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Blind Pig Bistro
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
2238 Eastlake Ave E(between Boston St & Lynn St)
Seattle, WA 98102
Neighbourhood: Eastlake
(206) 329-2744
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
49 reviews for Blind Pig Bistro
Review Highlights
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"Pork belly with Pomegrante- MY FAV." In 3 reviews -
"Chorizo stuffed dates- not my fav, it was extremely sweet..." In 1 review
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"Clams in Salsa verde sauce- WOW I still want some now." In 2 reviews
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Nina N.
I have never had fluke before, and it was devine!!!! I can't stress on how amazing this restaurant is, and everyone and anyone I take here loves it!!! or says,
"I can't remember the last time I had this great of a dinner." that sums it up!!! it's a must go!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/9/2012
The food was soooooooooooo delicious here!!!! I was quite amazed on how wow'd I was. Everything was… Read more »
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Review from Kimberly A.
Seattle, WA
5/7/2012
Yes, Blind Pig is in a strip mall, and it's next to a Subway. That is absolutely nothing that deserves a star taken off within a review! Sheesh...
Came here on a Friday night for dinner before a friend's party. No reservations, and it is a tiny little joint (maybe 10 tables). The hostess was pretty spacey, and it seemed to take her a minute to remember that she should seat us. That being said though, she DID seat us, and we had a friendly chat about our individual dresses. Sun must have been in her eyes when we walked in... or we're just dazzling people. I digress.
Ordered the hamachi crudo (good - but I swear the peas and carrots that were mixed in the salad were frozen vegetables), the manila clams (smoked tomato broth and bacon - so damn good that we ordered seconds on the baguette so we could sop up more), the pork belly with rice beans (truly the highlight; it was exceptionally well-prepared), and the parsnip pannacotta (I know, right? this too was perfect - excellent pannacotta with pickled rhubarb and pistachio brittle). Really, really fine food. I follow them on Facebook, and I love that they update their selections daily - always creative options, and while it doesn't seem like you could ever have a count-on favorite here, certainly excellent food.
Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable - able to suggest desserts and other dishes without being pushy.
My one gripe is that they have a huge wine list and only two beers - though I swear there are at least 5-6 taps in the back. They weren't bad beers, by any means, but expanding to include a couple of bottles or canned microbrews wouldn't hurt. -
Review from Paul R.
Seattle, WA
4/20/2012
My wife and I decided to give Blind Pig a try on our anniversary. Since it was a Tuesday night we figured it was pretty safe to bet on a place that doesn't take reservations. We were glad to be able to be seated when we walked in, especially because by 7PM the place was full and remained so the entire time we were there. I was disappointed that it took perhaps ten minutes for us to get anything other than menus - and those were handed to us without explanation. The staff were nice enough when we finally got to interact and were brought water. However, the person providing service for us was dressed too casually...my wife was particularly bothered by it - I considered it just a bit of a error in judgment and perhaps one of those days when a person runs out of time to change before showing up for work. In any case, this was a fairly minor matter but ended up contributing to the overall impression and lack of desire to return.
The menu, though small, offers enough variety to meet most needs. I got the impression that the chef would customize for hard preferences like vegetarians or vegans or gluten-free folks might have. I am glad to have no such constraints because the offerings that I wanted were pork belly and other meaty treats. My wife had a salad of sorts that she enjoyed and I have spotty memories of the dishes other than the pork belly, which was good but not great. The highlight for us was dessert, which were a chocolate granache of sorts with olive oil and another bowl of something I cannot recall but know that I enjoyed.
The overall experience was a bit mixed - it was nice to have the chef bring out the entrees but he didn't say a word that I recall (maybe "enjoy!") and I would have thought he would explain a bit about the ingredients, his goal for the dish, etc. Lark has a similar feel to me and their chef and staff make a point of providing some education. Blind Pig is in the same cost ballpark as many of the moderately upscale places in Seattle and so I'm rating it relative to those experiences and prices. I will still recommend to others that they give it a try, but for the relatively few (compared to the younger crowd without kids) times we get out for dinner in a year, I'll go elsewhere. -
Review from Wendy F.
4/17/2012
Disclaimer - i am fascinated by any restaurant with the word "pig" in their title.
I came to Blind Pig with 2 friends on a Friday evening around 7:30 and they were able to seat us right away. It didn't seem like other parties had to wait long to be seated as well, but the restaurant stayed busy the entire time we were there. They only have about 10 tables from what I can remember.
We ordered the duck, beet salad, grilled squid, pork belly and cod shared between 3 people. Everything was really great, especially the duck and squid. It was so delicious, not a single piece of food was left on the plate. We actually intended to only order 4 plates, but they got one of our orders mixed up and brought us the cod instead of the squid. They put the squid order in right away and gave us the cod for free! BONUS! We decided to reciprocate by buying the kitchen staff a drink (that's what Kitchen Booze means on the menu).
