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Green star Monsoon (Capitol Hill)

615 19th Ave E
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 325-2111
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Hours: Daily 5-10 pm, lunch Mon-Fri noon-3 pm (with small plates 3-5 pm), brunch Sat-Sun 10 am-3 pm (with small plates 3-5 pm)
Categories: Restaurant

Restaurant Details

  • With its tranquil room, excellent service, and elegant Pacific Northwest/Vietnamese cuisine, Monsoon has quietly continued to be delicious since 1999. Dinner is not inexpensive, but Monsoon is always a good value; the less-well-financially-endowed should treat themselves to lunch or brunch, with oxtail/wagyu beef pho that's the best in the city. (As soon as that first glorious, marbled slice of pampered-cow meat contacts your taste buds, the $10 price makes perfect sense—don't think of it as expensive pho, think of it as inexpensive amazing.) Weekend brunch also features great dim sum (some made in-house, and some at the venerable Jade Garden)—Monsoon cooks it to order, getting a really nice level of crispy-browning on the dumplings, and where else will you find dim sum made with local/organic/etc. ingredients? Note: If you’re on the Eastside, there’s Monsoon East, and you might also try Ba Bar on Capitol Hill, a cheaper noodle (and cocktail!) bar from the same owners.
  • Features: Breakfast/Brunch, If Your Parents Are Paying and Outdoor Seating
  • Cuisine: Local/Organic/Sustainable Focus and Vietnamese
  • Price Range: $$-$$$

Bar Details

  • Happy Hour: Mon-Thu 9-10 pm; Mon-Fri 3-5 pm; Fri 9-11 pm ($5-$7 food menu, $4 beer, $5 wine, $6 cocktails).
  • Features: Full Menu and Wine & Beer Only

The Stranger's Reviews of Monsoon

Other Locations

Green star Monsoon East

Eastside 10245 Main St    phone (425) 635-1112
Daily 11:30 am-11 pm (10:30 am Sat/Sun)
  • 1.00000/5 Stars.
 (based on 2 reader reviews)
 
Upcoming Events at Monsoon

Green star Crab Feast at Monsoon

Mon, Sun, 5–10 pm.

206-325-2111
Jesus god, this sounds good: Dinner for two in the form of a whole two-pound Dungeness crab—wok-seared with tamarind sauce, Singaporean yellow curry, scallions and ginger, or Saigon salt-and-pepper style—served with a fresh mango and papaya salad for $30, every Sunday and Monday night at Monsoon. Also: Bottles of wine, 30 percent off. See you there.
Monsoon
206-325-2111
615 19th Ave E
Seattle (Capitol Hill)
Daily 5-10 pm, lunch Mon-Fri noon-3 pm (with small plates 3-5 pm), brunch Sat-Sun 10 am-3 pm (with small plates 3-5 pm)
map

 

Average Rating:
  • 3.36000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (12) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Monsoon
12

Gross. Expensive. Gross. Go to ID.
Posted by VietWahhhhh? on May 9, 2010 at 2:06 PM · Report
11

Eric Banh is an asshole, go to the ID for the real thing!

This place was supposed to be amazing, I knew right off that brunches are busy, but we were sat promptly and chose a seat at the bar where a previous review said was "the best seat."

The dim sum brunch is famous, but when I inquired, I found out that the dim sum isn't even made by monsoon, its outsourced to somewhere in the international district! so much for culinary amazingness! and no doubt you could get the same things for a fraction of the price in the ID!

Now, for the most disappointing part... Eric Banh himself sat next to us at the bar with a friend/colleague. I know what he looks like from reviews of monsoon and baguette box, which I love!
After hassling the server about something, he continued to blatantly, and out loud, tell his friend about what a bunch of baboons the staff were. This was of course a ploy to get the staff to hear, but come on, there are customers right next to you!

