Save Room For Bananas Foster At This Old-School Washington Steakhouse With Velvet Booths

Some dinners are planned around the main course, but the smartest plan in downtown Seattle starts with the last one. A classic steakhouse here sets bananas on fire right at your table, and the little show has turned into one of the most talked-about moments of the whole meal.

The room around it is a throwback, with tall velvet booths, polished brass, and a bar so long it could host its own relay race. Keep reading to find out where it is, what makes it a favorite for birthdays and anniversaries, and the practical details that help you plan the night well.

A Downtown Seattle Address With Serious Staying Power

Second Avenue in downtown Seattle holds plenty of office towers, but one doorway leads somewhere far more fun. Metropolitan Grill sits at 820 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, right in the heart of the city in Washington State.

The restaurant is a refined, old-school steakhouse and bar. It leans into tradition on purpose, with a dining room built around wood, brass, and velvet.

Locals and travelers alike treat it as a place for big nights out. Birthdays, anniversaries, and Mother’s Day dinners show up again and again on its calendar.

Its reputation is strong, too. The restaurant holds a 4.6-star average across more than 4,100 opinions on Google, which is a lot of happy tables for one steakhouse.

Many people who come here are only in Seattle for a short stay. Some arrive right before or right after a cruise, and some drop by after a tour of the city’s underground streets.

That mix of hometown loyalty and traveler curiosity keeps the dining room busy. It also means booking ahead is a smart move, especially on weekend evenings.

So what exactly makes this spot feel so different from a modern grill down the block? The answer starts with the room itself.

Wood, Brass, and a Proudly Old-School Look

Trends come and go in restaurant design, and this dining room has politely ignored most of them. The look here is classic steakhouse from top to bottom.

Dark wood lines the space. Brass details add polish, and velvet upholstery brings a touch of old-fashioned glamour to the seating.

Lighting stays low in the evening. Each table gets its own candle, which sets a calm and romantic tone for couples marking a special date.

The overall style is elegant and sophisticated. Still, it manages to stay relaxed rather than stiff, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.

Plenty of upscale rooms feel like museums where you are afraid to move a fork. This one feels timeless without being fussy.

Guests often describe the setting as classy and refined. It is the kind of room where people naturally slow down and settle in for a long meal.

The design also does a lot of quiet work. It makes an ordinary weeknight feel like an occasion, and it makes an actual occasion feel even bigger.

Yet the most famous piece of furniture in the building is not a chair or a table at all. It stretches a full 60 feet.

The 60-Foot Marble Bar

Sixty feet is longer than most city buses, and that is the length of the marble bar here. It is one of the signature features of the whole restaurant.

The bar runs along the room as a gathering point. People stop in to perch for a while, meet friends, or wait for a table to open up.

Its marble surface fits right in with the wood and brass around it. Together they give the space that polished, traditional feel the Met is known for.

The bar staff have left their own mark, too. One house drink is even named after a longtime bartender, a small detail that shows how much the team is part of the story.

Happy hour is also a popular topic among regulars. It gives people a way to experience the room on a lighter schedule than a full dinner.

For solo diners, the bar can feel like the friendliest seat in the house. For groups, it is an easy spot to gather before moving to a booth.

Of course, a bar that long can only hold so many people. The real prize for many guests is a seat in one of the tall velvet booths.

Velvet Booths Built for Privacy

Tall seat backs rarely get the credit they deserve. At this steakhouse, they might be the unsung heroes of date night.

The booths are big, comfortable, and high enough that you cannot see or hear the party behind you. That makes each table feel like its own little room.

Guests celebrating something personal love that kind of privacy. A birthday toast or an anniversary chat stays between the people at the table.

The velvet upholstery ties the booths to the rest of the classic decor. Paired with the low lighting, they give the dining room its signature cozy mood.

These seats also fit the pace of a long meal. Many parties linger through several courses, and a roomy booth makes that easy.

One small tip is worth keeping in mind. Seating locations vary, and not every table has the same amount of space, so it helps to mention a booth preference when you book.

A booth request will not always be possible on a packed night. Still, asking costs nothing, and it can make the difference between a nice dinner and a truly relaxed one.

Once you are settled in, it is time to talk about the dessert that gives this article its name.

Bananas Foster, Served With a Show

Few desserts come with their own performance, but bananas foster at the Met is prepared tableside. The flames rise right in front of you, and the whole booth tends to stop talking and watch.

It is the single most talked-about item connected to this restaurant. Guests bring it up more often than almost anything else on the menu.

The finished dessert is served with Olympic Mountain Madagascar vanilla ice cream and caramel. That local ice cream detail gives the classic a Pacific Northwest twist.

Plenty of diners order it even when they are already full. The tableside cooking makes it feel like part of the evening’s entertainment rather than just a final plate.

It is also a popular pick for special dates. A mother celebrating her day, a couple marking a milestone, or a pair of friends in town for one night all find a reason to order it.

Here is the practical lesson. Pace yourself during the earlier courses, because portions here can be generous.

Skipping this finale would be a little like leaving a concert before the encore. Save room, and let the servers handle the pyrotechnics.

Where Milestones Get the Red Carpet

A small card waiting on the table can say a lot. At the Met, guests celebrating a birthday or anniversary often find one already set out when they sit down.

