Among Seattle’s growing list of “celebrity” chefs, Renee Erickson stands out. Her wildly-successful Walrus and the Carpenter restaurant is one of my favorite spots for oysters, but I often prefer going to The Whale Wins, another one of her establishments.

The Whale Wins is a larger space, so it’s considerably easier to snag a table here. That being said, you’ll have to wait on a Friday or Saturday night and they don’t take reservations for small parties. It’s all worth it though, because once you try the food here, everything else is forgotten.

My favorite dishes are the vegetable items including the roasted carrots with harissa and yogurt. Dessert is a knockout- the moist zucchini bread is out-of-this-world good (when I asked the waitress their secret, her response was, “butter”). I don’t usually place too much importance on restaurant interiors (apart from cleanliness) but this place is an architectural gem. The bright open kitchen is on full-display, giving diners a view of the wood-cooked dishes they’re about to enjoy.

After my first visit to The Whale Wins, I couldn’t wait to bring back a friend and share the enjoyment of this place. I did just that and she had a great time. There’s nothing more satisfying than sharing a great meal with a friend and The Whale Wins is the perfect place to do it.