Authentic!  This is a place that I love simply because of the atmosphere.  If you’re looking for a nice sit down restaurant that is inexpensive and provides really good service, this is it.  A unique family-owned business I believe, everyone works very to make sure that you are not kept waiting long and you’re waters always full (which is important for me with spicy foods!).  With the exceptional prices (most dishes under $10) and friendly staff, it is a go to place in Bellevue if you’re looking for a smaller, restaurant that doesn’t always require reservations.  The restaurant is also very kid friendly which is another plus for anyone looking to dine out with kids!

10666 NE 8th St
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 637-1185

Final Grade: 5 Stars

Having worked in Pioneer Square, Imo’s was a great place to go for Happy Hour and Sushi during lunch or after work.  It is a great atmosphere with a young staff that is eager to serve.  The Sushi is also priced fairly well and acommodates groups pretty well.  it is a very cool laid back atmosphere as well.  Parking is tough because it is located downtown off of 1st, but if you’re in the area and feel like Sushi, I recommend it.  They have a really good happy hour as well after work hours starting at 5.  The thing that makes Imo’s standout the most in my opinion, is the lunch menu thought.  They have a great deal on Sushi’s with a lot of variety.  They have options to customize a particular meal you want and allows for substituting of rolls.

704 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 264-9570

Final Grade: 4 Stars

Typical Pho chain, reliable with very fast service, and good food.  If you’re in the area and looking for Pho, I recommend.  Prices is pretty reasonable in perspective to other Pho restaurants. The good thing about this particular location is that it is is very big and very clean.  You’re guaranteed to sitdown without having any wait. it is conveniently located by Factoria plaza so if you’re in the area and are looking for some Pho, I Love Pho is the place to go!

3900 Factoria Blvd SE
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 401-6400 

Final Grade: 4 Stars

Great food, great atmosphere, and great drinks.  The atmosphere is perfect for any occasion.  It has a nice authentic feel to it and in the summer, they even up the garage to allow for a nice breeze to blow through the restaurant and smell the aroma of the wood fired pizzas throughout the restaurant.  Great place to go for a date, or with a group of friends as it has a lot of personality and character.

913 E Pike St
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 322-9234

Final Grade: 5 Stars

Great, hidden gem of a place for Bellevue.  Tucked away at the top of the Bellevue Galleria, it is not a visible place to ongoers by foot. I feel this is their biggest disadvantage.  The food at Yama is great and so is the atmosphere.  Yama has a small bar section where you can wait if you are early for a reservation or waiting for your table to open.  Yama has a table that holds approximately 25 people, which is great for a BIG party.  Also a happy hour that is second to none in the Bellevue area.  Would love to go back next time I make it to the Eastside.

550 106th Ave NE, Suite 300
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 453-4007

Final Grade: 4 Stars

When we first moved to Fremont, this is the first place we walked to from our house.  The place is very unique and has a cool vibe to it.  You walk inside and it feels like you’re inside of a strangers house.  The Brisket there is very good and they have a wide variety of different sauces that you can throw on there to spice/flavor it up.  The prices are also pretty reasonable.  Definitely recommend the place if you’re looking for a relaxed barbeque dinner but dont wanna put the effort into “going out” for a dinner.

3620 Stone Way N
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 954-1100

Final Grade: 4 Stars

The Food is good, not great, but the atmosphere and price makes the place worth it.  It is a perfect place to go with 1-3 other people for a quick sit down dinner.  The restaurant has one side of all windows so that you are able to look out towards the water and watch people walking along the sidewalk.  The dishware is very unique and the setting is very small and intimate.  It is definitely a favorite to stop by when in the Kirkland area. The restaurant seats probably around 60 or so people and is great for a laid back date night. 

170 Lake St S
Kirkland, WA 98033

Final Grade: 4/5 Stars

The food is very good and so is the atmosphere as well as the staff.  The only downfall I thought was that the food was a little pricier then what I had expected. The food has great deals though during its Happy Hour which feature $6 pizza margheritas and $2 off beer and wine. Iit is cool because it is a large restaurant and you can see the cooks make the pizzas behind the glass windows, and also because they serve a nice selection of alcohol there.  Between here and Via Tribunali, the pizzas were extremely similar but I would have to give the edge to Via Tribunali for the full experience, unless you’re bringing kids.  I recommend their desserts and gelato for an after dinner treat as well.

Final Grade: 4 Stars

It’s an alright place to stop off for a beer and hang out with some friends before or after a game but the food is not that great.  The portions are relatively small and overpriced.  The good thing they do have is $2 high-life’s every day, all the time.  I would much rather go to The Elysian if I had the choice between the two.

Final Grade: 2/5 Stars