That kind of planning is a big reason the restaurant is a go-to for milestones. The team clearly pays attention to reservation notes.

Celebration desserts often arrive with a candle. Staff have even been known to relight that candle so someone can snap the perfect photo.

Couples marking anniversaries are greeted with smiles and thanks for choosing to celebrate here. Families gather for Mother’s Day dinners, and groups have marked two birthdays at once.

These gestures are simple, but they add up. They turn a pricey dinner into a memory people want to repeat.

The candlelit booths help set the scene as well. A romantic, elegant room makes any toast feel more meaningful.

If you are planning a special night, mention the occasion when you book. It gives the staff a chance to add those thoughtful touches that regulars rave about.

Behind every card and candle, though, there is a team doing the work. That crew deserves its own spotlight.

Servers Who Remember Your Name

Hospitality is the thread that runs through almost every great night at this steakhouse. Servers are frequently praised by name, which says plenty about how personal the attention feels.

The staff are described as attentive, knowledgeable, and warm. They offer menu advice, check in at the right moments, and still give guests space to enjoy the evening.

Managers are part of the experience, too. It is common for a manager to stop by the table, ask names, say thanks, and share a laugh or two.

Small extras show up now and then. One server surprised a couple with a pair of caramel puddings, a nice bonus on top of dessert.

No restaurant is perfect every night, and this one is honest about that. When a meal misses the mark, the general manager has responded directly and invited guests back to make things right.

That willingness to own mistakes matters at this price point. It shows a team that cares about getting the details right.

Great service sets the stage, but guests still come for the main event. So what does the kitchen actually put on the table?

A Menu Made for Meat Lovers

Steak is the headline act, and the lineup here is wide. The menu includes the usual steakhouse cuts along with a large selection of premium wagyu options.

Many diners call their meal one of the best steaks they have ever had. Doneness is a common point of praise, with orders arriving just the way guests asked.

Portions tend to be generous. Several servings can easily be shared by two people, which is helpful for anyone who wants to try more than one thing.

The menu is not limited to beef. Seafood, chicken, and pork options round things out for mixed groups.

Bread arrives at the table before the meal at no extra charge. Starters, soups, salads, and sides fill out the classic steakhouse structure.

A quick word of caution keeps things fair. A few meals have fallen short, with sides or doneness not landing as planned, so speak up early if something is off.

Most nights, though, the kitchen delivers the kind of dinner people travel for. It is the reason so many out-of-town guests make this their one big Seattle meal.

And that brings up a fair question about who feels at home here.

Upscale Without the Snobbery

A hiking hoodie might not sound like steakhouse attire. Yet one guest wore exactly that and still felt welcome, which sums up the vibe nicely.

The mood here is upscale but understated. The room feels classic and refined without being stuffy.

That balance makes the Met a good fit for many kinds of diners. Couples on date night, families marking big days, and business groups all find their place.

Travelers make up a big share of the crowd. Cruise passengers stop in before sailing to Alaska or right after returning, and sports fans in town for big events have given it a try as well.

Solo diners can enjoy the long bar. Groups can spread out in the roomy booths and share generous portions.

The low lighting and candles lean romantic in the evening. Lunch hours on weekdays offer a slightly different pace for those who prefer daylight dining.

Guests who value thoughtful service over flashy trends will likely feel right at home. People chasing the newest concept in town may find it a bit too traditional, and that is exactly the point.

Before you book, though, it helps to know the numbers.

Hours, Costs, and the Fine Print

Timing a visit is fairly easy once you know the weekly schedule. The Met keeps different hours depending on the day.

On Monday, doors open at 3 pm and stay open until 11 pm. Tuesday through Friday, service runs from 11 am to 11 pm, which makes those the days for a lunch visit.

Saturday and Sunday hours run from 4 pm to 11 pm. Weekend visits are dinner only, so plan accordingly.

Budget is the next thing to consider. Meals here typically land at $100 or more per person, and premium cuts can climb well past that.

There is also a detail that surprises some first-timers. A 20 percent service charge may be added to the check, even for a party of two.

It is smart to ask your server how that charge works before you decide on any extra tip. A quick question up front avoids confusion when the bill arrives.

Happy hour offers a lighter way to experience the room. It is a popular option for those who want the setting without a full-scale dinner bill.

With the calendar and the budget sorted, there is just one question left. How do you actually get there without circling the block?

Valet, Coat Check, and a Sweet Final Verdict

Downtown parking can test anyone’s patience. Luckily, the Met offers valet service, and some first-timers wish they had known about it sooner.

Coat check is available inside as well. On a rainy Seattle evening, that small perk makes settling into a booth much easier.

The central 2nd Avenue location puts the restaurant within reach of downtown hotels and attractions. That is one reason it pairs so well with a city tour or a night before a cruise.

So is it worth the splurge? For most guests, the answer is yes.

The Met offers a timeless room, tall velvet booths, a famous marble bar, and a staff that treats milestones like they matter. Those pieces add up to a night that feels special from arrival to the last bite.

It is not the cheapest meal in Seattle, and the service charge deserves a quick question at the table. Still, the steady stream of happy celebrations speaks for itself.

Book ahead, mention the occasion, and go easy on the bread basket. When the server rolls over to set those bananas ablaze, you will be glad you left a little room.