Preservation Kitchen

Have been here many times — including the lounge, the patio, and dining (including several large holiday family dinners). I stopped at the lounge to get out of traffic and it was the best experience to date. I had the curried mussels, which were perfect with the amber ale that was on happy hour. The service was also perfect this time! May find myself hoping that traffic is backed up all the time to get more of those mussels!

We love the Preservation Kitchen/​Main Street Ale House and probably end up there about once a month. The Wild Boar Ragout is amazing and perfect comfort food if you’re feeling like a heavier dish. The Salmon Caesar from Main Street Ale House (dressing on the side) is great if you want something lighter. If you go for a burger I highly recommend the homemade spicy chips. I like that the meats and vegetables are, for the most part, responsibly and locally (NW) sourced. Great beer and cocktail selection — love the Old Rasputin on the nitrous tap. This is a great place for a chill and relaxed evening with friends and family and the historic property (I am told is was once the mayor’s home in Bothell) and garden is very cool.

Came here for Dine around Seattle, this place was so good. I had the wild boar ragu. I am still dreaming about it. The flavors and textures were perfect. It’s in a old home bad into a bar and restaurant. You can eat in the large bar area; I believe the food in there is a little less expensive. But the quality is worth the price.

So disappointed. I have been looking forward to going here. Date nights are rare for us and so when we go we love to splurge. Sadly the warmth and charm everyone raves about felt dark and awkward. The details of our server… Well I can’t say without sounding mean… We wondered if possibly she’s is a family member and only serves mid week during restaurant week so the menu is less challenging to explain/​serve. No personality no excitement, no recommendations on anything etc… Over the entire 4 courses we were never offered a second glass of wine its obviously not encouraged since our wine book was taken away before our cheese plate was served. The appetizers were good…
But the cheese plate, main course, and dessert fell flat. The Demi glaze on the short ribs tasted like a brown gravy packet and the risotto was more like over cooked rice… Not creamy at all! Ugh!

I’ve been meaning to try this place for years and the combo of visiting my parents place down the street and it being restaurant week was the perfect incentive.
I wanted to like this place but the dish I had should have never been let out of the kitchen. Maybe because it was restaurant week they let the quality slip. I hope that was the problem.
Other than the dish I had this place has so much going for it. Beautiful location. Free valet. A very friendly and helpful staff and a nice and inviting atmosphere. It feels like coming to a chefs country farm home for dinner.
Food wise the appetizers we good to great. The mussels were very good as was the chicken pâté. The asparagus was good but not special.
For the main coarse I got the braised short ribs. The meat itself was ok and nice and tender. There was a nice sauce with it but the risotto is where the dish fell flat. It was terrible. It tasted like there was something wrong with the water they used. Like that first cup of water poured out of a house with all plastic pipes has a weird plastic flavor and it was ridiculously under seasoned. It wasn’t just me either my friend visiting from Russia had the same thing and I asking him how the risotto tasted and his response was «no flavor». Having grown up around chefs I have a hard time seeing how any chef would let something like that leave the kitchen. I noted to the waiter and he said that it was maybe because they modify the recipe for restaurant week to be able to make bigger batches.
My wife’s shrimp scampi was underwhelming also though the pasta was fresh and cooked correctly.
The deserts were ok if ordinary. I think we were expecting better for the level of restaurant.
I would try it again before making a final decision but just not on restaurant week. Hopefully just caught them on a bad day.

First time here, today and I can easily see it becoming my go-​to place for either happy hour or breakfast, and dinner! The polenta tots are good, very generous portion @ happy hour and the chop salad with cilantro dressing is a must! My friend loved the chipotle sandwich with homemade chips. Our server was fast, friendly, and very helpful. He went out of his way to ensure I would be happy with my order, and brought me beer samples so I could find one I love. People like him are the reason customers return. Can’t wait to bring more people to this place.

