I can only speak about the bar side of this venue. I went there with some friends to listen to live music on the bar side and we were not disappointed. Great atmosphere, bar menu was good, good list of wines. I had the chicken satay and it was really yummy, other friends ordered risotto and pogachas and pastas and according to them they were all good and flavorful. Casual attire and relaxed ambient and good and friendly service.
(5)
Sarah L.
Bizarre brunch experience Sunday afternoon. I first went online to check out their menu. Everything looked tasty with adequate prices. When we get to the restaurant, same offerings, however everything was $2-3 higher than the website. There were a lot of odd missteps that occurred that didn't necessarily caused the meal to be unpleasant, but weird enough worth noting. Examples: -Cocktails offered by server and in bar area, but No Cocktail menu -Pieces of the papery skin/peel of the red onion in my Greek Tuna Salad -No salad dressing on my salad -Canned albacore tuna, After I specifically asked the server if the tuna was a fresh rare tuna steak or canned. She left to go ask someone, returned to tell me that it was NOT canned. Well my whole salad was just chalk full of canned albacore tuna. It was still good, but I prefer a nice rare tuna steak -Hamburger Bun French Toast? My dad ordered the French Toast and it was made out of the buns they use for their hamburgers... He still said it was good, but check out the photo. There was clearly one round thin slice (top bun) and one giant round thick slice (bottom bun). Just weird. To reiterate, my experience wasn't unpleasant, just off. If I find myself in Issaquah again, I would rather go to Wild Fin Bistro or Flat Iron Grill first.
(3)
Krystal L.
Delicious food and nice people. If the review was based on service it would be two but the prime rib was awesome!
(4)
Tony L.
We came here for happy hour with some coworkers. Since we were hungry after spending the day in meetings, we decided to order a variety of appetizers: Jerk chicken wings (a little overcooked) Steak bites (ok) Fried calamari (terrible: I was expecting crispy calamari, but it looked like it was baked) Artichoke dip (good with the bread) Goat cheese dip (not bad) Chicken satays (this was good, peanut sauce had good flavor) Flatbread pizzas (I was expecting thin crust pizzas, but they were ok pizzas on a medium crust) Unfortunately, the best part of the happy hour was the Mac and Jack's and the free bread that you get with the food.
(2)
Pru i.
Pogacha is a great restaurant with a super friendly staff. They can be slow when it's really busy, but the food is always cooked well and tasty.
(4)
Craig J.
Not bad, not especially great either. Raviolis were so so and service was less than stellar. It's probably been three years since our last visit and it'll probably be three more before we return. Ho hum.
(3)
Lauren P.
Worst place I've ever eaten at. Parking was full so we parked on the side. Walked in to the restaurant to a drunk man being escorted out of the bar. We got seated right away but sat for 15 minutes before we even got water!!! The best was the manager was bussing a table behind us and then seated a 10 top and served them water while we were still waiting for someone to notice us! We asked a server if she could find our waiter. There were lots of servers getting drinks and dinner for guest but no one thought to help out. Then the host walked by and we asked him to help out. We were going to get the lobster ravioli and a steak but after waiting for 15 minutes we decided to get 2 pasta dishes. We thought let's not waste money on this place. Horrible food!!! Our 20 month old liked his cheese pizza but we could have just gone to zeeks to get true service and pizza but thought let's try something new.
(1)
Kaleigh S.
We were driving around Issaquah trying to decide where to eat when we saw Pogacha! Since we hadn't tried them yet we pulled over and walked in. The atmosphere is nice and gives a fine dining feel. The servers are very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. My husband had a hanger steak surf and turf special and I had the chicken Parmesan. We really enjoyed the bread at the beginning with the dipping sauce. It was super yummy and I would not be surprised to find out that they make it in the restaurant. The flavor was so unique, soft, and doughy. We didn't order appetizers but with my appetite whet and the bread being what it was, I had a good feeling. When our food arrived, the first thing I noticed was that there was not a single piece of green on my plate. Just a scoop of pasta next to friend piece of chicken with marinara and cheese on top and blackened edges. My husband's food looked a lot better and was arranged into a little pyramid. He said that the shrimp and veggies were good, but that his steak was chewy in an unlike hanger steak way. Mine was good as well, it was simply too much carbs and very little flavor variety. We enjoyed our meal, but we felt it was a little pricey for what it was. We haven't been back since but have been thinking about maybe trying their happy hour.
(3)
Stella D.
Smooth Jazz tonight with Darren Motamedy & his band!! The food here was amazing!! Can't wait to go back for something else to try!! Very friendly staff and great atmosphere!!
I Love the Staff and the Food is delicious, think they could change the Happy Hour menu up a bit however they award Loyalty with frequent diner points along with a generous Happy Hour! Live Music on the weekends is always Fun, just wish they had more room for dancing! Patio when the weathers nice is one of the best in Issaquah!
(5)
Mike B.
Fantastic service here. The food is good and well presented. The menu selection isn't huge but I appreciate what is there. I do prefer to eat in the bar rather than the back and it can be a bit noisy when busy, but I find it more comfortable. While not really a thai place, they often have a phad thai this is pretty flavorful.
(4)
Perry R.
Met my bf here. Awesome place. Terrific food and service!!!
(5)
Amphigorey X.
I had the Eggplant Parmesan, it was worse than a tv dinner and 3x the price.
(2)
patricia h.
I've written a positive review for Pogacha before, so this is an update. It seems like the prices have gone up and the quality and service down. Last time we were here I ordered the spicy beef salad which I usually enjoy, but that time the meat was chewy and there was way, way too much dressing. I thought it may have been an off day. Yesterday I went with the Greek Tuna Salad and specifically asked if it was canned tuna or fresh tuna steak. The waitress assured me it was fresh tuna and she'd "never seen it in a can." It was totally Chicken of the Sea. Which is perfectly OK and probably tasty, but I personally associate it with cat food and never would have ordered it. So, I asked for an RPM Omelete instead. When delivered (after hubs and kid were done eating) it was the Spinach & Goat cheese omelete. If you read my past review, I stand by that it is super tasty an a good choice. Just not what I ordered. The waitress said it was "so weird" that this happened and to their credit - did not charge for my meal. We also ordered a Pogacha flat bread to go, specifically with marinara sauce (their default is without) for our kid to eat later. When she opened the box later - no sauce. Not sure if it is a training issue or if they just aren't paying attention, but its such a shame. Hope they bring their standards back up, it is a good option for family dining if you get what you order.
(2)
Mac F.
We have dined here a few times. We find them serviceable but nothing outstanding. Nothing stands out. Restaurant offers somewhat limited entree menu. We have tried some of their appetizers (fried calamari, chicken quesadillas ... pretty good), liked some of their entrees (braised lamb shank, veal marsala, pork medallions), but, for "Mediterranean" (?) restaurant, they fall flat with their pasta dishes ("meh" on Grecian prawns,chicken Dijon, and some dark purple pasta thing I had way back when). Service is inconsistent (fair to poor). They seem to focus on and do well with "happy hour" crowd. Their small plates appear good. But, for diners, that may be a good time to avoid. Their very small parking gets overwhelmed and it is vey difficult to maneuver back there.
(3)
Ray B.
I think 3 stars defines this restaurant. Nothing has ever been bad, but nothing has ever been great either. Service is decent, sometimes it takes too long to get attention. However, I come back time and time again for the purple dish, very unique.
(3)
Alexandra F.
Some friends and I decided to give this place a shot and sounded like their Happy Hour menu would be ok. Less to be desired! Bruchetta was hard/chewy, tomatoes not fresh and a pound of melted cheese was the topper. Nasty! Garlic fries tasted like they were deep fried in old fishy oil. Chicken Wings had feathers, yes feathers! And the steak bites were tough, chewy and flavorless. Adding the mushroom sauce didn't help much.Oh...and a cloudy pitcher of Mac N Jacks was the icing on the cake or was it feeling sick at 4am?? Willl never go back for Happy Hour or any other meal for tha matter.
(1)
Heather T.
I'm so glad my husband stumbled upon this restaurant earlier this week and brought home it's menu. We went for the first time tonight and can't wait to share it with friends. Wonderful Croatian/ Mediterranean flavored food. The steamed clams were awesome and our dinners were just as good. Enjoy!
(3)
Lorrin C.
Been going there from time to time over the years. Have pretty much stuck with my favorite, Chicken Madeira Ravioli, as I always enjoy the flavor. Added a balsamic dressed salad with a portion of caprese on the side of the plate, both were tasty. Help is attentive and knowledgeable. Prices for dinner are around $15-25 which is for the entree. There are other things on the menu, pogacha (pizza), beef, etc. Oh and the fresh baked Pogachas (buns) are so enjoyable.
(3)
Sara M.
Despite the server bringing me a salad I didn't actually order (it was quickly fixed) our evening was deliciously pleasant. I ordered the Sweet & Spicy Beef salad and it was awesome. This says a lot considering I am someone who is so picky on flavors & textures that is prevents me from trying anything out of the ordinary. Last night I branched out and was happily surprised! Our server was very kind & helpful and we were sat quickly. It was 8pm on a Thursday so I am sure that helped because considering the size of this place, it seems as though it could accommodate a high volume of customers. They offer bread (their yummy, wood fire toasted 'Pogacha rolls') & oil/vinegar when you sit down which was a nice start to a wonderful evening. Another bonus is that this place is on the Passport card. You buy one meal and you get another FREE. Can't beat that and because of this and the tasty food & decent service I will be returning for sure.
(4)
Mark L.
I went here for happy hour on a Friday. Food was ok. Cheap prices on booze. Wait staff is old and so are the customers. Seriously I think everyone here was over 50. Seems very cliquish.
(2)
Claire S.
Been here several times over the years. Entrees are great and their little pogacha break thingies are TO DIE FOR. Service is wonderful. Definitely a great place. They're also insanely patient-- went there one time with a group and two of us (not me, thank god) started loudly arguing about politics. They didn't throw us out! Amazing!!! It's got an elegant atmosphere and it great for lunch or for dinner.
(4)
Jet Z.
Great service with decent food. Recommend Prawns pasta. It's nice that you can use Prime Card even for brunch.
(4)
Nancy B.
I went here a few weeks ago and I thought the food was really delicious. The kids menu was great, only 99 cents for a meal. We used our passport card and got buy 1 get 1 free, so it made a very inexpensive lunch for us. We will be back, wonderful food! My only complaint was it was a little dark in there, they could use some more lighting, but that's all.
(5)
Justin H.
Interesting to see so many negatives on Pogacha. Some facts to hopefully drive clarity: * Yummy, endless yeast bread with olive oil and balsamic * Not as classy as they'd like you to think... think Applebees. * Crayons on tables for grown ups too * Pretty good entrees * Great salads * A little pricey, but if you've got a prime card, it's right on. * Pecan pie a la mode = heaven
(4)
Michael P.
Love Pogacha. Don't come here often enough. Their pastas are crafted with thought behind them and the rest of their menu, especially the Pogacha pizzas, is great. Great service, killer happy hour. Try the tomato bisque soup...for all ages. Took my son here for the first time and he loves it!!! He took one bite of their soup and said 'O....M....G....This is the best soup EVER!'.
(5)
Jens J.
I hadn't been to Pogacha since my pre-Yelp days so I thought the time was right to do lunch here today. I did so before checking out the Yelp reviews for Pogacha. Wow, I think a few people were swilling Haterade as they were typing up their reviews. I actually had a good lunch here today, so 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. The worst thing I can say about Pogacha is that they play "lite jazz" (albeit very softly) on their sound system. They had totally revamped the menu since I was last here. Now, they emphasize that they have Adriatic cuisine. Not knowing precisely where Adriatic was, I looked up Adriatic Sea on Wikipedia. It's the chunk of Mediterranean water between Italy and the Balkan countries of Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania. So yes, there was typical Italian fare on the menu. But there was also Phad Thai and halibut & chips. That is Adriatic cuisine? Hmmm. The dining room, decorated in butter and loden hues, was certainly original. A plastic grape vine with little lights snaked around the walls underneath the moldings. On one wall were Chihuly-like glass pieces the size of dinner plates. And on the wall next to me was a large jagged piece of paint stripped off, revealing drywall. I doubt that was intentional design. I ordered a cup of sausage & bean soup and the pear and gorgonzola ravioli. I liked the soup. But what surprised me about the soup (nay, shocked!) was that it had cilantro in it and that I still liked it. If you read my reviews you know that I hiss like a cat when I get a taste of cilantro in my mouth. However, this soup had cilantro in such a light touch I actually found it quite decent. In miniscule quantities, cilantro has a nice citrus flavor. The ravioli, served with very thin slices of pear was perfect in all respects, except for one small note. I didn't so much care for the flavor of the candied pecan topping. It reminded me of either Cracker Jacks or butter toffee. Oh, and I loved the complimentary rolls (they're just like the ones my mom used to make!). I would return here for lunch. Service was fine.
(4)
Julie E.
Hats off to Pogacha for their Chicken Dorba! I visited for dinner after church while spending the holiday weekend in Issaquah with family, and I was impressed. The decor, the service and the food were all memorable. This is a cheap chain restaurant. They aren't in the kitchen microwaving your food so of course it takes more time than hitting the drive thru. So when you are open to waiting for your food to be prepared, you aren't harried or already annoyed by other events, and you're not jaded already from being 'forced' to go.. stop in at Pogacha. Frankly I hope that none of you who were so hateful DO go back, at least not when I'm there. Life is to short to be waylaid by whiners.
(4)
sally j.
FOOD ALLERGIES? DON'T GO HERE! had dinner at issaquah pogacha and my partner let the server know he was allergic to dairy (and explained what was included in dairy). He was served a double order of veggies cooked in butter. He realized it a third of the way through by taste and asked her. she dismissed it "no, they weren't." he kept eating. she came back 5 min later to say, "oops, i'll get you new veggies." she seemed fairly unconcerned and deducted a glass of wine from the bill, instead of the meal that made him sick. this is unacceptable and we will not be back.
(1)
Jessie F.
Very disappointing experience. Overall, the service is OK but the food is at least 25% overpriced for what you actually get. I've had frozen dinner that were tastier. We had allergy concerns and they were either ignored or forgotten. Here's what happened: we dined at Pogacha for the first time last night after waiting for a special occasion to visit. I should add here that we actually tried to dine there the night before, but the live music was so loud it literally caused pain. Anyway, we went back last night since my mother-in-law was in town. The service was nice but slow. We ordered an appetizer (artichoke dip) and we each got a salad: an under-dressed, underwhelming caesar, the Patrick salad, and the grilled beet and goat cheese salad (note: beets were cold and crunchy). The dip was pretty good. For our entrees we ordered the crab manacotti (because they informed us after we ordered that they did not have one of our original entree choices), the rosemary skewered scallops over risotto, and the pear gorgonzola ravioli. Now we had some allergy concerns: my fiance is allergic to nuts, so we made sure he could get the ravioli sans walnuts, and I am allergic to basil. It took about 10 minutes to find out if it would be possible to make the risotto without basil - we were assured it would be. When the food arrived (via a different waitress), we triple checked with her: "No walnuts and no basil, correct?" and she seemed affronted that we would even ask. "Yes...of course!" was her response. While the crab manacotti was wonderful, the ravioli and the scallop dishes were very underwhelming. The ravioli was an $18 plate, but it was a tiny portion. The scallops are described as being over risotto, which is not accurate. I received scallops over a side of soggy steamed veggies with a small portion of "risotto" - I've had Rice-a-Roni that tasted better than that. The risotto tasted ok, but was clearly overcooked and it seemed like it had been sitting too long in whatever container it was in; it was dry and utterly inelegant. The scallops were soggy and somewhat undercooked. About two bites into our entrees, my fiance asked us to investigate something suspiciously nutty. Sure enough, we found several walnut halves. By this point, I was starting to get upset. Our waitress was duly horrified and quickly made sure to take it off our bill, and she even offered us a free dessert. About 10 minutes later, I started feeling ill. I wasn't sure if I was being paranoid because of the ravioli, but I didn't eat much of my scallops. We paid the check and left. Sure enough, not 5 minutes after we got home, I broke out it hives and swelled up like a balloon. It was a relatively mild reaction compared to how it could have been, thank goodness, but even so, I was irate. I called the restaurant and left a message on their voicemail (no response yet). Needless to say, I will never return to Pogacha.
(1)
Sarah S.
the food is good. a tab bit expensive for what it is, but good. the restaurant is nice, it just seems to be overrun with families with small children. small children have a way of making a nice intimate dinner turn into something slightly less comfortable that is interrupted by crying every 30 minutes.. the pogacha bread itself is good, best directly out of the oven. use prime card if you have it, it makes this otherwise overpriced family restaurant worth the trip.
(3)
Art Y.
Although my daughter has been to this place a few times, the rest of us have not and we visited this restaurant as a family for the first time last weekend. Physical arrangements: The restaurant looked like it was previously a home and was converted into a restaurant. However, the owner has spaced out the tables well and I certainly did not feel cramped and there was plenty of room to breathe; i.e. privacy was reasonable. Noise level is average because sound seem to bounce quite a bit in the inner room which we were in. We had a window seat that looked into their little garden with herbs and bushes --- it was pleasing. I would give a 3.5 stars for this area. People: The hostess was polite and put on a warm smile when we met her. Waiter was warm and unpretentious. He was helpful and very attentive. The only possible improvement I can suggest to him is to speak a little softer --- the volume of his voice was a little too loud for an evening at an Italian restaurant. Manager took the time to visit our table when she found out we were there the first time --- that was a nice touch. This area of their performance deserves a 4-star. For my ranking scale, a 4-star is excellent. I only give a 5-star when the performance is over and beyond exceptional. Food: most important to me I ordered their pasta special which came with Chilean crab and sole fish mixed with a light sauce, which if I recall correctly, was white-wine based. The seafoods were fresh and the pasta was firm. It is certainly well above average but not tip-top --- 3.5 star, perhaps. My wife ordered another pasta entree with prawn and some spicy sauce (don't remember the name) which was a little too spicy for her. I sampled a little of it and found it tastier than my dish. I thought her dish deserves a 4-star. The other orders were a BBQ pizza and tomato-basil pizza. Both came with doughs that were baked just right. I have also sampled them and they were 3.5-4 star pizzas. For dessert, we decided to share a Tiramisu ('cos we were quite full). The cocoa, strong coffee, heavy creme and generous rum served to make this dessert a kicker. Certainly a full 4-star dessert. All in all, as you can probably tell, it is a 3.5 to 4 star experience. I will be back.
(4)
David P.
If you live on the east side, want to dine outside, and have a child, Pogacha is one of the few restaurants that allows you to do so--and also has excellent service and above-average food. When the temp got over 80 and my wife and I wanted to dine outside with our toddler, we found that most restaurants only have outdoor dining for patrons 21+ (for an extension of their bar). Finding Pogacha was a nice treat! The wait staff were all very attentive, and I was really impressed with the quality of the noodle dish they served for my child. She can be pretty finicky, but she ate quite heartily! I agreed with her assessment, as I found their Salmon Fettucini to be excellent. The only reason I didn't give a full 5 stars is that my wife's dish was average quality. The wine, on the other hand, was quite good! Bottom line; if you have kids, want to dine outside, and are looking for good Italian on the east side, I recommend Pogacha. We'll definitely go back!
(4)
Annie F.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving last year -- around November 26th or so, my daughter-in-law had a surprise birthday party for her husband [my hubby's son, my step-son]. It was a catered dinner. Because I have severe food allergies, my daughter-in-law told me that she had asked the restaurant to bring me a menu [big kudos to my daughter-in-law!!!]. But, when the food arrived, I found that there were many things that I could eat so I didn't need the menu. The food was wonderful. I don't normally eat at Italian restaurants [my family was Italian, so I ate Italian food every day for years, and years, and years] but I would definitely drive back to Issaquah to eat at this restaurant again. Keep up the good work Pogacha!!!! As I was leaving I told the staff at the front desk that the next time I went to Yelp I was going to write a wonderful review of their restaurant, so here it is!!!
(5)
Lynette W.
I have been here several times for lunch and happy hour. It can be a little hit and miss. The bread is good, sometimes the oil/vinegar mixture they serve you is proportionately off. Happy hour food tends to be good, liked the satay and steak bites quite a bit. The tomato basil bisque is always tasty. One work lunch we were told the soup of the day was potato cheddar. We got excited and ordered it, but then were brought out broccoli cheddar. I guess the special put on the board was an accident. It was literally broccoli florets with a cheese sauce over it, it wasn't a soup at all. They were apologetic and got us some tomato basil for free instead. The service is always good. The water is fine.
(3)
Amy S.
I've been coming here for about 15 years now. I can't say too much about the menu, as I found my dish on the first trip and never looked back. Chicken Dijon is brilliant, garlicky and amazing. Service is fantastic, very accommodating and not pushy or pressured. Go for lunch, though. The prices are much more reasonable.
(5)
Shana N.
Thursday night is all night happy hour! How much fun is that?! Went last night on a date, sat outside, basked in the sun and ate some great food for cheap! I have some nice color today, glad it's finally summer and was happy to enjoy the sunshine on the Pogacha patio! Tried the steak bites again and they were excellent, cooked just right! Had the garlic cheese fries, I still smell like garlic today, I'm a fan! Also had the chicken quesidilla which was cheesy goodness. We had 2 different waitresses because of a shift change, both were good, prompt, no complaints there. The first waitress kindly put up with our dillema of what food to order, she was very patient. Of course on our way out it was Denise who thanked us for coming in, she is so friendly! She wasn't even waiting on us last night! She always makes me feel welcome!
(4)
Gerry J.
A pretty good restaurant with an Adriatic influence. The bar section was noisy and there were a few televisions with sports on. The meal I had was subtle and complex in flavor. You can tell the chef was schooled. It was something that you had to take your time to taste, not quite the meal to be gobbled down. The best however was the predinner flatbread that they serve. A smart person would go, order a drink and use the bread as a meal.
(3)
Jeffrey S.
Nothing to write home about. Expensive.
(2)
E H.
Stopped here for dinner on a whim a while back. Service was friendly enough, though a bit slow at times, which was puzzling as it didn't seem that busy/understaffed. Decor is okay, but seems a bit shabby and mismatched. I'm silly and like doodling on paper tablecloth toppers, so thanks to the waitress for not giving me any attitude for giving me crayons to do so *love* Food ranged from bland/tasteless to straight up unappetizing. Salads were much better than our entrees. I am not entirely sure what cuisine they are trying to specialize in, their self description makes it seem vaguely Italian with a Mediterranean bend but it seemed like a jumble of standard-fare restaurant food and a smattering of random things like pad thai (which was honestly appalling) alongside Dobar chicken and their specialty flatbread pogacha things. Friendly but overpriced and feels tired/rundown. I know times are tight, but try paring down the menu to a smaller selection of dishes you can really nail instead of trying to do it all and doing it poorly.
(2)
Carly L.
Today I had a meeting for work and we had lunch here. It was actually quite enjoyable! The room was nicely decorated and private. The lunch was buffet and everything was tasty. I ate some salad, some pasta, some bread, and potatoes. YUMS. The staff was highly attentive and my glass of water was never empty. I will definitely come back to try something else on the menu. Thank you again to the staff of Pogacha for being so great.
(4)
Nick B.
We had a banquet here. The service was awful and the food was bland. The dessert I ordered was pumpkin cheesecake and a peanut butter cheesecake came. I tried it anyway, it was old and tasted like refrigerator. The salad was bland, oily and had no flavor, it just tasted like plain lettuce. The pork tenderloins were bland and so were the roasted vegetables that came with it. The pork was fatty and overcooked. To their credit my wife's steak was prepared well but her roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes were bland as well. This restaurant is overpriced and is not worth the money, I will not be returning.
(1)
Malia F.
We came in for lunch. I had heard that they had good salads, I am a sucker for salads. The space is very cute, a little hard to find. I ordered the spinach salad, and truthfully I was very underwhelmed. My guest had the chopped salad, and she had to make her own additional dressing with the balsamin/oil that was served with the bread. We also had their pogacha bread sampler, this was too cheesy for my liking. They ran out of iced tea... Maybe it was just a bad day...
(2)
Nestor P.
Living of fame, this is a very expensive place that now is not dealing properly with the fame and becoming expensive and poor quality (Food and service). I did a group dinner there and I regret my decision. The food was really bad even that we agreed on the menu in advance. We were 45 people and the "restaurant" decided to assign only 1 person to manage drinks and food orders! the food quality was not the bed and really the overall experience could be better. Also parking here is a nightmare because the private lot is really small and there is not option to park close to the restaurant that living in issaquah = get wet!
(2)
Eric W.
This was my first time eating at Pogacha. There was a group of us in the bar and seating was very cramped. But that's beside the point. I had the Pear-Gorgonzola Ravioli with candied walnuts. It could have been fantastic, but the gorgonzola was not a good grade at all (too sharp and acidic, not smooth!) The only brand of gorgonzola I've had like this is the Stella brand already crumbled, cheap! But I could be wrong on what they used. The pears were absent from the dish except for a fan of garnish made of unripened ones. I also had some Hot & Spicy Jerk Wings, which were not good at all either. It tasted like poultry seasoning, but there was no "Hot & Spicy!" I was burping this up for hours. Blue cheese dressing (instead of Ranch) might have helped the wings. One plus was the bread and balsamic & olive oil, which was tasty. Overall, I was very disappointed to get mediocre food for that price! And rounding out the evening, several of us had intestinal distress later.
(1)
Erin W.
Went here Friday night for dinner. The food was great and the restaurant was beautiful! I had the lasagna and my boyfriend had the steak and we ordered a side of rosotto all very good and the complimentary bread given is addicting! It is also on the Prime card which was a added bonus. The only negative was it was tough to find a parking spot their lot is kind of small. We will definitely be coming back.
(4)
Quinn C.
Wife and I have gone here a few times lately - we look for new happy hour places occasionally. Okay drinks, pretty good food, average service. We will avoid for a while though... the clientele here is a little on the older side (40-50 yo some-things) which is our age group. But it's cutthroat to try and get a table. Both times people ran past us to get an open table, they shift tables when other people leave, always jockeying for the best spot, and absolutely don't care if they just took your table (when they arrived after you). A customer came and took a chair from our table (didn't ask, just did it). It was pretty amazing... wife and I said maybe it's the generation of people who go here (i.e. "I need to get mine"), but seriously it was very blatant. The staff doesn't seat you when you arrive, you're just kind of on your own to find a table in the bar. Because of this we're giving it a break for a while... fighting for a table sets a bad tone for the rest of the visit, don't want to deal with that when we want to go somewhere to relax and unwind for happy hour.
(2)
Inness P.
Wow! I'm not sure why there are so many negative reviews--I'd probably give it 4 stars, but I haven't been there for a while. I've always loved Pogacha, however...especially the bread that they give you to nibble before you're served.
(3)
Mandi E.
The service was a bit slow but very friendly. The food was wonderful and I would go there again in the future.
(4)
Jack R.
I don't know what has happened to Pogacha in Issaquah, we have been customers for over 10 years, since the remodel you did things have drastically changed for the worse. We had dinner on Friday 11-16, I could not believe the portion size of the Dijon Chicken has shrunk so much, for $16.00, I felt cheated and robbed. My wife had the Gorgonzola Ravioli, the sauce was way to thick and heavy, again value to price, not worth it. We split a Caesar salad, there was barely enough dressing, dry and again, small portion for a lot of money. The service, our server was Kendall, we hate even coming in there with the thought of him waiting on us, he is abrupt, loud and obnoxious with his (what he thinks) charismatic way. The guy needs to take it down a few notches. What happened to some of the other staff that used to be there, the lady manager with blonde hair, would at least come by the table to check on things, there seemed to be a lady manager there on Friday, she never even acknowledged any of the customers, a smile on her face would also help. Why did you get rid of the staff that at least knew what customer service was. I was already wondering why on a Friday night it was not as busy as usual. I understand that you have charge to make a profit, but 2 pasta dishes, 1 salad, 1 glass of wine and 1 martini (which by the way $14 for a Martini?..Really? for a total bill of $75.00 plus I have to tip an awful waiter. Needles to say, after all these years, we wont be back, if I am going to spend that kind of money, I expect a better value and service, I suggest before you loose more loyal customer you make some drastic changes and review your food and service standards. Too bad, we really enjoyed going to Pogacha at least 2-3 times a month, always recommending it to friends and family, not anymore.
(2)
Jocelyn E.
