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Fresh Copper River Salmon Has Arrived!

Copper River salmon season has begun and Ray’s has just received this incredible, fresh fish directly from Alaska!

We source our Copper River salmon from hard-working fishermen and women who take great care in fishing sustainably and providing the best fish available. These gorgeous fish build muscle and fat just to be able to run up the mighty Copper River– and the result is a rich, fatty fish with incredible flavor and texture.

It’s also the time of year for our favorite pairing: Copper River salmon and Oregon Pinot Noir! We have some excellent Pinot Noir selections available by the glass or bottle in the Boathouse including:

  • Brittan Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir, McMinnville, OR 
      • Brittan’s ‘Basalt Block’ bottling shows a fullness and depth of richness that still manages to retain the laser focus on the basalt driven minerality of the estate terroir. Raspberries galore, with pinpoint definition.
  • Smockshop Band 2018 Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge, OR
      • Master Sommelier, Nate Ready’s focus for Smockshop Band is a biodynamic farming exploration of the Columbia Gorge terroir. This ‘Spring Ephemeral’ bottling of Pinot Noir represents the fleeting transitory nature of spring and displays a silky, elegant balance of wild, tart red and dark berry fruit and rustic earth. Just stunning!
  • Sokol Blosser Estate Rosé 2018, Dundee Hills, OR – from Pinot Noir grapes!
      • Made from 100% estate grown pinot noir grapes, this stunning Rosé features fresh strawberry, pink grapefruit and blood orange with a hint of pepper spicing up the finish.

Make your reservations for the Café or Boathouse to enjoy fresh Copper River King and Sockeye salmon at Seattle’s best waterfront restaurant! And follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for new Copper River salmon specials over the next few weeks.

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Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner at Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe May 12!

This Mother’s Day treat mom to a delicious brunch or dinner with spectacular waterfront views on Sunday, May 12, 2019!

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

Café
Brunch Buffet – only accepting bar seating reservations for guests 21 years of age and older at this time.

Enjoy a Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet from 9am-2pm (last seating) featuring a Carving Station, Shellfish Bar, breakfast dishes, appetizers, salads, sides, desserts and much more! $65 per guest for brunch, juice and sodas (prices exclude tax and gratuity).

Cafe Brunch Buffet Menu
Salads

  • Spring Panzanella salad
  • Spring mixed green salad, white balsamic vinaigrette
  • Chicory salad, walnuts, apple, Manchego, sherry vinaigrette
  • Classic chopped Caesar salad
  • Soba noodle salad, sesame, sweet soy, ginger, peppers, edamame
  • Antipasto assorted meats and pickled vegetables
  • Caprese salad
  • Roasted beets with French feta, hazelnuts, arugula and sherry vinaigrette
  • Assorted fresh fruits and berries

Raw Bar

  • Chilled peel and eat prawns
  • Oysters on the half shell
  • Dungeness Crab Legs

Breakfast

  • Eggs benedict
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Brioche french toast
  • Uli’s breakfast sausage
  • Carlton Farms bacon
  • Pan seared true cod, broccolini and lemon caper beurre blanc
  • Sautéed garlic prawns
  • Grilled herbed chicken breast, green bean and cherry tomatoes
  • Crispy breakfast potatoes, old bay, scallion
  • Penn Cove manila clams and mussels
  • Three cheese mac n’ cheese
  • Bay shrimp mac n’ cheese
  • Green beans with walnuts and lemon
  • Washington spring asparagus
  • Whipped Washington russet potatoes
  • Roasted cremini mushrooms

Carving Board

  • Roasted RR Ranch prime rib of beef
  • House smoked wild Alaskan salmon

Dessert Table 
Assorted house made desserts and pastries

Dinner
We will open for dinner at 4pm serving our regular menu until 9pm.

Bar
The Cafe Bar will have the same menu offerings and hours as above for brunch and dinner, reservations only accepted for guests 21 years of age and older.

 

Boathouse
Brunch
We are serving some of our best-selling Boathouse appetizers, salads and entrées along with a special Mother’s Day a la carte brunch menu from 10am-3pm.

