Pomegranate Bistro – restaurant review

Deep in the Seattle suburbs five city dwellers were seeking a meal before attending the Cirque de Soleil traveling show. Choices seemed limited to chain restaurants and fast food joints, but a light was found at the end of the tunnel and plans were made to try the Pomegranate Bistro. Coming highly recommended from more than one source, we eagerly anticipated our dinner. Being one short of the reservation minimum, we used the call ahead feature and got on the list before we left the city. Our wait was a blissfully short five minutes and we were shown to our table.

Cocktails were ordered and enjoyed by the table with the Cucumber Mint Martini being the big hit of the night. We ordered and devoured a pesto & chicken flatbread while we made our final menu decisions. Things got a little tricky when T-bone tried to order her entree, she chose the tomato soup only to find that it was cream based which is a no go for her. Our waiter helpfully suggested that she might try the carrot soup which she did opt to do. Unfortunately he was back within moments to inform her that they were out of the carrot soup, I found this rather odd considering it was not yet even 6pm.

The entrees arrived and we dug in, Trixie had the seared Ahi Tuna, T-bone the grilled cheese sandwich and fries, G enjoyed the Chicken Sopas, Bryan had the Portobello mushroom and I had the Artichoke & Asparagus pasta rags. It seemed that the dishes were for the most part a hit, I found my dish to be bland, soupy and uninspired. After having some of the others taste my entree it was decided that mine was definitely the least appetizing of the bunch. Holding back on the sauce when plating and tasting it before it went out would probably have resulted in a better dish as I’m sure the chef would have hit the plate with a dash or two of salt.

We finished up the entrees and a bottle of wine and decided to peruse the dessert menu. T-bone decided on the chocolate cake, G the key lime pie and Trixie and I were set on sharing the bread pudding. Never a group that is known to turn down a drink, several of us ordered after dinner drinks as well. I ordered the Key Lime Pie martini which was creamy and did actually taste a good deal like key lime pie. It was easy to compare because the waiter was soon back at the table to inform Trixie and I that they were out of bread pudding. I switched to key lime pie and enjoyed it immensely, I was again just surprised that they would be out of something so early in the evening.

In general it was a pleasant dining experience and definitely better than some of the other choices in that area. I don’t know that I would be in a hurry to go back, but if it was the location of choice I would go along with the crowd. I’m giving it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.