Big Fish Grill -- just off WA-520 in Kirkland is in the same building that once housed Newport Bay. We met friends from the midwest who were staying down the street at La Quinta and decided to give Big Fish a try! It was great. In addition to enjoying a wonderful meal and excellent service, we loved Big Fish Grill's quiet, understated ambiance once common among fine dining establishments. The large, varied northwest menu included a number of salmon and halibut dishes as well as shrimp, oysters, clams, fish tacos, and cioppino. Starters average around $10-12. Entrees top out at $28, but I had a wonderful $16 pan-fried oyster and $4 cup of chowder. The wine and beer selections were adequate and by-the-glass wines were competitively priced around $7-12.
(4)
Sandra L.
We went for dinner on Thursday evening around 5:45p. Parking was full we were lucky we only had to wait about 5 minutes. Pretty small parking lot for the restaurant. Didn't have to wait for a table. Big HH crowd We ordered the wild salmon dinner and the Cobb salad. My spouse really enjoyed his seafood Cobb salad, crab meat, scallops and salmon. Said he would definitely order it again. I loved the salmon dinner with rice and broccoli. The salmon was cooked just right. I would definitely order that again, although the seafood Cobb salad looked yummy so I might try that next time Service was very good and attentive. Only complaint was that it got kind of loud in the dinning area Would recommend this restaurant
(4)
Cindy S.
Our food arrived promptly, blackened halibut tacos and mahi mahi tacos. They were not as hot as they should have been and the accompanying black beans were tepid. Beans at least, should be very hot to avoid food poisoning. Decided to skip eating them just in case. As the restaurant filled up the noise level began to be a bit annoying. The waitress was friendly and the service was fast. Overall a solid three and a half stars.
(3)
Tatiana K.
Wasn't bad but wasn't great either. The ambiance was pretty weird and it seemed that they were trying to be more upscale than they are. They got my first order wrong but were very polite about getting the correct order out to me and took a small portion off the bill. Unfortunately the first dish (andouille sausage and chicken fettuccine) tasted better than the quickly made one (scallop and prawns pesto fettuccine).
(3)
Don B.
Sleepy place in Kirkland but really great! I had a Cobb salad with crab meat and it was phenomenal. Very friendly service, hard to beat. Definitely will check them out again when I'm in town.
(4)
J M.
Grilled Salmon with asparagus tasted great! However at $22 I would not expect to be leaving hungry. Hubby had fish tacos which there were only 2 of, the tiny portion of fish in them was disappointing. Asked for a second serving of bread & butter & ate all of that as well.
(3)
Amanda S.
Ladies and gentlemen, the world's smallest $14 salad. It was delicious, bit I feel so ripped off. I've had larger side salads.
(2)
Alton T.
Great service...good food...beatiful weather...perfect spot for me & mines...wouldnt of spent my fathers day any other way.
(5)
David C.
Have been driving past this place every day for years. What a surprise to find they have a hidden outdoor seating area for those perfect sunny afternoons happy hours, and a great happy hour menu as well. We tried the wagyu cheeseburger and seafood taquitos then the fresh strawberry and chocolate bar ice cream sandwich for dessert - delicious! If you're sitting in traffic between Bellevue/Kirkland and close to 520, this place is a great stopover.
(4)
Mike S.
Ate here with my parents after taking them to the Microsoft visitor center. This a chain restaurant and medium pricey. But really good. My dad had the fish tacos which he loved. Mom had the Clam chowder and Steamers which she thought was excellent. I didn't get to taste the soup but did try the steamers, and they were excellent. Soaked up the juice with bread- always a good sign. I had the Big fish Cobb salad which was outstanding. In hindsight I should have gotten the dressing on the side, maybe I would have gone with ranch- on the side. Overall it was a really good experience and will go back again.
(4)
Juan R.
I finally went to the Big Fish Grill in Kirkland. I had the Big Fish Cobb Salad and it was Terrific! The salmon and the scallops were cooked perfectly.
(4)
Margaret O.
Caveat: I've only tried Big Fish once so far so the 5 stars is really for the one menu item I tried which is the the much touted Cobb Salad. Now I know why. Not your dad's or mom's Cobb salad. Generous serving laden with seafood worth the $$ paid and very good. The scallops, Dungeness crab, salmon, bacon, mushrooms, olives, eggs, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, balsamic vinaigrette and blue cheese dressing are all there in balanced quantities. IMO, they forgot to put the word 'Seafood' in between 'Cobb' and 'Salad' on the menu. Highly recommended. I will definitely check out Big Fish's other menu items in the future especially the visually striking coconut Prawns that I saw other patrons order.
(5)
Jeannie F.
Best chowder I've had anywhere on the west coast. The staff is very friendly and all smiles. This is only the second time I've been here and the bartender remembered both my drink and my last food order. Feels like Cheers! I highly recommend it.
(5)
Alex O.
I'm a first timer at Big Fish in Redmond and I'm hooked. No pun intended. Tried the Cobb salad I hear so much about and wasn't disappointed. Well worth the $20. Service was friendly and attentive, keeping my cup of coffee and ice tea steadily refilled. Will come back later after seeing the generous servings of coconut prawns other patrons ordered.
(4)
Danya B.
Food was great. A bit over priced. Service was bad!!!! We were sitterd at a table that had a very bad wobble, our server said she would think of a way to fix and be right back. When she came back she took our drink order and left. So we still had a table that wobble once we got our drinks and still was not fixed even tho there were other tables we could of been moved to. My boyfriend spent our meal hold he's foot down on one of the legs to keep it from moving. We left without it ever being fit or our server saying anything more about it. Back to our food....We didn't see our sever for15mins after getting our drinks to take our order or to refill our drinks. Another sever noticed us looking around and ask if she could get us more drinks and even gave us more bread while we waited for our server to take our order. Our server just seemed out of it and like her other tables were more important over ours. My Meal was very good once I finally got it but the service did not match the food sadly. My boyfriends steak was very average he said not worth the $24.
(2)
Tom T.
I really liked this place the first few times. The Big Fish Cobb Salad was especially good at a very reasonable price. Went again last evening, only to discover they raised their prices by 10-12% on most items, if not across the board, making what was an above average meal at a very reasonable price to one far less appealing. Portion sizes seem to shrink with the price hike as well; a double kick in the shins! Service was pretty good & within reasonable speed, but at these new prices, it seems no better than ask the rest in its cohort. Future visits are questionable; too bad they ruined a good thing with higher prices.
(3)
John M.
Brunch Brunch. Went to Brunch on a Sunday. The scene is they seat you. You order off a menu. Then you can partake in the buffet consisting of fruit and several breads. The breads included croissants (day or two old), Cinnamon rolls (made without any cinnamon taste) The main courses are better but on the whole there are better Brunches in Bellevue
(2)
Joe H.
This is a review for their Kirkland location. I had the Big Fish Grill Cobb salad and it came with a ton of seafood. I immediately knew why it was costing me $18 dollars! My salmon was a tad bit overcooked, but I like my salmon rarer than most people typically like. Although it's a great location for me personally, it's a bit hidden away. I was there for lunch and it was pretty packed. Yes they take AMEX. Recommended. I also hear their HH is great, but I haven't tried.
(4)
K. Lindsay N.
Big Fish has great food at reasonable prices, I highly recommend this family restaurant. We always go to their Northup location in Kirkland where everyone is very friendly. Our favorite waitress is Emily--she is the BEST!
(5)
Jeff B.
Lunch with co-coworkers. FOOD: 3.0. I had the grilled wild salmon Caesar salad @ $14. Perfect quantity. Good taste. I'd choose it again. SERVICE: 3.5. Professional and friendly. Manager stopped by several times to check on us. AMBIANCE: 3.0. Clean and comfortable. Also has a bar area with (sports) TVs. Seemed like a decent after-work happy hour stop - though I haven't tested this yet.
(3)
Pone C.
Great HH food, terrible HH drinks. Bar is small and the atmosphere is very AARP. Gumbo was pretty bad, salad was frosted, only thing good was the dynamite shrimp. Would only consider going there on Tuesdays as they have beer discounts on that day.
(3)
Negeen M.
I had lunch in the bar yesterday. Bartenders were fun and personable and I had a great time chatting about sports (ESPN was on tv) and I felt right at home. This was my first time here and I just wanted a small bite so I got the Caesar salad -which could have used a touch more dressing (that I should have asked for but I got distracted and forgot-so not a big deal at all, I'm sure if I had asked it would have been no biggie for them either). I also got the dynamite shrimp appetizer which was fantastic! I loved the sauce on it and it surprisingly had some crunch still even with the dressing on the tempura outter shell. Really glad I came in. I would love to go again for dinner and have a couple drinks as well.
(5)
Sheridan W.
This is by far my favorite place in the entire world to Get fish and chips. My family has been coming here for years and it has always been amazing. It is a little pricey, but in my opinion totally worth it.
(4)
Ali W.
One guy whose name I never got and his coworker Ryan both helped me get my car jumped tonight after eating dinner at BFG. So grateful for their efforts! Kirkland BFGs entire staff is friendly and professional, and the same goes for issaquah. And my Cobb salad was well worth all twenty dollars. The scallops were amazing, the salmon... And perfectly dressed! I'm hooked.
(5)
Armen S.
I've gone twice: 1. Gotten taken here for a business lunch. Had the mahi mahi sandwich on the lunch special. The sandwich was really good. Sometimes these type of fish sandwiches can be a bit dry, but they prevented that with avocado, which made it great. The service was good too - I was never even close to running out of Arnold Palmer. 2. Went back for lunch with my wife. I got the mahi mahi sandwich again, which was good again - a nice portion of fish, hot, with good seasoning. My wife wasn't as happy with her mahi mahi tacos. The salsa isn't fresh - it seemed like it was from a jar. The overall flavor of the tacos just wasn't that great. I tasted them too and agreed with her. The outdoor seating is right by the parking lot, but they have walls to visually shield the tables and some greenery. At least you can sit outside. The service was friendly and quick both times.
(3)
David T.
