MariPili offers one of Seattle's most satisfying tasting menus
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One of the opening rounds in MariPili's five-course tasting menu. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios
I have a bumpy relationship with restaurant tasting menus. Sometimes, I get full by the third course, which is a bummer if you've already dropped $150.
MariPili Tapas Bar offers a more economical $75 five-course spread with a wide variety of bites — and it won't have you feeling overstuffed by the end.
Zoom in: When I went to the Capitol Hill bar earlier this month, the offerings included an octopus empanada; two types of croquetas; ropa vieja served on a puffed rice cracker; roast suckling lamb; stuffed squid; a lemon-curd cheesecake shortbread; and a killer deviled egg.
What to expect: The first three platters each carried three small items, for nine small bites total.
- The fourth course, the lamb, was more substantial without being overwhelming.
- The extravaganza finished with a plate of two miniature desserts — a course MariPili is known for — ending with the perfect amount of sweetness.
The fine print: Our server said one member of our party could order the tasting menu and the other could order a la carte. That's something that many places offering pre-fixe menus don't allow.
Yes, but: Some of the bites on the tasting menu are small enough that sharing one order could be awkward.
- My mom and I each got our own and had a blast experiencing it together, without having to divvy up every bite.
The restaurant also offers drink pairings for an additional $40 per person.
Stop by: 1117 12th Avenue.
- Hours: 4-9pm Tuesday to Thursday; 4-10pm Friday and Saturday. (Closed Sunday and Monday.)
- Reservations are recommended. Once, when I tried to walk in on a weekend, I was told the wait would be more than an hour.
