Le Zinc

I’m sad Le Zinc has now closed their doors but I am grateful I was able to have NYE dinner on their last night.
It was truly a 5-​star experience: top notch service, a stellar 4 course French meal (including foie gras torchons & their infamous mussels) and live accordion music. I couldn’t have thought of a memorable way to celebrate NYE before heading to work.
Farewell Le Zinc, I hope the owners have plans to open a new restaurant in the near future.

We’ve eaten here 3 times since they’ve opened 2 years ago, and they have yet to disappoint.
Truly French Bistro style, with prices to match. It isn’t a very large restaurant, but it’s a good thing to make reservations.
We go mainly for the Mussels — which now have an appetizer portion in addition to an entrée size — which is perfect for light eaters.
I’m not really a wine drinker — but I really like how they serve individual glasses, and the bottle prices are fair.
Try this place already!

Le Zinc has some aspects of the plain old classy place. They have candlelights and a huge wine selection. Interestingly, their benches have pillows. It is going to look Yupee whether the owners like it or not.
The staff were friendly. Although they were lucky because I was about only one of four parties, my waiter was very attentive. He attended to my beverage needs and brought the bill quickly upon conclusion.
I ordered the steak tartare and frites. The tartare was interesting as I got a little show when he mixed it before me. The frites were wonderful and the tartare was interesting. It looks almost like the kind of raw ground beef that could kill you, but tartare is cooked in weird ways. The eggy and mustardy feel had a nice aroma and a good mix. It blended with the squishy ways of the meat.
It was very easy to get out. I got the bill and then received my change in a jiffy.
Le Zinc isn’t too distinguishable. Lots of places have the same meals, at that price. Nothing is particularly bad, but it’s not of it’s own category either.
It would work well for a date. If you make minimum wage, it lets you start talking foie gras sooner.
Ultimately, Le Zinc is good for your next gathering.

I went here about 20 times when they first opened. I loved it.
Twice in the past two weeks. I had horrible experiences.
I did reach out to management who did nothing to rectify the situation.
disappointed.

It was probably one of those crazy nights because we went on a Wednesday where they have free mussels. It’s totally worth it, but they seemed really backed up and overly busy. It didn’t help that the pair next to us were extremely vocal about how upset they were about the slow service.
Nevertheless, I really LOVED the mussels. The broth was SO tasty that I slurped the whole pot they came in. We had a TravelZoo deal that we used which was a pretty decent deal for an appetizer, two entrees and a dessert.
We shared the escargot — it was really hot, very oily, but still delicious. It wasn’t sandy or anything like sometimes they can be. My dining partner ordered the chicken and I got the beef cheeks. Both were really big portions and quite heavy. The beef cheeks were tender but felt overly fatty. It felt like I needed a salad to go with it. The chicken was so so as well. A bit on the dry side.
The dessert was good. I’m not a fan of dessert, and can’t remember what it was called, but it was a big portion as well.
Service overall was very slow, but understandable since it was a Wednesday. I may come back for the mussels, but parking in that area is horrendous so that usually deters me. Le Zinc is cute and great for a special occasion, but I’d recommend going on another day where they aren’t as busy.

My friends and I came for SRW, and it was a great decision! This is one of the best SRW locations I have ever tried. I would definitely come back to try out their regular menu.
Nestled in Capitol Hill, the restaurant had a lovely atmosphere and the customer service was great! The waiter was attentive and made excellent suggestions on food and wine. Unfortunately, I don’t recall the waiter’s name but he had dark rimmed glasses and he knew just the right bottle of wine that would go well with all of my friends’ food choices.
Since it was Wednesday, they gave the table a free pot of mussels. The Penn Cove mussels were delicious (nom nom) and amazingly fresh.
For an additonal $ 4, you can get the bread and butter. Let me tell you, the bread was soft but sturdy and the butter was just right. More butter, more better!
I had the French onion soup, braised beef cheek (with brussel sprouts) and the crème brûlée. All of it was so amazingly delicious. The beef cheeks were so tender and it literally melted in my mouth.
Additionally, the crème brûlée was to die for! It was so smooth but light. I wanted to lick the entire bowl of dessert, but I didn’t think it was proper.
The one thing that was a drawback was the smaller portion sizes. However, if you get bread and have the free mussels on Wed, it’s not too bad.
Overall though, Le Zinc is a definite must try if you’re looking for a nice evening out with friends /​family.

