This is a pretty solid spot for a nice steak dinner. The price is reasonable and the ambiance is very nice. I have dined at this restaurant several times and also had drinks in the bar.
The Bar:
The bar is a little small and the bar stools are a little tight together, where it is hard to get in and out of your seat when the bar is full. The entire menu is available at the bar, which is nice, but again, it is tight so it's difficult to eat a full meal there--appetizers are much better. I am particularly excited about their whiskey collection!! They have a lot of nice bottles and the bartender is very knowledgeable about choosing a whiskey you will like if you describe what you want to him. I will also say that the bartender's demeanor is excellent and we enjoyed chatting with him.
Recommendation: Go to the bar for drinks and appetizers, but in peak hours be prepared to pack in.
The Restaurant:
The ambiance in the restaurant is nice. The tables are nicely spaced out and even on a busy night, there is room to spread out and it is not too noisy. The food is excellent.
For appetizers, I recommend the clams and chorizo, bone marrow, tartare, and/or the figlets! All are good and two would be more than enough to munch on while you wait for your dinner.
For dinner, get meat!! The ribeye is thick cut and delicious, the New York is a nice cut, and if you are really looking for something delicious, the tenderloin is excellent although it is the most expensive entree. All come with a lovely glaze that will make you want to lick the plate. I prefer the polenta and brocillini over the fingerling potatoes--it's just better! Oh, and the mushrooms are fantastic; enjoy those with the steak or eat them on their own. If you are not a beef eater, I'd recommend the lamb or the duck. Order the lamb medium rare and it will be one of the better lamb dishes you have had; Russell's in Bothel may be a little better, but only by a hair. The duck is well prepared and juicy.
Dessert is a bit lack luster, although if you are going to order something, get the bread pudding. The cheesecake itself is lackluster but the candied pecans really save the dish!
I would love to give them five stars, but the one issue I have had in the restaurant is service. Twice, now, I have had a mistake in my order. The latest visit, my father order a ribeye and they brought him a New York. The New York was good, but not what he wanted. I commend the waiter for doing his best to make it right; he bought dessert and a round of drinks to make up for the mistake. I always appreciate it when servers, despite making a mistake, do their best to remedy the situation.
One last issue, the steak knives suck!! Nothing drives me more nuts at a steak restaurant than ordering a nice steak and then being given a full serrated knife that tears the meat up. This isn't Applebee's people! Give me a sharp knife that cuts the steak like a hot knife through butter. This is a personal pet peeve, but I think that most people would agree that at a restaurant where you are paying ~$30-70 for a piece of meat, they could give you a decent knife.
I will return again and enjoy this restaurant in the future! Check them out if you are looking for a nice restaurant in Issaquah!! read more