We went to brunch here with a large group. We had no reservations and were able to get a table with only a short wait. Our waitress, April was super friendly, worked fast to greet us and take our order. April made the brunch so much better with her bight smile and great attitude. All the food was delicious, we sampled around and not one bite was bad. We had a great time and are looking forwards to trying this place out for dinner. We love that it is not too far away and will be going back for more fun and delicious food.

My company hosted a corporate team dinner. We had about 20 people in their private dining section. It felt like we were dining in a modern, rustic kitchen. The service was also on point, they were constantly filling beverages and taking away empty plates.
The quality of food was also great. We had various appetizers. The one that everyone liked seemed to have been the mussels and Brussel sprouts. The mussels were sautéed with a heavy cream and fresh (seemed to come out directly from bay to kitchen). The Brussel sprouts were also sauté but done in a balsamic or acidic based sauce. This complimented their innate blandness.
I had the short ribs entrée, it was perfectly balanced and fork tender.
Other folks had the wild boar pasta and filet mignon and also stated how they loved the food.
I polished it off with a lemon soufflé and that also was excellent.
Highly recommended for fine dining in Bothell. There aren’t that many places as compared to Bellevue or Seattle.

They will not substitute a unhealthy chips or starch without charging $ 3 or $ 4 which would be the price of a side order.

Dine Around Seattle brought me here. I made a reservation through Open Table. We got a table right next to fire place at the window. Very comfortable! (Though I wish they could give us an additional chair to put our purses.)
I tried their lunch course for $ 18. I ordered Spinach Strawberry Salad, Meat Loaf, and Bread Pudding. Each dish was so delicious. The service was good, too. The waiter was very courteous and friendly. He paid attention to our water cups, and always got the right timing to fill up water and to replace the plates.
The restaurant was very quiet. There were not many customers when we were there. My friend and I were able to chat without being bothered by any noise.
Love this place! I would love to come again.

Every time we go here, we leave wondering why we didn’t listen the last time we left vowing never to come back. It’s not that it’s terrible. It’s that you expect so much more, especially given the prices and the potential. It’s the kind of place that you tend to end up at by accident because there are so few similar choices in Bothell/​Kenmore. And then you notice: the service is really below average, bordering on plain bad. And the food falls well, well short of its high ambition. They should quit trying so hard to be fancy and instead excel at the basics. They would corner the market in the area.

Beautiful and awesome tasting food. Valentine’s prefix was amazing. Cute ambiance. I’ll definitely be back.

If you want to have a truly luxurious dining experience at Preservation Kitchen, be sure to CALL TO MAKE A RESERVATION. If you use Open Table, you will randomly be assigned a table, which may be in the very noisy and unappealing secondary dining room attached to the sports bar, where you will hear the phone ringing incessantly at the front desk. You will also hear the conversations of everyone who comes up to the front desk as well as the wait staff. Not ideal.
The food at Preservation Kitchen is really, really good; however, the ambiance will not do it justice if you are in a very distracting environment.
Another observation: the lady at the front desk seemed very unconcerned that we were disappointed not to be seated in the main dining room. She said it was because «we didn’t reserve soon enough». Really? Is two and a half weeks not soon enough? Who knew.
To avoid disappointment, call the restaurant. Do not rely on Open Table. Request a table in the main dining room.

Great atmosphere. A cute renovated house venue. We went for brunch. The coffee cake is homemade and wonderful. I ordered the eggs Benedict and loved it. Fresh herbs and hollandaise.

This place deserves a 5-​star rating! Been here 3 times and everything has been outstanding: Service, ambiance, food, drinks. It’s like having a fabulous meal in a friend’s house, dining next to the fireplace in their historic home. It’s a favorite and we will be regulars.

My prior experiences with Preservation Kitchen have been great. Awesome food, charming atmosphere, and good service. When I when today, the 1^st element seemed to be slipping.
My usual favorite, the NW Benedict fell into this category. Normally, the fish is smoky and delicious. With a biscuit full of flavor. Today it was hugely off. The salmon tasted old, dry and tasteless. I had to reach for my water after every bite just to keep my mouth moist.
I won’t be heading back anytime soon.

