The food is phenomenal. I don't even like oysters and I love this place. Staff and service are like Trader Joe's employees x1000. I wish I had taken a photo of the dish ordered with fish; it was my favorite. Request the bread comes out with entrees so you can use the bread to sop up the sauce. Or order more bread. Also whatever they make for dessert, just get it. They. Know. Whats. Good. My only comment (and kind of warning) is there is absolutely no reason in the world why the scallop dish as an entree was so darn tiny. Don't get me wrong it tasted amazing but imagine taking a scallop and slicing it into 5 slivers and that is about the size of the dish. List it as an appetizer for better reference. I really can't complain though because each sliver tasted like what I imagine the fruit of the gods tastes like.
I lived in the area for 6 years and was never able to dine here. Came back on a business trip last week and got a seat…woah! Definitely worth the wait.We had fantastic cocktails, the sardines were phenomenal, and the oysters couldn’t be beat. This place is a Ballard staple.
Always a crowd pleaser. No reservations, and it's super hard to get into if you are not there for the opening bell. Opens at 4pm, and you have to be ready to go!!!! The wine selection is really interesting, and this time they paired our cheeses with a French bottle of cider that was out of this world. We also had the halibut crudo, grilled sardines, oysters and the fries halibut collar. Everything has great sauces and herbs. The presentations were beautiful, and they even let our little dog sit with us outside. The oysters here always just taste better than everywhere else. It's like magic. If you happen to get stuck in line and have an hour or more to wait, Staple and Fancy is a great spot right next door to wait. Don't miss this place!!!!
Dropped in with a girlfriend for some oysters, and was very surprised how packed it already was for 4:30pm on a Tuesday! Our waiter was very friendly, sunny, and made great conversations in addition to knowledgeable on the food menu. We ordered the marinated Olives, Halibut tartare (reminded me of a refreshing Poke), and the Sea Wolf Bread & Butter (highly recommend and goes with what we ordered). The Homeade orange ginger soda was very different but refreshing. The whole vibe reminded me of a Mediterranean restaurant but as an fun and lively Oyster bar. Really appreciate the carpenter get up! Would highly recommend to come here with friends for some oysters, drinks, and good vibes. If you're looking for a place to be able to hear conversations, you'll get a good combination, but don't expect to be able to hear what everyone is saying at your own table. ?
A hidden gem which is really hidden, needs to walk through a long corridor before we can find it! Though the menu items are quite limited, all the dishes we tasted are good and yummy. The halibut collar is the best, so fresh! Roasted squash is spicy and soft. I like the grilled sardines, a very interested way to cook the sardines. The clams and oysters are also very delicious. The staff are very friendly. I will definitely come back or recommend my friends.
James Beard finalist, stories about them have been filled with accolades, legendary for inventiveness— all made me want to try it so much! Finally made it there. The food was very good. Maybe not as inventive as all the hype made it out to be, but quality ingredients prepared very well. I never liked sardines and I really enjoyed their sardine appetizer. Service? Sorely lacking. I know restaurants are under great pressure to hire servers, but the total lack of making guests feel welcome, the lack of ever checking back to see if we needed anything else, and simply the lack of attention added up to a “no repeat visits.” I mean, there was simply NO service. It was a highly disappointing experience.
Great food, got progressively better, pretty small portions but interesting and subtle flavors. Definitely similar (and better) dishes happening at other Seattle restaurants for lower prices per dish. My biggest complaint is overall dining comfort. Why do a lot of good/high end Seattle restaurants want their patrons to sit on hard cold metal chairs and wood benches? Renee Erikson has how many spots in this city? Why all of them have seating like a prison food hall. I'm paying good money, let me be comfortable and relax while I eat your $19 beets. Dining out is such a nice treat, especially during COVID and the service is excellent. Please let me feel welcome to stay be investing in a cushion or better seating overall.
Perfect place for foodies. Well-balanced menu, perfectly prepared dishes. Love it!
My husband had been here before and he was so excited to come back! He was right! Everything about dining here was spectacular. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and informational. The food was perfection. Would recommend to anyone in the Seattle area every time.
Great food, got progressively better, pretty small portions but interesting and subtle flavors. Definitely similar (and better) dishes happening at other Seattle restaurants for lower prices per dish. My biggest complaint is overall dining comfort. Why do a lot of good/high end Seattle restaurants want their patrons to sit on hard cold metal chairs and wood benches? Renee Erikson has how many spots in this city? Why all of them have seating like a prison food hall. I'm paying good money, let me be comfortable and relax while I eat your $19 beets. Dining out is such a nice treat, especially during COVID and the service is excellent. Please let me feel welcome to stay be investing in a cushion or better seating overall.