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Archipelago Seattle Reviews
Incredible and unique dining experience from start to
Incredible and unique dining experience from start to finish. Loved the history, fresh ingredients, attention to detail, and warm service. I don't eat meat and they were super accommodating. Everything was delicious. Hard to get reservations but worth it - I highly recommend Archipelago. Salamat!
This place is amazing - I am unsure on the function of a
This place is amazing - I am unsure on the function of a review of Archipelago at this point in their existence. I believe that any positive review is correct for any number of reasons. If there's a spot open, go. If the open spot is later than your usual dinner time (8:30) - take it. If there are extra seats (4) - take them. If you're on the fence, get off the fence. The dinners at Archipelago are more than the sum of their parts. The food is good but it's more than the food. The service is personal but it's more than the service. The kitchen is clean but it's more than the polish. I am no poet and yelp is no place for poetry, but if you're reading this and without a reservation, recheck the site and find your place because Archipelago can be a bright spot on your calendar when we as adults are beyond theme parks and movie premiers, friends and food are suitable replacements. Leave your phones at home and bring your friends to Archipelago.
I was recently treated to dinner at Archipelago by a dear
I was recently treated to dinner at Archipelago by a dear friend. I didn't know much about it other than it had great reviews and was REALLY expensive. Putting it succinctly: Service was AMAZING and the food was great - HOWEVER, it was not worth the money. My friend paid for me, which made me feel awful considering I was still relatively hungry after dinner. Portion sizes were incredibly small...so small that on a few occasions, I didn't get an accurate taste of what I was eating. There was enough for one sip or one bite, and that was all. What did I enjoy? I appreciated the doses of Filipino history between servings and how it related to what we were going to be eating. The ambiance is cozy and romantic. In fact, most of the diners seemed to be couples celebrating a special occasion - which I think the atmosphere was most ideal. It was an experience, that's for sure. However, I would not go back - probably not even if someone paid for me. For $200+/per person - the value simply is not there.
I typically don't think about service that much when I am
I typically don't think about service that much when I am considering a restaurant, but considering that service is Archipelago's stand out feature, this will be the focal point of my review. It is really hard to snag a reservation here and you have to do it months in advance. It is Filipino fine dining and you should try to get here a few minutes before your reservation time because the meal begins very promptly. When you go in, there is not much seating, so the majority of the people are seated at this communal table, facing a kitchen so it is kind of like an open concept. Chef Aaron himself personally serves and talks to patrons and he is so humble and unassuming that I didn't even realize he was the head chef. Before every course, there would be a mini history lesson behind important Filipino-American figures with a central focus on Seattle. I loved the thought and intentions behind this, as it made the food and meal more memorable and meaningful. I think this emphasis on community was the best part of the meal. There is a lot of interaction with all of the wait staff so be prepared that there is a social element to the experience. The food itself was good; everything is locally sourced and also has a huge Pacific Northwest influence. The portions are small and some people might still be hungry afterwards although I was full just the right amount. Overall, I had a great time, and I was inspired to learn more about Filipino history after my meal so I appreciated that there was an educational aspect.
Archipelago was an absolutely amazing dining experience.
Chef Aaron and his team do a fantastic job of telling the story of each course you have during the evening. The food is by far some of the best I have had from any restaurant in the Seattle area. This small unique restaurant will not disappoint. When you see that reservations are being booked jump on them as they sell out quickly. Chef thank you for a wonderful dinner and a lasting memory. Words can not describe the fabulous mean you and your team prepared.
I'll start off by saying actually read people's reviews and
I'll start off by saying actually read people's reviews and don't just go on the star rating. You will notice a common trend here, 3+ stars, people complaining about portion size, value for money and service. TLDR You are paying $215 per person plus $86 for wine pairing. If you choose to pay per glass, it gets expensive fast. Our experience was the same., We had a group of four (1 vegetarian, 1 no-pork) and short version is it was overpriced and under-performed. 1 diner did not eat the majority of the courses, vegetarian options were VERY disappointing. The story telling aspect and tie in with local ingredients and Filipino culture was enjoyable (although tenuous and overworked) but was generally interesting for all of our party. The restaurant has an intimate environment, and our group's table overlooked the kitchen but still provided some privacy from the communal dining bench. Let me be very clear here, you are paying fine dining prices, unfortunately, the level of refinement does not deliver. If you have eaten at places like Eleven Madison Park, The Herb Farm, The French Laundry etc prepare to be disappointed. This is not the same kind of experience. In general the experience felt over-priced and regretfully memorable for the wrong reasons. The portions are notably tiny (even by tasting menu sizes) and our party left feeling hungry and a little underwhelmed. As an example, you are asked to rate your "hunger" level (1 hungry, 5 full) towards the end of the tasting. This was awkward, with two of our guests feeling uncomfortable about saying they were hungry during their interaction and changing their number down. Another example where the service was not up to par was when one of our party was embarrassed in front of the group for not liking the food. The server did not take the hint that the person was not enjoying the dishes (all but two were not eaten) and kept persisting on understanding what they could change (the issue was the spice combinations). I don't want to be overly negative, but there were multiple misses that you just take for granted at a fine dining restaurant that were just missed here. Was the experience worth the price? Unfortunately, I don't think so. Again read the reviews, don't be fooled by the star raining.
