Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

31 Floors Above Bellevue

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi occupies the 31st floor of Lincoln Square South in Bellevue, Washington, and the elevation is more than physical. The Asian-influenced, contemporary menu has set a clear standard for what a steakhouse can be in the Pacific Northwest — aged prime and Wagyu beef alongside premium seafood and innovative sushi, all framed by floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Bellevue skyline. Floor elevations and the restaurant's layout mean every table shares in that view, with a guaranteed window seat available for those who want the city up close.

Restaurant critic Providence Cicero put it plainly: "The steaks and sushi alone are worth the express elevator ride to the 31st floor, but there's a lot more to like from land and sea. Everything sampled over two visits revealed precision, imagination and a good bit of swagger to boot."

What's on the Plate

The menu moves confidently between two worlds. On the steakhouse side, dry-aged ribeye and A5 Wagyu anchor the dining room experience. The sushi bar operates at an equally serious level — the hamachi truffle roll, with its hint of sweetness from truffle and a fresh orange finish, draws particular praise from the team, as does the spicy tuna and prosciutto roll. Beef tartare and unagi nigiri round out a list of standouts mentioned by staff who eat here regularly.

Desserts carry the same creative ambition: the Magic Mushroom — white chocolate cherry mousse, mocha crumb, matcha shortbread, and a honey meringue mushroom — comes in three shareable sizes, while the Vitality plate layers black sesame mousse with pomegranate gelée and yuzu white chocolate sponge. A French press coffee service using Ethiopian Guji beans and a curated Art of Tea selection bring the meal to a considered close.

The bar program is equally intentional. Mixologist-crafted cocktails, an expansive wine list that earned Ascend Prime the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, and a broad sake selection give the beverage side real depth.

Beyond the Dining Room

The kitchen is led by Executive Sous Chef Kevin Benner, whose philosophy centers on consistency through small details — "prep, communication, and standards executed the same way every single service." That discipline shows across every format the restaurant offers: weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, a lounge and rooftop patio, private dining suites available seven days a week, and a rotating calendar of signature experiences.

Among the most distinctive is the Aburi-Robata Experience — eight seats, twelve courses across five culinary movements, offered every other Tuesday at the sushi bar. The Summer Social patio series and marquee holiday brunches like the award-winning Carts & Carousels events reflect a kitchen and team that treat the calendar as seriously as the menu.

For private gatherings, the dining suites accommodate everything from intimate celebrations to full corporate events, with a dedicated private dining team managing every detail. A partnership with the InterContinental Seattle Bellevue adds a turnkey luxury package for out-of-town guests.

Ascend Prime is one of the more complete fine dining propositions in the Seattle area — a steakhouse with genuine sushi credentials, a wine program recognized at the highest level, and a setting that does exactly what it promises.