Westward: Waterfront Dining Done Right

Waterfront dining. Those two words often imply inflated prices, tourist traps, and only standard fish fare. Not so at Westward, Josh Henderson's rollicking Seattle restaurant-by-the-lake. With the bonhomie of a booze cruise and the prestige of a luxury yacht, Westward is redefining waterside eating — this is destination delicious.

Away from bustling Elliot Bay, Westward sits on the calm north shore of Lake Union, sandwiched between a bonfire beckons; grab an Adirondack chair — and blanket in the winter months — to savor the Seattle skyline while slurping oysters and chilled Albariño.  

Inside, nautical details abound, like sailcloth lamps, ropes, captain-chair stools, and dock cleat coat hooks; it's just the right amount of kitsch to get you in the seafaring sprit.  Westward buzzes with a hip and handsome crowd. There are three bar areas: the whimsical, Wes Anderson-esque bar designed by Electric Coffin, the kitchen bar — where you can witness culinary magic while being warmed by the wood fire — and the oyster bar, aka Little Gull Grocery, where provisions can be purchased to go.

Chef Zoi Antonitsas and her talented crew cook up Mediterranean-meets-Northwest cuisine. Think The Odyssey instead of Moby Dick; with avgolemono to za'atar spicing up the oceanic menu. On the surf side, try the oysters, the sardine bruschetta, and the smoked trout dip with tasty housemade potato chips. For the turf and terra set, dive into grilled halloumi, fried Brussels sprouts, and the best braised lamb shoulder in town, served with tzatziki, mint, and pita for tableside, succulent sandwiches.

Attentive service means your glass is never empty while your belly keeps getting filled.  

One visit to Westward and you'll be as hooked as a sailor who hears the siren song. Luckily, with happy hour and dinner seven days a week, Friday lunch, and weekend brunch, you have ample opportunity to climb aboard.