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    Brief Encounter

    3.4 (263 reviews)
    Closed • 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

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    BRIEF ENCOUNTER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Joe's Special & Country Hash
    Carol C.

    Delicious breakfast on the Eastside. My go to here is the country hash and eggs with house made corned beef and a biscuit. Diner feel. Service is quick and friendly. Located in a strip mall with available parking.

    Kim T.

    This place is a very small restaurant in the Bellevue area. It's a good spot as a back up place. If all of the other Bellevue brunch spots are full prices are definitely a bit expensive for what you get. I've tried the eggs benedict, the two egg breakfast and the cinnamon roll. All of them are pretty standard. Their hashbrowns are my favorite part. It's super crispy. Service is pretty standard as well sometimes they forget about you but it's ok. It's very accommodating spot for parties six or more so that's super helpful and there's a parking lot so that's super convenient! Hygiene could be better :,) utensils were a bit dirty

    Sabrina N.

    nothing too crazy, just a casual breakfast diner in bellevue. our food took quite a while to come out but everything tasted pretty good. if you're looking for a typical american spot you should come here.

    Burrito with condiment container for size comparison.
    Ramon M.

    Ordered a breakfast burrito for lunch... $14 for this? Gave it the benefit of the doubt in case it was the best tasting burrito ever and it is a meh burrito.

    Online menu- $16 price

    Oh so disappointed. I had been craving biscuits and gravy for two weeks but didn't have time to make them myself. My mornings have been hectic, and I kept missing breakfast at my usual spots. So, I decided to give this place a try. I called ahead for a pickup order, and the gentleman on the phone was polite. He asked how I wanted my eggs, but I didn't want eggs or hash browns. I asked if there were any substitutions, like fruit--he said no. I asked if I could just leave them out--he said no, it "doesn't change anything." That was frustrating, but I went ahead with the order anyway. When I arrived, I noticed the menu offered a side order of biscuits and gravy, which would have been perfect. Not sure why he didn't mention that as an option. Now, the food: * The online menu listed the meal at $16, but I was charged $18. * It was supposed to come with two biscuits, but I received two cold, rock-hard halves--so really, just one full biscuit. * The gravy was advertised as sausage gravy, yet there wasn't a single piece of sausage in it. * It was completely bland and also cold. I was so disappointed by this experience and will not be back. Save your money and go next door to Subway.

    a restaurant with tables and chairs
    Jen P.

    $23 for a scrambled egg, sausage and 1 pancake with a small cup of caffe was a bit to much. The service was off and seemed very disconnected from the customer experience.

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Love this place. Nice neighborhood cafe - great for breakfast and lunch Nice staff!

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    11 years ago

    Good breakfast, coffee! Great service but not amazing. . A good breakfast place to meet friends.

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    15 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    17 years ago

    The nicest people, the best pot roast special and a favorite neighborhood hangout.

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    11 years ago

    Great food, Friendly family owned restaurant. I live next door so its very convenient.

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    17 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Good simple diner food. Excellent pancakes and chicken Apple sausage. Coffee is pretty good too.

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    11 years ago

    Convenient neighborhood meeting place with dependable quality. Kind of the "Cheers" for the breakfast/lunch set.

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    16 years ago

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    9 years ago

    for the firs time my brothers and I when for breakfast to this nice little place, very good breakfast and good service.

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    14 years ago

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    Page 7 of 7

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    Blazing Bagels

    Blazing Bagels

    4.0(491 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    •$$

    We loved our sandwiches! We had the sausage, egg and cheese and the Bernie Boodnick. They are…read moremiddle sized sandwiches, and would be nice to have a side with for lunch. All the ingredients used felt like they were good quality. We ordered quickly and got our food quickly. The workers were friendly. There is a small eating area that is pleasant to sit at. It was pretty busy but didn't get very loud. I also bought a package of day old bagels for 50%, which ended up being $8. I had one toasted the next day and it was still very good. I thought that was a really good deal. There is a large parking lot behind the restaurant. You have to walk down either a few stairs or a ramp to get to the front door.

