(duparandcompany.com/) – Redmond, Washington

How I heard of this place: My friend, and Redmond-dweller recommended it to me nearly two years ago. It has become a staple for me as far as east side dining goes!

Type of cuisine: Pacific Northwest cuisine, internationally inspired.

Ambiance: The restaurant is beautifully done in colorful, yet tasteful decor including three large pictures of pomegranates on one wall. The dining area is large, consists of tables for two and tables for ten (which can be shared by two or more parties).

It’s very comfortable and cozy, the staff attentive, friendly, accommodating and quick (specifically the busser). The wood-fire oven and large windows to the catering space make for an intimate settings where you feel like there are no secrets.

Perfect for a date, a Sunday brunch with family (reservations only accepted for parties of six or more) or a lunch out with a work colleague. It really is the place to go for any occasion!

What I ordered: For my pre-birthday celebration lunch, my friend and I enjoyed a full meal! we started with a Dry Soda each; rhubarb for me and vanilla for her ($3.75 each). As an appetizer, we enjoyed the organic heirloom cherry tomato caprese ($9) with fresh mozzarella balls, garden basil and aged white balsamic drizzle. For lunch, we split the C.L.T. ($8), a chicken, lettuce and tomato sandwich with bacon dressing and avocado salsa. We also selected the pecorino risotto cakes ($15) filled with pesto and mozzarella on oil-cured tomatoes and fresh arugula. We considered dessert, but after having dined for over two hours, felt we should partake of dessert on a separate occasion.

On a return visit, Wednesday, 18 February 2015: We returned to the eastside for my husband’s birthday, Kurios at Cirque du Soleil, and dinner at Pomegranate. We began with one fresh, organic cranberry juice (large $6), two Loco Colada’s ($3 each) made with coconut, pineapple, banana and ice, and one Exposé ($6), a mixture of aloe vera juice, lavender, lemon & lavender dry soda.

Our shared appetizer: Crispy Calamari & Artichokes ($13) served with a citrus caper aioli.

For the main event, two Painted Hills Grass-Fed Beef Burgers ($15 each) with Hempler’s Bacon ($2 additional per burger) served on a house onion bun with bacon mayo, white cheddar, house catsup, and russet fries, slaw and fixins’ on the side.

A side of Organic Yukon Gold Mashers ($5), and my husband was all set!

For the third in our party, the Slow Cooked Orange Kaffir Beef Tenderloin ($30) served with turnip gratin & truffled fingerling potatoes,

and a side of Farmers’ Winter Veggies/Kale ($5).

For me, the Miso Marinated Black Cod ($28) served over scallion sticky rice, set in a dashi mushroom broth, and topped with a marinated wakame mushroom salad.

Our desserts, the pink grapefruit Seasonal Sorbet ($4), and

the Chocolate Praline Crisp ($9) with a salted caramel sauce.

What I loved: Pomegranate always delivers. This lunch meal, however, would not have been complete or up to my Pomegranate standard if it wasn’t for the caprese. The light, fresh flavors of the salad, the soft and melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella and the lovely white balsamic dressing with fresh grated black pepper stole the show!

Why I loved it: I am impressed with most things about the Bistro – from decor, to mood, to food. The food completely fresh and made to order, the decor vibrant but simple and the staff friendly and accommodating.

Cost: Low to average for a lunch entree ($8-$13 for firebreads; $16-$31 for fish, meat and vegetarian entrees)

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