Pimienta | Bistro and Bar

One of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. The food felt like a privilege to enjoy with each dish crafted with care and packed with flavor. From the warm, welcoming Chef to the beautiful and inviting atmosphere, Pimienta Bistro and Bar delivers excellence in both food and service. Truly a gem

I regret not reviewing negative reviews before visiting the place for our anniversary. Our group ordered several appetizers and main dishes for each. You should expect a long waiting time when a lady runs the entire show. You should expect hunger after your dinner when most food costs $40+ before tax or tips are so low. Some of the main dishes were even smaller than a typical appetizer. For example, I am attaching a dinner menu ‘Pan Seared Scallops’ $43 before tax. After the dinner, we went to another restaurant when we were starving. Because I don't feel it's worth spending more time on the review, and our experience totally agrees with a past review. Let me copy it. I’ll be honest, looked at the reviews and was really excited to try this place. But it’s way over hyped. Me and my wife arrived and they gave us a table to a group that was loud so the whole time we listened to them. They only had one person who was all three - serving, hostess and bar tender. When we ask what was good it was a basic reply of everything is good. We ordered calamari and truffle fries as an appetizer and the calamari where cold and mushy, the fries with “truffle” where also cold and had shaved cheese not a lot of flavor, we ordered soup ahead of time and asked if it was ready becouse we where starving and ask to bring it before the meal and we got it as the meal and it was cold. The only thing that was good was the Mac and cheese. My wife ordered the stew and it was cold and we decided to leave with the plate full and the waitress did not even ask if it was okay. Will not be coming back

It was my first time coming here for a party of 2. The restaurant is super cute with such powerful beautiful art work. There was only one person working the floor who made our drinks and served us. She was AMAZING! Great service. We ordered 2 drinks, The hibiscus and the spicy tequila drink. They make their own tequila and we enjoyed both. Great pours as well. Tequila was tasteful. Appetizer: We shared the calamari. Oh my goodness... let me tell you.... it was so yummy! All the flavors and sauce made a great mixture that gave your taste buds something to dance too! Dinner: We ordered the Steak and the scallops. The scallops came with this fried potato on the bottom which I didn't love the potato but an okay combo together. Steak was well cooked and seasoned. Got a side of mash potatoes that were plain; I don't recommend them. Need more flavor. Over all it was a cute dinner place. It's in a parking lot of a gas station that threw me off BUT once you walk in, it gives super chic and cute!

What a wonderful meal! From the moment I walked into this charming restaurant, I was captivated by the inviting atmosphere and the tantalizing aromas wafting from the kitchen. I began my culinary journey with a house margarita, which set the tone for an exceptional dining experience. The tajin rim added a delightful kick, perfectly complementing the smoothness of the house reposado tequila. It was an excellent start to what would become a truly memorable meal. For my appetizer, I opted for the beet salad, which was a revelation. The greens were impeccably dressed, and the softened beets offered a lovely texture and sweetness that balanced the dish beautifully. However, the pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the lamb shank. I walked in not expecting to find the best lamb shank after four decades on this earth, but it absolutely surpassed my expectations. The meat was tender and flavorful, falling off the bone with ease. Each mouthful was a celebration of rich, savory notes that left me savoring every bite. To top it all off, the wine-by-the-glass menu provided the perfect pairing for my dishes, enhancing the flavors without overshadowing them. The service was warm and attentive, adding to the overall wonderful experience. In summary, this restaurant is a hidden gem that delivers an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a local or just passing through, I highly recommend stopping by for a meal that will leave you raving for days!

Delightful! I would have never noticed this place driving by; it's tucked behind a Chevron and Brown Bear. But thank goodness I heard of it. It's so cute on the inside with beautiful artwork. I had the duck confit and the guava margarita. My husband had the steak frites. We both left very happy!

Great little restaurant for higher end food. We tried the calamari and the rosemary bread for starters. The bread was soft and delicious and the calamari was tender. For the main course I had the linguini that had large shrimp, other seafood, sweet potato, squash with a butter/white sauce. It was amazing. My husband had the paella, it was very flavorful and had a good amount of seafood. We tried the house tequila in a tequila old fashion, it was a fun change and I also had a whisky kiss- loved it. I was impressed with the menu choices and will be coming back!