    As they strip down their menu, I'll have to remove this shop from my favorites. No more bagel dogs…read moreof any kind, which is my number one reason for coming, several bagel flavors leaving, and not even the courtesy of taking down the menu or covering those options during their transition. Extremely disappointed. I posted the above earlier at 3-stars, but I was too hasty posting before getting our food, expecting that even though the menu changed, the quality wouldn't. Sadly the bagel sandwiches aren't nearly stuffed to what they used to be and even the orange juice had extra pulp. My biggest complaint is still that there were no indicators in the store until we were trying to order. It is so frustrating to try to pivot when we're standing in front of the cashier with drinks in hand just trying to be on our way.

    Photos
    Blazing Bagels - Chevy bagel w/pepperjack, salami, tomato, garlic cream cheese-toasted.

    Chevy bagel w/pepperjack, salami, tomato, garlic cream cheese-toasted.

    Blazing Bagels - Lox on a everything wheat bagel w cucumbers.

    Lox on a everything wheat bagel w cucumbers.

    Blazing Bagels - Foodgasm.

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    Foodgasm.

    Cafe Aloe - Egg Tart :)

    Cafe Aloe

    4.1(377 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    •$$

    Ideally I'd rate this 4.5 stars, but in this case, I lean closer to 5 than 4 stars. The food is…read morecreative and tasty. The highlight is the HK sandwich, specifically the Musubi. The ingredients may seem simple, but the execution is top notch. The bun is the star. They bake it fresh. Soft and tasty. And the egg is fluffy and filling by itself. The spam and furikake rounds it out perfectly. The piggy buns are a delight. Tried all 3 and I prefer the custard and taro. The molten custard is good too, but it can be messy. The half-star drop is due to service. It's not bad, but it's just not the warmest. They are busy, so I do recommend researching first before you order. That will eliminate any awkwardness. But the food absolutely makes up for this. And the ambiance is great. It's clean and comfortable to wait. Parking can be a bit of a challenge, but that's the case everywhere in Downtown Bellevue. I didn't see a garage that you can park and get validation.

    Food was good! The vibes inside were also nice. There's lots of windows and it's in a somewhat…read morequieter and off the beaten path part of downtown Bellevue. The staff was nice but we felt really rushed and pushed out as they were getting ready to close (30 minutes before close). I totally understand shutting things down and giving us a heads up but multiple reminders before the actual closing time is a little much. I'd like to come back though and try more when I'd have more time to hang out.

    Photos
    Cafe Aloe - Cafe Aloe counter with @Sonrisa doughnut pop-up being set up

    Cafe Aloe counter with @Sonrisa doughnut pop-up being set up

    Cafe Aloe - Black sesame pineapple bun

    Black sesame pineapple bun

    Cafe Aloe - Menu as of 12/5/24

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    Menu as of 12/5/24

    Semicolon Cafe - Lox  sandwich and Bulgogi sandwich

    Semicolon Cafe

    3.8(458 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    •$$

    went in for an afternoon coffee today , ordered a flat white & Alex prepped it and talked a little…read moreof the different methods of cappuccinos , cortado friendly and very knowledgeable I ended up ordering a matcha as well (not to mention 10 minutes before closing) served just as I expected, it was a nice calm end to a hard Work day Thank you Alex, I will come back 10/10

    This place has been on my wishlist for a while, so I'm glad I finally got the chance to stop by and…read morecheck it out! The interior is super cute, with a tonnnn of gorgeous plants throughout the space. There's also quite a bit of seating inside and they offer Wi-Fi if you want to get some work done while having breakfast or coffee. Ordering is done through a self service screen and order pickup is toward the left side of the counter. We were greeted when we came in and they let us know when our order was ready, so service was friendly but pretty minimal. I got the avocado sandwich and added bacon as an extra. Unfortunately, I wish I had just left the bacon off because it was pretty gummy and almost entirely fat rather than the crispy bacon I love. I had to take it out of the sandwich after my first bite. The sandwich itself was good though! It was definitely avocado heavy, but I felt like it could have used a little more sauce because it was on the dry side. Overall, I enjoyed it, even though I probably wouldn't order the bacon again. I also did notice a slight pricing discrepancy between the different ordering websites, with the ordering system the cafe seems to prefer showing slightly higher prices than the others. Just something to keep in mind if you're ordering for pickup! There's also street parking available nearby which is convenient. I'm not sure I'd order the avocado sandwich again, but they have some really fun looking drinks that I'd love to come back and try! The Pistachio Bomb especially caught my eye.

