Valentine’s Day Train Wreck! Overbooked, very long waits, order mistakes, and overpriced for the experience we had.
I decided to book out a Valentine’s day reservation a few weeks in advance of the holiday, and found that there were a few spots left for 7:30. We arrived about 10 minutes early to our 7:30 reservation to find a overly crowded reception area with upwards of 20 people waiting for tables, meanwhile seeing a PACKED very hectic dining room. We checked in with the hostess who said it should be about a 15 minute wait (within 5 minutes of our reservation which was fine). We didn’t end up getting called and taken to our table until about 8pm (40 minutes after check-in, and 30 after our reserved time). STK clearly overbooked their restaurant and did not properly plan the appropriate amount of time and slots for comfortable table turnovers. It seemed like they could never catch up, and opened up more timeslots that they should have to take advantage of a high-revenue holiday. Booking for a V-day holiday, I hoped for an upscale, fun, intimate, extravagant dinner and of course still expected “busy,” but I did NOT expect catastrophe.
When we got to the table, our server was very personable, but clearly overwhelmed (as it seemed for all the staff, not just him). We ordered a few drinks, the mac and cheese as a starter to come out first, with my partner ordering the mushroom tagliatelle, me ordering the 10oz filet (med rare), brussel spouts for a side, and a 4oz portion of A5 wagyu (med rare) to split between us for dinner (I wanted my partner to finally get a chance to try A5 for the first time). Drinks took about 15-20 minutes to come out because apparently we ordered at the same time the bartenders were preparing a whole restaurant’s worth of complimentary V-day alcoholic shots (idk what it was exactly, nobody could tell us) that was given out in a fancy sparkler display to everyone who had a table.
The first food that came out about 30 minutes after sitting down was a complimentary fresh baked bread with bleu cheese butter, which wasn’t too bad, but I was starving, so anything could’ve theoretically satisfied me at that point. Almost an hour after sitting, we finally get the mac & cheese, brussels, tagliatelle, and wagyu (which came out mostly med-well and little med in the center, not the asked-for med rare). The mac and cheese was meant to come out as a starter, and my 10oz filet wasn’t there. When I asked about the 10oz filet, our server misunderstood and thought the A5 was going to be my meal, and got confused or didn’t hear I wanted the 10oz filet as my main. He said he’d get them to deliver one ASAP, and while I was waiting, I just had to eat the sides and start on the wagyu. Most upscale, quality restaurants would take back the table food and re-prepare it all “On-the-fly” so 1 person doesn’t have to wait while others start eating. About 10-15 minutes later, my filet was delivered. I sliced down the middle and found the steak to be definitely rare, borderline blue. I could eat anything at that point, so I ate a few bites and figured I cook it longer at home for leftovers. At that point, I was so disappointed, we skipped dessert altogether to opt for some ice cream at home instead.
Overall, I was hugely disappointed because I wanted a fun great experience with awesome food for me and my loved one on the holiday, and ended up on the end of a track wreck that costed my $600 after tip. Btw, The brussels and mac and cheese were tasty/good, but I’ve had way better done steak and A5 in...
Read moreUgh, I hate being negative, but I feel like I have to say something. A group of us went out for my friend’s birthday celebration, and unfortunately almost everyone (if not everyone) left dissatisfied.
First, my own experience. I would say that this place is NOT friendly to food allergies. I called the restaurant in advance to ask about how they were with dietary restrictions. Unfortunately, I do have multiple food allergies due to autoimmune chronic illness that I have to abide by. The hostess was pretty rude to me on the phone, saying she couldn’t hear a word I was saying. I get it can be frustrating if the connection is bad, but it was her tone that really put me off. I asked if a certain dish can be made without butter, and she just said “sure, just ask your waiter when you’re here” and hung up before I had a chance to ask anything else.
The food menu didint seem to have any food allergy designations on it. I want to note that our waitress was incredibly sweet and did her best. I mentioned my food issues at the beginning, and she helped me navigate a dish that I could not have. However, when I ordered my food without butter, I could tell that it had garlic butter in it when it came out. It also has crispy onion straws/flakes that seemed to have gluten in it, which was another food allergy I had mentioned earlier. There were a lot of us, and it was kind of a mess of a night, so I just gave it to my friend to eat.
Now, our group’s overall experience. A couple of the side dishes the table ordered never came out, but luckily we weren’t charged for them either. Unfortunately, most of us were really disappointed by the food, especially given the prices. Some of the entrees and meats were dry, the veggies were mushy and mostly peas, and the food was just overall disappointment to what was expected given the price.
The ambience was also a disappointment to what we were expecting. The lights in the bathroom fully went out while we were in there. The general vibe felt like it couldn’t decide if it was a fancy steakhouse or a club, and it had the worst elements of each.
Lastly, at the end of the night, we were informed that the check could only be split 3 ways by our waitress. This would have been great information to know at the beginning of the meal, so we could have made it easier for ourselves ordering in groups. It took us literally an hour to figure out amongst ourselves how to split things up.
I would say maybe 20% of people felt satisfied by the food quality or like it was worth the price. Pretty disappointing experience overalll seeing that everyone spent over $100 each, and around $1500 was...
Read moreI don’t usually write long reviews, but STK Bellevue absolutely deserves one. From the moment we walked in, the energy was amazing — modern, lively, and upscale without being pretentious. The vibe strikes that perfect balance between classy and fun. It’s the kind of place that works for a nice date night, a birthday celebration, or even just treating yourself after a long week.
The host greeted us right away and got us seated promptly, even though the place was buzzing. Our server was incredible — friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely attentive without hovering. They explained the menu, gave great recommendations, and even remembered our names throughout the night, which was such a nice touch.
We started with a few appetizers — the tuna tartare and the lil’ BRGs sliders. Both were amazing. The tartare was super fresh and flavorful, and those mini wagyu burgers were insanely good — juicy, perfectly cooked, and packed with flavor. The presentation was spot-on too, which made everything feel special right from the start.
For mains, we went all in on steak, of course. I ordered the bone-in ribeye and my partner had the filet. Both were cooked to absolute perfection — perfectly seared on the outside, tender and juicy inside, with that signature STK seasoning that just hits different. We added a few sides — the truffle fries and lobster mac & cheese are must orders. The mac was rich, creamy, and decadent, with big chunks of lobster that made it worth every bite.
The cocktails were another highlight. I had the “Not Your Daddy’s Old Fashioned,” and it was one of the best I’ve had — smooth, smoky, and perfectly balanced. My partner’s cucumber stiletto was light, refreshing, and beautifully presented.
We ended the night with the warm chocolate chip cookie and vanilla ice cream — classic comfort dessert done perfectly. By that point, we were completely full but couldn’t stop eating.
Throughout the entire evening, the service team checked in at all the right moments. They even surprised us with a complimentary dessert when they found out we were celebrating a birthday — such a thoughtful gesture.
Yes, it’s a bit on the pricier side, but honestly, you’re paying for quality food, stellar service, and a great atmosphere. The attention to detail here is next level — everything from the lighting to the playlist to the plating feels intentional and polished.
If you’re looking for a high-end steakhouse experience that still feels lively and welcoming, STK Bellevue is it. I left completely impressed and can’t wait to come back — maybe next time for happy...
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