Black Bottle Gastropub has been operating since 2005 in Belltown. Recently, Brian Lam arranged a tasting in Black Bottle’s private event space. Foodie friends, including my Seattle Foodie Podcast co-host Nelson Lau, had a chance to experience the space, sample food, and enjoy cocktails.

The Space

The private room has its own bar which is a must for any event. The space works for 20-50 people depending on the set up. If you’re looking for a communal seated dinner, they can accommodate 36 people with a family style service. I love the high ceilings in the room which provide an airy feel. There are bench seats and chairs for a variety of seating options. The bar is small but well-stocked. Click here to learn more about the private event space.

The Drinks

We were offered a menu of cocktails but I had to get the Bam Bam Lamb Chop, named in honor of our host. It was made of butterfly pea-infused vodka, lavender bitters, lemonade, and soda. It was refreshing on a warm summer day and completely gorgeous!

The Food

Black Bottle’s menu is full of variety. Whether you’re doing happy hour or dinner, there’s plenty to choose from. I’ll highlight my favorites below.

The simplicity of a blistered pepper cannot be overstated. It’s the perfect hand food to snack on while holding a drink in the other. These were delicious!

I grew up eating taro chips and I think they’re the ideal choice to pair with ceviche. I like a stronger ginger punch but I think it was well composed for varied tastes.

I’m not ashamed to say that I was right up front to negotiate for a half a scallop with my foodie friends. I was lucky to get a taste and it was delicious! The scallop was tender wrapped in a blanket of bacon – what a dream!

I liked these tacos more than I thought I would. They were well done. I would have eaten more if I didn’t have to share. Mild flavors in the crema cut through the natural “fishiness” of the albacore.

This plate was a hit at the table. It was one of the first things we surrounded and pounced on! It had a huge variety of textures and flavors to keep it interesting. We chatted as we picked at the plate, enjoying the afternoon.

I was one of the few people that got to try this. Pro tip: when you’re around a bunch of foodies who are all extra, trying to get a shot that 5 of them will post (looks exactly the same), chill out inside and feel free to eat whatever comes out. You snooze, you lose.

These ribs were flavored well and not too gamey, which is often a problem with wild boar. I grew up eating wild boar so it was nice to see something a bit different on a menu.

This pork belly is life! It was tender, seasoned well, and easy to eat. The bite from the kimchi was just right!

I’m a lover of cauliflower so this dish was a welcome addition to the set. It was a little spicy and kinda fancy to me.

Overall, I love the dining room and full bar at Black Bottle. The private room is definitely an option for special events. In terms of the tasting, it was pretty smooth. When we arrived, there was a bartender ready to serve. Staff began bringing out dishes and staging them. There was plenty of room for our group. Parking is typical of what you’d find in Belltown. Thanks to Brian Lam for organizing and to Black Bottle for hosting this experience. Check out Black Bottle for your next special event or just because!