Best steak I’ve had in the area- it far exceeded the steak houses of Tacoma such as El Gaucho and Stanley & Seaforts, but while you do get outstanding food, you do also have to compromise on being in a strip mall facing a car wash. We went on a Friday evening and it was very quiet and empty inside. I’m looking forward to going back and hopefully trying the lamb, which they were out of.

My family and I went out for dinner here and overall we had a pleasant time :) the atmosphere was calming and I enjoyed the style of the restaurant, lovely art to look at on the walls. Our server was very kind as well, which was much appreciated. Our food was good as well, we got a variety of dishes including steak, lamb, lobster Mac n cheese, and I ordered their pollo Rostizado. My dish came out dry so out of all the entrees I liked mine the least, but everything else was good! Our drinks and dessert were delicious too! Definitely recommend their lemon cake :) All in all it was a good experience and I would love to come back and try more things!

We dined here last week and the food & service were both amazing! Blanca cooked up some amazing dishes for us to eat. The flavors dance across you palate and add in a couple great cocktails and this made for a fantastic evening! We are regulars and always make a point to dine here as often as we can. The whiskey kiss cocktail is incredible! Thanks Blanca!

It was my first time coming here for a party of 2. The restaurant is super cute with such powerful beautiful art work. There was only one person working the floor who made our drinks and served us. She was AMAZING! Great service. We ordered 2 drinks, The hibiscus and the spicy tequila drink. They make their own tequila and we enjoyed both. Great pours as well. Tequila was tasteful. Appetizer: We shared the calamari. Oh my goodness... let me tell you.... it was so yummy! All the flavors and sauce made a great mixture that gave your taste buds something to dance too! Dinner: We ordered the Steak and the scallops. The scallops came with this fried potato on the bottom which I didn't love the potato but an okay combo together. Steak was well cooked and seasoned. Got a side of mash potatoes that were plain; I don't recommend them. Need more flavor. Over all it was a cute dinner place. It's in a parking lot of a gas station that threw me off BUT once you walk in, it gives super chic and cute!

Hard to believe I have never reviewed this place. We have been going here since Blanca opened it many moons ago. We really enjoy her specials, events, and were glad to support with her pre-fix dinners during the pandemic. Join her Facebook group to keep up on what she has going on. Her foods are always fresh, full of flavor, and fantastic. This is definitely a family affair and a local-owned business worth supporting. If you are into wine, she even has curated an excellent blend worth taking some home!

The food is amazing. Everything is cooked to perfection. I have been here many times and everytime the food is packed with so much flavor. The plating is very beautiful. It is a smaller place but the vibes are so welcoming and warm. The service is always so quick. They are always checking to see if you need anything. I really like this place because the chef personally involved in the kitchen cooking each meal. She always has new menu items that come out for dinner, brunch food is great. I get the chilaquiles everytime. They also do an around the world dinner on some nights. The bartender will also sometimes have special drink options that work well with certain dinners. Parking is very easy. It's not a big restaurant so parking is perfect.

Overcooked my $40 steak. No apology. WAY OVERPRICED. The atmosphere is ok. But again, fine dining prices with a tee shirt service. Not worth it.

The good lord did not want me to be skinny nor wealthy if he did I'd live farther away from this restaurant. I'm currently very pregnant but before I jumped aboard the sobriety train I was in graduate school and would spend evenings at their bar sipping delicious cocktails (espresso martini is my personal preference) eating appetizers (I can't not order their truffle fries, and the chorizo mussels make me defensive of a plate in ways that should be shameful) and I would pretend to study or write a paper. My husband and I come here for date night occasionally most recently on NYE and every single time we leave here fat, full, and grateful. We haven't tried something we didn't absolutely love. The staff is also incredibly courteous and read vibes well. If you want to be chatted up I've seen them do it but again as somebody who usually is wearing headphones or enjoying a date night I'm checked in with appropriately never overwhelmed or ignored which is an art form. If you're local and haven't tried this place, shame on you. If you're visiting, stop here, eat here, and then be sad you don't live so close. Worth the tears.

