Bis On Main
10213 Main St
Bellevue, Washington 98004
United States
(425) 455-2033
Share |
GeoPage Score
9.9
What's this?
8 Recommends
Citysearch Rated
Comfortably elegant bistro draws Bellevue's moneyed boomers for wining, dining and networking.
June 12, 2005
(4.0 / 5 stars)

The Scene
With simple taupe walls, white linens and an incredibly long wine list, this cozy spot with a view of Old Main attracts a quiet, sophisticated crowd. It's an everyday eatery for those who live the good life; diners younger than 30 are rare. The attentive servers have an excellent eye for detail.

The Food
With high-quality ingredients and simple preparations, nearly everything here is good, but several dishes edge into exceptional. Ahi tuna, with a thin, barely seared peppered crust and fuchsia center, nearly melts in the mouth. Salads sparkle with mint and parsley, and tender steaks arrive in a flavorful demi-glace studded with caramelized shallots.

(Editorial review provided by Citysearch)
1 to 10 of 25 reviews | Go to Page 1 2 3
very yummy!
January 01, 2011
(5.0 / 5 stars)

I went here after having my hair done cause some people were talking about it in the salon! he service was great and so was the food i will deff be back!

(User review provided by Citysearch)
What a disappointment
March 23, 2010
(1.0 / 5 stars)

The last review for this place was a couple years ago, so I'm assuming the place has taken a turn for the worse. Of all the French/New American places I've been to, this one ranks the lowest as far as the food is concerned. We ordered the Veal Osso Busco and rack of lamb and both were quite terrible in my opinion. The lamb was undercooked and the veal was one-note. First year culinary students know better than to undercook lamb and then serve without slicing the meat before serving. The price of the entrees were well within the range of good French restaurants but for the low quality food served here, it was exorbitant! If you truly care about food, please avoid this place at any cost.

Pros: Pleasant atmosphere and good wine list
Cons: Quality of food.
(User review provided by Citysearch)
Terrific food, reasonable portions and very convenient parking
December 18, 2008
(5.0 / 5 stars)

This is a truly great restaurant. It is a formal setting with a tremendous wine list. The portions are resonable and the service is very good. I have been to Bis on Main for both dinner and lunch. The quality and service remained the same, either time of day.

Pros: Great food, good portions, convenient valet parking
(User review provided by Citysearch)
In my top two
October 04, 2008
(5.0 / 5 stars)

Up until last night, I didn't think anything in the area would compare to The Met for me--I'm a huge fan of high-end steakhouses (but not lame-ass pompous showoff places like el gaucho). However, last night the boys and I went out to Bis on Main and we all had great food. I had the duck, which was amazing. The boys had the cassoulette and the jirk prawns(mis-spelled on purpose since City Search didn't like the word), which were both extremely good, but it was agreed that I definitely had the winning dish. I've had some great meals at many of the restaurants in Seattle and other places, as well as some great home-cooked meals in our dinner club, but I can honestly say that this is probably the best meal I have ever had. The duck was prepared perfectly (which is not often experienced anywhere) and the root-vegetable hash it was paired with was incredible. We had a bottle of Syrah (very reasonably priced compared to the same wine at Seattle restaurants) and a few cocktails, all of which were excellent.

I'm not ready to call this the best restaurant in the area yet, but this was the best single meal I've had anywhere around here.

Appetizers included the Salmon Gravlax and the Ricotta & Spinach Gnocchi. The Gnocchi was okay, but the salmon was off-the-hook amazing. I'm not one to dole out words like excellent and amazing unless they are warranted, and Bis definitely warrants them.

Desserts were good, not great. Pecan pie was good, and the chocolate souffle was better, but these weren't up there in the amazing range....

Atmosphere: Classy and relaxed...
Service: Knowledgable, attentitve, but not in-your-face...
Food: Very good to Amazing...
Bread: Average...
Wine: Excellent selection at good prices...
Cocktails: excellent...
Desserts: good...

Stay away from this place, so I can go back and enjoy it more.

