LeTAO — Restaurant in Bellevue

Very disappointed! Visiting from out of state and went here for an early fathers day outing with my extended family. I heard good things about the treats here and was excited for the Hokkaido cream especially as someone who lived in Japan for many years. Whatever joy I would have found in my food was robbed by the awful service experience :(

Our visit started well, one of the girls behind the counter helped us and offered us samples of the different cookies as we decided our order. Super sweet! One of the few redeeming factors of the experience. However, once our order was placed, things went downhill. We placed two different orders using their online menu at about the same time, the first came out quick, 5 or 10 minutes tops! But the second took over an hour to get to us... We had waited patiently for at least half an hour before we started (politely) asking the staff about our order. In the meantime, people came in and out ordering and leaving with their food and drinks while we waited to no avail. We asked a handful of times after that and every time we were assured they were working on it and it would be out soon, turned out they hadn't even checked and our order was never even started because "the tickets rolled up". When they finally started on it, they still missed items and we had to ask again just to get everything. And while the sundae and cake/tea cookies were yummy, our drinks were a huge let down. I don't know if my peach apricot ceylon tea was made wrong in a rush, but it had no fruit flavor, just plain ceylon tea... which I enjoy, just not for the price of specialty fruit tea. And all our matcha lattes tasted burnt beyond recognition!

The worst part of it all is when we asked why the wait had been so long, the worker seemed barely apologetic and weirdly confused as if she didn't know why either, saying that other order tickets must have just covered it and so they couldn't help not seeing it sooo um .. sorry? I've worked multiple food service/cafe jobs so I understand that things can get busy and orders get lost, but the lack of remorse and care is what really truly made this experience one star for me :(

(P.S. When ordering online there is a banner advertising a free tote bag with purchases $80+, this is apparently "not a thing" according to the employees, despite having the aforementioned tote bags... had to ask and insist in order to get the gift that is...

LaTao is a premium Japanese cake shop that brings a taste of Hokkaido straight to the Pacific Northwest. Known for its elegantly crafted pastries and air-shipped desserts, this shop markets itself as a luxury experience—and it certainly delivers in presentation and service, though the price point and flavor profile may not be for everyone.

Ambiance: 4.5/5 The space is clean, minimalist, and stylish—exactly what you’d expect from a high-end Japanese confectionery. Displays are immaculately arranged, and the packaging of each dessert adds to the premium feel. However, the seating area is limited, so it’s best suited for grab-and-go or special-occasion pickups.

Authenticity: 4/5 The shop proudly advertises that its cakes are flown in directly from Japan, and you can tell in the texture and finesse. Each slice is incredibly delicate, with the characteristic lightness and richness found in Japanese-style cheesecakes and shortcakes. That said, the flavoring leans a little Westernized, especially the use of what tastes like molasses or syrup in the sweetener, which slightly throws off the finish.

Flavor: 3.5/5 The cakes are soft, creamy, and well-balanced at first bite. However, the aftertaste includes a sour-sweet note that may come from additives like syrup or molasses instead of pure cane sugar. It’s subtle, but noticeable enough to affect the overall enjoyment for purists. Still, it’s clear the ingredients are of high quality and assembled with care.

Service: 5/5 Service was excellent. Staff were courteous, knowledgeable, and attentive. After spending around $150 on cakes and pastries, we were given some samples to taste. A small but thoughtful gesture that elevated the experience.

Cost: 2.5/5 Be prepared—LaTao is luxury-priced. A 6-inch cake runs around $70, and smaller items aren’t cheap either. While the branding and import logistics help justify some of the markup, it’s definitely a splurge rather than a casual dessert stop.

In conclusion, LaTao is worth a visit if you’re a fan of Japanese cakes or looking for a luxurious gift-worthy dessert. The visual appeal and texture are top-tier, and the service is memorable. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars—exceptional presentation and service, though the flavor and pricing leave a bit of...

Updated review Beaware of the fake reviews you see below. People who have never reviewed or only had 3-4 reviews suddenly started reviewing this location to improve their online appearance. The best ingredient they claim is sugar, cream, butter and some flavors that costs about less than 2$? For the entire cake how premium those could be? You guys need to stop claiming stuff that doesn't make sense. Honestly, this is the worst cake I have ever tried, especially with this price point. A small whole cake is actually similar to a one slice of cake you can buy from 85c or other cake shops. The cake is 42$ plus tax for that small piece. The taste?? Seriously, i don't get or see or understand where people have been eating, but its absolutely tastes like a cheap 5$ cake you can buy from your local store. Maybe if this whole tiny cake is priced at 15$, then sure, the review could change to probably 3 stars instead. Selling a cake for 42$ and a tiny egg tart for 6.5$ per pcs? For those who read this, just imagine you eating an 85c cake but much worse and 10x more expensive.

There is no way on earth I could recommend this. Those who do absolutely have never had cake before or been living under a rock. I have no idea how anyone would be willing to pay such price for this cake. I did buy to try and see the difference and if it's actually GOOD. When i tasted it, I was like what the hell is this? Seriously, if you buy it from 85c or paris Baguette, it tastes way better than this. Don't get me wrong, I hate sugar, but all their drinks and cakes are just double the sweetness you get from 85c. I compare to them because they have less sugar than a traditional cake.

Their drinks are ridiculous full of ICE with TINY 8oz cups. image a small cup of drink filled up with ice, basically your buying few sips of drinks for 8$+, the worse business practices I have seen in my entire life in just 1 business location..... this is for sure. I'll never come back or try this place. Don't be fooled with those fake advertisements about Japanese history.....

Look at the tiny small cakes, and the roll is for 33$ seriously Safeway are overpriced, and it sells for 8$. When I say tiny, i am really not...