We've spent Mother's Day brunch here. And I am never coming back. Ever. I will be *cough, cough* deathly ill and "on my way to the hospital" rather than come here if anyone ever suggests it. And I'd rather die of starvation before coming back here on my own free will. The experience started out "no bueno". I was on crutches. You think the hostess could have slowed down her walking so that I could actually follow her across the dining floor. No, of course not, that would have been considerate. Overlooking that, I looked forward to the fact that it was a buffet. I mean, the (supposedly) nice thing about buffets is that there is something for everyone. Me, I'm a huge fan of omelets, so that's where I always start out. I asked for spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and bacon. They didn't have spinach, and they didn't have tomatoes (they did have some salsa mix - and despite what the guy behind the stove was telling me, they are not the same). I took one bite of my omelet. It was terrible. It was bitter and left this bitter aftertaste in my mouth, which I spent the next 5 minutes and several drinks to try to wash out of my mouth. I don't know if the eggs went bad or -what- it was just GROSS. Back to the buffet line... The only thing that saved me from complete starvation is the fact that they had a ton of fruit. Not a big variety, but I can deal with a plate full of strawberries and pineapple and melons. Thank God too, because I would have probably fainted of hunger waiting for the rest of the family to finish stuffing their faces with the few edible items they were able to pick (mostly pastries - and let me tell you, I've worked as a pastry chef before and there's not way I'm ever eating a pastry again). On the way out I was given a dead rose by the staff ("A rose for all the moms!"). Happy Mother's Day, huh?
(1)
shein p.
Things that are embarrassing: * Running into an ex at the grocery store... with your post-workout stink on. * Forgetting to press the mute button before shit-talking the boss during a phone conference. and * Voluntarily hanging out in Issaquah after work instead of heading straight back to Ballard. Oh, yes. I have done it--more than once, even. I have noticed that the service has gone down hill over the last year; otherwise I'd have given it 4 stars just for the bread and drinks. I recommend the bar over the dining room; it's much more relaxed, has the happy hour specials, and still has the full menu available as long as the kitchen is open. The parking is annoying, but it's gotten easier with the crappy economy. The beer list is decent, and their bartenders have poured well for me. I do miss $10 bottle of wine night, though! The food is hit or miss--I've had to send back an overcooked steak (I mean leather here, not just a little tan) and the salads are ALWAYS overdressed with way too much oil--but I am almost always pleased if I order a pogacha (it's like a pizza, only without the red sauce). Melty cheese + fresh bread + beer = happy girl. Usually there is live music on the weekends, and there's even Happy Hour after 9 on Saturdays. Not a bad eastside option for those who don't want to truck it to Bellevue.
(3)
kristin m.
I was hoping my first visit here would prove the bad reviews wrong but unfortunately I have to agree. The hostess/waitress was very unfriendly and my food was not great either. I ordered a pasta dish and when it was served I noticed there was no pasta! It was just the chicken and sauce! I told the waitress and she went to replace it. It was then served with pasta which was very overcooked - it was like mush! When the waitress realized I was not eating and asked if I wanted a box I showed it to her and she shrugged her shoulders and walked off. It was so weird! Needless to say we probably won't be back.
(2)
Brandie G.
Food was good, but definitely pricey! Loved the pre-dinner bread. Happy hour I would love to check out. Seems to have some good deals for food and drinks then.
(4)
Karla F.
Although I wasn't as annoyed as others by the parking, I will agree with everyone about the mediocre food and slow service. We came here for a staff lunch at the request of the Big Boss. Everyone described their food as "just okay". I had the penne bolognese and with the exception of the sausage, the rest didn't have much taste. It's not often that I have to salt and pepper an italian dish with a cream sauce involved. My parmesan was clumped together, which hinted that the meal may have been reheated prior to bringing it out to the table. We waited forever for our meals, although our server did a great job of keeping our drinks full. I did love, love, love the warm flatbread they placed on the table when we sat down. But it annoyed me that I couldn't really tell what their specialty was - the menu is all over the place.
(2)
Gene D.
Update 08/07/07: Lunch meeting here has changed my mind a bit. The coleslaw is an original and thankfully arrived without that mayo stuff usually mixed in. Heard about Halibut & Chips and tried it. Tasty! I'm adding a star... First Review: Love the staff and drinks, hate the food. Most beef is classified as Choice, Select or Prime. Here I would rate it as Microwaved Cardboard Paste. Who knows, maybe USDA would consider a fourth quality rating!
(3)
Caroline O.
I've always wanted to check out Pogacha because I heard they had great food. We went to the Issaquah location for my birthday and we were all disappointed. Not a single person greeted us and after 10 minutes of sitting in the bar area we had to ask for water. You'd think that if one person asked for water, that you'd bring water for the other three but it didn't happen and we had to ask individually as the server would just bring one and walk away. It was 8pm and it was not busy yet staff was walking around no one was making eye contact with us. All four of us work in the food and beverage industry and beyond disappointed with the lack of service. The menu was great but the customer service is unfortunately lacking and needs improvement.
(2)
Susan H.
Great and tastey food but not very good value for what they charge. For example their signature dish, "Dobar Chicken" which costs $12.95 for lunch comes with half a chicken breast; that is to say they take a chicken breast and cut it in half through the middle so it's very thin. I guess that (although it was delicious) I was offended that they wouldn't give me a whole chicken breast (which we all know costs $1 or less at Costco so I'm sure they pay less) considering how much they were charging me. The same dish is $17.50 for dinner and comes with one whole chicken breast (sliced into 2 pieces). Delicious salads, pizzas and Pogachas (flatbread they bake fresh in their wood burning oven)! Service is hit and miss (although everyone is always pleasant), sometimes great and sometimes your waitress never checks on drink refills ect...
(2)
John G.
Went in early August 2011. Had low expectations as M went to their Bellevue shop a few years back and was disappointed. This was much different. Nice ambiance, very good service, nice menu with a range of prices. the food was good, well presented, We enjoyed this place and will return
(3)
Cory C.
My wife and I have been here a number of times over the years, hoping the food will get better. Unfortunately it has not. I've always found it to be bland and pretty boring. I love the atmosphere of the bar, but the food really does need improvement. The all-day happy hour on Thursday's is a great option for Issaquah too, but again, please redo the menu and then we'll return.
(2)
Jen S.
Not impressed. Slow service, place is a bit run down and I had to ask several times for water, diet coke. Food was ok, overpriced. I would go to Lombardi's or another Italian place in Issaquah instead.
(2)
James A.
The service was good(minus my pet peeve of the wait staff asking all patrons to join in singing happy birthday for one of the diners). The food was blah, it wasn't that it was prepared poorly but rather as if they used inferior quality of ingredients. I would not recommend unless you are a heavy smoker, British, and do not enjoy the taste of your food.
(2)
Ed B.
About a month ago, my wife's parents came to visit us and as they had never been to the Northwest, we did our best to make sure they had a positive experience all-around. There was one downer the whole week and it was Pogacha. I feel bad that I can't remember what anyone else ordered, save that they all agreed their food was bland and unimpressive. I'm a firm believer in the "you don't go to a seafood restaurant and order the steak" so I ordered their Greek (I believe?) Pogacha. It was acceptable, but rather expensive for what it was: a couple of tapatias with feta and olives and stuff. The prices were exorbitant considering how mediocre the food was. We traded samples of each other's dishes to see if we were off the mark, and well, sad to say we weren't. Towards the end of the meal, I pulled out my phone and checked the Yelp reviews and found every negative or mediocre review echoing our own experience and wondering wtf the positive and rave reviewers were smoking and where I could get some. It would have to be some pretty powerful sh*t to make this place seem awesome and the food anything but a cut above the stuff I feed my cat out of cans. The restaurants reminds me of tiny restaurants converted out of strip mall units, and the vibe is very much that of low class trying way too hard to act high class. If they would unify their menu into one theme, ditch the "Italian" attempt, drop their prices about 30% across the menu, and change the decor a bit to suit, they'd probably increase their repeat business a good deal. I know for sure that we won't be going back. Oh, and the parking. Yeah, totally didn't notice the EPIC POTHOLE that you could hide a small country in. And no, there isn't enough parking for a restaurant that size. Sorry, there just isn't. All that said, while scanning the local events section of the paper last night, my wife mentioned there was a band playing at Pogacha and it seemed that it was the only thing going on in Issaquah. We didn't feel like driving more than a few minutes and they were the only game in town. We almost conceded the point until she noticed, and I quote "Nevermind, it's the house band so they probably suck too." We went to the Gaslamp instead and had an enjoyable evening of drinks and food that met our expectations at a reasonable price. More than could have been said if we went to Pogacha.
(2)
Elisabeth H.
We have been eating at Pogacha's in Issaquah for about 2 yrs now ! We had been going almost every week , until last May 2013. Our dinner was horrible and we asked the manager if they had a new cook. She said NO. She even admitted our plates were not what they should have been . I have always ordered the Chicken Parmesan and my husband has always ordered different dishes from the menu. She did comp one meal with a gift card from the restaurant. Fast forward 4mos: we finally returned and ordered the same dishes as we did in May. Still, not any better ! How can you screw up such a basic dish as Chicken Parmesan ? It was burnt and had no spices to it = no flavor what so ever ! I used to really like this place , so it is hard to give it only 3 stars and that is mostly because I like the ambiance and close proximity to where I live . The service is always unpredictable as well. Sorry, Pogacha , we won't be back .
(3)
Bryan N.
Food was delicious for the most part, service was OK, but a tad expensive for what you get. The Thai dish was not very authentic, and their insertion of the paper-wrapped chopsticks under the entree was somewhat off-putting to our Asian friend that was with us. So, I'd suggest sticking with the Italian dishes and the pizza for the best experience.
(3)
Carolina A.
If I could give Pogacha a -5 I would. I always thought their famous purple dish they are so proud of is absolute crap! So gross! But after yesterday I am for ever done with that place. Here's what happened: Once in a while my coworkers get together for happy hour, this time they decided on Pogacha, I was not going to go because I have to pick up my son at daycare, but it was a very nice day so I went with the kiddo on tow. Little did I know the outdoor seating is considered part of the bar, therefore no minors are allowed. Ok I understand, by no means I want them to break State regulations so one of my coworkers offered to seat with me in the dining room so I could order some food, feed my son, etc. But get this, the dining room is completely empty and they won't make an exception to let me order from the Happy Hour menu. I politely asked the lady if she was willing to lose a customer over the happy hour menu -vs- dinner menu considering is hard times for restaurants and they didn't have any customers in the main dining room and she didn't hesitate one bit and said YES!!! So for that, I will NEVER go to Pogacha again, and since I organize many meetings and luncheons for my company I will make sure to never have them there. What ever happened with customer service?
(1)
Nick G.
Pogacha is one of my favorite restaurants ever. Their food is fantastic and their Pogacha pizzas are one of a kind. My favorite pasta definitely has to be their Dobar Chicken (aka the purple dish). I read the other reviews written by Redmond yuppies who just got done sweating out their gold dust at Gold's Gym and are looking for an outlet to vent their pent up aggression. Don't listen to them if you're interested in good food. If you want to get picky you can point out the overflow parking issue or service but sometimes you have to sacrifice small things for the sake of the food (e.g. Soup Nazi). Obviously this place has it's blemishes but hey, that's why I gave the restaurant 4-stars. It has character and great food.
(4)
J M.
We came here because of the Microsoft Prime discount. We won't be back. I haven't had food this bland in a very very long time. We ordered mediterranean dips as an appetizer. Thank goodness the portions are large because that was just about the only tasty thing they brought out all night. I guess if this was my happy hour place, and I was only ordering appetizers, I could see myself coming to this place a bit. Maybe. For dinner, I ordered the braised lamb. It's in the "specialty" section of their menu. So I thought they were proud of that dish... It was flavorless boiled lamb. No salt. No pepper. No spices. Just onions and water. Boiled. Not braised. I picked at it for a bit, took most of it home, and made curry with it. It was much better the second time. As a side dish, I ordered risotto. I don't think their chefs have ever seen a risotto. It was only creamy because of all the cheese in it. There aren't supposed to be strings of mozzarella connecting the risotto on your fork to the risotto in the dish... It was so greasy, I couldn't eat it. My husband had the lasagna. It was ok. Wouldn't order it again, but it was edible. Very greasy, and a too big portion. But edible. Thank goodness for the Prime discount. Makes paying the bill for a lousy dinner much more bearable.
(1)
Brandon T.
I live in Issaquah and discovered Pogacha through the Prime card site and a few reviews. The outside is nice looking and it's very stylish. If you order the pasta dishes you will be satisified. I generally get a Pogacha now, as that is their speciality and they are a real treat. It's a mini pizza with nice tasting bread with no red sauce. Their little flat breads they give you are also delicious. Because they take the Prime Card it is a very reasonable price, as you can buy one, get one entree for free. Also, they tend to have a special on Sunday night where the Pogachas are like $10 I think, also a good deal. My only complaint is the bar/lounge. It tends to be noisy with a large TV and people being slightly obknoxious. One time they had live music which was great, but I couldn't hear myself talk as it was too loud. The service in the bar also tends to be slow and forgetful. I recommend the dining room if you want a nice meal where you can talk.
(4)
Dan V.
I drive by Pogacha almost daily and finally decided to give them a try. Big mistake. Bad parking, tired decor, at best mediocre food. I'll spend my hard earned money elsewhere.
(1)
Jeff A.
I can always find something new on the menu to satisfy my pasta craving here. Service and atmosphere is okay but the food is very good. One of the few places around that serves lamb chops. Reservations aren't usually necessary.
(3)
Mike F.
Poor service. Mediocre food. Poor parking. The ambiance is that of a Red Robin trying really hard to be classy, and failing.
(2)
Dan W.
Nothing stood out here, a little overpriced. Problem is that one of the Bob's at work likes the place so I am usually dragged, kicking and screaming to come for lunch. And then the job won't pick up the tab.
(2)
Cynthia H.
Great variety of food in Issaquah. This isn't the same as the Pogach of Bellevue, but is also worth going to. I also like the fact that you can have a private party here in the back rooms. If you want the best dish available, try the Dobar Chicken!!! Delicious!!
(4)
Angie S.
Love Pogacha! We usually do either Happy Hour or Lunch in the bar. The service is ALWAYS friendly and the food is excellent. We love the Pogacha Chop Salad. Try it sometime. AWESOME!
(4)
Krishna V.
Came here solely to compare it to its sister in Bellevue. Not a favorable comparison. There were a couple of items that it would be nice to see in Bellevue, but this ranks third on the Pogacha totem pole.
(2)
Veronica S.
I'm giving it 2 stars because it's not as gross as Denny's. The service is sub par. The menu is confusing... what are they good at? I can't tell. Prices are also high for what you get. Parking is horrible.
(2)
Crysta L.
Went on a Monday night. We ordered the Fire Warmed Goat Cheese for an appetizer -- was really good, had fire roasted red peppers and olives that were a yummy extra to the goat cheese. My only complaint is that they didn't serve it with enough bread but when I asked they did bring more. For dinner I ordered the Pear-Gorgonzola Ravioli. Really good! Rich sauce, great ravioli. Had great flavors! My boyfriend had the Tenderloin Steak with Gorgonzola. He got the pesto-mushroom risotto with his steak. Which was also yummy! Also tried their Washington wine flight. Great pairings and they seem to have a good selection of Washington wines. Service was ok -- the staff was nice but a bit slow.
(4)
Subbu A.
Go there only if you prefer overpriced menu and poor service. The waitresses have no idea about their menu and can make very poor suggestions. Never going there again.
(2)
shawna g.
when i first moved to issaquah 2 years ago, the pogacha's here were actually good and a great happy hour deal- then they were $5. but not too long after the price went up and the quality went way down. now the only thing i will eat there is the garlic fries and the fresh bread they bring to dip in oil- both of which are really good. i keep going back because i love their bar- it just has a really cozy feeling with the fire place and a nice patio for summer. they have great beer on tap and an awesome deal on pitchers during happy hour. the servers in the bar are always very nice and attentive. 4 stars for great bar atmosphere and good beer selection- 0 stars for food.
(4)
L. P.
Pogacha's food is okay. I enjoy going here for the happy hour (appetizers and drinks) on Thursday evenings.
(3)
Kevin S.
Haven't been back to pogachas for a few years, went for brunch one Saturday morning. The good news was immediate seating, usually a bad omen but undeserved in this case. I had the asparagus swiss and prosciutto scramble with bacon, the Mrs had the french toast. The scramble was really great, potatoes a bit greasy but good, bacon was thick cut but not crispy. French toast was odd as it was made from their flatbread, but got rave reviews. Most dishes were around $10. Bottom line, wont knock your socks off but pretty good.
(4)
Nic R.
We arrive 3:30 P.M. Two different host/servers asked if we would like to be seated, to which we said yes each time, we then proceeded to wait 10 minutes. The bar & seating are both were not full with customers. It too another 10 minutes to order. I order the Chicken Parm, my husband the Dobar Chicken, my son the Mac-n-Cheese. Also we order the Pogocha (flat bread) with Spinach, Sundried Tomato, & Goat cheese. The Chicken Parmesan was chewy rubbery. The side of pasta was so riddled with garlic that it was inedible. The Dobar Chicken was GROSS!!! Tasted like the used grave juice & yogart? The Mac-n-Cheese may have been microwaved. We did not order dessert.
(1)
Kim Q.
I love coming here for a casual dinner with my boyfriend. They are a part of the Passport discounts. I think that is the only reason why this place is our go to. It is close to our house, it is offered at a 2 for 1 and they have a great atmosphere. I suggest going only on Friday/Saturday because those are the only times they have prime rib - so yummy! Otherwise all of their other menu items are mediocre.
(3)
Allen U.
Pogacha is the name of the dough boys they serve with every meal--better than just the normal bread on the side -- and Awesome appetizer is the Bacon Jalepenos @ $10 Friday or Saturday are the best days to go--why you say? Well the Special of the Day is Prime Rib --try the 13 ounce @ $25 add a pint or pitcher for two of the primo Lucille IPA from the Manny's brewery @ only $10.50 and you got a nite on the town--they of course have an awesome Seafood Risotto @ $23 or the new Baby Back Ribs @ $24 for the full rack and a couple other things too--just ask the waitress what's good--this is your neighborhood go to kitchen--Yum Yum--cheers Al
(4)
Joey J.
I've eaten here about 20 times and the service has always been good and the food is always good. The four different people I've been here with like to eat here also.
(4)
Anjana A.
We came on a night there was a band. There is a $5 cover charge for being seated in that area even if you order drinks and dinner. Our table had 4 people and we all wanted individual checks so we were charged $20 cover charge. I thought that was strange, as some people at some tables ordered nothing and seemed like they did not have to pay anything at all. The food was pretty decent, we ordered chicken quesadillas, a shrimp scampi and a couple other dishes. They came with complimentary dinner rolls that were quite tasty. The selection of beers and cocktails was decent, we were really there for the music but wished there had been more specials on drinks. We had to flag down our server a lot initially as it was busy due to the band, later another server took over and service was better. However, I had to ask for some ice water several times before he brought it to me, although he always seemed to return with my drinks quickly. I might visit another time to try some more food, given there is ample parking.
(3)
Charlene L.
+ Lots of parking.. check! + Tasty sandwiches.. check! + Other lunch options like pasta, full on entrees, soups, and salads... check! + Passport dining card taken.. CHECK CHECK CHECK!!! Love this little gem.. heard they have 2 Bellevue locations too... bu
(4)
Heather S.
If you are looking for great food, excellent bands, "cheers" like atmosphere then this is your spot. We've been coming here for years and I always love the salmon Caesar salad. To die for. Servers are smart, friendly and mostly on the beautiful side. (Male and female). If you get Connie as your bartender, you will have hit the jackpot!!!
(5)
Sam K.
Been to this place for years. Their food is really good in taste. Good quantity for the price. On the weekend, the seating was quick. But service that day was sloooooow. Been decent at other times. Also good interior. The waiter was not as friendly as expected. Was just doing his job. But other staff was warm and welcoming. It is family friendly.
(4)
Dick B.
Pogacha is an "old friend" and we just can't figure out why we haven't been back lately. Until tonight. An inconspicuous Sunday dinner to be had, we were in the neighborhood and decided "why not?" We're glad we did. This is one of those places which seems to have the kind of menu which can appeal to a wide variety of folks. That's because it has a wide variety of items on the menu. many perfect comfort foods, priced right, tasting great and served quickly and perfectly. Tonight we were in the mood for simple comfort foods so our lasagna, a huge portion actually on special on Sundays and a Sherry Basil Chicken came quickly and steaming to our table. Best thing is we now have another meal for early this week too. The ownership hasn't strayed far from the original Pogacha and continues to appeal to locals. Steve King, the owner/general manager is usually on hand to make sure things run smoothly. Really his staff can make it happen consistently right but congrats are in order for keeping this gem headed in the right direction!
(4)
Cyndi C.
We had a lunch meeting here and got there a little early. It was great to get seated right away. We both ended up ordering the salad with fresh pear. We were able to add our choice of meat. It was a nice place to have a business lunch. The server was very friendly and attentive. We used the Passport Unlimited card here. I've also been here for several business and club meetings.
Service was slow and the food was very average. The good news is, it was also over priced! I gave it a 3 because the flavor of the food was descent.
(3)
Sarah R.
I just realized it's been a couple years since my last review... time flies I tell you! Happy Hour: Anyhow, this is still a great place to go for a HH and Thursdays are still ALL NIGHT Happy Hour in the bar. I've had HH in small groups and large (about 12 for a team event) and have been able to score a spot no problem (of course, the earlier you get there the better as it does fill up rather fast!) Lunch: Sometimes we come here for lunch as well - my friend is obsessed with the Dobar Chicken and I've been known to get down on a salad or two. The little pogies they bring out are always warm and delicious and yes, they'll bring you more, you just have to ask. Service: The service is hit or miss. There's a gal who works the lunch shift that wears entirely TOO much perfume - yuck! There's still the crazy lady in the bar during HH. Lunch service can be a little slow so if you're pressed for time I would let your server know - otherwise they'll take their time.
(3)
Amanda S.
My mom and I came in for a late lunch and were nicely greeted by the bartender joe who let us know the bar was only open. No bother for us! He was attentive and let us know about the daily special which we got and it was delicious! People seriously need to give some slack. No one is a professional food critic and this place definitely deserves more than a three star.
(5)
S. D.
This place is completely confusing. The food and ambiance is always very good. The pear gorgonzola pasta is amazing, you cant go wrong with it. The two downsides? The staff is completely lack luster. They are in no hurry to help and are super passive and seem to only kind of care. There is one waitress that is fabulous, but most others are just.... Well meh. The womens bathroom is nicely decorated but ALWAYS a mess. Its like its cleaned every few days instead of every few hours. Every time I go there is toilet paper all over the floors, the seat liner holder is falling off the wall and the trashcan has had its lis removed and just looks bad. When I come in paying a fair amount of money for dinner, the least that can happen is a clean bathroom.
(3)
Teri B.
Great personalities Awesome Food! Amazing wines on Tap!! All round great meal we will be back
I really like this place! My boyfriend and our friends frequent this restaurant for dinner and drinks. Their pogachas are awesome! I've enjoyed a variety of great meals at Pogacha. The food is excellent and so is the ambiance.
(5)
Gina M.
Just had a very disappointing dinner experience at Pogacha. We've been several times before and have always had good meals. We brought out of town guests thinking we'd have another good experience. We were very disappointed. The restaurant is looking very dingy and run down. It was a little embarrassing to bring visitors to a restaurant that looks so badly in need of a deep clean at the very least. To be perfectly honest it needs a complete overhaul. Our server brought us water glasses that were, to be blunt, filthy. They were dull, had numerous water marks and smudged lipstick on the rims of most of the glasses on our table. None of us touched the water. My husband had to scrape residue out of his wine glass before our server poured our wine. The meals were mediocre at best. Even the Pogacha 'pizzas', their signature dish, were awful. If we were not on such a tight timeline due to a theater outing, we would have complained to management or walked out. It's a sad state of affairs when the best part of a meal is the Andes mint at the end. I'll be spending my restaurant dollars elsewhere in future.
(1)
Michael G.
Went for lunch yesterday. Had the pogacha burger (lamb and beef), it was juicy and good. Opted for the side caesar salad, it was nothing special. My wife had the chicken madeira pasta. It was rich in a good way but not my kind of dish. The atmosphere was nice, clean with quality finishes. I was surprised that we hadn't stopped in before, as accessible the location is, right off Gilman Blvd. At the end of the day, however, nothing was so spectacular that I would remember here over another similar restaurant. I realize they're known for their pogachas, which aren't enticing enough to want to try but I would go back to try something else based on their potential and nice atmosphere.
(3)
Jesy B.
We came here for some drinks and despite having just eaten one of those gigantic Costco hot dogs ended up getting some nibbles. Service was pretty prompt in terms of getting a drink - weird they have no cocktail menu but oh well - and they're stiff on the pours we had. We were enticed by the happy hour Pogacha (flatbreads) and went with the bacon, artichoke hearts and tomato one. Quite tasty. It seems more elegantly appointed in the dining area with a more casual feel in the bar where we sat. TVs were viewable from any seat. Overall, a decent pick for a happy hour or drink.
(4)
Mishy S.
In general, this place has a lovely atmosphere and I've never had a bad meal here. The Dijon Chicken Pasta is to die for! Many of their other pasta dishes are also really good but the Dijon one is just creamy dream-worthy goodness in a bowl. Also, great salads and appetizers. I am always the only 20-year old in the place, but that's to be expected in Issaquah. Generally attracts a bit of an older crowd. Service can be great or weirdly inattentive depending on the day and server.
(4)
Stacey P.
How have I not reviewed Pogacha? I have been going to Pogacha for the past four years and have found myself missing it if I go too long in between visits. Parking can be a bit of a challenge on a busy night, but they are usually very quick to seat people. The atmosphere is very nice. The restaurant is divided into many different adjoining rooms allowing quite a few people to be seated without having to shout to be heard. It has a very relaxed atmosphere, soft light and softer color tones. The booths are where it's at since the center tables can feel a bit crowded for me if there is a lot of people in the restaurant. Now Pogacha has a standard size menu with a few pasta dishes, some fish dishes, and even some lamb dishes. I have never had these. I go to Pogacha for the pogachas. Pogacha is the oven baked bread that the restaurant is named after, and they serve these pizza style dishes on them that are individual sized that are without tomato sauce. I find their pogachas to be absolutely delicious, soft and light and easy to devour without much thought. And now they have weekend brunch! I had a delicious salmon sandwich on pogacha bread that was light and cooked perfectly. Service is usually good, but nothing that really sticks out. Seriously, it is worth visiting if you love pizza type dishes!
(4)
Julie O.
Had lunch today here and it was the most unflavored and bland food i had for years. Not recommending going there.
(2)
patricia h.
I've written a positive review for Pogacha before, so this is an update. It seems like the prices have gone up and the quality and service down. Last time we were here I ordered the spicy beef salad which I usually enjoy, but that time the meat was chewy and there was way, way too much dressing. I thought it may have been an off day. Yesterday I went with the Greek Tuna Salad and specifically asked if it was canned tuna or fresh tuna steak. The waitress assured me it was fresh tuna and she'd "never seen it in a can." It was totally Chicken of the Sea. Which is perfectly OK and probably tasty, but I personally associate it with cat food and never would have ordered it. So, I asked for an RPM Omelete instead. When delivered (after hubs and kid were done eating) it was the Spinach & Goat cheese omelete. If you read my past review, I stand by that it is super tasty an a good choice. Just not what I ordered. The waitress said it was "so weird" that this happened and to their credit - did not charge for my meal. We also ordered a Pogacha flat bread to go, specifically with marinara sauce (their default is without) for our kid to eat later. When she opened the box later - no sauce. Not sure if it is a training issue or if they just aren't paying attention, but its such a shame. Hope they bring their standards back up, it is a good option for family dining if you get what you order.
(2)
Mac F.
We have dined here a few times. We find them serviceable but nothing outstanding. Nothing stands out. Restaurant offers somewhat limited entree menu. We have tried some of their appetizers (fried calamari, chicken quesadillas ... pretty good), liked some of their entrees (braised lamb shank, veal marsala, pork medallions), but, for "Mediterranean" (?) restaurant, they fall flat with their pasta dishes ("meh" on Grecian prawns,chicken Dijon, and some dark purple pasta thing I had way back when). Service is inconsistent (fair to poor). They seem to focus on and do well with "happy hour" crowd. Their small plates appear good. But, for diners, that may be a good time to avoid. Their very small parking gets overwhelmed and it is vey difficult to maneuver back there.
(3)
Ray B.
I think 3 stars defines this restaurant. Nothing has ever been bad, but nothing has ever been great either. Service is decent, sometimes it takes too long to get attention. However, I come back time and time again for the purple dish, very unique.
(3)
Alexandra F.
Some friends and I decided to give this place a shot and sounded like their Happy Hour menu would be ok. Less to be desired! Bruchetta was hard/chewy, tomatoes not fresh and a pound of melted cheese was the topper. Nasty! Garlic fries tasted like they were deep fried in old fishy oil. Chicken Wings had feathers, yes feathers! And the steak bites were tough, chewy and flavorless. Adding the mushroom sauce didn't help much.Oh...and a cloudy pitcher of Mac N Jacks was the icing on the cake or was it feeling sick at 4am?? Willl never go back for Happy Hour or any other meal for tha matter.
(1)
Heather T.
