Posted on

Shellfest Returns This November!

We’re celebrating fresh, PNW shellfish this November with our annual Shellfest! Available in the Boathouse & Cafe daily now through November 30 – try them all!

Shellfest Menu

Oyster Shooter
house-infused spicy vodka, Dimitri’s bloody  mix, old bay rim, oyster $8
Steamed Manila Clams
chorizo, sherry, oregano, butter (by the half or full pound) GF $11/$22 

Steamed Penn Cove Mussels
shallot, garlic, white wine, butter, herbs (by the half or full pound) GF $11/$22

Peel & Eat Alaskan Spot Prawns
old bay dusted, bopo, lemon GF $28

Fried Coconut Shrimp 
thai chili dipping sauce DF $14

Baked Oysters
lime-seaweed butter, pickled sea beans GF $5/each

Oysters on the Half Shell
with shallot mignonette GF/DF $4/each

Black Pepper Tanner Crab
jasmine rice, steamed bok choy, scallion $36

Posted on

March Seafood Spotlight: Penn Cove Mussels

Enjoy two Penn Cove Mussels specials at Ray’s Boathouse and Cafe this March in celebration of our 50th year!

Mussels have long been a Ray’s guest favorite — these plump, buttery morsels with a rich mushroomy flavor work beautifully in a myriad of dishes and flavors from our beloved Thai coconut curry mussels to pastas, dips and more!

This March we’re reviving a classic mussels dish from our founding chef/partner Russ Wohlers – Mussels Dijionnaise. As well as offering a new dish from Executive Chef Kevin Murray – Chilled Smoked Mussel Dip. Enjoy them both today through March 31 in our Boathouse or Cafe!

50th Anniversary March Mussels Specials

Chilled Smoked Mussel Dip
house smoked Penn Cove mussels, dill, pickled red onion, crostini $17

Mussels Dijonnaise
steamed Penn Cove mussels, shallot, white wine, cream, Dijon mustard, herbs $20

Posted on

Shellfest Returns January 5 to Ray’s Cafe!

We’re thrilled to kick off 2022 with the return of our beloved Shellfest in the Cafe!

Join us starting Wednesday, January 5 to enjoy new selections of delicious shellfish dishes created by our Executive Chef Kevin Murray and team.

Menu items include the following with new dishes popping up at the chef’s whim:

Alaskan Spot Prawn Appetizer shell on salt roasted prawns, lemon, thyme, butter sauce, fresh herbs (gf)
Manila Clams chorizo, sherry, oregano, butter (gf)
Penn Cove Mussels white wine, shallot, garlic, dill, butter (gf)
Baked Oyster Rockefeller butter, parsley, breadcrumbs, herbs
Coconut Fried Shrimp Thai-style chili dipping sauce

Items subject to change throughout the month without notice.

This limited menu ends January 31 so make sure to enjoy it while it lasts!

Ray’s Cafe is open Wednesday-Sunday from 11:30am to 8pm and is walk ins only. We’ll see you soon!

Posted on

Cafe Happy Hour Starts Today!

Seattle’s best seafood restaurant offers Happy Hour in our upstairs Cafe Monday through Thursday from 4-6pm!! Enjoy fresh seafood, cocktails, wine and beer all at special Happy Hour pricing while you take in gorgeous waterfront and mountain views!

Ballard’s best happy hour is a must-try for you and your crew, and we look forward to seeing you today!

Ray’s Cafe Happy Hour Menu
Monday – Thursday 4pm – 6pm
(no substitutions)

Beer & Wine
Bad Jimmy’s Brewing Bad Light  4
Rotating Red or White Wine  7

Wells
Mixed Drinks 7
Martini 10
Manhattan 10
Negroni 10

Cocktails
Moscow Mule Absolut vodka, ginger beer, lime  8
Margarita El Jimador Blanco tequila, lime, sour, triple sec, salt rim  8
Irish Mule Jameson Irish whiskey, lemon juice, ginger beer  8

Fancy Booze
Buffalo Trace Manhattan  12
Grey Goose Martini  12
Bombay Sapphire Martini  12

Food
Clam Chowder  4
Classic Caesar  5
Chilled Calamari + Basil Bruschetta citrus marinade, sesame, jalapeño 6
Butter Lettuce + Bay Shrimp horseradish vinaigrette, roasted tomato  8
Ahi Poke “Nacho” * marinated yellowfin tuna, jalapeño, sambal aioli 8
Manila Clams sherry wine, Calabrian pepper, butter, oregano 8
Penn Cove Mussels Thai-red curry sauce, scallion 8

Posted on

Enjoy Shellfest at Ray’s January 7-24!

