Hattaway's on Alder — Restaurant in Walla Walla

My husband & I decided to eat here to calmly celebrate his birthday. Here's how our experience went:

I was a bit disappointed that for non drinkers the only drink options were soda. I had a root beer that was pretty flat & room temperature water.

I would love to see more of an effort in this area, even some tazo tea options or sparkling cider etc. Seems odd to drink extremely unhealthy soda with such a high quality meal.

For appetizers we had:

Baked oysters:

These were really good even my non seafood husband enjoyed them, however the last one left on the tray was extremely bitter so I'm note sure what happened there.

BBQ chips:

My husband really loved these, I found them to be a bit to salty but he absolutely has an addiction to salt so I'm not surprised he loved them!

Charcuterie board:

I love any type of meat & cheese boards but sadly this one was not my favorite. There was not a great balance of meat to cheese and all of the meats/cheeses were too similar, excluding the blue cheese which was so strong I'd not serve that without something to help mellow out the sharpness.

Our main meals:

The pork collar:

My husband really enjoyed this and the black garlic used.

The braised rabbit:

Sadly this was really disappointing, while the flavor was good It was rather dry (easy to do with rabbit) and somehow greasy at the same time. I also wish the menu would have specified that the summer veggies would be pickled as that's a distinctive flavor that some folks simply don't prefer.

The potatoes were a little undercooked but I enjoyed the BlackBerry sauce.

While I was happy to pay for the rabbit they did not charge us for it and that was very kind.

Atmosphere:

When we first walked in for our reservation we were seated promptly.

I didn't expect to hear Ozzy Osborn blaring when I walked in, I am guessing that was the kitchen crews music playing before they began seating tables for the evening as it switched quickly.

Our server was very nice and almost on the verge of to attentive. I think we were asked how everything was at least 6-7 times, we did honestly feel very "watched" and while I know that's their job it makes you feel a bit I guess rushed or unable to relax?

I do wish they would make efforts to space out where they seat people when the restaurant is not very busy. In a basically empty restaurant we were sat right behind other diners, we decided not to stay for dessert when they sat another couple directly next to us as it was simply to close to feel comfortable having any sort of conversation. Of course that would have been different if the whole place was full and there was chatter at each table versus a quiet restaurant with strangers sat within about 1 foot of each other.

When we went to pay the bill there was some confusion, she gave us the bill in a literal book which doesn't match the atmosphere or I guess theme of the restaurant in the least and then said "have a great night!" To us this signaled that we needed to pay up front versus wait for her to come take our card.

So when we walked up there was a bit of panic as I think she thought maybe that we were bailing on the bill and we had to stand there with everyone that was there looking at us oddly. While I didn't mind leaving it behind we were also not given our boxed up leftovers.

We will likely try here one more time to see...

After 30 years in the restaurant business I rarely give a 100% review but... this place wowed me. I had few options on a Monday (still a pet peeve of mine) but glad the reviews and photos led me here. Parked easily, close to downtown and honestly, c walking distance from my hotel, if I had known better. The minute I walked in the staff was all smiles. No reservation but asked to sit at the bar, as per my usual. I was seated, greeted, watered and "pickled " (their gift snack) within 3 minutes. I had looked at the menu online so was prepared to order. Only one item was different from what was posted on the website, and i am accustomed to changes because restaurants I prefer are seasonal, so no surprise there. I like to observe and after my years of experience can often pick up on subtleties others don't. I saw training taking place, new staff, runners, a manager, and so much more going on... but so smoothly and consistently that I don't think anyone else would notice. From the EXEMPTIONAL bar service (I wish I knew her name) to the brand new support staff, every detail was on point. Water service, clearing plates, warm finger towel... without pretense. I ordered the sticky ribs and marrow for starters. I wish I had a way to describe the perfection but.. 100%... 10/10... you should order. I finished my old fashioned (my go to first drink) precisely with the last bit of ribs. Then ordered the Barbara with the roasted oysters. DO NOT MISS this combo. I was worried the smoked gouda would overpower the rest... but NO... I don't think I've had a more balanced bite in my lifetime. I didn't have time for dessert but my bar neighbors suggested the bread pudding so I ordered it to go, about to bite into it now. Even the utensils, with their wood looking texture, and the bill served in a cookbook, thrilled me. I know this sounds ridiculous but at almost 50 and have managed multiple fine restaurants and eaten at plenty of others... I can't rave enough about my meal here. I'll be back. I might even drive 3 hours from home JUST to eat here...

In a town known for its fine wines and small-town charm, Hattaway's on Alder brings something unexpected — a taste of the South polished with Northwest finesse. Tucked just off Walla Walla's main drag, the restaurant hums with the low, steady confidence of a kitchen that knows exactly who it is and what it wants to say.

The evening begins with a plate of Frog Hollow tomato salad, a vibrant ode to late summer - thick slices of sun-warmed heirloom tomatoes glistening with olive oil, finished with just enough salt and herbs to let their natural sweetness sing. Alongside, the sweet corn beignets arrive like little golden clouds, crisp on the outside and tender within, served with a touch of honey butter that walks the line between indulgent and irresistible.

Salads here are far from an afterthought. The celery Parmesan salad is a masterclass in restraint - cool, crisp ribbons of celery tossed with shards of nutty cheese and a whisper of lemon, refreshing the palate between bites.

For mains, the pan-seared halibut cheeks prove why this humble cut deserves star billing. Delicately caramelized, the fish yields to the fork with buttery softness, resting on a bed of seasonal vegetables that taste as though they were harvested that morning. The chicken & grits, meanwhile, is Southern comfort at its most elevated - perfectly fried chicken paired with creamy, stone-ground grits that soak up a savory jus with soulful abandon.

And just when you think you can't manage another bite, dessert arrives: the Deschutes Black Butte Porter bread pudding. Dense, dark, and lush with malty richness, it's the kind of sweet ending that makes you linger long after the plates have been cleared — a quiet, contemplative finish to a meal that feels deeply rooted yet refreshingly modern.

At Hattaway's, hospitality isn't just a gesture; it's a rhythm — one that invites you to slow down, savor, and be reminded that good food, when made with heart, always...