Fresh Bistro’s Big Bento Box

Herban Feast’s Fresh Bistro in West Seattle – which opened last May – is a restaurant that really highlights the Pacific Rim in the “Pacific” of Pacific Northwest. Co-owned by its executive chef Dalis Chea (who is also the executive chef at local catering company Herban Feast), Fresh Bistro has a new Happy Hour afternoon/evening delight: a big ol’ box o’ bento.

They call it “Our Herban Bento” and it includes every single item on their Happy Hour menu – all seven of them, normally $5 an item – for a mere $25 (you do the math).  Their Happy Hour runs from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Your Hedonista was invited for a media tasting. Personal favorites include the Shiso Crusted Honey Pecan Prawns (at first glance, the sriracha foam seems a bit odd and out-of-place, but it actually works and the the green mango slaw is a nice complement); Braised Baby Octopus (fabulously smoky with a nice, not-chewy consistency); Crispy Pork Belly Banh Mi Sliders (spicy with a light greens mouth feel); and the Sweet Potato and Dungeness Crab Cakes (really liked the chipotle remoulade and smoked paprika & chive oils).

The Kalbhi Marinated Grilled Kobe Style Flank Steak was deliciously marinated, but a couple of the cuts were a bit too high in fat content for my taste (LOVE the cucumber pickle side, however). And the Creamy Butternut Squash Soup – with its apple cider gastrique and crispy brussel sprout greens – was quite tasty with great texture from the greens, but the gastrique gave it a sweet taste that didn’t really go with the rest of the bento bonanza. (Would really like to see a miso, phở, sweet ‘n’ sour, or wonton soup here.) The Fresh Bistro Salad was your basic salad – feel free to request your poached egg on the side, if you don’t care for it placed directly on your greens.

Their drinks are also pretty special; their Mural – a drink dedicated to the name of the building in which Fresh Bistro is housed – is like the Best Coast’s version of the Cosmopolitan – and very light and refreshing. Fresh Bistro was happy to generously share their recipe:

The Mural Cocktail – by Fresh Bistro:

1 Tbsp cilantro leaves (muddle in a cocktail shaker, with ice).

Next, add the following:

1 & 3/4 oz. of good vodka

1/3 -1/2 oz. Midori

1/4 oz. yuzu

A splash of lemon juice

A splash of cranberry juice

Give a quick shake, then serve in a tall, chimney glass with a lime wedge. Enjoy!

Also during Happy Hour: they’ve very recently made all wines by the glass $4, all well drinks $1 off, and all specialty cocktails half off. (Yipee!)

All in all, a fun culinary Asian adventure à la Côte Ouest that’s worth taking – but be sure to bring a friend. Or two. Believe me, you’ll need ‘em.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.