They have reasonably priced bottles of wine and the atmosphere was laid back and friendly, which made for a very enjoyable evening. -
Review from Cynthia L.
Seattle, WA
3/24/2012 2 Check-ins Here
So I just got back from dinner at the Blind Pig Bistro and I am officially in love! Went in at 7:30PM on a Friday, didn't have to wait, and was seated even without my entire party.
This place has a great atmosphere. Although it's small and my friend and I sat pretty close to others, it was really still very private. We were also seated next to friendly people and got to talk about what they had ordered and what we had ordered.
Had the pork belly, crudo, duck, beet salad, clams, and baguette.
The highlights:
-The pork belly that comes with polenta was my favorite! Perfectly cooked, and the polenta complemented the pork belly perfectly.
-The clams came in salsa verde sauce which was a great pairing with the baguette.
The waitstaff was amazing! Right off the bat, they thanked us for coming in and choosing them and gave us a run down of their menu and drink options. I never had to ask for more water! Yes, the waitstaff is THAT attentive!
All in all, for all those dishes and 1 manhattan, dinner came to $75 total!
If you haven't been, you must go! But don't go when I go, I don't want to be waiting for a table! -
Review from Ryan M.
Dallas, TX
4/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
So, I'm not exactly miserly with the 5 star reviews (In part because I heavily rely on Yelp to decide where to eat/dress myself/shop/work out/etc...), but man, I can't say I've ever slapped these five pointy balls of plasma down on a review any easier.
Menu updated daily? Check. Interesting menu items? Check. Tiny, homey little bistro spot? Check. Awesome wait staff? Triple check.
Are any of these things on their own worthy of five stars? Maybe. But let me tell you this, I took my family here, and they aren't really known for being the most adventurous eaters. Things like scallop crudo, braised goat neck and pork belly aren't things my parents indulge in. But Blind Pig had a welcoming, approachable environment that made them feel comfortable enough to dip their toes in the water, and they finally got a glimpse of how warm it is.
As far as the food, it was spectacular. We tried almost everything, the stand out's in my opinions were the pork belly, which I thought was a great, balanced dish, the hanger steak, as mentioned in many of the other reviews, and the DESSERTS! The chocolate mousse was absolutely insane!
The owner even came by and had a solid 5-10 minute conversation with us about the restaurant, where we were from, how we enjoyed the food, and even discussed a few of the recipes with my mom (who has some dietary restrictions). The only bad part was they're (currently) only open for dinner, because my mom, the pickiest eater I know, the woman who's idea of adventure is eating at Applebee's, wanted to go back for lunch the next day!
I'm not in Seattle often, but I (and my family) have a new destination for every time we visit. -
Review from d t.
New York, NY
4/8/2012
Even though I always go to Voxx for my coffee when I'm staying at my sister's place, I would have never noticed this spot in those oh-so-ugly mini strip mall/building complexes that line so many streets in Seattle (and around the country). I only noticed this because my friend pointed it out as we drove by it. I actually took some notes down so i could yelp them later so here goes.
I started with the Chioggia beets w/grapefruit, watercress, fennel, and ricatta salata as an appetizer and then the duck w/cranberry beans, rapini, capers, and raisins as my entree. I would have never thought that grapefruit would have been good in any salad besides a fruit salad, but this definitely changed my perception. The tartness of the grapefruit went very well in contrast to the sweetness of the beets. It was covered in some olive oil plus something else that was very tasty. As far as the duck goes, it was done to medium rare so it was a little bit chewier than I would have preferred, but nonetheless one of the better duck dishes I've had in a while. One thing that I could have definitely used more of was the super crispy duck skin; I think that put the dish over the top.
The place is small but had tall ceilings so it didn't feel overly cramped. The wait staff was very friendly as well. -
Review from Jon D.
4/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Oh? What was that? Did I just find one of my new favorite Seattle spots?
Fine dining incognito next to the Subway. I was already happy. Walking in, my date and I were notified that we would soon have a seat soon after a couple of other guests left. I took the moment to survey the place and take in a little ambience. A bit of 90s rock music. Deep red walls. Charming chalkboards that form the centerpiece of the space. A view back into the kitchen. It's a small room. You feel like it's a secret that you just stumbled upon...
We sat down, and I was quickly overtaken by my usual sense that anything and everything on the chalkboard was calling out to me. So, no sense in not taking whatever the chef had in mind for the evening, so the chef's menu was the pick of the night (and oh-so reasonably priced). The chef's menu was different for my date and I, so between each of our selections of three dishes, we sampled six in total.
Let's go through it.
Fluke, two ways. The first is a bright crudo on avocado puree. A splash of lime and apple mixing between the elements and some chiles gives it the approximate flavor of one of the best guacamoles you're ever had, with the fish supplying the meat to it. Second way, seared fluke cheek over a mascarpone cream, a continuation of the play between smooth and creamy and crisp and bright. Tasty!
