On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Mon., Wed-Thu. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Loading...
Foi--Excellent. The paired nectarines were amazing. Would have liked a little bigger portion. (But I always do when it comes to foi. ) :)
Sweetbreads--not bad.
Rabbit--very nice.
desert-ick. I heard great things about it and meh. Had some chocolate/coffee thing. Not a fan.
Overall a very nice experience.
I decided to go to the Cafe Juanita as special treat to celebrate my birthday after reading many positive reviews on Yelp as well as the awards and recognitions that Chef Smith had received.
People say first impressions are very important. Well, my first impression is that parking lot is very, very small. I got there at 6 PM and there is no parking on the property and the nearby street. I went in ask where is the nearest parking space. The host told me that I can use the lot of the trailer park across the street (wow, such a classy way to start my birthday).
We spent quite a long time to study the menu because the waiter is nowhere to be found. Once he showed up, the service starts to improve a bit.
I choose the seared foie on huckleberry and candy ginger sauce The foie is very tender and melted in your mouth. However, one bite of the candied ginger makes me forget how good the foie is. I have to push all the ginger to the side of plate to avoid the even the tiniest bite of ginger. I cannot taste the huckleberry sauce at all with all the duck fat floating on top of the sauce.
The 2nd course is the Baby Beets with Bombolin. I like the lightness of the bombolin. However, the dressing on the baby beets is just too tart and take away the nature sweetness of the baby beets.
I choose the de-boned rabbit for my third course based on waiter's recommendation. The overall taste is a bit gamy to me and the rabbit is a bit too dry. I found a bit congealed blood on the rabbit, that just grosses me out. The rubbery chickpea crepe did nothing to improve the dish. This is my first and last rabbit.
The final dessert course is probably the best dish of the night . I ordered the Bruleed Passionfruit Curd with Soft Chocolate Cubes and Coconut Gelato . The dish cleansed my taste buds from the first three courses momentarily.
The oiliness of the foie and gameness of the rabbit lingered several hours after I got home. I have to eat lots of fresh fruit to clean my taste buds. I think this is the first and only time I am visiting Cafe Juanita.
Oh, one last thing about the waiter. He decided to put candles on both of our desserts because he cannot figure out whose birthday it is. How cute and it makes me feel so special.
I came with my friends to Cafe Juanita for the first time two weeks ago. I have only heard good things about Cafe Juanita. We came with high expectations.
There were five of us. One is organic vegan person, the other is vegetarian, and the rest is carnivores. The waitress was very knowledgeable in different kinds of food menu and wine, she's so accommodating!
The food comes with alternatives for vegan/vegetarian. They are so thoughtful in terms of taking care of their guests. Excellent service. The reason I am giving them 3 stars is because the food was just all right. The portion is small for the price. And another thing, the quail that we ordered was not fully cooked.
The rest of the meal are just all right. I can see why they got really good reviews in terms of service, providing alternatives for special requests, etc, but I don't think I will come back here any time soon.
Dined here for my birthday dinner this year. My first impression of the restaurant was "what's up with the door?" For a nice restaurant the door seemed more fitting of a not so nice residence. Luckily, once you step inside, the restaurant is more inviting.
Service-wise, I would have given Cafe Juanita a little more than 3 starts. The hostess greeted us warmly and showed us to our table. The waiter was also very personable and not too intrusive. Our water glasses was also timely filled. One major snag in service for me was hearing the waiter explain to the table next to us an appetizer that he did not even mention to us. Honesty, I was a little upset because I would have gone with that particular dish had I been given the option.
To start, I ordered the grilled octopus with chickpea puree and parsley sauce and hubby ordered the heirloom tomato bread salad. As we waited for our starters, a nice looking plate of breads and crackers arrived at the table. Everything was cold. The butter needed time to warm up before being spreadable. The crackers were really, really oily and the focaccia was extremely salty. The only bread that I enjoyed was the potato bread with rosemary. The bread salad was excellent; wonderful tomato flavor melding so well with basil, vinegar and crispy bread cubes. My octopus was a tad overcooked; the chickpea puree coupled with the parsley sauce was a bit heavy albeit tasty.
For our next course, hubby had the squash blossom risotto and I had the seared foie gras with cherries, candied ginger and cocoa nibs. Maybe it's just my palate but I didn't care for the combination of candied ginger and foie gras. When I was eating the foie gras, I had forgotten that there were cocoa nibs...because my second piece of the foie gras had all the nibs. So imagine my surprise when I got a mouthful of nibs with the foie gras. I have had much better accompaniments to foie gras. The risotto was prepared perfectly, creamy, luxurious, and perfectly seasoned.