I'm so glad my husband stumbled upon this restaurant earlier this week and brought home it's menu. We went for the first time tonight and can't wait to share it with friends. Wonderful Croatian/ Mediterranean flavored food. The steamed clams were awesome and our dinners were just as good. Enjoy!
(3)
Lorrin C.
Been going there from time to time over the years. Have pretty much stuck with my favorite, Chicken Madeira Ravioli, as I always enjoy the flavor. Added a balsamic dressed salad with a portion of caprese on the side of the plate, both were tasty. Help is attentive and knowledgeable. Prices for dinner are around $15-25 which is for the entree. There are other things on the menu, pogacha (pizza), beef, etc. Oh and the fresh baked Pogachas (buns) are so enjoyable.
(3)
Scott A.
I Love the Staff and the Food is delicious, think they could change the Happy Hour menu up a bit however they award Loyalty with frequent diner points along with a generous Happy Hour! Live Music on the weekends is always Fun, just wish they had more room for dancing! Patio when the weathers nice is one of the best in Issaquah!
(5)
Sara M.
Despite the server bringing me a salad I didn't actually order (it was quickly fixed) our evening was deliciously pleasant. I ordered the Sweet & Spicy Beef salad and it was awesome. This says a lot considering I am someone who is so picky on flavors & textures that is prevents me from trying anything out of the ordinary. Last night I branched out and was happily surprised! Our server was very kind & helpful and we were sat quickly. It was 8pm on a Thursday so I am sure that helped because considering the size of this place, it seems as though it could accommodate a high volume of customers. They offer bread (their yummy, wood fire toasted 'Pogacha rolls') & oil/vinegar when you sit down which was a nice start to a wonderful evening. Another bonus is that this place is on the Passport card. You buy one meal and you get another FREE. Can't beat that and because of this and the tasty food & decent service I will be returning for sure.
(4)
Mark L.
I went here for happy hour on a Friday. Food was ok. Cheap prices on booze. Wait staff is old and so are the customers. Seriously I think everyone here was over 50. Seems very cliquish.
(2)
Claire S.
Been here several times over the years. Entrees are great and their little pogacha break thingies are TO DIE FOR. Service is wonderful. Definitely a great place. They're also insanely patient-- went there one time with a group and two of us (not me, thank god) started loudly arguing about politics. They didn't throw us out! Amazing!!! It's got an elegant atmosphere and it great for lunch or for dinner.
(4)
Jet Z.
Great service with decent food. Recommend Prawns pasta. It's nice that you can use Prime Card even for brunch.
(4)
Nancy B.
I went here a few weeks ago and I thought the food was really delicious. The kids menu was great, only 99 cents for a meal. We used our passport card and got buy 1 get 1 free, so it made a very inexpensive lunch for us. We will be back, wonderful food! My only complaint was it was a little dark in there, they could use some more lighting, but that's all.
(5)
Jens J.
I hadn't been to Pogacha since my pre-Yelp days so I thought the time was right to do lunch here today. I did so before checking out the Yelp reviews for Pogacha. Wow, I think a few people were swilling Haterade as they were typing up their reviews. I actually had a good lunch here today, so 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. The worst thing I can say about Pogacha is that they play "lite jazz" (albeit very softly) on their sound system. They had totally revamped the menu since I was last here. Now, they emphasize that they have Adriatic cuisine. Not knowing precisely where Adriatic was, I looked up Adriatic Sea on Wikipedia. It's the chunk of Mediterranean water between Italy and the Balkan countries of Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania. So yes, there was typical Italian fare on the menu. But there was also Phad Thai and halibut & chips. That is Adriatic cuisine? Hmmm. The dining room, decorated in butter and loden hues, was certainly original. A plastic grape vine with little lights snaked around the walls underneath the moldings. On one wall were Chihuly-like glass pieces the size of dinner plates. And on the wall next to me was a large jagged piece of paint stripped off, revealing drywall. I doubt that was intentional design. I ordered a cup of sausage & bean soup and the pear and gorgonzola ravioli. I liked the soup. But what surprised me about the soup (nay, shocked!) was that it had cilantro in it and that I still liked it. If you read my reviews you know that I hiss like a cat when I get a taste of cilantro in my mouth. However, this soup had cilantro in such a light touch I actually found it quite decent. In miniscule quantities, cilantro has a nice citrus flavor. The ravioli, served with very thin slices of pear was perfect in all respects, except for one small note. I didn't so much care for the flavor of the candied pecan topping. It reminded me of either Cracker Jacks or butter toffee. Oh, and I loved the complimentary rolls (they're just like the ones my mom used to make!). I would return here for lunch. Service was fine.
(4)
Julie E.
Hats off to Pogacha for their Chicken Dorba! I visited for dinner after church while spending the holiday weekend in Issaquah with family, and I was impressed. The decor, the service and the food were all memorable. This is a cheap chain restaurant. They aren't in the kitchen microwaving your food so of course it takes more time than hitting the drive thru. So when you are open to waiting for your food to be prepared, you aren't harried or already annoyed by other events, and you're not jaded already from being 'forced' to go.. stop in at Pogacha. Frankly I hope that none of you who were so hateful DO go back, at least not when I'm there. Life is to short to be waylaid by whiners.
(4)
sally j.
FOOD ALLERGIES? DON'T GO HERE! had dinner at issaquah pogacha and my partner let the server know he was allergic to dairy (and explained what was included in dairy). He was served a double order of veggies cooked in butter. He realized it a third of the way through by taste and asked her. she dismissed it "no, they weren't." he kept eating. she came back 5 min later to say, "oops, i'll get you new veggies." she seemed fairly unconcerned and deducted a glass of wine from the bill, instead of the meal that made him sick. this is unacceptable and we will not be back.
(1)
Jessie F.
Very disappointing experience. Overall, the service is OK but the food is at least 25% overpriced for what you actually get. I've had frozen dinner that were tastier. We had allergy concerns and they were either ignored or forgotten. Here's what happened: we dined at Pogacha for the first time last night after waiting for a special occasion to visit. I should add here that we actually tried to dine there the night before, but the live music was so loud it literally caused pain. Anyway, we went back last night since my mother-in-law was in town. The service was nice but slow. We ordered an appetizer (artichoke dip) and we each got a salad: an under-dressed, underwhelming caesar, the Patrick salad, and the grilled beet and goat cheese salad (note: beets were cold and crunchy). The dip was pretty good. For our entrees we ordered the crab manacotti (because they informed us after we ordered that they did not have one of our original entree choices), the rosemary skewered scallops over risotto, and the pear gorgonzola ravioli. Now we had some allergy concerns: my fiance is allergic to nuts, so we made sure he could get the ravioli sans walnuts, and I am allergic to basil. It took about 10 minutes to find out if it would be possible to make the risotto without basil - we were assured it would be. When the food arrived (via a different waitress), we triple checked with her: "No walnuts and no basil, correct?" and she seemed affronted that we would even ask. "Yes...of course!" was her response. While the crab manacotti was wonderful, the ravioli and the scallop dishes were very underwhelming. The ravioli was an $18 plate, but it was a tiny portion. The scallops are described as being over risotto, which is not accurate. I received scallops over a side of soggy steamed veggies with a small portion of "risotto" - I've had Rice-a-Roni that tasted better than that. The risotto tasted ok, but was clearly overcooked and it seemed like it had been sitting too long in whatever container it was in; it was dry and utterly inelegant. The scallops were soggy and somewhat undercooked. About two bites into our entrees, my fiance asked us to investigate something suspiciously nutty. Sure enough, we found several walnut halves. By this point, I was starting to get upset. Our waitress was duly horrified and quickly made sure to take it off our bill, and she even offered us a free dessert. About 10 minutes later, I started feeling ill. I wasn't sure if I was being paranoid because of the ravioli, but I didn't eat much of my scallops. We paid the check and left. Sure enough, not 5 minutes after we got home, I broke out it hives and swelled up like a balloon. It was a relatively mild reaction compared to how it could have been, thank goodness, but even so, I was irate. I called the restaurant and left a message on their voicemail (no response yet). Needless to say, I will never return to Pogacha.
(1)
Justin H.
Interesting to see so many negatives on Pogacha. Some facts to hopefully drive clarity: * Yummy, endless yeast bread with olive oil and balsamic * Not as classy as they'd like you to think... think Applebees. * Crayons on tables for grown ups too * Pretty good entrees * Great salads * A little pricey, but if you've got a prime card, it's right on. * Pecan pie a la mode = heaven
(4)
Art Y.
Although my daughter has been to this place a few times, the rest of us have not and we visited this restaurant as a family for the first time last weekend. Physical arrangements: The restaurant looked like it was previously a home and was converted into a restaurant. However, the owner has spaced out the tables well and I certainly did not feel cramped and there was plenty of room to breathe; i.e. privacy was reasonable. Noise level is average because sound seem to bounce quite a bit in the inner room which we were in. We had a window seat that looked into their little garden with herbs and bushes --- it was pleasing. I would give a 3.5 stars for this area. People: The hostess was polite and put on a warm smile when we met her. Waiter was warm and unpretentious. He was helpful and very attentive. The only possible improvement I can suggest to him is to speak a little softer --- the volume of his voice was a little too loud for an evening at an Italian restaurant. Manager took the time to visit our table when she found out we were there the first time --- that was a nice touch. This area of their performance deserves a 4-star. For my ranking scale, a 4-star is excellent. I only give a 5-star when the performance is over and beyond exceptional. Food: most important to me I ordered their pasta special which came with Chilean crab and sole fish mixed with a light sauce, which if I recall correctly, was white-wine based. The seafoods were fresh and the pasta was firm. It is certainly well above average but not tip-top --- 3.5 star, perhaps. My wife ordered another pasta entree with prawn and some spicy sauce (don't remember the name) which was a little too spicy for her. I sampled a little of it and found it tastier than my dish. I thought her dish deserves a 4-star. The other orders were a BBQ pizza and tomato-basil pizza. Both came with doughs that were baked just right. I have also sampled them and they were 3.5-4 star pizzas. For dessert, we decided to share a Tiramisu ('cos we were quite full). The cocoa, strong coffee, heavy creme and generous rum served to make this dessert a kicker. Certainly a full 4-star dessert. All in all, as you can probably tell, it is a 3.5 to 4 star experience. I will be back.
(4)
David P.
If you live on the east side, want to dine outside, and have a child, Pogacha is one of the few restaurants that allows you to do so--and also has excellent service and above-average food. When the temp got over 80 and my wife and I wanted to dine outside with our toddler, we found that most restaurants only have outdoor dining for patrons 21+ (for an extension of their bar). Finding Pogacha was a nice treat! The wait staff were all very attentive, and I was really impressed with the quality of the noodle dish they served for my child. She can be pretty finicky, but she ate quite heartily! I agreed with her assessment, as I found their Salmon Fettucini to be excellent. The only reason I didn't give a full 5 stars is that my wife's dish was average quality. The wine, on the other hand, was quite good! Bottom line; if you have kids, want to dine outside, and are looking for good Italian on the east side, I recommend Pogacha. We'll definitely go back!
(4)
Annie F.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving last year -- around November 26th or so, my daughter-in-law had a surprise birthday party for her husband [my hubby's son, my step-son]. It was a catered dinner. Because I have severe food allergies, my daughter-in-law told me that she had asked the restaurant to bring me a menu [big kudos to my daughter-in-law!!!]. But, when the food arrived, I found that there were many things that I could eat so I didn't need the menu. The food was wonderful. I don't normally eat at Italian restaurants [my family was Italian, so I ate Italian food every day for years, and years, and years] but I would definitely drive back to Issaquah to eat at this restaurant again. Keep up the good work Pogacha!!!! As I was leaving I told the staff at the front desk that the next time I went to Yelp I was going to write a wonderful review of their restaurant, so here it is!!!
(5)
Lynette W.
I have been here several times for lunch and happy hour. It can be a little hit and miss. The bread is good, sometimes the oil/vinegar mixture they serve you is proportionately off. Happy hour food tends to be good, liked the satay and steak bites quite a bit. The tomato basil bisque is always tasty. One work lunch we were told the soup of the day was potato cheddar. We got excited and ordered it, but then were brought out broccoli cheddar. I guess the special put on the board was an accident. It was literally broccoli florets with a cheese sauce over it, it wasn't a soup at all. They were apologetic and got us some tomato basil for free instead. The service is always good. The water is fine.
(3)
Amy S.
I've been coming here for about 15 years now. I can't say too much about the menu, as I found my dish on the first trip and never looked back. Chicken Dijon is brilliant, garlicky and amazing. Service is fantastic, very accommodating and not pushy or pressured. Go for lunch, though. The prices are much more reasonable.
(5)
Shana N.
Thursday night is all night happy hour! How much fun is that?! Went last night on a date, sat outside, basked in the sun and ate some great food for cheap! I have some nice color today, glad it's finally summer and was happy to enjoy the sunshine on the Pogacha patio! Tried the steak bites again and they were excellent, cooked just right! Had the garlic cheese fries, I still smell like garlic today, I'm a fan! Also had the chicken quesidilla which was cheesy goodness. We had 2 different waitresses because of a shift change, both were good, prompt, no complaints there. The first waitress kindly put up with our dillema of what food to order, she was very patient. Of course on our way out it was Denise who thanked us for coming in, she is so friendly! She wasn't even waiting on us last night! She always makes me feel welcome!
(4)
Michael P.
Love Pogacha. Don't come here often enough. Their pastas are crafted with thought behind them and the rest of their menu, especially the Pogacha pizzas, is great. Great service, killer happy hour. Try the tomato bisque soup...for all ages. Took my son here for the first time and he loves it!!! He took one bite of their soup and said 'O....M....G....This is the best soup EVER!'.
(5)
E H.
Stopped here for dinner on a whim a while back. Service was friendly enough, though a bit slow at times, which was puzzling as it didn't seem that busy/understaffed. Decor is okay, but seems a bit shabby and mismatched. I'm silly and like doodling on paper tablecloth toppers, so thanks to the waitress for not giving me any attitude for giving me crayons to do so *love* Food ranged from bland/tasteless to straight up unappetizing. Salads were much better than our entrees. I am not entirely sure what cuisine they are trying to specialize in, their self description makes it seem vaguely Italian with a Mediterranean bend but it seemed like a jumble of standard-fare restaurant food and a smattering of random things like pad thai (which was honestly appalling) alongside Dobar chicken and their specialty flatbread pogacha things. Friendly but overpriced and feels tired/rundown. I know times are tight, but try paring down the menu to a smaller selection of dishes you can really nail instead of trying to do it all and doing it poorly.
(2)
Carly L.
Today I had a meeting for work and we had lunch here. It was actually quite enjoyable! The room was nicely decorated and private. The lunch was buffet and everything was tasty. I ate some salad, some pasta, some bread, and potatoes. YUMS. The staff was highly attentive and my glass of water was never empty. I will definitely come back to try something else on the menu. Thank you again to the staff of Pogacha for being so great.
(4)
Nick B.
We had a banquet here. The service was awful and the food was bland. The dessert I ordered was pumpkin cheesecake and a peanut butter cheesecake came. I tried it anyway, it was old and tasted like refrigerator. The salad was bland, oily and had no flavor, it just tasted like plain lettuce. The pork tenderloins were bland and so were the roasted vegetables that came with it. The pork was fatty and overcooked. To their credit my wife's steak was prepared well but her roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes were bland as well. This restaurant is overpriced and is not worth the money, I will not be returning.
(1)
Malia F.
We came in for lunch. I had heard that they had good salads, I am a sucker for salads. The space is very cute, a little hard to find. I ordered the spinach salad, and truthfully I was very underwhelmed. My guest had the chopped salad, and she had to make her own additional dressing with the balsamin/oil that was served with the bread. We also had their pogacha bread sampler, this was too cheesy for my liking. They ran out of iced tea... Maybe it was just a bad day...
(2)
Nestor P.
Living of fame, this is a very expensive place that now is not dealing properly with the fame and becoming expensive and poor quality (Food and service). I did a group dinner there and I regret my decision. The food was really bad even that we agreed on the menu in advance. We were 45 people and the "restaurant" decided to assign only 1 person to manage drinks and food orders! the food quality was not the bed and really the overall experience could be better. Also parking here is a nightmare because the private lot is really small and there is not option to park close to the restaurant that living in issaquah = get wet!
(2)
Eric W.
This was my first time eating at Pogacha. There was a group of us in the bar and seating was very cramped. But that's beside the point. I had the Pear-Gorgonzola Ravioli with candied walnuts. It could have been fantastic, but the gorgonzola was not a good grade at all (too sharp and acidic, not smooth!) The only brand of gorgonzola I've had like this is the Stella brand already crumbled, cheap! But I could be wrong on what they used. The pears were absent from the dish except for a fan of garnish made of unripened ones. I also had some Hot & Spicy Jerk Wings, which were not good at all either. It tasted like poultry seasoning, but there was no "Hot & Spicy!" I was burping this up for hours. Blue cheese dressing (instead of Ranch) might have helped the wings. One plus was the bread and balsamic & olive oil, which was tasty. Overall, I was very disappointed to get mediocre food for that price! And rounding out the evening, several of us had intestinal distress later.
(1)
Erin W.
Went here Friday night for dinner. The food was great and the restaurant was beautiful! I had the lasagna and my boyfriend had the steak and we ordered a side of rosotto all very good and the complimentary bread given is addicting! It is also on the Prime card which was a added bonus. The only negative was it was tough to find a parking spot their lot is kind of small. We will definitely be coming back.
(4)
Quinn C.
Wife and I have gone here a few times lately - we look for new happy hour places occasionally. Okay drinks, pretty good food, average service. We will avoid for a while though... the clientele here is a little on the older side (40-50 yo some-things) which is our age group. But it's cutthroat to try and get a table. Both times people ran past us to get an open table, they shift tables when other people leave, always jockeying for the best spot, and absolutely don't care if they just took your table (when they arrived after you). A customer came and took a chair from our table (didn't ask, just did it). It was pretty amazing... wife and I said maybe it's the generation of people who go here (i.e. "I need to get mine"), but seriously it was very blatant. The staff doesn't seat you when you arrive, you're just kind of on your own to find a table in the bar. Because of this we're giving it a break for a while... fighting for a table sets a bad tone for the rest of the visit, don't want to deal with that when we want to go somewhere to relax and unwind for happy hour.
(2)
Inness P.
Wow! I'm not sure why there are so many negative reviews--I'd probably give it 4 stars, but I haven't been there for a while. I've always loved Pogacha, however...especially the bread that they give you to nibble before you're served.
(3)
Mandi E.
The service was a bit slow but very friendly. The food was wonderful and I would go there again in the future.
(4)
Jack R.
I don't know what has happened to Pogacha in Issaquah, we have been customers for over 10 years, since the remodel you did things have drastically changed for the worse. We had dinner on Friday 11-16, I could not believe the portion size of the Dijon Chicken has shrunk so much, for $16.00, I felt cheated and robbed. My wife had the Gorgonzola Ravioli, the sauce was way to thick and heavy, again value to price, not worth it. We split a Caesar salad, there was barely enough dressing, dry and again, small portion for a lot of money. The service, our server was Kendall, we hate even coming in there with the thought of him waiting on us, he is abrupt, loud and obnoxious with his (what he thinks) charismatic way. The guy needs to take it down a few notches. What happened to some of the other staff that used to be there, the lady manager with blonde hair, would at least come by the table to check on things, there seemed to be a lady manager there on Friday, she never even acknowledged any of the customers, a smile on her face would also help. Why did you get rid of the staff that at least knew what customer service was. I was already wondering why on a Friday night it was not as busy as usual. I understand that you have charge to make a profit, but 2 pasta dishes, 1 salad, 1 glass of wine and 1 martini (which by the way $14 for a Martini?..Really? for a total bill of $75.00 plus I have to tip an awful waiter. Needles to say, after all these years, we wont be back, if I am going to spend that kind of money, I expect a better value and service, I suggest before you loose more loyal customer you make some drastic changes and review your food and service standards. Too bad, we really enjoyed going to Pogacha at least 2-3 times a month, always recommending it to friends and family, not anymore.
(2)
Jocelyn E.
We've spent Mother's Day brunch here. And I am never coming back. Ever. I will be *cough, cough* deathly ill and "on my way to the hospital" rather than come here if anyone ever suggests it. And I'd rather die of starvation before coming back here on my own free will. The experience started out "no bueno". I was on crutches. You think the hostess could have slowed down her walking so that I could actually follow her across the dining floor. No, of course not, that would have been considerate. Overlooking that, I looked forward to the fact that it was a buffet. I mean, the (supposedly) nice thing about buffets is that there is something for everyone. Me, I'm a huge fan of omelets, so that's where I always start out. I asked for spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and bacon. They didn't have spinach, and they didn't have tomatoes (they did have some salsa mix - and despite what the guy behind the stove was telling me, they are not the same). I took one bite of my omelet. It was terrible. It was bitter and left this bitter aftertaste in my mouth, which I spent the next 5 minutes and several drinks to try to wash out of my mouth. I don't know if the eggs went bad or -what- it was just GROSS. Back to the buffet line... The only thing that saved me from complete starvation is the fact that they had a ton of fruit. Not a big variety, but I can deal with a plate full of strawberries and pineapple and melons. Thank God too, because I would have probably fainted of hunger waiting for the rest of the family to finish stuffing their faces with the few edible items they were able to pick (mostly pastries - and let me tell you, I've worked as a pastry chef before and there's not way I'm ever eating a pastry again). On the way out I was given a dead rose by the staff ("A rose for all the moms!"). Happy Mother's Day, huh?
(1)
shein p.
Things that are embarrassing: * Running into an ex at the grocery store... with your post-workout stink on. * Forgetting to press the mute button before shit-talking the boss during a phone conference. and * Voluntarily hanging out in Issaquah after work instead of heading straight back to Ballard. Oh, yes. I have done it--more than once, even. I have noticed that the service has gone down hill over the last year; otherwise I'd have given it 4 stars just for the bread and drinks. I recommend the bar over the dining room; it's much more relaxed, has the happy hour specials, and still has the full menu available as long as the kitchen is open. The parking is annoying, but it's gotten easier with the crappy economy. The beer list is decent, and their bartenders have poured well for me. I do miss $10 bottle of wine night, though! The food is hit or miss--I've had to send back an overcooked steak (I mean leather here, not just a little tan) and the salads are ALWAYS overdressed with way too much oil--but I am almost always pleased if I order a pogacha (it's like a pizza, only without the red sauce). Melty cheese + fresh bread + beer = happy girl. Usually there is live music on the weekends, and there's even Happy Hour after 9 on Saturdays. Not a bad eastside option for those who don't want to truck it to Bellevue.
(3)
kristin m.
I was hoping my first visit here would prove the bad reviews wrong but unfortunately I have to agree. The hostess/waitress was very unfriendly and my food was not great either. I ordered a pasta dish and when it was served I noticed there was no pasta! It was just the chicken and sauce! I told the waitress and she went to replace it. It was then served with pasta which was very overcooked - it was like mush! When the waitress realized I was not eating and asked if I wanted a box I showed it to her and she shrugged her shoulders and walked off. It was so weird! Needless to say we probably won't be back.
(2)
Brandie G.
Food was good, but definitely pricey! Loved the pre-dinner bread. Happy hour I would love to check out. Seems to have some good deals for food and drinks then.
(4)
Karla F.
Although I wasn't as annoyed as others by the parking, I will agree with everyone about the mediocre food and slow service. We came here for a staff lunch at the request of the Big Boss. Everyone described their food as "just okay". I had the penne bolognese and with the exception of the sausage, the rest didn't have much taste. It's not often that I have to salt and pepper an italian dish with a cream sauce involved. My parmesan was clumped together, which hinted that the meal may have been reheated prior to bringing it out to the table. We waited forever for our meals, although our server did a great job of keeping our drinks full. I did love, love, love the warm flatbread they placed on the table when we sat down. But it annoyed me that I couldn't really tell what their specialty was - the menu is all over the place.
(2)
Gene D.
Update 08/07/07: Lunch meeting here has changed my mind a bit. The coleslaw is an original and thankfully arrived without that mayo stuff usually mixed in. Heard about Halibut & Chips and tried it. Tasty! I'm adding a star... First Review: Love the staff and drinks, hate the food. Most beef is classified as Choice, Select or Prime. Here I would rate it as Microwaved Cardboard Paste. Who knows, maybe USDA would consider a fourth quality rating!
(3)
Mike B.
Fantastic service here. The food is good and well presented. The menu selection isn't huge but I appreciate what is there. I do prefer to eat in the bar rather than the back and it can be a bit noisy when busy, but I find it more comfortable. While not really a thai place, they often have a phad thai this is pretty flavorful.
(4)
Perry R.
Met my bf here. Awesome place. Terrific food and service!!!
(5)
Amphigorey X.
I had the Eggplant Parmesan, it was worse than a tv dinner and 3x the price.
(2)
Caroline O.
I've always wanted to check out Pogacha because I heard they had great food. We went to the Issaquah location for my birthday and we were all disappointed. Not a single person greeted us and after 10 minutes of sitting in the bar area we had to ask for water. You'd think that if one person asked for water, that you'd bring water for the other three but it didn't happen and we had to ask individually as the server would just bring one and walk away. It was 8pm and it was not busy yet staff was walking around no one was making eye contact with us. All four of us work in the food and beverage industry and beyond disappointed with the lack of service. The menu was great but the customer service is unfortunately lacking and needs improvement.
(2)
Susan H.
Great and tastey food but not very good value for what they charge. For example their signature dish, "Dobar Chicken" which costs $12.95 for lunch comes with half a chicken breast; that is to say they take a chicken breast and cut it in half through the middle so it's very thin. I guess that (although it was delicious) I was offended that they wouldn't give me a whole chicken breast (which we all know costs $1 or less at Costco so I'm sure they pay less) considering how much they were charging me. The same dish is $17.50 for dinner and comes with one whole chicken breast (sliced into 2 pieces). Delicious salads, pizzas and Pogachas (flatbread they bake fresh in their wood burning oven)! Service is hit and miss (although everyone is always pleasant), sometimes great and sometimes your waitress never checks on drink refills ect...
(2)
John G.
Went in early August 2011. Had low expectations as M went to their Bellevue shop a few years back and was disappointed. This was much different. Nice ambiance, very good service, nice menu with a range of prices. the food was good, well presented, We enjoyed this place and will return
(3)
Cory C.
My wife and I have been here a number of times over the years, hoping the food will get better. Unfortunately it has not. I've always found it to be bland and pretty boring. I love the atmosphere of the bar, but the food really does need improvement. The all-day happy hour on Thursday's is a great option for Issaquah too, but again, please redo the menu and then we'll return.
(2)
Ed B.
About a month ago, my wife's parents came to visit us and as they had never been to the Northwest, we did our best to make sure they had a positive experience all-around. There was one downer the whole week and it was Pogacha. I feel bad that I can't remember what anyone else ordered, save that they all agreed their food was bland and unimpressive. I'm a firm believer in the "you don't go to a seafood restaurant and order the steak" so I ordered their Greek (I believe?) Pogacha. It was acceptable, but rather expensive for what it was: a couple of tapatias with feta and olives and stuff. The prices were exorbitant considering how mediocre the food was. We traded samples of each other's dishes to see if we were off the mark, and well, sad to say we weren't. Towards the end of the meal, I pulled out my phone and checked the Yelp reviews and found every negative or mediocre review echoing our own experience and wondering wtf the positive and rave reviewers were smoking and where I could get some. It would have to be some pretty powerful sh*t to make this place seem awesome and the food anything but a cut above the stuff I feed my cat out of cans. The restaurants reminds me of tiny restaurants converted out of strip mall units, and the vibe is very much that of low class trying way too hard to act high class. If they would unify their menu into one theme, ditch the "Italian" attempt, drop their prices about 30% across the menu, and change the decor a bit to suit, they'd probably increase their repeat business a good deal. I know for sure that we won't be going back. Oh, and the parking. Yeah, totally didn't notice the EPIC POTHOLE that you could hide a small country in. And no, there isn't enough parking for a restaurant that size. Sorry, there just isn't. All that said, while scanning the local events section of the paper last night, my wife mentioned there was a band playing at Pogacha and it seemed that it was the only thing going on in Issaquah. We didn't feel like driving more than a few minutes and they were the only game in town. We almost conceded the point until she noticed, and I quote "Nevermind, it's the house band so they probably suck too." We went to the Gaslamp instead and had an enjoyable evening of drinks and food that met our expectations at a reasonable price. More than could have been said if we went to Pogacha.
(2)
Elisabeth H.
We have been eating at Pogacha's in Issaquah for about 2 yrs now ! We had been going almost every week , until last May 2013. Our dinner was horrible and we asked the manager if they had a new cook. She said NO. She even admitted our plates were not what they should have been . I have always ordered the Chicken Parmesan and my husband has always ordered different dishes from the menu. She did comp one meal with a gift card from the restaurant. Fast forward 4mos: we finally returned and ordered the same dishes as we did in May. Still, not any better ! How can you screw up such a basic dish as Chicken Parmesan ? It was burnt and had no spices to it = no flavor what so ever ! I used to really like this place , so it is hard to give it only 3 stars and that is mostly because I like the ambiance and close proximity to where I live . The service is always unpredictable as well. Sorry, Pogacha , we won't be back .