Our annual shellfish celebration returns Tuesday, January 7 for lunch and dinner with a special menu available for only three weeks in the Boathouse while our Café undergoes renovations. Executive Chef Paul Duncan has created a mouthwatering menu with Dungeness Crab, Shrimp, Scallops and more!

Reserve today for lunch or dinner and don’t miss this limited time menu before it ends on Friday, January 24!

Sautéed Day Boat Garlic Prawns  – $16
White wine, garlic, butter, fresh herbs

Popcorn Shrimp – $16
Crispy Rock Shrimp and popcorn, Louis dressing

Dungeness Crab Clusters  – $25
Emulsified butter sauce

Pan-Fried Oysters – $18
Wakame salad, garlic aioli

NW Bouillabaisse  – $26
Alaskan King Crab, clams, mussels, grilled baguette, rouille

Chilled Peel & Eat Shrimp – $14
Spice poached, cocktail sauce

Sea Scallop Carbonara – $18
House smoked bacon, egg yolk, cream, linguini

Alaskan King Crab Knuckles – $32
Half pound, chimichurri, fried garlic

Posted on

Ray’s at FareStart Guest Chef Night Jan. 24!

On Thursday, January 24 our Executive Chef Paul Duncan will cook alongside the hardworking students at FareStart to prepare a three-course meal while he teaches cooking skills, presentation techniques, and service standards in the kitchen.

Last year Chef Paul and FareStart served our famous Mediterranean Mussels and he had the opportunity to teach the students how to prep and cook with mussels, a new experience for most! Excited by being able to teach the new skills Paul will be preparing prawns and showing the students how to properly prepare and cook them.

Reserve your seats today to enjoy this delicious dinner and the satisfaction of helping our local community!

Ray’s FareStart Menu

1st Course – Poached Prawn “Cocktail” blue corn blini, preserved lemon, avocado mousseline.

2nd Course – Fennel Dusted Rockfish spaghetti squash, oyster mushrooms, and pepper escabeche

OR

Crispy Arborio Rice spaghetti squash, oyster mushrooms, and minted peas (vegetarian)*

3rd Course – Mousse Napoleon caramel mousse, vanilla bean mousse, and decadent spiced sponge cake

The three-course dinner is $29.95 per person and the evening runs from 5:30-8:30pm. To learn more about Farestart and make reservations visit FareStart.org.

FareStart is a local non-profit that provides people struggling with poverty and homelessness a chance to overcome barriers by teaching them the work and life skills needed to succeed in the foodservice industry. FareStart works closely with local restaurants to collaborate, teach, and develop programs to help their students succeed.

*Vegetarian options available upon request.

Posted on

Shellfest Returns in the Cafe January 4th-31st!

shellfish

Ray’s is celebrating shellfish season this January! Join us in the Cafe to enjoy a variety of specially prepared shrimp, crab and oyster dishes, only available January 4-31. It’s the perfect time for the novice shellfish eater to try something new, and shellfish lovers to go enjoy their favorites.

We’ll feature rotating wine and cocktail pairings for each dish, check in weekly for changing selections. Reserve here today for lunch or dinner!

Shellfest Menu:

Clam Chancellor Chorizo, sherry, smoked scallop $8/15
Mussels Wilson White wine, garlic, chili flake $8/15
Buffalo shrimp & wings Habanero sauce, blue cheese, celery $13
Rock Shrimp Tacos Crispy fried rock shrimp, Pico de gallo, chipotle-sour cream, shredded romaine lettuce, tortilla chips, salsa $14
Chilled Peel & Eat Prawns Lemon-spice poached, Louis dressing 10
Half Pound Popcorn Shrimp Lightly breaded, fried golden brown, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce $14
Ray’s clam chowder House smoked bacon, clams, cream $6/8
Washington Razor Clams Pan fried, panko crusted, saffron-shallot jam, jalapeno tartar $13
Baked Half Shell Oysters Half dozen with Uli’s Andouille sausage, leeks, smoked paprika-butter $16
Steamed Half Pound Snow Crab Legs Drawn butter, fried potatoes $19
Prawn Cocktail Classic cocktail sauce, lemon $9

Rays Signature Bloody Mary with Grilled Prawn House infused horseradish & garlic vodka, Dimitris Bloody mix, grilled & chilled prawn kebob garnish $10