Purple Café and Wine Bar

4.0 star rating
719 reviews Rating Details

Categories: American (New), Wine Bars  [Edit]

1225 4th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
Neighborhood: Downtown
(206) 829-2280
Make a Reservation
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Hours:

Mon-Thu 11 am - 11 pm

Fri 11 am - 12 am

Sat 12 pm - 12 am

Sun 12 pm - 11 pm

Takes Reservations:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Garage, Street, Validated
Attire:
Dressy
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
No
Price Range:
$$$
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Wi-Fi:
No
Good For:
Dinner
Music:
Background
Best Nights:
Fri, Thu, Sat
Happy Hour:
No
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No
Noise Level:
Average
Good For Dancing:
No
Ambience:
Classy, Trendy, Upscale
Has TV:
No
Caters:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   

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"The lobster Mac and cheese was seriously great." (in 85 reviews)
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"The baked brie - my god, don't miss out on it." (in 66 reviews)
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"gorgonzola stuffed dates, pine nuts and saba." (in 24 reviews)
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719 reviews in English

  • Review from Tracy M.

    •  
    • 2 friends
    • 80 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    1/9/2012

    As expected:  entrees were delicious (filet mignon with the most delicious yams, the special risotto, and a wild boar and pasta dish), service was VERY good, the decor was lovely.  

    Delightfully surprising: the variety of ways to enjoy this place. We planned on entrees $20 to $40.  But it was lovely to find that they had a great list of $5 bites (much like tapas), and each of these with a suggested wine pairing for only $6.  The extensive cheese and wine flight options had us wishing we had more than an hour for dinner.  And while the wine list is a NOVEL (seriously, 4 pages of Pinot Noir alone), it was wonderful that they offered many very approachably priced bottles ($20-range) as well as higher end stuff.  

    What fun to discover that, not only is Purple a great place to have a nice meal, but that it can be an affordable place to eat and drink, as well.

    Desserts were also pretty dang amazing. I'll definitely be back. (A friend recommended them as I bemoaned the lack of GOOD dining choices before seeing a show at ACT. She was right!!)

    The front doors are massive and kind of awkward/heavy.  Additionally, the doors in the restroom are also massive. But hey, we managed.

  • Review from dennis m.

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    • 5 friends
    • 11 reviews

    Woodinville, WA

    4.0 star rating
    1/16/2012

    Saturday night for a double birthday celebration. Table for 4. Great vibe, the place was packed.
    We were seated at a corner table by the front window. Great table for privacy and people watching however, it was a little chilly up against the window. Service was outstanding. Waitress was engaging and knowledgeable. We ordered a few small plates to start. We left it to the waitress to surprise us. She came back with a great selection. At $5 the small plates are a great value and a great way to start off. Of course we ordered the chopped salad, full size split for two....... It did not disappoint Two of us had the Risotto. It was slightly above average. Prepared correctly just lacked depth of flavor. Other entrees were the Duck breast and Short Ribs. Duck was perfectly prepared. Short Ribs were good although they could dial down the sweetness and bring out more of the savory. Skipped desert. As always great wine selection.
    Great place to bring out of town visitors.

  • Review from Young R.

    Manhattan, NY

    4.0 star rating
    1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Came here on my own while staying right across the street at the Fairmont Olympic. They recommended it because their own restaurant was closed. Pretty cool and trendy place. Darkly lit. Two floors and plenty of seating. I sat at the bar upstairs.

    Menu didn't have as many seafood options as I would have thought given that it's Seattle... They have suggested wine pairings for EVERYTHING. I had a halibut ceviche to start and the filet mignon with squash. Both were decent, but not great. I enjoyed the suggested Merlot. The best part of my meal was actually dessert -- the sea salt caramels (3 for $5). Prices were reasonable. Service was attentive.

    I think this would be a great place to take a date if I lived in Seattle. Amazing as a wine bar, but for food, I would probably recommend The Brooklyn more (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). It's also nearby.

  • Review from Diana C.

    Bellevue, WA

    3.0 star rating
    1/13/2012 2 Check-ins Here

    Food is usually pretty good, staff is okay, the decor/ambiance is nice... Mostly I like the place, but the last time I went I ordered a creme brulee after my lunch and there was a hair embedded in the sugar topping.......... lovely.  The worst part was the servers reaction... oh... let me take that.  uh... do you have anything else to say???

    Update:  The manager contacted me to try to get more information and improve the customer experience.  I really appreciate managers who take the time to understand the customer and make things right for future diners.  Thank you David!

