ASA Mercer Island — Restaurant in Mercer Island

5/12/2025 The café part of this storefront opened a few weeks ago. They opened as a small speakeasy type bar (in my opinion) in Oct 2024. I didn’t even know the bar was there until 2 weeks ago and I frequent the area. Here’s a review of the café during the day.

Pros: The 2 ladies that I encountered were fantastic. I’m certain that they are the nicest 2 people I have talked to in any business on the island! The inside area is nice and cozy. I like the comfortable seating areas along with the bar top. The outdoor area is a nice addition. They even have a large fabric shade (it looks like a large kite). I thought it went well. The evergreen trees/bushes that circle the area are an enormous benefit. Without them, everyone on the street and parking lot next door would be staring at you. It makes it much more private. I had a cinnamon roll which was warmed up and tasted good.

Cons: I ordered an iced Chai Latte. It was sweetened with agave and they only had sugar to add (no sugar alternatives). I don’t like coffee and have been drinking different types of tea on an almost everyday basis my entire adult life. This was the first Chai Latte that I couldn’t drink. It was horrible. I could swear I could taste coffee in it. It was very bitter and the flavor was off. It didn’t taste like Chai. The inside area is a little small but that should cut down on leasing costs until the business is figured out. They had very limited food offerings. The bar menus that I could find on review websites only listed 2 light bites and the main website doesn’t have any menus. The WA Liquor Control Board requires 4 “complete meals”, but I couldn’t find that many. They could exist; I couldn’t find them.

Suggestions: I think they should fix the Chai Latte issue, buy some tea bags or loose-leaf tea, and add sugar alternatives. The business is surrounded by other coffee shops and bakeries. They need something to stand out. I think they should have afternoon tea on Sundays. Start with 2 tables and add more if it works out. Allow for afternoon tea reservations, figure out how tea works along with the 3-tier food service. It’s a moneymaker. The tea place in North Seattle is always booked up for afternoon tea for weeks in advance. You can buy teacups and accessories from thrift stores. None of the dishes need to match, it’s afternoon tea. You can also buy your tea from Queen Mary in North Seattle. She has a shop 1 block away from her tea restaurant. That way you don’t have to hold a lot of inventory to try it out.

Update: Thanks for fixing the Chai Latte! You're right about your license, no food is necessary but it would be...

I absolutely (used) to love ASA and went here quite often. For every celebratory event and friend recommendation! But, we had a terrible experience here this week and the staff attributed it to the “change in management”. When we went, we weren’t given a menu when asked for numerous times (none are available), and when asked for white wine bottle prices (during the afternoon), nothing was communicated or relayed. We said ok, fine I mean - we love it here, we’ll roll with it. When we asked for the bill we were presented with $90 for a bottle of WHITE WINE. Only after we asked what that was about, a different bar tender told us that they’re charging bottle prices by 5 glasses of wine (but even that would have been $80).

Irregardless, it was the dishonesty and lack of communication on the staff and thereby the management part.

I really really really was very excited with this bar but honestly, there’s zero...

As someone who lives and breathes hospitality, it’s rare to find a place that feels like both a luxurious retreat and a neighborhood living room, but this space on Mercer Island nails it. Refined but not fussy, modern yet full of warmth. It’s the kind of place where you could dress up for a celebration or come as you are. It reminds me of a luxury version of Cheers if Cheers had an interior designer.

Mercer Island has not been known for nightlife, and I understand why. Even this peaceful community deserves a place to gather. This spot delivers that beautifully. Elevated cocktails, a welcoming team, and an atmosphere that encourages connection.

Even if you are not an Islander, it is absolutely worth the visit. The staff offers that perfect blend of polished service and familiar warmth. It is a gem, one this island did not even know it needed but now feels...