Lovely, intimate space and beautiful presentation of food
Lovely, intimate space and beautiful presentation of food and history throughout the evening. Dishes were thoughtfully prepared and tasted great, but with the hype and the price tag, I felt no sense of regret when the meal came to an end, and I have no desire to return for a second experience. Attentive service from all members of the team.
Exceptional.
The whole experience --the food, service, and ambiance-- was truly exceptional. This is a PNW love song to Filipino cuisine and history, with some serious culinary magic sprinkled on it (sorry for the mixed metaphor ;-). Every course starred fresh, local ingredients (seafood, vegetable, meat, poultry, and condiments), thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and (bonus!) came with a historical narrative. The pace of the meal was such that I was able to savor and linger on each dish and be happily surprised with the next offering. I thoroughly appreciated the wine paring (again, locally made wine) that was unique and perfectly matched the flavors of each course. The team looked absolutely proud of what they were serving and had so much heart. I left the restaurant feeling so touched -- even inspired. I put the next reservation window on my calendar so I can experience that magic again!
Aloha, we traveled to Seattle for a wedding and booked
Aloha, we traveled to Seattle for a wedding and booked Archipelago for the evening prior of. We love trying new restaurants in all cities. We had read the hype about this restaurant, and was eager to try after visiting Musang last year. Bagaong on the first 3 dishes, seemed similar in flavors, very savory with salt and vinegar touches. The next few dishes were different, nice. The steak at the end was plentiful, nice. They make sure you don't go away hungry. Over all a great experience, chef was awesome and hands-on, nice. They shared Philipino stories of family and past in the Pacific North West regions and how they came to be, nice. Loved hearing the history. Would love more exotic flavors transpired to Hawaii, would be great! We too have a large Philipino society and could use some fresh new takes on traditional foods. Please come to Hawaii, mahalo
Amazing experience, so much of Filipino history and stories
Amazing experience, so much of Filipino history and stories were told. It's amazing to have chefs connecting food and history bringing teaching in a easy way for the clients. The whole narrative made sense, connecting Filipino culture with PNW, got the chance to learn a lot. At the end they gave a box with a dessert and had a text printed on the box that just almost made me cry. Very admirable that this groups are able to do this type of job. I had 9 course menu before but never had one like that. Another positive thing was that on the 7th dish they ask a number to know if you are still starving or full. Based on the numbers next dishes are made with a appropriate size. I was feeling full and was able to finish the 9 course but others felts hungry and had the chance to get more food. I thought this was brilliant.
Beautiful experience overall.
We loved the intimate experience where you get to speak to all members of the team throughout the night. They were kind and fun, and it was fun. The team was very accommodating towards my partners food aversions - they made versions of every dish to make sure he'd enjoy it to the fullest! What I loved most about the experience was how each item was inspired by Filipino American history, while staying true to locally sourced PNW ingredients.
Archipelago is an exceptional American tribute to the food
Archipelago is an exceptional American tribute to the food and flavors of the Philippines, combining steller service with impeccably crafted fresh cuisine, exploring the flavors and traditions of the PH. Located in a small, fun, fine-ish dining setting. If you are contemplating eating here and are new to PH food: this is a great way to dip your tongue into the sweet, unique savories, sours, and mild pepper heats of PH cuisine. If you are Filipino, the closest I would describe this is similar in spirit to modern PH cuisine like Locavore.PH, but Archipelago differs in that each dish is hand-created and served with fresh local PNW ingredients by expert kitchen craftsmen/women, and love. Some dishes also come with a backstory provided by the Owner and Chef, Aaron, and other team members. Island archipelago food history (PH, Indonesia) is more about a preparation style (sisig) than a strict french-like list of ingredients and cooking steps. Historically island ingredients were based on what was available that day. In this senseArchipelago is highly traditional, as the best dishes highlight fresh local ingredients with perfectly balanced or contrasting flavors. The menu changes often, so instead of writing about dishes I'll simply mention our last visit. The first dish was good. Wife nodded, "yes this place is good, but is it $500 good?" and I was left with a brief pause wondering if I would end the anniversary night with a happy wife. The next three dishes were a blur: we were so engaged enjoying them we didn't speak of anything beyond the flavors, each dish raising the bar from the last. By the end of dish four, my still-current wife expressed "OMG I love this place!". Subsequent dishes continued to surprise and delight, culminating in a dessert my wife said was the best she had ever had of that type, and possibly her all time new favorite. Happy wife, Happy life. We are grateful this amazing restaurant full of talented kitchen craftworkers, who love food and customers, exists within our reach. Likewise, thankful we can afford to visit here for our anniversary. If you are reading this, we highly recommend you come here as well. For reference, work once took us around the globe, and we've eaten at everything from street food carts to five star/Michelin/fancy-MG restaurants worldwide, and can confidently say this restaurant is one of our all-time favorite hidden gems. Many thanks to the ladies of Archipelago: Heather, Carlene, Miranda, and from past visits, Hannover, Ronnette, Anna, and of course Amber and Patron Pinay Mariah Arosa. Thank you Dom, (and Ethan), as well.