Delicious dinner and drinks this evening. Love this gem! Friendly staff. Seated right away.

Went here for the first time and had a wonderful experience!! There was only one waitress and she was so sweet and attentive. It is very rare that we enjoy every single dish... from the truffle fries to the rustic bread to the pork belly appetizers. For the main course we had the scallops, and the blue cheese/butter steak pasta special. There wasn't much blue cheese which is good so it wasn't overpowering. I also had a side of the seasonal veggies with chimichurri which was seasoned perfectly - every dish had the perfect balance of flavor. Wow. Even the dessert was delicious. We had the strawberry shortcake and it was very moist and not too sweet. Very impressed by this restaurant. We will be back!

I have been meaning to try this place out for quite some time now. It was amazing. The vibe walking in, the art on the wall, the music playing, it all felt so nice. We were acknowledged and seated quickly. Our server was so sweet and accommodating. Okay so I really just want to share about the food because OMG, the flavors are WOW!! From the crisp and richness of butternut tacos, to the zest of the tomato sauce and chorizo with the clams. The bread was perfectly toasted and able to sop up the sauce of the clams. Then on to the entrees. My scallops were oh so tasty. Polenta cakes were crispy as well with the perfectly seared scallop and creamy beurre blanc lobster truffle sauce. My husband had the Pollo Rostizado. The balance of the green salad, risotto and chicken were a perfect combination. We ended our meal with the pistachio ricotta cake. It was nice and light, perfectly sweetened. I'm not one for too much sugar. Almost forgot to mention I had the Mango Mezcal. Not only was it beautiful in presentation but it was delicious and gave a perfect lil buzz. The only supposed "negative" is the wall seating was hard wood and not so comfy but everything else was fabulous. Excited to try the rest of the menu!!!!

I think it was overpriced for portion size, quality of food , and location . I thought the service was excellent .

This hidden treasure has incredible food, great atmosphere, and an exceptional staff. The chef here is amazing, and she often walks around to ask how you are doing. This place is south King County's best kept secret!

Had dinner 3 times now at this restaurant. The menu does rotate which is always a plus. I do recommend a reservation for dinner, but one time we went early and had no issues sitting at the bar. My only complaint for the dinner tables were how close they were, but I get it. It's a small space and very cozy. The foods and drinks I've had were all delicious and very fresh. This is one of my top 3 date night places in the Federal Way area. The ambience, food and service are all top notch. And now I'm hungry thinking about it.

Amazing flavors and staff. This small yet powerful place has a dynamite menu and the staff is very kind and attentive. You'd never guess you'd be wined (or cocktailed) and dined so impressively while tucked away in this small (yet beautiful) spot of Federal Way/Dash Point. Some of our favorite things are the basil martini, the burger, duck a l' orange, chickpeas, and fundido!

Great fusion of Latin American and European food! (A blend of Mexican, Spaniard, and Italian cuisine) Pros: The Paella was yummy and the roasted vegetables had us raving about the taste. The service was great. They were very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Con: The entrees don't have sides, those can be purchased separately. It starts adding up if you like having sides.

Atmosphere, Ambiance great. Small whole in the wall. Appetizers was good. As for the main course, the portions are small for the price. The paella didn't meet our expectations, very small plate with very little seafood. The cook also failed to add scallops to the prawns and scallop dish. In all the meal wasn't worth the money and the service was slow.

The wife and I love this place, head Chef and owner Blanca has created a warm welcoming environment that makes you feel at home! A little on the pricier side, but well worth it! Be careful of the custom cocktails as well, they can be addictive...

Stumbled upon this place in an unlikely location. I loved what they did with the space. Our server amd bartender was also the executive chef and looked like only one other cook was in the back. We got a couple specialty cocktails, the daily soup that was a coconut based butternut squash, the paella amd the linguine with lobster and prawns. The drinks were yummy, service was amazing and it was cozy. The paella had great flavor but I was missing those crispy edge pieces you get when it's cooked down in the car iron. The linguine had nice prawns, sautéed mushrooms and generous shaved parmesean. Unfortunately we did not find any lobster in the dish which was odd since it is listed on the menu as an ingredient. We might go back if we are in the area to try appetizers and drinks.

