Joli - Seattle

Last night, my husband and I decided to drop by and were offered a small table in the bar, under the condition that we could finish in an hour and ten minutes. They then left us waiting for five minutes while they set the table, followed by an additional ten minutes before taking our order. We chose the sweet corn, broccolini, pork ribs, and fries. Neither of us is especially picky; I grew up eating things like sheep’s head and blood pudding! Yet it felt like they were trying too hard with the flavors. The broccolini had an overpowering smoky taste, and the corn was simply… off. To add to the disappointment, we were never asked if we wanted another round of drinks, as it seemed they wanted us out of there, despite plenty of empty tables at 8:30 PM. As much as my husband and I have supported this restaurant and were excited to have a dining option in our neighborhood, I don’t think we’ll be returning.

Joli takes great pride in its extensive selection of gin, claiming to have the largest collection in the nation. However, it's not just about the spirits; their commitment to seasonality and New American cuisine truly distinguishes them. We began our meal with fresh oysters, elegantly paired with watermelon pearls and a tangy ginionette. The Sea Wolf Sourdough was a treat, served alongside whipped butter and smoked sea salt that elevated it to a whole new level. The Cauliflower Chilaquiles were a delightful surprise, featuring a perfect mix of salsa verde, cotija cheese, spiced pepitas, furikake, and cilantro. Another highlight was the Charred Broccolini, served with creamy leeks, lardon, parmesan, chili crunch, and breadcrumbs. The flavors were bold and harmonious, making each bite better than the last. The Hanger Steak was cooked to perfection, served with blistered shishito peppers, tonnatto, allium butter, and sea salt—a symphony of flavors that had me yearning for more. To round off the savory part of the meal, the Parisienne Gnocchi with chicory, pistachios, seasonal vegetables, and herb cream sauce was simply exquisite. What truly enhanced our experience was the warm hospitality we received. We had the pleasure of meeting the chef, who was wonderfully welcoming. Our server and bartender, Leon, was incredibly knowledgeable about the oysters and gin, crafting the best gin cocktail I've ever tasted—an impressive showcase of his expertise and passion. Joli is more than just a restaurant; it exemplifies the transformative power of good food and the magic that comes from using the right ingredients with genuine enthusiasm. If you find yourself in Seattle and are seeking a memorable dining experience, make sure Joli is at the top of your list.

The food was fantastic, as always! The broccolini was possibly the best I've ever had! My only suggestion for management is to please consider bringing back the fried chicken sandwich to the dinner menu. I came in tonight specifically to enjoy that dish and was really disappointed to find out it was only available during brunch or happy hour.

This restaurant had a movie playing in a provecto the entire time. The food was okay but nothing special. The highlight was the gin. I would recommend cocktails over their

This chic, Asian/Mexican fusion restaurant is severely underrated and deserves every bit of attention and recognition! New management has completely turned this place around into a 5 star facility, and it is not common that a place can give me 5 star service.My expectations were exceeded.Every dish I tried was an adventure and phenomenal, I kid you not. Ingredients I never thought would go together actually worked. My biggest favorites were: 1, corn bisque, which I will surely dream about. Served cold and unlike anything I've ever tasted. The blend of sweet creamy corn bisque, chili oil, a little radish and green onion...it's the ultimate comfort food dish that pulls you in within the first bite and leaves you wanting to order 5 more after.And 2: the charred broccolini. Wow...do not pass this one up. Even the pickiest of eaters who don't like veggies will fall in love with this dish. The crunchy chili flakes are excellent enough to be paired with just about anything, and really compliments the char on the broccolini without it being overwhelming. A light spiciness with great flavor and adds to the delicious creamed green garlic sauce.With a new curated menu about every month, you're able to try different things and find new favorites. No two dishes taste alike, they each have their own unique flavors. The servers are knowledgeable with the menu items, very personable and make you feel right at home. They also have an extended amount of 200+ gin's; if that isn't your thing, their other drinks are just as great, including lavender or sage lemonade.Do NOT sleep on this place! Every dish is a work of art and you can taste the love that was put into it. Thank me later, you'll be glad you went. ;