nice little restaurant, like the homy feeling and the open kitchen style
(4)
Zachary H.
Apparently, giving 1 star and writing bad comments is grounds for Yelp to squash your review. I assure you, nobody paid me to say the service at Sitka and Spruce is horrible. The worst I've experience, in fact. I wish someone would have, though. Perhaps if I increase the rating to 2 stars Yelp will see it in their hear to unhide my very useful and truthful review. We'll see.
(2)
Ferdinand T.
What a fabulous place. Small plates well done. Great vibe
(5)
Nick M.
Damn, this is the real fucking deal. I cam with a friend and per the waiter's suggestion, we ordered family style. We got: The bread -- Yes, you have to pay for bread. Yes, worth it. Carrots with walnuts -- This could have been the highlight of the meal. There is something special about a restaurant that can do such a simple vegetable so much justice. Halibut with nettle -- Very well done. Perfectly cooked. The favors were all there. Actually the lowest point, but not saying much. Lamb -- This had lamb done two ways. Seared and somethings low cooked. It has couscous and yogurt. The slow cooked lamb was falling apart and amazing. I also had a tart with figs. Very good. These guys know what is up and do it without pretension. Six stars.
(5)
Diana C.
It's a tiny place, but they have great service and delicious wines! I didn't get a chance to try any of the food, but everything on the menu sounded very delicious. I'll have to admit, I didn't know what to expect when I walked through Melrose market, but it's fabulous! I have to come back to try some of the food!
(4)
Asela G.
Hurts me to say it, since I really used to like this place, but the condescending, abysmal service means that I won't be back. We called for a reservation for their Monday night taco night, and were told it was walk-in only, so we arrive at 8 pm (they're open 5:30-9:30 Mondays). We got on the list, and were told it would be 40-45 min, so we got a drink at the nearby Bar Ferdinand. At 8:40, we were told it would be 10-15 min more. And again at 9. We were finally seated at 9:20. Waitress comes up, and proceeds to tell us that they were out of over half the tacos listed on the menu, the beer, and the agua fresca. She proceeded to tell us that this is pretty normal for this time of night, and we really should come in earlier if we wanted the full menu. Of course, there was no mention of running out of half their menu as they strung us along for an hour and a half, selling us drinks at their (very nice) sister bar. Besides, she says, "Monday's our crazy Malafacha night, anything can happen," and proceeds to tell us we should hurry up and order before they run out of everything else. I didn't realize that I shouldn't expect food at a restaurant. The tacos we got were meh, no better than Rancho Bravo, who're way cheaper, actually have tacos, and serve them up without the heaping side of condescension. Maybe the ones they ran out of were fantastic, but it's too bad when a supposedly nice restaurant delivers a sub-fast-food experience.
(1)
Lauren B.
Went for brunch. The ambience is great - very airy and sort of farm chic - but the food was a mixed bag. The buttermilk scone was delicious and the ful medames was good, but the hot Blue Bird Grains cereal had a very unexpected and unusual flavor/texture which I did not enjoy and the service was slow. Not my favorite for the price.
(3)
Marie B.
I had really high hopes for Sitka and Spruce after reading some pretty great reviews on here and in some foodie magazines. I was especially excited about Taco Mondays because, let's face it, Seattle is not world-famous for its inventive mexican faire. Unfortunately, every aspect of the experience was abysmal (to steal Asela's word). First off, two of us arrived at 6:45 pm expecting a wait for a table. We were told 30-40 minutes, which was fine. However, an hour rolled around, then an hour and fifteen minutes, and still nothing. Beware, it is a small restaurant and, having been a hostess, I know it's difficult to predict how long guests will linger. 1 1/2 hours after putting our name on the list and following up multiple times, we were seated. Finally. Needless to say I was excited and hungry and hoped the wait wasn't a harbinger of what was to come... But it was. The server was extremely rude (petite, dirty blond hair, late 20s) . It took 10 minutes to get menus, and an extra 5 minutes to get water. Once she finally returned to our table, we ordered only to find out they'd run out of some of the main dishes we came to try (suadero, mushroom tacos). The server was very rude about this and condescending. In total over the course of the meal, she said less than 20 words to us. Definitely not the service I was expecting after 1 1/2 hours of waiting and considering the price of the meal. We order chips and avocados, carne asada tacos, and carnitas as these were some of the only items they had by 8:30pm. Honestly, the guacamole was the best part of the experience, as well as the fresh salsa on the tacos. My 3 tacos came full of meat, while my boyfriend's had a very small amount (less than a tablespoon on each). I've gotten much better tacos from trucks and hole in the wall restaurants. I was so disappointed and I actually left the restaurant nearly as hungry as when I was finally seated. All in all, I would never return to this restaurant for Taco Mondays and, based on the rudeness of the servers, I don't think I'll return for the regular menu. My suggestion to S&S is to have at least 2 additional staff members on hand in the future to avoid turning off potential repeat customers.
(1)
Talbot S.
So, I guess on a number of things in which you should be making it clear that I thought the food was very good. But nothing else can carry the restaurant. Confirmed reservations for 5 people at 8. We were sat at 9. The small menu kept its descriptions vague and brief. (It supposedly changes weekly, so maybe I just didn't like what I saw). The server was pretty indifferent and not extremely knowledgeable about the menu. The space we were sat was cramped for a 6 person table, and navigating with sharing dishes was difficult. The portion sizes were tiny for the amount that was being paid ($15 for a few ounces of chantrelle mushrooms and gravy). So, 1 star for the food tasting good (despite pretty much every dish coming with mushrooms, which I found kind of strange). 2 for the price of the wines being reasonable (or so I'm told, I don't really drink wines). 3 for the caramels which the bring to you with the check (yes they were that good).
(3)
Felicia C.
Great if you have an reasonably adventurous palate and are in the mood for some tasty bites.
(4)
Jamie J.
Talk about a charmer. Easily sits at the top of my favorites. I came to Sitka on a typical week night - for some reason there was a bit of a wait. But, we didn't care; there is plenty to do in Melrose Market as you wait. Once we were taken to our table, I was a little shocked. We were seated at this long island table that sits in the middle of the room and extends into the kitchen/work area. It is really cool. The odd part is, you sit next to other people. Literally next to them. And, you obviously don't know them. It sort of reminded me of an indoor French cafe; you sit next to who you sit next to - and that's that. I enjoyed the little community experience revolving around food. (Isn't that what this is all about anyway?) It's interesting basically being involved in other people's conversations automatically. I would fill you in on the conversation of the group next to us, but it's XXX rated, and it included the word 'blow'. I admit I referenced the group next to us multiple times to talk about what they ordered, and how we needed to get some of that! The food was impeccable. I wish I could describe what I ate, but I honestly can't. It was so new to me, which doesn't happen often. Their food is unique and thoughtfully planned. Their dish sizes are meant to shared, and more often than not, meant to be totally grazed over by your bread when all the main pieces have been grubbed. Their menu changes seasonly, at least, so looking at the menu now I don't recognize a thing. Guess that means I have to come back? Note to the owner: I want to thank you - you offered my roommate and I free dessert because "you don't often see such young people wiling to try such foods." Folks, this genuinely made my day. So, thank you, owner! (I believe the dessert was pumpkin and date cake? It's been a while. BUT, It was amazing!) Service, ambiance, food, community... it's all here. Now you just have to get over there. YUM Eats.
(5)
Kathryn W.
My husband and I had dinner at Sitka and Spruce on a Sunday night several months ago. I don't think it was their normal menu because there were a couple of appetizers and then two entrees listed. He ordered the meat dish and I ordered the fish. His was really good, and mine was gross. It would have been good had it not been absolutely covered in dill, which completely overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the fish. I mentioned to the waiter that if they are going to put that much dill on something that it should be mentioned in the menu, and he had the nerve to tell me that it wasn't dill. Um, excuse me, I have a pretty good palate and I know what I'm tasting... eventually he came back and said that I was right-- it was dill. Needless to say, all I really remember about this restaurant was the dill fish incident and the waiter's snobby behavior. The bread, my husband's meal, and the appetizers were good (not outstanding); otherwise this place would get one star. We would never come here again.
(2)
A N.
Tried this place on the recommendation of many people. But the experience was just average or even worse. We went on a Sunday night for dinner for our anniversary. The menu was extremely truncated. Only two main dishes were offered, one seafood and one beef. Both were served with the same side dishes. Really? for a seafood dish and a beef dish, the same exact accompaniment? This is just lazy. The only two starters were salami and olives. again, just lazy. the salami was just sliced and came with nothing else; same for the olives. If you want bread you have to pay an extra $4. These starters were not restaurant cuisine, if I want this stuff I can buy the items myself, they don't require any cooking skills. The seafood main dish was dungeness crab and halibut, decent, but the crab was served shell on. For a restaurant of this supposed caliber this is not really acceptable. The beef dish was also mediocre. Beef was cooked all the way through. Lots of faro or rye with both dishes. I am really not a fan of this stuff. not sure why many new or up and coming restaurants are using these or similar ingredients. must be an organic or hippie thing. at the end of the meal we were so disappointed with the restaurant that we skipped dessert. two of us paid about $90, without drinks or dessert. There are MANY other restaurants I would rather go to for a $90 meal than to give this place another shot. (at these other restaurants we would have had dessert or drinks for that price) also I agree with some of the other reviewers about atmosphere. it looks as though its a causal place, but the waiters are stuffy and not friendly. it was our anniversary, and we stated that on our reservation. no mention of our special day from the waiter. the other people sitting around us were also pretty douchey. i guess this is the crowd they are trying to attract, d-bag hipsters. overall my first impression of this place is poor. i will not be returning and i suggest you do not give them your hard earned money either.
(2)
Sarah S.
Food: 4 stars Service: 1 star Came to Sitka & Spruce for the first time for my birthday dinner. It was a Monday night, and we heard good things about Mexican Mondays and decided to check it out. Our party was made up of Southern California natives, and still we were impressed with the food. Solid portions and authentic flavors. The halibut tacos were a particular favorite. The service, however, nearly ruined the meal. The server who waited on us could not have had more than three tables, so there was no evident reason to be stressed. We had to request to see a drink menu, and once she came back to order drinks, she took the order of 2 of the 4 people at the table and then walked away, not asking the others if they wanted anything. Right after, we asked for an order of guacamole and chips, to which she responded that she would take our full order once we decided what we wanted for dinner "so it would all come out together." It does not take a restaurant industry insider to comprehend that people prefer appetizers before the main course while they're still perusing the menu. She did not come back to the table to check on us during the meal, and never asked if we wanted a second round or to order anything else. She dropped the check on the table without a word. Although the food was delicious, poor service can sour an entire dining experience. If you do decide to go, hopefully they realize that the restaurant industry is competitive, and that good food is not the only component of a successful dining experience.
(2)
Paul H.
My wife and I recently spent two nights in Seattle on the way to a hiking vacation on the Peninsula. Trying to acclimate to the wonderful weather in Seattle compared to our humid drought conditions in Houston, we ventured out for a lovely evening. I made a reservation at another food establishment based on reviews. But after walking by the place in the center of touristy fare during a 10-mile urban hike around downtown Seattle, I made a quick change to Sitka and Spruce. What a great decision. With no reservation, this very small venue still made room for us. Very casual, laid-back demeanor of the waiter set us at ease. Choice, though small, wine selection. We looked over the menu and made selections. When we ordered, waiter opined we had ordered too much food and suggested we might consider splitting items. Seriously, a waiter saving us money? We took his advice. We split an ample order of steamed king salmon w grilled cucumber, purslane. Beet greens with preserved lemon (fantastic!), anchovies with sea beans (say what?), and a perfectly done green goddess salad. All incredibly fresh, unique combinations and exposing two foodies to some new choices... One of the most delightful dining experiences...and we weren't stuffed...price was a pleasant surprise. Waiter was outstanding. Definitely returning every time I'm in Seattle...for business 3-4 times a year.
(5)
Molly B.
One of the highlights of my long weekend trip to Seattle was having lunch at Sitka & Spruce. After reading the reviews here, I knew I wanted to take the time to go there. All the dinner reservations were booked so I snagged a reservation for lunch. t wasn't exactly what I expected it was going to be. I was expecting something a little more formal in a stand-alone building and thought it would perhaps be a little snooty. But instead it's nice and casual, the service was really good, it was tucked away in the back of a market with lots of other interesting shops and restaurants. Everything we ordered was top-notch - simple, healthy ingredients served up in a fresh and inventive way. I think if I had a restaurant I'd want it to be just like this.
(4)
Mario G.
Sitka & Spruce was a great find. The menu is actually somewhat deceiving, as I personally had never heard of some of what was on the menu. But, i can tell you, whatever you get at Sitka & Spruce, it's going to be good. The place is situated at the back of Melrose Market. It's a family style restaurant, meaning that the plates are meant to be shared. Definitely choose to share a few plates, it's the best way to get the most of the menu. There is a long counter that is in the middle of the restaurant that seats around a dozen people, and maybe half-a-dozen tables otherwise. The kitchen shares the floor with the patrons, and it's an awesome sight to see your food prepared while you wait. However, keep in mind, the restaurant is tiny. I tried to come here for dinner and there was an hour-and-a-half wait. My recommendation is to come right when this place opens at 11:30. No wait and great food right away.
(5)
Jonas B.
I'm being harsh here and staying with three stars. We went there before attending a show at the Paramount and were in luck, there was a table available. We got to share it with another group of four, but that was okay. We had a bottle of wine, a pretty nice German Riesling, four small courses and a dessert. I was unimpressed by the scallops though the wife quite liked them and I found the grilled asparagus with fried egg much, much too salty. We both liked the rillettes with pickled fiddleheads and I enjoyed the octopus with chick peas a lot. The shortcake with rhubarb was nice too and the espresso was fine. The price was a bit high ($115 plus tip) but not outrageous. So three stars is a bit harsh but maybe we can give them a chance to improve by visiting again.
(3)
Genevieve J.
Service was excellent - friendly and knowledgeable. Their new space is gorgeous and full of light. I'd seriously go back just for the ambiance (because, to tell you the truth, the food though very good was on the whole unamazing). Four of us shared a variety of plates and there were only two standouts: the duck with black rice and an appetizer of raw scallops. The scallops came with sliced cucumber and a preserved lemon sauce. The flavors were delicate, but it was perfect if ephemeral. We definitely could have ordered one or two more plates to satisfy our hunger, but held back since we were trying not to break the bank. One bottle of wine and six shared plates came to about $160.
(4)
Peter K.
Very creative and fresh menu. Warm service. Trendy but not arrogant. We did lunch. But next i will try dinner
(5)
Christine T.
We had such a wonderful night here! After leaving another event early, we were at a loss as to what to do for dinner (we'd been to a wine tasting and needed food!). My husband remembered a coworker had mentioned Sitka & Spruce, so we drove to it's strip mall location. We found a parking space right in front so we felt that this was the right place for us to be. The location...was odd. A Subway on one side, a teriyaki joint on the other, but husband assured me that this was going to be good. The place was, of course, packed, but we were assured that it would be less then 20 minutes for two seats at the community table (which we didn't mind at all since we love sitting with others and getting to know our fellow diners). We waited and people watched - didn't find a bar and have them call us, like I now realize we could have done and are glad we didn't - and about 10 minutes into our wait, the server asked us if either of us would like a glass of wine that he'd accidentally poured. Accident for someone else, divine providence for me since it was exactly the wine (Chateau de Bel Air Rose) that I was going to choose for my meal. I accepted the drink and he offered my husband a complimentary glass of whatever he wanted (he chose the Voignier). We waited about 10 more minutes enjoying our wine and watching the parade of dishes come out to the other tables. We were seated and ordered a few dishes - bread with olive oil, hot olives, and at the server's suggestion, the garden aioli plate. It all came out, one after the other, pretty quickly. Bread - warm, crisps, doughy in the middle, the olive oil - very tasty, olives - good. Garden Aioli - delicious. We are so glad we got this! It was raw or blanched veggies (haricort vert, carrots, beets, tomatoes) and hard-boiled egg and tuna with a lovely aioli - I can't even describe what it tasted like, it was good and everything we dipped in to tasted so good. I would come here and just get a couple of plates of this! We talked and ate, talked and ate...it was perfect. We are the types that like to savor each portion of our meal and really enjoy. We had time to spare, so we took the time to enjoy each other and the evening. While we were waiting, we had observed a couple eating both the salmon with lemon preserve and artichokes and the pork chop with peppers and peaches. We couldn't decide between the two so we got both. The server told us that instead of the salmon that was on the written menu, the dish was actually served with cod but prepared the same way. It was fantastic. My husband was at first bummed that it wasn't salmon, but we both decided that the cod held up to the strong flavors so much better, and we were very, very happy. So happy that the group sitting next to us heard our yums and moans and decided to order it themselves. They were very happy as well. We probably could have stopped after the cod but the pork arrived after just the right amount of time, and it looked and smelled so good, we couldn't help but dig in. And this was probably the best dish of the night! The pork was tender and oh so flavorful.... the peppers and peaches were spicy and sweet and went together like perfection. I'm sure our facial expression were hilarious to others but we really enjoyed our food. At some point during our dinner, we got another glass of rose for me and a glass of Austrian red for husband....both were welcome and wonderful! After we had finished every last bit, we got into a nice conversation with our dining neighbors and settled up the bill. Bill came to just over $100 for the two of us...a bargain considering the wonderful evening we'd just shared. As we received our bill, we also got another bottle of water to fill our glasses, saying to us that we were allowed to linger, if we wanted. We can't wait to go back, especially since we learned the menu changes constantly. The atmosphere, the service, the wine, the food...everything was wonderful. But the absolutely best part was reconnecting with my husband, who I don't get to see a lot during the week, and sharing an exquisite dining experience. So overall, yes it's pricey but it's so worth it for a night out!
(5)
Emily W.
Despite watching famous M.D. peruse the selection of ladies at the Market rather than have a hand in making my meal, the food was wonderfully unique and service warm and personal. M.D. is a genious... we tasted each dish in it's separate and together parts... Oh the surprising lemon zest in one dish, a walnut surfacing in another, and the smokey/vinegar/earthy/sweet/nutty/creamy effortlessly accomplished (and balanced perfectly) in our entree left me.. left me... well just sitting there in awe as I sipped the spicy Barberra our sweet blue-bloused waitress chose for us. Everything was beautiful and delectable and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jeff R.
Expensive, but very good small plates place. Sardines, smoked trout, and chicken and lentil salad for lunch. All very tasty. No highchairs for kids. No beer list (in Seattle??? Why not some local beers on tap or bottle?). Still, well worth a visit.
(5)
Swede S.
PNW to the nth degree, Best warm olives in town, More culinary work to be done on main entrees/ large plates.
(4)
A K.
good but not great. a bit overpriced and the portions are small.
(2)
GE A.
I read the other reviews and was a little hesitant at first about coming here (seating availability, portions, service) but wow, am I glad I did. On the plus side: Amazing food ---almost like eating on Top Chef. Chick Pea puree was incredibly flavorful, the tuna mousse with grilled cucumber and fennel was pretty darn good too. I ordered the lemon pound cake drizzled with elderberry syrup and topped with blackberries...the serving was so generous I had to box up the other half to bring home. In all, these three plates were more than enough for the two of us so I'm not sure what the other poster was talking about when he/she said portions were too small. However, I'll be fair and note that the cheese dish with apricot jam/honey drizzled nuts was mere smudge, if that so I'd skip it unless you are dining solo. Also, while I know bread is on the menu, it still might be nice to serve a couple of complimentary pieces. Seating - not problem. However, we did the European thing and ate our big meal at lunch. I would not want to even bother trying to come here at dinner. Will I go back? Yup. But just for lunch.
(5)
Heather S.
I was a big fan of the old location on Eastlake and am now thrilled at their fantastic new digs. Plus, lunch is offered again! I have been there a couple of times and have really enjoyed not just the great service and food, but the whole atmosphere. Looking forward to many returns in the future!
(4)
Doug M.
The passion for this restaurant is apparent with a very cordial note sent over to me. For this excellent follow-up I want to raise the rating to four stars. Thanks.
(4)
Susan D.
I am in love with S&S's new location! The Melrose building is such a great fit for this fantastic restaurant, and the ambiance they created in their small space is perfect. I won't be too specific about all the dishes we ordered, but instead will remark on how everything we ordered tasted deliciously fresh. It was like Matt had run outside to harvest the vegetables moments before our meal. My boyfriend and I actually went to the farmer's market the next day to try and re-create some of what we'd eaten at S&S the night before. :) These guys know what is up and do a wonderful job creating an ideal dining experience. From the ambiance to the friendly service, they've got it all figured out. Two big thumbs up, and I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Marlyn C.
Got there around 7 on a Wednesday night- I guess we're in a recession because we got seated immediately at a corner table under the windows. The staff gave us some time to look over the menu and gave us the option to order all at once or as we went. Very comfortable and easy-going. Our waitress also gave us good wine recommendations. The food was clean, simple, and delicious. My husband prefers saucier foods, while I enjoy both very simple seasoning that brings out the flavor of the food and complicated dishes. All in all I enjoyed it more. I like this place but it definitely has a lot of competition.
(4)
Jen S.
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while now after hearing all the hype about it. So we finally went on our last trip to Seattle in July. We had a little trouble finding them as they are in the back of a shared space with a seafood/butcher shop and wine shop in the front areas. The location is a cool little space with a very open kitchen. Atmosphere is casual. It would be fun to dine at the big kitchen table by the stove. It was a little too warm on the day we went, so I wouldn't recommend going on a hot day as they don't get a lot of airflow through the restaurant. We shared several dishes between four adults including a cold garlic soup that was reminiscent of a fancy salad dressing or dip. Very tasty, but soup? Among other dishes we had were the salmon appetizer, asparagus sidedish, grilled shrimp, and fish entree. The salmon was ok. The asparagus was good. The grilled shrimp and fish were excellent. All of the portions (except the soup) were quite small. We did order some double portions on the staff's recommendation, but even the double portions were still quite small. We were hungry within an hour or two and had to eat again. Overall I think this place does their food very well, but they are overpriced for portions. (I was recently told by a couple who dined at the previous location that their portions were larger back when the restaurant was smaller...). The staff were friendly enough and when they forgot about our grilled shrimp, they brought it out as soon as they remembered and gave us a nice discount. We also discovered a new favorite wine here (Mistral Ranch Red by Memaloose). If you go here, be sure to make a reservation well in advance.
(3)
leDuke w.
Exceptionally flavorful, locally produced gems !! Totally laid back atmosphere with nice wine list, super helpful waitstaff. For what you are getting, it's very much worth the price. If you are not a talker amoungst 'strangers' go with someone who is. Had a great time here that was recomended from Food & Wine article. So glad I went. I don't eat red meat but I did try the lamb/olive/bucatini from friend. Was bursting with braised juices very rich. Excellent dish. Give it go!
(4)
Mandy S.
Taco night rocks! The perfect, fun group meal. Great execution of the margarita.
(5)
Sean H.
This place is super lovely, it is just too popular now! Do your best to get in. The restaurant has a major commitment to be a celebration of delicious surprises in your mouth...sometimes a restaurant struggles to be different and accomplishes this by delivering something bizarre. That is not the case here. The flavors are exceptional. This is my favorite place in Seattle.
(5)
devin g.
So damn good. The menu changes weekly. All plates are tapas and very shareable
(5)
Bonnie C.
I had a lovely time here with my dining companion. We were able to walk in without a reservation, but the space is small so if you're not lucky you could end up having to change your plans - they only take reservations for large groups to be seated at their communal table. The food was marvelous - really nice flavor pairings with high, high quality local ingredients, including some unexpected ones (pickled fiddleheads - now that's a first). Sitka & Spruce does small and medium plates for tables to share and you choose off a big chalkboard. The waiter was very knowledgeable and helped us with some good choices. Service was quick. I found it a little odd that their moderate wine list was mostly european even though they are 'new american' cuisine, but they did have a special rose from the columbia valley that was really tasty.
(5)
Julian H.
Okay, I totally get it. It's small, it's exclusive, the menu changes all the time. (There's a place like this in Portland called Simpatica that's very good.) Be warned S&S is very pricey. The food here was carefully prepared and just anticipating the next dish was in some cases better than actually eating it. In fact, I don't remember what I ate. Nothing stood out as fantastic, but the novelty and freshness of the ingredients made up for anything I didn't love in my mouth. The chef clearly takes the food very seriously ( maybe a little too seriously? ) Our waiter was definitely too serious. He was nice enough but visibly twitched when someone in our party made a mess and then asked him to wipe off the table. The interior is very modern and somewhat stark. I guess that's so people focus on the food more than the ambiance? 3.5-4 stars because dining is more than inventive, fresh food. Minus a star for service blips and the cramped dining room/lack of ambiance. Great bragging rights, but for the scratch, I would probably go to stumbling goat or try a new place.
(4)
cindy w.
Went for the taco Monday night! Excellent food! The brisket taco was the best on the menu and sold out quickly. Small place but very cute! Serivce was fine nothing to write home about but very nice place to dine.
(5)
M F.
Food is good but not memorable. Smelts in beer batter; I guess there was a smelt in there, I tasted mostly batter. Clams on half shell with celery root salad were excellent. Lamb crepes were good, not great. Extra charge for bread with a little olive oil? You've got to be kidding! Nice wine (Nebbiolo) at reasonable price. Service warm and competent. Over all a nice meal, but nothing to make me want to hurry back. Perhaps based on what I had read, I was expecting too much.
(2)
tiara a.
My sister was in town from the east coast and found this place on chow-hound. Im from Tacoma and always go to yelp for a place to eat when I venture up north to Seattle. My sister is a conissuer of good food and cafes and she did not fail me! We both ABSOLUTELY loved Sitka & Spruce! We went there for weekend brunch and ordered about 4 or 5 small plates, all of it was divine. The winter legumes were kind of weird, we didnt realise that it was going to be a blended -as in food processor/blender kind of plate, but she was able to eat it with their yummy bread- and was happy with it, but wont order it again. She couldnt stop raving about the sardines, which I opted out of having, I'm more of a bread-y, oatmeal, fruity person so those are the plates I chose. And we were amazed by their delicious chamomile ROSE tea, it was one of the best teas we'd ever had, we even came away with a purchase of it. Their menu selection is not large but we ordered half the menu and left happy and talking about how great it was. I can't wait to go their for a late meal because that menu looked good as well! Will absolutely go back. p.s. i loved that they played johnny cash and elton john for the first few song selections, they get 5 stars for their music choice, oh and and our waiter was REALLY great and helpful.
(5)
Bret M.
Vegetarians beware!! Although there are meatless options on the menu, they seem to be intended as accompaniments for their main entrees, which all have meat in them. I had heard such great things about Sitka and Spruce that I was looking forward to sampling their cooking.What I ended up with was a boiled potato with a poached egg.There was also steamed squash as a separate dish. It was the type of food that I whip up for myself when I am feeling lazy - and I am not a seriously ambitious cook on an everyday basis. Nevertheless, I am not very often THAT lazy. My favorite part of my meal was bread and butter, another "lazy" staple. It is certainly the proprietor's prerogative to cater to what ever clientele is desired, but it doesn't appear that vegetarian clients are particularly valued. Service was neither here nor there, but judging from other reviews, perhaps I lucked out.
(1)
katie s.
All of us are in love with the host, and yes, while I realize he is taken by a lucky lady down at the Courson Building, one can always hope! (btw, he's a cross between Josh Groban and that guy on the I'm a Mac/PC commercials who used to date Drew) BTW, this includes the men in our party, I know a man-crush when I see one! The food was trying less hard but that was a disadvantage this time around. I think that for the money, Elemental is better with it's experimental nature. We had the beet salad (putting goatcheese on this would have added a star), the lamb polenta (solid), the chicken (also solid), a chocolate ice cream and a tart (meh). All of this, paired with wine for 70 bucks.. Not bad - and they are ever so courteous - I'll be coming back again..
(4)
Jeong K.
My favorite restaurant in Seattle. It is hard writing about the food because the dishes varies with seasonal ingredients and the chef, Matt Dillon is a creative genius. Menu is written on the chalkboard and offered in small or large plates. I recommend the sharing small plates with fellow diners. I don't think they take reservations for parties smaller than 6, so get there early for the first seating.
(5)
Geraldine D.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I wasn't head over heels in love with this place. Perhaps it was the pressure of wanting to like it, or perhaps it was doomed to begin with because of my high expectations, but I left Sitka and Spruce wondering what all the fuss was about. The service wasn't bad, and the food was inventive. We had gnocchi with lemon which was lovely, and some beef with morels that was quite delightful. But the wait was ridiculous (over an hour, maybe more), the restaurant was crazy packed, and we had to share a communal table that was clearly not big enough for all of this. The overall air is one of "We're understated but still better than you, and if you don't like it, it's because you're gauche." That, and they don't take reservations, which cultivates a "We were here first, so back off" environment among those waiting. I'm confused as to the logic behind this: are they trying to turn the restaurant into an all-out brawl? Will it be a death-match on table 3, winner takes all (the radicchio)? That might be more entertaining - and more deserving of the hype - than Sitka and Spruce currently is.
(3)
Elisa C.
I'm in love with this place. Moved from SF to Seattle East side for 6months, I didn't really go out a lot. I think after Sitka & Spruce this morning, I gain a bit more confident for Seattle. S&S great place for food and everything else, will go back very soon. I would say kid's friendly, if the place is not too busy.
(5)
Enrique B.
One of the best parts of dining here is that each employee is really invested in the food. The chef is usually in plain view, and the food can be ordered by size, like if you're just a touch hungry you can order a small size of duck confit but a medium size of the potato dish. Locally-sourced ingredients fill the creative menu which changes daily. No parking, so try to find some street parking in the neighborhood. Can be hard to get a table.
(5)
Mihae J.
I'm torn! If you have been to Elemental: yelp.com/biz/elemental-s… you would understand my rating. Sitka and Spruce is amazing. However...the 5/5 experience of American fine dining was had at this wonderful place in Wallingford, Elemental, and though this place is amazing, I think I have to give it a 4/5. I've been hearing about this place from my friend Ryland, who is actually friends with the Chef. No, not the main chef/owner Matt Dillon, but the second Chef maybe?In any case, this place- stuck between Subway and a random Pho place, is a jewel of Eastlake (well, steep competition there with East lake Zoo Dive bar ;) how can you beat Free Pool and Darts??) When I went in, there was a 40 minute wait, so Jonathan (friend) and I went back to his place, and drank some wine. They called us when the table was ready, which was really great- since we didn't have to wait at Sitka and Spruce to have our table. Like everyone has been saying below, the menu changes daily. They get the freshest ingredients from local farmer's markets (like the one in Ballard). It's written on the Chalk board, and though the handwriting is really hard to read, it is still quite charming. We didn't know what to order, really, so asked the waiter to go nuts. Here are the things we got... - Salad with apple, pine nuts, etc (A bit too vinegar-y) - fritters with aioli (****GREAT) - Porkbelly & vegies & duckegg (******* GREAT) - Gnocchi - Porkchop with rice - Olive oil Gelatto with dark chocolate pie (REALLY AWESOME) Ok, so if I had to point out a dish to talk about- I would pick Porkbelly & vegies & duckegg. This was such an interesting dish, and the combination of all three things created the tastiest explosion in my mouth! It was amazing. Oh, and the duckegg was cooked very nicely- it was just right. The desert was amazing. The dark chocolate pie & Olive Oil Gelatto (WTF? so awesome!) went great together. Who knew?? It was delicious, and I walked out of the restaurant feeling full, happy, and awesomely intoxicated with their great wine. Experience must be had if you live in Seattle. Make your way to Eastlake, and find this place sandwiched between Subway and Pho. You will love it. =)
(4)
Susana H.
Wow..... i have to say that we where very lucky to find taco night, this are the best tacos I had in Seattle. They are a little more expensive than the ones served in a taco truck but definitely worthy the price. Portions are good size and authentic. We didn't have to wait at all to get a table and the service was great. Definitely going back!!
(5)
Jill L.
Go on Monday. It's Taco Night & it's delish!!
(5)
akzidenz g.
hmmmmm..... we werent impressed by the food here and did drop alot of $$. the menu is changing almost daily so we probably came on an off night. nothing was unedible, it was just that it was not worth paying $30 for a piece of fish that didnt blow my mind. but then again, i had high expectations. the location and atmosphere of this restaurant was fabulous. and the service was great. i would return just for this. maybe. not.
(3)
alyssa t.
As echoed in other reviews, the service here is very poor. It was the type of service where the server acts like you are really inconveniencing him by being there. I had been waiting a long time to come here and was really excited, so I was extremely disappointed that our server was so bad. He hardly checked on us, left our glasses empty, including wine glasses (what?!, don't servers want the wine flowing??) for at least 20 minutes, and never asked how the food was. I figured maybe the kitchen was running behind, but then our food came it was cold. I saw him chatting on his phone while we sat and waited for him to come by. I was really just confused by the whole thing. As far as the food, eh... It was okay. I don't think I will be back or recommend this place to anyone.
(2)
Gem J.
The menu lacks a reasonable number options for vegetarians. Very limited selection. For a place that focuses on fresh food that's pretty stupid
(1)
Berkeley S.
Much has changed since my original review. Our younger daughter arrived about 3 weeks after our first attempt to eat at Sitka and Spruce. And our 4 year old who was refused a bowl of plain pasta is now 6, and she still loves her some plain pasta. I'm happy to say that we've been to the new Sitka and Spruce twice with both kids and have had nothing but gracious service, and some pretty great meals. On our last visit, my wife recognized our server as the same one from our first visit in 2009, and she recounted the story. He remembered us and comped our desserts, which was a nice gesture, but not necessary, since we'd already learned that whatever was going on in 2009 isn't any longer.
(5)
Chris H.
The mediterranean chicken dish I had was visually brilliant with an outstanding mix of flavors that transported me back to the Middle East. The feta and oranges with stinging nettle and pistachios was dinner and dessert all rolled into one. The prices were very reasonable and I look forward to visiting again soon to see what Matt will cook up next.
(5)
Connie C.
"We should try...(insert well raved restaurant here) next time" Sitka & Spruce was one of those places. My friend and I decidd that Sitka would be such the place to try out to celebrate her birthday. Off we go to the rustic oasis in a stripmall. Thank gawd for the recession, we got a table straight away. Our server was friendly and warm, good balance between attentive and leaving us alone. We started with Baby Butter Lettuce and Green Goddess dressing...not quite sure what exactly went into 'Green Goddess' but the addition of the marcona almonds balanced out the tartness of GG. Tasty, not extraorindary. Then there was the Hanger Steak...a little on the rare side - again, tasty but not extraorindary. But the Strawberry Chicken and turnips..now that was yummy. Still not extrorindary but it was...very very yummy. I have never had radish in that way but it was surprisingly good soaked in the broth of the chicken. The radish wasn't mushy, and perfect amount of crunchy. mmm..... Glad I tried it, but I don't have to go back. I also wouldn't need to be dragged there kickin' and screamin either. Overall A OK.
(3)
Edith R.
The Melrose Market and Sitka & Spruce are an A+ in terms of atmosphere, cozy, cool, urban, hip, industrial chic...fill in the blank. It's fun to come in, to see the Rain Shadow meats, to have drink at Bar Ferdinand... S&S is an awesome place to sit and enjoy friends. But when we were there the food was disappointing and the presentation surprisingly bad. The sausage with apple and saurkraut looked like male genitalia on a plate with some surrounding vegetables. The giblet dish reminded me of why you strain the giblets out of the gravy. The bass was was great. The menu is interesting but I believe that you never really know what you'll get. We loved being there, but we didn't love what we were eating.
(3)
Sophia M.
Do not be fooled by the location of this quaint little restaurant (next to a Subway and mini mart)! This place is as elegant and down to earth as I could ever wish a place to be! The food, though they lacked on vegetarian options, was delicious and very inventive. The staff were so friendly and played excellent music (Of Montreal and Iron and Wine to name a few). It's a little pricier than most places I go on a day to day basis, but it was a real treat, and I'll definitely be back when I want to celebrate or have a few extra dollars to spare. P.S. They change their menu everyday, or so I'm told, and they had several fish options for the pescatarians out there. I also hear they are willing to put together a special plate for vegetarians every now and then, but don't quote me on it! Oh, and I spied a gorgeous cook back there in the kitchen! Too bad I couldn't tell him how good the food was... or how much fun I had watching him make it!
(4)
Theodore S.
The food gets five stars, no question. It was great! It's the type of place where you are supposed to order a few plates. Very small and intimate, which is a good thing except... I'm giving them 3 stars for service. I didn't have a reservation but called ahead. They said we could get a table for 4 if we arrived right at 5:30 when they opened. So we did - and were seated at a cramped bar with the sun directly in our faces and a curtain blowing at us for the first 45 minutes of the meal. I would recommend going, but make sure you get that reservation and a real table!
(3)
Amber R.
I absolutely love Melrose Market so I can't help but love Sitka & Spruce as well. The food is delicious and they have a big old school wood stove that they cook some of their food in. The atmosphere is super cosy, its like a little piece of the country side in the middle of the city. The one downside is that its pretty difficult to get a table if you just decide to drop in. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
(4)
Algird L.
I went to Sitka & Spruce this last Valentine's Day, as me and my lady were supposed to be out of town... but then we weren't. Luckily, S&S still does first-come-first serve seating on holidays! Score! Space: The ambiance is very pleasant and understated. Not exactly ultimate romance, but intimate is doable. The space seems versatile and having a small party at their one group table would probably be a hoot. Wine: A decent '05 Italian for about $30. Solid, but nothing to write home about. Most of the wines on the list that day (about 20) were French, but I don't know enough about French wine to pick one out of a hat. Wine prices ranged from 25-50. Food: Most of the daily rotating menu is served communal either as a small or large plate. The server recommended 4 small plates for a 2-person dinner. 3 probably would've sufficed but 4 wasn't excessive. Course #1: Jamon Serrano, Kushi Oysters, Olives Straightforward. Tasty spanish ham and mixed olives, served with baguette. The oysters (2) were flavorless and weren't worth the trouble. 3 stars. Course #2: Octopus and Chickpeas w/ Pimenton & Parsley AMAZING. Bits of grilled octo (chewy-crispy outside and tender on the inside) with melt-in-your-mouth chickpeas in a very light (almost watery, but in a good way) pimenton sauce. 5+ stars. Course #3: Confit Duck w/ Pork, Beans & Parsnips An interesting combination. The duck was competent, but this dish proves that S&S has superhuman bean-cooking powers. The creamy texture of the beans mixed with the crunch of duck was perfection. 4.5 stars. Course #4: Oregon Lamb Shoulder w/ Artichokes & Cauliflower FAIL. It was unfortunate that the meal ended on this note. The lamb was blacked to the point where the only flavor was carbon. What a waste of good meat. The chokes & cauli were ok, but irrelevant with such a terrible centerpiece. 1.5 stars. Service: Helpful with ordering, then faded into the background except to bring out new dishes. I prefer this style of waiting. Bill (before tip): About $100. Overall: Despite a few sore spots, the quality and atmosphere, along with the interest of a rotating menu, will bring me back here at least twice a year. Recommended.
(4)
Sheena M.
This place is easily one of my favorites in the entire city. Great decor, fabulous drinks, amazingly delicious food, perfectly sized portions and and ever-changing menu usingthe freshest and finest ingredients. Love love love. Oh, and Mexican Mondays are a must-try.
(5)
Kevin K.
Wow. Sitka and Spruce just served me the best meal I've had in Seattle. Lettuce and radishes, that's it, made the best salad I've probably ever had. Now, I'm not much of a fancy diner, so I didn't really know what all of the things on the menu were. But it seemed like each of the items on the menu today had two foods i recognized mated with a third that I didn't. They have a way of putting food together in interesting and thoughtful ways that are simply inspired. Everything from the octopus to the locally grown lettuce to the wagyu beef was just about perfect. Man, I'm going to be thinking about this place for weeks. Can't wait to find an excuse to come back.
(5)
James L.
Third trip back since my stint of not going for 6 months (which you can read about below). One word: Flawless. Right now this restaurant is at the top of their game. The seasoning on every dish was impeccable. The wine list has extensive by-the-glass selection (e.g. about 10 whites by the glass)--everything from a bright, acidic Vermentino, to sweet Rieslings, to a beautiful, floral, perfectly balanced Bourgogne Blanc. But the real star is the food: Stunning ingredients, simply prepared, perfectly seasoned. Go there now. After the whole kitchen staff at Anchovies & Olives changed (marking an ugly, precipitous drop in the food, punctuated by ugly new menus), this is my favorite restaurant on the hill. Right now, they're doing everything right.
(5)
Tim O.
This isn't your mama's restaurant. If you want to carb load on never-ending bread, there's a Olive Garden around here, somewhere. If you want the staff to fawn all over you and flirt and wipe the sides of your mouth when necessary, Hooter's is right down the road from Sitka & Spruce. However, if you want damn good, seasonal gems and a professional staff that realizes that you're here for the food and not them, hit up S&S. Their limited wine selection is damn good too.
(4)
K H.
Went with a group for weekend dinner...I don't know if it was the combination of things ordered ( didn't have much of a say) but everything didn't go together. The flavor was good but it seemed as if every dish was more acidic than the previous dish. I wish the server would've thought of this and made some recommendations but instead I was ill the next day. Probably not going back- the bread was the only thing I enjoyed.
(2)
Ken E.
After having been here for brunch and dinner, I recommend dinner for a first visit to Sitka and Spruce. There are more choices for dinner, just look for the large chalkboard menu. Like the other reviewers, I really like the experience you get by coming here. The dishes are original, the ingredients are fresh, and the seasoning is complex. Take for example the roasted turnip dish. The bite-sized, crunchy turnips were cooked with lardo (an Italian salumi which I'd never tried before), pine nuts, and thyme. The combination of flavors was delicious. A friend and I tried four other dishes and dessert with wine: =Braised octopus with cress =Halibut cheeks with roasted greens =Roasted beet salad with grains =Chicken, heart, and liver-stuffed ravioli =Orange pound cake with olive oil gelato, yep it was really good A constant theme at Sitka is that vegetables are cooked to perfect textures. The cress was crunchy, the roasted beets were roasted but crunchy inside. Also, unlike a lot of restaurants, carbs and starches aren't used just to add volume to a plate. The food is prepared carefully so there's plenty of time to talk and drink some wine. Highly recommended.
(5)
Dilbert D.
Went here for Taco Night! The food was excellent and fairly priced. Nice service and atmosphere. Not much else to say,except that I'd like go back to try their food on a non-taco night too!
(5)
Katie A.
Sitka & Spruce is one of those restaurants that will change the way you view other dining establishments. All those 5 star reviews I've been handing out like candy corn on Halloween, yeaaaah.. well, I was wrong. I'll be honest, I didn't know any better. Now I do. This place is a true 5 star, and quite possibly some of the best Seattle has to offer. We strolled in and were immediately greeted warmly and were told that it'd be an hour wait, which was fine. I'd expected that, so no bigs. We walked across the street and had some wine at Pazzo since Serafina was all 'private party'd up last night. Boooo! When we returned, we were seated promptly and told that the menu (which changes daily) and the wine list were on the chalkboard up front. We decided on 4 small plates: Hedgehog Mushrooms & Acorn Squash Gnocchi with Black Truffles Trout with a warm kale & olive salad in a reduction Hanger steak (with all kinds of badass!) and a bottle from the Navarra region. Every dish was so unique and interesting and fantastic. We found ourselves in complete awe (no, seriously!) over the warm kale salad and steak. I'd tell you to order them when you're there next, but since their menu is always changing, so well.. good luck with that. Another great thing about S&S is that their small plates are bigger than most tapas' restaurant's small plates. You can also order most of the dishes in small or large sizes. The waitress and waiter were extremely accommodating and friendly. We sat and ate and drank for almost 2 hours, an hour of it was just us, and it was totally fine. The space is cute. Yeah, it's in a strip mall.. yeah, get over yourselves.. And most importantly, get over there. Now. 5 Stars people. 5 REAL 'I know better now, MMAD' Stars!
(5)
T K.
Sitka & Spruce has opened their new Capitol Hill location, in the same market-like building as Calf&Kid and the meat place and what will be an oyster bar. That place will be hopping! and S&S has the potential to be a nice anchor to it. The food was, for the most part, super-yum and very creative. The olives especially were fanatastic. The kitchen is in full view and if you're at the main table it's like you're in the chef's kitchen. downsides were that, as a vegetarian, I didn't feel there was a lot for me. In the end we paid $100 for two, and we had only ordered a bottle of cider (cheapest on their menu), not wine. So I wasn't sold on the value for what we got. The biggest problem was that my partner's dish, the chicken, was undercooked. It was red in the middle. We pointed this out and got the "oh, yeah, that does look raw... well, we're new." Hmmm... that strikes me as a dangerous situation which I would expect them to take more seriously. I hope they work at least the cooking issues out because it has great potential.
(3)
Kristin Q.
HOT TIP! If you love this place, keep your ears open about the owner opening a new place in Georgetown this summer. My review: Every time I go to Sitka & Spruce, I'm reminded of why I tell people this is my favorite restaurant. The menu always seems to have something surprising, and everything I order is delicious. The servers are warm, well-informed on the menu and the wine, and above all, they are gracious. My parents were in town a few weeks ago, so I took them there for dinner. We shared the big table with a couple other parties, including a group of three guys that lived nearby and were regulars. I loved that on a Saturday night, we could enjoy excellent food and excellent service, all the while rubbing elbows with regulars who were wearing hoodies & jeans. I LOVE not having to dress up to go out!! We stayed for hours, ordering plate after plate of amazing food to enjoy with our bottle of wine. We were never once made to feel as if they wanted us to leave so they could turn the table over. As for comments about the food being too rich, the service too slow, the staff too friendly....etc. This is the kind of place to view as an experience, not the quick in-and-out place with uninterested staff that you usually get. They will take reservations for the big table, but I think only for groups of 6 or more. If you don't have a big group, just get there early. It's worth it.
(5)
Jessie P.
This place wouldn't turn any head to walk past it. Nestled in a shopping center on Eastlake, Sitka & Spruce embodies that unpretentious mixture of high-quality sophistication and a welcoming, easy presence. Only two reservations for parties of 5 or more are taken a night, so be prepared for a bit of a wait, and for the possibility of sharing your table. Americans can be extremely wary of this type of dining, but imagine you're European for a moment and embrace the fact that you may just meet your new best friend while munching through the most amazing beet salad you've ever had. Menus change daily so stop by often!!
(5)
Oliver S.
Our 3 previous visit to Sitka and Spruce were great. Based on these 3 visits I would give it 5 stars. But our visit this week was very disappointing, especially, having high expectations. Here is why: 1. Salad with Moroccan beef was just blend; I was looking for some burst of flavor but everything in it was boring. 2. Grilled halibut was very dry; mushroom sauce helped a bit but I was looking for enjoying the fish that would be moist on its own. And it wasn't just our order, our friends order was dry as well. I felt bad for the good piece of fish that wasn't done properly. 3. Pita with yogurt, was just OK. Pita got soggy under the yogurt. 4. Things that were great at our dinner (Tomato and melon salad, bread by Columbia bakery) Sitka and Spruce, I really expect more from you.
(3)
Erin W.
Being somewhat new to Seattle I was so excited to have discovered this gorgeous secret hiding place! It is so pretty! The old fashioned farm tables and tiny glass vases with single flower displays made me feel like I had escaped to a quaint, European countryside. It was a rare, warm and sunny day in April which, because of the huge windows, made the whole place glow. We ordered the warm dates and yogurt, the Yakima chickpea puree with stinging nettles and salted orange, and the marinated feta with heirloom navels and dukkah. Holy sh**! That's the only appropriate reaction for literally some of the best food I've ever tasted. Everything had this surprising mesh of flavors that ended up fitting together so perfectly. They were very attentive to the order in which the food came out and gave us time to savor each dish. I really appreciated their attention to detail and presentation. Everything that came out of the kitchen was beautiful and tasted amazing. I can't even imagine what their dinner must taste like!
(5)
Ted W.
The food was very good and the ambience and design is extremely comfortable. The raw scallops with rhubarb were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, oysters and smoked mussels were enjoyable, spot prawns were buttery and really great, a very nice salad, and delicious cheese for desert. All of the food ordered was top drawer. The service was helpful, if a tad casual. This was a truly fine dining experience.
(5)
Timothy F.
Went back finally after putting it off as long as I could, because you can see from my first review that is was less than a stellar premier. This place has an amazing reputation and the place really loves to experiment with different herbs and exotic flavors. I kept it simple with a similar salad like before that is so fresh and yummy without anything but lettuce and some hazelnuts, which is so wonderfully surprising. (I can't make my lettuce taste like that at home!). Then tried a pan "roasted" (or toasted?? haha) but whatever, it was to die for. Cooked perfectly and although aromatic touches with the spice combo, not overworked like I think can happen with these techniques involving major spices/herbs etc. Topped that off with a nice espresso and a piece of rhubarb pie and I was sold. And the fact it is a 30 second walk doesn't hurt either. Hope I go to 5 stars next time! It's in the new but very cool remodeled space called the Melrose Market and the restaurant just kind of flows into the open space and has nice big windows, which are west facing which can be a little intense in the summer but fabulous for sunsets. Busy during pre-theater but lots of seating nooks and bar type areas. Go and give you taste buds a treat because it is unique, trendy in a Seattle casual way and delicious this 2nd time around.
(4)
Sheila Y.
This place is a one in a million kind of spot....Since moving to SF, I can safely assert that this is the best place I have ever been to.... This is saying a lot! i dream of Sitka down here and nothing comes close...even Boulettes, Bar Jules, NOPA, Delfina, SPQR, etc. etc. etc. I don't know what it is about that special little spot on Eastlake, but I dream of it at night when I push out nightmares of failing the bar. When I visit again in September this will be my first stop off the plane and the last before I go. If I could ever convince Matt to partner up down here SF wouldn't know what hit it!
(5)
Natalie L.
We finally popped in for brunch today, as S & S has long been one of my favorite dinner spots (both on Eastlake and now at Melrose). The french press was good, though a little on the light side if you're looking for a good pick-me-up (I must admit, I'm not much of a coffee connoisseur). The hubby and I shared the yogurt with oranges, honey and dates, which was perfect. The warm caramelized dates went well with the thick and creamy homemade yogurt and nice tart orange. I also got the marinated smelt with stinging nettles. It was served cold and almost 'pickled' tasting. I love pickled things mind you. The stinging nettles were a nice earthy complement to the vinegary and herby fish (mostly dill and parsly) which was topped with a soft boiled egg. All in all a delicious brunch at the wonderfully light filled communal table.
(5)
chris m.
Holy shit this place rocks, the menu rotates frequently, but everything I have had is awesome - the Meze plate with the different veggies is awesome.
(5)
Sally T.
I'm sorry to say the place is grossly overrated. Negatives: 1. We were seated 50 minutes past our reservation time. It would make more sense to go back to the policy of not accepting reservations rather than keeping people waiting for nearly an hour in the hall. 2. The food was terribly over salted (and I like salt). 3. Some dishes were boring or incongruent. Considering the reputation, it should be consistently stellar. Positives: 1. Good bread. 2. Some good dishes, -- since the menu evolves I won't go into details. 3. Nice location. It was fun to eat at the communal table. We bonded with other prisoners in the hallway and with others in the restaurant.
(2)
C. B.
FIrst time at Sitka & Spruce since they moved from Eastlake. My friends and I thought we would celebrate our friendship and how we all met by going to Sitka's new location on Melrose on Capitol Hill. The food didn't dissapoint and we had great service. My favorite was the anchovy dish with some unusual vegetable (it's not on the online menu, unfortunately), followed by the halibut with stinging nettles. Didn't know you can eat flower fleece either but it was lovely. The new location is less cozy than their old location on Eastlake where the tables were mostly communal (that's how my group of friends met and started our dinner club which started over 2 years ago) but thank goodness the food is still as good as the old place. After dinner and as we were having wine at the wine bar next to S&S, chef/owner, Matt Dillon came by to say hello after he learned that our group became friends after we all met at S&S Eastlake. That was cool.
(4)
Emily B.
Yummy food, but just not worth it for the price. The portions really are small for the price compared to other restaurants in this price range. And the food was great, but nothing really stood out. Sure, the ingredients are high quality and local, but places like the Corson Building just do it better. I also wouldn't recommend this place for a special or romantic night, unless communal seating and hands-off service is your thing. Not a bad experience, but it just wasn't it worth it for a $100+ dinner.
(3)
Karen L.
I cannot believe I have not written a review of Sitka and Spruce! We've gone on and off every since they opened! We tried them tonight at their new location. I have to say, I like the space! Very airy. I was sorta surprised though by the limited seating even though there was more space overall. We had a 8:30 reservation but had to wait for a while for our table. This would not have bother me so much but there was an empty table for 6 that was open for a good part of our wait. I know that it was probably reserved as well but by the time they seated us, at a communal table for 6, the other party at our table was getting ready to leave, the party for the empty table for 6 was just getting seated. (it would have made more sense to seat us at the open table and then they would have only had to ask the party that the empty table of 6 to wait a few minutes while they set up that table. BTW, the waitress offered to seat us at a 2 person table that was squished in the corner but since we were a party of 3, we declined. The best part of our meal was the spot prawns, followed by the sardines, and then the chicken liver pate with chanterelles and a raw yolk. For some reason, everything was a little over-salted....The least favorite, at least where value was concerned was the $16 "big" salad was not very big...while it was good, it was basically a stack of lettuce leaves (maybe half a head).. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal here...but I will not order the salad again as it is something I can make at home for a lot less. In the end, S&S gets 3 stars average (4 for the food and 2 for the staff being so lame as to make us wait when there was a much better option available)
(3)
Conor G.
honestly one of the best meals I have ever had in Seattle. The atmosphere and setup up of the restaurant within Melrose Market was amazing. We sat at the head of the table and chatted with the chefs all night long drinking prosecco and eating olives, pan fried cauliflour with a fried eggs, green beans, and smoked trout. The manager was very nice and looked like Josh Groban AKA Grobes. I can't wait to go back and sit with the cooks again! That is my favorite way to eat.
(5)
Trevin C.
The place was insanely hard to find since it looks like a real estate office from the outside. The decor inside is nothing to rave about. You could probably squint and assume that you were actually in a Real Estate office with it's relatively boxy furniture and small number of tables (6). The food and the way it's served it fairly unique. With any dish you order, you get access to their "buffet", which is a counter full of hot and cold dishes, breads, jams, etc. The choice for your main meal is pretty sparse -- when we went, you could only choose between 2 items. If you didn't like poaches eggs or octopus that day, you'd be out of luck! The service was excellent but given the restaurant is so small, it's hard NOT to have good service. The wait staff could probably feel a bad look on your face since they're basically sitting right next to you at all times :) Overall, I liked it, but it wasn't anything to rave about. We got seated right away, but I wouldn't have waited an hour like other customers we saw.
(3)
christine c.
A restaurant for true foodies, the portions are small but sharable, and each dish is more interesting than the next. Highly recommend if you're into unusual, experimental food with locally grown ingredients. And the service is excellent, as well. Bring your own wine to help keep the tab down, because it's pricey.
(4)
RONALD W.
A great local neighborhood restaurant with a menu that changes everyday with the availability of fresh regional ingredients. The menu is handwritten on a chalkboard by the door. European/american dishes of all sorts. They practice the communal table principle and if you are local you can call ahead and have them call you when space becomes available. Very small restaurant, so don't just show up with a group and expect space. After the first time there, I just have the waittress pick dishes for my group.
(4)
Heather B.
One of the best meals I've ever had - fresh, unfussy, beautiful. Great service. Sit at the community table so that you can watch the chefs at work! Definitely recommend the chanterelle dish for as long as it's on the menu.
(5)
Emma W.
I came here on a Thursday right as they were opening for lunch. The space is so quaint and homey. Sitka and Spruce has such a friendly staff and use fresh, high-quality ingredients. I sat right next to the open kitchen, it was cool getting to watch them cook. Their bread and whipped butter is amazing! I ordered their wild rice with cranberries and sheep feta, and I LOVED it. I also got a chance to try their buckwheat cake with LAVENDER cream.
(5)
Shad S.
Excellent food, cool ambiance and good service! We were in Seattle for one night and wanted to meet up with friends who live in the area. I did some research online before picking the restaurant. I am glad I chose Sitka and Spruce. The wait was long, but it was totally worth it. The building itself is pretty cool. I liked the interior design of the restaurant. Our server was helpful. We shared two main dishes and two appetizers between 4 people which was enough. The ingredients were fresh. All the dishes were unique and flavourful. I was the only one who ordered dessert but ended up sharing it with everyone. Sitka and Spruce is one the best trendy restaurants i have been to. I wish we had a place like this in Vancouver.
(5)
Rachel G.
The service was great! We had the assorted pickled plate and the ham and peaches with drizzled burnt honey. The wine selection is amazing!!
(4)
Alan L.
Quite enjoyable meal! Seattle is the home of relaxed ambiance and wonderful food. Sikta & Spruce is a textbook example. Certainly not a fancy setting, but you will walk out after dinner wondering when you can return for another meal there.
(4)
Jenn N.
I love sitting at the communal table for brunch. In fact, it is one of my favorite places for brunch in the city. My bf and I always get a large French pressed coffee to share and we usually get at least one refill. We love their buttery scones with even more of their amazing butter and honey. It is at once delicate and indulgent and goes so well with a cup of coffee. I usually follow that with their yogurt or hot cereal option that is healthy enough to feel better about the two scones but still so delicious that you don't feel you are missing out on something better. The huge windows make the mornings bright and airy and they never rush you when you are lingering over that last cup of coffee and trying to figure out 37 down on the crossword puzzle. For dinner, I prefer sitting along the wall with my bf, overlooking the windows. It is so much more intimate and romantic. In the evenings, the restaurant lighting is dimmer and feels more decadent. We love their house baked bread. It is so velvety and even better when slathered with some of their sleek butter. The chicken pate on toast is sublime and we always follow with a vegetable dish that is always outstanding to cleanse our palates for the mains. Currently, we are smitten with the braised and grilled pork dish. If you forgot to make reservations, put your name down for the next seating. Then head over to Bar Ferdnand, and your wait will fly by.
(5)
Gavin P.
This great place has a lot going for it: PROS: the food is F-ing unbelievable. So tasty and savory. The combinations are also very new to me so this is a great place to go if you want to try a different experience on your tongue. The staff is so proper I felt like I was in a 5 star hotel on the East coast, very hard to find service like this in Seattle... it felt out of place but I liked it. The venue is located inside the Melrose Market which only serves local farmed fresh goods uniquely prepared. This restaurants I assume gets most of their ingredients from the market they are located inside. So its kind of nice to know exactly what you are eating and where it came from. CONS: parking is horrendous. Bread was not free... seriously WTF? portions were small. They were filling but they were small, especially since you will be paying 25$ for them before drinks.
(4)
Marc M.
This place changed the way I think about food. The flavors that I tasted here were like nothing I've ever had before. Me and my girlfriend went out there on my birthday, and we ended up sitting at the communal table. I was apprehensive at first, but it turned out to be a great experience and I was able to see the chefs at work which was enjoyable. Yes, the menu was limited, but it encouraged me to try new, local, and seasonal things and what they do, they do well. Unfortunately I have recently moved, but I am waiting to go back to seattle so that I can eat here again. Worth every penny.
(5)
Alrick F.
Yummy! Found the portions kind of small for the price but it was very well prepared and plated. Great place to watch the chefs work in the kitchen but not the best place for a quiet, romantic evening.
(4)
Todd B.
If you know the things I love about great restaurants -- local ingredients, new American, unique atmosphere, distinct and changing menu -- this one has it in spades. The space itself is absolutely beautiful, charming and inviting. I felt as if I'd just stepped into a large kitchen, and that I had been invited to dinner in the kitchen. The family style table as well as the personal "bar" spaces by the window (not such a great view) were nice touches, and I loved the view into kitchen that was not divided off from the dining room but integrated into the same space. The hearth and flames made the room feel warm and cozy. The menu is very limited but excellent. I chose the salami and sauerkraut small plate, and the mussels, clams and bacon dish. It was a healthy portion of mussels and clams, but not quite enough for a whole meal. Bacon was cooked into the mussel and clam, and the taste was spectacular. The taste of bacon offset the more "seafoody" taste of the mussels and clams. I am on a no carb diet, or I would have enjoyed the incredible looking sourdough bread that can accompany any dish for an extra $4. The wine choices were limited but well chosen, and I enjoyed the cabernet. I also ordered coffee which came in a sizable French press, and it rose to the level of quality I expect from coffee in Seattle. I wanted to give this restaurant five stars, but I just couldn't. My service was average. I was seated immediately without a reservation, and the service was fairly quick. I ordered olives from server to accompany my mussels, and the mussels arrived but not the olives. It wasn't until I ordered the salami after the mussels -- because I was still hungry -- that she realized her mistake and said, "You ordered the olives. I can get those now." At that point, I no longer wanted olives. I wanted something more substantial. What bothered me is that she didn't really apologize -- and if she had really wanted to have made it right, she should have just brought the $4 olives at no charge. Customer service fail here. But that was minor -- I had a great experience, I would go back again for sure, and I was happy that I was able to enjoy such a memorable place.
(4)
Justine M.
Great atmosphere! Very quaint and lovely. Everything is made fresh in house including the bread! The dishes are made more for sharing. I ordered a entree dish for myself (the chicken) and it was very good. The menu changes every so often. The waitress was very informative and professional.
(5)
Mali K.
Loved this place. Everything we ordered was delicious. I'll definitely be returning next time I visit Seattle.
(5)
Jonathan C.
There is nothing that I enjoy more than a meal prepared with fresh local ingredients with good friends and a nice IPA. Sitka & Spruce was not the place to go for me, or anybody that appreciates fresh local craft ales. Despite their extensive wine and cocktail selection, they only had two beer selections on their menu. They had a canned amber, and a canned golden. What do they have against hops? I asked the manager about this and he said they don't typically even offer beer on their menu. This is Seattle. This region is producing some of the best craft ales in the world and Sitka & Spruce completely alienates beer aficionados and the local craft beer industry. The dude does not abide. Skip the pretension .
(1)
Tyler L.
Awesome restaurant though getting a table can be fairly difficult. We actually visited on a Monday when the restaurant is run by one of the chefs as a taco restaurant. These are not your typical tacos though. Each was a lovingly crafted explosion of flavors. The best was the shredded pork, though all the meat.based ones were excellent. The cactus and fish ones were just ok. The drinks were also phenomenal including the line and beer michelado and the cucumber drink. Service was also very quick and friendly, even allowing us to take the last set of 3 seats while we waited for our party and they were full. The huge communal table is a bit odd, but less intrusive than it seems to start. Finding the location can be tricky too as it is tucked in the back of the market. Too bad the Mexican proved so popular they are moving out now.
(5)
Hannah L.
Something to know about me: in the spring of 2006, Sitka & Spruce opened. At the time, I lived on the East Coast...and I knew about it. This is a visit I've been meaning to make for years. And like almost every good thing that's ever happened in my life, it arrives when I'm least looking for it, toward the end of a week or a month of endless doldrums. So the man walks me there, and we sit within a minute at the west-facing window watching the lights go on over the skyline as the clouds fade. And the people down the bar are talking to everyone, and the man next to us passes over a little bowl of Portland salami and pickles because he doesn't need them, and the welcoming is warm and convivial and suddenly life, when plates of things like smoked trout or beets with their tails atop a spiced walnut sauce heavily studded with fluffy dices of feta or steamed Neah Bay black cod nestled on chanterelles and cream and golden corn begin to appear, seems perhaps doable and almost possibly lovely. Or that might have been the bottle of wine. But no matter, because there it is. An open, warm space with a little of anything local or seasonal, dressed up inventively but not so much that the beauty of the goods themselves are obscured, and served up on plates small but not tiny make for delight. Worth waiting years for, yes. But also perfectly accessible, as any simply good thing, for any lunch or dinner. All satiety and brightness tonight....
(5)
chris s.
We'd been wanting to try S&S for a long time, so we had high hopes. The food was very good, no question. The bread & butter ($5.50) was delicious, although a very small portion. Unfortunately, we found the service to be a little condescending. We asked for more crackers to go with our cheese plate and were met with a hesitant "um, sure" ... so there was no way we were going to ask for more bread. We also had a baby, asked to charge our phone, and overall felt like we were inconveniencing the staff. The food was great, but we left hungry. There are so many restaurants that are just as good, if not better, and make you feel welcome.
(3)
Poulina K.
I had my sights on Sitka for quite some time. On a Saturday foodie tour through Melrose Market, I finally had an opportunity to get a taste. Let's just say I can't wait to come back and have more. The space is small, but permeated with light and feels very open since most of the walls are covered in windows. Contrasts of white and chunky wood against the backdrop of exposed brick wall creates a welcoming setting. Almost as if you got invited to a chef's private kitchen. Make sure to make reservations, since this gem gets full quickly during dinner hours. A sign of a great restaurant, to me, is when the most simple dishes are done exceptionally well. And also, when your server can create an entire meal experience, simply by asking just a few questions. At Sitka & Spruce we had both. Freshly baked sour dough bread with sea salt and butter complimented by a glass of chilled Margon. Simple. Fresh. Divine. We also shared two salads of roasted baby beets and and fava beans. Each ingredient subtly elevated the flavor of another and together it created a perfect harmony of complexity on my pallet. Fantastic culinary experience from start to finish.
(5)
Mike S.
Impressive/creative food in a very unique/cool space, plus excellent service -- it doesn't get any better than this! We really enjoyed the morels, roasted cauliflower (wow!) and squid & Garbanzos, but every bite of our 6 tapas-style dishes was outstanding! We highly recommend sitting at the chef's table -- while it is communal and our meal started with two noisy neighbors (they left quickly, thankfully), it is a cool experience to dine directly in the kitchen.
(5)
Matt T.
Rating this place five stars makes me wish I hadn't rated any other as five stars. If I had only one night in Seattle, this is where I would eat. If I had only one night on Earth this is probably where I would eat. What I like is that it is artistically brilliantly delicious whole, local, plant-heavy NW style cuisine in a rather unpretentious, casual but tasteful and elegant space. You will eat food prepared as well as anyplace you will ever eat while wearing shorts and flip-flops. It's expensive, yes. Expect to drop around $150 - $200 for two if you get a bottle of wine. But you can easily spend around $100 for a couple at LOTS of restaurants in Seattle (see some of my other reviews). I'd rather eat at S&S half, a third, or a quarter as often than spend what some other trendy, spendy Seattle joints will wring from your wallet. Also, it's not perfect. I've never experienced it, but I'm not surprised to read about eye-rolling servers. It's a major foodie place that deploys a withering barrage of adjectives for things like tomatoes and squash. They're walking a line between insulting the patrons who speak their language and informing those who don't (like me). Just remember who is working for whom and enjoy the consistently perfect food.
I love communal table/open kitchen restaurants, and Sitka & Spruce was the perfect place for a girls-night-out dinner & wine. They offer their sourdough as a starter and it was some of the best bread I've ever had in my life, seriously. It was soft and fresh. We ordered ham & sauerkraut, the chicken liver pate, smoked trout, braised & grilled pork. All were absolutely amazing with the wine we had. I take away one star only because we sat beside this couple that was clearly arguing about something and had maybe too much to drink. At some point they even broke a wine glass. The server could've made the situation less uncomfortable by assuring that we're going to be fine. Great service, just not impeccable, which is something I look for in high-calibre restaurants like Sitka & Spruce.
(4)
Brooke K.
Maybe we hit it on an off night but the food was average at best. I had been dying to try this place and we had friends in town so I felt it would be a great PNW experience. The service was kind of snotty, when we walked in they pointed us to our table. Our waitress seemed exhausted by my friends trying to decide on a bottle of wine, she didn't share anything about the wines but the names and region. We had 2 average small plates and then the potatoes were pretty good. They had 3 entrees for the night but by 8pm had already run out of one? We did the only options of the chicken and halibut. The halibut was really good and the chicken was OK. There are so many great places in Seattle, so I just can't justify the hype of this place. If you are looking for great place with PNW flair, head over to Rock Creek. Their food is a lot better and so is the wait staff.
(2)
Robin P.
I have eaten here several times in the last two years and have finally concluded it is not worth the money. The chairs are uncomfortable and the food overpriced. The service is always inconsistent. The menu is very small and limited to only a couple of entree options. There are so many better places to dine.
(2)
Laleh J.
Guys, I was kind of disappointed after having dinner here, and I had been wanting to come here for over a year now. First of all, let's just put it out there, upfront, that there is no question that the food at Sitka and Spruce is excellent. Truly, our meal was very very delicious, and this restaurant really represents cuisine from the Pacific Northwest. I also really like the communal table- my friend and I enjoyed chatting with the people sitting next to us. So why three stars? First of all, my friend and I were literally freezing as we dined. I don't know what was up with the heating, but it was too cold for us to properly enjoy. Even now as I'm sitting at home on my couch, I have two blankets on me as I try to defrost. Second, we ordered the pre-theatre meal, but the portions were small for two people, I think. Both of us were eyeing our neighbor's bread at the communal table quite longingly. Staple and Fancy in Ballard also has this option of having a family-style four course meal much like the pre-theater meal we had tonight, but the experiences there and here are quite different. Much less food at Sitka and Spruce, and I remember the presentation at Staple and Fancy was just something else- it was more of a culinary experience there. Thirdly, I think our meal was slightly overpriced, despite the quality. Fourthly, finding parking was a pain in the behind, although that's not the restaurant's fault! I think it is the combo of these that made us have an A-OK experience. The food style is quite similar to Terra Plata and The Whale Wins- I think if I have friends coming to visit me in the future, I might take them to Terra Plata instead. Probably if I hadn't been so cold, I would have had a better experience, so who knows? If I had gone in the summer when the weather were warmer, this likely would have been a 4-star review! :)
(3)
James M.
Favourite date spot, for dinner or brunch.
(5)
Kate S.
The good: This place has amazing food. Hands down, one of the better places for northwest inspired cuisine. When you go for brunch, you must try the scone. The salmon, the picked vegi's... everything... just top notch. My complaint: The staff. If I've ever seen the biggest eye roll of my life, it was when the waitress listened to my boyfriend while he asked to describe something. She looked so irritated when he asked what kind of squash was used in a dish or whether the pickled items were tart or sweet. He's Mexican, they don't have this stuff in Mexico - be understanding that other people aren't familiar with some dishes. Jesus. If that 21 year old pretentious waitresses we've had when we come here had been slightly more humble, I would have given this place 4 or 5 stars and her a better tip. Unless you're a foodie, prepare to be patonized.
(3)
Jess E.
La classe! this place has it. As an out of town food tourist, a restaurant like this is exactly what I'm looking for: excellent and charming service with all plates thoughtfully described, a beautiful original lofty space with an open kitchen and DELICIOUS FOOD. The bread is great, I believe it comes from the bakery in the same space. The mushroom and poached egg dish was to die for (white wine, butter and mushrooms can never be bad). The zucchini dish was artfully stacked and an original way to highlight the seasonal bounty. Would love to come back!
(5)
Michael T.
Really do like this place. This is the kind of place you go to once in a while and enjoy dinner, slowly, savoring the food for each course (but you don't have to do courses). The wine list is solid, if you enjoy wines from around the world, but not so big that you are overwhelmed. If you need to eat and run, you may be happier at a sandwich joint. This place is for good food and good conversation.
(4)
Fiona C.
Came into this charming restaurant with friends our first night in seattle. The place is small - make reservations people!! We sat at the communal table and had a good look at how calm the kitchen was with the three chefs. We had ordered a few things but my favorite being the cod in terms of flavor. Everything else was only ok. Service was alright.
(3)
Kathy M.
I don't really know what the hype is about. The restaurant is situated in the back of a market, the openness of which invited flies to congregate around my food and wine. The food is overpriced for the quality, and the waiter forgot one of my dishes. This place is geared towards vegetarians, with most of the items on the menu being vegetable-based dishes. Won't be returning.
(3)
Matt M.
This place is exactly my style. I'm a bit of a hipster, a huge foodie, and a lover of repurposed buildings. Criteria met. Excellent food. Well chosen wine. Fun atmosphere in a setting you would expect to see in an architecture magazine. 10/10.
(5)
Andrea H.
I am so glad we found this gem! (Thanks to the reviews of others). We're a family of vacationing foodies and this place made me grateful our kids (ages 3 & 4) have adventurous pallets. We didn't have reservations so we sat at the communal table. While the place isn't designed to accommodate kids (high spinning stools), the staff did a great job. And, our kids loved the stools... The open kitchen, decor, and shops in the Market gave us all plenty to feast our eyes on while we waited for food. We got four dishes to share--family-style is how we roll, our goal is always to try as much as possible. We ordered one appetizer, a salad, a small plate, and a main. It was plenty! The kale salad with pear was divine. The kale was perfectly crisp and the dressing was light and not overpowering. The potatoes were the highlight of the salmon dish. I'm still trying to figure out how the skin was so crispy and the inside so soft. Mmmm. We rounded out with the cod, butternut squash, and rice. Sounds simple, right? To say it's the best cod I've ever had would be an understatement. It was a generous portion that was easy for us to share. The homemade caramels with the check--well let's just say mom a and dad each got two. I wasn't convinced the kids would appreciate them as much as us :).
(5)
Bryan W.
Sitka & Spruce is a darling restaurant housed in Melrose Market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. It is squirreled away in the back but flooded with light from stetching windows. We ordered healthy, hearty dished such as an emmer (farro) salad with a dish of house prepared lox. Nearly every table (including us) started with fresh baked bread served with salted butter. Great menu which relies on flavor of ingredients to make each dish.
(4)
mimi n.
One of the best restaurants in Seattle for NW/new American food. Epitomizing how we eat now--plant-based, respectfully developed flavors, with an interior decor that marries a garage with kitchen, Sitka & Spruce really delivers. Excellent. Bravo.
(5)
Matt L.
Lunch in March. Was able to get two seats at the table near the kitchen and preparation table, which as others have noted, are my favorite seats since one has the opportunity to see the staff in action. Highlights this time: the pork belly, and the cookies with the cocoa nibs (unique and awesome!)
(5)
Peter O.
Meh, that's all there is to say.
(2)
Quinn I.
Let me start this review off right: Hands down the best meal I've had in Seattle! This has got to be one of the most adorable little secrets of Capitol Hill -- so much so that I almost don't want to tell anyone else about it, just because I want to keep it all for myself! My boyfriend and I went here for a Wednesday date night recently, and everything was absolutely perfect. First off, we made a reservation for 8:00 p.m. a couple days in advance. (Smart thing to do, it turns out, as they take very few reservations because it's so small. We saw several walk-ins told the wait would be over 45 minutes, even on a Wednesday. So do plan ahead, if you can!) The space is beautiful. Industrial/modern/Pinterest-perfect -- seriously, it looks like the set for a film, and they could make some serious money renting it out as a backdrop for nearly any photo shoot. The view is spectacular. Every detail from the sparkling glasses to the butcher block table was carefully thought through. This is the kind of attention to detail I love, that really makes dining an experience and not just a task. For dinner, we had three of the "sharing plates" (as everything is served). The menu changes frequently, and most of the raw ingredients come from their farm on Vashon Island. We had some of their fresh baked sourdough, delicious mushrooms, an entree of spot shrimp, and about 20 other various tastes interspersed between the plates. Great wine selection too (by the glass or bottle). My boyfriend loved being able to ask the chef questions who was literally making our food about five feet away, and he was happy to answer and talk with us throughout the evening. The service was wonderful overall, and very attentive while also leaving us time to chat without interruption. Finally, we shared the most amazing gâteau with fresh strawberries for dessert, and a small pot of mint tea. What else can I say other than we will definitely be back? Bonus: Check out the windows into their pantry/fridge in the back. Now that's proof that their ingredients are fresh!
(5)
Joshua W.
My girlfriend and I visited Sitka & Spruce on a short vacation in Seattle. Most of our sightseeing revolved around what food we were eating and by the time we ended up at Sitka for dinner, we only had the appetite left in us for a small meal. After that little taste, I am dying to go back. We ordered wine and bread (which was super freshly baked and served with a whipped, salted butter) and decided to just order a couple of small plates to share. Our first small plate was a mushroom dish composed of lobster mushrooms, oyster mushrooms and a soft boiled egg served on a grilled toast. Oh. My God. The mushrooms were cooked perfectly, the egg white had a buttery texture while the yolk dripped all over the dish. The bread was a perfect vessel for the combination and it was one of those dishes I will remember for a while. Next we had a marinated zucchini dish, which was maybe a little less exciting than the mushrooms but fresh and well-dressed nonetheless. It's a shame that we do not live in Seattle, but Sitka will definitely be on our radar next time we're in town.
(4)
Jessica C.
Went here for dinner with friends on a whim. Couldn't get a same day reservation but was told to show up before 5:30 and would be able to be seated. Sure enough, we were seated right away. Great food, small and casual but the food is that of a more refined restaurant. Service was prompt and friendly. I don't think I disliked anything I ordered. My favorite dish was a summer squash plate that screamed, "wipe the plate clean with bread." We also ordered halibut and pork. Both of which were executed beautifully. Highly recommended for the food and laid-back atmosphere. Didn't give 5 stars because the seats we were at were rather uncomfortable the entire meal. Parking, ha, good luck.
(4)
Opal D.
This is my first visit since their move out of Eastlake... the new space is very inviting, not formal or stuffy. The food is always delicious!!! I only wish they had more space/tables so the wait would be shorter - but the wait isn't that bad - you can enjoy that time at the wine bar just a stone's throw away!!
During our first visit to the Melrose Market, we decided to sit down at the Sitka & Spruce and enjoy some light fare. The establishment is so cute and enticing that it is difficult to avoid. I ordered something that looked like it came out of the wrong side of a dog, but fortunately was tasty and delicious. It was served with some custard that could be used as a type of topping or spread. It was yummy, but too small for my giant belly. Nevertheless, I rather enjoyed this place. It's quiet and well-lit and provides an excellent spot for people to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, while they read the newspaper.
(4)
Douglas C.
Really good food, vegetarian options, cute space. I came here for lunch on a weekday and didn't have to wait (joy of being a tourist!). It's a pricey restaurant, the portions are not giant, but the flavors and freshness are spot on.
(4)
J L.
the Brussels and squash were wonderful but our main dish of pork loin was a huge disappointment. It was cold and the taste was strange- two of us felt the same and we left most of it on the plate. I really don't think I will back.
(3)
Katie K.
The food here was amazing! We loved every bite. I had to knock off a start because of one thing: they "don't do" substitutions...well, there are a few things we don't eat and I think for nearly $40 per entree we should be allowed to request extra vegetables instead of beans (take note, paleo eaters). Oh rules. I'm sure your beans are delicious, sitka and spruce. I just don't want to eat them. They did kindly leave them off the plate. But I can understand why they don't want substitutions, their food stands alone and doesn't need your amateur meddling. Go here, enjoy it! Truly exceptional. But don't modify your food.
(3)
Kai Y.
