard to enjoy being a regular at a place that's so inconsistent and where the wait staff (and owners) have no issue being rude to customers. I really hope they don't sabotage their own success.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Ross Thornton
Dining at Off Alley was, regrettably, an exercise in enduring rather than enjoying. Cloaked in the veneer of a thoughtful, boundary-pushing establishment, this restaurant ultimately delivered a dining experience that was neither consistent, nor considered, nor remotely worth its staggering price point.
The menu, while ambitious in its language, failed to translate into anything approaching refined execution. Dishes arrived erratically prepared — proteins inconsistently cooked, vegetables either underdone or bordering on collapse, and flavor profiles that vacillated between timid and confused. The result was a parade of forgettable plates that lacked both cohesion and conviction. There was no sense of narrative or intention behind the food, just the tired impression of culinary theater without any real substance behind the curtain.
Perhaps most jarring was the sheer inconsistency, not only between courses, but even within the same dish served to multiple guests. One plate arrived tepid while another was nearly scalding; portions varied inexplicably. These are not the idiosyncrasies of an experimental kitchen — they are the marks of a restaurant that is, quite plainly, not paying attention.
For a place charging such audacious prices — some small plates creeping well into entrée territory without justification — the lack of precision is indefensible. One does not expect luxury for its own sake, but when the bill commands the same reverence as a Michelin-caliber establishment, it is fair to expect, at the very least, that the food be good. It was not.
Service was fine, but the ambiance — casual yet self-important — only amplified the disconnect. It is also worth noting: if Off Alley is unwilling to replace silverware after each course, the least it could do is serve food that distracts from such lapses in basic hospitality. Unfortunately, the culinary shortcomings only served to highlight them.
Dining out is not merely about sustenance; it is a tacit agreement between guest and host — one that demands care, consistency, and respect for both time and expense. On all three counts, Off Alley failed. Until a meaningful course correction is made, it cannot be recommended.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Sarah Miner
Amazing food in a laid back atmosphere! The helpfulness and knowledge of the staff made it a truly fantastic experience.
I have followed Off Alley for about four years and finally made it. They did not disappoint. The intimate setting and excellent service is my kind of experience. The menu was creatively composed and made me curious. As dishes came out, they were beautifully plated and made me order more just to have a chance to experience more of the food. I didn't need salt or pepper. It was beautifully seasoned. My favorite by far was the rabbit kidneys on toast. Wow!! Mind blowing Michelin worthy dish in my mind. The kidneys had a lovely sear on them, cooked beautifully and topped with a rich sauce. The bread underneath was soft with a lovely crust and absorbed the sauce so well. I enjoyed my meal in totality. I'm placing pictures but won't tell you everything I ordered. Go early or make a reservation (your best bet) and order a variety of dishes and see if you happen to order anything like I got to experience. I am an absolute foodie and enjoy Michelin restaurants and unique cuisine experiences and for what I got at Off Alley, it was up there! When I got my check, I expected to pay more because it was such a niché experience with high quality products. It really should cost more. I'll certainly head back...soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing spot, especially if you want to have an more involved experience with the food! The head chef Evan Liechtling explained every dish perfectly and you can TASTE the passion. Must go for any foodie!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was great - the space, food, people, music, all of it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We'd spent most of our trip to Seattle indulging in excellent seafood and asian cuisines. But I am, at my core, a guy that likes places that make food out of the parts a lot of people don't consider eating. Like blood sausage.
Anyway, Off Alley does this sort of thing as well as a lot more and I knew we needed to go, so we did.
The space is weird. The front half of the space is a long counter/table where everyone sits side by side and faces the wall (which makes it hard to see the chalkboard with the menu - so take a picture before you sit down!). And it is what I like to call 'Parisian seating' - where you are very, very elbows close to your neighboring diners. Not my favorite thing but I will forgive all of that because of the food.
The back half of the space is the kitchen - it is likely no wider than 10 feet (the whole space) - crazy!
The wine list and cocktails are all hand written in a notebook, but they have more so just tell them what you are looking for and they probably have something that fits. Their beverage markup is quite high (4x instead of 2-3x) - but I again forgive this because of the food (and service!).
The four guys that do it all, we met two of them (the chef owner and and the front of the house guy) - they did all of the serving too, were great at pacing things out and getting us anything we needed before we ourselves realized we needed something.
Now the food. THE FOOD!
1) Roasted escarole with a parmagiano tuille and we added anchovies to - So great. No parts, but little fishes! Delicious!
2) Blood sausage with apples and apple butter (to cut through the decadence of the dish). Let me just tell you, they got a fine and perfect crust on that blood sausage without ruining the rest of it - no small feat, that! And oh my gosh I could have eaten so much more of that. Incredible!!
3) Pig's feet and peach hand pie - Pig's feet are so under rated. And in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing, it is a treat. But all of this and the peach was encased in a glorious lard crusted dough - so crispy and good. Two 'parts' in this dish!
4) Chanterelle and wild boar pot pie - again with who knows what parts of the boar we got also underneath another exceptional hand made (likely with lard again) crust - this was Course of the Night (and we had a great line up to choose from!) - Wow. Just wow.
5) Foie Gras, Trotter cake and jam on house made English muffin, cut like a breakfast sandwich (the best you may have!) - Trotters and fois - more 'parts'!
6) Rye custard with pluot jam - nice not too sweet dessert to 'fill in the cracks' - this was wonderful. It could only be better if left to warm up for 15-20 minutes before digging in (but we were too impatient!). Delicious!