The second courses, a seared flat iron steak for me, with fingerling potatoes and a blackened eggplant puree. Blackened eggplant? Let's just say, it's gray, smells burnt, and tastes like the liquid heaven form of everything you've ever grilled. It might have been the single most eye-opening thing I had the whole night. Perfectly cooked strips of steak and potatoes, and I was trying to scoop that beautiful sauce over everything I could. And then the sturgeon. I just had a bite of it with some brussels sprouts, it was good. The white anchovy sauce gave it sharpness and refinement. I think my brain was blanking due to the eggplant sauce on the other plate, though.
Desserts. Chocolate mousse, olive oil, chili, and a tuile... A panna cotta with chile, pinepple, and sea salt... not too sweet, incredibly tasty, and interesting.
Service? Top notch. Space? Just the kind of neighborhood bistro I love.
I'm definitely coming back. -
Review from Anne M.
Seattle, WA
3/16/2012
This is one of those places you want to do well but not so well that you can never get a table at.
The food here was delicious. I had the small pork belly plate and small duck plate. Both were cooked perfectly. The pork was salty and crispy and fatty and I loved every guilt ridden bite.
My dining companions had several of the other dishes and enjoyed every one. Their favorite was the Hedgehog mushroom risotto with nettle.
The waitress was great helping me pick a wine and very friendly and attentive. I personally liked the idea of sending the kitchen a drink in appreciation for their work ($5 kitchen booze on the menu) and I did! -
Review from Kristen L.
Seattle, WA
3/8/2012
Sorry to be in the nay saying minority but I have to post because I was not impressed last night.
Went there last night and it was about 30% occupied when I arrived. I was waiting for my friend to arrive in a couple minutes and was told they wouldnt seat me until the whole "party" was there... This was a turn off to me because they dont take reservations and there were so many open spaces available, it really should have been a non issue. I understand that policy if they are busy but not on a slow Wednesday.
I had also been wondering what the "Kitchen booze" for $5 listed at the very top of the menu was. I was assuming it was a house wine or a cheap well drink so I made it a point to ask our server. She explained "This is your opportunity to send a drink back to the kitchen for the staff to drink". I really cant believe they put that on the TOP of their menu. I think its ridiculous to ask for drinks for the staff on your menu.
I will say that the cheese plate was delicious, if not criminally small.. the Hamachi crudo was definitley amazing and I would say, the best item we had by far. The beet carpaccio was unique and I enjoyed it. My main dish, the duck, was truly terrible. I should have sent it back because they couldnt have possibly meant for it to come out that way. It was almost completely raw. It was so tough that I could barely chew it. I didnt finish it and was actually pretty grossed out after trying to eat tough, raw duck breast.
My companion had the pork belly and it was very good. Some neighboring tables had the sturgeon and that looked fantastic as well. I wish I would have ordered that!
I just cant give them a rave review when only half of the experience was enjoyable. There are so many amazing restaurants in Seattle I dont see coming back here in my future.
Oh also when they brought us back our credit card receipts to sign, the bill was magically over $50 more than before. The server wasnt sure what happened and fixed the bill for us and aplolgized. It just added to the less than stellar experience. -
Review from Kim A.
Seattle, WA
2/27/2012
Had a wonderful experience at the Blind Pig Bistro! Decided to go on a rainy Saturday evening on a whim after reading a rave review on a local food blog. Don't be fooled by the lack of curb appeal for this restaurant (it's in a strip mall off Eastlake Avenue). As you walk through the door, you enter a warm, red, cozy little bistro, with the menu written on a chalk board on the wall. All of the entrees come in two sizes, which is great for trying many things off the menu and sharing - my favorite way to eat.
The food is among the best I've had in Seattle! All of the dishes we ordered were excellent and prepared to perfection by the talented kitchen staff. Adding to the charm of the restaurant is that the owner does it all. He greets people, makes you feel welcome, serves food, washes dishes, and chats with the patrons. You can tell he is very passionate about his restaurant and it is definitely reflected not only in the quality of the food, but in the character of the restaurant itself. It's not trying to be something it's not - no frills or gimmicks. Just excellent food at very good prices.
I highly recommend this restaurant and I can't wait to go back again. -
Review from Avivos S.
Seattle, WA
2/19/2012
I happened to have read about this place via a food blog that raved it and decided to give it a try; this turned out to be one of the *best* discoveries I've made recently.
It's a small place, unpretentious, cozy and simple in style that makes you feel really natural and comfortable.
But let me tell you about the food, my god! the menu is seasonal and is written everyday on a blackboard and features a mix of salads, meats and seafood dishes. we tried 6 courses and each and every one of them were spot on!
It is rare to find a place that you could truly say that everything on the menu is just good, unique and prepared to perfection. The kitchen staff is truly skillful and master their craft and boy oh boy they know what they are doing. most of the dishes come in 2 sizes, are very shareable and are priced fairly.
