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Wedding Inspiration from Ray’s Spring Open House

Ray’s Catering takes great care of its wedding couples, providing excellent service and the resources they need to plan their perfect, unique wedding!

To ease the process, we throw an open house and create a one-stop opportunity for them to plan. This year our Spring Wedding Open House took place on Sunday, March 10 and featured Ray’s Catering’s spring and summer menus, cocktails, gorgeous decor inspiration, and our preferred vendors for floral, DJ, photography, hair and makeup and more!

This fun event is just one of the many perks that our wedding clients receive and it’s the perfect way to get all of their details finalized, from flowers to photography, to officiants and more!

Check out the gorgeous photos from our event below and contact our catering team by calling 206.789.6309 or emailing rayscatering@rays.com to book your wedding at Ray’s today!

Our featured vendors at the 2019 Spring Open House included:

Photos by Emma Lee Photography

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Fresh WA Halibut Starts Today at Ray’s!

Our Salish Sea Certified fresh halibut was just caught below Lopez Island by the Lummi Nation and delivered to Ray’s! This incredible fish feasts on spot prawns and Dungeness crab throughout its life (10-15 years) resulting in a beautiful, flavorful fish.

This halibut is from a fishery that did not exist until the 1990s, due to destructive trawl fishing methods that caught juveniles before they could spawn. Now that halibut is allowed to mature and grow in the Salish Sea, there is enough of a biomass for a tribal commercial fishery, and a non-tribal sport fishery for about three weeks every March.

This is a precious local resource only available during this short window! Join us starting today in the Cafe for fresh halibut specials and check back here for excellent Boathouse halibut specials later this week.

Ray’s Cafe Washington Halibut Specials:

Halibut Ceviche Appetizer
Citrus marinade, serrano chilies, cilantro, red onion, avocado, chili oil, wonton chips. 16

Halibut Entrée 
Pan seared, mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, citrus-herb compound butter. 40

Ray’s Proudly Supports Sustainable Seafood Celebration

Sustainable Seafood Celebration is a nonprofit group launched in 2018. Its mission is to raise awareness of the fruits of the Salish Sea – encouraging efforts to keep our local waters healthy despite rapid population growth; rebuilding healthy populations of wild salmon from the Salish Sea; supporting the survival of the Orcas; and highlighting the successful results of good policy and responsible management.

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Taste Washington Wine Month at Ray’s March 1-31!

To celebrate Taste Washington Wine Month this March, our Wine Director Chip Croteau has created a special Washington wine list that will be available March 1-31 in our first-floor Boathouse.

Chip and his team have hand-selected a variety of exceptional Washington wines from some of the most talented winemakers in our great state. Enjoy these wines by the glass or bottle all month long! Reserve online at rays.com.

Washington wines available by the glass or bottle include:

Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc Yakima Valley, WA 2017 16 gls / 62 btl

Sourced from top vineyard sites Boushey and Red Willow, discover aromas of white grapefruit, nectarine, lemon pith, straw, mineral, and herb. Sleek and puckering flavors with a steely spine of acidity that keeps the interest high.

àMaurice ‘Sparrow’ Estate Viognier Walla Walla, WA 2016 19 gls / 75 btl

Exclusively from their estate vineyard site, this stunning wine features aromatic notes of freshly cut flowers, peach, creamsicle, pear, and tangerine. It’s textured in feel with abundant stone fruit and vanilla flavors that lead to a tart, apricot filled finish that lingers.

Two Vintners Grenache Columbia Valley, WA 2016 15 gls / 55 btl

From Olsen and Boushey vineyards this lightly colored Grenache offers nuanced plum, fresh herb, orange peel, smoked meat, and white pepper.  Juicy, rich, and floral.

Two Vintners Syrah ”Some Days Are Stones’ 2015, Walla Walla, WA 18 gls / 68 btl

From Walla Walla’s famous Rocks District, intense aromatics of blueberry and plum are followed by smoked meat, dried violet, olive, gravel, and dried herbs.  It shows a whole lot of hang time on the potpourri filled finish!

Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, WA 2012 25 gls / 95 btl

A rare library release from the team at Abeja, the brilliant 2012 vintage features blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and pretty notes of vanilla bean. Hints of cinnamon stick, dark earth, and pine sap add depth and complexity to the silky texture and refined tannins.

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Easter Brunch at Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe April 21!

Spring is in the air at Ray’s! Gather your friends and family for a beautiful, waterfront Easter brunch or dinner on Sunday April 21, 2019 in the Boathouse and Café.

Reservations are highly recommended and available for groups up to 8 guests (including children and highchairs). Reserve in the Café or the Boathouse today!