(3)
Bryan N.
Food was delicious for the most part, service was OK, but a tad expensive for what you get. The Thai dish was not very authentic, and their insertion of the paper-wrapped chopsticks under the entree was somewhat off-putting to our Asian friend that was with us. So, I'd suggest sticking with the Italian dishes and the pizza for the best experience.
(3)
Jen S.
Not impressed. Slow service, place is a bit run down and I had to ask several times for water, diet coke. Food was ok, overpriced. I would go to Lombardi's or another Italian place in Issaquah instead.
(2)
James A.
The service was good(minus my pet peeve of the wait staff asking all patrons to join in singing happy birthday for one of the diners). The food was blah, it wasn't that it was prepared poorly but rather as if they used inferior quality of ingredients. I would not recommend unless you are a heavy smoker, British, and do not enjoy the taste of your food.
(2)
Carolina A.
If I could give Pogacha a -5 I would. I always thought their famous purple dish they are so proud of is absolute crap! So gross! But after yesterday I am for ever done with that place. Here's what happened: Once in a while my coworkers get together for happy hour, this time they decided on Pogacha, I was not going to go because I have to pick up my son at daycare, but it was a very nice day so I went with the kiddo on tow. Little did I know the outdoor seating is considered part of the bar, therefore no minors are allowed. Ok I understand, by no means I want them to break State regulations so one of my coworkers offered to seat with me in the dining room so I could order some food, feed my son, etc. But get this, the dining room is completely empty and they won't make an exception to let me order from the Happy Hour menu. I politely asked the lady if she was willing to lose a customer over the happy hour menu -vs- dinner menu considering is hard times for restaurants and they didn't have any customers in the main dining room and she didn't hesitate one bit and said YES!!! So for that, I will NEVER go to Pogacha again, and since I organize many meetings and luncheons for my company I will make sure to never have them there. What ever happened with customer service?
(1)
Nick G.
Pogacha is one of my favorite restaurants ever. Their food is fantastic and their Pogacha pizzas are one of a kind. My favorite pasta definitely has to be their Dobar Chicken (aka the purple dish). I read the other reviews written by Redmond yuppies who just got done sweating out their gold dust at Gold's Gym and are looking for an outlet to vent their pent up aggression. Don't listen to them if you're interested in good food. If you want to get picky you can point out the overflow parking issue or service but sometimes you have to sacrifice small things for the sake of the food (e.g. Soup Nazi). Obviously this place has it's blemishes but hey, that's why I gave the restaurant 4-stars. It has character and great food.
(4)
Angie S.
Love Pogacha! We usually do either Happy Hour or Lunch in the bar. The service is ALWAYS friendly and the food is excellent. We love the Pogacha Chop Salad. Try it sometime. AWESOME!
(4)
Krishna V.
Came here solely to compare it to its sister in Bellevue. Not a favorable comparison. There were a couple of items that it would be nice to see in Bellevue, but this ranks third on the Pogacha totem pole.
(2)
Veronica S.
I'm giving it 2 stars because it's not as gross as Denny's. The service is sub par. The menu is confusing... what are they good at? I can't tell. Prices are also high for what you get. Parking is horrible.
(2)
J M.
We came here because of the Microsoft Prime discount. We won't be back. I haven't had food this bland in a very very long time. We ordered mediterranean dips as an appetizer. Thank goodness the portions are large because that was just about the only tasty thing they brought out all night. I guess if this was my happy hour place, and I was only ordering appetizers, I could see myself coming to this place a bit. Maybe. For dinner, I ordered the braised lamb. It's in the "specialty" section of their menu. So I thought they were proud of that dish... It was flavorless boiled lamb. No salt. No pepper. No spices. Just onions and water. Boiled. Not braised. I picked at it for a bit, took most of it home, and made curry with it. It was much better the second time. As a side dish, I ordered risotto. I don't think their chefs have ever seen a risotto. It was only creamy because of all the cheese in it. There aren't supposed to be strings of mozzarella connecting the risotto on your fork to the risotto in the dish... It was so greasy, I couldn't eat it. My husband had the lasagna. It was ok. Wouldn't order it again, but it was edible. Very greasy, and a too big portion. But edible. Thank goodness for the Prime discount. Makes paying the bill for a lousy dinner much more bearable.
(1)
Brandon T.
I live in Issaquah and discovered Pogacha through the Prime card site and a few reviews. The outside is nice looking and it's very stylish. If you order the pasta dishes you will be satisified. I generally get a Pogacha now, as that is their speciality and they are a real treat. It's a mini pizza with nice tasting bread with no red sauce. Their little flat breads they give you are also delicious. Because they take the Prime Card it is a very reasonable price, as you can buy one, get one entree for free. Also, they tend to have a special on Sunday night where the Pogachas are like $10 I think, also a good deal. My only complaint is the bar/lounge. It tends to be noisy with a large TV and people being slightly obknoxious. One time they had live music which was great, but I couldn't hear myself talk as it was too loud. The service in the bar also tends to be slow and forgetful. I recommend the dining room if you want a nice meal where you can talk.
(4)
Dan V.
I drive by Pogacha almost daily and finally decided to give them a try. Big mistake. Bad parking, tired decor, at best mediocre food. I'll spend my hard earned money elsewhere.
(1)
Jeff A.
I can always find something new on the menu to satisfy my pasta craving here. Service and atmosphere is okay but the food is very good. One of the few places around that serves lamb chops. Reservations aren't usually necessary.
(3)
Mike F.
Poor service. Mediocre food. Poor parking. The ambiance is that of a Red Robin trying really hard to be classy, and failing.
(2)
Dan W.
Nothing stood out here, a little overpriced. Problem is that one of the Bob's at work likes the place so I am usually dragged, kicking and screaming to come for lunch. And then the job won't pick up the tab.
(2)
Cynthia H.
Great variety of food in Issaquah. This isn't the same as the Pogach of Bellevue, but is also worth going to. I also like the fact that you can have a private party here in the back rooms. If you want the best dish available, try the Dobar Chicken!!! Delicious!!
(4)
Gerry J.
A pretty good restaurant with an Adriatic influence. The bar section was noisy and there were a few televisions with sports on. The meal I had was subtle and complex in flavor. You can tell the chef was schooled. It was something that you had to take your time to taste, not quite the meal to be gobbled down. The best however was the predinner flatbread that they serve. A smart person would go, order a drink and use the bread as a meal.
(3)
Jeffrey S.
Nothing to write home about. Expensive.
(2)
Sarah S.
the food is good. a tab bit expensive for what it is, but good. the restaurant is nice, it just seems to be overrun with families with small children. small children have a way of making a nice intimate dinner turn into something slightly less comfortable that is interrupted by crying every 30 minutes.. the pogacha bread itself is good, best directly out of the oven. use prime card if you have it, it makes this otherwise overpriced family restaurant worth the trip.
(3)
Crysta L.
Went on a Monday night. We ordered the Fire Warmed Goat Cheese for an appetizer -- was really good, had fire roasted red peppers and olives that were a yummy extra to the goat cheese. My only complaint is that they didn't serve it with enough bread but when I asked they did bring more. For dinner I ordered the Pear-Gorgonzola Ravioli. Really good! Rich sauce, great ravioli. Had great flavors! My boyfriend had the Tenderloin Steak with Gorgonzola. He got the pesto-mushroom risotto with his steak. Which was also yummy! Also tried their Washington wine flight. Great pairings and they seem to have a good selection of Washington wines. Service was ok -- the staff was nice but a bit slow.
(4)
Subbu A.
Go there only if you prefer overpriced menu and poor service. The waitresses have no idea about their menu and can make very poor suggestions. Never going there again.
(2)
shawna g.
when i first moved to issaquah 2 years ago, the pogacha's here were actually good and a great happy hour deal- then they were $5. but not too long after the price went up and the quality went way down. now the only thing i will eat there is the garlic fries and the fresh bread they bring to dip in oil- both of which are really good. i keep going back because i love their bar- it just has a really cozy feeling with the fire place and a nice patio for summer. they have great beer on tap and an awesome deal on pitchers during happy hour. the servers in the bar are always very nice and attentive. 4 stars for great bar atmosphere and good beer selection- 0 stars for food.
(4)
L. P.
Pogacha's food is okay. I enjoy going here for the happy hour (appetizers and drinks) on Thursday evenings.
(3)
Kevin S.
Haven't been back to pogachas for a few years, went for brunch one Saturday morning. The good news was immediate seating, usually a bad omen but undeserved in this case. I had the asparagus swiss and prosciutto scramble with bacon, the Mrs had the french toast. The scramble was really great, potatoes a bit greasy but good, bacon was thick cut but not crispy. French toast was odd as it was made from their flatbread, but got rave reviews. Most dishes were around $10. Bottom line, wont knock your socks off but pretty good.
(4)
Nic R.
We arrive 3:30 P.M. Two different host/servers asked if we would like to be seated, to which we said yes each time, we then proceeded to wait 10 minutes. The bar & seating are both were not full with customers. It too another 10 minutes to order. I order the Chicken Parm, my husband the Dobar Chicken, my son the Mac-n-Cheese. Also we order the Pogocha (flat bread) with Spinach, Sundried Tomato, & Goat cheese. The Chicken Parmesan was chewy rubbery. The side of pasta was so riddled with garlic that it was inedible. The Dobar Chicken was GROSS!!! Tasted like the used grave juice & yogart? The Mac-n-Cheese may have been microwaved. We did not order dessert.
(1)
Kim Q.
I love coming here for a casual dinner with my boyfriend. They are a part of the Passport discounts. I think that is the only reason why this place is our go to. It is close to our house, it is offered at a 2 for 1 and they have a great atmosphere. I suggest going only on Friday/Saturday because those are the only times they have prime rib - so yummy! Otherwise all of their other menu items are mediocre.
(3)
Allen U.
Pogacha is the name of the dough boys they serve with every meal--better than just the normal bread on the side -- and Awesome appetizer is the Bacon Jalepenos @ $10 Friday or Saturday are the best days to go--why you say? Well the Special of the Day is Prime Rib --try the 13 ounce @ $25 add a pint or pitcher for two of the primo Lucille IPA from the Manny's brewery @ only $10.50 and you got a nite on the town--they of course have an awesome Seafood Risotto @ $23 or the new Baby Back Ribs @ $24 for the full rack and a couple other things too--just ask the waitress what's good--this is your neighborhood go to kitchen--Yum Yum--cheers Al
(4)
Joey J.
I've eaten here about 20 times and the service has always been good and the food is always good. The four different people I've been here with like to eat here also.
(4)
Cyndi C.
We had a lunch meeting here and got there a little early. It was great to get seated right away. We both ended up ordering the salad with fresh pear. We were able to add our choice of meat. It was a nice place to have a business lunch. The server was very friendly and attentive. We used the Passport Unlimited card here. I've also been here for several business and club meetings.
(4)
Anjana A.
We came on a night there was a band. There is a $5 cover charge for being seated in that area even if you order drinks and dinner. Our table had 4 people and we all wanted individual checks so we were charged $20 cover charge. I thought that was strange, as some people at some tables ordered nothing and seemed like they did not have to pay anything at all. The food was pretty decent, we ordered chicken quesadillas, a shrimp scampi and a couple other dishes. They came with complimentary dinner rolls that were quite tasty. The selection of beers and cocktails was decent, we were really there for the music but wished there had been more specials on drinks. We had to flag down our server a lot initially as it was busy due to the band, later another server took over and service was better. However, I had to ask for some ice water several times before he brought it to me, although he always seemed to return with my drinks quickly. I might visit another time to try some more food, given there is ample parking.
(3)
Charlene L.
+ Lots of parking.. check! + Tasty sandwiches.. check! + Other lunch options like pasta, full on entrees, soups, and salads... check! + Passport dining card taken.. CHECK CHECK CHECK!!! Love this little gem.. heard they have 2 Bellevue locations too... bu
(4)
Heather S.
If you are looking for great food, excellent bands, "cheers" like atmosphere then this is your spot. We've been coming here for years and I always love the salmon Caesar salad. To die for. Servers are smart, friendly and mostly on the beautiful side. (Male and female). If you get Connie as your bartender, you will have hit the jackpot!!!
(5)
Sam K.
Been to this place for years. Their food is really good in taste. Good quantity for the price. On the weekend, the seating was quick. But service that day was sloooooow. Been decent at other times. Also good interior. The waiter was not as friendly as expected. Was just doing his job. But other staff was warm and welcoming. It is family friendly.
(4)
Dick B.
Pogacha is an "old friend" and we just can't figure out why we haven't been back lately. Until tonight. An inconspicuous Sunday dinner to be had, we were in the neighborhood and decided "why not?" We're glad we did. This is one of those places which seems to have the kind of menu which can appeal to a wide variety of folks. That's because it has a wide variety of items on the menu. many perfect comfort foods, priced right, tasting great and served quickly and perfectly. Tonight we were in the mood for simple comfort foods so our lasagna, a huge portion actually on special on Sundays and a Sherry Basil Chicken came quickly and steaming to our table. Best thing is we now have another meal for early this week too. The ownership hasn't strayed far from the original Pogacha and continues to appeal to locals. Steve King, the owner/general manager is usually on hand to make sure things run smoothly. Really his staff can make it happen consistently right but congrats are in order for keeping this gem headed in the right direction!
Service was slow and the food was very average. The good news is, it was also over priced! I gave it a 3 because the flavor of the food was descent.
(3)
Sarah R.
I just realized it's been a couple years since my last review... time flies I tell you! Happy Hour: Anyhow, this is still a great place to go for a HH and Thursdays are still ALL NIGHT Happy Hour in the bar. I've had HH in small groups and large (about 12 for a team event) and have been able to score a spot no problem (of course, the earlier you get there the better as it does fill up rather fast!) Lunch: Sometimes we come here for lunch as well - my friend is obsessed with the Dobar Chicken and I've been known to get down on a salad or two. The little pogies they bring out are always warm and delicious and yes, they'll bring you more, you just have to ask. Service: The service is hit or miss. There's a gal who works the lunch shift that wears entirely TOO much perfume - yuck! There's still the crazy lady in the bar during HH. Lunch service can be a little slow so if you're pressed for time I would let your server know - otherwise they'll take their time.
(3)
Amanda S.
My mom and I came in for a late lunch and were nicely greeted by the bartender joe who let us know the bar was only open. No bother for us! He was attentive and let us know about the daily special which we got and it was delicious! People seriously need to give some slack. No one is a professional food critic and this place definitely deserves more than a three star.
(5)
S. D.
This place is completely confusing. The food and ambiance is always very good. The pear gorgonzola pasta is amazing, you cant go wrong with it. The two downsides? The staff is completely lack luster. They are in no hurry to help and are super passive and seem to only kind of care. There is one waitress that is fabulous, but most others are just.... Well meh. The womens bathroom is nicely decorated but ALWAYS a mess. Its like its cleaned every few days instead of every few hours. Every time I go there is toilet paper all over the floors, the seat liner holder is falling off the wall and the trashcan has had its lis removed and just looks bad. When I come in paying a fair amount of money for dinner, the least that can happen is a clean bathroom.
(3)
Teri B.
Great personalities Awesome Food! Amazing wines on Tap!! All round great meal we will be back
I really like this place! My boyfriend and our friends frequent this restaurant for dinner and drinks. Their pogachas are awesome! I've enjoyed a variety of great meals at Pogacha. The food is excellent and so is the ambiance.
(5)
Gina M.
Just had a very disappointing dinner experience at Pogacha. We've been several times before and have always had good meals. We brought out of town guests thinking we'd have another good experience. We were very disappointed. The restaurant is looking very dingy and run down. It was a little embarrassing to bring visitors to a restaurant that looks so badly in need of a deep clean at the very least. To be perfectly honest it needs a complete overhaul. Our server brought us water glasses that were, to be blunt, filthy. They were dull, had numerous water marks and smudged lipstick on the rims of most of the glasses on our table. None of us touched the water. My husband had to scrape residue out of his wine glass before our server poured our wine. The meals were mediocre at best. Even the Pogacha 'pizzas', their signature dish, were awful. If we were not on such a tight timeline due to a theater outing, we would have complained to management or walked out. It's a sad state of affairs when the best part of a meal is the Andes mint at the end. I'll be spending my restaurant dollars elsewhere in future.
(1)
Michael G.
Went for lunch yesterday. Had the pogacha burger (lamb and beef), it was juicy and good. Opted for the side caesar salad, it was nothing special. My wife had the chicken madeira pasta. It was rich in a good way but not my kind of dish. The atmosphere was nice, clean with quality finishes. I was surprised that we hadn't stopped in before, as accessible the location is, right off Gilman Blvd. At the end of the day, however, nothing was so spectacular that I would remember here over another similar restaurant. I realize they're known for their pogachas, which aren't enticing enough to want to try but I would go back to try something else based on their potential and nice atmosphere.
(3)
Jesy B.
We came here for some drinks and despite having just eaten one of those gigantic Costco hot dogs ended up getting some nibbles. Service was pretty prompt in terms of getting a drink - weird they have no cocktail menu but oh well - and they're stiff on the pours we had. We were enticed by the happy hour Pogacha (flatbreads) and went with the bacon, artichoke hearts and tomato one. Quite tasty. It seems more elegantly appointed in the dining area with a more casual feel in the bar where we sat. TVs were viewable from any seat. Overall, a decent pick for a happy hour or drink.
(4)
Mishy S.
In general, this place has a lovely atmosphere and I've never had a bad meal here. The Dijon Chicken Pasta is to die for! Many of their other pasta dishes are also really good but the Dijon one is just creamy dream-worthy goodness in a bowl. Also, great salads and appetizers. I am always the only 20-year old in the place, but that's to be expected in Issaquah. Generally attracts a bit of an older crowd. Service can be great or weirdly inattentive depending on the day and server.
(4)
Stacey P.
How have I not reviewed Pogacha? I have been going to Pogacha for the past four years and have found myself missing it if I go too long in between visits. Parking can be a bit of a challenge on a busy night, but they are usually very quick to seat people. The atmosphere is very nice. The restaurant is divided into many different adjoining rooms allowing quite a few people to be seated without having to shout to be heard. It has a very relaxed atmosphere, soft light and softer color tones. The booths are where it's at since the center tables can feel a bit crowded for me if there is a lot of people in the restaurant. Now Pogacha has a standard size menu with a few pasta dishes, some fish dishes, and even some lamb dishes. I have never had these. I go to Pogacha for the pogachas. Pogacha is the oven baked bread that the restaurant is named after, and they serve these pizza style dishes on them that are individual sized that are without tomato sauce. I find their pogachas to be absolutely delicious, soft and light and easy to devour without much thought. And now they have weekend brunch! I had a delicious salmon sandwich on pogacha bread that was light and cooked perfectly. Service is usually good, but nothing that really sticks out. Seriously, it is worth visiting if you love pizza type dishes!
(4)
Julie O.
Had lunch today here and it was the most unflavored and bland food i had for years. Not recommending going there.
(2)
Joana R.
I can only speak about the bar side of this venue. I went there with some friends to listen to live music on the bar side and we were not disappointed. Great atmosphere, bar menu was good, good list of wines. I had the chicken satay and it was really yummy, other friends ordered risotto and pogachas and pastas and according to them they were all good and flavorful. Casual attire and relaxed ambient and good and friendly service.
(5)
Sarah L.
Bizarre brunch experience Sunday afternoon. I first went online to check out their menu. Everything looked tasty with adequate prices. When we get to the restaurant, same offerings, however everything was $2-3 higher than the website. There were a lot of odd missteps that occurred that didn't necessarily caused the meal to be unpleasant, but weird enough worth noting. Examples: -Cocktails offered by server and in bar area, but No Cocktail menu -Pieces of the papery skin/peel of the red onion in my Greek Tuna Salad -No salad dressing on my salad -Canned albacore tuna, After I specifically asked the server if the tuna was a fresh rare tuna steak or canned. She left to go ask someone, returned to tell me that it was NOT canned. Well my whole salad was just chalk full of canned albacore tuna. It was still good, but I prefer a nice rare tuna steak -Hamburger Bun French Toast? My dad ordered the French Toast and it was made out of the buns they use for their hamburgers... He still said it was good, but check out the photo. There was clearly one round thin slice (top bun) and one giant round thick slice (bottom bun). Just weird. To reiterate, my experience wasn't unpleasant, just off. If I find myself in Issaquah again, I would rather go to Wild Fin Bistro or Flat Iron Grill first.
(3)
Krystal L.
Delicious food and nice people. If the review was based on service it would be two but the prime rib was awesome!
(4)
Tony L.
We came here for happy hour with some coworkers. Since we were hungry after spending the day in meetings, we decided to order a variety of appetizers: Jerk chicken wings (a little overcooked) Steak bites (ok) Fried calamari (terrible: I was expecting crispy calamari, but it looked like it was baked) Artichoke dip (good with the bread) Goat cheese dip (not bad) Chicken satays (this was good, peanut sauce had good flavor) Flatbread pizzas (I was expecting thin crust pizzas, but they were ok pizzas on a medium crust) Unfortunately, the best part of the happy hour was the Mac and Jack's and the free bread that you get with the food.
(2)
Pru i.
Pogacha is a great restaurant with a super friendly staff. They can be slow when it's really busy, but the food is always cooked well and tasty.
(4)
Craig J.
Not bad, not especially great either. Raviolis were so so and service was less than stellar. It's probably been three years since our last visit and it'll probably be three more before we return. Ho hum.
(3)
Lauren P.
Worst place I've ever eaten at. Parking was full so we parked on the side. Walked in to the restaurant to a drunk man being escorted out of the bar. We got seated right away but sat for 15 minutes before we even got water!!! The best was the manager was bussing a table behind us and then seated a 10 top and served them water while we were still waiting for someone to notice us! We asked a server if she could find our waiter. There were lots of servers getting drinks and dinner for guest but no one thought to help out. Then the host walked by and we asked him to help out. We were going to get the lobster ravioli and a steak but after waiting for 15 minutes we decided to get 2 pasta dishes. We thought let's not waste money on this place. Horrible food!!! Our 20 month old liked his cheese pizza but we could have just gone to zeeks to get true service and pizza but thought let's try something new.
(1)
Kaleigh S.
We were driving around Issaquah trying to decide where to eat when we saw Pogacha! Since we hadn't tried them yet we pulled over and walked in. The atmosphere is nice and gives a fine dining feel. The servers are very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. My husband had a hanger steak surf and turf special and I had the chicken Parmesan. We really enjoyed the bread at the beginning with the dipping sauce. It was super yummy and I would not be surprised to find out that they make it in the restaurant. The flavor was so unique, soft, and doughy. We didn't order appetizers but with my appetite whet and the bread being what it was, I had a good feeling. When our food arrived, the first thing I noticed was that there was not a single piece of green on my plate. Just a scoop of pasta next to friend piece of chicken with marinara and cheese on top and blackened edges. My husband's food looked a lot better and was arranged into a little pyramid. He said that the shrimp and veggies were good, but that his steak was chewy in an unlike hanger steak way. Mine was good as well, it was simply too much carbs and very little flavor variety. We enjoyed our meal, but we felt it was a little pricey for what it was. We haven't been back since but have been thinking about maybe trying their happy hour.
(3)
Stella D.
Smooth Jazz tonight with Darren Motamedy & his band!! The food here was amazing!! Can't wait to go back for something else to try!! Very friendly staff and great atmosphere!!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Joana R.
I can only speak about the bar side of this venue. I went there with some friends to listen to live music on the bar side and we were not disappointed. Great atmosphere, bar menu was good, good list of wines. I had the chicken satay and it was really yummy, other friends ordered risotto and pogachas and pastas and according to them they were all good and flavorful. Casual attire and relaxed ambient and good and friendly service.
(5)Sarah L.
Bizarre brunch experience Sunday afternoon. I first went online to check out their menu. Everything looked tasty with adequate prices. When we get to the restaurant, same offerings, however everything was $2-3 higher than the website. There were a lot of odd missteps that occurred that didn't necessarily caused the meal to be unpleasant, but weird enough worth noting. Examples: -Cocktails offered by server and in bar area, but No Cocktail menu -Pieces of the papery skin/peel of the red onion in my Greek Tuna Salad -No salad dressing on my salad -Canned albacore tuna, After I specifically asked the server if the tuna was a fresh rare tuna steak or canned. She left to go ask someone, returned to tell me that it was NOT canned. Well my whole salad was just chalk full of canned albacore tuna. It was still good, but I prefer a nice rare tuna steak -Hamburger Bun French Toast? My dad ordered the French Toast and it was made out of the buns they use for their hamburgers... He still said it was good, but check out the photo. There was clearly one round thin slice (top bun) and one giant round thick slice (bottom bun). Just weird. To reiterate, my experience wasn't unpleasant, just off. If I find myself in Issaquah again, I would rather go to Wild Fin Bistro or Flat Iron Grill first.
(3)Krystal L.
Delicious food and nice people. If the review was based on service it would be two but the prime rib was awesome!
(4)Tony L.
We came here for happy hour with some coworkers. Since we were hungry after spending the day in meetings, we decided to order a variety of appetizers: Jerk chicken wings (a little overcooked) Steak bites (ok) Fried calamari (terrible: I was expecting crispy calamari, but it looked like it was baked) Artichoke dip (good with the bread) Goat cheese dip (not bad) Chicken satays (this was good, peanut sauce had good flavor) Flatbread pizzas (I was expecting thin crust pizzas, but they were ok pizzas on a medium crust) Unfortunately, the best part of the happy hour was the Mac and Jack's and the free bread that you get with the food.
(2)Pru i.
Pogacha is a great restaurant with a super friendly staff. They can be slow when it's really busy, but the food is always cooked well and tasty.
(4)Craig J.
Not bad, not especially great either. Raviolis were so so and service was less than stellar. It's probably been three years since our last visit and it'll probably be three more before we return. Ho hum.
(3)Lauren P.
Worst place I've ever eaten at. Parking was full so we parked on the side. Walked in to the restaurant to a drunk man being escorted out of the bar. We got seated right away but sat for 15 minutes before we even got water!!! The best was the manager was bussing a table behind us and then seated a 10 top and served them water while we were still waiting for someone to notice us! We asked a server if she could find our waiter. There were lots of servers getting drinks and dinner for guest but no one thought to help out. Then the host walked by and we asked him to help out. We were going to get the lobster ravioli and a steak but after waiting for 15 minutes we decided to get 2 pasta dishes. We thought let's not waste money on this place. Horrible food!!! Our 20 month old liked his cheese pizza but we could have just gone to zeeks to get true service and pizza but thought let's try something new.
(1)Kaleigh S.
We were driving around Issaquah trying to decide where to eat when we saw Pogacha! Since we hadn't tried them yet we pulled over and walked in. The atmosphere is nice and gives a fine dining feel. The servers are very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. My husband had a hanger steak surf and turf special and I had the chicken Parmesan. We really enjoyed the bread at the beginning with the dipping sauce. It was super yummy and I would not be surprised to find out that they make it in the restaurant. The flavor was so unique, soft, and doughy. We didn't order appetizers but with my appetite whet and the bread being what it was, I had a good feeling. When our food arrived, the first thing I noticed was that there was not a single piece of green on my plate. Just a scoop of pasta next to friend piece of chicken with marinara and cheese on top and blackened edges. My husband's food looked a lot better and was arranged into a little pyramid. He said that the shrimp and veggies were good, but that his steak was chewy in an unlike hanger steak way. Mine was good as well, it was simply too much carbs and very little flavor variety. We enjoyed our meal, but we felt it was a little pricey for what it was. We haven't been back since but have been thinking about maybe trying their happy hour.
(3)Stella D.
Smooth Jazz tonight with Darren Motamedy & his band!! The food here was amazing!! Can't wait to go back for something else to try!! Very friendly staff and great atmosphere!!
(5)Lesley H.
Went to celebrate a birthday - I'd give a 3-4 for the food. Lovely little rolls, beet salad was decent with an appropriate amount of goat cheese (no dressing), pear salad was good...cocktails were delish but where was the wine list? Was not given one when seated, asked twice and finally was able to order wine half way through the meal. Good wine at the start of the entrée might have tipped me from 2 to 4 stars as the entrees around were commented on favorably: good cut of prime rib, bacon wrapped scallops were only a bit overcooked, pasta dishes appear to be the specialty as was the flatbreads. Water glasses ran a bit dry (a lot) during dinner and a bit more of an attentive wait person would have pushed the review much higher. weird acoustically - it doesn't seem like it should be as loud as it is...but it was. ok - I went from a 2 to a 3 because the bill was nicely divided between the couples at the table - and that was very kind!
(3)Scott A.
I Love the Staff and the Food is delicious, think they could change the Happy Hour menu up a bit however they award Loyalty with frequent diner points along with a generous Happy Hour! Live Music on the weekends is always Fun, just wish they had more room for dancing! Patio when the weathers nice is one of the best in Issaquah!
