Very like Seattleites let the presumption of day by day deluging rains tamp down the variety of transplants, Eastsiders appear completely happy to let the remainder of the area proceed believing their restaurant scene stays an empty area with a number of company tumbleweeds blowing via.
However when you nonetheless assume that, we’ve received a floating bridge to promote you.
For years, we’ve stored a listing of our favourite eating places in Seattle, up to date yearly, to assist remind individuals of outdated favorites, spotlight time-tested classics, and level diners towards dinner. However one thing was lacking. Now, we’re rectifying that with our first annual record of the Eastside’s finest eating places.
Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi
BELLEVUE
Thirty-one flooring above downtown Bellevue, this steak-meets-sushi restaurant may coast on views and clubby vibes, however Ascend’s sky-high costs really feel way more justified when you expertise the luxe crudos, appetizers, steaks, and sides flawlessly executed to be better than the sum of their (many) elements. The six-tier steak menu is the large draw, however the sushi bar is equally spectacular with conventional nigiri or trendy roll concoctions of spicy tuna and prosciutto. Servers are intensely, impeccably educated to assist and advise, from the iPad wine record to the theatrics of the dessert menu.
Cafe Juanita
KIRKLAND
Kirkland has modified dramatically within the years since Holly Smith took over the advantageous eating landmark in 2000. Whereas the Northwest-Italian ethos doesn’t waver, Cafe Juanita has advanced, too, with a renovation that made the eating room extra comfy and tasting menus tailor-made to omnivores, vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians.
Carmine’s
BELLEVUE
Carmine’s Bellevue outpost is unabashedly old-school, which feels thrilling and new in our present counter service actuality. Jacketed servers brandish platters of that veal scaloppine and apportion shared plates, then lavish all of it with showers of Parmesan earlier than unobtrusively filling your wineglass. The late Carmine Smeraldo based the unique energy eating powerhouse on First Avenue; his sons and spouse burnished his luxurious legacy with the second location in downtown Bellevue, which feels extra wholly itself than even the unique. The menu—wealthy rigatoni bolognese, hefty steaks and chops—rings acquainted, however there’s loads of nuance in these time-tested dishes, like a fragile pesto coating fats prawns atop fettuccine or a peppery snap to the cioppino.
Deru Market
KIRKLAND
This pastoral white cafe excels at brunch, pizza, layer truffles, and the overall potential to consolation you with seasonal meals. The menu appears to be like pretty easy, however smoked turkey sandwiches, pistachio meatloaf, pancakes—even simply an order of fries—reveal a ton of care. The unassuming location has restricted seating, however honed its curbside takeout abilities in the course of the depths of the pandemic.
Kathakali
KIRKLAND
Chef Ajay Panicker makes destination-worthy South Indian meals, from ample dosas to spiced entire fish wrapped in a banana leaf to rice noodle bundles often known as idiyappam, or string hoppers. Pay particular consideration to starred menu objects, the complete “Dosas and Kerala Specials” part, and the housemade jackfruit ice cream.
Takai by Kashiba
BELLEVUE
Sushi titan Shiro Kashiba partnered along with his longtime apprentice, Jun Takai, to offer the Eastside its very personal flagship of capital-S Severe sushi. Kashiba lent his identify and celeb standing (and makes the occasional cameo to say hello within the eating room), however this meals is completely chef Jun’s. The omakase at his 10-seat sushi bar comprises extra programs than the one accessible within the eating room; each make liberal use of aged fish and a splash of caprice in programs like soup or octopus karaage. Drink pairings vary from luxe Grower Champagne (did we point out “takai” additionally means “costly” in Japanese?) to a really considerate NA sequence of teas.
The Third Place
REDMOND
The meaty lunchboxes listed below are good, however Yeon Lee, who additionally runs Underground Kitchen in Federal Manner and beforehand had Yeon’s Rooster in Kirkland, makes a speciality of crisp and crushable hen wings. They’re nice unadorned or in a sticky sauce that packs stealth warmth. No want to decide on; you possibly can place a half-and-half order.
Tres Sandwich Home
BELLEVUE
A no-frills walk-up counter serves almost 60 forms of Japanese-style sandos, every reduce into two crustless halves, neatly wrapped in a cellophane triangle. The alternatives (from BLT to okonomiyaki to rum raisin custard, all on the fluffiestbread) can boggle the thoughts. However know this: the highest row of the show instances comprises Tres’s prime sellers. The pork katsu and something involving the dainty egg salad provide a fantastic start line.
Vivienne’s Bistro
Mercer Island
In upscale 180-seat eating room marked by wood lanterns, high-backed cubicles, and a preponderance of citrusy cocktails, chef Danna Hwang’s menu begins with Cantonese flavors, then strikes in sudden instructions like mushu tacos. Vivienne’s showstopper is the Forbidden Roast Duck platter, a five-spiced fowl with crackling pores and skin that arrives with monogrammed bao buns.
Xochi
Issaquah
The chalkboard reads extra just like the menu at a seasonal small-plates restaurant than a taco trailer in a espresso store parking zone. Garlicky broccoli, brussels sprouts with carrots, and zucchini-corn-tomato tacos pack simply as a lot taste because the saucy meats on the other facet of the 10-item menu that options solely the homey, stew-filled tacos de guisado.