Waitlists, walk-ins, and bar seating: A procrastinator’s guide to Valentine’s Day dining in Seattle

Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, which makes it more challenging for procrastinators to get last-minute reservations at their favorite restaurant.

Seattle Times food writer Tan Vinh has recommendations for how to salvage a romantic evening even if you are a few days late making plans.

Be prepared for a set menu

Before you choose your top romantic dining choice, check to see whether they’re having a set menu for Valentine’s Day. Vinh said many restaurants limit their choices on Valentine’s Day because it’s so busy and it’s easier on the kitchen if they don’t have too many options.

“They want to churn and burn,” he said. “They usually don’t have a big staff on Valentine’s Day. And how you get around that is you have a set menu.”

That means you and your special other might be limited to a few salad options, a couple entrees, and a vegan-friendly dessert.

“Don’t pick places just because you’ve eaten well there in the past,” Vinh said.

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Be aware of the two-hour limit

Vinh said Americans, unlike Europeans, generally eat quick and go, but not on Valentine’s Day.

“People linger,” he said.

Most Seattle restaurants have a two-hour dining limit. On a busy night like Valentine’s with reservations in high demand, expect those business-like rules to be enforced, even if you’re still serving spoonfuls of cheesecake into each other’s mouths between sips of decaf.

Avoid obvious choices

Maybe this is something your significant other likes about you — you think outside the box.

Valentine’s Day dinner is a good time to live up to this reputation, as most of the obvious choices in romantic restaurants are going to be packed.

Vinh’s suggestion: iconiq, a French-Japanese fusion restaurant in Seattle’s Mt. Baker neighborhood just off I-90 west of Lake Washington.

“Not a lot of people know about it, but it’s very well respected,” he said. “Lots of chefs love this restaurant.”

Put your name on the waiting list

If a restaurant like iconiq is booked, put your name on the waiting list.

Vinh said a lot of people who plan ahead book dinner at multiple restaurants and then cancel the reservations they’re not using at the last minute.

“This drives restaurants crazy,” he said. “When you pick a restaurant and they say it’s fully booked, don’t be discouraged. Get on the waiting list.”

Get out of the city

Take your thinking-outside-the-box reputation to the next level by taking your date outside the city limits.

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Vinh recommends White Center and the Japanese-American restaurant TOMO. If they say they’re booked, try the heated back patio.

“For those who have not been to TOMO, they do some of the best steaks in King County,” Vinh said.

Another option on Vinh’s list is where he says chefs and young cooks have moved to — Burien.

Vinh recommends getting pizza at Stevie’s Famous Burien and taking your pie next door to the wine bar, Humble Vine.

Once there, he recommends avoiding the word “champagne,” and going for “sparkling wine” instead.

“Champagne will cost you a fortune,” he said. “If you’re on a budget, go to a place like Humble Vine, avoid words like ‘champagne’ and get anything other than champagne, like a cava, prosecco — anything other than champagne.”

Avoid tourist areas

If you can’t get out of the city, at least get out of the most popular areas — for example, neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill or Belltown — that are more likely to be packed on Valentine’s Day at dinner time.

Vinh suggests Beacon Hill, and specifically Beacon Avenue South.

“They have easily one of the best, if not the best, restaurant rows,” he said.

That includes Vinh’s favorite restaurant, Bar del Corso, an Italian spot that features wood-fired pizzas, and, just down the street, familyfriend, which serves comfort food and cocktails.

“They don’t take reservations. It’s walk-in only,” he said. “They will take your name down and if they don’t have a seat, they will call you when a table is ready.”

While you’re waiting, Vinh suggests venturing down Beacon Avenue, where there are three wine bars and a dive bar.

“I guarantee you by the time you’re done with this block, your table will be ready at familyfriend,” he said.

The anti-Valentine’s alternative

For those who don’t want to celebrate Valentine’s Day or be around others who are celebrating on Saturday, Feb. 14, Vinh recommends Canon on Capitol Hill.

Vinh said Canon is a singles cocktail bar that has a not-publicized tradition of discouraging public displays of affection by squirting lovey couples with a squirt gun. They also reportedly encourage other customers to join in the attack.

Sit at the bar

Let’s face it, Valentine’s Day is a week out and you’re unlikely to get a booth at this point.

Vinh said a good alternative is to consider sitting at the bar.

For example, Musang is one of the hottest restaurants in Seattle right now. But if you and your date are willing to sit at the bar, you’re more likely to enjoy some of this delicious Filipino fare on the romantic night of the year.

“I did confirm with the James Beard-nominated chef that it will be open seating on Valentine’s Day,” he said. “So grab one of those seats if you can.”

Wild card choice

Another option that is in a popular spot, but hard to find, is Lonely Siren in Pike Place Market. It is a Portuguese spot with a nice view that serves tapas, small plates, and cocktails.

It’s another spot that might be booked, but that also has a lounge and bar area with open seating.

“Lonely Siren is a really good restaurant that no one knows about about and the reason why that is it’s on the back side of Pike Place Market and it’s so hard to find,” Vinh said. “I would recommend people GPS it, because you’ll just get lost in the maze that is Pike Place Market.”