Editorial by Citysearch
The SceneLow lighting, wood paneling and a panoramic water view create a romantic atmosphere, but most courting involves international business clients. A few sophisticated couples share a quiet evening in a booth, while deals are brokered at the tables in the back. Knowledgeable servers expertly time courses, and ensure the meal arrives seamlessly.
The Food
Seafood appetizers are impressively composed, while the best entree bet is the Chef's Trio: tender peanut-and-sesame-crusted calamari, scallop seviche bursting with flavor and meaty Dungeness crab cakes, all resting on a brilliant green pepper coulis. A beautifully presented sturgeon coated in multicolored tortilla crumbs looks better than it tastes, and the grilled rib eye steak fails to dazzle. Thai stew is more interesting, but it takes considerable effort to pry the seafood from the shells.
The Inside Scoop
- Where to Sit - To take advantage of the view, request a booth by the window. To talk business, request a quiet table near the back of the restaurant.
- Know Before You Go - The Grill is located directly above the Yarrow Bay Beach Cafe, which has the same views but a less formal atmosphere.
Insider Pages Reviews for Yarrow Bay Grill
The Yarrow Bay Grill is an upscale landmark on the Eastside. Located in Carillon Point, the food is amazingly wonderful. The atmosphere is family friendly and the staff is warm and welcoming.
Posted 08/04/09 | Report Abuse
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This restaurant has excellent food but the prices are a little high for the food. I know that you pay a little extra for the view because it is pretty good. It's a nice place to go once in a while. I agree with the previous reviewer that you can get the same view downstairs, decent food (good apps), good drinks, and service for much less.
Posted 12/19/08 | Report Abuse
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If you judge a restaurant by prices alone this would be a classy restaurant. Unfortunately the food and decor are only a little above average, not what you expect in a classy restaurant. And service is below average. Expect to spend $50 to $100 person at the Grill. (There is one entree that costs $75.) The Cafe below is cheaper. Anthonys is a better choice, or if you want more expensive try Herbfarm in Woodenville.
PROS: Average food and decor; good views.
CONS: Poor service.
Posted 05/15/06 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Poor customer service, small portions, very expensive, nice view
by cmus
We made a reservation over one week in advance, but we still had to wait for our table. The hostess then seated us at a table where the outside railing blocked our view, when a table with a better view was available. When we told the waiter we wanted to take advantage of the Dine Around Seattle menu, he instantly became inattentive. We had to ask for basic items such as bread. The food was very good, but I received only three measly little scallops for my entree. When we noted that he left a drink off the bill, instead of comping it as a good server would do, he charged us.
While the food was tasted fine, the entire experience was disappointing. It's extremely expensive for such small portions and poor customer service.
Pros: nice view
Cons: Extremely expensive, small portions, poor service
Posted 04/22/08
Wonderful dining experience again! 4-4-08
by Warpnine
It truly amazes me to read some of the very negative reviews about this fine restauant. I have dined here many times and have never once experience any of the negative things others have written about. Recently had another great experience celebrating my daughter's 30th birthday. Both the food and our server were outstanding as is the view! Is it expensive, yes it is, but I happen to think it's worth it for a special occasion.
We had crab cakes and calimari for appetizers and both were quite good - probably some of the best calimari I've had and I'm not particularly fond of it. My daugter-in-law had the rissotto which she said was great. My son had the tenderlion and I had the Kobe beef tenderloin, which was one of the best steaks I've ever enjoyed. The birthday girl had a Thai seafood grill that she thoroughly enjoyed. All in all another wonderful meal with a server who provided great customer service with a smile.
Posted 04/06/08
very delicious food, a little bit too expensive
by Mandy0730
Dungeness Crab Cakes : pretty good...
Ruby Grapefruit Dungeness Crab Risotto : so so...
Fire Prawns : good...
Golden Fried Fresh Calamari : ok, not very special...
Pan Roasted Black Cod : very very good... impressive...
Berkshire Pork Chop : surprisingly good...
Classic Profiteroles : my friend thought it was great, but I thought it was just ok...
Burnt Creme-Sicle : so so...
Pros: good food
Cons: expensive
Posted 02/08/08
Great Place to Eat
by vickykowaleski
We had a wonderful dinner at Yarrow Bay Grill. We sat outside and the view was amazing. The team that served us was just as wonderful. They made recommendations and were totally focused on us have the best meal possible. I will make it a point to eat here every time I am visiting.
Posted 09/18/07
Its ok
by seaken75
Very gorgeous view of the Seattle Bay. Fresh fish. Delicious lentil soup. VERY high prices. Too high. Weird chocolate sauce on the dessert. I just don't think I'm into very fancy restaurants without concepts.
Posted 06/19/07
Unforgettable experience
by notyouraveragereview
We went there on Valentine?s Day ? and what a perfect choice it was. We are newly-weds, and I guess the happiness and romance was written all over our faces :-). The waiter was very professional and sensed the romance in the air and made the evening even more memorable ? she knew when we needed attention and even guessed what we needed before we even asked for it.
The food was fantastic ? I had the best lamb ever! I complemented the chef on it, and the waiter brought the chef out of the kitchen to introduce to us! It was a very nice and personal touch that does not happen too often!
The portions, the arrangements, the quality and the variety of food is superb, and if you can get a table with the view of Lake Washington, it hardly can be a more enjoyable experience than that!
Highly recommend for romantic night out.