(5)Mike B.
Fantastic service here. The food is good and well presented. The menu selection isn't huge but I appreciate what is there. I do prefer to eat in the bar rather than the back and it can be a bit noisy when busy, but I find it more comfortable. While not really a thai place, they often have a phad thai this is pretty flavorful.
(4)Perry R.
Met my bf here. Awesome place. Terrific food and service!!!
(5)Amphigorey X.
I had the Eggplant Parmesan, it was worse than a tv dinner and 3x the price.
(2)patricia h.
I've written a positive review for Pogacha before, so this is an update. It seems like the prices have gone up and the quality and service down. Last time we were here I ordered the spicy beef salad which I usually enjoy, but that time the meat was chewy and there was way, way too much dressing. I thought it may have been an off day. Yesterday I went with the Greek Tuna Salad and specifically asked if it was canned tuna or fresh tuna steak. The waitress assured me it was fresh tuna and she'd "never seen it in a can." It was totally Chicken of the Sea. Which is perfectly OK and probably tasty, but I personally associate it with cat food and never would have ordered it. So, I asked for an RPM Omelete instead. When delivered (after hubs and kid were done eating) it was the Spinach & Goat cheese omelete. If you read my past review, I stand by that it is super tasty an a good choice. Just not what I ordered. The waitress said it was "so weird" that this happened and to their credit - did not charge for my meal. We also ordered a Pogacha flat bread to go, specifically with marinara sauce (their default is without) for our kid to eat later. When she opened the box later - no sauce. Not sure if it is a training issue or if they just aren't paying attention, but its such a shame. Hope they bring their standards back up, it is a good option for family dining if you get what you order.
(2)Mac F.
We have dined here a few times. We find them serviceable but nothing outstanding. Nothing stands out. Restaurant offers somewhat limited entree menu. We have tried some of their appetizers (fried calamari, chicken quesadillas ... pretty good), liked some of their entrees (braised lamb shank, veal marsala, pork medallions), but, for "Mediterranean" (?) restaurant, they fall flat with their pasta dishes ("meh" on Grecian prawns,chicken Dijon, and some dark purple pasta thing I had way back when). Service is inconsistent (fair to poor). They seem to focus on and do well with "happy hour" crowd. Their small plates appear good. But, for diners, that may be a good time to avoid. Their very small parking gets overwhelmed and it is vey difficult to maneuver back there.
(3)Ray B.
I think 3 stars defines this restaurant. Nothing has ever been bad, but nothing has ever been great either. Service is decent, sometimes it takes too long to get attention. However, I come back time and time again for the purple dish, very unique.
(3)Alexandra F.
Some friends and I decided to give this place a shot and sounded like their Happy Hour menu would be ok. Less to be desired! Bruchetta was hard/chewy, tomatoes not fresh and a pound of melted cheese was the topper. Nasty! Garlic fries tasted like they were deep fried in old fishy oil. Chicken Wings had feathers, yes feathers! And the steak bites were tough, chewy and flavorless. Adding the mushroom sauce didn't help much.Oh...and a cloudy pitcher of Mac N Jacks was the icing on the cake or was it feeling sick at 4am?? Willl never go back for Happy Hour or any other meal for tha matter.
(1)Heather T.
I'm so glad my husband stumbled upon this restaurant earlier this week and brought home it's menu. We went for the first time tonight and can't wait to share it with friends. Wonderful Croatian/ Mediterranean flavored food. The steamed clams were awesome and our dinners were just as good. Enjoy!
(3)Lorrin C.
Been going there from time to time over the years. Have pretty much stuck with my favorite, Chicken Madeira Ravioli, as I always enjoy the flavor. Added a balsamic dressed salad with a portion of caprese on the side of the plate, both were tasty. Help is attentive and knowledgeable. Prices for dinner are around $15-25 which is for the entree. There are other things on the menu, pogacha (pizza), beef, etc. Oh and the fresh baked Pogachas (buns) are so enjoyable.
(3)Sara M.
Despite the server bringing me a salad I didn't actually order (it was quickly fixed) our evening was deliciously pleasant. I ordered the Sweet & Spicy Beef salad and it was awesome. This says a lot considering I am someone who is so picky on flavors & textures that is prevents me from trying anything out of the ordinary. Last night I branched out and was happily surprised! Our server was very kind & helpful and we were sat quickly. It was 8pm on a Thursday so I am sure that helped because considering the size of this place, it seems as though it could accommodate a high volume of customers. They offer bread (their yummy, wood fire toasted 'Pogacha rolls') & oil/vinegar when you sit down which was a nice start to a wonderful evening. Another bonus is that this place is on the Passport card. You buy one meal and you get another FREE. Can't beat that and because of this and the tasty food & decent service I will be returning for sure.
(4)Mark L.
I went here for happy hour on a Friday. Food was ok. Cheap prices on booze. Wait staff is old and so are the customers. Seriously I think everyone here was over 50. Seems very cliquish.
(2)Claire S.
Been here several times over the years. Entrees are great and their little pogacha break thingies are TO DIE FOR. Service is wonderful. Definitely a great place. They're also insanely patient-- went there one time with a group and two of us (not me, thank god) started loudly arguing about politics. They didn't throw us out! Amazing!!! It's got an elegant atmosphere and it great for lunch or for dinner.
(4)Jet Z.
Great service with decent food. Recommend Prawns pasta. It's nice that you can use Prime Card even for brunch.
(4)Nancy B.
I went here a few weeks ago and I thought the food was really delicious. The kids menu was great, only 99 cents for a meal. We used our passport card and got buy 1 get 1 free, so it made a very inexpensive lunch for us. We will be back, wonderful food! My only complaint was it was a little dark in there, they could use some more lighting, but that's all.
(5)Justin H.
Interesting to see so many negatives on Pogacha. Some facts to hopefully drive clarity: * Yummy, endless yeast bread with olive oil and balsamic * Not as classy as they'd like you to think... think Applebees. * Crayons on tables for grown ups too * Pretty good entrees * Great salads * A little pricey, but if you've got a prime card, it's right on. * Pecan pie a la mode = heaven
(4)Michael P.
Love Pogacha. Don't come here often enough. Their pastas are crafted with thought behind them and the rest of their menu, especially the Pogacha pizzas, is great. Great service, killer happy hour. Try the tomato bisque soup...for all ages. Took my son here for the first time and he loves it!!! He took one bite of their soup and said 'O....M....G....This is the best soup EVER!'.
(5)Jens J.
I hadn't been to Pogacha since my pre-Yelp days so I thought the time was right to do lunch here today. I did so before checking out the Yelp reviews for Pogacha. Wow, I think a few people were swilling Haterade as they were typing up their reviews. I actually had a good lunch here today, so 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. The worst thing I can say about Pogacha is that they play "lite jazz" (albeit very softly) on their sound system. They had totally revamped the menu since I was last here. Now, they emphasize that they have Adriatic cuisine. Not knowing precisely where Adriatic was, I looked up Adriatic Sea on Wikipedia. It's the chunk of Mediterranean water between Italy and the Balkan countries of Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania. So yes, there was typical Italian fare on the menu. But there was also Phad Thai and halibut & chips. That is Adriatic cuisine? Hmmm. The dining room, decorated in butter and loden hues, was certainly original. A plastic grape vine with little lights snaked around the walls underneath the moldings. On one wall were Chihuly-like glass pieces the size of dinner plates. And on the wall next to me was a large jagged piece of paint stripped off, revealing drywall. I doubt that was intentional design. I ordered a cup of sausage & bean soup and the pear and gorgonzola ravioli. I liked the soup. But what surprised me about the soup (nay, shocked!) was that it had cilantro in it and that I still liked it. If you read my reviews you know that I hiss like a cat when I get a taste of cilantro in my mouth. However, this soup had cilantro in such a light touch I actually found it quite decent. In miniscule quantities, cilantro has a nice citrus flavor. The ravioli, served with very thin slices of pear was perfect in all respects, except for one small note. I didn't so much care for the flavor of the candied pecan topping. It reminded me of either Cracker Jacks or butter toffee. Oh, and I loved the complimentary rolls (they're just like the ones my mom used to make!). I would return here for lunch. Service was fine.
(4)Julie E.
Hats off to Pogacha for their Chicken Dorba! I visited for dinner after church while spending the holiday weekend in Issaquah with family, and I was impressed. The decor, the service and the food were all memorable. This is a cheap chain restaurant. They aren't in the kitchen microwaving your food so of course it takes more time than hitting the drive thru. So when you are open to waiting for your food to be prepared, you aren't harried or already annoyed by other events, and you're not jaded already from being 'forced' to go.. stop in at Pogacha. Frankly I hope that none of you who were so hateful DO go back, at least not when I'm there. Life is to short to be waylaid by whiners.
(4)sally j.
FOOD ALLERGIES? DON'T GO HERE! had dinner at issaquah pogacha and my partner let the server know he was allergic to dairy (and explained what was included in dairy). He was served a double order of veggies cooked in butter. He realized it a third of the way through by taste and asked her. she dismissed it "no, they weren't." he kept eating. she came back 5 min later to say, "oops, i'll get you new veggies." she seemed fairly unconcerned and deducted a glass of wine from the bill, instead of the meal that made him sick. this is unacceptable and we will not be back.
(1)Jessie F.
Very disappointing experience. Overall, the service is OK but the food is at least 25% overpriced for what you actually get. I've had frozen dinner that were tastier. We had allergy concerns and they were either ignored or forgotten. Here's what happened: we dined at Pogacha for the first time last night after waiting for a special occasion to visit. I should add here that we actually tried to dine there the night before, but the live music was so loud it literally caused pain. Anyway, we went back last night since my mother-in-law was in town. The service was nice but slow. We ordered an appetizer (artichoke dip) and we each got a salad: an under-dressed, underwhelming caesar, the Patrick salad, and the grilled beet and goat cheese salad (note: beets were cold and crunchy). The dip was pretty good. For our entrees we ordered the crab manacotti (because they informed us after we ordered that they did not have one of our original entree choices), the rosemary skewered scallops over risotto, and the pear gorgonzola ravioli. Now we had some allergy concerns: my fiance is allergic to nuts, so we made sure he could get the ravioli sans walnuts, and I am allergic to basil. It took about 10 minutes to find out if it would be possible to make the risotto without basil - we were assured it would be. When the food arrived (via a different waitress), we triple checked with her: "No walnuts and no basil, correct?" and she seemed affronted that we would even ask. "Yes...of course!" was her response. While the crab manacotti was wonderful, the ravioli and the scallop dishes were very underwhelming. The ravioli was an $18 plate, but it was a tiny portion. The scallops are described as being over risotto, which is not accurate. I received scallops over a side of soggy steamed veggies with a small portion of "risotto" - I've had Rice-a-Roni that tasted better than that. The risotto tasted ok, but was clearly overcooked and it seemed like it had been sitting too long in whatever container it was in; it was dry and utterly inelegant. The scallops were soggy and somewhat undercooked. About two bites into our entrees, my fiance asked us to investigate something suspiciously nutty. Sure enough, we found several walnut halves. By this point, I was starting to get upset. Our waitress was duly horrified and quickly made sure to take it off our bill, and she even offered us a free dessert. About 10 minutes later, I started feeling ill. I wasn't sure if I was being paranoid because of the ravioli, but I didn't eat much of my scallops. We paid the check and left. Sure enough, not 5 minutes after we got home, I broke out it hives and swelled up like a balloon. It was a relatively mild reaction compared to how it could have been, thank goodness, but even so, I was irate. I called the restaurant and left a message on their voicemail (no response yet). Needless to say, I will never return to Pogacha.
(1)Sarah S.
the food is good. a tab bit expensive for what it is, but good. the restaurant is nice, it just seems to be overrun with families with small children. small children have a way of making a nice intimate dinner turn into something slightly less comfortable that is interrupted by crying every 30 minutes.. the pogacha bread itself is good, best directly out of the oven. use prime card if you have it, it makes this otherwise overpriced family restaurant worth the trip.
(3)Art Y.
Although my daughter has been to this place a few times, the rest of us have not and we visited this restaurant as a family for the first time last weekend. Physical arrangements: The restaurant looked like it was previously a home and was converted into a restaurant. However, the owner has spaced out the tables well and I certainly did not feel cramped and there was plenty of room to breathe; i.e. privacy was reasonable. Noise level is average because sound seem to bounce quite a bit in the inner room which we were in. We had a window seat that looked into their little garden with herbs and bushes --- it was pleasing. I would give a 3.5 stars for this area. People: The hostess was polite and put on a warm smile when we met her. Waiter was warm and unpretentious. He was helpful and very attentive. The only possible improvement I can suggest to him is to speak a little softer --- the volume of his voice was a little too loud for an evening at an Italian restaurant. Manager took the time to visit our table when she found out we were there the first time --- that was a nice touch. This area of their performance deserves a 4-star. For my ranking scale, a 4-star is excellent. I only give a 5-star when the performance is over and beyond exceptional. Food: most important to me I ordered their pasta special which came with Chilean crab and sole fish mixed with a light sauce, which if I recall correctly, was white-wine based. The seafoods were fresh and the pasta was firm. It is certainly well above average but not tip-top --- 3.5 star, perhaps. My wife ordered another pasta entree with prawn and some spicy sauce (don't remember the name) which was a little too spicy for her. I sampled a little of it and found it tastier than my dish. I thought her dish deserves a 4-star. The other orders were a BBQ pizza and tomato-basil pizza. Both came with doughs that were baked just right. I have also sampled them and they were 3.5-4 star pizzas. For dessert, we decided to share a Tiramisu ('cos we were quite full). The cocoa, strong coffee, heavy creme and generous rum served to make this dessert a kicker. Certainly a full 4-star dessert. All in all, as you can probably tell, it is a 3.5 to 4 star experience. I will be back.
(4)David P.
If you live on the east side, want to dine outside, and have a child, Pogacha is one of the few restaurants that allows you to do so--and also has excellent service and above-average food. When the temp got over 80 and my wife and I wanted to dine outside with our toddler, we found that most restaurants only have outdoor dining for patrons 21+ (for an extension of their bar). Finding Pogacha was a nice treat! The wait staff were all very attentive, and I was really impressed with the quality of the noodle dish they served for my child. She can be pretty finicky, but she ate quite heartily! I agreed with her assessment, as I found their Salmon Fettucini to be excellent. The only reason I didn't give a full 5 stars is that my wife's dish was average quality. The wine, on the other hand, was quite good! Bottom line; if you have kids, want to dine outside, and are looking for good Italian on the east side, I recommend Pogacha. We'll definitely go back!
(4)Annie F.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving last year -- around November 26th or so, my daughter-in-law had a surprise birthday party for her husband [my hubby's son, my step-son]. It was a catered dinner. Because I have severe food allergies, my daughter-in-law told me that she had asked the restaurant to bring me a menu [big kudos to my daughter-in-law!!!]. But, when the food arrived, I found that there were many things that I could eat so I didn't need the menu. The food was wonderful. I don't normally eat at Italian restaurants [my family was Italian, so I ate Italian food every day for years, and years, and years] but I would definitely drive back to Issaquah to eat at this restaurant again. Keep up the good work Pogacha!!!! As I was leaving I told the staff at the front desk that the next time I went to Yelp I was going to write a wonderful review of their restaurant, so here it is!!!
(5)Lynette W.
I have been here several times for lunch and happy hour. It can be a little hit and miss. The bread is good, sometimes the oil/vinegar mixture they serve you is proportionately off. Happy hour food tends to be good, liked the satay and steak bites quite a bit. The tomato basil bisque is always tasty. One work lunch we were told the soup of the day was potato cheddar. We got excited and ordered it, but then were brought out broccoli cheddar. I guess the special put on the board was an accident. It was literally broccoli florets with a cheese sauce over it, it wasn't a soup at all. They were apologetic and got us some tomato basil for free instead. The service is always good. The water is fine.
(3)Amy S.
I've been coming here for about 15 years now. I can't say too much about the menu, as I found my dish on the first trip and never looked back. Chicken Dijon is brilliant, garlicky and amazing. Service is fantastic, very accommodating and not pushy or pressured. Go for lunch, though. The prices are much more reasonable.
(5)Shana N.
Thursday night is all night happy hour! How much fun is that?! Went last night on a date, sat outside, basked in the sun and ate some great food for cheap! I have some nice color today, glad it's finally summer and was happy to enjoy the sunshine on the Pogacha patio! Tried the steak bites again and they were excellent, cooked just right! Had the garlic cheese fries, I still smell like garlic today, I'm a fan! Also had the chicken quesidilla which was cheesy goodness. We had 2 different waitresses because of a shift change, both were good, prompt, no complaints there. The first waitress kindly put up with our dillema of what food to order, she was very patient. Of course on our way out it was Denise who thanked us for coming in, she is so friendly! She wasn't even waiting on us last night! She always makes me feel welcome!
(4)Gerry J.
A pretty good restaurant with an Adriatic influence. The bar section was noisy and there were a few televisions with sports on. The meal I had was subtle and complex in flavor. You can tell the chef was schooled. It was something that you had to take your time to taste, not quite the meal to be gobbled down. The best however was the predinner flatbread that they serve. A smart person would go, order a drink and use the bread as a meal.
(3)Jeffrey S.
Nothing to write home about. Expensive.
(2)E H.
Stopped here for dinner on a whim a while back. Service was friendly enough, though a bit slow at times, which was puzzling as it didn't seem that busy/understaffed. Decor is okay, but seems a bit shabby and mismatched. I'm silly and like doodling on paper tablecloth toppers, so thanks to the waitress for not giving me any attitude for giving me crayons to do so *love* Food ranged from bland/tasteless to straight up unappetizing. Salads were much better than our entrees. I am not entirely sure what cuisine they are trying to specialize in, their self description makes it seem vaguely Italian with a Mediterranean bend but it seemed like a jumble of standard-fare restaurant food and a smattering of random things like pad thai (which was honestly appalling) alongside Dobar chicken and their specialty flatbread pogacha things. Friendly but overpriced and feels tired/rundown. I know times are tight, but try paring down the menu to a smaller selection of dishes you can really nail instead of trying to do it all and doing it poorly.
(2)Carly L.
Today I had a meeting for work and we had lunch here. It was actually quite enjoyable! The room was nicely decorated and private. The lunch was buffet and everything was tasty. I ate some salad, some pasta, some bread, and potatoes. YUMS. The staff was highly attentive and my glass of water was never empty. I will definitely come back to try something else on the menu. Thank you again to the staff of Pogacha for being so great.
(4)Nick B.
We had a banquet here. The service was awful and the food was bland. The dessert I ordered was pumpkin cheesecake and a peanut butter cheesecake came. I tried it anyway, it was old and tasted like refrigerator. The salad was bland, oily and had no flavor, it just tasted like plain lettuce. The pork tenderloins were bland and so were the roasted vegetables that came with it. The pork was fatty and overcooked. To their credit my wife's steak was prepared well but her roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes were bland as well. This restaurant is overpriced and is not worth the money, I will not be returning.
(1)Malia F.
We came in for lunch. I had heard that they had good salads, I am a sucker for salads. The space is very cute, a little hard to find. I ordered the spinach salad, and truthfully I was very underwhelmed. My guest had the chopped salad, and she had to make her own additional dressing with the balsamin/oil that was served with the bread. We also had their pogacha bread sampler, this was too cheesy for my liking. They ran out of iced tea... Maybe it was just a bad day...
(2)Nestor P.
Living of fame, this is a very expensive place that now is not dealing properly with the fame and becoming expensive and poor quality (Food and service). I did a group dinner there and I regret my decision. The food was really bad even that we agreed on the menu in advance. We were 45 people and the "restaurant" decided to assign only 1 person to manage drinks and food orders! the food quality was not the bed and really the overall experience could be better. Also parking here is a nightmare because the private lot is really small and there is not option to park close to the restaurant that living in issaquah = get wet!
(2)Eric W.
This was my first time eating at Pogacha. There was a group of us in the bar and seating was very cramped. But that's beside the point. I had the Pear-Gorgonzola Ravioli with candied walnuts. It could have been fantastic, but the gorgonzola was not a good grade at all (too sharp and acidic, not smooth!) The only brand of gorgonzola I've had like this is the Stella brand already crumbled, cheap! But I could be wrong on what they used. The pears were absent from the dish except for a fan of garnish made of unripened ones. I also had some Hot & Spicy Jerk Wings, which were not good at all either. It tasted like poultry seasoning, but there was no "Hot & Spicy!" I was burping this up for hours. Blue cheese dressing (instead of Ranch) might have helped the wings. One plus was the bread and balsamic & olive oil, which was tasty. Overall, I was very disappointed to get mediocre food for that price! And rounding out the evening, several of us had intestinal distress later.
(1)Erin W.
Went here Friday night for dinner. The food was great and the restaurant was beautiful! I had the lasagna and my boyfriend had the steak and we ordered a side of rosotto all very good and the complimentary bread given is addicting! It is also on the Prime card which was a added bonus. The only negative was it was tough to find a parking spot their lot is kind of small. We will definitely be coming back.
(4)Quinn C.
Wife and I have gone here a few times lately - we look for new happy hour places occasionally. Okay drinks, pretty good food, average service. We will avoid for a while though... the clientele here is a little on the older side (40-50 yo some-things) which is our age group. But it's cutthroat to try and get a table. Both times people ran past us to get an open table, they shift tables when other people leave, always jockeying for the best spot, and absolutely don't care if they just took your table (when they arrived after you). A customer came and took a chair from our table (didn't ask, just did it). It was pretty amazing... wife and I said maybe it's the generation of people who go here (i.e. "I need to get mine"), but seriously it was very blatant. The staff doesn't seat you when you arrive, you're just kind of on your own to find a table in the bar. Because of this we're giving it a break for a while... fighting for a table sets a bad tone for the rest of the visit, don't want to deal with that when we want to go somewhere to relax and unwind for happy hour.
(2)Inness P.
Wow! I'm not sure why there are so many negative reviews--I'd probably give it 4 stars, but I haven't been there for a while. I've always loved Pogacha, however...especially the bread that they give you to nibble before you're served.
(3)Mandi E.
The service was a bit slow but very friendly. The food was wonderful and I would go there again in the future.
(4)Jack R.
I don't know what has happened to Pogacha in Issaquah, we have been customers for over 10 years, since the remodel you did things have drastically changed for the worse. We had dinner on Friday 11-16, I could not believe the portion size of the Dijon Chicken has shrunk so much, for $16.00, I felt cheated and robbed. My wife had the Gorgonzola Ravioli, the sauce was way to thick and heavy, again value to price, not worth it. We split a Caesar salad, there was barely enough dressing, dry and again, small portion for a lot of money. The service, our server was Kendall, we hate even coming in there with the thought of him waiting on us, he is abrupt, loud and obnoxious with his (what he thinks) charismatic way. The guy needs to take it down a few notches. What happened to some of the other staff that used to be there, the lady manager with blonde hair, would at least come by the table to check on things, there seemed to be a lady manager there on Friday, she never even acknowledged any of the customers, a smile on her face would also help. Why did you get rid of the staff that at least knew what customer service was. I was already wondering why on a Friday night it was not as busy as usual. I understand that you have charge to make a profit, but 2 pasta dishes, 1 salad, 1 glass of wine and 1 martini (which by the way $14 for a Martini?..Really? for a total bill of $75.00 plus I have to tip an awful waiter. Needles to say, after all these years, we wont be back, if I am going to spend that kind of money, I expect a better value and service, I suggest before you loose more loyal customer you make some drastic changes and review your food and service standards. Too bad, we really enjoyed going to Pogacha at least 2-3 times a month, always recommending it to friends and family, not anymore.
(2)Jocelyn E.
We've spent Mother's Day brunch here. And I am never coming back. Ever. I will be *cough, cough* deathly ill and "on my way to the hospital" rather than come here if anyone ever suggests it. And I'd rather die of starvation before coming back here on my own free will. The experience started out "no bueno". I was on crutches. You think the hostess could have slowed down her walking so that I could actually follow her across the dining floor. No, of course not, that would have been considerate. Overlooking that, I looked forward to the fact that it was a buffet. I mean, the (supposedly) nice thing about buffets is that there is something for everyone. Me, I'm a huge fan of omelets, so that's where I always start out. I asked for spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and bacon. They didn't have spinach, and they didn't have tomatoes (they did have some salsa mix - and despite what the guy behind the stove was telling me, they are not the same). I took one bite of my omelet. It was terrible. It was bitter and left this bitter aftertaste in my mouth, which I spent the next 5 minutes and several drinks to try to wash out of my mouth. I don't know if the eggs went bad or -what- it was just GROSS. Back to the buffet line... The only thing that saved me from complete starvation is the fact that they had a ton of fruit. Not a big variety, but I can deal with a plate full of strawberries and pineapple and melons. Thank God too, because I would have probably fainted of hunger waiting for the rest of the family to finish stuffing their faces with the few edible items they were able to pick (mostly pastries - and let me tell you, I've worked as a pastry chef before and there's not way I'm ever eating a pastry again). On the way out I was given a dead rose by the staff ("A rose for all the moms!"). Happy Mother's Day, huh?
(1)shein p.
Things that are embarrassing: * Running into an ex at the grocery store... with your post-workout stink on. * Forgetting to press the mute button before shit-talking the boss during a phone conference. and * Voluntarily hanging out in Issaquah after work instead of heading straight back to Ballard. Oh, yes. I have done it--more than once, even. I have noticed that the service has gone down hill over the last year; otherwise I'd have given it 4 stars just for the bread and drinks. I recommend the bar over the dining room; it's much more relaxed, has the happy hour specials, and still has the full menu available as long as the kitchen is open. The parking is annoying, but it's gotten easier with the crappy economy. The beer list is decent, and their bartenders have poured well for me. I do miss $10 bottle of wine night, though! The food is hit or miss--I've had to send back an overcooked steak (I mean leather here, not just a little tan) and the salads are ALWAYS overdressed with way too much oil--but I am almost always pleased if I order a pogacha (it's like a pizza, only without the red sauce). Melty cheese + fresh bread + beer = happy girl. Usually there is live music on the weekends, and there's even Happy Hour after 9 on Saturdays. Not a bad eastside option for those who don't want to truck it to Bellevue.
(3)kristin m.
I was hoping my first visit here would prove the bad reviews wrong but unfortunately I have to agree. The hostess/waitress was very unfriendly and my food was not great either. I ordered a pasta dish and when it was served I noticed there was no pasta! It was just the chicken and sauce! I told the waitress and she went to replace it. It was then served with pasta which was very overcooked - it was like mush! When the waitress realized I was not eating and asked if I wanted a box I showed it to her and she shrugged her shoulders and walked off. It was so weird! Needless to say we probably won't be back.
(2)Brandie G.
Food was good, but definitely pricey! Loved the pre-dinner bread. Happy hour I would love to check out. Seems to have some good deals for food and drinks then.
(4)Karla F.
Although I wasn't as annoyed as others by the parking, I will agree with everyone about the mediocre food and slow service. We came here for a staff lunch at the request of the Big Boss. Everyone described their food as "just okay". I had the penne bolognese and with the exception of the sausage, the rest didn't have much taste. It's not often that I have to salt and pepper an italian dish with a cream sauce involved. My parmesan was clumped together, which hinted that the meal may have been reheated prior to bringing it out to the table. We waited forever for our meals, although our server did a great job of keeping our drinks full. I did love, love, love the warm flatbread they placed on the table when we sat down. But it annoyed me that I couldn't really tell what their specialty was - the menu is all over the place.
(2)Gene D.
Update 08/07/07: Lunch meeting here has changed my mind a bit. The coleslaw is an original and thankfully arrived without that mayo stuff usually mixed in. Heard about Halibut & Chips and tried it. Tasty! I'm adding a star... First Review: Love the staff and drinks, hate the food. Most beef is classified as Choice, Select or Prime. Here I would rate it as Microwaved Cardboard Paste. Who knows, maybe USDA would consider a fourth quality rating!
(3)Caroline O.
I've always wanted to check out Pogacha because I heard they had great food. We went to the Issaquah location for my birthday and we were all disappointed. Not a single person greeted us and after 10 minutes of sitting in the bar area we had to ask for water. You'd think that if one person asked for water, that you'd bring water for the other three but it didn't happen and we had to ask individually as the server would just bring one and walk away. It was 8pm and it was not busy yet staff was walking around no one was making eye contact with us. All four of us work in the food and beverage industry and beyond disappointed with the lack of service. The menu was great but the customer service is unfortunately lacking and needs improvement.
(2)Susan H.
Great and tastey food but not very good value for what they charge. For example their signature dish, "Dobar Chicken" which costs $12.95 for lunch comes with half a chicken breast; that is to say they take a chicken breast and cut it in half through the middle so it's very thin. I guess that (although it was delicious) I was offended that they wouldn't give me a whole chicken breast (which we all know costs $1 or less at Costco so I'm sure they pay less) considering how much they were charging me. The same dish is $17.50 for dinner and comes with one whole chicken breast (sliced into 2 pieces). Delicious salads, pizzas and Pogachas (flatbread they bake fresh in their wood burning oven)! Service is hit and miss (although everyone is always pleasant), sometimes great and sometimes your waitress never checks on drink refills ect...
