Shaker + Spear in Washington

"Started my night with the kale salad with the whole fried fish as my entree. Originally I had looked online and was set on the duck breast but the bartender suggested the snapper special. Glad I went with her recommendation instead as I was very pleased with how well seasoned the fish came and the portion size. Restaurant is very trendy with open kitchen layout. Service was fast and personable from the whole team. Restaurant is well priced for the neighborhood, quality of food, and dining experience."

"Food was fantastic especially the duck and the roasted potatoes. The duck was cooked perfectly and the roasted potatoes were extremely crispy and flavorful in a large shareable portion. Cocktails were also great. Open kitchen style so you are watching as they’re making the food! Great service and ambiance. Dessert menu was lacking in my opinion but I have a sweet tooth."

"We came here last night (Tuesday) before an event in the building next door, and the place was absolutely packed. Still, the atmosphere, the food, and especially the service were just outstanding. Our server, Hector, deserves special recognition. Despite the full house, he took amazing care of us — clearing plates right away, keeping our water glasses full, and always checking in at just the right moments. Honestly, his professionalism and attention to detail could be a model for service everywhere. It’s so rare to experience that level of care in the U.S., and he absolutely nailed it. We started with oysters — fresh, flavorful, served with an excellent mignonette and a refreshing cucumber–celery–style chutney that was such a pleasant surprise. Then we had hamachi crudo with a peach-based sauce — light, fruity, perfectly balanced. Huge compliments to the chef for that one. And the branzino… (full fried fish) what a showstopper! Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, seasoned to perfection — honestly one of the best fish dishes I’ve ever had in America. I’ve already recommended Shaker + Spear to my friends, and I’ll definitely be coming back. UPD: I’m coming here for the third time all the way from Olympia just for your fried whole fish. The branzino is still absolutely amazingly prepared — perfectly cooked and full of flavor. And Hector is still outstanding. A true professional who explains all the new menu items clearly and is always attentive to every guest. Please give him a bonus — he’s wonderful."

"Met a friend here while I was in town visiting. Sat at the chef's table, which is always fun and highly recommend. Food was excellent, and the two drinks I had (mezcal and tequila based) were solid but didn't knock my socks off. Highly recommend the endive salad and the scallops, both were exceptional. Everything that came out of that kitchen area looked amazing. I'd definitely go back here for another meal if I were in town."

"Super friendly staff that will greet you and seat you promptly. Very quick with the water and coffee too even for a weekend brunch crowd. If you want you can sit at the bar and see the chefs prepare your meal. Lots of good options for the brunch, I recommend the Southwest Hash and get duck on top. Strong coffee with lots of other beverages options including fresh juice. Very attentive staff that will kindly refill your asap. Thanks for fulfilling all my breakfast needs"

"Came in a party of four in Tuesday evening, no trouble getting a table. Service was super friendly, interior is chic and comfortable. The food was great, nice selection of mostly seafood entrees. The appetizers, entrees, cocktails, and desserts were all tasty. Would definitely recommend this to anyone for a special occasion, and will try to come back when I'm in the area!"

"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."