I always attempt to convince my clients out of a bi-level island ( No! to the raised bar )

i think i prefer the look of a big ol slab of granite to be sure, just a little apprehensive of the sink area looking messy, but i guess it's not a big deal

I've visited this past project several times and this clients island always looks like this, you'll change your habits...

Depends on the size of the kitchen and the island. In a larger than average kitchens, with an open concept kitchen, this may even work as a partition , without actually dividing the room. Although bar seating is not the most comfortable seating, so if you have an alternative breakfast nook, then this may work. Split level island becomes a necessity where cooking and entertaining is done on a regular basis
and either family room or dining areas are open to the kitchen area. In smaller kitchens a single level island is the best option.

I prefer the island to be one level.

I love the one level island...your kitchen looks far bigger, and you do get used to avoiding clutter.

I am also deciding between raised or flat. Our peninsula looks out into the family room and the sink is in the middle. I am toying with the idea of having just the middle sink part raised and keeping the rest flat. Has anyone ever seen this before? In my head I think it would look great but it could also end up being a total disaster. Any thoughts?

Catryn is this what you are thinking about? This is one we did for a client and built up the area around the sink and then the rest of the peninsula is at standard height.

Yes!! Very similar to this!!! Thank you so much for sending it to me because I was having a hard time finding a picture. How does the client like it? Seems so versatile and functional!

She loves it. It blocks off the view from the family room to the sink, but doesn't make everything closed in. Good luck.