(2)John G.
Went in early August 2011. Had low expectations as M went to their Bellevue shop a few years back and was disappointed. This was much different. Nice ambiance, very good service, nice menu with a range of prices. the food was good, well presented, We enjoyed this place and will return
(3)Cory C.
My wife and I have been here a number of times over the years, hoping the food will get better. Unfortunately it has not. I've always found it to be bland and pretty boring. I love the atmosphere of the bar, but the food really does need improvement. The all-day happy hour on Thursday's is a great option for Issaquah too, but again, please redo the menu and then we'll return.
(2)Jen S.
Not impressed. Slow service, place is a bit run down and I had to ask several times for water, diet coke. Food was ok, overpriced. I would go to Lombardi's or another Italian place in Issaquah instead.
(2)James A.
The service was good(minus my pet peeve of the wait staff asking all patrons to join in singing happy birthday for one of the diners). The food was blah, it wasn't that it was prepared poorly but rather as if they used inferior quality of ingredients. I would not recommend unless you are a heavy smoker, British, and do not enjoy the taste of your food.
(2)Ed B.
About a month ago, my wife's parents came to visit us and as they had never been to the Northwest, we did our best to make sure they had a positive experience all-around. There was one downer the whole week and it was Pogacha. I feel bad that I can't remember what anyone else ordered, save that they all agreed their food was bland and unimpressive. I'm a firm believer in the "you don't go to a seafood restaurant and order the steak" so I ordered their Greek (I believe?) Pogacha. It was acceptable, but rather expensive for what it was: a couple of tapatias with feta and olives and stuff. The prices were exorbitant considering how mediocre the food was. We traded samples of each other's dishes to see if we were off the mark, and well, sad to say we weren't. Towards the end of the meal, I pulled out my phone and checked the Yelp reviews and found every negative or mediocre review echoing our own experience and wondering wtf the positive and rave reviewers were smoking and where I could get some. It would have to be some pretty powerful sh*t to make this place seem awesome and the food anything but a cut above the stuff I feed my cat out of cans. The restaurants reminds me of tiny restaurants converted out of strip mall units, and the vibe is very much that of low class trying way too hard to act high class. If they would unify their menu into one theme, ditch the "Italian" attempt, drop their prices about 30% across the menu, and change the decor a bit to suit, they'd probably increase their repeat business a good deal. I know for sure that we won't be going back. Oh, and the parking. Yeah, totally didn't notice the EPIC POTHOLE that you could hide a small country in. And no, there isn't enough parking for a restaurant that size. Sorry, there just isn't. All that said, while scanning the local events section of the paper last night, my wife mentioned there was a band playing at Pogacha and it seemed that it was the only thing going on in Issaquah. We didn't feel like driving more than a few minutes and they were the only game in town. We almost conceded the point until she noticed, and I quote "Nevermind, it's the house band so they probably suck too." We went to the Gaslamp instead and had an enjoyable evening of drinks and food that met our expectations at a reasonable price. More than could have been said if we went to Pogacha.
(2)Elisabeth H.
We have been eating at Pogacha's in Issaquah for about 2 yrs now ! We had been going almost every week , until last May 2013. Our dinner was horrible and we asked the manager if they had a new cook. She said NO. She even admitted our plates were not what they should have been . I have always ordered the Chicken Parmesan and my husband has always ordered different dishes from the menu. She did comp one meal with a gift card from the restaurant. Fast forward 4mos: we finally returned and ordered the same dishes as we did in May. Still, not any better ! How can you screw up such a basic dish as Chicken Parmesan ? It was burnt and had no spices to it = no flavor what so ever ! I used to really like this place , so it is hard to give it only 3 stars and that is mostly because I like the ambiance and close proximity to where I live . The service is always unpredictable as well. Sorry, Pogacha , we won't be back .
(3)Bryan N.
Food was delicious for the most part, service was OK, but a tad expensive for what you get. The Thai dish was not very authentic, and their insertion of the paper-wrapped chopsticks under the entree was somewhat off-putting to our Asian friend that was with us. So, I'd suggest sticking with the Italian dishes and the pizza for the best experience.
(3)Carolina A.
If I could give Pogacha a -5 I would. I always thought their famous purple dish they are so proud of is absolute crap! So gross! But after yesterday I am for ever done with that place. Here's what happened: Once in a while my coworkers get together for happy hour, this time they decided on Pogacha, I was not going to go because I have to pick up my son at daycare, but it was a very nice day so I went with the kiddo on tow. Little did I know the outdoor seating is considered part of the bar, therefore no minors are allowed. Ok I understand, by no means I want them to break State regulations so one of my coworkers offered to seat with me in the dining room so I could order some food, feed my son, etc. But get this, the dining room is completely empty and they won't make an exception to let me order from the Happy Hour menu. I politely asked the lady if she was willing to lose a customer over the happy hour menu -vs- dinner menu considering is hard times for restaurants and they didn't have any customers in the main dining room and she didn't hesitate one bit and said YES!!! So for that, I will NEVER go to Pogacha again, and since I organize many meetings and luncheons for my company I will make sure to never have them there. What ever happened with customer service?
(1)Nick G.
Pogacha is one of my favorite restaurants ever. Their food is fantastic and their Pogacha pizzas are one of a kind. My favorite pasta definitely has to be their Dobar Chicken (aka the purple dish). I read the other reviews written by Redmond yuppies who just got done sweating out their gold dust at Gold's Gym and are looking for an outlet to vent their pent up aggression. Don't listen to them if you're interested in good food. If you want to get picky you can point out the overflow parking issue or service but sometimes you have to sacrifice small things for the sake of the food (e.g. Soup Nazi). Obviously this place has it's blemishes but hey, that's why I gave the restaurant 4-stars. It has character and great food.
(4)J M.
We came here because of the Microsoft Prime discount. We won't be back. I haven't had food this bland in a very very long time. We ordered mediterranean dips as an appetizer. Thank goodness the portions are large because that was just about the only tasty thing they brought out all night. I guess if this was my happy hour place, and I was only ordering appetizers, I could see myself coming to this place a bit. Maybe. For dinner, I ordered the braised lamb. It's in the "specialty" section of their menu. So I thought they were proud of that dish... It was flavorless boiled lamb. No salt. No pepper. No spices. Just onions and water. Boiled. Not braised. I picked at it for a bit, took most of it home, and made curry with it. It was much better the second time. As a side dish, I ordered risotto. I don't think their chefs have ever seen a risotto. It was only creamy because of all the cheese in it. There aren't supposed to be strings of mozzarella connecting the risotto on your fork to the risotto in the dish... It was so greasy, I couldn't eat it. My husband had the lasagna. It was ok. Wouldn't order it again, but it was edible. Very greasy, and a too big portion. But edible. Thank goodness for the Prime discount. Makes paying the bill for a lousy dinner much more bearable.
(1)Brandon T.
I live in Issaquah and discovered Pogacha through the Prime card site and a few reviews. The outside is nice looking and it's very stylish. If you order the pasta dishes you will be satisified. I generally get a Pogacha now, as that is their speciality and they are a real treat. It's a mini pizza with nice tasting bread with no red sauce. Their little flat breads they give you are also delicious. Because they take the Prime Card it is a very reasonable price, as you can buy one, get one entree for free. Also, they tend to have a special on Sunday night where the Pogachas are like $10 I think, also a good deal. My only complaint is the bar/lounge. It tends to be noisy with a large TV and people being slightly obknoxious. One time they had live music which was great, but I couldn't hear myself talk as it was too loud. The service in the bar also tends to be slow and forgetful. I recommend the dining room if you want a nice meal where you can talk.
(4)Dan V.
I drive by Pogacha almost daily and finally decided to give them a try. Big mistake. Bad parking, tired decor, at best mediocre food. I'll spend my hard earned money elsewhere.
(1)Jeff A.
I can always find something new on the menu to satisfy my pasta craving here. Service and atmosphere is okay but the food is very good. One of the few places around that serves lamb chops. Reservations aren't usually necessary.
(3)Mike F.
Poor service. Mediocre food. Poor parking. The ambiance is that of a Red Robin trying really hard to be classy, and failing.
(2)Dan W.
Nothing stood out here, a little overpriced. Problem is that one of the Bob's at work likes the place so I am usually dragged, kicking and screaming to come for lunch. And then the job won't pick up the tab.
(2)Cynthia H.
Great variety of food in Issaquah. This isn't the same as the Pogach of Bellevue, but is also worth going to. I also like the fact that you can have a private party here in the back rooms. If you want the best dish available, try the Dobar Chicken!!! Delicious!!
(4)Angie S.
Love Pogacha! We usually do either Happy Hour or Lunch in the bar. The service is ALWAYS friendly and the food is excellent. We love the Pogacha Chop Salad. Try it sometime. AWESOME!
(4)Krishna V.
Came here solely to compare it to its sister in Bellevue. Not a favorable comparison. There were a couple of items that it would be nice to see in Bellevue, but this ranks third on the Pogacha totem pole.
(2)Veronica S.
I'm giving it 2 stars because it's not as gross as Denny's. The service is sub par. The menu is confusing... what are they good at? I can't tell. Prices are also high for what you get. Parking is horrible.
(2)Crysta L.
Went on a Monday night. We ordered the Fire Warmed Goat Cheese for an appetizer -- was really good, had fire roasted red peppers and olives that were a yummy extra to the goat cheese. My only complaint is that they didn't serve it with enough bread but when I asked they did bring more. For dinner I ordered the Pear-Gorgonzola Ravioli. Really good! Rich sauce, great ravioli. Had great flavors! My boyfriend had the Tenderloin Steak with Gorgonzola. He got the pesto-mushroom risotto with his steak. Which was also yummy! Also tried their Washington wine flight. Great pairings and they seem to have a good selection of Washington wines. Service was ok -- the staff was nice but a bit slow.
(4)Subbu A.
Go there only if you prefer overpriced menu and poor service. The waitresses have no idea about their menu and can make very poor suggestions. Never going there again.
(2)shawna g.
when i first moved to issaquah 2 years ago, the pogacha's here were actually good and a great happy hour deal- then they were $5. but not too long after the price went up and the quality went way down. now the only thing i will eat there is the garlic fries and the fresh bread they bring to dip in oil- both of which are really good. i keep going back because i love their bar- it just has a really cozy feeling with the fire place and a nice patio for summer. they have great beer on tap and an awesome deal on pitchers during happy hour. the servers in the bar are always very nice and attentive. 4 stars for great bar atmosphere and good beer selection- 0 stars for food.
(4)L. P.
Pogacha's food is okay. I enjoy going here for the happy hour (appetizers and drinks) on Thursday evenings.
(3)Kevin S.
Haven't been back to pogachas for a few years, went for brunch one Saturday morning. The good news was immediate seating, usually a bad omen but undeserved in this case. I had the asparagus swiss and prosciutto scramble with bacon, the Mrs had the french toast. The scramble was really great, potatoes a bit greasy but good, bacon was thick cut but not crispy. French toast was odd as it was made from their flatbread, but got rave reviews. Most dishes were around $10. Bottom line, wont knock your socks off but pretty good.
(4)Nic R.
We arrive 3:30 P.M. Two different host/servers asked if we would like to be seated, to which we said yes each time, we then proceeded to wait 10 minutes. The bar & seating are both were not full with customers. It too another 10 minutes to order. I order the Chicken Parm, my husband the Dobar Chicken, my son the Mac-n-Cheese. Also we order the Pogocha (flat bread) with Spinach, Sundried Tomato, & Goat cheese. The Chicken Parmesan was chewy rubbery. The side of pasta was so riddled with garlic that it was inedible. The Dobar Chicken was GROSS!!! Tasted like the used grave juice & yogart? The Mac-n-Cheese may have been microwaved. We did not order dessert.
(1)Kim Q.
I love coming here for a casual dinner with my boyfriend. They are a part of the Passport discounts. I think that is the only reason why this place is our go to. It is close to our house, it is offered at a 2 for 1 and they have a great atmosphere. I suggest going only on Friday/Saturday because those are the only times they have prime rib - so yummy! Otherwise all of their other menu items are mediocre.
(3)Allen U.
Pogacha is the name of the dough boys they serve with every meal--better than just the normal bread on the side -- and Awesome appetizer is the Bacon Jalepenos @ $10 Friday or Saturday are the best days to go--why you say? Well the Special of the Day is Prime Rib --try the 13 ounce @ $25 add a pint or pitcher for two of the primo Lucille IPA from the Manny's brewery @ only $10.50 and you got a nite on the town--they of course have an awesome Seafood Risotto @ $23 or the new Baby Back Ribs @ $24 for the full rack and a couple other things too--just ask the waitress what's good--this is your neighborhood go to kitchen--Yum Yum--cheers Al
(4)Joey J.
I've eaten here about 20 times and the service has always been good and the food is always good. The four different people I've been here with like to eat here also.
(4)Anjana A.
We came on a night there was a band. There is a $5 cover charge for being seated in that area even if you order drinks and dinner. Our table had 4 people and we all wanted individual checks so we were charged $20 cover charge. I thought that was strange, as some people at some tables ordered nothing and seemed like they did not have to pay anything at all. The food was pretty decent, we ordered chicken quesadillas, a shrimp scampi and a couple other dishes. They came with complimentary dinner rolls that were quite tasty. The selection of beers and cocktails was decent, we were really there for the music but wished there had been more specials on drinks. We had to flag down our server a lot initially as it was busy due to the band, later another server took over and service was better. However, I had to ask for some ice water several times before he brought it to me, although he always seemed to return with my drinks quickly. I might visit another time to try some more food, given there is ample parking.
(3)Charlene L.
+ Lots of parking.. check! + Tasty sandwiches.. check! + Other lunch options like pasta, full on entrees, soups, and salads... check! + Passport dining card taken.. CHECK CHECK CHECK!!! Love this little gem.. heard they have 2 Bellevue locations too... bu
(4)Heather S.
If you are looking for great food, excellent bands, "cheers" like atmosphere then this is your spot. We've been coming here for years and I always love the salmon Caesar salad. To die for. Servers are smart, friendly and mostly on the beautiful side. (Male and female). If you get Connie as your bartender, you will have hit the jackpot!!!
(5)Sam K.
Been to this place for years. Their food is really good in taste. Good quantity for the price. On the weekend, the seating was quick. But service that day was sloooooow. Been decent at other times. Also good interior. The waiter was not as friendly as expected. Was just doing his job. But other staff was warm and welcoming. It is family friendly.
(4)Dick B.
Pogacha is an "old friend" and we just can't figure out why we haven't been back lately. Until tonight. An inconspicuous Sunday dinner to be had, we were in the neighborhood and decided "why not?" We're glad we did. This is one of those places which seems to have the kind of menu which can appeal to a wide variety of folks. That's because it has a wide variety of items on the menu. many perfect comfort foods, priced right, tasting great and served quickly and perfectly. Tonight we were in the mood for simple comfort foods so our lasagna, a huge portion actually on special on Sundays and a Sherry Basil Chicken came quickly and steaming to our table. Best thing is we now have another meal for early this week too. The ownership hasn't strayed far from the original Pogacha and continues to appeal to locals. Steve King, the owner/general manager is usually on hand to make sure things run smoothly. Really his staff can make it happen consistently right but congrats are in order for keeping this gem headed in the right direction!
(4)Cyndi C.
We had a lunch meeting here and got there a little early. It was great to get seated right away. We both ended up ordering the salad with fresh pear. We were able to add our choice of meat. It was a nice place to have a business lunch. The server was very friendly and attentive. We used the Passport Unlimited card here. I've also been here for several business and club meetings.
(4)Delgado H.
My fiancée and I went in here to see a friend of ours sing. We sat at the bar and the bartender came over and was super friendly and helpful. We asked about red wine and she brought us 3 samples to help us decide. Everything was going perfectly. The music was good, the atmosphere was unique, but not bad. Unfortunately, that's not the end of the story. We ordered the steaks bites appetizer. The steak was cook absolutely perfect medium rare, but the dipping sauce that came with it was closer to a gravy I would expect from my grandma's meatloaf. I enjoyed the steak nonetheless, it would have gone great with a nice ipa, or even a mannys, had I been able to order another beer. Instead we sat there with empty glasses for over an hour, and had to ask another server for our tab to which she replied "I can't help you, but I'll ask the bartender". 20 minutes later I had to ask the sender server again for our tab and another 10 minutes after that the bartender finally brought us our tab. If my fiancée wasn't a better person than me, I would have walked out without paying.
(2)Buzz M.
Service was slow and the food was very average. The good news is, it was also over priced! I gave it a 3 because the flavor of the food was descent.
(3)Sarah R.
I just realized it's been a couple years since my last review... time flies I tell you! Happy Hour: Anyhow, this is still a great place to go for a HH and Thursdays are still ALL NIGHT Happy Hour in the bar. I've had HH in small groups and large (about 12 for a team event) and have been able to score a spot no problem (of course, the earlier you get there the better as it does fill up rather fast!) Lunch: Sometimes we come here for lunch as well - my friend is obsessed with the Dobar Chicken and I've been known to get down on a salad or two. The little pogies they bring out are always warm and delicious and yes, they'll bring you more, you just have to ask. Service: The service is hit or miss. There's a gal who works the lunch shift that wears entirely TOO much perfume - yuck! There's still the crazy lady in the bar during HH. Lunch service can be a little slow so if you're pressed for time I would let your server know - otherwise they'll take their time.
(3)Amanda S.
My mom and I came in for a late lunch and were nicely greeted by the bartender joe who let us know the bar was only open. No bother for us! He was attentive and let us know about the daily special which we got and it was delicious! People seriously need to give some slack. No one is a professional food critic and this place definitely deserves more than a three star.
(5)S. D.
This place is completely confusing. The food and ambiance is always very good. The pear gorgonzola pasta is amazing, you cant go wrong with it. The two downsides? The staff is completely lack luster. They are in no hurry to help and are super passive and seem to only kind of care. There is one waitress that is fabulous, but most others are just.... Well meh. The womens bathroom is nicely decorated but ALWAYS a mess. Its like its cleaned every few days instead of every few hours. Every time I go there is toilet paper all over the floors, the seat liner holder is falling off the wall and the trashcan has had its lis removed and just looks bad. When I come in paying a fair amount of money for dinner, the least that can happen is a clean bathroom.
(3)Teri B.
Great personalities Awesome Food! Amazing wines on Tap!! All round great meal we will be back
(4)Regina C.
I used to love this place and eat often in the Bellevue location. Tonight we were in Issaquah for a bball game and we always go for dinner afterward. I immediately thought of the Dijon chicken from my past visits and my craving for it started. Immediately. All through the game I was thinking of the tender fettuccine, creamy & rich Dijon sauce and perfectly sautéed chicken. Agonizing for an hour while my stomaches pangs of hunger got stronger by the minute ignoring my daughter's 3 baskets and a free throw I was excited to introduce them to this place where "the bread is amazing" spot. I couldn't get there fast enough. First the service was awesome. Our server was so attentive w/o being intrusive and she was a very cool person. This being said...I feel bad as I write this review because I have such fond food memories of Pogacha. Pogacha bread is a lot smaller, thicker and cool. I remember it being a little bigger, flatter and hot out of the oven which is why this carb lover adored the bread. My love and I shared a roasted beet salad. Horrible very unappetizing. The red beets were like old leather. The golden beets were tender and had good texture and flavor. The "dressing" was balsamic vinegar not a vinaigrette like the menu described. A minuscule amount of goat cheese seriously very unimpressed. My girls shared a chopped salad. They barely ate it so I tasted it. Cannot put my finger on it, but there was a taste that was really weird and not good. I thought it was the meat, but the kids said it was the dressing. Anyway, not a good chopped salad. My beloved Dijon chicken was way different. The sauce had a very sweet flavor and really a non existent Dijon mustard taste. Way. Too. Sweet!!. My daughter had the Mac n cheese and just told me as I write this that she didn't like it. Duh, I should have figured she hardly ate any of it and took a doggy bag home and promptly threw it away. I didn't get much more in the details, but I know my girl ate cereal when she got home... The kid menu is so sad with 3 pasta choices, 3 flatbread choices and a sandwich. My 8 yr old had the PB&J and she ate it because she was starving. It's served on pogacha bread (the bigger size that I remember) with bland potato chips. Dry and boring I was really surprised when she ordered this for dinner. The chicken Madeira raviolis that my husband ordered in his words was very mediocre. Presentation made it look amazing, but lacked in taste. An old fashioned Manhattan was good a little on the sweet side, he finished it though. My glass of $11.50 Walla Walla cab was awesome! Milk and root beer were up to par as the kids drank every last bit. Sad. I don't think I would go back. Ah memories at least I have my memories. Until I don't and then it doesn't matter. C'est la vie mon ami.
(2)Stephanie W.
Their Pogacha's make super yummy lunches. The dinners are good as well. Love the tomato soup. Creme Bruele is excellent.
(4)Shawna W.
My fiancée and I had never been to pogacha before but wanted to try it. When we walked in, the restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, but there's something weird about it. I couldn't quite put my finger on it at first, but I realized during the meal what it was: it feels fancy, and one look at the menu prices will confirm that initial impression, but the quality of the food and service will strike that from your mind. The table bread is amazing, so I figured the food would be too..we ordered a artichoke/onion and cheese pogacha to share to try. I ordered one of the specials, the smoked salmon fettuccine, and my fiancée had the crab manicotti. We got our food in a very reasonable amount of time, but quickly realized we were disappointed in our selections. The manicotti was tough and chewy, and there were pieces of crab shell in it. It tasted frozen. My fettuccine was al dente, but the salmon was extremely dry and the taste was not very pleasant. I felt like they had taken leftovers from another night, smoked old salmon and threw it onto some noodles. Gross. We didn't return anything because we're really not that type of people, not that our waitress was even around to listen to any complaints. After asking us how our food was right after we got it, before we had eaten, she was MIA for a good thirty minutes. We saw her serving other tables around us, even on the he patio, but would make a point to blatantly ignore us every time we tried to flag her down. Finally we got the hostesses' attention and asked for leftovers to be wrapped and the check. You would think for dropping at least $70 bucks on a dinner, one would be able to enjoy their food and at least get some measure of service, but sadly this was not the case. The only reason we would consider trying this place again would be to grab some of the little table breads and maybe some pogacha to go, because it was the only tasty thing we ate.
(2)A J.
I really like this place! My boyfriend and our friends frequent this restaurant for dinner and drinks. Their pogachas are awesome! I've enjoyed a variety of great meals at Pogacha. The food is excellent and so is the ambiance.
(5)Gina M.
Just had a very disappointing dinner experience at Pogacha. We've been several times before and have always had good meals. We brought out of town guests thinking we'd have another good experience. We were very disappointed. The restaurant is looking very dingy and run down. It was a little embarrassing to bring visitors to a restaurant that looks so badly in need of a deep clean at the very least. To be perfectly honest it needs a complete overhaul. Our server brought us water glasses that were, to be blunt, filthy. They were dull, had numerous water marks and smudged lipstick on the rims of most of the glasses on our table. None of us touched the water. My husband had to scrape residue out of his wine glass before our server poured our wine. The meals were mediocre at best. Even the Pogacha 'pizzas', their signature dish, were awful. If we were not on such a tight timeline due to a theater outing, we would have complained to management or walked out. It's a sad state of affairs when the best part of a meal is the Andes mint at the end. I'll be spending my restaurant dollars elsewhere in future.
(1)Michael G.
Went for lunch yesterday. Had the pogacha burger (lamb and beef), it was juicy and good. Opted for the side caesar salad, it was nothing special. My wife had the chicken madeira pasta. It was rich in a good way but not my kind of dish. The atmosphere was nice, clean with quality finishes. I was surprised that we hadn't stopped in before, as accessible the location is, right off Gilman Blvd. At the end of the day, however, nothing was so spectacular that I would remember here over another similar restaurant. I realize they're known for their pogachas, which aren't enticing enough to want to try but I would go back to try something else based on their potential and nice atmosphere.
(3)Jesy B.
We came here for some drinks and despite having just eaten one of those gigantic Costco hot dogs ended up getting some nibbles. Service was pretty prompt in terms of getting a drink - weird they have no cocktail menu but oh well - and they're stiff on the pours we had. We were enticed by the happy hour Pogacha (flatbreads) and went with the bacon, artichoke hearts and tomato one. Quite tasty. It seems more elegantly appointed in the dining area with a more casual feel in the bar where we sat. TVs were viewable from any seat. Overall, a decent pick for a happy hour or drink.
(4)Mishy S.
In general, this place has a lovely atmosphere and I've never had a bad meal here. The Dijon Chicken Pasta is to die for! Many of their other pasta dishes are also really good but the Dijon one is just creamy dream-worthy goodness in a bowl. Also, great salads and appetizers. I am always the only 20-year old in the place, but that's to be expected in Issaquah. Generally attracts a bit of an older crowd. Service can be great or weirdly inattentive depending on the day and server.
(4)Stacey P.
How have I not reviewed Pogacha? I have been going to Pogacha for the past four years and have found myself missing it if I go too long in between visits. Parking can be a bit of a challenge on a busy night, but they are usually very quick to seat people. The atmosphere is very nice. The restaurant is divided into many different adjoining rooms allowing quite a few people to be seated without having to shout to be heard. It has a very relaxed atmosphere, soft light and softer color tones. The booths are where it's at since the center tables can feel a bit crowded for me if there is a lot of people in the restaurant. Now Pogacha has a standard size menu with a few pasta dishes, some fish dishes, and even some lamb dishes. I have never had these. I go to Pogacha for the pogachas. Pogacha is the oven baked bread that the restaurant is named after, and they serve these pizza style dishes on them that are individual sized that are without tomato sauce. I find their pogachas to be absolutely delicious, soft and light and easy to devour without much thought. And now they have weekend brunch! I had a delicious salmon sandwich on pogacha bread that was light and cooked perfectly. Service is usually good, but nothing that really sticks out. Seriously, it is worth visiting if you love pizza type dishes!
(4)Julie O.
Had lunch today here and it was the most unflavored and bland food i had for years. Not recommending going there.
(2)patricia h.
I've written a positive review for Pogacha before, so this is an update. It seems like the prices have gone up and the quality and service down. Last time we were here I ordered the spicy beef salad which I usually enjoy, but that time the meat was chewy and there was way, way too much dressing. I thought it may have been an off day. Yesterday I went with the Greek Tuna Salad and specifically asked if it was canned tuna or fresh tuna steak. The waitress assured me it was fresh tuna and she'd "never seen it in a can." It was totally Chicken of the Sea. Which is perfectly OK and probably tasty, but I personally associate it with cat food and never would have ordered it. So, I asked for an RPM Omelete instead. When delivered (after hubs and kid were done eating) it was the Spinach & Goat cheese omelete. If you read my past review, I stand by that it is super tasty an a good choice. Just not what I ordered. The waitress said it was "so weird" that this happened and to their credit - did not charge for my meal. We also ordered a Pogacha flat bread to go, specifically with marinara sauce (their default is without) for our kid to eat later. When she opened the box later - no sauce. Not sure if it is a training issue or if they just aren't paying attention, but its such a shame. Hope they bring their standards back up, it is a good option for family dining if you get what you order.
(2)Mac F.
We have dined here a few times. We find them serviceable but nothing outstanding. Nothing stands out. Restaurant offers somewhat limited entree menu. We have tried some of their appetizers (fried calamari, chicken quesadillas ... pretty good), liked some of their entrees (braised lamb shank, veal marsala, pork medallions), but, for "Mediterranean" (?) restaurant, they fall flat with their pasta dishes ("meh" on Grecian prawns,chicken Dijon, and some dark purple pasta thing I had way back when). Service is inconsistent (fair to poor). They seem to focus on and do well with "happy hour" crowd. Their small plates appear good. But, for diners, that may be a good time to avoid. Their very small parking gets overwhelmed and it is vey difficult to maneuver back there.
(3)Ray B.
I think 3 stars defines this restaurant. Nothing has ever been bad, but nothing has ever been great either. Service is decent, sometimes it takes too long to get attention. However, I come back time and time again for the purple dish, very unique.
(3)Alexandra F.
Some friends and I decided to give this place a shot and sounded like their Happy Hour menu would be ok. Less to be desired! Bruchetta was hard/chewy, tomatoes not fresh and a pound of melted cheese was the topper. Nasty! Garlic fries tasted like they were deep fried in old fishy oil. Chicken Wings had feathers, yes feathers! And the steak bites were tough, chewy and flavorless. Adding the mushroom sauce didn't help much.Oh...and a cloudy pitcher of Mac N Jacks was the icing on the cake or was it feeling sick at 4am?? Willl never go back for Happy Hour or any other meal for tha matter.
(1)Heather T.