We went past this restaurant while strolling in the neighborhood during our weekend trip in Seattle. The chic and open look of the interior (open kitchen, big industrial looking windows, wood floors and wood tables) caught out eyes, so we made reservation for brunch for the next day(Sunday). We went there a little bit before they just opened on Sunday(10amish). When they opened the door, we walked in. The waitress (a girl with dirty blonde hair) looked kind of surprised and had an unwelcoming look on her face. So I announced that we have a reservation. The chef at the kitchen counter gave us a smile and signaled us to come in. Then the waitress reluctantly to checked on the iPad. She threw in with a very cold tone: what is the name? We were already pretty turned off at that point. She then brought us in. Without ushering us to our table, she just pointed at the tables at the corner and said (again, with a cold tone), those two tables at the corner. The she walked away... The cold service persisted throughout our meal. (I noticed that she was just chatting with another waiter by the reception desk numerous times instead of tending to patrons or helping out with the kitchen). We were not pleased. Luckily, the food was excellent that we were trying to overlook the bad service. We ordered the toast with chanterelle mushrooms with peas and poached egg. (All my favorite ingredients!), yogurt with roasted pistachio and some flower sauce (forgot the name), and hummus with chili pastes and mint (the bread that went with it were quite good as well). Every dish was well thought out and executed. I would be curious to try their dinner menu given the brunch quality was satisfactory. However, the service was not at par with the food quality at all. The service team should've been more well trained to live up to the same standard as the food quality as well as the detailed oriented and neat looking restaurant space.
(4)
Christine B.
Definitely a place to visit at least once - the whole get up with the decor and the lighting ( I guess what fancy people would refer to as "ambiance" ) is worth experiencing on its own merit! I came for brunch on a fabulous late summer day, so the whole space was bathed in the most beautiful, slow, golden light...anyways, sorry for waxing poetic, but seriously a nice spot to take a lady if youre trying to show her some style. On to the food...which was good. The dishes are small, but I thought everything was prepared excellently - we had the lamb sausage, the salmon, a few scones, and the charcuterie plate...all of which I thought were good and FOR THIS TYPE OF MEAL pretty reasonably priced. If you've done your yelp homework and flicked through the pics, you should know its not the kind of establishment to come to starving. I'll definitely be back to try their drinks and sample an evening meal here. Overall, really enjoyed it.
(4)
Jeff H.
Quaint spot on the edge of Capitol Hill inside a great local food barn. Troll the organic meat/cheese counters and wine bar before you get seated. Spot is elegant and peaceful. Like sitting at a table in grandmas farm house. It hammers home fresh food. Unique plates to share and unbelievable wine list. Ambiance complete with music on vinyl and staff who exude passion for the concept. Had butter/bread with sea salt, artisan cheese, salmon and local ham with kraut with a nice white. It will be a while before I stop talking about this place. Bravo.
(5)
Katy H.
What a great lunch! I came with a good friend and between the company and the food and the atmosphere, (minus the lack of AC in 90 degree weather) everything was just about perfect! We sat at a high top communal table and enjoyed views of the sparking clean kitchen and bar. Dishes were savory, the food was fresh and on a hot day like this, no one forgot to refill our water glasses. Which was great because we each must have had 2-3 glasses of water. Among the small plates we tried the chickpea dish was by far my favorite. The salmon locks, the radish salad and the olives were also spectacular. My mom is in town this weekend and I intend to take her to great new spots. This will definitely be one of those spots!
(4)
Margaret S.
I have been here twice recently - once for lunch and once for brunch. Both times were amazing. It's a foodie's paradise and the atmosphere is very cool - warm, industrial chic, set inside the Melrose Market. Service here is excellent - in my opinion a shortcoming in general in Seattle. My last meal was bacon, ramps and a kind of white bean. Devine. Oh - and make sure to order the bourbon and kombucha cocktail. So delicious, and now I use my own home-brewed kombucha to make this at home. This place inspires.
(5)
Jean Y.
Finally tried brunch here, and while dinner still gets a solid 5, brunch gets a 4. Food was delicious but pricey. * Peaches, honey, & yogurt - Pretty presentation. Very sweet peaches, although the yogurt was a bit sour for my taste. Stirring in more honey helped. $7.50 * Tomatoes & burrata - Delicious and beautifully plated. Seven slices of tomato, four red and three yellow, topped with a chunk of burrata, olive oil, and fresh thyme. Very good but a bit pricey at $11 for the plate. * Lamb kofte with flageolet beans & fried egg - So yummy I dipped the potatoes in the sauce since we didn't get bread. $13 * Potatoes with anchovy & caramelized butter - Piping hot goodness. $8 The portions were small, and we still felt hungry after the meal. I think dinner here offers better value for the price. No wait to get seated, and food came out really quickly, dish after dish. The other stores in Melrose Market are actually open during brunch hours, which contributed to the vibrant market atmosphere. (At dinnertime, when all the stores are closed, the building feels more like an abandoned warehouse.) Still a big fan of Sitka & Spruce, but this definitely isn't an everyday restaurant or a place to bring those who value larger portions!
(4)
Russell W.
Extremely well done, limited menu. Inside the Melrose Market, Sitka & Spruce does a few things very well. Pick a couple or three and enjoy. It's anything but mainstream and so much the better.
(4)
Colin D.
Since when can you say that an asparagus dish changed your life? We had a date night here in early spring and it changed my perspective on what it means to enjoy food with people who care about all of the things that go into making a memorable meal. Our waitress could tell that it was our first time dining here, and she helped us navigate the menu. It's definitely the sort of place where you should order and share a bunch of the smaller portions on the menu and then share an entree together. Each portion of the meal complimented the next and it all tasted so fresh and incredible. The halibut entree was incredible. The texture complimented the flavor and everything was cooked to perfection. I would give this a 5 star rating if it had been a bit cheaper, but I will say that the meal was worth every penny. Recommendation: come early for dinner or make a reservation. If you're coming with more than 6 people, ask them to set you up near the food preparation area. They had a great long table set up for larger parties and they had a great view of the kitchen staff doing their thing.
(4)
Andrew T.
Awesome food, awesome space, great wine list. Some favorites: Pate - I normally hate pate and I was impressed. It was served over bread with mushrooms. Melt in your mouth. Everything came together so nicely. Sturgeon w/ Couscous -- I'm a sucker for fresh fish and for mediterranean food in general. Great combo. Chicken w/ Wheatberry (? - some sort of grain) -- I think chicken leads to bland dishes in general, but Sitka & Spruce proved me that chicken can be made into a fantastic dish. The grain that came with the chicken was flavorful, with a crunch that provided a nice contrast to the chicken. Raw Olives -- Generic suggestion, I know, but they were some of the best olives I've had. The olives just fell off the pit and didn't leave any unwanted oily residue (I believe they were water-curated). And of course, the sourdough bread is fantastic. I had one of the best Pinot Noirs, so I compliment the wine list selection. They had Stumptown french press, so that alone was an excellent finish to the meal. The salted caramels were just icing on the cake. Dropping it down from 5 to 4 stars due to a slight hiccup surrounding the reservation and initial reaction by the front of the house. This rectified itself by the end. It provided a slightly bitter taste to start the meal, though.
(4)
Bertrand R.
Amazing!! We had meals at Le Pigeon, Pok Pok, Tasty and Alder, and Altura during this past weekend trip and the meal at Sitka and Spruce was my favourite by far. We had a beet dish with borani, walnuts and mint this past time that blew me away. The other time we went was a lentil dish with harissa, lime, rose water and mint - mind blowing as well - one of my favourite dishes that I make at home now.
(5)
Kimber D.
Really enjoyed this restaurant! It's so fresh and open and just an adorable little cafe. My man and I just went looking around the Melrose and peeked in there and couldn't leave without giving it a try. It was just inviting like that. I had a scone with jam that was DE.LISH. So soft and fresh and I'm not even a scone person. I also ordered a cup of coffee that came in a french press that was without a doubt the best coffee I've ever had! My bf was making fun of me because I did everything but lick my coffee cup dry! The service was good, atmosphere amazing, food incredible and just a delightful little cafe to enjoy breakfast and the paper (we sat in the window and got a great little breeze and great light). I guess the only negative was don't order the breakfast options if you're really hungry. The scone and my bf's dish were miniscule and came with almost no jam or sauce. It's really just for a very, very light little breakfast when you've already eaten or will be eating a real meal soon after. But defintely give it a try. I hope to go back for dinner very soon.
(4)
Ashley B.
My boyfriends parents gave us a gift certificate here, it's really cute and romantic without all that pretentious nonsense. They don't take reservations so we enjoyed a cocktail at Ferdinands while waiting for our table. The food was yummy, not amazing but it was good. I ordered the bread and fresh butter to start and I have to say, this is the one thing that bummed me out. The bread was SO salty, especially the crust. I love salt and this was overkill, even for me. The butter was delicious though, who doesn't love fresh whipped butter? Our waitress was really sweet and made great drink recommendations. We really wanted to try their kombucha cocktail but they were all out of kombumcha :( We will be back, I'm looking forward to grabbing brunch there on a really sunny or rainy day, the windows are pretty dreamy :)
(4)
Paulina D.
Oh. My. God. Sitka and Spruce is a life changing eating experience. Small restaurant. Open kitchen. Food locally sourced from their own farm. Menu that changes daily. It is a little pricey, but it's a great, intimate dining experience. When the boyfriend and I were there, we ordered... - smoked octopus salad - halibut - lamb belly Small portions, yet absolutely filling. They give you homemade caramel when you leave! So chewy and yummy. It's a cute thought. Check out the market that Sitka and Spruce is in too. Very cute.
(5)
Nosebag E.
What a fun night out. This small and quirky restaurant within a small market building is a fun and friendly place offering simple fresh food cooked on a range in the middle of the dining room. We went on the first day of the new halibut season and were treated to a marvellous fresh dish featuring the said fish with purple potatoes and a fresh salsa verde. Absolutely what we wanted. Highly recommended for a low key dinner.
(5)
Lindsay L.
Fabulous vibe, attentive and unpretentious service with mind blowing food. Eat- share -love at Sitka and Spruce!
(5)
Taylor C.
Sitka and Spruce comes in about as high as 4 stars go. The food was top notch, the atmosphere is unique and the service was warm and friendly.... yet... I don't think the experience quite warrants a fifth star. I loved my meal and was happy with our choice, but I didn't leave with the urge to hand out unsolicited recommendations and make it a certain part of future dinner plans. That being said, the meal was excellent and I can't find a reason not to recommend Sitka and Spruce, The overall menu is structured to encourage a three or four course experience. We started with the sourdough, which was fantastic. We also selected a bottle of Gordello from the large and moderately priced wine list. Our other starter was the smelt, which I had never had before and turned out to be a very tasty salty thin fish. The next dish was a shallow bowl of gratin that segued to our main entree. We had initially ordered both the pork and the sturgeon for the two of us, but the server cautioned us on the size of the overall meal. We ended up with just the sturgeon, which for 38 dollars and based on the indication from the server, we assumed would be a much larger dish than it turned out to be. The sturgeon would have been a large entree for one, but I think an entree for two was a bit of a stretch (especially given the price). The split entree worked well in our situation given our selection of starting dishes, but I question the price point a bit for the main course. We finished off with a Basque gâteau and some exquisite Columbian press coffee. The overall atmosphere is a bit difficult to describe for me. The inside reminded me a bit of Walrus and the Carpenter, which I enjoyed. The location and arrangement of the actual restaurant threw me off a bit. We sat along the window side facing towards the interior of the building. I couldn't help shake the feeling that I was part of a section of a farmer's market or a food court or something of that nature. It was odd for me to see people passing through right outside or eating at the bar next door. Now I know that sounds like the experience you would have sitting at the outer facing window of other restaurants, but it struck me as a bit peculiar the entire meal. I feel as well that I am being a bit nit-picky, but it's a feeling I couldn't shake for the the duration of the meal and something I felt compelled to share. Overall, the staff was professional and courteous in their demeanor, each dish was wonderful - no trouble recommending them - and the overal atmosphere was enjoyable. I am very close to a fifth star, but I guess I was looking for a bit of something extra to put S&S over the top that I didn't find. That could be due to the high expectations, which is a bit unfair, and I may change my mind the next visit, but only time will tell
(4)
Andrew M.
Nice spot for a meal in Capitol Hill. Three of us plus a baby had lunch on a Saturday afternoon, and enjoyed every bite. The food is beautiful and delicious. We sat at the communal table right next to the prep area (I kept kidding to my friend that she should steal another scone; there was a pile of them right next to us). Memorable dishes include the anchovies, which were impossibly shiny and fresh; the carrot and farro salad which had tremendous flavor and freshness; and the aforementioned soft and flaky scone which came with butter and strawberry jam. Two specific annoyances about the restaurant. First, they didn't have a high chair. We struggled through by holding the baby in our laps, but a high chair seems like a basic restaurant necessity; I've never been in a restaurant that didn't have one. Second, we ordered the cheese plate, which was two small-ish pieces of cheese with some (admittedly) delicious squash compote, but no bread or crackers. We asked the waitress for some bread with our cheese and she said: "Oh, you'd like an order of bread?" Uh, yeah, I guess we'd like an order of bread. Are you saying we have to pay extra for the bread to put our cheese on? I didn't pay the bill, so I don't know if we actually paid for bread, but this seemed like a conversation that shouldn't have happened in the first place.
(3)
Laura W.
Possibly the best meal I've ever had! The menu changes daily based on seasonal availability and what's available locally, and if you sit in the right spot you can watch them prepare your food. The menu is pricey and the dinner is not quick (we spent three hours mulling over our four delicious courses), but it is the perfect place to spend a romantic or celebratory evening. Definitely a memory-maker. Highly recommended.
(5)
Diane L.
Love love love. Especially the Monday Taco Nights! Their braised pork and fish tacos are spectacular. Service is always top notch and the space is so inviting. There is almost always a wait here so grab a glass of vino at Bar Ferdinand while you wait! Trust me, it'll be worth the wait.
(4)
Yekta A.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! This was such an amazing place to go, the food was super delicious and super fresh. But, you have to have to have to make reservations as they don't have a lot of tables, literally. This is a cozy & intimiate place you will find on top of Still Bar and inside the Melrose Market building. Make reservations and enjoy! The best part, they change their menu everyday for lunch + dinner, what a brilliant concept!
(5)
Denise E.
Loved being able to watch the open kitchen as the chef delicately handled each dish. Nothing was rushed. Just prepared in a manner that the natural flavors in each ingredient could shine. Of course the service was friendly and attentive. This is a great spot for foodies to enjoy a great experience. Not only is the kitchen impressive to watch, but you can gaze beyond the space and scope out the rest of Melrose Market. Each dish was perfectly timed, perfectly presently and perfectly prepared. It doesn't get any better than this!
(5)
A W.
We loved the kale/beet salad with sunflower seed dressing, and my mother in law enjoyed her sturgeon. The rest of us (three) didn't enjoy our entrees all that much. This restaurant has received a great deal of hype on Capitol Hill, and for naught. I can't recommend it over all the other great restaurants in Seattle. I'd much rather dine at La Spiga, Spinasse or Cafe Presse. My "pork shoulder" was a fatty slice of meat, with a small scrap of the slow-roasted shoulder I expected. The acoustics are horrific in this restaurant. I'm really sick of restaurants not spending a few hundred bucks to make their surroundings friendly to conversation, which is what one does at dinner with others! I really don't get it. Our server couldn't hear us, and it resulted in the wrong dish being brought to my father-in-law, delaying dinner. Final complaint: Tiny menu - far too limiting. Don't fall for the hype.
Finally, a restaurant in Seattle that's not abandoned by 10pm! I had a late reservation for Sitka & Spruce so I saved my appetite for a little longer than usual for dinner and I'm glad I did. We started with the famous sourdough bread and a bottle of wine. We could have filled up only on the bread plate and I was sad that we had to send some back at the end of the meal. So good. The kale salad was oh so refreshing and also oh so much food. Entrees were the black halibut which was perfection and the winning meal of the night. I mean the lamb shoulder and roasted apples were good but geez was that halibut delicious. Oh and I love the setup! You get to see the chef and staff right out in the open while they work! They're not even behind a bar. So neat. Tips: 1) If you're not familiar with the area you should know that Sitka and Spruce is INSIDE Melrose Market Place at the back. 2) I suggest getting to your reservation a little early and grabbing a glass of wine or drink at Bar Ferdinand. It's also inside the market and three steps from Sitka. I mean, why not..what's one more glass of wine?
(4)
Marilynn L.
I like it. I was a little underwhelmed because everyone raves about it so much that I was expecting a heavenly experience. But is IS what they say it is: delicious, fresh, local, inventive, organic. The decor is intimate. The kale salad is so bright and flavorful. No bitterness at all. Big, thick leaves with texture. A salad that could pass as an entree. The bread and butter with maldon salt was the best bread ever. I'd go back just to buy loaves of that. It was ethereal. The smoked trout, horseradish, potatoes, and thyme was our main entree and it was solid but not amazing. Housemade caramels that came with our bill? Orgasmic. All in all, an excellent but not superb experience.
(4)
Carlo D.
Called at 6:30pm to ask if we should make reservations or arrive ASAP. They said if we arrived at 7pm and we'd be seated no problem. Arrived at 7pm sharp, only to be seated at 9:20pm. Once we were seated they were out of almost everything and basically everything else that was worth ordering. This review isn't so much about the food, but their inability to communicate expectations for the wait and lack of menu items once we were able to order. Food was great. But they need to improve their preparation for food (having enough food on hand to meet demand) and communicate proper expectations for the demand and wait time.
(2)
Harmony W.
LOVE everything about this place, the food, the architecture, the service. The essence of Seattle and good food. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
John W.
You'll noticed that a lot of the "amazing!' reviews are from tourists. Locals know that you eat at least as well -- if not better-- at any number of places, whether its Mistral, Chichetti, or even TerraPlata next door. Sitka was ahead of the curve when the opened on Eastlake, but years later, it's just another option in a sea of really strong competition. We visited Sitka after a long hiatus and were far from impressed. The chevre-heavy base under the chicken was too thick and sorta goopy, the cod was super bland. I was impressed by the beet salad and the salad with the egg, but it's tough to get excited about the appetizers when the entrees both flatline. If you're thinking about waiting for a table here, I'd do some research and find somewhere less self-enamored.
(2)
Erik M.
My wife and I recently paid our first visit to Sitka & Spruce since they moved up to Cap Hill from their original Eastlake location, and it is a completely different beast, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It's not as intimate as the old location, but the new site inside the Melrose Market gives it more of a continental ambiance, even with the expansive view of new construction immediately adjacent to the west. With a large communal table hanging off the end of the open kitchen's prep area (where we were seated), you feel like you're hanging out in the kitchen at an upscale dinner party. We were playing hooky one Friday and dropped in for lunch, which tends to get a little winey, and this was no exception. The wine list is still expansive but not overwhelmingly so, and the by the glass selection is more than adequate for any taste. I personally enjoyed three glasses (or was it four?) as recommended by our waitress, and each was the perfect pair for the course it accompanied. As for the food, the focus is still on inventive smaller plates composed of premium ingredients. We shared several plates ranging from a pear and walnut salad to yogurt with squash and pumpkin seeds to pork belly confit, and everything was delicious. The only problem with the meal was the yogurt came out at the end of the meal instead of toward the beginning, which almost preempted dessert. Almost. But that's hardly reason to poo poo an entire dining experience. While I very much enjoyed our meal at the new location, part of me misses the atmosphere of the old one. Although I warmed up to the Cap Hill location over the course of the meal, I don't recall needing any warming up at the Eastlake restaurant. It's still a fantastic place, and one I wholeheartedly recommend you make a point of trying, but if it took me this long to give it a try after they relocated I have to wonder how long it will be before the next visit.
(4)
Mike C.
Sitka and Spruce is a neighborhood gem, the kind of place you can come back to again and again. I've never had a bad meal there, and the constantly changing dinner menu, the brunches and, of course, "taco night" on Mondays, ensure that the place remains fresh from season to season. I also think it's one of the best run restaurants in Seattle. They take care to ensure that some of the place remains unbooked, so a walk-in is almost always possible if your timing is right and you're willing to sit along the counter on the West wall, and the service is knowledgeable and attentive, without being obtrusive. My most recent meal there was brunch. Two friends and I shared a scone (probably the best I've had in Seattle), a small cheese plate, some house-made yogurt with fall ingredients (squash, pumpkin seeds and maple syrup), and a plate of mouth-watering ham. There was nothing lavish about this meal, but the execution was impeccable, and I can't wait to get back there for dinner! Highly recommended!
(5)
Madeline P.
Here's how you have fun at Sitka. 1. Have a good date who likes to drink wine 2. Come in casually. Sitka is not pretentious. 3. Relax, eat amazing food, drink a bottle of wine and enjoy your date Every time I come to Sitka I have a great time. My dinner is prepared in front of my eyes with local, classy fresh ingredients. The space is intimate and feels like I'm eating at the chef's house. Sitka is kickass.
(5)
William S.
An unusual dining experience, for sure. To begin with, this is an upscale restaurant with 70% of it's seating at counters and only a handful of tables. The menu is minimal -- only two or three starters and the same number of entrees. The food is very simply prepared and nothing had any sauces or spices (aside from a dill garnish on the entree). Yet it was perfectly prepared and delicious, and surprisingly interesting. You might want to check the menu before going, since I ordered by elimination (only two of the five dishes appealed to me, and even then broiled onions as an appetizer -- which turned out to be very good -- felt like a compromise). The host ably assisted us in choosing wines by the glass which were perfectly paired with the food. This restaurant does what it does very well, indeed, but the range seems just a bit limited.
(4)
Oliver S.
We didn't recognize half the ingredients on the menu and we ended up being pleasantly surprised. The plates were deceiving small, but we were filled after ordering two main dishes and a side dish (see pictures). the waiter suggested we share what we ordered, family style, and it was a good way to experience a lot of what the place had to offer. In terms of atmosphere, it was like I was eating in someone's kitchen with other people. We were seated right next to the kitchen, which gave us a great view of all the cooking action. I felt right at home...with 15 other people. For brunch, the place was moderately priced, prices a tier above the average brunch locations. That was okay for us though because the atmosphere and food made up for it. We definitely plan to come here again. Maybe for dinner next time.
(4)
Peter L.
High quality ingredients, delicious locally sourced food urban decor and ambiance. (feels like you are in a back stall at the pike place market). High price compared to other wine bars in the area. Would probably not return for a second round due to price ($97 for appetizers with a bottle of wine, bread (not included) tax and tip), but I had a great time with my date!
(3)
Andy L.
Sitka & Spruce is in the running for my favorite restaurant in Seattle. It is the pinnacle of our local food culture, and whenever someone from out of town wants to experience what typifies Seattle cuisine, I will take them here, if only so I will have another excuse to eat here again. I have been more time than I can count, for both lunch and dinner, and have never been disappointed. Sometimes the wait for a table can be long, yes, but it is always worth it. Besides, having a drink and good conversation across the way at Bar Ferdinand is almost a part of the experience now. It's hard to say what I recommend getting because the menu changes so often, but I really think there's no way you can go wrong. If you think you might like it, you'll definitely like it. Order it and eat it and marvel at the culinary magic happening in your mouth. The great thing about shared plates is that everyone gets to try so many different dishes, so take advantage of that. I can't wait until I go again, and if you haven't gone yet, what the hell are you waiting for?
(5)
Blake B.
A client of mine recommended Sitka & Spruce when I was visiting Seattle and I had a great experience here. The building alone that it is in is great and has a few other stores that looked enticing as well. We went on a Monday night which is Malafacha night. The plates are relatively small but oh so tasty. Having a michelada to start off was perfect. We also had the quesos fundidos which I could have made a meal of by itself. Then we split the cochinita pibil and carne asada tacos. The pibil had a great habanero flavor but not too strong. The servers were super nice but definitely a little slow as we tried to get their attention multiple times to pay the bill or get more food. I'd also recommend sitting at one of the tables versus the on the back bar if you can. I'm curious to come back on another night other than Monday to see how the rest of their food is as I've heard it's really good too.
(4)
Chira V.
uhm hello Kale salad with ricotta and grilled peach salad! I want you in my mouth like every night. Seriously. So good. I think our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs but the cod was perfectly done with crispy skin to match and I tried a bite of the pork, and was happy I selected the cod. I'll be seeing you soon, i hope. I'm talking to you Kale Salad. mmmmm...
(4)
Holland H.
Mediocre at best... Disappointed. Ordered quite a few things and nothing I can even remember :(
(3)
Sasha R.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the space. Pretty much the only reason I went in the first place. I was really excited about the concept and to try their food.... Unfortunately...I was very underwhelmed by the flavor profiles of each dish. Too much going on with not enough flavor. Strange ingredient combinations that left me scratching my head and feeling unsatisfied after each dish. My friends agreed that we all like ONE ingredient from each dish, but never the dish in it's entirety. Overpriced, menu too small, more vegetarian options would have been nice.
(3)
Jennifer H.
This place was Good. Nothing more, nothing less. Food is fresh, atmosphere and design was great, service was B+. Staff was a little pretentious, but hey you're not here to make friends I suppose. Their sourdough deserves an applause, same with their beet salad, but overall, this place is nothing extra spectacular. Just Good.
(4)
Johnson S.
I absolutely love Sitka & Spruce. I've eaten here a dozen or so times and the dishes never cease to delight my palate. The raw King Salmon with strawberries I had there on my most recent visit was simultaneously simple and out-of-this-world tasty. Just a note: they don't take Discover cards. A woman at the table next to us found this out the hard way. Don't be that person!
(5)
Melody D.
I had the good fortune of coming here with a friend last November, and memories of a well-lit space, warm, friendly waitstaff, and delicate, savory dishes lured me back. I'm so glad I got to give this place another try in my second-ever visit to the emerald city, because while the first visit left my belly full and happy, and my wallet (mostly) intact, the second was bordering on rapturous, and for less than fifty dollars, has to be the cheapest ticket to rapture I've ever purchased. This time, we went for "Malafacha" Mondays, which offers Mexican food billed as "simple, delicious and passionate". I'm not sure I can best that description; the only adjective I might offer up is "genius". We ordered conservatively: a tomato-less guacamole billed as "avocado and chips" and two rounds of tacos: the cochinita pibil (Yucatan slow-roasted pork) and the beef brisket. For drink, I ordered a margarita, he a cool cerveza. Everything was wonderful. The chips were fresh-baked with a zippy crunch. The margarita was salty-sour perfection. The tacos, though, are really what floored me. I grew up in Los Angeles and have been eating Mexican food for the better part of my life - at roadside stands, desert restaurants, in friends' kitchens, and so on. Finding good Mexican food in a wet, rainy city a thousand miles north of the border borders on the surreal for an Angeleno. And yet, here, of all places, I find the promised land: traditional Mexican food executed with killer ingredients and all the big, bright flavors of New-American cooking. Part of the pleasure had to be the surprise - the disbelief - the get-the-f-out! Go shock your system, Monday nights at S&S.
(5)
Yen D.
I went to Sitka and Spruce because it was on tripadvisor's top 20 restaurants and in the Seattle Met magazine. First of all, there is no sign from the outside to let you know where it is.. it's inside the Melrose market in the back so it took my friend a while to find it. Ambience is very homey, open kitchen where you can watch the cooks by just turning around right behind you if you're in the communal table. There are two choices to sit in the bar like area next to the wall or communal, we got the bar like area since that was the only one available. Their menu changes every day/week so here's what we had. We ordered the 1) smelt--wasn't fishy or overly salty, but just simple with some citrus and a bit of sweetness to it. Wasn't amazing. 2) half dungeness crab cooked in the fireplace with some spices with a cooked potato.. honestly it just tasted like a boiled dungeness crab probably because it wasn't marinated long enough. Didn't feel like it was worth the $29 3) roasted guinea fowl with sorrel. The fowl was moist, but didn't care much for the sorrel combo. 4) got the bay leaf/quince ice cream on a ginger cookie. Very delicate flavor. Thought it was very nice, but found it hard to cut the cookie with a spoon. I would definitely order this again. With our check, we got some housemade salted caramels. Definitely a plus. Would I come here again? Sure, if I hear something on their menu is excellent. They only take reservations if you have 6 or more people in your group.
(3)
Amy W.
I was back in town for a visit and figured I should finally give Sitka & Spruce a try for dinner. I went with my husband and a friend of ours and we were looking forward to a nice local dinner. We made a reservation for 8:15, and were seated promptly near the windows. We ordered a bottle of sparkling to get things started. I thought I had said one bottle on the menu but the waiter brought another, I glanced at it and said yes and then realized it was the wrong bottle. He seemed irritated when we said we wanted the other. Not a big deal, but left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth - even if I did mis-order, should it be such a big deal to switch when the bottle hasn't been opened yet? We ordered a variety of starters and mains to share. A few weeks later, I don't remember all of the dishes in detail, but a few still stand out. The marinated fish (smelt, I think?) were delicious and a perfect start. The tomatoes from Billy's were perfectly ripe. The broccoli dish was not one I would've normally ordered, but it ended up being my favorite. The side dish that comes with the entrees (wheat berries, yogurt, lavash) was fine, but didn't seem to really work with either of the seafood entrees we ordered, and we didn't finish it. We ordered some bread to share, but never received it, so I don't know how delicious that might be (we had to ask for it to be taken off the bill). I appreciated the creative ways of presenting local northwest ingredients, but nothing we got, except for perhaps the broccoli, blew me away. Given the number of other exciting restaurants in Seattle, I probably won't be back to Sitka & Spruce anytime soon. Everything was fine, but for the cost and the expectations, I hoped for something more than 'fine'. Bathrooms: out in the main shopping area, you need a code from the waiter. Nothing special. 2 stars, if only because I hate asking for bathroom codes.
(3)
Homan L.
The scones.
(5)
Mary P.
I had really high expectations but the food was mostly okay and the service was mediocre. We ordered a croissant, squash in yogurt, chanterelles on toast with an egg on top and a smoked salmon dish with fennel. The croissant was the highlight of the meal - it was warm and buttery. The salmon was too salty (like uncomfortably so) and the other dishes were unremarkable. I also ordered a fresh squeezed orange juice (and double checked that it was fresh squeezed) but it tasted more like it came from a bottle. I regularly get fresh juice that's squeezed on demand and this didn't taste like that. They also took a very long time to serve us and brought us a bread and butter to apologize, but the service wasn't great. There was some ambiguity about taking our order (two squash dishes on the menu) and I wasn't confident where we'd get the right one. Overall, I was really hoping to like this and I was disappointed.
(3)
Allen L.
It pains me to give them two stars considering the food is good, and I have been back multiple times because of the quality of the plates. However, I find the dining experience so uncomfortable that I'm not sure I'll be coming back. The problem lies in the fact that despite the restaurant giving off the look of a very casual restaurant, it is in fact the most stuffy and snobby restaurant ive ever been to. The waiters and waitresses have given me most pretentious attitude and it makes me feel like I should have entered with tuxedo instead of my Patagonia jacket.
(2)
Alice K.
Delicious tastes all around. Go here if you're not too hungry. You'll probably want more food if you have the stomach of a baby whale such as myself.. Dishes are somewhere in between "French sizes" and 1.5 Lean Cuisines (just less healthy and 10x the taste). My friend got the peach / ham dish (very thin slices but juicy tastes) & I had the prawn / lobster / mushroom dish. ($17 each) Fantastic sauces and multiple complimenting tastes. Also had: paired wine & bread appetizer --awesome esp for the price (relative to the mass of the main dish.. I happen to be one of those people who goes for bulk often). The pate' for it was more like a hummus type but still very delicious. I recommend getting an appetizer, particularly the bread one if you're hungry, that will actually get you "full". Waiting time: If it's not jammed-- not bad! You'll get food on a not so busy day in about the time you could cook 2 1lb Hungry Man TV dinners (~15 minutes). Appetizer will come in 4. (You might be able to tell from this review that I was starving.) ~~~~~Gruesome details on eating sea creatures Random details about the prawn dish that have never happened to me before: I do not know exactly where shrimp eggs come from but there were a whole bunch latched onto the shrimp that looked like tobiko.. Not sure if they added this but it was pretty neat (and nasty looking). Weird pasty, not for anti-seafood eaters. Also, one of my prawns had red brain guts.. With the consistency of jello. Apologies for the details but this will basically be ingrained in my head for a long time. Tried all of it for my entertainment. If you consume this you will survive. **This visit was when I was so hungry I would have eaten a stranger's left-over pizza but my friend was going for fancy. This was definitely better than left overs**
(4)
Mary Cecilia M.
I can't help but give this restaurant five stars. As a current New York City resident, I've been skeptical about the Seattle foodie-scene, but this Capitol Hill gem and recent James Beard Foundation award winner has me raving. My date and I went on a Sunday for Sitka & Spruce's supper--a smaller and more focused version of the restaurant's regular menu. We were instantly charmed by Melrose Market, which looks like a former industrial building that the restaurant and other food stands now all occupy--it reminds me of Chelsea Market in Manhattan except more intimate. Our meal started off well with a celery, hazelnut soup that was softly fragrant, warm but not too hot, and presented with a beautiful drizzle of olive oil and what I think were chives. It was gone quickly and luckily we had ordered some olives and salami to tide us over until the main courses. Our two entrees arrived and we shared them: a halibut that melted like and tasted like sweet butter and a crispy duck leg. Both were over some butter lettuce and mint greens with a perfect, if a bit too generous, creamy sauce. Without a doubt I'll be talking about this restaurant when I'm back in Manhattan. And without a doubt I'll be back to Sitka & Spruce--especially as I'm ever-eager to sample the restaurant's regular menu.
(5)
Karen S.
The food is delicious, the decor is snug and inviting, and the service, excellent! A great place for a date w/ your partner, friends, and/or family! I honestly couldn't ask for anything better. MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!! They recommend sharing dishes when ordering and we definitely took their advice for our dinner. We had dinner for my b-day in November (& b/c the menu changes often, the dishes I mention may not be offered when you visit) & we had two appetizers, two small plates,one large plate, and a dessert. The dishes I remember the most are: (appetizer) pickled smelt, (sm plate) kale salad w/ an amazing dressing that I'm still thinking about an entire month later, (dessert) almond flavored pie (that reminded me of a really delicate and rich Southern dessert called chess pie), and a (large plate) pork dish that tasted amazing! I wish I could remember more details, but honestly I was so enamored of all the flavors of the food that I just wanted to enjoy all the deliciousness, HA! Our total bill was about $90 and we had one glass of wine, and a bottle of mineral water. It was WELL WORTH every dollar we spent.
(5)
Arry Y.
Had a great meal here - it's in the very hip Melrose market. Walk inside, and it's off one of the corners by Bar Ferd'nand (which actually serves as the bar for Sitka & Spruce). Communal tables, rustic, branches and scattered pumpkins, long communal tables and kitchen within easy view -- definitely takes on the theme of bourgeois bohemian.... and of the bourgeois European feel that's trying to be hipster and laid back... but hip... I'd vote that anything going along with the theme of meat and potatoes is divine here - potato/tubers with egg, the pork (!), ... the fish/seafood... not so much. They were ok if you have to eat them. Great service/staff.
(3)
Bill P.
Let me first apologize for my review being so general. I ate here 2 months ago on a business trip, so the details of the meal escape me. Secondly, a disclaimer is necessary. I sat diagonally across from the owner's mom for a portion of the evening. She and her party were funny, friendly, and intelligent - an absolute pleasure to talk with. Through the course of the evening we got to know the owner a bit AND his mom bought my party dessert. Sitka & Spruce is everything good about a restaurant. Plenty of chefs can cook a meal properly. Plenty of restaurants have good wine lists. Plenty of places are festive. Sitka & Spruce brings it altogether into a single, cozy venue. My colleagues and I decided to order a number of small plate items and a main meal. Everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned well: great use of herbs instead of just salt. The wait staff recommended glasses of wine to pair with each group of dishes that came out. Everything paired well. They used locally sourced products right down to the wine. Although it's more common these days for restaurants to do so, I'm always impressed. We had the good fortune to sit at a long table diagonally across from the open kitchen. Several other parties throughout the course of the evening sat to either side of us. To say the least, it was festive! We talked with a group of people from Seattle on one side and a couple from NYC on the other. A great time was had that evening. I highly recommend an evening there.
(5)
Conrad C.
I haven't been this disappointed after a meal in a long time. S&S gets 3 stars because it was still a decent meal, but the enormous hype surrounding this restaurant had me expecting a lot more. The space is really great. It's in the Melrose Market building, which it shares with a number of other high-end shops. The windows in the restaurant face west toward downtown and they have some high-top chairs on a counter looking out. We had one of the traditional tables, but they also have a larger, bench-like table closest to the kitchen which is presumably for communal-style seating. The wine list is varied and includes a good range of cheaper and more expensive options, so it should suit everybody. We saw some people quaffing beer but it was not listed on the menu so I'm not sure what they have. It feels silly to say, but the bread was the best part of the dinner. It has a nice hard crust but soft interior, perfect for spreading. They offered butter, duck fat, or ling cod pate. We were unsure which to choose among the last two, so they brought both, which was nice. The duck fat was really, really good. The pate didn't have much flavor but, then again, neither does cod. It was still a nice, salty, and very butter-like alternative to the duck fat. The other great dish was a beet salad served with a piece of cheese similar to provolone. The beets were really fresh and the cheese was the perfect complement. The salad was paired with crushed walnuts and mushrooms as well. We also shared smoked mussels with lobster mushrooms, which were fine. Honestly I've made equally good mussels myself; I'm sure that S&S, like me, uses Taylor Shellfish mussels, so I should have known they'd be about the same. Another dish we had was air dried ham with apricots. The ham seemed basically to be prosciutto, which was good but not the best, but the apricots were a dud. They didn't taste fully ripe and so didn't pack their full flavor. The biggest disappointment, however, was our main dish. We opted, at our waitress's recommendation, for Le Grande Aioli, which is a cold seafood dish with a smattering of raw vegetables, like cucumber and cauliflower (white and purple). There were Dungeness crab claws, halibut and a little bit of salmon. It looked like a bunch of things were just randomly thrown on the plate and it didn't taste much better either. Even the salmon didn't pack much flavor, surprisingly. The fact that it was served chilled probably didn't help things but it was just a completely underwhelming dish. Neither of us finished it.
(3)
Alex F.
Never had a chance to even sample the food because the staff lied to us on the phone about their availability; when we arrived, they refused to offer us anything but a "sorry that we lied to you" and "hope you come back" but wouldn't honor their lack of transparency. Pretty pissed because we cancelled a reservation somewhere else to come here when they told us to swing by.
(1)
Daniel D.
Brunch here was awesome! Great modern lofty ambience. Was barely busy from 10:30-12 on a Saturday, which was a nice surprise. Really enjoyed the mushroom dish but the scone and the croissant were out of this world.
(5)
Sin-Yaw W.
What a surprise! This place is well hidden. First find Melrose Market, enter the building and walk toward the end of the building. There is a section divided by glass panels and that's the restaurant. Clearly those who come care about foods and only foods. The menu is very small, only three entrees in fact. They encourage sharing so we just order them all. Everything was carefully and artfully prepared, with oriental, probably Indian, spices. The vegetables are so well selected and fresh that was very refreshing. You don't come to this restaurant for big portions. Instead, to enjoy foods and the art of cooking. Desserts are probably their weak point. I should have ordered "pour over" coffee which is simply french press. --------------- So I came back for the brunch and its scone is really really nice. Crisp on the outside, crunchy and light inside, nice currant, excellent jam on the side. It is a must have.
(4)
Phillip K.
Fantastic farm to table dining in Seattle. Really one of the best places i've ever been to. every single thing we ordered was amazing.
(5)
Abby T.
This place is great, I have no complaints at all. The food was fantastic. The menu is small but anything you order is fresh, innovative, and possibly a new introduction to your pallet. I had to refrain from literally licking my plate clean - even the salad plate :) A bit spendy but well worth it. Atmosphere is not formal, but I wouldn't go in wearing my gym clothes - small but comfortable - it fits maybe 30 people. There was a bit of a wait (naturally, given the above mentioned...) but if you give them your cell phone number they will call you when your table is ready, so you can have a beer at pine box or pop next door to Taylor Shellfish for an app.
(5)
Randall F.
I wanted to like this place more but the food was just okay. The atmosphere and setting were great, a very relaxed, open kitchen feeling. I might try again for brunch to see if I get better experience.
(3)
Steve P.
Was in the mood for a good meal and thought I'd give this place a try. Was flying solo and rolled in around 8- they were fairly busy for a Thursday but I was promptly seated at a counter seat along the back wall. The counter is lined with windows but there's nothing to really see since there's an apartment building right across the street. The real view was happening behind in the open kitchen. When I say open kitchen, think grandma's kitchen with top-end stove and wood-burning oven. Ok, so your grandma's Martha Stewart but it was a pretty cool kitchen and dining room. Decided to start with a 1/2 order of bread and butter after reading a review with a foodgasm over it. It was some pretty good freakin' bread and butter- almost brought a tear to my eye. For my main, went with fresh halibut with nettles and taters. Fish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. I had never tried nettles. I've run through them and ended up red and blistered, but have never dined on them. In case there any nettles reading this review, a question- why the f do you need stingy things? I mean you're ok to eat and all but you ain't all that. If anybody needs stingy things, it's peas or kale or collard greens. I guess the point is that the nettles were a miss for me. Not awful, not great. Only other miss was on the cocktail, a gin and tonic. Basically, it was a tonic because I'm not sure the gin made it in. Overall, good, friendly service and a good meal. I'll be back next trip to Seattle.
(4)
Sam H.
How do people ever find restaurants like this? A restaurants that gets all it's ingredients locally and freshly make everything pretty much 40 feet from where you sit down. Well Katie some how did and much props to her for it. Here's what I have to say about Sitka and Spruce, Atmosphere, provides an feeling that's very european in the sense your view can be a combination of the window rimmed with a stone frame, a large family table, or streets with hill where people walk. Food: Outstandingly simple yet delicately flavored. Heavily favoring the the vegetarian side. Not quite what i was looking for with my massive dehydration induced by drinking diuretics of bicarbon compounds. Tomato and Burratta-- Imagine a tomato where you felt like you grew and picked from the back yard first think in the morning, where it just cooled off from the previous day's sun and kissed by the crisp morning dew. (Sweet, juicy, and firm) but yet it some how melts in your mouth. Comes with a Burratta and basil leaves that just compliments it with out competiing for it!!! WOW Washington Farmstead cheese: Good cheest but I had to laugh a little... b/c it seemed more like a "hey... just try it sampler" than an actual menu. Goat and Fried Egg- Egg made with what was almost sunny side up but firm enough that it doesn't ooze. I think this is how I would like my eggs now. The goat... gave me the meat that I was looking for. Bread and Butter- Funny that it was in the menu and not served freely. But since you pay for it I guess it makes you appreciate it more. Bread - crisp, moist, and fluffy. Must of made it a few hours ago and waited for it to be cooled to the right temp and cut right before they served you. Grilled Squash and Feta: This kinda came alittle late so... I was getting full. I might have to say I think this was forgotten b/c it was cold by the time it came. But none the less... already in a good mood and full so wasn't gonna complain. Chick-Pear Pureer with Carrots and Harissa? nice and filling. Sitka and Spurce: I may have to say the food brought a smile and a laugh, the atmosphere brought me calmness, and the kitchen inspired me.
(5)
Jens J.
Absolutely the tastiest food I've had yet in Seattle. Our waitress asked us if we were blown away by the food. Yes, were were! This was our first visit to Melrose Market and were we ever pleased. We sat at the counter and placed orders for the Lamb Manti and the Ful Medames. We also ordered the "small" bread platter. The quotes around small are because there was plenty of bread, of at least three different kinds. Each bread was perfect in flavor and texture, and so was the smooth and creamy butter. I can't overstate how good was the Lamb Manti with fried mint, yogurt and carmelized butter. It's oh-so-delicious broth was great for dipping the bread. Also excellent was the served cool Medames with pistachios and a fried egg. Both dishes were beautifully crafted. If you pay attention to the table where the chefs are working (and our waitress encouraged us to walk over and check out the table) you can just tell they are using top-shelf ingredients. It's not cheap and portions are not large at Sitka, but so what. Our lunch was truly a culinary masterpiece. The fine china and linen napkins only enhanced the experience. Even the ice tea was over-the-stars wonderful. Note: the menu does change daily.
(5)
Shyamala L.
Their butter croissant with caramelized goat's milk is the best ever. Didn't enjoy the other dishes so much, but will come back for another try when the menu changes.
(3)
Laura N.
Let me start by saying... I love their bread. I first went for a girls night and the sourdough bread rocks my socks off. I was a bit disappointed when I went here last Sunday for my boyfriend's birthday and found out they don't make their sourdough on Sundays. Nonetheless, the baguette was still delicious and we gobbled it up. Ps. They sell their sourdough bread to go on the nights they make it, too! Their Sunday menu was a bit different from their weeknight menu. Less choices and more "individual servings" than sharing plates. We loved the simple salad and delicious meatballs (Greek style platter) they had on the menu this night. I recommend always trying one of their "from the fire" menu items - like the meatballs on this occasion, and their chicken platter last time. I love how their menu is unique to each month and uses fresh, local ingredients. Wine selections are great, and they serve Hilliards Beer, which is another local fave. Lastly, their space is just cool. It's in an old exposed brick style building within the Melrose Market. I hear their communal table is cool...near the chefs, so I plan on checking that out next time I'm there. Great restaurant...I'm excited to check out their Monday Mexican night too.
(5)
Jeff F.
I know it's a sin to give these guys 3 stars, but I just wasn't impressed. Tried about 6-8 different plates and overall though it was ok. A couple of plates seemed worthy of the hype, but a lot of what I ate seemed like it could only be appreciated by a really educated palette that appreciates complex food. Can't recommend. BTW - dessert options were lame.
(3)
Jenn W.
We ordered so many things to give Sitka & Spruce plenty of chances to prove its deliciousness, but no. We came for brunch on a Sunday. The ambience was totally hipster and young (I saw many gayish dudes eating together with cuffed pants, combed hair and glasses) which is usually fine for me, but it was kind of overwhelming. The place is small but not crowded. The things I did like were: Bread - The inside was soft and the outside was nutty. Tasty. Soft butter was really just soft butter, but with salt on the top. Scone - BEST scone. I don't even like scones and was down to order another when we weren't full. Water - I like how they gave you a bottle of water a the table for self-filling instead of coming around with pitchers. The scone was the only thing I would find it worth going back for, and even then I'd probably just get it to-go. Also, despite four of us ordering 6 things, we were still hungry afterwards and got another scone. But I still could have eaten more :( Cost after tip was $75 for four, for brunch.
(2)
El C.
Walked in on a Friday night totally on a whim not even really hungry. We were seated right away. Ordered a couple of small dishes. I kept trying to decipher what those crazy flavors were, but eventually gave up and just accepted that it was some obscure ingredients. Whatever they were, I don't care....all I know is that everything was absolutely delicious! The chef has some really inventive combinations of flavors.
(5)
christian C.
I'm really only giving this 3 stars because of the duck, which was awesome. The rest of the dish though really didn't work. It was a pile of cabbage cut into large pieces full of apple slices over some cold bean puree. Why was the puree so cold? The dish, except for the excellent duck, was also lacking in flavor overall. Similarly, the appetizer of Quillayute salmon over potatoes also was rather bland. There was too little salmon with too much potato, and as such the flavor of the salmon was lost. The pork loin was cooked well, but a little on the boring side, as was the sausage. The charred pieces were good. It was served with turnip puree (also cold!) and turnip greens, all over rye berries. The rye berries were good and added a nice toothsome to the dish. If it wasn't for the duck, this place would only merit 2 stars.
(3)
Celeste T.
I've been here a couple of times now. I enjoy their selection of tasty plates, though it's honestly difficult to remember exactly what I have eaten - my husband and I always like to order a good selection of dishes and share. Our servers have been helpful and make good recommendations on what dishes on the menu currently are the best. I know that more detail would be nice but I can't seem to pick it out of the ether right now :\ Also, they make a mean G&T! The atmosphere is nice, too. I actually like sitting at the big table with other patrons, but it's also extremely awkward. I'll say something to interject in another person's conversation, and we will make hesitant eye contact, and then it will still be awkward and die. I blame this on America's lack of sociable public dinners.
(4)
K C.
Fun, relaxed atmosphere with fresh, delicious and inventive food. Hadn't been here since they moved out of the little spot on Eastlake. Food and service are just as as good but the space is much better. Comfortable and intimate, I really felt like a guest, not just a customer. We were seated at the kitchen end of the long table, which was great. By the end of dinner I was already excited for my next visit.
(5)
Party P.
My partner and I went to this place on our first night in Seattle with a couple of friends. Tried many of the smaller dishes on the menu as a group. Included: Smoked salmon salad with fiddleheads, asparagus, peas & gizzards, fresh chickpeas + squid dish, charcuterie. Overall, mmm buttery. Woke up that night with a terrible stomach ache & had VIOLENT food poisoning for ~12 hours! Could have been this meal, or the $4 gin & soda & lime I drank at contrived dive bar Montana. Woooof.
(2)
Betsy T.
The food here exceeded my expectations. I came for brunch at the suggestion of a friend, and was initially disappointed by the menu selections. I'm typically into big brunches involving eggs, hash browns, and french toast, and everything on their menu looked like some kind of salad. But I ended up loving it - everything had a lot of great flavor and left me with a sense of trust that I could order anything off the menu and it would not be sub-par. We started with the scone with butter and rhubarb. The scone was buttery and delicious, more like a good biscuit. I'd never had rhubarb that wasn't in the form of a compote, and it tasted like a cross between grapefruit and celery. We also had their yogurt with orange zest and elderflower, which was very good also. After the scone and yogurt, we tried the chickpea puree - excellent favors, chunky and garnished with cucumber, though it was weird to eat chickpea puree on its own so we ordered bread to go with it, and the bread was chewy and delicious. We also got the broccolini with migas and a poached egg. This was my favorite - the broccolini had some kind of dressing or sauce on it that was really tasty. I liked the space - open and airy, and the open kitchen concept is cool. I was afraid it would be too hipster, but it didn't have that kind of vibe. It was definitely pricey at $70 for two, but I felt the quality and flavor of the food lived up to its price.
(4)
Dean M.
After much anticipation and hearing nothing but great things about this place all over facebook and by word of mouth, I finally got the opportunity to eat brunch at this place. Short and simple, it was good, but there wasn't the "WOW" factor I was hoping for. The dishes, though enjoyable, felt like they were missing something that would complete the experience. I think we tasted a good 7 dishes. I would recommend the harissa/beats and scones. Skip the yogurt. I've tasted better yogurt from Dannon. Enjoy the view, it won't be there much longer once the new apartments are built.
(3)
Vanessa F.
Sitka & Spruce is fast becoming one of my favorite places to take friends for brunch. It is located in the Madison Market toward the back of the main building on the first floor. The food is quintessential New American. It's fresh, organic, locally grown, and sophisticated; you can choose foods such as dukkah, ful medames, harissa, and speck. The flavors are nuanced and expertly combined. The surroundings are also delightful. There are high ceilings and tall windows all around, an open kitchen, and a light, airy decor. As the restaurant is small and usually quite busy, I always book a reservation in advance. I would suggest doing this, particularly, if you have a party greater than two. I have yet to have dinner here; unfortunately, I called to book a reservation only to find the waiting list is two weeks long. I interpret that to be a strongly positive indicator as there are so many fabulous restaurants on Capitol Hill.
(5)
Cynthia C.
Absolutely amazing on every level. Decor/ambience - open kitchen, warehouse, intimate, spare, yet gorgeous Food - 5+ stars We had a salad and two small plates to share - morels and asparagus, bread, olives and dessert. All were truly outstanding. Wine - had a local WA red, which was fairly priced by the glass. Service - just right. Very knowledgeable and attentive, but not pushy or hovering. This was one of the best dining experiences I've had. Price - fair. Small plates were around $16. Our experience was $100 for 2 people and worth every cent.
(5)
Steve M.
One of the best meals I have ever had. Great to share. Flavor balance is fantastic. Start with fresh seasonal ingredients and add just notes of flavor and you have a great meal.
(5)
Daniel S.
5-star experience BUT for the hostess, who was curt and less than friendly. Our friendly, helpful servers made up for her. Delicious, local food. It felt like dining in the kitchen of a French chateaux. HIGHLY recommend.
(4)
Alice C.
I remember going to their previous establishment on Eastlake, feeling hungry and unsatisfied, wondering what all the glowing review was about. I went there again today for lunch to celebrate a co-worker's retirement, and what I have to say is the chef lives up up his James Beard award. We had cheese plate, squash with tahini and pumpkin seed sauce, fir cured salmon, and lentil salad. The food is nothing like I have tasted anywhere. Fresh and innovative. Definitely an experience worth trying. The waitress was great recommending the right number on dishes for us to share. (To restaurants on the Eastside: please take note. this is how great food is done) I definitely will be back.
(5)
Will G.
Went here twice during the summer I lived in Seattle. The food was amazing and the menu changes almost daily. The food focused on the local ingredients without too many fancy embellishments. Everyone who spends some time in Seattle should eat here.
(5)
J G.
Good food, bad attitude. We had croissant, frittata, an terrine, all very good. But the waiter stuck his nose up. The proprietor/maitre de was rude. There is no place in NorthWest for such bad attitude.
(2)
Ninette C.
God this place was so hard to find. We drove past it three or four times before we finally realized it must be inside the mall thingy. My friend arrived first and there was a wait so we (the three of us) got a drink at the bar outside. I think they're affiliated? We finally got in and sat down at the counter right by the people preparing the simpler dishes. (There's a kitchen too I'm assuming.) I liked sitting by the counter. It made it feel more kitchen, homey despite the fact its obviously a pretty nice boutique restaurant. The waiter told us it was small plates so between the three of us we ordered: Smoked trout with honey, beets and horseradish: um this was really really good. It sold me on beets. I never liked them before, but I've been gravitated towards them cooked this way since. Leeks with egg and chicken giblets: this was pretty good and again, made me like leeks more. Wild bass, sorrel, celery roots and trumpets of death: to be honest, I ordered this because it was called trumpets of death. Turned out they were mushrooms, but again, another solid dish. Dessert was: Persimmon pudding with hazelnuts and olive oil ice cream: Ok, nothing special. A cow's milk cheese with honey: this was good, but seriously, I could have made it at home myself. All in all, great main courses, mediocre desserts. Also, not cheap, but I had a good time.
(4)
Rebecca K.
Happened across the gorgeous Melrose Market on our first trip to Seattle and were gazing through the windows at Sitka + Spruce. Later back at our hotel we were perusing through our James Beard list and realized this was one of the places we intended to go! We came back that night and scored chefside seats. Gosh it was a meal to remember. Ambiance + Service were fantastic. The food was unbelievable. Do not forget to try the house limoncello and nocino.
(5)
David P.
The "waitstaff" is so bad I laughed. When we arrived, the waitress/hostess just stared at me like I was interrupting her morning. I had reservations, which confused her so badly she had to consult with the other wait person. It was Sunday brunch, and fairly quiet. We sat & asked our waiter what he recommended, and he listed everything on the menu. Come on! Pick one or two. Most of the food was fabulous; interesting, beautiful, & well prepared. The scone was nicely browned, but did lack currants, which I think are essential. Smoked trout-- excellent. Except for the OJ which was horrid--thin, bland, flavorless. Do not serve crap! And would it kill you to do a sandwich board, sign, or something to announce your presence? Finally, took forever to get a check & settle it. Train your waitstaff for heaven's sake! And expect them to do a whole lot better
(1)
Angela E.
A local recommended this place to my friend and me for dinner and she was surprised by another colleague and taken here for lunch as well, which she said was so excellent she had no qualms about coming back for dinner. The first thing you notice when entering the building that houses Sitka & Spruce is the butcher. Then the wine & cheese shop, the flowers, the knickknacks and then, snug as a bug, there sits Sitka & Spruce in the corner, walls made of window panes that can open to the fresh air, a communal table stretched towards the chef's station, which is also open for all to see and admire. Now- to the food! We began with their homemade sourdough with soft butter and salted ling cod pate (I loved the cod pate but it was too salty for my buddy- more for me!), followed by mixed greens with radish, carrot, and turnip (perfect salad!), then slow cooked artichokes, with anchovy, & sheeps milk tonne (delicious), asparagus with grilled haloumi, pumpkin seed & za'atar (the grilled haloumi [cheese] can almost be mistaken for meat- smoky and delicious), and finally, charcoal grilled pig with natural morels & caraway seed (surprisingly disappointing- everything the pig came with was excellent, but to serve a pork loin that is 80% fat, and not gristly delicious fat by any means, is unacceptable and cost them a star...it might have cost two stars if I'd paid for it). Dessert was perfect but I now forget what we had with the french press coffee that kept me up all night, but was worth every sip! All in all- a culinary adventure not to be missed!
(4)
Kamie K.
Located in the back of Melrose Market, Sitka and Spruce is a lovely little garden-like cafeteria with a mouthwatering, simple seasonal menu. Monday nights they offer food of the "Malafacha". Basically a few different choices of yummy open-face tacos along with Cervezas, Tequila and Aguas Frescas. The perfect place to take a date. Wink, wink.
(4)
Drew W.
My wife and I went to dinner here a few weeks back and let me tell you what a meal! Oh man that was some good food. We had Tokyo Turnips; something that I have not ever liked in my life until that night. Everything was so perfectly displayed and more importantly tasted. The mixed drinks were awesome. I loved the ambiance of the place, it kinda reminded me of a dream in the way everything was laid out. I really hope to go here again soon.
(5)
Sarah C.
Had brunch here while visiting Seattle and it was great! Herbal teas were really good (served in french press). A friend and I shared scone with lemon curd, a lentil salad, salmon and the pickles. Everything was awesome except the pickles were a bit weird - all of the veggies were shredded so it made things a bit too pickley for my liking. Overall, great ambiance and awesome food! Can't wait to try dinner next time I'm in the area.
(5)
Karri N.
My husband & I went to Sitka and Spruce at the Melrose Market after a Mariner game on July 1st, I think we arrived after 5:00pm so I was wondering if there would be a spot for us since we hadn't made a reservation. I was so excited that we were able to sit a the long table connected to the prep counter, as I LOVE to watch. The atmosphere was nice & the wait staff very polite. I really love the farm to table fresh local ingredients used, although I felt the portions were small. Yes, I will go back & give them another try.
(3)
Munya S.
If you haven't been, go already! --If just for the yogurt. I have dreams about this yogurt, it's THAT good. I'm gonna go ahead and say it- best yogurt in Seattle. I dare you to challenge that. (Fat Hen takes a distant second place.) A walk into S&S (and Melrose Market for that matter) feels a little like you've just crashed the Portlandia set. (Homegrown Sandwich Co., a local butcher, and a hipster bar are just a few of the businesses that make up this market. I almost expect chickens to jump out at me.) The food at Sitka, however, is amazing. In addition to lunch service, they also have weekend brunch, dinner, and a special Monday night taco menu. Eating at the counter is fun (despite the view of construction) and conversation even works with three people since the stools aren't bolted into the floor. Back to the yogurt though- I've been here for lunch at least three times and they always mix up the yogurt according to the seasons. Yesterday's yogurt was accompanied by delicata squash, (sunflower?) seeds, and drizzled maple syrup. I am a professed maple syrup hater and I wanted to lick the plate clean. I don't know how they do it but they get me every time. Sitka and Spruce will challenge your food phobias and that's a pretty impressive feat. Have an aversion to kohlrabi or kale? Go in and take risks off the menu; you won't be disappointed. Let's get back to the yogurt one last time-the flavors were perfectly balanced and the creamy texture is still engrained into my taste buds. If you were to patent a yogurt formula, this would be it. The other dishes here are darn good as well. I enjoyed the lamb plate w/creamy beans and fried egg as well as a radicchio salad with breadcrumbs. The dessert menu is quite small which is a shame because I'd love to see more of what they could do on that end. I wanted to order another dish of yogurt to finish off the meal but alas they were out. I just see it as an excuse to return. Day 22 of 30 for 30 challenge
(4)
H C.
Went here for lunch and it was delicious. Had salami, kale salad and chorizo sausage. Superb.
(4)
Alexander J.
We loved, loved, loved this restaurant! We ended up going to dinner at Sitka and Spruce because we could not get a reservation at Matt Dillon's newest restaurant Bar Sajor. However, we were not at all disappointed! When we walked in we were at first skeptical (because you walk into the market area). We both looked at each other like 'Where is the restaurant?' When we found the restaurant we immediately turned to each other and said 'This is going to be great!' We ordered their seasonal summer squash with ricotta stuffed blossoms (perfect combination of textures and we really liked that the squash was served cold), halibut (flaky with perfect sear), and duck confit (fell off the bone, crispy skin, and perfectly paired with the saskatoon berry sauce). Everything from to food to the decor and atmosphere was perfect. As out-of-towners we are so glad we stumbled on this Seattle gem. Locals and visitors MUST GO!
(5)
Monet J.
DEAR GOD THIS PLACE IS GOOD! I actually was in the building to sit at Bar Fer'nand. After a time, I found myself curious and hungry (the makings of many a food adventure for me), and asked the bartender and cook there where was the best food. It took 2 seconds for them to look at each other and point in the direction of Sitka & Spruce. I gotta admit I've never been so happen about taking someone's advice. The service was knowledgeable and down to earth. The space itself was urban cool but, homey and was a completely open concept space. The place makes you feel as if you were in your friends downtown loft sitting at the counter in their kitchen (which you can do here). Ambiance aside, the food is the real showpiece here. Smokey spigarello. Tender morel mushrooms and duck egg yolks on thick country bread. You cannot go wrong! I just wished i had paced myself so I had room for dessert. That's okay...next time Sitka. Next time. PS- The wine list= uber sexy.
(5)
A W.
I actually haven't eaten at the restaurant during regular S&S hours, but taco Monday is FANTASTIC!!! Couldn't be better--from the ambiance, service (handsome staff, one and all), food, drink...terrific.
(5)
Carol S.
Amazing! After tasting various entrees, for a moment, I actually considered moving here just for this food. Then I thought of how far I'd be from Vegas and quickly changed my mind.
(5)
Loon E.
What an amazing place to grab a meal! Love the cute but modern decor and interior of the space. The food here is very well presented and the flavors ring out to you loudly even from very light creations, though they can be considered a little overpriced. They focus and execute the farm to table thing very well. Did find the salads to be the weak point of the meal, which was a bit surprising. Seasoning and taste were missing. The salmon I had as a main was well cooked and delicious and the bites of the pork entree also left me wanting more. This is definitely a place I'd return to as the kitchen seems focused on thinking outside the box, while keeping true to using fresh and local ingredients. Very well done. Color me impressed.
(4)
Mamie P.
One of the most interesting places I've ever eaten. And one of the best experiences I've ever had. Brick walls, real butter, fresh fish, herb toppings. These luxuries may be standard in Seattle, but to visitors from Vegas like me, they are a fresh respite from strip mall facades. Dinner for four totaled less than $100 without drinks. If I return to Seattle it will be for Sitka and Spruce.
(5)
Will T.
might have been the best meal i've had in years. very unique and refreshing combination of flavors.
(5)
Angelica C.
came here for brunch and was seated along the counter facing the windows. (almost) everything on the menu screams healthy =)
(4)
Justine S.
I was really, really looking forward to eating at Sitka & Spruce. I've had many foodie friends that told me this was the place to try. Soooo, I have to say I was disappointed. Everything we ate pretty much fell flat. I'm thinking it must of have been an off night as my friend with me was disappointed as well (and she ate there a few months earlier and loved it). I think maybe it was the concept for the different dishes that didn't come together on the plate. The menu is small and we tried four different things so feel like we had coverage of the different plates. Highlights: - Excellent wine menu - had a delicious rose wine - Location - great spot on Capitol hill that is close to bars other stuff for going out after - Ambiance - very cool spot - good vibe - cool interior - Service - the service was good and very helpful - Adventurous menu - good for a foodie (but not executed well - see below) Lowlights: - The green salad - it was litterally just a green salad with some dressing and roasted walnuts...yawn! - The Pork of confit w/parsnips. While the concept was good it fell flat on the plate. The pork confit (pork belly) did have some good flavor but the parsnips were served in round quarter size portions - which ended up having a weird texture and flavor that just didn't come together with the pork belly. - Poached egg with sea urchin roe, dried tuna & leeks - The first bite was so salty. It knocked us both over. I was afraid to go back in but did dig around and eat the egg - which was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious. There was something in the dish that we couldn't identify that was so salty it overpowered the flavor of the egg and the broth/sauce. The sea urchin roe was good but it didn't really blend together with the whole dish. Good idea - too bad it didn't come together. Disappointing. - Venison with yogurt - this was done well and tasted fine but it just didn't blow me away (the menu said lamb but they brought us venison...strange). - gateau Basque & sugar pumpkin pie. The actual pie was very good. Where it fell apart was the sweet sauce they put over it with overtly sweetened pumpkin slices. Okay. So after having said all that the big question is will I go back? They food is very adventureous and I love that - I just hope to see a new line p that is actually executed better. Maybe someone was smoking something funny that night or had a rough night the day before..who knows??? I will definitely give it another try but am going to wait until they change the menu and hope they take the feedback on yelp!
(2)
Alan H.
Where I hail from in the midwest, a strip mall never holds anything of value. Ahh... but here in Seattle, the all powerful strip mall gives us possibly the best restaurant in the city. Sitka and Spruce is located between a terayaki joint and a subway. The interior is small, but the quality and memories are large. Everything is done in simple small plates. But most small plates are enough to share. Small wine list, but I think it says "Hey, this is what he got, its damn good, drink it". The service staff is casual, but informative. I had high expectations coming here and my experience surpassed my expectations. Good luck on parking on a Saturday night.....hahahahaha.....
(5)
J K.
Expensive, excellent food, tasty, tapas-style, small place, great service, good wine, ghetto location (in between a Subway and a Teriyaki joint), can't make a reservation for two, a little salty, short menu, fun atmosphere, strange name that I believe has nothing to do with the town of Sitka or Spruces or Sitka Spruces.
(5)
Heather N.
We waited dutifully for 2 hours until we could be seated only to be bitterly disappointed. We started with the raw puglia olives in sea salt (these tasted dull and they were not the bright green of a true uncured olive) and they were also extremely salty (even for olives). The next course was the Albacore Tuna with blood orange, tahini,summer squash and mint. This was the highlight of our meal, when everything came together in a single bit,it reminded me of a curry tuna fish salad. The flavors were interesting but I wasn't expecting the SunKist cat food consistency of the tuna. I am a sucker for anything with sunchokes and I couldn't resist the whey poached salt cod with sunchoke. I've had salt cod before and this particular cod was hideously salty and inedible and not properly prepared/re-hydrated. The broth was basically butter and wine (hard to screw that up) so it was delicious when sopped up with giant slices of peasant bread but I wanted to like the cod, not bread and butter. At this point it wasn't looking good for us but I still had high hopes for our entree. I had the wild striped bass with nettles and sour hedgehogs. The skin on the fish was crispy and delicious but the nettles added a jerky-type texture which clashed with the smooth texture of the fish. My date ordered 'pig with pumpkin conserve'. I couldn't figure out what the cut was (to my discredit) HOWEVER, local pet pig or not, it is ridiculous to pay 34$ for giant hunks of gross, uncarmelized fat. I don't care where the hell you get your pig from all is for not if you can't render the fat properly or cut the meat properly, 1/2 of his portion was just plain, unflavored gelatinous fat. Our server kindly removed 1/2 of the bill on that one. The pumpkin conserve was fresh and had a beautiful orange/garnet color but the sweetness overpowered the few bits of tender pork. The 'complimentary' plate of mediterranean inspired items tasted more like day old leftovers from the whole foods ethnic aisle. This included hard, old flat bread with mystery sauces/dips and pickled radishes (which were pretty good). We passed on dessert opting to keep the amount of disappointment to around 100$. Bar Ferdinand next door had a good selection of cocktails, bread and wine which proved to be vital during the painful 2 hour wait. This place had good intentions but sloppy execution.
(2)
K T.
I used to love Sitka and Spruce, but I think that is really due to the atmosphere of the space. I don't find the staff friendly and agree with the person who said it feels like you are inconveniencing them. The first meal I had there was wonderful, but since I have yet to have anything that I have really liked. I always try a number of things on the menu and have been unimpressed with my meals. It is sad because the space is fabulous- but that is it.
(2)
HN G.
S&S has been on the list of places to go for years and we finally made it for dinner Tuesday night - it was fantastic. We tried to get reservations, however, they were booked; but we were told to arrive 5 minutes before opening to get a seat. No problem on a Tuesday when we're just back from vacation. The four of us ate our way thru the menu (missing only 2 dishes) sharing all the plates. Delicious. Standouts include the couscous with kefte/meatballs and fish dishes. Both desserts - chocolate pudding with hazelnut caramel and the cake with huckleberries - were winners.
(5)
Jen P.
1) Look for the Subway, then go next door. If I didn't know better, I would have missed it completely. 2) Go here with friends so you can try more dishes...they serve family style. Which I learned meant they put the dish in the middle of the table, not that they load each plate with tons of food. 3) Show up on a sunny day so you can be seated right away. 4) Order what the server recommends. Though the menu was small, we weren't going to order everything, so we made sure to not miss the best. Our server was great--personable, knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. Our food came out at a really comfortable pace, and it was all delicious. Here's the breakdown: - Creamed bok choy with morels and terragon Add butter and cream to anything and it's delicious! - Seared scallops with lemon essence and spinach So fresh, so simple, and so excellent - Coho salmon tartare (sp?) on a small toast Again, I don't know what they added to this to make it taste so incredible, but it worked! - Somewhere in there we had pickled fiddleheads, which I'd never realized were edible, but I really enjoyed them! How many people can say they've eaten baby ferns before? - Rabbit with some kind of pasta-formed-into-potato-looking-cubes and olive relish I'm not a game-eater, but the meat was perfectly cooked and again, the flavors weren't overworked. Everything complemented each other. - Crepes with chocolate and olive oil ice cream The ice cream was incredible! The olive oil flavor was there, but it had the creamy texture of ice cream. Baffling, but delicious. - Rhubarb shortcake First time tasting rhubarb and I think I may have to do it again. All in all, I highly recommend this place. We'll see how it goes in their new location, but I hope they can maintain the cozy atmosphere and quality menu.
(5)
Ballardite S.
Meh. Maybe just an off night for the cook. Parsnips harissa had an amazingly flavored sauce (lovely combination of spices) but, while the smaller tubers were cooked perfectly, the larger parsnips were terribly undercooked, crunchy, and practically raw, like biting into a uncooked potato. I can't imagine this was intentional. Parsnips (or any tuber really) are delicious when roasting brings out the sweetness, but when uncooked they're chalky and blandly sour. Pork was amazing on the ends and edges but uncooked in the middle. I'm ok with a little bit of pink but not if it's also cold when served. I know too much about parasitology to enjoy it. On the plus side, the morels, duck eggs on toast was incredible (could have eaten this dish twice); we also enjoyed the bok choy. My overall impression was one of great artistry in flavor combinations but a definite need to quality control. At this price point, there should be no misfires, much less 2 out of 5.
(2)
Paula T.
Got there just after it opened and were seated immediately. The service was excellent. We had to have most of the menu explained to us as a lot of it was pretty hard to read and there were some things on the menu that were confusing. Such as deer tongue which is actually a lettuce. The salad was great and the cured duck ham we had was just ok. The place is also very small. There were about 6 small tables and one large communal table in the middle.
(3)
Tristan D.
We bumped this one to the top our list of "must visit" places when we heard they were closing the Eastlake location and moving after December 30th. I'd been told that our experience here would be hit or miss based on the night's menu (we've been told this about both of Matthew Dillon's restaurants), but unfortunately, though there were highlights, there were more misses than hits. We started with a butter lettuce salad - pretty bland and entirely uninteresting. Didn't really detect any flavor at all. Then had a ridiculously good dish based on hedgehog mushrooms - one of those things where you're banging your forks together trying to get the last piece. Entrees were chicken (okay, nothing exceptional, best part was the base of lentils, pomegranate, and beets) and crispy beef (yummy, very unique, but not amazing). The restaurant was really cute - we'd heard that it was between a Subway and a teriyaki place, but that only kind of added to the charm; you wish every strip mall had a place like this in it. :) Was able to walk in on a Wednesday and get a table (much to our surprise), which was amazing. Overall, good, not great; probably a 3.5 star experience if I could give it that - happy that I went, but definitely not on my list of "oh wow, I have to go back there". I feel like, depending on the night and the menu, could have been great, but it just wasn't.
(3)
Yooli H.
I Love everything about this place. Incredible!
(5)
P Y.
I've been to Sitka and Spruce several times, both in the old location and in the new one. All very enjoyable meals. Yesterday, my friend and I were excited to go again for brunch. Overall, the food was excellent and the meal fresh and seasonal. The only challenge (and one I am still having a hard time getting over) is what I discovered in the lovely yogurt and squash dish. There was a hair in it. At first I just thought it was on the outside and since I'm not very squeamish, I thought I would just remove it and eat it. However, the hair was very long and as I started to pull on it, it was completely integrated into the meal, into the yogurt, between the pieces of squash. Now I understand that this happens...it's challenging in an open kitchen to control every variable. Every great restaurant makes a mistake occasionally. What I am having a hard time getting over is the how they handled it. The next time the server came by, I managed to catch her attention and quietly let her know what had happened. My goal was to not cause a disruption and have her take care of it quickly. She apologized and a short while later replaced it with a fresh yogurt and squash dish. However, when the bill came, they charged me for the squash/yogurt dish. Now, my friend and I had several other dishes...I was happy to pay for them. But I had sort of thought that on principle a dish with a big, long, gross hair in it might be comped. Just as a sort of apology for the experience and a thank you for not making a big deal out of it. It's not about the $7.50 dish, it's about acknolwedging that when the diner has a bad experience, you want to make it up to them as a sign of appreciation for their patronage. Mr. Dillon was actually in the restaurant at the time, though he was not cooking. To note, I didn't say anything, paid for the full meal and left my usual 20-percent but it was disappointing all around.
(2)
Maria M.
The atmosphere was excellent. Very cozy and warm. I came with a couple of friends for Taco Monday. The chips and avocado (guacamole) were great. The tacos....average. We ordered three different taco dishes which were okay. One taco dish in particular was solely spicy chorizo and other meats. The meat/taco was quite dry, good flavor but dry. We asked the server for a side of chopped tomatoes/veggies and cream sauce which they served with the fish taco. Shortly after this one of the cooks (he did not introduce himself, this was assumed as he was preparing dishes) came to our table and stated, "The tacos are served as is, Okay? Nothing is added". Without further explanation he left the table. The server never returned to explain this odd interaction with the cook, didn't offer any alternatives and, in my opinion and those of my friends, pretty much ignored us the rest of the evening. Hmmm.....really? Your sub par, dry taco is served, "as is"? I wasn't aware of the great insult that is assumed by asking for something extra from the plate ordered. I may have felt differently if he had spent some time with the customer (us) explaining his delicate craft, perhaps offered up something else/alternative or even, in a nice conversation, asked us why we felt we needed something additional. Sorry, but there are a hell of a lot of great restaurants that understand a little something about, "customer service" and that serve up better food to waste another trip here.
(1)
John K.
If you want great food, this is the place. We came in without a reservation, and were seated at a table with a group of 4. My wife and I thought, "Oh cool, we can chat with these people and have a more community experience to match the environment". But they didn't say a single word to us, and pretty much turned away and kept to themselves. Oh well. The food was very pricey, and the portions were small, but the plates were outstanding!!! The owner seemed to talk with everyone but us. And the waiter wasn't rude, but he wasn't very attentive, given the small dining room. Oh, and if you ask for bread, you have to ASK for butter too. And then it will never come to your table. We ended up getting dessert at Palace Kitchen where I even needed tatertots to fill myself up on.
(4)
Jennifer S.
Spectacular, and thankfully, nothing over-wrought about it. If you love food, and you love enjoying the gift that some chefs have more making food taste extraordinary, you will love this place. There's a simplicity to the dishes that belies their complexity of the flavors. It was dish after dish of amazing-ness, and there wasn't one bite that wasn't totally amazing. Don't go here to be impressive-most folks won't get how special this place is. Go here to be impressed with how the folks that make the food at Sitka & Spruce have a preternatural understanding of how to make eating transcendent.
(5)
sarah k.
Went with friends..thought the food and service was thoughtful. I had a good time. The wine was great. The waiter helped us make up our indecisive minds and I would trust him again anyday! I would give it 5 but we were smooshed into a table for 2 and there were 3 of us. But it is a small place. I would go back!
(4)
Andrew E.
I get the feeling this place is fundamentally misunderstood. Think of it as going to a friend's dinner party. You meet new people, you have some great food & wine, and you are served by a host, not a waiter. Note that there are, as far as I could tell, only two people working in the entire restaurant, so they are understandably not as organized as a larger venue. Recommendations are made on the fly. Dishes come out when they're done, but this should be the least of your concerns as hopefully you've eviscerated the previous dish. I found the server incredibly helpful with suggestions and descriptions as well as a generally nice guy. The food was immaculate. Perfectly prepared guinea fowl in tarragon sauce, charcuterie that melts, and affordable wine that pairs with the best of them. The waits can be tremendous. They open at 5:30 if you must get a seat through the door. They take one reservation per night, for more than 5 people "flexible between seven thirty and eight". But as with any great dinner party, the best part is drinking and mingling before the meal. The food here is what the Herbfarm should have been had they not choked on their own pretension.
(5)
Phillip S.
I have only eaten at this restaurant 2 or 3 times, but each and every time it has been a wonderful experience. First, the food here is simply amazing. Always fresh, always changing, and always very interesting. Sure, some of the dishes won't please everyone, but that is the fun of this restaurant: one must go with an adventurous spirit and be willing to try new things. Also, the wine list, while not extensive, is well put together and is paired with the food offerings. Honestly, due to the way this restaurant operates, S&S is not an everyday restaurant. First of all, it is a touch pricey (but worth it!) Also, it is pretty essential to get there early, and there is always a chance you will be seated with strangers anyhow (although, again, that is part of the fun...I have had some lovely conversations with others at our table). In short, plan to go here in advance, not spur of the moment. Best advice: get there before/as the doors open, pick one or two dishes you want to try, and let the waiter pick the rest of the food and wine. Remember, this is not like other restaurants, so if you go in for dinner with that mindset, you will probably be disappointed.
(5)
Jess L.
We went here with some family while visiting Seattle last weekend. A lovely little place in an unlikely setting. The food was top-notch local-fresh-seasonal fare served (if you so desire) family style. A couple tiny quibbles: First, a braised chicken and sage tagliatelle was slightly bland and although it was a nice counterpart to the intensely flavored meaty things we ordered I would have been disappointed if it hadn't served only a side pasta course role. Second, the atmosphere is ALMOST there, but not quite. They're doing amazingly well for themselves given the strip mall location, but the tiny squareness of the dining room didn't reflect the caliber of the cuisine to the degree to which it should. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend Sitka & Spruce, especially to someone visiting Seattle and wanting to see what true PNW cuisine is all about.
(4)
teresa m.
we were referred to this place from a lola server, and were pleased to actually get in for lunch. the ambiance is neat with a wherehouse atmosphere overlooking a huge mixed use new development. i had a pilsner, while my partner had a pinot gris/guewertztraminer glass of wine. both hit the spot. we ordered the kamut dish that had celery root, sumac, berry dust, with creme fraiche.....so tasty...next, we had the smoked trout with purple potato, russet, cilantro, red cabbage. excellent...my partner finished with the lemen curd tart with pumpkin and toasted pumpkin seeds...we had a fabulous time, and felt relaxed. the server was great and informative...thx so much
(5)
Laura C.
