Opal

"We had a party of five including two vegetarians and we couldn't have been happier! There were so many delicious veg-forward dishes that even the meat eaters were satisfied. It's a warm and cozy dining room and the service was great without being overly hovering. We weren't rushed at all. They were packed on a rainy Thursday night, clearly getting lots of support from the locals."

"Overall, Opal was ok. It has some tasty but also some not so memorable small plates, attentive and professional service, and warm but cliche modern interior. We tried the following items: crispy BRUSSELS SPROUTS (pomegranates, almonds, parmesan) - one of the better preparations of this highly common dish, distinguished by the flavor of pomegranate. GEM LETTUCE salad (croutons, tête de moine, anchovy vinaigrette) - completely forgettable. clams with saffron SPAGHETTI (garlic, chili flakes, parsley) - nicely presented but ultimately meh in overall flavor LAMB stuffed pita (tzatziki, herb salad, lemon) - lamb was dry and lacking flavor TUNA sashimi (capers, lemon oil, toasted nori) - a delicate preparation, surprisingly good carolina SHRIMP + GRITS (hot sauce vinaigrette, celery salad) - very underwhelming Cocktails were unremarkable. As for the desserts, skip the key lime pie and the tiramisu (both very pedestrian), but the pumpkin soft serve is a must try. If I went back to Opal, it would literally be just for this. Nice addition to this stretch of NW, but nothing superlative to make it stand out."

"As part of a group of twelve, I took part in the experience of their Simple Supper dinner. This Michelin Guide American restaurant lived up to its trendiness but the food varied wildly in terms of spiciness and one nearly had to yell to make oneself heard by the people sitting nearby. Everyone shared in the 3 appetizer snacks: a delicious salmon belly crudo bite, a sourdough focaccia cheese bite and a very peppery pork banh mi bite. These were followed for everyone by a small bowl of a tasty carrot ginger soup, a warm cauliflower salad, saffron spaghetti with clams (which mostly ended up at the bottom of the remarkably bland dish) and halves of lobster tails. Then each person was served with their individual entree. My very tasty mushroom risotto was served with an overly salty Parmesan cracker. The scallops were reported to be delicious but the halibut was said to be overdone. Everyone was quite full but no one wished to repeat the experience."

"a great date place. i would not recommend the fixed menu, and it's too expensive for what you get and the staff checkout on your table. but it did give me the opportunity to taste the amazing aged beef. sirloin, which was to die for. if i go back, i would love to try the watermelon salad, lamb pitta, and clams with saffron spaghetti. also, the interior is cool, but dark lighting makes it for a very intimate setting."