Café
Buffet
Enjoy our Grand Holiday Brunch Buffet from 9am-2pm (last seating) featuring a Carving Station with House Smoked Wild Salmon, Raw Bar with oysters on the half shell, breakfast dishes, appetizers, salads, sides, desserts and much more! $65 per guest for brunch, juice and sodas, and $32.50 for children 5-11 (prices exclude tax and gratuity).

Dinner
We will open for dinner at 4pm serving our regular menu until 7pm.

Bar
The Cafe Bar will have the same menu offerings and hours as above for brunch and dinner but is on a first come basis with no reservations taken.

Boathouse
Brunch
We are serving some of our best-selling appetizers, salads and Boathouse entrées along with a $35 holiday-inspired, 3-course brunch menu (beverages, tax and gratuity not included), from 10:30am-3pm.

Dinner
Spring-inspired 3-course menu with choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert for $65, alongside the Boathouse’s full dinner menu from 3-7pm.

Bar
The Boathouse Bar will have the same menu offerings and hours as above for brunch and dinner but is on a first come basis with no reservations taken.

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Easter Egg Coloring Party at Ray’s Cafe April 20!

Join us on the Café Deck for our annual Easter Egg Coloring Party on Saturday, April 20 at 11:30am benefitting Mary’s Place!

A $15 donation per table (up to five people) will get you eggs and a dye kit to create beautiful Easter eggs! 100% of your donation will go to Mary’s Place to help shelter local families in need.

The Café’s full menu will be available for purchase and the event will be held rain or shine on our heated and covered deck. To reserve call the Café at 206.789.3770!

About Mary’s Place
Mary’s Place empowers and supports struggling families by providing shelter, nourishment, resources, healing and hope in a safe community. For more information on Mary’s Place and to get involved visit marysplaceseattle.org.

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Oysters & Bubbles at Ray’s Feb. 1-28!

Enjoy perfect pairings of ice-cold oysters on the half shell with crisp sparkling wines from around the world at Ray’s Boathouse and Café from Friday, February 1-Thursday, February 28! Our local oysters are the most delicious in colder months when the water produces a really clean and bright tasting oyster.

Choose from a rotating variety of local oysters served individually, by the duo, or as a half dozen with a special menu of sparkling wines available by the glass, half bottle, and bottle.

Oyster varieties will be served on the half shell with red wine mignonette and pricing is $3.75 for one, $7 for two, and $20 for six.

Sparkling wines include the following with pricing by 3oz, 6oz, and bottle:

Bollinger ‘Special Cuvée’ Brut $16 / $32 / $125
Mestress ‘1312’ Brut Reserva Cava $6 / $12 / $46
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs $10 / $19 / $75
Treveri Blanc de Blancs Brut Zero $5.5 / $11 / $42

While oyster varieties will change daily, Ray’s Boathouse Wine Director Chip Croteau’s favorite pairing is the full flavored and hearty beach grown Miyagi oyster with the rich yet elegant barrel fermented style of Bollinger Champagne.

Our Oysters & Bubbles menus are available daily from February 1-28 in both our main level Boathouse and our upstairs Cafe. Oysters will rotate daily and menus may change without notice. Reserve in the Boathouse or the Cafe today. Cheers!

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Take a Peek at Ray’s Award-Winning Catering Team

Ray’s Catering hosts Seattle’s best private events, from weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties and life celebrations to fundraisers, networking events, luncheons and business meetings. In 2018 we also took home the award for Best Rehearsal Dinner in Seattle Bride!

The Ray’s Catering team works hard behind the scenes to make these events come to life, from planning all of the details to cooking delicious menus! In particular our Catering Sous Chef Gustavo Guerra is a vital part of the team. He creates Ray’s seasonal catering menus and prepares the dishes with help from his talented team. His knowledge of cooking and food and his eye for what pleases a crowd makes him excellent at his job!

If you are planning an event contact our Director of Catering Amanda Viereck and host it with Ray’s either here in Ballard or at a venue of your choice!

We offer private events at our Northwest Room located next to Ray’s Boathouse, with a private deck overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, indoor/outdoor spaces, custom menus and much more! Contact us to select your date then plan your menu, beverages and more while our team coordinates the details.

Call 206.789.6309 or email rayscatering@rays.com today! Learn more about our Catering team here.

Take a look at our Northwest Room and Chef Gustavo’s newest menu items:

 

 

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Nic’s Adventures in Nepal!

Our adventurous Boathouse Manager Nic Reinig is an avid alpine climber and enjoys being in the mountains as much as possible when he isn’t here at Ray’s.

