Allister - Review - Mercer Island - Seattle - The Infatuation

"Most businesses on Mercer Island’s main drag are pretty quiet on weeknights—except for Allister. The warm glow from this upscale American restaurant shines like an anglerfish in a sea of darkened storefronts at 8pm. Inside the pastel and bronze-accented dining room, people bump knees at the bar and watch sports while perusing a surprisingly long cocktail menu. The food itself is nothing groundbreaking, but it works well for islanders looking to switch up their weeknight routine with decent steaks and salads. Use this place for a snack-filled nightcap or just an excuse to stay out past Mercer Island’s unofficial bedtime. Food Rundown photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Buddah Plate Every inch of leafy greens gets a good amount of herby dressing, generous slices of avocado, and sprinklings of fried chickpeas and barley. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Allister Wagyu Cheeseburger This burger had the right idea, but no amount of toppings like cheddar and american cheese pulling double duty can hide the very undersalted patty. The fries, however, have more than enough salt— frizzled at the ends, limp (not soggy), and worth ordering on their own. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Double R Ranch Wagyu Hanger Steak A shiny demi-glace clings to every crevice of a pink in the middle cut of meat. Mashed potatoes have a good mix of smooth and starchy chunks. And the carrots and broccoli are tender. There’s just nothing extra exciting about it. photo credit: Kayla Sager-Riley Pappardelle & Beef Ragoût The thick, chewy sheets of pappardelle have flavor, but the ragoût could benefit from a longer cook time so everything gets softer and saucier. Instead, the whole dish is a bit dry and begging for more salt." - Kayla Sager-Riley