I can only review the bar.
Its not as good as their old location on main street. The bar itself is made from modern materials and is kind of cheap in that «we gutted a real classy old building and put in new furnishings that do not match and are kind if synthetic looking way.»
The restaurant is always closed when I try to make a reservation.
The bar has decent drinks but the menu really leaves a lot to be desired. The items are not well rounded and the sides do not go very well with the entries. I have eaten here about 15 times and really just felt like the menu was sort of awkward.
I do love the location and they offer free valet parking.
The staff has been sort of hit or miss lately. When they were over on mainstreet they really had it going on. Now the guys are sort of trying, and not real fun or mood lifting. Can’t decide if I am supposed to drown my sorrows or is this a place to bring a business lunch?
$$$

Favorite bar in the neighborhood. Great beer selection and happy polenta tots are the highlights for me. Their flatbread with cheese and roasted garlic is also worth a trip.

We got dinner here for the first time on a Monday night. It was a weeknight and pretty slow, so, no issues with service. The staff were really friendly, chatty and helpful answering all the questions we asked about the menu and the house.
Atmosphere is great, the house has a nice feel and they had the fireplace going.
The food was all good, I’d definitely go back again.

Great drinks and yummy (tiny) food … Lonnnnngggg wait for service. Deal breaker for me. It’s all about the service.

Been here several times; this time things were a little off in the kitchen. Short ribs were too sweet, and the scampi was bland. Otherwise the service and atmosphere were fine.

My thoughts were why is this just our first time here of the bazillions of times we’ve driven or I’ve passed by this daily. So glad I wised up and made it a point to check it out. We were here 2 days ago on a Saturday at about 3 pm. First impression: what a beautiful house: Are we underdressed and is it pretentious? Then just beyond the gate you see a friendly looking yard:-Patio area and next to it a kids play area with sand. You enter into this elegant looking house and it’s also quaint and cozy. This is a hidden gem tucked away in the back but it’s off of Hwy 522, easily accessible by the ³⁷²⁄₅₂₂ bus routes. This is the perfect romantic date spot. Lots of semi-​private rooms for groups or couples upstairs and downstairs. A few fireplaces burning as well with sitting areas. The restrooms are upstairs I’m uncertain if there are more mobility accessible ones. Happy hour is from 2 – 6 daily. There’s at least 2 tv screens, a good selection of drinks. Polenta tots, marinated olives, happy burgers yum!!! Can’t wait to come back for HH and also try the rest of the brunch and dinner fare. Everything including their ketchup tastes delish and homemade from scratch.

Can I live here? Ok so this restaurant was originally a house built for the mayor of Bothell in 1916. The place has that warm, vintage feel and wait, it has a bar in it too? There are several fireplaces to cozy up near, an upstairs area where you can dine more intimately in an old bedroom and an outdoor patio in both the front and the back of the house.
My husband and I have enjoyed watching football in the bar area, hosting our daughters 1 year old birthday in the front kid section (so gorgeous) and most recently my sister and I enjoyed happy hour and a brunch.
The food selection is both standard and seasonal and the prices were very attractive. So happy to have this gem in my neighborhood.

