Adrian’s Restaurant & Tequila Bar — Restaurant in Bellevue

I really wanted to like this place, but I left feeling completely scammed. For the money we paid, the food, drinks, and atmosphere were far below Cactus quality at “fine dining” prices.

First of all, the space is odd. There are two doors to enter the restaurant. Only one is the correct door. I opened the wrong one and ran straight into a table of six women who all stopped talking and looked up at me. I had to awkwardly apologize and scoot around their group, having clearly interrupted their conversation by swinging open a door into their faces. No signage, no indication that I should have gone around to the real front. The door was unlocked and apparently useable to customers. Tables were crammed together so the atmosphere was so loud we were raising our voices just to have a conversation with each other.

The chips were cold and unsalted, served in a wicker basket. Seriously? I don’t know much about running a restaurant but I would imagine that is one of their lowest costs, and still it felt like they were being done as cheaply as possible. I’ve had Mexican at much more casual places where the chips were hot, salted, and fresh. I’d be surprised to hear if they actually fry them in-house. They tasted like they were poured right out of the chip bag from a grocery store. No salsa either. There was a black bean dip I assume to set them apart and make them “different” but why mess with a good thing? People want chips and salsa! No guac, not even as an option/add-on under the appetizer list. Some entrees came with guac, but nope not with your chips because who wants that?

Lobster bisque seriously skimped on the lobster meat, it was mostly watery and it just felt like they were trying to save money at every turn, this being just one example.

I could barely taste the tequila in my cucumber margarita. I actually thought they had made a mocktail at first but there were slight traces. Pretty lame for a place that calls themselves a tequila bar. It was $18 and was served in a short crystal tumbler, mostly ice. It was gone in three sips. Again, people make large, strong margaritas at casual Mexican spots for half the price with twice the alcohol.

We shared the “chirozoqueso” which came in a cast iron skillet but was already room temp. For skillet quesos - I would expect it to come hot and bubbly which is the most fun part. It congealed almost immediately. Also, it was an extremely shallow layer of cheese I assume to save money on ingredients but for almost $20 there couldn’t have been more than half a cup of cheese in there for four people.

My steak was sixty dollars, sixty!! I am fine paying that if it’s high quality, but it was not. Super chewy. I had the wagyu beef carne asada. Zero flavor, I wanted to add salt. It came with a very sad glob of guacamole with absolutely zero presentation, and a mound of rice that they had clearly pressed into a cup and flipped upside down, I assume to look fancy and justify the $60 price? But it was so underwhelming in look and flavor.

Moral of the story – some cloth napkins and tea candles does not make you a fine dining restaurant. The price did NOT match the experience, we were all out over $100 each for a meal we could have made ourselves. At zero point did I eat or drink anything I couldn’t have made at home on a Tuesday night while sitting on the couch watching TV. There are many better special occasion restaurants in the Bellevue area where the experience is worth every penny. I am grossed out that they would charge what they charge knowing they are cutting corners at every turn, literally and...

Adrian’s Restaurant and Tequila Bar: Anniversary Night in Old Town Bellevue

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at Adrian’s Restaurant and Tequila Bar, right in the heart of old town Bellevue. The location is central and walkable—though, as with most of downtown, parking takes a little extra patience (or luck).

Adrian’s sits on the corner, serving up a classic Mexican menu with a few surprises. The staff were all warm and attentive, making us feel comfortable from the moment we walked in. Their menu covers all the bases, from fresh ceviche to rich chile rellenos. And for tequila lovers: you won’t be disappointed. The shelves are stocked with just about every variety imaginable—though I stuck with a classic Coke this time.

The restaurant’s vibe is where things get interesting. With low ceilings, dim lighting, and a playlist ranging from Billy Joel to country, Adrian’s is still sorting out its identity. It’s cozy but not exactly what you’d expect from a tequila bar. And for the chips-and-something crowd, be warned: here you get chips and warm black beans instead of salsa or guacamole. The beans were… fine, but there’s something about salsa that just feels right.

Service was friendly and attentive, but a little on the slow side—which worked out since the place wasn’t too busy. For my entrée, I ordered the wagyu beef fajitas, which were delicious. The combination of bell peppers and bacon gave them a rich, smoky kick. I wasn’t a fan of the corn tortillas, and surprisingly, the same black beans from the starter made a second appearance alongside my $60 fajitas. Not quite what I’d expect at that price point.

My husband went with the filet special, served over a decadent crab risotto. It looked fantastic and tasted even better.

Overall, Adrian’s delivered a solid experience—flavorful food, genuinely friendly service, and a festive vibe. I’d definitely come back, but next time I’ll bring a sweater: despite the 80-degree day outside, the air conditioning inside was set to “Arctic Expedition.”

Final verdict: Good for a special occasion, especially if you love tequila and classic Mexican flavors, just come ready for an unconventional chips-and-beans intro, and don’t forget...

This is a very special place, we are lucky to have a place like it in Bellevue showcasing authentic upscale high Mexican cuisine. Being from Mexico I am pretty sure this place will be a success in Mexico too! Visited many times and had the chance to try almost all the menu. Definitely a favorite of mine are the enchiladas (you can ask for a bit more hot sauce) it’s just spot on. The wagyu beef asada is amazing ..: pork chops , the lobster bisque , the tacos dorados even the refried black beans they give as an appetizer are really deli and authentic. So the food is great.

The drinks are also quite remarkable having the spicy margarita as my favorite ..: is the right amount of ingredientes and the freshness of the lime always consistent what makes the difference. So the drinks are great !

The service is one of a kind in the PNW. Adrian who is the owner and his family brothers daughter are such nice people who only worry about you having a great time and served well… all the team is amazing and incredibly welcoming.

And finally the place is beautiful , white cloth tables and deco are quite cozy . And not to take for granted but they have also parking which in old Bellevue is a mega plus.

And below I have a photo of something I ALWAYS order to close the deal : the flan !...