For our main course, I ordered the special sablefish (aka black cod) over pureed potatoes, lardon and cantaloupe while my husband had the roasted quail. My fish was cooked superbly and the sweetness of the melon married well with the salty savoriness of the lardon. For the quail, my husband mentioned that it was a bit salty but it wasn't until we decided to swap plates that I realized how salty the sauce as well as one side of the quail was. To be honest, had it been my dish, I would have sent it back. We also know that this wasn't a singular error on the part of the kitchen as diners at the next table also mentioned (very politely) that their quail dish was very salted. This makes me wonder if the chef is tasting what's coming out of the kitchen.
We opted out of dessert. For a restaurant with such a good reputation, I was disappointed with the mis-steps throughout our experience.
Expensive.
But unlike many (or most?) other expensive places in the Puget Sound area, you get what you pay for.
I've been to Cafe Juanita a few times. Nice restaurant, excellent food, extensive wine list, friendly staff. Very enjoyable experiences whenever I've gone there. Holding back one star because it's fairly expensive and for the money, I feel like there are slightly better options out there, but still damn good and worth checking out at least once.
This place is nearly flawless.
The service is great: knowledgeable and unpretentious.
The food is fresh, local and exquisite.
The atmosphere is sublime.
If you can't have a wonderful time here, then you don't get out enough.
Amazing restaurant. I am saying this even though I went to eat there on a 95 degree day and their a/c is less than stellar. Definitely choose a cooler day to go unless you like to sweat while you eat.
That being said - excellent food, friendly service, great drinks. The foie gras with the ginger and cocoa nibs was a taste sensation. The cauliflower side dish was perfectly accented with cumin and pine nuts. The apertivo with Prosecco and Parmesan was a great way to start the meal, especially when eaten with the tasty bread (four delicious types). The crab and pea risotto had big hunks of crab and the fresh peas seemed to explode in my mouth with little bursts of summer freshness.
We were too hot for dessert but the list looked fabulous. We asked for wine pairings with the courses and they very generously let us split glasses and share everything. The staff were all super, super friendly and cool and I could sense foodies among them.
I will definitely go back!
an absolutely amazing dining experience.
the food is beautifully presented, the tastes are clean, and the service is singular and attentive. i was especially pleased with the whimsical wine selection and the completely warm and uncluttered interior design: the natural elements of the surrounding bursts of green is the star of its ambiance as large picture windows span around the quaint dining room. wood presents a warm and cozy feeling to the place, though its decor is sparse and elegantly basic. the idea of the building being so tucked far from the street side is amazing- it is truly a fabulous place for a sensory-enriching dining experience.
though it is my understanding that the menu changes regularly as organic, fresh and local ingredients are available, we had the opportunity to try (and LOVE) the following items:
- Seared Foie Gras with Local Nectarine, Candied Ginger and Vin Santo
- Wild Gulf Prawns with Avocado, Breadcrumbs and Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes
- Heirloom Tomato Bread Salad
- Tagliatelle with Chanterelles and Parmigiano Reggiano
- House Made Trofie with Basil, Potato and Merv's Green Beans
- Tagliata of Wagyu New York with Walla Walla Grilled Salad Onions
- Whole Charbroiled White Bass with Parsley, Garlic, Olive "Pesto-like" Sauce
- Vanilla Panna Cotta with Local Strawberries, Grand Marnier and Tegola D'Aosta
- Summer Float with Moscato D'Asti, Vanilla Tapioca Pearls, Orzata Granita, and Cherry Semifreddo
- Pralus Chocolate Souffle with Crema Inglese
- Brown Butter Local Blueberry and Rhubarb Crisp with Ginger Gelato
All of them are FABULOUS.
Minus one star for a longer wait than usual for the food to come out.
I will definitely go again.
Its been 9 years since I have braved the bridge for a dinner here. I was expecting (remembering?) old school but was very happily surprised. This was one of the best meals we have had for a while.
Wow. Fresh veggies made the meal. Grilled Octopus was outstanding with its fresh parsley pesto. The english pea salad was fantastic. Small looking but the perfectly prepared pea with mint and lemon was completely satisfying. Finished with lamb and eggplant and my wife had the delicious rabbit in a mushroom sauce.
Outstanding. Not cheap or flashy but a great meal.