Best meal I've had in seattle. IBetter than how to cook a wolf for starters. t's freaking expensive but I can't wait to do it again. Rabbit liver ravioli-sounded so strange and tasted like heaven, ditto on the clams and apples, waiter was so sweet, brought us a complimentary proscuitto when they heard there was a bday among us, suggested a fantastic wine. I love this place. Its tiny, get on the wait list and then go hang out at the nearby dive bar.
(5)
Vanessa W.
I came in with two friends and we sampled most of the menu and three bottles of wine. All amazing. Seriously AMAZING! Possibly the best meal i have ever eaten! I know one of the cooks personally and he is fantastic. So fresh and full of flavor. Everything was incredible. The only thing i wasn't crazy about was a dish of peas and a poached egg. It was still good but just couldn't stand up to the perfection of the rest of the meal. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Brian G.
I went to the new location and enjoyed the meal. I was the guest of others so had to stick around. However the day I went at about 5:30 pm, it was BLAZINGLY hot. The nice big windows face west, with good sunlight and on this day no clouds and it was hot outside. There were no window coverings and the sun beat on our party of 4. I tried to hide by a support post but it was no fun. I asked the server if they planned on putting in some sort of shades and he suggested this was not planned - though perhaps he did not know. I certainly hope that they put in window coverings, or I would recommend that one not dine there on a sunny day before the sun dips below a direct hit to their windows. Oh - the food and wine were great by the way. I would give it 4-5 stars if I were not so darn unhappy with the sun and heat. It is easily correctable management folks but own up to the issue.
(3)
Roku T.
When I walked through the door of Sitka & Spruce, I felt like I walked into a box of the avant-garde of the tasty world. I've been feeling low on the facade of Seattle's new restaurants, but these guys brought such joy to my day. The taste and decor and music of this place is so naturally sweet, that it makes the rather small space feel spacious. I had testa, morel mushroom salad, mysterious pork dish with mustard and prune, and beef that makes a fork give up on its mission. For dessert, we had chocholate filled crepes which were not too sweet, and not too heavy at all. The dessert wine tasted like hint of cherry and plum, they were so tasty. The night was flawless.
(5)
jeffrey T.
We loved this joint! its so strange of a location, but once you go inside its a cozy, romantic, little spot with amazing food. highly reccomended for a date, only issue is waiting for a table...
(4)
A. B.
for 'fine dining' in Seattle my all-time favs are Sitka & Spruce & Elemental! every fancy new place that opens in town that i make it to, gets calibrated against these 2 - the criteria is quality when it comes to local & fresh, degree of creativity & change & lastly value. many a places have been a let down when i compare with these 2.
(5)
max l.
For me its over taken the most creative food title from long standing Lark. Yes its hard to get in unless you just show up open and get a seat. The menu changes daily sometimes hourly and creations from the most productive smallest east lake kitchen are pure, honesty and ever so tasty.
(5)
Patrick B.
My friend took me here on a Thursday evening the last time I visited Seattle. We were able to be seated immediately by the front corner of the restaurant and sat next to a retired couple and a man dining by himself. We ordered a few small plates and they all were pretty good. I remember having a wild mushroom fattouch and the poisson. With basically only one person working the tables and the place full with people waiting, service was a little slow and our bottle of water was never refilled.
(4)
Adam d.
I knew I was in trouble when the board read Chilled Bulls Blood Soup. My sweetie and I sat and looked at the board for a bit, then she said: wow. it's the Adam will hate this menu. The salad was pretty good, with the added bonus of a slug inside one of the small heads of lettuce that made up the salad (my sweetie dubbed it Sidney and kept putting it back on the flower until it curled up; eventually we took it home and put it on our neighbor's lettuce -- sorry S!). The tagliatelle with morels and pickled fava beans was pretty good, except the texture of the beans was all wrong -- they were too hard. Maybe some cornichon pieces would have worked, as the pickledness definitely worked. The Billy's tomatoes were yummy, but the criss-crossed anchovies on top of the dish were a WTF addition. And the trout.... well, I'm told that fresh-caught trout is a life-changing experience, but generally I find it too bony to bother with (my life is filled with bones in food; I even got the moral equivalent the other night in a mushroom ravioli-with-spinach dish: a 2"-long piece of plastic bag, but that's another review). This trout was no exception. Plus the Joy and Fun of skinning and deboning the thing. For $22, yeah, I don't think so. I won't be rushing back here.
(2)
Kalindi T.
New Post: I really enjoyed the new Sitka & Spruce. Their food is thoughtful and modern with a focus on seasonal (only) and locally fresh. Original Post:In fact, the food was just fine, good even. Not special, but fine. The attitude of our server, was just so unsavory. I think it is supposed to be one of those places that seats you and expects you to just take it. Don't ask questions about the menu, don't ask what it is that you are being served and god-forbid, don't think about asking for a substitution. This is kind of kitchy and I s'pose can even be fun, but, there are limits...
best place I've eaten in Seattle. We had a salad, chilled seafood with pickled watermelon rind, amazing bread and olive oil, black cod with sea urchin and mushrooms, spot prawns with mushrooms, pork belly with chestnuts and pumpkin. For dessert we had gateau with raspberries and chocolate sorbet with caramel and nuts. Everything was fantastic. The service was attentive. The ambiance was like you were eating in someone's kitchen...someone who makes gourmet food. The place is small so get there early or make reservations. Waiting might be involved
(5)
minnie m.
I won't pounce too harshly with my review regarding S&S because I'm certain that a new restaurant opening (even an established one in a new space) deserves a little time to acclimate and find their groove. We went with friends last week and were so excited to enjoy their new digs. I must say, service was fantastic! However, the dinner was hit & miss. We ordered several dishes and found that the price to portion ration was disappointing. Very small servings for a hefty price. I will say, on a positive note, that the salmon dish was phenomenal but the others missed the mark for us. We had a butter lettuce salad with a brown butter dressing and I couldn't get used to the taste of butter on lettuce - it tasted like an oxymoron. :) All in all, after spending a wad of cash and leaving still a bit hungry was not what I expected. I will give them another shot sometime down the road but, until then, I hope they make a few tweaks.
(3)
Laura P.
Don't be fooled by the strip mall exterior, the inside of sitka and spruce is like your mom's kitchen. I have only been here for brunch, but it was lovely. They put up a little buffet of tasty nibbles you can enjoy while waiting for your food. Grab a glass of wine and fill up a plate, but careful, this place fills up fast.
(4)
S.L. S.
What a disappointment! I visited Seattle a few weeks ago (I was in on Oct 12, 2010, to be exact). While I was there I wanted to have one great dinner. Sitka & Spruce did not deliver. The space itself was quite lovely. I do love an open kitchen- I will give it that. My food was fine. In all honesty though, it's pretty difficult to make prawns sauteed in butter with chanterelles, taste bad. It was just a little boring. Super safe. Surprise me. You're in the pacific northwest. You have so many wonderful things available to you. Please Kitchen, take advantage of it. My frustration was more with the service. This was one of the worst experiences I've had in a while. From the moment we walked in, it was nothing but rudeness. We were greeted by a male server or perhaps a backwaiter. He didn't seem to want to seat us at all. He offered the three of us seats at a counter facing a wall and an alley. When I expressed that I wasn't willing to sit there but would be happy to wait for a table he seemed annoyed but offered to have three seats at a communal table cleaned up. Once we were sat I don't even recall our server saying hello or asking how we were. She offered no information about the menu- did not engage us one bit. I asked her a couple of questions not because I didn't understand but because I wanted to force her to care. I can't imagine that that's how service goes in Seattle. I am a server in Chicago. I would never in a million years treat my guests the way that girl/woman treated us. I ordered a bottle of cote du rhone for myself and one of my companions. She brought it to the table already open! She poured our first glass and then neglected to refill our glasses throughout dinner. I did it myself. Horrible! She meekly checked in with us once to see how our food was. Before we were even done eating our entrees, I noticed she had her jacket on and was heading home. Even if she was sick, her attitude and level of service were completely unacceptable. The server whom she pawned us off on however, seemed to be a bit friendlier and slightly more attentive. Our dessert was tasty- pumpkin something or other. By that point I was so uncomfortable and annoyed that I don't remember exactly what it was. I know a lot about food and service. I've eaten at and worked in some of the best restaurants in the country. I take food seriously. I love it. It's my livelihood. Sitka & Spruce offended me.
(1)
Amy P.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle and that is saying a lot in this town. It is a great place to go with a few adventurous friends and nibble on some very inventive dishes. The ingredients were of superb quality. I will always remember Sitka & Spruce as the place where I tried and loved sweetbreads for the first time. Go early or late, it is tiny and they do not take reservations. Aside from the food, I love that the menu is written on a chalkboard, it encourages people to share. I love that the chef stores his cookbooks on book shelves in the dining room. It is fun to see who the influences were. A word to the wise, don't go with a picky eater...
(5)
sarah b.
It's been a year and half since I went here to celebrate my birthday with friends (reserved a table for 5 of us). If it wasn't so long ago, I'd write a more detailed review, but it still remains the best meal I've ever had. I recommend going with a big group who are open to eat anything and share plates.
Great food and warm, friendly atmosphere in a rather surprising location - The Little Streets w/braised beef I had there on Saturday night was the closest to the Boeuf Bourgogne served by Le Trumilou in Paris :-) Then there was the lardo on toast which almost killed us .. softly. Friendly service!
(4)
Greta D.
I'm still dreaming of the gnocchi with truffles...
(4)
Rosa O.
I've only ever been for the monday night tacos, and let me tell you, it was phenomenal! I started off with the agua fresca, which may have been the most refreshing thing I've ever consumed. I moved on to a margarita. It looked small but packed quite the wallop - don't be surprised! Then I sampled some of all of the tacos. I'd be hard pressed to tell you what each of them were, but I know for sure that the tacos al pastor was insane, and that there were several great vegetarian options, including one with potatoes that impressed me quite a bit. I definitely need to come back and do some in-depth eating so I know what each of those delicious things were!
(4)
Jenna C.
I had lunch at Sitka and Spruce after visiting Bar Ferdinand and hearing about chef Matt Dillon (a James Beard award winner). I was immediately awed by the wall to ceiling industrial chic windows propped open with natural tree logs. The space has a vibrant and fresh yet rustic feel and the food is similarly novel, with unique flavor combinations presented in simplicity. We shared the beet salad, salmon salad, and beauty radish appetizer and finished with the hazelnut cake. Each dish was delicate while still offering developed flavors. I am an instant fan!
(5)
Hugh D.
Love this place for romantic or business dinners and for business lunches. Creative, inventive, unusual pairings, great wine list, fun cocktails. The parsnip cake with bay leaf ice cream was out of this world! The bread and butter are to die for but especially that soft, salted butter. Well-trained, knowledgeable, attentive staff. One of our go-to places to bring visitors from out of town.
(5)
Lei W.
This is a 5 star place for what it resembles. Fresh. Foodie kind of place. I was ecstatic when I found this tucked back in a market. It's so rustic yet gourmet, it's unusual yet charming.. it's just... awesome! I was even more excited when I saw house-made yoghurt with fresh sweet tomatoes, lavender and pumpkin seeds. It may sound a little strange but it really hit several senses that made it so delicious! The yoghurt was so sour, the tomatoes very sweet, the lavender a little spicy and the seeds gave it a crunch. YUM! We had several other "small" plates and made a feast of a lunch out of it. This place is so creative and even if it sounds funky... it'll be great.
(5)
Neil F.
Off night...probably. But the service was unbelievable slow and one of our entrees (the pork loin) was under-cooked and uneatable. However the other plates we ordered were pretty good. Gets an A+ for ambiance; but ambiance doesn't justify dropping $120 for bad service and slightly above average food. For the price, I'd recommend exploring other options in the area. But try it and see what you think. Obviously I won't be back. One tip: the menu is setup to share plates, which are tapas-sized. Our server suggested ordering all plates at one time, which would be staggered. But the wait time between plates this evening was simply unacceptable (30-45 mins). Maybe ordering as you go would help. Just an fyi.
(2)
Ross B.
Solid food. Pricey, to be sure, but also tasty and inventive. We had charcuterie, hazelnut salad, bread and butter, raw salmon, and some buckwheat dumplings in a whey butter sauce. While every bite was well cooked and seasoned the dumplings were the clear front runnner with a great chew and flavor. Cocktails were also spot on and served from a very knowledgeable and friendly bar keep. Good place to get lots of small plates and share among friends who can appreciate a composed plate. I'd return.
(4)
Hillary D.
The food here is so fresh and so wonderfully plated. Very delicious as well. I would definitely recommend that others try it. It's a very small restaurant so where I sat was actually right next to where they were preparing the food. The table they used to cut the food was connected to where I was eating. The dishes here are also very unique and they have plenty of small dishes you can pick and share.
(5)
Margaux M.
Food is good (the bread is TO DIE FOR). We went there for brunch for Saturday and we found it a bit pricey for a brunch meal ($60 per person) and this is the only reason for the 1-star down!
(4)
Joseph P.
I think I am supposed to say how divine this experience was and how the food was incredible. It was a good experience and the food was ok. The smoked sturgeon tasted really great, but the plate was a dining cliche - it was a gigantic plate, with little bit of food, and then it was all drizzled in sauce. (It was the kind of thing that if you served it at home, your family would think you had lost your mind.) The baked eggs were more like baked egg soup. Tasty but watery. I tried the home brewed kombucha and it was flat and the serving was tiny. Since the menu changes a lot I suspect the experience changes with it. This was my first time. It was good enough that I'd go back, but just barely.
(3)
Layna E.
Hmmmmm I feel like the portion was larger enough here to share before... like an year ago. Now it's really smaller in relation to price, than say compared to nice Tokyo / NY restaurants. This place isn't THAT fancy, I don't think... Flavor is good and unique, Ingredients are fresh and also unique, but my experience here in the last 2-3 months is going down....
(3)
James E.
Whenever my father-in-law visits from Spokane, my husband and his brother begin their neverending back-and-forth texts about where to eat. All we ever want is a place that is vegetarian-friendly, but we always seem to lose to overhyped restaurants that leave us disappointed. From a consistency perspective of constant disappointment, Sitka & Spruce is in the upper echelon among fellow restaurants. Husband and I shared four vegetable dishes, one of which was modified as it originally contained an anchovy-based sauce. The roasted turnips were heavily salted; the charred cabbage (sans anchovy-based sauce) was first runner-up to the turnips; and the charred celeriac was beyond bland. Our server did not acknowledge that the latter dish was piled high on my plate with very little of it consumed. Husband reluctantly agreed on this restaurant at the behest of his brother, and only after calling Sitka & Spruce to confirm that we vegetarians could easily, effortlessly dine there. He was told that we could order larger portions of food without worry of taxing the kitchen, but based on the four dishes we ordered I can't imagine wanting to double the portions of any of them. Back to our server. While he was polite, he was not very attuned to what was happening at our table as I had to ask him for a fresh drink after he brought one to my brother-in-law without asking if anyone else needed anything. As I type this review, I am in our kitchen eating bread with cheese so I don't go to bed wishing I had eaten something - anything - substantial. I have every belief that the kitchen can masterfully compose dishes with meat and seafood that bring people to the brink of poetry. However, the kitchen's ability to compose love songs with vegetables are a few stanzas short of a sonnet. God how I miss Carmelita's.
(2)
Sam B.
Ahhh Great wine list simple but elegant menu.. Great experience and energy! The house made charcuterie is phenomenal! A must experience place!
(5)
Sylvia K.
Sitka & Spruce is an adorable restaurant at the back of the beautiful melrose market. I absolutely love places that look like rustic wooden farmhouses - it's just so charming! And Sitka & Spruce looks like I'm eating in the kitchen of a countryhome. My friends and I walked in after looking at the menu. We weren't super hungry since we had actually just eaten, but the asparagus with hen of the woods mushroom & chopped egg sounded so amazing. actually everything on the menu sounded amazing, but this one dish was the one that I wanted to try the most. We didn't have a reservation (but for Monday at lunchtime, it wasn't full) so they seated us at the community table, which was perfect. We ordered the asparagus dish, and also the king bolete mushroom with purple artichoke & arugula salad and the brown butter hazelnut cake. The food came out pretty quickly probably because the first two dishes were cold salad dishes. The asparagus was delicious. It was cooked so well. The chopped egg tasted like egg salad. The hen of the wood mushroom (which is one of my favorite fungi) was actually chopped up and plated below the asparagus and egg - I wasn't expecting it and it was a lovely surprise. I really liked this dish - it tasted simple and fresh. And the hazelnut cake was really yummy - it made for the perfect dessert. The other salad that we ordered - I couldn't really taste it - the mushrooms were sliced very thinly. I really like two out of the three things we ordered and the one I wanted the most tasted the best. The interior is super cute and the name of the restaurant is cool too. I would come back to try some of the other dishes.
(4)
Diane R.
This. Place. Is. Great. Discovering Seattle cuisine has been so much fun after living in So Cal for the last 10 years. I've been to many amazing restaurants now, rarely having had a bad experience in this city, but this is my personal Seattle gold standard!!! There is something to be said about walking thru this beautiful mixed-use building, sitting in their intimate space, watching the rain pour down the romantic panes of glass and watching your food being prepared just feet from where you sit....Mmmmm Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, all great. Menu changes constantly, so you'll never get too comfortable ordering the same thing. I really like that in my life right now. Fresh food and no complaints about the price personally... but I have been living in California for the last 10 years.
(5)
Adrianne J.
Sitka and Spruce is a hidden gem. It's tucked way back in a market but has a very charming look when you do get to it. For my vegetarians out there; the menu always has great options on it already, no need to to do the back and forth "can you make me a veggie dish?" begging with the wait staff.The food is wonderful and very flavorful. They know just how to take a dish of turnips or cabbage into a savory and filling dish. They also recommend wine pairings, play great music on the record player and have a wonderful ambience that makes you feel cozy.
We came here excited for a farm to table experience. Unfortunately our party of 6 left very hungry and disappointed. Entrees were $30+ and there were only three to choose from. We shared multiple small plates, the charcuterie plate, and all three entrees. The best was the charcuterie, it wasn't the typical salami, prosciutto and cheese spread. Instead, there was pate, duck rillete, head cheese, and rabbit. When the waitress brought out our first entree, which was salmon, she said we should split it into six "good sized chunks," which ended up being one bite per person. Even if I got that entree to myself, I'd be upset with six bites of fish. The other two entrees of duck and rabbit were equally small. Overall, it was way too pricey for the portion size and nothing unique.
(2)
Jeranel J.
Very very Seattle! I wouldn't call it 'trendy' but I would call it 'farm to table nouveau'. The freshest egg I have ever tasted that wasnt on an actual farm.
(4)
Gilad B.
Everything was great. Great space, nice staff, good menu, etc. Overall I loved it and the plates were beautiful.
(4)
Kathleen C.
Food: We ordered smoked mussels, raw salmon, squash dumplings, and a mushroom dish. My favorite was the mussels. Flavors were very unique and quality of the mussels was on point. The others were good, but I wouldn't order again next time. We also ordered eggnog ice cream which was really yummy and rare flavor to get. Place: Its tucked away a bit within Melrose Market? There are only a few 2 person tables, a communal table, and bar type of seating. It's not very big, but pretty cute place. Prices: Dishes were roughly in the high teens through 30s. Portions weren't huge and the server suggested that we ordered plates for sharing. So 1+ plates per person. In that way, it can get pretty pricey. Overall: I think it's definitely worth a try at least once. Probably not a place I would frequent often, but wouldn't mind coming again.
(4)
David E.
Very disappointed. Came here by myself told they couldn't sit me other than the window even though they had 19 open seats. Evidently they have reservations for so many people when nobody is waiting. . How shitty. I love trying new farm to table food. Will never try this place again
(1)
Erwin E.
Walked past the restaurant and was intrigued by the open market layout of the neighboring vendors. Sitka & Spruce is located in the rear of the marketplace and has a natural earth tone layout. I sat at the window counter which is a long aged piece of wood with barstools on one side. Great ambience and atmosphere. Beverage: Kombucha & Bourbon. Delicious to say the least. They use a home brewed Kombucha, which has just the right amount of bite to it. Starter: Marinated summer squash with fennel, tahini, and pumpkin seeds. Well balanced and perfectly grilled. The pumpkin seeds add a nice texture and crunch to every bite. Entree: Grilled chicken, apriums, escarole with emmer, and eye porridge. By far this was the best of the two plates I tried. The grilled chicken was seasoned perfectly and not overcooked. Nice and juicy. The apriums, which are a apricot/plum hybrid and escarole were a nice side to the chicken. They didn't over power the dish and complimented it perfectly. Little touc, they hold the old fashioned windows open with small pieces of fire wood. It's the little things like that which make a place worth coming to. Enjoy the atmosphere, you're company, and the delicious food!
(5)
Jody P.
I wish we had the option to provide 10 stars...but alas, yelp restricts us. Sitka is a stellar restaurant: every dish was done with such care and had such a unique contrast of favors. Taking something simple like onions and grilling them with toasted quinoa and anchovy sauce? One of the most delicious dishes I've ever had. The duck is perfect and the wine selections solid. Our best dining experience in Seattle. The owners should clearly come to Brooklyn. please.
Great food, lousy service. Our waiter basically ignored us, was ignorant of his own menu, and had a rotten attitude. If they got rid of that guy I might go back.
(3)
Catherine N.
I've had this place bookmarked for so long but every time I walked up to the menu, I second guessed myself. They have a changing simple menu, but it's always made me feel like it's too simple. Mostly vegetables and charcuterie? I've always passed until now. I kept walking this time but through the door, and I'm so glad I did. The simplicity is what makes them shine. They offer quintessential farm to table dishes. The food is so pure. I solo dined on my recent visit to the city and settled on a nice brut rose, the bread with whipped butter/Jacobsen flake salt & the ham dish. Bread plate - I finished this, so I totally carbo-loaded. That butter - omg - it was so light and fluffy, and the flake salt was thin yet large in flake size, and I wanted more. Brined & baked sliced ham with rye toasts (I mostly ate this with the bread from the plate above rather than the toasts), whole grain mustard, homemade sauerkraut, & a soft-boiled egg. The ham was light and flavorful without being overly salty. The egg was cooked perfectly. The sauerkraut was so refreshing and had a great crunch. It was such a simple plate yet didn't feel so. They give you a buttery house-made caramel with your check. I'm so glad I finally have this place a chance. It could make me a fan of lunching.
(5)
Becca C.
Sitka and Spruce have an interesting location. I too circled around before I realized it was in a mall. The ceilings are impossibly high which makes the small square footage breathable. The communal table looks like a great way to spend time with your friends, if they could afford to all go to S&S. We did small plates, and out of the three, they had a special for salmon 2 types; raw and smoked. Very good. I get salmon from AK and this was done very well. Service was warm and inviting. This is the type of restaurant for an experience; it's popular which sets a good mood and ambiance, yet it's intimate so you can have a conversation with your partner. Portions are small; their main dish of scallops had three - yes you read that right - and nothing else but a sauce. I wouldn't come here if I were hungry; only to sample some appetizers before moving on somewhere else.
(4)
Steve N.
Always using freshest possible ingredients Chef Matt Dillon understands how to combine flavors and textures for outstanding results. Have had lunch here many times and this ranks as one of my favorite places in Seattle. Inevitability there is an unrecognized ingredient or two on the menu requiring explanation and the staff is always knowledgable and professional.
(5)
Mag D.
This review is almost a year after I was there (3/2014) but Yelp gave it to me to write a review and since I so fondly remember the evening and experience, I am writing to say YEA! Yeah, it is a little trendy with the daily gathered forest ingredients but while there I did not feel that it was pretentious. They turned me on to Amaro Montenegro and I am now on my third bottle. Mmmm. And the food was inventive and fresh and delish. Get in there and try it, people, it is an experience and when I was there, fairly priced for both.
(5)
Alison W.
It gets 1 star because it looks like a nice place. We were a party of 8 and we were seated at 9:45pm our first course didnt arrive until 10:30. The service is less to be desired. I wouldn't come back . I found a curly hair in my salad. The waitress didn't even care. Took my plate and didn't even get me a new plate until I asked for one. The portions were bite sizes and for the price... I think there are better restaurants out there. look for something better!!
(1)
Michael H.
I'll just put it out there that anything in Melrose Market is cute, and Sitka & Spruce is no exception. I love the ambiance, and the food matches it. Refined, yet rustic. Overall a great experience. Make reservations, and make sure to get there early if you're driving because it is very difficult to find any parking in the area.
(4)
Anthony B.
Maybe the most romantic restaurant in Seattle.
(5)
Elizabeth L.
**3/28/11 EDIT: S&S just featured in 3/24/11 NYT piece "36 Hours in Seattle" travel.nytimes.com/2011/… *3/21 UPDATE: Matt Dillon/Sitka & Spruce just named James Beard Best Chef NW finalist. seattlemet.com/blogs/nos… ------------------- Sitka & Spruce if you could escape anywhere. 1. You may wish your life was as happy as your mouth. 2. You may wonder who is behind the entire experience - concept, execution, ambiance. 3. You may not want to leave. ------------------ Could end review here and have done S&S justice, but to offer some functional color: Not-to-miss dishes: (5) Smoked trout w/honey, beets, horseradish - near sinful in its indulgence, beautifully paired ingredients (4.5) Bass, carrots, housemade yogurt, coriander - the bass was perfectly crisped, tender on the inside. yogurt was a superb complement, cut through the bass. Staff created a pleasant experience, clearly proud of their craft, accommodating and professional. Ambiance is quiet and relaxed, warehouse loft meets urban kitchen. Menu changes daily. hard to book a rezzie but worth canceling others for.
(4)
Derek S.
We went to Sitka and Spruce based off a recommendation from a friend. Our initial impressions were that we enjoyed its interior design and open layout within a converted warehouse space shared with other cute shops. Second impressions confirmed our first -- great light, laid back atmosphere and wonderful food, making it one of our favorite places to come for brunch. The format is "small plates" and the menu changes constantly. The set-up is very much like being seated at the chef's table where, depending on where you sit, you can see the food preparation in action. The service is friendly and relaxed. One word of warning for anyone who may be allergic to hazelnuts -- this place has an unnatural obsession with hazlenuts.
(4)
Jenny R.
I'm surprised that others have rated Sitka & Spruce so low on Yelp, though I can identify with some of the comments. The first thing I'll say is that the dishes are *delicious*. For lunch, we had smoked trout, pickled sardines, chicken and lentils. Everything was just perfect. The restaurant is small, and it's hidden away inside the market. That didn't bother me, though we had a hard time finding it initially. We were visiting Seattle with our kids, who are quite young. I realize that children are informally "banned" from fine dining establishments, but we think it's important for them to get an education in food. We take them everywhere. That seemed to annoy the server to no end, and she was quite unfriendly. This won't matter to most of you, but I found it obnoxious. We were a little disappointed at the lack of pork-free dishes on the menu. Again, most people won't care. But we don't eat pork, so that really puts a dent in our ordering plans. But, if I was to suggest a list of places in Seattle to a friend, I'd put this on the list. So take that for what it's worth.
(5)
Kara M.
Like everyone else has said, the food is fantastic, changes daily and the menu is creative (although really hard to read...seriously, can someone with better penmanship write on the chalkboard already?) We had chicken gnocchi, octopus and chickpeas and meatballs w/couscous. It was all fantastic and well-prepared. The host was gracious and friendly. My only complaint has nothing to do with the restaurant but for any and all of you planning to eat here: this place is quaint and tiny and people wait foreeeever to get a table...so after you're done with dinner, have paid your bill and now want to sit and talk until you're blue in the face, please GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO DO IT! For the love of Pete, we got there early, were supposed to eat at 9:30 and were finally seated at 10:15. We watched 2 ladies gab for over an hour after finishing their dinner, knowing there were several people waiting to sit down and eat before hypoglycemia set in and someone dropped to the floor. "Blah blah blah, oh my gawd, blah blah blah." Yes, shut the hell up and GTFO. See how angry I get when I am so hungry I might pass out? For future reference, while you are waiting for your table or want to continue your long ass conversation past dinner, there is a lovely coffee shop right across the street called Voxx that not only has great coffee but plenty of seating and you can see Sitka & Spruce right across the street. So, go...eat a wonderful meal and then get the hell out. Thanks. :-)
(4)
D K.
I'm from NYC (yea, one of those people). I eat out in NYC a lot. I ate at Sitka & Spruce and it was one of the best meals I've had in my entire life. Yes, I just said that. Between the charming location, the attentive and helpful waiter, the food (seriously, just wow) and the prices, I had to instagram to make sure I remembered the menu (sorry). We literally ordered every dish and there was not one that didnt result in the hanging in the air fork pause and momentary eye close. I know I'm gushing and its not becoming, but I was very impressed. Most memorable dish for me was a morels + poached egg dish. For the quality of food, the prices are extremely reasonable. We asked for wine recs and I appreciated that the waiter actively told us which to avoid and recommended wines that werent solely on the pricier side. Highly recommend and would definitely go back if I go back to Seattle.
(5)
Alice B.
I don't remember the names of the plates I had, but they were incredible! I stopped by for a late lunch by myself since I couldn't wait for someone to come with me. This place was hidden in the back of the market, and other than the menu in the window with Sitka and Spruce on top, I wasn't sure I had the right place. The cheeses with pickled cherries were fantastic. I also had this tomato and wild mushroom dish that was amazing. I should have asked for the smaller size as it was quite rich, but I didn't want any to go to waste. Next time, I'll bring other people along so I can sample more plates. I think it was somewhat pricey for lunch though, as I spent close to $25.
(4)
S K.
A huge disappointment. The service vastly outweighed the quality of the food, which is a shame, because I go out to eat in order to focus on the food, but I could not get past the service. We're visiting the city again, but I don't have it in me to see if this restaurant might produce a less uncomfortable experience. My husband and I were visiting the city from Chicago and made a 7:30 reservation on a Wednesday. We were greeted with ambivalence by the host, who was overseeing a restaurant with exactly three parties present. Despite an entire restaurant full of empty tables, we were seated facing a wall and a window with a glaring streetlamp, very little table space, and tiny stools In an empty restaurant. When we asked (politely, of course) if we could be seated elsewhere, we were told that the other tables were reserved, that no other table could accommodate us, and we took our seats. Part of going to restaurant is being in that restaurant's space. The host's seating in a relatively empty restaurant made us feel as though we were not welcome there, and as if he did not want us there. Could we absorb the ambiance? No. We were staring at the sidewalk. Could we appreciate the chefs working their magic while we anticipated our meal? No. We were watching people park their cars on the street we were overlooking. Could we check out the fantastic market in which the restaurant is situated (which we had never visited previously)? No. We were watching a garbage truck collect its load. We had difficulty getting our server's attention as we awkwardly tried to turn around on the uncomfortable metal stools. We felt awkward trying to negotiate the six inches of bar space we had, and frustrated that we were doing so when numerous other tables remained free. The streetlamp glared in our faces as other diners enjoyed what seemed to be warm ambient lighting. And you know what? ONE other party (of two!) showed up during our meal. Which lasted two hours because the waitstaff were so inattentive. I can't tell you what I ate. I was so distracted by the miserable experience that the food getting so much buzz took a distant backseat. We won't be returning. It's a restaurant, yes, but it's part of the hospitality industry. The hospitality was absent during our experience. We felt unwelcome despite being enthusiastic and courteous patrons. Hopefully others will have a better experience than we did.
(1)
L Y.
This was our first stop on our Seattle foodie tour. Loved the space, simplicity of the locally farmed fresh food, and great service. Veggies were SO fresh!!!
(5)
Thu C.
The vibe: very cool, inviting, communal. There's a huge open kitchen with a giant fire pit/oven. The best part is the counter, where food is prepared (NOTE: request to sit here!). It extends into a seating area so it feels as though you really are just in someone's kitchen. The food: tacos (this Monday, at least). Yummm. Try the Suadero, beef belly, for it's traditional flavors and authenticity and the campechanos for a blend of savory, sweet and spice (a nice kick comes in at the end of every bite).
(4)
Emily F.
This tiny and lovely restaurant is one of my (two) most favorite restaurants. (The other is La Bete.) I have been here quite a few times by now, and have loved every item I've ordered. Everything is carefully prepared and presented. I am also quite in love with the Melrose Market, in which this resto resides. This place has everything: unnamed wine bars, a tiny sandwich shop made out of nature, and a random meat counter with dragon flank... In short, awesome restaurant. Oh, and make a reservation before you come, or you may have to wait a while....
(5)
Putbory T.
Came here on a drizzly Sunday afternoon for brunch w/ the BF and some friends who live in the area. Sat at the huge community table adjacent to the prep table/kitchen, which was nice, nothing like watching chef's in action right next to you. Ordered a french press coffee, bread & maldon butter, and the best scone I've had...ever...? Friends ordered other things, but I was obsessed with the carbs & butter. So simple & so delicious! Nice relaxing spot, great atmosphere, open and airy with tons of light.
(4)
Shannon C.
Nice, comfortable space. Distinct menu that changes just frequently enough that you can get old favorites but still try new things. Small but fantastic wine selection. The space has beautiful woodwork and is incredibly charming.
(5)
Lulu L.
Perhaps my friend and I ate here on an off day. We were one of only two tables at lunch--the restaurant was otherwise empty--and the service took forever. The food and presentation were overly precious and overpriced, to boot. I had seasonable squashes w/ ham and pumpkin seeds for an entree and it was appetizer sized. Really don't get the hype surrounding this one.
(3)
jeffrey r.
What can you say about Matt dillon that hasn't been said. He is unique and his food and service are impeccable. Everyone has to try this great place
(5)
Tman S.
Monday Night! It might be the best Mayan pork taco ever. The place is cool, great service and view. Hotties too. I will try it mid week too.
(4)
Adam S.
Great experience! Our friends wanted to meet here for dinner, so we finally made it last Friday. What a great experience; the appetizers were amazing (the best charcuterie - salami I have ever tasted and don't miss the cod pate). After apps, we all shared the halibut and then the pork/octopus for main course- both were great. The manager/owner, Matthew, gave us excellent options on wine that paired perfectly with the food. Another great foodie place in Seattle-- don't miss it!
(4)
Evan S.
Unimpressed. If the concept is family style dining, the menu needs to be cohesive, yet all the dishes (and since we're a large party we ordered one of each) came off as uninspired and gloppy. I would've killed for a decent salad and plate of fresh greens to balance out the winter mush the kitchen served up. Service was so-so and the best thing going for S&S is the dining space which felt warm and clean. Do yourself a favor and enjoy a decent meal next door at Machiavelli and pocket the extra 100 bucks you'd drop at this pretentious joint.
(2)
Katherine T.
We walked right in on a Sunday afternoon. Nice open kitchen setting, the window view currently shows a construction project so I would recommend sitting at the big open table next to the food prep. We tried the eggplant melba dish and beet salad. The eggplant won me over on taste. They were out of my top choices for appetizers and the waitress was knowledgeable but uncertain of what melba was thinking it was a fruit. She was good and asked the chef for guidance and we learned it was toast. Portions are small but tasty. Nice sea salt caramel parting treat.
(4)
Carey T.
Had a fabulous birthday dinner for a friend here last Monday. It was the first night of their new "Taco Mondays". I love the atmosphere here! Great concept to have a market right out the door of the restaurant. And if you sit at the communal table you can watch the chefs work their magic. I loved that you could see the ingredients they were using, fresh mushrooms, pork on a spit. The service was very good! And some of our dishes were even brought to our table by owner/chef Matt Dillon (not that matt Dillon) I sampled a couple wines which were amazing too, a Spanish and an Chilean. Yum! Great Date spot! Im looking forward to returning and checking out the wine bar in the market and purchasing some local grown meats in the meat shop.
(4)
Kathryn J.
My S.O. and I came here to celebrate our anniversary a month or so ago, and it was such a great experience. Chive butter was amazing, and so was the salami we ordered to start with. It's been awhile now, and I can't recall the exact items we ordered for dinner, but certain things stick out in my mind: a dish with morels (delicious), house-made ginger ice cream (so good), and rose tea with dessert (perfect ending). The atmosphere is so cute. I felt like we were in Portland--in a good way. Our server was the sweetest, too. Reservations are a good idea, it seems--we learned that one the hard way a few weeks prior when we hoped to just stop by around 9 PM on a Friday. This is Capitol Hill, and 9 PM is still prime dinner hour up here--there would've been a decent wait, so we opted to come back at a later date. Oh, and a sidenote to the reviewer below who whined that there was "no mention of our special day" by the waitstaff when they dined on their anniversary...please. My S.O. and I completely enjoyed our anniversary meal without any surplus congratulations on our behalf by our server. Of all the complaints...
(5)
Brenda L.
Every time I come here with my sister, I fall in love with this place even more. Everything that I have tried is delicious. This place very well represents Seattle in a culinary way.
(5)
Mike U.
Probably our favorite restaurant in Seattle, and I don't say that lightly. Sikta and Spruce is a wonderfully European experience with cuisine that is decidedly Northwest. That being said, don't expect to be fawned over by the staff or be served huge & hearty portions. These are actually a pluses in my book, but some people may find it off-putting. The new location is extremely charming, with an open kitchen, communal seating (depending on whether or not you make reservations), and modern wood decor. We've met some great people at the communal table, so we tend to opt for that over the private seating most of the time. The menu changes quite often, so there is certainly an "omakase" feel to the dinner selections, even while ordering off the menu. Flavor combinations are imaginative and inspiring, and the dishes all feel quite light and fresh (even the "hearty" items). S&S is also one of the few places in town that has a clue how to cook fish (sad for Seattle, but true). In terms of value, think of it as a tapas restaurant with Northwest ingredients. Most plates are definitely sized like tapas, but the quality more than makes up for the smaller portions, in my opinion. Think of it as a gastro pub, tapas bar, etc. That being said, it's not too hard to share 5 dishes for around $30 per person (alcohol excluded). Considering that this is less than half the price of many inferior tasting menus in town, I think it's a pretty good value. My wife and I keep coming back at least once every couple of months or so to experience the change of the seasons, but we have never once been disappointed.
(5)
Claire O.
Sitka and Spruce was, in my opinion, the best food I've had since I arrived in Seattle. The restaurant is small and they don't take very many reservations so we did have to wait 1 hour and 20 mins for a table (after being told the wait would be 40 mins). However, luckily there is a wine bar outside where you can partake of a beverage while you wait - and I promise that you will want to wait b/c the food is well worth it. The menu changes daily, but we were exclaiming in wonder at every successive dish we tried. A few highlights: the best green beans I've ever tasted, delightfully tender rabbit and decadently delicious chicken liver terrine with morels and egg. Mmmm. The only slightly down note for me was the burrata. I live for burrata but this one, served with zucchini, just had all its flavour overpowered by the zucchini. Having said that, the others at the table said they never knew zucchini could be so tasty so perhaps it was just me. Extra points for the lovely open kitchen and the nice wine selection. Plus, as a bonus, there's a butcher shop inside the building in case you feel inspired to create your own little small plate of deliciousness....
(5)
Derek C.
I read in the NY Times travel guide about this restaurant being one of the "best in town." Looking at their small, but creative menu online, I was excited to try it. First things first: Beware. This place is hoppin', and they don't take reservations. Be prepared to spend a pre-dinner cocktail hour over by the bar, because a table for two will probably be a solid hour wait. When speaking with the staff, they said their recent busyness is partly due to the press exposure such as the NY Times, and local write-ups in Seattle. The plates are for sharing, so it's great for a date or even dinner with a couple friends. If you're going on a Weekend night, you'll be here for a while.
(4)
John S.
S&S was regretfully disappointing - especially after all the rave reviews. The setting is fabulous, the environment perfect, the colors, the natural light, the smells, the place settings - all wonderful. We were looking forward to a real treat. The food itself was tasty, but it was so expensive for what you received. I'm not one of those people that gets upset about expensive "small plates," but this time I am. The plates are very very small. Things that are written in plural on the menu, come out in singular. The "scones" plate had one, small, cold scone on it. And so on and so forth with the rest of the plates. But the other thing that really distinguishes it from other restaurants that have smallish plates is that the ingredients used in the dishes were all very inexpensive. Scones are flour and egg and water. Smelt is a very cheap, somewhat unexciting fish. When we buy small plates at Flying Fish for example, we are getting a couple absolutely incredible $30 a pound sea scallops or crab cakes made from fresh dungeness. S&S instead sold me three fork-fulls of goat with a poached egg, which was tasty, but for $13 felt like I was getting fleeced. The meal we had today felt more like we were getting fleeced and taken advantage of by the elitist part of the local organic movement. This is an extremely privileged place to eat, but in a distasteful way. I don't think we will head back.
(2)
Adela J.
Cute restaurant, lovely meal. We got to sit right next to the chefs at the communal table, which was a cool experience. Also, the service was incredibly fast.
(4)
Chet F.
A great place to spend the evening with your other! Quaint, dimly lit, with a warm homey Italian kitchen feel. We tried a whole slew of items: mushroom dish, squash, striped bass, pork, celery root salad, on and on. I thought the food was delicious but not a huge wow factor. I love the use of local ingredients in every dish and that you have a personal olive oil guru at an arms reach. My favorite dish was dessert and that is never the case for me. On accident they gave me some type of fruity cake thing with a scoop of olive oil ice cream on top and it was AWESOME!! Make sure to call in advance and ask to be seated at the table next to the Chefs! Bonus: S&S is in the Melrose Market, so you have plenty of things to do while waiting for your table.
(4)
Katie F.
Best meal i had in Seattle hands down. My friend Sam and I met for Sunday Brunch here, and it was the perfect food to eat before a train right back to Portland, rich and tasty, yet not too heavy. The plates were inventive yet simple. We had the following: 1. Bread and butter---both high quality. 2. Chick-Pea Puree with Carrots and Harissa--like a really good hummus with a little zing on top. 3. Grilled Squash and Feta--I expected the squash to be hot in this dish, but it was more of a cold salad. Still extremely good. 4. Washington Farmstead Cheeses--served with some nuts and honey. 5. Tomato and Burratta---the best tomato I have had in ages. Simple clean dishes like this are perfect for brunch. 6. Goat and Fried Egg---The goat was really nicely seasoned and sitting in a rich broth. I could have eaten this all day. The atmosphere is great, but the food outshines it for me.
(5)
Pamela M.
I am from NY, and heard about dining at Sitka and Spruce. All of my dinners were carefully planned out. Unfortunately, there was a time error on my reservation. When I called Sitka and Spruce to confirm my reservation they said no problem. When we arrived we were told that we were late, and would have to wait for an hour. I explained to very pompous gentlemen, that I had indeed confirmed. He was uncaring, rude, and indifferent. We were offered a place at the bar. But the host was so unwelcoming and nasty we went to Lark. Dinner there was fabulous and they fit us in with a smile. Smiling and being kind is way more delicious than being self important.
(1)
Jacob W.
Came to Sitka and Spruce with friends and was immediately drawn to the incredible open kitchen. Having the chefs and cooks literally right there was exciting and watching them prepare food made my mouth water! Unfortunately I was not as impressed with the food when I actually ate it. It was definitely solid but not enthralling as my obsession in watching the open kitchen. We had salmon crudo, chickpeas served with naan, brassica with anchovies, and Basque gateau. Only dish that was very exciting for me was probably the chickpeas with naan...probably since I was watching them put it in the oven in the open kitchen. I definitely want to go back and try another night as their dishes change nightly with whatever is available. At first we questioned the waiter's suggestions on wine due to his initial hesitations, but later find the suggestion to pair very well with what we had ordered.
(3)
Andrea S.
What a delicious spot! I went to Sitka and Spruce in its old location years ago and decided to try it out with a couple of friends last night. I called ahead to see if we could make a reservation but they told me all of their Saturday night reservations were booked (they only take a limited number). Oh well - we decided to venture there anyway. We showed up around 7 pm and were told the wait would be 2 hours- I appreciated the honesty and told him to put our name on the list with my cell phone number. We grabbed a couple of drinks at a bar around the corner before heading back into the building that Sitka and Spruce is in and grabbed a glass of wine at the cute wine bar/wine shop across the way. We were seated around 8:45 and the wait was well worth it. Everything was delicious. We ordered 5 plates between the 4 of us and the portions are large enough where everyone can get a 3-4 bites of each dish. The smoked mussels were my favorite course however the milk braised pork, marinated rabbit, halibut cheeks, and mezze plate were all wonderful. The timing of the plates was perfect, spaced just far enough that you might have two at once but not more than that, and service was attentive but not over the top. If you are in Seattle and have a chance call in advance to see if you can secure a reservation (to avoid the wait). Otherwise bring your appetite, and a little patience - it's worth it.
(5)
Cass C.
Went to Sitka & Spruce last night for our anniversary--5 years. Unfortunately every dish had such a high acid factor to it that I left feeling terrible. Perhaps it was the combo of the dishes we ordered, though I find it hard to believe we ordered every single acidic dish on the menu. The first was "warm and hearty greens" which were neither warm nor hearty--really just a clump of unidentifiable greens dressed in a vinaigrette. The second was "chickpea puree with fried mussels" which also turned out to be vinegar-based and overtly so. We could not even finish the dish, as the chickpeas did nothing to balance the vinegar. Finally, we had a lamb dish.....which, crazily enough, came with a lime on top. Again, the acid built as you made your way through the dish, unfortunately blocking out all other flavors. I felt as though I had sucked on a vinegar popsicle. Adding to this was the fact that we were seated at the bar that runs along the wall of windows, though our chairs were directly in front of a cement post. There was a draft coming in around the post and if our dishes weren't that warm when they arrived, they quickly turned cold. Dessert, on the other hand, was good. A light cheesecake with caramel sauce. Delicious, but I can't say that it saved the meal.
(2)
Molly V.
I have eaten at Sitka many times. Most recently last night when I took some out of towners. We ate at the communal table, which I love. As always, the food was inspired! Can I just say that the Chicken liver pate on toast with brussels sprouts and a soft poached egg was an amazing combination that left us all making noises not really appropriate for food. And the sformatino of Kurts cheese (dont ask me to pronounce it) was like an angel on my tongue! I agree with a prevous reviewer who said it is the quintessential Seattle restaurant to bring visitors. It encompasses all that is right with the Seattle food scene; locally sourced, original dishes, cool surroundings and really nice people!
(5)
Roy P.
The space is tiny but charming. There are maybe 20-25 seats. They do the sharing small plates thing and have a menu of 18 items or so. The food is well prepared, sort of in the same spirit as Tilth or Pair -- fairly unpretentious contemporary preparations that let the ingredients shine through. Sounds good so far and I can see why many have had good experiences. A few problems, though, from my point of view which, sadly, take it down to two stars for me. First, at least the night we went there was no red meat, lamb or game on the menu. Not a single dish. So you could have vegetables, chicken or fish. That's probably fine for some people but it's definitely not fine for others (including me). Loses a star for that. Second, service was spotty. I had to take the bill and my credit card up to the desk to get it processed. Bummer to be distracted by that kind of thing. And when asked about the menu our waitress didn't know that much about it ("because it changes so often"). Third, the wine list is almost exclusively European (there was one American red wine) and is exclusively populated by very obscure wines. This may be a plus to some, I guess, but in general with the Euro at $1.39 and Chinese demand spiking Bordeaux prices, I think French wines have become a poor value and I would always like to have a Washington or Napa alternative. So all in all not a great experience. It is in my view not competitive with its peers and I will not be back.
(2)
Tonya N.
Whatever you do... Order the bread. Its amazing. The salted butter so simple but so good... They sell it for $7 a loaf out front as well. The restaurant is lovely... feels like im in another city. Romantic and charming. The food was hit and miss for me... The ravioli had such great flavor and texture but was luke warm. The almond tart was excellent in every way. Other appetizers were decent. i would say overall this is a very quality restaurant. I'd be happy eating here daily and I know I would be eating well.
(4)
Willow H.
For years I have heard this is the place foodies go to eat. With its earthy modern environment and enticing food. So I was hoping this would be my new favorite restaurant, with it's chic style and amazingly creative chef-owner Matt Dillon. And after 12 years living on Capitol Hill I am always elated at the new restaurants in the hood. The atmosphere, it is elegant, modern, and has that secret hidden vibe we Seattleites love. And the fact that their menu can change at anytime made me feel excited and wanting more. The theme is local, fresh, and modern food. But wait! I saw my orange juice being poured from an Odwalla container and felt confused...hmm. Being a vegetarian I was naturally hoping with the locavore feel there would actually be more veg options. Vegetarians love to eat too!! And owner Matt Dillon did say he was a community kinda guy, and there are plenty vegetarians in this community. I will be visiting Sitka & Spruce again in hopes that I will catch a week when they are feeling like including the vegetarians. Because despite their lack of diversity they have all the other pros; knowledgeable wait-staff, atmosphere, and creative flavors.
(3)
Joyce J.
I came here for brunch. I really enjoy the concept of having tapas for brunch and being able to share the dishes. The restaurant is located in a market so it was fun walking past the flower shop, meat shop, and other stores to reach this place. The location actually reminds me a lot of the ferry building in San Francisco. The food is very decent and made with fresh ingredients. Since the menu changes often, there is probably no point recommending a particular dish. All I can say is whatever you get, it's likely to be good. =)
(4)
Adrienne S.
The location is great but it is a very small restaurant so the prime seating is gone in minutes. You will want to wait until there is an opening in the main family style table near the kitchen. I love the small plates. The food is fresh and is uniquely prepared. With the small plates, you don't feel guilty after the meal trying multiple things on the menu. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(4)
Trish S.
Visiting from SF, my husband and I dined at S+S on Saturday night. We walked in a touch before 10 without a reservation. While waiting to see if one of the reservations didn't show, we had a drink, app at the bar outside. The wine list and apps were thoughtful, innovative and atmosphere quite lovely, unique. Thankfully, we were then able to get a table at S+S. We had an incredible experience. The environment was inspiring, very creative and the food wonderful! We tend to prefer small bites and ordered the local greens with walnut oil/some unique vinegar -- very good. We had the beet/nettles/feta/pepper app, and it was divine. The wine list was thorough -- many by-the-glass options. We ordered the halibut entree, and while great, it didn't knock our socks off. The staff was warm, funny, informed, accommodating. We get out quite a bit in SF, and we left feeling wanting for a place like Sidka + Spruce at home.
(5)
judy n.
s&s is another of the plethora of new, small, restaurants spun off by chefs from other local restaurants. small, i expect but this place was TINY! i swear, the dining area was about the size of our bedroom & still managed to have really bad accoustics. instead of menus, there's a chalkboard with the day's specials, some of which come in 2 sizes. this is part of the other new fad that taken over seattle: *tapas style or "small plates". among 4 of us, we ordered 1 of ALL but 2 things on the menu: garden lettuces w/herbs & parmesan chilled mussels w/grilled butterhead lettuce & tarrgon delicata squash rabbit 3 ways w/chesnut & polenta slow cooked halibut in mastutake broth raviolis of pumpkin & sheeps cheese w/ chanterelles organic tri-tip w/arugula & grilled cauliflower mushrooms poussin "al matton" w/quince & age balsamic chocolate torte w/sea salt (sounds strange but it was really good) some ice cream thing that was absurdly delicious the size of the dishes varied wildly but the quality didn't. everything tasted super fresh, with the stand out being the raviolis. they were divine. i think the only disappointment was the halibut which, while perfectly cooked, was a bit bland. the service was a bit lackadaisical but i would still go back. it's got a very casual, relaxing ambiance & a constantly changing menu that guarantees the freshest ingredients.
(4)
Kris S.
Not happy with this experience. The place is located in Melrose Market which is a trendy industrial type market with a butcher, wine tasting, cheese stand, flower shop etc. The market is really cool but you just need to know what to expect. Sitka & Spruce was in the back and looked really unique: it felt like you were sitting in someone's kitchen while they cooked for you. I heard great reviews and was really excited. We ended up getting 4 or 5 different dishes (pretty much the extent of the menu) and found that each item which was priced in the teens was about 1-2 bites. It was the smallest portions I have ever seen at a breakfast place and it would take about 3 dishes a person to equal a standard breakfast. This would put you back about $45-50 a person without drinks. I am not a big eater but I left this place with a $70 bill, still hungry and very frustrated.
(2)
Kaveh A.
Took some clients here on a friend's recommendation, and the whole vibe was perfect. Love that it is in a shopping center, and loved that when I walked in they some how knew it was me that called a week earlier for the reservation. Extremely friendly hosts/hostesses, they new a lot about the menu, and seemed to treat you more like a guest in their home than anything else. Relaxing atmosphere, which is great considering how wonderful the food was, from the octopus to the pork to the beets to the...to the....everything. Get a bunch of stuff and share.
(5)
Russell L.
We took over the Sitka & Spruce for a work dinner party and we all had a great experience. This restaurant is in the most unlikely of places (in a strip mall nestled between a teriyaki joint and a Subway) but once inside, the decor made you forget all that. We let the chef have his way with preparing our meal and we got treated to course after course of yummy goodness. Without going into detail, everything was fresh, fun, original, succulent and well thought out. Standouts were a morel mushroom and asparagus dish, Copper River Salmon in a yogurt sauce, chopped razor clams on flatbread, and a pork belly dish. Very aromatic mint and flower petals were in full effect. There was a great wine selection too.
(4)
Meghann M.
Great new space - ate here once prior at the Eastlake location, but the windows and abundant light in their new digs inside Melrose Market are wonderful. Came in at 5:45 pm on a Friday night without reservations (called ahead but they weren't taking any more) which was a good idea as all the tables were full by 6. The wine selection was easily 4 (or 5?) times the size of the food menu, but my pregnant friend and I were not drinking so settled on the celery soda which was shockingly good. Who knew? We started with Columbia City bakery bread with (perfect) soft butter - hard to go wrong there; green beans soaking in an olive oil-lemon-garlic-and more-broth-infusion were great; the zucchini and pulsane (I had never even heard of the latter until last night, but it was explained to me as a citrus-flavored green) with squash blossoms and the gooey goodness of a ricotta-whole milk mozzarella "ball" (that is so not the right word but a better one escapes me) was just ok -- the vegetables just didn't do it for me. The hands down best dish was the albacore tuna (very healthy portion, too!) resting on Billy's tomatoes (not sure who Billy is, but his tomatoes are damn good!) with a tahini-tasting puree; this was excellent. My friend feasted on the chicken entree (with zucchini and feta) which by all accounts I think was pretty good, however, I was too absorbed in my tuna to get the full scoop on it. Despite not having enough room to finish my tuna (yeah for leftovers) we shared the gateau Basque with huckleberries and buckwheat honey for dessert which was marvelous. Brunch and lunch are also offered here; I would definitely come back.
(4)
Mips P.
Love the atmosphere in the new location in the Melrose Market. And the food is delish. Staff is polite and knowledgeable, not snotty like some of the other hawtest restaurants.
(5)
Tazzy M.
when i am looking for a place to splurge and take my lady out for a nice meal...this place is not about dazzling you with cheesy decor and trendy dishes, just good seasonal, usually local and organic food. one of my top 3 in seattle for sure.
(4)
April B.
They're definitely trying way to hard here to be hip. The place was cute but uncomfortably small and pricey for small plates. The service was a 2 at best our water was always empty and extremely slow. The food was okay I'll be generous and say a 4 - it was beautifully prepared, different and fresh but very heavy with oils and butter.
(3)
Jennifer S.
This is the kind of restaurant that you do not necessarily just pop into on a whim, you have to be ready to wait...happily...and it is so worth it. The food is absolute perfection and the ambiance is warm and relaxed. Don't walk in starving...be ready to have a couple glasses of wine at the bar and chill- while you anticipate the wonderful dishes you are about to savor.
Great space. Same great food as the old location on Eastlake. Loved sharing plates. Prices on par with similar restaurants but very high quality ingredients, knowledgeable staff. Super cool farm table abutting the kitchen that would be great for a group. Felt like we were back in a country European bistro. Loved it!
(4)
Trisha W.
After living here for two years, it's the best meal in Seattle yet. True, the location in the strip mall and the ambiance of getting hit by the bathroom door every 12 minutes was sub-optimal but the food and wine was totally worth it. Best advice: go early (or snag one of the rare reservations) and let your server choose everything. For a bunch of heavy drinkers and big eaters, it still only came to $75/person including tip and taxes.
(5)
Josephine F.
We came here for dinner one saturday last month. Got there before they opened. We were first in line which quickly grew as we waited. The service was very friendly and the food was delicious! This was our first time and we will definitely be back.
(4)
Amanda K.
I have been dying to eat here. I had a near eating experience here, but it did not work out. And then a lot of teasing about eating here, oh let's eat there, let's eat there, but no just a big tease. Then, finally this weekend I ate sunday brunch at THE sitka and spruce. I was excited. We got there and there was no parking. warning get there early. We sat at the big table with a bunch of strangers. Neither of us had been here before and we were not sure how it operated. We sat down for 10 minutes and then noticed plates on the counter. Excuse me, do we serve ourselves we've never been here, we ask, and they say yes. I was a bit annoyed that no one helped us, and mainly because I saw every other guest was seated and explained the rules. The food itself was very good and fresh. I enjoyed the bread, and the qinoa ( think that's what it was), the yummy sweet potatoe type dish, and the egg I ordered (the fried egg). The mocha that I ordered was amazing and had a beautiful heart drawn into the foam. The women next to me had a leaf drawn into her latte. My boyfriend ordered a small french press which looked very good. All in all the food was great here, the service was alright, and the parking was limited.
(3)
Dustin J.
Sitka is amazing. I'd suggest going with someone, ordering a few things and sharing. And don't pay attention to any preconceived feelings you might have about the ingredients on the menu... I've quickly realized that the dishes I read and say "I've had (blank) before and hated it" or "ugh, I can't stomach the taste of (blank)" are usually my favorites at the end of the meal. Matt is a true artist - he's got the most remarkable way of combining flavors you'd never think to mix and making them into complex, rich and savory dishes. His food is an experience... Plain and simple. I love the open air feel of Melrose Market and the community table in Sitka. You meet fun people, can watch the kitchen make your food. I'm not sure what some of the reviews are saying about taco night... I've been several times and each time is amazing. Plus it's not that expensive and it's incredibly filling. I'd recommend taco night to anyone - and I usually can't get enough of their homemade guacamole and chips - WOW! Oh, and ALWAYS try the gato-basque (spelled wrong I'm sure) for desert - especially if there is a berry topping!
(5)
Grant P.
I wish I had taken notes while eating. I feel bad that I can't be more specific about each course I had, what it was, and then go into a diatribe about how amazing and life changing it was. Apologies ahead of time for not being more specific. I went there with a few friends. We were lucky enough to sit at the "chef's table". I felt extraordinarily lucky to be that close to the staff as they plate each course. The wine selection was also very nice. The staff was extremely knowledgable about every bottle we asked about. This is a place that you want to go back to just to see what new delicious things they are coming up with.
(5)
Briana R.
Whenever I leave Seattle for long, I start to miss "Northwest food". Sitka & Spruce is exactly that. The menu (written up on a giant chalkboard visible from everywhere in the dining room) changes regularly, and is based on fresh, seasonal, local... you get the picture. This is one of the most inventive and interesting menus I've experienced in a long time, without sacrificing taste. I was drooling over every course. Thankfully, items are served in small portions, so you get to choose a few plates to share rather than just one. It's also worth mentioning that the service and atmosphere is excellent. Don't let the surroundings fool you! It's in a strip mall, but once you're inside you'll forget all about the smell of Subway sandwiches you passed on your way in. The dining room is light and airy; there are only a few tables but it doesn't feel too cramped or crowded. Service was great - friendly and relaxed and could attended to all of our questions without any problems. S&S was a little pricey, but for the quality of food and amazing menu choices, this is really a great deal. This is where I would take anyone visiting or new to Seattle. Or for that matter, anyone who just really loves food.
(5)
Karen N.
What a pleasant surprise! Look beyond the strip mall-ish restaurant front and experience the inventive menu and good service. We walked in on Saturday, put in our name and went across the street for a drink. They called us 30 mins later when the table is ready. We had a party of three, ordered 5 dishes... Scallop crudo(5 stars!), grilled octopus and chickpeas, grilled beets and carrots, emmer wheat salad with poached egg, leg of lamp. Favors were mostly Mediterranean, fresh ingredients, very well prepared. Even though the carrots and beets dish was kind of plain, the other dishes made up for it. Our waiter made good suggestions on dishes and wine and it was a nice change to have dinner at an intimate one room restaurant, kind of feel like a dining room at home, but with service and dim lights. Price is a little high, but I would be glad to come back. Warm atmosphere, not pretentious at all. Makes a romantic restaurant, but we saw a party of 6 celebrating a birthday as well. Do go and try it to support this amazing restaurant. I look forward to the new menu at my next visit.
(4)
Barry G.
Set inside a hip looking, open air, shared warehouse space with a cheese monger, butcher and associated wine shop Sitka and Spruce comes off as quintessential Seattle. The eclectic food selection comes off as inventive though I sensed a bit of formula with it (that's no insult, I was raised on formula after all). The team's approach is to pull together the best of a half dozen or so fresh ingredients into small plates so you'll get combos like sardines, beets and feta or sockeye lox with shaved fennel and honey. Just trust that everything is delicious and try not to over think what you're ordering. The wait staff is as hip and laid back as the space and while they don't provide anticipatory service like you'd see at the Herb Farm they are knowledgeable and capable of providing suggestions on food and wine. They're also bright and their positive attitude adds to the dining experience and you can't say that about many service staffs. If you're heading out to Sitka and Spruce call ahead, preferably a day or two in advance. The phone number is right here on the page and they will take something most Seattlites shy away from: a reservation. And for business diners: put away the American Express, it's Visa only for plastic.
(5)
Suzi P.
Sitka & Spruce has quickly become one of my absolute favorite places to eat out in Capitol Hill. Tucked away in the corner of the upscale, relatively new Melrose Market, it's a place that can go largely unnoticed to casual people passing by, and even to folks living on the Hill who may not have heard about it. Sitka & Spruce is a relatively small open space, with an open kitchen, exposed brick walls and wooden beams, and huge windows that let lots of natural lighting in. In short, you can fall in love just based on the exterior alone. The food here is pricey and can be delicately portioned (read: order several dishes). The menu takes over a single page, and although it seems to rotate often, the main thing that changes is the meat; typically the seasoning and way its prepared is the same. For example, they typically have fish lox on the menu, although one week it may be king salmon, and the next black cod (I've had both, and they are delicious!). So, what's good here? EVERYTHING. I have yet to have a dish here that I don't love. Most notable thus far are the items on the brunch menu including warm dates with yogurt and honey, sheep's milk feta with olive oil and heirloom navels, and the quail escabeche with roasted artichokes. Also, you know Taco Tuesday? Sitka & Spruce has their own version of it, except a day earlier. Each Monday night, the dinner menu offers "food of the malfacha," taking on a Mexican flair. There's quesos fundidos, and tacos with a variety of stuffing options including al pastor (pork) and suadero (beefbelly). Oh, and tequila, cerveza, and agua fresca of course. Sadly, there's no dessert on the Monday menu; if they added flan and fried ice cream, they'd be getting a sixth star.
(5)
Maple C.
Deliciousness in every plate! I came here for dinner, and everything was absolutely spectacular. The menu changes daily, but here's what we had: Sockeye salmon with watermelon and cucumber appetizer. Best sockeye I've ever had. Crab with the best tasting sauce ever. I can't remember what was in it exactly, but it was good, trust me. Lobster mushrooms with mussels (my stomach is literally growling right now) Chicken cooked over coals with squash and zuchini. LOTS of bread with an olive oil mix that was kinda spicy... super good Some sort of tart with honey and berries... it was heavenly Chocolate pudding with caramel and berries This place only takes limited reservations, so call well ahead of time, come early, or be prepared to wait. I love how there's a huge table in the center of the place for walk ins (seats 12), how the kitchen table is outside with all these fresh looking food on it, how there's an open brick oven, and how nice the people working here are! I'm determined to come here for brunch soon!!
(5)
Amy P.
We enjoyed our meal and the atmosphere. However, evidently our party of four had a maximum time at our table and we were hurried away to make room for the next table. I understand having to honor reservations, but it would have been better if they had communicated to us up-front that we would be asked to leave at a set time. A disappointing end to an otherwise nice evening.
(2)
Chris L.
Even without reservations, at lunch we were quickly seated at the big table with an immediate view of the "kitchen". Very reasonable prices with a good selection of small plates.
(5)
Nelly N.
We loved it here!! Our first night in Seattle and it tasted so good. You can't come here without ordering the bread. Sourdough with butter was not bad, would have been better if it was warm. The smelt dish was insane. If you know smelt, this was so fresh and the lemon zest made it next level. Next dish was the lobster mushrooms, simple yet flavorful. The next dish was the loxs. The lox plate was very flavorful, borderline salty if you don't chase it with the arugula. After that came the main course. My wife got the cod and it was really fresh, melted in your mouth. The pork was so tender that I was cutting it with a butter knife. So much free stuff and the service was better then most places. We love this place!! People that hate on this place didn't have reservations.
(5)
Erik B.
This review applies to dinner on August 24th, 2011 (Wednesday). I've had several 5-start meals at Sitka over the last couple years, and I usually count it amongst my favorite restaurants. We took out-of-town guests there for a special occasion expecting an equally great meal. Unfortunately, it was an off night for them and left us disappointed. The tomatoes, watermelon, and dill salad was very good, and the bread was fantastic (as always), but everything else was either "meh" or simply bad. Pita with yogurt & garbanzo beans was fine, but nothing special. Ditto the pickled smelt. The Moroccan beef plate was bland, boring, and strange - an experiment that shouldn't have made it onto the menu. And the worst was the heinously overcooked local albacore - a shame to see such a promising piece of fish grilled to the dryness of a rice cake. Service was great, as always, and I love the atmosphere. Sitka has built up enough goodwill will me that I'll go back and give them another chance. Another meal like that, however, and I'll bump them down another star. I hold them to a higher standard than what they showed that night.
(3)
Jeff S.
After brunch several months ago and dinner this week, I can finally say how much I enjoy Sitka & Spruce. The venue itself is fantastic, quaint yet open and comfortable. I enjoyed sitting at the head table where you can watch the preparation of dishes in advance of ordering. This is a common theme among most new restaurant design, but here it works especially well. The service is good, and the small menu still has enough variety to appeal to varied palates. Dishes are meant to be shared and this was also encouraged by our server. The smoked trout with beets was delicious. Just the right amount of acid (vinegar) to balance the strong fish flavor and earthiness of the beets. The mussels with chick pea puree were delicious, hats off to their fish monger for finding sweet mussels for this dish. For the three of us we ordered about 7 dishes (smalls and entrees). A lot of food, but a great variety and all were enjoyed. The wine list is quite large, but for regional cuisine and ingredients it would be nice to see more regional wines on the menu. We ordered a great Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, but we struggled to find something more substantial from WA state (Syrah, Cab, varietal) to finish off the meal. The only choices were Spanish, French or Italian. Meanwhile, we can't wait to come back for our next meal.
(4)
William X.
Roasted beets seasoned with mint, lemon and just the right amount of seasoning, check. Seared quail (they call it grilled) that's done perfectly, check. Beer, not so much check Thornapple soda???!!! AWESOME! One of the best dining experiences recently. A little bit pricey, but more than decent food (main dish ~$35). Highly recommended.
(5)
Ninja S.
One of those understanded eateries with like two tables. It feels a bit like you barged into some middle ages chef's inn and demanded he serve you immeeeediately. Scullery wenches! Bring me wine and mutton! I would call the service and style monk tapas. This feels a bit like an unintentional restaurant; like they opened, threw some stuff on a board that they felt like cooking that day (perhaps that's what they were able to find fresh at a deal. Who knows), and a wine list. Not a bad time, but if you want to leave feeling like you have eaten something, you should bring your reserve wallet as it will empty your primary.
(4)
Amy B.
THEY'RE MOVING to a location downtown and opening again in the Spring. Great place for wines, small plates and charcuterie. Food is delicious and the atmosphere is intimate yet friendly. Can't wait to try the new location! Letter from the owner online: "Dearest friends, as some of you may have heard, Sitka & Spruce will be closing the doors to her Eastlake location on the thirtieth day of December, two thousand and nine. [...] The new home for Sitka will be on Melrose Avenue between Pike and Pine. 1531 Melrose Ave. to be precise. We hope to open this spring. Please check our website for updates".
(4)
Guy N.
Our party of four had a meal at Sitka & Spruce last night that reflected the distribution of reviews - some dishes were very good, some not so much. The very good included: - hedgehog & yellowfeet cooked in sherry with a hen's egg - steamed winter squash with yogurt & hazelnuts - two chocolate cookies with hazelnut caramel and sea salt I highly recommend all of the above. The unimpressive included: - celery root, Kurt's cheese, & Washington black truffle - all three oils with raw, wild, line caught striped bass - poached chicken packed in Fescobaldi Laudemio olio nuovo - gateau Basque with spiced sugar pie pumpkin We couldn't get reservations, so we had to do the 5:30 seating for walk-ins. This left us with the option of sitting at the communal long table, or bar-style along the wall. Unfortunately by the time we got to the front of the line, the wall was all that was left, and it wasn't very conducive for conversational dining. This restaurant gets named in a lot of "Top X" lists for Seattle, but I'm a little unsure why. I suspect that it's a hit or miss experience depending on the season and items on the menu, which I understand change frequently. I think I'd go back, but I'm in no hurry to do so.
(3)
Erin C.
I looked forward to dinner at Sitka and Spruce for months...after the old location closed, I was checking for updates on the new location regularly. Things got started on the wrong foot when I tried to make a Wednesday night reservation and only 530 and 945 were available. We took our chances and walked in at 6pm, only to face a 1 hr 20 min wait. The atmosphere was lovely and service was great, I loved the open kitchen. However, the seats were uncomfortable and we sat at a bar overlooking the parking garage across the street. When it came to the food, I was intrigued by a number of the dishes on the menu. We settled on a tomato and lobster mushroom salad (good, but simple), a rabbit leg with japanese peppers and peaches (pretty good but the portion was teeeeny), albacore tuna with melon and zucchini (my favorite of the dishes) and chicken over some kind of roasted tomato succotash. In hindsight, I should have sent the chicken back...it really left a bad taste in my mouth. It was cooked on the grill and pretty charred, ruining the flavors in the whole dish. The bill was the nail in the coffin, we spent more than we usually do for a nice dinner out and we didn't even order a bottle of wine! :( I won't be returning to Sitka and Spruce any time soon and hope that the next few places I try live up to the hype.
(2)
Nathan P.
This review gets a one star rating based entirely on the awful service, or rather the lack of service we received on our most recent visit. On our arrival we were met by a less than friendly hostess which told us the only available seats were facing out the window in a monotone voice void of any personality. I should have probably realized there was an issue at that point. We were seated, and 2 other couples came in after us were seated and drink orders taken and even served, while we still waited to even be acknowledged by our server. We were sitting there staring out the window at the construction next door for at least 10 minutes before my husband got up to ask if they had forgotten about us, the server quickly said that the other couples had questions and promptly dismissed him. By this time I was pretty unhappy and knew my experience couldn't be good no matter how good the food is. So we got up and left. That was 20 minutes I'll never get back.
(1)
Min P.
Food was good but not amazing. Menu is fine but lacking in ambition. Ambience was fine but a bit cold. Service was slow and even worse, snooty. Practically had to wave arms to get the waitress to come to us. What's with the air of pretentiousness? There are plenty of other restaurants that emphasize fresh, seasonal local food in Seattle so if they want to be recognized as exceptional they will need to up their game. Overall not worth a repeat visit.
(3)
Kylin P.
Favorite restaurant in Seattle, hands down. I went here with my fiance to celebrate our anniversary and it was such a great choice. All of the ingredients are local, fresh and so delicious. They create a small menu each night, which means they're focused on making those selections as amazing as possible. We loved the entire experience, the food and wine were very good and the intimate space made it the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion (though I'd be game to go there any night). Considering the high quality of the food and great service, we felt like we got more than we paid for. Highly recommend this as a unique Seattle dinner spot.
(5)
sarah d.
Sitka and Spruce* has been around the block in their four years on the Seattle restaurant scene; and not just figuratively speaking. The Eastlake restaurant closed its doors late last year only to put down new roots inside Capitol Hill's Johnnie-come-lately, Melrose Market. In its previous location, devotees looked past the run-down storefront and paid attention to the food. Chef and owner, Matt Dillon spins local ingredients into inspired dishes the way Rumpelstiltskin spins straw into gold. And he does so with conviction, highlighting seasonal local foods and routinely incorporating the exceptional meats, cheeses and produce found just outside their doorstep. When I first walked through the doors of Melrose Market, I found myself inexplicably drawn to the rear of the building where Sitka and Spruce inhabits a freestanding structure within the market. The reincarnated space does not sparkle with shiny newness. It feels like an old friend, weathered and familiar. Soft light streams through rows of leaded windowpanes and exposed brick is whitewashed, adding cheery brightness. An open kitchen provides warmth and invites denizens to inactively participate in an orchestrated dance of activity, best observed from the adjacent communal table. Servers and kitchen staff streak past leaving behind flashes of color while diners meet one another's gazes sharing the secret knowledge that this is where it's at. Over the course of three visits, I have twice been for lunch and once for a sleepy weekend brunch. At the noon hour, I sampled delicate wedges of golden watermelon layered with briny sheep's milk feta and salty paper thin slices of prosciutto scattered with crunchy red chili flakes. I sunk my teeth into pert, creamy local camembert perched atop a pool of fragrant wildflower honey and savored tender roasted broccoli and escarole bathed in silky anchovy butter. Smooth tangy chickpea puree felt exotic with the addition of spicy harissa beneath a nest of cool sweet carrot salad. Whole smoked sardines were adorned with creme fraiche zig zags and balanced atop round yellow potatoes, like dual silver skateboards poised to race across the table at a moment's notice. Weekend brunch brought soothing house made yogurt with juicy ripe peaches and ambrosial honey. Tender buttermilk biscuits were slathered with sultry late-summer blackberry jam and the clean flavor of creme fraiche. On the savoury side, ful mesdames were fava beans simmered with spices and topped with a delicately poached egg, toasted pistachios and fragrant fresh dill. For Sitka and Spruce, 'reinvention is the mother of necessity'. In their new space, seasoned customers and newfound admirers convene under one roof with easy familiarity. Diners are muses in a Degas painting where each meal is captured in fluid brushstrokes of color and light. Only, Dillon wields a spatula not a paintbrush and his masterpieces are decidedly edible.
(4)
Steve P.
Finally made it to their new place on Capitol Hill. Still great food and service in a much nicer space. Highly recommended.
(5)
Paul G.
Had a great meal here the other night. Told the server to just select an array of items and that he did! We tried so many different dishes and all were excellent. This is Northwest cuisine of the highest order! Matt Dillon is always up to something good. I have eaten at Corson Building a fair amount but I like Sitka better - not as much of a production, a little bit more laid back, and easier on the wallet. I'll be back...
(5)
Sonali R.
My husband and I were looking forward to coming here for several months and found the perfect opportunity to grab brunch here before heading to a matinee show at the opera. We had no problems grabbing a table- but it took them over 10 minutes to get to us and another 10 to get our french press. Service was incredibly slow-and to be honest, it was not busy (or so it appears). It's always a shame with poor service doesn't pair with the great food. I wasn't sure if I had an outlier experience, but it appears that the indifferent waitstaff problem has been experienced by many. One comment rang true with my experience where she seemed like we were interrupting her morning-- we usually assume that people think we're not cool or hipster enough to be bothered by waitstaff in capital hill (even if we've lived here for years)-- but the fact that many have had this experience with this place begs the question of why on earth would they not improve the waitstaff experience? The food _was_ wonderful: it was fresh and well done. We had the bread with butter (although for a place that advocates sustainable eating and sourcing, it's unclear why they would serve a TON of butter with such quantities of bread- seems very wasteful), the lox was so fresh and tasty and in finally, we had a beautiful squash jam. All in all the food was nice: was adequate quantities of high quality food. The service left much to be desired and unfortunately detracted from what may have been a 4-star to perhaps 5-star experience.
(3)
Megan O.
Dee-lish. First off, I love the Melrose Market, so maybe I'm entirely biased toward this place. And secondly, one of the waiters always touches my man's shoulders verrrry tenderly (he's mine!). The atmosphere is great! Bar seating at the window, tables, and one long table that ends in the kitchen prep area. Unfortunately I didn't overhear any juicy kitchen gossip. The tables were garnished with the same sort of small flower that I later ate in one of the dishes. For a brief moment, I considered eating the decorations, deciding against it only because we were the last to leave the restaurant that night. This is my current favorite restaurant. In a city that's bursting with locovores and slow-food-ites, this feels like something very authentic rather than cliche. Sometimes I enjoy my food puzzling me (what's this?, who's that?!), but here I find myself surprised by the purity of many flavors I thought I was well acquainted with. That and by things I wasn't sure I would have eaten. Decidedly northwesty, eating fiddlehead ferns, morel mushroom, and Dungeness crabs further enables my regional narcissism. The plates are substantial and filling, yet usually carry aspects of lightness and weight. The pros so outweigh the cons, I can still fully endorse the 5 star rating. With that being said, when I ask the waiter for an interesting drink, I'm always met with the reply "we only have gin and bourbon." Does that serve to imply my options are gin, bourbon, or a girboun? And each time we've dined, there have been at least one menu option that they had run out of, which we only found out about after ordering, leading to temporary devastation. Luckily they slung my girboun precisely at that moment.
(5)
Julian R.
Excellent. Pure and simple excellence. By far the best food I've had in Seattle and some of the best food I've had ever. Simply amazing.
(5)
Adriana K.
Bright airy windows with vintage style fans playing with a summer breeze on linen curtains in a spacious open room creating the most simple elegant place you can imagine to enjoy one of the rare warm days of summer. I had been to the previous locale located in a strip mall tiny space and loved the food; especially the octopus I had. I was super excited to try out the new space with the similar concept of communal eating and sharing; this space with a long table near the chef and oven hearth. Some of the dishes are ambitious stretching ones palate with the variety of local findings. The pate was especially good and the chantrelle mushrooms tasted creamy of butter. The apricots for dessert were the biggest I have ever seen and such deep rich color! I was suprised there was no espresso; coffee only, and my friend was disappointed in their limited bar options. More than anything, I was enthralled with the amazing space. I love what they are doing and that I try things there I would never think to otherwise.
(4)
Sara K.
I love this place! My fiance and I went here last weekend and we had an excellent time. The staff were all very friendly and helpful in making recommendations, the food was fantastic, and its all very affordable! We will definitely be going back. The carrots and sauerkraut are highly recommended!
(5)
Maria C.
So good. Why did it take me so long to get here? I am glad I never frequented it at the original location, because now it is so dreamy and romantic I couldn't handle walking by a Circle K to get to such lovely, foodly bliss. Service: Prompt, knowledgeable, sweet...no Capitol Hill attitude here! Food: Intelligent, delicious, fresh. I particularly enjoyed the oil poached albacore with watermelon and a new-to-me-herb called padilla...delish. Interior: Rustic, romantic, great lighting, super cute spot for our fashion meeting, but you could totally have a first date here and feel fine. The Melrose Mall is a great endeavor, I hope that the scensters on the hill don't dampen it with their diets of PBR and shitty burritos from up the street. Support local and lovely places! Bonus: The chef/owner is named Matt Dillion; but he is no outsider to amazing food and ambiance. xoxo
(4)
Sara H.
