allister - Mercer Island, Washington

J 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

Jesse M.

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.

Lynn F.

Haute Cuisine on Mercer Island? Qui! I thoroughly enjoyed the spätzle pasta and gorgeous green apple dessert on the brand new menu, just released today😋

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

Elizabeth S.

They have only been open a week, and already have been three times! First it was on opening night, and I had the vegetarian pasta and it was delicious! The next time I went, I had the salmon and it was cooked perfectly. The third time I went, I had bread and a drink (the mamma bear) at the bar. All the food is tasty, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere is beautiful. The owner also came over to my table on all three visits to check in and see how everything was going. I appreciate her thoughtfulness and deep care of her customers.

Highly recommend this place!!

Farinoush N.

We had a fantastic dining experience at Allister. The restaurant has a warm ambiance with a lovely French touch. Our server, Nico, was friendly and attentive, and the cocktails were a highlight as well.

Everyone in our group enjoyed the appetizers and main courses. The steak, the chicken marsala and the cheeseburger were all beautifully prepared.

Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for great food, drinks, and a cozy atmosphere.

Lauren A.

Such a great addition to the MI dining scene! Service was top notch and the drinks/food were amazing. Gnocchi ragout was delicious and the Oaxaca old fashioned was UNREAL. Definitely adding this to the date night rotation.

Salim N.

As the Mayor of Mercer Island, I may be a little biased, but Allister, our community’s newest dining gem, deserves every bit of the praise it's been receiving—and then some. I recently celebrated my wife's birthday here with a group of close friends, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional.

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The attention to detail in the decor creates a space that’s both elegant and comfortable, making it perfect for everything from a casual meal with family to a special celebration.

Now, let’s talk about the food—simply outstanding. The Miso Caesar Salad was a delightful twist on a classic, with the miso adding just the right amount of umami to the fresh, crisp greens. But the real star of the evening was the Steak Frites. The Grilled Hanger Steak was cooked to perfection—tender, flavorful, and complemented by a rich, classic Sauce Au Poivre. The French Fries, paired with Garlic Aioli and Ketchup, were the perfect accompaniment.

The service was top-notch as well, with a team that’s both knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about what they’re serving. The staff handled everything smoothly, ensuring that our celebration was seamless and memorable.

Allister is a fantastic addition to Mercer Island, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have it here. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, do yourself a favor and make a reservation—you won’t be disappointed. I’ll certainly be back, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they continue to impress.