Get ready to empty your wallet to the very last bit of change, because this place is expensive! BUT it is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to to this date. This beats out any Italian restaurant in Seattle.
It looks like a secluded rambler, but inside, it is indeed a lovely restaurant. It has that homey feel and the waiters are very professional. My family and I had a hard time reading the menu since everything was in Italian, but the waiter helped us through it. Your water is always making sure your water is full, something very important to take note of for service ratings at a restaurant.
Everything from the appetizers to the desserts were to die for. The textures, flavor, and presentation were all perfect. Nothing was too salty, too bland, too crunchy, too sweet, or too creamy.
I think this is at the top of my list of my favorite restaurants EVER.
Really just OK. Great service, nice atmosphere, but our party of four all agreed the food was very good to excellent, but not over-the-top great. We've had a better time for less money at other Seattle restaurants.
One thing I'd like to mention - the men's restroom was disgusting when I visited. Tired paint, rust stains on some of the fixtures, not clean by end of the evening. At these prices, they need to freshen the place up.
At lower prices, I'd rate this place higher...but given their premium prices I think 3 stars is appropriate. Not sure I'll be back.
Went here a year ago...Sweetbreads were okay...nothing flavorful or better than Zoes in Belltown. The food was just good, not anything unique......customer service was kind of lacking.....and why valet...the restaurant looks like a house...
The best around. A very classy menu. (But I stay away from the sweetbreads and pate!) The pasta and meat dishes are impeccable. The waitstaff very polished.
I have been here numerous times at this point both as a large group and on dates with my handsome husband. Never had even a slightly mediocre experience.
Service is always spot on. Super attentive yet stealth at the same time. Your glass of wine is always topped off, water always full, but you rarely notice anyone filling it...
The food is fantastic. By far the best steak tartar I've ever had. The foie gras is always perfectly cooked and served with a sauce that compliments the fatty goodness...I LOVE the beet salad that comes with a blue cheese stuffed donut and marcona almond butter. I could go on about all the delicious menu items, but you need to go check it out for yourself!
All around a fabulous restaurant.
Service was EXCELLENT the moment we stepped in. Very friendly people and there was never an empty glass of water/wine.
Food was AMAZING, the most tender steak I've ever had. My wife was very impressed by their fish of the day (black cod) and their King Crab rocked!
Lastly, they recognized our anniversary and treated us to free wine. Very kind of them.
First class service, first class food & beverage!!!
I totally recommend Cafe Juanita to all...
Its VERY rare that we travel to the Eastside of lake washington to have a meal. However, Cafe Juanita is more than worth it. Most restaurants on the eastside are corporate run POS, not this place.
The atmosphere is really nice, lots of space, not a bad seat in the place. Small menu (I like this) so that you are forced into a great meal. nice ambience. The restaraunt is northern italian and has an extensive wine list. The food is wicked awesome, and for us, worth the price (cause its pricely).
on the night we went, we ordered the following off the menu: octopus antipasta, with an herb, fennel and chickpea base; simple salad with vinnegrette; tagliatte pasta with morels; braised duck with lentils and cherrys. I dont do justice to the description at all, but you get the idea I hope. I asked the waiter to server me a glass of white to start, and red with dinner. He did a great job at this, and here is one thing I loved: he let me try some wine before committing. love that touch.
some more points: there was no rush to get in and out. It actually had the pace of a meal enjoyed in Firenze. Parking was easy. Quiet location. Romantic.
I took my wife to Cafe Juanita for our 10th anniversary dinner. We had been there several times before and had come to expect outstanding food and exceptional service. We weren't disappointed. My only real complaint was that there were too many items on the menu that looked good and we couldn't have them all.
It remains one of our Top 3 favorite restaurants in the Seattle area.
I can't think of a better place to go for a wonderful dinning experience so far on the Eastside.
We had a wonderful and patient waitress.
We will be going back to work our way through the menu, and especially dessert.
The food service and atmosphere was amazing. It is very cozy!
I was surprised to see that this restaurant is listed as Italian cuisine. Maybe I'm not a foodie after all. The only things I liked on the menu to even try was salad, bread, and risotto. They were all supper yummy, BTW... (although I'm pretty sure the risotto hand 2 sticks of butter in it).
The service was fantastic and so was the wine list. My business guest I brought absolutely loved/loves this place and thought the foie gras was exceptional. She would probably give this place 4 stars.
