Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

We were looking for a good happy hour to visit and we stumbled upon this place! The happy hour is from 4pm-7pm! We ordered 2 dozen oysters, crispy rice, Peruvian tuna, and hot and sour soup. The high tops in the bar area were casual and comfortable, we were able to enjoy the game during our meal. Everything was flavored well and everything was decent and great value for the happy hour menu. The hot and sour soup had good flavor but resembled more of Tom yum soup rather than classic hot and sour soup. The oysters tasted fresh and were big in size, it came with cocktail sauce and a vinegar base sauce with lemon. We got one bad oyster and asked for it to be replaced and our server went beyond and got us two premium oysters in replacement. Thank you Victoria for the hospitality! There is a 20% gratuity charge for every party regardless of size but it's mentioned when the check is dropped off with no pressure to leave more which is kindly communicated. The service was great, waters were consistently filled, plates properly bussed, and silverware set appropriately. Well deserved.

Came here for New Years Eve dinner last year and for my birthday! They are like a fusion of American and a variety of Asian cuisines. So if you are looking for a place that serves a variety of cuisines and at the same time is still a classy/upscale restaurant, I'd say this place hit the mark.BTW the espresso martini and gin martinis is a must get, they make it pretty strong and good here. It was a great starter. We ordered a bunch of appetizers which I think is totally worth it instead of ordering full entrees. We got a thing of string fries, dozen raw oysters, salmon belly roll, california roll, toro sashimi, jumbo cocktail shrimp, shu mai, mussels, and jambalaya. The torched salmon belly roll is a MUST GET!! It was so good, it literally melted in the mouth like butter. The rest of raw seafood was also excellent and very fresh. I think the shu mai was a bit underwhelming as I didn't think it was anything unique, but it was good to try and get it out of the way. And of course had to end the night with a sweet treat. Coconut creme pie. :)

Because it's owned by John Howie, I had high expectations, but it was very average all around. would not recommend, especially for the price.

Pretty pricy, probably special occasions only for me. 20% service charge regardless of party size. Got a $65 seattle restaurant week set that comes with an appetizer, entree and dessert + clams + steelhead entree = $195 including tax and 20% service charge. Steelhead 10/10, love the mashed sweet potato with corn.Salmon 7.5/10 Good bread (not complimentary, $5) Food was above average. I was really impressed by the steelhead entree (would come back for that dish). Love the asparagus. The mash potato in the salmon dish is just ok. Clam sauce was good with breadService was good. My only nit is that bread is not free, but they didn't ask us if we wanted to take the leftover home before taking the bread away.

Ordered the torched salmon belly and oysters as appetizer. Both were excellent and the waiter told us happy hour at the bar has the best priced oysters and would recommend it. I appreciate the tip from him.Main course I ordered the king salmon. Was very tender and well seasoned. Mashed potato's and asparagus were good compliments with the salmon.Dessert I ordered a creme brulee. Texture was excellent.Got a margarita and beer with the meal. Both were as expected. Price was a little high for the food but overall was a very tasty meal and I will be coming back and recommending this restaurant.Arrived at 5pm on a Saturday. The restaurant was not very busy and there were only a couple other tables filled. The restaurant was clean along with silverware and dishes.

We came here for happy hour and were quickly seated. The highlight of this happy hour was probably the $2 oysters. However, we noticed that almost every oyster we ate had some of the shell in it - like it hadn't been shucked very well. The margarita was pretty average, nothing special. The blood orange martini was better but not super exciting either. The jalapeno salmon roll wasn't bad but the price to portion ratio was pretty disappointing - that's $2+ per piece which is wild. We were expecting a nicer, more satisfying experience but unfortunately that wasn't the case. We don't think we'll go back for happy hour in the future given how many other options are available in the area.

We arrived here for happy hour at 5:30 pm on a Saturday evening. All the tables were full and there was a decent amount of counter seating available. As our meal arrived, we were able to scoot over to an open table. The staff was so friendly and accommodating helping us with this switch.Onto the food - we ordered the bread basket, deviled eggs and wagyu beef mushroom burger with truffle fries, which they kindly split for us. So we could have some veggies, we also ordered the brussel sprouts from the dinner menu, which had a nice kick to it and balanced well with the sweet from the maple syrup. The wagyu burger was easily a 1/2 pound, split between my friend and I - it was delicious and filling! And I love those shoestring truffle fries!! To finish off the meal, we ordered a decaf French press and the coconut cream pie, which is a must order when I go. This dessert never disappoints. It is one of my top 3 coconut cream pies in the greater Seattle area.Service was an all hands on deck situation - there were lots of staff rotating between the bar area and main dining room to ensure that everyone is taken care of. Clearly this is a very popular eastside HH spot, so get there early. There is validated parking in the building garage.

Sea Star is absolutely the best John Howey restaurant in Seattle by wide margin! Nestled discreetly in the heart of Bellevue, Sea Star presents a gastronomic symphony for seafood aficionados. I have been fortunate enough to eat here 6-10 times in 2024. From the moment you step through its doors, you're greeted with an air of elegance and an aroma that promises an unforgettable culinary journey. Even though Pedro is our favorite waiter, I have found every server to be extremely knowledgeable and descriptive with regards to the menu selections. This makes choosing our meal easier when everything sounds delicious. The menu at Sea Star is a testament to the artistry of seafood preparation. Among its stars are the filet mignon, scallops, oysters, sea bass, and salmon, each a masterpiece in its own right. However, it's the salmon that steals the show, quite literally melting in your mouth with every buttery flavorful bite. Yet, what truly sets Sea Star apart is not just its culinary prowess but also its impeccable service, embodied by none other than the remarkable Pedro. Pedro is more than a waiter; he's a maestro orchestrating a seamless dining experience. His attention to detail, coupled with an extensive knowledge of the menu, elevates the dining experience to new heights. His suggestions and offer of half a salad or soup rather than a full appetizer were all our party needed to add another course. However, no establishment is without its flaws, and Sea Star is no exception. The only downside is the noise level within the dining room, which at times can detract from the exchange at the table. Yet, this minor inconvenience pales in comparison to the culinary delights and exceptional service offered by Pedro.

I've been to Seastar many times over the years but hadn't been back since Covid. We also wanted to have a more casual atmosphere so we wandered into the bar vs. dining in the restaurant. We happened to hit happy hour yesterday. It was pretty quiet and the bartender welcomed us right away. We were pretty hungry, so started with the shumai dumplings to split. They came out steaming hot with a nice dipping sauce. In the meantime we had ordered drinks (including a really nice Albariño that was the happy hour white). I really appreciated that the bartenders were both friendly and would ask us if we needed anything else occasionally, but they also let us just enjoy the food and drink and chat. No rushing, which was awesome. Next up, I ordered the Ahi poke and my guy got the burger. The poke was pretty tasty, maybe with a little more soy sauce than I like but that's a nit. The burger----wow! It was so tasty with the wagyu and mushrooms. We replaced the fries with a salad for a small up charge and it was also very good. The happy hour was definitely a lovely way to enjoy Seastar food in a more relaxed atmosphere and at a good price point for downtown Bellevue. We'll certainly return.

We have been going to Seastar for years now and every visit is unforgettable. From the warm welcome, to the attentiveness of the staff, and the great food served, this is one of our favorite spot for date night. Highly recommend the Seastar tower. The truffle fries are also to die for.