Wooden City Tavern — Restaurant in Seattle

I don't generally write reviews, but I'd be remiss not to shout the accolades of Wooden City Tavern and their staff from the rooftops.

Haley is one of my favourite bar managers in the city; her attention to detail and the creativity she puts behind every menu she puts before the general public who come through this establishment's doors are unparalleled. She truly goes above and beyond to ensure that not only does the menu match the ambience of the season, but that the rotating menus deliver an explosion of flavour you're incredibly unlikely to find outside of the most pristine cocktailing establishments.

Likewise, the rest of the staff is en pointe, readily able to recognise you by name as well as drink. Anna, Eliana, and Brock are fantastic, quick with a good word and story, and ready to deliver with efficiency and hospitality the kind of experience that other bars crave from their employees. Yvette is likewise a treasure, constantly making sure tables are not wanting for food, drink, or service while simultaneously busying herself around the restaurant with cleaning duties.

The food here is phenomenal. If you haven't tried their Caribbean Jerk chicken wings or the Hot Honey'd Chicken, you're doing yourself a disservice.

Likewise if you've failed to try the Velveteen Rabbit (OK I'm biased), the Pear Vesper, or the City Girl, you need to get in and offer yourself the opportunity to try this amazing menu before it absconds in favour of the upcoming Holiday Menu (which I'm told is ALSO sure to be a BANGER.)

Wooden City Tavern is a gem in the heart of Greenlake, with ample ambience on both sides of the bar (they've got a darker, Tiki-themed bar-side and a lighter, more open restaurant opposite) and a staff that deliver hospitality in spades. This is one of my favourite places...

I've visited the Wooden City in Tacoma and was pleasantly surprised to find out they'd opened in Seattle. Dropped by for a drink and to check-out the space (formerly Shelter) and ended up grabbing a bite to eat as well.

Overall things are pretty much the same from the Shelter days. Dark bar area to the left (back), bright open dining area and bar area to the right (front.) There was a wait despite there being plenty of seats at the bar.

While I'd say opt for the bar the service was really slow. While the wait for food was painful, just getting drinks and water took entirely too long. The kitchen was apparently backed up but the restaurant wasn't full so maybe they are still just working out some kinks.

A lot of people around were ordering sandwiches but unfortunately they didn't arrive until after I ordered (so it could inform my ordering.) The sandwich is heavy on the bread and I saw many ditching the top and eating it open faced. That being said the Prosciutto Panino was very tasty. Half of the sandwich (pictured) had manageable breading. I opted to upgrade to a side caesar for $4 which was also good (but man, don't you hate the upcharge for salad?!?!)

Definitely liked the jerk cauliflower too and would come back for that alone. Maybe during happy hour (4-5:30 daily) when apps & snacks are $2 off.

Overall it's a welcome menu to the area with peel & eat shrimp, sandwiches, salads, pizzas etc. I hope they can get the service worked out and tone...

I was here before when Grace and her boss provided an amazing customer service. Unfortunately, neither Grace, or her boss was here yesterday instead someone else was managing the restaurant and for my surprise, all the waitresses forgot to provide me with a menu for my food. Infact, I was hoping for one of them to provide me the same customer service as everyone else. Yet, after raising my hand a couple of times, I realized, I was being ignored. Infact, I had to order without a menu. As a desert, I ordered an ice cream, yet the manager even forgot to bring me an spoon 🥄 therefore, since both of the bar tender were no where to find, I asked for customer service again and lastly, Healy with an smile surely said, "I'll bring you one." The manager got me by surprise when I was about to use the men room and my food almost came out just to heard her comments about false negatives infact.

All this time, I thought that was the greatest food taste, yet at this one time their customer service was absent since my arrival at the place.

I'm glad I called the police 🚔 because I needed extra time to be in driving condition, yet their manager gave me valid explanation of their lack of good customer service to me. I even had to remind her that my business debit card was at the register before I could leave.

In conclusion, their amazing Grace...