I’ve been for HH cocktails and escargot and RW.
The ambiance is minimal but beautiful– wood, dim lighting, exposed metal making industrial look elegant. Our large group was taken into the back where lots of two top tables were pushed together, with a long bench on one side and plenty of chairs. Although we booked for 8 we had probably enough seating for 12.
The cocktails are very solid here. I’ve had several different offerings, most recently the Electric Garden and Death in the Afternoon. Friends disliked the Electric Garden, writing it off as grassy, but I adored the herbal notes. Gin and celery bitters make for some strong flavors, so keep that in mind when ordering. Death in the Afternoon was delicious– just a hint of licorice from the absinthe, and the lemon ice was a perfect accompaniment. Don’t expect much liquor volume here, but a taste profile to wow and good presentation.
I chose the French onion soup for my starter. It was cheesy, very salty and strong with beef flavor. There was the usual slice of bread at the bottom and it was topped with chive? Green onion? Good presentation on the food, as well. Very solid and simple start.
For the main I went with beef cheeks with fried parsnip and Brussels sprouts. It was magic. The parsnips were more mashed than fried, but they were so delicious. Au jus all around, dotted with tiny and well-​roasted Brussels sprouts. They were creamy and such a good compliment to the beef. The meat was cooked to perfection; a perfect balance between tender and cooked through.
For dessert half of us wanted the crème brûlée, only to be informed well after getting our main courses that they were OUT OF CREME BRUELEE. How does that happen? What a huge disappointment. I would have much preferred to be told this way in advance, not after cocktails, bread service, appetizers, and mains. I went with the pot de crème instead, which was good. Sweet, but not overly so, good espresso flavor, topped with real whipped cream and a chocolate stick. It is quite dense and I almost couldn’t finish it.
I took some of my main home, because the portions were very good even though it was Restaurant Week.
My friend’s weird requests and demands were met with mostly calm and good response. Service is always on point here.

I went here for Seattle Restaurant Week lunch (on Sunday!) This has been on my list to try and I’m excited I finally got the chance. Unfortunately most of the restaurants now have a 2 course lunch menu instead of 3. This was place is one of them that has 2. Upon walking in, we didn’t have to wait and the décor is what really stood out to me. They have a small bar area near the front with some tables and then you walk down stairs to the main dining area. There’s a steel bar design that separates the two.
For appetizers: I got the liver mousse pâté with the crostinis. They gave a ton of pâté, didn’t even get to finish it all. My bf got the french onion soup. It was crawling with onions! Good thing because I love onions.
Entrée: Mussels with fries. So. many. mussels! They are delicious! I was really happy with this. One thing I realllly liked was that EVERY mussel actually had the goods inside! I hate it when it’s all just shells. I didn’t find one shell-​less. They also gave me a basket of fries, which I barely made a dent in. My bf got the croque madame and fries. At that point, we were overloaded with fries. The garlic aoili that came with mine went well with the ketchup.
I would definitely come back for their mussels. Apparently they have a deal where it’s free mussels with an order of a drink! I’ll be sure to come back for that and/​or happy hour! Our server was also really nice :)

The tables are made of zinc, hence le name. The atmosphere is modern, yet playful.
Parris, our server, knows his stuff. I struggled for a bit with the mussels and he gave me the tip that, locals will just pick it up and use one mussel as a tong to rip the meat out of another. Fun! He also made sure we knew not to let all of the mussel juices go to waste. Dip the bread and there you go, it’s a new flavor. After asking we found that the bread is from Grand Central Bakery.
This place had some other tidbits to share. The cubes of ice are geometrically cubes. They have a homemade butter. The owner talked with us about our curiosity in their cute lil mussel steaming pot and let us know that we would have get them imported. Bummer, but still adds to the uniqueness of the place.
Many morals from my first trip: 1) No Sauce left Behind! 2) Everyone knows Grand Central Bakery has the best baguette. 3) Don’t be afraid to ask about techniques for eating foods new to you. 4) You get what you pay for.

3.5 stars. Restaurant is clean, tidy, and well organized. Their bathroom even has French Elle magazines for women to read. Clever.
Came here for dinner at 5:30, and we had made reservations for 6:25 we were seated without any wait. Server was attentive and prompt throughout our meal. We ordered the foie gras, salad and roasted chicken, and beef cheeks. The foie gras went well with the apple bits but I’m glad I ordered the salad with it because they both added flavor for each other. The foie grass alone wouldn’t have been justifiable, so please order extra bread. (Ps: The salad pleasantly came with thin crispy French fries.)
The braised beef cheeks were tender and had extra sauce for the long green beans and puréed potatoes. Potatoes were very creamy and the sauce was extra thick, and it was just a tad bit too salty for me, but the bacon in the dish was enjoyable, it complimented the fried parsnips perfectly.
We devoured our dessert together, chocolate praline and thin wafer crust just melts in your mouth. Served with fresh juicy berries and raspberry coulis. I would go back just for that!!!