Kudos to the amazing experience that Chef Aaron and his
Kudos to the amazing experience that Chef Aaron and his team at Archipelago are providing their customers! As someone that is Filipino American I had grown up with preconceived notions about what Filipino can be and what it can't. It wasn't until recently that I saw amazingly talented Filipino chefs put their take on Filipino food that I realized the potential of Filipino food as elevated fine dining. Each course was presented beautifully and accompanied by great storytelling and excellent preparation from the staff. I recommend the drink pairing for an even better experience. My lady and I were simply stunned. The flavors harken back to our heritage but the presentation brings it to the modern day with crafty ornamentation and intricate styling, thereby giving me hope for the future of Filipino cuisine. Job well done Archipelago, looking forward to the next one!
Elevated Filipino Food.
Words cannot express how I feel after eating at Archipelago. Chef Aaron Verzosa and his team did a phenomenal job from entering the restaurant, to the presentation of each course, ending with a pasalubong, and getting the chance to take a quick picture with the Chef. The transitions in between each dish was very smooth and each presentation of the dishes was intricately beautiful. I must say, nostalgia at its finest. Eating a lot of the dishes made me think of my grandparents growing up. Hearing the history and inspirations of each dish made me feel so giddy inside. I would recommend this experience to my friends, family, and fellow Filipino Americans as it pays homage to our culture.
Loved loved loved the food, ambiance, and storytelling of
Loved loved loved the food, ambiance, and storytelling of each course. This restaurant has heart and soul baked into each course, and we enjoyed every minute of our time
This restaurant asks diners to prepay for reservations.
This is not a business model any consumer should support. Don't let them claim "family business." Outrageous.
Possibly best dining experience I ever had.
Felt like I was invited into their home as guests of honor. The meal was delicious and introduced me to new flavor combinations. Recommend the juice pairing! Can't wait to go back.
The awards and accolades that Archipelago has been
The awards and accolades that Archipelago has been receiving are definitely well deserved. I went there in December as a birthday present for myself and wow, what an experience. I'm Filipino so I've had a lot of the food at family parties, but WOW. I was not expecting myself to be so impressed. I still cannot get over the complexity of that Cebuchon and how crispy the skin was but how juicy the meat is. Every dish was just fantastic and each meal comes with a story. There was also a part where they check in how full you are. Because if you're not they might give you a little more food, which is something I've never seen in restaurants like this. I'm so proud of how Chef Aaron and Amber are putting elevated Filipino food in the spotlight. I definitely will be coming back to see what they will have in the summer or spring. Just make sure you book right when it opens cause it fills up so fast.
Finally a real - authentic restaurant in Seattle with
Finally a real - authentic restaurant in Seattle with Michelin potential. A story, cute owners, fantastic tempo and staff. The food is historic and lovely. In 24 months this will be impossible to book. By far the best in the Seattle area and I am the consummate foodie. Waiting a month for this reservation was not a waste. 100% sure this will get a star the day Michelin travels this far West. Just fantastic!!! Come here even if it's pricy.
Service: 5/5The staffs are very friendly.
They are knowledgeable of the dishes and various drinks they serve throughout the evening. Some of the servers will stop by and have small talks to know their guests. When they serve the dishes, it feels like a choregraph as they were in sync. I enjoy the décor and atmosphere of the restaurant. It makes you feel very comfortable in their space and makes you feel at home with their exquisite dishes. During the entire dining experience, they will share stores about the important in the Filipino community and associate them to the dishes served. Food: 4/5 Each dish is beautifully decorated. Overall, the food is good but nothing really "woah" me that makes me feel like I absolutely must come back because I can get it here. I really enjoyed the sablefish with the sinanglaw and tailor made. The sablefish was so well done but it was a bite size that I wish I can have more. I like how the lamb chop was served as they ask how hungry you are before serving the plate so you can have more if you're still hungry or smaller portion that way you're not overstuffed before dessert. I think everyone should try this restaurant at least once for the experience and the stories they are trying to express through food. It is expensive but I really enjoy the experience along with homemade juices; highly recommend for individuals that does not drink.