The owner is a nice guy who is truly passionate about food and his business, he was the one hosted us in, made sure everything was to our taste and even helped washing the dishes! wow. he shared some interesting stories about the the place's history and the business in general.
Bottom line: for me, this place has all the things I'm looking for in a solid good place to enjoy good food, service and company and I'll definitely be going back there again in the near future. -
Review from Will C.
3/6/2012
This place is criminally unrecognized. The exterior is straight out of a suburban nightmare, but the inside is intimate and nicely appointed. There are only 8 or 9 tables, and our waiter was pulling double duty as the bartender. We showed up just before 7pm on a Saturday and got seated immediately. The place was consistently full while we were there, but we only saw a couple waiting at the very end. (There was an open 4-top, but the restaurant must have been waiting for our 2-top to open up. In a restaurant that small, it's difficult to blame them.)
The dishes are small but they are damn good. Almost everything comes in two sizes, which is great for tasting but the price can add up. I don't think the prices are unreasonable, but that's the nature of small-plates dining.
The definite highlight for us was the duck breast. It's served very rare so the flavor really comes through. It comes with red cabbage (surprisingly tasty!) and marrow beans. Another great dish was the pork rillette. It comes as 3 pieces of bread a bit larger than crostini with heaping portions of the pork on top. The pork was too salty, which was disappointing. The flavor was so great it did not need the dousing of salt. That's really a minor complaint though - get the rillette! The fluke crudo was really good as well. It came with tiny diced green apples and avocado, along with (weirdly) some chilies. The dish has a very fresh and light taste. I've never had fluke before but it does not have a strong flavor, so it combined well with the apples and avocado.
We also got the sturgeon. The anchovies made this dish a bit salty as well, but that's what you get with anchovies. I've never had sturgeon either - it tastes a lot like salmon. It was good, but I would try something new next time.
The clams were good, too. They came with small pieces of bacon (is this pairing mandatory with clams?) and were hot and tasty.
The weak link was the hedgehog mushroom risotto. (Full disclosure: I thought I was going to be trying hedgehog for the first time ever. Apparently there's a type of mushroom called hedgehog mushroom?). I just felt the risotto was slightly undercooked. Wifey disputed this, and the food was otherwise really good, but I stand by my assessment. It didn't ruin the dish, but it should be noted. The dish came with mint, which was interesting but didn't overpower the flavor of the risotto, fortunately.
We got 6 dishes (we opted for the small size when available) and that added up to $51 pre-tax. We left a bit hungry but the price was already adding up. We both also got a $8 glass of the Vigoroux Malbec, which I would heartily recommend. The wine list had some lower-priced options by the bottle (I think there was a red for $28), and the glasses were between $7 and $10 mostly.
One last note: Incredibly attentive service! It's a small place so there weren't many tables to deal with, but it should still be recognized. -
Review from Viola l.
Seattle, WA
3/5/2012
Welcome to Eastlake with open arms! My new go to spot! I seriously came here the first time a couple weeks ago and have been back 5 times since lol I know I might slightly have a problem!
It is a very small place and often a wait. They don't take reservations but they will take your number and call you but I suggest a weekday night if you don't want to wait 30-45 mins
The menu changes and is written up on their chalkboard I have almost have had everything on their menu and so far never disappointed!
Must mentions are:
My absolute fave and what really keeps me coming back is their crudo! The fish changes I've had albacore, hamachi, and fluke all equally delicious!!! The combo of Lil tastey diced green apple, the spices from the chiles and the creamy avocado purée makes my mouth water... it is seriously addicting!!! sm8/lg14
The flat iron steak- amazing flavor perfectly seasoned potatoes are amazing and the charred eggplant purée mmmmmm!!! sm12/lg22
Pork belly- so savory and delish sm8/lg15
Clams-don't forget to ask for bread I dip in the broth It's so flavorful I want to drink it!! one size10
My least fave was the sturgeon but only because everything else was so much more flavorful!! sm18/lg24
Awesome place for small shared plates and service is always super friendly I'm definitely going to be a regular!! -
Review from Jaime R.
Seattle, WA
4/20/2012
We were lucky to meet the server who was accused of taking his shirt off. Our server was funny, prompt, informative, and professional. In fact our friend took off his long sleeve shirt because he was hot. Hopefully no one will write that he was naked.
Our dinner party ordered the 3 course chef's choice and we were very pleased. The portions are small if you're a big eater and prices aren't super cheap, but I guarantee you will enjoy your meal.
I would also recommend Cichetti, the restaurant across the street, to have a few drinks and appetizers while you wait for your table. My husband had the old fashion with Bullet Bourbon and it was fabulous. I think -
Review from John S.
Seattle, WA
3/18/2012
Enjoyed this strip mall bistro. Kicked off with an oyster, then rode the three-course Chef's Menu of sturgeon, duck, and dessert.
