Beast and Cleaver
Butcher shop · Ballard
2362 NW 80th St, Seattle, WA 98117
Highlights
Exceptional butcher shop serving pasture-raised meats & tasting menus
Exceptional butcher shop serving pasture-raised meats & tasting menus
"Turns out that one of the best restaurants in town is located inside a Ballard butcher shop after hours. You can experience Beast & Cleaver a few ways: buy some chops or links to cook at home, grab a masterpiece sandwich on Thursdays or Fridays at lunchtime, or attend a tasting menu dinner under their alter ego “The Peasant.” No matter when you show up, the steaks, burgers, homemade sausages, and surprisingly, the salads at this meat-focused operation are outstanding, and the wine list is excellent, too. We'll be honest—it's really hard to secure a spot for The Peasant. Sometimes you can find a table for two on a random night of the month because somebody cancelled, and if you really want to get technical, the cancellation policy is three days without penalty, so check in 72 hours in advance for your best odds. And since some tables seat more folks, you could get even luckier if you're trying to book a large party. If you sign up for Beast & Cleaver’s newsletter, you’ll get an email when the next batch of dates open up to book online." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"You’ll have one of the best meals all year at Beast & Cleaver, a tiny butcher shop in Ballard. This isn’t in reference to the porterhouse you could pick up and grill at home, but rather to their tasting menu known as The Peasant. With a preset lineup of expertly cooked meats, snacks, and surprises, this after-hours operation makes for one of the most unique dining experiences in Seattle. The menu changes each time, but the constant is the surplus of red meat that shapes your meal, be it steak tartare on top of a beef tallow scone, or a roulade of lamb that's slow-roasted until it falls apart. But the excellence here stretches beyond that stuff, with refreshing salads and a phenomenal sunchoke truffle ice cream that gives Salt & Straw an absolute run for their money. You can't get much better than eating outstanding food and drinking great wine while sitting catty-corner to a display case of raw links, patties, and chops. We'll be honest—it's really hard to secure a spot for The Peasant. Sometimes you can find a table for two on a random night of the month because somebody cancelled, and if you really want to get technical, the cancellation policy is three days without penalty, so check in 72 hours in advance for your best odds. And since some tables seat more folks, you could get even luckier if you're trying to book a large party. If you sign up for Beast & Cleaver’s newsletter, you’ll get an email when the next batch of dates open up to book online." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"This outstanding Ballard butcher shop has such a deep dedication to meat that you can experience it in a few different ways. There are raw chops to grill at home, tables at their fancy tasting menu moniker known as The Peasant, and an a la carte weekend operation called The Beastro with prepared cuts from the butcher case. We particularly enjoy the brown butter-drenched London Royale, super thin slices of lean steak so rare that it might as well be carpaccio. Just don’t ignore Beast & Cleaver’s desserts, which are just as impressive as the chops. We'll be honest—it's really hard to secure a spot for The Peasant. Sometimes you can find a table for two on a random night of the month because somebody cancelled, and if you really want to get technical, the cancellation policy is three days without penalty, so check in 72 hours in advance for your best odds. And since some tables seat more folks, you could get even luckier if you're trying to book a large party. If you sign up for Beast & Cleaver’s newsletter, you’ll get an email when the next batch of dates open up to book online." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"London native Kevin Smith has built a cult following over the last few years for Beast and Cleaver, turning the Ballard spot into one of the city’s top destinations for carnivores. During the day, the business is simply an excellent whole-animal butcher shop serving house-made sausages and pates alongside local and imported steaks,. On Thursdays and Fridays, the celebration of meat kicks up another gear, when it turns into an exclusive tasting menu restaurant under the moniker the Peasant, which serves dishes like koji-aged beef and duck confit with Yorkshire pudding waffles. The menu changes based on the season and Smith’s whims; just expect a lot of meat, and probably some pate en croute. An a la carte menu is also available at the Beastro, which is open for dinner on the weekends. Follow it on Instagram for specials and pop-ups — on top of everything else, the Beast sometimes makes incredible dry-aged burgers. Know before you go: It’s a tiny space and reservations are pretty much required, whether you’re going to Beastro or the Peasant." - Harry Cheadle
"At this hybrid butcher shop–restaurant from London native Kevin Smith, customers can find premium cuts of pasture-raised meat from local farms, as well as terrines, porchetta di testa, and pâté en croute. There are also fabulous tasting menu dinners under the moniker the Peasant that include well-crafted seasonal plates and plenty of beer and wine pairings." - Harry Cheadle