Like the previous reader, I'm puting down 4 stars for the bread issue alone. We weren't offered bread so we asked for some. The waiter broght 2 tiny slices squirelled away in a napkin. Certainly not enough to sop up all the juicy goodness left at the bottom of the plates! We asked for more and were rewarded with 2 more slices, which (sadly) were the end piece of a day old loaf, not nice. Since I was dining with one of seattle's most cherished bakers, this was definitely a lowlight of an otherwise luminous meal. Aside from that things, were fabulous. Unfortunately, there were only 2 of us and I am a vegetarian. So, that made sharing tough. Everything arrives at random, which also made the eating portion a bit uncomfortable (my three dishes came almost together, his came 30 or so minutes later). But, the food was divine and I will never fault a restaurant for being less than accomodating to special needs patrons. So there you have it- fab food, end of story. Arive early if you don't want to wait. Don't expect your own table, enjoy the company of someone new! Come in with a relaxed approach toward what might find it's way onto your plate, an open mind and adventerous spirit and you will not be dissapointed.
(4)
James S.
The restaurant is in the old Mercedes service building, which has been remade into the Melrose Market. The setting was lovely. We could watch the cooks, and there was beautiful morning light through the windows. But the food was merely okay, we were each served separately over a 10-minute period, and the portions were uneven. Based on the raves the restaurant gets, I have to assume that the Sitka & Spruce experience is better during lunch or dinner than it is for brunch. I had brunch there Saturday with a party of five. Our food arrived at five separate times. Some of us were finished by the time the last person was served. My sister had the Irish "scones" with crème fraiche and berries. I put "scones" in quotation marks because even though the menu used the plural, she received one scone. It was the size of a scone you would see at high tea rather than breakfast. I ordered the house-made yogurt with honey and peaches. It was very good. Oddly, the waitperson set the dish in the middle of the table and mumbled something about sharing, but provided only one spoon. Yogurt isn't the kind of thing I would want to share anyway, and if the dishes are meant for sharing, why does the scone plate come with just one scone? My partner had the smelt, which he said was merely okay. One of my friends had a tuna dish and was disappointed to discover the tuna was cooked. (He said he should have asked, as the menu didn't say.) The other had the braised goat, which arrived a good 10 minutes after the first item was served.
(2)
Kathy S.
My mom and I enjoyed dinner at Sitka and Spruce on Sunday, which was Mother's Day. We didn't have a reservation but they were able to seat us at the communal table almost immediately. The menu is very small, since it changes daily, but this makes it easier to choose something that is truly excellent! (unless you have dietary restrictions) We shared a broth with ramps, bacon and egg, which was light but with a depth of flavor. Then, we shared two entrees: the roast pork and the sturgeon. Both were excellent and quite large portions (in particular, the pork included a large portion of shredded pork and lentils to go with the cut of meat). Very delicious, nice atmosphere, I would go again if I lived in Seattle!
(4)
Ben M.
Hilarious location should not scare you away, this establishment is fine dining at it's best. You know the drill, show up BEFORE they open, get in line, and get a seat. Awkward to read, centrally located menu informs you of the daily selection. Food was fantastic, very earthy flavors and simple presentation highlight the restaurants personality. Although there are no wine pairings (or even a full wine list), their few wine choices were spectacular. Prices were reasonable although nothing to write home about. I liked every dish I had! Get ready for an eclectic dining experience, no ingredient is off limits. You're at the mercy of the chef's local ingredients (this is a good thing).
(5)
Zane M.
cool vibe, hip/trendy....reminds me of whale winds or joule. food was great bud did not wow me....my only complaint was that the menu was severely limited....only two entrees. their excuse was that it was sunday evening, and more quiet. beautiful open kitchen and fireplace....our pork loin was roasted over the open wood fire.
(3)
Samanda J.
Increible!!! Last night I dined at Sitka & Spruce's Monday pop-up "food of the malafacha ~ the Suadero", on guacamole & chips, & Suadero (the juiciest "bacon of the beef" EVER), cochinita pibil (braised pork with wonderful macerated onions), & calabacitas (zucchini & corn) tacos. The corn tortillas were heavenly, & portions atop perfect & not messily overflowing. We had to wait awhile, as expected, but there was a lovely bar steps away. The space itself is lovely, too. Tall ceilings, small & intimate. I am both sad & happy to have *just* learned of this amazing pop-up night. Thank you chef Alvaro Candela-Najera for the amazing meal! I am now determined to return for the traditional Sitka & Spruce soon.
(5)
Alison V.
I've only eaten there once but it was delicious. A few things to know before you go though. First, don't expect to just pop in. The wait can be long. I'm thankful I live within walking distance because it took us walking by two or three nights for there to be a short enough wait for us to decide to go in. Second, the menu changes daily. The owners informed us that they get a main item of the week and incorporate it into different plates throughout the week. Third, don't expect to have your own table. It's like going to a party where you don't know anybody. There is limited seating and you're encouraged to sit with strangers. Lastly, the food comes out whenever. There's no sitting in the kitchen under heat lamps until all the dishes are ready. If your plate is ready before your friends you get to eat before them. Many of the plates come in two sizes - small and large. I think the best way to approach a type of restaurant like Sitka & Spruce is to go with a friend. Get small plates of various dishes and try lots! It's definitely a unique dining experience and not your daily grind type of place.
(4)
Casey A.
Awsome dinner. We had Salt Cod and Globe Artichokes, house olives and veal meatballs with harissa - great dinner great service great atmosohete - we are coming back tomorrow
(5)
Alon L.
Don't judge a book by its cover (although I admittedly do this all the time)! From the outside, Sitka & Spruce looks like a dive, since its smack in the middle of a strip mall. However, once you step through the doors, you'll be pleasantly surprised! First off, it's small. So, if you show up at prime dinner hours, you'll probably be in for a wait. They can take your cell phone number and call you once your table is ready, which is a nice touch. The lighting is a little too dark - I suppose they're going for the ambience thing. Dark can be nice sometimes, but that night was a little excessive. Maybe it was temporary? Fine. The restaurant is quite clean and you can see at least some of the kitchen (always a plus in my book). Tables are cramped. If the place is full, you're literally sitting close enough to comfortably eat off of your neighbor's plate. Most importantly - the food. Excellent. You can tell when a chef puts thought into his/her dishes, and Sitka & Spruce is one of those places. The menu changes daily and they use local ingredients (fresh!). I happened to get the cod and some pasta dish (sorry, I can't remember the specifics). Seasoning was perfect, and the fish was perfectly done. Not too dry. Be warned however - the portions are small for each dish (they're going for the whole "tapas" thing). So, that means you end up ordering about 2 dishes or so per person. This can rack up the bill real rapidly. So, expect the dinner to be pricey! Service - the wait staff was awesome. Very attentive and well versed in the dishes. If you drink wine, they're also great at recommending wine pairing. I am no wine connoisseur though - so who knows, I'm easily impressed in that department. Quick with the drink refills. My ratings breakdown (out of 5): Ambience: 3.5 (crampy tables. Can be quaint and comfortable for some people, but it's not really my cup of tea) Service: 5 Food: 5 Price: 3 Overall: 4
(4)
Britt N.
Three stars for the entree (dry aged duck) which was just ok, but five stars for the dessert! They had a chevre cake that was amazing. Not too sweet, but full of flavors that worked really well together.
(4)
Toni J.
I absolutely love this restaurant and it is one of my favorites. It is always a great opportunity to explore the type of foods you may not prepare everyday at home and the menu is ever-changing with seasonal fare. An intimate setting in what feels like the back of an old warehouse Sitka and Spruce is situated inside the Melrose Market and flooded with light from old-school industrial leaded glass paned windows. Decor and ambiance are a draw. Food is unique and delicious albeit a bit pricey for the portion size. Understand that going in you are paying for the experience and effort to produce the amazing creative food not giant portions. I simply order more menu items and enjoy!
(5)
Renee C.
Delicious. Menu changes constantly... in the best way possible!!!! It's a really small setting in Melrose Market, but it's as cozy as could be. The kitchen is right there so you get in on the action! Make sure you get the London Plane bread to start. Also, I'd suggest getting a bunch of plates and sharing with your friends :) Enjoy!
(5)
Kelly K.
Celebrated a birthday here, made a reservation a month in advance. Our appetizers included their fabulous sourdough bread with whipped butter and flake salt. Fermented vegetables were interesting, who knew beet stems could be pickled. Our fav was the pickled egg. Tremonti olives were reminiscent of childhood grabers. The monterey squid was sliced into fine rings, nestled in green garbanzos and bathed in a squid ink/harissa sauce. Delicious and artistic. Fav was the conica morels, english peas, cream, egg yolk and grilled bread. This single dish was the highlight of the meal, tasting of chicken stock although there was none, i was told. Top quality in all regards, those morels will haunt forever. We shared the neah bay king salmon, kohlrabi, see beans and goose tongue, a sea grass. Perfectly cooked, crispy skinned salmon lay atop the sea floor. Service was expert if cool, excepting the inclusion of a festive curly candle in our dessert of choice, fig leaf ice cream, shaved dark chocolate dust, cherries and brandy. I don't know how the fig leaf ice cream tasted pleasantly of coconut, but it did. We especially enjoyed the quince shrubs served, a pleasantly tangy and appetite whetting fizzy beverage. Wine choices were appropriate, although i recommended a sparkling viognier by capay valley vineyard as an addition. I loved the space, it felt like a farmhouse front porch and the food served was farmhouse in its freshness and choice. I applaud this restaurant for its support of fine producers.
(4)
Kim L.
We didn't get enough time to order more food to try but my guest and I loved the Salmon and the veggies we ordered, it was definitely palatable and a meal to be remembered!. will definitely be back!
(4)
M J.
Delicious food with great local ingredients. Sitka & Spruce is a fun open place for a date with someone who appreciates great inventive food. The pricing is high, but the market will tolerate it for the great ingredients, reputation and inventive cuisine.
(4)
Sean K.
Five stars all around. Great wine list with really decent pricing, awesome food options and totally loved their vegetarian selection as well. We loved their chicken for the entrees, the morel mushroom on the bread, the trumpets with a shellfish sauce, their charcuterie board was great. Service was fine and overall ambience was sort of cool, romantic and very Seattle. I would totally recommend this to anyone going to Seattle.
(5)
leonard k.
Overrated. We went for dinner on a hot night. No air conditioning and no fan in sight for us in the corner. We were sweating before drinks. Since we don't eat meat , we were assured there were many choices on the phone. . One fish . . .salmon , for both entree and appetizer. The vegetarian dishes were creative but very poorly described and explained by the help. The dumpling was not a dumpling. It was rye bread. They never listed many spices so you must be willing to be surprised. We love farm to table, but this restaurant was not worth i. Great local vibe, but not comfortable and we should not have not "steer" around the menu as much as we had to . . .
(2)
Catfriend N.
Easily my favorite restaurant in Seattle. I'm a vegetarian, and this is one of the few upscale foodie-type restaurants that doesn't treat vegetarians as if they are some sort of inferior alien species. The menu changes constantly, but always has several straight out vegetarian options, plus other dishes that they will happily modify for a vegetarian without the sigh and judgmental attitude so many other restaurants dish out. Everything is on small shared plates, so be ready to order lots of dishes and split them with others in your party. I've never dined here solo, so I'm not sure how practical that would be. I've enjoyed every meal I've ever had here. It's on the pricey side, but worth it. I recommend reservations. Had I not made them in advance, there are a couple of times for sure my party wouldn't have had dinner.
(5)
Tami H.
Sitka & Spruce continues to impress. I love that they have now opened up a cocktail and wine bar in the market that now serves the full Sitka menu! The food is fresh, artful, and delicious. Indulge and order the bread with whipped butter. To die for. I love the labneh spread on the bar menu as well. Their salads are wonderful. We had the grilled beets (marinated for 4 hours first) which were amazing. The menu changes regularly. This time we had the albondigas which were delicious. The 1/2 chicken was solid, but not the best chicken I've had in Seattle. The atmosphere is relaxed, non-pretentious, with all the focus on the food. A must for any Seattle visit.
YUM! Rotating seasonal menu and drinks. Delicious, fresh, and high quality food. Pretty presentation. Adorable chic decor. Intimate ambiance. Attentive, professional, and knowledgable staff. Central location right inside of the adorable Melrose Market between Pike and Pine. Great place for a date!
(5)
Michael C.
One of the best examples of the Seattle food scene on the hill. Prepare yourself for something really special.
(5)
Michelle S.
Walking into Sitka and Spruce is a unique experience in itself. It's nestled inside a charming indoor market boasting with personality. As you walk through their big red doors, the casual yet clean design welcomes you. Once you begin looking at the menu, you know you're in for a gastronomic experience. The heirloom salad was fresh, light and a perfect start to a warm summer night meal. The rye dumplings were by far my favorite. They were accompanied by this creamy cheese and buttery sauce, my hubby and I gobbled it down quite quickly. Highly recommend! For entrees we ordered the albacore tuna and organic half chicken, both so delicious and tender. For dessert we had the hazelnut and cheese crepe cake which was melt in your mouth delectable. It was just the right tough of sweet. Overall, 5 stars. Can't wait to come back to Seattle and eat here again!
(5)
Paula C.
The small menu looks simple but each dish is layered and complex. I was dining solo could only try a couple of dishes. A carrot and yogurt dish was full of bright sharp flavours. Soft scrambled eggs with shaved mushrooms and mustard seed was much more subtle but full of depth. Small but very nice wine by glass selection. The servers were all well informed and enthusiastic. The only negative was that it was quite chilly at the window on a cold damp night.
(4)
Yana N.
Wow chefs table to a new level! Bravo guys. Our waiter was so knowledgeable and made this experience unbelievable! Thanks for the tea recommendation! Cheers and see you next time in Seattle.
(5)
Eric J.
Nestled away in the depths of Melrose market, Sitka & Spruce is the epitome of farm-to-table dining. You're never going to get the same things while dining here, which is a nice wrinkle to your typical hipster farm-to-table place, so I decided to come here with fellow Yelper Vania K. for a catch-up lunch. I had read a lot of good things about Sitka & Spruce, as it was featured on programs such as The Layover, so this was a very highly anticipated lunch for the both of us. Vania and I decided to go for broke and order two small plates to begin and the two large plates they had: fresh radishes with pork lardons and salmon roe, a summer squash medley, tuna confit, and the lamb belly. The radish dish was a bit confusing, because we weren't exactly sure how to eat it. The salmon roe came on a bed of freshly whipped butter, but we weren't exactly sure how to combine it all. The radishes lacked any sort of flavor or seasoning, and combined with the lardon and the saltiness of the salmon roe, it wasn't that much better. The summer squash medley was much better, and the puree it came with was pretty bomb. The tuna confit was fairly standard, but the accompanying purees and sauces were very good. The lamb belly dish was very well-presented, and the fermented cabbage and crispy potatoes were delicious. Likely my favorite dish of the meal. The service was very friendly, but hardly attentive. Considered there was only one person acting as a waitress and hostess at the same time, I guess it could be generally forgiven, but it took us a long time to move through the dishes, and we constantly had to call out for water refills. The attending waitstaff was very apologetic and nice about it, so that was definitely appreciated. Overall, a solid 3.5 star experience, but I'll round up due to the quality of ingredients. The ingredients are fresh, the presentation is outstanding, and the fact that they source locally and go with seasonal menus is definitely a plus, but the actual taste had something to be desired. Perhaps we caught them at a time where the menu was a little disjointed or we merely ordered the wrong things, but considering the many positive reviews, I guess I expected a more consistent experience across all the dishes. I'm a little undecided about going back and trying it again, but I would put it up there as a solid place if you're looking to eat sustainably and trying to experience the local Washington fare.
(4)
Sandee T.
...Scrumptious & simple. We wandered into S&S after morning breakfast and immediately stopped in for breakfast-dessert (there's such a designated meal, right?) * GET - Bread Pudding [w/ figs, chocolate, pistachios] = gooey but light, with rich vanilla ice cream * GET - Yogurt [w/ cherries, dates, toasted seeds nuts, honey & mint] = not my cup of tea (quite tart yogurt) but friends loved it * YES - Lovely & warm space, think simple modern & rustic * YES - Open kitchen: long counter seating is shared with chefs preparing dishes * YES - Great for brunch, lunch or dinner * WOA (words of advice): - Reservations recommended (overhead another patron talking to hostess) - Accepts credit cards
(4)
Casey J.
Very unique concept. The decor has a classy/warehouse feel and the food is farm-to-table/upscale feel. We ordered a ton of things on the menu, but a few stood out for their quality: -Pickled vegetables which were beautiful and nicely matched with cauliflower, carrots, egg, etc. I think the egg was my favorite. -Heirloom tomatoes were also ordered which offered a rich, meaty taste. Very big and very organic. -Albacore Tuna was perfectly cooked with a unique compliment of smoky eggplant.
(4)
Tim C.
I came here for dinner with my wife on a Sunday. We made reservations, so there was no wait, thankfully. The food was solid - the dishes were very unique and well-thought-out-and-executed. The waitress recommended a few starters and a main to share, but we decided to get two mains instead. Their menu changes every day, so my recommendations here may not be relevant, but here's what we got: My wife got the king salmon, smoked potato, fennel broth, and saskatoon berries. It was a salmon cooked at a low temperature for a longer period of time, which made it look raw, but it was actually cooked through. The texture of the salmon was amazing - the meat was so tender (almost like raw salmon, but maybe even slightly more tender), and it still had that strong salmon flavor to it. The potatoes had a nice crispy outside, which provided a great contrast to the tender salmon. Of the two we tried, I liked this dish better. I got the lamb leg and belly, pluots, rye berries, kale, chili vinegar, and yogurt. The lamb leg was a little tough for my liking, but was still flavored well. The belly was fatty with a bit of a crisp to it, which I enjoyed. The kale was lightly charred, which also added texture and some smokiness, and the pluots provided a welcomed sweetness to it all. Good dish, especially for lamb lovers (like me!). The service was friendly, helpful, and informative. The layout of the place is also unique, in that it's an open kitchen and kind of feels like you're sitting in the kitchen of someone's house. Expect to pay a good bit for the food and experience, though. It's not something I'd do on a regular basis, but for a once-in-a-while meal, Sitka & Spruce does a pretty good job of embodying what I imagine a Pacific Northwest restaurant should feel and taste like.
(4)
Vania K.
I think Sitka & Spruce is like durian: exotic, requires a lot of careful preparation, and is an acquired taste. Perhaps I will come to appreciate this durian later in life but this was too much of an art installation, less of a meal, for me.
(3)
Chris W.
Once again, Yelp comes through. This place exudes locally sourced, farm-to-table. It's like walking into a Whole Foods or Fresh Market with a full service restaurant. Great find. I always look for signature cocktails and this place doesn't disappoint. The Shigoku Oysters are a must. (I'm kinda an oyster-snob, and these don't disappoint.) Followed it with the roasted beets. It could have been an entree by itself. Very tasty and matched well with the way it was prepared. The roasted Duck was out of this world. Amazing place. Great service. Excellent food.
(5)
Sara M.
Great food and the cocktails are amazing.
(5)
Nelson Y.
Went here for lunch yesterday with a group of around 10 people. The staff was incredibly friendly, the food was fresh and came out timely (we were served several courses and we all walked away satisfied) and the ambiance was beautiful. When you're sitting at the long table, it really is like you're eating in someone's kitchen... and that was pretty awesome. This place gets 4 stars from me, and not 5, because I don't usually prefer the lighter fare (salads, etc.). Sometimes you just want a hefty steak or burger. For me.. that's most of the time.
(4)
Joanna M.
What incredibly lovely food! And I really mean lovely-these dishes are lookers. Bright colors and interesting textures abound on Sitka & Spruce's menu. While food worthy of being in a gallery may sound pretentious and not everyone's locally foraged cup of tea, I found the flavor to be spot on. I'd been intrigued by S&S for awhile, hearing that they were doing awesome things with the PNW's incredible bounty of seafood and produce. While I had heard of every ingredient on the menu, there were some fascinating and unlikely combinations, such as 'king bolete mushrooms, rainier cherries, and spruce tips' and 'over wintered onions with unripe elderberries, flowers, and rye.' I adore mushrooms and cherries, so the roasted king boletes were a must. The dish was simple, even with the spruce tips, which make it sound fussy. Just perfect-the spruce added an earthy element (even though mushrooms themselves are quite earthy.) We enjoyed a dish of 'tokyo turnips with black garlic, pickled seaweed, and breadcrumbs' though thought that this dish was bit less balanced than the first. We split a dish of king salmon with chanterelles (more mushrooms-yay!), lime achar, and pea vine broth, which was incredible. Perhaps a bit too zingy from the lime, but it was a bold and invigorating flavor, and the salmon was cooked just right. Wine and spirits list is as creative as I had imagined it would be, and dessert was memorable as well-a goat cheese meringue of sorts with rhubarb-a light and delicate ending to an already whimsical dinner. The restaurant is located in a mini palace of gastronomic delights, with a cheese shop, butcher, flower mart, and a wine bar in the same open space which I believe used to be a mechanic's garage. Enjoyed the large windows which at dinner time let in a lot of light (unless it's rainy and gray) and the feeling of eating in a friend's kitchen on just a slightly grander scale. With an ever changing menu reflecting the diversity of the PNW's abundance, I look forward to a return visit to try many more delightful and innovative dishes.
(4)
Nicole O.
Hosted some interns here for a work dinner and decided I needed to venture to this side of town far more often. The marketplace that Sitka and Spruce is located in is adorable and creates an awesome and unique ambiance. The communal table seating brings warmth and the food is delicious. From the sourdough bread with salted whipped butter to the roasted duck. My favorites were the shelling beans & dumpling and the squash blossoms with truffle butter (we ended up ordering two of each). Logistic Tips: Save yourself the headache of parking and either Uber or park in the valet garage just on the other side of the restaurant. Reservations are a good idea too!
(4)
Joshua T.
Ahh what a gem sitting in the far left corner of maltose market. This amazing cozy restaurant will melt your taste buds to the right temperature. Money should not be thing when coming here. Don't be afraid to try anything that is on their menu. It may take awhile to prepare so please make this dinner a special occasion. Sitka and spruce is truly an experience more than a meal. My aged duck was cooked to perfection and the pork loin was cooked excellent!
(5)
Jonelle T.
Sitka & Spruce has been on my list for a while, and I finally got to eat here. Reservations are definitely a must, as the place is quite small, and it would be tough to just walk in. Believe me, I've tried, and it's never worked out. I really really really wanted to love it, but it sort of fell flat in every way. It was a warm summer night, so a bottle of rose just felt right. We started with the sourdough bread, and the salted whipped butter served with the bread was amazingly legit. I was slathering it on like a crazy person. Plates arrived slowly and out of order from there. Shigoku oysters came out after tomato and grilled escarole dishes, which wasn't a huge deal, but they would've been nice to have with the bread. Both veggie dishes were just ok for us. We weren't blown away by either flavor profiles (basil and mustard). For entrees, we went with the pork neck & belly, and the duck breast. The pork dish fared better than the duck, as the duck arrived cold, but cooked really well. We enjoyed the juxtaposition of the pork cooked two ways, but the only time cold duck is acceptable is if it's of the Andre variety. Overall, service was exceptional, but food production was slow. Since the menu rotates often, I'd be open to coming back to try different dishes, in the hope they come together better.
(3)
Erin F.
4.5 stars One of the best restaurants we went to on our recent trip. My only issue was the menu was quite limited, so it was a bit challenging finding things to eat and we left a bit hungry. Beyond that, though, the food was some of the most inventive we've tried in a while. Unfortunately, I can't remember everything we ate, but since they change it so frequently anyways, it doesn't matter too much. The pickle plate was surprisingly delicious, although the pickled egg was a bit strange. We had a mushroom crostini (basically mushroom, cream and a huge thick piece of bread) that was delicious. It was a fancy version of cream of mushroom soup. So good. We also had a dish with smoked cucumber which tasted so strongly like smoked beef or something. We asked how they did it, and the waitress came back with this incredible story about how they created their own smoker and basically pipe wood smoke over the cucumbers and then let it sit with the cucumbers for a few hours. The care and quality that goes into each dish is incredible, so be willing to try new things & you should be surprised. Be aware that it's a fairly small place and that it's located inside of a larger market (you have to walk all the way to the back). Great, inventive food, with an unfortunately limited menu.
(4)
Tom F.
Wow. This was an amazing meal. Aside from the pot de creme, every single dish (and we ordered almost all of them) was outstanding. The black cod that day was outrageously good - so buttery and soft and smooth. The lamb boudin noir was also wonderful, and the beans that came with it were smoky and delectable. The menu changes frequently so I won't continue, but suffice it to say that every single bite of food that I ate was really remarkable. The service was also perfect - relaxed, not pushy or hovering, and very informed. Sitka & Spruce was one of the best meals I've had in a long time, and the food was so consistently incredible. I was very impressed.
(5)
Victoria E.
Say you are in the market in Stockholm and you find yourself a table at Lisa Elmquist. You promptly ordered some local specialities like their fried herring and herring three ways. You ended up chatting with your neighbors, some cute Dane lovebirds and some fellow Americans, and you came to find out this is one of the best restaurants in Stockholm. Then you spent the next two years searching, in America, for something that reminded you of that. Search no more. You are absolute, most positively in for the best surprise of your culinary journey in the northwest. Sitka & Spruce is breathtakingly beautiful. The decor is industrial warehouse meets French country chic. The open floor seating reminded me a number of those open kitchen format restaurants in Portland Maine, and Portland Oregon, two James Beard favorite spots to visit, and then of course their locally sourced menu. Whipped three minutes butter with sprinkles of sea salt on toasted bread. Yes you have to pay for the bread. Do it. Pickled veggies are like artwork, and then there are two halved pink soft eggs on top with salt sprinkled onto the yolk. Died and gone to heaven. Charcuterie is not food, it's pure art. The display, the selection, the way they nestled and spread on a giant place with toasts, you don't know if you should eat it or just stare at it. Too much protein for a proper entree? Do not fret. Get the grilled veggies. It's something green something fresh and something you should never walk away without ordering it. Did I mention the ginger beer? No? That's because I inhaled the first and was working on the second. No other ginger beer tasted this fancy and fresh. Finally the panna cotta is nothing that you've ever seen before. Go and google Sitka Spruce Panna cotta and you'd find 23000 photos of it on tripadvisor site alone. And none of which is the one you just had. Why? Because yours is made for today only. I'm sorry you did not get my version of it. Your loss. It's my gain. Simply out of this world. No complaint except questions like: why on earth nothing like this exists outside of Seattle? Why would this not be a Michelin star restaurant? Why couldn't San Francisco get something like this? Capital Hill pretty much establishes itself as one of the best to dine place like Portland's downtown area by Tasty n Alder. I also believe that northwest has somehow gotten in with the Scandinavians and they are secretively creating a new international best editable art for the rest of the world to envy. It took me twenty years to return to Seattle. But I suspect my next Virgin America flight back to Seattle is less than a couple of months away. For my food sanity, I need to be back.
(5)
Simone J.
We went here for lunch and it did not disappoint. If you are starving and looking. For a heavy meal you may by enjoy this but it you want something truly delicious that has flavors unlike anything you've tasted this is the place. The menu is simple but the flavors in each dish were exquisite. As mom put it "gastrointestinal delights". I have never tasted food so fresh. Its like eating the food the way God means for it to be enjoyed. With so much to eat in Seattle I wouldn't pass this place up. It's a tapas style so get some friends and share several things. Not one thing we had disappointed.
(5)
Kel Vin W.
On my first time to Seattle, we had a gastronomic tour de force in a short 4 day trip. Sitka and Spruce was one of our favorites and it certainly lives up to all our expectations! First of all, the laid back, casual atmosphere at the restaurant sets the atmosphere for the evening. The food was clever, fun and certainly an experience that delights any foodie!
(5)
Dan T.
An impeccable example of how a dish can be greater than the sum of its parts. The pork loin, for example, was well executed but nothing out of the ordinary when sampled alone. But when taken together with a spoonful of the startlingly well seasoned sunflower seeds and mustard green puree, the entire bite burst with flavour and texture that superseded all expectations. The conica morel dish was even more sumptuous, swimming generously in a sherry cream sauce, paired perfectly with a thick cut of toasted sourdough, and topped lavishly with an egg yolk just waiting to be pierced and ready to coat the entire dish with its savoury goodness. The yarmuth chevre cake was also a surprise: when sampled alone, it just seemed like a glorified (albeit delightfully whipped) cheese cake. But when spooned in as one with the rhubarb compote and toasted meringue, it was another masterful combination of flavours and textures that utterly transformed the cake that had initially seemed so benign. I will say that I was more impressed with the depth and complexity of flavours here than I was with anything I had at the Whale Wins and the Carpenter and the Walrus (although not to sell them short on their own strengths and merits). But if one meal stands out in my mind so far in Seattle, it would be Sitka and Spruce.
(4)
Felicity B.
My mom and I came here when she was visiting and loved it! The waitress gave us an excellent recommendation on wine. The food was fresh and delicious. We had an amazing salad (not something I usually say). We shared a few dishes that were all fresh and perfect for the season. Don't forget the bread and butter!
(5)
Starving Student P.
Sitka & Spruce is not only an innovator but is also a leader in PNW cooking. In addition to using organic, local, farm-to-table ingredients; you actually feel healthy eating their food, which is very delicious I must say. Sadly, it's counter intuitive that we think that food that taste good must be bad for you as we're so used to eating processed foods. However, S&S throws that out of the window. Therefore, if you're an out of towner that wants to try local cuisine (or at least makes an effort to) and wants to get away from that familiar tasting chain restaurant you're more than comfortable with, as if it were your home away from home, make a reservation at Sitka & Spruce. In depth blog link: themetropolitanlounge.bl…
(5)
Wendy M.
Got there for lunch and not crowded at all started with bread and the most lightest and beautiful asked butter yummy! Lite salad with hazelnuts radishes and the cheese platter with home made eye crackers. Heirloom tomatoes with seaweed parm chips so good and lastly the soft eggs on favo beans ham and grilled escarole was the best dish yet. Everything was fresh beautiful and tasted wonderful. Highly recommend
(5)
Monique S.
Outstanding service, ambiance, and the food & craft cocktails were beyond delish! We arrived early about 5 min before they opened. Good thing we did every seat was filled up by 6:30p! Highly recommend! Love the melrose market that it us located inside of! Super hip with many delicious options!
(5)
Ann m.
Yum yum yum! It was very hot inside but I did not mind because our dinner was SO delicious! Simple but delicious. Fava beans & salmon & mushrooms etc.....we split almost every small plate they offered. I will be back. The home made soda is amazing!
Located in the Melrose market this hidden gem is a great place to take a first date or a family gathering to sit around the chef's table for an amazing meal prepared at table side. they've recently expanded to the Old Bar Ferdinand location so you have a place to wait because they generally have quite a wait for dinner. the new bar offers up a host of cocktails. Wine beer and non alcoholic drinks. Feel free to bring a sandwich from home grown another local eateries in the US market and sit at the bar I'm enjoy a beer or a spirit of your choice to be happy to deliver your food to the bar from home grown. I highly recommend checking out all the places in the market has its own unique experience.
(5)
Jennifer L.
the bf was in town and I was all excited to try S&S together. we arrived, were seated quickly with our reservation time and then instantly realized they don't have a/c (and it was one of our hot days). as a Seattle native, I understand that we all don't have a/c and this summer has been unusually warm, but when it's an expensive restaurant and all they have is a single standing fan in the corner, it's a bit surprising / disappointing. let's just say our big, fancy date night out was unfortunately dampened as we were sweaty messes all throughout dinner. not fun :/ outside of the heat, our experience was fine. wonderful food and drinks and looking to go back after they figure out the a/c situation in melrose market or wait until a cooler day..
(3)
Ann S.
Gosh darnnit S&S - I really wanted to love you but left feeling disappointed. Don't get me wrong..the service & ambiance was great and the food was decent ...but dishes were a bit overpriced, which would've been fine if the quality matched the prices. Here's the deal, first dish arrived, beets. Yum! Can't go wrong with beets, except it was served with a side of hair. Yep, human hair. I pointed it out to the gentleman who brought us the dish (not our server), he proceeded to use his thumb to wipe the hair off our plate and walked away. We reasoned that since neither the hair nor thumb actually made contact with the food, then it should be okay......right? Next up, came a plate of delicious morels which we ate up, and the main salmon course which was equally tasty, but portions were small and we had to send it back the first go-around because it wasn't cooked the way we had specifically asked (I can't have raw at the moment, a temporary inconvenience). When the check came, what we paid just didn't match up with what was delivered. All in all, we were left with a slightly meh feeling about our much anticipated gastronomical experience. Instead, it really fell a bit flat as the ginger beer I ordered.
(3)
Stephen S.
Ridiculously fabulous menu and very unusual space. If you're not a true, 100% foodie, skip Sitka & Spruce. You won't even be literate enough to read the menu. However, if you ARE a foodie and you've not visited, shame on you; book the next available seat. It's delish. Menu changes daily so call ahead for favs. I have one big compaint: those damn high chairs are torture. They belong at Guantanamo and not in a restaurant. Get rid of them and if $ is an issue, go to IKEA and get some metal stools ... anything would be more comfortable than those back and ass-busting chairs at the "bar" along the window. Terrible seats you should avoid at all cost.
(4)
Paris F.
This restaurant shows the beauty of presenting complex food in a most simple manner. The lamb leg roast I had was good but not the best since I saw the beauty of how tender lamb can be cooked at the Paris restaurant. However the sides that came with the lamb leg is prepared in most delicate manner.
(4)
Stacya S.
I had my first dinner here with four friends last night. The food is amazing in so many ways, the combination of flavors, the presentation, I have no words. Chris W is right, the oysters are a must. Great wine list. This is most definitely one of our best places to have dinner. I give one star to the people who camped out at our table. We had a reservation at 8;00PM. They must have come at 5;30 or 6:00PM, and were still there when we left at 10:20PM. We decided to eat at the bar because I could see these "campers" were not leaving. They were 'pulling a shift" as servers will say. Why can't we review customers? We loved eating in the bar, but I was still astounded that this large group would keep a restaurant hostage for so long. Booo on you, party on April 8th, 2015. I give you the stink eye. However, our server in the bar made us love our experience. Still thinking about that quail. Large plates for a small plate place, could have ordered less for sure.
(5)
Janice D.
Decent food that is representative of the pacific northwest, but nothing out-of-this-world amazing for the price. The halibut was fine, and the appetizers (beets) were good. The dessert menu didn't appeal to me. Maybe I just had higher expectations because the name of the restaurant is so cute! Would be willing to give it another try next time I'm in Seattle.
(3)
Ken L.
A night out on the town: Starters: Sourdough with Portuguese style tuna pate - appetizing beginning with these simple but wholesome nibbles Salami from Olympic Provisions in Portland, Oregon - tastes as good as it looks Main: California wild halibut with walnuts & miner's lettuce - a work of art that is light, flavorful and delicious. The mild fish with a medium firm and sweet taste served with the side item below - a fresh and earthy combo. Halibut side extra - beet yogurt salad, harissa, pickles, long cooked greens, pilav and nan-e lavash** Recap: Over the $50 food budget used that night here but not even not half full. It is undeniable the amazing setting and thought that went into the menu though had to finish part deux of dinner elsewhere. 3.5 Stars _______________ *also known as Pilaf, rice cooked in broth **Middle Eastern style flatbread
(4)
Lauren N.
This restaurant is on almost every "places to eat in Seattle" list I came across and am so happy we went! We made reservations for brunch on open table which was. Good idea because they filled up quick. The service we received wasn't fantastic. It seemed like our waitstaff had something else on their minds or we did something wrong. I'm not sure. That being said, I try to give servers the benefit of the doubt because everyone has off days. The food, however, was amazing and made the experience so much better. We had the Dutch baby pancake with huckleberries which was the best thing I ate all day! We also shared the frittata and the most delicious lamb shoulder with pole beans and creme fraiche. It was crisp and tender. I loved the decor - sort of rustic meets modern - and there was the sweetest flower shop next door. Definitely worth the trip!
(4)
Martin G.
Unique, interesting and absolutely comfortable. Have Google ready to help with the menu if you're not a serious foodie! Don't shy away from the unknown and I promise you will not be disappointed. Wonderfully helpful and pleasant staff to round out the experience. My only question. Why are the WA wines the most expensive?
(5)
angela y.
it's been about a month since i visited sitka + spruce, and i've put off writing this review because i was a little insecure about not being "foodie" enough to enjoy all that it had to offer...but here goes.... i'm not going to list out individual dishes i tried (mainly because it won't be super helpful since the menu is always changing), but i do remember liking the chicken the best. i also liked the white fish that was served with some awesome mushrooms. i remember a salad that was incredibly bitter - maybe that's how it was supposed to taste, but i couldn't really appreciate it. i had one bite of the pumpkin tart that was heavenly. and there were some other dishes...but none of them really stood out (since i can't even really remember what they were). aside from the food, we came here for my friend's 30th birthday, and it was the most cozy + perfect setting. we sat at this long wooden table right next to the chefs prepping the food, and the entire space just felt so organic and dreamy. i'd go back just for that atmosphere - but next time i'll just order a drink or dessert.
(3)
Nora W.
I really love the atmosphere as it feels like a Parisian cafe... but it's almost impossible to drop in... you HAVE to have a reservation unless you want to wait 1-2 hours. Seating can be awkward as it is tiny... BUT... the food can be amazing. I say CAN be, because I chose one of their 'adventurous' dishes and it was like eating something overgrown and woody from your backyard (funnel flower? I don't recommend it). The rest of the food was amazing... but the Halibut was inconsistent.. the first time I could hardly stand how good it was... caramelized and perfectly tender, the second time a little bland and watery. Not sure what happened, but I'd be willing to give it another try.
(4)
W. R.
Took my toddler for lunch. Great lunch for mom, they brought a special plate for her and treated her like a princess. Unusual plates, definitely a notch above the rest. Not your typical Seattle restaurant.
(5)
Margaret H.
Yes, it is a very unassuming storefront next to a convenience store, but the atmosphere inside is cozy, casual and unpretentious. And besides, you're really there for the food! A friend and I walked in around 6pm on a Wednesday to find plenty of open tables. We were seated immediately and ordered a glass of wine while we pondered the chalk board menu. After consultation with our tall, cute waiter we ordered 3 small plates to share. I'm writing this review a few weeks afterwards so I can't remember our exact order, but the menu changes anyway. Sharing is definitely the way to go - you get to try several different and delicious dishes.
(4)
Todd S.
Small plates, big prices. $165 for three people. Left hungry and went to Dicks. Need I say motr?
(1)
Steve T.
"We bring out the different dishes whenever they're ready" ok, we're happy to share everything, that's fine "Here's the plain potato side order dish you've ordered and the broccoli that's also obviously a side" ... 15 minutes later ... "Here's your main dishes to go with your now-gone-cold potatoes and broccoli" hmm, 2 stars
(2)
Lindi C.
Alright, first off, this isn't the type of place you go and order ONE dish (you gotta try it all, baby)! I came here last night as a part of a group of 4. We arrived to a busy restaurant located in between a Subway and a teriyaki joint. All I can say is, don't judge a book by it's cover. When you're inside, all that strip mall/convenience store feel slips away. They told us it would be a 45 minute wait. Which was a bummer because we were all starving! But, luckily Serafina is close by and has some delicious cocktails. So, we left them our number and then they called us when the table was ready and we quickly jotted over there. Once inside, we sat at a long table with 4 other people. I actually thought that was great. It's a very social place. The server was very knowledgable and friendly. He helped me choose a wine that would go best with the courses. We started with two different salads, both of which were amazing. Then, we told them to keep 'em comin'! All the dishes went well together and were very share-able. We also had the salumi platter, pasta, lamb, duck and two desserts (one of which was a crepe, the other gelato). I don't need to get into all the details because, really, everything was amazing. It's rare that I go to a restaurant and love EVERY single thing. (Usually I won't even touch lamb, but they made everything enjoyable and tasty!) As far as drinks go, they don't have a huge wine list, but the wines they do have are very good. Also, they only offer 2 beers. Both are German. But, I'd rather have wine than beer, so that part didn't bother me. They did have this weird celery ale (similar to a ginger ale), which was interesting and delicious! The best thing about this place is that they offer a well-rounded variety of dishes: vegetarian, fish, poultry, meat, etc. They also offered different sizes (a small one or a large one) in many of the dishes which was great! Last night's meal was one of the best meals I've ever had in my life. I orginally docked a star for the long wait and weird hours of business. But, screw that. The food was WELL worth the wait. And according to a couple of "regulars" there, it's amazing that we even got in that soon on a Thursday night. I definitely think you should give this place a try...sooner rather than later! However, I recommend bringing an empty stomach, a fat wallet and an open mind. Also, it wouldn't hurt to make a reservation (if they take them) or showing up a while before you want to eat, putting your name on the list and going to one of the nearby bars while you wait.
(5)
Anonymous A.
A great, bright space perfect for sharing plates and trying lots of small morsels of great tasting, local stuff. They have a chicken liver pate with rhubarb that is one of the best dishes I've ever tasted. Service is attentive but not overly talky or intrusive. A really cool place that you more than likely would enjoy.
(4)
Jennifer B.
A friend and I ventured into Sitka & Spruce's new space in the Melrose Market and were completely charmed by the Market and the restaurant space. It was cozy and unique with a European feeling. The food was good, though not spectacular. We had a moroccan spiced chicken dish (the best), potatoes and mushrooms (good), raw salmon in citrus vinaigrette (eh), and sausages (very hearty and flavorful). I wasn't blown away, but it was good. Not easy to get a reservation and the place was full at 5:30pm.
(3)
Matt C.
Not much else to say here that hasn't been said by other reviewers - the place makes amazing food - do NOT order one large dish, plan on ordering small plates or you'll be cheating yourself - the attitude of the waitstaff is proud, bordering on cocky, but they are helpful and will explain/suggest stuff to you and to point you in the right direction for wines if you're into that sort of thing. - the strip mall location is unexpected, but adds to the charm (look! we can be food snobs then hop next door to the convenience store for a cold 40 and a ho ho!) - the wait for a table can be off-putting - once you get a table, expect to share it. I ate there a while ago, so I can't suggest a specific dish, but they were all superb, expertly prepared and plated.
(4)
Lindley E.
A strip mall is a strange location for a charming restaurant...and I drove by it about 4 times before I actually noticed it. I was expecting something grand and minimal. Instead it was pizza storefront small, and hidden behind white curtains.... Arriving at S&S at 5:25 pm, I joined the mass of hungry diners waiting for the door to open at 5:30. At 5:30 the door did open, but it was just long enough for the front-end manager to tell us that they were running behind and would open up in ten minutes and seat us. I was fine with that. I was dining alone and was just hoping that I had arrived early enough to eat at the first seating. I kept telling myself that all I wanted was a seat at the communal table, and I'd be happy. The doors finally opened and I was suprised -- there are about 24 seats in the restaurant, including the large communal table (for 8) and a smaller communal table of 6. I took a seat at the head of the 8 table and looked around...there were about 4 guys there, one front of the house, one running utility, one doing prep, and another in the back. Maybe there were more guys, but I didn't see them. I loved how the day's menu and wine list were scribbled out on the chalkboard behind me...and I loved the flexibility of the menu. Items could be ordered as small plates for $10 or large plates for $16. There were a few dishes on the menu (like poussin) which were available only as large plates. I ordered four small plates: a crudo with Halibut, olives, and grapes; fresh smelt with potatoes and lemon zest; porcini and polenta; and a shellfish salad with clams, mussels, and onions...and lots and lots of olive oil. As I waited for my plates (they come out when they feel like it, there's no set order), I munched on their amazing corn nut/fava/chick pea mix and sipped a rose. I ate the entire dish. The smelts were amazing - perfectly fresh, perfectly cooked, accented with lemon and flecks of red pepper. The potatoes were slightly underdone but good. A little inelegant in preparation. The mussel and clam salad was beautiful but too oily. It had similar seasoning to the smelt - lemon zest and pepper. And then was drenched in olive oil. I was sad. I didn't like the crudo...but it not eating it, it gave me an opportunity to make some friends. The young couple I sat next to ignored me most of the time, but were having the most interesting conversation about wine...the young man, who barely spoke a word, listened intently as the young woman next to him lectured him on the grand crus of burgundy and the negociant houses of France. I offered them my crudo, opening up a conversation between us. We ended up sharing much of the last bits of our meal - they offered me poussin (good) and I let them try the polenta and porcini (too drenched in fat, but otherwise it had a great texture and bite). We shared wine, chatted about food, and they let me take her picture for sexywomeneating.com (she's Nahide...coming soon to the food network, fingers crossed). I skipped dessert and ran off with Nahide and her buddy Carl, who took me to a rum bar near Nahide's house. Yep. Sitka & Spruce. Alone in Seattle, it may be one of the best places to dine.
(4)
Karin B.
I was here with friends right before Christmas and had a wonderful experience. Innovative and unique seasonal food (try the olive oil ice cream!) and great ambiance in the Melrose Market. Definitely worth the time and the investment . Parking not so easy however.
(5)
J R.
New location is vibrant and small, so plan ahead with reservations. Food is local, creative and fantastic. We enjoyed an amazing salad of razor clams, porcinis, and cherries with a smoky dressing. Just amazing. Cant wait to try breakfast.
(5)
Alex T.
A Good/Bad Thing - Constantly Changing Menu. If you want to go to a place where you can order your favorite dish every time you go there, this isn't the place for you. If you're willing to take a risk and trust the chef, you might be pleasantly surprised with a delicious meal. This wasn't the case for us, unfortunately. SERVICE - Outstanding. While other have dissed the service, we walked in and were almost instantly approached and attended to. We had a drink while we waited for a table to open up. FOOD - 1st dish was a green salad with salmon, three kinds of olives and some fruit. I really wanted to like this, but I found that the flavors didn't work together. It seemed confused, with several strong flavors trying to compete for my attention. They should complement each other and play nice. 2nd dish was a plate of new potatoes simply cooked with herbs and butter. Nice, but I could have made that at home. Three small potatoes split in half, salt, pepper, rosemary and butter. $10 seems a little high for this dish. 3rd dish was a roasted game hen. This was very nicely cooked and well seasoned. The hen provided most of the flavor and if you don't over or under cook it, it will taste nice. I would have liked some sort of sauce to improve this dish. 4th dish - my wife had a dish, which I can't recall. I remember her liking my hen better than what she had. SUMMARY - Great service. Interested attempt at offering unusual dishes, but not well executed on the night we went. Expensive for the portions you get. If you want a sure thing, don't go here. If you're up for an adventure and willing to take a risk, try it out.
(3)
M. M.
If you are looking for a unique food experience when you have a little extra cash to spend & time to wait, then this place is your place. Each dish was a little adventure (in a good way) and the interior was suprisingly pleasant.
(4)
hellokittynme ..
yes, kara. you're absolutely right. we need better penmenship. better please! can someone hear me.
(4)
angela c.
My boyfriend and I went to Sitka and Spruce for his birthday and had a wonderful dining experience - definitely my best in Seattle; probably one of the best of my life. The food was simple and delicious, and atmosphere was friendly and unpretentious, as was the stellar service. Our server was super knowledgeable and passionate about the food, but didn't push unsought information on us. We told him a couple of items off the menu we were interested in trying, then asked him to recommend a couple of more that were particularly good that evening, plus a bottle of wine to go with it. His selections were spot on, and the food was served at just the right intervals and with just the appropriate amount of attention. Just a great food/atmosphere/service experience overall. Pricey but not outrageous; our bill was $145 for two people which included 4 plates to share, a bottle of wine, two glasses of dessert wine, and two dessert plates - PLENTY of food. Sitka and Spruce is perfect for either a special occasion or a night when you just want to eat really, really well.
(5)
Angie B.
If you want substitutions and bigger portions, go to TGI Friday's. Sitka & Spruce is amazing and worth the wait. I suggest walking in when you are not famished, because it'll be awhile. But it's worth it.
(5)
Louise M.
This place is so good it made my mouth sing and i forgot about everything in the whole world except for the food in front of me. Language was impossible for a few brief moments. I had a salmon crudo with green olives (one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life), Duck ham with fava beans, oh sooo good. Amazing - earth shattering - fabulous. And so creative. The other dishes were excellent as well, grilled smelt over dandelion greens. Steak with arugula and grilled tomatoes. The food shouted I AM FRESH and HOT. It would have gotten a 5 if they had brought us bread, seems picky I know. They were handing it out to the other tables, maybe we didn't know the secret password. We skipped desert - we were too full. We had ordered small 4 small plates and for 2 it was plenty. Bill was about $75 with tip, (includes one glass of wine and 1 soda). Very reasonable for food that was this outrageously good. Be prepared to wait with everyone else in the parking lot, next to the 7-11. At least you can have wine or a Slurpy.
(4)
Mark M.
Yet another gem I hesitate sharing. In particular, I love that this place is camouflage in what appears to be a 7-Eleven style strip-mall. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going for dinner, or to pick-up a 40 of Old E. That said, you simply need to walk through the door to have your attention quickly diverted to the aromas emanating from what appears to be someone's private kitchen. Don't expect to be handed a menu as everything is written on the chalkboard wall, a feature that adds nicely to the quaint feel of this hideaway. I think I counted enough seating for about 16 people, so arrive early or expect to wait. The wine menu is solid, but short and to the point. The wait staff is PHENOMENAL. So polite and incredibly knowledgeable. Because we were so undecided on what to eat, we ordered the entire menu from top to bottom (assuming you are prone to sharing, this is highly recommended). Surprisingly, the roasted chicken and leg of lamb were favorites.
(5)
p s.
LAME. OK, it's in a strip mall...I'm supposed to be charmed? The guy working the counter was hungover and pissed at the world. God forbid you ask about anything on the menu (god forbid you might be allergic to something)....we went for lunch on a wednesday and I swear if we weren't with friends I would've walked out. The food was less than so-so and I haven't felt well since I ate there...Some places might have an off day but the combination of misplaced cooler than thou attitude, a strip mall ambiance, and overpriced, uninteresting food makes makes me write a negative review - and I've never been compelled to do that before. Go to Crave. Go to Paseo. Don't waste your time with this joint...
(1)
Tracy I.
Quaint little restaurant. Food was yummy, but doesn't really stand out. Seating is limited, this reservations are a must. However, if you do happen to walk in you might be able to share a communal table. Huge plus that everything on the menu is fresh and organic. Would I return? Yes, however I wouldn't go out of my way.
(4)
Diana G.
Well that was delicious. One only needs to look at the menu to know you're in for something amazing. A little more hipster than I'm used to, but when you're looking at high end capital hill restaurants, it's all but expected, as is the price. The ambiance was impeccable, tall ceilings of an indoor market, tucked away in a corner with beautiful window walls separating you from the other wonderful little shops (pasta, cheese, wine, butter, meat, flowers). The rustic chic decor fits in splendidly. The food is fun and masterfully cooked and plated. You must have their airy fresh made sourdough bread and homemade butter, to start off simply. I then moved on to their chickpea fritter, which had the most elaborate array of textures and flavors, crunchy on the outside and falafel-y on the inside fritter, with fried squid over the top and squid ink sauce, all tasting amazing. Then we had an awesome red potato dish, whose potato decided it wanted to resemble fish, although sliced and raw fish appearing, it was one of the most creative uses of potato I have come across, with wonderful hedgehog mushroom bed, and delightful dried rhubarb sprinkled around. Lastly we came to the pork loin & braised shoulder. A hearty stew like bed of beans with the shoulder, and the tender loin resting on top. Brought me back to my mum's cooking growing up, with a chicness she would have shuddered at. All in all, an awesome eat. You will not regret.
(5)
Faye Z.
The food gets a 3.5 and ambiance would get a 6/5 if possible. First, the ambiance. The restaurant is tucked into the back of an open warehouse-like space that has been gorgeously remodeled. Think slats of aged wood, chalkboards, metal barstools, wine barrels, high wood ceiling with rafters. The space is shared with a couple of bars and delis and a flower shop. Wonderfully unique atmosphere. The restaurant itself is small. I came to eat solo at 6:30pm on Tuesday, and only had to wait 15 minutes, but I imagine the wait would be substantial during weekend prime time and for bigger parties. Now for the food: Tremiti olives (3/5) - Olives are olives. Nothing special. Chanterelles, sorrel, egg yolk, fino sherry, over grilled sourdough (4.5/5) - Delicious (though tad on the salty side). I'm a sucker for mushrooms and good bread, and this was both. That egg yolk and fino sherry sauce spread over everything was super rich and satisfying. Pork loin, sausage, broccoli, smoked potatoes & harissa (3/5) - Nothing interesting here. The potatoes had a great crispy skin and the pork loin was nicely tender and thinly sliced, but this was easily something an amateur home cook could put together. Harissa is one of the staple condiments I make at home, and this version just wasn't all that. Overall, the food was good quality, but not inventive or mindblowing enough to me to warrant its price tag. However, the atmosphere and uniqueness of the space is sufficient to draw me back here.
(4)
Danielle C.
Sitka and Spruce is really nice for brunch or a light lunch. Bring some friends and order one of almost everything on the menu - the portions here are quite small. The croissant with the caramelized goat milk is amazing. The croissant is so flaky and the goat milk is great. It looks like a small bowl of caramel. The scone is okay but I think it is a tad bit too dry (just a tad!) and the lemon sauce was just okay but that might be because I don't really like lemon desserts too much. The bread that they have in the restaurant is good. It is very soft. The butter is soft and salted with some special sea salt. However, the bread and butter platter costs you about $5 which is not worth it in my opinion. The lamb sausage was decent. The smoked salmon was really small (barely fed one person) but the flavor was nice (granted, I don't really like fish). I really like their charcuterie plate. The meats taste great along with the fried baguette slices (one looked like proscuitto but she didn't say it was proscuitto - it was some name I had never heard of before) The seating at the long table is kind of awkward. The chairs are really short and just awkward to put things on. It's better to hang your coat on the coat racks.
(4)
Arash M.
Excellent service paired with wonderful unique food :)
(5)
Andy V.
I'm usually one to roll my eyes at 'fancy' brunch places where I get a hipster vibe, but I'm also one to base my rating on the food. Sitka is definitely a place I wouldn't think I enjoy. It's tucked away in this market kind of place and the seating is small. The kitchen is open, meaning you can watch them cook in front of you, which is pretty cool. Onto the food. We had squash and yogurt draped in pumpkin seed oil, which sounds simple, but it's delicious. We also had a meat plate with crustinis. Also very delicious. The menu rotates around, so it's nice to get variation if you aren't a regular. It's a nice place to spend Sunday brunch.
(5)
Anthony D.
Definitely a Seattle hidden gem - and be adventurous when ordering! I got the Chamomile infused salmon with Brussels sprouts and it was incredible. My wife and I then took a chance on the parsnip cake and that was even better. I highly recommend trying the place out!
(5)
Kristin K.
Seasonal creations that are culinary crafted. They don't skimp here and they use the new foods as well.
(4)
Elizabeth B.
My father took me for lunch to this wonderful place. Fresh, simple ingredients done superbly! The place has a rustic charm, placed with small shops, meat butcher, cheese, flower market in an old brick converted auto shop. The long butcher block table positions you across from your guest in view of the chefs and the brick oven used for cooking. Had the specials of the day, which change often, parsnips, mushrooms, and lamb sausages. All were incredible and served family style to share. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Laura P.
We had an amazing mid day meal at the Sitka and Spruce. We traveled to Seattle for the weekend recently. We went to the Hitchcock on Bainbridge Island and the chef there, Brenden McGill suggested we try this restaurant out. He was spot on with his recommendation. We enjoyed a great meal, full of surprises. We started with the cheese plate. One of the selected cheeses was one of our favorites from Oregon. It was the Hannah by Ancient Heritage Dairy in Madras. Among the other cheeses and the housemade cracker was awesome! Next we moved on to the Asparagus, Leek and black trumpet salad. WOW o WOW. Can't describe it really. It was so good. Next we moved on to the Poached chicken with potatoes and herb and WOW it was so moist and tender. It was incredible. Thank you Brenden for suggesting this great restaurant. We will definitely be back for dinner the next time we're in Seattle.
(5)
Serena Q.
Sitka & Spruce is on a street lined with restaurants - so you've got lots of choices - but this place had been recommended to us with rave reviews about the food and service. And while I agree that the food was good, and the service was exceptional, I felt like the place was generally overpriced. Don't get me wrong, I get that what they are doing is unique and innovative, but I felt like there was something missing to justify the prices. As most reviews have mentioned, the space itself is open and well lit and lovely. You feel like you are at a good friend's house who is sharing new recipes with you. The place has a generally welcoming vibe about it, and would make a great date night restaurant to share some wine and loosen up. For appetizers we shared the bread with soft butter & Jacobsen flake sea salt, the smoked salmon, and the olives. The bread is especially good, and that butter is just out of this world. I had the very creative soup, deconstructed and combined in front of you. The broth tasted like the ocean - in the best way. Since it is May, I decied to go with the halibut since it's in season and I've heard wonderful things about Seattle halibut and it was simply incredible. Perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked. I wish I could eat some right now. So, all in all: a good spot but a bit overpriced.
(4)
Suz S.
We always come here when we feel fancy. The menu changes every night. You didn't know half the ingredients were edible. Everything is sort of strange. But somehow, by some magic, it always tastes so good. We always walk in and sit at the bar and leave a little drunk and with happy bellies. It costs all the dollars, heads up!
(5)
Cory K.
After trudging through blocks of cold, wet weather, avoiding angry traffic and surly pedestrians, I walk in to this restaurant with its warm lighting, large communal table, and welcoming staff. "This is a safe place," the building whispered, "and we want you to be happy." I started with Quillayute salmon, raw, accompanied by cripsy-fried potatoes, huckleberries and horseradish. The ingredients were fresh and beautiful, and nicely seasoned. I followed with grilled & raw king boletes (mushrooms similar to porcini) with sour red grapes, verjus and parsley. This dish was a symphony of flavors, with stunning variety and balance. I finished with a honey panna cotta, topped with the very honeycomb that the honey came from, paired with a nice Sauternes. The silky panna cotta, with the chewiness of the honeycomb, and the bright sweetness of the wine left me filled with all of the warmth and happiness that was promised when I first arrived. Is it possible to fall in love with a restaurant?
One word for this place...WOW! The flavors of every dish we consumed felt like a party in my mouth. Who knew whipped butter with a sprinkle of sea salt on sourdough could be so good. The scallop, oyster, and mussels in a lemony dill broth was light and tasty. The smoked potatoes with aioli, dill, egg, and anchovies were amazing with all the different textures. The brined, smokey grilled half chicken with squash puree had a great mesh of sweet and salty flavors. Our waiter was awesome too, so cheerful! I can't wait to come back here and try other items.
(5)
Eater S.
This was one of the most memorable dinners I've ever had! It is a great example that shows how Seattle is beating out San Francisco as a genuine foodie town. The service was warm and friendly and attentive. The space was spacious and awesome and interesting. And, the food, was outstanding. Surprising, innovative, delicious, and had integrity. I had the best halibut that, perhaps I've ever had, in my life. An absolute gem and I'm so grateful for the experience. Everything was awesome. Except the wine, they could do some work on the wine list, but I'll let that go.
(5)
Steve F.
Service good, food very meh. We had the a plate of pickled veg, which was interesting in the set of items and variety of pickling techniques (from moderately sour to fairly bland). The flatbread was also good, and the scallops (which I missed out on) were reported ok--not miraculous, and not worth the freight for two regular size scallops and some mushrooms. The lamb and carrot dishes were a big disappointment; both were quite cool, with the carrots served over an almond custard, and the lamb a very small portion that probably would have tasted better had it been at all warm. The two kefta (lamb meatballs about 1.5" across) were quite hard and dense. Service was fine and attentive, and gets one star to itself (you do the math where that leaves the food).
(2)
Saira R.
This is a rare five-star from me. We didn't even use the menus. We asked the waiter to tell the chef to make whatever he wanted... I was NOT disappointed. Each dish had extensive thought put into it--- texture, flavor, presentation. Worth every penny. The service was phenomenal and I love the kitschy, open-air but clean feeling of the restaurant. This place is definitely built for foodies that have a complex palate, in addition to people that just enjoy food in general. Let your waiter guide you through the meal, including wine/drinks/dessert--- you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Molly M.
Sitka and Spruce is a must! A beautiful interior is made even more spectacular by the exceptional food! I highly recommend a visit. I especially loved the gnudi.
(5)
Elizabeth W.
If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Easily one of the best meals I've ever had. When my friends suggested this place during my latest Seattle visit, I took a look on the menu online, and thought to myself, "This is the most hipster menu I've ever seen in my life." And, it is. And, it's awesome. Sitka & Spruce is the epitome of what I think of as "New American" cuisine. We had two orders of the sourdough bread and butter -- yes, TWO. We ordered one, polished off within five minutes, and ordered another one. Both my husband and I had the black morels (vegetarian). I had never even heard of "black morels" before. It's a local mushroom, deliciously marinated, and served with arugula on grilled break. It was AMAZING!!!!! My only regret is this is the first restaurant we went to in Seattle, as nothing else we tried on the trip was even close. Next time, we'll just go here every night. ;)
(5)
Katrina L.
Looove this place! Everything that we have eaten here have been delicious! The dishes are simple but very flavorful! The only problem is that the dishes are a bit small. I remember being hungry after spending $70 with my husband. I'm still giving it 5 stars because of the food and service. Just expect to spend some money to get full. Their menu is always changing too which makes it exciting every time we go.
Sitka & Spruce has a Northwestern retro-rustic vibe. For our first course we ordered trout roe with whipped lard and radishes. It sounded and looked interesting but the flavors just didn't quite mesh for me. The next thing we ordered was air dried ham with peaches and shishito peppers. This was a wonderfully satisfying combination of sweet, spicy, savory, and salty. We finally ordered roasted goat with broccoli and potatoes. The goat was very tender and perfectly seasoned. Although the first course wasn't spectacular, the thing keeping this place from getting 5 stars from me were the portion sizes - they were significantly smaller than what I expected them to me based on the prices. Still, the people who work here obviously put a lot of time and talent into their craft and let no detail go unnoticed. As long as you are willing to pay a hefty premium for this level of detail, Sitka & Spruce is very much worth visiting.
(4)
christine c.
Solid food with a creative flair and nice standards. Went here for brunch and thought it was a nice space. I don't know if I would go out of my way to return, but I was overall happy with the service, drinks, presentation and flavors.
(4)
Senthil C.
Excellent food! So much variety in menu selections. Everything will taste good for sure, been there few times, never been disappointed. One of the restaurants that holds true to having ingredients locally sourced. Perfect more dates nights as well. Would recommend making reservations before going. Some people might find seating cozy ;) but I like that aspect too, if you are someone who don't like that, that probably is the only con.
(5)
Phoebe H.
You can't really go wrong with anything in Melrose Market, and Sitka and Spruce is just absolutely lovely. It's just one of those restaurants that makes you feel like time has stopped around you, and your biggest responsibility is to enjoy the atmosphere and eat your food. Brunch and dinner is quite different, so it's up to your preference of time to go. I personally prefer brunch because of their tall, whimsical windows. The menu is carefully selected to include the season's freshest ingredients. Most of our dishes today featured fiddlehead fern and fresh arugula. It's perfectly normal to not know what to expect when you're looking at their menu - just have faith in the chefs at Sitka that they will serve you something wonderful. I recommend sharing plates so your palate can ease into the fine dining that is Sitka. Highly recommend for an intimate dining experience. It's always great to explore the market after.
This was a really great restaurant. They have some very unique flavor combinations and fresh organic food. We went for brunch and shared a bunch of dishes. What stood out to me was the duck, mustard seed sauces and creme fraiche. Highly recommend any of the cheeses as well. Even the bread and butter had a refreshing light and airy feel.
(4)
Bethany M.
We had a nice meal here -- the food is pleasant overall, and the service is warm and inviting. The ambience skews to the quirky-hipster end of the spectrum, which is par for the course in "edgy" Seattle dining. My criticisms relate to the execution of the food itself: my chestnut soup was a bit underseasoned, and the lamb and the scallops entrees were a bit overcooked. Not enough to warrant sending them back, but the texture of both proteins was rather chewy. The dessert course was creative, but again, there was something slightly off about the consistency of the ice cream. There were enough good things about this place to merit a second trip -- I think perhaps the seasonality of the food would be better experienced in the spring.
(3)
Roxie M.
So far this has been one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. It's a farm to table style restaurant. My favorite time of the week to visit is during Saturday/Sunday brunch but it can get busy and if you don't have a reservation the wait can be over an hour. My fiance and I will grab brunch and then then do a little shopping in the little shopping center there. We'll grab flowers and some meat for dinner from the butcher shop. The food is really good but not the place you want to visit if you're super hungry because the portions aren't huge. Also, not all of the staff is very friendly but I don't mind when I'm with my fiance. :)
(4)
Natalie B.
Great restaurant! Went there last Sunday and enjoyed being there. Food was great and very delicious. Me and my husband were very happy with the service. The place itself was very urban and city like. Must check out this place if you are in the area.
(4)
Erin B.
Went for lunch, it was fine. Food was good, but wow were there limited options! The Brussel sprouts and cheese plate were both good. Service was good. Overall a fine/good experience, was pricey but didn't mind that too much, didn't impress me and probably won't be back.
(3)
Jessica L.
Food is original and imaginably prepared. Lots of local ingredients. The service is casual, yet attentive. I love the ambiance of this place. Great place for dates. Get the bread and try the home-made ginger beer.
(5)
Eunice M.
New american cuisine Rustic atmosphere (made the meal even more enjoyable) Unique (changing) menu - monthly Friendly staff Bar conveniently located outside of the restaurant (in the market) Open kitchen FOOD: I enjoyed the root vegetable gratin, marinated beets salad with goat cheese and mint (very refreshing) and roasted kale with anchovy dressing and bread crumbs. Their meat dishes were fantastic - had chicken and pork loin plates. Juicy and tender meat and great flavors. The dish names don't do justice - they were all delicious!
(5)
Brian H.
This is a fun place to eat. I experience good service, great food, and it was fun watching the cooks prepare the food on the open table. They also have a ton of other things in the store that you can explore or buy. The only confusing thing is that I wasn't quite sure where the restaurant was when I first entered since I entered what seemed to be a marketplace. Walk down to the very end and you'll be in the restaurant portion.
(5)
G Tyler R.
On a recent vacation to Seattle my wife and I dined out for dinner @ Sitka & Spruce on my brother-in-laws recommendation. Perhaps my brother-in-law (a former area chef himself) misjudged our tastes or perhaps S&S has changed since he's left the area but both my wife and I found the restaurant to fit squarely in the "Meh. I've experienced better." - 2 Stars. The good: the location is easily accessible from downtown via cab, foot, or public transit. Also, the space is very well decorated and the open kitchen experience is very enjoyable. The meh: the food. Very middle eastern inspired menu was well executed though the flavors were all very similar. My wife had a ricotta/heirloom "tom-mozish" salad with massive chunk tomatoes... Basically quartered heirlooms. I had fire roasted shishito peppers with carrots and a yogurt type sauce... Tasty but not a whole salad worth tasty. For dinner we had one of each of the only two entrees - a roast chicken and a lamb sausage/lamb belly. The chicken was probably the high point of the meal, a roast chicken with nice seasoned crispy skin and Harissa flavors. Lamb was lamb, sausage was dry, roasted fingerlings on the side. The bad: I've already alluded to the most glaring "bad" and thats the limited nature of the menu. There were 4 small plates (one being bread and butter for $5.5), three app size dishes (the two we got + 1 salad) and the two entrees. There were two deserts but they were out of one (sorbet). I understand the seasonal ingredient movement but the scant offering @ S&S struck both my wife and I as arrogant and frankly a little insulting. To make matters worse the pricing was ludicrous (5.50 for bread 31, ,32 for entrees such as 1 half roast chix, 17 for heirloom tom dish, 14/glass of pinot noir), and the service was flagging. Our waiter, a nice enough man, kept a high level of service until the end of the night. Having worked as a waiter i understand that sometimes when youre slowest you might falter a little in service (doing sidework or closing dutites) but we sat with desert menus (considering the one shortbread desert) for ten minutes while our server socialized and poured wine samples with someone he knew, literally right next to us with his back turned. Finally the attentive server (wearing an apron) processed our check. Ultimately, perhaps wife and i are too conservative/traditional to enjoy a place like S&S and perhaps all the shortcomings are truly issues of personal taste. However, if i never have to eat at a self-important serviced, radiohead playing, limited menu having, overly-priced restaurant like S&S again ill gladly embrace my self diagnosed non-adventurous view of a quality dinner out.
(2)
Aeric E.
Great plates. We had family style and it was delicious. Fresh, seasonal and local offerings. Wonderful wine list and friendly fitting service.
(5)
Samantha R.
Simply amazing food. No fuss, no frills. Just beautiful flavors that demand and command attention. We had hedgehog mushrooms in a sauce that left us craving more. Olive oil poached black cod and a surprisingly delicious parsnip cake with salted bay leaf ice cream and walnut brittle rounded out the evening. That, combined with the impeccable service and vintage Whitney on the radio made for a perfect evening. Were this place in the Bay, I would come every week. A true gem in the Emerald City.
(5)
Holly D.
It's been a few years since Sitka and Spruce moved to their new location but I still prefer the old strip center spot. Anyway, I give it three stars based on the previous visits being 4 stars and the most recent a 2. It just got a bit weird on us. I swear my side dish was pulled out of my very own compost pile after a couple months of summer. I took a photo of the menu description because it was comical . I'm all for creative, local, foraged dishes but ,my gosh, it ought to taste good at a mininum. As far as I recall it had some very tough old dandelion greens,some sort of fermented sprouts or beans coated in an unappetizing I -don't -know -what. The rest of the meal was pretty good but I'm not sure how something like that gets out of the kitchen...did any one taste it?! It's been several months since that visit and my husband and I decided we would give it another go because it was so good to us in the past.im keeping my fingers crossed.
(3)
Alexandra S.
For the past 18 months, Sitka and Spruce has been a delicious but elusive memory that has taunted me with the longing for a repeat visit. I had a phenomenally delicious meal here with a group of colleagues while in Seattle for a conference in September 2011. "We have to go back there next time we're in Seattle!" I told my husband. "Back where?" he asked. Hmm. Good question. Well it was this really awesome meal...with all kinds of delicious Mediterranean tapas-y things. I remember beets. And an even-more-delicious-than-usual burrata. Olives! Yes, there were definitely olives. But we walked over as a big group, and I was just following the crowd. And well, there may have been some wine involved. So the location isn't exactly clear. What *is* memorable is a deliciousness so intense that it's worth poring through Yelp and Google street view and Zagat in an effort to cross-reference my memory of which direction we walked in with the top-rated restaurants in Seattle. Still, no dice. And then, in today's New York Times, there it is: Sitka and Spruce!! We will be back. And we will not forget.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
George L.
nice little restaurant, like the homy feeling and the open kitchen style
(4)Zachary H.
Apparently, giving 1 star and writing bad comments is grounds for Yelp to squash your review. I assure you, nobody paid me to say the service at Sitka and Spruce is horrible. The worst I've experience, in fact. I wish someone would have, though. Perhaps if I increase the rating to 2 stars Yelp will see it in their hear to unhide my very useful and truthful review. We'll see.
(2)Ferdinand T.
What a fabulous place. Small plates well done. Great vibe
(5)Nick M.
Damn, this is the real fucking deal. I cam with a friend and per the waiter's suggestion, we ordered family style. We got: The bread -- Yes, you have to pay for bread. Yes, worth it. Carrots with walnuts -- This could have been the highlight of the meal. There is something special about a restaurant that can do such a simple vegetable so much justice. Halibut with nettle -- Very well done. Perfectly cooked. The favors were all there. Actually the lowest point, but not saying much. Lamb -- This had lamb done two ways. Seared and somethings low cooked. It has couscous and yogurt. The slow cooked lamb was falling apart and amazing. I also had a tart with figs. Very good. These guys know what is up and do it without pretension. Six stars.
(5)Diana C.
It's a tiny place, but they have great service and delicious wines! I didn't get a chance to try any of the food, but everything on the menu sounded very delicious. I'll have to admit, I didn't know what to expect when I walked through Melrose market, but it's fabulous! I have to come back to try some of the food!
(4)Asela G.
Hurts me to say it, since I really used to like this place, but the condescending, abysmal service means that I won't be back. We called for a reservation for their Monday night taco night, and were told it was walk-in only, so we arrive at 8 pm (they're open 5:30-9:30 Mondays). We got on the list, and were told it would be 40-45 min, so we got a drink at the nearby Bar Ferdinand. At 8:40, we were told it would be 10-15 min more. And again at 9. We were finally seated at 9:20. Waitress comes up, and proceeds to tell us that they were out of over half the tacos listed on the menu, the beer, and the agua fresca. She proceeded to tell us that this is pretty normal for this time of night, and we really should come in earlier if we wanted the full menu. Of course, there was no mention of running out of half their menu as they strung us along for an hour and a half, selling us drinks at their (very nice) sister bar. Besides, she says, "Monday's our crazy Malafacha night, anything can happen," and proceeds to tell us we should hurry up and order before they run out of everything else. I didn't realize that I shouldn't expect food at a restaurant. The tacos we got were meh, no better than Rancho Bravo, who're way cheaper, actually have tacos, and serve them up without the heaping side of condescension. Maybe the ones they ran out of were fantastic, but it's too bad when a supposedly nice restaurant delivers a sub-fast-food experience.
(1)Lauren B.
Went for brunch. The ambience is great - very airy and sort of farm chic - but the food was a mixed bag. The buttermilk scone was delicious and the ful medames was good, but the hot Blue Bird Grains cereal had a very unexpected and unusual flavor/texture which I did not enjoy and the service was slow. Not my favorite for the price.
(3)Marie B.
I had really high hopes for Sitka and Spruce after reading some pretty great reviews on here and in some foodie magazines. I was especially excited about Taco Mondays because, let's face it, Seattle is not world-famous for its inventive mexican faire. Unfortunately, every aspect of the experience was abysmal (to steal Asela's word). First off, two of us arrived at 6:45 pm expecting a wait for a table. We were told 30-40 minutes, which was fine. However, an hour rolled around, then an hour and fifteen minutes, and still nothing. Beware, it is a small restaurant and, having been a hostess, I know it's difficult to predict how long guests will linger. 1 1/2 hours after putting our name on the list and following up multiple times, we were seated. Finally. Needless to say I was excited and hungry and hoped the wait wasn't a harbinger of what was to come... But it was. The server was extremely rude (petite, dirty blond hair, late 20s) . It took 10 minutes to get menus, and an extra 5 minutes to get water. Once she finally returned to our table, we ordered only to find out they'd run out of some of the main dishes we came to try (suadero, mushroom tacos). The server was very rude about this and condescending. In total over the course of the meal, she said less than 20 words to us. Definitely not the service I was expecting after 1 1/2 hours of waiting and considering the price of the meal. We order chips and avocados, carne asada tacos, and carnitas as these were some of the only items they had by 8:30pm. Honestly, the guacamole was the best part of the experience, as well as the fresh salsa on the tacos. My 3 tacos came full of meat, while my boyfriend's had a very small amount (less than a tablespoon on each). I've gotten much better tacos from trucks and hole in the wall restaurants. I was so disappointed and I actually left the restaurant nearly as hungry as when I was finally seated. All in all, I would never return to this restaurant for Taco Mondays and, based on the rudeness of the servers, I don't think I'll return for the regular menu. My suggestion to S&S is to have at least 2 additional staff members on hand in the future to avoid turning off potential repeat customers.
(1)Talbot S.
So, I guess on a number of things in which you should be making it clear that I thought the food was very good. But nothing else can carry the restaurant. Confirmed reservations for 5 people at 8. We were sat at 9. The small menu kept its descriptions vague and brief. (It supposedly changes weekly, so maybe I just didn't like what I saw). The server was pretty indifferent and not extremely knowledgeable about the menu. The space we were sat was cramped for a 6 person table, and navigating with sharing dishes was difficult. The portion sizes were tiny for the amount that was being paid ($15 for a few ounces of chantrelle mushrooms and gravy). So, 1 star for the food tasting good (despite pretty much every dish coming with mushrooms, which I found kind of strange). 2 for the price of the wines being reasonable (or so I'm told, I don't really drink wines). 3 for the caramels which the bring to you with the check (yes they were that good).
(3)Felicia C.
Great if you have an reasonably adventurous palate and are in the mood for some tasty bites.
(4)Jamie J.
Talk about a charmer. Easily sits at the top of my favorites. I came to Sitka on a typical week night - for some reason there was a bit of a wait. But, we didn't care; there is plenty to do in Melrose Market as you wait. Once we were taken to our table, I was a little shocked. We were seated at this long island table that sits in the middle of the room and extends into the kitchen/work area. It is really cool. The odd part is, you sit next to other people. Literally next to them. And, you obviously don't know them. It sort of reminded me of an indoor French cafe; you sit next to who you sit next to - and that's that. I enjoyed the little community experience revolving around food. (Isn't that what this is all about anyway?) It's interesting basically being involved in other people's conversations automatically. I would fill you in on the conversation of the group next to us, but it's XXX rated, and it included the word 'blow'. I admit I referenced the group next to us multiple times to talk about what they ordered, and how we needed to get some of that! The food was impeccable. I wish I could describe what I ate, but I honestly can't. It was so new to me, which doesn't happen often. Their food is unique and thoughtfully planned. Their dish sizes are meant to shared, and more often than not, meant to be totally grazed over by your bread when all the main pieces have been grubbed. Their menu changes seasonly, at least, so looking at the menu now I don't recognize a thing. Guess that means I have to come back? Note to the owner: I want to thank you - you offered my roommate and I free dessert because "you don't often see such young people wiling to try such foods." Folks, this genuinely made my day. So, thank you, owner! (I believe the dessert was pumpkin and date cake? It's been a while. BUT, It was amazing!) Service, ambiance, food, community... it's all here. Now you just have to get over there. YUM Eats.
(5)Kathryn W.
My husband and I had dinner at Sitka and Spruce on a Sunday night several months ago. I don't think it was their normal menu because there were a couple of appetizers and then two entrees listed. He ordered the meat dish and I ordered the fish. His was really good, and mine was gross. It would have been good had it not been absolutely covered in dill, which completely overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the fish. I mentioned to the waiter that if they are going to put that much dill on something that it should be mentioned in the menu, and he had the nerve to tell me that it wasn't dill. Um, excuse me, I have a pretty good palate and I know what I'm tasting... eventually he came back and said that I was right-- it was dill. Needless to say, all I really remember about this restaurant was the dill fish incident and the waiter's snobby behavior. The bread, my husband's meal, and the appetizers were good (not outstanding); otherwise this place would get one star. We would never come here again.
(2)A N.
Tried this place on the recommendation of many people. But the experience was just average or even worse. We went on a Sunday night for dinner for our anniversary. The menu was extremely truncated. Only two main dishes were offered, one seafood and one beef. Both were served with the same side dishes. Really? for a seafood dish and a beef dish, the same exact accompaniment? This is just lazy. The only two starters were salami and olives. again, just lazy. the salami was just sliced and came with nothing else; same for the olives. If you want bread you have to pay an extra $4. These starters were not restaurant cuisine, if I want this stuff I can buy the items myself, they don't require any cooking skills. The seafood main dish was dungeness crab and halibut, decent, but the crab was served shell on. For a restaurant of this supposed caliber this is not really acceptable. The beef dish was also mediocre. Beef was cooked all the way through. Lots of faro or rye with both dishes. I am really not a fan of this stuff. not sure why many new or up and coming restaurants are using these or similar ingredients. must be an organic or hippie thing. at the end of the meal we were so disappointed with the restaurant that we skipped dessert. two of us paid about $90, without drinks or dessert. There are MANY other restaurants I would rather go to for a $90 meal than to give this place another shot. (at these other restaurants we would have had dessert or drinks for that price) also I agree with some of the other reviewers about atmosphere. it looks as though its a causal place, but the waiters are stuffy and not friendly. it was our anniversary, and we stated that on our reservation. no mention of our special day from the waiter. the other people sitting around us were also pretty douchey. i guess this is the crowd they are trying to attract, d-bag hipsters. overall my first impression of this place is poor. i will not be returning and i suggest you do not give them your hard earned money either.
