Shaker + Spear

We dined here after flying in from Portland to enjoy Seattle for the day before flying back home in the evening after an event. Shaker + Spear made a strong impression. The menu is thoughtfully balanced. Seafood took center stage in our meal. The Ora salmon and Hokkaido scallops were standouts. Impeccably cooked. The sides also deserve attention. The roasted potatoes and brussel sprouts arrived generously portioned, crisp at the edges and tender within, layered with deep, savory flavor. An interesting use of nuts added texture and nuance throughout the meal. The herby, citrus-forward focaccia with whipped butter was particularly memorable and is worth ordering on its own. We couldn't finish everything, unfortunately. Service struck the right balance. Attentive, efficient, and unobtrusive. A slightly unstable table at first seating was a minor misstep, quickly and graciously resolved with a nearby reseating. Overall, highly recommend dropping by for dinner.

When we walked into Shaker + Spear I expected a typical New American meal but ended up being very wrong (in a good way!) The decor was nice but pretty typical for this type of restaurant and the night may have been understaffed as the bartender had to serve double duty and wait our table outside the bar area. The dishes though from start to finish were all exceptional. The oysters tasty and fresh, the bread a great texture, the fried fish massive and delicious, and the prawns a true standout. The drinks we had were all quite good as well, and the service was attentive despite being split between us and the bar. I was impressed by Shaker + Spear - I hope more folks try them out.