    Photos
    Semicolon Cafe
    Semicolon Cafe - Bulgogi Sandwich and Lady Matcha

    Bulgogi Sandwich and Lady Matcha

    Semicolon Cafe - Bulgogi

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    Bulgogi

    Bellden Cafe - Sweet Berry Toast

    Bellden Cafe

    4.3(688 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    •$$
    Gluten-free friendly
    Private events

    Recently moved to Bellevue from Seattle and of course was desperate to find a new brunch spot with…read moreallergen-friendly options, and WOW. Bellden Cafe has it all, we've already gone several times I'm obsessed with the ube mochi waffle, it is soooo delicious (not too sweet, incredible texture and flavor). Their matcha is also lovely, I got matcha with rose syrup both times I went (so immaculate). I've turned into a bit of a matcha snob, so always looking for some good options and they hit the spot. The service is incredible, literally the people working there are the nicest people everrrr. Even on a super busy weekend morning, they were so accommodating, so friendly and even remembered us from just one visit! Really fantastic team, they really make the whole experience even MORE lovely. And the interior is jussssst so gorg!!! The decor is immaculate, there's lots of space (even when it was crowded), would be a perfect place to work from during the week, even their outdoor tables were very clean and cutie. Absolutely love, this has become a new staple of ours since moving to the east side! brunch girlies rise!!!

    This spot has received numerous awards and recognition over the years, so I was glad to finally…read morecheck it out with a friend on a recent Sunday morning. When we walked in, most of the indoor tables were taken, but we got lucky and snagged one right as a couple was leaving. They have a pretty extensive drink menu of coffees, teas and smoothies alongside a food selection of açaí and yogurt bowls, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, toasts and salads. Prices do seem rather steep for food (particularly for the waffles), however, this business has a great philanthropic mindset that helps explain the price points. Whenever someone orders a specialty drink, they donate some of the proceeds to a charity. + LATTE w/ MISO MAPLE syrup ($5 for 12 oz. + $1 for syrup): The coffee itself was so good - robust, with a perfect balance between the espresso and milk. I was so excited to try this unique syrup flavor, but sadly, I didn't taste it at all. No umami from the miso and not even a hint of maple. I'm not sure if this syrup is just extremely subtle, or if it was simply forgotten. I really hope it's not the latter, since I paid extra for it. + MATCHA CHIA PUDDING ($13): The bowl may look small, but it was deep and the portion turned out to be filling. A Greek yogurt base was beautifully layered with matcha chia pudding, a strawberry-rhubarb compote, granola and rose. I loved the compote which had the perfect sweetness of ripe strawberries and a little tang from the rhubarb. The matcha pudding was on the milder side, but smooth in consistency, contrasting nicely with the crunchy granola. My friend ordered the Açaí Bowl and really enjoyed it. The serving looked reasonable for the price as well. Overall, the two of us had a wonderful time here catching up over a healthy brunch! Tip: They have two small rooms available to reserve for parties of 4-6 if you're looking to secure seating for a group.

