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Address and Contact Information
Address: 7650 SE 27th St Suite 100, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Phone: (206) 552-0224
Website: https://allister-mi.com/
Menu Photos
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allister
Thank you for choosing Allister … Inspired by Pacific Northwest hospitality, Allister is a warm neighborhood restaurant and cocktail bar in downtown Mercer …
allister (@allistermercerisland) · Mercer Island, WA – Instagram
1.8K+ followers · 115 posts · Executive Chef Joel Childs Classic Craft Cocktails New American Cuisine ✨Visit us in Beautiful Downtown Mercer Island, WA.
allister Restaurant – Mercer Island, WA | OpenTable
Book now at allister in Mercer Island, WA. Explore menu, see photos and read 271 reviews: “This was our first time back since the menu and chef changed and …
Reviews
Richard Sprague
Allister occupies the nicely remodeled former Bennett’s space on Mercer Island — longtime locals will recognize the bones of the reliable (if somewhat predictable) high-end American spot that served the island well for years. The interior refresh is attractive, with a more contemporary feel, and the plating is genuinely impressive: thoughtful, fancy presentation on every dish.
We came on a Saturday for what we hoped would be a quick business lunch, but weekends are brunch-only until 3pm — a big downside if you’re expecting full menu access midday. (Dinner service starts later, so plan accordingly.) The smoked salmon on a fancy English muffin (~$22) was well-executed and reasonably priced compared to similar hotel fare in Seattle, but service felt stretched thin. With one server apparently covering both floor and kitchen duties, timing suffered: food arrived lukewarm by the time the whole table was served, which undercut the strong visuals.
The old Bennett’s was a solid choice for meeting out-of-towners on the island without the hassle of Seattle/Bellevue traffic and parking — Allister could fill that niche for a more formal business lunch or stuffy in-laws visit. But with so many stronger alternatives now on Mercer Island (and easy access to Bellevue/Seattle), it’s not worth a special trip yet. This isn’t a fair full assessment since we were forced into brunch, so I’ll give it another shot for dinner — I want the place to succeed as a local option.
For now: solid presentation and value, but execution and hours limited the experience.
… moreWe came on a Saturday for what we hoped would be a quick business lunch, but weekends are brunch-only until 3pm — a big downside if you’re expecting full menu access midday. (Dinner service starts later, so plan accordingly.) The smoked salmon on a fancy English muffin (~$22) was well-executed and reasonably priced compared to similar hotel fare in Seattle, but service felt stretched thin. With one server apparently covering both floor and kitchen duties, timing suffered: food arrived lukewarm by the time the whole table was served, which undercut the strong visuals.
The old Bennett’s was a solid choice for meeting out-of-towners on the island without the hassle of Seattle/Bellevue traffic and parking — Allister could fill that niche for a more formal business lunch or stuffy in-laws visit. But with so many stronger alternatives now on Mercer Island (and easy access to Bellevue/Seattle), it’s not worth a special trip yet. This isn’t a fair full assessment since we were forced into brunch, so I’ll give it another shot for dinner — I want the place to succeed as a local option.
For now: solid presentation and value, but execution and hours limited the experience.
Laila Barnes
I took my mama and sister to Allister to celebrate their birthdays. First off, right as you walk in, the restaurant is absolutely stunning. It’s a vibe for sure.
We ordered the beef tartare as an app and it was delicious. For entrees, we had the Filet Mignon, Seared Halibut, and Pappardelle & Beef Ragoût. All were exceptionally good with my favorite being the halibut. Presentation was also 10/10.
For dessert we had the Enchanted Apple, Vanilla Crème Brulée and our favorite – the Date & Molasses Cake! The cake was so moist, served warm with ice cream- literal perfection.
All of our drinks were also delicious, with my favorite being the Emerald City Sour. The only problem with my drink was I drank it took quick.
Overall such a great experience and I can’t wait to go back to try more items on the menu! Chef Joel was so great with his attention to detail and making sure we enjoyed our dishes.
