Located inside Downtown Seattle’s Thompson Hotel is Conversation Kitchen & Bar. Steps from the iconic Pike Place Place Market and the breathtaking Seattle waterfront, this restaurant has become the new staple for New American dining in the area. Executive Chef Kaleena Bliss has created a vast menu full of fresh locally grown produce highlighting the best ingredients of the Pacific Northwest.
Upon entering the open-kitchen concept restaurant, there is an industrial feel filled with modern tables, spacious booths, unique light fixtures and tons of live plants throughout. It is a great space for an intimate dinner, a private event or a cozy brunch. Whether you are a guest of the hotel, or stopping through the area, you will thoroughly enjoy your dining experience at Conversation.
The charcuterie and cheese “Convo Starters” (appetizers) is a great way to try a few different items and share with the table. The spread features an assortment of cheeses, meats from Olympia Provisions, mortadella imported from Italy, in-house pickled vegetables, olives and crackers. Another wonderful item to share is the wild mushroom flatbread; this dish is a fungi lover’s dream. It is packed with lots of flavor and topped with lobster and cauliflower mushrooms, kale, gruyere cheese and caramelized onion.
Once you are ready to move onto some “Small Talk,” order the shaved kohlrabi made up of apple, fennel, celery, green cabbage and a lemon-poppy seed vinaigrette. This salad can be a palate cleanser before your entree or ordered as your main dish paired with grilled chicken, ling cod or Dungeness crab as a delicious protein option.
Ready for some “Real Talk” (a k a entrees)? Chef Bliss has taken these dishes to another level. The roasted half chicken is a must order when pondering an entree, with rich and creamy polenta served at the bottom of a warm cast-iron skillet and topped with sultana, toasted pine nuts, caramelized shallot and a crispy golden half chicken. Braised beef short ribs are another house specialty. These tender, mouthwatering short ribs are accompanied with a kalbi jus, broccolini, fermented daikon, scallion, sesame and a gochujang vinaigrette.
Wanting something to sip on with your meal? Dive into the house-made craft cocktail list, and try the Bramble, a well curated cocktail made with gin, Oregon berry cane vinegar cordial, lemon, rhubarb bitters and seltzer. This menu also has a wonderful list of wines by the glass and bottles from throughout the region.
Conversation has excelled with its dinner menu, so it is no surprise that it also has a delectable brunch menu. The daily brunch is made up of many of the classics along with a few house specialties that can be paired with the B&B (Brunch & Booze) option. Order a mimosa carafe along with two entrees, all for $59; this amazing deal includes the perfectly poached classic benedict and the Belgian waffle topped with fresh peaches, blueberries, chantilly cream and maple syrup (check out the menu for all eligible items).
Conversation is open for brunch Monday through Friday from 7 to 11 a.m., and Saturday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dinner is available Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Although reservations are not required at this time, they are highly encouraged.
For more information, visit www.conversationseattle.com.
Review Washington State indoor dining guidelines prior to your visit.