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oChef » Plenty of Clouds – Seattle
Plenty of Clouds - Seattle
Photo from Plenty of Clouds
Plenty of Clouds at a glance
Seattle Madison Valley
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 75 of the guests
#534 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#26 Chinese Restaurant out of 53 in Seattle
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
543
Reviews
69.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great service
- Tasty food
Frequently criticized
- High cost
- Smoke issues
The restaurant Plenty of Clouds, a Chinese restaurant nestled in Seattle’s vibrant Madison Valley neighborhood, invites you to a truly unique dining experience. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for any occasion, whether you’re looking for a trendy spot for dinner or a relaxed meal with friends.
With a focus on authentic flavors and a welcoming ambiance, this spot is a must-visit for anyone craving delicious Chinese cuisine in the heart of Seattle.
Overview: Introducting Plenty of Clouds
Plenty of Clouds offers a dining experience where the service truly shines, making guests feel well-cared for. The food generally impresses with its unique flavors, though some find the seasoning inconsistent.
While the ambience is often described as cozy, the overall value proposition can be a point of discussion for some. Guests frequently highlight the attentive staff and flavorful dishes, making for a pleasant visit.
However, some opinions suggest that the portions might not always align with the price, and practical concerns like smoke in the dining area have been noted.
Good
7.1
out of 10
543
Reviews
69.6%
Satisfaction
132
negative
33
neutral
378
positive
Plenty of Clouds achieves a respectable overall score of 7.1, placing it firmly in the good category. This is largely driven by its exceptional Service (8.8), which customers consistently praise, and a pleasant Ambience (7.6).
The Food (6.9) also contributes positively, generally receiving good marks for its distinct flavors. However, the Value (3.9) score indicates an area for improvement, as some patrons feel the pricing doesn’t always match the offering.
Customer Satisfaction stands at 69.6%, which is a mixed result, reflecting the varied experiences across different aspects. These insights are drawn from over 500 customer observations, with 378 positive remarks against 132 negative ones.
What people like
- Exceptional, attentive service
- Flavorful, unique food
- Cozy, warm atmosphere
What people don't like
- High prices
- Small portions
- Smoke/ventilation issues
If you prioritize excellent service and a generally pleasant atmosphere for your meal, Plenty of Clouds is certainly worth considering. The culinary offerings, while not universally lauded, provide unique and flavorful options that many find quite satisfying.
It’s a place where the staff’s attentiveness truly enhances the experience. However, be mindful of the pricing, as some guests perceive it as high for the portion sizes.
With a Recommendation Score of 7.2, it suggests a solid choice for those seeking a good dining experience, provided you manage your expectations regarding the cost.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Plenty of Clouds
Food (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
The food here certainly has its fans! With a good score of 6.9, though customer satisfaction is a mixed 66.3%, many found plenty to enjoy. Out of 401 comments, 266 were positive, highlighting Sichuan pork dumplings, dry fried chicken, and dan dan noodles.
Guests often praised the portion sizes and described the dishes as delicious and flavorful. However, not everyone was completely won over. There were 110 negative remarks, with salty being a frequent complaint, sometimes to an inedible degree.
Some felt the mala spice was lacking, and certain dishes like mapo tofu were criticized for their bland taste or inauthenticity, especially for a place claiming Sichuan cuisine.
Food
401
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
110
negative
25
neutral
266
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, flavorful food
- Generous portion sizes
- Great vegetarian options
What people don't like
- Too salty
- Lacking mala spice
- Inauthentic Sichuan taste
Often praised
- foodThe Dan Dan noodles, lamb, pork belly, and pork dumplings are a must-try. It was some of the best food I've had in Seattle 💜.
- drinksWe sat at the bar and enjoyed the Chinese greens, pork dumplings, black pepper beef short rib, and the dan dan noodles, all of which were outstanding and served in sizable portions. The drinks were fantastic, and our favorite aspect of the visit was our bartender, Miles. He was charming, funny, and personable, managing to goof with us about the latest Street Fighter PlayStation game while expertly preparing drinks for the entire bar.