Pros: Fantastic food, great service, great view
Cons: none
Posted 06/09/07
An Absolutely Fabulous Dining Experience
by brit223
From the amazing food variety, to the great view & service, Yarrow Bay Grill is one of my favorite restaurants in Western Washington. I've been there a couple times for the 25 for $25 value that usually happens in November & March through The Seattle Times. Both times I LOVED the food.
Pros: Great Food, Great View
Cons: A little Pricey
Posted 11/19/06
Eastside dinning and more
by blue_highways
Plenty of people visit Seattle with out exploring the Eastside neighborhood of Kirkland,but its well worth the fifteen minute drive. Especially if you plan to send some time at Yarrow Bay Grill which is open for lunch and dinner. YBG provides an upscale menu that appeals to every taste as well as a full service bar. The patio is very nice in good weather but can be a bit busy. Enjoy one of their signiture cocktails along with a view that stretches beyond the downtown skyline to the Olympic Mountains. I recommend making reservations.
Pros: A great view
Cons: can be a bit busy
Posted 11/13/06
Left a Sour Impression Recently--Snobby
by ckn79bebe
The restaurant was nearly half empty and we couldn't get seated for 15 minutes. We sat for five minutes without being acknowledged. When we told our server we just wanted coffee and dessert, he sarcastically replied "How exciting", grabbed our menus and walked off. When I've visited in the past, the food was good but overpriced. Their desserts are delicious and the press coffee is wonderful (comes with yummy condiments like chocolate shavings and whipped topping). Be prepared for a pretentious environment and service. The staff tries to pretend they are better than the clientele and acts a bit snooty for my taste. Would not return again because of the serviceI am definitely missing out on the coffee, but its not worth it.
Pros: Seafood, dessert, and location
Cons: Service
Posted 07/04/06
Average food and ambience, poor service
by pujari
The food was reasonable, the ambience was good, the service was poor. Overall, this is a decent restaurant, but not a great one. You can't make a good restaurant a classy restaurant just by raising prices. Yarrow has the prices of a classy restaurant but does not have the food, ambience or service of a classy restaurant.
Pros: OK food
Cons: Poor service, Average ambience
Posted 05/11/06
Yarrow SUCKS!!!
by uemailtome
Service was the bottom of pit.
Bartender gave me a drink with soap water running inside of cup.
I can taste the beer with soap in it.
She didn't even apology to me but gave me a look when I pointed out to her.
Waiter didn't know how to serve food.
They just act busy but not really care for customers.
I never go back there again.
Posted 04/18/06
Dinner during March 25/$25
by snootyhamper
This has been the best experience myself and my group of friends have had for 25/$25 this March. The food was impeccable - everyone at our table of 6 raved about their food. I tasted the mushroom ravioli (really good), and had the grilled sturgeon. (Quite an unusual fish, tastes a little like chicken). The dessert selection is the wonderful - you can pick any dessert off their regular menu. I pigged out and had the cheese selection, three great cheeses, generous amounts of each. (Many other places skimp during 25/$25). If you can't decide, get the dessert sampler and try 3 for the same price.
The service was wonderful, the ambience is very warm and romantic, and their regular menu prices are decent.
Posted 03/20/05
great place for special nights
by tnswright
three words... espresso creme brulee... oh my! the chef has the most amazing flavor combinations, like the ahi tuna that melts in your mouth like a steak. the staff rate at the top of my list with friendliest and helpful with recommendations. anytime i want to take friends or family members out for a special night, this is where we go to add just that much more "specialness".
Pros: outstanding food, friendly
Posted 08/28/04
Yarrow Bay Cafe: Mixed review
by stef_
Let me start off by saying that I'd give this place another chance, but I wasn't impressed when my "medium" steak arrived far beyond well-done. The dry, tough steak aside, appetizers and dessert were great, and they have many interesting menu choices. Everyone else I went with was happy with their meals, and the vegetable sides and entrees were fresh and delicious. Unfortunately, they must have forgotten about my steak as it cooked for WAY too long. But I'm not one to complain, so I just chewed through the tough steak and enjoyed the appetizers and delicious dessert. They have a rediculous numbers of wines available, as well as happy hour on weekday nights from 4-6. Our waitress did a really great job, and though we ate inside on a cool spring day, it must be great to eat outside on the lake when it's warmer out.
Pros: lakefront, cheaper than upstairs, parking validated
Cons: , order it rare!
Posted 05/04/04
A great time for all
by nakayamag
Great food, attentive service, beautiful view. The penn cove mussels are awesome. The sake salmon and swordfish were great. We will be back!
Posted 08/11/03
Try Yarrow Bay Beach Cafe
by crterp
Invited out-of-town guests to a relaxing lunch at the Yarrow Bay Beach Cafe (below the Yarrow Bay Grill), and they absolutely raved about the place! We had an incredible view of the lake, the ambiance was a wonderful combination of sophisticated relaxation, and the flavorful food was of good quality. Plus, the prices are more reasonable than the upstairs Grill. We had the smoked chicken salad, portobello sandwich, seafood stirfry, and copper river salmon. All was excellent. I would definitely recommend as a great lunch location!
Pros: Ambiance, View of water, Seafood selection
Cons: Waited 15 minutes
Posted 07/08/03
Where 25 for $25 shined
by zorbajim
The Sunday dinner was nearly perfect. The pear-spinach salad and the squid starters were perfect, as was the ravioli. The Ahi was slightly overcooked and had a tad too much pepper but the overall result was at least an 8+. And even a $25 bottle of Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc...WOW.
Posted 03/02/03