Went there for Valentine's Day with my wife. First dinner there after a number of lunch appointments made me happy. Dinner was even better. My wife had the house salad, I the pear and pecan salad. We also had a specialty appetizer, the salmon satay (salmon skewers with pesto). All perfectly prepared and presented. We both had the macadamia crusted halibut with mashed potatoes and broccoli. Fabulous food. I simply don't imagine food being any better than this. My only wish was an expanded dessert menu, but that was minor since we rarely order dessert anyway (hey, it was Valentines!). I read some reviews here and wonder what people are thinking when they give a low score because seniors frequent the place, or a salad with a huge chunk of salmon on it cost them more than $10. Don't listen to the whiners, it is a great place. I've had salads, clam chowder, cioppino, and fish and chips in the past, and it's all delicious. Great sourdough bread basket, too. Also, friendly hostess, great table service.
(5)
Geoff W.
I had the Big Fish Grill Cobb salad. Among other things, it had two, grilled, big scallops, four ounces of slightly-overdone, grilled salmon, and a little, very good crab. The food was good and priced averagely, if that's a word. :) They shuffled me to the bar because it was just me and the place was empty (at 8:30 pm on a Monday, so - again - that's fine) except for a few very loud people. (I could've moved, and it's a bar, so I expect it.) Sports on TV, but at least they keep the volume down. The decor was nothing fancy, and reminded me of one of those buffet chain restaurants for families, like a Carrow's or Cracker Barrel or something similar. Someone else suggested they're probably targeting the senior crowd, which looks about right. The place was fine for what it was. It was, as Yelp suggests, A-OK. I wouldn't take co-workers or friends there if are other options. I wouldn't avoid the place if I were, like today, traveling alone and needing food that's near my hotel.
(3)
Carolyn J.
Definitely attracts an older crowd. Assisted living bus usually in the car park. We went for a drink in the bar. Beer was fine (I wouldn't drink anything but beer there) but the food was just bad. As others have said, store bought frozen fare at best. Sadly, it was like eating in my grandma's old folks home. That said, I think that's just who they are, hence the 3rd star. Not for "foodies". Prices are good/low for the area, bland food and the staff is really friendly and spends a lot of time chatting up the crowd. Target audience clear.
(3)
Andrea G.
I'm almost afraid to review my favorite Happy Hour bar for fear that the secret will get out and I won't be able to get a table! But they deserve the high rating, so here goes nothin'. This is the most ideal Happy Hour location I've come across (I'm really into Happy Hour, as my reviews must suggest). The location is extremely accessible (right off 520). The parking is ample and free. The bar with its perimeter of booths and dim lighting is comfy and cozy, with music that can be heard but that isn't too loud (why is that such a rare thing?), they have great TVs -- and during baseball season, they always have the M's game on (yay!). And in the summer months, the outside patio CANNOT BE BEAT! And it lasts until 7:00!!! That is a major plus! Jeff the bartender is just the kind of bartender you would want to have. Sometimes he gets a little "in the weeds" because he handles a few tables in addition to the bar (and those are the tables we ALWAYS try to grab)...and it does get pretty darn busy in there...but he is awesome! He remembers our "usual" orders, what we drink, what condiments we prefer...all the stuff that makes service noteworthy. The current servers are not the friendliest, though. We do try to sit at Jeff's tables whenever possible because they just don't seem to want to "engage" in the whole "Happy Hour experience" the way Jeff does (or the way previous servers have -- I miss them so much -- especially Molly). IMO, they are borderline rude, and not very efficient while they're at it. You can't "disappoint" on both counts in the service business! The Happy Hour value itself is amazing (the most important part of any HH). The items are VERY affordable, with GREAT portion sizes, and most importantly - YUMMY! Every item on the Happy Hour menu is delicious. They do change it up on a semi-regular basis, but it's always great. The pear & pecan salad is wonderful. Their clam chowder is exactly how you'd want it to be. The steak quesadilla is full of flavor. The burger is just the right size and has the perfect "chargrilled" flavor (the white bread bun is a little "weak" but that's a minor complaint). The fries are great, too. The fish and chips are also fantastic. I don't think I've ever been disappointed in any meal I've had there (except maybe brunch - but I'll save that for a future review). I once mentioned the show "Restaurant Impossible" to a server, and he was a fan. So he shared that the Big Fish kitchen is one of the CLEANEST kitchens he's ever worked in. I can't tell you how good it felt to hear that (and I did believe him). So there's that, too. The only "negative" about the Happy Hour is that they don't offer special pricing on all alcoholic beverages, and their wine list could use some refreshing for sure. I don't think it's been updated in years, which breaks our little wine-loving hearts. This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants (the one in Woodinville is pretty awesome, too -- it just doesn't have the coziness or charm of the Kirkland location). Long Live Big Fish Grill and everything that it does RIGHT! :)
(5)
Scot K.
I've been to this restaurant twice and the service and food has been consistent on both visits. The food is good but not spectacular. The ownership knows their market and customer base and the menu reflects this. When you look around the place you'll notice that there's the occasional business lunch, but the rest are senior citizens. Nothing wrong with that, but their tastes tend to be on the basic side. So nothing adventurous on the menu. On both visits I had the chicken sandwich. Done well, but its a sandwich. Nothing fantastic about the side dish. When it comes to service the staff is quick, courteous and genuinely nice. I could give it another star but they would have to make the menu a lot more exciting.
(3)
Cindi B.
Enjoyed a business dinner here last week, seated in the bar area. We both ordered the king salmon with Brie and beurre blanc and found it nicely done. The beurre blanc offered a little zing to what might have otherwise been a bland sauce. Veggies were cooked crisply while the rice pilaf was unremarkable. Regardless, the service was attentive and friendly. I'd return to try a few of their other offerings.
(4)
Shree Harsha V.
Calmest place may be because I came here on a weekday . Low crowd - fast service. Shrimp dishes were good but not great. Service was good. Should improve their drinks menu. All I can find are wines n soda.
(3)
Aunik B.
Happy hour menu is wonderfully priced. The food isn't an A, more of a B+, but the services was great, and the I left with my stomach more than content. Great place for lunch or happy hour on the east side!!
(4)
Kulinary K.
Review for Sunday Buffet: Store bought, stale, and nearly inedible Sysco pastries. Lopsided cuts of cheese and a mangled fruit tray. I got the benedict but the hollondaise sauce was broken and oily. Spend your money elsewhere.
(1)
Ted F.
Conveniently located and well sized booths. ..we had a late breakfast after church on Sunday. My wife had the pear salad and loved it. I had the mushroom, bacon and cheddar omelet. Great flavor and presentation. Good portion size backed up by the complimentary fruit and bakery buffet. Our waitress was attentive and pleasant.
(5)
Wilson W.
So sad. If this was out first visit it would of been our last. Service so slow and the "special" salmon penne pasta was undercooked by about 3 minutes. The salmon was obviously freeze dried and so salty it was almost not edible. Guess we will try once more in the future before we give up. Seems like every other visit is a good experience.
(1)
Nina T.
Solid happy hour. 3-7pm and then again at 9pm. Cod fish & chips for $4 (and tasty, too). Caesar salad or clam chowder for $3. And maybe a dozen more items available on the happy hour menu. The main downside was that there were no drink specials as far as I could see. The bar area has nice atmosphere, with seats at the bar and lots of booths. There was plenty of room on a Wednesday evening, and service was great. Food showed up pretty quickly. Great alternative to the craziness of downtown Bellevue.
Just ate there and the fish tacos are great! It a little old fashion but the food is great.
(4)
Anthony S.
Update. Avoid the Crab & Shrimp salad. Strange mix of mostly cabbage, and a TINY portion of crab. For some reason no Cobb on the menu. Too bad. If you want an excellent big seafood salad, just go a block away to the Big Fish Grill. The Keg is perfectly OK for most dishes, but this one was a major disappointment.
(3)
Patrick L.
I remember when this location was still Newport Bay. Food was only so-so, but I have some fond memories of it as an after work HH spot. Fast forward to a few years ago when it changed to Big Fish. They changed it up inside so it gets more natural light and has a more open layout. I've been there a couple times now, both times sitting at a booth in the bar, for lunch. Food is pretty good! The scallops were a good size and everything on the plate was presented nicely. The seared ahi is also pretty good, although could use a little more portion-wise. Both are somewhat pricier for a lunch dish, but not disproportinately compared to what other similar restaurants like Stanfords might charge. No doubt I'll be back eventually.
(3)
Jeff S.
Salmon excellent with basic grilling. They know enough to let it do the talking with no fancy overtures.
(4)
Sue B.
Excellent customer service. And the food was great too! Everything is BIG at Big Fish
(4)
Jacqueline T.
Its like a cheesecake factory alternative? haha the menu serves everything for dinner! I got a paella, and my bf got a pasta, my mom got grilled seafood, and my dad got a burger with the works. Everything was solid, and i loved my westernized paella dish. Came back and tried their Sunday brunch. Was mui impressive as well! What stood out the most? The delicious, hot, sugar powder dusted brioches they serve before you even start the fruit/bread buffet table, or get your main brunch entrees! Everything delicious! Just come hungry when you come on Sundays for brunch. Its like.... never ending food.. and the hot brioche... i'm dreaming about when i'll be able to devour you again! :) The buffet is open to anyone who orders a dish off the brunch menu! And everything is so reasonably priced!!! Its a place you can bring company you want to impress, while not breaking the bank :D Score for dinner! Score for Sunday Brunch! mmmmm
(4)
Brett V.
I'm here once a week for a business lunch meeting. The food and service are great. I eat lunch here so often I don't feel like coming back for dinner too often but I did tonight!
(5)
Traci D.
While visiting Bellevue/Kirkland for the night, we needed a close by place for an impromptu business dinner. Flex N Style was pleased to find The Big Fish Grill. It was walking distance from our hotel, we were seated in the bar quickly, and Irma, the waitress was already wiping down a booth for us. Happy Hour was reasonably priced, but no drink specials on the weekend? The turkey, bacon, avacado sandwich with sweet potato fries and the fresh grilled salmon really hit the spot after a long day. We would eat there again the next time we are in town.
(4)
Julian H.
The food is good, the service is fine and the restaurant feels clean and fresh despite not feeling very modern. And that is the biggest problem. This place feels like a restaurant for old people. And I only say that because the Shriners have their lunches here in the private dining room and no one is older than the Shriners.
(3)
Tom S.
Great place for dinner. I usually eat in the bar and the staff is excellent. Food is good, not great, but the prices are not high either. Good comfortable place to go. I travel a lot and end up there often. Older set packs the place some nights around 5 to 6 pm. Wait an hour until they head home for bed and the place clears out.