I'm so glad my husband stumbled upon this restaurant earlier this week and brought home it's menu. We went for the first time tonight and can't wait to share it with friends. Wonderful Croatian/ Mediterranean flavored food. The steamed clams were awesome and our dinners were just as good. Enjoy!
(3)Lorrin C.
Been going there from time to time over the years. Have pretty much stuck with my favorite, Chicken Madeira Ravioli, as I always enjoy the flavor. Added a balsamic dressed salad with a portion of caprese on the side of the plate, both were tasty. Help is attentive and knowledgeable. Prices for dinner are around $15-25 which is for the entree. There are other things on the menu, pogacha (pizza), beef, etc. Oh and the fresh baked Pogachas (buns) are so enjoyable.
(3)Scott A.
I Love the Staff and the Food is delicious, think they could change the Happy Hour menu up a bit however they award Loyalty with frequent diner points along with a generous Happy Hour! Live Music on the weekends is always Fun, just wish they had more room for dancing! Patio when the weathers nice is one of the best in Issaquah!
(5)Sara M.
Despite the server bringing me a salad I didn't actually order (it was quickly fixed) our evening was deliciously pleasant. I ordered the Sweet & Spicy Beef salad and it was awesome. This says a lot considering I am someone who is so picky on flavors & textures that is prevents me from trying anything out of the ordinary. Last night I branched out and was happily surprised! Our server was very kind & helpful and we were sat quickly. It was 8pm on a Thursday so I am sure that helped because considering the size of this place, it seems as though it could accommodate a high volume of customers. They offer bread (their yummy, wood fire toasted 'Pogacha rolls') & oil/vinegar when you sit down which was a nice start to a wonderful evening. Another bonus is that this place is on the Passport card. You buy one meal and you get another FREE. Can't beat that and because of this and the tasty food & decent service I will be returning for sure.
(4)Mark L.
I went here for happy hour on a Friday. Food was ok. Cheap prices on booze. Wait staff is old and so are the customers. Seriously I think everyone here was over 50. Seems very cliquish.
(2)Claire S.
Been here several times over the years. Entrees are great and their little pogacha break thingies are TO DIE FOR. Service is wonderful. Definitely a great place. They're also insanely patient-- went there one time with a group and two of us (not me, thank god) started loudly arguing about politics. They didn't throw us out! Amazing!!! It's got an elegant atmosphere and it great for lunch or for dinner.
(4)Jet Z.
Great service with decent food. Recommend Prawns pasta. It's nice that you can use Prime Card even for brunch.
(4)Nancy B.
I went here a few weeks ago and I thought the food was really delicious. The kids menu was great, only 99 cents for a meal. We used our passport card and got buy 1 get 1 free, so it made a very inexpensive lunch for us. We will be back, wonderful food! My only complaint was it was a little dark in there, they could use some more lighting, but that's all.
(5)Jens J.
I hadn't been to Pogacha since my pre-Yelp days so I thought the time was right to do lunch here today. I did so before checking out the Yelp reviews for Pogacha. Wow, I think a few people were swilling Haterade as they were typing up their reviews. I actually had a good lunch here today, so 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. The worst thing I can say about Pogacha is that they play "lite jazz" (albeit very softly) on their sound system. They had totally revamped the menu since I was last here. Now, they emphasize that they have Adriatic cuisine. Not knowing precisely where Adriatic was, I looked up Adriatic Sea on Wikipedia. It's the chunk of Mediterranean water between Italy and the Balkan countries of Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania. So yes, there was typical Italian fare on the menu. But there was also Phad Thai and halibut & chips. That is Adriatic cuisine? Hmmm. The dining room, decorated in butter and loden hues, was certainly original. A plastic grape vine with little lights snaked around the walls underneath the moldings. On one wall were Chihuly-like glass pieces the size of dinner plates. And on the wall next to me was a large jagged piece of paint stripped off, revealing drywall. I doubt that was intentional design. I ordered a cup of sausage & bean soup and the pear and gorgonzola ravioli. I liked the soup. But what surprised me about the soup (nay, shocked!) was that it had cilantro in it and that I still liked it. If you read my reviews you know that I hiss like a cat when I get a taste of cilantro in my mouth. However, this soup had cilantro in such a light touch I actually found it quite decent. In miniscule quantities, cilantro has a nice citrus flavor. The ravioli, served with very thin slices of pear was perfect in all respects, except for one small note. I didn't so much care for the flavor of the candied pecan topping. It reminded me of either Cracker Jacks or butter toffee. Oh, and I loved the complimentary rolls (they're just like the ones my mom used to make!). I would return here for lunch. Service was fine.
(4)Julie E.
Hats off to Pogacha for their Chicken Dorba! I visited for dinner after church while spending the holiday weekend in Issaquah with family, and I was impressed. The decor, the service and the food were all memorable. This is a cheap chain restaurant. They aren't in the kitchen microwaving your food so of course it takes more time than hitting the drive thru. So when you are open to waiting for your food to be prepared, you aren't harried or already annoyed by other events, and you're not jaded already from being 'forced' to go.. stop in at Pogacha. Frankly I hope that none of you who were so hateful DO go back, at least not when I'm there. Life is to short to be waylaid by whiners.
(4)sally j.
FOOD ALLERGIES? DON'T GO HERE! had dinner at issaquah pogacha and my partner let the server know he was allergic to dairy (and explained what was included in dairy). He was served a double order of veggies cooked in butter. He realized it a third of the way through by taste and asked her. she dismissed it "no, they weren't." he kept eating. she came back 5 min later to say, "oops, i'll get you new veggies." she seemed fairly unconcerned and deducted a glass of wine from the bill, instead of the meal that made him sick. this is unacceptable and we will not be back.
(1)Jessie F.
Very disappointing experience. Overall, the service is OK but the food is at least 25% overpriced for what you actually get. I've had frozen dinner that were tastier. We had allergy concerns and they were either ignored or forgotten. Here's what happened: we dined at Pogacha for the first time last night after waiting for a special occasion to visit. I should add here that we actually tried to dine there the night before, but the live music was so loud it literally caused pain. Anyway, we went back last night since my mother-in-law was in town. The service was nice but slow. We ordered an appetizer (artichoke dip) and we each got a salad: an under-dressed, underwhelming caesar, the Patrick salad, and the grilled beet and goat cheese salad (note: beets were cold and crunchy). The dip was pretty good. For our entrees we ordered the crab manacotti (because they informed us after we ordered that they did not have one of our original entree choices), the rosemary skewered scallops over risotto, and the pear gorgonzola ravioli. Now we had some allergy concerns: my fiance is allergic to nuts, so we made sure he could get the ravioli sans walnuts, and I am allergic to basil. It took about 10 minutes to find out if it would be possible to make the risotto without basil - we were assured it would be. When the food arrived (via a different waitress), we triple checked with her: "No walnuts and no basil, correct?" and she seemed affronted that we would even ask. "Yes...of course!" was her response. While the crab manacotti was wonderful, the ravioli and the scallop dishes were very underwhelming. The ravioli was an $18 plate, but it was a tiny portion. The scallops are described as being over risotto, which is not accurate. I received scallops over a side of soggy steamed veggies with a small portion of "risotto" - I've had Rice-a-Roni that tasted better than that. The risotto tasted ok, but was clearly overcooked and it seemed like it had been sitting too long in whatever container it was in; it was dry and utterly inelegant. The scallops were soggy and somewhat undercooked. About two bites into our entrees, my fiance asked us to investigate something suspiciously nutty. Sure enough, we found several walnut halves. By this point, I was starting to get upset. Our waitress was duly horrified and quickly made sure to take it off our bill, and she even offered us a free dessert. About 10 minutes later, I started feeling ill. I wasn't sure if I was being paranoid because of the ravioli, but I didn't eat much of my scallops. We paid the check and left. Sure enough, not 5 minutes after we got home, I broke out it hives and swelled up like a balloon. It was a relatively mild reaction compared to how it could have been, thank goodness, but even so, I was irate. I called the restaurant and left a message on their voicemail (no response yet). Needless to say, I will never return to Pogacha.
(1)Justin H.
Interesting to see so many negatives on Pogacha. Some facts to hopefully drive clarity: * Yummy, endless yeast bread with olive oil and balsamic * Not as classy as they'd like you to think... think Applebees. * Crayons on tables for grown ups too * Pretty good entrees * Great salads * A little pricey, but if you've got a prime card, it's right on. * Pecan pie a la mode = heaven
(4)Art Y.
Although my daughter has been to this place a few times, the rest of us have not and we visited this restaurant as a family for the first time last weekend. Physical arrangements: The restaurant looked like it was previously a home and was converted into a restaurant. However, the owner has spaced out the tables well and I certainly did not feel cramped and there was plenty of room to breathe; i.e. privacy was reasonable. Noise level is average because sound seem to bounce quite a bit in the inner room which we were in. We had a window seat that looked into their little garden with herbs and bushes --- it was pleasing. I would give a 3.5 stars for this area. People: The hostess was polite and put on a warm smile when we met her. Waiter was warm and unpretentious. He was helpful and very attentive. The only possible improvement I can suggest to him is to speak a little softer --- the volume of his voice was a little too loud for an evening at an Italian restaurant. Manager took the time to visit our table when she found out we were there the first time --- that was a nice touch. This area of their performance deserves a 4-star. For my ranking scale, a 4-star is excellent. I only give a 5-star when the performance is over and beyond exceptional. Food: most important to me I ordered their pasta special which came with Chilean crab and sole fish mixed with a light sauce, which if I recall correctly, was white-wine based. The seafoods were fresh and the pasta was firm. It is certainly well above average but not tip-top --- 3.5 star, perhaps. My wife ordered another pasta entree with prawn and some spicy sauce (don't remember the name) which was a little too spicy for her. I sampled a little of it and found it tastier than my dish. I thought her dish deserves a 4-star. The other orders were a BBQ pizza and tomato-basil pizza. Both came with doughs that were baked just right. I have also sampled them and they were 3.5-4 star pizzas. For dessert, we decided to share a Tiramisu ('cos we were quite full). The cocoa, strong coffee, heavy creme and generous rum served to make this dessert a kicker. Certainly a full 4-star dessert. All in all, as you can probably tell, it is a 3.5 to 4 star experience. I will be back.
(4)David P.
If you live on the east side, want to dine outside, and have a child, Pogacha is one of the few restaurants that allows you to do so--and also has excellent service and above-average food. When the temp got over 80 and my wife and I wanted to dine outside with our toddler, we found that most restaurants only have outdoor dining for patrons 21+ (for an extension of their bar). Finding Pogacha was a nice treat! The wait staff were all very attentive, and I was really impressed with the quality of the noodle dish they served for my child. She can be pretty finicky, but she ate quite heartily! I agreed with her assessment, as I found their Salmon Fettucini to be excellent. The only reason I didn't give a full 5 stars is that my wife's dish was average quality. The wine, on the other hand, was quite good! Bottom line; if you have kids, want to dine outside, and are looking for good Italian on the east side, I recommend Pogacha. We'll definitely go back!
(4)Annie F.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving last year -- around November 26th or so, my daughter-in-law had a surprise birthday party for her husband [my hubby's son, my step-son]. It was a catered dinner. Because I have severe food allergies, my daughter-in-law told me that she had asked the restaurant to bring me a menu [big kudos to my daughter-in-law!!!]. But, when the food arrived, I found that there were many things that I could eat so I didn't need the menu. The food was wonderful. I don't normally eat at Italian restaurants [my family was Italian, so I ate Italian food every day for years, and years, and years] but I would definitely drive back to Issaquah to eat at this restaurant again. Keep up the good work Pogacha!!!! As I was leaving I told the staff at the front desk that the next time I went to Yelp I was going to write a wonderful review of their restaurant, so here it is!!!
(5)Lynette W.
I have been here several times for lunch and happy hour. It can be a little hit and miss. The bread is good, sometimes the oil/vinegar mixture they serve you is proportionately off. Happy hour food tends to be good, liked the satay and steak bites quite a bit. The tomato basil bisque is always tasty. One work lunch we were told the soup of the day was potato cheddar. We got excited and ordered it, but then were brought out broccoli cheddar. I guess the special put on the board was an accident. It was literally broccoli florets with a cheese sauce over it, it wasn't a soup at all. They were apologetic and got us some tomato basil for free instead. The service is always good. The water is fine.
(3)Amy S.
I've been coming here for about 15 years now. I can't say too much about the menu, as I found my dish on the first trip and never looked back. Chicken Dijon is brilliant, garlicky and amazing. Service is fantastic, very accommodating and not pushy or pressured. Go for lunch, though. The prices are much more reasonable.
(5)Shana N.
Thursday night is all night happy hour! How much fun is that?! Went last night on a date, sat outside, basked in the sun and ate some great food for cheap! I have some nice color today, glad it's finally summer and was happy to enjoy the sunshine on the Pogacha patio! Tried the steak bites again and they were excellent, cooked just right! Had the garlic cheese fries, I still smell like garlic today, I'm a fan! Also had the chicken quesidilla which was cheesy goodness. We had 2 different waitresses because of a shift change, both were good, prompt, no complaints there. The first waitress kindly put up with our dillema of what food to order, she was very patient. Of course on our way out it was Denise who thanked us for coming in, she is so friendly! She wasn't even waiting on us last night! She always makes me feel welcome!
(4)Michael P.
Love Pogacha. Don't come here often enough. Their pastas are crafted with thought behind them and the rest of their menu, especially the Pogacha pizzas, is great. Great service, killer happy hour. Try the tomato bisque soup...for all ages. Took my son here for the first time and he loves it!!! He took one bite of their soup and said 'O....M....G....This is the best soup EVER!'.
(5)E H.
Stopped here for dinner on a whim a while back. Service was friendly enough, though a bit slow at times, which was puzzling as it didn't seem that busy/understaffed. Decor is okay, but seems a bit shabby and mismatched. I'm silly and like doodling on paper tablecloth toppers, so thanks to the waitress for not giving me any attitude for giving me crayons to do so *love* Food ranged from bland/tasteless to straight up unappetizing. Salads were much better than our entrees. I am not entirely sure what cuisine they are trying to specialize in, their self description makes it seem vaguely Italian with a Mediterranean bend but it seemed like a jumble of standard-fare restaurant food and a smattering of random things like pad thai (which was honestly appalling) alongside Dobar chicken and their specialty flatbread pogacha things. Friendly but overpriced and feels tired/rundown. I know times are tight, but try paring down the menu to a smaller selection of dishes you can really nail instead of trying to do it all and doing it poorly.
(2)Carly L.
Today I had a meeting for work and we had lunch here. It was actually quite enjoyable! The room was nicely decorated and private. The lunch was buffet and everything was tasty. I ate some salad, some pasta, some bread, and potatoes. YUMS. The staff was highly attentive and my glass of water was never empty. I will definitely come back to try something else on the menu. Thank you again to the staff of Pogacha for being so great.
(4)Nick B.
We had a banquet here. The service was awful and the food was bland. The dessert I ordered was pumpkin cheesecake and a peanut butter cheesecake came. I tried it anyway, it was old and tasted like refrigerator. The salad was bland, oily and had no flavor, it just tasted like plain lettuce. The pork tenderloins were bland and so were the roasted vegetables that came with it. The pork was fatty and overcooked. To their credit my wife's steak was prepared well but her roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes were bland as well. This restaurant is overpriced and is not worth the money, I will not be returning.
(1)Malia F.
We came in for lunch. I had heard that they had good salads, I am a sucker for salads. The space is very cute, a little hard to find. I ordered the spinach salad, and truthfully I was very underwhelmed. My guest had the chopped salad, and she had to make her own additional dressing with the balsamin/oil that was served with the bread. We also had their pogacha bread sampler, this was too cheesy for my liking. They ran out of iced tea... Maybe it was just a bad day...
(2)Nestor P.
Living of fame, this is a very expensive place that now is not dealing properly with the fame and becoming expensive and poor quality (Food and service). I did a group dinner there and I regret my decision. The food was really bad even that we agreed on the menu in advance. We were 45 people and the "restaurant" decided to assign only 1 person to manage drinks and food orders! the food quality was not the bed and really the overall experience could be better. Also parking here is a nightmare because the private lot is really small and there is not option to park close to the restaurant that living in issaquah = get wet!
(2)Eric W.
This was my first time eating at Pogacha. There was a group of us in the bar and seating was very cramped. But that's beside the point. I had the Pear-Gorgonzola Ravioli with candied walnuts. It could have been fantastic, but the gorgonzola was not a good grade at all (too sharp and acidic, not smooth!) The only brand of gorgonzola I've had like this is the Stella brand already crumbled, cheap! But I could be wrong on what they used. The pears were absent from the dish except for a fan of garnish made of unripened ones. I also had some Hot & Spicy Jerk Wings, which were not good at all either. It tasted like poultry seasoning, but there was no "Hot & Spicy!" I was burping this up for hours. Blue cheese dressing (instead of Ranch) might have helped the wings. One plus was the bread and balsamic & olive oil, which was tasty. Overall, I was very disappointed to get mediocre food for that price! And rounding out the evening, several of us had intestinal distress later.
(1)Erin W.
Went here Friday night for dinner. The food was great and the restaurant was beautiful! I had the lasagna and my boyfriend had the steak and we ordered a side of rosotto all very good and the complimentary bread given is addicting! It is also on the Prime card which was a added bonus. The only negative was it was tough to find a parking spot their lot is kind of small. We will definitely be coming back.
(4)Quinn C.
Wife and I have gone here a few times lately - we look for new happy hour places occasionally. Okay drinks, pretty good food, average service. We will avoid for a while though... the clientele here is a little on the older side (40-50 yo some-things) which is our age group. But it's cutthroat to try and get a table. Both times people ran past us to get an open table, they shift tables when other people leave, always jockeying for the best spot, and absolutely don't care if they just took your table (when they arrived after you). A customer came and took a chair from our table (didn't ask, just did it). It was pretty amazing... wife and I said maybe it's the generation of people who go here (i.e. "I need to get mine"), but seriously it was very blatant. The staff doesn't seat you when you arrive, you're just kind of on your own to find a table in the bar. Because of this we're giving it a break for a while... fighting for a table sets a bad tone for the rest of the visit, don't want to deal with that when we want to go somewhere to relax and unwind for happy hour.
(2)Inness P.
Wow! I'm not sure why there are so many negative reviews--I'd probably give it 4 stars, but I haven't been there for a while. I've always loved Pogacha, however...especially the bread that they give you to nibble before you're served.
(3)Mandi E.
The service was a bit slow but very friendly. The food was wonderful and I would go there again in the future.
(4)Jack R.
I don't know what has happened to Pogacha in Issaquah, we have been customers for over 10 years, since the remodel you did things have drastically changed for the worse. We had dinner on Friday 11-16, I could not believe the portion size of the Dijon Chicken has shrunk so much, for $16.00, I felt cheated and robbed. My wife had the Gorgonzola Ravioli, the sauce was way to thick and heavy, again value to price, not worth it. We split a Caesar salad, there was barely enough dressing, dry and again, small portion for a lot of money. The service, our server was Kendall, we hate even coming in there with the thought of him waiting on us, he is abrupt, loud and obnoxious with his (what he thinks) charismatic way. The guy needs to take it down a few notches. What happened to some of the other staff that used to be there, the lady manager with blonde hair, would at least come by the table to check on things, there seemed to be a lady manager there on Friday, she never even acknowledged any of the customers, a smile on her face would also help. Why did you get rid of the staff that at least knew what customer service was. I was already wondering why on a Friday night it was not as busy as usual. I understand that you have charge to make a profit, but 2 pasta dishes, 1 salad, 1 glass of wine and 1 martini (which by the way $14 for a Martini?..Really? for a total bill of $75.00 plus I have to tip an awful waiter. Needles to say, after all these years, we wont be back, if I am going to spend that kind of money, I expect a better value and service, I suggest before you loose more loyal customer you make some drastic changes and review your food and service standards. Too bad, we really enjoyed going to Pogacha at least 2-3 times a month, always recommending it to friends and family, not anymore.
(2)Jocelyn E.
We've spent Mother's Day brunch here. And I am never coming back. Ever. I will be *cough, cough* deathly ill and "on my way to the hospital" rather than come here if anyone ever suggests it. And I'd rather die of starvation before coming back here on my own free will. The experience started out "no bueno". I was on crutches. You think the hostess could have slowed down her walking so that I could actually follow her across the dining floor. No, of course not, that would have been considerate. Overlooking that, I looked forward to the fact that it was a buffet. I mean, the (supposedly) nice thing about buffets is that there is something for everyone. Me, I'm a huge fan of omelets, so that's where I always start out. I asked for spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and bacon. They didn't have spinach, and they didn't have tomatoes (they did have some salsa mix - and despite what the guy behind the stove was telling me, they are not the same). I took one bite of my omelet. It was terrible. It was bitter and left this bitter aftertaste in my mouth, which I spent the next 5 minutes and several drinks to try to wash out of my mouth. I don't know if the eggs went bad or -what- it was just GROSS. Back to the buffet line... The only thing that saved me from complete starvation is the fact that they had a ton of fruit. Not a big variety, but I can deal with a plate full of strawberries and pineapple and melons. Thank God too, because I would have probably fainted of hunger waiting for the rest of the family to finish stuffing their faces with the few edible items they were able to pick (mostly pastries - and let me tell you, I've worked as a pastry chef before and there's not way I'm ever eating a pastry again). On the way out I was given a dead rose by the staff ("A rose for all the moms!"). Happy Mother's Day, huh?
(1)shein p.
Things that are embarrassing: * Running into an ex at the grocery store... with your post-workout stink on. * Forgetting to press the mute button before shit-talking the boss during a phone conference. and * Voluntarily hanging out in Issaquah after work instead of heading straight back to Ballard. Oh, yes. I have done it--more than once, even. I have noticed that the service has gone down hill over the last year; otherwise I'd have given it 4 stars just for the bread and drinks. I recommend the bar over the dining room; it's much more relaxed, has the happy hour specials, and still has the full menu available as long as the kitchen is open. The parking is annoying, but it's gotten easier with the crappy economy. The beer list is decent, and their bartenders have poured well for me. I do miss $10 bottle of wine night, though! The food is hit or miss--I've had to send back an overcooked steak (I mean leather here, not just a little tan) and the salads are ALWAYS overdressed with way too much oil--but I am almost always pleased if I order a pogacha (it's like a pizza, only without the red sauce). Melty cheese + fresh bread + beer = happy girl. Usually there is live music on the weekends, and there's even Happy Hour after 9 on Saturdays. Not a bad eastside option for those who don't want to truck it to Bellevue.
(3)kristin m.
I was hoping my first visit here would prove the bad reviews wrong but unfortunately I have to agree. The hostess/waitress was very unfriendly and my food was not great either. I ordered a pasta dish and when it was served I noticed there was no pasta! It was just the chicken and sauce! I told the waitress and she went to replace it. It was then served with pasta which was very overcooked - it was like mush! When the waitress realized I was not eating and asked if I wanted a box I showed it to her and she shrugged her shoulders and walked off. It was so weird! Needless to say we probably won't be back.
(2)Brandie G.
Food was good, but definitely pricey! Loved the pre-dinner bread. Happy hour I would love to check out. Seems to have some good deals for food and drinks then.
(4)Karla F.
Although I wasn't as annoyed as others by the parking, I will agree with everyone about the mediocre food and slow service. We came here for a staff lunch at the request of the Big Boss. Everyone described their food as "just okay". I had the penne bolognese and with the exception of the sausage, the rest didn't have much taste. It's not often that I have to salt and pepper an italian dish with a cream sauce involved. My parmesan was clumped together, which hinted that the meal may have been reheated prior to bringing it out to the table. We waited forever for our meals, although our server did a great job of keeping our drinks full. I did love, love, love the warm flatbread they placed on the table when we sat down. But it annoyed me that I couldn't really tell what their specialty was - the menu is all over the place.
(2)Gene D.
Update 08/07/07: Lunch meeting here has changed my mind a bit. The coleslaw is an original and thankfully arrived without that mayo stuff usually mixed in. Heard about Halibut & Chips and tried it. Tasty! I'm adding a star... First Review: Love the staff and drinks, hate the food. Most beef is classified as Choice, Select or Prime. Here I would rate it as Microwaved Cardboard Paste. Who knows, maybe USDA would consider a fourth quality rating!
(3)Mike B.
Fantastic service here. The food is good and well presented. The menu selection isn't huge but I appreciate what is there. I do prefer to eat in the bar rather than the back and it can be a bit noisy when busy, but I find it more comfortable. While not really a thai place, they often have a phad thai this is pretty flavorful.
(4)Perry R.
Met my bf here. Awesome place. Terrific food and service!!!
(5)Amphigorey X.
I had the Eggplant Parmesan, it was worse than a tv dinner and 3x the price.
(2)Caroline O.
I've always wanted to check out Pogacha because I heard they had great food. We went to the Issaquah location for my birthday and we were all disappointed. Not a single person greeted us and after 10 minutes of sitting in the bar area we had to ask for water. You'd think that if one person asked for water, that you'd bring water for the other three but it didn't happen and we had to ask individually as the server would just bring one and walk away. It was 8pm and it was not busy yet staff was walking around no one was making eye contact with us. All four of us work in the food and beverage industry and beyond disappointed with the lack of service. The menu was great but the customer service is unfortunately lacking and needs improvement.
(2)Susan H.
Great and tastey food but not very good value for what they charge. For example their signature dish, "Dobar Chicken" which costs $12.95 for lunch comes with half a chicken breast; that is to say they take a chicken breast and cut it in half through the middle so it's very thin. I guess that (although it was delicious) I was offended that they wouldn't give me a whole chicken breast (which we all know costs $1 or less at Costco so I'm sure they pay less) considering how much they were charging me. The same dish is $17.50 for dinner and comes with one whole chicken breast (sliced into 2 pieces). Delicious salads, pizzas and Pogachas (flatbread they bake fresh in their wood burning oven)! Service is hit and miss (although everyone is always pleasant), sometimes great and sometimes your waitress never checks on drink refills ect...
(2)John G.
Went in early August 2011. Had low expectations as M went to their Bellevue shop a few years back and was disappointed. This was much different. Nice ambiance, very good service, nice menu with a range of prices. the food was good, well presented, We enjoyed this place and will return
(3)Cory C.
My wife and I have been here a number of times over the years, hoping the food will get better. Unfortunately it has not. I've always found it to be bland and pretty boring. I love the atmosphere of the bar, but the food really does need improvement. The all-day happy hour on Thursday's is a great option for Issaquah too, but again, please redo the menu and then we'll return.
(2)Ed B.
About a month ago, my wife's parents came to visit us and as they had never been to the Northwest, we did our best to make sure they had a positive experience all-around. There was one downer the whole week and it was Pogacha. I feel bad that I can't remember what anyone else ordered, save that they all agreed their food was bland and unimpressive. I'm a firm believer in the "you don't go to a seafood restaurant and order the steak" so I ordered their Greek (I believe?) Pogacha. It was acceptable, but rather expensive for what it was: a couple of tapatias with feta and olives and stuff. The prices were exorbitant considering how mediocre the food was. We traded samples of each other's dishes to see if we were off the mark, and well, sad to say we weren't. Towards the end of the meal, I pulled out my phone and checked the Yelp reviews and found every negative or mediocre review echoing our own experience and wondering wtf the positive and rave reviewers were smoking and where I could get some. It would have to be some pretty powerful sh*t to make this place seem awesome and the food anything but a cut above the stuff I feed my cat out of cans. The restaurants reminds me of tiny restaurants converted out of strip mall units, and the vibe is very much that of low class trying way too hard to act high class. If they would unify their menu into one theme, ditch the "Italian" attempt, drop their prices about 30% across the menu, and change the decor a bit to suit, they'd probably increase their repeat business a good deal. I know for sure that we won't be going back. Oh, and the parking. Yeah, totally didn't notice the EPIC POTHOLE that you could hide a small country in. And no, there isn't enough parking for a restaurant that size. Sorry, there just isn't. All that said, while scanning the local events section of the paper last night, my wife mentioned there was a band playing at Pogacha and it seemed that it was the only thing going on in Issaquah. We didn't feel like driving more than a few minutes and they were the only game in town. We almost conceded the point until she noticed, and I quote "Nevermind, it's the house band so they probably suck too." We went to the Gaslamp instead and had an enjoyable evening of drinks and food that met our expectations at a reasonable price. More than could have been said if we went to Pogacha.
(2)Elisabeth H.
We have been eating at Pogacha's in Issaquah for about 2 yrs now ! We had been going almost every week , until last May 2013. Our dinner was horrible and we asked the manager if they had a new cook. She said NO. She even admitted our plates were not what they should have been . I have always ordered the Chicken Parmesan and my husband has always ordered different dishes from the menu. She did comp one meal with a gift card from the restaurant. Fast forward 4mos: we finally returned and ordered the same dishes as we did in May. Still, not any better ! How can you screw up such a basic dish as Chicken Parmesan ? It was burnt and had no spices to it = no flavor what so ever ! I used to really like this place , so it is hard to give it only 3 stars and that is mostly because I like the ambiance and close proximity to where I live . The service is always unpredictable as well. Sorry, Pogacha , we won't be back .
