Bellevue: Daniel's Broiler

Please pardon the gap in time between posts - I'll spare you the details, but my new responsibilities at work are taking up the majority of my free time. Fortunately, there is still time to cook and eat, just not as much time to write. Continuing with the posts on great food in the Seattle/Bellevue area, I offer Daniel's Broiler in Bellevue.

Let me say that everything about this place was top-notch - service, food, atmosphere, entertainment, beverage selections...simply superb in every regard. We ate in the piano bar on a Wednesday night - got very lucky with a table next to the window. Since Daniel's in Bellevue is on the 21st floor of One Lincoln Tower, and overlooks the water and the skylines, this was a treat. We were also treated to live piano music - the expected Billy Joel and Elton John, but also the surprisingly pleasant "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison. I'm not sure what the pianist/singer's name was, but he was great.

The liquor selection was one of the most impressive I've seen as well. The bourbon in particular was outstanding - I settled on a single Baker's, but Daniel's even had the very rare, including Pappy Van Winkle. Fellow whiskey drinkers, if you EVER come across this, treat yourself, and write to me about it. They also had Richard Hennessy cognac. As I am not a cognac drinker, its hard for me to see paying $185 for a 1.5 ounce pour of anything, but its on the menu for those of you who might be interested. I was definitely not.

Daniel's also has a raw bar, and was featuring Merata and Pebble Beach oysters, both West Coast. Again, both truly amazing. There wasn't a terribly noticeable difference between the two; both were the correct texture and just a bit briny, a nice departure from the Chesapeake / Carolina oysters I'm used to. We were told, however, that the oysters on that particular night were larger than usual, which I did not mind at all. Just a bit of horseradish and a generous amount of Tabasco (actual Tabasco, not some other stuff) made them perfect.

And then there was the 21 Burger. So far the one of the best. Period. The beef is freshly ground USDA Prime, and although I did not get a chance to ask, it seemed to be mostly chuck with a bit of rib meat. I ordered mine medium, and it was cooked appropriately; served with bacon, a thick layer of cheddar cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a grilled sesame bun, with "special sauce" on the side. Beef-to-bun ratio was perfect, and although I'm typically a mustard guy, the Russian dressing-esque condiment was a nice change and quite tasty.

If you're ever in the Seattle area, check out Daniel's Broiler. They've got 3 locations in the area.