(5)
Joanna C.
After my appointment, my husband and I decided to look for a random place to eat. We saw this on our navigation and decided to eat here. When we first came in, there was no one. Not a soul in the front desk besides the dad and his daughter standing in front of us. They got seated after 3 minutes and the staff didn't say a word to us. But we waited still. After waiting 20 minutes, we started wondering why weren't they even acknowledging us! Seriously, on a slow Tuesday morning? No one came and no one even LOOKED at us. I know Bellevue is a nice place but we felt that our race was an issue to them because everyone who worked there or was seated was white. I was watching the entire time and no one even bothered to say "hello" or pass a glance. Did we not come in the front door? Were we not seen after the first two people who were seated before us were only standing 5 feet away? I hoped this place would not have been the disappointment that it turned out to be. I work as a sushi chef and server at a restaurant and I give equal treatment to all customers, as should all other restaurants. I'm appalled they do not care about equality here. We are never coming to this restaurant again. I bet their food would've been great, but we never got a chance to taste it.
(1)
Kevin C.
Great happy hour on the east side! I think we went on a saturday? which at the time was all day happy hour, no other place around has all day happy hour on saturday! The oyster shooter was really good, they serve it in marinara sauce so it was nothing fancy, but the oyster was super fatty and juicy. Calimari was Ok, but what stood out was dessert, we had some sort of pie, and the crust as amazing, they fresh bake it in a ramekin, and it comes out hot and crispy on the outside.
(4)
Pavel Z.
had a dinner with family, kids friendly, nice food, quite busy on fridays - had to wait a long time for food
(4)
Jeff M.
I've eaten at this restaurant about 6 times, always ordering the same meal: the True Cod sandwich. Being finicky, I ask for it the way I like it. My first time there, it took them 3 tries to get it right. "Right" being only mayo. No veggies. No cheese. Not difficult in my book. My second time there, it only took them twice to get it right. Third time's a charm! Fourth time, perfecto, but the service was horrendous. I can't recall the last time I had a waitress who seemed so disconnected. Fifth time, the sandwich was fine. I opted for a salad in lieu of the fries. My bad. The shrimp that the put on it were old and stinky. I told the bartender whose only response was, "I'll tell the kitchen". Came up a bit short there I'd say. The last time, the fish was old and extremely strong tasting. Cod is a light fish, not overly powerful when fresh. This fish was a day past its "use by" date in my opinion. I've filled out their comment forms a few times but have never had any of my concerns addressed. Their inability to provide consistency, coupled with their apparent inability to address customer concerns, gives me the impression that they don't care. It's too bad, because I really enjoy the fish sandwiches but not enough to want to deal with the negatives.
(2)
Lauren D.
I'm only ever here for breakfast, so I can't review how their lunch or dinner is, but I have to say, this place is phenomenal. Their bread is absolutely divine. Seriously. I also love how you can have a "fruit buffet" along with cheese, more bread, and some dessert items. I've never had a bad meal here. The service is also fine, not too great, but they don't ignore you or anything. My only complaint is that their coffee is too expensive for the quality of it.
(5)
Alan H.
Service fair, soup salty, did the chicken pear blue cheese salad - I've had better chicken was burnt and dry the bread served with the soup was excellent but then served with what appeared to be margarine really wished it had tasted like butter
(2)
Lydia N.
Came here for happy hour since it was close by. The food was alright and the portions match the price you pay (as in, omg! it's only $3! ... and it's about 5 bites). Tasty though. One thing I really loved was the atmosphere though. A bunch of folks were sitting around the bar watching a football game, and there were plenty of little booths on the side or small groups or dates.
(3)
Linda F.
The Big Fish Grill is a "home away from home" having consistently good food and smiling employees. It welcomes all ages with great menu selections, including excellent seafood and Wagyu beef. The "Big Fish" also features one of the best Happy Hours on the eastsde with great food selections and great prices. Helps to be early to get a seat!
(5)
Morgan L.
I like this place. I used to go here with my dad when it was Newport Bay, we recently decided to check it out as Big Fish. We came during Happy Hour, which my dad loooves cause hes such a tight wad! I don't get much time with my dad (if at all) hes a busy business man and I like that the booths are big and comfy, we could relax and catch up, they are also private so we were able to actually discuss some things. We ordered Buffalo Prawns, Caesar Salad, Cajun Chicken Tenders, and Clams. All were pretty good, the clam broth was too salty/clamish but I was craving clams so it worked. The service was awesome, they checked on us but didn't smother us. The HH wine (chardonnay) was ok... too sweet for my taste. This is an easy place for us both to meet, so it has become our "spot". I don't think you can go wrong here.
(4)
Brian H.
Not a good lunch. The prawn and scallop risotto had undercooked scallops and crime cheese in it?
(1)
Bill B.
Don't let the quantity of blue-hairs fool you, this is a very good place to eat at. The brunch is decent and lunch/dinner service is good. But, if you want the good stuff, head for the bar. Great happy hour and happy hour menu! Delicious clam chowder especially on cool, rainy days. The bartender makes a great martini, too! You can easily have a cheap lunch or dinner with appetizers only.
(4)
Regina C.
Went last week with a friend we did not have a lot of time for lunch, but it was close to where we had an appointment and I have been here a couple of times when it was Newport Bay. We both had the pear, hazelnut and blue cheese salad with grilled chicken $11 I thought the salad was a great entree size for lunch. A lot of crisp green romain that was really crunchy. I always order my dressing on the side because I LOVE a crunchy salad. Anyway, pears were under ripe, blue cheese not enough...Chicken perfectly moist and tender. After we requested more blue cheese the salad was great. I will go back like I always do, just wish that I was in the area more. It is always nice to get consistently good fresh food. Service was fast and really attentive. I am happy that I introduced a friend to a knew place and she liked it too!
(4)
Roseanne J.
Great Happy Hour! Super fish and chips, chowder and pear salad. Have given up on ordering cocktails. They taste weak to me and just don't seem right. Other than that, really like the food and service. Usually stop by at least twice a month.
(4)
Flora C.
It used to Newport Bay here. First time at BFG was a business lunch. All is swell. Second round is a personal dinner. Once sat down, I found out it was so closed to their HH. I jumped ship and moved to the bar. The bar area is just like before. It's cozy with old charming feel. Like! The HH menu is filled with great price and good selections. Nothing will go wrong with this menu. Same old same old great service from the bar tenders. Manager, Dave was very friendly chatting with us about the Fish. I saw the weekend brunch menu and decided to come back to give it a try.
(3)
CutieD L.
My new favorite seafood spot! We went on a sunday during brunch time and had the french toast and crab omelette!! So so good! I dont understand why this resturant has such a low score. I am definetely giving it a 5 star and will be back for brunch!
(5)
Ane P.
My parents eat here quite often, as they claim that the happy hour is a very good value, and also delicious. I've yet to try happy hour, but the regular fare is delicious! I remember coming here often when it was Newport Bay, as they're one of the few spots in Seattle that serve Manhattan Clam Chowder. I've had so many people look at me and ask me what I'm talking about when I order that. But when you order it here...it's FULL of seafood--I mean, so much, that it's almost more of a stew! I like, I like. The service is exceptional. There is one particular female server, who works in the main dining room--and she should be the poster woman for restaurant servers. Honestly, I've never met another server who seems to enjoy their job so much. Just about everything I've had here, is delicious. It's the chowder that sticks in my mind though. On a side note, they're currently doing a bit of remodeling in the front of the house, which is meant to be a private dining area.
(4)
Richard C.
Went to the Big Fish for dinner tonight on the last leg of our vacation. I can put this no other way than to say that our last dinner before going home was fantastic. Both my wife and I ordered the Fish & Chips for dinner. The fish was hand battered, light and very flavorful. The tarter sauce was excellent. The facility was casual and clean. The service by Daniel was great. Drinks never ran dry. The portion was perfect for a nice evening meal. I watch many more great looking meals go by. I would really like to try their Chicken Ceasar Salad. I overheard a patron proclaim that it is the best one she has ever had on the East side of Lake Washington. The menu is plentiful for selections and well suited for every taste bud. The prices are moderately priced for the choices. Unless you are only eating appetizers you should not go away hungry.
(5)
Couple O'Critics A.
Well the bar was nice with good service and nice selection. The menu does the job with descent eats. My only complaint is the smell of restroom sanitizers every time the door opened or someone walked by. Do a deep steam cleaning of the bathrooms and consult with another vendor or use a different product without all that cherry scented junk. Yuck! I'll be back - sitting in the back of the restaurant next time.
(3)
ElJefe M.
Why do I get great service everywhere I go? Is it because I'm so aware? So connected to my server? Maybe it's my humility. Anyway this place has completely average food which makes it a tough choice in a city such as this. but it was fresh, the place seemed clean and our server was very good.
(3)
Laura C.
The food is tasty but inconsistent. I ordered the same thing twice and didn't get the same dish. Both were good. The caesar salad had mostly dark green end romaine as opposed to romaine hearts. The seafood tacos are all good.
(3)
Yujin M.
I am torn if I like this new place or if I like what it used to be Newport...but either case, I am glad it's there. Great happy hour location, if you are ever stuck in the traffic going to 520, just get off here, have some happy hour food and drinks. After an hour, once traffic dies down, you can go home! This is what I did when I was stuck in the snow several years ago during that big snow storm. I was driving from Redmond to Kirkland and it took me 2 1/2 hours!!!! But fortunately that has not happened but I know traffic can still be bad. I know it's weird but my favorite food item here is the ketchup!!! They had the freshest ketchup ever. Usually you take ketchup for granted and out of habit, you would get the bottle and pour or squeeze it out on your food or fries and you don't give it a second thought. They give it to you in a small condiment cup and seriously the BEST KETCHUP EVER! I don't know if they make it on their own or if it's from the bottle, I don't care, it's so good. I always go there now and order fries and ketchup.
(3)
Ryan M.
The Big Fish Grill has great staff. The atmosphere makes this place a low-key hidden gem. I stopped here for happy hour and ended up catching another happy hour here later in the week. The happy hour prices are good, the beer is cold, the football games are always on, and the food is good. I've had the Ahi Tuna, Dynamite Shrimp, and a couple Oyster Shooters (based on Linh's photo).
(4)
Holly W.
