Saint John's Bar and Eatery — Restaurant in Seattle

Good food worthy of 5 stars, but the subpar service warrants 2 stars. I used to serve when I was in college, so I tend to cut the hospitality industry a lot of slack because I know how it can be sometimes. Anyway, we ordered our food and our server, JDN (according to the bill), forgot one of our party’s mimosa. That wasn’t a big deal; it happens. Busy Sunday brunch. As our food was being brought out (20 minutes later and no mimosa to be found), I asked JDN politely if he could check on the mimosa when he had a moment, and the attitude came quick, along with a “oh, do you want me to do that now or keep bringing out the food?” (as other employees stood behind him holding our plates of food). When he brought over the drink, he slammed it onto the table so hard that it spilled, then marched off. We finished eating and sat at our table for another half an hour, cutlery and napkins on our plates, clearly indicating that we were done. We were tired from the night before so the people at my table weren’t even chatting with each other (I know that sometimes servers don’t want to appear that they are interrupting); we were just sitting there. JDN never returned to our table to check on us during that half hour period, or even bothered to look at us. We finally had to ask the nice blonde lady for our bills, which she brought out very efficiently and with a smile. I wish she got to keep my tip. I hope I have a better experience the next time I go there, if there is...

I have been coming to Saint John's for years and it is one of my favorite spots on the Hill. I was initially won over by the folks behind the bar and the welcoming, unapologetically eccentric (dinosaur avant-garde??) space you can tell they've worked really hard to create. Their food and drink is delicious too, but let's be honest, even if food and drink is top tier, it's often the people that will keep you coming back.

HOWEVER, after all these years, the reason I am writing this review is THE NACHOS. Seriously, the best freaking nachos I have ever had. First, excellent selection of nacho components - cheese sauce (not that stupid melted cheese that cools into inseparable clumps of cheese and chips), black beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, cilantro. And the cheese sauce is perfection! Definitely tastes like it is made in-house, and balanced between creamy deliciousness, but not being overly rich and salty. Second, the layering technique is impeccable, so you get creamy cheesy-crunchy chips bites throughout. And third, the ratio of the components is spot on. There are enough chips to toppings ratio that you don't have just an overloaded, soggy pile of chips; instead, each chip is a vehicle for an appropriate amount of saucy goodness.

And that's it folks, GO GET THE NACHOS! You will not be disappointed. Also, I'm trying to guarantee that they become so popular they never get taken off the menu. Please support this...

I just drank the "I Beg Your Garden" cocktail, and I'm levitating. Beautifully balanced with just the right mix of acid, sweetness and a touch of heat. I would have consumed 20 more because I'm a glutton...but I have a productive day planned tomorrow (we'll see). Moving onto the house burger, the patty was cooked medium, as requested, and topped with local Beecher's cheddar, onion jam, garlic aoli, arugula, and Macrina brioche bun. I expected the typical French fry accompaniment ( which would have been more than fine) but we were treated to beautifully fried Yukon gold home-style fries that one would only expect at grandma's house (assuming grandma lived on a farm and wasn't sunbathing poolside with a martini like my husband's grandmother), crispy and flavorful. The vibe was a nice and eclectic. People were friendly--- doesn't hurt that Seattle is moving into Summer--- but it was more than that. The staff made you feel welcomed and not like you were an inconvenience. Now for my favorite part of all....the bathroom stall wall paper is Shel Silverstein's "Where The Sidewalk Ends". Ugh, goodnight. ...