Went on Saturday, early enough (pre-6:30 pm) so no wait. Will definitely go back.
On a side note, Air's new album is fantastic. -
Review from Amy Z.
Seattle, WA
2/8/2012
We had an amazing meal at Blind Pig Bistro. It's a little hole-in-the-wall joint that has gourmet food with a casual feel. Lovely hospitality from our server Renee. The place was opened by a couple folks who used to work at the original Mistral--they were seeking to open a more casual, welcoming restaurant with high-quality eats, and in my opinion, they've definitely succeeded.
We ordered:
- Flatiron steak (small portion - I love that they have different sized portions. Very conducive for sharing)
- Clams w/ bacon and apple cider (we literally drank the remaining soup from the bowl, no joke. The best part was that our server, Renee, encouraged us to do so)
- Sturgeon (perhaps the best sturgeon I've consumed?)
- Pork rillette
- Kale, quinoa, poached egg,
- Squid salad
Everything was delicious, including our mouse-like chocolate dessert. Their menu changes frequently and I can't wait to go back for my 2nd visit to try a few new items. -
Review from Byron G.
Seattle, WA
4/14/2012
A week ago, we had the pleasure of meeting Charles and Matt and their food. Not to mention Aaron and Erin, their lovely servers. It was a quiet Thursday night, so we had the run of the place, but based off their turnaround time, I'm sure the results during crowded times would be just as mindblowing.
We loved their food. It's different every day, so it's hard to recommend something specific, but their proteins are the BEST I have ever tasted or experienced.
Pork belly, done to multilayered textural and flavor diversity perfection. I am an avid lover of pork in all its forms, from lechon to carnitas, chicharrones to bacon, and this one was the best I'd EVER had. Please do not miss out. Thank you Charles.
The scallops were fresh perfection besides, the sturgeon was generous and caramelized on the outside, flaky on the inside. The accompanying flavors of all were perfect complements.
The fluke was also tasty, but was just outshined by the flagship dishes, with the chocolate mousse rounding out our tastebud tour.
The place is ridiculously unassuming, in the same minimall that's housed other culinary favorites. I can only hope this one stays here instead of moving onward and outward.
Price was around $60 for everything we got, if we'd been skiing all day and come famished, we would have had to spend more, but coming in for the flavors and tastes of a normal dinner, it was more than enough.
In the end, the message is clear. Go here if you love your tastebuds. Go here if you want to support local food artisans. Go here. Just please, not all at the same time so there isn't a huge wait when I go there next! -
Review from Tami J.
Seattle, WA
2/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great culinary experience in a cozy comfortable atmosphere. You can order off the menu (all seasonal) or, you can order the Chef's Choice. They also have a nice selection of wines. We chose the 3 course Chef's Choice option.
It was really fun to not know what was coming . Our meal turned out to be the Sturgeon with roasted vegi's followed by Flat Iron Steak with smoked egg plant puree and hedgehog mushrooms. Absolutely delicious! For dessert we were given a choice of Pineapple panacotta, rich chocolate moose, bread pudding with caramelized bananas, or a cheese plate. We were a party of three, and went with the sweets - all were very good.
The service was excellent. Our waitress seemed to really enjoy her job, and was very knowledgeable about the food. The atmosphere had a very European feel, you were there to enjoy not only the food, but also your company. You did not feel rushed, making it a great social outing as well a really yummy meal.
Blind Pig Bistro is an excellent choice for a night out with friends. -
Review from Michelle O.
Eastlake, Seattle, WA
4/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
A lot of effort was put into each plate and for extremely reasonable prices. I would recommend the endive and beet salad, duck, flat iron and sturgeon, though I assume everything else here is amazing.
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Review from Linda H.
1/10/2012 6 photos
This place was a diamond in the rough. But that's what I loved about it and it had a mini parking lot. Very cute decor and the wait staff was awesome! Great place to bring a date and cozy up. The food was well thought out and presented. The flavors complimented each other so well.
First we had the:
Chorizo stuffed dates - it was yummy but could have been balanced with a bit more salty flavors.
Chicken Rilette on Toast - This was yummy and reminded me of Chicken Salad Sandwich but on yummy toast.
Clams in Salsa verde sauce - Must get! and get extra bread to dip the sauce. Don't waste the goodness! :)
Pork belly with Pomegrante - I loved the consistency of the pork belly, crispy on the outside yet tender on the inside.
Steak with Chanterelle Mushroom and Eggplant Purée - The steak was tender and you can't go wrong with Chanterelle Mushrooms! Yum!
Cherry Rum Cake - I don't like cherries all that much but this was soooo good. Balanced with an order of the Chocolate Mousse with Sea Salt made eating dessert so delightful. -
Review from Stewart T.
Playa del Rey, CA
12/29/2011
Back home for the holidays and catching a Husky bball game with the fellas and wifey. I went looking for a good restaurant in the UW area and Blind Pig came up very intriguing. 8 reviews / 4.5 stars. Must be a new restaurant and must be good unless the owner's friends, cousins, and relatives are the 8 reviewers. Let's roll the dice!