I like this place. It's definitely a good option for lunch and happy hour if you are in the area. Actually it's a great option for happy hour. The place is very clean and they updated well (the building is pretty old). The crowd is somewhat older. Overall the ambience is enjoyable. I really enjoy the spicy chicken salad but the other salads and also sandwiches are pretty great. Again, GREAT happy hour!
(3)
Brian W.
Not bad at all. Wandered in here one night as I escaped off the 108th St. exit during freaking 520 rush hour hell to drink off the edge. Happy hour to my surprise was quite a good deal and the food was pretty good. I had sliders, chicken strips, and some seared tuna. If I recall they were no more than $5 each. Pretty good deal! I don't remember the hours, but I was pleasantly surprised that happy hour was actually still going on instead of being something like 1-2pm on a Monday afternoon. The chicken strips bear particular mentioning. They were crisp and yet moist, tender, spicy and yet not overpowering. Absolutely perfect. I mean, we're talking about chicken strips here! Would you expect so much?! I think not. Eat them, you will be rewarded. The fish in the lobby is... ummm.. what? It's a moldy old wood carving.
(3)
Glenn S.
Not the greatest place. This place use to be a Denny's and still has the look. They have tried to make if look like a upperclass place but really isn't. I'd drive around the corner to Burger Master. Food is alright. I'd say over price for the portions.
(2)
Francesca P.
Came here on a whim, lost in Bellevue/Kirkland area. Very fancy inside, very professional. Our waitor Daniel was so kind. I had pretty particular orders, which can make people a little grouchy. He was more than happy to accomodate. Pear martini: very fresh and crisp, even came with pear garnish! Strawberry lemonade: Perfect! I ordered oyster shooters ($2) and they were DELICIOUS. SO fresh, SO big! If you've never moaned from eating oyster, you're not eating the good kind. Come here and that's exactly what you'll get! I ordered the salmon with vegetables. The menu says it comes with rice but I ordered mashed potatoes instead. While we waited, we were served bread and butter which was also tastey. Oh, and I won't forget to say that the salmon was completely scrumptuos. I've had pretty bad luck lately with salmon being tough or maybe overcooked. This salmon was as easy to cut as my mashed potatoes. I was wary to order salmon but very happy for doing it. I can taste it while typing! Very nice establishment, great staff, DELICIOUS food. So relaxing to not fear to ask for special accomodations, and not be bothered OR deserted. It was the perfect dining experience. Thank you, Daniel!
(5)
Janine S.
A friend from Moldova was visiting and requested a seafood place. We ended up eating here since it was close enough to the Kirkland waterfront (where we were going after dinner) and the prices seemed reasonable. The location was a bit random and the atmosphere seemed like it was for old people, but the service was pretty good! I shared the "Half sandwich with soup or salad" (turkey, bacon, avacado, swiss sandwich $10) with fries and a cup of chowder, and my friend ordered the Big Fish Cobb salad ($16). The sandwich and chowder were okay (not super memorable), but the salad was GINORMOUS - probably the biggest salad I've ever seen. There's probably better seafood places in Kirkland with a better view, but this place was reasonably priced with a good selection of food and good so it gets 3.5 stars! 5 extra no-credit points if you know where Moldova is!
(3)
Phil G.
Service was excellent. Pear, pecan, & bleu cheese salad was very tasty, but not the absolute best I've ever had. Grilled salmon risotto started out excellent, with the salmon crisp on the outside and moist inside and nice subtle flavor. This was a great complement to the tangy feta? cheese and tomato in the creamy risotto, but after a while, the strong flavors in the risotto became too much for the delicate flavor of the salmon. $30 for 1 person with a pint of beer (before tip).
(3)
Sione P.
Yep... Newport Bay Restaurant has changed to Big Fish Grill in Kirkland. For now, not a lot has changed and the people seem the same. Like the previous reviewer said, they just cut ties with the parent company, so the owners needed to change the name. I still enjoy happy hours here, when they have a really good clam chowder, thick fried zucchini slices, and a number of other good options on the happy hour menu. This is about the only time I come here, for that value, but the food is pretty good. There aren't currently drink specials for happy hour, but the food options are good enough to balance it out! The crowd here is def a little older, but it's a decent place to come in, grab a cheap bite and a drink, and head back out. As happy hour deals go, my parents really love this one and they find a good bargain! The name change is supposed to bring some sort of facelift to the restaurant and some menu changes, from what I've heard, so wait and se
(4)
Mirra M.
I used to work at the big fish grill, formerly the newport bay. I can honestly say that they keep their facilities very clean. It is one of their first priorities, trust me. I know because I spent many slow afternoons cleaning:). Their walk-ins are spotless and everything is extremely sanitary. I can also say that the food is fantastic. I stopped working there about a year ago and I still dream of their mahi tacos, fish and chips, and asian chicken salad. There's something for everyone here. The halibut is fantastic, their steak is good, and their salads are awesome. They may have an older clientele, but younger people should really try this place.....great food. And the other servers I worked with there were some of the hardest working, sweetest people I've ever met.
(4)
Maya P.
fresh seafood.had the fish and chips (all of them, prawn, cod and the other one). the cole slaw was amazing. i am not a fan of cole slaw but it was really good. french fries were delicious. would have the food anytime.
(5)
Donovan T.
Been to the Big Fish several times now (4+) and everytime the food has been delicious! Their happy hour food menu is without rival in the area, but note I do say FOOD menu, they do not have drink specials and their wine glass is about as small as they make (i'm a beer guy, so doesn't bother me, but someone I took there was slightly offended at being charged $10 for a 3oz glass of white) Best fish & chips I've ever eaten, and only $3.50 for HH! Chicken Pecan salad was delicious, Stuffed sole is delicate and a healthy portion. Really enjoying exploring their menu!
(4)
Paul D.
Great place for local casual seafood. My wife and I enjoy coming here as the food is prepared well and the service is top notch.
(5)
Saunak C.
Checked in tonight with my wife. Ordered crab cake as appetizer which was awesome it comes with mango salsa that tastes so yummy. Main course was hallibut grill which was good too but I wd complain abt the amount of food they serve.
(3)
Donna F.
I went there last night with my husband and daughter and it was definitely worth venturing out into the storm to get there. The atmosphere is a bit more family-fun chain-style; but nothing over the top and uncomfortable. One of my favorite foods is crab cake, and being from Southern Louisiana, I've had a lot of different versions of it. Big Fish's version is in my top 3. It was all meat and spices and herbs. No huge blobs of bread crumb filler like a lot of places do. It also has a mango salsa with it and though I'm not a mango fan, it really did work in this mix. The dish came with veggies and pilaf-ish type rice. I was full from just the crab cake, so didn't even make it to those. My daughter went with the grilled salmon and risotto. The salmon was very fresh tasting and didn't have that light pink, fatty, type of taste. It was bright red and lean and had a great nutty flavor. My husband had the crab mac and cheese. Not a kid's plate. It was HUGE and very creamy and meaty. The service was friendly and easy. I read another review about the serving sizes being small. I'm not sure of what that person is used to, but the plates we got were way over sized for a normal person. My husband is 6'4", has a big appetite and couldn't finish that mac and cheese, much less munch on our plates like he would normally try. The doggie box was pretty heavy from the 3 of us. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Krystal F.
Amazing food and amazing happy hour deals! I also have to mention that happy hour prices are available every Saturday, all day long as well. I eat here often and everything I have tried has been fabulous. The fish tacos are delicious (and also available for a VERY low price during happy hour). Their soups are made from scratch daily and every seafood dish I have ordered has been delightful. The halibut cheeks are my favorite, but everything on the menu is great. From stuffed mushrooms to the turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich, everything on the menu is worth trying. They also have breakfast on Sundays, with a full fruit/pastry buffet available with every meal ordered. The biggest treat? The fresh made beignets served to you while you wait for your meal. Delicious. The service is great and the staff is friendly, definitely a must try!
(5)
Tiffany N.
Great crab and mac and cheese but the fish was very lacking and over spiced. The mac and cheese is probably the only thing i would ever eat there
(3)
Andrea B.
My BF and I have been searching for a "Cheers" of sorts, and I think we just hit the jackpot. This used to be the Newport Bay restaurant, part of a franchise, and the owners decided to split from the parent company. They get to keep the recipes that the customers love (huge in the restaurant business) but now have more freedom in the menu and the offerings. For example, the parent company made them remove Mac & Jack's from the beer offerings, and the first thing they did when they branched out was bring it back! We ate in the bar, which has a killer happy hour (daily): 3-7pm, 9-close. Cheap food items (BF filled up on 2 killer fish tacos for $5), and many items with some actual substance, not just a plate of fries. There are no drink specials, just cheap food. I had 2 glasses of organically grown red wine - tasty! The bar area has several flat screen TV's, perfect for a little Monday nite football. The bartender (a little Carla-ish, in a good way)introduced us to several of the "regulars", and I swear one was a Cliff Clavin look-alike : ) I opted for the salmon caesar salad (plain, not blackened) and the salmon was some of the best I have had in the area. The place is not flashy, not pretentious, it has an instant comfort to it, and with a menu like that, I will definitely be back on a regular basis.
(4)
Mary H.
The service was slow to start. After being seated, we waited at least 10 minutes before anyone came by our table. We ordered some mussels for an appetizer and they were just OK. It was a huge waste of good toasted bread when they plunked the bread in the sauce. The bread was mush. We ordered a salmon with a butternut risotto and fish tacos (mahi mahi). While the fish tacos were good, the risotto was...I'm not sure what it was but it wasn't risotto. Very casual vibe which I liked but service was slow. Might have better luck in the bar for happy hour as some of the other reviews have indicated.
(2)
Vicki B.
This was the best meal we have had so far in Washington state. I had the Caeser salad with the bronzed salmon and my husband had the andouille chicken fettuccine. We are from Louisiana so we like things spicy and we didn't need to add anything to them. They were seasoned perfectly, but I don't think they would be too spicy for someone not used to that. Our server Emily was wonderful. When she learned we were from Louisiana she even brought us some extra seasoning in case we needed it. We had read a review on Yelp about a server who worked here and loved her job and we think this had to be Emily. She even helped us with some sightseeing we wanted to do the next day. We would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants good seafood and good service.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : 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 : No
Mark O.