Came here for happy hour because I was lured by the free mussels with any purchase (just Wednesdays) and I’ve never been here before.
The décor is beautiful: well lit, modern with «zinc» inspired furnishings (metal everywhere). There were very comfy looking chairs in the lounge/​bar area and quite a bit of space for restaurant seating. I sat at the bar like I usually do, and although the bar stools fit with the theme, they were quite uncomfortable on my bum.
I ordered the Jasmine cocktail that was on HH; a gin based drink with campari as well as some other things… I wasn’t completely blown away but it was the most appealing looking cocktail on their $ 7 HH menu.
The mussels were fantastic!!! Especially the broth it came in and the portion they gave.
I also ordered the Foie Gras… it was paired with a small bit of tasty green sauce, soft apple bits and sat on top of a pretty piece of bread. I don’t eat gluten for health reasons but the pairing was simply wonderful. A little disappointed about the small portion for $ 11.
I probably will only come back for HH, the dinner menu didn’t have quite the variety I expected.

I don’t understand why this place is always so empty when I go there, because I’ve always had a wonderful time. Most recently, I was in for brunch and tried the croque madame, the baguette, and the heirloom tomato salad.
The croque was perfect — great mornay sauce, perfectly cooked egg, really good bread-​to-​filling ratio. The heirloom tomato salad gave me a LOT of tomato, some crispy crostinis, and some peppery pea greens. The baguette came with tasty house made butter and was one of the best baguettes I’ve had in a long time!
Last time I was in I also tried the tartiflette, a potato/​cream/​bacon concoction that sounds a little more interesting than it is in reality. It’s worth skipping, but don’t worry! There are so many more wonderful things to choose from.
I’ve also been here for restaurant week, where I got three courses and a significant amount of food for $ 28. Yum!
Seattle, step it up! Le Zinc is great but seriously under-​visited.

When I’m craving some good mussels, I’m craving this place. And I love, love, love a good bowl of mussels!
I actually have only been here from Happy Hour. I was very surprised at how few people were there for a week day happy hour. The happy hour is a deal! I had a Death in the Afternoon and my friend sipped on a Faux Pas. The absinthe ice cube was really neat. Both drinks were spot on, unique, and delicious.
Service was great — not obtrusive, but not neglectful. A perfect balance. I like this place quite a bit.

I was visiting from Los Angeles when I found this restaurant. My buddy and I were discussing on the plane ride what we should eat when we landed… and steak & fries came out on top. Did a Unilocal search for it and found Le Zinc.
When we sat down to look at the menus, their moules frites sounded even better than the steak so I went with that. You can’t do much better than fresh mussels harvested from the local bay. The meal also included some delicious freshly baked bread which I obviously used to soak up the broth after ravaging the mussels. It was a very memorable meal.

This place has been on my list since i saw their menu during restaurant week and we finally made it here for brunch a few weeks ago.
Highlights: escargots, croissants (seriously, you need them in your life), delicious coffee in a gigantic mug, & french toast
All in all it was a pretty good brunch experience. We’ll definitely be back to check out their dinner menu!

after trying a few french restaurants around Seattle, I have to say I wasn’t too impressed with Le Zinc. I love the name and the décor but the food didn’t wow me very much. I tried the cheese plate, oysters, escargot (my fav dish here), mussels with pork bell (wish it was a bit hotter when served) and the bread (too dry/​hard for my liking) and the crème brûlée. Everything was good but I can’t emphasis any particular dish. maybe the portions of the cheese plate threw me off since it was a big white plate with no fruit/​meats with it. fruit would’ve been nice as an addition and some jam to change it up a bit. I did like the flavor of the escargot and wish the other dishes were similar in temperature and taste.