(2)Sarah S.
Food: 4 stars Service: 1 star Came to Sitka & Spruce for the first time for my birthday dinner. It was a Monday night, and we heard good things about Mexican Mondays and decided to check it out. Our party was made up of Southern California natives, and still we were impressed with the food. Solid portions and authentic flavors. The halibut tacos were a particular favorite. The service, however, nearly ruined the meal. The server who waited on us could not have had more than three tables, so there was no evident reason to be stressed. We had to request to see a drink menu, and once she came back to order drinks, she took the order of 2 of the 4 people at the table and then walked away, not asking the others if they wanted anything. Right after, we asked for an order of guacamole and chips, to which she responded that she would take our full order once we decided what we wanted for dinner "so it would all come out together." It does not take a restaurant industry insider to comprehend that people prefer appetizers before the main course while they're still perusing the menu. She did not come back to the table to check on us during the meal, and never asked if we wanted a second round or to order anything else. She dropped the check on the table without a word. Although the food was delicious, poor service can sour an entire dining experience. If you do decide to go, hopefully they realize that the restaurant industry is competitive, and that good food is not the only component of a successful dining experience.
(2)Paul H.
My wife and I recently spent two nights in Seattle on the way to a hiking vacation on the Peninsula. Trying to acclimate to the wonderful weather in Seattle compared to our humid drought conditions in Houston, we ventured out for a lovely evening. I made a reservation at another food establishment based on reviews. But after walking by the place in the center of touristy fare during a 10-mile urban hike around downtown Seattle, I made a quick change to Sitka and Spruce. What a great decision. With no reservation, this very small venue still made room for us. Very casual, laid-back demeanor of the waiter set us at ease. Choice, though small, wine selection. We looked over the menu and made selections. When we ordered, waiter opined we had ordered too much food and suggested we might consider splitting items. Seriously, a waiter saving us money? We took his advice. We split an ample order of steamed king salmon w grilled cucumber, purslane. Beet greens with preserved lemon (fantastic!), anchovies with sea beans (say what?), and a perfectly done green goddess salad. All incredibly fresh, unique combinations and exposing two foodies to some new choices... One of the most delightful dining experiences...and we weren't stuffed...price was a pleasant surprise. Waiter was outstanding. Definitely returning every time I'm in Seattle...for business 3-4 times a year.
(5)Molly B.
One of the highlights of my long weekend trip to Seattle was having lunch at Sitka & Spruce. After reading the reviews here, I knew I wanted to take the time to go there. All the dinner reservations were booked so I snagged a reservation for lunch. t wasn't exactly what I expected it was going to be. I was expecting something a little more formal in a stand-alone building and thought it would perhaps be a little snooty. But instead it's nice and casual, the service was really good, it was tucked away in the back of a market with lots of other interesting shops and restaurants. Everything we ordered was top-notch - simple, healthy ingredients served up in a fresh and inventive way. I think if I had a restaurant I'd want it to be just like this.
(4)Mario G.
Sitka & Spruce was a great find. The menu is actually somewhat deceiving, as I personally had never heard of some of what was on the menu. But, i can tell you, whatever you get at Sitka & Spruce, it's going to be good. The place is situated at the back of Melrose Market. It's a family style restaurant, meaning that the plates are meant to be shared. Definitely choose to share a few plates, it's the best way to get the most of the menu. There is a long counter that is in the middle of the restaurant that seats around a dozen people, and maybe half-a-dozen tables otherwise. The kitchen shares the floor with the patrons, and it's an awesome sight to see your food prepared while you wait. However, keep in mind, the restaurant is tiny. I tried to come here for dinner and there was an hour-and-a-half wait. My recommendation is to come right when this place opens at 11:30. No wait and great food right away.
(5)Jonas B.
I'm being harsh here and staying with three stars. We went there before attending a show at the Paramount and were in luck, there was a table available. We got to share it with another group of four, but that was okay. We had a bottle of wine, a pretty nice German Riesling, four small courses and a dessert. I was unimpressed by the scallops though the wife quite liked them and I found the grilled asparagus with fried egg much, much too salty. We both liked the rillettes with pickled fiddleheads and I enjoyed the octopus with chick peas a lot. The shortcake with rhubarb was nice too and the espresso was fine. The price was a bit high ($115 plus tip) but not outrageous. So three stars is a bit harsh but maybe we can give them a chance to improve by visiting again.
(3)Genevieve J.
Service was excellent - friendly and knowledgeable. Their new space is gorgeous and full of light. I'd seriously go back just for the ambiance (because, to tell you the truth, the food though very good was on the whole unamazing). Four of us shared a variety of plates and there were only two standouts: the duck with black rice and an appetizer of raw scallops. The scallops came with sliced cucumber and a preserved lemon sauce. The flavors were delicate, but it was perfect if ephemeral. We definitely could have ordered one or two more plates to satisfy our hunger, but held back since we were trying not to break the bank. One bottle of wine and six shared plates came to about $160.
(4)Peter K.
Very creative and fresh menu. Warm service. Trendy but not arrogant. We did lunch. But next i will try dinner
(5)Christine T.
We had such a wonderful night here! After leaving another event early, we were at a loss as to what to do for dinner (we'd been to a wine tasting and needed food!). My husband remembered a coworker had mentioned Sitka & Spruce, so we drove to it's strip mall location. We found a parking space right in front so we felt that this was the right place for us to be. The location...was odd. A Subway on one side, a teriyaki joint on the other, but husband assured me that this was going to be good. The place was, of course, packed, but we were assured that it would be less then 20 minutes for two seats at the community table (which we didn't mind at all since we love sitting with others and getting to know our fellow diners). We waited and people watched - didn't find a bar and have them call us, like I now realize we could have done and are glad we didn't - and about 10 minutes into our wait, the server asked us if either of us would like a glass of wine that he'd accidentally poured. Accident for someone else, divine providence for me since it was exactly the wine (Chateau de Bel Air Rose) that I was going to choose for my meal. I accepted the drink and he offered my husband a complimentary glass of whatever he wanted (he chose the Voignier). We waited about 10 more minutes enjoying our wine and watching the parade of dishes come out to the other tables. We were seated and ordered a few dishes - bread with olive oil, hot olives, and at the server's suggestion, the garden aioli plate. It all came out, one after the other, pretty quickly. Bread - warm, crisps, doughy in the middle, the olive oil - very tasty, olives - good. Garden Aioli - delicious. We are so glad we got this! It was raw or blanched veggies (haricort vert, carrots, beets, tomatoes) and hard-boiled egg and tuna with a lovely aioli - I can't even describe what it tasted like, it was good and everything we dipped in to tasted so good. I would come here and just get a couple of plates of this! We talked and ate, talked and ate...it was perfect. We are the types that like to savor each portion of our meal and really enjoy. We had time to spare, so we took the time to enjoy each other and the evening. While we were waiting, we had observed a couple eating both the salmon with lemon preserve and artichokes and the pork chop with peppers and peaches. We couldn't decide between the two so we got both. The server told us that instead of the salmon that was on the written menu, the dish was actually served with cod but prepared the same way. It was fantastic. My husband was at first bummed that it wasn't salmon, but we both decided that the cod held up to the strong flavors so much better, and we were very, very happy. So happy that the group sitting next to us heard our yums and moans and decided to order it themselves. They were very happy as well. We probably could have stopped after the cod but the pork arrived after just the right amount of time, and it looked and smelled so good, we couldn't help but dig in. And this was probably the best dish of the night! The pork was tender and oh so flavorful.... the peppers and peaches were spicy and sweet and went together like perfection. I'm sure our facial expression were hilarious to others but we really enjoyed our food. At some point during our dinner, we got another glass of rose for me and a glass of Austrian red for husband....both were welcome and wonderful! After we had finished every last bit, we got into a nice conversation with our dining neighbors and settled up the bill. Bill came to just over $100 for the two of us...a bargain considering the wonderful evening we'd just shared. As we received our bill, we also got another bottle of water to fill our glasses, saying to us that we were allowed to linger, if we wanted. We can't wait to go back, especially since we learned the menu changes constantly. The atmosphere, the service, the wine, the food...everything was wonderful. But the absolutely best part was reconnecting with my husband, who I don't get to see a lot during the week, and sharing an exquisite dining experience. So overall, yes it's pricey but it's so worth it for a night out!
(5)Emily W.
Despite watching famous M.D. peruse the selection of ladies at the Market rather than have a hand in making my meal, the food was wonderfully unique and service warm and personal. M.D. is a genious... we tasted each dish in it's separate and together parts... Oh the surprising lemon zest in one dish, a walnut surfacing in another, and the smokey/vinegar/earthy/sweet/nutty/creamy effortlessly accomplished (and balanced perfectly) in our entree left me.. left me... well just sitting there in awe as I sipped the spicy Barberra our sweet blue-bloused waitress chose for us. Everything was beautiful and delectable and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Jeff R.
Expensive, but very good small plates place. Sardines, smoked trout, and chicken and lentil salad for lunch. All very tasty. No highchairs for kids. No beer list (in Seattle??? Why not some local beers on tap or bottle?). Still, well worth a visit.
(5)Swede S.
PNW to the nth degree, Best warm olives in town, More culinary work to be done on main entrees/ large plates.
(4)A K.
good but not great. a bit overpriced and the portions are small.
(2)GE A.
I read the other reviews and was a little hesitant at first about coming here (seating availability, portions, service) but wow, am I glad I did. On the plus side: Amazing food ---almost like eating on Top Chef. Chick Pea puree was incredibly flavorful, the tuna mousse with grilled cucumber and fennel was pretty darn good too. I ordered the lemon pound cake drizzled with elderberry syrup and topped with blackberries...the serving was so generous I had to box up the other half to bring home. In all, these three plates were more than enough for the two of us so I'm not sure what the other poster was talking about when he/she said portions were too small. However, I'll be fair and note that the cheese dish with apricot jam/honey drizzled nuts was mere smudge, if that so I'd skip it unless you are dining solo. Also, while I know bread is on the menu, it still might be nice to serve a couple of complimentary pieces. Seating - not problem. However, we did the European thing and ate our big meal at lunch. I would not want to even bother trying to come here at dinner. Will I go back? Yup. But just for lunch.
(5)Heather S.
I was a big fan of the old location on Eastlake and am now thrilled at their fantastic new digs. Plus, lunch is offered again! I have been there a couple of times and have really enjoyed not just the great service and food, but the whole atmosphere. Looking forward to many returns in the future!
(4)Doug M.
The passion for this restaurant is apparent with a very cordial note sent over to me. For this excellent follow-up I want to raise the rating to four stars. Thanks.
(4)Susan D.
I am in love with S&S's new location! The Melrose building is such a great fit for this fantastic restaurant, and the ambiance they created in their small space is perfect. I won't be too specific about all the dishes we ordered, but instead will remark on how everything we ordered tasted deliciously fresh. It was like Matt had run outside to harvest the vegetables moments before our meal. My boyfriend and I actually went to the farmer's market the next day to try and re-create some of what we'd eaten at S&S the night before. :) These guys know what is up and do a wonderful job creating an ideal dining experience. From the ambiance to the friendly service, they've got it all figured out. Two big thumbs up, and I'll definitely be back!
(5)Marlyn C.
Got there around 7 on a Wednesday night- I guess we're in a recession because we got seated immediately at a corner table under the windows. The staff gave us some time to look over the menu and gave us the option to order all at once or as we went. Very comfortable and easy-going. Our waitress also gave us good wine recommendations. The food was clean, simple, and delicious. My husband prefers saucier foods, while I enjoy both very simple seasoning that brings out the flavor of the food and complicated dishes. All in all I enjoyed it more. I like this place but it definitely has a lot of competition.
(4)Jen S.
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while now after hearing all the hype about it. So we finally went on our last trip to Seattle in July. We had a little trouble finding them as they are in the back of a shared space with a seafood/butcher shop and wine shop in the front areas. The location is a cool little space with a very open kitchen. Atmosphere is casual. It would be fun to dine at the big kitchen table by the stove. It was a little too warm on the day we went, so I wouldn't recommend going on a hot day as they don't get a lot of airflow through the restaurant. We shared several dishes between four adults including a cold garlic soup that was reminiscent of a fancy salad dressing or dip. Very tasty, but soup? Among other dishes we had were the salmon appetizer, asparagus sidedish, grilled shrimp, and fish entree. The salmon was ok. The asparagus was good. The grilled shrimp and fish were excellent. All of the portions (except the soup) were quite small. We did order some double portions on the staff's recommendation, but even the double portions were still quite small. We were hungry within an hour or two and had to eat again. Overall I think this place does their food very well, but they are overpriced for portions. (I was recently told by a couple who dined at the previous location that their portions were larger back when the restaurant was smaller...). The staff were friendly enough and when they forgot about our grilled shrimp, they brought it out as soon as they remembered and gave us a nice discount. We also discovered a new favorite wine here (Mistral Ranch Red by Memaloose). If you go here, be sure to make a reservation well in advance.
(3)leDuke w.
Exceptionally flavorful, locally produced gems !! Totally laid back atmosphere with nice wine list, super helpful waitstaff. For what you are getting, it's very much worth the price. If you are not a talker amoungst 'strangers' go with someone who is. Had a great time here that was recomended from Food & Wine article. So glad I went. I don't eat red meat but I did try the lamb/olive/bucatini from friend. Was bursting with braised juices very rich. Excellent dish. Give it go!
(4)Mandy S.
Taco night rocks! The perfect, fun group meal. Great execution of the margarita.
(5)Sean H.
This place is super lovely, it is just too popular now! Do your best to get in. The restaurant has a major commitment to be a celebration of delicious surprises in your mouth...sometimes a restaurant struggles to be different and accomplishes this by delivering something bizarre. That is not the case here. The flavors are exceptional. This is my favorite place in Seattle.
(5)devin g.
So damn good. The menu changes weekly. All plates are tapas and very shareable
(5)Bonnie C.
I had a lovely time here with my dining companion. We were able to walk in without a reservation, but the space is small so if you're not lucky you could end up having to change your plans - they only take reservations for large groups to be seated at their communal table. The food was marvelous - really nice flavor pairings with high, high quality local ingredients, including some unexpected ones (pickled fiddleheads - now that's a first). Sitka & Spruce does small and medium plates for tables to share and you choose off a big chalkboard. The waiter was very knowledgeable and helped us with some good choices. Service was quick. I found it a little odd that their moderate wine list was mostly european even though they are 'new american' cuisine, but they did have a special rose from the columbia valley that was really tasty.
(5)Julian H.
Okay, I totally get it. It's small, it's exclusive, the menu changes all the time. (There's a place like this in Portland called Simpatica that's very good.) Be warned S&S is very pricey. The food here was carefully prepared and just anticipating the next dish was in some cases better than actually eating it. In fact, I don't remember what I ate. Nothing stood out as fantastic, but the novelty and freshness of the ingredients made up for anything I didn't love in my mouth. The chef clearly takes the food very seriously ( maybe a little too seriously? ) Our waiter was definitely too serious. He was nice enough but visibly twitched when someone in our party made a mess and then asked him to wipe off the table. The interior is very modern and somewhat stark. I guess that's so people focus on the food more than the ambiance? 3.5-4 stars because dining is more than inventive, fresh food. Minus a star for service blips and the cramped dining room/lack of ambiance. Great bragging rights, but for the scratch, I would probably go to stumbling goat or try a new place.
(4)cindy w.
Went for the taco Monday night! Excellent food! The brisket taco was the best on the menu and sold out quickly. Small place but very cute! Serivce was fine nothing to write home about but very nice place to dine.
(5)M F.
Food is good but not memorable. Smelts in beer batter; I guess there was a smelt in there, I tasted mostly batter. Clams on half shell with celery root salad were excellent. Lamb crepes were good, not great. Extra charge for bread with a little olive oil? You've got to be kidding! Nice wine (Nebbiolo) at reasonable price. Service warm and competent. Over all a nice meal, but nothing to make me want to hurry back. Perhaps based on what I had read, I was expecting too much.
(2)tiara a.
My sister was in town from the east coast and found this place on chow-hound. Im from Tacoma and always go to yelp for a place to eat when I venture up north to Seattle. My sister is a conissuer of good food and cafes and she did not fail me! We both ABSOLUTELY loved Sitka & Spruce! We went there for weekend brunch and ordered about 4 or 5 small plates, all of it was divine. The winter legumes were kind of weird, we didnt realise that it was going to be a blended -as in food processor/blender kind of plate, but she was able to eat it with their yummy bread- and was happy with it, but wont order it again. She couldnt stop raving about the sardines, which I opted out of having, I'm more of a bread-y, oatmeal, fruity person so those are the plates I chose. And we were amazed by their delicious chamomile ROSE tea, it was one of the best teas we'd ever had, we even came away with a purchase of it. Their menu selection is not large but we ordered half the menu and left happy and talking about how great it was. I can't wait to go their for a late meal because that menu looked good as well! Will absolutely go back. p.s. i loved that they played johnny cash and elton john for the first few song selections, they get 5 stars for their music choice, oh and and our waiter was REALLY great and helpful.
(5)Bret M.
Vegetarians beware!! Although there are meatless options on the menu, they seem to be intended as accompaniments for their main entrees, which all have meat in them. I had heard such great things about Sitka and Spruce that I was looking forward to sampling their cooking.What I ended up with was a boiled potato with a poached egg.There was also steamed squash as a separate dish. It was the type of food that I whip up for myself when I am feeling lazy - and I am not a seriously ambitious cook on an everyday basis. Nevertheless, I am not very often THAT lazy. My favorite part of my meal was bread and butter, another "lazy" staple. It is certainly the proprietor's prerogative to cater to what ever clientele is desired, but it doesn't appear that vegetarian clients are particularly valued. Service was neither here nor there, but judging from other reviews, perhaps I lucked out.
(1)katie s.
All of us are in love with the host, and yes, while I realize he is taken by a lucky lady down at the Courson Building, one can always hope! (btw, he's a cross between Josh Groban and that guy on the I'm a Mac/PC commercials who used to date Drew) BTW, this includes the men in our party, I know a man-crush when I see one! The food was trying less hard but that was a disadvantage this time around. I think that for the money, Elemental is better with it's experimental nature. We had the beet salad (putting goatcheese on this would have added a star), the lamb polenta (solid), the chicken (also solid), a chocolate ice cream and a tart (meh). All of this, paired with wine for 70 bucks.. Not bad - and they are ever so courteous - I'll be coming back again..
(4)Jeong K.
My favorite restaurant in Seattle. It is hard writing about the food because the dishes varies with seasonal ingredients and the chef, Matt Dillon is a creative genius. Menu is written on the chalkboard and offered in small or large plates. I recommend the sharing small plates with fellow diners. I don't think they take reservations for parties smaller than 6, so get there early for the first seating.
(5)Geraldine D.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I wasn't head over heels in love with this place. Perhaps it was the pressure of wanting to like it, or perhaps it was doomed to begin with because of my high expectations, but I left Sitka and Spruce wondering what all the fuss was about. The service wasn't bad, and the food was inventive. We had gnocchi with lemon which was lovely, and some beef with morels that was quite delightful. But the wait was ridiculous (over an hour, maybe more), the restaurant was crazy packed, and we had to share a communal table that was clearly not big enough for all of this. The overall air is one of "We're understated but still better than you, and if you don't like it, it's because you're gauche." That, and they don't take reservations, which cultivates a "We were here first, so back off" environment among those waiting. I'm confused as to the logic behind this: are they trying to turn the restaurant into an all-out brawl? Will it be a death-match on table 3, winner takes all (the radicchio)? That might be more entertaining - and more deserving of the hype - than Sitka and Spruce currently is.
(3)Elisa C.
I'm in love with this place. Moved from SF to Seattle East side for 6months, I didn't really go out a lot. I think after Sitka & Spruce this morning, I gain a bit more confident for Seattle. S&S great place for food and everything else, will go back very soon. I would say kid's friendly, if the place is not too busy.
(5)Enrique B.
One of the best parts of dining here is that each employee is really invested in the food. The chef is usually in plain view, and the food can be ordered by size, like if you're just a touch hungry you can order a small size of duck confit but a medium size of the potato dish. Locally-sourced ingredients fill the creative menu which changes daily. No parking, so try to find some street parking in the neighborhood. Can be hard to get a table.
(5)Mihae J.
I'm torn! If you have been to Elemental: yelp.com/biz/elemental-s… you would understand my rating. Sitka and Spruce is amazing. However...the 5/5 experience of American fine dining was had at this wonderful place in Wallingford, Elemental, and though this place is amazing, I think I have to give it a 4/5. I've been hearing about this place from my friend Ryland, who is actually friends with the Chef. No, not the main chef/owner Matt Dillon, but the second Chef maybe?In any case, this place- stuck between Subway and a random Pho place, is a jewel of Eastlake (well, steep competition there with East lake Zoo Dive bar ;) how can you beat Free Pool and Darts??) When I went in, there was a 40 minute wait, so Jonathan (friend) and I went back to his place, and drank some wine. They called us when the table was ready, which was really great- since we didn't have to wait at Sitka and Spruce to have our table. Like everyone has been saying below, the menu changes daily. They get the freshest ingredients from local farmer's markets (like the one in Ballard). It's written on the Chalk board, and though the handwriting is really hard to read, it is still quite charming. We didn't know what to order, really, so asked the waiter to go nuts. Here are the things we got... - Salad with apple, pine nuts, etc (A bit too vinegar-y) - fritters with aioli (****GREAT) - Porkbelly & vegies & duckegg (******* GREAT) - Gnocchi - Porkchop with rice - Olive oil Gelatto with dark chocolate pie (REALLY AWESOME) Ok, so if I had to point out a dish to talk about- I would pick Porkbelly & vegies & duckegg. This was such an interesting dish, and the combination of all three things created the tastiest explosion in my mouth! It was amazing. Oh, and the duckegg was cooked very nicely- it was just right. The desert was amazing. The dark chocolate pie & Olive Oil Gelatto (WTF? so awesome!) went great together. Who knew?? It was delicious, and I walked out of the restaurant feeling full, happy, and awesomely intoxicated with their great wine. Experience must be had if you live in Seattle. Make your way to Eastlake, and find this place sandwiched between Subway and Pho. You will love it. =)
(4)Susana H.
Wow..... i have to say that we where very lucky to find taco night, this are the best tacos I had in Seattle. They are a little more expensive than the ones served in a taco truck but definitely worthy the price. Portions are good size and authentic. We didn't have to wait at all to get a table and the service was great. Definitely going back!!
(5)Jill L.
Go on Monday. It's Taco Night & it's delish!!
(5)akzidenz g.
hmmmmm..... we werent impressed by the food here and did drop alot of $$. the menu is changing almost daily so we probably came on an off night. nothing was unedible, it was just that it was not worth paying $30 for a piece of fish that didnt blow my mind. but then again, i had high expectations. the location and atmosphere of this restaurant was fabulous. and the service was great. i would return just for this. maybe. not.
(3)alyssa t.
As echoed in other reviews, the service here is very poor. It was the type of service where the server acts like you are really inconveniencing him by being there. I had been waiting a long time to come here and was really excited, so I was extremely disappointed that our server was so bad. He hardly checked on us, left our glasses empty, including wine glasses (what?!, don't servers want the wine flowing??) for at least 20 minutes, and never asked how the food was. I figured maybe the kitchen was running behind, but then our food came it was cold. I saw him chatting on his phone while we sat and waited for him to come by. I was really just confused by the whole thing. As far as the food, eh... It was okay. I don't think I will be back or recommend this place to anyone.
(2)Gem J.
The menu lacks a reasonable number options for vegetarians. Very limited selection. For a place that focuses on fresh food that's pretty stupid
(1)Berkeley S.
Much has changed since my original review. Our younger daughter arrived about 3 weeks after our first attempt to eat at Sitka and Spruce. And our 4 year old who was refused a bowl of plain pasta is now 6, and she still loves her some plain pasta. I'm happy to say that we've been to the new Sitka and Spruce twice with both kids and have had nothing but gracious service, and some pretty great meals. On our last visit, my wife recognized our server as the same one from our first visit in 2009, and she recounted the story. He remembered us and comped our desserts, which was a nice gesture, but not necessary, since we'd already learned that whatever was going on in 2009 isn't any longer.
(5)Chris H.
The mediterranean chicken dish I had was visually brilliant with an outstanding mix of flavors that transported me back to the Middle East. The feta and oranges with stinging nettle and pistachios was dinner and dessert all rolled into one. The prices were very reasonable and I look forward to visiting again soon to see what Matt will cook up next.
(5)Connie C.
"We should try...(insert well raved restaurant here) next time" Sitka & Spruce was one of those places. My friend and I decidd that Sitka would be such the place to try out to celebrate her birthday. Off we go to the rustic oasis in a stripmall. Thank gawd for the recession, we got a table straight away. Our server was friendly and warm, good balance between attentive and leaving us alone. We started with Baby Butter Lettuce and Green Goddess dressing...not quite sure what exactly went into 'Green Goddess' but the addition of the marcona almonds balanced out the tartness of GG. Tasty, not extraorindary. Then there was the Hanger Steak...a little on the rare side - again, tasty but not extraorindary. But the Strawberry Chicken and turnips..now that was yummy. Still not extrorindary but it was...very very yummy. I have never had radish in that way but it was surprisingly good soaked in the broth of the chicken. The radish wasn't mushy, and perfect amount of crunchy. mmm..... Glad I tried it, but I don't have to go back. I also wouldn't need to be dragged there kickin' and screamin either. Overall A OK.
(3)Edith R.
The Melrose Market and Sitka & Spruce are an A+ in terms of atmosphere, cozy, cool, urban, hip, industrial chic...fill in the blank. It's fun to come in, to see the Rain Shadow meats, to have drink at Bar Ferdinand... S&S is an awesome place to sit and enjoy friends. But when we were there the food was disappointing and the presentation surprisingly bad. The sausage with apple and saurkraut looked like male genitalia on a plate with some surrounding vegetables. The giblet dish reminded me of why you strain the giblets out of the gravy. The bass was was great. The menu is interesting but I believe that you never really know what you'll get. We loved being there, but we didn't love what we were eating.
(3)Sophia M.
Do not be fooled by the location of this quaint little restaurant (next to a Subway and mini mart)! This place is as elegant and down to earth as I could ever wish a place to be! The food, though they lacked on vegetarian options, was delicious and very inventive. The staff were so friendly and played excellent music (Of Montreal and Iron and Wine to name a few). It's a little pricier than most places I go on a day to day basis, but it was a real treat, and I'll definitely be back when I want to celebrate or have a few extra dollars to spare. P.S. They change their menu everyday, or so I'm told, and they had several fish options for the pescatarians out there. I also hear they are willing to put together a special plate for vegetarians every now and then, but don't quote me on it! Oh, and I spied a gorgeous cook back there in the kitchen! Too bad I couldn't tell him how good the food was... or how much fun I had watching him make it!
(4)Theodore S.
The food gets five stars, no question. It was great! It's the type of place where you are supposed to order a few plates. Very small and intimate, which is a good thing except... I'm giving them 3 stars for service. I didn't have a reservation but called ahead. They said we could get a table for 4 if we arrived right at 5:30 when they opened. So we did - and were seated at a cramped bar with the sun directly in our faces and a curtain blowing at us for the first 45 minutes of the meal. I would recommend going, but make sure you get that reservation and a real table!
(3)Amber R.
I absolutely love Melrose Market so I can't help but love Sitka & Spruce as well. The food is delicious and they have a big old school wood stove that they cook some of their food in. The atmosphere is super cosy, its like a little piece of the country side in the middle of the city. The one downside is that its pretty difficult to get a table if you just decide to drop in. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
(4)Algird L.
I went to Sitka & Spruce this last Valentine's Day, as me and my lady were supposed to be out of town... but then we weren't. Luckily, S&S still does first-come-first serve seating on holidays! Score! Space: The ambiance is very pleasant and understated. Not exactly ultimate romance, but intimate is doable. The space seems versatile and having a small party at their one group table would probably be a hoot. Wine: A decent '05 Italian for about $30. Solid, but nothing to write home about. Most of the wines on the list that day (about 20) were French, but I don't know enough about French wine to pick one out of a hat. Wine prices ranged from 25-50. Food: Most of the daily rotating menu is served communal either as a small or large plate. The server recommended 4 small plates for a 2-person dinner. 3 probably would've sufficed but 4 wasn't excessive. Course #1: Jamon Serrano, Kushi Oysters, Olives Straightforward. Tasty spanish ham and mixed olives, served with baguette. The oysters (2) were flavorless and weren't worth the trouble. 3 stars. Course #2: Octopus and Chickpeas w/ Pimenton & Parsley AMAZING. Bits of grilled octo (chewy-crispy outside and tender on the inside) with melt-in-your-mouth chickpeas in a very light (almost watery, but in a good way) pimenton sauce. 5+ stars. Course #3: Confit Duck w/ Pork, Beans & Parsnips An interesting combination. The duck was competent, but this dish proves that S&S has superhuman bean-cooking powers. The creamy texture of the beans mixed with the crunch of duck was perfection. 4.5 stars. Course #4: Oregon Lamb Shoulder w/ Artichokes & Cauliflower FAIL. It was unfortunate that the meal ended on this note. The lamb was blacked to the point where the only flavor was carbon. What a waste of good meat. The chokes & cauli were ok, but irrelevant with such a terrible centerpiece. 1.5 stars. Service: Helpful with ordering, then faded into the background except to bring out new dishes. I prefer this style of waiting. Bill (before tip): About $100. Overall: Despite a few sore spots, the quality and atmosphere, along with the interest of a rotating menu, will bring me back here at least twice a year. Recommended.
(4)Sheena M.
This place is easily one of my favorites in the entire city. Great decor, fabulous drinks, amazingly delicious food, perfectly sized portions and and ever-changing menu usingthe freshest and finest ingredients. Love love love. Oh, and Mexican Mondays are a must-try.
(5)Kevin K.
Wow. Sitka and Spruce just served me the best meal I've had in Seattle. Lettuce and radishes, that's it, made the best salad I've probably ever had. Now, I'm not much of a fancy diner, so I didn't really know what all of the things on the menu were. But it seemed like each of the items on the menu today had two foods i recognized mated with a third that I didn't. They have a way of putting food together in interesting and thoughtful ways that are simply inspired. Everything from the octopus to the locally grown lettuce to the wagyu beef was just about perfect. Man, I'm going to be thinking about this place for weeks. Can't wait to find an excuse to come back.
(5)James L.
Third trip back since my stint of not going for 6 months (which you can read about below). One word: Flawless. Right now this restaurant is at the top of their game. The seasoning on every dish was impeccable. The wine list has extensive by-the-glass selection (e.g. about 10 whites by the glass)--everything from a bright, acidic Vermentino, to sweet Rieslings, to a beautiful, floral, perfectly balanced Bourgogne Blanc. But the real star is the food: Stunning ingredients, simply prepared, perfectly seasoned. Go there now. After the whole kitchen staff at Anchovies & Olives changed (marking an ugly, precipitous drop in the food, punctuated by ugly new menus), this is my favorite restaurant on the hill. Right now, they're doing everything right.
(5)Tim O.
This isn't your mama's restaurant. If you want to carb load on never-ending bread, there's a Olive Garden around here, somewhere. If you want the staff to fawn all over you and flirt and wipe the sides of your mouth when necessary, Hooter's is right down the road from Sitka & Spruce. However, if you want damn good, seasonal gems and a professional staff that realizes that you're here for the food and not them, hit up S&S. Their limited wine selection is damn good too.
(4)K H.
Went with a group for weekend dinner...I don't know if it was the combination of things ordered ( didn't have much of a say) but everything didn't go together. The flavor was good but it seemed as if every dish was more acidic than the previous dish. I wish the server would've thought of this and made some recommendations but instead I was ill the next day. Probably not going back- the bread was the only thing I enjoyed.
(2)Ken E.
After having been here for brunch and dinner, I recommend dinner for a first visit to Sitka and Spruce. There are more choices for dinner, just look for the large chalkboard menu. Like the other reviewers, I really like the experience you get by coming here. The dishes are original, the ingredients are fresh, and the seasoning is complex. Take for example the roasted turnip dish. The bite-sized, crunchy turnips were cooked with lardo (an Italian salumi which I'd never tried before), pine nuts, and thyme. The combination of flavors was delicious. A friend and I tried four other dishes and dessert with wine: =Braised octopus with cress =Halibut cheeks with roasted greens =Roasted beet salad with grains =Chicken, heart, and liver-stuffed ravioli =Orange pound cake with olive oil gelato, yep it was really good A constant theme at Sitka is that vegetables are cooked to perfect textures. The cress was crunchy, the roasted beets were roasted but crunchy inside. Also, unlike a lot of restaurants, carbs and starches aren't used just to add volume to a plate. The food is prepared carefully so there's plenty of time to talk and drink some wine. Highly recommended.
(5)Dilbert D.
Went here for Taco Night! The food was excellent and fairly priced. Nice service and atmosphere. Not much else to say,except that I'd like go back to try their food on a non-taco night too!
(5)Katie A.
Sitka & Spruce is one of those restaurants that will change the way you view other dining establishments. All those 5 star reviews I've been handing out like candy corn on Halloween, yeaaaah.. well, I was wrong. I'll be honest, I didn't know any better. Now I do. This place is a true 5 star, and quite possibly some of the best Seattle has to offer. We strolled in and were immediately greeted warmly and were told that it'd be an hour wait, which was fine. I'd expected that, so no bigs. We walked across the street and had some wine at Pazzo since Serafina was all 'private party'd up last night. Boooo! When we returned, we were seated promptly and told that the menu (which changes daily) and the wine list were on the chalkboard up front. We decided on 4 small plates: Hedgehog Mushrooms & Acorn Squash Gnocchi with Black Truffles Trout with a warm kale & olive salad in a reduction Hanger steak (with all kinds of badass!) and a bottle from the Navarra region. Every dish was so unique and interesting and fantastic. We found ourselves in complete awe (no, seriously!) over the warm kale salad and steak. I'd tell you to order them when you're there next, but since their menu is always changing, so well.. good luck with that. Another great thing about S&S is that their small plates are bigger than most tapas' restaurant's small plates. You can also order most of the dishes in small or large sizes. The waitress and waiter were extremely accommodating and friendly. We sat and ate and drank for almost 2 hours, an hour of it was just us, and it was totally fine. The space is cute. Yeah, it's in a strip mall.. yeah, get over yourselves.. And most importantly, get over there. Now. 5 Stars people. 5 REAL 'I know better now, MMAD' Stars!
(5)T K.
Sitka & Spruce has opened their new Capitol Hill location, in the same market-like building as Calf&Kid and the meat place and what will be an oyster bar. That place will be hopping! and S&S has the potential to be a nice anchor to it. The food was, for the most part, super-yum and very creative. The olives especially were fanatastic. The kitchen is in full view and if you're at the main table it's like you're in the chef's kitchen. downsides were that, as a vegetarian, I didn't feel there was a lot for me. In the end we paid $100 for two, and we had only ordered a bottle of cider (cheapest on their menu), not wine. So I wasn't sold on the value for what we got. The biggest problem was that my partner's dish, the chicken, was undercooked. It was red in the middle. We pointed this out and got the "oh, yeah, that does look raw... well, we're new." Hmmm... that strikes me as a dangerous situation which I would expect them to take more seriously. I hope they work at least the cooking issues out because it has great potential.
(3)Kristin Q.
HOT TIP! If you love this place, keep your ears open about the owner opening a new place in Georgetown this summer. My review: Every time I go to Sitka & Spruce, I'm reminded of why I tell people this is my favorite restaurant. The menu always seems to have something surprising, and everything I order is delicious. The servers are warm, well-informed on the menu and the wine, and above all, they are gracious. My parents were in town a few weeks ago, so I took them there for dinner. We shared the big table with a couple other parties, including a group of three guys that lived nearby and were regulars. I loved that on a Saturday night, we could enjoy excellent food and excellent service, all the while rubbing elbows with regulars who were wearing hoodies & jeans. I LOVE not having to dress up to go out!! We stayed for hours, ordering plate after plate of amazing food to enjoy with our bottle of wine. We were never once made to feel as if they wanted us to leave so they could turn the table over. As for comments about the food being too rich, the service too slow, the staff too friendly....etc. This is the kind of place to view as an experience, not the quick in-and-out place with uninterested staff that you usually get. They will take reservations for the big table, but I think only for groups of 6 or more. If you don't have a big group, just get there early. It's worth it.
(5)Jessie P.
This place wouldn't turn any head to walk past it. Nestled in a shopping center on Eastlake, Sitka & Spruce embodies that unpretentious mixture of high-quality sophistication and a welcoming, easy presence. Only two reservations for parties of 5 or more are taken a night, so be prepared for a bit of a wait, and for the possibility of sharing your table. Americans can be extremely wary of this type of dining, but imagine you're European for a moment and embrace the fact that you may just meet your new best friend while munching through the most amazing beet salad you've ever had. Menus change daily so stop by often!!
(5)Oliver S.
Our 3 previous visit to Sitka and Spruce were great. Based on these 3 visits I would give it 5 stars. But our visit this week was very disappointing, especially, having high expectations. Here is why: 1. Salad with Moroccan beef was just blend; I was looking for some burst of flavor but everything in it was boring. 2. Grilled halibut was very dry; mushroom sauce helped a bit but I was looking for enjoying the fish that would be moist on its own. And it wasn't just our order, our friends order was dry as well. I felt bad for the good piece of fish that wasn't done properly. 3. Pita with yogurt, was just OK. Pita got soggy under the yogurt. 4. Things that were great at our dinner (Tomato and melon salad, bread by Columbia bakery) Sitka and Spruce, I really expect more from you.
(3)Erin W.
Being somewhat new to Seattle I was so excited to have discovered this gorgeous secret hiding place! It is so pretty! The old fashioned farm tables and tiny glass vases with single flower displays made me feel like I had escaped to a quaint, European countryside. It was a rare, warm and sunny day in April which, because of the huge windows, made the whole place glow. We ordered the warm dates and yogurt, the Yakima chickpea puree with stinging nettles and salted orange, and the marinated feta with heirloom navels and dukkah. Holy sh**! That's the only appropriate reaction for literally some of the best food I've ever tasted. Everything had this surprising mesh of flavors that ended up fitting together so perfectly. They were very attentive to the order in which the food came out and gave us time to savor each dish. I really appreciated their attention to detail and presentation. Everything that came out of the kitchen was beautiful and tasted amazing. I can't even imagine what their dinner must taste like!
(5)Ted W.
The food was very good and the ambience and design is extremely comfortable. The raw scallops with rhubarb were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, oysters and smoked mussels were enjoyable, spot prawns were buttery and really great, a very nice salad, and delicious cheese for desert. All of the food ordered was top drawer. The service was helpful, if a tad casual. This was a truly fine dining experience.
(5)Timothy F.
Went back finally after putting it off as long as I could, because you can see from my first review that is was less than a stellar premier. This place has an amazing reputation and the place really loves to experiment with different herbs and exotic flavors. I kept it simple with a similar salad like before that is so fresh and yummy without anything but lettuce and some hazelnuts, which is so wonderfully surprising. (I can't make my lettuce taste like that at home!). Then tried a pan "roasted" (or toasted?? haha) but whatever, it was to die for. Cooked perfectly and although aromatic touches with the spice combo, not overworked like I think can happen with these techniques involving major spices/herbs etc. Topped that off with a nice espresso and a piece of rhubarb pie and I was sold. And the fact it is a 30 second walk doesn't hurt either. Hope I go to 5 stars next time! It's in the new but very cool remodeled space called the Melrose Market and the restaurant just kind of flows into the open space and has nice big windows, which are west facing which can be a little intense in the summer but fabulous for sunsets. Busy during pre-theater but lots of seating nooks and bar type areas. Go and give you taste buds a treat because it is unique, trendy in a Seattle casual way and delicious this 2nd time around.
(4)Sheila Y.
This place is a one in a million kind of spot....Since moving to SF, I can safely assert that this is the best place I have ever been to.... This is saying a lot! i dream of Sitka down here and nothing comes close...even Boulettes, Bar Jules, NOPA, Delfina, SPQR, etc. etc. etc. I don't know what it is about that special little spot on Eastlake, but I dream of it at night when I push out nightmares of failing the bar. When I visit again in September this will be my first stop off the plane and the last before I go. If I could ever convince Matt to partner up down here SF wouldn't know what hit it!
(5)Natalie L.
We finally popped in for brunch today, as S & S has long been one of my favorite dinner spots (both on Eastlake and now at Melrose). The french press was good, though a little on the light side if you're looking for a good pick-me-up (I must admit, I'm not much of a coffee connoisseur). The hubby and I shared the yogurt with oranges, honey and dates, which was perfect. The warm caramelized dates went well with the thick and creamy homemade yogurt and nice tart orange. I also got the marinated smelt with stinging nettles. It was served cold and almost 'pickled' tasting. I love pickled things mind you. The stinging nettles were a nice earthy complement to the vinegary and herby fish (mostly dill and parsly) which was topped with a soft boiled egg. All in all a delicious brunch at the wonderfully light filled communal table.
(5)chris m.
Holy shit this place rocks, the menu rotates frequently, but everything I have had is awesome - the Meze plate with the different veggies is awesome.
(5)Sally T.
I'm sorry to say the place is grossly overrated. Negatives: 1. We were seated 50 minutes past our reservation time. It would make more sense to go back to the policy of not accepting reservations rather than keeping people waiting for nearly an hour in the hall. 2. The food was terribly over salted (and I like salt). 3. Some dishes were boring or incongruent. Considering the reputation, it should be consistently stellar. Positives: 1. Good bread. 2. Some good dishes, -- since the menu evolves I won't go into details. 3. Nice location. It was fun to eat at the communal table. We bonded with other prisoners in the hallway and with others in the restaurant.
(2)C. B.
FIrst time at Sitka & Spruce since they moved from Eastlake. My friends and I thought we would celebrate our friendship and how we all met by going to Sitka's new location on Melrose on Capitol Hill. The food didn't dissapoint and we had great service. My favorite was the anchovy dish with some unusual vegetable (it's not on the online menu, unfortunately), followed by the halibut with stinging nettles. Didn't know you can eat flower fleece either but it was lovely. The new location is less cozy than their old location on Eastlake where the tables were mostly communal (that's how my group of friends met and started our dinner club which started over 2 years ago) but thank goodness the food is still as good as the old place. After dinner and as we were having wine at the wine bar next to S&S, chef/owner, Matt Dillon came by to say hello after he learned that our group became friends after we all met at S&S Eastlake. That was cool.
(4)Emily B.
Yummy food, but just not worth it for the price. The portions really are small for the price compared to other restaurants in this price range. And the food was great, but nothing really stood out. Sure, the ingredients are high quality and local, but places like the Corson Building just do it better. I also wouldn't recommend this place for a special or romantic night, unless communal seating and hands-off service is your thing. Not a bad experience, but it just wasn't it worth it for a $100+ dinner.
(3)Karen L.
I cannot believe I have not written a review of Sitka and Spruce! We've gone on and off every since they opened! We tried them tonight at their new location. I have to say, I like the space! Very airy. I was sorta surprised though by the limited seating even though there was more space overall. We had a 8:30 reservation but had to wait for a while for our table. This would not have bother me so much but there was an empty table for 6 that was open for a good part of our wait. I know that it was probably reserved as well but by the time they seated us, at a communal table for 6, the other party at our table was getting ready to leave, the party for the empty table for 6 was just getting seated. (it would have made more sense to seat us at the open table and then they would have only had to ask the party that the empty table of 6 to wait a few minutes while they set up that table. BTW, the waitress offered to seat us at a 2 person table that was squished in the corner but since we were a party of 3, we declined. The best part of our meal was the spot prawns, followed by the sardines, and then the chicken liver pate with chanterelles and a raw yolk. For some reason, everything was a little over-salted....The least favorite, at least where value was concerned was the $16 "big" salad was not very big...while it was good, it was basically a stack of lettuce leaves (maybe half a head).. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal here...but I will not order the salad again as it is something I can make at home for a lot less. In the end, S&S gets 3 stars average (4 for the food and 2 for the staff being so lame as to make us wait when there was a much better option available)
(3)Conor G.
honestly one of the best meals I have ever had in Seattle. The atmosphere and setup up of the restaurant within Melrose Market was amazing. We sat at the head of the table and chatted with the chefs all night long drinking prosecco and eating olives, pan fried cauliflour with a fried eggs, green beans, and smoked trout. The manager was very nice and looked like Josh Groban AKA Grobes. I can't wait to go back and sit with the cooks again! That is my favorite way to eat.
(5)Trevin C.
The place was insanely hard to find since it looks like a real estate office from the outside. The decor inside is nothing to rave about. You could probably squint and assume that you were actually in a Real Estate office with it's relatively boxy furniture and small number of tables (6). The food and the way it's served it fairly unique. With any dish you order, you get access to their "buffet", which is a counter full of hot and cold dishes, breads, jams, etc. The choice for your main meal is pretty sparse -- when we went, you could only choose between 2 items. If you didn't like poaches eggs or octopus that day, you'd be out of luck! The service was excellent but given the restaurant is so small, it's hard NOT to have good service. The wait staff could probably feel a bad look on your face since they're basically sitting right next to you at all times :) Overall, I liked it, but it wasn't anything to rave about. We got seated right away, but I wouldn't have waited an hour like other customers we saw.
(3)christine c.
A restaurant for true foodies, the portions are small but sharable, and each dish is more interesting than the next. Highly recommend if you're into unusual, experimental food with locally grown ingredients. And the service is excellent, as well. Bring your own wine to help keep the tab down, because it's pricey.
(4)RONALD W.
A great local neighborhood restaurant with a menu that changes everyday with the availability of fresh regional ingredients. The menu is handwritten on a chalkboard by the door. European/american dishes of all sorts. They practice the communal table principle and if you are local you can call ahead and have them call you when space becomes available. Very small restaurant, so don't just show up with a group and expect space. After the first time there, I just have the waittress pick dishes for my group.
(4)Heather B.
One of the best meals I've ever had - fresh, unfussy, beautiful. Great service. Sit at the community table so that you can watch the chefs at work! Definitely recommend the chanterelle dish for as long as it's on the menu.
(5)Emma W.
I came here on a Thursday right as they were opening for lunch. The space is so quaint and homey. Sitka and Spruce has such a friendly staff and use fresh, high-quality ingredients. I sat right next to the open kitchen, it was cool getting to watch them cook. Their bread and whipped butter is amazing! I ordered their wild rice with cranberries and sheep feta, and I LOVED it. I also got a chance to try their buckwheat cake with LAVENDER cream.
(5)Shad S.
Excellent food, cool ambiance and good service! We were in Seattle for one night and wanted to meet up with friends who live in the area. I did some research online before picking the restaurant. I am glad I chose Sitka and Spruce. The wait was long, but it was totally worth it. The building itself is pretty cool. I liked the interior design of the restaurant. Our server was helpful. We shared two main dishes and two appetizers between 4 people which was enough. The ingredients were fresh. All the dishes were unique and flavourful. I was the only one who ordered dessert but ended up sharing it with everyone. Sitka and Spruce is one the best trendy restaurants i have been to. I wish we had a place like this in Vancouver.
(5)Rachel G.
The service was great! We had the assorted pickled plate and the ham and peaches with drizzled burnt honey. The wine selection is amazing!!
(4)Alan L.
Quite enjoyable meal! Seattle is the home of relaxed ambiance and wonderful food. Sikta & Spruce is a textbook example. Certainly not a fancy setting, but you will walk out after dinner wondering when you can return for another meal there.
(4)Jenn N.
I love sitting at the communal table for brunch. In fact, it is one of my favorite places for brunch in the city. My bf and I always get a large French pressed coffee to share and we usually get at least one refill. We love their buttery scones with even more of their amazing butter and honey. It is at once delicate and indulgent and goes so well with a cup of coffee. I usually follow that with their yogurt or hot cereal option that is healthy enough to feel better about the two scones but still so delicious that you don't feel you are missing out on something better. The huge windows make the mornings bright and airy and they never rush you when you are lingering over that last cup of coffee and trying to figure out 37 down on the crossword puzzle. For dinner, I prefer sitting along the wall with my bf, overlooking the windows. It is so much more intimate and romantic. In the evenings, the restaurant lighting is dimmer and feels more decadent. We love their house baked bread. It is so velvety and even better when slathered with some of their sleek butter. The chicken pate on toast is sublime and we always follow with a vegetable dish that is always outstanding to cleanse our palates for the mains. Currently, we are smitten with the braised and grilled pork dish. If you forgot to make reservations, put your name down for the next seating. Then head over to Bar Ferdnand, and your wait will fly by.
(5)Gavin P.
This great place has a lot going for it: PROS: the food is F-ing unbelievable. So tasty and savory. The combinations are also very new to me so this is a great place to go if you want to try a different experience on your tongue. The staff is so proper I felt like I was in a 5 star hotel on the East coast, very hard to find service like this in Seattle... it felt out of place but I liked it. The venue is located inside the Melrose Market which only serves local farmed fresh goods uniquely prepared. This restaurants I assume gets most of their ingredients from the market they are located inside. So its kind of nice to know exactly what you are eating and where it came from. CONS: parking is horrendous. Bread was not free... seriously WTF? portions were small. They were filling but they were small, especially since you will be paying 25$ for them before drinks.
(4)Marc M.
This place changed the way I think about food. The flavors that I tasted here were like nothing I've ever had before. Me and my girlfriend went out there on my birthday, and we ended up sitting at the communal table. I was apprehensive at first, but it turned out to be a great experience and I was able to see the chefs at work which was enjoyable. Yes, the menu was limited, but it encouraged me to try new, local, and seasonal things and what they do, they do well. Unfortunately I have recently moved, but I am waiting to go back to seattle so that I can eat here again. Worth every penny.
(5)Alrick F.
Yummy! Found the portions kind of small for the price but it was very well prepared and plated. Great place to watch the chefs work in the kitchen but not the best place for a quiet, romantic evening.
(4)Todd B.
If you know the things I love about great restaurants -- local ingredients, new American, unique atmosphere, distinct and changing menu -- this one has it in spades. The space itself is absolutely beautiful, charming and inviting. I felt as if I'd just stepped into a large kitchen, and that I had been invited to dinner in the kitchen. The family style table as well as the personal "bar" spaces by the window (not such a great view) were nice touches, and I loved the view into kitchen that was not divided off from the dining room but integrated into the same space. The hearth and flames made the room feel warm and cozy. The menu is very limited but excellent. I chose the salami and sauerkraut small plate, and the mussels, clams and bacon dish. It was a healthy portion of mussels and clams, but not quite enough for a whole meal. Bacon was cooked into the mussel and clam, and the taste was spectacular. The taste of bacon offset the more "seafoody" taste of the mussels and clams. I am on a no carb diet, or I would have enjoyed the incredible looking sourdough bread that can accompany any dish for an extra $4. The wine choices were limited but well chosen, and I enjoyed the cabernet. I also ordered coffee which came in a sizable French press, and it rose to the level of quality I expect from coffee in Seattle. I wanted to give this restaurant five stars, but I just couldn't. My service was average. I was seated immediately without a reservation, and the service was fairly quick. I ordered olives from server to accompany my mussels, and the mussels arrived but not the olives. It wasn't until I ordered the salami after the mussels -- because I was still hungry -- that she realized her mistake and said, "You ordered the olives. I can get those now." At that point, I no longer wanted olives. I wanted something more substantial. What bothered me is that she didn't really apologize -- and if she had really wanted to have made it right, she should have just brought the $4 olives at no charge. Customer service fail here. But that was minor -- I had a great experience, I would go back again for sure, and I was happy that I was able to enjoy such a memorable place.
(4)Justine M.
Great atmosphere! Very quaint and lovely. Everything is made fresh in house including the bread! The dishes are made more for sharing. I ordered a entree dish for myself (the chicken) and it was very good. The menu changes every so often. The waitress was very informative and professional.
(5)Mali K.
Loved this place. Everything we ordered was delicious. I'll definitely be returning next time I visit Seattle.
(5)Jonathan C.
There is nothing that I enjoy more than a meal prepared with fresh local ingredients with good friends and a nice IPA. Sitka & Spruce was not the place to go for me, or anybody that appreciates fresh local craft ales. Despite their extensive wine and cocktail selection, they only had two beer selections on their menu. They had a canned amber, and a canned golden. What do they have against hops? I asked the manager about this and he said they don't typically even offer beer on their menu. This is Seattle. This region is producing some of the best craft ales in the world and Sitka & Spruce completely alienates beer aficionados and the local craft beer industry. The dude does not abide. Skip the pretension .
(1)Tyler L.
Awesome restaurant though getting a table can be fairly difficult. We actually visited on a Monday when the restaurant is run by one of the chefs as a taco restaurant. These are not your typical tacos though. Each was a lovingly crafted explosion of flavors. The best was the shredded pork, though all the meat.based ones were excellent. The cactus and fish ones were just ok. The drinks were also phenomenal including the line and beer michelado and the cucumber drink. Service was also very quick and friendly, even allowing us to take the last set of 3 seats while we waited for our party and they were full. The huge communal table is a bit odd, but less intrusive than it seems to start. Finding the location can be tricky too as it is tucked in the back of the market. Too bad the Mexican proved so popular they are moving out now.
(5)Hannah L.
Something to know about me: in the spring of 2006, Sitka & Spruce opened. At the time, I lived on the East Coast...and I knew about it. This is a visit I've been meaning to make for years. And like almost every good thing that's ever happened in my life, it arrives when I'm least looking for it, toward the end of a week or a month of endless doldrums. So the man walks me there, and we sit within a minute at the west-facing window watching the lights go on over the skyline as the clouds fade. And the people down the bar are talking to everyone, and the man next to us passes over a little bowl of Portland salami and pickles because he doesn't need them, and the welcoming is warm and convivial and suddenly life, when plates of things like smoked trout or beets with their tails atop a spiced walnut sauce heavily studded with fluffy dices of feta or steamed Neah Bay black cod nestled on chanterelles and cream and golden corn begin to appear, seems perhaps doable and almost possibly lovely. Or that might have been the bottle of wine. But no matter, because there it is. An open, warm space with a little of anything local or seasonal, dressed up inventively but not so much that the beauty of the goods themselves are obscured, and served up on plates small but not tiny make for delight. Worth waiting years for, yes. But also perfectly accessible, as any simply good thing, for any lunch or dinner. All satiety and brightness tonight....
(5)chris s.
We'd been wanting to try S&S for a long time, so we had high hopes. The food was very good, no question. The bread & butter ($5.50) was delicious, although a very small portion. Unfortunately, we found the service to be a little condescending. We asked for more crackers to go with our cheese plate and were met with a hesitant "um, sure" ... so there was no way we were going to ask for more bread. We also had a baby, asked to charge our phone, and overall felt like we were inconveniencing the staff. The food was great, but we left hungry. There are so many restaurants that are just as good, if not better, and make you feel welcome.
(3)Poulina K.
I had my sights on Sitka for quite some time. On a Saturday foodie tour through Melrose Market, I finally had an opportunity to get a taste. Let's just say I can't wait to come back and have more. The space is small, but permeated with light and feels very open since most of the walls are covered in windows. Contrasts of white and chunky wood against the backdrop of exposed brick wall creates a welcoming setting. Almost as if you got invited to a chef's private kitchen. Make sure to make reservations, since this gem gets full quickly during dinner hours. A sign of a great restaurant, to me, is when the most simple dishes are done exceptionally well. And also, when your server can create an entire meal experience, simply by asking just a few questions. At Sitka & Spruce we had both. Freshly baked sour dough bread with sea salt and butter complimented by a glass of chilled Margon. Simple. Fresh. Divine. We also shared two salads of roasted baby beets and and fava beans. Each ingredient subtly elevated the flavor of another and together it created a perfect harmony of complexity on my pallet. Fantastic culinary experience from start to finish.
(5)Mike S.
Impressive/creative food in a very unique/cool space, plus excellent service -- it doesn't get any better than this! We really enjoyed the morels, roasted cauliflower (wow!) and squid & Garbanzos, but every bite of our 6 tapas-style dishes was outstanding! We highly recommend sitting at the chef's table -- while it is communal and our meal started with two noisy neighbors (they left quickly, thankfully), it is a cool experience to dine directly in the kitchen.
(5)Matt T.
Rating this place five stars makes me wish I hadn't rated any other as five stars. If I had only one night in Seattle, this is where I would eat. If I had only one night on Earth this is probably where I would eat. What I like is that it is artistically brilliantly delicious whole, local, plant-heavy NW style cuisine in a rather unpretentious, casual but tasteful and elegant space. You will eat food prepared as well as anyplace you will ever eat while wearing shorts and flip-flops. It's expensive, yes. Expect to drop around $150 - $200 for two if you get a bottle of wine. But you can easily spend around $100 for a couple at LOTS of restaurants in Seattle (see some of my other reviews). I'd rather eat at S&S half, a third, or a quarter as often than spend what some other trendy, spendy Seattle joints will wring from your wallet. Also, it's not perfect. I've never experienced it, but I'm not surprised to read about eye-rolling servers. It's a major foodie place that deploys a withering barrage of adjectives for things like tomatoes and squash. They're walking a line between insulting the patrons who speak their language and informing those who don't (like me). Just remember who is working for whom and enjoy the consistently perfect food.
(5)Esme M.
Overall, I would really like to be able to give this 9/10, but am willing to round up. It hasn't been perfect, but I'm not sure that its only worth 4/5 either. I've only ever been here during lunch service, so I can't really comment on the full range of Sitka and Spruce's culinary abilities. That being said, I have been there three times. Food: two of the three times I went there the food was excellent, but once I was let down. Once I had toast smeared with squash purée, pretty much smothered in cranberry beans and toasted emmer for texture, and topped with a poached egg. Altogether it was delicious, a really well composed dish. The squash was very sweet and not watery, and the beans were cooked well - not too soft, but definitely not firm. The egg was perfect and the emmer provided the needed crunch. Another time I had braised pork belly on crème fraîche with potatoes, trumpet mushrooms, and picked onions. That was also delicious. Possibly the most tender pork belly I've ever had, with perfectly crisp skin. The potatoes were a bit under, but otherwise it was good. However, on another occasion I had the same dish substituting confited rabbit leg. Although the meat was again perfectly cooked, the dish was too salty, and the potatoes were drastically under (I ended up not eating them). I also had their chocolate pôt de crème with sugar pumpkin mousse and buckwheat cookie crumble. That was delicious: it wasn't sweet at all, but tasted purely of chocolate, and the creaminess was balanced beautifully by the cookie crumble. Service: every time I've been there its been good. Once it was great, and the waiter was incredibly accommodative, thoroughly explaining the menu. Me and my companion didn't particularly want to share dishes so he did his best to make sure they came at the same time. This was partly a result of an earlier occasion, in which we could have benefited from an explanation that the menu was designed for sharing. Instead one of us received their dish about 5-10 minutes before the other. Ambience: really wonderful. Not too loud. I love the casement windows.
(5)Jackie C.
I love communal table/open kitchen restaurants, and Sitka & Spruce was the perfect place for a girls-night-out dinner & wine. They offer their sourdough as a starter and it was some of the best bread I've ever had in my life, seriously. It was soft and fresh. We ordered ham & sauerkraut, the chicken liver pate, smoked trout, braised & grilled pork. All were absolutely amazing with the wine we had. I take away one star only because we sat beside this couple that was clearly arguing about something and had maybe too much to drink. At some point they even broke a wine glass. The server could've made the situation less uncomfortable by assuring that we're going to be fine. Great service, just not impeccable, which is something I look for in high-calibre restaurants like Sitka & Spruce.
(4)Brooke K.
Maybe we hit it on an off night but the food was average at best. I had been dying to try this place and we had friends in town so I felt it would be a great PNW experience. The service was kind of snotty, when we walked in they pointed us to our table. Our waitress seemed exhausted by my friends trying to decide on a bottle of wine, she didn't share anything about the wines but the names and region. We had 2 average small plates and then the potatoes were pretty good. They had 3 entrees for the night but by 8pm had already run out of one? We did the only options of the chicken and halibut. The halibut was really good and the chicken was OK. There are so many great places in Seattle, so I just can't justify the hype of this place. If you are looking for great place with PNW flair, head over to Rock Creek. Their food is a lot better and so is the wait staff.
(2)Robin P.
I have eaten here several times in the last two years and have finally concluded it is not worth the money. The chairs are uncomfortable and the food overpriced. The service is always inconsistent. The menu is very small and limited to only a couple of entree options. There are so many better places to dine.
(2)Laleh J.
Guys, I was kind of disappointed after having dinner here, and I had been wanting to come here for over a year now. First of all, let's just put it out there, upfront, that there is no question that the food at Sitka and Spruce is excellent. Truly, our meal was very very delicious, and this restaurant really represents cuisine from the Pacific Northwest. I also really like the communal table- my friend and I enjoyed chatting with the people sitting next to us. So why three stars? First of all, my friend and I were literally freezing as we dined. I don't know what was up with the heating, but it was too cold for us to properly enjoy. Even now as I'm sitting at home on my couch, I have two blankets on me as I try to defrost. Second, we ordered the pre-theatre meal, but the portions were small for two people, I think. Both of us were eyeing our neighbor's bread at the communal table quite longingly. Staple and Fancy in Ballard also has this option of having a family-style four course meal much like the pre-theater meal we had tonight, but the experiences there and here are quite different. Much less food at Sitka and Spruce, and I remember the presentation at Staple and Fancy was just something else- it was more of a culinary experience there. Thirdly, I think our meal was slightly overpriced, despite the quality. Fourthly, finding parking was a pain in the behind, although that's not the restaurant's fault! I think it is the combo of these that made us have an A-OK experience. The food style is quite similar to Terra Plata and The Whale Wins- I think if I have friends coming to visit me in the future, I might take them to Terra Plata instead. Probably if I hadn't been so cold, I would have had a better experience, so who knows? If I had gone in the summer when the weather were warmer, this likely would have been a 4-star review! :)
(3)James M.
Favourite date spot, for dinner or brunch.
(5)Kate S.
The good: This place has amazing food. Hands down, one of the better places for northwest inspired cuisine. When you go for brunch, you must try the scone. The salmon, the picked vegi's... everything... just top notch. My complaint: The staff. If I've ever seen the biggest eye roll of my life, it was when the waitress listened to my boyfriend while he asked to describe something. She looked so irritated when he asked what kind of squash was used in a dish or whether the pickled items were tart or sweet. He's Mexican, they don't have this stuff in Mexico - be understanding that other people aren't familiar with some dishes. Jesus. If that 21 year old pretentious waitresses we've had when we come here had been slightly more humble, I would have given this place 4 or 5 stars and her a better tip. Unless you're a foodie, prepare to be patonized.
(3)Jess E.
La classe! this place has it. As an out of town food tourist, a restaurant like this is exactly what I'm looking for: excellent and charming service with all plates thoughtfully described, a beautiful original lofty space with an open kitchen and DELICIOUS FOOD. The bread is great, I believe it comes from the bakery in the same space. The mushroom and poached egg dish was to die for (white wine, butter and mushrooms can never be bad). The zucchini dish was artfully stacked and an original way to highlight the seasonal bounty. Would love to come back!
(5)Michael T.
Really do like this place. This is the kind of place you go to once in a while and enjoy dinner, slowly, savoring the food for each course (but you don't have to do courses). The wine list is solid, if you enjoy wines from around the world, but not so big that you are overwhelmed. If you need to eat and run, you may be happier at a sandwich joint. This place is for good food and good conversation.
(4)Fiona C.
Came into this charming restaurant with friends our first night in seattle. The place is small - make reservations people!! We sat at the communal table and had a good look at how calm the kitchen was with the three chefs. We had ordered a few things but my favorite being the cod in terms of flavor. Everything else was only ok. Service was alright.
(3)Kathy M.
I don't really know what the hype is about. The restaurant is situated in the back of a market, the openness of which invited flies to congregate around my food and wine. The food is overpriced for the quality, and the waiter forgot one of my dishes. This place is geared towards vegetarians, with most of the items on the menu being vegetable-based dishes. Won't be returning.
(3)Matt M.
This place is exactly my style. I'm a bit of a hipster, a huge foodie, and a lover of repurposed buildings. Criteria met. Excellent food. Well chosen wine. Fun atmosphere in a setting you would expect to see in an architecture magazine. 10/10.
(5)Andrea H.
I am so glad we found this gem! (Thanks to the reviews of others). We're a family of vacationing foodies and this place made me grateful our kids (ages 3 & 4) have adventurous pallets. We didn't have reservations so we sat at the communal table. While the place isn't designed to accommodate kids (high spinning stools), the staff did a great job. And, our kids loved the stools... The open kitchen, decor, and shops in the Market gave us all plenty to feast our eyes on while we waited for food. We got four dishes to share--family-style is how we roll, our goal is always to try as much as possible. We ordered one appetizer, a salad, a small plate, and a main. It was plenty! The kale salad with pear was divine. The kale was perfectly crisp and the dressing was light and not overpowering. The potatoes were the highlight of the salmon dish. I'm still trying to figure out how the skin was so crispy and the inside so soft. Mmmm. We rounded out with the cod, butternut squash, and rice. Sounds simple, right? To say it's the best cod I've ever had would be an understatement. It was a generous portion that was easy for us to share. The homemade caramels with the check--well let's just say mom a and dad each got two. I wasn't convinced the kids would appreciate them as much as us :).
(5)Bryan W.
Sitka & Spruce is a darling restaurant housed in Melrose Market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. It is squirreled away in the back but flooded with light from stetching windows. We ordered healthy, hearty dished such as an emmer (farro) salad with a dish of house prepared lox. Nearly every table (including us) started with fresh baked bread served with salted butter. Great menu which relies on flavor of ingredients to make each dish.
(4)mimi n.
One of the best restaurants in Seattle for NW/new American food. Epitomizing how we eat now--plant-based, respectfully developed flavors, with an interior decor that marries a garage with kitchen, Sitka & Spruce really delivers. Excellent. Bravo.
(5)Matt L.
Lunch in March. Was able to get two seats at the table near the kitchen and preparation table, which as others have noted, are my favorite seats since one has the opportunity to see the staff in action. Highlights this time: the pork belly, and the cookies with the cocoa nibs (unique and awesome!)
(5)Peter O.
Meh, that's all there is to say.
(2)Quinn I.
Let me start this review off right: Hands down the best meal I've had in Seattle! This has got to be one of the most adorable little secrets of Capitol Hill -- so much so that I almost don't want to tell anyone else about it, just because I want to keep it all for myself! My boyfriend and I went here for a Wednesday date night recently, and everything was absolutely perfect. First off, we made a reservation for 8:00 p.m. a couple days in advance. (Smart thing to do, it turns out, as they take very few reservations because it's so small. We saw several walk-ins told the wait would be over 45 minutes, even on a Wednesday. So do plan ahead, if you can!) The space is beautiful. Industrial/modern/Pinterest-perfect -- seriously, it looks like the set for a film, and they could make some serious money renting it out as a backdrop for nearly any photo shoot. The view is spectacular. Every detail from the sparkling glasses to the butcher block table was carefully thought through. This is the kind of attention to detail I love, that really makes dining an experience and not just a task. For dinner, we had three of the "sharing plates" (as everything is served). The menu changes frequently, and most of the raw ingredients come from their farm on Vashon Island. We had some of their fresh baked sourdough, delicious mushrooms, an entree of spot shrimp, and about 20 other various tastes interspersed between the plates. Great wine selection too (by the glass or bottle). My boyfriend loved being able to ask the chef questions who was literally making our food about five feet away, and he was happy to answer and talk with us throughout the evening. The service was wonderful overall, and very attentive while also leaving us time to chat without interruption. Finally, we shared the most amazing gâteau with fresh strawberries for dessert, and a small pot of mint tea. What else can I say other than we will definitely be back? Bonus: Check out the windows into their pantry/fridge in the back. Now that's proof that their ingredients are fresh!
(5)Joshua W.
My girlfriend and I visited Sitka & Spruce on a short vacation in Seattle. Most of our sightseeing revolved around what food we were eating and by the time we ended up at Sitka for dinner, we only had the appetite left in us for a small meal. After that little taste, I am dying to go back. We ordered wine and bread (which was super freshly baked and served with a whipped, salted butter) and decided to just order a couple of small plates to share. Our first small plate was a mushroom dish composed of lobster mushrooms, oyster mushrooms and a soft boiled egg served on a grilled toast. Oh. My God. The mushrooms were cooked perfectly, the egg white had a buttery texture while the yolk dripped all over the dish. The bread was a perfect vessel for the combination and it was one of those dishes I will remember for a while. Next we had a marinated zucchini dish, which was maybe a little less exciting than the mushrooms but fresh and well-dressed nonetheless. It's a shame that we do not live in Seattle, but Sitka will definitely be on our radar next time we're in town.
(4)Jessica C.
Went here for dinner with friends on a whim. Couldn't get a same day reservation but was told to show up before 5:30 and would be able to be seated. Sure enough, we were seated right away. Great food, small and casual but the food is that of a more refined restaurant. Service was prompt and friendly. I don't think I disliked anything I ordered. My favorite dish was a summer squash plate that screamed, "wipe the plate clean with bread." We also ordered halibut and pork. Both of which were executed beautifully. Highly recommended for the food and laid-back atmosphere. Didn't give 5 stars because the seats we were at were rather uncomfortable the entire meal. Parking, ha, good luck.
(4)Opal D.
This is my first visit since their move out of Eastlake... the new space is very inviting, not formal or stuffy. The food is always delicious!!! I only wish they had more space/tables so the wait would be shorter - but the wait isn't that bad - you can enjoy that time at the wine bar just a stone's throw away!!
(5)Tanya J.
A group of us decided to check out Sitka & Spruce's Monday Mexican Night this past week. Being that only one person in our group had ever been to S&S none of us really knew what we were in for and what to expect... What a WONDERFUL addition to Melrose Market. It's perfect here! I also believe Sitka & Spruce's exposed kitchen is my ABSOLUTE dream kitchen! Alright, so first thing's first -- be ready to stand in a long line waiting for a table since they do not accept reservations. The not-so-bad thing about having to wait is you have plenty of things to do in the meantime such as have a glass of wine at Bar Ferdnand, the wine bar next door, grab a snack from the deli in the front of the market, or get a cup of coffee from Bauhaus across the street. See, plenty to do! We were lucky enough to score a communal table right next to the kitchen which felt very rustic, open, and fun! The restaurant itself is ridiculously charming from farmhouse tables to tea rose vase. Ahh, I just loved. Now for the food. So again, it was Mexican Monday which meant the menu was entirely Mexican, and not in that Azteca-bring-on-the-greasy-nachos sort of way, but more in that Oh-am-I-really-in-Seattle-or-Puerto-Vallarta sort of way. We definitely appreciated Sitka & Spruce's authenticity. Ingredients were fresh, flavorful and creative! I started out with an Agua Fresca (I would come back for this alone, a jar full of wonderful green-ness), which was a nonalcoholic drink with lime, cucumbers and serrano. The cucumber flavor comes out nice and strong and this drink would be amazing on a warm summer day. I need to learn how to make this! We ordered a few orders of the chips and guac which included handmade and fried tortilla chips accompanied with a guac containing onions and possibly jalapenos explaining the nice ass kicking at the end of each bite. I shared my husband's queso fundido which was a cheese dish with onions and peppers served with mini corn tortillas. I ordered the yummy potato tacos (papas con rajas) which was really an assortment of flavorful diced potatoes, sautéed onions and peppers served on corn tortillas as well. Several others raved about the pork tacos being the best they had ever had as well as the fish tacos being to die for. All in all we were a very happy group which is [notably and historically] a rarity. The food was divine and tasted fairly authentic and I can't wait to go back! I love this little spot and it definitely deserves all the praise it's been getting!
(5)Nathan S.
During our first visit to the Melrose Market, we decided to sit down at the Sitka & Spruce and enjoy some light fare. The establishment is so cute and enticing that it is difficult to avoid. I ordered something that looked like it came out of the wrong side of a dog, but fortunately was tasty and delicious. It was served with some custard that could be used as a type of topping or spread. It was yummy, but too small for my giant belly. Nevertheless, I rather enjoyed this place. It's quiet and well-lit and provides an excellent spot for people to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, while they read the newspaper.
(4)Douglas C.
Really good food, vegetarian options, cute space. I came here for lunch on a weekday and didn't have to wait (joy of being a tourist!). It's a pricey restaurant, the portions are not giant, but the flavors and freshness are spot on.
(4)J L.
the Brussels and squash were wonderful but our main dish of pork loin was a huge disappointment. It was cold and the taste was strange- two of us felt the same and we left most of it on the plate. I really don't think I will back.
(3)Katie K.
The food here was amazing! We loved every bite. I had to knock off a start because of one thing: they "don't do" substitutions...well, there are a few things we don't eat and I think for nearly $40 per entree we should be allowed to request extra vegetables instead of beans (take note, paleo eaters). Oh rules. I'm sure your beans are delicious, sitka and spruce. I just don't want to eat them. They did kindly leave them off the plate. But I can understand why they don't want substitutions, their food stands alone and doesn't need your amateur meddling. Go here, enjoy it! Truly exceptional. But don't modify your food.
(3)Kai Y.
We went past this restaurant while strolling in the neighborhood during our weekend trip in Seattle. The chic and open look of the interior (open kitchen, big industrial looking windows, wood floors and wood tables) caught out eyes, so we made reservation for brunch for the next day(Sunday). We went there a little bit before they just opened on Sunday(10amish). When they opened the door, we walked in. The waitress (a girl with dirty blonde hair) looked kind of surprised and had an unwelcoming look on her face. So I announced that we have a reservation. The chef at the kitchen counter gave us a smile and signaled us to come in. Then the waitress reluctantly to checked on the iPad. She threw in with a very cold tone: what is the name? We were already pretty turned off at that point. She then brought us in. Without ushering us to our table, she just pointed at the tables at the corner and said (again, with a cold tone), those two tables at the corner. The she walked away... The cold service persisted throughout our meal. (I noticed that she was just chatting with another waiter by the reception desk numerous times instead of tending to patrons or helping out with the kitchen). We were not pleased. Luckily, the food was excellent that we were trying to overlook the bad service. We ordered the toast with chanterelle mushrooms with peas and poached egg. (All my favorite ingredients!), yogurt with roasted pistachio and some flower sauce (forgot the name), and hummus with chili pastes and mint (the bread that went with it were quite good as well). Every dish was well thought out and executed. I would be curious to try their dinner menu given the brunch quality was satisfactory. However, the service was not at par with the food quality at all. The service team should've been more well trained to live up to the same standard as the food quality as well as the detailed oriented and neat looking restaurant space.
(4)Christine B.
Definitely a place to visit at least once - the whole get up with the decor and the lighting ( I guess what fancy people would refer to as "ambiance" ) is worth experiencing on its own merit! I came for brunch on a fabulous late summer day, so the whole space was bathed in the most beautiful, slow, golden light...anyways, sorry for waxing poetic, but seriously a nice spot to take a lady if youre trying to show her some style. On to the food...which was good. The dishes are small, but I thought everything was prepared excellently - we had the lamb sausage, the salmon, a few scones, and the charcuterie plate...all of which I thought were good and FOR THIS TYPE OF MEAL pretty reasonably priced. If you've done your yelp homework and flicked through the pics, you should know its not the kind of establishment to come to starving. I'll definitely be back to try their drinks and sample an evening meal here. Overall, really enjoyed it.
(4)Jeff H.
Quaint spot on the edge of Capitol Hill inside a great local food barn. Troll the organic meat/cheese counters and wine bar before you get seated. Spot is elegant and peaceful. Like sitting at a table in grandmas farm house. It hammers home fresh food. Unique plates to share and unbelievable wine list. Ambiance complete with music on vinyl and staff who exude passion for the concept. Had butter/bread with sea salt, artisan cheese, salmon and local ham with kraut with a nice white. It will be a while before I stop talking about this place. Bravo.
(5)Katy H.
What a great lunch! I came with a good friend and between the company and the food and the atmosphere, (minus the lack of AC in 90 degree weather) everything was just about perfect! We sat at a high top communal table and enjoyed views of the sparking clean kitchen and bar. Dishes were savory, the food was fresh and on a hot day like this, no one forgot to refill our water glasses. Which was great because we each must have had 2-3 glasses of water. Among the small plates we tried the chickpea dish was by far my favorite. The salmon locks, the radish salad and the olives were also spectacular. My mom is in town this weekend and I intend to take her to great new spots. This will definitely be one of those spots!
(4)Margaret S.
I have been here twice recently - once for lunch and once for brunch. Both times were amazing. It's a foodie's paradise and the atmosphere is very cool - warm, industrial chic, set inside the Melrose Market. Service here is excellent - in my opinion a shortcoming in general in Seattle. My last meal was bacon, ramps and a kind of white bean. Devine. Oh - and make sure to order the bourbon and kombucha cocktail. So delicious, and now I use my own home-brewed kombucha to make this at home. This place inspires.
(5)Jean Y.
Finally tried brunch here, and while dinner still gets a solid 5, brunch gets a 4. Food was delicious but pricey. * Peaches, honey, & yogurt - Pretty presentation. Very sweet peaches, although the yogurt was a bit sour for my taste. Stirring in more honey helped. $7.50 * Tomatoes & burrata - Delicious and beautifully plated. Seven slices of tomato, four red and three yellow, topped with a chunk of burrata, olive oil, and fresh thyme. Very good but a bit pricey at $11 for the plate. * Lamb kofte with flageolet beans & fried egg - So yummy I dipped the potatoes in the sauce since we didn't get bread. $13 * Potatoes with anchovy & caramelized butter - Piping hot goodness. $8 The portions were small, and we still felt hungry after the meal. I think dinner here offers better value for the price. No wait to get seated, and food came out really quickly, dish after dish. The other stores in Melrose Market are actually open during brunch hours, which contributed to the vibrant market atmosphere. (At dinnertime, when all the stores are closed, the building feels more like an abandoned warehouse.) Still a big fan of Sitka & Spruce, but this definitely isn't an everyday restaurant or a place to bring those who value larger portions!
(4)Russell W.
Extremely well done, limited menu. Inside the Melrose Market, Sitka & Spruce does a few things very well. Pick a couple or three and enjoy. It's anything but mainstream and so much the better.
(4)Colin D.
Since when can you say that an asparagus dish changed your life? We had a date night here in early spring and it changed my perspective on what it means to enjoy food with people who care about all of the things that go into making a memorable meal. Our waitress could tell that it was our first time dining here, and she helped us navigate the menu. It's definitely the sort of place where you should order and share a bunch of the smaller portions on the menu and then share an entree together. Each portion of the meal complimented the next and it all tasted so fresh and incredible. The halibut entree was incredible. The texture complimented the flavor and everything was cooked to perfection. I would give this a 5 star rating if it had been a bit cheaper, but I will say that the meal was worth every penny. Recommendation: come early for dinner or make a reservation. If you're coming with more than 6 people, ask them to set you up near the food preparation area. They had a great long table set up for larger parties and they had a great view of the kitchen staff doing their thing.