I have never worked in the service industry, but I got a taste of what it would be like sitting next to him!
I can't believe the unprofessionalism this guy had. Its like someone gave him a degree and then, he can put his name on things that he doesn't even make! I feel bad for everyone who has to work with him. I would never recommend anyone supporting this restaurant or the people who own it.
Posted by dimsumdisappoint on November 17, 2008 at 10:39 AM · Report
10
Read it and weep: Oxtail Pho With Wagyu Brisket & Flank Steak. Only available at weekend brunch, but THE BEST IN TOWN. Also at brunch they've got really cheap but tasty glasses of rose wine. Well played, Monsoon!
Posted by Pho Phreak on November 3, 2008 at 12:37 PM · Report
9

Great food, but choose well

Hadn't been here for several years, but went last night and had a great meal. The caramelized catfish claypot sounds strange, but it's not to be missed, one of the best dishes to be had in Seattle. The duck spring rolls and the pear salad were also excellent. However, the pork with longevity egg (what IS a longevity egg, anyway?) was decent but way overpriced, and the fish cake special was a disappointment. Nonetheless, still recommended for the highlights alone.
Posted by nonfamous on May 30, 2008 at 12:46 PM · Report
8

Drunkin Chicken makes me dizzy!

Wow - this might be the best dish I've ever had. I imagine it is even better the next day, but I've never managed leftovers. Claypot Catfish and Banana cake also not to be missed. It's always buzzing, service can sometimes be slow. If thats the price I have to pay for the food - that's all right with me.
Posted by Monsoon Diner on December 10, 2007 at 1:54 PM · Report
7

Unbelievably fantastic!

Don't know if these other folks went on a bad night or whether I went on a great night, but I had wonderful food and service on a Monday night recently. Thumbs up for sauteed mushroom appetizer, catfish in clay pot, and banana cake with coconut sauce.
Posted by Jane on November 23, 2007 at 5:47 PM · Report
6

Sad.

Monsoon has been my favorite restaurent in Seattle since I moved here 7 years ago. It has always the stand-by for wowing a visitor with crazy good food. My visit last night, a Friday night, was entirely disappointing. The food was not good - uncooked fish, poorly seasoned and finished dishes. Eric should be ashamed of what has become of his kitchen. Revamp the menu, and put the quality bar up, or close.
Posted by graxxus on October 27, 2007 at 8:19 PM · Report
5

Wonderful food

This is the place to come in Seattle for upscale Vietnamese food, it can't be beat. I would recommend the stuffed squid, drunken chicken, Noodle with Duck Egg just to name a few. I have never not liked anything ordered here. It is expensive and the acoustics in the restaurant are weird, not great for conversation. But I still really recommend it.
Posted by stella12345 on October 2, 2007 at 9:50 AM · Report
4

Bad service, good food

Our party of 4 last Saturday night was promptly greeted and seated (we had reservations). Our waiter, Konstantin, greeted us and informed us of what was not available that night, which I was appreciative of. There is nothing more annoying than spending time choosing a dish on the menu only to be told when you finally order that it is not available. So, everything good so far. But then when our waiter returned he seemed annoyed by us, as if we were keeping him from something he'd rather be doing. He was curt when we asked about a substitution. He seemed annoyed when we ordered rice individually and not planned out before-hand as a "group" rice order. Overall he seemed to have a bad attitude. One of our party described him as "snarky." When I mentioned my experience to a friend, he said that the last time he was at Monsoon he got the same service. The food was good, although pricy, however. But the service will keep me away in the future.
Posted by Robzilla on August 15, 2007 at 3:31 PM · Report
3

Seats at the bar are best in the house

They are a great vantage point from which to observe the cooks in the kitchen. See the wonderful food prepared, observe the skill, smile at the occasionaly tension between staffers when things get busy. Not to miss: stuffed squid. Catfish claypot.
Posted by Brad on August 7, 2007 at 2:44 PM · Report
2

Best appetizer ever

We go in just for drinks and appetizers so we can order several. The stuffed squid is wonderful and the nightly specials are inspired.
Posted by juanita on July 17, 2007 at 2:11 PM · Report
1

Wok Perfection

These guys will blow you away. Don't die before you eat these items: Noodle with Duck Egg and Chantelle; Monsoon Pea Vines; La Lott Beef; Stuffed Monterey Squid. Let them choose the wine. Don't be frightened if they suggest a Reisling. Go into it knowing that you will spend way too much money. Also there is no good reason not to eat that delicous chow with a good buzz on. Order, go out to the street and spark a joint and if there's an earthquake you can die happy.
Posted by Estou com FOme on May 14, 2007 at 7:24 PM · Report

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