Restaurant Review: Collections Cafe
By Leslie Kelly November 8, 2012
This article originally appeared in the December 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.
Its not unusual to spy diners whipping out their cameras during a meal and snapping shots of food. But people focusing their lenses on the tables?
This is routine in the Collections Cafe at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Dale Chihulys vast assortment of amusing vintage objects are on display here. There are vintage accordions hanging from the ceiling and all sorts of treasuresfrom tin toys to shaving brushestucked under the glass tabletops. Its mighty clever eye candy.
Chef Ivan Szilak (formerly of the Sorrento Hotel) serves up an all-day menu that is comfortably casual. The must-try burger ($16) is ultra-juicy, a spectacular chopped salad ($13) is so loaded with grilled chicken, bacon bits, olives, artichoke hearts, chickpeas, Peppadew peppers and cheddar that its easily enough for two, and a terrific pressed pork sandwich ($13) wears a crown of tangy slaw.
The room is packed with gallery visitors during the lunch rush, but the vibe is much more chill in the evenings. Stellar shareables, which come in two sizes, are fine candidates for a pre-theater nosh, especially paired with a glass of wine or a Northwest micro. Nothing coming out of the kitchen is going to be declared a work of art. Still, this well-prepared fare is plenty satisfying. Lunch and dinner daily. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St.; 206.753.4935; chihulygardenandglass.com/collections-cafe