- dishesThe only thing that might have been better than the food was the service. All the dishes we’re incredibly delicious and pretty affordable for today’s economy. 10/10 plan to come again.
- cocktailsThe food was super flavorful and fresh, with dishes that were well-balanced. The dumplings were divine, and the yummy cocktails were a perfect addition. To top it off, the service was friendly.
- dumplingsThe food was absolutely amazing. We tried the dumplings, sesame noodles, and pork belly, and everything was super delicious. The cocktails were great, and the atmosphere was super nice.
- sesame noodlesThe food was described as very unique, healthy, and tasty 😋. I believe we ordered the sesame noodles 🍜. The service was surprisingly great!
- Dan Dan noodlesDan Dan noodles, dumplings and their special
- cucumbersI am mostly vegetarian and they were eager to let me know that nearly any menu item could be made to be fully vegetarian except for the dumplings. I had the dan dan noodles (amazing signature Sichuan pepper numbing in this one), spicy eggplant, cucumbers, and the mushroom fried rice and I was super satisfied with each dish. Great selection, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and overall great time.
- dan dan noodlesWhen I have guests visiting from out of town, this is always my go-to spot because it's a guaranteed banger. I highly recommend starting with the potatoes for an appetizer, followed by the twice-cooked pork and dan dan noodles. Don't forget to try any of their cocktails as well.
- pork bellyAmong the small plates, the cucumbers were my favorite. For large plates, it was a toss-up between the pork belly and the "dry fried chicken, too many chilies. " From the Rice & Noodles section, the dan dan was the best.
Frequently criticized
- foodthe seasoning on everything aside from the potatoes just felt off
- mapo tofuEven the mapo tofu did not have the spice my husband and I expected
- flavorsthe flavors were far from what authentic Sichuanese cuisine should taste like
- Sichuan foodI came here for restaurant week and was pretty disappointed. This restaurant calling itself Sichuan food is like La Croix calling itself orange soda. Hardly the slightest hint of mala.
- dan dan noodlesthe seasoning on everything aside from the potatoes just felt off
- Dan Dan noodlesDan Dan noodles were so over cooked that they became mushy
- Mapo tofuMapo tofu tastes like soy not mala and isn't even red
- cucumbereverything we ordered (cucumber...)
- dishesWe tried many dishes but no luck.
- noodlesThe noodles were too soft and lacked any semblance of chewiness.
If youre looking for flavorful dishes with generous portions and dont mind a potential hit-or-miss on spice levels or saltiness, this spot could be worth a try. However, if authentic, intensely spicy Sichuan flavors are your top priority, you might find it a bit disappointing.
Service (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly excels! Boasting an excellent score of 8.8 and a fantastic 94% customer satisfaction, its clear guests are consistently well-cared for. Out of 83 remarks, a whopping 78 commend the friendly, attentive staff who offer great recommendations and ensure a smooth dining experience.
Many highlighted the knowledgeable servers and their accommodating nature, even for large groups. However, a couple of voices (2 out of 83) did mention some minor hiccups. While rare, there were comments about service being lackluster or not quite up to par.
It seems these instances are isolated, but worth noting if youre looking for perfection in every interaction.
Service
83
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
78
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Knowledgeable recommendations
- Accommodating large groups
What people don't like
- Lackluster service
Often praised
- serviceWe had a wonderful dinner here and were very pleased with our dining experience during Seattle Restaurant Week. Our waiter was very friendly and even offered us to taste a menu ingredient we were unfamiliar with. Hats off to the chef – everything we tried was delicious.
- staffWe were a party of 6 people, actually the last ones of the night, and they never rushed us to get out of the place, which some restaurants do. Great staff at the noodles station; they seem very focused on their jobs.
- serverThe dry fried chicken and yibin hot noodles are my go-to recommendations. In terms of service, Kylie was our server and she really knew her dishes and made some wonderful recommendations. Great service and absolutely a must-go-to spot for great food (also super vegetarian friendly).
- recommendationsThe dry fried chicken and yibin hot noodles are my go-to recommendations. In terms of service, Kylie was our server and she really knew her dishes and made some wonderful recommendations. Great service and absolutely a must-go-to spot for great food (also super vegetarian friendly).