I have been wanting to get the chance to dine here and i finally got to. As soon as I arrived I thought that I had finally found my spot. Art placed thoughtfully in the dining area gave the impression of good things to come. It wasn't long before Chef Blanca greeted me and told me about today's dinner item and I decided to take the suggestion and I am glad I did. Absolutely delicious. Perfectly cooked and the techniques were exquisite. I'm excited to try this place again and bring some friends!

Came here with my coworkers after work. The restaurant has beautiful art work on the wall and a decent amount of parking. The turn in was a bit tough. Service was great though there was only one server. I tried the bread appetizer which was good. Hummus which was delicious. Paella which was just okay. My coworkers really enjoyed the food they ordered so overall I would recommend trying this place out if you're ever near there area.

Ambience very relaxing and romantic. The service and the food were great. We started with calamari and it was not over cooked. Tender and a sweet n spicy sauce that was light as to not overpower the calamari. My husband had the paella. He really liked it because the last time he had it somewhere else the rice was undercooked. The flavor and the seafood were well balanced. I had the linguine and Ive been looking for something like this. Creamy yet light and the vegetables were a bonus. We will definitely come back again. Oh and although our server was busy he dodged a great job.

Awesome food, service and ambiance. Chef run resteraunt that will not disappoint. Beautiful presentations with varied selections to meet everyone's liking.

Amazing little spot in a hidden part of federal way, We received very honest recommendations from the staff. Mussel appetizer is a must, the sauce was out of this world. Main course.... everything is delicious. We recommend this place to everyone. Not many places like this in the area.

HIDDEN GEM. Don't be fooled by the location. Although it's in a small plaza in a gas station parking lot, Pimienta is an awesome, classy, local establishment. Tonight was my first time going to Pimienta as I was here to celebrate my cousin's birthday. My lovely aunt knew the owner and was able to have the restaurant closed for our private party. The food was exceptional. I tried the smoked pork belly, panela frita, butternut squash tacos, house salad, roasted cauliflower and Parmesan soup (to die for), and the ribeye with truffle potatoes. Talk about a spread. To drink, I had the house special basil martini, which is a must try. I highly suggest stopping here for dinner if you find yourself in the middle of Federal Way.

I came here with my friend a couple of times and I have to say this is indeed a hidden gem. The restaurant vibe is so intimate and the chef comes out of the kitchen to talk to her guests. The menu is not very big, but it changes which keeps things very exciting. My 2nd visit here is during COVID era on a weekend night. Reservations are recommended btw because the capacity is currently only at 25%. You really can't go wrong with any of their dishes. The food is fresh and the portions are shareable between 2 people. ] We ordered a bottle of their inhouse bottled red wine, a cheese and charcuterie platter and lobster mac and cheese to start off the girls night. The main courses were the cullotte steak and pollo rositzado. We were fed and stuffed so well we didn't save any room for desserts. But there's always next time!

Omg. We came here for Sunday brunch which they have last Sunday of every month. I had the chilaquiles. Wife had the blue crab egg's Benedict. Both dishes were amazing! So good we booked next month. The food, service and the music was on point!

Food overall was great, paella had tons of delicious flavor, it just didn't have that crunchy bottom your suppose to get with paella. Not sure for the smaller portion you can get that crunchy bottom. Lamb chops were cooked well, veggies were great with the fried kuskus. hazelnut moose cake was bomb for desert. For the price the service was poor, when you pay 120 for two entrees and desert id expect better service, the waiter didn't seem friendly when we showed up and warmed up like halfway through service, not sure what was going on with her. The ambiance was great, nice decor, clean nothing exceptional to note. Its a 3/4 star experience for us. TLDR: great food, lacking service.

Excellent food. Nice atmosphere, you can't even tell you are in a strip mall setting.

Great food and drinks, usually easy to get in. Great atmosphere. Get the chick peas and the Spicy Guava. Would recommend!!

