With the weather warming up, there's a new option for dining with a view. Topside Bar and Grill opened March 23 in the former Jake's Bar and Bistro location.

The restaurant seems to be off to a great start. On a recent visit for dinner, there was a line at the door all evening of customers waiting for a table.

Though it just recently opened, Topside has a distinct neighborhood feel, where everyone appears to know each other. Owners John and Niki O'Reilly believe the view from their deck really makes them stand out from other area restaurants.

It does.

Overlooking Chambers Bay, the deck is open with limited service during the winter/spring months, and will be open with full service during the summer.

Chef Dave Russell's menu is diverse, featuring a variety of seafood, salads, burgers, sandwiches and grilled meat entrees. The Whidbey Island Penn Cove mussels and fries ($15) are a popular appetizer. Salads, such as the blackened salmon citrus salad ($17), are fresh, with house-made dressings. Their most popular menu item is their fish and chips ($10/three pieces, $14/five pieces), with an amber ale tempura batter.

I enjoyed a taste of Chef Dave's signature crab cakes ($12), loaded with crab, lightly breaded and crunchy on the outside, though I found the portion size to be small for the price. The grilled wild salmon burger ($15) was perfectly cooked, and paired with the most incredible sweet potato fries I've ever had. The beef tenderloin stroganoff ($18) was a bit bland and under-seasoned, and I found myself nibbling on my husband's sweet potato fries, despite him slapping my hand away. Honey, you can't keep me away from those sweet potato fries.

Topside certainly brings a much-needed restaurant option to Steilacoom, though the prices seemed a little steep for what you get. I think with time they will work these kinds of kinks out. Because of its popularity, I'd recommend that you call ahead for reservations.

Topside Bar and Grill, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to Midnight Friday and Saturday, 215 Wilkes St., Steilacoom, 253.212.3690