Delicious brunch, tasty appetizers, home-​style atmosphere. We loved our experience at Preservation Kitchen. Tucked away in the heart of Bothell, the restaurant is set in a two-​story house.
We came for brunch on a weekend. There is a cozy sitting area with cushion chairs and a nice fireplace when we first entered. We waited for a few minutes before someone came to say hello and work on seating, since there was a birthday party they were accommodating in one of the small dining rooms. I was surprised that we were seated in the bar, when later I found out there was a larger and nicer dining room across the hall. Next time I’ll probably request to sit in the main room. The bar area had a few regular tables and plenty of raised bar tables. It was a little loud but cozy.
Polenta tots — I loved this dish. The tots were cut into rectangular cubes and cooked to a crispy perfection on the outside and soft polenta on the inside. They came with a creamy spicy aioli which was yummy.
Meatloaf with potatoes and eggs — I enjoyed the soft meatloaf with sweet ketchup sauce. The eggs and potatoes went well on the side to make this a good and hearty breakfast.
Duck hash — The duck was served in a skillet and mixed with veggies and egg, the duck had a juicy and savory flavor.
Service was friendly, but a bit slow. Parking was ample but we had to walk up a relatively steep hill to get to the restaurant. We had to be extra careful outside with the rain to not slip.
Overall, we enjoyed the food. It would have been nice to be seated in the dining room instead of the bar. It is nice to have a quaint brunch place in Bothell, so we look forward to coming again sometime.

I want to rate the food a 4 star, but the service and overall experience a 1 star. I love the cozy atmosphere of this restaurant and I’ve loved everything I’ve ordered, but the service is terrible. Every time we’ve gone, our meals have taken over 2 hours– the majority of that time waiting and waiting, for food, drinks, water, our server.
My last visit was for a family dinner of 10 people (including 1 toddler and 1 great grandma). We made the reservation at 4:30 pm– to accommodate the grandma and the toddler, and to attempt to avoid the long waiting game for food. Toddlers do not like to wait. Though we were one of the only tables in the dining room, our first course took 30 minutes to arrive, and another 45 after that for our main entrees.

We had their Gorgonzola Burger/​Homemade Fries, &
Chicken Sandwich w/​side of Chili. Food came out quick with very generous portions. Ingredients tasted fresh and homemade.
Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere.

The food here is dynamite… I’ve been here for brunch a few times and they never ever ever disappoint! Try the biscuits and gravy with bacon… I mean woooooow

Thoroughly disappointed. Our group of 7 neighbors were more or less asked to leave, our business and money apparently not needed. After a local art show we decide on Preservation Kitchen, we’ve been prior, it’s local, but Wednesday evening was a surprise. We arrive on a warm summer evening, ask for the open tables outside. No problem, we will go prepare was the answer. Perfect we all think! 15 minutes later another young woman approaches us to say «we are just too busy, you will need to wait 45 minutes», brushing us off like we were not needed. We looked at her in shock and were all allowed to walk away.
It’s sad, we will not return. We took our business and $ 250.00 to Hollywood Tavern in Woodinville. Perfect staff, friendly, warm and inviting.
Everything Preservation Kitchen should have been.

Today was the 2^nd time I’ve been to PK.
The first time was 2 years ago for a 2pm mid-​week birthday lunch. I didn’t have the best experience then with rancid orange juice in my mimosa, awful cocktails from the bar and a huge ornery spider who made his home in a massive web that spanned the entire length of the window over to the fireplace. Really, no one who worked there noticed this thing!?! My party of 3 was the only party in the entire place which made me wonder WHY? The best thing we had was a plate of homemade potato chips.
Today’s experience didn’t knock my socks off either. Walking up the stairs, the tree across from the dining patio was encroaching over the stairs so much so, I felt the need to duck. I didn’t see the spider but there was a semi-​decent amount of patrons on a Sunday at 10:30 on Father’s Day. My dish was the Traditional Egg’s Benedict. One egg was undercooked to the point the white was still runny and I couldn’t eat it. Both bennies were DRENCHED in hollandaise sauce. I couldn’t taste anything except hollandaise sauce! The potatoes were good but like last time, I didn’t come for a plate of potatoes. I reluctantly had a mimosa and the orange juice wasn’t rancid this time.
It’s too bad this place has only been mediocre each time I’ve come. I live less than a mile away and could see myself picking up dinner after work or coming by for a weekend lunch before hitting up the Yakima Fruit Stand next door… If only the food were better. Bummer!