Nic has had the opportunity to climb and travel in Nepal in the past, but in 2018 his adventures took him on the climbing trip of a lifetime.

Nic and his partner, Elizabeth were invited to climb an uncharted peak in Northwest Nepal. It’s notoriously difficult to obtain a permit for unclimbed peaks, but his friend and climbing partner owns a Himalayan Guide Service, which allowed them to travel to the remote area.

This climb was truly the climb of a lifetime because the area in Northwest Nepal had previously prohibited ecotourism and very few westerners have been able to explore the area. Nic and Elizabeth were some of the first Americans to set foot on the isolated mountains; a climber’s paradise.

The 45-day expedition started in Kathmandu where they flew to Simikot, a village with the closest airstrip to the entrance of the valley that led to the mountains. From Simikot it took nearly two-weeks to hike through the Limi Valley, a distance of around 100-miles.

Accompanying their team of climbers were seven Sherpa guides as well as 11 mules to help carry food and supplies. Upon reaching the peak, Nic and the team established a base camp and scouted a route. After acclimating to the elevation, they pushed to higher ground and made camp where they would then attempt their summit.

Unfortunately, the group had to turn around at 17,400-feet due to waist-deep snow and dangerous avalanche conditions. The group of climbers certainly gave it their best efforts and were proud to accomplish what they already completed, not to mention enjoying the gorgeous sites of the Himalayas.

Any first ascent of an unexplored Himalayan peak has a very low chance of success and although the summit was the goal, the trip itself was an experience they will never forget!

With modern day Himalayan climbing, there are few places left in the world that are still unexplored. Nic and his group had the very lucky experience of such a grand adventure in 2018 and they look forward to what’s to come in 2019!

We’re so proud of you, Nic for reaching and pursuing your goals! Here’s to more adventures for everyone in the new year!

 

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Celebrate at Ray’s this Valentine’s Day

Treat your special someone to waterfront views at Ray’s this Valentine’s Day!

Shilshole Bay and the Olympic Mountains make the perfect backdrop for a romantic night out in Seattle; and our menus of fresh, sustainable PNW seafood and local  ingredients will delight until the very end.

Ray’s Boathouse
Couples are invited to take in spectacular views in our first floor Boathouse restaurant as you indulge in a delicious three-course seafood menu created by our Executive Chef Paul Duncan.

The three-course menu is $65 per person excluding tax and gratuity, and will be available Thursday, February 14 to Saturday, February 16. Our regular Boathouse menu will also be available on these dates. Guests are encouraged to reserve in the Boathouse from 5-9 p.m. or you may dine in the bar on a first come basis. To reserve visit rays.com/boathouse.

Boathouse Valentine’s 3-Course Menu

Starters

Choice of one
Oyster Tempura
chorizo vinaigrette, sea bean salad

Poke Tacos
ginger-soy marinade, wonton wrapper, avocado mousseline

Salad of Baby Romaine GF
hard egg vinaigrette, radish, pickled jalapeno, spice dusted

Entrées

Choice of one
Alaskan Halibut
pan seared, poached prawns, crispy potatoes, lemon-butter, capers, creamed spinach

Seared Ahi Steak GF
cumin-spice rubbed, shiitake, snap pea, soy-butter potatoes

Filet & Half Maine Lobster Tail
applewood grilled filet, butter poached lobster, garlic whipped potatoes, charred broccolini, smoked onion ring, perigeuex

Desserts

Choice of one
Mousse Napoléon
caramel mousse, vanilla mousse, spiced sponge cake

Chocolate Indulgence
chambord sabayon, fresh raspberries

Ray’s Café
Located upstairs from the Boathouse, our casual waterfront restaurant and bar is offering a special a la carte menu this Valentine’s Day weekend alongside our regular Cafe menu. Enjoy gorgeous views on the Seattle waterfront as you feast on fresh, local seafood.

The a la carte menu will be available Valentine’s Day weekend Thursday, February 14 to Saturday, February 16. Guests can reserve in the Café from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. or dine in the bar on a first come basis. For more information and to reserve visit rays.com/café.

Café Valentine’s A la Carte Menu

Starter
Dungeness Crab Toast $15

Entrée
Filet of Beef & Petite Lobster Tail $58
Grilled Double R Ranch filet, butter poached lobster tail, fried potatoes, garlic greens

Grilled Mahi Mahi $36
Glazed baby carrots, Jasmine rice, pineapple beurre blanc

Dessert
Mousse Napoléon $9
Carmel mousse, vanilla mousse, spiced sponge cake

Chocolate Indulgence $9
Chambord sabayon, fresh raspberries