Delancey — Restaurant in Seattle

Mixed on this place. Mostly great pizza, except for the overly-charred part of the crust that we couldn't eat. I REALLY wanted to love it here, as it's right down the road and a nice neighborhood atmosphere. I should have read the numerous previous reviews of the included 20% gratuity, which is something I'd expect for maybe a six-person party or more, but it was a surprise for just two people. I was very turned off by the fact that the bill comes with the gratuity included (ok - I can adapt and like to support good service and nice people), but also an additional line to add a tip?? No doubt a POS software limitation when printing the bill, but.... can we (as a country) somehow fix this so normal people with normal budgets can feel comfortable dining occasionally in a restaurant without feeling like they are insulting the staff by leaving this line empty? I wonder how many people don't read the receipt and unknowingly leave an additional tip.

We asked to add some garlic scapes to one of the pizzas. Had I known it would be $7, I definitely would have been happier without. I'd also love to give a shout out for great service. While the service was adequate (our order was taken accurately and we didn't have to wait too long), it was nothing that would justify the mandatory 20% gratuity. I apologize to this restaurant for being the victim of my venting on a tipping culture that, in my opinion and I sense so many others', has gotten completely out of hand.

To the restaurant: please be reasonable on the prices. $7 garlic scapes? A mandatory 20% gratuity AND an option to add a tip? $72,83 for two pizzas, which included zero appetizers and zero drinks?? I'm sorry these things have left a sour (and fortunately garlicky) taste in my mouth. Your pizza is great. But this seems like an exaggeration of everything that is going wrong with restaurant prices and tipping culture in this country. If prices were reasonable and I wasn't such a grumpy, middle-aged man about the tipping topic, I'd be here for dinner every Friday.

Update: The more I think about this, the unhappier I am with my one-time dining experience here. A couple more things: The White Pie pizza had a great flavor. But also a large part of the crust (our favorite part) was too charred to eat. And now I'm reading that the 20% mandatory gratuity also applies on take-out orders. Seriously?? Really this is ridiculous. The woman who "greeted" us seemed adequate (found us a table), but on the low end of the grouchy/friendly spectrum, and was clear to point out the 9:00 closing time (we arrived at 8:00). The service we received was nothing I'd write a review and complain about - tt was average for a Denny's. But for a restaurant with these prices, I would have expected far more. Really I cannot recommend this place. I'd love for these types of places to succeed and be thriving places in our community and a place for family and friends to gather leisurely over a wonderful meal, but it seems like Delancey's has jumped on board with the price gouging seen in so many places these days. Yes, we all know prices for everything have gone up. But this place seems to be the combination of fast-food service, Applebee's food quality, and Michelin-star prices. It was definitely one of the lowest value dining experiences I have had in...

Delancy defiantly had good pizza but idk its just not worth it.I have been here I think 7 times each time the pizza is cooked differently. like I get it if you go for a charred deal but if that's only 25% of the time is that just you burnt it? the first two times I had take out and tipped not realizing they had a gratuity of 20% the server did not mention. fair enough they do have it one the menu but if I tip you 30% on the already 20% maybe say hey you know its already there. this all comes to what will be my last time at Delancy. first we arrived on a Tuesday it was packed (thought good for them expected a wait)we were told a thirty min wait and put on a list. after 35 min we came back to the restaurant and were greeted and allowed to stand by the door as they had just cleared tables. after being sat we got menus dropped and the waitress told us the add on items to the pizza. then walked to the back where she grabbed serval more customers that apparently had been told to just wait in the bar in the back. that would have been nice to know when we waited outside in the rain for 30 min but i get it maybe its a speakeasy kinda deal. after what was a nice meal we got the check which was expectedly high at $92 for two personal pizzas and three drinks. while the price was high it is expected from a i guess high end restaurant in Seattle. but when i gave $100 cash the waitress or waiter walked by several times as I finished my drink without giving me change. that coupled with my take out experiences of them them not saying anything about tip just feels off. its only money but dang idk if ill go back. I am familiar with the industry and really you are just paying for them to order from Merlinos(they do sell good stuff) and have Modernist Cuisine books...

I was really excited to try Delancey during my visit to Seattle, as it had been on my list for the best Neapolitan pizza in the city. But after finally experiencing it, I’m left a little torn. The pizza is good, no doubt about that. I ordered the white pizza with the “fancy mushrooms” cooked in brown butter and garlic was delicious—the topping was flavorful and elevated the dish. But here’s the thing: for over $40 for a single pie, I expected more than just good.

Don’t get me wrong, the pizza tastes great, but $40+ for one pie. It didn’t feel worth it, especially when compared to other Neapolitan pizzas I’ve had for a more reasonable price. The quality is there, but I don’t think the price tag matches the value, especially in the context of the Seattle pizza scene. I found out after the fact — there’s a 20% gratuity on to-go orders, which felt a bit much. I’m not sure whether that applies to dine-in too.

On the bright side, the bar next door “Essex” (which I believe is associated with Delancey) offers some great drinks. It’s a cool spot to grab a drink if you’re in the neighborhood or waiting on your table for dinner at Delancey, though—unfortunately—I was told by bar staff you can’t eat the pizza at the bar.

If you’re okay with a $40 price tag for a Neapolitan pizza, then Delancey is fine. But if you’re hoping for more bang for your buck, this might not be the place to splurge.

In conclusion, if you’re simply wanting to say you’ve tried Delancey— like I did, go ahead—one visit will probably be...