THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Bridges Bar & Grill

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Bridges Bar & Grill Restaurant Review:

Don’t let the fancy menu, upscale décor and water view fool you. Bridges is Cheers! in disguise. Evenings the action centers in the oak-trimmed bar area where the bartender resembles Coach and each of the four TVs may be tuned to a different sporting event. A youngish crowd of smokers and sports fans clusters at high, marble-topped round tables downing brews and munching terrific pizzas, a good cheddar-clad burger, and baby back ribs that deserve better than bottled barbecue sauce. We prefer the peaceful dining room---or in fair weather the huge deck---where the breathtaking view of Lake Union distracts from any flaws on the plate. Meat is the kitchen’s forte. Filet mignon in demi-glace is tender and full of flavor. Smoked duck breast in a cider glaze is commendable, though not well-served by the crumbly, dry wild rice cakes underneath. Risotto arrived overcooked, while shrimp gracing lemon linguine were still translucent. We could have done without the mushy, brown, soy-soggy crab filling in an otherwise nicely cooked salmon filet. At weekend brunch we watched colorful spinnakers unfurl on the lake and doodled a long time with crayons on the paper-covered linen before the first sign of food---the fresh, hot scones---arrived. But huevos rancheros with fabulous corn pancakes, expert eggs Benedict and French toast made with King’s Hawaiian sweet bread made it well worth the wait.