(4)Andrew T.
Awesome food, awesome space, great wine list. Some favorites: Pate - I normally hate pate and I was impressed. It was served over bread with mushrooms. Melt in your mouth. Everything came together so nicely. Sturgeon w/ Couscous -- I'm a sucker for fresh fish and for mediterranean food in general. Great combo. Chicken w/ Wheatberry (? - some sort of grain) -- I think chicken leads to bland dishes in general, but Sitka & Spruce proved me that chicken can be made into a fantastic dish. The grain that came with the chicken was flavorful, with a crunch that provided a nice contrast to the chicken. Raw Olives -- Generic suggestion, I know, but they were some of the best olives I've had. The olives just fell off the pit and didn't leave any unwanted oily residue (I believe they were water-curated). And of course, the sourdough bread is fantastic. I had one of the best Pinot Noirs, so I compliment the wine list selection. They had Stumptown french press, so that alone was an excellent finish to the meal. The salted caramels were just icing on the cake. Dropping it down from 5 to 4 stars due to a slight hiccup surrounding the reservation and initial reaction by the front of the house. This rectified itself by the end. It provided a slightly bitter taste to start the meal, though.
(4)Bertrand R.
Amazing!! We had meals at Le Pigeon, Pok Pok, Tasty and Alder, and Altura during this past weekend trip and the meal at Sitka and Spruce was my favourite by far. We had a beet dish with borani, walnuts and mint this past time that blew me away. The other time we went was a lentil dish with harissa, lime, rose water and mint - mind blowing as well - one of my favourite dishes that I make at home now.
(5)Kimber D.
Really enjoyed this restaurant! It's so fresh and open and just an adorable little cafe. My man and I just went looking around the Melrose and peeked in there and couldn't leave without giving it a try. It was just inviting like that. I had a scone with jam that was DE.LISH. So soft and fresh and I'm not even a scone person. I also ordered a cup of coffee that came in a french press that was without a doubt the best coffee I've ever had! My bf was making fun of me because I did everything but lick my coffee cup dry! The service was good, atmosphere amazing, food incredible and just a delightful little cafe to enjoy breakfast and the paper (we sat in the window and got a great little breeze and great light). I guess the only negative was don't order the breakfast options if you're really hungry. The scone and my bf's dish were miniscule and came with almost no jam or sauce. It's really just for a very, very light little breakfast when you've already eaten or will be eating a real meal soon after. But defintely give it a try. I hope to go back for dinner very soon.
(4)Ashley B.
My boyfriends parents gave us a gift certificate here, it's really cute and romantic without all that pretentious nonsense. They don't take reservations so we enjoyed a cocktail at Ferdinands while waiting for our table. The food was yummy, not amazing but it was good. I ordered the bread and fresh butter to start and I have to say, this is the one thing that bummed me out. The bread was SO salty, especially the crust. I love salt and this was overkill, even for me. The butter was delicious though, who doesn't love fresh whipped butter? Our waitress was really sweet and made great drink recommendations. We really wanted to try their kombucha cocktail but they were all out of kombumcha :( We will be back, I'm looking forward to grabbing brunch there on a really sunny or rainy day, the windows are pretty dreamy :)
(4)Paulina D.
Oh. My. God. Sitka and Spruce is a life changing eating experience. Small restaurant. Open kitchen. Food locally sourced from their own farm. Menu that changes daily. It is a little pricey, but it's a great, intimate dining experience. When the boyfriend and I were there, we ordered... - smoked octopus salad - halibut - lamb belly Small portions, yet absolutely filling. They give you homemade caramel when you leave! So chewy and yummy. It's a cute thought. Check out the market that Sitka and Spruce is in too. Very cute.
(5)Nosebag E.
What a fun night out. This small and quirky restaurant within a small market building is a fun and friendly place offering simple fresh food cooked on a range in the middle of the dining room. We went on the first day of the new halibut season and were treated to a marvellous fresh dish featuring the said fish with purple potatoes and a fresh salsa verde. Absolutely what we wanted. Highly recommended for a low key dinner.
(5)Lindsay L.
Fabulous vibe, attentive and unpretentious service with mind blowing food. Eat- share -love at Sitka and Spruce!
(5)Taylor C.
Sitka and Spruce comes in about as high as 4 stars go. The food was top notch, the atmosphere is unique and the service was warm and friendly.... yet... I don't think the experience quite warrants a fifth star. I loved my meal and was happy with our choice, but I didn't leave with the urge to hand out unsolicited recommendations and make it a certain part of future dinner plans. That being said, the meal was excellent and I can't find a reason not to recommend Sitka and Spruce, The overall menu is structured to encourage a three or four course experience. We started with the sourdough, which was fantastic. We also selected a bottle of Gordello from the large and moderately priced wine list. Our other starter was the smelt, which I had never had before and turned out to be a very tasty salty thin fish. The next dish was a shallow bowl of gratin that segued to our main entree. We had initially ordered both the pork and the sturgeon for the two of us, but the server cautioned us on the size of the overall meal. We ended up with just the sturgeon, which for 38 dollars and based on the indication from the server, we assumed would be a much larger dish than it turned out to be. The sturgeon would have been a large entree for one, but I think an entree for two was a bit of a stretch (especially given the price). The split entree worked well in our situation given our selection of starting dishes, but I question the price point a bit for the main course. We finished off with a Basque gâteau and some exquisite Columbian press coffee. The overall atmosphere is a bit difficult to describe for me. The inside reminded me a bit of Walrus and the Carpenter, which I enjoyed. The location and arrangement of the actual restaurant threw me off a bit. We sat along the window side facing towards the interior of the building. I couldn't help shake the feeling that I was part of a section of a farmer's market or a food court or something of that nature. It was odd for me to see people passing through right outside or eating at the bar next door. Now I know that sounds like the experience you would have sitting at the outer facing window of other restaurants, but it struck me as a bit peculiar the entire meal. I feel as well that I am being a bit nit-picky, but it's a feeling I couldn't shake for the the duration of the meal and something I felt compelled to share. Overall, the staff was professional and courteous in their demeanor, each dish was wonderful - no trouble recommending them - and the overal atmosphere was enjoyable. I am very close to a fifth star, but I guess I was looking for a bit of something extra to put S&S over the top that I didn't find. That could be due to the high expectations, which is a bit unfair, and I may change my mind the next visit, but only time will tell
(4)Andrew M.
Nice spot for a meal in Capitol Hill. Three of us plus a baby had lunch on a Saturday afternoon, and enjoyed every bite. The food is beautiful and delicious. We sat at the communal table right next to the prep area (I kept kidding to my friend that she should steal another scone; there was a pile of them right next to us). Memorable dishes include the anchovies, which were impossibly shiny and fresh; the carrot and farro salad which had tremendous flavor and freshness; and the aforementioned soft and flaky scone which came with butter and strawberry jam. Two specific annoyances about the restaurant. First, they didn't have a high chair. We struggled through by holding the baby in our laps, but a high chair seems like a basic restaurant necessity; I've never been in a restaurant that didn't have one. Second, we ordered the cheese plate, which was two small-ish pieces of cheese with some (admittedly) delicious squash compote, but no bread or crackers. We asked the waitress for some bread with our cheese and she said: "Oh, you'd like an order of bread?" Uh, yeah, I guess we'd like an order of bread. Are you saying we have to pay extra for the bread to put our cheese on? I didn't pay the bill, so I don't know if we actually paid for bread, but this seemed like a conversation that shouldn't have happened in the first place.
(3)Laura W.
Possibly the best meal I've ever had! The menu changes daily based on seasonal availability and what's available locally, and if you sit in the right spot you can watch them prepare your food. The menu is pricey and the dinner is not quick (we spent three hours mulling over our four delicious courses), but it is the perfect place to spend a romantic or celebratory evening. Definitely a memory-maker. Highly recommended.
(5)Diane L.
Love love love. Especially the Monday Taco Nights! Their braised pork and fish tacos are spectacular. Service is always top notch and the space is so inviting. There is almost always a wait here so grab a glass of vino at Bar Ferdinand while you wait! Trust me, it'll be worth the wait.
(4)Yekta A.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! This was such an amazing place to go, the food was super delicious and super fresh. But, you have to have to have to make reservations as they don't have a lot of tables, literally. This is a cozy & intimiate place you will find on top of Still Bar and inside the Melrose Market building. Make reservations and enjoy! The best part, they change their menu everyday for lunch + dinner, what a brilliant concept!
(5)Denise E.
Loved being able to watch the open kitchen as the chef delicately handled each dish. Nothing was rushed. Just prepared in a manner that the natural flavors in each ingredient could shine. Of course the service was friendly and attentive. This is a great spot for foodies to enjoy a great experience. Not only is the kitchen impressive to watch, but you can gaze beyond the space and scope out the rest of Melrose Market. Each dish was perfectly timed, perfectly presently and perfectly prepared. It doesn't get any better than this!
(5)A W.
We loved the kale/beet salad with sunflower seed dressing, and my mother in law enjoyed her sturgeon. The rest of us (three) didn't enjoy our entrees all that much. This restaurant has received a great deal of hype on Capitol Hill, and for naught. I can't recommend it over all the other great restaurants in Seattle. I'd much rather dine at La Spiga, Spinasse or Cafe Presse. My "pork shoulder" was a fatty slice of meat, with a small scrap of the slow-roasted shoulder I expected. The acoustics are horrific in this restaurant. I'm really sick of restaurants not spending a few hundred bucks to make their surroundings friendly to conversation, which is what one does at dinner with others! I really don't get it. Our server couldn't hear us, and it resulted in the wrong dish being brought to my father-in-law, delaying dinner. Final complaint: Tiny menu - far too limiting. Don't fall for the hype.
(2)Gretchen F.
Amazing farm to table food in a cool "I'm a guest at someone's NYC loft" kind of homey urban environment. Delicious diverse and constantly updated menu with cool unique concoctions that leave me satisfied. If they have the cheese soufflé it is an obligation. Loved the salmon and the chicken but I suggest sharing the highly expensive entrees or 'ouch" on the bill! Good lighting in the place and that's key for me.
(5)Crystal M.
After leaving hungry from the last restaurant we eat at which was right next door, we decided to come in here because it looked amazing. From the window you see a butcher table laid out with all sorts of spices and herbs that are being used to cook and prepare fresh meal. This restaurant is very small and you sit next to each other on a long table. The menu was very limited and burying vegetarian center, so if you're a big meat eater be prepared. We decided to get the Farmstead cheese with crackers and Saltana spread with, which was around five dollars, and the salami from Oregon which was around seven dollars. These were both very good, and very small in portion, so we were still hungry at the end. Due to the prices, we decided to share a sausage entrée which was served over beans with a fried egg on top. It was also very tasty, and very beautiful, but for a bargain hunter like me, I didn't feel satisfied with my meal. After all of that, it came to about $41, which is a lot for the very little food that we received. I know we are paying for experience and quality so I see where the cost came from, but I probably wouldn't eat here again. Also the people seemed a little pretentious.
(3)Farz D.
Finally, a restaurant in Seattle that's not abandoned by 10pm! I had a late reservation for Sitka & Spruce so I saved my appetite for a little longer than usual for dinner and I'm glad I did. We started with the famous sourdough bread and a bottle of wine. We could have filled up only on the bread plate and I was sad that we had to send some back at the end of the meal. So good. The kale salad was oh so refreshing and also oh so much food. Entrees were the black halibut which was perfection and the winning meal of the night. I mean the lamb shoulder and roasted apples were good but geez was that halibut delicious. Oh and I love the setup! You get to see the chef and staff right out in the open while they work! They're not even behind a bar. So neat. Tips: 1) If you're not familiar with the area you should know that Sitka and Spruce is INSIDE Melrose Market Place at the back. 2) I suggest getting to your reservation a little early and grabbing a glass of wine or drink at Bar Ferdinand. It's also inside the market and three steps from Sitka. I mean, why not..what's one more glass of wine?
(4)Marilynn L.
I like it. I was a little underwhelmed because everyone raves about it so much that I was expecting a heavenly experience. But is IS what they say it is: delicious, fresh, local, inventive, organic. The decor is intimate. The kale salad is so bright and flavorful. No bitterness at all. Big, thick leaves with texture. A salad that could pass as an entree. The bread and butter with maldon salt was the best bread ever. I'd go back just to buy loaves of that. It was ethereal. The smoked trout, horseradish, potatoes, and thyme was our main entree and it was solid but not amazing. Housemade caramels that came with our bill? Orgasmic. All in all, an excellent but not superb experience.
(4)Carlo D.
Called at 6:30pm to ask if we should make reservations or arrive ASAP. They said if we arrived at 7pm and we'd be seated no problem. Arrived at 7pm sharp, only to be seated at 9:20pm. Once we were seated they were out of almost everything and basically everything else that was worth ordering. This review isn't so much about the food, but their inability to communicate expectations for the wait and lack of menu items once we were able to order. Food was great. But they need to improve their preparation for food (having enough food on hand to meet demand) and communicate proper expectations for the demand and wait time.
(2)Harmony W.
LOVE everything about this place, the food, the architecture, the service. The essence of Seattle and good food. Can't wait to go back!
(5)John W.
You'll noticed that a lot of the "amazing!' reviews are from tourists. Locals know that you eat at least as well -- if not better-- at any number of places, whether its Mistral, Chichetti, or even TerraPlata next door. Sitka was ahead of the curve when the opened on Eastlake, but years later, it's just another option in a sea of really strong competition. We visited Sitka after a long hiatus and were far from impressed. The chevre-heavy base under the chicken was too thick and sorta goopy, the cod was super bland. I was impressed by the beet salad and the salad with the egg, but it's tough to get excited about the appetizers when the entrees both flatline. If you're thinking about waiting for a table here, I'd do some research and find somewhere less self-enamored.
(2)Erik M.
My wife and I recently paid our first visit to Sitka & Spruce since they moved up to Cap Hill from their original Eastlake location, and it is a completely different beast, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It's not as intimate as the old location, but the new site inside the Melrose Market gives it more of a continental ambiance, even with the expansive view of new construction immediately adjacent to the west. With a large communal table hanging off the end of the open kitchen's prep area (where we were seated), you feel like you're hanging out in the kitchen at an upscale dinner party. We were playing hooky one Friday and dropped in for lunch, which tends to get a little winey, and this was no exception. The wine list is still expansive but not overwhelmingly so, and the by the glass selection is more than adequate for any taste. I personally enjoyed three glasses (or was it four?) as recommended by our waitress, and each was the perfect pair for the course it accompanied. As for the food, the focus is still on inventive smaller plates composed of premium ingredients. We shared several plates ranging from a pear and walnut salad to yogurt with squash and pumpkin seeds to pork belly confit, and everything was delicious. The only problem with the meal was the yogurt came out at the end of the meal instead of toward the beginning, which almost preempted dessert. Almost. But that's hardly reason to poo poo an entire dining experience. While I very much enjoyed our meal at the new location, part of me misses the atmosphere of the old one. Although I warmed up to the Cap Hill location over the course of the meal, I don't recall needing any warming up at the Eastlake restaurant. It's still a fantastic place, and one I wholeheartedly recommend you make a point of trying, but if it took me this long to give it a try after they relocated I have to wonder how long it will be before the next visit.
(4)Mike C.
Sitka and Spruce is a neighborhood gem, the kind of place you can come back to again and again. I've never had a bad meal there, and the constantly changing dinner menu, the brunches and, of course, "taco night" on Mondays, ensure that the place remains fresh from season to season. I also think it's one of the best run restaurants in Seattle. They take care to ensure that some of the place remains unbooked, so a walk-in is almost always possible if your timing is right and you're willing to sit along the counter on the West wall, and the service is knowledgeable and attentive, without being obtrusive. My most recent meal there was brunch. Two friends and I shared a scone (probably the best I've had in Seattle), a small cheese plate, some house-made yogurt with fall ingredients (squash, pumpkin seeds and maple syrup), and a plate of mouth-watering ham. There was nothing lavish about this meal, but the execution was impeccable, and I can't wait to get back there for dinner! Highly recommended!
(5)Madeline P.
Here's how you have fun at Sitka. 1. Have a good date who likes to drink wine 2. Come in casually. Sitka is not pretentious. 3. Relax, eat amazing food, drink a bottle of wine and enjoy your date Every time I come to Sitka I have a great time. My dinner is prepared in front of my eyes with local, classy fresh ingredients. The space is intimate and feels like I'm eating at the chef's house. Sitka is kickass.
(5)William S.
An unusual dining experience, for sure. To begin with, this is an upscale restaurant with 70% of it's seating at counters and only a handful of tables. The menu is minimal -- only two or three starters and the same number of entrees. The food is very simply prepared and nothing had any sauces or spices (aside from a dill garnish on the entree). Yet it was perfectly prepared and delicious, and surprisingly interesting. You might want to check the menu before going, since I ordered by elimination (only two of the five dishes appealed to me, and even then broiled onions as an appetizer -- which turned out to be very good -- felt like a compromise). The host ably assisted us in choosing wines by the glass which were perfectly paired with the food. This restaurant does what it does very well, indeed, but the range seems just a bit limited.
(4)Oliver S.
We didn't recognize half the ingredients on the menu and we ended up being pleasantly surprised. The plates were deceiving small, but we were filled after ordering two main dishes and a side dish (see pictures). the waiter suggested we share what we ordered, family style, and it was a good way to experience a lot of what the place had to offer. In terms of atmosphere, it was like I was eating in someone's kitchen with other people. We were seated right next to the kitchen, which gave us a great view of all the cooking action. I felt right at home...with 15 other people. For brunch, the place was moderately priced, prices a tier above the average brunch locations. That was okay for us though because the atmosphere and food made up for it. We definitely plan to come here again. Maybe for dinner next time.
(4)Peter L.
High quality ingredients, delicious locally sourced food urban decor and ambiance. (feels like you are in a back stall at the pike place market). High price compared to other wine bars in the area. Would probably not return for a second round due to price ($97 for appetizers with a bottle of wine, bread (not included) tax and tip), but I had a great time with my date!
(3)Andy L.
Sitka & Spruce is in the running for my favorite restaurant in Seattle. It is the pinnacle of our local food culture, and whenever someone from out of town wants to experience what typifies Seattle cuisine, I will take them here, if only so I will have another excuse to eat here again. I have been more time than I can count, for both lunch and dinner, and have never been disappointed. Sometimes the wait for a table can be long, yes, but it is always worth it. Besides, having a drink and good conversation across the way at Bar Ferdinand is almost a part of the experience now. It's hard to say what I recommend getting because the menu changes so often, but I really think there's no way you can go wrong. If you think you might like it, you'll definitely like it. Order it and eat it and marvel at the culinary magic happening in your mouth. The great thing about shared plates is that everyone gets to try so many different dishes, so take advantage of that. I can't wait until I go again, and if you haven't gone yet, what the hell are you waiting for?
(5)Blake B.
A client of mine recommended Sitka & Spruce when I was visiting Seattle and I had a great experience here. The building alone that it is in is great and has a few other stores that looked enticing as well. We went on a Monday night which is Malafacha night. The plates are relatively small but oh so tasty. Having a michelada to start off was perfect. We also had the quesos fundidos which I could have made a meal of by itself. Then we split the cochinita pibil and carne asada tacos. The pibil had a great habanero flavor but not too strong. The servers were super nice but definitely a little slow as we tried to get their attention multiple times to pay the bill or get more food. I'd also recommend sitting at one of the tables versus the on the back bar if you can. I'm curious to come back on another night other than Monday to see how the rest of their food is as I've heard it's really good too.
(4)Chira V.
uhm hello Kale salad with ricotta and grilled peach salad! I want you in my mouth like every night. Seriously. So good. I think our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs but the cod was perfectly done with crispy skin to match and I tried a bite of the pork, and was happy I selected the cod. I'll be seeing you soon, i hope. I'm talking to you Kale Salad. mmmmm...
(4)Holland H.
Mediocre at best... Disappointed. Ordered quite a few things and nothing I can even remember :(
(3)Sasha R.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the space. Pretty much the only reason I went in the first place. I was really excited about the concept and to try their food.... Unfortunately...I was very underwhelmed by the flavor profiles of each dish. Too much going on with not enough flavor. Strange ingredient combinations that left me scratching my head and feeling unsatisfied after each dish. My friends agreed that we all like ONE ingredient from each dish, but never the dish in it's entirety. Overpriced, menu too small, more vegetarian options would have been nice.
(3)Jennifer H.
This place was Good. Nothing more, nothing less. Food is fresh, atmosphere and design was great, service was B+. Staff was a little pretentious, but hey you're not here to make friends I suppose. Their sourdough deserves an applause, same with their beet salad, but overall, this place is nothing extra spectacular. Just Good.
(4)Johnson S.
I absolutely love Sitka & Spruce. I've eaten here a dozen or so times and the dishes never cease to delight my palate. The raw King Salmon with strawberries I had there on my most recent visit was simultaneously simple and out-of-this-world tasty. Just a note: they don't take Discover cards. A woman at the table next to us found this out the hard way. Don't be that person!
(5)Melody D.
I had the good fortune of coming here with a friend last November, and memories of a well-lit space, warm, friendly waitstaff, and delicate, savory dishes lured me back. I'm so glad I got to give this place another try in my second-ever visit to the emerald city, because while the first visit left my belly full and happy, and my wallet (mostly) intact, the second was bordering on rapturous, and for less than fifty dollars, has to be the cheapest ticket to rapture I've ever purchased. This time, we went for "Malafacha" Mondays, which offers Mexican food billed as "simple, delicious and passionate". I'm not sure I can best that description; the only adjective I might offer up is "genius". We ordered conservatively: a tomato-less guacamole billed as "avocado and chips" and two rounds of tacos: the cochinita pibil (Yucatan slow-roasted pork) and the beef brisket. For drink, I ordered a margarita, he a cool cerveza. Everything was wonderful. The chips were fresh-baked with a zippy crunch. The margarita was salty-sour perfection. The tacos, though, are really what floored me. I grew up in Los Angeles and have been eating Mexican food for the better part of my life - at roadside stands, desert restaurants, in friends' kitchens, and so on. Finding good Mexican food in a wet, rainy city a thousand miles north of the border borders on the surreal for an Angeleno. And yet, here, of all places, I find the promised land: traditional Mexican food executed with killer ingredients and all the big, bright flavors of New-American cooking. Part of the pleasure had to be the surprise - the disbelief - the get-the-f-out! Go shock your system, Monday nights at S&S.
(5)Yen D.
I went to Sitka and Spruce because it was on tripadvisor's top 20 restaurants and in the Seattle Met magazine. First of all, there is no sign from the outside to let you know where it is.. it's inside the Melrose market in the back so it took my friend a while to find it. Ambience is very homey, open kitchen where you can watch the cooks by just turning around right behind you if you're in the communal table. There are two choices to sit in the bar like area next to the wall or communal, we got the bar like area since that was the only one available. Their menu changes every day/week so here's what we had. We ordered the 1) smelt--wasn't fishy or overly salty, but just simple with some citrus and a bit of sweetness to it. Wasn't amazing. 2) half dungeness crab cooked in the fireplace with some spices with a cooked potato.. honestly it just tasted like a boiled dungeness crab probably because it wasn't marinated long enough. Didn't feel like it was worth the $29 3) roasted guinea fowl with sorrel. The fowl was moist, but didn't care much for the sorrel combo. 4) got the bay leaf/quince ice cream on a ginger cookie. Very delicate flavor. Thought it was very nice, but found it hard to cut the cookie with a spoon. I would definitely order this again. With our check, we got some housemade salted caramels. Definitely a plus. Would I come here again? Sure, if I hear something on their menu is excellent. They only take reservations if you have 6 or more people in your group.
(3)Amy W.
I was back in town for a visit and figured I should finally give Sitka & Spruce a try for dinner. I went with my husband and a friend of ours and we were looking forward to a nice local dinner. We made a reservation for 8:15, and were seated promptly near the windows. We ordered a bottle of sparkling to get things started. I thought I had said one bottle on the menu but the waiter brought another, I glanced at it and said yes and then realized it was the wrong bottle. He seemed irritated when we said we wanted the other. Not a big deal, but left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth - even if I did mis-order, should it be such a big deal to switch when the bottle hasn't been opened yet? We ordered a variety of starters and mains to share. A few weeks later, I don't remember all of the dishes in detail, but a few still stand out. The marinated fish (smelt, I think?) were delicious and a perfect start. The tomatoes from Billy's were perfectly ripe. The broccoli dish was not one I would've normally ordered, but it ended up being my favorite. The side dish that comes with the entrees (wheat berries, yogurt, lavash) was fine, but didn't seem to really work with either of the seafood entrees we ordered, and we didn't finish it. We ordered some bread to share, but never received it, so I don't know how delicious that might be (we had to ask for it to be taken off the bill). I appreciated the creative ways of presenting local northwest ingredients, but nothing we got, except for perhaps the broccoli, blew me away. Given the number of other exciting restaurants in Seattle, I probably won't be back to Sitka & Spruce anytime soon. Everything was fine, but for the cost and the expectations, I hoped for something more than 'fine'. Bathrooms: out in the main shopping area, you need a code from the waiter. Nothing special. 2 stars, if only because I hate asking for bathroom codes.
(3)Homan L.
The scones.
(5)Mary P.
I had really high expectations but the food was mostly okay and the service was mediocre. We ordered a croissant, squash in yogurt, chanterelles on toast with an egg on top and a smoked salmon dish with fennel. The croissant was the highlight of the meal - it was warm and buttery. The salmon was too salty (like uncomfortably so) and the other dishes were unremarkable. I also ordered a fresh squeezed orange juice (and double checked that it was fresh squeezed) but it tasted more like it came from a bottle. I regularly get fresh juice that's squeezed on demand and this didn't taste like that. They also took a very long time to serve us and brought us a bread and butter to apologize, but the service wasn't great. There was some ambiguity about taking our order (two squash dishes on the menu) and I wasn't confident where we'd get the right one. Overall, I was really hoping to like this and I was disappointed.
(3)Allen L.
It pains me to give them two stars considering the food is good, and I have been back multiple times because of the quality of the plates. However, I find the dining experience so uncomfortable that I'm not sure I'll be coming back. The problem lies in the fact that despite the restaurant giving off the look of a very casual restaurant, it is in fact the most stuffy and snobby restaurant ive ever been to. The waiters and waitresses have given me most pretentious attitude and it makes me feel like I should have entered with tuxedo instead of my Patagonia jacket.
(2)Alice K.
Delicious tastes all around. Go here if you're not too hungry. You'll probably want more food if you have the stomach of a baby whale such as myself.. Dishes are somewhere in between "French sizes" and 1.5 Lean Cuisines (just less healthy and 10x the taste). My friend got the peach / ham dish (very thin slices but juicy tastes) & I had the prawn / lobster / mushroom dish. ($17 each) Fantastic sauces and multiple complimenting tastes. Also had: paired wine & bread appetizer --awesome esp for the price (relative to the mass of the main dish.. I happen to be one of those people who goes for bulk often). The pate' for it was more like a hummus type but still very delicious. I recommend getting an appetizer, particularly the bread one if you're hungry, that will actually get you "full". Waiting time: If it's not jammed-- not bad! You'll get food on a not so busy day in about the time you could cook 2 1lb Hungry Man TV dinners (~15 minutes). Appetizer will come in 4. (You might be able to tell from this review that I was starving.) ~~~~~Gruesome details on eating sea creatures Random details about the prawn dish that have never happened to me before: I do not know exactly where shrimp eggs come from but there were a whole bunch latched onto the shrimp that looked like tobiko.. Not sure if they added this but it was pretty neat (and nasty looking). Weird pasty, not for anti-seafood eaters. Also, one of my prawns had red brain guts.. With the consistency of jello. Apologies for the details but this will basically be ingrained in my head for a long time. Tried all of it for my entertainment. If you consume this you will survive. **This visit was when I was so hungry I would have eaten a stranger's left-over pizza but my friend was going for fancy. This was definitely better than left overs**
(4)Mary Cecilia M.
I can't help but give this restaurant five stars. As a current New York City resident, I've been skeptical about the Seattle foodie-scene, but this Capitol Hill gem and recent James Beard Foundation award winner has me raving. My date and I went on a Sunday for Sitka & Spruce's supper--a smaller and more focused version of the restaurant's regular menu. We were instantly charmed by Melrose Market, which looks like a former industrial building that the restaurant and other food stands now all occupy--it reminds me of Chelsea Market in Manhattan except more intimate. Our meal started off well with a celery, hazelnut soup that was softly fragrant, warm but not too hot, and presented with a beautiful drizzle of olive oil and what I think were chives. It was gone quickly and luckily we had ordered some olives and salami to tide us over until the main courses. Our two entrees arrived and we shared them: a halibut that melted like and tasted like sweet butter and a crispy duck leg. Both were over some butter lettuce and mint greens with a perfect, if a bit too generous, creamy sauce. Without a doubt I'll be talking about this restaurant when I'm back in Manhattan. And without a doubt I'll be back to Sitka & Spruce--especially as I'm ever-eager to sample the restaurant's regular menu.
(5)Karen S.
The food is delicious, the decor is snug and inviting, and the service, excellent! A great place for a date w/ your partner, friends, and/or family! I honestly couldn't ask for anything better. MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!! They recommend sharing dishes when ordering and we definitely took their advice for our dinner. We had dinner for my b-day in November (& b/c the menu changes often, the dishes I mention may not be offered when you visit) & we had two appetizers, two small plates,one large plate, and a dessert. The dishes I remember the most are: (appetizer) pickled smelt, (sm plate) kale salad w/ an amazing dressing that I'm still thinking about an entire month later, (dessert) almond flavored pie (that reminded me of a really delicate and rich Southern dessert called chess pie), and a (large plate) pork dish that tasted amazing! I wish I could remember more details, but honestly I was so enamored of all the flavors of the food that I just wanted to enjoy all the deliciousness, HA! Our total bill was about $90 and we had one glass of wine, and a bottle of mineral water. It was WELL WORTH every dollar we spent.
(5)Arry Y.
Had a great meal here - it's in the very hip Melrose market. Walk inside, and it's off one of the corners by Bar Ferd'nand (which actually serves as the bar for Sitka & Spruce). Communal tables, rustic, branches and scattered pumpkins, long communal tables and kitchen within easy view -- definitely takes on the theme of bourgeois bohemian.... and of the bourgeois European feel that's trying to be hipster and laid back... but hip... I'd vote that anything going along with the theme of meat and potatoes is divine here - potato/tubers with egg, the pork (!), ... the fish/seafood... not so much. They were ok if you have to eat them. Great service/staff.
(3)Bill P.
Let me first apologize for my review being so general. I ate here 2 months ago on a business trip, so the details of the meal escape me. Secondly, a disclaimer is necessary. I sat diagonally across from the owner's mom for a portion of the evening. She and her party were funny, friendly, and intelligent - an absolute pleasure to talk with. Through the course of the evening we got to know the owner a bit AND his mom bought my party dessert. Sitka & Spruce is everything good about a restaurant. Plenty of chefs can cook a meal properly. Plenty of restaurants have good wine lists. Plenty of places are festive. Sitka & Spruce brings it altogether into a single, cozy venue. My colleagues and I decided to order a number of small plate items and a main meal. Everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned well: great use of herbs instead of just salt. The wait staff recommended glasses of wine to pair with each group of dishes that came out. Everything paired well. They used locally sourced products right down to the wine. Although it's more common these days for restaurants to do so, I'm always impressed. We had the good fortune to sit at a long table diagonally across from the open kitchen. Several other parties throughout the course of the evening sat to either side of us. To say the least, it was festive! We talked with a group of people from Seattle on one side and a couple from NYC on the other. A great time was had that evening. I highly recommend an evening there.
(5)Conrad C.
I haven't been this disappointed after a meal in a long time. S&S gets 3 stars because it was still a decent meal, but the enormous hype surrounding this restaurant had me expecting a lot more. The space is really great. It's in the Melrose Market building, which it shares with a number of other high-end shops. The windows in the restaurant face west toward downtown and they have some high-top chairs on a counter looking out. We had one of the traditional tables, but they also have a larger, bench-like table closest to the kitchen which is presumably for communal-style seating. The wine list is varied and includes a good range of cheaper and more expensive options, so it should suit everybody. We saw some people quaffing beer but it was not listed on the menu so I'm not sure what they have. It feels silly to say, but the bread was the best part of the dinner. It has a nice hard crust but soft interior, perfect for spreading. They offered butter, duck fat, or ling cod pate. We were unsure which to choose among the last two, so they brought both, which was nice. The duck fat was really, really good. The pate didn't have much flavor but, then again, neither does cod. It was still a nice, salty, and very butter-like alternative to the duck fat. The other great dish was a beet salad served with a piece of cheese similar to provolone. The beets were really fresh and the cheese was the perfect complement. The salad was paired with crushed walnuts and mushrooms as well. We also shared smoked mussels with lobster mushrooms, which were fine. Honestly I've made equally good mussels myself; I'm sure that S&S, like me, uses Taylor Shellfish mussels, so I should have known they'd be about the same. Another dish we had was air dried ham with apricots. The ham seemed basically to be prosciutto, which was good but not the best, but the apricots were a dud. They didn't taste fully ripe and so didn't pack their full flavor. The biggest disappointment, however, was our main dish. We opted, at our waitress's recommendation, for Le Grande Aioli, which is a cold seafood dish with a smattering of raw vegetables, like cucumber and cauliflower (white and purple). There were Dungeness crab claws, halibut and a little bit of salmon. It looked like a bunch of things were just randomly thrown on the plate and it didn't taste much better either. Even the salmon didn't pack much flavor, surprisingly. The fact that it was served chilled probably didn't help things but it was just a completely underwhelming dish. Neither of us finished it.
(3)Alex F.
Never had a chance to even sample the food because the staff lied to us on the phone about their availability; when we arrived, they refused to offer us anything but a "sorry that we lied to you" and "hope you come back" but wouldn't honor their lack of transparency. Pretty pissed because we cancelled a reservation somewhere else to come here when they told us to swing by.
(1)Daniel D.
Brunch here was awesome! Great modern lofty ambience. Was barely busy from 10:30-12 on a Saturday, which was a nice surprise. Really enjoyed the mushroom dish but the scone and the croissant were out of this world.
(5)Sin-Yaw W.
What a surprise! This place is well hidden. First find Melrose Market, enter the building and walk toward the end of the building. There is a section divided by glass panels and that's the restaurant. Clearly those who come care about foods and only foods. The menu is very small, only three entrees in fact. They encourage sharing so we just order them all. Everything was carefully and artfully prepared, with oriental, probably Indian, spices. The vegetables are so well selected and fresh that was very refreshing. You don't come to this restaurant for big portions. Instead, to enjoy foods and the art of cooking. Desserts are probably their weak point. I should have ordered "pour over" coffee which is simply french press. --------------- So I came back for the brunch and its scone is really really nice. Crisp on the outside, crunchy and light inside, nice currant, excellent jam on the side. It is a must have.
(4)Phillip K.
Fantastic farm to table dining in Seattle. Really one of the best places i've ever been to. every single thing we ordered was amazing.
(5)Abby T.
This place is great, I have no complaints at all. The food was fantastic. The menu is small but anything you order is fresh, innovative, and possibly a new introduction to your pallet. I had to refrain from literally licking my plate clean - even the salad plate :) A bit spendy but well worth it. Atmosphere is not formal, but I wouldn't go in wearing my gym clothes - small but comfortable - it fits maybe 30 people. There was a bit of a wait (naturally, given the above mentioned...) but if you give them your cell phone number they will call you when your table is ready, so you can have a beer at pine box or pop next door to Taylor Shellfish for an app.
(5)Randall F.
I wanted to like this place more but the food was just okay. The atmosphere and setting were great, a very relaxed, open kitchen feeling. I might try again for brunch to see if I get better experience.
(3)Steve P.
Was in the mood for a good meal and thought I'd give this place a try. Was flying solo and rolled in around 8- they were fairly busy for a Thursday but I was promptly seated at a counter seat along the back wall. The counter is lined with windows but there's nothing to really see since there's an apartment building right across the street. The real view was happening behind in the open kitchen. When I say open kitchen, think grandma's kitchen with top-end stove and wood-burning oven. Ok, so your grandma's Martha Stewart but it was a pretty cool kitchen and dining room. Decided to start with a 1/2 order of bread and butter after reading a review with a foodgasm over it. It was some pretty good freakin' bread and butter- almost brought a tear to my eye. For my main, went with fresh halibut with nettles and taters. Fish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. I had never tried nettles. I've run through them and ended up red and blistered, but have never dined on them. In case there any nettles reading this review, a question- why the f do you need stingy things? I mean you're ok to eat and all but you ain't all that. If anybody needs stingy things, it's peas or kale or collard greens. I guess the point is that the nettles were a miss for me. Not awful, not great. Only other miss was on the cocktail, a gin and tonic. Basically, it was a tonic because I'm not sure the gin made it in. Overall, good, friendly service and a good meal. I'll be back next trip to Seattle.
(4)Sam H.
How do people ever find restaurants like this? A restaurants that gets all it's ingredients locally and freshly make everything pretty much 40 feet from where you sit down. Well Katie some how did and much props to her for it. Here's what I have to say about Sitka and Spruce, Atmosphere, provides an feeling that's very european in the sense your view can be a combination of the window rimmed with a stone frame, a large family table, or streets with hill where people walk. Food: Outstandingly simple yet delicately flavored. Heavily favoring the the vegetarian side. Not quite what i was looking for with my massive dehydration induced by drinking diuretics of bicarbon compounds. Tomato and Burratta-- Imagine a tomato where you felt like you grew and picked from the back yard first think in the morning, where it just cooled off from the previous day's sun and kissed by the crisp morning dew. (Sweet, juicy, and firm) but yet it some how melts in your mouth. Comes with a Burratta and basil leaves that just compliments it with out competiing for it!!! WOW Washington Farmstead cheese: Good cheest but I had to laugh a little... b/c it seemed more like a "hey... just try it sampler" than an actual menu. Goat and Fried Egg- Egg made with what was almost sunny side up but firm enough that it doesn't ooze. I think this is how I would like my eggs now. The goat... gave me the meat that I was looking for. Bread and Butter- Funny that it was in the menu and not served freely. But since you pay for it I guess it makes you appreciate it more. Bread - crisp, moist, and fluffy. Must of made it a few hours ago and waited for it to be cooled to the right temp and cut right before they served you. Grilled Squash and Feta: This kinda came alittle late so... I was getting full. I might have to say I think this was forgotten b/c it was cold by the time it came. But none the less... already in a good mood and full so wasn't gonna complain. Chick-Pear Pureer with Carrots and Harissa? nice and filling. Sitka and Spurce: I may have to say the food brought a smile and a laugh, the atmosphere brought me calmness, and the kitchen inspired me.
(5)Jens J.
Absolutely the tastiest food I've had yet in Seattle. Our waitress asked us if we were blown away by the food. Yes, were were! This was our first visit to Melrose Market and were we ever pleased. We sat at the counter and placed orders for the Lamb Manti and the Ful Medames. We also ordered the "small" bread platter. The quotes around small are because there was plenty of bread, of at least three different kinds. Each bread was perfect in flavor and texture, and so was the smooth and creamy butter. I can't overstate how good was the Lamb Manti with fried mint, yogurt and carmelized butter. It's oh-so-delicious broth was great for dipping the bread. Also excellent was the served cool Medames with pistachios and a fried egg. Both dishes were beautifully crafted. If you pay attention to the table where the chefs are working (and our waitress encouraged us to walk over and check out the table) you can just tell they are using top-shelf ingredients. It's not cheap and portions are not large at Sitka, but so what. Our lunch was truly a culinary masterpiece. The fine china and linen napkins only enhanced the experience. Even the ice tea was over-the-stars wonderful. Note: the menu does change daily.
(5)Shyamala L.
Their butter croissant with caramelized goat's milk is the best ever. Didn't enjoy the other dishes so much, but will come back for another try when the menu changes.
(3)Laura N.
Let me start by saying... I love their bread. I first went for a girls night and the sourdough bread rocks my socks off. I was a bit disappointed when I went here last Sunday for my boyfriend's birthday and found out they don't make their sourdough on Sundays. Nonetheless, the baguette was still delicious and we gobbled it up. Ps. They sell their sourdough bread to go on the nights they make it, too! Their Sunday menu was a bit different from their weeknight menu. Less choices and more "individual servings" than sharing plates. We loved the simple salad and delicious meatballs (Greek style platter) they had on the menu this night. I recommend always trying one of their "from the fire" menu items - like the meatballs on this occasion, and their chicken platter last time. I love how their menu is unique to each month and uses fresh, local ingredients. Wine selections are great, and they serve Hilliards Beer, which is another local fave. Lastly, their space is just cool. It's in an old exposed brick style building within the Melrose Market. I hear their communal table is cool...near the chefs, so I plan on checking that out next time I'm there. Great restaurant...I'm excited to check out their Monday Mexican night too.
(5)Jeff F.
I know it's a sin to give these guys 3 stars, but I just wasn't impressed. Tried about 6-8 different plates and overall though it was ok. A couple of plates seemed worthy of the hype, but a lot of what I ate seemed like it could only be appreciated by a really educated palette that appreciates complex food. Can't recommend. BTW - dessert options were lame.
(3)Jenn W.
We ordered so many things to give Sitka & Spruce plenty of chances to prove its deliciousness, but no. We came for brunch on a Sunday. The ambience was totally hipster and young (I saw many gayish dudes eating together with cuffed pants, combed hair and glasses) which is usually fine for me, but it was kind of overwhelming. The place is small but not crowded. The things I did like were: Bread - The inside was soft and the outside was nutty. Tasty. Soft butter was really just soft butter, but with salt on the top. Scone - BEST scone. I don't even like scones and was down to order another when we weren't full. Water - I like how they gave you a bottle of water a the table for self-filling instead of coming around with pitchers. The scone was the only thing I would find it worth going back for, and even then I'd probably just get it to-go. Also, despite four of us ordering 6 things, we were still hungry afterwards and got another scone. But I still could have eaten more :( Cost after tip was $75 for four, for brunch.
(2)El C.
Walked in on a Friday night totally on a whim not even really hungry. We were seated right away. Ordered a couple of small dishes. I kept trying to decipher what those crazy flavors were, but eventually gave up and just accepted that it was some obscure ingredients. Whatever they were, I don't care....all I know is that everything was absolutely delicious! The chef has some really inventive combinations of flavors.
(5)christian C.
I'm really only giving this 3 stars because of the duck, which was awesome. The rest of the dish though really didn't work. It was a pile of cabbage cut into large pieces full of apple slices over some cold bean puree. Why was the puree so cold? The dish, except for the excellent duck, was also lacking in flavor overall. Similarly, the appetizer of Quillayute salmon over potatoes also was rather bland. There was too little salmon with too much potato, and as such the flavor of the salmon was lost. The pork loin was cooked well, but a little on the boring side, as was the sausage. The charred pieces were good. It was served with turnip puree (also cold!) and turnip greens, all over rye berries. The rye berries were good and added a nice toothsome to the dish. If it wasn't for the duck, this place would only merit 2 stars.
(3)Celeste T.
I've been here a couple of times now. I enjoy their selection of tasty plates, though it's honestly difficult to remember exactly what I have eaten - my husband and I always like to order a good selection of dishes and share. Our servers have been helpful and make good recommendations on what dishes on the menu currently are the best. I know that more detail would be nice but I can't seem to pick it out of the ether right now :\ Also, they make a mean G&T! The atmosphere is nice, too. I actually like sitting at the big table with other patrons, but it's also extremely awkward. I'll say something to interject in another person's conversation, and we will make hesitant eye contact, and then it will still be awkward and die. I blame this on America's lack of sociable public dinners.
(4)K C.
Fun, relaxed atmosphere with fresh, delicious and inventive food. Hadn't been here since they moved out of the little spot on Eastlake. Food and service are just as as good but the space is much better. Comfortable and intimate, I really felt like a guest, not just a customer. We were seated at the kitchen end of the long table, which was great. By the end of dinner I was already excited for my next visit.
(5)Party P.
My partner and I went to this place on our first night in Seattle with a couple of friends. Tried many of the smaller dishes on the menu as a group. Included: Smoked salmon salad with fiddleheads, asparagus, peas & gizzards, fresh chickpeas + squid dish, charcuterie. Overall, mmm buttery. Woke up that night with a terrible stomach ache & had VIOLENT food poisoning for ~12 hours! Could have been this meal, or the $4 gin & soda & lime I drank at contrived dive bar Montana. Woooof.
(2)Betsy T.
The food here exceeded my expectations. I came for brunch at the suggestion of a friend, and was initially disappointed by the menu selections. I'm typically into big brunches involving eggs, hash browns, and french toast, and everything on their menu looked like some kind of salad. But I ended up loving it - everything had a lot of great flavor and left me with a sense of trust that I could order anything off the menu and it would not be sub-par. We started with the scone with butter and rhubarb. The scone was buttery and delicious, more like a good biscuit. I'd never had rhubarb that wasn't in the form of a compote, and it tasted like a cross between grapefruit and celery. We also had their yogurt with orange zest and elderflower, which was very good also. After the scone and yogurt, we tried the chickpea puree - excellent favors, chunky and garnished with cucumber, though it was weird to eat chickpea puree on its own so we ordered bread to go with it, and the bread was chewy and delicious. We also got the broccolini with migas and a poached egg. This was my favorite - the broccolini had some kind of dressing or sauce on it that was really tasty. I liked the space - open and airy, and the open kitchen concept is cool. I was afraid it would be too hipster, but it didn't have that kind of vibe. It was definitely pricey at $70 for two, but I felt the quality and flavor of the food lived up to its price.
(4)Dean M.
After much anticipation and hearing nothing but great things about this place all over facebook and by word of mouth, I finally got the opportunity to eat brunch at this place. Short and simple, it was good, but there wasn't the "WOW" factor I was hoping for. The dishes, though enjoyable, felt like they were missing something that would complete the experience. I think we tasted a good 7 dishes. I would recommend the harissa/beats and scones. Skip the yogurt. I've tasted better yogurt from Dannon. Enjoy the view, it won't be there much longer once the new apartments are built.
(3)Vanessa F.
Sitka & Spruce is fast becoming one of my favorite places to take friends for brunch. It is located in the Madison Market toward the back of the main building on the first floor. The food is quintessential New American. It's fresh, organic, locally grown, and sophisticated; you can choose foods such as dukkah, ful medames, harissa, and speck. The flavors are nuanced and expertly combined. The surroundings are also delightful. There are high ceilings and tall windows all around, an open kitchen, and a light, airy decor. As the restaurant is small and usually quite busy, I always book a reservation in advance. I would suggest doing this, particularly, if you have a party greater than two. I have yet to have dinner here; unfortunately, I called to book a reservation only to find the waiting list is two weeks long. I interpret that to be a strongly positive indicator as there are so many fabulous restaurants on Capitol Hill.
(5)Cynthia C.
Absolutely amazing on every level. Decor/ambience - open kitchen, warehouse, intimate, spare, yet gorgeous Food - 5+ stars We had a salad and two small plates to share - morels and asparagus, bread, olives and dessert. All were truly outstanding. Wine - had a local WA red, which was fairly priced by the glass. Service - just right. Very knowledgeable and attentive, but not pushy or hovering. This was one of the best dining experiences I've had. Price - fair. Small plates were around $16. Our experience was $100 for 2 people and worth every cent.
(5)Steve M.
One of the best meals I have ever had. Great to share. Flavor balance is fantastic. Start with fresh seasonal ingredients and add just notes of flavor and you have a great meal.
(5)Daniel S.
5-star experience BUT for the hostess, who was curt and less than friendly. Our friendly, helpful servers made up for her. Delicious, local food. It felt like dining in the kitchen of a French chateaux. HIGHLY recommend.
(4)Alice C.
I remember going to their previous establishment on Eastlake, feeling hungry and unsatisfied, wondering what all the glowing review was about. I went there again today for lunch to celebrate a co-worker's retirement, and what I have to say is the chef lives up up his James Beard award. We had cheese plate, squash with tahini and pumpkin seed sauce, fir cured salmon, and lentil salad. The food is nothing like I have tasted anywhere. Fresh and innovative. Definitely an experience worth trying. The waitress was great recommending the right number on dishes for us to share. (To restaurants on the Eastside: please take note. this is how great food is done) I definitely will be back.
(5)Will G.
Went here twice during the summer I lived in Seattle. The food was amazing and the menu changes almost daily. The food focused on the local ingredients without too many fancy embellishments. Everyone who spends some time in Seattle should eat here.
(5)J G.
Good food, bad attitude. We had croissant, frittata, an terrine, all very good. But the waiter stuck his nose up. The proprietor/maitre de was rude. There is no place in NorthWest for such bad attitude.
(2)Ninette C.
God this place was so hard to find. We drove past it three or four times before we finally realized it must be inside the mall thingy. My friend arrived first and there was a wait so we (the three of us) got a drink at the bar outside. I think they're affiliated? We finally got in and sat down at the counter right by the people preparing the simpler dishes. (There's a kitchen too I'm assuming.) I liked sitting by the counter. It made it feel more kitchen, homey despite the fact its obviously a pretty nice boutique restaurant. The waiter told us it was small plates so between the three of us we ordered: Smoked trout with honey, beets and horseradish: um this was really really good. It sold me on beets. I never liked them before, but I've been gravitated towards them cooked this way since. Leeks with egg and chicken giblets: this was pretty good and again, made me like leeks more. Wild bass, sorrel, celery roots and trumpets of death: to be honest, I ordered this because it was called trumpets of death. Turned out they were mushrooms, but again, another solid dish. Dessert was: Persimmon pudding with hazelnuts and olive oil ice cream: Ok, nothing special. A cow's milk cheese with honey: this was good, but seriously, I could have made it at home myself. All in all, great main courses, mediocre desserts. Also, not cheap, but I had a good time.
(4)Rebecca K.
Happened across the gorgeous Melrose Market on our first trip to Seattle and were gazing through the windows at Sitka + Spruce. Later back at our hotel we were perusing through our James Beard list and realized this was one of the places we intended to go! We came back that night and scored chefside seats. Gosh it was a meal to remember. Ambiance + Service were fantastic. The food was unbelievable. Do not forget to try the house limoncello and nocino.
(5)David P.
The "waitstaff" is so bad I laughed. When we arrived, the waitress/hostess just stared at me like I was interrupting her morning. I had reservations, which confused her so badly she had to consult with the other wait person. It was Sunday brunch, and fairly quiet. We sat & asked our waiter what he recommended, and he listed everything on the menu. Come on! Pick one or two. Most of the food was fabulous; interesting, beautiful, & well prepared. The scone was nicely browned, but did lack currants, which I think are essential. Smoked trout-- excellent. Except for the OJ which was horrid--thin, bland, flavorless. Do not serve crap! And would it kill you to do a sandwich board, sign, or something to announce your presence? Finally, took forever to get a check & settle it. Train your waitstaff for heaven's sake! And expect them to do a whole lot better
(1)Angela E.
A local recommended this place to my friend and me for dinner and she was surprised by another colleague and taken here for lunch as well, which she said was so excellent she had no qualms about coming back for dinner. The first thing you notice when entering the building that houses Sitka & Spruce is the butcher. Then the wine & cheese shop, the flowers, the knickknacks and then, snug as a bug, there sits Sitka & Spruce in the corner, walls made of window panes that can open to the fresh air, a communal table stretched towards the chef's station, which is also open for all to see and admire. Now- to the food! We began with their homemade sourdough with soft butter and salted ling cod pate (I loved the cod pate but it was too salty for my buddy- more for me!), followed by mixed greens with radish, carrot, and turnip (perfect salad!), then slow cooked artichokes, with anchovy, & sheeps milk tonne (delicious), asparagus with grilled haloumi, pumpkin seed & za'atar (the grilled haloumi [cheese] can almost be mistaken for meat- smoky and delicious), and finally, charcoal grilled pig with natural morels & caraway seed (surprisingly disappointing- everything the pig came with was excellent, but to serve a pork loin that is 80% fat, and not gristly delicious fat by any means, is unacceptable and cost them a star...it might have cost two stars if I'd paid for it). Dessert was perfect but I now forget what we had with the french press coffee that kept me up all night, but was worth every sip! All in all- a culinary adventure not to be missed!
(4)Kamie K.
Located in the back of Melrose Market, Sitka and Spruce is a lovely little garden-like cafeteria with a mouthwatering, simple seasonal menu. Monday nights they offer food of the "Malafacha". Basically a few different choices of yummy open-face tacos along with Cervezas, Tequila and Aguas Frescas. The perfect place to take a date. Wink, wink.
(4)Drew W.
My wife and I went to dinner here a few weeks back and let me tell you what a meal! Oh man that was some good food. We had Tokyo Turnips; something that I have not ever liked in my life until that night. Everything was so perfectly displayed and more importantly tasted. The mixed drinks were awesome. I loved the ambiance of the place, it kinda reminded me of a dream in the way everything was laid out. I really hope to go here again soon.
(5)Sarah C.
Had brunch here while visiting Seattle and it was great! Herbal teas were really good (served in french press). A friend and I shared scone with lemon curd, a lentil salad, salmon and the pickles. Everything was awesome except the pickles were a bit weird - all of the veggies were shredded so it made things a bit too pickley for my liking. Overall, great ambiance and awesome food! Can't wait to try dinner next time I'm in the area.
(5)Karri N.
My husband & I went to Sitka and Spruce at the Melrose Market after a Mariner game on July 1st, I think we arrived after 5:00pm so I was wondering if there would be a spot for us since we hadn't made a reservation. I was so excited that we were able to sit a the long table connected to the prep counter, as I LOVE to watch. The atmosphere was nice & the wait staff very polite. I really love the farm to table fresh local ingredients used, although I felt the portions were small. Yes, I will go back & give them another try.
(3)Munya S.
If you haven't been, go already! --If just for the yogurt. I have dreams about this yogurt, it's THAT good. I'm gonna go ahead and say it- best yogurt in Seattle. I dare you to challenge that. (Fat Hen takes a distant second place.) A walk into S&S (and Melrose Market for that matter) feels a little like you've just crashed the Portlandia set. (Homegrown Sandwich Co., a local butcher, and a hipster bar are just a few of the businesses that make up this market. I almost expect chickens to jump out at me.) The food at Sitka, however, is amazing. In addition to lunch service, they also have weekend brunch, dinner, and a special Monday night taco menu. Eating at the counter is fun (despite the view of construction) and conversation even works with three people since the stools aren't bolted into the floor. Back to the yogurt though- I've been here for lunch at least three times and they always mix up the yogurt according to the seasons. Yesterday's yogurt was accompanied by delicata squash, (sunflower?) seeds, and drizzled maple syrup. I am a professed maple syrup hater and I wanted to lick the plate clean. I don't know how they do it but they get me every time. Sitka and Spruce will challenge your food phobias and that's a pretty impressive feat. Have an aversion to kohlrabi or kale? Go in and take risks off the menu; you won't be disappointed. Let's get back to the yogurt one last time-the flavors were perfectly balanced and the creamy texture is still engrained into my taste buds. If you were to patent a yogurt formula, this would be it. The other dishes here are darn good as well. I enjoyed the lamb plate w/creamy beans and fried egg as well as a radicchio salad with breadcrumbs. The dessert menu is quite small which is a shame because I'd love to see more of what they could do on that end. I wanted to order another dish of yogurt to finish off the meal but alas they were out. I just see it as an excuse to return. Day 22 of 30 for 30 challenge
(4)H C.
Went here for lunch and it was delicious. Had salami, kale salad and chorizo sausage. Superb.
(4)Alexander J.
We loved, loved, loved this restaurant! We ended up going to dinner at Sitka and Spruce because we could not get a reservation at Matt Dillon's newest restaurant Bar Sajor. However, we were not at all disappointed! When we walked in we were at first skeptical (because you walk into the market area). We both looked at each other like 'Where is the restaurant?' When we found the restaurant we immediately turned to each other and said 'This is going to be great!' We ordered their seasonal summer squash with ricotta stuffed blossoms (perfect combination of textures and we really liked that the squash was served cold), halibut (flaky with perfect sear), and duck confit (fell off the bone, crispy skin, and perfectly paired with the saskatoon berry sauce). Everything from to food to the decor and atmosphere was perfect. As out-of-towners we are so glad we stumbled on this Seattle gem. Locals and visitors MUST GO!
(5)Monet J.
DEAR GOD THIS PLACE IS GOOD! I actually was in the building to sit at Bar Fer'nand. After a time, I found myself curious and hungry (the makings of many a food adventure for me), and asked the bartender and cook there where was the best food. It took 2 seconds for them to look at each other and point in the direction of Sitka & Spruce. I gotta admit I've never been so happen about taking someone's advice. The service was knowledgeable and down to earth. The space itself was urban cool but, homey and was a completely open concept space. The place makes you feel as if you were in your friends downtown loft sitting at the counter in their kitchen (which you can do here). Ambiance aside, the food is the real showpiece here. Smokey spigarello. Tender morel mushrooms and duck egg yolks on thick country bread. You cannot go wrong! I just wished i had paced myself so I had room for dessert. That's okay...next time Sitka. Next time. PS- The wine list= uber sexy.
(5)A W.
I actually haven't eaten at the restaurant during regular S&S hours, but taco Monday is FANTASTIC!!! Couldn't be better--from the ambiance, service (handsome staff, one and all), food, drink...terrific.
(5)Carol S.
Amazing! After tasting various entrees, for a moment, I actually considered moving here just for this food. Then I thought of how far I'd be from Vegas and quickly changed my mind.
(5)Loon E.
What an amazing place to grab a meal! Love the cute but modern decor and interior of the space. The food here is very well presented and the flavors ring out to you loudly even from very light creations, though they can be considered a little overpriced. They focus and execute the farm to table thing very well. Did find the salads to be the weak point of the meal, which was a bit surprising. Seasoning and taste were missing. The salmon I had as a main was well cooked and delicious and the bites of the pork entree also left me wanting more. This is definitely a place I'd return to as the kitchen seems focused on thinking outside the box, while keeping true to using fresh and local ingredients. Very well done. Color me impressed.
(4)Mamie P.
One of the most interesting places I've ever eaten. And one of the best experiences I've ever had. Brick walls, real butter, fresh fish, herb toppings. These luxuries may be standard in Seattle, but to visitors from Vegas like me, they are a fresh respite from strip mall facades. Dinner for four totaled less than $100 without drinks. If I return to Seattle it will be for Sitka and Spruce.
(5)Will T.
might have been the best meal i've had in years. very unique and refreshing combination of flavors.
(5)Angelica C.
came here for brunch and was seated along the counter facing the windows. (almost) everything on the menu screams healthy =)
(4)Justine S.
I was really, really looking forward to eating at Sitka & Spruce. I've had many foodie friends that told me this was the place to try. Soooo, I have to say I was disappointed. Everything we ate pretty much fell flat. I'm thinking it must of have been an off night as my friend with me was disappointed as well (and she ate there a few months earlier and loved it). I think maybe it was the concept for the different dishes that didn't come together on the plate. The menu is small and we tried four different things so feel like we had coverage of the different plates. Highlights: - Excellent wine menu - had a delicious rose wine - Location - great spot on Capitol hill that is close to bars other stuff for going out after - Ambiance - very cool spot - good vibe - cool interior - Service - the service was good and very helpful - Adventurous menu - good for a foodie (but not executed well - see below) Lowlights: - The green salad - it was litterally just a green salad with some dressing and roasted walnuts...yawn! - The Pork of confit w/parsnips. While the concept was good it fell flat on the plate. The pork confit (pork belly) did have some good flavor but the parsnips were served in round quarter size portions - which ended up having a weird texture and flavor that just didn't come together with the pork belly. - Poached egg with sea urchin roe, dried tuna & leeks - The first bite was so salty. It knocked us both over. I was afraid to go back in but did dig around and eat the egg - which was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious. There was something in the dish that we couldn't identify that was so salty it overpowered the flavor of the egg and the broth/sauce. The sea urchin roe was good but it didn't really blend together with the whole dish. Good idea - too bad it didn't come together. Disappointing. - Venison with yogurt - this was done well and tasted fine but it just didn't blow me away (the menu said lamb but they brought us venison...strange). - gateau Basque & sugar pumpkin pie. The actual pie was very good. Where it fell apart was the sweet sauce they put over it with overtly sweetened pumpkin slices. Okay. So after having said all that the big question is will I go back? They food is very adventureous and I love that - I just hope to see a new line p that is actually executed better. Maybe someone was smoking something funny that night or had a rough night the day before..who knows??? I will definitely give it another try but am going to wait until they change the menu and hope they take the feedback on yelp!
(2)Alan H.
Where I hail from in the midwest, a strip mall never holds anything of value. Ahh... but here in Seattle, the all powerful strip mall gives us possibly the best restaurant in the city. Sitka and Spruce is located between a terayaki joint and a subway. The interior is small, but the quality and memories are large. Everything is done in simple small plates. But most small plates are enough to share. Small wine list, but I think it says "Hey, this is what he got, its damn good, drink it". The service staff is casual, but informative. I had high expectations coming here and my experience surpassed my expectations. Good luck on parking on a Saturday night.....hahahahaha.....
(5)J K.
Expensive, excellent food, tasty, tapas-style, small place, great service, good wine, ghetto location (in between a Subway and a Teriyaki joint), can't make a reservation for two, a little salty, short menu, fun atmosphere, strange name that I believe has nothing to do with the town of Sitka or Spruces or Sitka Spruces.
(5)Heather N.
We waited dutifully for 2 hours until we could be seated only to be bitterly disappointed. We started with the raw puglia olives in sea salt (these tasted dull and they were not the bright green of a true uncured olive) and they were also extremely salty (even for olives). The next course was the Albacore Tuna with blood orange, tahini,summer squash and mint. This was the highlight of our meal, when everything came together in a single bit,it reminded me of a curry tuna fish salad. The flavors were interesting but I wasn't expecting the SunKist cat food consistency of the tuna. I am a sucker for anything with sunchokes and I couldn't resist the whey poached salt cod with sunchoke. I've had salt cod before and this particular cod was hideously salty and inedible and not properly prepared/re-hydrated. The broth was basically butter and wine (hard to screw that up) so it was delicious when sopped up with giant slices of peasant bread but I wanted to like the cod, not bread and butter. At this point it wasn't looking good for us but I still had high hopes for our entree. I had the wild striped bass with nettles and sour hedgehogs. The skin on the fish was crispy and delicious but the nettles added a jerky-type texture which clashed with the smooth texture of the fish. My date ordered 'pig with pumpkin conserve'. I couldn't figure out what the cut was (to my discredit) HOWEVER, local pet pig or not, it is ridiculous to pay 34$ for giant hunks of gross, uncarmelized fat. I don't care where the hell you get your pig from all is for not if you can't render the fat properly or cut the meat properly, 1/2 of his portion was just plain, unflavored gelatinous fat. Our server kindly removed 1/2 of the bill on that one. The pumpkin conserve was fresh and had a beautiful orange/garnet color but the sweetness overpowered the few bits of tender pork. The 'complimentary' plate of mediterranean inspired items tasted more like day old leftovers from the whole foods ethnic aisle. This included hard, old flat bread with mystery sauces/dips and pickled radishes (which were pretty good). We passed on dessert opting to keep the amount of disappointment to around 100$. Bar Ferdinand next door had a good selection of cocktails, bread and wine which proved to be vital during the painful 2 hour wait. This place had good intentions but sloppy execution.
(2)K T.
I used to love Sitka and Spruce, but I think that is really due to the atmosphere of the space. I don't find the staff friendly and agree with the person who said it feels like you are inconveniencing them. The first meal I had there was wonderful, but since I have yet to have anything that I have really liked. I always try a number of things on the menu and have been unimpressed with my meals. It is sad because the space is fabulous- but that is it.
(2)HN G.
S&S has been on the list of places to go for years and we finally made it for dinner Tuesday night - it was fantastic. We tried to get reservations, however, they were booked; but we were told to arrive 5 minutes before opening to get a seat. No problem on a Tuesday when we're just back from vacation. The four of us ate our way thru the menu (missing only 2 dishes) sharing all the plates. Delicious. Standouts include the couscous with kefte/meatballs and fish dishes. Both desserts - chocolate pudding with hazelnut caramel and the cake with huckleberries - were winners.
(5)Jen P.
1) Look for the Subway, then go next door. If I didn't know better, I would have missed it completely. 2) Go here with friends so you can try more dishes...they serve family style. Which I learned meant they put the dish in the middle of the table, not that they load each plate with tons of food. 3) Show up on a sunny day so you can be seated right away. 4) Order what the server recommends. Though the menu was small, we weren't going to order everything, so we made sure to not miss the best. Our server was great--personable, knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. Our food came out at a really comfortable pace, and it was all delicious. Here's the breakdown: - Creamed bok choy with morels and terragon Add butter and cream to anything and it's delicious! - Seared scallops with lemon essence and spinach So fresh, so simple, and so excellent - Coho salmon tartare (sp?) on a small toast Again, I don't know what they added to this to make it taste so incredible, but it worked! - Somewhere in there we had pickled fiddleheads, which I'd never realized were edible, but I really enjoyed them! How many people can say they've eaten baby ferns before? - Rabbit with some kind of pasta-formed-into-potato-looking-cubes and olive relish I'm not a game-eater, but the meat was perfectly cooked and again, the flavors weren't overworked. Everything complemented each other. - Crepes with chocolate and olive oil ice cream The ice cream was incredible! The olive oil flavor was there, but it had the creamy texture of ice cream. Baffling, but delicious. - Rhubarb shortcake First time tasting rhubarb and I think I may have to do it again. All in all, I highly recommend this place. We'll see how it goes in their new location, but I hope they can maintain the cozy atmosphere and quality menu.
(5)Ballardite S.
Meh. Maybe just an off night for the cook. Parsnips harissa had an amazingly flavored sauce (lovely combination of spices) but, while the smaller tubers were cooked perfectly, the larger parsnips were terribly undercooked, crunchy, and practically raw, like biting into a uncooked potato. I can't imagine this was intentional. Parsnips (or any tuber really) are delicious when roasting brings out the sweetness, but when uncooked they're chalky and blandly sour. Pork was amazing on the ends and edges but uncooked in the middle. I'm ok with a little bit of pink but not if it's also cold when served. I know too much about parasitology to enjoy it. On the plus side, the morels, duck eggs on toast was incredible (could have eaten this dish twice); we also enjoyed the bok choy. My overall impression was one of great artistry in flavor combinations but a definite need to quality control. At this price point, there should be no misfires, much less 2 out of 5.
(2)Paula T.
Got there just after it opened and were seated immediately. The service was excellent. We had to have most of the menu explained to us as a lot of it was pretty hard to read and there were some things on the menu that were confusing. Such as deer tongue which is actually a lettuce. The salad was great and the cured duck ham we had was just ok. The place is also very small. There were about 6 small tables and one large communal table in the middle.
(3)Tristan D.
We bumped this one to the top our list of "must visit" places when we heard they were closing the Eastlake location and moving after December 30th. I'd been told that our experience here would be hit or miss based on the night's menu (we've been told this about both of Matthew Dillon's restaurants), but unfortunately, though there were highlights, there were more misses than hits. We started with a butter lettuce salad - pretty bland and entirely uninteresting. Didn't really detect any flavor at all. Then had a ridiculously good dish based on hedgehog mushrooms - one of those things where you're banging your forks together trying to get the last piece. Entrees were chicken (okay, nothing exceptional, best part was the base of lentils, pomegranate, and beets) and crispy beef (yummy, very unique, but not amazing). The restaurant was really cute - we'd heard that it was between a Subway and a teriyaki place, but that only kind of added to the charm; you wish every strip mall had a place like this in it. :) Was able to walk in on a Wednesday and get a table (much to our surprise), which was amazing. Overall, good, not great; probably a 3.5 star experience if I could give it that - happy that I went, but definitely not on my list of "oh wow, I have to go back there". I feel like, depending on the night and the menu, could have been great, but it just wasn't.
(3)Yooli H.
I Love everything about this place. Incredible!
(5)P Y.
I've been to Sitka and Spruce several times, both in the old location and in the new one. All very enjoyable meals. Yesterday, my friend and I were excited to go again for brunch. Overall, the food was excellent and the meal fresh and seasonal. The only challenge (and one I am still having a hard time getting over) is what I discovered in the lovely yogurt and squash dish. There was a hair in it. At first I just thought it was on the outside and since I'm not very squeamish, I thought I would just remove it and eat it. However, the hair was very long and as I started to pull on it, it was completely integrated into the meal, into the yogurt, between the pieces of squash. Now I understand that this happens...it's challenging in an open kitchen to control every variable. Every great restaurant makes a mistake occasionally. What I am having a hard time getting over is the how they handled it. The next time the server came by, I managed to catch her attention and quietly let her know what had happened. My goal was to not cause a disruption and have her take care of it quickly. She apologized and a short while later replaced it with a fresh yogurt and squash dish. However, when the bill came, they charged me for the squash/yogurt dish. Now, my friend and I had several other dishes...I was happy to pay for them. But I had sort of thought that on principle a dish with a big, long, gross hair in it might be comped. Just as a sort of apology for the experience and a thank you for not making a big deal out of it. It's not about the $7.50 dish, it's about acknolwedging that when the diner has a bad experience, you want to make it up to them as a sign of appreciation for their patronage. Mr. Dillon was actually in the restaurant at the time, though he was not cooking. To note, I didn't say anything, paid for the full meal and left my usual 20-percent but it was disappointing all around.
(2)Maria M.
The atmosphere was excellent. Very cozy and warm. I came with a couple of friends for Taco Monday. The chips and avocado (guacamole) were great. The tacos....average. We ordered three different taco dishes which were okay. One taco dish in particular was solely spicy chorizo and other meats. The meat/taco was quite dry, good flavor but dry. We asked the server for a side of chopped tomatoes/veggies and cream sauce which they served with the fish taco. Shortly after this one of the cooks (he did not introduce himself, this was assumed as he was preparing dishes) came to our table and stated, "The tacos are served as is, Okay? Nothing is added". Without further explanation he left the table. The server never returned to explain this odd interaction with the cook, didn't offer any alternatives and, in my opinion and those of my friends, pretty much ignored us the rest of the evening. Hmmm.....really? Your sub par, dry taco is served, "as is"? I wasn't aware of the great insult that is assumed by asking for something extra from the plate ordered. I may have felt differently if he had spent some time with the customer (us) explaining his delicate craft, perhaps offered up something else/alternative or even, in a nice conversation, asked us why we felt we needed something additional. Sorry, but there are a hell of a lot of great restaurants that understand a little something about, "customer service" and that serve up better food to waste another trip here.
(1)John K.
If you want great food, this is the place. We came in without a reservation, and were seated at a table with a group of 4. My wife and I thought, "Oh cool, we can chat with these people and have a more community experience to match the environment". But they didn't say a single word to us, and pretty much turned away and kept to themselves. Oh well. The food was very pricey, and the portions were small, but the plates were outstanding!!! The owner seemed to talk with everyone but us. And the waiter wasn't rude, but he wasn't very attentive, given the small dining room. Oh, and if you ask for bread, you have to ASK for butter too. And then it will never come to your table. We ended up getting dessert at Palace Kitchen where I even needed tatertots to fill myself up on.
(4)Jennifer S.
Spectacular, and thankfully, nothing over-wrought about it. If you love food, and you love enjoying the gift that some chefs have more making food taste extraordinary, you will love this place. There's a simplicity to the dishes that belies their complexity of the flavors. It was dish after dish of amazing-ness, and there wasn't one bite that wasn't totally amazing. Don't go here to be impressive-most folks won't get how special this place is. Go here to be impressed with how the folks that make the food at Sitka & Spruce have a preternatural understanding of how to make eating transcendent.
(5)sarah k.
Went with friends..thought the food and service was thoughtful. I had a good time. The wine was great. The waiter helped us make up our indecisive minds and I would trust him again anyday! I would give it 5 but we were smooshed into a table for 2 and there were 3 of us. But it is a small place. I would go back!
(4)Andrew E.
I get the feeling this place is fundamentally misunderstood. Think of it as going to a friend's dinner party. You meet new people, you have some great food & wine, and you are served by a host, not a waiter. Note that there are, as far as I could tell, only two people working in the entire restaurant, so they are understandably not as organized as a larger venue. Recommendations are made on the fly. Dishes come out when they're done, but this should be the least of your concerns as hopefully you've eviscerated the previous dish. I found the server incredibly helpful with suggestions and descriptions as well as a generally nice guy. The food was immaculate. Perfectly prepared guinea fowl in tarragon sauce, charcuterie that melts, and affordable wine that pairs with the best of them. The waits can be tremendous. They open at 5:30 if you must get a seat through the door. They take one reservation per night, for more than 5 people "flexible between seven thirty and eight". But as with any great dinner party, the best part is drinking and mingling before the meal. The food here is what the Herbfarm should have been had they not choked on their own pretension.
(5)Phillip S.
I have only eaten at this restaurant 2 or 3 times, but each and every time it has been a wonderful experience. First, the food here is simply amazing. Always fresh, always changing, and always very interesting. Sure, some of the dishes won't please everyone, but that is the fun of this restaurant: one must go with an adventurous spirit and be willing to try new things. Also, the wine list, while not extensive, is well put together and is paired with the food offerings. Honestly, due to the way this restaurant operates, S&S is not an everyday restaurant. First of all, it is a touch pricey (but worth it!) Also, it is pretty essential to get there early, and there is always a chance you will be seated with strangers anyhow (although, again, that is part of the fun...I have had some lovely conversations with others at our table). In short, plan to go here in advance, not spur of the moment. Best advice: get there before/as the doors open, pick one or two dishes you want to try, and let the waiter pick the rest of the food and wine. Remember, this is not like other restaurants, so if you go in for dinner with that mindset, you will probably be disappointed.
(5)Jess L.
We went here with some family while visiting Seattle last weekend. A lovely little place in an unlikely setting. The food was top-notch local-fresh-seasonal fare served (if you so desire) family style. A couple tiny quibbles: First, a braised chicken and sage tagliatelle was slightly bland and although it was a nice counterpart to the intensely flavored meaty things we ordered I would have been disappointed if it hadn't served only a side pasta course role. Second, the atmosphere is ALMOST there, but not quite. They're doing amazingly well for themselves given the strip mall location, but the tiny squareness of the dining room didn't reflect the caliber of the cuisine to the degree to which it should. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend Sitka & Spruce, especially to someone visiting Seattle and wanting to see what true PNW cuisine is all about.
(4)teresa m.
we were referred to this place from a lola server, and were pleased to actually get in for lunch. the ambiance is neat with a wherehouse atmosphere overlooking a huge mixed use new development. i had a pilsner, while my partner had a pinot gris/guewertztraminer glass of wine. both hit the spot. we ordered the kamut dish that had celery root, sumac, berry dust, with creme fraiche.....so tasty...next, we had the smoked trout with purple potato, russet, cilantro, red cabbage. excellent...my partner finished with the lemen curd tart with pumpkin and toasted pumpkin seeds...we had a fabulous time, and felt relaxed. the server was great and informative...thx so much
(5)Laura C.
Best meal I've had in seattle. IBetter than how to cook a wolf for starters. t's freaking expensive but I can't wait to do it again. Rabbit liver ravioli-sounded so strange and tasted like heaven, ditto on the clams and apples, waiter was so sweet, brought us a complimentary proscuitto when they heard there was a bday among us, suggested a fantastic wine. I love this place. Its tiny, get on the wait list and then go hang out at the nearby dive bar.
(5)Vanessa W.
I came in with two friends and we sampled most of the menu and three bottles of wine. All amazing. Seriously AMAZING! Possibly the best meal i have ever eaten! I know one of the cooks personally and he is fantastic. So fresh and full of flavor. Everything was incredible. The only thing i wasn't crazy about was a dish of peas and a poached egg. It was still good but just couldn't stand up to the perfection of the rest of the meal. I will definitely be back!
(5)Brian G.
I went to the new location and enjoyed the meal. I was the guest of others so had to stick around. However the day I went at about 5:30 pm, it was BLAZINGLY hot. The nice big windows face west, with good sunlight and on this day no clouds and it was hot outside. There were no window coverings and the sun beat on our party of 4. I tried to hide by a support post but it was no fun. I asked the server if they planned on putting in some sort of shades and he suggested this was not planned - though perhaps he did not know. I certainly hope that they put in window coverings, or I would recommend that one not dine there on a sunny day before the sun dips below a direct hit to their windows. Oh - the food and wine were great by the way. I would give it 4-5 stars if I were not so darn unhappy with the sun and heat. It is easily correctable management folks but own up to the issue.
(3)Roku T.
When I walked through the door of Sitka & Spruce, I felt like I walked into a box of the avant-garde of the tasty world. I've been feeling low on the facade of Seattle's new restaurants, but these guys brought such joy to my day. The taste and decor and music of this place is so naturally sweet, that it makes the rather small space feel spacious. I had testa, morel mushroom salad, mysterious pork dish with mustard and prune, and beef that makes a fork give up on its mission. For dessert, we had chocholate filled crepes which were not too sweet, and not too heavy at all. The dessert wine tasted like hint of cherry and plum, they were so tasty. The night was flawless.
(5)jeffrey T.
We loved this joint! its so strange of a location, but once you go inside its a cozy, romantic, little spot with amazing food. highly reccomended for a date, only issue is waiting for a table...
(4)A. B.
for 'fine dining' in Seattle my all-time favs are Sitka & Spruce & Elemental! every fancy new place that opens in town that i make it to, gets calibrated against these 2 - the criteria is quality when it comes to local & fresh, degree of creativity & change & lastly value. many a places have been a let down when i compare with these 2.
(5)max l.
For me its over taken the most creative food title from long standing Lark. Yes its hard to get in unless you just show up open and get a seat. The menu changes daily sometimes hourly and creations from the most productive smallest east lake kitchen are pure, honesty and ever so tasty.
(5)Patrick B.
My friend took me here on a Thursday evening the last time I visited Seattle. We were able to be seated immediately by the front corner of the restaurant and sat next to a retired couple and a man dining by himself. We ordered a few small plates and they all were pretty good. I remember having a wild mushroom fattouch and the poisson. With basically only one person working the tables and the place full with people waiting, service was a little slow and our bottle of water was never refilled.
(4)Adam d.
I knew I was in trouble when the board read Chilled Bulls Blood Soup. My sweetie and I sat and looked at the board for a bit, then she said: wow. it's the Adam will hate this menu. The salad was pretty good, with the added bonus of a slug inside one of the small heads of lettuce that made up the salad (my sweetie dubbed it Sidney and kept putting it back on the flower until it curled up; eventually we took it home and put it on our neighbor's lettuce -- sorry S!). The tagliatelle with morels and pickled fava beans was pretty good, except the texture of the beans was all wrong -- they were too hard. Maybe some cornichon pieces would have worked, as the pickledness definitely worked. The Billy's tomatoes were yummy, but the criss-crossed anchovies on top of the dish were a WTF addition. And the trout.... well, I'm told that fresh-caught trout is a life-changing experience, but generally I find it too bony to bother with (my life is filled with bones in food; I even got the moral equivalent the other night in a mushroom ravioli-with-spinach dish: a 2"-long piece of plastic bag, but that's another review). This trout was no exception. Plus the Joy and Fun of skinning and deboning the thing. For $22, yeah, I don't think so. I won't be rushing back here.