Ok, so this has been on my list for quite some time now. I know, I know there is hype surrounding this moderately out-of-the-way spot, I'm sure you have heard it all. Anyway, it was time to finally give it a go.
The GF took me there for my birthday dinner, which was fantastic of her. We had scoped out the menu a bit beforehand, and new what to expect, but were excited to take it all in, and have a fun evening.
First up, the staff were fantastic, totally accommodating. They took our coats promptly and politely, gave us a choice of tables, and was just overall totally fantastic. No snobbery or rudeness here (as in some other reviews).
We started with apertifs. I have a great love of Negronis, so I had to get Cafe Juanitas, along with some roasted hazelnuts. Absolutely stunning. Bitter, saliva inducing, perfect way to start a meal. My significant other had a prosseco bellini, which was equally delightful, especially when paired with a buttery slice of fois groie. Nummers!
On to the Octopus! But first, a note on the bread. It was all fantastic, but the standout would have to be the homemade cracker with a thinly sliced meyer lemon baked into it. Perfection! Rosemary-y, sour, and perfect. The octopus, which is legendary, was divine. Crispy on the outside, and soft and buttery on the inside, no sign of rubberness here. Really, it deserves the hype. The metallic parsley sauce works perfectly.
Next, a pear, toasted pine nut and Parmesan salad with white truffle oil. I have a bit of an obsession with all things truffle at the moment, so I had to get this salad, and it is perfect. The fruity-sour-sweetness of the pairs with the rich, distinct flavor of truffle work beautifully, and the salt from the cheese is a nice little bite here and there.
Entrees! We both went hog-wild and got rabbit. Rabbit plin for the GF, and the braised rabbit for me. Both were good, but we agreed that the braised rabbit was the clear winner. I wasn't as fond of the chickpea crepe, which sounded intriguing on the menu, but in actuality, wasn't spectacular, or the greens underneath (I think kale or mustard greens would have been a more earthy choice in pairing with the dish). But the rabbit was absolutely outstanding. The porcini sauce was perfection.... I could eat it with a spoon. Really, really fantastic... crispy on the outside, perfectly cooked on the inside. Really, I haven't had a lot of rabbit, but this is by far my favorite. A definite must-try!
We didn't feel like desert, but the cinnamon gelato looked tempting. A cup of french press for me and a cup of hot chocolate for her. A perfect way to end a delightful evening. One last note, the wine list is definitely encyclopedic, as others have mentioned. We just got stuff by the glass, and it was really quite good! If you are looking to splurge on a bottle for a special occasion, there is plenty to choose from.
I would say that although Cafe Juanita is not my favorite restaurant in Seattle, it definitely lives up to the hype. Check it out!
I really enjoyed the experience. The food was very good, perhaps not as fantastic as it was hyped up to be. It's true Italian food, such as what you will find in Italy (I'm an Italian-American). The food coupled with the good service and wonderful ambiance makes for a great dining experience. I celebrated an anniversary here, and found it to be very romantic.
I love the midcentury modern appeal. The restaurant appears to be a MCM home.
This is the perfect venue for celebrating an anniversary. Or a birthday. Or just to eat a superb meal. The dining room is a L-shaped and the ceilings aren't very high, so this cuts down on lots of noise. Just what you want when you want to focus on your companion.
Tomatoes and basil were the highlight of this summer menu. If they've got the heirloom tomatoes and potato soup, do go for it. It is served room temp and the flavors will rock your world. Another summery dish is the arugula salad with local nectarines and last of the season cherries. The salad is crowned with shaved, cured foie gras. I skipped the foie gras so I can't comment on how the cured aspect was.
The menu entrees as just as enticing as the specials, so we did one of each. The special was a Mediterranean branzino with tomatoes. The fish was whole but filleted. Once you are careful of the bones you are in for a half-pound portion of succulent white fish. I got the squash blossom risotto. All the pastas come in a half-portion- greatly recommended if you want to save room for dessert.
The flour-less chocolate cake was rich, but not to a fault. Die-hard chocolate fans shouldn't skip it. They served it with a killer mint-chocolate chip gelato and a contrasting tart cherry sauce. Divine. If cherries are still around, go for the Bing cherry crisp with marcona almond gelato served in a deep but petite cast-iron wear. They didn't overly thicken or sweeten the crisp, letting you savor the tart juice and fleshy cherries. More, please!
If they ever consider a degustation, we'd be in real trouble. There really are so many tempting choices. . .