Location: as other reviewers say not the glitziest exterior as it shares a building with a Subway. Blind Pig looks like a hole in the wall dive bar from the outside. Enter the restaurant and it's a whole new world as you quickly forget the exterior. Nicely decorated with a craftsman feel to it.
The 6 of us went with the 5 course tasting menu for $50. As dishes arrived you could tell that the tasting menu didn't stray too far from what's available on the a la carte menu. Some of the dishes had been modified a bit as I could see one dish containing the ingredients from multiple dishes on the board. Fairly inventive dishes. The menu board itself is uncomplicated and looks to be reduced to whatever is fresh and available for the season. I anticipate this place has to be repeated throughout various parts of the year.
What stood out? If i remember correctly the amuse bouche was a Virginica oyster with a grapefruit icing on top. It was perfectly fresh, light, and decently briny. I digs it. The next stand out dish was a ling cod served in a broth of clams and verde sauce. This was spot on as well. The verde sauce was light and complimented the fish well. This is key as ling cod is a light meat and gets overpowered easily. At the end I used bread to soak up every last bit of the verde sauce.
The #1 stand out dish according to the wifey and myself had to be the moullard duck. It was cooked perfectly medium-rare and unlike many other duck dishes it had no gamey-ness to it at all. Often times when you get under-well cooked duck it has a distinct after-taste that I don't care for. Not here as it was amazingly fresh and cooked perfectly. If we can make it back here we are definitely getting the duck again. amazing.
Both dessert options were great between the panna cotta and the chocolate mouse I couldn't decide on a favorite. The service was perfect although the restaurant wasn't necessarily busy at 5-6pm. Both servers were informative and attentive to drinks.
With drinks and a 5(6) course meal we all got out at around $65pp. This is a steal by LA standards and possibly a bargain by Seattle standards. Based on the quality of food, great service, and uniqueness of dining at a new restaurant I consider it highway robbery! -
Review from Dan G.
Seattle, WA
1/15/2012
Blind Pig is in the old Sitka & Spruce space, and when I read the Stranger's review, I thought that it sounded like the second coming of Sitka. Now having tried it, I think it may be even better than Sitka; certainly more consistent.
The menu is small; with 4 people we were able to sample all of it. The pate was a simple rustic style. but paired with superb condiments; the Hamachi crudo was fresh but a bit overly acidic. Everything else was superb: lovely sweet Kumamoto oysters; a tangy pear salad; tender caramelized fluke; meltingly soft pork, etc. And incidentally, a very solid dessert wine collection. (Have some bleu cheese with the sweet vermouth, you won't regret it.)
The menu changes daily, so don't go looking for a specific dish. Also, they don't take reservations. Currently you can get in with a 30-60 minute wait on a Saturday night, but that probably won't last. -
Review from Shanna M.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 4/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Blind pig bistro is really a great place with great food. So tasty and good service. Always go for chef recommendation with free dessert. Love love love this place. Been here twice and never failed to disappoint me. Reasonable price too. Definitely a must try restaurant.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/25/2012
Food and service were great. So delicious and unique too. Very tasty and also well presented by the… Read more »
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Review from greg t.
Seattle, WA
1/12/2012
Staff was friendly and personable. Food was delicious. Will definitely go again and you should too.
after reading the negative reviews - be aware, this isn't the outback. The idea here is not to eat until you can't walk. This is more about the quality of the food, the ambience and the overall experience. -
Review from Kathleen M.
Seattle, WA
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Service is thoughtful, wise and caring. One of the owners, Rene, is very passionate about his new culinary investment. They had me at "hello" due to the above. Red walls. Candles. Wines. Beer. Small plates galore. Oysters. Dates. Anchovy with grapefruit. Pork Rillette. Beef tongue. Pork Belly. Moulard Duck. Skirt Steak. Entrees are also available in small plates. The menu is always changing and evolving. The only item to remain stationary during their first month is the dates. Get the dates. Love them. Cherish them. I did.
Psst...Overhead that they will create a three course tasting menu for $30 or a 5 course for $50. The possibilities are endless!
I like it. I'm happy. I'm grateful. Blind Pig is in my hood and they are my new drive-by. If you are looking for a low key night to kick back and relax, taste AMAZING flavors, then this is your place. Talk, sip, laugh and bite. Enjoy!Listed in: My Eastlake
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Review from David N.
Seattle, WA
2/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went here on Valentines Days to avoid the influx of overpriced tasting menus.. And oh wee, my valentine said I made the right choise.
the food is new american with a tasting menu concept, however each dish is priced individually reasonable so you can kind of build your own.. Or at least we built our own. I love this concept as the food kept coming and I kept judging like I was on Top Chef. HAHAH
We ordered:
- Clams with bacon and mint salsa verde; super good and have it with bread. Nice chunks of bacon to compliment the clams and the spicy mint broth.