(2)Kalindi T.
New Post: I really enjoyed the new Sitka & Spruce. Their food is thoughtful and modern with a focus on seasonal (only) and locally fresh. Original Post:In fact, the food was just fine, good even. Not special, but fine. The attitude of our server, was just so unsavory. I think it is supposed to be one of those places that seats you and expects you to just take it. Don't ask questions about the menu, don't ask what it is that you are being served and god-forbid, don't think about asking for a substitution. This is kind of kitchy and I s'pose can even be fun, but, there are limits...
(4)Salty S.
Sitka and Spruce has been at the top of my very short list of must-try Seattle establishments for countless moons. While I can make excuses galore about why I haven't managed to venture in for crudités until now, the real reason is the façade. Every time I drive by, a little wave of excitement bubbles up inside until I see Subway slinging sandwiches next door and my pitter-pattering heart halts with a shudder. I honestly cannot figure out why on earth Sitka and Spruce is quaintly nestled between a drycleaner and a franchise sub shop in a dinghy stripmall circa 1992, but I no longer care. Sitka and Spruce is THAT GOOD, and for the value- it cannot be beat! Read the rest of my review here: saltyseattle.com/2009/10…
(5)Susan Y.
best place I've eaten in Seattle. We had a salad, chilled seafood with pickled watermelon rind, amazing bread and olive oil, black cod with sea urchin and mushrooms, spot prawns with mushrooms, pork belly with chestnuts and pumpkin. For dessert we had gateau with raspberries and chocolate sorbet with caramel and nuts. Everything was fantastic. The service was attentive. The ambiance was like you were eating in someone's kitchen...someone who makes gourmet food. The place is small so get there early or make reservations. Waiting might be involved
(5)minnie m.
I won't pounce too harshly with my review regarding S&S because I'm certain that a new restaurant opening (even an established one in a new space) deserves a little time to acclimate and find their groove. We went with friends last week and were so excited to enjoy their new digs. I must say, service was fantastic! However, the dinner was hit & miss. We ordered several dishes and found that the price to portion ration was disappointing. Very small servings for a hefty price. I will say, on a positive note, that the salmon dish was phenomenal but the others missed the mark for us. We had a butter lettuce salad with a brown butter dressing and I couldn't get used to the taste of butter on lettuce - it tasted like an oxymoron. :) All in all, after spending a wad of cash and leaving still a bit hungry was not what I expected. I will give them another shot sometime down the road but, until then, I hope they make a few tweaks.
(3)Laura P.
Don't be fooled by the strip mall exterior, the inside of sitka and spruce is like your mom's kitchen. I have only been here for brunch, but it was lovely. They put up a little buffet of tasty nibbles you can enjoy while waiting for your food. Grab a glass of wine and fill up a plate, but careful, this place fills up fast.
(4)S.L. S.
What a disappointment! I visited Seattle a few weeks ago (I was in on Oct 12, 2010, to be exact). While I was there I wanted to have one great dinner. Sitka & Spruce did not deliver. The space itself was quite lovely. I do love an open kitchen- I will give it that. My food was fine. In all honesty though, it's pretty difficult to make prawns sauteed in butter with chanterelles, taste bad. It was just a little boring. Super safe. Surprise me. You're in the pacific northwest. You have so many wonderful things available to you. Please Kitchen, take advantage of it. My frustration was more with the service. This was one of the worst experiences I've had in a while. From the moment we walked in, it was nothing but rudeness. We were greeted by a male server or perhaps a backwaiter. He didn't seem to want to seat us at all. He offered the three of us seats at a counter facing a wall and an alley. When I expressed that I wasn't willing to sit there but would be happy to wait for a table he seemed annoyed but offered to have three seats at a communal table cleaned up. Once we were sat I don't even recall our server saying hello or asking how we were. She offered no information about the menu- did not engage us one bit. I asked her a couple of questions not because I didn't understand but because I wanted to force her to care. I can't imagine that that's how service goes in Seattle. I am a server in Chicago. I would never in a million years treat my guests the way that girl/woman treated us. I ordered a bottle of cote du rhone for myself and one of my companions. She brought it to the table already open! She poured our first glass and then neglected to refill our glasses throughout dinner. I did it myself. Horrible! She meekly checked in with us once to see how our food was. Before we were even done eating our entrees, I noticed she had her jacket on and was heading home. Even if she was sick, her attitude and level of service were completely unacceptable. The server whom she pawned us off on however, seemed to be a bit friendlier and slightly more attentive. Our dessert was tasty- pumpkin something or other. By that point I was so uncomfortable and annoyed that I don't remember exactly what it was. I know a lot about food and service. I've eaten at and worked in some of the best restaurants in the country. I take food seriously. I love it. It's my livelihood. Sitka & Spruce offended me.
(1)Amy P.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle and that is saying a lot in this town. It is a great place to go with a few adventurous friends and nibble on some very inventive dishes. The ingredients were of superb quality. I will always remember Sitka & Spruce as the place where I tried and loved sweetbreads for the first time. Go early or late, it is tiny and they do not take reservations. Aside from the food, I love that the menu is written on a chalkboard, it encourages people to share. I love that the chef stores his cookbooks on book shelves in the dining room. It is fun to see who the influences were. A word to the wise, don't go with a picky eater...
(5)sarah b.
It's been a year and half since I went here to celebrate my birthday with friends (reserved a table for 5 of us). If it wasn't so long ago, I'd write a more detailed review, but it still remains the best meal I've ever had. I recommend going with a big group who are open to eat anything and share plates.
(5)Kari N.
It was a spur of a moment decision to try this restaurant. Driving up, it was strange to find this restaurant tucked in a cheesy strip mall next to a (gasp!) Subway and a Vietnamese pho place. So I was sent in alone by my two dinner companions to "check it out." And I was sold right away. Super intimate, dimly lighted and warm décor. Open dining and kitchen. Seasonal menu and wine list nicely written up on a huge chalk board. Friendly and pleasant host. Cozy and spacious solid wood tables that can be communal or private. All the diners were chatting happily and relaxed. I put down my name and phone number at 8pm on a Saturday night, went across the street for a drink, and was called with a free table within 30 minutes. The food - what a surprise. I was impressed how balanced the seasonal menu was, given it only had about....a dozen items. But we did not feel limited and ordered a nice variety to share. We had the scallop crudo, grilled beets with carrots, emmer wheat salad with grilled artichokes and poached duck egg, grilled octopus and leg of lamb. See how diverse the menu is? The flavors of everything were excellent and the details of each dish were not ignored. For example, the leg of lamb was grilled so I did find it a little chewy, but I still liked that dish because it was paired with this awesome green onion slaw, and the lamb was perfectly seasoned. Another example is the emmer wheat salad which had such a nice balance of texture between all the ingredients. And the theme rang true for all the dishes. We did not leave a strand of food on our plates. The service is also really good. Our waitress was knowledgeable. Each dish came out at the perfect time. We never sat around waiting for the food, or be bombarded with dishes which could happen at a small plate restaurant.
(4)Shyam H.
Great food and warm, friendly atmosphere in a rather surprising location - The Little Streets w/braised beef I had there on Saturday night was the closest to the Boeuf Bourgogne served by Le Trumilou in Paris :-) Then there was the lardo on toast which almost killed us .. softly. Friendly service!
(4)Greta D.
I'm still dreaming of the gnocchi with truffles...
(4)Rosa O.
I've only ever been for the monday night tacos, and let me tell you, it was phenomenal! I started off with the agua fresca, which may have been the most refreshing thing I've ever consumed. I moved on to a margarita. It looked small but packed quite the wallop - don't be surprised! Then I sampled some of all of the tacos. I'd be hard pressed to tell you what each of them were, but I know for sure that the tacos al pastor was insane, and that there were several great vegetarian options, including one with potatoes that impressed me quite a bit. I definitely need to come back and do some in-depth eating so I know what each of those delicious things were!
(4)Jenna C.
I had lunch at Sitka and Spruce after visiting Bar Ferdinand and hearing about chef Matt Dillon (a James Beard award winner). I was immediately awed by the wall to ceiling industrial chic windows propped open with natural tree logs. The space has a vibrant and fresh yet rustic feel and the food is similarly novel, with unique flavor combinations presented in simplicity. We shared the beet salad, salmon salad, and beauty radish appetizer and finished with the hazelnut cake. Each dish was delicate while still offering developed flavors. I am an instant fan!
(5)Hugh D.
Love this place for romantic or business dinners and for business lunches. Creative, inventive, unusual pairings, great wine list, fun cocktails. The parsnip cake with bay leaf ice cream was out of this world! The bread and butter are to die for but especially that soft, salted butter. Well-trained, knowledgeable, attentive staff. One of our go-to places to bring visitors from out of town.
(5)Lei W.
This is a 5 star place for what it resembles. Fresh. Foodie kind of place. I was ecstatic when I found this tucked back in a market. It's so rustic yet gourmet, it's unusual yet charming.. it's just... awesome! I was even more excited when I saw house-made yoghurt with fresh sweet tomatoes, lavender and pumpkin seeds. It may sound a little strange but it really hit several senses that made it so delicious! The yoghurt was so sour, the tomatoes very sweet, the lavender a little spicy and the seeds gave it a crunch. YUM! We had several other "small" plates and made a feast of a lunch out of it. This place is so creative and even if it sounds funky... it'll be great.
(5)Neil F.
Off night...probably. But the service was unbelievable slow and one of our entrees (the pork loin) was under-cooked and uneatable. However the other plates we ordered were pretty good. Gets an A+ for ambiance; but ambiance doesn't justify dropping $120 for bad service and slightly above average food. For the price, I'd recommend exploring other options in the area. But try it and see what you think. Obviously I won't be back. One tip: the menu is setup to share plates, which are tapas-sized. Our server suggested ordering all plates at one time, which would be staggered. But the wait time between plates this evening was simply unacceptable (30-45 mins). Maybe ordering as you go would help. Just an fyi.
(2)Ross B.
Solid food. Pricey, to be sure, but also tasty and inventive. We had charcuterie, hazelnut salad, bread and butter, raw salmon, and some buckwheat dumplings in a whey butter sauce. While every bite was well cooked and seasoned the dumplings were the clear front runnner with a great chew and flavor. Cocktails were also spot on and served from a very knowledgeable and friendly bar keep. Good place to get lots of small plates and share among friends who can appreciate a composed plate. I'd return.
(4)Hillary D.
The food here is so fresh and so wonderfully plated. Very delicious as well. I would definitely recommend that others try it. It's a very small restaurant so where I sat was actually right next to where they were preparing the food. The table they used to cut the food was connected to where I was eating. The dishes here are also very unique and they have plenty of small dishes you can pick and share.
(5)Margaux M.
Food is good (the bread is TO DIE FOR). We went there for brunch for Saturday and we found it a bit pricey for a brunch meal ($60 per person) and this is the only reason for the 1-star down!
(4)Joseph P.
I think I am supposed to say how divine this experience was and how the food was incredible. It was a good experience and the food was ok. The smoked sturgeon tasted really great, but the plate was a dining cliche - it was a gigantic plate, with little bit of food, and then it was all drizzled in sauce. (It was the kind of thing that if you served it at home, your family would think you had lost your mind.) The baked eggs were more like baked egg soup. Tasty but watery. I tried the home brewed kombucha and it was flat and the serving was tiny. Since the menu changes a lot I suspect the experience changes with it. This was my first time. It was good enough that I'd go back, but just barely.
(3)Layna E.
Hmmmmm I feel like the portion was larger enough here to share before... like an year ago. Now it's really smaller in relation to price, than say compared to nice Tokyo / NY restaurants. This place isn't THAT fancy, I don't think... Flavor is good and unique, Ingredients are fresh and also unique, but my experience here in the last 2-3 months is going down....
(3)James E.
Whenever my father-in-law visits from Spokane, my husband and his brother begin their neverending back-and-forth texts about where to eat. All we ever want is a place that is vegetarian-friendly, but we always seem to lose to overhyped restaurants that leave us disappointed. From a consistency perspective of constant disappointment, Sitka & Spruce is in the upper echelon among fellow restaurants. Husband and I shared four vegetable dishes, one of which was modified as it originally contained an anchovy-based sauce. The roasted turnips were heavily salted; the charred cabbage (sans anchovy-based sauce) was first runner-up to the turnips; and the charred celeriac was beyond bland. Our server did not acknowledge that the latter dish was piled high on my plate with very little of it consumed. Husband reluctantly agreed on this restaurant at the behest of his brother, and only after calling Sitka & Spruce to confirm that we vegetarians could easily, effortlessly dine there. He was told that we could order larger portions of food without worry of taxing the kitchen, but based on the four dishes we ordered I can't imagine wanting to double the portions of any of them. Back to our server. While he was polite, he was not very attuned to what was happening at our table as I had to ask him for a fresh drink after he brought one to my brother-in-law without asking if anyone else needed anything. As I type this review, I am in our kitchen eating bread with cheese so I don't go to bed wishing I had eaten something - anything - substantial. I have every belief that the kitchen can masterfully compose dishes with meat and seafood that bring people to the brink of poetry. However, the kitchen's ability to compose love songs with vegetables are a few stanzas short of a sonnet. God how I miss Carmelita's.
(2)Sam B.
Ahhh Great wine list simple but elegant menu.. Great experience and energy! The house made charcuterie is phenomenal! A must experience place!
(5)Sylvia K.
Sitka & Spruce is an adorable restaurant at the back of the beautiful melrose market. I absolutely love places that look like rustic wooden farmhouses - it's just so charming! And Sitka & Spruce looks like I'm eating in the kitchen of a countryhome. My friends and I walked in after looking at the menu. We weren't super hungry since we had actually just eaten, but the asparagus with hen of the woods mushroom & chopped egg sounded so amazing. actually everything on the menu sounded amazing, but this one dish was the one that I wanted to try the most. We didn't have a reservation (but for Monday at lunchtime, it wasn't full) so they seated us at the community table, which was perfect. We ordered the asparagus dish, and also the king bolete mushroom with purple artichoke & arugula salad and the brown butter hazelnut cake. The food came out pretty quickly probably because the first two dishes were cold salad dishes. The asparagus was delicious. It was cooked so well. The chopped egg tasted like egg salad. The hen of the wood mushroom (which is one of my favorite fungi) was actually chopped up and plated below the asparagus and egg - I wasn't expecting it and it was a lovely surprise. I really liked this dish - it tasted simple and fresh. And the hazelnut cake was really yummy - it made for the perfect dessert. The other salad that we ordered - I couldn't really taste it - the mushrooms were sliced very thinly. I really like two out of the three things we ordered and the one I wanted the most tasted the best. The interior is super cute and the name of the restaurant is cool too. I would come back to try some of the other dishes.
(4)Diane R.
This. Place. Is. Great. Discovering Seattle cuisine has been so much fun after living in So Cal for the last 10 years. I've been to many amazing restaurants now, rarely having had a bad experience in this city, but this is my personal Seattle gold standard!!! There is something to be said about walking thru this beautiful mixed-use building, sitting in their intimate space, watching the rain pour down the romantic panes of glass and watching your food being prepared just feet from where you sit....Mmmmm Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, all great. Menu changes constantly, so you'll never get too comfortable ordering the same thing. I really like that in my life right now. Fresh food and no complaints about the price personally... but I have been living in California for the last 10 years.
(5)Adrianne J.
Sitka and Spruce is a hidden gem. It's tucked way back in a market but has a very charming look when you do get to it. For my vegetarians out there; the menu always has great options on it already, no need to to do the back and forth "can you make me a veggie dish?" begging with the wait staff.The food is wonderful and very flavorful. They know just how to take a dish of turnips or cabbage into a savory and filling dish. They also recommend wine pairings, play great music on the record player and have a wonderful ambience that makes you feel cozy.
(4)Patrick W.
I recently went there on a weekend for a special event that I had been planning. I was to surprise my now fiancé with a wedding proposal. I called a week in advance to have everything set up. I ended up using the private room upstairs because it was more intimate. The manager, Richard L, was gracious enough to coordinate my event so that I could have hidden film and camera crew also be present for the event. Food as usual was impeccable.....even though at the time, I was so anxious about the proposal that I barely was able to find an appetite. They were able to make personalized menus. It's these little details that makes an already exceptional restaurant become truly masterful. A+++
(5)Irving Z.
We came here excited for a farm to table experience. Unfortunately our party of 6 left very hungry and disappointed. Entrees were $30+ and there were only three to choose from. We shared multiple small plates, the charcuterie plate, and all three entrees. The best was the charcuterie, it wasn't the typical salami, prosciutto and cheese spread. Instead, there was pate, duck rillete, head cheese, and rabbit. When the waitress brought out our first entree, which was salmon, she said we should split it into six "good sized chunks," which ended up being one bite per person. Even if I got that entree to myself, I'd be upset with six bites of fish. The other two entrees of duck and rabbit were equally small. Overall, it was way too pricey for the portion size and nothing unique.
(2)Jeranel J.
Very very Seattle! I wouldn't call it 'trendy' but I would call it 'farm to table nouveau'. The freshest egg I have ever tasted that wasnt on an actual farm.
(4)Gilad B.
Everything was great. Great space, nice staff, good menu, etc. Overall I loved it and the plates were beautiful.
(4)Kathleen C.
Food: We ordered smoked mussels, raw salmon, squash dumplings, and a mushroom dish. My favorite was the mussels. Flavors were very unique and quality of the mussels was on point. The others were good, but I wouldn't order again next time. We also ordered eggnog ice cream which was really yummy and rare flavor to get. Place: Its tucked away a bit within Melrose Market? There are only a few 2 person tables, a communal table, and bar type of seating. It's not very big, but pretty cute place. Prices: Dishes were roughly in the high teens through 30s. Portions weren't huge and the server suggested that we ordered plates for sharing. So 1+ plates per person. In that way, it can get pretty pricey. Overall: I think it's definitely worth a try at least once. Probably not a place I would frequent often, but wouldn't mind coming again.
(4)David E.
Very disappointed. Came here by myself told they couldn't sit me other than the window even though they had 19 open seats. Evidently they have reservations for so many people when nobody is waiting. . How shitty. I love trying new farm to table food. Will never try this place again
(1)Erwin E.
Walked past the restaurant and was intrigued by the open market layout of the neighboring vendors. Sitka & Spruce is located in the rear of the marketplace and has a natural earth tone layout. I sat at the window counter which is a long aged piece of wood with barstools on one side. Great ambience and atmosphere. Beverage: Kombucha & Bourbon. Delicious to say the least. They use a home brewed Kombucha, which has just the right amount of bite to it. Starter: Marinated summer squash with fennel, tahini, and pumpkin seeds. Well balanced and perfectly grilled. The pumpkin seeds add a nice texture and crunch to every bite. Entree: Grilled chicken, apriums, escarole with emmer, and eye porridge. By far this was the best of the two plates I tried. The grilled chicken was seasoned perfectly and not overcooked. Nice and juicy. The apriums, which are a apricot/plum hybrid and escarole were a nice side to the chicken. They didn't over power the dish and complimented it perfectly. Little touc, they hold the old fashioned windows open with small pieces of fire wood. It's the little things like that which make a place worth coming to. Enjoy the atmosphere, you're company, and the delicious food!
(5)Jody P.
I wish we had the option to provide 10 stars...but alas, yelp restricts us. Sitka is a stellar restaurant: every dish was done with such care and had such a unique contrast of favors. Taking something simple like onions and grilling them with toasted quinoa and anchovy sauce? One of the most delicious dishes I've ever had. The duck is perfect and the wine selections solid. Our best dining experience in Seattle. The owners should clearly come to Brooklyn. please.
(5)Linna C.
A Must TRY!! Sitka and Spruce was by far my favorite meal in Seattle. If I could own a restaurant, this would be it!! Casual atmosphere, seasonal ingredients, great flavor combos and the best communal table in town! Make a reservation if you must, but we didn't. The nice thing is Sitka and Spruce will always reserve about 20 seats for open seating, a communal table that seats about 12 and about 8 seats along a bar with stools by the window. We walked in the restaurant at about 8:30 on a Friday night, there was plenty of communal seating available at the table, which I might add is probably the best table in town!! You are sitting about couple feet away from the chefs and all available ingredients are in plain sight. The menu was simple, about 8 starters and 3 entres, we got about 90% of the selections on the menu, plus a bottle of the Les Grands Crays Le Clos Viré-Clessé Chardonnay (amazing!) and the waiter told us that was too much... interestingly enough, that didn't stop us in the least bit. Everything was amazing, especially the lamb and the squash; even the dessert was amazing. Before I left, I made a second reservation to return with my hubby! Super excited!
(5)Tammie C.
This is probably one of the top 5 let-downs in the history of restaurants I've wanted to try so bad and turned out not so good. It's not even the high expectation gap that made it 2 stars...the menu and food were boring, tasteless and bland. First, it's not a great sign when you're struggling on what to order because everything on the menu didn't seem appetizing. Raw turnips with cream....barnacles...what the...ugh. Ok, my first thought was to not judge too soon because even though the menu items didn't seem appetizing, I thought they must be creative and unique. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. There were only 2 meat dishes and one main fish dish on the menu. Everything else comprised of vegetables.... and don't get me wrong, I LOVE vegetables. But seriously, Sitka did nothing to showcase these vegetables. These were essentially raw vegetables with the blandest sauces/cream or whatever they were trying to flavor them with. And no, these locally grown/organic....whatever vegetables weren't sweet or awesome on their own. The only decent dish we had was the mushroom toast. Big texas sliced bread toasted and topped with a mix of sautéed mushrooms including oyster mushrooms (which are my fav). The pork belly was gamey and deconstructed in a way so that the fat was separate from the skinny meat...didn't think you could mess pork belly up. Consistency was chewy, rather than tender and juicy. The duck looked good, but unfortunately it was so dry from being over fried. There was no decent sauce to accompany it either. This dish isn't great for sharing either since it's hard to split with the bones. I felt terrible because I brought out-of-town guests here and they only had 2 nights to judge the food scene in Seattle and unfortunately I gave one of those spots to Sitka. Maybe it was an off night. I'd give it another chance since they change their menu all the time, but I have little faith and these bland vegetable dishes don't come cheap. The service was also mediocre. Maybe because we had a late dinner and the servers were just tired, but they barely checked in with us and it took a while to get the check. In short: Sitka can make a plate pretty, but not to give it flavor and substance to the ingredients chosen. Quite sad.
(2)Justin T.
Great food, lousy service. Our waiter basically ignored us, was ignorant of his own menu, and had a rotten attitude. If they got rid of that guy I might go back.
(3)Catherine N.
I've had this place bookmarked for so long but every time I walked up to the menu, I second guessed myself. They have a changing simple menu, but it's always made me feel like it's too simple. Mostly vegetables and charcuterie? I've always passed until now. I kept walking this time but through the door, and I'm so glad I did. The simplicity is what makes them shine. They offer quintessential farm to table dishes. The food is so pure. I solo dined on my recent visit to the city and settled on a nice brut rose, the bread with whipped butter/Jacobsen flake salt & the ham dish. Bread plate - I finished this, so I totally carbo-loaded. That butter - omg - it was so light and fluffy, and the flake salt was thin yet large in flake size, and I wanted more. Brined & baked sliced ham with rye toasts (I mostly ate this with the bread from the plate above rather than the toasts), whole grain mustard, homemade sauerkraut, & a soft-boiled egg. The ham was light and flavorful without being overly salty. The egg was cooked perfectly. The sauerkraut was so refreshing and had a great crunch. It was such a simple plate yet didn't feel so. They give you a buttery house-made caramel with your check. I'm so glad I finally have this place a chance. It could make me a fan of lunching.
(5)Becca C.
Sitka and Spruce have an interesting location. I too circled around before I realized it was in a mall. The ceilings are impossibly high which makes the small square footage breathable. The communal table looks like a great way to spend time with your friends, if they could afford to all go to S&S. We did small plates, and out of the three, they had a special for salmon 2 types; raw and smoked. Very good. I get salmon from AK and this was done very well. Service was warm and inviting. This is the type of restaurant for an experience; it's popular which sets a good mood and ambiance, yet it's intimate so you can have a conversation with your partner. Portions are small; their main dish of scallops had three - yes you read that right - and nothing else but a sauce. I wouldn't come here if I were hungry; only to sample some appetizers before moving on somewhere else.
(4)Steve N.
Always using freshest possible ingredients Chef Matt Dillon understands how to combine flavors and textures for outstanding results. Have had lunch here many times and this ranks as one of my favorite places in Seattle. Inevitability there is an unrecognized ingredient or two on the menu requiring explanation and the staff is always knowledgable and professional.
(5)Mag D.
This review is almost a year after I was there (3/2014) but Yelp gave it to me to write a review and since I so fondly remember the evening and experience, I am writing to say YEA! Yeah, it is a little trendy with the daily gathered forest ingredients but while there I did not feel that it was pretentious. They turned me on to Amaro Montenegro and I am now on my third bottle. Mmmm. And the food was inventive and fresh and delish. Get in there and try it, people, it is an experience and when I was there, fairly priced for both.
(5)Alison W.
It gets 1 star because it looks like a nice place. We were a party of 8 and we were seated at 9:45pm our first course didnt arrive until 10:30. The service is less to be desired. I wouldn't come back . I found a curly hair in my salad. The waitress didn't even care. Took my plate and didn't even get me a new plate until I asked for one. The portions were bite sizes and for the price... I think there are better restaurants out there. look for something better!!
(1)Michael H.
I'll just put it out there that anything in Melrose Market is cute, and Sitka & Spruce is no exception. I love the ambiance, and the food matches it. Refined, yet rustic. Overall a great experience. Make reservations, and make sure to get there early if you're driving because it is very difficult to find any parking in the area.
(4)Anthony B.
Maybe the most romantic restaurant in Seattle.
(5)Elizabeth L.
**3/28/11 EDIT: S&S just featured in 3/24/11 NYT piece "36 Hours in Seattle" travel.nytimes.com/2011/… *3/21 UPDATE: Matt Dillon/Sitka & Spruce just named James Beard Best Chef NW finalist. seattlemet.com/blogs/nos… ------------------- Sitka & Spruce if you could escape anywhere. 1. You may wish your life was as happy as your mouth. 2. You may wonder who is behind the entire experience - concept, execution, ambiance. 3. You may not want to leave. ------------------ Could end review here and have done S&S justice, but to offer some functional color: Not-to-miss dishes: (5) Smoked trout w/honey, beets, horseradish - near sinful in its indulgence, beautifully paired ingredients (4.5) Bass, carrots, housemade yogurt, coriander - the bass was perfectly crisped, tender on the inside. yogurt was a superb complement, cut through the bass. Staff created a pleasant experience, clearly proud of their craft, accommodating and professional. Ambiance is quiet and relaxed, warehouse loft meets urban kitchen. Menu changes daily. hard to book a rezzie but worth canceling others for.
(4)Derek S.
We went to Sitka and Spruce based off a recommendation from a friend. Our initial impressions were that we enjoyed its interior design and open layout within a converted warehouse space shared with other cute shops. Second impressions confirmed our first -- great light, laid back atmosphere and wonderful food, making it one of our favorite places to come for brunch. The format is "small plates" and the menu changes constantly. The set-up is very much like being seated at the chef's table where, depending on where you sit, you can see the food preparation in action. The service is friendly and relaxed. One word of warning for anyone who may be allergic to hazelnuts -- this place has an unnatural obsession with hazlenuts.
(4)Jenny R.
I'm surprised that others have rated Sitka & Spruce so low on Yelp, though I can identify with some of the comments. The first thing I'll say is that the dishes are *delicious*. For lunch, we had smoked trout, pickled sardines, chicken and lentils. Everything was just perfect. The restaurant is small, and it's hidden away inside the market. That didn't bother me, though we had a hard time finding it initially. We were visiting Seattle with our kids, who are quite young. I realize that children are informally "banned" from fine dining establishments, but we think it's important for them to get an education in food. We take them everywhere. That seemed to annoy the server to no end, and she was quite unfriendly. This won't matter to most of you, but I found it obnoxious. We were a little disappointed at the lack of pork-free dishes on the menu. Again, most people won't care. But we don't eat pork, so that really puts a dent in our ordering plans. But, if I was to suggest a list of places in Seattle to a friend, I'd put this on the list. So take that for what it's worth.
(5)Kara M.
Like everyone else has said, the food is fantastic, changes daily and the menu is creative (although really hard to read...seriously, can someone with better penmanship write on the chalkboard already?) We had chicken gnocchi, octopus and chickpeas and meatballs w/couscous. It was all fantastic and well-prepared. The host was gracious and friendly. My only complaint has nothing to do with the restaurant but for any and all of you planning to eat here: this place is quaint and tiny and people wait foreeeever to get a table...so after you're done with dinner, have paid your bill and now want to sit and talk until you're blue in the face, please GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO DO IT! For the love of Pete, we got there early, were supposed to eat at 9:30 and were finally seated at 10:15. We watched 2 ladies gab for over an hour after finishing their dinner, knowing there were several people waiting to sit down and eat before hypoglycemia set in and someone dropped to the floor. "Blah blah blah, oh my gawd, blah blah blah." Yes, shut the hell up and GTFO. See how angry I get when I am so hungry I might pass out? For future reference, while you are waiting for your table or want to continue your long ass conversation past dinner, there is a lovely coffee shop right across the street called Voxx that not only has great coffee but plenty of seating and you can see Sitka & Spruce right across the street. So, go...eat a wonderful meal and then get the hell out. Thanks. :-)
(4)D K.
I'm from NYC (yea, one of those people). I eat out in NYC a lot. I ate at Sitka & Spruce and it was one of the best meals I've had in my entire life. Yes, I just said that. Between the charming location, the attentive and helpful waiter, the food (seriously, just wow) and the prices, I had to instagram to make sure I remembered the menu (sorry). We literally ordered every dish and there was not one that didnt result in the hanging in the air fork pause and momentary eye close. I know I'm gushing and its not becoming, but I was very impressed. Most memorable dish for me was a morels + poached egg dish. For the quality of food, the prices are extremely reasonable. We asked for wine recs and I appreciated that the waiter actively told us which to avoid and recommended wines that werent solely on the pricier side. Highly recommend and would definitely go back if I go back to Seattle.
(5)Alice B.
I don't remember the names of the plates I had, but they were incredible! I stopped by for a late lunch by myself since I couldn't wait for someone to come with me. This place was hidden in the back of the market, and other than the menu in the window with Sitka and Spruce on top, I wasn't sure I had the right place. The cheeses with pickled cherries were fantastic. I also had this tomato and wild mushroom dish that was amazing. I should have asked for the smaller size as it was quite rich, but I didn't want any to go to waste. Next time, I'll bring other people along so I can sample more plates. I think it was somewhat pricey for lunch though, as I spent close to $25.
(4)S K.
A huge disappointment. The service vastly outweighed the quality of the food, which is a shame, because I go out to eat in order to focus on the food, but I could not get past the service. We're visiting the city again, but I don't have it in me to see if this restaurant might produce a less uncomfortable experience. My husband and I were visiting the city from Chicago and made a 7:30 reservation on a Wednesday. We were greeted with ambivalence by the host, who was overseeing a restaurant with exactly three parties present. Despite an entire restaurant full of empty tables, we were seated facing a wall and a window with a glaring streetlamp, very little table space, and tiny stools In an empty restaurant. When we asked (politely, of course) if we could be seated elsewhere, we were told that the other tables were reserved, that no other table could accommodate us, and we took our seats. Part of going to restaurant is being in that restaurant's space. The host's seating in a relatively empty restaurant made us feel as though we were not welcome there, and as if he did not want us there. Could we absorb the ambiance? No. We were staring at the sidewalk. Could we appreciate the chefs working their magic while we anticipated our meal? No. We were watching people park their cars on the street we were overlooking. Could we check out the fantastic market in which the restaurant is situated (which we had never visited previously)? No. We were watching a garbage truck collect its load. We had difficulty getting our server's attention as we awkwardly tried to turn around on the uncomfortable metal stools. We felt awkward trying to negotiate the six inches of bar space we had, and frustrated that we were doing so when numerous other tables remained free. The streetlamp glared in our faces as other diners enjoyed what seemed to be warm ambient lighting. And you know what? ONE other party (of two!) showed up during our meal. Which lasted two hours because the waitstaff were so inattentive. I can't tell you what I ate. I was so distracted by the miserable experience that the food getting so much buzz took a distant backseat. We won't be returning. It's a restaurant, yes, but it's part of the hospitality industry. The hospitality was absent during our experience. We felt unwelcome despite being enthusiastic and courteous patrons. Hopefully others will have a better experience than we did.
(1)L Y.
This was our first stop on our Seattle foodie tour. Loved the space, simplicity of the locally farmed fresh food, and great service. Veggies were SO fresh!!!
(5)Thu C.
The vibe: very cool, inviting, communal. There's a huge open kitchen with a giant fire pit/oven. The best part is the counter, where food is prepared (NOTE: request to sit here!). It extends into a seating area so it feels as though you really are just in someone's kitchen. The food: tacos (this Monday, at least). Yummm. Try the Suadero, beef belly, for it's traditional flavors and authenticity and the campechanos for a blend of savory, sweet and spice (a nice kick comes in at the end of every bite).
(4)Emily F.
This tiny and lovely restaurant is one of my (two) most favorite restaurants. (The other is La Bete.) I have been here quite a few times by now, and have loved every item I've ordered. Everything is carefully prepared and presented. I am also quite in love with the Melrose Market, in which this resto resides. This place has everything: unnamed wine bars, a tiny sandwich shop made out of nature, and a random meat counter with dragon flank... In short, awesome restaurant. Oh, and make a reservation before you come, or you may have to wait a while....
(5)Putbory T.
Came here on a drizzly Sunday afternoon for brunch w/ the BF and some friends who live in the area. Sat at the huge community table adjacent to the prep table/kitchen, which was nice, nothing like watching chef's in action right next to you. Ordered a french press coffee, bread & maldon butter, and the best scone I've had...ever...? Friends ordered other things, but I was obsessed with the carbs & butter. So simple & so delicious! Nice relaxing spot, great atmosphere, open and airy with tons of light.
(4)Shannon C.
Nice, comfortable space. Distinct menu that changes just frequently enough that you can get old favorites but still try new things. Small but fantastic wine selection. The space has beautiful woodwork and is incredibly charming.
(5)Lulu L.
Perhaps my friend and I ate here on an off day. We were one of only two tables at lunch--the restaurant was otherwise empty--and the service took forever. The food and presentation were overly precious and overpriced, to boot. I had seasonable squashes w/ ham and pumpkin seeds for an entree and it was appetizer sized. Really don't get the hype surrounding this one.
(3)jeffrey r.
What can you say about Matt dillon that hasn't been said. He is unique and his food and service are impeccable. Everyone has to try this great place
(5)Tman S.
Monday Night! It might be the best Mayan pork taco ever. The place is cool, great service and view. Hotties too. I will try it mid week too.
(4)Adam S.
Great experience! Our friends wanted to meet here for dinner, so we finally made it last Friday. What a great experience; the appetizers were amazing (the best charcuterie - salami I have ever tasted and don't miss the cod pate). After apps, we all shared the halibut and then the pork/octopus for main course- both were great. The manager/owner, Matthew, gave us excellent options on wine that paired perfectly with the food. Another great foodie place in Seattle-- don't miss it!
(4)Evan S.
Unimpressed. If the concept is family style dining, the menu needs to be cohesive, yet all the dishes (and since we're a large party we ordered one of each) came off as uninspired and gloppy. I would've killed for a decent salad and plate of fresh greens to balance out the winter mush the kitchen served up. Service was so-so and the best thing going for S&S is the dining space which felt warm and clean. Do yourself a favor and enjoy a decent meal next door at Machiavelli and pocket the extra 100 bucks you'd drop at this pretentious joint.
(2)Katherine T.
We walked right in on a Sunday afternoon. Nice open kitchen setting, the window view currently shows a construction project so I would recommend sitting at the big open table next to the food prep. We tried the eggplant melba dish and beet salad. The eggplant won me over on taste. They were out of my top choices for appetizers and the waitress was knowledgeable but uncertain of what melba was thinking it was a fruit. She was good and asked the chef for guidance and we learned it was toast. Portions are small but tasty. Nice sea salt caramel parting treat.
(4)Carey T.
Had a fabulous birthday dinner for a friend here last Monday. It was the first night of their new "Taco Mondays". I love the atmosphere here! Great concept to have a market right out the door of the restaurant. And if you sit at the communal table you can watch the chefs work their magic. I loved that you could see the ingredients they were using, fresh mushrooms, pork on a spit. The service was very good! And some of our dishes were even brought to our table by owner/chef Matt Dillon (not that matt Dillon) I sampled a couple wines which were amazing too, a Spanish and an Chilean. Yum! Great Date spot! Im looking forward to returning and checking out the wine bar in the market and purchasing some local grown meats in the meat shop.
(4)Kathryn J.
My S.O. and I came here to celebrate our anniversary a month or so ago, and it was such a great experience. Chive butter was amazing, and so was the salami we ordered to start with. It's been awhile now, and I can't recall the exact items we ordered for dinner, but certain things stick out in my mind: a dish with morels (delicious), house-made ginger ice cream (so good), and rose tea with dessert (perfect ending). The atmosphere is so cute. I felt like we were in Portland--in a good way. Our server was the sweetest, too. Reservations are a good idea, it seems--we learned that one the hard way a few weeks prior when we hoped to just stop by around 9 PM on a Friday. This is Capitol Hill, and 9 PM is still prime dinner hour up here--there would've been a decent wait, so we opted to come back at a later date. Oh, and a sidenote to the reviewer below who whined that there was "no mention of our special day" by the waitstaff when they dined on their anniversary...please. My S.O. and I completely enjoyed our anniversary meal without any surplus congratulations on our behalf by our server. Of all the complaints...
(5)Brenda L.
Every time I come here with my sister, I fall in love with this place even more. Everything that I have tried is delicious. This place very well represents Seattle in a culinary way.
(5)Mike U.
Probably our favorite restaurant in Seattle, and I don't say that lightly. Sikta and Spruce is a wonderfully European experience with cuisine that is decidedly Northwest. That being said, don't expect to be fawned over by the staff or be served huge & hearty portions. These are actually a pluses in my book, but some people may find it off-putting. The new location is extremely charming, with an open kitchen, communal seating (depending on whether or not you make reservations), and modern wood decor. We've met some great people at the communal table, so we tend to opt for that over the private seating most of the time. The menu changes quite often, so there is certainly an "omakase" feel to the dinner selections, even while ordering off the menu. Flavor combinations are imaginative and inspiring, and the dishes all feel quite light and fresh (even the "hearty" items). S&S is also one of the few places in town that has a clue how to cook fish (sad for Seattle, but true). In terms of value, think of it as a tapas restaurant with Northwest ingredients. Most plates are definitely sized like tapas, but the quality more than makes up for the smaller portions, in my opinion. Think of it as a gastro pub, tapas bar, etc. That being said, it's not too hard to share 5 dishes for around $30 per person (alcohol excluded). Considering that this is less than half the price of many inferior tasting menus in town, I think it's a pretty good value. My wife and I keep coming back at least once every couple of months or so to experience the change of the seasons, but we have never once been disappointed.
(5)Claire O.
Sitka and Spruce was, in my opinion, the best food I've had since I arrived in Seattle. The restaurant is small and they don't take very many reservations so we did have to wait 1 hour and 20 mins for a table (after being told the wait would be 40 mins). However, luckily there is a wine bar outside where you can partake of a beverage while you wait - and I promise that you will want to wait b/c the food is well worth it. The menu changes daily, but we were exclaiming in wonder at every successive dish we tried. A few highlights: the best green beans I've ever tasted, delightfully tender rabbit and decadently delicious chicken liver terrine with morels and egg. Mmmm. The only slightly down note for me was the burrata. I live for burrata but this one, served with zucchini, just had all its flavour overpowered by the zucchini. Having said that, the others at the table said they never knew zucchini could be so tasty so perhaps it was just me. Extra points for the lovely open kitchen and the nice wine selection. Plus, as a bonus, there's a butcher shop inside the building in case you feel inspired to create your own little small plate of deliciousness....
(5)Derek C.
I read in the NY Times travel guide about this restaurant being one of the "best in town." Looking at their small, but creative menu online, I was excited to try it. First things first: Beware. This place is hoppin', and they don't take reservations. Be prepared to spend a pre-dinner cocktail hour over by the bar, because a table for two will probably be a solid hour wait. When speaking with the staff, they said their recent busyness is partly due to the press exposure such as the NY Times, and local write-ups in Seattle. The plates are for sharing, so it's great for a date or even dinner with a couple friends. If you're going on a Weekend night, you'll be here for a while.
(4)John S.
S&S was regretfully disappointing - especially after all the rave reviews. The setting is fabulous, the environment perfect, the colors, the natural light, the smells, the place settings - all wonderful. We were looking forward to a real treat. The food itself was tasty, but it was so expensive for what you received. I'm not one of those people that gets upset about expensive "small plates," but this time I am. The plates are very very small. Things that are written in plural on the menu, come out in singular. The "scones" plate had one, small, cold scone on it. And so on and so forth with the rest of the plates. But the other thing that really distinguishes it from other restaurants that have smallish plates is that the ingredients used in the dishes were all very inexpensive. Scones are flour and egg and water. Smelt is a very cheap, somewhat unexciting fish. When we buy small plates at Flying Fish for example, we are getting a couple absolutely incredible $30 a pound sea scallops or crab cakes made from fresh dungeness. S&S instead sold me three fork-fulls of goat with a poached egg, which was tasty, but for $13 felt like I was getting fleeced. The meal we had today felt more like we were getting fleeced and taken advantage of by the elitist part of the local organic movement. This is an extremely privileged place to eat, but in a distasteful way. I don't think we will head back.
(2)Adela J.
Cute restaurant, lovely meal. We got to sit right next to the chefs at the communal table, which was a cool experience. Also, the service was incredibly fast.
(4)Chet F.
A great place to spend the evening with your other! Quaint, dimly lit, with a warm homey Italian kitchen feel. We tried a whole slew of items: mushroom dish, squash, striped bass, pork, celery root salad, on and on. I thought the food was delicious but not a huge wow factor. I love the use of local ingredients in every dish and that you have a personal olive oil guru at an arms reach. My favorite dish was dessert and that is never the case for me. On accident they gave me some type of fruity cake thing with a scoop of olive oil ice cream on top and it was AWESOME!! Make sure to call in advance and ask to be seated at the table next to the Chefs! Bonus: S&S is in the Melrose Market, so you have plenty of things to do while waiting for your table.
(4)Katie F.
Best meal i had in Seattle hands down. My friend Sam and I met for Sunday Brunch here, and it was the perfect food to eat before a train right back to Portland, rich and tasty, yet not too heavy. The plates were inventive yet simple. We had the following: 1. Bread and butter---both high quality. 2. Chick-Pea Puree with Carrots and Harissa--like a really good hummus with a little zing on top. 3. Grilled Squash and Feta--I expected the squash to be hot in this dish, but it was more of a cold salad. Still extremely good. 4. Washington Farmstead Cheeses--served with some nuts and honey. 5. Tomato and Burratta---the best tomato I have had in ages. Simple clean dishes like this are perfect for brunch. 6. Goat and Fried Egg---The goat was really nicely seasoned and sitting in a rich broth. I could have eaten this all day. The atmosphere is great, but the food outshines it for me.
(5)Pamela M.
I am from NY, and heard about dining at Sitka and Spruce. All of my dinners were carefully planned out. Unfortunately, there was a time error on my reservation. When I called Sitka and Spruce to confirm my reservation they said no problem. When we arrived we were told that we were late, and would have to wait for an hour. I explained to very pompous gentlemen, that I had indeed confirmed. He was uncaring, rude, and indifferent. We were offered a place at the bar. But the host was so unwelcoming and nasty we went to Lark. Dinner there was fabulous and they fit us in with a smile. Smiling and being kind is way more delicious than being self important.
(1)Jacob W.
Came to Sitka and Spruce with friends and was immediately drawn to the incredible open kitchen. Having the chefs and cooks literally right there was exciting and watching them prepare food made my mouth water! Unfortunately I was not as impressed with the food when I actually ate it. It was definitely solid but not enthralling as my obsession in watching the open kitchen. We had salmon crudo, chickpeas served with naan, brassica with anchovies, and Basque gateau. Only dish that was very exciting for me was probably the chickpeas with naan...probably since I was watching them put it in the oven in the open kitchen. I definitely want to go back and try another night as their dishes change nightly with whatever is available. At first we questioned the waiter's suggestions on wine due to his initial hesitations, but later find the suggestion to pair very well with what we had ordered.
(3)Andrea S.
What a delicious spot! I went to Sitka and Spruce in its old location years ago and decided to try it out with a couple of friends last night. I called ahead to see if we could make a reservation but they told me all of their Saturday night reservations were booked (they only take a limited number). Oh well - we decided to venture there anyway. We showed up around 7 pm and were told the wait would be 2 hours- I appreciated the honesty and told him to put our name on the list with my cell phone number. We grabbed a couple of drinks at a bar around the corner before heading back into the building that Sitka and Spruce is in and grabbed a glass of wine at the cute wine bar/wine shop across the way. We were seated around 8:45 and the wait was well worth it. Everything was delicious. We ordered 5 plates between the 4 of us and the portions are large enough where everyone can get a 3-4 bites of each dish. The smoked mussels were my favorite course however the milk braised pork, marinated rabbit, halibut cheeks, and mezze plate were all wonderful. The timing of the plates was perfect, spaced just far enough that you might have two at once but not more than that, and service was attentive but not over the top. If you are in Seattle and have a chance call in advance to see if you can secure a reservation (to avoid the wait). Otherwise bring your appetite, and a little patience - it's worth it.
(5)Cass C.
Went to Sitka & Spruce last night for our anniversary--5 years. Unfortunately every dish had such a high acid factor to it that I left feeling terrible. Perhaps it was the combo of the dishes we ordered, though I find it hard to believe we ordered every single acidic dish on the menu. The first was "warm and hearty greens" which were neither warm nor hearty--really just a clump of unidentifiable greens dressed in a vinaigrette. The second was "chickpea puree with fried mussels" which also turned out to be vinegar-based and overtly so. We could not even finish the dish, as the chickpeas did nothing to balance the vinegar. Finally, we had a lamb dish.....which, crazily enough, came with a lime on top. Again, the acid built as you made your way through the dish, unfortunately blocking out all other flavors. I felt as though I had sucked on a vinegar popsicle. Adding to this was the fact that we were seated at the bar that runs along the wall of windows, though our chairs were directly in front of a cement post. There was a draft coming in around the post and if our dishes weren't that warm when they arrived, they quickly turned cold. Dessert, on the other hand, was good. A light cheesecake with caramel sauce. Delicious, but I can't say that it saved the meal.
(2)Molly V.
I have eaten at Sitka many times. Most recently last night when I took some out of towners. We ate at the communal table, which I love. As always, the food was inspired! Can I just say that the Chicken liver pate on toast with brussels sprouts and a soft poached egg was an amazing combination that left us all making noises not really appropriate for food. And the sformatino of Kurts cheese (dont ask me to pronounce it) was like an angel on my tongue! I agree with a prevous reviewer who said it is the quintessential Seattle restaurant to bring visitors. It encompasses all that is right with the Seattle food scene; locally sourced, original dishes, cool surroundings and really nice people!
(5)Roy P.
The space is tiny but charming. There are maybe 20-25 seats. They do the sharing small plates thing and have a menu of 18 items or so. The food is well prepared, sort of in the same spirit as Tilth or Pair -- fairly unpretentious contemporary preparations that let the ingredients shine through. Sounds good so far and I can see why many have had good experiences. A few problems, though, from my point of view which, sadly, take it down to two stars for me. First, at least the night we went there was no red meat, lamb or game on the menu. Not a single dish. So you could have vegetables, chicken or fish. That's probably fine for some people but it's definitely not fine for others (including me). Loses a star for that. Second, service was spotty. I had to take the bill and my credit card up to the desk to get it processed. Bummer to be distracted by that kind of thing. And when asked about the menu our waitress didn't know that much about it ("because it changes so often"). Third, the wine list is almost exclusively European (there was one American red wine) and is exclusively populated by very obscure wines. This may be a plus to some, I guess, but in general with the Euro at $1.39 and Chinese demand spiking Bordeaux prices, I think French wines have become a poor value and I would always like to have a Washington or Napa alternative. So all in all not a great experience. It is in my view not competitive with its peers and I will not be back.
(2)Tonya N.
Whatever you do... Order the bread. Its amazing. The salted butter so simple but so good... They sell it for $7 a loaf out front as well. The restaurant is lovely... feels like im in another city. Romantic and charming. The food was hit and miss for me... The ravioli had such great flavor and texture but was luke warm. The almond tart was excellent in every way. Other appetizers were decent. i would say overall this is a very quality restaurant. I'd be happy eating here daily and I know I would be eating well.
(4)Willow H.
For years I have heard this is the place foodies go to eat. With its earthy modern environment and enticing food. So I was hoping this would be my new favorite restaurant, with it's chic style and amazingly creative chef-owner Matt Dillon. And after 12 years living on Capitol Hill I am always elated at the new restaurants in the hood. The atmosphere, it is elegant, modern, and has that secret hidden vibe we Seattleites love. And the fact that their menu can change at anytime made me feel excited and wanting more. The theme is local, fresh, and modern food. But wait! I saw my orange juice being poured from an Odwalla container and felt confused...hmm. Being a vegetarian I was naturally hoping with the locavore feel there would actually be more veg options. Vegetarians love to eat too!! And owner Matt Dillon did say he was a community kinda guy, and there are plenty vegetarians in this community. I will be visiting Sitka & Spruce again in hopes that I will catch a week when they are feeling like including the vegetarians. Because despite their lack of diversity they have all the other pros; knowledgeable wait-staff, atmosphere, and creative flavors.
(3)Joyce J.
I came here for brunch. I really enjoy the concept of having tapas for brunch and being able to share the dishes. The restaurant is located in a market so it was fun walking past the flower shop, meat shop, and other stores to reach this place. The location actually reminds me a lot of the ferry building in San Francisco. The food is very decent and made with fresh ingredients. Since the menu changes often, there is probably no point recommending a particular dish. All I can say is whatever you get, it's likely to be good. =)
(4)Adrienne S.
The location is great but it is a very small restaurant so the prime seating is gone in minutes. You will want to wait until there is an opening in the main family style table near the kitchen. I love the small plates. The food is fresh and is uniquely prepared. With the small plates, you don't feel guilty after the meal trying multiple things on the menu. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(4)Trish S.
Visiting from SF, my husband and I dined at S+S on Saturday night. We walked in a touch before 10 without a reservation. While waiting to see if one of the reservations didn't show, we had a drink, app at the bar outside. The wine list and apps were thoughtful, innovative and atmosphere quite lovely, unique. Thankfully, we were then able to get a table at S+S. We had an incredible experience. The environment was inspiring, very creative and the food wonderful! We tend to prefer small bites and ordered the local greens with walnut oil/some unique vinegar -- very good. We had the beet/nettles/feta/pepper app, and it was divine. The wine list was thorough -- many by-the-glass options. We ordered the halibut entree, and while great, it didn't knock our socks off. The staff was warm, funny, informed, accommodating. We get out quite a bit in SF, and we left feeling wanting for a place like Sidka + Spruce at home.
(5)judy n.
s&s is another of the plethora of new, small, restaurants spun off by chefs from other local restaurants. small, i expect but this place was TINY! i swear, the dining area was about the size of our bedroom & still managed to have really bad accoustics. instead of menus, there's a chalkboard with the day's specials, some of which come in 2 sizes. this is part of the other new fad that taken over seattle: *tapas style or "small plates". among 4 of us, we ordered 1 of ALL but 2 things on the menu: garden lettuces w/herbs & parmesan chilled mussels w/grilled butterhead lettuce & tarrgon delicata squash rabbit 3 ways w/chesnut & polenta slow cooked halibut in mastutake broth raviolis of pumpkin & sheeps cheese w/ chanterelles organic tri-tip w/arugula & grilled cauliflower mushrooms poussin "al matton" w/quince & age balsamic chocolate torte w/sea salt (sounds strange but it was really good) some ice cream thing that was absurdly delicious the size of the dishes varied wildly but the quality didn't. everything tasted super fresh, with the stand out being the raviolis. they were divine. i think the only disappointment was the halibut which, while perfectly cooked, was a bit bland. the service was a bit lackadaisical but i would still go back. it's got a very casual, relaxing ambiance & a constantly changing menu that guarantees the freshest ingredients.
(4)Kris S.
Not happy with this experience. The place is located in Melrose Market which is a trendy industrial type market with a butcher, wine tasting, cheese stand, flower shop etc. The market is really cool but you just need to know what to expect. Sitka & Spruce was in the back and looked really unique: it felt like you were sitting in someone's kitchen while they cooked for you. I heard great reviews and was really excited. We ended up getting 4 or 5 different dishes (pretty much the extent of the menu) and found that each item which was priced in the teens was about 1-2 bites. It was the smallest portions I have ever seen at a breakfast place and it would take about 3 dishes a person to equal a standard breakfast. This would put you back about $45-50 a person without drinks. I am not a big eater but I left this place with a $70 bill, still hungry and very frustrated.
(2)Kaveh A.
Took some clients here on a friend's recommendation, and the whole vibe was perfect. Love that it is in a shopping center, and loved that when I walked in they some how knew it was me that called a week earlier for the reservation. Extremely friendly hosts/hostesses, they new a lot about the menu, and seemed to treat you more like a guest in their home than anything else. Relaxing atmosphere, which is great considering how wonderful the food was, from the octopus to the pork to the beets to the...to the....everything. Get a bunch of stuff and share.
(5)Russell L.
We took over the Sitka & Spruce for a work dinner party and we all had a great experience. This restaurant is in the most unlikely of places (in a strip mall nestled between a teriyaki joint and a Subway) but once inside, the decor made you forget all that. We let the chef have his way with preparing our meal and we got treated to course after course of yummy goodness. Without going into detail, everything was fresh, fun, original, succulent and well thought out. Standouts were a morel mushroom and asparagus dish, Copper River Salmon in a yogurt sauce, chopped razor clams on flatbread, and a pork belly dish. Very aromatic mint and flower petals were in full effect. There was a great wine selection too.
(4)Meghann M.
Great new space - ate here once prior at the Eastlake location, but the windows and abundant light in their new digs inside Melrose Market are wonderful. Came in at 5:45 pm on a Friday night without reservations (called ahead but they weren't taking any more) which was a good idea as all the tables were full by 6. The wine selection was easily 4 (or 5?) times the size of the food menu, but my pregnant friend and I were not drinking so settled on the celery soda which was shockingly good. Who knew? We started with Columbia City bakery bread with (perfect) soft butter - hard to go wrong there; green beans soaking in an olive oil-lemon-garlic-and more-broth-infusion were great; the zucchini and pulsane (I had never even heard of the latter until last night, but it was explained to me as a citrus-flavored green) with squash blossoms and the gooey goodness of a ricotta-whole milk mozzarella "ball" (that is so not the right word but a better one escapes me) was just ok -- the vegetables just didn't do it for me. The hands down best dish was the albacore tuna (very healthy portion, too!) resting on Billy's tomatoes (not sure who Billy is, but his tomatoes are damn good!) with a tahini-tasting puree; this was excellent. My friend feasted on the chicken entree (with zucchini and feta) which by all accounts I think was pretty good, however, I was too absorbed in my tuna to get the full scoop on it. Despite not having enough room to finish my tuna (yeah for leftovers) we shared the gateau Basque with huckleberries and buckwheat honey for dessert which was marvelous. Brunch and lunch are also offered here; I would definitely come back.
(4)Mips P.
Love the atmosphere in the new location in the Melrose Market. And the food is delish. Staff is polite and knowledgeable, not snotty like some of the other hawtest restaurants.
(5)Tazzy M.
when i am looking for a place to splurge and take my lady out for a nice meal...this place is not about dazzling you with cheesy decor and trendy dishes, just good seasonal, usually local and organic food. one of my top 3 in seattle for sure.
(4)April B.
They're definitely trying way to hard here to be hip. The place was cute but uncomfortably small and pricey for small plates. The service was a 2 at best our water was always empty and extremely slow. The food was okay I'll be generous and say a 4 - it was beautifully prepared, different and fresh but very heavy with oils and butter.
(3)Jennifer S.
This is the kind of restaurant that you do not necessarily just pop into on a whim, you have to be ready to wait...happily...and it is so worth it. The food is absolute perfection and the ambiance is warm and relaxed. Don't walk in starving...be ready to have a couple glasses of wine at the bar and chill- while you anticipate the wonderful dishes you are about to savor.
(5)Molly D.
We were looking forward to S and S - it was my birthday and this place came highly recommended. What a disappointment! The mountain bread that came with the mezze of cold salads was underdone - raw and doughy in spots. After the salads, my boyfriend's dinner came first. It was a very small piece of salmon. It came with a minimal amount of greens, half of a raw bolete and a raw egg yolk- yes raw. My dinner hadn't come, but I told him to go ahead. That's when he discovered his salmon was nearly raw. After waiting about 5 minutes, and no sign of the waitress, we had to flag another waitress down to get ours. She came over and I questioned the doneness of my boyfriend's salmon. She said it was supposed to be medium rare. Well, I know m.r. and this was very rare and not even really warm. (On second thought, maybe the egg yolk was also medium rare!). I also asked if my dinner was coming 'anytime soon.' She said yes. Well, apparently she didn't like that I questioned her, because her service was non-existent for the rest of the evening. She finally brought my dinner at least 10 minutes after my boyfriend was done eating his. No apology for the wait and she never came back until she silently slipped us the bill. I ordered the venison. It was pretty good, rare of course, but with raw sliced tomatoes and cold pickled kale. Don't they cook anything here?? There is such a minimal effort of actual cooking - most everything we had were cold salads made ahead of time. The place is also expensive. I do not have a problem paying for good food. However, when you get there, the waitress recommends ordering 'three plates to share.' In other words, they tell you the entrees aren't going to be sufficient ahead of time, but they charge full plate prices for the entrées and plate them as entrees - not as dishes that are to be shared. The only good thing about this place was 1. It's next to a great butcher shop (we bought homemade sausages for another time) and 2. It's close enough to B and O so we could at least end the evening on a good note with their awesome desserts.
(1)Carolyn R.
Great space. Same great food as the old location on Eastlake. Loved sharing plates. Prices on par with similar restaurants but very high quality ingredients, knowledgeable staff. Super cool farm table abutting the kitchen that would be great for a group. Felt like we were back in a country European bistro. Loved it!
(4)Trisha W.
After living here for two years, it's the best meal in Seattle yet. True, the location in the strip mall and the ambiance of getting hit by the bathroom door every 12 minutes was sub-optimal but the food and wine was totally worth it. Best advice: go early (or snag one of the rare reservations) and let your server choose everything. For a bunch of heavy drinkers and big eaters, it still only came to $75/person including tip and taxes.
(5)Josephine F.
We came here for dinner one saturday last month. Got there before they opened. We were first in line which quickly grew as we waited. The service was very friendly and the food was delicious! This was our first time and we will definitely be back.
(4)Amanda K.
I have been dying to eat here. I had a near eating experience here, but it did not work out. And then a lot of teasing about eating here, oh let's eat there, let's eat there, but no just a big tease. Then, finally this weekend I ate sunday brunch at THE sitka and spruce. I was excited. We got there and there was no parking. warning get there early. We sat at the big table with a bunch of strangers. Neither of us had been here before and we were not sure how it operated. We sat down for 10 minutes and then noticed plates on the counter. Excuse me, do we serve ourselves we've never been here, we ask, and they say yes. I was a bit annoyed that no one helped us, and mainly because I saw every other guest was seated and explained the rules. The food itself was very good and fresh. I enjoyed the bread, and the qinoa ( think that's what it was), the yummy sweet potatoe type dish, and the egg I ordered (the fried egg). The mocha that I ordered was amazing and had a beautiful heart drawn into the foam. The women next to me had a leaf drawn into her latte. My boyfriend ordered a small french press which looked very good. All in all the food was great here, the service was alright, and the parking was limited.
(3)Dustin J.
Sitka is amazing. I'd suggest going with someone, ordering a few things and sharing. And don't pay attention to any preconceived feelings you might have about the ingredients on the menu... I've quickly realized that the dishes I read and say "I've had (blank) before and hated it" or "ugh, I can't stomach the taste of (blank)" are usually my favorites at the end of the meal. Matt is a true artist - he's got the most remarkable way of combining flavors you'd never think to mix and making them into complex, rich and savory dishes. His food is an experience... Plain and simple. I love the open air feel of Melrose Market and the community table in Sitka. You meet fun people, can watch the kitchen make your food. I'm not sure what some of the reviews are saying about taco night... I've been several times and each time is amazing. Plus it's not that expensive and it's incredibly filling. I'd recommend taco night to anyone - and I usually can't get enough of their homemade guacamole and chips - WOW! Oh, and ALWAYS try the gato-basque (spelled wrong I'm sure) for desert - especially if there is a berry topping!
(5)Grant P.
I wish I had taken notes while eating. I feel bad that I can't be more specific about each course I had, what it was, and then go into a diatribe about how amazing and life changing it was. Apologies ahead of time for not being more specific. I went there with a few friends. We were lucky enough to sit at the "chef's table". I felt extraordinarily lucky to be that close to the staff as they plate each course. The wine selection was also very nice. The staff was extremely knowledgable about every bottle we asked about. This is a place that you want to go back to just to see what new delicious things they are coming up with.
(5)Briana R.
Whenever I leave Seattle for long, I start to miss "Northwest food". Sitka & Spruce is exactly that. The menu (written up on a giant chalkboard visible from everywhere in the dining room) changes regularly, and is based on fresh, seasonal, local... you get the picture. This is one of the most inventive and interesting menus I've experienced in a long time, without sacrificing taste. I was drooling over every course. Thankfully, items are served in small portions, so you get to choose a few plates to share rather than just one. It's also worth mentioning that the service and atmosphere is excellent. Don't let the surroundings fool you! It's in a strip mall, but once you're inside you'll forget all about the smell of Subway sandwiches you passed on your way in. The dining room is light and airy; there are only a few tables but it doesn't feel too cramped or crowded. Service was great - friendly and relaxed and could attended to all of our questions without any problems. S&S was a little pricey, but for the quality of food and amazing menu choices, this is really a great deal. This is where I would take anyone visiting or new to Seattle. Or for that matter, anyone who just really loves food.
(5)Karen N.
What a pleasant surprise! Look beyond the strip mall-ish restaurant front and experience the inventive menu and good service. We walked in on Saturday, put in our name and went across the street for a drink. They called us 30 mins later when the table is ready. We had a party of three, ordered 5 dishes... Scallop crudo(5 stars!), grilled octopus and chickpeas, grilled beets and carrots, emmer wheat salad with poached egg, leg of lamp. Favors were mostly Mediterranean, fresh ingredients, very well prepared. Even though the carrots and beets dish was kind of plain, the other dishes made up for it. Our waiter made good suggestions on dishes and wine and it was a nice change to have dinner at an intimate one room restaurant, kind of feel like a dining room at home, but with service and dim lights. Price is a little high, but I would be glad to come back. Warm atmosphere, not pretentious at all. Makes a romantic restaurant, but we saw a party of 6 celebrating a birthday as well. Do go and try it to support this amazing restaurant. I look forward to the new menu at my next visit.
(4)Barry G.
Set inside a hip looking, open air, shared warehouse space with a cheese monger, butcher and associated wine shop Sitka and Spruce comes off as quintessential Seattle. The eclectic food selection comes off as inventive though I sensed a bit of formula with it (that's no insult, I was raised on formula after all). The team's approach is to pull together the best of a half dozen or so fresh ingredients into small plates so you'll get combos like sardines, beets and feta or sockeye lox with shaved fennel and honey. Just trust that everything is delicious and try not to over think what you're ordering. The wait staff is as hip and laid back as the space and while they don't provide anticipatory service like you'd see at the Herb Farm they are knowledgeable and capable of providing suggestions on food and wine. They're also bright and their positive attitude adds to the dining experience and you can't say that about many service staffs. If you're heading out to Sitka and Spruce call ahead, preferably a day or two in advance. The phone number is right here on the page and they will take something most Seattlites shy away from: a reservation. And for business diners: put away the American Express, it's Visa only for plastic.
(5)Suzi P.
Sitka & Spruce has quickly become one of my absolute favorite places to eat out in Capitol Hill. Tucked away in the corner of the upscale, relatively new Melrose Market, it's a place that can go largely unnoticed to casual people passing by, and even to folks living on the Hill who may not have heard about it. Sitka & Spruce is a relatively small open space, with an open kitchen, exposed brick walls and wooden beams, and huge windows that let lots of natural lighting in. In short, you can fall in love just based on the exterior alone. The food here is pricey and can be delicately portioned (read: order several dishes). The menu takes over a single page, and although it seems to rotate often, the main thing that changes is the meat; typically the seasoning and way its prepared is the same. For example, they typically have fish lox on the menu, although one week it may be king salmon, and the next black cod (I've had both, and they are delicious!). So, what's good here? EVERYTHING. I have yet to have a dish here that I don't love. Most notable thus far are the items on the brunch menu including warm dates with yogurt and honey, sheep's milk feta with olive oil and heirloom navels, and the quail escabeche with roasted artichokes. Also, you know Taco Tuesday? Sitka & Spruce has their own version of it, except a day earlier. Each Monday night, the dinner menu offers "food of the malfacha," taking on a Mexican flair. There's quesos fundidos, and tacos with a variety of stuffing options including al pastor (pork) and suadero (beefbelly). Oh, and tequila, cerveza, and agua fresca of course. Sadly, there's no dessert on the Monday menu; if they added flan and fried ice cream, they'd be getting a sixth star.
(5)Maple C.
Deliciousness in every plate! I came here for dinner, and everything was absolutely spectacular. The menu changes daily, but here's what we had: Sockeye salmon with watermelon and cucumber appetizer. Best sockeye I've ever had. Crab with the best tasting sauce ever. I can't remember what was in it exactly, but it was good, trust me. Lobster mushrooms with mussels (my stomach is literally growling right now) Chicken cooked over coals with squash and zuchini. LOTS of bread with an olive oil mix that was kinda spicy... super good Some sort of tart with honey and berries... it was heavenly Chocolate pudding with caramel and berries This place only takes limited reservations, so call well ahead of time, come early, or be prepared to wait. I love how there's a huge table in the center of the place for walk ins (seats 12), how the kitchen table is outside with all these fresh looking food on it, how there's an open brick oven, and how nice the people working here are! I'm determined to come here for brunch soon!!
(5)Amy P.
We enjoyed our meal and the atmosphere. However, evidently our party of four had a maximum time at our table and we were hurried away to make room for the next table. I understand having to honor reservations, but it would have been better if they had communicated to us up-front that we would be asked to leave at a set time. A disappointing end to an otherwise nice evening.
(2)Chris L.
Even without reservations, at lunch we were quickly seated at the big table with an immediate view of the "kitchen". Very reasonable prices with a good selection of small plates.
(5)Nelly N.
We loved it here!! Our first night in Seattle and it tasted so good. You can't come here without ordering the bread. Sourdough with butter was not bad, would have been better if it was warm. The smelt dish was insane. If you know smelt, this was so fresh and the lemon zest made it next level. Next dish was the lobster mushrooms, simple yet flavorful. The next dish was the loxs. The lox plate was very flavorful, borderline salty if you don't chase it with the arugula. After that came the main course. My wife got the cod and it was really fresh, melted in your mouth. The pork was so tender that I was cutting it with a butter knife. So much free stuff and the service was better then most places. We love this place!! People that hate on this place didn't have reservations.
(5)Erik B.
This review applies to dinner on August 24th, 2011 (Wednesday). I've had several 5-start meals at Sitka over the last couple years, and I usually count it amongst my favorite restaurants. We took out-of-town guests there for a special occasion expecting an equally great meal. Unfortunately, it was an off night for them and left us disappointed. The tomatoes, watermelon, and dill salad was very good, and the bread was fantastic (as always), but everything else was either "meh" or simply bad. Pita with yogurt & garbanzo beans was fine, but nothing special. Ditto the pickled smelt. The Moroccan beef plate was bland, boring, and strange - an experiment that shouldn't have made it onto the menu. And the worst was the heinously overcooked local albacore - a shame to see such a promising piece of fish grilled to the dryness of a rice cake. Service was great, as always, and I love the atmosphere. Sitka has built up enough goodwill will me that I'll go back and give them another chance. Another meal like that, however, and I'll bump them down another star. I hold them to a higher standard than what they showed that night.
(3)Jeff S.
After brunch several months ago and dinner this week, I can finally say how much I enjoy Sitka & Spruce. The venue itself is fantastic, quaint yet open and comfortable. I enjoyed sitting at the head table where you can watch the preparation of dishes in advance of ordering. This is a common theme among most new restaurant design, but here it works especially well. The service is good, and the small menu still has enough variety to appeal to varied palates. Dishes are meant to be shared and this was also encouraged by our server. The smoked trout with beets was delicious. Just the right amount of acid (vinegar) to balance the strong fish flavor and earthiness of the beets. The mussels with chick pea puree were delicious, hats off to their fish monger for finding sweet mussels for this dish. For the three of us we ordered about 7 dishes (smalls and entrees). A lot of food, but a great variety and all were enjoyed. The wine list is quite large, but for regional cuisine and ingredients it would be nice to see more regional wines on the menu. We ordered a great Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, but we struggled to find something more substantial from WA state (Syrah, Cab, varietal) to finish off the meal. The only choices were Spanish, French or Italian. Meanwhile, we can't wait to come back for our next meal.
(4)William X.
Roasted beets seasoned with mint, lemon and just the right amount of seasoning, check. Seared quail (they call it grilled) that's done perfectly, check. Beer, not so much check Thornapple soda???!!! AWESOME! One of the best dining experiences recently. A little bit pricey, but more than decent food (main dish ~$35). Highly recommended.
(5)Ninja S.
One of those understanded eateries with like two tables. It feels a bit like you barged into some middle ages chef's inn and demanded he serve you immeeeediately. Scullery wenches! Bring me wine and mutton! I would call the service and style monk tapas. This feels a bit like an unintentional restaurant; like they opened, threw some stuff on a board that they felt like cooking that day (perhaps that's what they were able to find fresh at a deal. Who knows), and a wine list. Not a bad time, but if you want to leave feeling like you have eaten something, you should bring your reserve wallet as it will empty your primary.
(4)Amy B.
THEY'RE MOVING to a location downtown and opening again in the Spring. Great place for wines, small plates and charcuterie. Food is delicious and the atmosphere is intimate yet friendly. Can't wait to try the new location! Letter from the owner online: "Dearest friends, as some of you may have heard, Sitka & Spruce will be closing the doors to her Eastlake location on the thirtieth day of December, two thousand and nine. [...] The new home for Sitka will be on Melrose Avenue between Pike and Pine. 1531 Melrose Ave. to be precise. We hope to open this spring. Please check our website for updates".
(4)Guy N.
Our party of four had a meal at Sitka & Spruce last night that reflected the distribution of reviews - some dishes were very good, some not so much. The very good included: - hedgehog & yellowfeet cooked in sherry with a hen's egg - steamed winter squash with yogurt & hazelnuts - two chocolate cookies with hazelnut caramel and sea salt I highly recommend all of the above. The unimpressive included: - celery root, Kurt's cheese, & Washington black truffle - all three oils with raw, wild, line caught striped bass - poached chicken packed in Fescobaldi Laudemio olio nuovo - gateau Basque with spiced sugar pie pumpkin We couldn't get reservations, so we had to do the 5:30 seating for walk-ins. This left us with the option of sitting at the communal long table, or bar-style along the wall. Unfortunately by the time we got to the front of the line, the wall was all that was left, and it wasn't very conducive for conversational dining. This restaurant gets named in a lot of "Top X" lists for Seattle, but I'm a little unsure why. I suspect that it's a hit or miss experience depending on the season and items on the menu, which I understand change frequently. I think I'd go back, but I'm in no hurry to do so.
(3)Erin C.
I looked forward to dinner at Sitka and Spruce for months...after the old location closed, I was checking for updates on the new location regularly. Things got started on the wrong foot when I tried to make a Wednesday night reservation and only 530 and 945 were available. We took our chances and walked in at 6pm, only to face a 1 hr 20 min wait. The atmosphere was lovely and service was great, I loved the open kitchen. However, the seats were uncomfortable and we sat at a bar overlooking the parking garage across the street. When it came to the food, I was intrigued by a number of the dishes on the menu. We settled on a tomato and lobster mushroom salad (good, but simple), a rabbit leg with japanese peppers and peaches (pretty good but the portion was teeeeny), albacore tuna with melon and zucchini (my favorite of the dishes) and chicken over some kind of roasted tomato succotash. In hindsight, I should have sent the chicken back...it really left a bad taste in my mouth. It was cooked on the grill and pretty charred, ruining the flavors in the whole dish. The bill was the nail in the coffin, we spent more than we usually do for a nice dinner out and we didn't even order a bottle of wine! :( I won't be returning to Sitka and Spruce any time soon and hope that the next few places I try live up to the hype.
(2)Nathan P.
This review gets a one star rating based entirely on the awful service, or rather the lack of service we received on our most recent visit. On our arrival we were met by a less than friendly hostess which told us the only available seats were facing out the window in a monotone voice void of any personality. I should have probably realized there was an issue at that point. We were seated, and 2 other couples came in after us were seated and drink orders taken and even served, while we still waited to even be acknowledged by our server. We were sitting there staring out the window at the construction next door for at least 10 minutes before my husband got up to ask if they had forgotten about us, the server quickly said that the other couples had questions and promptly dismissed him. By this time I was pretty unhappy and knew my experience couldn't be good no matter how good the food is. So we got up and left. That was 20 minutes I'll never get back.
(1)Min P.
Food was good but not amazing. Menu is fine but lacking in ambition. Ambience was fine but a bit cold. Service was slow and even worse, snooty. Practically had to wave arms to get the waitress to come to us. What's with the air of pretentiousness? There are plenty of other restaurants that emphasize fresh, seasonal local food in Seattle so if they want to be recognized as exceptional they will need to up their game. Overall not worth a repeat visit.
(3)Kylin P.
Favorite restaurant in Seattle, hands down. I went here with my fiance to celebrate our anniversary and it was such a great choice. All of the ingredients are local, fresh and so delicious. They create a small menu each night, which means they're focused on making those selections as amazing as possible. We loved the entire experience, the food and wine were very good and the intimate space made it the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion (though I'd be game to go there any night). Considering the high quality of the food and great service, we felt like we got more than we paid for. Highly recommend this as a unique Seattle dinner spot.
(5)sarah d.
Sitka and Spruce* has been around the block in their four years on the Seattle restaurant scene; and not just figuratively speaking. The Eastlake restaurant closed its doors late last year only to put down new roots inside Capitol Hill's Johnnie-come-lately, Melrose Market. In its previous location, devotees looked past the run-down storefront and paid attention to the food. Chef and owner, Matt Dillon spins local ingredients into inspired dishes the way Rumpelstiltskin spins straw into gold. And he does so with conviction, highlighting seasonal local foods and routinely incorporating the exceptional meats, cheeses and produce found just outside their doorstep. When I first walked through the doors of Melrose Market, I found myself inexplicably drawn to the rear of the building where Sitka and Spruce inhabits a freestanding structure within the market. The reincarnated space does not sparkle with shiny newness. It feels like an old friend, weathered and familiar. Soft light streams through rows of leaded windowpanes and exposed brick is whitewashed, adding cheery brightness. An open kitchen provides warmth and invites denizens to inactively participate in an orchestrated dance of activity, best observed from the adjacent communal table. Servers and kitchen staff streak past leaving behind flashes of color while diners meet one another's gazes sharing the secret knowledge that this is where it's at. Over the course of three visits, I have twice been for lunch and once for a sleepy weekend brunch. At the noon hour, I sampled delicate wedges of golden watermelon layered with briny sheep's milk feta and salty paper thin slices of prosciutto scattered with crunchy red chili flakes. I sunk my teeth into pert, creamy local camembert perched atop a pool of fragrant wildflower honey and savored tender roasted broccoli and escarole bathed in silky anchovy butter. Smooth tangy chickpea puree felt exotic with the addition of spicy harissa beneath a nest of cool sweet carrot salad. Whole smoked sardines were adorned with creme fraiche zig zags and balanced atop round yellow potatoes, like dual silver skateboards poised to race across the table at a moment's notice. Weekend brunch brought soothing house made yogurt with juicy ripe peaches and ambrosial honey. Tender buttermilk biscuits were slathered with sultry late-summer blackberry jam and the clean flavor of creme fraiche. On the savoury side, ful mesdames were fava beans simmered with spices and topped with a delicately poached egg, toasted pistachios and fragrant fresh dill. For Sitka and Spruce, 'reinvention is the mother of necessity'. In their new space, seasoned customers and newfound admirers convene under one roof with easy familiarity. Diners are muses in a Degas painting where each meal is captured in fluid brushstrokes of color and light. Only, Dillon wields a spatula not a paintbrush and his masterpieces are decidedly edible.
(4)Steve P.
Finally made it to their new place on Capitol Hill. Still great food and service in a much nicer space. Highly recommended.
(5)Paul G.
Had a great meal here the other night. Told the server to just select an array of items and that he did! We tried so many different dishes and all were excellent. This is Northwest cuisine of the highest order! Matt Dillon is always up to something good. I have eaten at Corson Building a fair amount but I like Sitka better - not as much of a production, a little bit more laid back, and easier on the wallet. I'll be back...
(5)Sonali R.
My husband and I were looking forward to coming here for several months and found the perfect opportunity to grab brunch here before heading to a matinee show at the opera. We had no problems grabbing a table- but it took them over 10 minutes to get to us and another 10 to get our french press. Service was incredibly slow-and to be honest, it was not busy (or so it appears). It's always a shame with poor service doesn't pair with the great food. I wasn't sure if I had an outlier experience, but it appears that the indifferent waitstaff problem has been experienced by many. One comment rang true with my experience where she seemed like we were interrupting her morning-- we usually assume that people think we're not cool or hipster enough to be bothered by waitstaff in capital hill (even if we've lived here for years)-- but the fact that many have had this experience with this place begs the question of why on earth would they not improve the waitstaff experience? The food _was_ wonderful: it was fresh and well done. We had the bread with butter (although for a place that advocates sustainable eating and sourcing, it's unclear why they would serve a TON of butter with such quantities of bread- seems very wasteful), the lox was so fresh and tasty and in finally, we had a beautiful squash jam. All in all the food was nice: was adequate quantities of high quality food. The service left much to be desired and unfortunately detracted from what may have been a 4-star to perhaps 5-star experience.
(3)Megan O.
Dee-lish. First off, I love the Melrose Market, so maybe I'm entirely biased toward this place. And secondly, one of the waiters always touches my man's shoulders verrrry tenderly (he's mine!). The atmosphere is great! Bar seating at the window, tables, and one long table that ends in the kitchen prep area. Unfortunately I didn't overhear any juicy kitchen gossip. The tables were garnished with the same sort of small flower that I later ate in one of the dishes. For a brief moment, I considered eating the decorations, deciding against it only because we were the last to leave the restaurant that night. This is my current favorite restaurant. In a city that's bursting with locovores and slow-food-ites, this feels like something very authentic rather than cliche. Sometimes I enjoy my food puzzling me (what's this?, who's that?!), but here I find myself surprised by the purity of many flavors I thought I was well acquainted with. That and by things I wasn't sure I would have eaten. Decidedly northwesty, eating fiddlehead ferns, morel mushroom, and Dungeness crabs further enables my regional narcissism. The plates are substantial and filling, yet usually carry aspects of lightness and weight. The pros so outweigh the cons, I can still fully endorse the 5 star rating. With that being said, when I ask the waiter for an interesting drink, I'm always met with the reply "we only have gin and bourbon." Does that serve to imply my options are gin, bourbon, or a girboun? And each time we've dined, there have been at least one menu option that they had run out of, which we only found out about after ordering, leading to temporary devastation. Luckily they slung my girboun precisely at that moment.