Big Fish Grill -- just off WA-520 in Kirkland is in the same building that once housed Newport Bay. We met friends from the midwest who were staying down the street at La Quinta and decided to give Big Fish a try! It was great. In addition to enjoying a wonderful meal and excellent service, we loved Big Fish Grill's quiet, understated ambiance once common among fine dining establishments. The large, varied northwest menu included a number of salmon and halibut dishes as well as shrimp, oysters, clams, fish tacos, and cioppino. Starters average around $10-12. Entrees top out at $28, but I had a wonderful $16 pan-fried oyster and $4 cup of chowder. The wine and beer selections were adequate and by-the-glass wines were competitively priced around $7-12.
(4)Sandra L.
We went for dinner on Thursday evening around 5:45p. Parking was full we were lucky we only had to wait about 5 minutes. Pretty small parking lot for the restaurant. Didn't have to wait for a table. Big HH crowd We ordered the wild salmon dinner and the Cobb salad. My spouse really enjoyed his seafood Cobb salad, crab meat, scallops and salmon. Said he would definitely order it again. I loved the salmon dinner with rice and broccoli. The salmon was cooked just right. I would definitely order that again, although the seafood Cobb salad looked yummy so I might try that next time Service was very good and attentive. Only complaint was that it got kind of loud in the dinning area Would recommend this restaurant
(4)Cindy S.
Our food arrived promptly, blackened halibut tacos and mahi mahi tacos. They were not as hot as they should have been and the accompanying black beans were tepid. Beans at least, should be very hot to avoid food poisoning. Decided to skip eating them just in case. As the restaurant filled up the noise level began to be a bit annoying. The waitress was friendly and the service was fast. Overall a solid three and a half stars.
(3)Tatiana K.
Wasn't bad but wasn't great either. The ambiance was pretty weird and it seemed that they were trying to be more upscale than they are. They got my first order wrong but were very polite about getting the correct order out to me and took a small portion off the bill. Unfortunately the first dish (andouille sausage and chicken fettuccine) tasted better than the quickly made one (scallop and prawns pesto fettuccine).
(3)Don B.
Sleepy place in Kirkland but really great! I had a Cobb salad with crab meat and it was phenomenal. Very friendly service, hard to beat. Definitely will check them out again when I'm in town.
(4)J M.
Grilled Salmon with asparagus tasted great! However at $22 I would not expect to be leaving hungry. Hubby had fish tacos which there were only 2 of, the tiny portion of fish in them was disappointing. Asked for a second serving of bread & butter & ate all of that as well.
(3)Amanda S.
Ladies and gentlemen, the world's smallest $14 salad. It was delicious, bit I feel so ripped off. I've had larger side salads.
(2)Alton T.
Great service...good food...beatiful weather...perfect spot for me & mines...wouldnt of spent my fathers day any other way.
(5)David C.
Have been driving past this place every day for years. What a surprise to find they have a hidden outdoor seating area for those perfect sunny afternoons happy hours, and a great happy hour menu as well. We tried the wagyu cheeseburger and seafood taquitos then the fresh strawberry and chocolate bar ice cream sandwich for dessert - delicious! If you're sitting in traffic between Bellevue/Kirkland and close to 520, this place is a great stopover.
(4)Mike S.
Ate here with my parents after taking them to the Microsoft visitor center. This a chain restaurant and medium pricey. But really good. My dad had the fish tacos which he loved. Mom had the Clam chowder and Steamers which she thought was excellent. I didn't get to taste the soup but did try the steamers, and they were excellent. Soaked up the juice with bread- always a good sign. I had the Big fish Cobb salad which was outstanding. In hindsight I should have gotten the dressing on the side, maybe I would have gone with ranch- on the side. Overall it was a really good experience and will go back again.
(4)Juan R.
I finally went to the Big Fish Grill in Kirkland. I had the Big Fish Cobb Salad and it was Terrific! The salmon and the scallops were cooked perfectly.
(4)Margaret O.
Caveat: I've only tried Big Fish once so far so the 5 stars is really for the one menu item I tried which is the the much touted Cobb Salad. Now I know why. Not your dad's or mom's Cobb salad. Generous serving laden with seafood worth the $$ paid and very good. The scallops, Dungeness crab, salmon, bacon, mushrooms, olives, eggs, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, balsamic vinaigrette and blue cheese dressing are all there in balanced quantities. IMO, they forgot to put the word 'Seafood' in between 'Cobb' and 'Salad' on the menu. Highly recommended. I will definitely check out Big Fish's other menu items in the future especially the visually striking coconut Prawns that I saw other patrons order.
(5)Jeannie F.
Best chowder I've had anywhere on the west coast. The staff is very friendly and all smiles. This is only the second time I've been here and the bartender remembered both my drink and my last food order. Feels like Cheers! I highly recommend it.
(5)Alex O.
I'm a first timer at Big Fish in Redmond and I'm hooked. No pun intended. Tried the Cobb salad I hear so much about and wasn't disappointed. Well worth the $20. Service was friendly and attentive, keeping my cup of coffee and ice tea steadily refilled. Will come back later after seeing the generous servings of coconut prawns other patrons ordered.
(4)Danya B.
Food was great. A bit over priced. Service was bad!!!! We were sitterd at a table that had a very bad wobble, our server said she would think of a way to fix and be right back. When she came back she took our drink order and left. So we still had a table that wobble once we got our drinks and still was not fixed even tho there were other tables we could of been moved to. My boyfriend spent our meal hold he's foot down on one of the legs to keep it from moving. We left without it ever being fit or our server saying anything more about it. Back to our food....We didn't see our sever for15mins after getting our drinks to take our order or to refill our drinks. Another sever noticed us looking around and ask if she could get us more drinks and even gave us more bread while we waited for our server to take our order. Our server just seemed out of it and like her other tables were more important over ours. My Meal was very good once I finally got it but the service did not match the food sadly. My boyfriends steak was very average he said not worth the $24.
(2)Tom T.
I really liked this place the first few times. The Big Fish Cobb Salad was especially good at a very reasonable price. Went again last evening, only to discover they raised their prices by 10-12% on most items, if not across the board, making what was an above average meal at a very reasonable price to one far less appealing. Portion sizes seem to shrink with the price hike as well; a double kick in the shins! Service was pretty good & within reasonable speed, but at these new prices, it seems no better than ask the rest in its cohort. Future visits are questionable; too bad they ruined a good thing with higher prices.
(3)John M.
Brunch Brunch. Went to Brunch on a Sunday. The scene is they seat you. You order off a menu. Then you can partake in the buffet consisting of fruit and several breads. The breads included croissants (day or two old), Cinnamon rolls (made without any cinnamon taste) The main courses are better but on the whole there are better Brunches in Bellevue
(2)Joe H.
This is a review for their Kirkland location. I had the Big Fish Grill Cobb salad and it came with a ton of seafood. I immediately knew why it was costing me $18 dollars! My salmon was a tad bit overcooked, but I like my salmon rarer than most people typically like. Although it's a great location for me personally, it's a bit hidden away. I was there for lunch and it was pretty packed. Yes they take AMEX. Recommended. I also hear their HH is great, but I haven't tried.
(4)K. Lindsay N.
Big Fish has great food at reasonable prices, I highly recommend this family restaurant. We always go to their Northup location in Kirkland where everyone is very friendly. Our favorite waitress is Emily--she is the BEST!
(5)Jeff B.
Lunch with co-coworkers. FOOD: 3.0. I had the grilled wild salmon Caesar salad @ $14. Perfect quantity. Good taste. I'd choose it again. SERVICE: 3.5. Professional and friendly. Manager stopped by several times to check on us. AMBIANCE: 3.0. Clean and comfortable. Also has a bar area with (sports) TVs. Seemed like a decent after-work happy hour stop - though I haven't tested this yet.
(3)Pone C.
Great HH food, terrible HH drinks. Bar is small and the atmosphere is very AARP. Gumbo was pretty bad, salad was frosted, only thing good was the dynamite shrimp. Would only consider going there on Tuesdays as they have beer discounts on that day.
(3)Negeen M.
I had lunch in the bar yesterday. Bartenders were fun and personable and I had a great time chatting about sports (ESPN was on tv) and I felt right at home. This was my first time here and I just wanted a small bite so I got the Caesar salad -which could have used a touch more dressing (that I should have asked for but I got distracted and forgot-so not a big deal at all, I'm sure if I had asked it would have been no biggie for them either). I also got the dynamite shrimp appetizer which was fantastic! I loved the sauce on it and it surprisingly had some crunch still even with the dressing on the tempura outter shell. Really glad I came in. I would love to go again for dinner and have a couple drinks as well.
(5)Sheridan W.
This is by far my favorite place in the entire world to Get fish and chips. My family has been coming here for years and it has always been amazing. It is a little pricey, but in my opinion totally worth it.
(4)Ali W.
One guy whose name I never got and his coworker Ryan both helped me get my car jumped tonight after eating dinner at BFG. So grateful for their efforts! Kirkland BFGs entire staff is friendly and professional, and the same goes for issaquah. And my Cobb salad was well worth all twenty dollars. The scallops were amazing, the salmon... And perfectly dressed! I'm hooked.
(5)Armen S.
I've gone twice: 1. Gotten taken here for a business lunch. Had the mahi mahi sandwich on the lunch special. The sandwich was really good. Sometimes these type of fish sandwiches can be a bit dry, but they prevented that with avocado, which made it great. The service was good too - I was never even close to running out of Arnold Palmer. 2. Went back for lunch with my wife. I got the mahi mahi sandwich again, which was good again - a nice portion of fish, hot, with good seasoning. My wife wasn't as happy with her mahi mahi tacos. The salsa isn't fresh - it seemed like it was from a jar. The overall flavor of the tacos just wasn't that great. I tasted them too and agreed with her. The outdoor seating is right by the parking lot, but they have walls to visually shield the tables and some greenery. At least you can sit outside. The service was friendly and quick both times.
(3)David T.
Went there for Valentine's Day with my wife. First dinner there after a number of lunch appointments made me happy. Dinner was even better. My wife had the house salad, I the pear and pecan salad. We also had a specialty appetizer, the salmon satay (salmon skewers with pesto). All perfectly prepared and presented. We both had the macadamia crusted halibut with mashed potatoes and broccoli. Fabulous food. I simply don't imagine food being any better than this. My only wish was an expanded dessert menu, but that was minor since we rarely order dessert anyway (hey, it was Valentines!). I read some reviews here and wonder what people are thinking when they give a low score because seniors frequent the place, or a salad with a huge chunk of salmon on it cost them more than $10. Don't listen to the whiners, it is a great place. I've had salads, clam chowder, cioppino, and fish and chips in the past, and it's all delicious. Great sourdough bread basket, too. Also, friendly hostess, great table service.