- Pork rillete squash crostini; actually my favorite bite of the night. Perfection balancing freshness, seasoned.
- rosted kale quinoa capers w/ poached egg; very good dish incorporating veggies, salt, complex carbs, and egg. Kale and capers balanced out the quinoa to provide strike good harmony. Who doesnt love egg?
- sturgeon: cooked nicely with shredded brussel sprouts and pinenutes. Good bits, though I be it would be better without the anchiovy.
- flat iron steak with charred eggplant and hedgehog mushrooms. Typically I don't order steak since I can fry a mean NYC. Though highly recommended by Renee (sous chef/part owners). And man was it delicious, complimented very well wit the smoked eggplant puree.
- to note there are tasting menu options for 3 for $30 and 5 for $50 chef's choice.
As you can see, Blind Pig works to give you harmony and perfect balance in each bite. The setting inside is very nice. It's a mix of artsy character with influences of industrial and contemporary. The service is first class.
P.S. Nina N's reviews are pretty clutch. -
Review from Dexter W.
Seattle, WA
1/8/2012
Holy Crap. Food was A+ even better is the staff, your getting a really great meal at (while by no means a steal) a pretty solid rate, 10$ or so for small plates, 16-19$ for the full servings. Also they have a great tasting menu.
So I went in on a friday night at 830 thinking s*** its small and I'm going to have to wait, not at all my date shows up and we walk on in and the Owner's wife (I think) walks over and seats us. The menu is up on the wall on a chalk board, server walks over asks us what were were thinking about and describes the tasting menu. My date had alergies and they worked with it really well, advises her on wine and is off with our orders after a good bit of conversation and deliberation we chose the 3 part tastings.
So allergies and menus, Shellfish and nuts were my date's main allergies many restaurants I have been too just pull the item and send out the plate. The folks at Blind Pig whipped up something totally out of the blue, a slaw as far as my southern eyes could see, instead of the oysters (though I did have some of it and the oysters and they were both tasty as hell). Very cool of them, not once did it feel like she was getting less than a great mean and menu because of the allergies.
The food was great, I'm leaving it at that, just really great.
Holy Crap they have a cheese course, and not a hmm ya we have one because we have too thing. They offer it as an option instead of desert, encourage you to try something new in their cheeses.
Had a great time and my date liked it enough I get to go on another one.
DListed in: Favorites
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Review from Joe P.
Kirkland, WA
2/11/2012
Food was great. No beer which sucked. Terrible male server. Probably the worst server I have ever had. At one point he took off his shirt and told us "I've been dripping with sweat" (while handling our food). Besides that he was terrible, he didn't care at all about his service or our dining experience.
All of that aside, the food was amazing, I would go back again, but if I saw him again I would go to a different restaurant. -
Review from C Q.
Seattle, WA
Great food, friendly staff. Yes, location is odd...but who cares? A great addition to Eastlake in a spot that has had nothing but great restaurants.
Stephanie C.(Wonder what the C stands for?), any words on the food? Or too obsessed with the layout? Get over it. -
Review from Melissa N.
Seattle, WA
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a really small restaurant, so if you plan on going on a Friday or Saturday evening, get a reservation!
It's a really romantic spot, I would recommend for a small party. I really liked how you could try a bunch of dishes because they're pretty decently priced and a small portion.
1. Pork rillete with squash - it was pretty fatty tasting but the balance of pickle in the mix of the rillete was nice. Only thing is that the bread was super hard so it was pretty difficult to eat. Not a bad starter though
2. Hedgehog mushroom risotto with mint. I think this was a little bit salty for my taste, but the mushrooms were delicious. It could have used a little bit more flavor to counterbalance the salt
3. Sturgeon - really good with pine nuts, brussel sprouts and some other flavors in the mix. I felt this was really well balanced and not too salty. The fish was nice a soft
4. Flat iron steak - THE BEST DISH OF THE NIGHT. I was really disappointed that we only had 2 pieces for the smaller portion and the person sitting next to me got about 6 pieces for the bigger serving. By far, the best steak I have ever had though..... craving some more of it now.
There are more dishes that sounded really appetizing like the clams with bacon, duck breast, and pork belly. Lots to choose from and try.
See more pics at my blog: http://www.mellovesfoo... -
Review from Wes K.
Seattle, WA
11/27/2011
This is just a funny location. Like, what's this nice restaurant doing crammed between a pho/teriyaki joint and a Subway? Not that I necessarily want everyone to go out of their way to come here, because I'm enjoying being able to get a table even on weekend nights without a wait or a reservation. (There, I just jinxed it.)