… moreWe ordered the beef tartare as an app and it was delicious. For entrees, we had the Filet Mignon, Seared Halibut, and Pappardelle & Beef Ragoût. All were exceptionally good with my favorite being the halibut. Presentation was also 10/10.
For dessert we had the Enchanted Apple, Vanilla Crème Brulée and our favorite – the Date & Molasses Cake! The cake was so moist, served warm with ice cream- literal perfection.
All of our drinks were also delicious, with my favorite being the Emerald City Sour. The only problem with my drink was I drank it took quick.
Overall such a great experience and I can’t wait to go back to try more items on the menu! Chef Joel was so great with his attention to detail and making sure we enjoyed our dishes.
Grace
Update after the owners response: Yikes. That explains why the other servers were interacting with him that way, half smiles and coaching him through the sides of their mouths. Your servers were crushing it, they helped him a lot. I can’t believe he was an owner … it looked like it was his first day in the building. Its not that he forgot a “few things”, he was a liability and you are kinda of being one too by responding to every critical review in a defensive manner. After reading other reviews I see that people have let you know about this issue for a year. I would suggest full training on the POS system and to be fully trained as a server. You have many bright and well trained staff members that he could emulate. Otherwise guests are going to be confused about his presence and purpose.
I don’t think we will be coming back. But we will look forward to seeing where Chef Joel Childs goes next. Onward and upward!
One last bit- the vanity in the ladies room has a mirror that faces the toilet. That mirror appears to be a 2-way glass and it’s not a good look.
****************************************
I cant wait to come back and give this place 5 stars. The food was phenomenal, we loved every bite. The ambiancewas beautiful. Every detail was on point … and one employee made me us feel less than welcome. I couldn’t tell if he was aloof, judgemental or having a midlife crisis, either way…. it shouldn’t have been our problem on Valentines Day.
I am fully aware that restaurants are stressed on holidays and we were in no way expecting perfection.
We arrived early to our reservation and the hostess offered us a seat at the bar. Seeing that the restaurant was full we opted to have our meal there. She mentioned that we would have better service and we saw that as a plus.
We ordered a starter, a salad, beef wellington and another entree. Very quickly the server behind the bar (not the bartender) let us know that they are out of beef wellington, which put us on the spot to order something else. A quick decision to order a steak and some sides, no suggestions were made (like the fact the steak already came with the side I ordered) . We sat for a while and enjoyed our drinks. We were checked on once with an apology for the wait. The server behind the bar was talking to some customers that he clearly knew and he mentioned to them that they might have some beef wellington and he can see what he can do….
Our dishes came out all at once, we were sitting at the bar swarming in a sea of beautifully plated food. It was annoying and uncomfortable. The server mentioned getting a steak knife and then walked away. Thankfully after some time the bartender checked on us and got us a steak knife and more drinks. We sat with empty plates stacking up, watching this server catch up with old friends and not pay attention to us or another couple at the bar. The issue is that we observed that he clearly knew what to do as long as it was for his friends.
Steak no knife. Desert no napkins. Bill no pen.
I was hoping for a better experience. I’m grateful to the bartender who took care of us, was extremely personable and took care of a packed house.
Next time.
… moreI don’t think we will be coming back. But we will look forward to seeing where Chef Joel Childs goes next. Onward and upward!
One last bit- the vanity in the ladies room has a mirror that faces the toilet. That mirror appears to be a 2-way glass and it’s not a good look.
****************************************
I cant wait to come back and give this place 5 stars. The food was phenomenal, we loved every bite. The ambiancewas beautiful. Every detail was on point … and one employee made me us feel less than welcome. I couldn’t tell if he was aloof, judgemental or having a midlife crisis, either way…. it shouldn’t have been our problem on Valentines Day.
I am fully aware that restaurants are stressed on holidays and we were in no way expecting perfection.
We arrived early to our reservation and the hostess offered us a seat at the bar. Seeing that the restaurant was full we opted to have our meal there. She mentioned that we would have better service and we saw that as a plus.
