2.5 Stars for Bellevue's 99 Park; Craziness at Orient Express

Providence Cicero of The Seattle Times bestows Bellevue's 99 Park with 2.5 stars, calling the "chef-driven, independent restaurant a rarity on the Eastside." Cicero enjoyed the "handsome" decor and has this to say of the food:

The menu’s Asian bent is unexpected given Stewart’s résumé. He’s cooked locally at Tilth, Spur, The Coterie Room and Hitchcock. The cooking here is not as precise as at Tilth, nor as out-there as Spur can be, but there is plenty to recommend.

She closes in saying, "I hope this one finds its footing and prospers."

Sarah Galvin of The Stranger details her experiences with SODO's bizarre and wonderful railcar restaurant and bar, Orient Express. She details the fascinating history of the spot and its amusing decor, with "luxurious leather booths...topped with huge fake diamonds" and "the fluorescent glow of a huge fish tank where orange, football-sized fish swim in slow circles." Galvin starts off with drinks, which she says are deceptively strong and inexpensive, and gives run downs of several dishes: pot stickers, a "successful snack," pad kee mao that isn't "fucking around,"  "disappointing" eggplant in garlic sauce, and pad thai "as good as any I've had and wasn't overly sweet."