We had been here twice on a previous getaway, and were excited to come back 2 more times! The first night I started with a Blood Orange Margarita, and it was just as good this time! Second night I had the Mezcal Old fashioned, with agave and orange bitters. It was good, as I love mezcal, just a little too sweet for me. Husband had beer both nights, not a big selection. We had to start with the chickpeas, even though we couldn't finish them. Last time I heated them in the oven at home an they were almost as good, so we'll do that again. Then we had to have the chorizo and clams with rustic bread - just fabulous, but we didn't want to fill up on bread, and didn't want to leave all the yummy broth, so we brought it home. Next, Pimienta salad, so nicely dressed and delicious. Finally, we shared the AMAZING scallops, and the special of the night, fried trout stuffed with cilantro radish salad, and a vinaigrette. It was really good, I was so glad we chose it. The second night we had to tone it down, so I got the beet salad, which I loved. There were a lot of lovely greens, and sliced beets that were crunchy but cooked enough. Very surprising and good. Great blood orange vinaigrette and plenty of blue cheese. Husband got the Pimienta again, as he doesn't like blue cheese! I had to have the scallops again, he got the linguini with seafood, which was very flavorful. We traded one bite, all I would allow him. Service was great, as always!

Date night and wanted to try something new and close by. Came across this place here in Yelp and we are so glad we came! The place set the mood, romantic and dimmed lights with beautiful paintings and smooth jazz & oldies music playing. Our server Christian was wonderful, very friendly and attentive. We ordered the NY steak and it was cooked to perfection as well as the current special, salmon with pork belly which is also fabulous. I was surprised that this place isn't packed on a Friday night. We will definitely be returning to try the other dishes and support our local business.

Price is Bellevue or Seattle but quality is not even close to it. Come on we are at NE Tacoma!!! It's ok if you are super hungry or don't want to drive up there. Won't try again.

Let's start this off with saying I typically do not give 5 star ratings. The experience had to have been superb for me to give a 5 star rating. But that's what I experienced here. I've been meaning to try this restaurant for at least 3 years and I've just never made my way to it. That all changed last Sunday evening. I had some extra time and thought hey! Why not just stop in and order a couple of things. I walked in and the setting is somewhat dim, rustic, and inviting. I almost immediately slip on the floor (the boots I was wearing at that time have caused this previously), the host/waiter immediately apologized and the night proceeded. I decided on a local Chardonnay that they carry, crafted in Walla Walla. Very good! A bit sweeter than your average Chardonnay which gave it a 5 star rating in my book. This was with the help of the waiter as I was torn between the Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. The waiter was quite helpful. Because it was my first time I decided to keep it simple and order a side along with an appetizer. I picked the butter but squash and goat cheese tacos with the Panela Frita. If you read my previous reviews I am very specific with the seasoning and flavor of foods. Pimienta has it down!!! The goat cheese and butternut squash tacos were perfect! Crispy! Squash wasn't too soft, and the flavors including the sauces incorporated with the cheese and the squash made it a perfect side. The Panela Frita was also exquisite. The cheese wasn't too strong nor too bland. With the cream sauce, the bread and the cheese all together on your fork it is the perfect appetizer. I am looking forward to my next visit as I have informed my siblings that we should all come and bring the children. Everyone is guaranteed to like something off of this menu. Kudos to the Owner/Chef. This is a 5 star restaurant in a small town. Service 5/5 Wine/Spirit selection 5/5 Food 5/5 Ambience 5/5 Prices 5/5 Please do not take my word for it. Visit it yourself.

Perfect date night in a relaxed setting. The steak and scallops were amazing! We will be back!

My husband and I happened upon this place as we drove by and peeked our heads in. The owner and chef welcomed us in for drinks even though they hadn't technically opened yet. She gave us recommendations that were HEAVEN and was so kind and welcoming. Would recommend everyone give it a try! Lovely ambience, classy but not pretentious at all, with a truly caring thoughtful owner and chef, and amazing food.

Don't get steak here. Mine came out well-done when I had ordered medium rare. They tried again, but was still medium-well, lacked flavor/seasoning and the meat was tough. Just way too overpriced for it to be so bad. Everything else was good. Nice ambience, good service. Things I would recommend- their drinks and the lobster Mac and cheese. The pork belly appetizer was ok, but just not nearly as good as the BoomBoom Room or ElGaucho's pork belly.