We ordered a starter, a salad, beef wellington and another entree. Very quickly the server behind the bar (not the bartender) let us know that they are out of beef wellington, which put us on the spot to order something else. A quick decision to order a steak and some sides, no suggestions were made (like the fact the steak already came with the side I ordered) . We sat for a while and enjoyed our drinks. We were checked on once with an apology for the wait. The server behind the bar was talking to some customers that he clearly knew and he mentioned to them that they might have some beef wellington and he can see what he can do….
Our dishes came out all at once, we were sitting at the bar swarming in a sea of beautifully plated food. It was annoying and uncomfortable. The server mentioned getting a steak knife and then walked away. Thankfully after some time the bartender checked on us and got us a steak knife and more drinks. We sat with empty plates stacking up, watching this server catch up with old friends and not pay attention to us or another couple at the bar. The issue is that we observed that he clearly knew what to do as long as it was for his friends.
Steak no knife. Desert no napkins. Bill no pen.
I was hoping for a better experience. I’m grateful to the bartender who took care of us, was extremely personable and took care of a packed house.
Next time.
Alex Jabbour
SUPPORT YOUR LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES!!! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful couple who own this establishment and they live right here on the island (meet the rest of the team on their website!). The food is excellent. Went for the lunch happy hour and it did not disappoint. I would highly recommend the fish and chips as the portion size is out of this world. To top it off, the service was fast and friendly. Definitely a winning combination. A must try spot on the island; you will not be disappointed.
… moreMatthew Gill
Highly recommend. We tried multiple dishes and were thoroughly impressed by them all. Some amazing flavours that I wouldn’t necessarily have thought would go together but they not only do, they do extremely well. Everything from the house breads, crabs cakes, burrata the main courses to the apple dessert were all fantastic. You can tell the Chef enjoys his job. The creativity and time that goes into all the dishes is clearly something that he is passionate about. We were recommended the chicken dish as one of the three main courses we got, honestly, the most flavourful chicken I’ve ever had. The duck and fish were also top notch. On top of the food, the staff were great, the environment they have created is warm and clean. I will be back for sure. Thanks for taking such great care of us, Chef Joel and all the team at Allister!
… moreD Watson
Absolutely a five star establishment. From the phenomenal service to the shockingly good food, this place is a MUST visit if you’re anywhere in the Seattle area. Chef Joel has taken his food to the next level! And his ability to pair foods that provide a kaleidoscope of flavors makes dining at Allister’s, not just a meal, not just an experience, but a memory.
I don’t have room in this review to give credit to every dish that my coworkers and I tried over two days. But our experiences ranged from the Fried Honey Garlic & Jalapeño Shrimp, Crab Cakes, and Beef Tenderloin Skewer appetizers which were nothing short of amazing, to literally almost every entree on the menu.
The entrées included Grilled Duck Breast, Wagyu Cheeseburger, Grilled Halibut, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, the Fish and Chips, and even a few I’ve forgotten but are in the photos. Every plate was perfectly paired with amazing, creative vegetable choices, and sauce preparations that truly left all of us saying “wow” after every bite.
After trying the majority of meals on the menu, I can say that there are no bad choices to be had. And let me not forget about the pièce de résistance of the entire meal was “the apple that’s not an apple” dessert. O M G is all I can say about it. You have to try it to understand how good it truly is.
So again, if you are within driving distance, walking distance, uber distance or even in the State of Washington, Allister is a must!! Chef Joel and Daniel the Bartender/Somm will treat you like family and you will not be disappointed.
… moreI don’t have room in this review to give credit to every dish that my coworkers and I tried over two days. But our experiences ranged from the Fried Honey Garlic & Jalapeño Shrimp, Crab Cakes, and Beef Tenderloin Skewer appetizers which were nothing short of amazing, to literally almost every entree on the menu.
The entrées included Grilled Duck Breast, Wagyu Cheeseburger, Grilled Halibut, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, the Fish and Chips, and even a few I’ve forgotten but are in the photos. Every plate was perfectly paired with amazing, creative vegetable choices, and sauce preparations that truly left all of us saying “wow” after every bite.
