Shaker + Spear,

2000 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121

"We went to Shaker + Spear for the first time for a birthday dinner after hearing many good reviews. We got there on a rainy Seattle evening, and the host was prompt to get our table set up, and we were given a nice corner (glad I'd made a reservation). It was a busy Friday evening and the atmosphere was very noisy but bearable. We were seated close to other tables, and I noticed how close the tables are with backbench seats. Ben was our server that night, and we truly enjoyed his candor and friendliness, he was well-versed in the menu and suggested various dishes that are must-haves. First came the cauliflower steak which we really enjoyed. It was grilled well and balanced in flavor. Next came the oysters, and they were fresh and gone in seconds. The third dish was the grilled octopus, which was the first thing I wanted to order when we first saw the menu. It was well-charred and smoky, but it came out cold. The other thing we found was that it was overly salty for our liking. We later checked with the chef (more on that later), who told us they seeped the octopus with fish sauce that was condensed! Our server asked whether we needed a replacement for the octopus, but we decided not to, but gave feedback that it could be less salty. I think they definitely went overboard there. I get the need to give the octopus the needed unami, but I wonder whether they have tried their food before serving. We wish we had a bowl of rice, mashed potatoes, or bread to go with it, which would be perfect. Their famous truffle parmesan french fries came later; that were a tad saltier than we preferred, but they were hot and good. For the entrees, we had the sole, scallops and the risotto. The sole was good, warm and crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside, only wish the portion was a bit more as it was gone in a couple of mouths. The scallops were fresh and cooked just right, maintaining the sweetness and softness of the meat. Unfortunately, for $40 you only got 4 scallops! Surely you have to give a couple more or have more sides to back it up. I saw a few other reviewers that felt the same way. The risotto was cooked al dente but was unfortunately bland, and the worst part of it all was the sheer amount of oil that was in the dish that you'll realize once you start digging into the dish. Just to give you an idea how much oil there is, it's about 6-7 tablespoons. We know that it's cooked with brown butter sage, but it was quite put-off. The manager came by to help clear our dishes and we gave him feedback on the risotto. He offered to take the risotto off the bill since we didn't enjoy or finish it, which was a nice touch. We wanted to give feedback on the food, and he suggested that he can inform the chef to come by to talk to us. So she came over and we talked about the octopus and the risotto. Throughout the conversation, we felt she was defensive with a forced smile and insisted that the dishes were prepared as expected. Nowhere in the conversation did we feel she could have offered a bit of sympathy for us not having a better experience with the food.. Our server reminded us that dessert is on the house for our birthday occasion, and we went for a palate cleanser to finish the night with the pricky pear dessert. It was floral and delicious, but unfortunately so sweet and we wished it was much lesser. We each shared it but did not finish. Overall, we like the service; the atmosphere was okay, but the food was overall disappointing when you have to spend over $200 for a 3-person meal. Last point: the manager didn't take the risotto off the bill as promised, but we did not want to make further fuss about it."

"I don't eat a lot of seafood, so I've checked this place out many times but not yet visited until tonight. I loved every bite and it was an enjoyable experience. I sat at the bar where Aaron was my server, and it was a pleasure watching his efficiency. The cauliflower steak was delicious, with the roasted pepitas standing out as a fantastic addition. I normally prefer my salmon fully cooked, but happily enjoyed this medium rare piece which paired perfectly with the squash and pickled watermelon. It was somewhat salty, but IYKYK that salt and butter are the restaurant secret weapon. Side of brussels was a bit spicier than I anticipated, but the flavor combination was amazing. I can't say enough good things about the dishes I enjoyed tonight, where the flavor profiles were outstanding. It's a small dining area, so probably a good idea to make reservations."

"A wonderful experience in downtown Seattle - our waiter was present but not overbearing, informative and fun. The food was fantastic - we had the grilled octopus (beautifully tender with a delicious smokiness and great sauce), scallops (sweet, fresh and perfectly cooked), black cod (beautiful presentation and perfectly prepared, tender and juicy) and oysters (fresh and complemented with a delicious sauce). Cocktails were presented in an amusing cinema-inspried curation that was all very delicious and thoughtful. Probably our new favorite restaurant in Seattle... Worth the trip from Vancouver!"

"We went to eat at the whiskey bar, but decided we wanted a little bit more food and came here what a delight! The atmosphere is wonderful. The server was very kind and very friendly, and the food came quickly I got the scallops which were divine. In addition I got the tuna, which was simply delicious. My girlfriend got the sliders and fries, which she said, was very very good. Thank you so much for a wonderful time and great service. We had no problem getting in and got a seat right away."