Ascend Prime: Come for the Views, Stay for the Iconic Magic Mushroom
During a recent trip to Seattle, our team had the opportunity to visit several members of our Cercle V community: chefs and culinary teams who bring creativity, craftsmanship, and excellence to their work every day.
One stop took us across Lake Washington to Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi in Bellevue, a destination where fine dining quite literally reaches new heights.
Located on the 31st floor of Lincoln Square South, Ascend Prime offers sweeping views of the Seattle skyline and the surrounding Pacific Northwest landscape. Known for its refined menu featuring aged Prime and Wagyu beef, premium seafood, and innovative sushi, the restaurant has established itself as one of the region’s most distinctive dining experiences. Elevated cocktails, an expansive wine and sake program, and impeccable service complete the atmosphere, but beyond the breathtaking views, the culinary team is also creating memorable moments through dessert.
And there is one creation guests talk about long after the meal ends.
The Magic Mushroom.
A Dessert Inspired by the Pacific Northwest
The Magic Mushroom dessert is inspired by the natural landscapes of the Pacific Northwest: forests, moss-covered ground, and the quiet beauty of mushrooms emerging from the forest floor.
Served in a custom glass vessel nestled in a sculptural driftwood base, the dessert recreates a miniature woodland scene. The visual storytelling begins before the first spoonful.
Inside the composition, layers of textures and flavors evoke the richness of the forest:
- Dark chocolate pot de crème forms the base — intensely rich and silky.
- An espresso crumb mimics the dark soil of the forest floor.
- Matcha cake crumbs, dehydrated for texture, add earthy complexity and vibrant color.
- At the center sits the “mushroom” itself: a white chocolate and cherry mousse.
- Delicate honey meringue mushrooms and edible marigolds finish the landscape.
The result is both playful and refined: a dessert that feels almost too beautiful to disturb. And it has quickly become the restaurant’s most requested sweet finale.
“It’s our most popular dessert on the menu right now,” the pastry chef notes.
Designing the Vessel: Bringing the Forest to the Table
The presentation is as carefully considered as the flavors themselves. Culinary Director Chef Brandon Muehl explains that the serving vessel was designed to echo the natural surroundings that inspired the dessert.
“In the Pacific Northwest, there’s a strong culture of foraging and exploring the wilderness,” he says. “We wanted to capture a piece of that environment and present it visually in the dessert.”
The concept began with decorative pieces sourced from West Elm, but the team soon realized the presentation had become an integral part of the experience. Today, the vessels are custom-made: hand-blown glass bowls resting on pieces of driftwood, produced in different sizes to showcase the dessert.
The effect is striking, a small forest scene placed directly on the dining table...
Crafting Memorable Dining Experiences
At Ascend Prime, the goal is not simply to create dishes, but to design moments.
The Magic Mushroom captures that philosophy perfectly: a dessert rooted in its regional identity, crafted with technical precision, and presented with theatrical elegance. It’s the kind of creation that guests photograph, share, and remember.
And like the restaurant itself, it invites diners to pause, to take in the view, the artistry, and the experience.
Because at Ascend Prime, you may arrive for the skyline…
…but you’ll stay for the Magic Mushroom.
Watch our visit to Ascend Prime & see the Magic Mushroom come to life on Instagram @valrhonaUSA.
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