I've lived in federal way for almost 20 years and never would have thought to try This restaurant out.. that was until I saw a picture of their lemon strawberry shortcake on someone's Facebook and I knew I had to go! The server had such great recommendations and was knowledgeable about the flavors of each dish. We ended up ordering the smoked pork belly and the ahi tuna for appetizers both of which were incredible ! The pork belly while soft in the middle had such a perfect crisp on the outside and the mango corn tortilla bread that came with the ahi tuna went so well paired together For our entrees we ordered the paella and the culotte steak with wild mushroom rissoto and OMG the mushroom risotto was to die for. My fiancé enjoyed the paella so much he finished it all Of course since the only reason we came here was because we saw a picture of the short cake you know I had to finish with that for dessert. 10/10 would recommend ! Light, fluffy and moist with a hint of citrus and sweet strawberries on the side so so yummmy Over all our experience was a 10/10 The servers were kind knowledgeable and attentive and the food was amazing . If I have to critique one thing it would just be that they had more beer options. Can't wait to come back to try everything else tho !

Everything was delicious!!!! Our server was great. Steak and burgers was cooked just right.

The best restaurant in Federal Way, hands down. It's such a unique restaurant with a selection unlike any other place I've tried. I took my wife here for an anniversary dinner and she loved it. Their happy hour is amazing, but even if you miss out on HH their standard menu is still very excellent.

Love, love, love Pimienta! The service is always amazing with great recs from servers. Last time I came in we were made special cocktails that were delicious :)! It's never too busy and the location is deceiving as it's by a gas station however the interior is beautiful and the food is delicious.

Had been wanting to check out the place for a while, so decided to come here for happy hour with my cousin. We got here a little bit after 3pm on a Saturday (happy hour is 3:00pm - 6:00pm on Saturdays). The place was empty when we walked in, and we told the lady we wanted to do happy hour. She said she was expected a group of six people, so that we could sit at the barstools at the bar, not at the two tables in the bar. There were only two tables in the bar area and I think it was six barstools in the bar, much smaller area than I had expected. Well, in the 45 minutes we were there, never saw a group of six come in, and they were closing early that day at 5pm for a private event. My cousin and I shared the Truffle Fries, Calamari Fritti, and Clams with Chorizo, and we each both ordered the Blood Orange Basil Margarita. I really liked the margarita, my cousin wasn't too much of a fan. She really liked the Truffle Fries; that was her favorite. I thought all our apps were decent, but the Blood Orange Basil Margarita would have to be my favorite thing we ordered.

Holy wow, how did I not know about this local gem before???? Husband and I went for our anniversary last night. We ordered the fried chickpeas and a couple of nice cocktails to start (spicy mule with chili pepper vodka and a whiskey kiss). The cocktails were a great partner to the chickpeas which were light and airy, upscale bar snacks! I had the pan-seared scallops and wish I could have ordered extra of the crispy polenta cakes and a gallon of that sauce below them. Husband had the Paella Valenica...delicious!!!! Then, we managed to pack in an amazing creme brulee for dessert. We will back to try more off of the menu. You wouldn't believe the amazing food hiding in this strip mall location!

Horrible ordered take out !! Food Was Cold and tasteless!! And the staff was rude. Save money go somewhere else.

As a native Floridian, I've been pining for a good Latine fair near me. COVID staved off being able to experience it sooner, but was so happy to dine in on a random date night. The scallops with the polenta cakes would have been more than enough, but we were happy with all we had. I do wish the Cuban soup had more meat and less beans, but we were the last to be sat in the restaurant so I assume the pot they may have had going was slim pickings. The atmosphere was quaint and inviting. Most notable was the vibrant and diverse, eclectic artworks and ornate pillows on the bench I sat. It is priced at a value I think one would have to consider for themselves, but ever the foodie I believe the whole experience was worth it. Our server was also pleasant and attentive with both suggestions and checking on us despite having a full restaurant. I can't wait to return!