I was torn between a 3 star and a 4 star for Preservation Kitchen, but I am feeling on the optimistic side today.
We had a 10:30am brunch reservation for 4 people. We didn’t end up eating until almost noon. I will credit PK on the fact that the people we were meeting arrived a little late and had a difficult time making up their mind. However, it would sometimes take the server way too long to check back with us. I ordered a coffee and it was refilled maybe once the entire time. I’m not saying PK is a diner and should act like one, but after being there for 2 hours it would have been nice to have been at least asked more often.
We all had heard that they get really busy here, hence the reservation. To our surprise, there weren’t a lot of people there. in fact several tables in our vicinity were open and we still had slow service.
For what the service lacked, the ambiance made up for it. Preservation Kitchen is located in a refurbished old house complete with creaking old but refinished wood floors and beautiful crafstman style moldings around each window and entry. It also has at least two brick fireplaces that I saw. The one in the entry is open to both sides. They also have a decent outdoor patio that has a smattering of trees and other plants to make it appear like a little oasis despite the busy looking and sounding Bothell Way down below.
We ordered the four-​person coffee cake was just okay. I’m not a coffee cake fanatic, but no one else really seemed overly impressed by it. I’d skip it. It’s not really worth getting full over. For my personal dish, I ordered the biscuits and gravy for brunch, which were spectacular. I had recently been to my all-​time favorite breakfast spot and was disappointed with the biscuits and gravy there so this was a treat. The potatoes were perfect as well. However, the menu said that the biscuits and gravy would include a bowl of fresh fruit that neither me nor the other person in our party who ordered that dish received. Unfortunately by the time I recognized it, there wasn’t any point in asking for it. We had also been there a while, it was getting warm in the back by the patio and I just wanted to head back home.
It was a very confusing trip that was good but also disappointing in different ways. I’d like to come back to PK and try it out again soon. Hopefully things will be in better order then.

I’ve been a big fan of Preservation Kitchen ever since they opened years ago. I usually meet with my girlfriends there for lunch or with my sons and daughter for brunch. It has often been my restaurant of choice whenI’m asked where I would like to go for Mothers Day and birthdays etc.
I have to say I have noticed a few changes in the recent year and a half. They used to have truffle fries that were incredible and when I asked the waitress about them yesterday she was not familiar with them carrying them.
Their smoked duck sandwich is delicious and I’d highly recommend it. As far as salads — I’d suggest to pass entirely in this area. The Salads I had enjoyed in the past have changed and I do not care for them. Have ordered them 3 times and I’m a salad person so I’m usually pretty familiar with how salads are presented at different restaurants. This restaurant does not provide an impressive salad menu or selection. The beet salad is by far the best choice but if you are in the mood for a green romaine salad, skip it here. From the Romaine lettuce to the accompaniments, not very tasty. Likeness to having a side salad with dinner at your local diner. I’ve tried them 4 times now hoping to see some improvement and am now convinced that this is not a place I’d order salad again. I will say the balsamic dressing is excellent.
Staff is wonderful and really patient with those who like to sit and talk for a while so you definitely do not feel rushed.
One more thing I really noticed yesterday was that this restaurant has gone down somewhat in business. My friend and I and 3 other couples were the only ones in house and it was 2pm in the afternoon. This always makes me wonder if some of the changes in the menus over the years have caused some changes in clientele and regulars who enjoyed dining here. Years ago we would have been one of many having a late lunch.