(3)Bryan N.
Food was delicious for the most part, service was OK, but a tad expensive for what you get. The Thai dish was not very authentic, and their insertion of the paper-wrapped chopsticks under the entree was somewhat off-putting to our Asian friend that was with us. So, I'd suggest sticking with the Italian dishes and the pizza for the best experience.
(3)Jen S.
Not impressed. Slow service, place is a bit run down and I had to ask several times for water, diet coke. Food was ok, overpriced. I would go to Lombardi's or another Italian place in Issaquah instead.
(2)James A.
The service was good(minus my pet peeve of the wait staff asking all patrons to join in singing happy birthday for one of the diners). The food was blah, it wasn't that it was prepared poorly but rather as if they used inferior quality of ingredients. I would not recommend unless you are a heavy smoker, British, and do not enjoy the taste of your food.
(2)Carolina A.
If I could give Pogacha a -5 I would. I always thought their famous purple dish they are so proud of is absolute crap! So gross! But after yesterday I am for ever done with that place. Here's what happened: Once in a while my coworkers get together for happy hour, this time they decided on Pogacha, I was not going to go because I have to pick up my son at daycare, but it was a very nice day so I went with the kiddo on tow. Little did I know the outdoor seating is considered part of the bar, therefore no minors are allowed. Ok I understand, by no means I want them to break State regulations so one of my coworkers offered to seat with me in the dining room so I could order some food, feed my son, etc. But get this, the dining room is completely empty and they won't make an exception to let me order from the Happy Hour menu. I politely asked the lady if she was willing to lose a customer over the happy hour menu -vs- dinner menu considering is hard times for restaurants and they didn't have any customers in the main dining room and she didn't hesitate one bit and said YES!!! So for that, I will NEVER go to Pogacha again, and since I organize many meetings and luncheons for my company I will make sure to never have them there. What ever happened with customer service?
(1)Nick G.
Pogacha is one of my favorite restaurants ever. Their food is fantastic and their Pogacha pizzas are one of a kind. My favorite pasta definitely has to be their Dobar Chicken (aka the purple dish). I read the other reviews written by Redmond yuppies who just got done sweating out their gold dust at Gold's Gym and are looking for an outlet to vent their pent up aggression. Don't listen to them if you're interested in good food. If you want to get picky you can point out the overflow parking issue or service but sometimes you have to sacrifice small things for the sake of the food (e.g. Soup Nazi). Obviously this place has it's blemishes but hey, that's why I gave the restaurant 4-stars. It has character and great food.
(4)Angie S.
Love Pogacha! We usually do either Happy Hour or Lunch in the bar. The service is ALWAYS friendly and the food is excellent. We love the Pogacha Chop Salad. Try it sometime. AWESOME!
(4)Krishna V.
Came here solely to compare it to its sister in Bellevue. Not a favorable comparison. There were a couple of items that it would be nice to see in Bellevue, but this ranks third on the Pogacha totem pole.
(2)Veronica S.
I'm giving it 2 stars because it's not as gross as Denny's. The service is sub par. The menu is confusing... what are they good at? I can't tell. Prices are also high for what you get. Parking is horrible.
(2)J M.
We came here because of the Microsoft Prime discount. We won't be back. I haven't had food this bland in a very very long time. We ordered mediterranean dips as an appetizer. Thank goodness the portions are large because that was just about the only tasty thing they brought out all night. I guess if this was my happy hour place, and I was only ordering appetizers, I could see myself coming to this place a bit. Maybe. For dinner, I ordered the braised lamb. It's in the "specialty" section of their menu. So I thought they were proud of that dish... It was flavorless boiled lamb. No salt. No pepper. No spices. Just onions and water. Boiled. Not braised. I picked at it for a bit, took most of it home, and made curry with it. It was much better the second time. As a side dish, I ordered risotto. I don't think their chefs have ever seen a risotto. It was only creamy because of all the cheese in it. There aren't supposed to be strings of mozzarella connecting the risotto on your fork to the risotto in the dish... It was so greasy, I couldn't eat it. My husband had the lasagna. It was ok. Wouldn't order it again, but it was edible. Very greasy, and a too big portion. But edible. Thank goodness for the Prime discount. Makes paying the bill for a lousy dinner much more bearable.
(1)Brandon T.
I live in Issaquah and discovered Pogacha through the Prime card site and a few reviews. The outside is nice looking and it's very stylish. If you order the pasta dishes you will be satisified. I generally get a Pogacha now, as that is their speciality and they are a real treat. It's a mini pizza with nice tasting bread with no red sauce. Their little flat breads they give you are also delicious. Because they take the Prime Card it is a very reasonable price, as you can buy one, get one entree for free. Also, they tend to have a special on Sunday night where the Pogachas are like $10 I think, also a good deal. My only complaint is the bar/lounge. It tends to be noisy with a large TV and people being slightly obknoxious. One time they had live music which was great, but I couldn't hear myself talk as it was too loud. The service in the bar also tends to be slow and forgetful. I recommend the dining room if you want a nice meal where you can talk.
(4)Dan V.
I drive by Pogacha almost daily and finally decided to give them a try. Big mistake. Bad parking, tired decor, at best mediocre food. I'll spend my hard earned money elsewhere.
(1)Jeff A.
I can always find something new on the menu to satisfy my pasta craving here. Service and atmosphere is okay but the food is very good. One of the few places around that serves lamb chops. Reservations aren't usually necessary.
(3)Mike F.
Poor service. Mediocre food. Poor parking. The ambiance is that of a Red Robin trying really hard to be classy, and failing.
(2)Dan W.
Nothing stood out here, a little overpriced. Problem is that one of the Bob's at work likes the place so I am usually dragged, kicking and screaming to come for lunch. And then the job won't pick up the tab.
(2)Cynthia H.
Great variety of food in Issaquah. This isn't the same as the Pogach of Bellevue, but is also worth going to. I also like the fact that you can have a private party here in the back rooms. If you want the best dish available, try the Dobar Chicken!!! Delicious!!
(4)Gerry J.
A pretty good restaurant with an Adriatic influence. The bar section was noisy and there were a few televisions with sports on. The meal I had was subtle and complex in flavor. You can tell the chef was schooled. It was something that you had to take your time to taste, not quite the meal to be gobbled down. The best however was the predinner flatbread that they serve. A smart person would go, order a drink and use the bread as a meal.
(3)Jeffrey S.
Nothing to write home about. Expensive.
(2)Sarah S.
the food is good. a tab bit expensive for what it is, but good. the restaurant is nice, it just seems to be overrun with families with small children. small children have a way of making a nice intimate dinner turn into something slightly less comfortable that is interrupted by crying every 30 minutes.. the pogacha bread itself is good, best directly out of the oven. use prime card if you have it, it makes this otherwise overpriced family restaurant worth the trip.
(3)Crysta L.
Went on a Monday night. We ordered the Fire Warmed Goat Cheese for an appetizer -- was really good, had fire roasted red peppers and olives that were a yummy extra to the goat cheese. My only complaint is that they didn't serve it with enough bread but when I asked they did bring more. For dinner I ordered the Pear-Gorgonzola Ravioli. Really good! Rich sauce, great ravioli. Had great flavors! My boyfriend had the Tenderloin Steak with Gorgonzola. He got the pesto-mushroom risotto with his steak. Which was also yummy! Also tried their Washington wine flight. Great pairings and they seem to have a good selection of Washington wines. Service was ok -- the staff was nice but a bit slow.
(4)Subbu A.
Go there only if you prefer overpriced menu and poor service. The waitresses have no idea about their menu and can make very poor suggestions. Never going there again.
(2)shawna g.
when i first moved to issaquah 2 years ago, the pogacha's here were actually good and a great happy hour deal- then they were $5. but not too long after the price went up and the quality went way down. now the only thing i will eat there is the garlic fries and the fresh bread they bring to dip in oil- both of which are really good. i keep going back because i love their bar- it just has a really cozy feeling with the fire place and a nice patio for summer. they have great beer on tap and an awesome deal on pitchers during happy hour. the servers in the bar are always very nice and attentive. 4 stars for great bar atmosphere and good beer selection- 0 stars for food.
(4)L. P.
Pogacha's food is okay. I enjoy going here for the happy hour (appetizers and drinks) on Thursday evenings.
(3)Kevin S.
Haven't been back to pogachas for a few years, went for brunch one Saturday morning. The good news was immediate seating, usually a bad omen but undeserved in this case. I had the asparagus swiss and prosciutto scramble with bacon, the Mrs had the french toast. The scramble was really great, potatoes a bit greasy but good, bacon was thick cut but not crispy. French toast was odd as it was made from their flatbread, but got rave reviews. Most dishes were around $10. Bottom line, wont knock your socks off but pretty good.
(4)Nic R.
We arrive 3:30 P.M. Two different host/servers asked if we would like to be seated, to which we said yes each time, we then proceeded to wait 10 minutes. The bar & seating are both were not full with customers. It too another 10 minutes to order. I order the Chicken Parm, my husband the Dobar Chicken, my son the Mac-n-Cheese. Also we order the Pogocha (flat bread) with Spinach, Sundried Tomato, & Goat cheese. The Chicken Parmesan was chewy rubbery. The side of pasta was so riddled with garlic that it was inedible. The Dobar Chicken was GROSS!!! Tasted like the used grave juice & yogart? The Mac-n-Cheese may have been microwaved. We did not order dessert.
(1)Kim Q.
I love coming here for a casual dinner with my boyfriend. They are a part of the Passport discounts. I think that is the only reason why this place is our go to. It is close to our house, it is offered at a 2 for 1 and they have a great atmosphere. I suggest going only on Friday/Saturday because those are the only times they have prime rib - so yummy! Otherwise all of their other menu items are mediocre.
(3)Allen U.
Pogacha is the name of the dough boys they serve with every meal--better than just the normal bread on the side -- and Awesome appetizer is the Bacon Jalepenos @ $10 Friday or Saturday are the best days to go--why you say? Well the Special of the Day is Prime Rib --try the 13 ounce @ $25 add a pint or pitcher for two of the primo Lucille IPA from the Manny's brewery @ only $10.50 and you got a nite on the town--they of course have an awesome Seafood Risotto @ $23 or the new Baby Back Ribs @ $24 for the full rack and a couple other things too--just ask the waitress what's good--this is your neighborhood go to kitchen--Yum Yum--cheers Al
(4)Joey J.
I've eaten here about 20 times and the service has always been good and the food is always good. The four different people I've been here with like to eat here also.
(4)Cyndi C.
We had a lunch meeting here and got there a little early. It was great to get seated right away. We both ended up ordering the salad with fresh pear. We were able to add our choice of meat. It was a nice place to have a business lunch. The server was very friendly and attentive. We used the Passport Unlimited card here. I've also been here for several business and club meetings.
(4)Anjana A.
We came on a night there was a band. There is a $5 cover charge for being seated in that area even if you order drinks and dinner. Our table had 4 people and we all wanted individual checks so we were charged $20 cover charge. I thought that was strange, as some people at some tables ordered nothing and seemed like they did not have to pay anything at all. The food was pretty decent, we ordered chicken quesadillas, a shrimp scampi and a couple other dishes. They came with complimentary dinner rolls that were quite tasty. The selection of beers and cocktails was decent, we were really there for the music but wished there had been more specials on drinks. We had to flag down our server a lot initially as it was busy due to the band, later another server took over and service was better. However, I had to ask for some ice water several times before he brought it to me, although he always seemed to return with my drinks quickly. I might visit another time to try some more food, given there is ample parking.
(3)Charlene L.
+ Lots of parking.. check! + Tasty sandwiches.. check! + Other lunch options like pasta, full on entrees, soups, and salads... check! + Passport dining card taken.. CHECK CHECK CHECK!!! Love this little gem.. heard they have 2 Bellevue locations too... bu
(4)Heather S.
If you are looking for great food, excellent bands, "cheers" like atmosphere then this is your spot. We've been coming here for years and I always love the salmon Caesar salad. To die for. Servers are smart, friendly and mostly on the beautiful side. (Male and female). If you get Connie as your bartender, you will have hit the jackpot!!!
(5)Sam K.
Been to this place for years. Their food is really good in taste. Good quantity for the price. On the weekend, the seating was quick. But service that day was sloooooow. Been decent at other times. Also good interior. The waiter was not as friendly as expected. Was just doing his job. But other staff was warm and welcoming. It is family friendly.
(4)Dick B.
Pogacha is an "old friend" and we just can't figure out why we haven't been back lately. Until tonight. An inconspicuous Sunday dinner to be had, we were in the neighborhood and decided "why not?" We're glad we did. This is one of those places which seems to have the kind of menu which can appeal to a wide variety of folks. That's because it has a wide variety of items on the menu. many perfect comfort foods, priced right, tasting great and served quickly and perfectly. Tonight we were in the mood for simple comfort foods so our lasagna, a huge portion actually on special on Sundays and a Sherry Basil Chicken came quickly and steaming to our table. Best thing is we now have another meal for early this week too. The ownership hasn't strayed far from the original Pogacha and continues to appeal to locals. Steve King, the owner/general manager is usually on hand to make sure things run smoothly. Really his staff can make it happen consistently right but congrats are in order for keeping this gem headed in the right direction!
(4)Delgado H.
My fiancée and I went in here to see a friend of ours sing. We sat at the bar and the bartender came over and was super friendly and helpful. We asked about red wine and she brought us 3 samples to help us decide. Everything was going perfectly. The music was good, the atmosphere was unique, but not bad. Unfortunately, that's not the end of the story. We ordered the steaks bites appetizer. The steak was cook absolutely perfect medium rare, but the dipping sauce that came with it was closer to a gravy I would expect from my grandma's meatloaf. I enjoyed the steak nonetheless, it would have gone great with a nice ipa, or even a mannys, had I been able to order another beer. Instead we sat there with empty glasses for over an hour, and had to ask another server for our tab to which she replied "I can't help you, but I'll ask the bartender". 20 minutes later I had to ask the sender server again for our tab and another 10 minutes after that the bartender finally brought us our tab. If my fiancée wasn't a better person than me, I would have walked out without paying.
(2)Buzz M.
Service was slow and the food was very average. The good news is, it was also over priced! I gave it a 3 because the flavor of the food was descent.
(3)Sarah R.
I just realized it's been a couple years since my last review... time flies I tell you! Happy Hour: Anyhow, this is still a great place to go for a HH and Thursdays are still ALL NIGHT Happy Hour in the bar. I've had HH in small groups and large (about 12 for a team event) and have been able to score a spot no problem (of course, the earlier you get there the better as it does fill up rather fast!) Lunch: Sometimes we come here for lunch as well - my friend is obsessed with the Dobar Chicken and I've been known to get down on a salad or two. The little pogies they bring out are always warm and delicious and yes, they'll bring you more, you just have to ask. Service: The service is hit or miss. There's a gal who works the lunch shift that wears entirely TOO much perfume - yuck! There's still the crazy lady in the bar during HH. Lunch service can be a little slow so if you're pressed for time I would let your server know - otherwise they'll take their time.
(3)Amanda S.
My mom and I came in for a late lunch and were nicely greeted by the bartender joe who let us know the bar was only open. No bother for us! He was attentive and let us know about the daily special which we got and it was delicious! People seriously need to give some slack. No one is a professional food critic and this place definitely deserves more than a three star.
(5)S. D.
This place is completely confusing. The food and ambiance is always very good. The pear gorgonzola pasta is amazing, you cant go wrong with it. The two downsides? The staff is completely lack luster. They are in no hurry to help and are super passive and seem to only kind of care. There is one waitress that is fabulous, but most others are just.... Well meh. The womens bathroom is nicely decorated but ALWAYS a mess. Its like its cleaned every few days instead of every few hours. Every time I go there is toilet paper all over the floors, the seat liner holder is falling off the wall and the trashcan has had its lis removed and just looks bad. When I come in paying a fair amount of money for dinner, the least that can happen is a clean bathroom.
(3)Teri B.
Great personalities Awesome Food! Amazing wines on Tap!! All round great meal we will be back
(4)Regina C.
I used to love this place and eat often in the Bellevue location. Tonight we were in Issaquah for a bball game and we always go for dinner afterward. I immediately thought of the Dijon chicken from my past visits and my craving for it started. Immediately. All through the game I was thinking of the tender fettuccine, creamy & rich Dijon sauce and perfectly sautéed chicken. Agonizing for an hour while my stomaches pangs of hunger got stronger by the minute ignoring my daughter's 3 baskets and a free throw I was excited to introduce them to this place where "the bread is amazing" spot. I couldn't get there fast enough. First the service was awesome. Our server was so attentive w/o being intrusive and she was a very cool person. This being said...I feel bad as I write this review because I have such fond food memories of Pogacha. Pogacha bread is a lot smaller, thicker and cool. I remember it being a little bigger, flatter and hot out of the oven which is why this carb lover adored the bread. My love and I shared a roasted beet salad. Horrible very unappetizing. The red beets were like old leather. The golden beets were tender and had good texture and flavor. The "dressing" was balsamic vinegar not a vinaigrette like the menu described. A minuscule amount of goat cheese seriously very unimpressed. My girls shared a chopped salad. They barely ate it so I tasted it. Cannot put my finger on it, but there was a taste that was really weird and not good. I thought it was the meat, but the kids said it was the dressing. Anyway, not a good chopped salad. My beloved Dijon chicken was way different. The sauce had a very sweet flavor and really a non existent Dijon mustard taste. Way. Too. Sweet!!. My daughter had the Mac n cheese and just told me as I write this that she didn't like it. Duh, I should have figured she hardly ate any of it and took a doggy bag home and promptly threw it away. I didn't get much more in the details, but I know my girl ate cereal when she got home... The kid menu is so sad with 3 pasta choices, 3 flatbread choices and a sandwich. My 8 yr old had the PB&J and she ate it because she was starving. It's served on pogacha bread (the bigger size that I remember) with bland potato chips. Dry and boring I was really surprised when she ordered this for dinner. The chicken Madeira raviolis that my husband ordered in his words was very mediocre. Presentation made it look amazing, but lacked in taste. An old fashioned Manhattan was good a little on the sweet side, he finished it though. My glass of $11.50 Walla Walla cab was awesome! Milk and root beer were up to par as the kids drank every last bit. Sad. I don't think I would go back. Ah memories at least I have my memories. Until I don't and then it doesn't matter. C'est la vie mon ami.
(2)Stephanie W.
Their Pogacha's make super yummy lunches. The dinners are good as well. Love the tomato soup. Creme Bruele is excellent.
(4)Shawna W.
My fiancée and I had never been to pogacha before but wanted to try it. When we walked in, the restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, but there's something weird about it. I couldn't quite put my finger on it at first, but I realized during the meal what it was: it feels fancy, and one look at the menu prices will confirm that initial impression, but the quality of the food and service will strike that from your mind. The table bread is amazing, so I figured the food would be too..we ordered a artichoke/onion and cheese pogacha to share to try. I ordered one of the specials, the smoked salmon fettuccine, and my fiancée had the crab manicotti. We got our food in a very reasonable amount of time, but quickly realized we were disappointed in our selections. The manicotti was tough and chewy, and there were pieces of crab shell in it. It tasted frozen. My fettuccine was al dente, but the salmon was extremely dry and the taste was not very pleasant. I felt like they had taken leftovers from another night, smoked old salmon and threw it onto some noodles. Gross. We didn't return anything because we're really not that type of people, not that our waitress was even around to listen to any complaints. After asking us how our food was right after we got it, before we had eaten, she was MIA for a good thirty minutes. We saw her serving other tables around us, even on the he patio, but would make a point to blatantly ignore us every time we tried to flag her down. Finally we got the hostesses' attention and asked for leftovers to be wrapped and the check. You would think for dropping at least $70 bucks on a dinner, one would be able to enjoy their food and at least get some measure of service, but sadly this was not the case. The only reason we would consider trying this place again would be to grab some of the little table breads and maybe some pogacha to go, because it was the only tasty thing we ate.
(2)A J.
I really like this place! My boyfriend and our friends frequent this restaurant for dinner and drinks. Their pogachas are awesome! I've enjoyed a variety of great meals at Pogacha. The food is excellent and so is the ambiance.
(5)Gina M.
Just had a very disappointing dinner experience at Pogacha. We've been several times before and have always had good meals. We brought out of town guests thinking we'd have another good experience. We were very disappointed. The restaurant is looking very dingy and run down. It was a little embarrassing to bring visitors to a restaurant that looks so badly in need of a deep clean at the very least. To be perfectly honest it needs a complete overhaul. Our server brought us water glasses that were, to be blunt, filthy. They were dull, had numerous water marks and smudged lipstick on the rims of most of the glasses on our table. None of us touched the water. My husband had to scrape residue out of his wine glass before our server poured our wine. The meals were mediocre at best. Even the Pogacha 'pizzas', their signature dish, were awful. If we were not on such a tight timeline due to a theater outing, we would have complained to management or walked out. It's a sad state of affairs when the best part of a meal is the Andes mint at the end. I'll be spending my restaurant dollars elsewhere in future.
(1)Michael G.
Went for lunch yesterday. Had the pogacha burger (lamb and beef), it was juicy and good. Opted for the side caesar salad, it was nothing special. My wife had the chicken madeira pasta. It was rich in a good way but not my kind of dish. The atmosphere was nice, clean with quality finishes. I was surprised that we hadn't stopped in before, as accessible the location is, right off Gilman Blvd. At the end of the day, however, nothing was so spectacular that I would remember here over another similar restaurant. I realize they're known for their pogachas, which aren't enticing enough to want to try but I would go back to try something else based on their potential and nice atmosphere.
(3)Jesy B.
We came here for some drinks and despite having just eaten one of those gigantic Costco hot dogs ended up getting some nibbles. Service was pretty prompt in terms of getting a drink - weird they have no cocktail menu but oh well - and they're stiff on the pours we had. We were enticed by the happy hour Pogacha (flatbreads) and went with the bacon, artichoke hearts and tomato one. Quite tasty. It seems more elegantly appointed in the dining area with a more casual feel in the bar where we sat. TVs were viewable from any seat. Overall, a decent pick for a happy hour or drink.
(4)Mishy S.
In general, this place has a lovely atmosphere and I've never had a bad meal here. The Dijon Chicken Pasta is to die for! Many of their other pasta dishes are also really good but the Dijon one is just creamy dream-worthy goodness in a bowl. Also, great salads and appetizers. I am always the only 20-year old in the place, but that's to be expected in Issaquah. Generally attracts a bit of an older crowd. Service can be great or weirdly inattentive depending on the day and server.
(4)Stacey P.
How have I not reviewed Pogacha? I have been going to Pogacha for the past four years and have found myself missing it if I go too long in between visits. Parking can be a bit of a challenge on a busy night, but they are usually very quick to seat people. The atmosphere is very nice. The restaurant is divided into many different adjoining rooms allowing quite a few people to be seated without having to shout to be heard. It has a very relaxed atmosphere, soft light and softer color tones. The booths are where it's at since the center tables can feel a bit crowded for me if there is a lot of people in the restaurant. Now Pogacha has a standard size menu with a few pasta dishes, some fish dishes, and even some lamb dishes. I have never had these. I go to Pogacha for the pogachas. Pogacha is the oven baked bread that the restaurant is named after, and they serve these pizza style dishes on them that are individual sized that are without tomato sauce. I find their pogachas to be absolutely delicious, soft and light and easy to devour without much thought. And now they have weekend brunch! I had a delicious salmon sandwich on pogacha bread that was light and cooked perfectly. Service is usually good, but nothing that really sticks out. Seriously, it is worth visiting if you love pizza type dishes!
(4)Julie O.
Had lunch today here and it was the most unflavored and bland food i had for years. Not recommending going there.
(2)Joana R.
I can only speak about the bar side of this venue. I went there with some friends to listen to live music on the bar side and we were not disappointed. Great atmosphere, bar menu was good, good list of wines. I had the chicken satay and it was really yummy, other friends ordered risotto and pogachas and pastas and according to them they were all good and flavorful. Casual attire and relaxed ambient and good and friendly service.
(5)Sarah L.
Bizarre brunch experience Sunday afternoon. I first went online to check out their menu. Everything looked tasty with adequate prices. When we get to the restaurant, same offerings, however everything was $2-3 higher than the website. There were a lot of odd missteps that occurred that didn't necessarily caused the meal to be unpleasant, but weird enough worth noting. Examples: -Cocktails offered by server and in bar area, but No Cocktail menu -Pieces of the papery skin/peel of the red onion in my Greek Tuna Salad -No salad dressing on my salad -Canned albacore tuna, After I specifically asked the server if the tuna was a fresh rare tuna steak or canned. She left to go ask someone, returned to tell me that it was NOT canned. Well my whole salad was just chalk full of canned albacore tuna. It was still good, but I prefer a nice rare tuna steak -Hamburger Bun French Toast? My dad ordered the French Toast and it was made out of the buns they use for their hamburgers... He still said it was good, but check out the photo. There was clearly one round thin slice (top bun) and one giant round thick slice (bottom bun). Just weird. To reiterate, my experience wasn't unpleasant, just off. If I find myself in Issaquah again, I would rather go to Wild Fin Bistro or Flat Iron Grill first.
(3)Krystal L.
Delicious food and nice people. If the review was based on service it would be two but the prime rib was awesome!
(4)Tony L.
We came here for happy hour with some coworkers. Since we were hungry after spending the day in meetings, we decided to order a variety of appetizers: Jerk chicken wings (a little overcooked) Steak bites (ok) Fried calamari (terrible: I was expecting crispy calamari, but it looked like it was baked) Artichoke dip (good with the bread) Goat cheese dip (not bad) Chicken satays (this was good, peanut sauce had good flavor) Flatbread pizzas (I was expecting thin crust pizzas, but they were ok pizzas on a medium crust) Unfortunately, the best part of the happy hour was the Mac and Jack's and the free bread that you get with the food.
(2)Pru i.
Pogacha is a great restaurant with a super friendly staff. They can be slow when it's really busy, but the food is always cooked well and tasty.
(4)Craig J.
Not bad, not especially great either. Raviolis were so so and service was less than stellar. It's probably been three years since our last visit and it'll probably be three more before we return. Ho hum.
(3)Lauren P.
Worst place I've ever eaten at. Parking was full so we parked on the side. Walked in to the restaurant to a drunk man being escorted out of the bar. We got seated right away but sat for 15 minutes before we even got water!!! The best was the manager was bussing a table behind us and then seated a 10 top and served them water while we were still waiting for someone to notice us! We asked a server if she could find our waiter. There were lots of servers getting drinks and dinner for guest but no one thought to help out. Then the host walked by and we asked him to help out. We were going to get the lobster ravioli and a steak but after waiting for 15 minutes we decided to get 2 pasta dishes. We thought let's not waste money on this place. Horrible food!!! Our 20 month old liked his cheese pizza but we could have just gone to zeeks to get true service and pizza but thought let's try something new.
(1)Kaleigh S.
We were driving around Issaquah trying to decide where to eat when we saw Pogacha! Since we hadn't tried them yet we pulled over and walked in. The atmosphere is nice and gives a fine dining feel. The servers are very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. My husband had a hanger steak surf and turf special and I had the chicken Parmesan. We really enjoyed the bread at the beginning with the dipping sauce. It was super yummy and I would not be surprised to find out that they make it in the restaurant. The flavor was so unique, soft, and doughy. We didn't order appetizers but with my appetite whet and the bread being what it was, I had a good feeling. When our food arrived, the first thing I noticed was that there was not a single piece of green on my plate. Just a scoop of pasta next to friend piece of chicken with marinara and cheese on top and blackened edges. My husband's food looked a lot better and was arranged into a little pyramid. He said that the shrimp and veggies were good, but that his steak was chewy in an unlike hanger steak way. Mine was good as well, it was simply too much carbs and very little flavor variety. We enjoyed our meal, but we felt it was a little pricey for what it was. We haven't been back since but have been thinking about maybe trying their happy hour.
(3)Stella D.
Smooth Jazz tonight with Darren Motamedy & his band!! The food here was amazing!! Can't wait to go back for something else to try!! Very friendly staff and great atmosphere!!
(5)Lesley H.
Went to celebrate a birthday - I'd give a 3-4 for the food. Lovely little rolls, beet salad was decent with an appropriate amount of goat cheese (no dressing), pear salad was good...cocktails were delish but where was the wine list? Was not given one when seated, asked twice and finally was able to order wine half way through the meal. Good wine at the start of the entrée might have tipped me from 2 to 4 stars as the entrees around were commented on favorably: good cut of prime rib, bacon wrapped scallops were only a bit overcooked, pasta dishes appear to be the specialty as was the flatbreads. Water glasses ran a bit dry (a lot) during dinner and a bit more of an attentive wait person would have pushed the review much higher. weird acoustically - it doesn't seem like it should be as loud as it is...but it was. ok - I went from a 2 to a 3 because the bill was nicely divided between the couples at the table - and that was very kind!
(3)