- serversThe servers were attentive and knew the menu very well.
- ServiceService:5
- bartender Milesour favorite aspect of the visit which was our bartender Miles
- waitressthe amazing waitress took time to explain us
- waitstaffThe waitstaff were very nice and attentive!
- GarrettGarrett was our Bartender and Server
Frequently criticized
- chef's skillsDon't try to do a job that you don't have the skills to do
- serviceService was lackluster as well
If youre looking for a place where the staff genuinely cares and enhances your meal, youre in for a treat. The service here is consistently praised for being top-notch, making it a definite go-to. Don't let the very few minor complaints deter you from an otherwise excellent experience.
Ambience (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
Overall, the ambience here is quite impressive, scoring a 7.6, which is definitely in the good range, and customer satisfaction sits at a solid 78.9%. With 30 positive remarks out of 38 total, guests frequently rave about the lovely decor, warm atmosphere, and cozy establishment. Many also appreciate the inviting outdoor seating and good vibes.
However, its not entirely perfect, with 4 negative comments pointing out a few areas for improvement. Some found the ventilation lacking, leading to too much smoke, especially with the open concept kitchen. While not a deal-breaker for most, its something to consider if you're sensitive to such things.
Ambience
38
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
4
negative
4
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good decor
- Cozy atmosphere
- Outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Too much smoke
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is warm and friendly
- ambianceEven the drinks were underwhelming. The only redeeming factor was the good decor and ambiance. It felt unauthentic, and I doubt any real Chinese person would eat here.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- decorRestaurant is decorated nicely
- spacespace and staff were both really pleasant
- air circulationlots of air circulation
- cozy beautiful placeCozy beautiful place
- cozy establishmentreally cozy establishment
- dining roomClean dining room
- heaterThe chickpea dish was a standout favorite, even for the non-vegans in our group. The lovely outdoor seating provided great air circulation and was kept comfortable with a very effective heater. Furthermore, the service was extremely fast and nice.
Frequently criticized
- parkingParking in the area was also a bit challenging
- small kitchen setupthe small kitchen setup made me nervous
- too much smokeThe vibes were great. The only shortcoming is the open kitchen combined with Sichuan cuisine results in too much smoke. I highly recommend the Grandma's Potato and Spicy Eggplants.
- ventilationI do wish it was a tad bit less smokier. A little more ventilation would be nice
If youre looking for a place with a genuinely pleasant and cozy atmosphere, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that some guests have noted issues with smoke from the open kitchen, so if youre sensitive to that, you might want to consider it.
Value (3.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
The value here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 3.9 indicating it's just average, but customer satisfaction is quite low at 19%. Based on 21 comments, with 4 positive remarks, some diners found the portion sizes to be adequate and felt certain dishes were worth the money , especially noting the affordable and reasonable price for specific items. However, the majority of feedback, with 16 negative comments, points to significant concerns.
Many felt the prices were too high, describing items as overpriced and not worth it , with portions often deemed too small for the cost, leading some to call it a waste of money .
Value
21
Reviews
19%
Satisfaction
16
negative
1
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable dishes
- Adequate portions
What people don't like
- High prices
- Small portions
- Not worth it
Often praised
- affordablepretty affordable for today’s economy
- portion sizesportion sizes are adequate for price
- reasonable priceThe pork dish was also quite good, though not as surprising as the appetizer. Overall, it's a good place to visit for decent Chinese food at a reasonable price.
- worth the moneyI had the sesame noodles with mushrooms instead of pork, and it was incredible. I highly recommend it and found it worth the money. Prior to this, I had only known the tofu and mushroom Dan Dan noodles from the Ballard food truck.
Frequently criticized
- priceI was interested in trying the special menu. I found the eggplant to have a unique taste and enjoyed the grandma potato, though I felt they were a bit expensive. Unfortunately, the spicy chicken did not turn out well.
- foodFood is very expensive for what it is
- overpricedthe quantities were also overpriced
- portions5-star rating. Additionally, the portions are small for the price. *** I transferred the noodles to Tupperware.