5 stars to our super waiter. Not only was he spot-on in service and knowledgeable about wine, but he has nice music taste as well. We asked him whether they were playing satellite radio or off someones iPod. Turns out it was his pod. Great stuff.
My first choice of "special event" dinner.
Where do I start?
The host, is very prompt, the servers are really professional.
And the food is just PERFECT. I was very happy with the suggestions they made, and also with timing of the food and wine service.
I felt so welcomed since the moment I called for the reservation till we have left the restaurant very happily.
Friends (another chef and foodie wife) were visiting Seattle so we decided to join them for a weekend of culinary adventure. One of the restaurants they apropos was Café Juanita, since we had met them on a culinary tour of Italy just over a decade ago.
First of all to correct some misconceptions here, this is not exactly authentic Northern Italian cuisine, it is more of Nuevo fusion of Italian and NW cooking. The chef seems to enjoy throwing together unusual items, I guess this for some wow appeal, but many times the pairings simply did not work.
Apps
The Beef Tongue was ok but nothing special, we all agreed that Tonnato sauce overpowered it the delicate flavor of the tongue.
Veal Sweetbreads were good
The curried foie gras was okay, but why use curry????? Foie Gras has a beautiful taste that should be complimented and not overridden. The pomegranate went well (acid to cut the fat).
The pear salad was good.
The entrees were better then the apps
Rabbit was excellent
The whole sea bass presentation was something I liked until the server tried to filet like a mad butcher. Perhaps they should give them some lessons, Mark, my friend who ordered it, actually got up and showed him how to properly fillet a cooked bass, I think we embarrassed him but he needed help.
The stuffed chicken with sweet breads, emmer wheat (faro) and foie gras sauce was one of those dishes that had way to many competing flavors for it to work. A definite redo of this dish needs to be done.
Sides
The Brussels sprouts with pancetta and anchovy sauce was another dish that did had too many flavors; I don't want vegetables with pork and fish on them.
We disagreed on the cauliflower, I liked the lime, and everyone else thought it didn't belong.
Desserts
I usually find Italian desserts to be insipid and banal, however we all agreed that the desserts were very good to excellent, although extremely pricy for what you got.
Service was excellent, however as a party of four we spent over $ 450.00 and considering the price - the quality and wow factor were not there.
I had the great privilege to dine again at Cafe Juanita on my recent trip to Seattle. Guys and gals, this place merits a trip out to Kirkland. It truly does.
The plate of breads and crackers were truly light and didn't ruin the appetite for the rest of the meal.
Firstly, the restaurant amazed me by remembering which table they sat me at on my last trip and also which dishes were new on the menu since my last trip. Kirstin, my server, was very knowledgeable about all aspects of the menu and food prep. Knowing my passion for good food and being an infrequent but recurrent diner at the restaurant, she took me through the entire menu, going through the ingredients and cooking techniques.
I also like the fact the kitchen is open plan and right in the heart of the restaurant and that the chefs' names are on the menu.
I started with the wonderful foie gras. The new presentation with rhubarb, candied ginger and van santo still showcased the wonderfuly rich melt-in-the-mouth foie gras in a crispy shell with the sweeter accompaniments cutting through the richness sublimely. I have yet to come across a better foie gras dish on my many travels.
Then I plumped for the house speciality - the rabbit. It was to die for. One taste of the rich, deep, unctuous sauce made me lose all semblance of table manners and I had to dip my bread into it (sorry to my fellow diners!). The rabbit came in 2 presentations, both packed with flavour.
I do like to eat food in restaurants where you have no idea how to even start cooking it but sometimes, I also like to compare some dishes that I cook at home with the professional versions. One of my home specialities is panna cota - just 4 ingredients but hard to get just the right texture. The version at Cafe Juanita was just set, the ultimate test in limiting the amount of gelatin to the absolute minimum. Kirstin said that she had to set it down carefully on the table so it wouldn't collapse! Perfect.
It was also nice to meet Holly Smith at the end of my meal - I appreciated her popping out of the kitchen to say hello. Keep up the great work guys!
I made reservations through Opentable and rang to confirm once I was in town. Previous reviewers… Read more »
In an unassuming 1 story building is housed a fantastic American/Italian. You enter the L shaped dining room to an open kitchen, large windows, and black & white photography that gives it a gallery feel.
The service right away was very accommodating, offering moving us to a nicer table after we had ben sat. It continued as very friendly and informative all through the evening.
