A floor-to-ceiling candy dot wall, milkshakes dripping with candy, glow in the dark drinks garnished with gummy candies and lollipops, a confectionery shop with more than 300 candies and sweets, outrageous donut concoctions and a chocolate lounge. No, this is not Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, but it’s pretty darn close. It’s Bellevue’s new over-the-top dining attraction and we’ve got the inside scoop on all the sugary goodness. Read on for the sweet deets.
photo: Sugar Factory Facebook page
The 411 on This Sweet Haven
Located at The Shops at The Bravern, the new 15,000-square-foot Sugar Factory (composed of two spaces) is part restaurant, part confectionary shop and part lounge, and it’s where you and your crew of sweet fanatics can satisfy your sugar tooth seven days a week. The company, well-known for their extravagant candies including their world-famous Couture Pops, has retail and restaurant locations across the U.S. including New York, Las Vegas, Florida and Chicago as well as internationally. But Sugar Factory Seattle is the first West Coast location for the sweet chain.
photo: Kristina Moy
Lollipops and Sprinkles and Milkshakes. Oh My!
Whether you’ve got a hankering for an old-fashioned milkshake or want to wash down your “monster burger” with something extra sweet, the Sugar Factory serves more than a dozen varieties of milkshakes—from classic flavors like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla to more creative concoctions which the restaurant has appropriately deemed “insane milkshakes.” If you’re a cheesecake fan, we recommend the Caramel Sugar Daddy Cheesecake which includes vanilla ice cream with cheesecake pieces and caramel sauce, whipped cream and a slice of New York-style cheesecake, plus a piece of Sugar Daddy candy and a rainbow lollipop in a chocolate covered mug with crushed graham cracker. If you’re looking to kill two birds with one stone (think: milkshake with a side of lunch or dinner), go for the Bacon Cheeseburger Milkshake. This over-the-top shake includes strawberry ice cream drizzled with strawberry sauce and topped with whipped cream, a mini cheeseburger, candy bacon strip, pretzels and M&Ms in a chocolate covered mug with pretzel pieces and M&Ms candy. Hey, they don’t call this the Sugar Factory for nothing.
photo: Sugar Factory
Drinks Inspired by Your Favorite Candy
If an insane milkshake isn’t your jam, the Sugar Factory also serves colossal-sized fruity drinks that can be made with or without alcohol. And these aren’t just any ol’ drinks. These are 60-ounce signature drinks (served in exclusive Sugar Factory goblets that you can purchase for an extra ten bucks) that glow in the dark, bubble and fizz when the dry-ice inside the goblets is activated. And if you haven’t guessed already… each drink is garnished or infused with candy! The most popular drink on the menu is the Lollipop Passion which consists of a mix of melon, coconut and pineapple juices served with two gigantic lollipops and candy necklaces. If your sidekick is a gummy lover, the White Gummi is infused with a variety of fruity flavors and comes with a huge pile of gummy worms to fish out. The signature drinks are designed to be shared between two people, but if your crew of diners aren’t so into sharing (or simply can’t decide on one flavor), just be prepared for the epic sugar rush that is sure to follow the last sip.
photo: Sugar Factory Facebook page
Signature Menu Items
The Sugar Factory’s menu includes a variety of signature items such as savory crepes, red velvet pancakes, delicious salads, monster burgers, insane milkshakes, specialty pizzas and Fried Macaroni & Cheese Pops (which taste nothing like your kiddo’s boxed mac). This heavenly mac ‘n’ cheese is battered and deep-fried, placed on a stick and served with a side of creamy tomato-herb sauce. Add on an order of Rainbow Sliders (think: classic grass-fed Angus beef mini burgers served on colorful buns with American cheese, crispy onions and the restaurant’s signature sauce) and you might want to reconsider bringing your kids.Why? Because if you do, we guarantee they’re going to fight you for the last bite.
