Wow! One feels like s/he is sitting in a quaint European restaurant watching the chef prepare the feast while dining on delicious crispy portobellos drizzled with a soy type dressing, sharing crabcakes, and sipping a glass of wine. Amazing food, extraordinary service, and a pleasantly intimate ambiance are all the benefits of a night at Tosonis. What a find! The exterior does not do the restaurant justice, so don't be fooled when you drive into this strip mall in Bellevue and see a glass door storefront. Open it! Go in and find the magic that will tease your tastebuds! One wonders why the owner has not found a lovely cottage somewhere on the eastside to house the culinary delights which are born here. A little more room would benefit the patrons and the owner. We were identified immediately as first time visitors alerting us that most customers are returning patrons! Our waiter seemed pleased to present us with our dishes, smiling broadly as he approached and later dropping by to grin and nod when we confirmed our heartiest appreciation of the mouth-watering tastes we were discovering. The pride with which all the wait staff work was evident in their demeanor and responses to the satisfaction customers expressed, a sure sign of good business in every aspect. We watched a souffle being made and presented to a nearby table and decided at once we would be sure to experience this at a later date. A call ahead is necessary for this dessert since it takes a couple of hours to make. Another dessert was the ""house cake,"" one filled with fresh berries and custard! We watched others receive their own little gems and envied each one! Our pecan encrusted halibut was fabulous to the tastebuds and huge in portion size. Grilled veggies and a carrot souffle added more perfection to the evening. Take-home will make a nice lunch. We will revisit Tosonis many times in the future, I am sure.
Pros: Creative Menu; Delicious Food; Superb Service; Easy Parking
Cons: Unattractive exterior with crowded and small interior
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