Boathouse A la Carte Brunch Menu

  • Hamachi sashimi of yellow tail amberjack, Shiso, avocado, apple, pepitas
  • Washington Asparagus burrata, hazelnuts, saba, chili flake
  • Roasted Carrot Soup  Parmesan, herbed bread crumb, olive oil
  • Frittata  spring vegetables, basil, eggs, feta, mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette
  • Brioche French Toast house smoked bacon, fried red potatoes, maple syrup
  • Lamb Sugo braised lamb leg, tomato, ramp, chard, fried polenta, pecorino Romano
  • Mahi Mahi applewood grilled, shiitake, snap pea, shoyu, beurre blanc

Dinner
We will be open for dinner at 3pm serving our regular menu until 9pm.

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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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 host 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.

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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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 & Dinner 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).

Buffet Menu

Salads
Spring Panzanella salad
Spring mixed green salad
Chicory Salad, Pecans, apple Manchego, sherry vinaigrette
Classic chopped Caesar salad
Soba noodle salad, sesame, sweet soy, ginger, peppers, edamame
Antipasto assorted meats and pickled vegetables
Caprese salad
Roasted Beets with French Feta, Hazelnuts, arugula and sherry vinaigrette
Assorted fresh fruits and berries

Raw Bar
Chilled peel & eat prawns
Oysters on the half shell
Dungeness Crab Leg

Breakfast
Eggs benedict
Scrambled eggs
Brioche french toast
Uli’s breakfast sausage
Carlton Farms Bacon
Pan seared true cod, broccolini and  lemon caper beurre blanc
Sautéed garlic prawns
Grilled herbed chicken breast, green bean and cherry tomatoes
Crispy breakfast potatoes, old bay, scallion
Penn Cove manila clams & mussels
Three cheese mac n’ cheese
Bay shrimp mac n’ cheese
Green Beans with walnuts and lemon
Washington spring asparagus
Whipped Washington russet potatoes
Roasted cremini mushrooms

Carving Board
Roasted RR Ranch prime rib of beef
House smoked wild Alaskan Salmon

Dessert Table
Assorted house made desserts and pastries

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

Cafe 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.

Brunch Menu

Appetizer – choice of one
Hamachi sashimi of yellow tail amberjack, shiso, avocado, pepitas
Zucchini-corn cake Dungeness crab, crème fraiche, cucumber salad
Washington Asparagus burrata, hazelnuts, saba, chili flake
Roasted Carrot Soup Parmesan, herbed bread crumb, olive oil

Entrees – choice of one
Frittata spring vegetables, basil, eggs, feta, mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette
Brioche French Toast house smoked bacon, fried red potatoes, maple syrup
Lamb Sugo Espresso braised lamb, tomato, ramp, chard, fried polenta, pecorino Romano
Pan Seared Halibut potato gnocchi, black trumpet mushrooms, English peas, beurre blanc

Dessert menu available at the table.

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.

Dinner Menu

Appetizer – choice of one
Hamachi sashimi of yellow tail amberjack, shiso, apple, avocado, pepitas
Washington Asparagus burrata, hazelnuts, saba, chili flake
Roasted Carrot Soup Parmesan, herbed bread crumb, olive oil

Entrees – choice of one
Slow roasted prime-rib of beef whipped potatoes, Charred broccolini, shimeji mushrooms, Perigueux
Lamb Sugo braised lamb leg, tomato, ramp, chard, fried polenta, pecorino Romano
Pan Seared Halibut potato gnocchi, black trumpet mushrooms, English peas, beurre blanc

Dessert menu available at the table.

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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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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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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Ray’s Holiday Gift Card Bonus Dec. 1-31!

Spread holiday cheer and give the gift of Ray’s this season!

For every $100 you spend on Ray’s gift cards you will receive a complimentary $20 gift card now through December 31, 2018. Treat yourself or gift it to a friend!

Gift cards are available in any amount and can be purchased online or at Ray’s Guest Relations desk in the Boathouse.

Ray’s gift cards are perfect for the seafood lover in your life or for anyone who enjoys dining at Seattle’s best waterfront restaurant.

Happy holidays!

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Christmas Eve & Day 2018 at Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but they can also be incredibly stressful. Spend more time with your family than in the kitchen this season and let Seattle’s best seafood restaurant spread holiday cheer with our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining!

Read on for our Christmas hours and menus and book your table today! Reservations strongly recommended for both dates. For Café reservations please call 206.789.3770 or click here. For Boathouse reservations please call 206.789.3770 or click here.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Christmas Eve

Boathouse
The Boathouse will be serving its regular dinner menu with items like Sablefish in Sake Kasu, Alaskan King Crab Legs, Dungeness Crab Toast and delicious housemade desserts. Or enjoy our $60 holiday inspired 3-course menu which includes a salad, entrée, and dessert (beverages, tax, and gratuity not included). Children’s menu available.