3 stars food with 4 stars service!
I’ve loved this little gem ever since it first opened. It is cute, cozy and dimly lit. It is big enough but also can feel quite small at the same time. And it’s french! Yumm yumm.
Drinks– Our awesome server Paris recommded that I try the Hemmingway’s daiquiri. And he was right on the money. I really like it! I’ve been back a few times for that cocktail and marrow.
Food–
Bone marrow– pretty delish! I loved it. It was perfectly portioned to be a dinner entrée. At least for me anyway.
Escargots — Meh. They were a ok. Way too creamy, fatty and overpowered my beloved snails. I came here right after my trip to France~the land of many magical escargots and I was hoping to capture the taste again. But Le zinc version was a ok. I also didn’t like the frites-​aka the fries they put on top of my escargot. I prefer them cooked in herbs/​butter and serve hot. This was luke warm and not that great.
Steak –It was pretty good. The sauce stole the show for this particular dish.
Foie Gras– creamy!
Service– Phenom! I love our server (s). Every visit, the food and drinks were made better by the service. Le Zinc got that service factor down. Food, well food is some great and some ok one. On my night outs on the hill, I can now add French food as part of the cuisine option to go to when I want a low key dinner. I have always enjoyed my experience here and I will be back for it again! Shout out to super sweet server, Parisssss!

I come here for happy hour frequently enough now that I feel like it merits a bump up to 5 stars.
I love the mussels here! I honestly think the portions have gotten a little smaller but at $ 7 – 8, its still a great value. The presentation in the tins is cute, they are really well steamed (haven’t had the sand issue again) and their flavor combinations are very creative. My favorite is the one with tomatoes and masutake mushrooms.
The escargots are also very good though a little heavy on the cream. The bread and butter here are excellent. I prefer those over the fries when I’m eating the mussels.
Their $ 4 wine and $ 6 cocktails on the happy hour menu are awesome. The bartender was even kind enough to custom make me a drink at happy hour prices once! Their wine is always solid and the Death in the Afternoon drink is my favorite! Spring the extra $ 2 and do at least one cocktail while you’re here. You really can’t go wrong with any of them.
I’ve also tried the black cod on the dinner menu which was nice and flaky. I agree with ed that the mashed potatoes made it a little mushy but it was still excellent.
They change their menu here seasonally but something I like here is that unlike a lot of French restaurants, they always have great seafood and veggie options.
The service here is also pretty good. For example, once we had a long happy hour. The waiter checked on us several times and then I mentioned to I just wanted to chill and he gave us space, while still keeping an eye on us. Sometimes they get really busy at happy hour though. (Side note: it’s funny their service is so good here since I had such an awful experience at their sister restaurant Maximillien. ha!)
Again, I love the ambiance. I like the wine wall and bar. The tables in the bar area are so perfectly rustic!
The happy hour is everyday from 5 – 7 and then 10-​close. I love that its available weekends too. Le Zinc is now one of my favorite happy hours– woo hoo!

Fun little cocktail bar across the street from Anchovies and Olives and Bar Cotta. Up front is the bar and a bunch of small tables, and then heading down below there’s more tables that are larger in size (4 and 6). We got seated at the bar right away even without a reservation, and enjoyed some of the speciality cocktails. We shared the frites which were good, and definitely enjoyed perusing the menu although we didn’t eat anything else having reservations elsewhere.
I like the décor and vibe (kind of french meets 50s meets Jetsons) and definitely plan to go back for dinner.

J’aime bien ce restaurant! La dernière fois que nous avons le visité j’ai essayé le «branzino» (poisson entier) – Super! Doux et succulent. La fois précédent j’ai pris des moules et ils étaient bons aussi. Le service était bon et genial. Nous y reviendrons!

Wow I loved the food here! It reminded me a bit of the late Cremant. A group of friends came to celebrate a birthday and we caught the last part of happy hour and also had dinner. The standouts were the mussels and steak. The waitress was nice, but something was a bit off as there were some awkward interactions. However, the manager/​owner was super friendly and appreciative of our business so that kind of made up for it.
The mussels are a great deal for happy hour at about $ 8 (we tried all 4 types). They were a great size and the portion was definitely more than I expected; think entrée sized. They also have some drink specials and a few other appetizers. The ribeye was so beefy and tender; with a great reduction to boot. I had a chance to try some chicken and it was flavorful and moist, which was a big surprise given my less than stellar experience with chicken at other establishments. Even the rabbit was tasty! A few things that I’d recommend improving though:
–all 3 or 4 orders of our frites seemed to be small bits rather than whole frites
–sear the foie in your small plates please!
–add some texture to the halibut entrée and maybe a bit of acid
The space is interesting and they have a number of small tables as well as a few large tables for groups. I’ve already recommended this place to a few people already and will definitely be back again for more. Keep it up!