The food has been delicious both times I've been here so far - yummy starter plates (steamed clams, oysters) and delicious, well-made entrees (sea bream, sturgeon, lamb) in both half and full portions. Staff has always very friendly and accommodating. Sadly, the last time I ate there, their liquor license was temporarily suspended due to a paperwork issue, but the food was still delicious. Will just have to go again to enjoy that dry Manhattan I was promised... -
Review from Scott M.
Seattle, WA
11/9/2011
My girlfriend and I had a great experience at Blind Pig Bistro. We loved the choice between small and large dishes, allowing us to try more items on the menu. We tried the dates stuffed with chorizo and the beet salad to start. The dates were amazing, and the beet salad was a perfect light dish to start with. We then moved onto the steak and the pork belly, both prepared very well. The elements of each dish were perfectly crafted and something we have never had elsewhere. We ended our meal with the saffron bruleed rice pudding that was out of this world.
The only thing that wasn't quite right during the amazing meal was the glare of lights shining through the door from cars in the parking lot. If they could find a way to block the bottom half of the door from the lights, this place would really be great!! We are looking forward to returning very soon!! -
Review from Elizabeth V.
Bellevue, WA
2/14/2012
Blind Pig BISTRO! Not that old story of kids Rhymes ! Taster menu is delightful in platters recipes in gourmet style dishes ! There's some delicious choices on menu lists try half off on some to know. Maybe no reservations, but it is very worth waiting into bar place at standing. With perfect desserts note a pie is at best. Fast meals for four or under size and to be simplier just at dinning from at it's busiest waiters at services on depending..
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Review from Joy P.
Seattle, WA
2/19/2012
Go! Go! Go! My husband and I are tough customers but Blind Pig went way beyond expectations. Fantastic food - great selection that was varied but not too complicated. Hamachi crudo was wonderful. Kale + quinoa, which you wouldn't think would be that exciting, was amazing. Attentive, friendly but not overbearing service, and very fair prices. Plus the best bathroom I've seen in Seattle. This is in a small space but they do a great job of making sure it doesn't feel cramped. You should try this the Blind Pig; you will not be disappointed.
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Review from Jen T.
I am highly impressed with the food here!
This cute little modern place does not speak its justice. It's definitely in an akward location which actually makes it a plus for us- less on location more on flavor/ good food :)
Service was great
We had pretty much everything off the menu. Portions were perfect and priced perfect for such flavorful and eligant food.
We ordered:
Oysters- delicious, clean flavor. Did not taste fishy what so ever.
Clams in Salsa verde sauce- WOW I still want some now....every bite was a punch of flavor, it really caught me off gaurd. I was expecting something totally different.
Chorizo stuffed dates- not my fav, it was extremely sweet, needed some salt to give it a savory taste.
Chicken Rilette on toast- A twist on Morrocan chicken salad/pate
Pork belly with Pomegrante- MY FAV!!! cooked to perfection- melts in your mouth
Steak with Chantrelle & Egg plant- also fabulous, the fresh chantrelle mushrooms were delightful.
Desert- Cherry Rum cake and Chocolate Mousse- made the night perfect.
Honestly every dish left you wanting more and expecting more and more flavor.
I also heard that this place changes up the menu everyday- how exciting!
I highly reccomend this place. -
Review from K S.
Seattle, WA
3/31/2012
Oh my, oh my. Had a mixed green salad and swooned. Next the pork belly - both of us went silent. Found sighs and other sounds of pleasure with the duck. Husband refused to share the chocolate. It was fine, the cheese and wine selected for me couldn't be shared either.
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Review from JoEllen L.
Seattle, WA
3/5/2012
We waited for 30-40 minutes for a table, which we were warned about, so that was fine. They sat five of us at a table for four, again fine. The food was tasty. The reason I won't return is that we weren't even thru with dessert and wine when the server came with the check and asked us if we could pay and hurry up and leave because people were waiting. Really?! Not Cool!
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Review from Mary L.
Seattle, WA
4/29/2012
The Blind Pig was the single most awful dining experience my husband and I have ever had in our lives. Starting with ambience.....there is none. Strip mall outside, not atmosphere inside,. Five of the entrees were prepared RAW....who has ever heard of raw duck? We were told by the server that our meals "would be served as they are prepared.." I struggled to find something cooked and selected the fluke. A very small portion arrived which was full of bones in every bite. After pushing it aside unfinished, my husband still awaited his order of pork bellies. We waited,,,and waited...until finally the chef set down of plate of red meat. We were both aware that this was NOT pork bellies and left it untouched. The chef reappeared and said " Did you order duck?" No, responded my husband. At which point we were done with this restaurant, got the check and left and stopped at Dick's on the way home. DON"T GO HERE UNLESS YOU LIKE EATING RAW FOOD AND EATING ALONE WITHOUT YOUR PARTNER.
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Review from Kyle B.
San Francisco, CA
1/22/2012
Blind pig is a great find. Great food and menu that changes daily. Great
Service and good vibe. If you have a good time be sure to buy the chef a kitchen beer as a thank you!
