Old Bellevue's Main Street
Offers Culinary Delights
 Contrary
to popular belief, the owner of the New York-style delicatessen,
Gilbert’s Main Street Bagel Deli, did not grow up in New York
City.
In fact, Steve Gilbert hails from Mercer Island.
Though his roots may not be in the city famous for its bagels, visitors
to his quaint street-front deli are easily fooled by its charm,
not to mention its authentic menu. While sitting outside enjoying
a monstrous pastrami sandwich on a warm spring day, it’s easy
to mistake Bellevue’s Main Street pedestrian traffic for the
hustle and bustle of New York City’s Greenwich Village.
Luckily for Bellevue and all Eastsiders, Gilbert opened the beloved
deli a decade ago with a mission to provide patrons “an authentic
New York deli with a gourmet touch.”
Since then, Gilbert’s Main Street Bagel Deli has become a
favorite for an eclectic variety of patrons. The restaurant serves
a rich mix of folks, from software giants to moms with strollers
to working-class men and women.
Not to mention a few names that might ring a bell. “I’ve
personally served Joe Pesci and Ichiro, and I hear from my staff
that Mr. Bill Gates has even stopped in a few times,” Gilbert
recalls with a smile as he flashes photos of himself and various
celebrities.
Though the deli is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch,
weekends are Gilbert’s favorite due to the high energy in
the place. With the jazz band entertaining patrons with its tunes
every Saturday and Sunday morning, “there are saxophones playing,
pancakes flying, kids playing and phones ringing – it’s
divine chaos!”
The restaurant offers an endless list of scrumptious meals, including
the quintessential New York-style corned beef, pastrami sandwiches
and Matzo ball soup. However, according to Gilbert, the breakfast
favorite is a mouth-watering Marionberry Brandied- Walnut Pancake
and for lunch, the Green-leaf Apple Walnut Gorgonzola Salad.
Though the restaurant boasts cuisine with a Northwest flair, such
as the famous Eggs Redmond, when one sees the flashing neon Matzo
Ball sign, there’s no mistaking this place for the real deal
– a true, New York delicatessen.
Visit Gilbert's
Main St. Bagel Deli at 10024 Main St. in Old Bellevue.
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