    Photos
    Bellden Cafe - Pink Avocado Toast

    Pink Avocado Toast

    Bellden Cafe - House made Granola, 20 % of proceeds to PorchLight Men's Shelter

    House made Granola, 20 % of proceeds to PorchLight Men's Shelter

    Bellden Cafe - Fresh Fruit Toast

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    Fresh Fruit Toast

    Gilbert's on Main - The Supreme Omelet

    Gilbert's on Main

    4.0(1k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    •$$

    Stopped by Gabriel's for breakfast this morning. They have a good menu selection from breakfast ,…read morelunch, soup sandwiches and coffee options. The food portions were impressive. The bagels were delicious and toasted perfectly. It came with whipped butter and raspberry jam on the side. The pastrami omelet was very large and came with a generous serving of potatoes. ALso tried the pastrami and corned beef breakfast bagel, which was packed with almost like an omelet tucked inside a bagel. Also got a side of hand made chicken sausage which was okay. Tasted healthy. The one disappointment was the vanilla latte. It tasted more like it came from an automated coffee machine than a traditional espresso machine and lacked the flavor and quality I was expecting. Most things are self-serve here, including finding your own seating, grabbing silverware, getting water, and pouring drip coffee. As we were leaving, a live musician was getting set up to play, Which added a really welcoming atmosphere. The inside is nicely decorated and family friendly, with lots of children's books around to help keep little ones entertained. The prices are definitely on the higher side, but the portions are large. Food tastes good, large portions, cozy atmosphere, and live music, I'd come back again though I'd probably skip the latte next time.

    Great sandwiches and a cool spot on Main Street in Bellevue. Lots of seating inside and some…read moreoutdoor seating as well. Food comes out quickly, they'll bring it to your table when it's ready. I suggest one of the "bagel" sandwiches if you want a smaller portion, but it's not on a bagel, comes with different bread options (sourdough is always my choice).

    Photos
    Gilbert's on Main - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Gilbert's on Main - Hot Pastrami and French Onion soup, boy were they both delicious! Can't wait to go back!

    Hot Pastrami and French Onion soup, boy were they both delicious! Can't wait to go back!

    Gilbert's on Main - Outside view

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    Outside view

    Farine Bakery & Cafe - Veggie Breakfast Sandwich + Strawberry Mint Spritz

    Farine Bakery & Cafe

    4.2(441 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    •$$

    I was in the mood for some breakfast/brunch that wasn't food coma inducing or going to leave me…read morefeeling like I was one step closer to becoming diabetic. Farine really hit the spot for me, with great coffee, delicious quality food, and a nice atmosphere. You order first at the counter, and they give you a number before you find a seat. They'll bring the food out to you when it's ready. The service was excellent, and the food came out pretty quickly. Cappuccino with Oat Milk (5/5) Great-tasting coffee with low acidity and a nice, aromatic aftertaste. It was so well balanced and delicious that no sugar was needed. Breakfast Sandwich (4/5) The croissant had a nice light crisp to it, and the combination of ham, cheese, and cherry tomatoes was excellent. The croissant, however, was a bit on the oily side, and after a few bites, my fingers were glistening with oil. The ham was also a tad salty for my taste. Farine Breakfast (5/5) I've never been a fan of cooked cherry tomatoes, but these were delicious! They had a nice natural sweetness and were cooked to perfection. Everything on this plate was very satisfying and flavorful. The bread they serve, called "country bread," is very soft with a slightly chewy texture that reminds me of sourdough, but better. I also really enjoyed the potatoes, which were soft and flavorful. Manage your expectation for the sausages! It's not your usual soft sausage, but it's more of a texture that's more in line with what you taste in Europe. It tastes like you are eating actual meat and not something ultra processed. I do wish they had a better hot sauce option. The one that came with the meal was pretty tangy, while I was looking for something more like chili oil, which I think would pair much better with this dish. Overall, this is an excellent spot whether you're dining solo or with a group, since they have plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating. I'll definitely be back!

    Great brunch/breakfast spot! Service is super friendly and helpful. They even make sure to tell you…read morethe sausages are a little different than others (more spicy) before you order. They're usually very busy on the weekend, but I highly recommend visiting on a weekday if you can. They have a lot of seating during the weekday and it's a great spot to catch up with friends or have a meeting.

    Photos
    Farine Bakery & Cafe - Flowers outside the cafe

    Flowers outside the cafe

    Farine Bakery & Cafe - Breakfast Sandwich

    Breakfast Sandwich

    Farine Bakery & Cafe - Interior

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    Interior

    Brief Encounter - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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