You can start with your choice of featured drinks accompanied with little treats, I had the negroni with the roasted hazelnuts. I followed that with one of the best beef tartars I have ever had in the Carne Cruda of Wagyu beef. Not as traditional as say Employees Only's beeff tartare, but melt in your mouth savory goodness.
We shared an earthy salad of pear, parmegiano, and truffle oil and then followed that with a skate wing with citrus and brown butter, a special of the night.
I would definitely recommend a special trip for this meal.
The rabbit and seared foie gras were outstanding. Especially the seared foie gras. Did I mention that I love seared foie gras?
The very tall man that was our waiter took a while to warm up to us. I think he thought that his food was wasted on three relatively young men. That and the possibility that we were going to bolt was written all over his face. Until one of my dinner companions started in on the wine and impressed the hell out of him. And that's what it is all about in fine dining folks. Impressing the hell out of the wait staff.
Firstly I want to point out that an overpriced meal is typically something I flock to. Luckily Cafe Juanita is a stone's throw from my apartment. While I agree that the servers were extremely knowledgeable and the service first class the food was not memorable beyond the server's introduction of it.
It could be entirely possible that certain chefs have specialties and I was not privy to this information prior but I believe that a chef's true skill is to be able to make any turd into a shiny poopsicle.
Lineup:
Negroni with Roasted Ennis Hazelnuts
Grilled Octopus with Fennel, Green sauce and Chickpea Pur
Saddle of Oregon Lamb with Borlotti, Taggiascha Olives and Toasted Rosemary
Fish of the Day- Branzino
Vegetable of the Day- Ramps
The main courses are not something I have terrible beef with. Was it a little disconcerting to see the entire fish flayed before me to fillet? A little. The taste- mediocre. The lamb sauce was a bit too sweet.
The side dish, ramps, are part of the leek family, and I am a fan of leeks. To me you can do no wrong with leeks and butter. However, apparently here you can. The consistency of the leeks was very stringy and not at all creamy. They were more like overcooked spinach.
The octopus, the appetizer, was actually cakey and chalky. How does a chef create chalky octopus from a rubbery animal? I don't know and I wish I didn't find out.
A good place to venture? Perhaps. A piece of advice: stick with the pasta and get some wine (luckily they don't bottle it themselves).
Eating at Cafe Juanita is a special experience. Amazing food, amazing service & I really respect Chef Holly Smith's dedication to local, sustainable ingredients. I wish it was located in Seattle so i could go more often :)
Unfortunately I had a mixed experience at Cafe Juanita. Starting with the good, I ordered the rabbit entree -- and boy, it was delicious! I was afraid it was going to be tough and gamy. However, it was most amazing rabbit I've had. It was unbelievably tender, the meat was literally falling off the bone. The sauce had a fantastic blend of sweet and sour. We also started off the meal with two appetizers: the foie gras and prosciutto. The foie gras was unbelievable.
The downside was the crabby hostess. I called them up for directions, and she replied with a curt, cynical, "do you have reservations?" -- as if she wasn't going to tell me where the restaurant is. When we arrived, we told her that an extra person was going to join us. She replied, "I don't think we have a table for you." Then, she lectured us on how important it was to get the reservation right. I don't see what the big deal was -- the restaurant was 1/3 empty. Luckily, we had a decent waitress.
On a separate note, my friend ordered the steak, which I believe was the most expensive entree on the menu. He was unimpressed; he wanted to go Jack In The Box afterward because he was still hungry.
I don't understand the delusion of customers here. If you don't eat rabbit, it is not worth your time.
I had chantrelle risotto because it was practically the only vegetarian entree. It was a small portion, way too wet, and had NO DEPTH of flavor at all!
My significant other had a braised sea bass, served whole, which is an idiotic presentation. It was "filleted" table side, which really consisted of the domineering, and SPOOKY waiter tearing the fish apart and leaving it in a clumped mess on his plate. Apparently, no one here cares that you eat with your eyes first. I tried some and it was mediocre at best. The heirloom tomatoes on the side were not seasoned and had no flavor at all. Not worth 32 dollars.
Listen, bottom line, my boyfriend LIKES EVERYTHING (the man will eat mustard and animal crackers) and was disappointed with this place.
I will say this though. His chocolate cake with mint ice cream which wasn't really a cake was delicious and my Bing Cherry tart was pretty good and the COFFEE (served in a French Press) was immaculate.
So 2 stars. Everything else was womp womp. Sorry, Holly Smith. Your old boss Tom Douglas still trumps you.
