Dining out with kids is always a gamble. Add in a picky eater and a long wait time for food and dining out can be a parent’s worst nightmare. But that’s all about to change when you say hello to downtown Bellevue’s new Lincoln South Food Hall. This full-service dining scene not only provides unique and delish chef-driven quick serve menu choices, but has plenty of options for even the pickiest of eaters and a family-friendly vibe we love. If you’re ready to get your grub on, scroll down for the scoop on this latest dining discovery.
photo: Lincoln South Food Hall
Centrally Located
Located in the heart of downtown Bellevue, across the street from Bellevue Square and right below the new Cinemark Reserve movie theatre is where you will find the new Lincoln South Food Hall. Park in the Lincoln Square parking garage (parking is free with validation from the Lincoln South restaurants or shops within the Bellevue Collection) or access it from any of the covered skybridges that connect The Bellevue Collection and Bellevue Square with Lincoln Square North.
Communal Dining
The space consists of seven fast-casual eateries all under one roof—each with a totally different vibe—but all with communal seating. If you’re thinking this sounds like a food court, think again. Lincoln South Food Hall has one general manager, Reid Kendall formerly of some of Seattle’s top dining spots: mamnoon, Scout, The Nest at the Thompson Hotel and Tallulah’s and one executive chef, Daniel Laferriere formerly of Guy Savoy and Daniel Boulud’s db Brasserie and Wolfgang Puck. The entire Lincoln South Food Hall is under the direction of Bellevue-based Ascend Hospitality Group, in partnership with Jeffrey Frederick of Elite Brand Hospitality Group and Kevin Hee who is Frederick’s director of culinary development. The casual dining environment, which you could call part kitchen, part counter and part bar, offers a variety of quick bites made from high quality ingredients that are locally sourced from artisan purveyors. And sets itself apart from other communal-type dining settings by providing guests with extra amenities like linen napkins, stainless-steel trays and a friendly staff who are on hand to bring you to-go containers, clear your plates and even fill your water glasses.
photo: Kristina Moy
There’s Something for Everyone
Whether you’re in the mood for poké or have a hankering for street tacos, ramen or burgers, Lincoln South Food Hall has you covered. Barrio Luchador, which serves its food out of an uber-cool airstream trailer, is the place to go for street tacos (the pork and pineapple and tender beef cheeks are our faves), quesadillas and chips and house-made salsas. Next door, Avo-Poké is the spot for customizable salad bowls, made with or without six different kinds of traditional Hawaiian poké, plus a wide selection of fresh juices and fruit waters. Crosta E Vino, an Italian-inspired counter, serves wood-fired pizzas, artisanal cheeses and salumi boards and has over 30 red and white wines served from specialty barrel taps. If you’re in the mood for quiche, fancy thick cut toasts, French-inspired sandwiches or ice cream or sorbet, Baguette Epicerie’s grab-and-go counter will surely delight your taste buds.
photo: Kristina Moy
For ramen lovers, Fat & Feathers can’t be beat. This popular (like line around the corner popular) spot offers five versions of ramen spiked with everything from rick pork belly to roast duck to Japanese fried chicken along with delish bao sandwiches. For burger lovers, the Burger Brawler serves up hefty burgers made from a blend of short rib, brisket, chuck and dry-aged ribeye and topped with Italian Taleggio cheese. Their menu also includes two versions of gravy fries (with a foie grass add-on) as well as delish sandwiches, 24 beers on tap, a Guinness infusion draft beer system and a full cocktail bar. If you need a caffeine pick-me-up, Dote will definitely satisfy your caffeine fix and your sweet tooth. Along with espresso, lattes, and signature drinks, Dote offers a delightful array of handmade chocolates (made on site by celebrated Pastry Chef Ewald Notter) as well as pastries, all day breakfast items, seasonal and assorted sandwiches and even boozy coffee cocktails.
photo: Kristina Moy
Kid-Friendly Eats
Whether you’ve got a kiddo who won’t eat meat, a child who can’t stand the sight of veggies or an adventurous eater who will try just about anything, Lincoln South Food Hall has something to satisfy every petite palate. At Barrio Luchador, the children’s menu consists of chicken or cheese quesadillas, chicken or beef tacos with shredded cheese, tortilla chips and mild salsa and sugar and cinnamon chips and Horchata for dessert. Over at Crosta E Vino, kids can choose the cheese and salami board off the kid’s menu or go with a kid-sized cheese, pepperoni or mushroom wood-fired pizza. If a burger and fries is more of your sidekick’s thing, the Burger Brawler serves kid-sized versions of their hefty hamburgers, cheeseburgers and crispy salmon burgers along with fries and vanilla or chocolate milkshakes. Got a little ramen lover in the fam? Head over to Fat & Feathers and let your kiddo order a kid-sized version of the pork belly ramen and add on a Japanese fried chicken bao to really fill her belly. And what kid couldn’t resist Nutella toast with a salted caramel banana or grilled cheese baguette at Baguette Epicerie? Top it off with a scoop (or two!) of Full Tilt ice cream and we’re pretty sure everyone in your crew will go home with full bellies.
photo: Lincoln South Food Hall
Even More Conveniences
With technology, Lincoln South Food Hall has made procuring food as easy as a click, tap or swipe away. Options include self-serve kiosks for grab-and-go items and soon, online ordering for pick-up and delivery through the Food Hall’s website and mobile app. Third-party partners such as DoorDash, Grubhub and Caviar will also be providing delivery services in the future, followed by Uber Eats and Postmates.
Good to Know
1. The space between the tables and the food counters is fairly tight, but there is stroller parking next to the Burger Brawler.
2. In the middle of the Food Hall you’ll find a self-serve water station which makes getting drinks for your kids easy-peasy.
3. Restrooms are located to the right of Baguette Epicerie. Just follow the signs down the hall.
4. Free Wi-Fi is available, just in case your sidekick must watch Dora the Explorer with her wood-fired pizza or you need to pull a little work/lunch double duty.
5. If you’re looking for a gift, stop by Dote Coffee Bar and pick up locally roasted coffee, handmade chocolates, jars of their oh-so delicious ganache (we recommend the vanilla bean white chocolate) or a bag of milk chocolate hazelnuts. You simply can’t go wrong here!
photo: Kristina Moy
Lincoln South Food Hall
500 Bellevue Way
Bellevue, Washington 98004
425-362-6082
Online: lincolnsfh.com
Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri., 6 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat., 9:30 a.m.-midnight; Sun., 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Please note that restaurant hours may vary, especially with holidays.
Have you taken your crew to the Lincoln South Food Hall? Planning to go soon? Dish about your experience in the comments below.
—Kristina Moy
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