It is rare that food quality, dining experience and service wows you in Seattle. Sure there are plenty of good spots for food but was it a fun experience? Walking away from Bourbon Steak you leave very satisfied not only with food quality and quantity but from the overall vibe. Sitting at the bar is definitely a vibe — and with deep house echoing and attentive service around you, you’d think you were in Las Vegas or New York City rather than Seattle. There is not another bar in the Pacific Northwest that creates this level of experience for their patrons.
We arrived when the bar was empty as it is usually packed on the weekends. Being new parents we felt very fortunate to visit. I immediately ordered a mezcal old fashioned which was presented to me quickly, with class. The drink was amazing and not too sweet, showing beautiful balance. For years I have loved to come to this bar and enjoy a world-class cocktail and this visit was as good as any visit. This is another reason why Bourbon Steak is Seattle’s best happy hour. I’ve come to this bar ten plus times and the drink quality and service is always exceptional.
Since it was our date night I ordered a great wine from their expansive wine list. Former wine director, Paul Swanson, has very carefully curated this list to have wines that exude value. Liquid Farm makes some of the finest Rose on the west coast, and I chose an older bottling from 2020. The wine was a perfect foil for this hot summer day.
The happy hour menu offers a wide range of choices. Loaded duck fat fries were their take on a loaded baked potato and this offering was generous and filling, with fries cooked to perfection. These are easily some of the best fries in the Seattle area. We ordered the grilled oysters which were small but very succulent. There were several beef dishes on the menu, so we ordered them all. You expect great beef dishes at a steakhouse and each one delivered.
The aromatic beef skewers were melt in your mouth delicious. I told my wife that I could have eaten seven of them. Beef sliders were incredibly juicy and satisfying. But the best thing I ate was their take on a burger. The black truffle burger is without a doubt one of the best if not THE best burger in Seattle. Everything was deftly in balance here with the truffle flavors, the meat grind, the juiciness and flavor range all working in four part harmony. Do not miss out on this treat. Bourbon Steak has hit a home run with its happy hour and you would be extremely hard pressed to find food quality, service and overall experience like this anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. They are delivering a Vegas quality happy hour on our doorstep that is not to be missed.