I really don't know where to begin. Everything was so amazing, I feel I could go on and on. I could talk about how the texture on the octopus was extraordinary, how the wine paired perfectly with every course and how the rabbit was superb. However, no matter what I say about Cafe Juanita, you really should go and experience it for yourself. This is one of those places to take your time at. Spend a couple hours here and enjoy the amazing food and hopefully, even better company. You'll be well taken care of and, if you listen to your server's recommendations, you will not be disappointed.
One of the best meals to date!
Prices are totally reasonable for the quality of food you are going to eat. The wagyu beef cheek rissotto is amazing. Salt cured Fois left you wanting more...and more! I really can't say enough good things about this place. It made me want to put on some checks again and start cooking again. You can't go wrong here.
We ate dinner here last night, having ditched our kids for a pre-Valentine's Day romantic dinner. We managed to secure 7:30 reservations, which was lucky, because we were far from the only ones with the same idea.
When you walk in, the hostess is friendly and the room is warm and inviting. Coats are hung in a small foyer and for once, the restaurant was warm enough to make me want to shed my jacket.
We were seated immediately at a small two-top but there was a couple at a four-top a few spaces away who were finishing dessert. The hostess offered to move us there when they were done if we wanted, and we said yes.
Our waiter brought the menus immediately, offered us sparkling, still, or ice water (a funny way of referring to regular old tap water!) and described the specials of the day.
We got our sparkling water and ordered appetizers; John chose the trout, and I chose the roasted onion with Wagyu beef and a creme fraiche sauce. The hostess was on the job and moved us to the other table before the appetizers got to us. The table she gave us might be the best one in the place; adjacent to the hallway leading to the restrooms and the kitchen prep areas, it's also got a perfect view straight into the kitchen, where Chef Holly and her crew are a well-coordinated, friendly team. It's a pretty far cry from Hell's Kitchen or Iron Chef, where there is a lot of frantic motion and/or yelling; the kitchen at Cafe Juanita is much more civilized.
Our waiter brought us a small plate of crackers and breads and butter; all homemade and completely delicious. I wish he'd replenished it so we could have had bread during our meal, but none was offered.
The appetizers arrived and they were gorgeous. The trout and avocado ($13) is not my thing but I tasted the fish and it was super-flavorful and tender. The cippolini onion seemed like a very small portion for the price ($13) but it was bursting with flavor and the sauce was super-rich. I had to get our waiter to take the plate away when I was done because I really wanted to lick the plate!!
As an intermezzo course, we had a small order of the rabbit ravioli. This was interesting and tasty, though again, not much food for $12. I appreciate that everything is completely homemade, organic, etc., but the prices are high for the size of the portions.
Finally, the entrees arrived. John got the rabbit that they're famous for ($23), I got the lamb ($27). The rabbit was beautifully presented, with a reasonable-sized piece of meat atop a chickpea tortilla (which encased a zippy radish and greens salad). The lamb was also gorgeous, two medium-sized thick pieces with a small browned Yukon Gold-potato patty, five or six zesty/salty pit-in olives, and gravy.
The lamb was not very lamb-y; the taste was less strong than I am used to. If I didn't know it was lamb, and if all the flavorful fat had been trimmed, I would have thought it was very tender beef. So that was a little odd.
The rabbit meat was tasty and tender but the sauce was somewhat bland. For a signature dish, we both thought it would have some more zing, or that it would somehow be more unusual. Still, it was nice, just not amazing.
Our side dish was a standout; the $9 roasted baby turnips with pomegranate seeds was delicious. Crunchy, tender, and bursting with flavor, I may try making these at home. I'm guessing a slow oven and a longish roasting time because they need to caramelize, but it was a creative and pretty dish, served in a tiny cast iron casserole.
For dessert (small portions of everything meant we still had room!), we had the Meyer lemon panna cotta ($6) and the crustless mascapone cheesecake with ginger-lime sauce and pomegranate seeds ($10). I got French-press decaf ($3) and John decided he was OK with water. The pastry chef is really talented and the desserts were excellent.
I've taken away a star for a few reasons.
1. We spent $140 for two without alcohol or tip. We were both full but not stuffed. That seems like a really high tab. A $27 entree should include some vegetables. More bread should have been offered during the meal, too.
2. The men's room was miserable, according to John. First, the door opens, revealing anyone who is using the urinals to any of the kitchen staff in the prep area. No privacy. Dim lighting (a single small bulb and a few candles) mean that many men have poor aim (apparently); John said that the urine odor was covered up poorly with some sort of disinfectant or soap smell. Yuck. The ladies' room has similar lighting, but it's got a lock on the door and is intended for one person at a time. I suppose because women always sit down, we don't have an aim problem in low lighting. I thought the women's room was great.