We opted for a mostly pinot noir wine from Alsace and it went with pretty much everything we ordered. Delicious. Tried an American whisky, but it was a big too angular for my tastes.
And there were other things to try - brains, rabbit kidneys and more - we will have to come back to Seattle just to go here again.
It may be an acquired taste, but I definitely recommend this place - especially folks who like a little adventure in their dining experiences and yes, if you like dining on the many 'parts' most folks do not. Try it!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Better than L’Oursin
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ludicrously overpriced on top of seriously small portions (2 tiny squash blossom crab rangoons for $24, a tiny cake of cornbread with pork fat for $15, and a single tomato filled with a couple tablespoons of mashed black cod and a couple miniscule sardines on top for $36 and one cocktail on the menu was almost $40!!!), everything is oversalted or bland - somehow they made chanterelles boring, the smarmy service (will everyone please stop with the tired script: Have you dined with us before? We're a small plates, tapas style restaurant and we recommend 3 dishes per person...), the mess of a wine menu, the insultingly small 3 ounce wine pours,
and the choice between painful looking stools inside or communal tables outside next to thumping bass cruising cars all night. Not to mention, they ask during the reservation process if it was a special event, and I replied anniversary. No mention whatsoever the entire evening. I can't believe I'm saying this, but listen to Nancy Reagan: Just say no.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
It only took me ten years but I found the best place to eat in Seattle.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We absolutely love this place! Every time they knock it out of the park. We love the vibe, the staff, and their creativity. Food is always delicious and we enjoy the stories behind the dishes. Feel lucky to have such an amazing spot in our neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I randomly decided to have dinner here 2 months ago. I still rave about the food, and how kind the chef was.
Not only was the food incredibly and well considered, it was great getting to hear from the chef himself about how he sourced ingredients, and I was obsessed with the napkins and silverware, and loved hearing how he found them.
It felt like you were having a laid back dinner and conversation with a friend, but the food quality and taste reminded you that it wasn’t so causal at all.
It was fantastic, and when I feel like bruising my husbands wallet again I’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Off Alley blew me away with its bold, unpredictable menu. Combining punk energy with refined ingredients, the dishes multitask between artistic and delicious. A dining experience unlike any other.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Some of the most interesting food
In the city
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pig feet muffin was the best sandwich we ever had!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ive been to Off Alley 6 times now and I have to say the experience is WILDLY inconsistent. When they are good they are on fire, excellent food, warm and charming service and a great atmosphere. When they are off, the place feels (and tastes) unwelcoming, unrefined and sarcastic.
SERVICE
Our first three times were warm, charming and professional. The last three, not so much. I think the owners don't deal with the stress of running a restaurant very well, and seemed quite happy to take it out on customers. Curt and snide is show I would describe it, which is not a great experience for this price point.
FOOD
Ive had some incredible dishes at this place, there is no doubt. But again Ive had some real clunkers. What they do with market fresh ingredients is wonderful. HOT TIP. Always order from a la carte, that's where they shine. The set menu is less inspired and doesn't have the thrill that goes along with ordering what's new each day (or week).
Ive also had cold fish (the kitchen is 6 feet away from where you sit, so no real excuses), aggressively seasoned (read SALTY), and clumsy dishes. You take the good with the bad, but not at this price point. Again, all my disappointing dishes have been in the set menu, so please go a la carte.
OVERALL
I wish these guys the best but it's hard to enjoy being a regular at a place that's so inconsistent and where the wait staff (and owners) have no issue being rude to customers. I really hope they don't sabotage their own success.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Dining at Off Alley was, regrettably, an exercise in enduring rather than enjoying. Cloaked in the veneer of a thoughtful, boundary-pushing establishment, this restaurant ultimately delivered a dining experience that was neither consistent, nor considered, nor remotely worth its staggering price point.
The menu, while ambitious in its language, failed to translate into anything approaching refined execution. Dishes arrived erratically prepared — proteins inconsistently cooked, vegetables either underdone or bordering on collapse, and flavor profiles that vacillated between timid and confused. The result was a parade of forgettable plates that lacked both cohesion and conviction. There was no sense of narrative or intention behind the food, just the tired impression of culinary theater without any real substance behind the curtain.
Perhaps most jarring was the sheer inconsistency, not only between courses, but even within the same dish served to multiple guests. One plate arrived tepid while another was nearly scalding; portions varied inexplicably. These are not the idiosyncrasies of an experimental kitchen — they are the marks of a restaurant that is, quite plainly, not paying attention.
For a place charging such audacious prices — some small plates creeping well into entrée territory without justification — the lack of precision is indefensible. One does not expect luxury for its own sake, but when the bill commands the same reverence as a Michelin-caliber establishment, it is fair to expect, at the very least, that the food be good. It was not.
Service was fine, but the ambiance — casual yet self-important — only amplified the disconnect. It is also worth noting: if Off Alley is unwilling to replace silverware after each course, the least it could do is serve food that distracts from such lapses in basic hospitality. Unfortunately, the culinary shortcomings only served to highlight them.
Dining out is not merely about sustenance; it is a tacit agreement between guest and host — one that demands care, consistency, and respect for both time and expense. On all three counts, Off Alley failed. Until a meaningful course correction is made, it cannot be recommended.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Amazing food in a laid back atmosphere! The helpfulness and knowledge of the staff made it a truly fantastic experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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