Off the highway, atop a hill, behind an iron gate
lies a house with open doors hosting feasts ’til late.
A tall four-​top for two sisters, it was not packed — they did not mind.
After perusing their menus, we made our selections without delay,
Two drinks, an appetizer, and two entrees.
First were fried Brussels sprouts — with panna cotta on the side,
a modern twist on a traditional feast had incurred two smiles.
The vinaigrette was tart atop the sweet fried flaky mound
of dainty vegetal morsels with their creamy side.
But among all I could want more, there was but one desire.
A streak-​frites order I dreamed of all day, rare, horseradish on the side.
I chewed my ice, waiting patiently, but goodness was I starry eyed
when the waitress set down the plate «It’s very hot!» she said, my entrée had arrived!
Red ribbons, bloody, delicately carved.
Two ramekins, horseradish and aioli, on the side,
with thinly sliced potato, lightly seasoned, lightly fried.
I decided my time I’d bide in order to savor my meal,
The dripping meaty flanks before me I hardly believes were real.
I sank in my teeth and I heard angels sing;
as I felt apart each sinewy string
of lightly scorched bovine flesh.
I remember why I so scarcely indulge in pleasures of meat so fresh.
A little tender and a little tough, but rich beyond compare,
On a regular basis this feast would be simply too much to bear.
But tonight it was perfect, it was just as I’d dreamed,
My eyes glazed over as its flavor I gleaned,
This steak! An ambrosia before me!
The savory mouthfuls, one by one,
any carnivore would agree:
This feast was one fit for a king,
but oh joy, it was just for me.

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. We sat in the Preservation Kitchen, and the ambiance was incredible. Romantic, but comfortable. The fireplace and beautiful windows looking out on a wonderfully kept yard (even in winter), made you feel at home.
We went for lunch, and the food was delicious. So delicious that we went back with the whole family and a friend for dinner. over both meals, we collectively had meals for nine people. There was not a single complaint from anyone. The portions are HUGE, so bring your appetite. The polenta tots were SO yummy! I had the short ribs, and they were on point. They practically melted in my mouth, and the mashed potatoes were perfect (and I don’t really like mash).
The beer list is exceptional (and the ale house side of the building looks very cheerful and welcoming), as is the wine list. The drinks were poured nicely. Staff was mostly 110%, but the one hiccup isn’t even worth touching the fifth star, because I’d give this place a sixth.
I can’t wait to go back!

This is my first time here as I am from out of state. Difficult to find as it isn’t well lit and is situated back and up a small hill. But walking in I love the atmosphere two separate dinning areAs and a good size bar area. Big selection of beers on tap but small wine selection. I am having mussels and chopped salad. The duck sandwich looked good from another review but I was too full from the mussels and salad. The mussels are in creamy white wine and great aroma. Not overly garlic which was nice. The chopped salad is a meal in itself. Overall good service and portions I probably need to try more foods for a higher rating at this time (3.5 stars)

I went here with about 10 colleagues on a Monday evening at about 7pm. It sits discretely off the road, recessed in a woodsy area. There are two levels to the restaurant, plus a lower outdoor dining area next to a sandbox with some toys for the kids. The inside is casual, but elegant and rustic. However, the hallways are narrow and the bathrooms are super small (you will likely get hit by the door when someone comes in if you are washing your hands) and located inconveniently upstairs. Not ideal.
We sat outside in the lower level because it was a comfortable enough night to do so and the lower room was full with another large group. Maybe it was because we were outside and the furthest possible from the kitchen, or maybe it was because there was another large group dining, but our service throughout the meal was pretty good, but not great. It started with us being pretty well tended to, but then after the entrees were served, it started to die down and we ended up having to wait quite a while before we got the check. The servers were all very friendly, though.
As for the food, it was pretty solid. We tried a variety of appetizers to start, there were a number of beers on tap or by the bottle, and the wild boar ragu was delicious. The entrée was huge, too! The prices are a bit high, but the quality was excellent. This was a pleasant way to spend a dinner on a business trip.

Lots of mixed reviews for this place, but I score a 3.75. Very friendly and professional service. Everything was prompt and all of the staff was very courteous.
Based on other reviews, we opted for the jalapeño poppers (from the bar menu), short ribs and the wild boar pasta. The poppers were very spicy! I like the pain, so it was bearable. Entrees were fantastic, both served hot. Lots of food, so we opted to take some home to save room for the yummy bread pudding.
They’ve got an awesome happy hour, so we will be back soon!