They lost the other star for unstunningness. To be one of the top 50 restaurants in the country, you should be all about WOW. This was all about the fussy but pretty good. Not good enough.
I'm broke now, but I think it was worth it. Small price to pay when you go to a place like Cafe Juanita with 3 Sommeliers who like their wine. A part of me wants to take away a star just because I spent so damn much money, but that's totally our fault and not the restaurant.
It is such a sweet and charming place - so much so that the couple next to us got engaged while we were there. Here's a brief rundown:
Foie gras: Get it.
Buffalo Mozzarella: I love you.
Pear salad: Heavy handed truffle oil pourer. Not my taste, but good.
Rabbit Liver Pappardelle: Memphblahhhhammm...I'm still drooling.
Lamb: At this moment in time, I was so incredibly stuffed I remember it being fabulous but nothing more.
Marmalade Gelato: I don't like marmalade, but liked this. Try with a moscato d'asti. Memphblahhhhammm....
An excellent restaurant -- fantastic service, great atmosphere, and amazing food. Worth the price.
I recommend the rabbit, their signature dish.
I've eaten at great restaurants around the country and the world and, yet, some of the most memorable and satisfying meals that come to mind had have been at Cafe Juanita. It truly is one of the best restaurants in the Seattle area.
Start with the dining room: cozy and understated, always full but never loud. During the winter, a roaring fire warms up the room. Low lighting and white linens give the whole room a sheen of rustic modern class.
The wait staff is on par with some of the best in Seattle. They are knowledgeable about food and wine and attentive without being overbearing.
The food is glorious--northern Italian, rustic, strong flavors. The menu is small and changes often as seasonal ingredients become available. This is a good thing because it allows the chefs, working in an open kitchen, to perfectly execute every dish. Cafe Juanita's food is so well-balanced, consistently tasty and yet occasionally daring and surprising in the flavors combinations that are employed.
I especially recommend the rabbit and the lamb (always delicious no matter what preparation they're doing on a given night) and the perfectly prepared creamy cheesy risotto. When it's on the menu, they do an amazing foie gras and chocolate appetizer.
Don't forget to save room for homemade fresh gelato before your petit fours (salty chocolate--it sounds weird but, trust me, it's delicious.)
If you love simple, perfectly executed food, then you will most likely love Cafe Juanita. It is one of the culinary gems of the Northwest.
After the first bite of our Wild Gulf Prawns I quietly uttered the words *holy sh!t* just as the waitress appears... She smiles.
After my first bite of Braised Pork Cheek I close my eyes and savored the taste quietly uttering the words *holy sh!t* just as the waitress appears to check on everything... She chuckles a little.
I'm taking a bite from my GF's Creme Brulee and am like *holy sh!t* just as the waitress appears again... She says... "now we have the holy trinity... I'll take that as a sign that you enjoyed your meal".
The service was fantastic, the food superb and the entire experience worth every penny.
The meal...
~Aperitivi~
Peach Bellini with Roasted Holmquist Orchards' Ennis Hazelnuts
Grappa Martini with Rabbit Liver
~Appetizers~
Wild Gulf Prawns with Avocado, Breadcrumbs and Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes
~Salads ~
Ninety Farms' Baby Lettuces with Shallots and Fig Vinegar
~Fish, Meat and Fowl~
Saddle of Oregon Lamb with Chickpea Pure, Fava Beans, Peas and Spicy Housemade Goat Yogurt
Braised Pork Cheek with Fava Beans and Sweet Piemontese Semolina
~Desserts~
Creme Brulee
Pistachio Gelato
~Wine~
Pinot Grigio '05 St. Michael-Eppan
Note: Dinner took just a hair over 3 hours from the moment we were seated to the moment we received our check.
This was not only a wonderful, wonderful meal but a great event.
The food, drinks and service were impeccable and the atmosphere lovely.
I have visited before, and it's very consistent.
Redmond, WA
Category: Italian
Kirkland, WA
Category: Wine Bars
Woodinville, WA
Category: American (New)
Kirkland, WA
Category: Italian
Kirkland, WA
Category: French
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
Some outstanding culinary highlights on my foodie…
Well, only 8 yet :) but these are places i dream…
Juanita is far and away my number 1. Union is…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
