ELDR. — Restaurant in Seattle

ELDR is nothing short of a revelation—a dining experience that seamlessly blends artistry, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality. From the moment you step inside, the rich, smoky aroma of wood-fired cooking welcomes you, instantly setting the tone for an unforgettable meal. The open-fire cooking isn’t just a technique here; it’s part of the restaurant’s soul, infusing every dish with depth and complexity.

The tasting menu is a masterclass in refined flavors and exquisite presentation. Each course is thoughtfully crafted, showcasing bold yet harmonious combinations that highlight the finest ingredients.

Highlights of the Meal: • Salmon Tartine – The smoked king salmon, paired with garlic aioli and pickled fennel, was a perfect balance of richness and brightness. • Winter Citrus – A refreshing and vibrant dish featuring Castelvetrano olives, shallots, and pistachios, providing an unexpected yet delightful contrast. • Roasted Leeks – The mojo picante and dill vinaigrette elevated this simple vegetable to new heights. • Lasagna – Possibly one of the best renditions of lasagna ever, with layers of smoked beef rib, pomodoro, lemon ricotta, and parmesan, all baked to perfection. • Steak – The dry-aged prime hanger steak, kissed by the open flame, was cooked masterfully, served with Swiss chard, chorizo, and a rich jus that tied everything together beautifully. • Roasted Apple – A comforting yet elevated dessert, with caramelized apple, cinnamon ricotta, and a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth.

The oysters were incredibly fresh, served on a bed of ice with all the right accompaniments, while the side dishes, from the roasted potatoes to the house-made bread, were just as impressive.

Beyond the food, the smoky, wood-fired atmosphere is a defining feature of ELDR. The scent of slowly smoked meats and open-flame cooking fills the air, adding to the immersive experience. It’s a warm, rustic, and deeply satisfying part of what makes this place so special.

The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the meal, from the stunning plating to the seamless service. ELDR doesn’t just serve food—it curates an experience. Whether you’re a devoted foodie or simply someone looking for a phenomenal night out, this is a must-visit destination.

✨ 5/5 – Absolutely...

My partner and I, who live in the neighborhood, had such a poor service experience that we will never go back. There is no other way to interpret how the scenario unfolded other than that we "only" spent $200 in the hour we were there and therefore did not deserve to be treated graciously. We stopped by on a whim on a Friday night, about a half hour before their 9-10PM happy hour, and they happened to have a table open up, great! I let the host and server know we were just there for cocktails and small bites, they were like, no problem! Everything started out OK. We enjoyed ourselves and were ready to close out after about an hour (an appropriately reasonable amount of time to enjoy 3 cocktails and 3 small plates), when the waitress asked my partner if he'd like another cocktail, which she dropped off along with the check. Literally 2 minutes later, she came back to tell us that the manager wanted us to pay up and leave (so they could turn the table). I pointed out to her that my dinner companion still has the full cocktail that she just dropped off and needs at least a few more minutes to finish (enjoy?) it, but sure, we can close out immediately. To be fair, she did apologize for not noticing(?). In the meantime, I'm looking over the bill and she hastily tells me gratuity is included. Durng all of this, the host is eagerly circling and eyeing the cocktail in my partner's hand.

As for the food -- the scallop crudo was tasty, but the sunchokes -- some of which were not cooked all the way through so I couldn't even bite or cut (with the provided butter knife) into it, but otherwise tasty enough. Beef tartare was ok. We would have come back to try the chef's menu had the experience ended on a much less sour note.

If you're under that much pressure to turn the tables, it should never be at the cost of treating your customers this rudely. There were so many other more gracious ways they could have handled this. It's not like we were just sitting there lingering for hours with one cocktail. We left feeling like 2nd rate citizens overstaying our welcome which was a really gross way to end...

You are forgiven if you think this restaurant is another metro-Seattle Ethan Stowell venture, even without the telltale ampersand in the name. But ELDR. is both not and much more, and sets a high bar for “earthily elegant” atmosphere and woodfired cuisine that can more than hold its own.

The menu is not huge but it covers all the bases, and dishes are designed for sharing (not just the two-person combo plates), which is ideal. We had the skewers to start, and then the steak (medium rare) and gnocchi accompanied by the rapini, all of which were fantastic.

The wood firing is not just a gimmick, it creates delightfully-browned and richly flavored meats and veggies, and imparts a cozy dynamic.

The decor is high-end, more chic castle library than hunting lodge yet replete with brick ovens and some walls, heavy metal cooking apparati, and a giant slab counter. That counter is also a great place to sit (stools are not super high like some places) and eat while interacting with the chefs (sort of like Harvest Vine’s counter, but without the cold shoulder).

Cocktails are fun and diverse; my wife liked the Papasote - both the drink and perhaps me (look it up). Fire-toasted bread course is a must-have and leftover bread works well for breakfast or snack. We finished with the tiramisu, which delivered. The servers were quite attentive and friendly without being intrusive. I hate the whole tipping culture thing so it was nice to see these folks have joined the automatic service charge movement (22%).

We are late diners and it was a plus that ELDR. also keeps late hours. That also makes it easier/faster to get over, up, and around the bridges and byways to get to their neighborhood location (about 25 minutes from Bellevue). Parking is also a...