AKB, a hotel bar — Restaurant in Redmond

The physical and online menu list the “pesto” flatbread as vegan. The ingredients include parmesan, which is dairy and thus not vegan friendly. Pesto recipes may differ, but they all include cheese, again a dairy item that is not vegan friendly.

I was completely confused when I saw this as I sat at the bar. So, what does one do? Well ask, right?

Me: This is vegan? (I’m pointing to the menu item to the bartender) Bartender: Yup. Me: It has cheese. Bartender: It’s vegetarian. Me: It’s marked vegan. Bartender: Vegan. Vegetarian. Same thing. It doesn’t have meat.

So, I should feel satisfied now? Have my concerns been addressed? So much going on here.

“Vegan. Vegetarian. Same thing.” That communicates to me that the bartender has absolutely no concern for the issue I took the time to bring up. “Vegan. Vegetarian. Same thing.” That communicates that the bartender is too lazy to ask for assistance when she doesn’t have the answer. All she had to say was something like. “Let me check on that. I’ll be right back.” Of course vegan and vegetarian do not mean the same thing. At a minimum: a. Vegan is a lifestyle, not a diet, [the vegan lifestyle includes a vegetarian diet] b. Vegetarian is a diet, not a lifestyle, c. Vegetarians don’t eat dairy, lacto-vegetarians do. However, let’s go with the bartender’s conclusion that they are the same. Then that begs the question: Why are some items marked vegan and some vegetarian? If they mean the same thing, why have two different markers? [We must not be so clueless.]

Is it vegan or not? If yes. 1) revise the menu to reflect the actual ingredients. “Parmesan” is dairy, so if you are using a non-dairy version, then the menu needs to reflect it. 2) Train your staff to confirm that it is vegan and can explain why. If no. 1) Correct the menu and remove the designation. And no matter what: train your staff to ask questions from a manager or cook to get clarification.

[And I won’t even bother getting into how clueless she was about alcohol….]

Update. Response to “owner’s” response:

Disappointing. Menu? You can’t see the forest for the trees. This review wasn’t about the menu, it was about the lack of customer service. Root cause was your bartender, the menu was merely a symptom. You say you have addressed the menu and education about “dietary restrictions,” but you said absolutely nothing about customer service.

I raised a concern to the bartender, and she didn’t give a hoot about it. I wasn’t worth her time to even hear about it. She didn’t have a care in the world. THAT was the issue. As you continue to address symptoms, and not the root cause, no doubt you will continue lose customers – one at a time.

[And you continue to use the word vegetarian incorrectly. Apparently, you think it just...

I visited AKB during my recent stay at the hotel, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. From the moment I walked in, I was struck by how inviting the space felt — beautifully designed with modern touches, warm lighting, and an atmosphere that’s both elegant and relaxed. It’s the kind of bar that immediately makes you want to stay awhile.

The seating was thoughtfully arranged — a mix of plush lounge chairs, cozy booths, and a sleek bar setup that made it easy to strike up a conversation with the bartenders or other guests. The music was perfectly curated — upbeat enough to give the place energy but never too loud to drown out conversation.

Now, let’s talk about the drinks — incredible. You can tell the bartenders here are passionate about what they do. I ordered one of their craft cocktails (the AKB Old Fashioned) and it was expertly balanced — smooth, rich, and beautifully presented. Over the course of the evening, I tried two more cocktails recommended by the bartender, both creative takes on classics, and each one was outstanding. They clearly use top-shelf spirits and fresh ingredients.

Service was top-notch from start to finish. The staff were attentive without hovering — always checking in at the right time, making great recommendations, and genuinely seeming to enjoy their work. It felt like the kind of hospitality you’d expect at a five-star property: polished yet personal.

I also sampled a few small plates from the food menu, and every dish was a winner. The presentation was lovely, the portions were just right for sharing, and everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The truffle fries were especially good — crispy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned.

What I appreciated most about AKB is the overall experience. Whether you’re traveling for business, staying at the hotel for a getaway, or just looking for a great local spot to unwind, this bar fits the bill. You could easily come here for a quiet solo drink, a casual date, or an evening out with colleagues. The vibe transitions seamlessly from relaxed daytime lounge to a lively evening social scene.

I ended up coming back the next night just to enjoy the atmosphere again, and it was just as wonderful the second time. The consistency in service and quality really impressed me.

All in all, AKB isn’t just a hotel bar — it’s a destination in itself. Elegant without being pretentious, with genuinely friendly staff and some of the best cocktails I’ve had in a long time. I’ll definitely make a point to return next time I’m...

Happy hour had $3 off most appetizers, and discounts on DeLille wine and Woodinville Whiskey drinks.

This bar is five stars but with a seriously slow kitchen! The peach pizza and the lemon aioli with truffle fries are incredible. The server was personable and was pretty fast with the drinks. It is a lovely outdoor space, and even on a warm day I was grateful to be sitting next to a beautiful fireplace.

In contrast, the peach pizza took about 40 minutes and two gentle reminders. I know, because I sent photos to my husband when I arrived and then checked the timestamp when the pizza did not arrive. No water refill so I chose to get my own water from the hotel spigot. I had lovely company and it all worked out. The bar gave me the pizza for free since it was so incredibly late. I heard they were down two staff.

Five stars, with a...