Growing up on Mercer Island, Anna Bennett and her family placed community at the center of their lives. From elementary school through high school, she and her brother spent their days riding bikes through Pioneer Park, walking to friends’ houses, attending neighborhood block parties, and making after-school stops at Sahara Pizza for cheesy breadsticks with friends. It was the kind of upbringing that made Mercer Island feel less like a city and more like a close-knit neighborhood where everyone knew one another.

Anna’s mother, Sue, was deeply involved in the Mercer Island community and participated in a variety of local organizations and groups, helping shape the strong sense of connection that defined Anna’s childhood. Growing up, Anna stayed active in island life through soccer, swimming at the Mercer Island Beach Club, and performing in productions with Youth Theatre Northwest.

At 16, Anna got her first job hosting at Bennett’s, an experience that would ultimately shape the direction of her career. She quickly fell in love with the restaurant industry — the fast-paced energy, the people, the food, and especially the way restaurants bring communities together.

Over the next 15 years, she worked her way through nearly every aspect of the restaurant business, beginning as a hostess and eventually moving into management roles. Along the way, she learned not only the fundamentals of hospitality and service, but also what makes people return to a restaurant again and again: feeling welcomed, cared for, and connected.

For years, Anna and her father talked about opening a restaurant or food business together, though it never quite felt attainable. While Anna had extensive experience managing front-of-house operations, she knew she needed the right culinary partner to bring the vision fully to life.

That partnership came when she met Chef Ivan Barraza. The two immediately connected over their shared philosophy surrounding food and hospitality — a belief that dining should feel thoughtful, creative, welcoming, and personal.

Together, they opened Balandra, a restaurant rooted in family, connection, and shared experiences. The restaurant’s name comes from a beach in Mexico where Ivan spent time with his father catching fresh seafood, cooking on the beach, and sharing meals together. That spirit of gathering around fresh food and meaningful conversation became the inspiration behind the restaurant itself.

Located near Fremont just off Highway 99, Balandra offers Mercer Island residents an easy night out that still feels like an occasion. The restaurant is designed around connection and conversation, encouraging guests to slow down, share plates, and enjoy time together.

The menu features globally inspired tapas-style dishes meant for sharing, with an emphasis on high-quality ingredients, seasonal offerings, and locally sourced products whenever possible. One of the restaurant’s standout dishes is the steak board — a 32-ounce bone-in steak served with premium cheeses, house-made sauces, and a signature steak butter made with herbs, bone marrow, and dehydrated egg yolk.

Dessert also plays a major role in the dining experience. Chef Ivan’s brother, who owns a pastry school in Mexico, helped create the dessert menu. Every dessert is made in-house and carefully balanced to be elegant without feeling overly sweet. One of the restaurant’s signature creations, “The Raspberry,” has become especially memorable for guests.

Beyond the food, Balandra has also built a wine and cocktail program centered around exploration and accessibility. Cocktails are crafted with scratch ingredients and creative flavor combinations, while the wine list highlights smaller producers and unique selections guests may not typically encounter elsewhere. Tasting flights allow diners to compare wines from different regions or vintages, creating an approachable and educational experience.

At its core, Balandra is about creating space for people to gather, connect, and enjoy themselves. The goal, Anna says, is simple: for guests to put their phones down, enjoy great food and wine, and spend meaningful time together in an environment that feels special without ever feeling intimidating.