allister — Restaurant in Mercer Island

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...

I'll start by saying I'm really excited Allister has opened on the Island - it's great to have another option that's a bit more upscale. The space is really well done. I would love to revisit and hope the feedback in this review is useful for them and actioned upon.

We dined fairly soon after their opening so I'm sure they were still ironing things out. My family of four was seated at a tiny corner table even though there were larger 4-tops available (and yes, we had a reservation). We barely had room on the table for starter plates. Service was fine, nothing remarkable - seemed like a bunch of younger kids in their first service gigs learning the ropes. It wasn't clear what Allister's service identity was or what they were going for. The prices are on the higher end of the spectrum but the service was not. I'm sure they'll work this out over time.

The food was a mixed bag. Starters were tasty. Miso Caesar was decent. The salmon was good. The steaks, however - that's where my beef is (pun intended). We ordered both the filet and the ribeye and were thoroughly underwhelmed. You can't charge high end steakhouse prices and have steaks come out that look like they belong on a plate at Applebees or a diner. They were under-seasoned, had absolutely no crust, and were inconsistently cooked from edge to center to edge. The ribeye was a paltry half-inch thick. I sincerely hope this is remedied. At $80 for the ribeye, you're in the same territory as The Met, El Gaucho, John Howie, Daniel's, etc. This steak was nowhere close.

I was super excited to have a nicer option on the island, especially one where we could get a good steak. I really hope they can address this - should be one of the easiest items on the menu to prepare. Cut thicker, season generously, and sear til you get that beautiful crust. I'd love to come back, as everything else about the space...

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...