Like other Islanders, we were very eager to try this new spot, but we were all very disappointed. One problem is that they have nothing for kids. Although they brag their mac 'n cheese is world famous, it is an adult mac 'n cheese that kids hate. We begged for them to cook something simple for a kid, such as noodles with butter or parmessan. We were very unpolitely informed that the chef would not stoop to such a thing. In a place as family friendly as Mercer Island, this was just plain rude. A second problem is that the restaurant's focus is entirely on what it calls ""pure"" food. We learned that ""pure"" does NOT mean healthy or even tasty. In what sense can a pork hamburger be ""pure""? We couldn't figure it out. Maybe the owners do not understand that a very large number of Islanders avoid eating pork, either for religious or health reasons. A third problem is the service. Maybe it is just a start-up problem, but our server spent more time cross-selling other businesses owned by the same family (Pasta & Co. and Beecher's) than she did explaining our dishes. She could not even answer basic questions, such as where the salmon was caught. Fourth, the wine list is very small and uninspired.
Pros: Pleasant room, easy to get a seat on a Saturday night
Cons: Unhealthy food, very unfriendly to families with kids, overpriced wine and limited selection
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