Union restaurant deserves more credit than it's been getting lately. We discovered Union when we were living in temporary housing downtown and visited their bar frequently. They make great martini's and the bar is small and quaint. The restaurant we were a bit skeptical about but were pleasantly surprised by the food. They offer a pre-fixe menu for $50 plus another $30 if you want wine pairings. It's a great deal for the 7 courses you get. Their wine selection is top notch and the sommelier is very knowledgeable. For those of you with Herb Farm on your list, I'd pick Union first. It's significantly more economical and delivers even better fare.
The sad part about this restaurant is that lately it's been nearly empty. Construction in and around 1st and Union isn't helping and each time we've been we feel like it could be our last visit. If you haven't been and are looking for a solid gourmet experience, check it out. As soon as the Seattle art Museum and Ritz (I think) are finished with construction, this will be a much better spot. I only hope they can pay the rent until then.
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