Mark Restaurant & Bar

 

0

4

Erica J.

Des Moines, WA

Best Clam Chowder!

I went to The Mark for the first time during lunch and thought it was very pleasant.  I sat in the bar and had a nice window seat with a view of the shopping strip outside.  The service was quick and polite.  I ordered the BEST clam chowder I've ever had and it only cost $6 - what a deal.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

64

210

Delilah R.

Seattle, WA

Though the Mark has a wonderful ambiance, good TVs to see the sports on and great service...there is something lacking in the food.

I ordered a blue-cheese bacon burger and onion rings.  The onion rings were good but the burger was a little bland and had way too much blue cheese.  It left a sharper than usual (I'm a blue cheeseburger buff!) and stale after taste in my mouth. Very unpleasant.  The happy hour is a little bit more on the pricey side and after tasting some other items from the menu, I'm not sure where they get their validity from!?

The drinks are strong and the service is fast, thus the three stars.  It is also one of very few places in Burien with a bit of class and true charm.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

5

32

Gina B.

Seattle, WA

I have been a fan of Burien for as long as I can remember and when I heard about a year or so ago that this fab new restaurant was coming to cute Olde Burien I was elated.

I gave it a shot, with someone who let me just say truly knows what he is talking about when it comes to food since he is in the biz, and their initial menu left much to be desired. While they claimed to be fresh and seasonal they couldn't explain why there was traditional fall selections on a spring fresh sheet. I had a feeling this was a starter menu so I gave the other place another shot... and without my foodie companion I might add he wouldn't be dragged back in unless I begged. The second time around I went for Mother's Day brunch and for what I remember to be $17 a head our options were from three pasta dishes and about four simple egg selections. I was embarrassed to say the least. I mean come on it's mothers day break out the big guns for this one guys.

I have to say due to the fact that I am a devout Burien Fan I kept the faith an took two more attempts on my own choice, once for lunch and once for happy hour and DING DING DING we have a winner folks! They have a refreshing lunch menu that I am ecstatic to recommend and their happy hour has half priced drinks and apps gives all of us a great social option to meet up with friends and relax... as long as the place isn't packed. I only suggest sitting outside if possible or in the bar due to the horribly loud atmosphere in the regular dinning area. They really need to rethink the acoustic in this noise tube.

I will note that if you have a private party of 8 or more there is a quaint private dinning room in the back worth checking out. You get your own waiter and personal service at no additional charge.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

3

30

Ani K. O.

WA

I'm so sad to give this place two stars. It has ambience (well at teh bar anyway), it had great food (in the beginning), and pleasant staff. But about a year into it, their food started suffering... bland, boring, overcooked. The only thing i look forward to is the bread and yummy butter they bring in the beginning. Also, their happy hour prices are awesome for what you get. I really really really want this place to work... I just think they need to take a look at what they are serving and zest it up by flavoring it up a bit.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

5

26

Rebecca R.

Burien, WA

The Mark opened within the last year and from a design and comfort stand point, they do deserve at least 3 stars.  They did a nice job with the dcor and use of space but the main dining area needs to be broken up a bit as it is terribly noisy when full.  Although the menu has a bit of variety and they are sort of accommodating with special requests, the service is about as inconsistent as it can be.  Some of the wait staff is amazing but they don't seem to last long which makes me believe they probably don't have very good leadership.  They came out of the gate strong but have fallen way off the mark and probably need some serious help.  The question is, will their leadership seek and accept the obvious help they need.  Burien isn't quite snooty enough for the current setting they have created.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

17

52

Jeffrey S.

Seattle, WA

What on Earth is happening with restaurants and their obscene use of salt!? Do they have stock in salt refineries? I suppose if you're marketing to groups of folks who eat nothing but chips, processed food and McDonald's all year; Or are mega-elderly and can't taste salt; Or are dead, drunk, or need boxes of it just to get a response from impotent frigid taste buds, then it makes sense. But what happened to the rest of us folks who add it in normal quantities to taste (pinch per pint)?
THE BAD-
The prime rib was tough. The salad was over- herbed (sage?). Spicy shrimp was much too salty. Crab cakes tasted like fried canned tuna. If you're drunk and starving to death, it might be doable. But ask for gallons of water beforehand.
THE GOOD-
Very nice ambience. I admit it. Located in the refurbished area of Old Burien which is now safe, with boutique laden streets, new retro street lamps and signs to make it look circa 1900, the place has a great atmosphere and seems to have a decent following (even if they all soon die from high blood pressure).
HINT- Stop over cooking the shrimp, stop overcooking the vegetables, clear off the tables after each course, and for the love of god, cut down on the salt!!!
NOTE -
If you like the abundant use of salt at Chinook's, you'll like this place.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review