Waterleaf Restaurant Bar - Tukwila

I ordered the Steak Frites but was disappointed by the thin, less than 1/2 inch thick steak that was not a good cut of meat. I have had better steaks from Wal Mart. Despite requesting it to be cooked medium rare, the first steak came out well done. The flavor was decent but the steak was tough, fatty, and had a lot of gristle. The waitress acknowledged the mistake and offered to bring me a new steak, which was good customer service. However, the second steak was still not cooked properly and lacked a good sear. My wife had the PBBLT sandwich, which was decent but not exceptional. The shrimp appetizer was enjoyable and we would recommend it. The service was lacking, aside from the waitress replacing my steak. We were not checked on during our meal, had to wait for our check, and did not receive any discount on the uneaten food. The atmosphere was fine, the drinks were average, and the table water was lukewarm. The prices would have been acceptable if the food had been better.

I ordered the Steak Frites. The steak was a horrible cut of meat and literally less than inches thick. I've purchased and prepared better steaks from Wal Mart. I asked for it to be medium rare and my first steak came well done. The flavor was ok but the steak was touch and full of fat and gristle. The waitress immediately noted that the steak was not medium rare and offered a new steak, (which is great customer service). She brought me a new steak, even though I said I'd go ahead and eat the first one. The second steak came and the center was medium rare but the ends were still well done. There was almost no sear on the steak. The first steak actually tasted better but it is absolutely not a high quality steak. You could find a better steak, literally, in a Denny's restaurant. My wife had the PBBLT sandwich. Pork Belly, Bacon, Lettuce and tomato. It was pretty good but again, not great. Probably worth the money but certainly nothing out of the ordinary. For an appetizer we had the shrimp. They were really good and both of us enjoyed them and we would recommend them. The Service was below average other than her insisting to bring me another steak. After she brought me back the other steak we sat there without being checked on for the entire meal. Didn't get offered any additional drinks etc. We waited, after being finished, for our check for at least minutes. We did not get any discount on the steak meal even though it was clear that of it didn't get eaten. We aren't the type to ask for discounts so maybe that's on us but an astute waitress would have offered or asked. The atmosphere is fine. The drinks were ok. The table water was Luke warm. The prices would be fine if the food were better.

Waterleaf has a great chef who really knows how to prepare delicious and interesting meals. On the night we were there the Seahawks were playing and the staff seemed distracted, so service was sometimes slow. But our family had a great time, and ended up catching the tail end of a very exciting game. The steelhead and the risotto were especially good. We will be back.

My braised short rib was delicious, but my companion's steelhead was inedibly salty. Her choice of appetizer had run out and the alternative, while good, was not as preferable. Then the prices we were charged were from the regular menu rather than for Seattle Restaurant Week. They still have some learning to do.

Has potential, still working out some kinks. will come back again