For those who have yet to eat at Archipelago, I can only
For those who have yet to eat at Archipelago, I can only tell you that, if you are so lucky as to find an available reservation, I must, in good faith, encourage you to urgently break open the piggy bank with enthusiasm, bring your loved one(s), and splurge for the wine pairing. Though I don't feel that this meal could be anything less than extraordinary, the experience is cinematic, and, like any good movie, it's best to avoid spoilers. So, book without hesitation, close out this review, and when the day arrives, Uber there. This meal will improve most aspects of your life, but thanks to the plentiful local wines, your driving will not be one of them.At Archipelago, you are, first of all, taken care of. The whole operation is both comforting and elegant, like what you wish a trip home for the holidays was like. The friendly wait staff take pains to anticipate and accommodate your every need. The entire operation is familial in every sense. I've never been to a restaurant that went to such great lengths to emphasize and highlight each employee. Before every dish, a brief explanation of the dish and its ties to Filipino and/or PNW history is delivered to the 12 diners by alternating members of the restaurant staff, from the head chef to the dishwasher and each server. Along with the thoughtful and precise gestures from the wait staff, it leaves the distinct impression that you are a valued guest at a home- hospitality in the purest sense.Of course, this would all be for naught if the food weren't knock-your-socks-off delicious. Fortunately every single course (of which there are many) was extraordinary. Archipelago is a bit of a double-entendre, referring to both the Philipines archipelago and the PNW area. The same applies to the food. Most dishes bring a subtle Pacific Northwest twist to Filipino classics, with the subtleties often highlighted in the aforementioned introductions. Each dish is creative, surprising, and above all delicious. If you are concerned about leaving hungry, please know that the good people at Archipelago care far too much about good old-fashioned hospitality to let anyone leave less than perfectly content and full.Above all, though, what makes Archipelago shine is the care and intention that are apparent in every aspect of the experience. It is obvious that Chef Verzosa cares deeply about food, about Filipino history and culture, and about the PNW, and this restaurant is his attempt to express that. Such earnest passion is rare, and imbues the whole night with a feeling of honesty and importance. The food, the wine, the hospitality, the culture and the stories that are shared combine to make for a memorable trip that will remind you why meals are one of the great expressions of who we are as people. Bon Apetit!
If you enjoy an immersive dining experience then this place
If you enjoy an immersive dining experience then this place is PERFECT for a special occasion date! Not going to lie its expensive (~$260s per person + more if getting beverages) but definitely worth a unique experience and tour of the Filipino cuisine. I enjoyed the various flavor profile. As someone who has very little exposure to Filipino history and cuisine this is incredibly helpful as if I'm being given a tour by the culinary team at Archipelago. I did love how the menu tried to hit every flavor profile you can think of and a lovely story to complement each dish. Had a great date night thanks to Archipelago+
I was trying to get a reservation here for almost a year
I was trying to get a reservation here for almost a year and could not done it without the help from Chase Sapphire (Yes, if you have Chase Sapphire, you can make a reservation for 2 people thru their reward programs page). I was extremely excited and have high hopes but unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to the expectations. The place is very small and have poor ventilation. I can smell the fish sauce the moment I stepped in (my husband can't smell anything; but I have a dog nose...so I don't know). I am Asian, and I know Asian food usually have pretty strong smell; so it's not a big turn off to us, but just want to give everyone a head up, that your clothes will smell at the end of the night. All the dishes are beautiful and very flavorful but the portions are very small, and they don't have that many courses. I have been to many fine dining places and I never left hungry. They did try to offer everybody more meats at the end, but we still left hungry and have to go home and make some ramen. I don't drink, so I can't comment about their wine pairing but their juice pairing is EXTREMELY good. Please get the juice pairing. The chefs explained every dishes very throughout and gave us some stories about Filipino cultures with picture and drawing about their cultures, which I think is pretty cool but somehow feel a little bit forceful, like we are sitting in history class, not a fine dining experience. It's an experience worth to try once, but don't think I would come back.
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If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Archipelago Seattle at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Archipelago Seattle page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* DistinguishedTree58, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* DistinguishedTree58 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to DistinguishedTree58 for any questions Peter may have as DistinguishedTree58 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* DistinguishedTree58 now uses their connections at Archipelago Seattle to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If DistinguishedTree58 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, DistinguishedTree58 receives the $200 reward which is credited to DistinguishedTree58's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Archipelago Seattle!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