photo: Sugar Factory
When it comes down to the real menu showstoppers, it’s the Sugar Factory’s legendary desserts that top the charts, including the restaurant’s signature dessert—a King Kong Sundae! This ginormous sundae (which would make Willy Wonka’s head spin) serves up to 12 people and includes 24 scoops of ice cream covered with hot fudge, caramel and strawberry sauce, sliced bananas, toasted marshmallows, Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chip cookies, crushed waffle cones, gummy bears, white chocolate strawberry shavings and toasted walnuts with whipped cream, plus giant lollipops and real working sparklers on top!
photo: Sugar Factory Facebook page
A Lounge for Die-Hard Chocolate Lovers
If you love chocolate (and really, who doesn’t?) you’ll be happy to know that what sets the Bellevue restaurant apart from other Sugar Factory locations around the country is the 2,500-square-foot chocolate lounge located adjacent to the restaurant. Yep, that right. We said chocolate lounge. This hip space (a first for the chain) is for the over 21 crowd and is embellished with gold and caramel tones and floor to ceiling windows, and it’s where you can indulge in an abundant selection of decadent chocolate-based martinis and cocktails such as the German chocolate cake, chocolate mudslide martini and the caramel truffle. All cocktails and beverages are served in original delectable chocolate dipped glassware which you can pair with an extensive selection of over two dozen truffles including a cognac truffle, praline nougatine or calvados white truffle heart.
photo: Sugar Factory
For those who want to kick their sweet experience up a notch, the “Chocolate Gold” fondue contains a gold coated dark chocolate truffle melted tableside and is served with edible gold coated items including chocolate nuggets, truffles, gummy bears, strawberries, chocolate cupcakes and homemade chocolate bars. But the best part? The chocolate lounge serves doughnuts from pastry chef extraordinaire Max Santiago who developed a cult following for his own outrageous creations at Miami’s Salty Donut. Available daily, the menu will include signature homemade donuts like the Boston Cream, the Disco Glitter Tahitian Vanilla Bean + Buttermilk, the Rainbow Pride and the award-winning Original Cannoli donuts.
photo: Sugar Factory
The Confectionery Shop Is the Cherry on Top
When you step through the doors of the Sweet Factory you will immediately notice the floor-to-ceiling candy dot wall and the many candy bins lining the walls of the Confectionery Shop. This is where you can purchase the chain’s world-famous Couture Pops as well as chocolate covered gummy bears, jelly beans of various flavors and a wide selection of delicious chocolates. In addition to candy, two glass cases are filled with homemade ice cream and gelato and milkshakes, fresh homemade donuts and coffee can be purchased from the shop.
photo: Kristina Moy
The Confectionary Shop is also where you will find Mariah Carey’s new Christmas Factory. This Christmas-themed retail and candy line (including more than 100 items like t-shirts, candies, popcorn and other custom products curated by the mega star herself) debuted at the Seattle grand opening and will be available across the country both in retail stores and for purchase online by the end of September. Psst! A few of Mariah Carey’s Christmas Factory sneak peek items were introduced to the public at the Seattle grand opening and are currently available in the Seattle shop.
Plan Your Next Bash Here
If you’re thinking this place would be the perfect venue for your kiddo’s next birthday bash or a mom’s night out, you’re right! The Sugar Factory’s party menu offers a variety of options as well as party add-ons, custom cakes, candy bags for each guest and more. Just give the restaurant a call and let the sugary party planning begin.
photo: Sugar Factory
Good to Know
Bellevue’s Sugar Factory American Brasserie is open for lunch and dinner Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-midnight; Sun., 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fresh coffee and donuts will be available daily starting at 8 a.m. at the Artisanal Donuts and Coffee Shop. With plans to serve breakfast daily in the future, brunch is always served on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations and large-group bookings are available through OpenTable.com or by calling 425-454-0313. View the full menu online.
Sugar Factory American Brasserie Seattle
The Shops at The Bravern
11111 N.E. 8th St., Suite #120
Bellevue, Wa 98004
425- 454-0313
Online: sugarfactory.com/location/sugar-factory-seattle
Have you been to the new Sugar Factory in Bellevue? Planning to go soon? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
— Kristina Moy
