Little Beast Ballard is an acclaimed English pub and restaurant in Seattle that has been praised for its unique approach to traditional British fare, earning the title of Seattle Met’s Restaurant of the Year.
Here is a comprehensive overview:
Uniqueness and Concept
Little Beast is a sister establishment to the popular butcher shop Beast & Cleaver, both owned by chef Kevin Smith, who draws inspiration from the nostalgic pubs of his English youth.
What makes Little Beast unique is its butchery-to-table philosophy:
- Butchery Hybrid: Three days a week (typically Mondays through Wednesdays), the space operates as a production facility for Beast & Cleaver’s whole-animal butchery program and butcher boxes.
- Restaurant/Pub: The rest of the week (Thursday through Sunday), it transforms into an intimate restaurant and English pub. This allows the kitchen to have unparalleled access to high-quality, locally-sourced meat, ensuring every dish benefits from fresh, expertly broken-down whole animals.
- Modern English Cuisine: The menu focuses on classic English dishes—including pies, puddings, and steaks—which Chef Smith aims to elevate and present authentically, a cuisine he believes is often underserved in the Seattle area.
History
Little Beast is a relatively recent, but highly anticipated, venture from the team behind Beast & Cleaver, which opened in 2019.
- Origin: Owner Kevin Smith originally took over the space, the former Ballard Pizza Company location, to use as a production facility for his butcher shop’s growing need for space to create butcher boxes.
- Inspiration: He soon realized it would be a missed opportunity not to open a restaurant in the space, inspired by the desire to bring the “rosily nostalgic pubs” of his childhood to Seattle.
- Recognition: The restaurant quickly gained acclaim, including being named Seattle Met’s Restaurant of the Year.
Highlighted Menu Items and Cuisine
The menu is small and changes seasonally, but several anchor items showcase the kitchen’s meat mastery and dedication to English pub fare:
- Lamb Neck Korma Pie: Described as a “sleeper hit,” this savory pie is a standout, often called hearty, flavorful, and comforting.
- Scotched Egg: A staple on the menu, served as an imitation of the classic pub appetizer.
- Dry-Aged Steaks: Unsurprisingly, the dry-aged, sliced steaks are a major draw, celebrated for their bold beef flavor and served with their own rendered juices. Portions, such as the Dry Aged New York ($115) or Dry Aged Ribeye ($130), are often large and ideal for sharing.
- Other Traditional Fare: The menu also features items like Beef Stroganoff, Shrimp & Grits, the Little Beast Burger (made with dry-aged prime beef), and traditional British desserts like Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Customer Feedback
Overall, customer feedback is highly positive, praising the quality of the food and the unique experience, but occasionally noting the service or price point.
- Praise for Food: Reviewers consistently rave about the Lamb Korma Pie, the Dry-Aged Pork Chop (described as “arguably the greatest”), and the perfectly cooked steaks. One customer noted, “The scotched egg was a solid starter… the lamb pie with korma gravy was excellent—hearty, flavorful, and comforting.”
- Atmosphere: The vibe is described as a thoroughly British outpost that leans into dark wood and heavy-toned decor to emulate a classic pub, including a large map of London on an exposed brick wall, making it an “effortlessly fitting” addition to Ballard’s low-key special occasion scene.
- Service and Policy: While service is generally kind, some customers have noted slow main course delivery or were surprised by an automatic service fee (such as 22%) added to the check.
The restaurant maintains a high rating of 4.5 stars.
Significant Events
The restaurant itself hosts unique events and offerings stemming from its dual nature as a butchery and kitchen:
- Sunday Roast: A special, cozy lunch experience inspired by English pub traditions.
- Butchery & Cooking Classes: Chef Smith and his team offer various classes, such as the “Meat Pie Class” (featuring the classic Lamb Korma Pie) and “How to Cook the Perfect Steak.”
- Burger Pop-Ups: The restaurant has featured special events like a burger night with a 100-day dry-aged burger.
Contact Information and Location
| Detail | Information |
| Address | 5107 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 |
| Phone Number | +1 (206) 644-8041 |
| Website | Little Beast Ballard |
| Reservations/Events | Little Beast on Tock |
| Rating | 4.5 Stars |
| Social Media | Owner Kevin Smith and Beast & Cleaver frequently use social media to announce new ventures and tease dishes, which is where the Little Beast venture was first announced. You can typically find their current social media links through their main website. |
Hours of Operation (as of a recent check):
- Monday – Wednesday: Closed (Butchery/Production)
- Thursday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