After trying the majority of meals on the menu, I can say that there are no bad choices to be had. And let me not forget about the pièce de résistance of the entire meal was “the apple that’s not an apple” dessert. O M G is all I can say about it. You have to try it to understand how good it truly is.
So again, if you are within driving distance, walking distance, uber distance or even in the State of Washington, Allister is a must!! Chef Joel and Daniel the Bartender/Somm will treat you like family and you will not be disappointed.
Randolph d’Amore
I recently hosted a business dinner at allister. Sara helped coordinate the reservation and made sure everything was perfect for a fantastic evening. She was able to accommodate last minute changes and missed emails, the menu was great for a team with some food allergies and restrictions, and both the service and food was excellent. The fried cauliflower appetizer especially. Thank you for being a fantastic local option for us on Mercer – we’ll definitely be back.
… moreJ C
Everything about this place is fantastic – except the food, which is very x100 unfortunate given that it’s a restaurant. It almost feels like they’re aiming to be more of a bar.
We ordered the steak frites, pork belly skewers, fish and chips, and truffle fries.
• The fries were extremely soggy, reminded me of Dick’s fries (locals will know what I mean).
• The steak frites were the biggest disappointing. The steak was so tough and chewy that it actually hurt my jaw.
• The fish and chips were probably the best of all, but even then, the breading was too thick.
• The pork belly skewers had an off smell (unpleasant pork meat smell) and the exterior was very dry.
Overall, the food quality needs serious attention. Every dish we tried should be improved.
That said, the vibe is outstanding, honestly one of the best I’ve experienced in Washington. The space is spotless, modern, and perfect for a chill hangout.
It’s a great spot for a date night if food isn’t a top priority. I’d come back for happy hour with friends, but I wouldn’t rely on the food to impress. Kitchen staffs – I really hope you work on improving the food quality.
We visited around 4 PM on a Friday, and we were the only guests there, which may say something about the food situation.
Service met expectations – no complaints there. Again, the only area that really stood out, for the wrong reasons, was the food.
Cleanliness: Pass
Service: Pass
Vibe: Pass
Taste & Flavor: Absolutely fail
Revisit intention: Yes
… moreWe ordered the steak frites, pork belly skewers, fish and chips, and truffle fries.
• The fries were extremely soggy, reminded me of Dick’s fries (locals will know what I mean).
• The steak frites were the biggest disappointing. The steak was so tough and chewy that it actually hurt my jaw.
• The fish and chips were probably the best of all, but even then, the breading was too thick.
• The pork belly skewers had an off smell (unpleasant pork meat smell) and the exterior was very dry.
Overall, the food quality needs serious attention. Every dish we tried should be improved.
That said, the vibe is outstanding, honestly one of the best I’ve experienced in Washington. The space is spotless, modern, and perfect for a chill hangout.
It’s a great spot for a date night if food isn’t a top priority. I’d come back for happy hour with friends, but I wouldn’t rely on the food to impress. Kitchen staffs – I really hope you work on improving the food quality.
We visited around 4 PM on a Friday, and we were the only guests there, which may say something about the food situation.
Service met expectations – no complaints there. Again, the only area that really stood out, for the wrong reasons, was the food.
Cleanliness: Pass
Service: Pass
Vibe: Pass
Taste & Flavor: Absolutely fail
Revisit intention: Yes
Jesse Ma
Overall, we enjoyed the food and would come back again! We came for a late date night on a weekday and they let us order off the dinner menu even though we arrived minutes before it was supposed to transition to ‘late night.’
Everything was very flavorful and seasoned well! However, I do have to mention that we were offered bread and not told that it would cost $10 for bread service, and it is not shown anywhere on the menu, so that was a less than ideal surprise for the night to end on when we got our check. Otherwise, service was great to us in every other aspect.