Pros: Free Vallet parking, food, atmosphere
Cons: good, but not great desserts
(User review provided by Citysearch)
An Eastside Gem
August 06, 2008
(5.0 / 5 stars)

A few things of note: house cured Salmon Gravlax - superb! Potato crusted goat cheese, crispy sweetbreads and pepper crusted Ahi Tuna: fantastic! All salads well worth it. Main Entrees are mostly executed at the level one would expect at a restaurant of this caliber. Usually busy, Bis on Main is one of Bellevue's, and increasingly, Seattle's favorite restaurants. Great wine list. Highly suggest for special occasions, business dining, dates or a great Friday evening meal...

Pros: food - very professional service - increasing "history" in Bellevue
(User review provided by Citysearch)
Ok, but not worth the price
June 25, 2008
(3.0 / 5 stars)

If you live in Bellevue and don't want to travel far, this might be a good place to go to enjoy dinner with an older crowd and drop some cash, otherwise, skip it. The food is not the main attraction, nor is the privacy or wait staff to customer ratio.

The lounge area and bar are cramped. Bar seating is mostly in the walkway to the lounge or backed against a wall. Remaining restaurant is composed of two main dining areas in a non-private setting. Drinks are decent, though my second and third "Perfected Manhattan" came with lots of ice cubes floating on top with foam from the shaker.

Food is not extraordinary. The New York steak was thick, bland and tough even though medium-rare (some parts difficult to cut with the steak knife). The dry rub is apparently flavorless or washed off with the basalmic vinegar it is slathered in which makes the steak sweet instead of savory. Crispy chicken was decent, but nothing to write home about. Best meal was the Tamarind Prawns and it came with brown rice versus the plain mashed potatoes and broccoli that the other meals seem to come with.

Pros: Valet parking behind restaurant is good since Bellevue thinks they need to charege for parking elsewhere
Cons: Overpriced and under-delivering
(User review provided by Citysearch)
just ok
March 17, 2008
(3.0 / 5 stars)

nothing to write home about. valet parking was the best part about this place. older crowd with bland food and high priced drinks. could have the potential to be great. won't drive home talking about it.

(User review provided by Citysearch)
Very Popular
February 20, 2008
(5.0 / 5 stars)

We were coming from the Seattle side and didn't know quite what to expect even though we checked out their website at www.bisonmain

We quite enjoyed it. The wine list was superb; the menu was a nice mix of Italian / French but down to earth - not too 'persnickety'. It comes off as food you really want to try. Accessible! Great ambience and white table cloth, friendly wait staff and a consistent buzz of activity, which was nice for this evening. Great service all around! We'll be back to Bis on Main

Pros: great service, wine list, food, 'place'
Cons: couldn't find street parking
(User review provided by Citysearch)
Great New Bar
June 10, 2007
(5.0 / 5 stars)

I live in Seattle and don't venture to the eastside of the lake very often but was told about Bis by a good friend who's opinion I value. She couldn't have been more right, my friends and I (4 total) decided to sit and have drinks and dinner in the new bar/lounge. They offer a full menu plus additional appetizers and I was amazed at how great the "bar food" was. I am a huge steak lover and ordered the Steak Frites and thought that it was amazing. The bartender was cute, funny and attentive. The owner was friendly and made it a point to make our first visit in enjoyable. I will definitely make more trips to the eastside to visit this charming establishment and will most likely always sit in the bar.

Pros: service, ambience, parking
Cons: it's in Bellevue
(User review provided by Citysearch)
downgraded
June 03, 2007
(3.0 / 5 stars)

They lost something in the remodel. What used to be intimate and charming fine dining has turned into more of a "scene". It's much louder, a little colder and the food actually seems to have lessened in quality. The crab cakes were disappointing and the prices now seem overpriced where before they seemed worth it. Hmmm... I will give it another try because I used to love it, but I am saly disappointed.

(User review provided by Citysearch)
1 to 10 of 25 reviews | Go to Page 1 2 3
The Extras:

Three times a year, the restaurant hold a six-course meal paired with seven wines. A winemaker or winery representative typically hosts the event.

THE DETAILS
Category:
Restaurant
Cuisine:
French, Soups, Seafood
Features:
Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, People Watching, Business Dining, Group Dining, Notable Wine List
Payment:
American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard, Travelers Check
Serving 1 neighborhood:
West Bellevue
GEOBLOGS
By Lawyer Milloy on 07/09/09 12:24 AM

Tuesdays are the universal day off in the NFL. This is why me and my wife choose this day to go on a date. It ranges from going to lunch or a trip to...