(5)Geoff W.
I had the Big Fish Grill Cobb salad. Among other things, it had two, grilled, big scallops, four ounces of slightly-overdone, grilled salmon, and a little, very good crab. The food was good and priced averagely, if that's a word. :) They shuffled me to the bar because it was just me and the place was empty (at 8:30 pm on a Monday, so - again - that's fine) except for a few very loud people. (I could've moved, and it's a bar, so I expect it.) Sports on TV, but at least they keep the volume down. The decor was nothing fancy, and reminded me of one of those buffet chain restaurants for families, like a Carrow's or Cracker Barrel or something similar. Someone else suggested they're probably targeting the senior crowd, which looks about right. The place was fine for what it was. It was, as Yelp suggests, A-OK. I wouldn't take co-workers or friends there if are other options. I wouldn't avoid the place if I were, like today, traveling alone and needing food that's near my hotel.
(3)Carolyn J.
Definitely attracts an older crowd. Assisted living bus usually in the car park. We went for a drink in the bar. Beer was fine (I wouldn't drink anything but beer there) but the food was just bad. As others have said, store bought frozen fare at best. Sadly, it was like eating in my grandma's old folks home. That said, I think that's just who they are, hence the 3rd star. Not for "foodies". Prices are good/low for the area, bland food and the staff is really friendly and spends a lot of time chatting up the crowd. Target audience clear.
(3)Andrea G.
I'm almost afraid to review my favorite Happy Hour bar for fear that the secret will get out and I won't be able to get a table! But they deserve the high rating, so here goes nothin'. This is the most ideal Happy Hour location I've come across (I'm really into Happy Hour, as my reviews must suggest). The location is extremely accessible (right off 520). The parking is ample and free. The bar with its perimeter of booths and dim lighting is comfy and cozy, with music that can be heard but that isn't too loud (why is that such a rare thing?), they have great TVs -- and during baseball season, they always have the M's game on (yay!). And in the summer months, the outside patio CANNOT BE BEAT! And it lasts until 7:00!!! That is a major plus! Jeff the bartender is just the kind of bartender you would want to have. Sometimes he gets a little "in the weeds" because he handles a few tables in addition to the bar (and those are the tables we ALWAYS try to grab)...and it does get pretty darn busy in there...but he is awesome! He remembers our "usual" orders, what we drink, what condiments we prefer...all the stuff that makes service noteworthy. The current servers are not the friendliest, though. We do try to sit at Jeff's tables whenever possible because they just don't seem to want to "engage" in the whole "Happy Hour experience" the way Jeff does (or the way previous servers have -- I miss them so much -- especially Molly). IMO, they are borderline rude, and not very efficient while they're at it. You can't "disappoint" on both counts in the service business! The Happy Hour value itself is amazing (the most important part of any HH). The items are VERY affordable, with GREAT portion sizes, and most importantly - YUMMY! Every item on the Happy Hour menu is delicious. They do change it up on a semi-regular basis, but it's always great. The pear & pecan salad is wonderful. Their clam chowder is exactly how you'd want it to be. The steak quesadilla is full of flavor. The burger is just the right size and has the perfect "chargrilled" flavor (the white bread bun is a little "weak" but that's a minor complaint). The fries are great, too. The fish and chips are also fantastic. I don't think I've ever been disappointed in any meal I've had there (except maybe brunch - but I'll save that for a future review). I once mentioned the show "Restaurant Impossible" to a server, and he was a fan. So he shared that the Big Fish kitchen is one of the CLEANEST kitchens he's ever worked in. I can't tell you how good it felt to hear that (and I did believe him). So there's that, too. The only "negative" about the Happy Hour is that they don't offer special pricing on all alcoholic beverages, and their wine list could use some refreshing for sure. I don't think it's been updated in years, which breaks our little wine-loving hearts. This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants (the one in Woodinville is pretty awesome, too -- it just doesn't have the coziness or charm of the Kirkland location). Long Live Big Fish Grill and everything that it does RIGHT! :)
(5)Scot K.
I've been to this restaurant twice and the service and food has been consistent on both visits. The food is good but not spectacular. The ownership knows their market and customer base and the menu reflects this. When you look around the place you'll notice that there's the occasional business lunch, but the rest are senior citizens. Nothing wrong with that, but their tastes tend to be on the basic side. So nothing adventurous on the menu. On both visits I had the chicken sandwich. Done well, but its a sandwich. Nothing fantastic about the side dish. When it comes to service the staff is quick, courteous and genuinely nice. I could give it another star but they would have to make the menu a lot more exciting.
(3)Cindi B.
Enjoyed a business dinner here last week, seated in the bar area. We both ordered the king salmon with Brie and beurre blanc and found it nicely done. The beurre blanc offered a little zing to what might have otherwise been a bland sauce. Veggies were cooked crisply while the rice pilaf was unremarkable. Regardless, the service was attentive and friendly. I'd return to try a few of their other offerings.
(4)Shree Harsha V.
Calmest place may be because I came here on a weekday . Low crowd - fast service. Shrimp dishes were good but not great. Service was good. Should improve their drinks menu. All I can find are wines n soda.
(3)Aunik B.
Happy hour menu is wonderfully priced. The food isn't an A, more of a B+, but the services was great, and the I left with my stomach more than content. Great place for lunch or happy hour on the east side!!
(4)Kulinary K.
Review for Sunday Buffet: Store bought, stale, and nearly inedible Sysco pastries. Lopsided cuts of cheese and a mangled fruit tray. I got the benedict but the hollondaise sauce was broken and oily. Spend your money elsewhere.
(1)Ted F.
Conveniently located and well sized booths. ..we had a late breakfast after church on Sunday. My wife had the pear salad and loved it. I had the mushroom, bacon and cheddar omelet. Great flavor and presentation. Good portion size backed up by the complimentary fruit and bakery buffet. Our waitress was attentive and pleasant.
(5)Wilson W.
So sad. If this was out first visit it would of been our last. Service so slow and the "special" salmon penne pasta was undercooked by about 3 minutes. The salmon was obviously freeze dried and so salty it was almost not edible. Guess we will try once more in the future before we give up. Seems like every other visit is a good experience.
(1)Nina T.
Solid happy hour. 3-7pm and then again at 9pm. Cod fish & chips for $4 (and tasty, too). Caesar salad or clam chowder for $3. And maybe a dozen more items available on the happy hour menu. The main downside was that there were no drink specials as far as I could see. The bar area has nice atmosphere, with seats at the bar and lots of booths. There was plenty of room on a Wednesday evening, and service was great. Food showed up pretty quickly. Great alternative to the craziness of downtown Bellevue.
(4)Rachel B.
I think 2 stars (Meh. I've experienced better.) pretty much sums it up. Went for Happy Hour in the bar. Everything was fried and ok. Nothing stands out as particularly good, but the prices were reasonable. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. There was only terrible wine on the HH special, they don't really have a set HH on drinks. Which disappointed me and my husband. The décor is very dated and rather dark. Clientele was on the older side, clearly there are some regulars that like the food specials at HH. I really can't see myself coming back here for any reason at all. Oh and the outdoor seating is in the parking lot. I guess better than nothing?
(2)Tasam A.
Just ate there and the fish tacos are great! It a little old fashion but the food is great.
(4)Anthony S.
Update. Avoid the Crab & Shrimp salad. Strange mix of mostly cabbage, and a TINY portion of crab. For some reason no Cobb on the menu. Too bad. If you want an excellent big seafood salad, just go a block away to the Big Fish Grill. The Keg is perfectly OK for most dishes, but this one was a major disappointment.
(3)Patrick L.
I remember when this location was still Newport Bay. Food was only so-so, but I have some fond memories of it as an after work HH spot. Fast forward to a few years ago when it changed to Big Fish. They changed it up inside so it gets more natural light and has a more open layout. I've been there a couple times now, both times sitting at a booth in the bar, for lunch. Food is pretty good! The scallops were a good size and everything on the plate was presented nicely. The seared ahi is also pretty good, although could use a little more portion-wise. Both are somewhat pricier for a lunch dish, but not disproportinately compared to what other similar restaurants like Stanfords might charge. No doubt I'll be back eventually.
(3)Jeff S.
Salmon excellent with basic grilling. They know enough to let it do the talking with no fancy overtures.
(4)Sue B.
Excellent customer service. And the food was great too! Everything is BIG at Big Fish
(4)Jacqueline T.
Its like a cheesecake factory alternative? haha the menu serves everything for dinner! I got a paella, and my bf got a pasta, my mom got grilled seafood, and my dad got a burger with the works. Everything was solid, and i loved my westernized paella dish. Came back and tried their Sunday brunch. Was mui impressive as well! What stood out the most? The delicious, hot, sugar powder dusted brioches they serve before you even start the fruit/bread buffet table, or get your main brunch entrees! Everything delicious! Just come hungry when you come on Sundays for brunch. Its like.... never ending food.. and the hot brioche... i'm dreaming about when i'll be able to devour you again! :) The buffet is open to anyone who orders a dish off the brunch menu! And everything is so reasonably priced!!! Its a place you can bring company you want to impress, while not breaking the bank :D Score for dinner! Score for Sunday Brunch! mmmmm
(4)Brett V.
I'm here once a week for a business lunch meeting. The food and service are great. I eat lunch here so often I don't feel like coming back for dinner too often but I did tonight!
(5)Traci D.
While visiting Bellevue/Kirkland for the night, we needed a close by place for an impromptu business dinner. Flex N Style was pleased to find The Big Fish Grill. It was walking distance from our hotel, we were seated in the bar quickly, and Irma, the waitress was already wiping down a booth for us. Happy Hour was reasonably priced, but no drink specials on the weekend? The turkey, bacon, avacado sandwich with sweet potato fries and the fresh grilled salmon really hit the spot after a long day. We would eat there again the next time we are in town.
(4)Julian H.
The food is good, the service is fine and the restaurant feels clean and fresh despite not feeling very modern. And that is the biggest problem. This place feels like a restaurant for old people. And I only say that because the Shriners have their lunches here in the private dining room and no one is older than the Shriners.
(3)Tom S.