We really enjoyed both the Chicken Marsala Pasta and Branzino. The sauces were tasty, the pastas were fresh, and the balance & depth of flavors was really enjoyable. However, at this high of a price point, we expected the chicken breast and the fish to not be overcooked, and unfortunately both proteins were on the drier side to our taste. Despite this, we still thought every other element of both entrees were really great, especially the sauces. The chanterelles in the Marsala might’ve been our favorite bites of the night, with such an intense savoriness to them. We were also so pleased that the bucatini was fresh pasta. The Branzino’s sour tang of romesco sauce paired against hearty chorizo spaeztle was also a really excellent and thoughtful addition.
The nicoise was nicely lemony and the sardines were a great savory touch. However, the olive tapenade was a bit overwhelmingly salty & sour, so we ended up leaving a lot on the plate after eating up everything else.
The bread was actually really good and if we had been aware it was $10 we would have been happy to pay it! It’s apparently house-made, including the butter, which is all the more impressive.
Overall, the dishes had specific things we had hoped would be better because of the price point. We don’t usually dine at this level and we had saved up for this special occasion. But in the end, the Chicken Marsala was intensely savory and delicious, the Branzino had an addiciting creamy-tangy balancing act, the housemade bread was chewy and satisfying, and we would recommend all three to anybody. And the portions were superb!
In short, there may be some things to nitpick here, which got put under a microscope because of the price we paid, but we have seen enough that we want to come back and give it another taste. The overall vision for the space, the menu, the late-night hours, the passion that’s apparent — it’s hard not to root for their success in filling a community niche. As someone who works quite late on weekdays but still wants to treat his partner to a nice space rather than the usual dive bar that’s open that late, I very much appreciate that Allister exists.
… moreEverything was very flavorful and seasoned well! However, I do have to mention that we were offered bread and not told that it would cost $10 for bread service, and it is not shown anywhere on the menu, so that was a less than ideal surprise for the night to end on when we got our check. Otherwise, service was great to us in every other aspect.
We really enjoyed both the Chicken Marsala Pasta and Branzino. The sauces were tasty, the pastas were fresh, and the balance & depth of flavors was really enjoyable. However, at this high of a price point, we expected the chicken breast and the fish to not be overcooked, and unfortunately both proteins were on the drier side to our taste. Despite this, we still thought every other element of both entrees were really great, especially the sauces. The chanterelles in the Marsala might’ve been our favorite bites of the night, with such an intense savoriness to them. We were also so pleased that the bucatini was fresh pasta. The Branzino’s sour tang of romesco sauce paired against hearty chorizo spaeztle was also a really excellent and thoughtful addition.
The nicoise was nicely lemony and the sardines were a great savory touch. However, the olive tapenade was a bit overwhelmingly salty & sour, so we ended up leaving a lot on the plate after eating up everything else.
The bread was actually really good and if we had been aware it was $10 we would have been happy to pay it! It’s apparently house-made, including the butter, which is all the more impressive.
Overall, the dishes had specific things we had hoped would be better because of the price point. We don’t usually dine at this level and we had saved up for this special occasion. But in the end, the Chicken Marsala was intensely savory and delicious, the Branzino had an addiciting creamy-tangy balancing act, the housemade bread was chewy and satisfying, and we would recommend all three to anybody. And the portions were superb!
In short, there may be some things to nitpick here, which got put under a microscope because of the price we paid, but we have seen enough that we want to come back and give it another taste. The overall vision for the space, the menu, the late-night hours, the passion that’s apparent — it’s hard not to root for their success in filling a community niche. As someone who works quite late on weekdays but still wants to treat his partner to a nice space rather than the usual dive bar that’s open that late, I very much appreciate that Allister exists.
amanda
This is a great restaurant to have on Mercer island. The concept is great and the feel is very nice. The menu items sound good but lacked a bit of flavor. The pommes dauphine tasted like fried uncooked dough, the cauliflower was good but would have been better with added spices. Was not a huge fan of the pesto pasta with mushrooms, interesting combination. The portobello mushroom burger was a great idea but also lacked flavor and felt kind of watery. Drinks were the best part. All in all this is a great add to Mercer island and hopefully their kitchen can work on adding more flavor to the dishes to make it really stand out
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