The Whale Wins

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1. MF

   MarthaF

   New England

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Server recommended get everything to share and it was a great idea. Lots more things to taste! The main course halibut dish was absolutely outstanding.

   Report
2. LH

   LeahH

   Seattle

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   Friendly & attentive staff, awesome food and a spectacular patio

   Report
3. KE

   KatE

   Chicago

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on August 1, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Loved our server and the whole vibe. These Midwesterners were thrilled with the seafood.

   Report
4. KO

   cKeatsOut

   Hawaii

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 31, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Fantastic experience - small perfectly curated menu

   Report
5. LC

   LuliC

   Seattle

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on July 23, 2022

   overall2food5service1ambience5

   Was very obvious they wanted to turn our table, felt unwelcome. The food was delicious, but wasn't even offered dessert, I really wanted some- so I had to ask if I could get it to go. Really odd experience as it was not even full.

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6. R

   Roxanne

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 17, 2022

   overall3food3service3ambience5

   Great space, but food and service was a bit overrated.

   Report
7. M

   Marisa

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 16, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Beyond delicious. Every time we visit we discover a new dish that becomes a fast favorite. Service is always delightful and the market space filled with must haves. Perfect location and charming vibe.

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8. VP

   VickiP

   London

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 15, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We enjoyed our experience so much that we returned a week later with our son. The food is outstanding and innovative. Especially the asparagus and the clams in the corn miso broth. Save room for the bread pudding and zucchini bread. Watching the chef pull items from the wood oven was entertaining to watch. The service was outstanding. Dillion was delightful and extremely knowledgeable about the food and wine.

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9. E

   Elbaisland

   Seattle

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 14, 2022

   overall4food4service4ambience5

   our primary server was great. wonderful recommendations made a balanced meal

   Report
10. EC

    EvilCorgi

    Portland

    17 reviews

    1.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience3

    Dropped my previous review from a 5 star to 1 star based on our experience today. We made a reservation online for 2pm today. We were sat inside, one of 3 seated parties inside so it wasn't busy. When we ordered our food the waiter seemed put out that we didn't want any beverages when he asked. He asked "should I leave the menu here?" as if we needed to look more in depth into the beverage list. My wife was on call and I was driving us back to Portland so neither of us wanted to drink. We had plenty of coffee earlier so that didn't sound good either. Regardless, it's not our fault we didn't want anything other than water. Even then we were not perturbed, but another server dropped our food, which is fine, but about 2 minutes later our server very politely checked on a nearby table that received their food around the same time but had 2 glasses of wine, then glanced at our table and went into the kitchen without checking on us. I felt this was when I started to feel like a second class customer. When we finished our food the server came by and asked if we were finished, did we want a box: yes, no. Then instead of clearing anything he left and returned with our check. He did grab a couple of plates at that time. I paid with toast using the qr code and left. I never had an offer to refill our water even though it was empty. The food was good but nothing close to what it used to be when we visited in the past. We had raved about the cuisine and service to our friends but sadly now we won't recommend this establishment and furthermore I don't think it will be a place we'll return to in the future.

    Report
11. b

    blah

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    Though it was not a dinner restaurant the portions were too small for the price. The sardines on toast was pretty good but the gnocchi was overcooked. Overall, wouldn’t come back unless for wine and snacks.

    Report
12. MG

    MeaganG

    Houston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I’m a big fan of Renee Erickson & her restaurants - we were in town for a wedding and The Whale Wins did not disappoint! I wish we lived closer so we could come back more frequently!

    Report
13. DR

    DavidR

    Denver

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service- food and wine pairing!

    Report
14. LC

    LaraC

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 9, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Excellent first experience! Food was very tasty and service was great! It was a wonderful place to celebrate my husband’s birthday!

    Report
15. n

    nwtraveler

    Seattle

    35 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on July 8, 2022

    overall3food5service2ambience4

    Let me start by saying the food was wonderful. I would especially recommend the Halibut Dip with housemate chips. So good! What wasn't good was our service from the moment we arrived. The person who eventually greeted us was far from friendly. The main restaurant was empty and only two patio table were filled and we had a reservation. We were told they were all reserved although the website says you cannot reserve an outdoor table. She told us you can call the day of to get a patio table. We then asked for a table right next to the patio and she told us it was also reserved but she would see what she could do. She then disappeared for about five minutes and when she came back she reluctantly gave us that table. We felt from the first moment we arrived that she did not think we belonged in her restaurant as we are in our 70's. She was also our server and rarely gave us even a tiny smile. It's a good thing the food was so wonderful. By the time we left only three of the patio tables had diners so we easily could have been accommodated. Not sure if we will return because Seattle has many excellent restaurants.

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16. A

    Adam

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 7, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    very nice place. no view. way too expensive just like most places of this quality.

    Report
17. C

    Caitlin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I just took my partner to brunch there and the service and food were perfect. The restaurant is so cute, everything came out fast and fresh and we got a baguette to go - it all made for the perfect Sunday!

    Report
18. f

    foodielover

    Atlanta

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was perfect about this place. Service and food were outstanding.