Great place for dinner. I usually eat in the bar and the staff is excellent. Food is good, not great, but the prices are not high either. Good comfortable place to go. I travel a lot and end up there often. Older set packs the place some nights around 5 to 6 pm. Wait an hour until they head home for bed and the place clears out.
(5)Joanna C.
After my appointment, my husband and I decided to look for a random place to eat. We saw this on our navigation and decided to eat here. When we first came in, there was no one. Not a soul in the front desk besides the dad and his daughter standing in front of us. They got seated after 3 minutes and the staff didn't say a word to us. But we waited still. After waiting 20 minutes, we started wondering why weren't they even acknowledging us! Seriously, on a slow Tuesday morning? No one came and no one even LOOKED at us. I know Bellevue is a nice place but we felt that our race was an issue to them because everyone who worked there or was seated was white. I was watching the entire time and no one even bothered to say "hello" or pass a glance. Did we not come in the front door? Were we not seen after the first two people who were seated before us were only standing 5 feet away? I hoped this place would not have been the disappointment that it turned out to be. I work as a sushi chef and server at a restaurant and I give equal treatment to all customers, as should all other restaurants. I'm appalled they do not care about equality here. We are never coming to this restaurant again. I bet their food would've been great, but we never got a chance to taste it.
(1)Kevin C.
Great happy hour on the east side! I think we went on a saturday? which at the time was all day happy hour, no other place around has all day happy hour on saturday! The oyster shooter was really good, they serve it in marinara sauce so it was nothing fancy, but the oyster was super fatty and juicy. Calimari was Ok, but what stood out was dessert, we had some sort of pie, and the crust as amazing, they fresh bake it in a ramekin, and it comes out hot and crispy on the outside.
(4)Pavel Z.
had a dinner with family, kids friendly, nice food, quite busy on fridays - had to wait a long time for food
(4)Jeff M.
I've eaten at this restaurant about 6 times, always ordering the same meal: the True Cod sandwich. Being finicky, I ask for it the way I like it. My first time there, it took them 3 tries to get it right. "Right" being only mayo. No veggies. No cheese. Not difficult in my book. My second time there, it only took them twice to get it right. Third time's a charm! Fourth time, perfecto, but the service was horrendous. I can't recall the last time I had a waitress who seemed so disconnected. Fifth time, the sandwich was fine. I opted for a salad in lieu of the fries. My bad. The shrimp that the put on it were old and stinky. I told the bartender whose only response was, "I'll tell the kitchen". Came up a bit short there I'd say. The last time, the fish was old and extremely strong tasting. Cod is a light fish, not overly powerful when fresh. This fish was a day past its "use by" date in my opinion. I've filled out their comment forms a few times but have never had any of my concerns addressed. Their inability to provide consistency, coupled with their apparent inability to address customer concerns, gives me the impression that they don't care. It's too bad, because I really enjoy the fish sandwiches but not enough to want to deal with the negatives.
(2)Lauren D.
I'm only ever here for breakfast, so I can't review how their lunch or dinner is, but I have to say, this place is phenomenal. Their bread is absolutely divine. Seriously. I also love how you can have a "fruit buffet" along with cheese, more bread, and some dessert items. I've never had a bad meal here. The service is also fine, not too great, but they don't ignore you or anything. My only complaint is that their coffee is too expensive for the quality of it.
(5)Alan H.
Service fair, soup salty, did the chicken pear blue cheese salad - I've had better chicken was burnt and dry the bread served with the soup was excellent but then served with what appeared to be margarine really wished it had tasted like butter
(2)Lydia N.
Came here for happy hour since it was close by. The food was alright and the portions match the price you pay (as in, omg! it's only $3! ... and it's about 5 bites). Tasty though. One thing I really loved was the atmosphere though. A bunch of folks were sitting around the bar watching a football game, and there were plenty of little booths on the side or small groups or dates.
(3)Linda F.
The Big Fish Grill is a "home away from home" having consistently good food and smiling employees. It welcomes all ages with great menu selections, including excellent seafood and Wagyu beef. The "Big Fish" also features one of the best Happy Hours on the eastsde with great food selections and great prices. Helps to be early to get a seat!
(5)Morgan L.
I like this place. I used to go here with my dad when it was Newport Bay, we recently decided to check it out as Big Fish. We came during Happy Hour, which my dad loooves cause hes such a tight wad! I don't get much time with my dad (if at all) hes a busy business man and I like that the booths are big and comfy, we could relax and catch up, they are also private so we were able to actually discuss some things. We ordered Buffalo Prawns, Caesar Salad, Cajun Chicken Tenders, and Clams. All were pretty good, the clam broth was too salty/clamish but I was craving clams so it worked. The service was awesome, they checked on us but didn't smother us. The HH wine (chardonnay) was ok... too sweet for my taste. This is an easy place for us both to meet, so it has become our "spot". I don't think you can go wrong here.
(4)Brian H.
Not a good lunch. The prawn and scallop risotto had undercooked scallops and crime cheese in it?
(1)Bill B.
Don't let the quantity of blue-hairs fool you, this is a very good place to eat at. The brunch is decent and lunch/dinner service is good. But, if you want the good stuff, head for the bar. Great happy hour and happy hour menu! Delicious clam chowder especially on cool, rainy days. The bartender makes a great martini, too! You can easily have a cheap lunch or dinner with appetizers only.
(4)Regina C.
Went last week with a friend we did not have a lot of time for lunch, but it was close to where we had an appointment and I have been here a couple of times when it was Newport Bay. We both had the pear, hazelnut and blue cheese salad with grilled chicken $11 I thought the salad was a great entree size for lunch. A lot of crisp green romain that was really crunchy. I always order my dressing on the side because I LOVE a crunchy salad. Anyway, pears were under ripe, blue cheese not enough...Chicken perfectly moist and tender. After we requested more blue cheese the salad was great. I will go back like I always do, just wish that I was in the area more. It is always nice to get consistently good fresh food. Service was fast and really attentive. I am happy that I introduced a friend to a knew place and she liked it too!
(4)Roseanne J.
Great Happy Hour! Super fish and chips, chowder and pear salad. Have given up on ordering cocktails. They taste weak to me and just don't seem right. Other than that, really like the food and service. Usually stop by at least twice a month.
(4)Flora C.
It used to Newport Bay here. First time at BFG was a business lunch. All is swell. Second round is a personal dinner. Once sat down, I found out it was so closed to their HH. I jumped ship and moved to the bar. The bar area is just like before. It's cozy with old charming feel. Like! The HH menu is filled with great price and good selections. Nothing will go wrong with this menu. Same old same old great service from the bar tenders. Manager, Dave was very friendly chatting with us about the Fish. I saw the weekend brunch menu and decided to come back to give it a try.
(3)CutieD L.
My new favorite seafood spot! We went on a sunday during brunch time and had the french toast and crab omelette!! So so good! I dont understand why this resturant has such a low score. I am definetely giving it a 5 star and will be back for brunch!
(5)Ane P.
My parents eat here quite often, as they claim that the happy hour is a very good value, and also delicious. I've yet to try happy hour, but the regular fare is delicious! I remember coming here often when it was Newport Bay, as they're one of the few spots in Seattle that serve Manhattan Clam Chowder. I've had so many people look at me and ask me what I'm talking about when I order that. But when you order it here...it's FULL of seafood--I mean, so much, that it's almost more of a stew! I like, I like. The service is exceptional. There is one particular female server, who works in the main dining room--and she should be the poster woman for restaurant servers. Honestly, I've never met another server who seems to enjoy their job so much. Just about everything I've had here, is delicious. It's the chowder that sticks in my mind though. On a side note, they're currently doing a bit of remodeling in the front of the house, which is meant to be a private dining area.
(4)Richard C.
Went to the Big Fish for dinner tonight on the last leg of our vacation. I can put this no other way than to say that our last dinner before going home was fantastic. Both my wife and I ordered the Fish & Chips for dinner. The fish was hand battered, light and very flavorful. The tarter sauce was excellent. The facility was casual and clean. The service by Daniel was great. Drinks never ran dry. The portion was perfect for a nice evening meal. I watch many more great looking meals go by. I would really like to try their Chicken Ceasar Salad. I overheard a patron proclaim that it is the best one she has ever had on the East side of Lake Washington. The menu is plentiful for selections and well suited for every taste bud. The prices are moderately priced for the choices. Unless you are only eating appetizers you should not go away hungry.
(5)Couple O'Critics A.
Well the bar was nice with good service and nice selection. The menu does the job with descent eats. My only complaint is the smell of restroom sanitizers every time the door opened or someone walked by. Do a deep steam cleaning of the bathrooms and consult with another vendor or use a different product without all that cherry scented junk. Yuck! I'll be back - sitting in the back of the restaurant next time.
(3)ElJefe M.
Why do I get great service everywhere I go? Is it because I'm so aware? So connected to my server? Maybe it's my humility. Anyway this place has completely average food which makes it a tough choice in a city such as this. but it was fresh, the place seemed clean and our server was very good.
(3)Laura C.
The food is tasty but inconsistent. I ordered the same thing twice and didn't get the same dish. Both were good. The caesar salad had mostly dark green end romaine as opposed to romaine hearts. The seafood tacos are all good.
(3)Yujin M.
I am torn if I like this new place or if I like what it used to be Newport...but either case, I am glad it's there. Great happy hour location, if you are ever stuck in the traffic going to 520, just get off here, have some happy hour food and drinks. After an hour, once traffic dies down, you can go home! This is what I did when I was stuck in the snow several years ago during that big snow storm. I was driving from Redmond to Kirkland and it took me 2 1/2 hours!!!! But fortunately that has not happened but I know traffic can still be bad. I know it's weird but my favorite food item here is the ketchup!!! They had the freshest ketchup ever. Usually you take ketchup for granted and out of habit, you would get the bottle and pour or squeeze it out on your food or fries and you don't give it a second thought. They give it to you in a small condiment cup and seriously the BEST KETCHUP EVER! I don't know if they make it on their own or if it's from the bottle, I don't care, it's so good. I always go there now and order fries and ketchup.
(3)Ryan M.
The Big Fish Grill has great staff. The atmosphere makes this place a low-key hidden gem. I stopped here for happy hour and ended up catching another happy hour here later in the week. The happy hour prices are good, the beer is cold, the football games are always on, and the food is good. I've had the Ahi Tuna, Dynamite Shrimp, and a couple Oyster Shooters (based on Linh's photo).