Alright, so this restaurant has been on my bookmark forever, and I have always been curious to try it as I frequented the location when it was a Pho restaurant. However, s a way to celebrate one of the hardest courses in my grad program and my boyfriend finishing his first course for his bachelor's, I thought this restaurant would be a perfect way to celebrate as they recently opened up for dine-ins. I will tell you this nos: make a reservation as they get pretty busy. My boyfriend and I were fortunate as we were the first ones to come in and they shared they had to check to see if we can fine in as they had quite a bit of reservations. We were seated in the corner of the restaurant which gave us a lovely view of the entire restaurant and right next to the bar. We pretty much had our own little world which was very neat and probably the best seat in the house! Our waiter Josh was very polite and considerate! We also had a waitress but we didn't catch her name but she was also very friendly and considerate as well. My boyfriend got the linguini (our favorite dish, the sauce is just too good!) And I got the paella. We also got the mesquite prawn and scallops to share. Hands down some of the best food we have ate! The seasoning is on point and the taste is absolutely divine. We didn't want just waste the linguini sauce so my boyfriend got the rustic bread appetizer and the smoked pork belly as he was feeling particularly hungry. The rustic bread was delicious with the sauce and with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil trinket dish it came with. The smoked pork belly was amazing and had the perfect crispness but it was soft so it was just perfection. Honestly had no complaints and really want to come back to try the duck and the other options because the food here rocks. It is so nice to find a date night spot without going to Ruston Way or further way when we have an amazing spot so close by. We will be back and are excited to come by.

My mother just bought a new home in the Federal Way area. She agreed to watch the twins so hubby and I could enjoy scream-free dinner for the evening. We found Pimienta on Yelp under gluten-free dining. We visited during COVID. We were seated in the corner of the restaurant which had not other seats around us so we felt perfectly isolated and safe. The customer service was very helpful and they all were so sweet. Everyone was very patient and knowledgeable about gluten-free options. Majority of the menu was gluten-free so I had a very easy time ordering. We started off with Fried Chick Peas. They were very tasty. When I was younger, my mother would always try to make me eat chick peas... was NEVER a fan. But if she made them like these, I would have ate them everyday! Crunchy, light and had a little zest to it. We also ordered two entrees. We ordered the Duck Breast which was very good. It was accompanied with duck fat Brussel sprouts (that just sounds good doesn't it???) But my all time favorite entrée was the Pan Seared Scallops that sat on top of polenta. It was amazing! So many flavors in one bite that really complemented each other. Overall, we had a great experience. The restaurant is a little pricier than the other restaurants in the area but there are literally NO OTHER restaurants of this caliber in the area. So if you'd like Del Taco, you're DEF pay less... but if you want fine dining... come to Pimienta! Parking: It is in a little shopping complex with lots of parking. It is next to a gas station. Environment: Casual trendy Gluten free options: Almost their entire menu can be made gluten free. Staff is even knowledgeable about which beverages at the bar are GF!

Great place for a quaint ambience. Fantastic and knowledgeable staff. Josh knows his food. I love supporting small businesses and these Great ones too! You won't be dissatisfied!! I LOVE hot water with lemon albeit not heated in the microwave. There's is boiled which makes the difference! Yum! I love my food "heat" hot and it came that way! We ate almost the whole thing. Sooo yummy!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Pimienta. The location will throw you off, but the service and quality of the dishes is phenomenal. I've never had a meal I didn't enjoy but highly recommend the Pimienta Burger.

Food was delicious and service was fairly quick. I also love the art and lighting. Pan Seared Scallops was a hit!

The first impression from the outside is a bit underwhelming since it's in a strip mall and facing a gas station, BUT once you go inside it's very cute with a nice ambiance. They have Photography on the walls that is very nice and is for sale. We ordered simple drinks - a Malbec & an aeporol spritz and both were good. The food was amazing! We started with an appetizer which was the quesos and prosciutto plate - it was presented very nicely and everything was good. For our entrees my husband got the paella which he really enjoyed, and he has pretty high standards as we've had amazing paella on a food tour in Spain! I got the lobster Mac & cheese which is listed as a "side" but it really is like an entree, it's a good size and definitely filled me up. You can see the size in my photo, and don't worry, it didn't come with all the pepper, i asked for it. It was creamy and delicious and has a generous amount of big pieces of lobster! I also had the pimienta salad which is like their house salad - it's not huge but a good portion and it was a good ratio of all ingredients. We would definitely come here again.