Wood abundant with nautical color schemes and complementing waterfront views, there is bound to be something on the menu at the White Swan Public House to turn anyone into a seafood lover. A plethora of different options, from shellfish to albacore, stand out on the Swan’s three separate menus, ensuring guests something tasty at all hours of the day, be it lunch, happy hour or dinner. The restaurant, which opened in late September, is the newest addition from Dan Bugge, the man behind Matt’s in The Market and Radiator Whiskey, both in the legendary Pike Place Market.
As if top-notch seafood wasn’t enough, fantastic views of Lake Union and Queen Anne Hill can be found a plenty at the location on Fairview Avenue. Plates range anywhere from $12 to $25 at the conveniently located eatery, including dinner menu must-haves like the Hawaiian Blue Prawns and the Bone Marrow “Kilpatrik.” Both dishes are crafted with precision and care, and the unique flavor profiles play pleasantly upon the taste buds. An onion soubise and burnt lemon “shell butter” complement the prawns nicely, paired with fennel and parsley salad. The Bone Marrow is a unique plate with smoked oyster, bacon, Worcestershire, crostini and garlic purée, packing quite the punch when utilized together, and that’s exactly what you get in this dish.
Happy hour hits for a solid three hours between 3 and 6p.m., Monday through Saturday, and features daily oysters, specialty cocktails and the ever-popular “Poutine O’ The Sea,” a platter of little neck clams, a gracious amount of fries, chowder reduction, crispy bacon and plenty of scallion. Pair the poutine with a Guns N’ Gose, a drink of gin, lime, tamarind, mint and Sierra Nevada’s Otra Vez gose. Another seafood winner is the Cannonball Rum, rocking you into blissful waterside lull with silver rum, dark rum, lime, pineapple, chipotle, olive brine and orange and Angostura bitters.
Although there is a good amount of seafaring-themed space inside the restaurant, it is definitely best to enjoy your meal at the White Swan seated outdoors (or near the window). This being said, once the rainy season comes to a close, the staff at the White Swan will be sure to find an increase in customer base, in addition to The 100-Pound Clam, the adjacent waterfront patio fish and chips shack. Come hungry, come thirsty and come back again soon.