The Boathouse will be open from 2:00pm (first seating) to 8:00pm (last seating) on Christmas Eve. The Boathouse Bar will be open from 2:00-8:00pm on Christmas Eve. No reservations are needed, and service is first come, first served.

Café
Ray’s Café will be offering its regular lunch and dinner menu with dishes like wild Northwest Salmon, Dungeness Crab Cakes, Seared Sea Scallops, Clam Chowder and much more. Specials for the evening include:

Double R Roasted Prime Rib Of Beef
Whipped potatoes, green beans, beef demi-glace $54
                      Add a 12 ounce butter poached Maine lobster tail $51

Butter Poached Maine Lobster Tail
12 ounce tail, fried potatoes, grilled asparagus butter emulsion $63

Children’s menu available. The Café will be open from 11:30am (first seating) to 8:00pm (last seating) on Christmas Eve.

Ray’s Café Bar will be open from 11:30am to 8:00pm with regular menu offerings and on a first come basis. No reservations needed.

Christmas Day

Boathouse
The Boathouse will offer its regular dinner menu plus a $60 holiday inspired 3-course seasonal menu that offers either soup or salad, a choice of entrée, and dessert (beverages, tax, and gratuity not included.) Full children’s menu available.

The Boathouse will be open on Christmas Day from 2:00pm (first seating) to 8:00pm (last seating).

The Boathouse Bar will be open from 2:00pm to 8:00pm on Christmas Day. Regular menu will be available. No reservations are needed, served on a first come first served basis.

Café
Ray’s Café will be open on Christmas Day from 12:00pm (first seating) to 8:00pm (last seating). The menu will include the greatest hits from our regular Café menu along with seasonally inspired a la carte specials including:

Double R Roasted Prime Rib Of Beef
Whipped potatoes, green beans, beef demi-glace $54
                      Add a 12 ounce butter poached Maine lobster tail $51

Butter Poached Maine Lobster Tail
12 ounce tail, fried potatoes, grilled asparagus butter emulsion $63

A full children’s menu will be available. Ray’s Café Bar will be open from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. No reservations are needed, served on a first come, first serve basis. 

*Ray’s Boathouse and Café will not be offering senior discount, passport or other promotional offers on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

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Ray’s & Long Live the Kings Work to Restore Wild Salmon

Dear guests,

Since our start in 1973 Rays has supported causes that benefit our local waterways, salmon and sustainable fishing. The water is our lifeblood, not just because we sit atop it but because we love to serve fresh fish at Ray’s and support our local fisherman, who depend on it.

The future of fish is the future of Ray’s. We’ve prided ourselves on doing the right thing from a sustainable fishing standpoint for 45 years and being a culinary leader in the community that helped usher in what is now called Pacific Northwest cuisine. We have a responsibility to protect this and we will not back down.

Earlier this month we announced our partnership with local non-profit Long Live the Kings (LLTK) and we would like to take this opportunity to expand on what that entails, how we’ll be working with them in the fight, and how you can get involved.

LLTK was founded in 1986 with the mission to restore wild salmon and steelhead and support sustainable fishing in the Pacific Northwest. They combine innovative field work, pioneering science, broad partnerships, and sophisticated new management tools to help decision-makers advance salmon recovery while balancing the needs of fish and people.

Our involvement with LLTK began with an internal education for our entire team where they were fortunate to receive a training session from Executive Director Jacques White about how LLTK is working to restore our local salmon runs. It’s something staff can share with our guests and also take pride in their knowledge of what it takes to keep wild salmon thriving in the Pacific Northwest.

We have staff field trips in the works and our goal is to get as many of our team as possible out there with LLTK to experience a hands-on working trip and understand their work even further.

We are currently running our Salmon Safe Wine promotion in the Café and Boathouse with $1 from each glass or bottle sold going to LLTK now until November 7. This is a first step to invite our guests to get familiar with LLTK and do something simple to help make a difference.

You can look forward to many more ways to support LLTK at Ray’s through the end of this year and into 2019! We also encourage you to visit lltk.org to sign up for their newsletter and get informed on the many exciting projects and events they have in the works.

Please join us in this important cause and contact us if you would like to get involved in a bigger way. rays@rays.com

Warmly,
Douglas Zellers, GM and Co-owner