(5)Julian R.
Excellent. Pure and simple excellence. By far the best food I've had in Seattle and some of the best food I've had ever. Simply amazing.
(5)Adriana K.
Bright airy windows with vintage style fans playing with a summer breeze on linen curtains in a spacious open room creating the most simple elegant place you can imagine to enjoy one of the rare warm days of summer. I had been to the previous locale located in a strip mall tiny space and loved the food; especially the octopus I had. I was super excited to try out the new space with the similar concept of communal eating and sharing; this space with a long table near the chef and oven hearth. Some of the dishes are ambitious stretching ones palate with the variety of local findings. The pate was especially good and the chantrelle mushrooms tasted creamy of butter. The apricots for dessert were the biggest I have ever seen and such deep rich color! I was suprised there was no espresso; coffee only, and my friend was disappointed in their limited bar options. More than anything, I was enthralled with the amazing space. I love what they are doing and that I try things there I would never think to otherwise.
(4)Sara K.
I love this place! My fiance and I went here last weekend and we had an excellent time. The staff were all very friendly and helpful in making recommendations, the food was fantastic, and its all very affordable! We will definitely be going back. The carrots and sauerkraut are highly recommended!
(5)Maria C.
So good. Why did it take me so long to get here? I am glad I never frequented it at the original location, because now it is so dreamy and romantic I couldn't handle walking by a Circle K to get to such lovely, foodly bliss. Service: Prompt, knowledgeable, sweet...no Capitol Hill attitude here! Food: Intelligent, delicious, fresh. I particularly enjoyed the oil poached albacore with watermelon and a new-to-me-herb called padilla...delish. Interior: Rustic, romantic, great lighting, super cute spot for our fashion meeting, but you could totally have a first date here and feel fine. The Melrose Mall is a great endeavor, I hope that the scensters on the hill don't dampen it with their diets of PBR and shitty burritos from up the street. Support local and lovely places! Bonus: The chef/owner is named Matt Dillion; but he is no outsider to amazing food and ambiance. xoxo
(4)Sara H.
Like the previous reader, I'm puting down 4 stars for the bread issue alone. We weren't offered bread so we asked for some. The waiter broght 2 tiny slices squirelled away in a napkin. Certainly not enough to sop up all the juicy goodness left at the bottom of the plates! We asked for more and were rewarded with 2 more slices, which (sadly) were the end piece of a day old loaf, not nice. Since I was dining with one of seattle's most cherished bakers, this was definitely a lowlight of an otherwise luminous meal. Aside from that things, were fabulous. Unfortunately, there were only 2 of us and I am a vegetarian. So, that made sharing tough. Everything arrives at random, which also made the eating portion a bit uncomfortable (my three dishes came almost together, his came 30 or so minutes later). But, the food was divine and I will never fault a restaurant for being less than accomodating to special needs patrons. So there you have it- fab food, end of story. Arive early if you don't want to wait. Don't expect your own table, enjoy the company of someone new! Come in with a relaxed approach toward what might find it's way onto your plate, an open mind and adventerous spirit and you will not be dissapointed.
(4)James S.
The restaurant is in the old Mercedes service building, which has been remade into the Melrose Market. The setting was lovely. We could watch the cooks, and there was beautiful morning light through the windows. But the food was merely okay, we were each served separately over a 10-minute period, and the portions were uneven. Based on the raves the restaurant gets, I have to assume that the Sitka & Spruce experience is better during lunch or dinner than it is for brunch. I had brunch there Saturday with a party of five. Our food arrived at five separate times. Some of us were finished by the time the last person was served. My sister had the Irish "scones" with crème fraiche and berries. I put "scones" in quotation marks because even though the menu used the plural, she received one scone. It was the size of a scone you would see at high tea rather than breakfast. I ordered the house-made yogurt with honey and peaches. It was very good. Oddly, the waitperson set the dish in the middle of the table and mumbled something about sharing, but provided only one spoon. Yogurt isn't the kind of thing I would want to share anyway, and if the dishes are meant for sharing, why does the scone plate come with just one scone? My partner had the smelt, which he said was merely okay. One of my friends had a tuna dish and was disappointed to discover the tuna was cooked. (He said he should have asked, as the menu didn't say.) The other had the braised goat, which arrived a good 10 minutes after the first item was served.
(2)Kathy S.
My mom and I enjoyed dinner at Sitka and Spruce on Sunday, which was Mother's Day. We didn't have a reservation but they were able to seat us at the communal table almost immediately. The menu is very small, since it changes daily, but this makes it easier to choose something that is truly excellent! (unless you have dietary restrictions) We shared a broth with ramps, bacon and egg, which was light but with a depth of flavor. Then, we shared two entrees: the roast pork and the sturgeon. Both were excellent and quite large portions (in particular, the pork included a large portion of shredded pork and lentils to go with the cut of meat). Very delicious, nice atmosphere, I would go again if I lived in Seattle!
(4)Ben M.
Hilarious location should not scare you away, this establishment is fine dining at it's best. You know the drill, show up BEFORE they open, get in line, and get a seat. Awkward to read, centrally located menu informs you of the daily selection. Food was fantastic, very earthy flavors and simple presentation highlight the restaurants personality. Although there are no wine pairings (or even a full wine list), their few wine choices were spectacular. Prices were reasonable although nothing to write home about. I liked every dish I had! Get ready for an eclectic dining experience, no ingredient is off limits. You're at the mercy of the chef's local ingredients (this is a good thing).
(5)Zane M.
cool vibe, hip/trendy....reminds me of whale winds or joule. food was great bud did not wow me....my only complaint was that the menu was severely limited....only two entrees. their excuse was that it was sunday evening, and more quiet. beautiful open kitchen and fireplace....our pork loin was roasted over the open wood fire.
(3)Samanda J.
Increible!!! Last night I dined at Sitka & Spruce's Monday pop-up "food of the malafacha ~ the Suadero", on guacamole & chips, & Suadero (the juiciest "bacon of the beef" EVER), cochinita pibil (braised pork with wonderful macerated onions), & calabacitas (zucchini & corn) tacos. The corn tortillas were heavenly, & portions atop perfect & not messily overflowing. We had to wait awhile, as expected, but there was a lovely bar steps away. The space itself is lovely, too. Tall ceilings, small & intimate. I am both sad & happy to have *just* learned of this amazing pop-up night. Thank you chef Alvaro Candela-Najera for the amazing meal! I am now determined to return for the traditional Sitka & Spruce soon.
(5)Alison V.
I've only eaten there once but it was delicious. A few things to know before you go though. First, don't expect to just pop in. The wait can be long. I'm thankful I live within walking distance because it took us walking by two or three nights for there to be a short enough wait for us to decide to go in. Second, the menu changes daily. The owners informed us that they get a main item of the week and incorporate it into different plates throughout the week. Third, don't expect to have your own table. It's like going to a party where you don't know anybody. There is limited seating and you're encouraged to sit with strangers. Lastly, the food comes out whenever. There's no sitting in the kitchen under heat lamps until all the dishes are ready. If your plate is ready before your friends you get to eat before them. Many of the plates come in two sizes - small and large. I think the best way to approach a type of restaurant like Sitka & Spruce is to go with a friend. Get small plates of various dishes and try lots! It's definitely a unique dining experience and not your daily grind type of place.
(4)Casey A.
Awsome dinner. We had Salt Cod and Globe Artichokes, house olives and veal meatballs with harissa - great dinner great service great atmosohete - we are coming back tomorrow
(5)Alon L.
Don't judge a book by its cover (although I admittedly do this all the time)! From the outside, Sitka & Spruce looks like a dive, since its smack in the middle of a strip mall. However, once you step through the doors, you'll be pleasantly surprised! First off, it's small. So, if you show up at prime dinner hours, you'll probably be in for a wait. They can take your cell phone number and call you once your table is ready, which is a nice touch. The lighting is a little too dark - I suppose they're going for the ambience thing. Dark can be nice sometimes, but that night was a little excessive. Maybe it was temporary? Fine. The restaurant is quite clean and you can see at least some of the kitchen (always a plus in my book). Tables are cramped. If the place is full, you're literally sitting close enough to comfortably eat off of your neighbor's plate. Most importantly - the food. Excellent. You can tell when a chef puts thought into his/her dishes, and Sitka & Spruce is one of those places. The menu changes daily and they use local ingredients (fresh!). I happened to get the cod and some pasta dish (sorry, I can't remember the specifics). Seasoning was perfect, and the fish was perfectly done. Not too dry. Be warned however - the portions are small for each dish (they're going for the whole "tapas" thing). So, that means you end up ordering about 2 dishes or so per person. This can rack up the bill real rapidly. So, expect the dinner to be pricey! Service - the wait staff was awesome. Very attentive and well versed in the dishes. If you drink wine, they're also great at recommending wine pairing. I am no wine connoisseur though - so who knows, I'm easily impressed in that department. Quick with the drink refills. My ratings breakdown (out of 5): Ambience: 3.5 (crampy tables. Can be quaint and comfortable for some people, but it's not really my cup of tea) Service: 5 Food: 5 Price: 3 Overall: 4
(4)Britt N.
Three stars for the entree (dry aged duck) which was just ok, but five stars for the dessert! They had a chevre cake that was amazing. Not too sweet, but full of flavors that worked really well together.
(4)Toni J.
I absolutely love this restaurant and it is one of my favorites. It is always a great opportunity to explore the type of foods you may not prepare everyday at home and the menu is ever-changing with seasonal fare. An intimate setting in what feels like the back of an old warehouse Sitka and Spruce is situated inside the Melrose Market and flooded with light from old-school industrial leaded glass paned windows. Decor and ambiance are a draw. Food is unique and delicious albeit a bit pricey for the portion size. Understand that going in you are paying for the experience and effort to produce the amazing creative food not giant portions. I simply order more menu items and enjoy!
(5)Renee C.
Delicious. Menu changes constantly... in the best way possible!!!! It's a really small setting in Melrose Market, but it's as cozy as could be. The kitchen is right there so you get in on the action! Make sure you get the London Plane bread to start. Also, I'd suggest getting a bunch of plates and sharing with your friends :) Enjoy!
(5)Kelly K.
Celebrated a birthday here, made a reservation a month in advance. Our appetizers included their fabulous sourdough bread with whipped butter and flake salt. Fermented vegetables were interesting, who knew beet stems could be pickled. Our fav was the pickled egg. Tremonti olives were reminiscent of childhood grabers. The monterey squid was sliced into fine rings, nestled in green garbanzos and bathed in a squid ink/harissa sauce. Delicious and artistic. Fav was the conica morels, english peas, cream, egg yolk and grilled bread. This single dish was the highlight of the meal, tasting of chicken stock although there was none, i was told. Top quality in all regards, those morels will haunt forever. We shared the neah bay king salmon, kohlrabi, see beans and goose tongue, a sea grass. Perfectly cooked, crispy skinned salmon lay atop the sea floor. Service was expert if cool, excepting the inclusion of a festive curly candle in our dessert of choice, fig leaf ice cream, shaved dark chocolate dust, cherries and brandy. I don't know how the fig leaf ice cream tasted pleasantly of coconut, but it did. We especially enjoyed the quince shrubs served, a pleasantly tangy and appetite whetting fizzy beverage. Wine choices were appropriate, although i recommended a sparkling viognier by capay valley vineyard as an addition. I loved the space, it felt like a farmhouse front porch and the food served was farmhouse in its freshness and choice. I applaud this restaurant for its support of fine producers.
(4)Kim L.
We didn't get enough time to order more food to try but my guest and I loved the Salmon and the veggies we ordered, it was definitely palatable and a meal to be remembered!. will definitely be back!
(4)M J.
Delicious food with great local ingredients. Sitka & Spruce is a fun open place for a date with someone who appreciates great inventive food. The pricing is high, but the market will tolerate it for the great ingredients, reputation and inventive cuisine.
(4)Sean K.
Five stars all around. Great wine list with really decent pricing, awesome food options and totally loved their vegetarian selection as well. We loved their chicken for the entrees, the morel mushroom on the bread, the trumpets with a shellfish sauce, their charcuterie board was great. Service was fine and overall ambience was sort of cool, romantic and very Seattle. I would totally recommend this to anyone going to Seattle.
(5)leonard k.
Overrated. We went for dinner on a hot night. No air conditioning and no fan in sight for us in the corner. We were sweating before drinks. Since we don't eat meat , we were assured there were many choices on the phone. . One fish . . .salmon , for both entree and appetizer. The vegetarian dishes were creative but very poorly described and explained by the help. The dumpling was not a dumpling. It was rye bread. They never listed many spices so you must be willing to be surprised. We love farm to table, but this restaurant was not worth i. Great local vibe, but not comfortable and we should not have not "steer" around the menu as much as we had to . . .
(2)Catfriend N.
Easily my favorite restaurant in Seattle. I'm a vegetarian, and this is one of the few upscale foodie-type restaurants that doesn't treat vegetarians as if they are some sort of inferior alien species. The menu changes constantly, but always has several straight out vegetarian options, plus other dishes that they will happily modify for a vegetarian without the sigh and judgmental attitude so many other restaurants dish out. Everything is on small shared plates, so be ready to order lots of dishes and split them with others in your party. I've never dined here solo, so I'm not sure how practical that would be. I've enjoyed every meal I've ever had here. It's on the pricey side, but worth it. I recommend reservations. Had I not made them in advance, there are a couple of times for sure my party wouldn't have had dinner.
(5)Tami H.
Sitka & Spruce continues to impress. I love that they have now opened up a cocktail and wine bar in the market that now serves the full Sitka menu! The food is fresh, artful, and delicious. Indulge and order the bread with whipped butter. To die for. I love the labneh spread on the bar menu as well. Their salads are wonderful. We had the grilled beets (marinated for 4 hours first) which were amazing. The menu changes regularly. This time we had the albondigas which were delicious. The 1/2 chicken was solid, but not the best chicken I've had in Seattle. The atmosphere is relaxed, non-pretentious, with all the focus on the food. A must for any Seattle visit.
(5)L M.
The food was ok. The ambiance is lovely. However, the food is overpriced. The service was rushed: the waitress brought my check in the middle of my dessert even though I still had a good gulp of my wine left too and there were empty seats available. The food's presentation was interesting. The chef seems to be well travelled in that eclectic tastes are juxtaposed well. For instance, they'd used pistachios in my entrée but the pistachios weren't super fresh. I'm not so sure if I'd be going back.
(2)Nicole S.
YUM! Rotating seasonal menu and drinks. Delicious, fresh, and high quality food. Pretty presentation. Adorable chic decor. Intimate ambiance. Attentive, professional, and knowledgable staff. Central location right inside of the adorable Melrose Market between Pike and Pine. Great place for a date!
(5)Michael C.
One of the best examples of the Seattle food scene on the hill. Prepare yourself for something really special.
(5)Michelle S.
Walking into Sitka and Spruce is a unique experience in itself. It's nestled inside a charming indoor market boasting with personality. As you walk through their big red doors, the casual yet clean design welcomes you. Once you begin looking at the menu, you know you're in for a gastronomic experience. The heirloom salad was fresh, light and a perfect start to a warm summer night meal. The rye dumplings were by far my favorite. They were accompanied by this creamy cheese and buttery sauce, my hubby and I gobbled it down quite quickly. Highly recommend! For entrees we ordered the albacore tuna and organic half chicken, both so delicious and tender. For dessert we had the hazelnut and cheese crepe cake which was melt in your mouth delectable. It was just the right tough of sweet. Overall, 5 stars. Can't wait to come back to Seattle and eat here again!
(5)Paula C.
The small menu looks simple but each dish is layered and complex. I was dining solo could only try a couple of dishes. A carrot and yogurt dish was full of bright sharp flavours. Soft scrambled eggs with shaved mushrooms and mustard seed was much more subtle but full of depth. Small but very nice wine by glass selection. The servers were all well informed and enthusiastic. The only negative was that it was quite chilly at the window on a cold damp night.
(4)Yana N.
Wow chefs table to a new level! Bravo guys. Our waiter was so knowledgeable and made this experience unbelievable! Thanks for the tea recommendation! Cheers and see you next time in Seattle.
(5)Eric J.
Nestled away in the depths of Melrose market, Sitka & Spruce is the epitome of farm-to-table dining. You're never going to get the same things while dining here, which is a nice wrinkle to your typical hipster farm-to-table place, so I decided to come here with fellow Yelper Vania K. for a catch-up lunch. I had read a lot of good things about Sitka & Spruce, as it was featured on programs such as The Layover, so this was a very highly anticipated lunch for the both of us. Vania and I decided to go for broke and order two small plates to begin and the two large plates they had: fresh radishes with pork lardons and salmon roe, a summer squash medley, tuna confit, and the lamb belly. The radish dish was a bit confusing, because we weren't exactly sure how to eat it. The salmon roe came on a bed of freshly whipped butter, but we weren't exactly sure how to combine it all. The radishes lacked any sort of flavor or seasoning, and combined with the lardon and the saltiness of the salmon roe, it wasn't that much better. The summer squash medley was much better, and the puree it came with was pretty bomb. The tuna confit was fairly standard, but the accompanying purees and sauces were very good. The lamb belly dish was very well-presented, and the fermented cabbage and crispy potatoes were delicious. Likely my favorite dish of the meal. The service was very friendly, but hardly attentive. Considered there was only one person acting as a waitress and hostess at the same time, I guess it could be generally forgiven, but it took us a long time to move through the dishes, and we constantly had to call out for water refills. The attending waitstaff was very apologetic and nice about it, so that was definitely appreciated. Overall, a solid 3.5 star experience, but I'll round up due to the quality of ingredients. The ingredients are fresh, the presentation is outstanding, and the fact that they source locally and go with seasonal menus is definitely a plus, but the actual taste had something to be desired. Perhaps we caught them at a time where the menu was a little disjointed or we merely ordered the wrong things, but considering the many positive reviews, I guess I expected a more consistent experience across all the dishes. I'm a little undecided about going back and trying it again, but I would put it up there as a solid place if you're looking to eat sustainably and trying to experience the local Washington fare.
(4)Sandee T.
...Scrumptious & simple. We wandered into S&S after morning breakfast and immediately stopped in for breakfast-dessert (there's such a designated meal, right?) * GET - Bread Pudding [w/ figs, chocolate, pistachios] = gooey but light, with rich vanilla ice cream * GET - Yogurt [w/ cherries, dates, toasted seeds nuts, honey & mint] = not my cup of tea (quite tart yogurt) but friends loved it * YES - Lovely & warm space, think simple modern & rustic * YES - Open kitchen: long counter seating is shared with chefs preparing dishes * YES - Great for brunch, lunch or dinner * WOA (words of advice): - Reservations recommended (overhead another patron talking to hostess) - Accepts credit cards
(4)Casey J.
Very unique concept. The decor has a classy/warehouse feel and the food is farm-to-table/upscale feel. We ordered a ton of things on the menu, but a few stood out for their quality: -Pickled vegetables which were beautiful and nicely matched with cauliflower, carrots, egg, etc. I think the egg was my favorite. -Heirloom tomatoes were also ordered which offered a rich, meaty taste. Very big and very organic. -Albacore Tuna was perfectly cooked with a unique compliment of smoky eggplant.
(4)Tim C.
I came here for dinner with my wife on a Sunday. We made reservations, so there was no wait, thankfully. The food was solid - the dishes were very unique and well-thought-out-and-executed. The waitress recommended a few starters and a main to share, but we decided to get two mains instead. Their menu changes every day, so my recommendations here may not be relevant, but here's what we got: My wife got the king salmon, smoked potato, fennel broth, and saskatoon berries. It was a salmon cooked at a low temperature for a longer period of time, which made it look raw, but it was actually cooked through. The texture of the salmon was amazing - the meat was so tender (almost like raw salmon, but maybe even slightly more tender), and it still had that strong salmon flavor to it. The potatoes had a nice crispy outside, which provided a great contrast to the tender salmon. Of the two we tried, I liked this dish better. I got the lamb leg and belly, pluots, rye berries, kale, chili vinegar, and yogurt. The lamb leg was a little tough for my liking, but was still flavored well. The belly was fatty with a bit of a crisp to it, which I enjoyed. The kale was lightly charred, which also added texture and some smokiness, and the pluots provided a welcomed sweetness to it all. Good dish, especially for lamb lovers (like me!). The service was friendly, helpful, and informative. The layout of the place is also unique, in that it's an open kitchen and kind of feels like you're sitting in the kitchen of someone's house. Expect to pay a good bit for the food and experience, though. It's not something I'd do on a regular basis, but for a once-in-a-while meal, Sitka & Spruce does a pretty good job of embodying what I imagine a Pacific Northwest restaurant should feel and taste like.
(4)Vania K.
I think Sitka & Spruce is like durian: exotic, requires a lot of careful preparation, and is an acquired taste. Perhaps I will come to appreciate this durian later in life but this was too much of an art installation, less of a meal, for me.
(3)Chris W.
Once again, Yelp comes through. This place exudes locally sourced, farm-to-table. It's like walking into a Whole Foods or Fresh Market with a full service restaurant. Great find. I always look for signature cocktails and this place doesn't disappoint. The Shigoku Oysters are a must. (I'm kinda an oyster-snob, and these don't disappoint.) Followed it with the roasted beets. It could have been an entree by itself. Very tasty and matched well with the way it was prepared. The roasted Duck was out of this world. Amazing place. Great service. Excellent food.
(5)Sara M.
Great food and the cocktails are amazing.
(5)Nelson Y.
Went here for lunch yesterday with a group of around 10 people. The staff was incredibly friendly, the food was fresh and came out timely (we were served several courses and we all walked away satisfied) and the ambiance was beautiful. When you're sitting at the long table, it really is like you're eating in someone's kitchen... and that was pretty awesome. This place gets 4 stars from me, and not 5, because I don't usually prefer the lighter fare (salads, etc.). Sometimes you just want a hefty steak or burger. For me.. that's most of the time.
(4)Joanna M.
What incredibly lovely food! And I really mean lovely-these dishes are lookers. Bright colors and interesting textures abound on Sitka & Spruce's menu. While food worthy of being in a gallery may sound pretentious and not everyone's locally foraged cup of tea, I found the flavor to be spot on. I'd been intrigued by S&S for awhile, hearing that they were doing awesome things with the PNW's incredible bounty of seafood and produce. While I had heard of every ingredient on the menu, there were some fascinating and unlikely combinations, such as 'king bolete mushrooms, rainier cherries, and spruce tips' and 'over wintered onions with unripe elderberries, flowers, and rye.' I adore mushrooms and cherries, so the roasted king boletes were a must. The dish was simple, even with the spruce tips, which make it sound fussy. Just perfect-the spruce added an earthy element (even though mushrooms themselves are quite earthy.) We enjoyed a dish of 'tokyo turnips with black garlic, pickled seaweed, and breadcrumbs' though thought that this dish was bit less balanced than the first. We split a dish of king salmon with chanterelles (more mushrooms-yay!), lime achar, and pea vine broth, which was incredible. Perhaps a bit too zingy from the lime, but it was a bold and invigorating flavor, and the salmon was cooked just right. Wine and spirits list is as creative as I had imagined it would be, and dessert was memorable as well-a goat cheese meringue of sorts with rhubarb-a light and delicate ending to an already whimsical dinner. The restaurant is located in a mini palace of gastronomic delights, with a cheese shop, butcher, flower mart, and a wine bar in the same open space which I believe used to be a mechanic's garage. Enjoyed the large windows which at dinner time let in a lot of light (unless it's rainy and gray) and the feeling of eating in a friend's kitchen on just a slightly grander scale. With an ever changing menu reflecting the diversity of the PNW's abundance, I look forward to a return visit to try many more delightful and innovative dishes.
(4)Nicole O.
Hosted some interns here for a work dinner and decided I needed to venture to this side of town far more often. The marketplace that Sitka and Spruce is located in is adorable and creates an awesome and unique ambiance. The communal table seating brings warmth and the food is delicious. From the sourdough bread with salted whipped butter to the roasted duck. My favorites were the shelling beans & dumpling and the squash blossoms with truffle butter (we ended up ordering two of each). Logistic Tips: Save yourself the headache of parking and either Uber or park in the valet garage just on the other side of the restaurant. Reservations are a good idea too!
(4)Joshua T.
Ahh what a gem sitting in the far left corner of maltose market. This amazing cozy restaurant will melt your taste buds to the right temperature. Money should not be thing when coming here. Don't be afraid to try anything that is on their menu. It may take awhile to prepare so please make this dinner a special occasion. Sitka and spruce is truly an experience more than a meal. My aged duck was cooked to perfection and the pork loin was cooked excellent!
(5)Jonelle T.
Sitka & Spruce has been on my list for a while, and I finally got to eat here. Reservations are definitely a must, as the place is quite small, and it would be tough to just walk in. Believe me, I've tried, and it's never worked out. I really really really wanted to love it, but it sort of fell flat in every way. It was a warm summer night, so a bottle of rose just felt right. We started with the sourdough bread, and the salted whipped butter served with the bread was amazingly legit. I was slathering it on like a crazy person. Plates arrived slowly and out of order from there. Shigoku oysters came out after tomato and grilled escarole dishes, which wasn't a huge deal, but they would've been nice to have with the bread. Both veggie dishes were just ok for us. We weren't blown away by either flavor profiles (basil and mustard). For entrees, we went with the pork neck & belly, and the duck breast. The pork dish fared better than the duck, as the duck arrived cold, but cooked really well. We enjoyed the juxtaposition of the pork cooked two ways, but the only time cold duck is acceptable is if it's of the Andre variety. Overall, service was exceptional, but food production was slow. Since the menu rotates often, I'd be open to coming back to try different dishes, in the hope they come together better.
(3)Erin F.
4.5 stars One of the best restaurants we went to on our recent trip. My only issue was the menu was quite limited, so it was a bit challenging finding things to eat and we left a bit hungry. Beyond that, though, the food was some of the most inventive we've tried in a while. Unfortunately, I can't remember everything we ate, but since they change it so frequently anyways, it doesn't matter too much. The pickle plate was surprisingly delicious, although the pickled egg was a bit strange. We had a mushroom crostini (basically mushroom, cream and a huge thick piece of bread) that was delicious. It was a fancy version of cream of mushroom soup. So good. We also had a dish with smoked cucumber which tasted so strongly like smoked beef or something. We asked how they did it, and the waitress came back with this incredible story about how they created their own smoker and basically pipe wood smoke over the cucumbers and then let it sit with the cucumbers for a few hours. The care and quality that goes into each dish is incredible, so be willing to try new things & you should be surprised. Be aware that it's a fairly small place and that it's located inside of a larger market (you have to walk all the way to the back). Great, inventive food, with an unfortunately limited menu.
(4)Tom F.
Wow. This was an amazing meal. Aside from the pot de creme, every single dish (and we ordered almost all of them) was outstanding. The black cod that day was outrageously good - so buttery and soft and smooth. The lamb boudin noir was also wonderful, and the beans that came with it were smoky and delectable. The menu changes frequently so I won't continue, but suffice it to say that every single bite of food that I ate was really remarkable. The service was also perfect - relaxed, not pushy or hovering, and very informed. Sitka & Spruce was one of the best meals I've had in a long time, and the food was so consistently incredible. I was very impressed.
(5)Victoria E.
Say you are in the market in Stockholm and you find yourself a table at Lisa Elmquist. You promptly ordered some local specialities like their fried herring and herring three ways. You ended up chatting with your neighbors, some cute Dane lovebirds and some fellow Americans, and you came to find out this is one of the best restaurants in Stockholm. Then you spent the next two years searching, in America, for something that reminded you of that. Search no more. You are absolute, most positively in for the best surprise of your culinary journey in the northwest. Sitka & Spruce is breathtakingly beautiful. The decor is industrial warehouse meets French country chic. The open floor seating reminded me a number of those open kitchen format restaurants in Portland Maine, and Portland Oregon, two James Beard favorite spots to visit, and then of course their locally sourced menu. Whipped three minutes butter with sprinkles of sea salt on toasted bread. Yes you have to pay for the bread. Do it. Pickled veggies are like artwork, and then there are two halved pink soft eggs on top with salt sprinkled onto the yolk. Died and gone to heaven. Charcuterie is not food, it's pure art. The display, the selection, the way they nestled and spread on a giant place with toasts, you don't know if you should eat it or just stare at it. Too much protein for a proper entree? Do not fret. Get the grilled veggies. It's something green something fresh and something you should never walk away without ordering it. Did I mention the ginger beer? No? That's because I inhaled the first and was working on the second. No other ginger beer tasted this fancy and fresh. Finally the panna cotta is nothing that you've ever seen before. Go and google Sitka Spruce Panna cotta and you'd find 23000 photos of it on tripadvisor site alone. And none of which is the one you just had. Why? Because yours is made for today only. I'm sorry you did not get my version of it. Your loss. It's my gain. Simply out of this world. No complaint except questions like: why on earth nothing like this exists outside of Seattle? Why would this not be a Michelin star restaurant? Why couldn't San Francisco get something like this? Capital Hill pretty much establishes itself as one of the best to dine place like Portland's downtown area by Tasty n Alder. I also believe that northwest has somehow gotten in with the Scandinavians and they are secretively creating a new international best editable art for the rest of the world to envy. It took me twenty years to return to Seattle. But I suspect my next Virgin America flight back to Seattle is less than a couple of months away. For my food sanity, I need to be back.
(5)Simone J.
We went here for lunch and it did not disappoint. If you are starving and looking. For a heavy meal you may by enjoy this but it you want something truly delicious that has flavors unlike anything you've tasted this is the place. The menu is simple but the flavors in each dish were exquisite. As mom put it "gastrointestinal delights". I have never tasted food so fresh. Its like eating the food the way God means for it to be enjoyed. With so much to eat in Seattle I wouldn't pass this place up. It's a tapas style so get some friends and share several things. Not one thing we had disappointed.
(5)Kel Vin W.
On my first time to Seattle, we had a gastronomic tour de force in a short 4 day trip. Sitka and Spruce was one of our favorites and it certainly lives up to all our expectations! First of all, the laid back, casual atmosphere at the restaurant sets the atmosphere for the evening. The food was clever, fun and certainly an experience that delights any foodie!
(5)Dan T.
An impeccable example of how a dish can be greater than the sum of its parts. The pork loin, for example, was well executed but nothing out of the ordinary when sampled alone. But when taken together with a spoonful of the startlingly well seasoned sunflower seeds and mustard green puree, the entire bite burst with flavour and texture that superseded all expectations. The conica morel dish was even more sumptuous, swimming generously in a sherry cream sauce, paired perfectly with a thick cut of toasted sourdough, and topped lavishly with an egg yolk just waiting to be pierced and ready to coat the entire dish with its savoury goodness. The yarmuth chevre cake was also a surprise: when sampled alone, it just seemed like a glorified (albeit delightfully whipped) cheese cake. But when spooned in as one with the rhubarb compote and toasted meringue, it was another masterful combination of flavours and textures that utterly transformed the cake that had initially seemed so benign. I will say that I was more impressed with the depth and complexity of flavours here than I was with anything I had at the Whale Wins and the Carpenter and the Walrus (although not to sell them short on their own strengths and merits). But if one meal stands out in my mind so far in Seattle, it would be Sitka and Spruce.
(4)Felicity B.
My mom and I came here when she was visiting and loved it! The waitress gave us an excellent recommendation on wine. The food was fresh and delicious. We had an amazing salad (not something I usually say). We shared a few dishes that were all fresh and perfect for the season. Don't forget the bread and butter!
(5)Starving Student P.
Sitka & Spruce is not only an innovator but is also a leader in PNW cooking. In addition to using organic, local, farm-to-table ingredients; you actually feel healthy eating their food, which is very delicious I must say. Sadly, it's counter intuitive that we think that food that taste good must be bad for you as we're so used to eating processed foods. However, S&S throws that out of the window. Therefore, if you're an out of towner that wants to try local cuisine (or at least makes an effort to) and wants to get away from that familiar tasting chain restaurant you're more than comfortable with, as if it were your home away from home, make a reservation at Sitka & Spruce. In depth blog link: themetropolitanlounge.bl…
(5)Wendy M.
Got there for lunch and not crowded at all started with bread and the most lightest and beautiful asked butter yummy! Lite salad with hazelnuts radishes and the cheese platter with home made eye crackers. Heirloom tomatoes with seaweed parm chips so good and lastly the soft eggs on favo beans ham and grilled escarole was the best dish yet. Everything was fresh beautiful and tasted wonderful. Highly recommend
(5)Monique S.
Outstanding service, ambiance, and the food & craft cocktails were beyond delish! We arrived early about 5 min before they opened. Good thing we did every seat was filled up by 6:30p! Highly recommend! Love the melrose market that it us located inside of! Super hip with many delicious options!
(5)Ann m.
Yum yum yum! It was very hot inside but I did not mind because our dinner was SO delicious! Simple but delicious. Fava beans & salmon & mushrooms etc.....we split almost every small plate they offered. I will be back. The home made soda is amazing!
(5)Joop V.
We had a chance to check out Sitka & Spruce because we wanted to have an early dinner before our evening show at the nearby Paramount Theatre. The restaurant is located, along with other cute little stores of different varieties (flower shops, meat/cheese shops, décor, sandwich, etc) in a charming building that houses the Melrose Market. Luckily, we were there around 5:15pm and the restaurant still had seating for us at a counter facing the building windows overlooking the nearby apartment Pine Manor (despite the fact that we didn't RSVP ahead of time). Had we arrived at 15-30 minutes later, we wouldn't have gotten any seating because the restaurant was already full by then. Since we were hoping for a light dinner to share, we opted for just 2 plates (a cheese dish with quinoa/mint leaves and puree sauce ($12) and a lamp leg & belly with roasted leeks ($31)). Both dish tasted good and fresh. We were particularly surprised by how well the mint leaves help make the quinoa taste distinctively unique (the mint wasn't too overpowering either). The lamb belly was exceptional, and so were the charred leeks. Overall, we were happy with the taste and how well the plates were executed. The portion of the dish though was quite small for the prices paid, so I had to -1 star for this. The menu selection is also small (but from my understanding, they change the menu pretty frequently depending on the type of quality, fresh ingredients they could source) However, if you are looking to impress your date in a small, cozy restaurant feel, this restaurant is definitely a great place to take your date!
(4)Jason J.
Located in the Melrose market this hidden gem is a great place to take a first date or a family gathering to sit around the chef's table for an amazing meal prepared at table side. they've recently expanded to the Old Bar Ferdinand location so you have a place to wait because they generally have quite a wait for dinner. the new bar offers up a host of cocktails. Wine beer and non alcoholic drinks. Feel free to bring a sandwich from home grown another local eateries in the US market and sit at the bar I'm enjoy a beer or a spirit of your choice to be happy to deliver your food to the bar from home grown. I highly recommend checking out all the places in the market has its own unique experience.
(5)Jennifer L.
the bf was in town and I was all excited to try S&S together. we arrived, were seated quickly with our reservation time and then instantly realized they don't have a/c (and it was one of our hot days). as a Seattle native, I understand that we all don't have a/c and this summer has been unusually warm, but when it's an expensive restaurant and all they have is a single standing fan in the corner, it's a bit surprising / disappointing. let's just say our big, fancy date night out was unfortunately dampened as we were sweaty messes all throughout dinner. not fun :/ outside of the heat, our experience was fine. wonderful food and drinks and looking to go back after they figure out the a/c situation in melrose market or wait until a cooler day..
(3)Ann S.
Gosh darnnit S&S - I really wanted to love you but left feeling disappointed. Don't get me wrong..the service & ambiance was great and the food was decent ...but dishes were a bit overpriced, which would've been fine if the quality matched the prices. Here's the deal, first dish arrived, beets. Yum! Can't go wrong with beets, except it was served with a side of hair. Yep, human hair. I pointed it out to the gentleman who brought us the dish (not our server), he proceeded to use his thumb to wipe the hair off our plate and walked away. We reasoned that since neither the hair nor thumb actually made contact with the food, then it should be okay......right? Next up, came a plate of delicious morels which we ate up, and the main salmon course which was equally tasty, but portions were small and we had to send it back the first go-around because it wasn't cooked the way we had specifically asked (I can't have raw at the moment, a temporary inconvenience). When the check came, what we paid just didn't match up with what was delivered. All in all, we were left with a slightly meh feeling about our much anticipated gastronomical experience. Instead, it really fell a bit flat as the ginger beer I ordered.
(3)Stephen S.
Ridiculously fabulous menu and very unusual space. If you're not a true, 100% foodie, skip Sitka & Spruce. You won't even be literate enough to read the menu. However, if you ARE a foodie and you've not visited, shame on you; book the next available seat. It's delish. Menu changes daily so call ahead for favs. I have one big compaint: those damn high chairs are torture. They belong at Guantanamo and not in a restaurant. Get rid of them and if $ is an issue, go to IKEA and get some metal stools ... anything would be more comfortable than those back and ass-busting chairs at the "bar" along the window. Terrible seats you should avoid at all cost.
(4)Paris F.
This restaurant shows the beauty of presenting complex food in a most simple manner. The lamb leg roast I had was good but not the best since I saw the beauty of how tender lamb can be cooked at the Paris restaurant. However the sides that came with the lamb leg is prepared in most delicate manner.
(4)Stacya S.
I had my first dinner here with four friends last night. The food is amazing in so many ways, the combination of flavors, the presentation, I have no words. Chris W is right, the oysters are a must. Great wine list. This is most definitely one of our best places to have dinner. I give one star to the people who camped out at our table. We had a reservation at 8;00PM. They must have come at 5;30 or 6:00PM, and were still there when we left at 10:20PM. We decided to eat at the bar because I could see these "campers" were not leaving. They were 'pulling a shift" as servers will say. Why can't we review customers? We loved eating in the bar, but I was still astounded that this large group would keep a restaurant hostage for so long. Booo on you, party on April 8th, 2015. I give you the stink eye. However, our server in the bar made us love our experience. Still thinking about that quail. Large plates for a small plate place, could have ordered less for sure.
(5)Janice D.
Decent food that is representative of the pacific northwest, but nothing out-of-this-world amazing for the price. The halibut was fine, and the appetizers (beets) were good. The dessert menu didn't appeal to me. Maybe I just had higher expectations because the name of the restaurant is so cute! Would be willing to give it another try next time I'm in Seattle.
(3)Ken L.
A night out on the town: Starters: Sourdough with Portuguese style tuna pate - appetizing beginning with these simple but wholesome nibbles Salami from Olympic Provisions in Portland, Oregon - tastes as good as it looks Main: California wild halibut with walnuts & miner's lettuce - a work of art that is light, flavorful and delicious. The mild fish with a medium firm and sweet taste served with the side item below - a fresh and earthy combo. Halibut side extra - beet yogurt salad, harissa, pickles, long cooked greens, pilav and nan-e lavash** Recap: Over the $50 food budget used that night here but not even not half full. It is undeniable the amazing setting and thought that went into the menu though had to finish part deux of dinner elsewhere. 3.5 Stars _______________ *also known as Pilaf, rice cooked in broth **Middle Eastern style flatbread
(4)Lauren N.
This restaurant is on almost every "places to eat in Seattle" list I came across and am so happy we went! We made reservations for brunch on open table which was. Good idea because they filled up quick. The service we received wasn't fantastic. It seemed like our waitstaff had something else on their minds or we did something wrong. I'm not sure. That being said, I try to give servers the benefit of the doubt because everyone has off days. The food, however, was amazing and made the experience so much better. We had the Dutch baby pancake with huckleberries which was the best thing I ate all day! We also shared the frittata and the most delicious lamb shoulder with pole beans and creme fraiche. It was crisp and tender. I loved the decor - sort of rustic meets modern - and there was the sweetest flower shop next door. Definitely worth the trip!
(4)Martin G.
Unique, interesting and absolutely comfortable. Have Google ready to help with the menu if you're not a serious foodie! Don't shy away from the unknown and I promise you will not be disappointed. Wonderfully helpful and pleasant staff to round out the experience. My only question. Why are the WA wines the most expensive?
(5)angela y.
it's been about a month since i visited sitka + spruce, and i've put off writing this review because i was a little insecure about not being "foodie" enough to enjoy all that it had to offer...but here goes.... i'm not going to list out individual dishes i tried (mainly because it won't be super helpful since the menu is always changing), but i do remember liking the chicken the best. i also liked the white fish that was served with some awesome mushrooms. i remember a salad that was incredibly bitter - maybe that's how it was supposed to taste, but i couldn't really appreciate it. i had one bite of the pumpkin tart that was heavenly. and there were some other dishes...but none of them really stood out (since i can't even really remember what they were). aside from the food, we came here for my friend's 30th birthday, and it was the most cozy + perfect setting. we sat at this long wooden table right next to the chefs prepping the food, and the entire space just felt so organic and dreamy. i'd go back just for that atmosphere - but next time i'll just order a drink or dessert.
(3)Nora W.
I really love the atmosphere as it feels like a Parisian cafe... but it's almost impossible to drop in... you HAVE to have a reservation unless you want to wait 1-2 hours. Seating can be awkward as it is tiny... BUT... the food can be amazing. I say CAN be, because I chose one of their 'adventurous' dishes and it was like eating something overgrown and woody from your backyard (funnel flower? I don't recommend it). The rest of the food was amazing... but the Halibut was inconsistent.. the first time I could hardly stand how good it was... caramelized and perfectly tender, the second time a little bland and watery. Not sure what happened, but I'd be willing to give it another try.
(4)W. R.
Took my toddler for lunch. Great lunch for mom, they brought a special plate for her and treated her like a princess. Unusual plates, definitely a notch above the rest. Not your typical Seattle restaurant.
(5)Margaret H.
Yes, it is a very unassuming storefront next to a convenience store, but the atmosphere inside is cozy, casual and unpretentious. And besides, you're really there for the food! A friend and I walked in around 6pm on a Wednesday to find plenty of open tables. We were seated immediately and ordered a glass of wine while we pondered the chalk board menu. After consultation with our tall, cute waiter we ordered 3 small plates to share. I'm writing this review a few weeks afterwards so I can't remember our exact order, but the menu changes anyway. Sharing is definitely the way to go - you get to try several different and delicious dishes.
(4)Todd S.
Small plates, big prices. $165 for three people. Left hungry and went to Dicks. Need I say motr?
(1)Steve T.
"We bring out the different dishes whenever they're ready" ok, we're happy to share everything, that's fine "Here's the plain potato side order dish you've ordered and the broccoli that's also obviously a side" ... 15 minutes later ... "Here's your main dishes to go with your now-gone-cold potatoes and broccoli" hmm, 2 stars
(2)Lindi C.
Alright, first off, this isn't the type of place you go and order ONE dish (you gotta try it all, baby)! I came here last night as a part of a group of 4. We arrived to a busy restaurant located in between a Subway and a teriyaki joint. All I can say is, don't judge a book by it's cover. When you're inside, all that strip mall/convenience store feel slips away. They told us it would be a 45 minute wait. Which was a bummer because we were all starving! But, luckily Serafina is close by and has some delicious cocktails. So, we left them our number and then they called us when the table was ready and we quickly jotted over there. Once inside, we sat at a long table with 4 other people. I actually thought that was great. It's a very social place. The server was very knowledgable and friendly. He helped me choose a wine that would go best with the courses. We started with two different salads, both of which were amazing. Then, we told them to keep 'em comin'! All the dishes went well together and were very share-able. We also had the salumi platter, pasta, lamb, duck and two desserts (one of which was a crepe, the other gelato). I don't need to get into all the details because, really, everything was amazing. It's rare that I go to a restaurant and love EVERY single thing. (Usually I won't even touch lamb, but they made everything enjoyable and tasty!) As far as drinks go, they don't have a huge wine list, but the wines they do have are very good. Also, they only offer 2 beers. Both are German. But, I'd rather have wine than beer, so that part didn't bother me. They did have this weird celery ale (similar to a ginger ale), which was interesting and delicious! The best thing about this place is that they offer a well-rounded variety of dishes: vegetarian, fish, poultry, meat, etc. They also offered different sizes (a small one or a large one) in many of the dishes which was great! Last night's meal was one of the best meals I've ever had in my life. I orginally docked a star for the long wait and weird hours of business. But, screw that. The food was WELL worth the wait. And according to a couple of "regulars" there, it's amazing that we even got in that soon on a Thursday night. I definitely think you should give this place a try...sooner rather than later! However, I recommend bringing an empty stomach, a fat wallet and an open mind. Also, it wouldn't hurt to make a reservation (if they take them) or showing up a while before you want to eat, putting your name on the list and going to one of the nearby bars while you wait.
(5)Anonymous A.
A great, bright space perfect for sharing plates and trying lots of small morsels of great tasting, local stuff. They have a chicken liver pate with rhubarb that is one of the best dishes I've ever tasted. Service is attentive but not overly talky or intrusive. A really cool place that you more than likely would enjoy.
(4)Jennifer B.
A friend and I ventured into Sitka & Spruce's new space in the Melrose Market and were completely charmed by the Market and the restaurant space. It was cozy and unique with a European feeling. The food was good, though not spectacular. We had a moroccan spiced chicken dish (the best), potatoes and mushrooms (good), raw salmon in citrus vinaigrette (eh), and sausages (very hearty and flavorful). I wasn't blown away, but it was good. Not easy to get a reservation and the place was full at 5:30pm.
(3)Matt C.
Not much else to say here that hasn't been said by other reviewers - the place makes amazing food - do NOT order one large dish, plan on ordering small plates or you'll be cheating yourself - the attitude of the waitstaff is proud, bordering on cocky, but they are helpful and will explain/suggest stuff to you and to point you in the right direction for wines if you're into that sort of thing. - the strip mall location is unexpected, but adds to the charm (look! we can be food snobs then hop next door to the convenience store for a cold 40 and a ho ho!) - the wait for a table can be off-putting - once you get a table, expect to share it. I ate there a while ago, so I can't suggest a specific dish, but they were all superb, expertly prepared and plated.
(4)Lindley E.
A strip mall is a strange location for a charming restaurant...and I drove by it about 4 times before I actually noticed it. I was expecting something grand and minimal. Instead it was pizza storefront small, and hidden behind white curtains.... Arriving at S&S at 5:25 pm, I joined the mass of hungry diners waiting for the door to open at 5:30. At 5:30 the door did open, but it was just long enough for the front-end manager to tell us that they were running behind and would open up in ten minutes and seat us. I was fine with that. I was dining alone and was just hoping that I had arrived early enough to eat at the first seating. I kept telling myself that all I wanted was a seat at the communal table, and I'd be happy. The doors finally opened and I was suprised -- there are about 24 seats in the restaurant, including the large communal table (for 8) and a smaller communal table of 6. I took a seat at the head of the 8 table and looked around...there were about 4 guys there, one front of the house, one running utility, one doing prep, and another in the back. Maybe there were more guys, but I didn't see them. I loved how the day's menu and wine list were scribbled out on the chalkboard behind me...and I loved the flexibility of the menu. Items could be ordered as small plates for $10 or large plates for $16. There were a few dishes on the menu (like poussin) which were available only as large plates. I ordered four small plates: a crudo with Halibut, olives, and grapes; fresh smelt with potatoes and lemon zest; porcini and polenta; and a shellfish salad with clams, mussels, and onions...and lots and lots of olive oil. As I waited for my plates (they come out when they feel like it, there's no set order), I munched on their amazing corn nut/fava/chick pea mix and sipped a rose. I ate the entire dish. The smelts were amazing - perfectly fresh, perfectly cooked, accented with lemon and flecks of red pepper. The potatoes were slightly underdone but good. A little inelegant in preparation. The mussel and clam salad was beautiful but too oily. It had similar seasoning to the smelt - lemon zest and pepper. And then was drenched in olive oil. I was sad. I didn't like the crudo...but it not eating it, it gave me an opportunity to make some friends. The young couple I sat next to ignored me most of the time, but were having the most interesting conversation about wine...the young man, who barely spoke a word, listened intently as the young woman next to him lectured him on the grand crus of burgundy and the negociant houses of France. I offered them my crudo, opening up a conversation between us. We ended up sharing much of the last bits of our meal - they offered me poussin (good) and I let them try the polenta and porcini (too drenched in fat, but otherwise it had a great texture and bite). We shared wine, chatted about food, and they let me take her picture for sexywomeneating.com (she's Nahide...coming soon to the food network, fingers crossed). I skipped dessert and ran off with Nahide and her buddy Carl, who took me to a rum bar near Nahide's house. Yep. Sitka & Spruce. Alone in Seattle, it may be one of the best places to dine.
(4)Karin B.
I was here with friends right before Christmas and had a wonderful experience. Innovative and unique seasonal food (try the olive oil ice cream!) and great ambiance in the Melrose Market. Definitely worth the time and the investment . Parking not so easy however.
(5)J R.
New location is vibrant and small, so plan ahead with reservations. Food is local, creative and fantastic. We enjoyed an amazing salad of razor clams, porcinis, and cherries with a smoky dressing. Just amazing. Cant wait to try breakfast.
(5)Alex T.
A Good/Bad Thing - Constantly Changing Menu. If you want to go to a place where you can order your favorite dish every time you go there, this isn't the place for you. If you're willing to take a risk and trust the chef, you might be pleasantly surprised with a delicious meal. This wasn't the case for us, unfortunately. SERVICE - Outstanding. While other have dissed the service, we walked in and were almost instantly approached and attended to. We had a drink while we waited for a table to open up. FOOD - 1st dish was a green salad with salmon, three kinds of olives and some fruit. I really wanted to like this, but I found that the flavors didn't work together. It seemed confused, with several strong flavors trying to compete for my attention. They should complement each other and play nice. 2nd dish was a plate of new potatoes simply cooked with herbs and butter. Nice, but I could have made that at home. Three small potatoes split in half, salt, pepper, rosemary and butter. $10 seems a little high for this dish. 3rd dish was a roasted game hen. This was very nicely cooked and well seasoned. The hen provided most of the flavor and if you don't over or under cook it, it will taste nice. I would have liked some sort of sauce to improve this dish. 4th dish - my wife had a dish, which I can't recall. I remember her liking my hen better than what she had. SUMMARY - Great service. Interested attempt at offering unusual dishes, but not well executed on the night we went. Expensive for the portions you get. If you want a sure thing, don't go here. If you're up for an adventure and willing to take a risk, try it out.
(3)M. M.
If you are looking for a unique food experience when you have a little extra cash to spend & time to wait, then this place is your place. Each dish was a little adventure (in a good way) and the interior was suprisingly pleasant.
(4)hellokittynme ..
yes, kara. you're absolutely right. we need better penmenship. better please! can someone hear me.
(4)angela c.
My boyfriend and I went to Sitka and Spruce for his birthday and had a wonderful dining experience - definitely my best in Seattle; probably one of the best of my life. The food was simple and delicious, and atmosphere was friendly and unpretentious, as was the stellar service. Our server was super knowledgeable and passionate about the food, but didn't push unsought information on us. We told him a couple of items off the menu we were interested in trying, then asked him to recommend a couple of more that were particularly good that evening, plus a bottle of wine to go with it. His selections were spot on, and the food was served at just the right intervals and with just the appropriate amount of attention. Just a great food/atmosphere/service experience overall. Pricey but not outrageous; our bill was $145 for two people which included 4 plates to share, a bottle of wine, two glasses of dessert wine, and two dessert plates - PLENTY of food. Sitka and Spruce is perfect for either a special occasion or a night when you just want to eat really, really well.
(5)Angie B.
If you want substitutions and bigger portions, go to TGI Friday's. Sitka & Spruce is amazing and worth the wait. I suggest walking in when you are not famished, because it'll be awhile. But it's worth it.
(5)Louise M.
This place is so good it made my mouth sing and i forgot about everything in the whole world except for the food in front of me. Language was impossible for a few brief moments. I had a salmon crudo with green olives (one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life), Duck ham with fava beans, oh sooo good. Amazing - earth shattering - fabulous. And so creative. The other dishes were excellent as well, grilled smelt over dandelion greens. Steak with arugula and grilled tomatoes. The food shouted I AM FRESH and HOT. It would have gotten a 5 if they had brought us bread, seems picky I know. They were handing it out to the other tables, maybe we didn't know the secret password. We skipped desert - we were too full. We had ordered small 4 small plates and for 2 it was plenty. Bill was about $75 with tip, (includes one glass of wine and 1 soda). Very reasonable for food that was this outrageously good. Be prepared to wait with everyone else in the parking lot, next to the 7-11. At least you can have wine or a Slurpy.
(4)Mark M.
Yet another gem I hesitate sharing. In particular, I love that this place is camouflage in what appears to be a 7-Eleven style strip-mall. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going for dinner, or to pick-up a 40 of Old E. That said, you simply need to walk through the door to have your attention quickly diverted to the aromas emanating from what appears to be someone's private kitchen. Don't expect to be handed a menu as everything is written on the chalkboard wall, a feature that adds nicely to the quaint feel of this hideaway. I think I counted enough seating for about 16 people, so arrive early or expect to wait. The wine menu is solid, but short and to the point. The wait staff is PHENOMENAL. So polite and incredibly knowledgeable. Because we were so undecided on what to eat, we ordered the entire menu from top to bottom (assuming you are prone to sharing, this is highly recommended). Surprisingly, the roasted chicken and leg of lamb were favorites.
(5)p s.
LAME. OK, it's in a strip mall...I'm supposed to be charmed? The guy working the counter was hungover and pissed at the world. God forbid you ask about anything on the menu (god forbid you might be allergic to something)....we went for lunch on a wednesday and I swear if we weren't with friends I would've walked out. The food was less than so-so and I haven't felt well since I ate there...Some places might have an off day but the combination of misplaced cooler than thou attitude, a strip mall ambiance, and overpriced, uninteresting food makes makes me write a negative review - and I've never been compelled to do that before. Go to Crave. Go to Paseo. Don't waste your time with this joint...
(1)Tracy I.
Quaint little restaurant. Food was yummy, but doesn't really stand out. Seating is limited, this reservations are a must. However, if you do happen to walk in you might be able to share a communal table. Huge plus that everything on the menu is fresh and organic. Would I return? Yes, however I wouldn't go out of my way.
(4)Diana G.
Well that was delicious. One only needs to look at the menu to know you're in for something amazing. A little more hipster than I'm used to, but when you're looking at high end capital hill restaurants, it's all but expected, as is the price. The ambiance was impeccable, tall ceilings of an indoor market, tucked away in a corner with beautiful window walls separating you from the other wonderful little shops (pasta, cheese, wine, butter, meat, flowers). The rustic chic decor fits in splendidly. The food is fun and masterfully cooked and plated. You must have their airy fresh made sourdough bread and homemade butter, to start off simply. I then moved on to their chickpea fritter, which had the most elaborate array of textures and flavors, crunchy on the outside and falafel-y on the inside fritter, with fried squid over the top and squid ink sauce, all tasting amazing. Then we had an awesome red potato dish, whose potato decided it wanted to resemble fish, although sliced and raw fish appearing, it was one of the most creative uses of potato I have come across, with wonderful hedgehog mushroom bed, and delightful dried rhubarb sprinkled around. Lastly we came to the pork loin & braised shoulder. A hearty stew like bed of beans with the shoulder, and the tender loin resting on top. Brought me back to my mum's cooking growing up, with a chicness she would have shuddered at. All in all, an awesome eat. You will not regret.
(5)Faye Z.
The food gets a 3.5 and ambiance would get a 6/5 if possible. First, the ambiance. The restaurant is tucked into the back of an open warehouse-like space that has been gorgeously remodeled. Think slats of aged wood, chalkboards, metal barstools, wine barrels, high wood ceiling with rafters. The space is shared with a couple of bars and delis and a flower shop. Wonderfully unique atmosphere. The restaurant itself is small. I came to eat solo at 6:30pm on Tuesday, and only had to wait 15 minutes, but I imagine the wait would be substantial during weekend prime time and for bigger parties. Now for the food: Tremiti olives (3/5) - Olives are olives. Nothing special. Chanterelles, sorrel, egg yolk, fino sherry, over grilled sourdough (4.5/5) - Delicious (though tad on the salty side). I'm a sucker for mushrooms and good bread, and this was both. That egg yolk and fino sherry sauce spread over everything was super rich and satisfying. Pork loin, sausage, broccoli, smoked potatoes & harissa (3/5) - Nothing interesting here. The potatoes had a great crispy skin and the pork loin was nicely tender and thinly sliced, but this was easily something an amateur home cook could put together. Harissa is one of the staple condiments I make at home, and this version just wasn't all that. Overall, the food was good quality, but not inventive or mindblowing enough to me to warrant its price tag. However, the atmosphere and uniqueness of the space is sufficient to draw me back here.
(4)Danielle C.
Sitka and Spruce is really nice for brunch or a light lunch. Bring some friends and order one of almost everything on the menu - the portions here are quite small. The croissant with the caramelized goat milk is amazing. The croissant is so flaky and the goat milk is great. It looks like a small bowl of caramel. The scone is okay but I think it is a tad bit too dry (just a tad!) and the lemon sauce was just okay but that might be because I don't really like lemon desserts too much. The bread that they have in the restaurant is good. It is very soft. The butter is soft and salted with some special sea salt. However, the bread and butter platter costs you about $5 which is not worth it in my opinion. The lamb sausage was decent. The smoked salmon was really small (barely fed one person) but the flavor was nice (granted, I don't really like fish). I really like their charcuterie plate. The meats taste great along with the fried baguette slices (one looked like proscuitto but she didn't say it was proscuitto - it was some name I had never heard of before) The seating at the long table is kind of awkward. The chairs are really short and just awkward to put things on. It's better to hang your coat on the coat racks.
(4)Arash M.
Excellent service paired with wonderful unique food :)
(5)Andy V.
I'm usually one to roll my eyes at 'fancy' brunch places where I get a hipster vibe, but I'm also one to base my rating on the food. Sitka is definitely a place I wouldn't think I enjoy. It's tucked away in this market kind of place and the seating is small. The kitchen is open, meaning you can watch them cook in front of you, which is pretty cool. Onto the food. We had squash and yogurt draped in pumpkin seed oil, which sounds simple, but it's delicious. We also had a meat plate with crustinis. Also very delicious. The menu rotates around, so it's nice to get variation if you aren't a regular. It's a nice place to spend Sunday brunch.
(5)Anthony D.
Definitely a Seattle hidden gem - and be adventurous when ordering! I got the Chamomile infused salmon with Brussels sprouts and it was incredible. My wife and I then took a chance on the parsnip cake and that was even better. I highly recommend trying the place out!
(5)Kristin K.
Seasonal creations that are culinary crafted. They don't skimp here and they use the new foods as well.
(4)Elizabeth B.
My father took me for lunch to this wonderful place. Fresh, simple ingredients done superbly! The place has a rustic charm, placed with small shops, meat butcher, cheese, flower market in an old brick converted auto shop. The long butcher block table positions you across from your guest in view of the chefs and the brick oven used for cooking. Had the specials of the day, which change often, parsnips, mushrooms, and lamb sausages. All were incredible and served family style to share. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Laura P.
We had an amazing mid day meal at the Sitka and Spruce. We traveled to Seattle for the weekend recently. We went to the Hitchcock on Bainbridge Island and the chef there, Brenden McGill suggested we try this restaurant out. He was spot on with his recommendation. We enjoyed a great meal, full of surprises. We started with the cheese plate. One of the selected cheeses was one of our favorites from Oregon. It was the Hannah by Ancient Heritage Dairy in Madras. Among the other cheeses and the housemade cracker was awesome! Next we moved on to the Asparagus, Leek and black trumpet salad. WOW o WOW. Can't describe it really. It was so good. Next we moved on to the Poached chicken with potatoes and herb and WOW it was so moist and tender. It was incredible. Thank you Brenden for suggesting this great restaurant. We will definitely be back for dinner the next time we're in Seattle.
(5)Serena Q.
Sitka & Spruce is on a street lined with restaurants - so you've got lots of choices - but this place had been recommended to us with rave reviews about the food and service. And while I agree that the food was good, and the service was exceptional, I felt like the place was generally overpriced. Don't get me wrong, I get that what they are doing is unique and innovative, but I felt like there was something missing to justify the prices. As most reviews have mentioned, the space itself is open and well lit and lovely. You feel like you are at a good friend's house who is sharing new recipes with you. The place has a generally welcoming vibe about it, and would make a great date night restaurant to share some wine and loosen up. For appetizers we shared the bread with soft butter & Jacobsen flake sea salt, the smoked salmon, and the olives. The bread is especially good, and that butter is just out of this world. I had the very creative soup, deconstructed and combined in front of you. The broth tasted like the ocean - in the best way. Since it is May, I decied to go with the halibut since it's in season and I've heard wonderful things about Seattle halibut and it was simply incredible. Perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked. I wish I could eat some right now. So, all in all: a good spot but a bit overpriced.
(4)Suz S.
We always come here when we feel fancy. The menu changes every night. You didn't know half the ingredients were edible. Everything is sort of strange. But somehow, by some magic, it always tastes so good. We always walk in and sit at the bar and leave a little drunk and with happy bellies. It costs all the dollars, heads up!
(5)Cory K.
After trudging through blocks of cold, wet weather, avoiding angry traffic and surly pedestrians, I walk in to this restaurant with its warm lighting, large communal table, and welcoming staff. "This is a safe place," the building whispered, "and we want you to be happy." I started with Quillayute salmon, raw, accompanied by cripsy-fried potatoes, huckleberries and horseradish. The ingredients were fresh and beautiful, and nicely seasoned. I followed with grilled & raw king boletes (mushrooms similar to porcini) with sour red grapes, verjus and parsley. This dish was a symphony of flavors, with stunning variety and balance. I finished with a honey panna cotta, topped with the very honeycomb that the honey came from, paired with a nice Sauternes. The silky panna cotta, with the chewiness of the honeycomb, and the bright sweetness of the wine left me filled with all of the warmth and happiness that was promised when I first arrived. Is it possible to fall in love with a restaurant?
(5)Sarah F.
Let's just address the elephant in the room first: Sitka & Spruce is expensive. For many of us, it's the sort of place you go to celebrate, not on an idle Tuesday when the contents of your fridge have been reduced to pickles and mustard. Now that we've settled that, lets move on. We ordered three dishes--two apps, and an entrée--for two people. We had more than enough to eat (but ate it all anyhow), which is a pleasant departure from many "small plate" style places in Seattle. We started with the celeriac gnudi (dumplings). Outstanding. I'm still trying to figure out how these were made. Then smoked potatoes with mussels aioli and egg yolk. Enlightening AND outstanding. I joked with my husband that eating at S&S will actually *save* us money, since we will be eating potatoes for dinner, prepared in this style, more often. Each dish was around $16. We ordered the lamb entrée--lamb sausage, lamb "loin," cranberry beans, and house made yogurt. The dish was comforting and familiar, but also unlike any lamb I've ever eaten. The lamb loin was crispy on the outside and incredibly tender. I found the cumin in the sausage too strong, and advised our server that I though noting the cumin on the menu would be useful to diners. He was receptive to my comment, not to mention consistently helpful throughout the evening, defining words on the menu and describing dishes to us without a hint of pretension or condescension. There are many great places to eat in Capital Hill, and most will set you back much less than S&S. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate a second to return to S&S. The flavor combinations in the dishes we ordered were unlike anything I've had anywhere else.
(5)Ha L.
One word for this place...WOW! The flavors of every dish we consumed felt like a party in my mouth. Who knew whipped butter with a sprinkle of sea salt on sourdough could be so good. The scallop, oyster, and mussels in a lemony dill broth was light and tasty. The smoked potatoes with aioli, dill, egg, and anchovies were amazing with all the different textures. The brined, smokey grilled half chicken with squash puree had a great mesh of sweet and salty flavors. Our waiter was awesome too, so cheerful! I can't wait to come back here and try other items.
(5)Eater S.
This was one of the most memorable dinners I've ever had! It is a great example that shows how Seattle is beating out San Francisco as a genuine foodie town. The service was warm and friendly and attentive. The space was spacious and awesome and interesting. And, the food, was outstanding. Surprising, innovative, delicious, and had integrity. I had the best halibut that, perhaps I've ever had, in my life. An absolute gem and I'm so grateful for the experience. Everything was awesome. Except the wine, they could do some work on the wine list, but I'll let that go.
(5)Steve F.
Service good, food very meh. We had the a plate of pickled veg, which was interesting in the set of items and variety of pickling techniques (from moderately sour to fairly bland). The flatbread was also good, and the scallops (which I missed out on) were reported ok--not miraculous, and not worth the freight for two regular size scallops and some mushrooms. The lamb and carrot dishes were a big disappointment; both were quite cool, with the carrots served over an almond custard, and the lamb a very small portion that probably would have tasted better had it been at all warm. The two kefta (lamb meatballs about 1.5" across) were quite hard and dense. Service was fine and attentive, and gets one star to itself (you do the math where that leaves the food).
(2)Saira R.
This is a rare five-star from me. We didn't even use the menus. We asked the waiter to tell the chef to make whatever he wanted... I was NOT disappointed. Each dish had extensive thought put into it--- texture, flavor, presentation. Worth every penny. The service was phenomenal and I love the kitschy, open-air but clean feeling of the restaurant. This place is definitely built for foodies that have a complex palate, in addition to people that just enjoy food in general. Let your waiter guide you through the meal, including wine/drinks/dessert--- you will not be disappointed.
(5)Molly M.
Sitka and Spruce is a must! A beautiful interior is made even more spectacular by the exceptional food! I highly recommend a visit. I especially loved the gnudi.
(5)Elizabeth W.
If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Easily one of the best meals I've ever had. When my friends suggested this place during my latest Seattle visit, I took a look on the menu online, and thought to myself, "This is the most hipster menu I've ever seen in my life." And, it is. And, it's awesome. Sitka & Spruce is the epitome of what I think of as "New American" cuisine. We had two orders of the sourdough bread and butter -- yes, TWO. We ordered one, polished off within five minutes, and ordered another one. Both my husband and I had the black morels (vegetarian). I had never even heard of "black morels" before. It's a local mushroom, deliciously marinated, and served with arugula on grilled break. It was AMAZING!!!!! My only regret is this is the first restaurant we went to in Seattle, as nothing else we tried on the trip was even close. Next time, we'll just go here every night. ;)
(5)Katrina L.
Looove this place! Everything that we have eaten here have been delicious! The dishes are simple but very flavorful! The only problem is that the dishes are a bit small. I remember being hungry after spending $70 with my husband. I'm still giving it 5 stars because of the food and service. Just expect to spend some money to get full. Their menu is always changing too which makes it exciting every time we go.
(5)Colin R.
I was very excited about eating here. I was expecting something very special and unique to Seattle and the PNW, however what I got was not anything I'd recommend for the price tag. The decor is very nice, clean, rustic and very hip. Our waiter was knowledgeable and helpful although he billed us for double orders of appetizers without letting us know he was putting in for a double. We ordered great wine. There was a wonderful gigondas however they do not have appropriate stemware to be serving good wine. For being such a gastro-pretentious joint to be so blasé about wine service was unacceptable in my book. Bring me a god damn red glass, not a casual glass for chardonnay. The food was good. There was some very average smoked salmon, some incredible olives, and a very unique and delicious mushroom soup. Our entrées were overall good, however there was only the choice of a pork chop or scallops. My pork was a bit tough and heavily sauced, although tastily so. and sadly was a bit cold by the time it hit the table Dessert was a weird as all hell mushroom ice cream. It had a sorbet like texture but to 4 of the 6 in my party it was deemed too strange. (Mind you this was a very adventurously paletted group save one). There were also some tasty profiteroles though I still felt wanting for real dessert. No espresso sadly, and nothing but green tea for my mother. Disappointing... All in all its a good meal, but none hardly worth the price tag. In Seattle especially one can do better for less. Worth a visit on a date, or a quiet dinner alone. Expect good food, but nothing transcendent beyond immediately trendy menu options with more bark than bite.
(2)Justin G.
Sitka & Spruce has a Northwestern retro-rustic vibe. For our first course we ordered trout roe with whipped lard and radishes. It sounded and looked interesting but the flavors just didn't quite mesh for me. The next thing we ordered was air dried ham with peaches and shishito peppers. This was a wonderfully satisfying combination of sweet, spicy, savory, and salty. We finally ordered roasted goat with broccoli and potatoes. The goat was very tender and perfectly seasoned. Although the first course wasn't spectacular, the thing keeping this place from getting 5 stars from me were the portion sizes - they were significantly smaller than what I expected them to me based on the prices. Still, the people who work here obviously put a lot of time and talent into their craft and let no detail go unnoticed. As long as you are willing to pay a hefty premium for this level of detail, Sitka & Spruce is very much worth visiting.
(4)christine c.
Solid food with a creative flair and nice standards. Went here for brunch and thought it was a nice space. I don't know if I would go out of my way to return, but I was overall happy with the service, drinks, presentation and flavors.
(4)Senthil C.
Excellent food! So much variety in menu selections. Everything will taste good for sure, been there few times, never been disappointed. One of the restaurants that holds true to having ingredients locally sourced. Perfect more dates nights as well. Would recommend making reservations before going. Some people might find seating cozy ;) but I like that aspect too, if you are someone who don't like that, that probably is the only con.
(5)Phoebe H.
You can't really go wrong with anything in Melrose Market, and Sitka and Spruce is just absolutely lovely. It's just one of those restaurants that makes you feel like time has stopped around you, and your biggest responsibility is to enjoy the atmosphere and eat your food. Brunch and dinner is quite different, so it's up to your preference of time to go. I personally prefer brunch because of their tall, whimsical windows. The menu is carefully selected to include the season's freshest ingredients. Most of our dishes today featured fiddlehead fern and fresh arugula. It's perfectly normal to not know what to expect when you're looking at their menu - just have faith in the chefs at Sitka that they will serve you something wonderful. I recommend sharing plates so your palate can ease into the fine dining that is Sitka. Highly recommend for an intimate dining experience. It's always great to explore the market after.
(4)Michael U.
Items sampled include: House Sourdough Our Yogurt, Honeycrisp Apple, Roasted Seeds, Rosemary Honey Peregion Beans, Hedgehogs, Spinach on Toast with Fried Egg Gateau Basque with poached figs and toasted almonds Buckwheat Canele with lemon curd Salted Caramel If one had to raise any complaint about Sitka & Spruce it would be just how self-aware of its "Seattleness" the restaurant is; the rustic location inside the Melrose Market, the stripped down interior with heavy woods and exposed brick, and an open kitchen where chopped wood, hanging pans and cutlery, and an open pantry provide the only decorations while Chef Dillon and his team lightly pair and prepare Northwest Ingredients into simple plates that cost more than they seemingly should - at least until you taste them and realize that no matter how uncomplicated the plates appear the ingredients are of the utmost quality while the preparation is that of a man who understands exactly what he is doing to show precisely how high that quality is. Having missed out on the restaurant (along with Canlis) during my first visit to Seattle thanks to airline issues my first stop after driving from Portland would find me seated along the wall, starring out the window onto a rainy sidewalk while a polite and efficient server presented an $8.50 appetizer of yogurt and apples followed by a $16 entrée of beans, eggs, and mushrooms plus house made sourdough followed by a $5.50 Canele and $8.50 slice of butter cake with figs and almonds over the course of less than forty five minutes. Unassuming yet refined, ordinary but assertive, and above all incredibly fresh and delicious each and every plate worked beautifully, particularly the earthy beans and a superlative custard cake that paired beautifully with a rich Americano; comfort food in a comfortable setting as the chilly grey sky on the other side of the glass brooded on - the whole thing felt very "Seattle," and I guess that's the point.
(4)Emily G.
This was a really great restaurant. They have some very unique flavor combinations and fresh organic food. We went for brunch and shared a bunch of dishes. What stood out to me was the duck, mustard seed sauces and creme fraiche. Highly recommend any of the cheeses as well. Even the bread and butter had a refreshing light and airy feel.
(4)Bethany M.
We had a nice meal here -- the food is pleasant overall, and the service is warm and inviting. The ambience skews to the quirky-hipster end of the spectrum, which is par for the course in "edgy" Seattle dining. My criticisms relate to the execution of the food itself: my chestnut soup was a bit underseasoned, and the lamb and the scallops entrees were a bit overcooked. Not enough to warrant sending them back, but the texture of both proteins was rather chewy. The dessert course was creative, but again, there was something slightly off about the consistency of the ice cream. There were enough good things about this place to merit a second trip -- I think perhaps the seasonality of the food would be better experienced in the spring.
(3)Roxie M.
So far this has been one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. It's a farm to table style restaurant. My favorite time of the week to visit is during Saturday/Sunday brunch but it can get busy and if you don't have a reservation the wait can be over an hour. My fiance and I will grab brunch and then then do a little shopping in the little shopping center there. We'll grab flowers and some meat for dinner from the butcher shop. The food is really good but not the place you want to visit if you're super hungry because the portions aren't huge. Also, not all of the staff is very friendly but I don't mind when I'm with my fiance. :)
(4)Natalie B.
Great restaurant! Went there last Sunday and enjoyed being there. Food was great and very delicious. Me and my husband were very happy with the service. The place itself was very urban and city like. Must check out this place if you are in the area.
(4)Erin B.
Went for lunch, it was fine. Food was good, but wow were there limited options! The Brussel sprouts and cheese plate were both good. Service was good. Overall a fine/good experience, was pricey but didn't mind that too much, didn't impress me and probably won't be back.
(3)Jessica L.
Food is original and imaginably prepared. Lots of local ingredients. The service is casual, yet attentive. I love the ambiance of this place. Great place for dates. Get the bread and try the home-made ginger beer.
(5)Eunice M.
New american cuisine Rustic atmosphere (made the meal even more enjoyable) Unique (changing) menu - monthly Friendly staff Bar conveniently located outside of the restaurant (in the market) Open kitchen FOOD: I enjoyed the root vegetable gratin, marinated beets salad with goat cheese and mint (very refreshing) and roasted kale with anchovy dressing and bread crumbs. Their meat dishes were fantastic - had chicken and pork loin plates. Juicy and tender meat and great flavors. The dish names don't do justice - they were all delicious!
(5)Brian H.
This is a fun place to eat. I experience good service, great food, and it was fun watching the cooks prepare the food on the open table. They also have a ton of other things in the store that you can explore or buy. The only confusing thing is that I wasn't quite sure where the restaurant was when I first entered since I entered what seemed to be a marketplace. Walk down to the very end and you'll be in the restaurant portion.
(5)G Tyler R.
On a recent vacation to Seattle my wife and I dined out for dinner @ Sitka & Spruce on my brother-in-laws recommendation. Perhaps my brother-in-law (a former area chef himself) misjudged our tastes or perhaps S&S has changed since he's left the area but both my wife and I found the restaurant to fit squarely in the "Meh. I've experienced better." - 2 Stars. The good: the location is easily accessible from downtown via cab, foot, or public transit. Also, the space is very well decorated and the open kitchen experience is very enjoyable. The meh: the food. Very middle eastern inspired menu was well executed though the flavors were all very similar. My wife had a ricotta/heirloom "tom-mozish" salad with massive chunk tomatoes... Basically quartered heirlooms. I had fire roasted shishito peppers with carrots and a yogurt type sauce... Tasty but not a whole salad worth tasty. For dinner we had one of each of the only two entrees - a roast chicken and a lamb sausage/lamb belly. The chicken was probably the high point of the meal, a roast chicken with nice seasoned crispy skin and Harissa flavors. Lamb was lamb, sausage was dry, roasted fingerlings on the side. The bad: I've already alluded to the most glaring "bad" and thats the limited nature of the menu. There were 4 small plates (one being bread and butter for $5.5), three app size dishes (the two we got + 1 salad) and the two entrees. There were two deserts but they were out of one (sorbet). I understand the seasonal ingredient movement but the scant offering @ S&S struck both my wife and I as arrogant and frankly a little insulting. To make matters worse the pricing was ludicrous (5.50 for bread 31, ,32 for entrees such as 1 half roast chix, 17 for heirloom tom dish, 14/glass of pinot noir), and the service was flagging. Our waiter, a nice enough man, kept a high level of service until the end of the night. Having worked as a waiter i understand that sometimes when youre slowest you might falter a little in service (doing sidework or closing dutites) but we sat with desert menus (considering the one shortbread desert) for ten minutes while our server socialized and poured wine samples with someone he knew, literally right next to us with his back turned. Finally the attentive server (wearing an apron) processed our check. Ultimately, perhaps wife and i are too conservative/traditional to enjoy a place like S&S and perhaps all the shortcomings are truly issues of personal taste. However, if i never have to eat at a self-important serviced, radiohead playing, limited menu having, overly-priced restaurant like S&S again ill gladly embrace my self diagnosed non-adventurous view of a quality dinner out.
(2)Aeric E.
Great plates. We had family style and it was delicious. Fresh, seasonal and local offerings. Wonderful wine list and friendly fitting service.
(5)Samantha R.
Simply amazing food. No fuss, no frills. Just beautiful flavors that demand and command attention. We had hedgehog mushrooms in a sauce that left us craving more. Olive oil poached black cod and a surprisingly delicious parsnip cake with salted bay leaf ice cream and walnut brittle rounded out the evening. That, combined with the impeccable service and vintage Whitney on the radio made for a perfect evening. Were this place in the Bay, I would come every week. A true gem in the Emerald City.
(5)Holly D.
It's been a few years since Sitka and Spruce moved to their new location but I still prefer the old strip center spot. Anyway, I give it three stars based on the previous visits being 4 stars and the most recent a 2. It just got a bit weird on us. I swear my side dish was pulled out of my very own compost pile after a couple months of summer. I took a photo of the menu description because it was comical . I'm all for creative, local, foraged dishes but ,my gosh, it ought to taste good at a mininum. As far as I recall it had some very tough old dandelion greens,some sort of fermented sprouts or beans coated in an unappetizing I -don't -know -what. The rest of the meal was pretty good but I'm not sure how something like that gets out of the kitchen...did any one taste it?! It's been several months since that visit and my husband and I decided we would give it another go because it was so good to us in the past.im keeping my fingers crossed.
(3)Alexandra S.
For the past 18 months, Sitka and Spruce has been a delicious but elusive memory that has taunted me with the longing for a repeat visit. I had a phenomenally delicious meal here with a group of colleagues while in Seattle for a conference in September 2011. "We have to go back there next time we're in Seattle!" I told my husband. "Back where?" he asked. Hmm. Good question. Well it was this really awesome meal...with all kinds of delicious Mediterranean tapas-y things. I remember beets. And an even-more-delicious-than-usual burrata. Olives! Yes, there were definitely olives. But we walked over as a big group, and I was just following the crowd. And well, there may have been some wine involved. So the location isn't exactly clear. What *is* memorable is a deliciousness so intense that it's worth poring through Yelp and Google street view and Zagat in an effort to cross-reference my memory of which direction we walked in with the top-rated restaurants in Seattle. Still, no dice. And then, in today's New York Times, there it is: Sitka and Spruce!! We will be back. And we will not forget.
(5)