(4)Holly W.
I like this place. It's definitely a good option for lunch and happy hour if you are in the area. Actually it's a great option for happy hour. The place is very clean and they updated well (the building is pretty old). The crowd is somewhat older. Overall the ambience is enjoyable. I really enjoy the spicy chicken salad but the other salads and also sandwiches are pretty great. Again, GREAT happy hour!
(3)Brian W.
Not bad at all. Wandered in here one night as I escaped off the 108th St. exit during freaking 520 rush hour hell to drink off the edge. Happy hour to my surprise was quite a good deal and the food was pretty good. I had sliders, chicken strips, and some seared tuna. If I recall they were no more than $5 each. Pretty good deal! I don't remember the hours, but I was pleasantly surprised that happy hour was actually still going on instead of being something like 1-2pm on a Monday afternoon. The chicken strips bear particular mentioning. They were crisp and yet moist, tender, spicy and yet not overpowering. Absolutely perfect. I mean, we're talking about chicken strips here! Would you expect so much?! I think not. Eat them, you will be rewarded. The fish in the lobby is... ummm.. what? It's a moldy old wood carving.
(3)Glenn S.
Not the greatest place. This place use to be a Denny's and still has the look. They have tried to make if look like a upperclass place but really isn't. I'd drive around the corner to Burger Master. Food is alright. I'd say over price for the portions.
(2)Francesca P.
Came here on a whim, lost in Bellevue/Kirkland area. Very fancy inside, very professional. Our waitor Daniel was so kind. I had pretty particular orders, which can make people a little grouchy. He was more than happy to accomodate. Pear martini: very fresh and crisp, even came with pear garnish! Strawberry lemonade: Perfect! I ordered oyster shooters ($2) and they were DELICIOUS. SO fresh, SO big! If you've never moaned from eating oyster, you're not eating the good kind. Come here and that's exactly what you'll get! I ordered the salmon with vegetables. The menu says it comes with rice but I ordered mashed potatoes instead. While we waited, we were served bread and butter which was also tastey. Oh, and I won't forget to say that the salmon was completely scrumptuos. I've had pretty bad luck lately with salmon being tough or maybe overcooked. This salmon was as easy to cut as my mashed potatoes. I was wary to order salmon but very happy for doing it. I can taste it while typing! Very nice establishment, great staff, DELICIOUS food. So relaxing to not fear to ask for special accomodations, and not be bothered OR deserted. It was the perfect dining experience. Thank you, Daniel!
(5)Janine S.
A friend from Moldova was visiting and requested a seafood place. We ended up eating here since it was close enough to the Kirkland waterfront (where we were going after dinner) and the prices seemed reasonable. The location was a bit random and the atmosphere seemed like it was for old people, but the service was pretty good! I shared the "Half sandwich with soup or salad" (turkey, bacon, avacado, swiss sandwich $10) with fries and a cup of chowder, and my friend ordered the Big Fish Cobb salad ($16). The sandwich and chowder were okay (not super memorable), but the salad was GINORMOUS - probably the biggest salad I've ever seen. There's probably better seafood places in Kirkland with a better view, but this place was reasonably priced with a good selection of food and good so it gets 3.5 stars! 5 extra no-credit points if you know where Moldova is!
(3)Phil G.
Service was excellent. Pear, pecan, & bleu cheese salad was very tasty, but not the absolute best I've ever had. Grilled salmon risotto started out excellent, with the salmon crisp on the outside and moist inside and nice subtle flavor. This was a great complement to the tangy feta? cheese and tomato in the creamy risotto, but after a while, the strong flavors in the risotto became too much for the delicate flavor of the salmon. $30 for 1 person with a pint of beer (before tip).
(3)Sione P.
Yep... Newport Bay Restaurant has changed to Big Fish Grill in Kirkland. For now, not a lot has changed and the people seem the same. Like the previous reviewer said, they just cut ties with the parent company, so the owners needed to change the name. I still enjoy happy hours here, when they have a really good clam chowder, thick fried zucchini slices, and a number of other good options on the happy hour menu. This is about the only time I come here, for that value, but the food is pretty good. There aren't currently drink specials for happy hour, but the food options are good enough to balance it out! The crowd here is def a little older, but it's a decent place to come in, grab a cheap bite and a drink, and head back out. As happy hour deals go, my parents really love this one and they find a good bargain! The name change is supposed to bring some sort of facelift to the restaurant and some menu changes, from what I've heard, so wait and se
(4)Mirra M.
I used to work at the big fish grill, formerly the newport bay. I can honestly say that they keep their facilities very clean. It is one of their first priorities, trust me. I know because I spent many slow afternoons cleaning:). Their walk-ins are spotless and everything is extremely sanitary. I can also say that the food is fantastic. I stopped working there about a year ago and I still dream of their mahi tacos, fish and chips, and asian chicken salad. There's something for everyone here. The halibut is fantastic, their steak is good, and their salads are awesome. They may have an older clientele, but younger people should really try this place.....great food. And the other servers I worked with there were some of the hardest working, sweetest people I've ever met.
(4)Maya P.
fresh seafood.had the fish and chips (all of them, prawn, cod and the other one). the cole slaw was amazing. i am not a fan of cole slaw but it was really good. french fries were delicious. would have the food anytime.
(5)Donovan T.
Been to the Big Fish several times now (4+) and everytime the food has been delicious! Their happy hour food menu is without rival in the area, but note I do say FOOD menu, they do not have drink specials and their wine glass is about as small as they make (i'm a beer guy, so doesn't bother me, but someone I took there was slightly offended at being charged $10 for a 3oz glass of white) Best fish & chips I've ever eaten, and only $3.50 for HH! Chicken Pecan salad was delicious, Stuffed sole is delicate and a healthy portion. Really enjoying exploring their menu!
(4)Paul D.
Great place for local casual seafood. My wife and I enjoy coming here as the food is prepared well and the service is top notch.
(5)Saunak C.
Checked in tonight with my wife. Ordered crab cake as appetizer which was awesome it comes with mango salsa that tastes so yummy. Main course was hallibut grill which was good too but I wd complain abt the amount of food they serve.
(3)Donna F.
I went there last night with my husband and daughter and it was definitely worth venturing out into the storm to get there. The atmosphere is a bit more family-fun chain-style; but nothing over the top and uncomfortable. One of my favorite foods is crab cake, and being from Southern Louisiana, I've had a lot of different versions of it. Big Fish's version is in my top 3. It was all meat and spices and herbs. No huge blobs of bread crumb filler like a lot of places do. It also has a mango salsa with it and though I'm not a mango fan, it really did work in this mix. The dish came with veggies and pilaf-ish type rice. I was full from just the crab cake, so didn't even make it to those. My daughter went with the grilled salmon and risotto. The salmon was very fresh tasting and didn't have that light pink, fatty, type of taste. It was bright red and lean and had a great nutty flavor. My husband had the crab mac and cheese. Not a kid's plate. It was HUGE and very creamy and meaty. The service was friendly and easy. I read another review about the serving sizes being small. I'm not sure of what that person is used to, but the plates we got were way over sized for a normal person. My husband is 6'4", has a big appetite and couldn't finish that mac and cheese, much less munch on our plates like he would normally try. The doggie box was pretty heavy from the 3 of us. We will definitely be back.
(4)Krystal F.
Amazing food and amazing happy hour deals! I also have to mention that happy hour prices are available every Saturday, all day long as well. I eat here often and everything I have tried has been fabulous. The fish tacos are delicious (and also available for a VERY low price during happy hour). Their soups are made from scratch daily and every seafood dish I have ordered has been delightful. The halibut cheeks are my favorite, but everything on the menu is great. From stuffed mushrooms to the turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich, everything on the menu is worth trying. They also have breakfast on Sundays, with a full fruit/pastry buffet available with every meal ordered. The biggest treat? The fresh made beignets served to you while you wait for your meal. Delicious. The service is great and the staff is friendly, definitely a must try!
(5)Tiffany N.
Great crab and mac and cheese but the fish was very lacking and over spiced. The mac and cheese is probably the only thing i would ever eat there
(3)Andrea B.
My BF and I have been searching for a "Cheers" of sorts, and I think we just hit the jackpot. This used to be the Newport Bay restaurant, part of a franchise, and the owners decided to split from the parent company. They get to keep the recipes that the customers love (huge in the restaurant business) but now have more freedom in the menu and the offerings. For example, the parent company made them remove Mac & Jack's from the beer offerings, and the first thing they did when they branched out was bring it back! We ate in the bar, which has a killer happy hour (daily): 3-7pm, 9-close. Cheap food items (BF filled up on 2 killer fish tacos for $5), and many items with some actual substance, not just a plate of fries. There are no drink specials, just cheap food. I had 2 glasses of organically grown red wine - tasty! The bar area has several flat screen TV's, perfect for a little Monday nite football. The bartender (a little Carla-ish, in a good way)introduced us to several of the "regulars", and I swear one was a Cliff Clavin look-alike : ) I opted for the salmon caesar salad (plain, not blackened) and the salmon was some of the best I have had in the area. The place is not flashy, not pretentious, it has an instant comfort to it, and with a menu like that, I will definitely be back on a regular basis.
(4)Mary H.
The service was slow to start. After being seated, we waited at least 10 minutes before anyone came by our table. We ordered some mussels for an appetizer and they were just OK. It was a huge waste of good toasted bread when they plunked the bread in the sauce. The bread was mush. We ordered a salmon with a butternut risotto and fish tacos (mahi mahi). While the fish tacos were good, the risotto was...I'm not sure what it was but it wasn't risotto. Very casual vibe which I liked but service was slow. Might have better luck in the bar for happy hour as some of the other reviews have indicated.
(2)Vicki B.
This was the best meal we have had so far in Washington state. I had the Caeser salad with the bronzed salmon and my husband had the andouille chicken fettuccine. We are from Louisiana so we like things spicy and we didn't need to add anything to them. They were seasoned perfectly, but I don't think they would be too spicy for someone not used to that. Our server Emily was wonderful. When she learned we were from Louisiana she even brought us some extra seasoning in case we needed it. We had read a review on Yelp about a server who worked here and loved her job and we think this had to be Emily. She even helped us with some sightseeing we wanted to do the next day. We would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants good seafood and good service.
(5)