    Report
19. DD

    DaDB

    Los Angeles

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on June 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding! Excellent food and service. Highly recommend! One of my favorite places in the Seattle area.

    Report
20. LH

    LeahH

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food! Friendly staff. Lovely patio. Romantic! We ll be back.

    Report
21. PW

    PaulW

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    always a great experience - food, drink and service

    Report
22. MK

    MKE521

    Seattle

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on June 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Waiter was excellent. Loved our food selections!!

    Report
23. MS

    MikeStar

    Seattle

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    The food is excellent!! It is just very expensive for the small portions you get.

    Report
24. R

    Rnoelm

    Washington DC

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on June 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Hip, casual and fantastic food. This airy little place was a perfect way to start a vacation in the Emerald City. A very reasonably priced, award winning restaurant in a less frequented part of town. If timing works and the weather is good, highly suggest a quick trip to Gasworks down the hill for a post dinner sunset.

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25. s

    sallys

    Seattle

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 13, 2022

    overall2food3service2ambience2

    I've been to Whale Wins for lunch, which was wonderful, never for dinner. It was an underwhelming experience. Our waiter was friendly and proficient initially. In a nutshell, roasted chicken was way overdone, bread was served without any condiment, waitperson did not check back with us at al, not once,l after we were served. Didn't check in about food, didn't ask if we wanted more wine, which we did, no one picked up our dishes after we were done. Following our meal we sat for about twenty minutes and then stood up to leave. We were then given our check, paid, left a modest tip of 15% and left. We think we are done with Whale Wins. Very sorry. An overcooked $37.00 half chicken is not something we wish to repeat, nor the inattention.

    Report
26. MP

    MagPie

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Whale Wins is excellent in all aspects. The food is delicious, simple yet sophisticated and with intricate flavors that create a complex sensory experience. The small size of the restaurant and the open kitchen give the feel that the feel are invited in someone’s private kitchen adding to the brilliant experience. With a check for two at the $300 level, the prices however are steep. While able to chase the exponential growth in Seattle incomes with bay area pricing, and even though this place is most likely one of the best in Seattle, we are still in Seattle.

    Report
27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Wonderful experience! The food had so many delightful surprises.

    Report
28. L

    Lovetoeat

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 3, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience3

    The food was 5 star. But we were seated in the corner behind a very large loud group and found it difficult to flag a server (dropped fork, adding to our order). A little more attention to the quiet old couple in the back. A bench cushion on the back bench would’ve added to the comfort of the evening. Not sure what you can do about the noise level, the men were deep in their drinks and seemed unaware of diners nearby. I think they needed a separate room.

    Report
29. SD

    SteveD

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 30, 2022

    overall3food4service4ambience3

    The food was delicious and the service was great. With that being said, I could not justify coming back given the cost of the meal. I understand that market price for quality beef comes at a premium, but $110 for 29 oz. of steak is laughable. Granted, I could have asked what this price was prior to ordering, but I would never think that a single cut of beef would be over $100, especially since The Whale Wins isn’t a steakhouse. Furthermore, the menu did not list the size of the cut, so there was no way to even infer the cost of the meal beforehand. All in all, it was a wonderful meal, but the pricing was nothing short of outrageous.

    Report
30. DR

    DutchRutter

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    An incredible experience. We had a delicious bottle of orange sauvignon blanc from Slovenia, but noticed a wide array of different styles of wine on their menu. The food was outstanding, nothing but orgasmic moans could be heard coming from our table...and we were fully dressed.

    Report
31. MB

    MeatBall

    Houston

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    Great, family style dishes. The staff have difficulty pacing out courses so best to order by course.

    Report
32. TB

    TiffanyB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Pure bliss! Highly recommend to everyone looking for a delicious night out.

    Report
33. DJ

    DJBWA

    Seattle

    15 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Food was good but it's not easy having a conversation as the music is loud. Beef dish is good but the meat was fatty and should include oven baked potatoes. Also bread and butter should be offered freely...not $6. Felt nickled and dined.

    Report
34. JD

    JoyD

    Seattle

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything delicious (except for pickled raisins - not my thing) excellent service, wine, lovely patio. Definitely a fantastic choice for my husband’s birthday.

    Report
35. c

    christineh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food and really great service! Their whole team is awesome

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36. N

    Nunatak

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Whale Wins always delivers. We’ve been going there for years and will continue to do so.

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37. EW

    ElleW

    Seattle

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food went beyond my expectations. The service was impeccable. I would eat here everyday if I could.

    Report
38. JL

    JoshL

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience4

    The ambience of the restaurant however the food quality was very subpar. We ordered the baked goat cheese, roasted asparagus, gnocchi, and potatoes. The baked goat cheese came out cold, the potatoes were heavily under seasoned and the gnocchi was also cold and the mushrooms were not cooked. All in all a very poor experience for a Rene Erickson restaurant, especially considering the high prices.

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39. NV

    NapaVisitor

    San Francisco

    46 reviews

    5.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Incredible food like we remembered. Good wine selection with creative cocktail options.

    Report
40. KS

    KatieS

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious seasonal food brightly prepared. This is one of my longtime favorite restaurants, it never disappoints!

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