- price per personmore than 30 dollars per person
- pricesit’s priced higher than how much you pay at a typical chinese restaurant
- pricinggiven the pricing
- quantitiesThe quantities were also overpriced and too small
- waste of moneysuch a waste of money
If youre looking for budget-friendly options, this might not be your go-to, as many find it overpriced for what you get. However, if youre willing to explore specific dishes that some customers found worth the money , you might find a hidden gem. Just be prepared for potentially smaller portions relative to the price .
How are the prices at Plenty of Clouds?
You’re looking at roughly 40 per person – reported by 75 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners are in the 21 – 50 $ sweet spot. This means the 40 $ average is right where the action is, showing a pretty consistent mid-range experience rather than a mix of super cheap and super premium.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 75 most recent reviews.
Comparing value for money at this restaurant against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, for a Chinese Restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a solid mid-range option without breaking the bank, which is great for a city like Seattle.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Plenty of Clouds
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Sichuan Flavors Missed the Mark
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the service was commendable, receiving a perfect score, the food unfortunately didn't meet my expectations, scoring a 2 out of 5. The flavors were notably blander than one would expect with sichuan cuisine, especially considering the pricing.
The grandma potatoes, which were overhyped, offered very little in terms of flavor. Additionally, parking in the area was a bit challenging. For vegetarians, I would not recommend this place.
- service10
- food2
- flavors2
- pricing3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Food and Great Beer!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I found the food to be absolutely delicious, and I was also impressed with their great beer selection. I will definitely be coming back.
- food10
- beer selection9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Authentic Chinese Food Lost
As a Chinese person, I found the food here to be terrible. For Americans who haven't experienced authentic Chinese cuisine, they might mistakenly believe this is what Chinese food is like. The restaurant isn't adapting flavors for American tastes; they are completely losing the spirit of Chinese food.
All meat dishes taste terrible.
- food1
- meat dishes1
- spirit of Chinese food1
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Neighborhood Gem with Outstanding Service
As a long-time customer, I'm finally reviewing this neighborhood gem that I frequently bring friends to. The service is consistently outstanding, always making me feel welcome, even with strict dietary needs like celiac disease. They offer a fun selection of drinks and a number of dishes that are consistently great.
I highly recommend their mapo tofu, cucumbers, chickpea curd, and grandma potatoes – you can't go wrong!
- service10
- dietary needs10
- dishes9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
4
Mediocre Sichuan, Great Service
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the service and staff were great, the food was disappointing. The food was mediocre and did not resemble actual Sichuan cuisine.
The only dish that offered a hint of classic Sichuan numbing peppercorn flavor was the Dan Dan noodles, and even then, it was a very faint taste. I also fell a bit sick the next day, which I suspect was due to the food. Nothing else was satisfactory, with the exception of the Chrysanthemum salad.
However, the staff were good, and the service was prompt.
- Dan Dan noodles5
- Chrysanthemum salad7
- service8
- food2
- Sichuan food2
What Plenty of Clouds offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Does Plenty of Clouds offer options for specific dietary needs?
Yes, Plenty of Clouds caters to various dietary preferences. You’ll find both vegan and vegetarian options available on their menu, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone.
What are the parking and accessibility options at Plenty of Clouds?
Parking near Plenty of Clouds can be challenging, with usually difficult-to-find spaces and paid street parking. However, the restaurant is fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom.
How does Plenty of Clouds rate overall?
Plenty of Clouds holds a good overall score of 7.1. Its Service (8.8) and Ambience (7.6) are highly rated, and the Food (6.9) is generally well-regarded, though Value (3.9) is an area where it struggles.
What kind of food can I expect at Plenty of Clouds?
Customers often praise the unique and flavorful dishes, with the Dan Dan noodles and dumplings frequently mentioned as standout choices. Many find the food fresh and well-balanced, though some opinions note inconsistent seasoning.
Is Plenty of Clouds considered good value for money?
Opinions on value are mixed. While some customers find it ‘pretty affordable’ and ‘worth the money,’ others express concerns that the prices are high and portions can be small for the cost.