Big Fish Grill Wins Poll on Best Outdoor Dining in Kirkland

One of the toughest choices when dining during fair weather at Kirkland’s is where to sit: the outdoor patio, or the wonderfully wooden bar?

My neighbor and buddy Jon favors the Big Fish happy hour, and likes to sit at the patio outside whenever the sun is shining. I like it too, the happy hour and the patio, but my ideal bar is a wrap-around style, the ‘Cheers’ version, and the Big Fish has one. I enjoy watching the staff mix drinks, and like to chat with them and watch their interaction with other customers.

But this week’s Readers’ Choice poll on the best restaurant in Kirkland for outdoor dining makes it clear: sit outside whenever skies are fair and save the bar for a rainy day.

Somewhat surprisingly, given the several dining spots in Kirkland on the shores of Lake Washington, the Big Fish along Northup Way some distance from the lake ran away with our poll like a hooked king salmon peeling out line from a fishing rod and reel.

The Big Fish took 12 out of 41 votes cast, coming in second with eight and third with seven. The Big Fish got a great review, too.

Wrote Kevin: “Happy Hour at Big Fish Grill last night. They have added quite a few new happy hour menu items since my last visit. The food is the BEST with an excellent patio on Sunny days. Had the Ahi Tuna, pork sliders, chowder and prawns. All the flavors and seasonings they use are amazing. Dinners are excellent there, but the happy hour sure is a treat. The portion size for the price, was an excellent value. FABULOUS!!”

So congratulations Big Fish!

And on to next week’s Readers’ Choice poll, which is not unlike this week’s: Best place for a Memorial Day Weekend barbecue. Ahh, I can smell the sizzling burger and dogs already!

A story announcing the new poll will post here at 5 a.m. on Monday. We've already begun compiling our list of great parks for barbecuing, but will gladly accept nominations for places to put on our poll. Please email the editor, Greg.Johnston@Patch.com, or let us know on Facebook.