    Oh, BTW, the lamb burger and the baked brie appetizer here is really delicious.

  • Review from Rachael J.

    •  
    • 38 friends
    • 6 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    1/29/2012

    Food was delicious, the waitstaff was friendly and made great suggestions.
    A little on the pricey side but for a special occasion it can't be beat!

  • Review from dan r.

    •  
    • 1 friend
    • 31 reviews

    Kitsap, WA

    1.0 star rating
    2/3/2012

    I hate places like this!
    If you are some yuppie DB, Microsoft millionaire, or Downtown trustafarian who loves to feel special by dropping ridiculous amounts of cash on food and drink, then by all means, pull your Range Rover right on up and let your gold card fly!

    I was disgusted to stop in for an afternoon cocktail with my wife and find our bill to be $50 for a vodka/tonic, a glass of wine, and a sampler of wines.
    I am not by any means a tight wad, but I refuse to play ball when restaurants are just out of their effin mind with this crap!

    Truthbetold, I am embarrassed to have even been in a joint like that.
    This is not a place for working class people.

  • Review from Mercy B.

    •  
    • 473 friends
    • 562 reviews

    Milpitas, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Purple Cafe was recommended as a must dine place when visiting Seattle. I was in town for a few days attending an educational seminar - so I discovered that the Purple Cafe was walking distance from my hotel. So, I hoofed myself down there to see what it was all about.

    Definitely a chic place to be. High ceilings and a very impressive wall (or should I say tower) with a vast wine collection.

    This is not a place for a intimate dining experience. It's a place to be seen and socialize.

    I was seated at the bar and got a great seat for people watching.

    The bar staff was very attentive and gave me some suggestions to try. Their pulled pork sandwich was delicious - the barbeque sauce was tangy and slightly sweet. Coupled with a glass of merlot - it made for a great dining experience.

    This won't be my last trip to Seattle. You'll be sure that I'll be returning.

  • Review from Joanna T.

    •  
    • 2 friends
    • 29 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here

    Stepped in there after getting tired of walking around downtown Seattle. What lured us in was the unusual decor and how nice it looked from the outside. We just had a glass of wine each.It was all right. Nothing much else to say.

  • Review from Kanchana S.

    Manhattan, NY

    2.0 star rating
    12/21/2011

    Boo!

    My third experience here inspired me to create a "I don't really want to be here" category for all the servers out there.  Our server was not bringing her A game to say the least.   She was very nice dropping off the check though.

    Our food was mediocre at best.   My flank steak sandwich was very bland (flank steak is supposed to have flavor).

    It's too bad because I used to love this restaurant.  
    I think what might have happened is that now it's more touristy.  If you are a local stay away or have an appetizer and decide for yourself.  If you are a tourist please do not judge all Seattle food from this one place alone.  I promise you there is better  ; )  

    Please keep in mind that I have dined here twice before and that I have given generous ratings to other restaurants.  This place however, deserves a two star rating of "Meh.  I've experienced better."

    I'm sorry Purple Cafe and Wine Bar.

  • Review from Dave F.

    Santa Monica, CA

    4.0 star rating
    Updated - 12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I remember going to Purple in Woodinville when the owner came out and asked us if we thought her menu was adequate. The used to sell their salad dressing in mason jars. Now, almost 500 Purple meals later, I still come back for that dang chopped salad. It could be the best ever and is certainly in the "chopped salad hall of fame.

    Great lunch, consistent quality.
    I miss the "old, humble Purple" v "big corporate restaurant chain Purple".

    Was this review …?

    3 Previous Reviews: Show all »

    • 4.0 star rating
      12/18/2010

      Trip number 401 was equally good! I'm happy to report that Purple is as good as I remembered from my… Read more »

  • Review from Christian W.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 54 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    Updated - 1/26/2012

    I was contacted through Yelp, by the Manager, after I left my previous review.  He offered apologies and wanted to try to make things right.  His apologies were greatly appreciated.  It says a lot.  I will be back.

    Was this review …?

    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 1.0 star rating
      1/24/2012

      One great dinner, one so so dinner, and then:

      Saw a show at the Triple Door.  Wanted to go have a… Read more »

  • Review from Faith A.

    •  
    • 6 friends
    • 123 reviews

    Oakland, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/3/2012

    Terrific ambiance: Love the soaring ceilings, winding wine staircase, intimate seating. Just what one wants on a cold night downtown.

    I had a fun flight of Chenin Blancs. I chose it because I was intrigued by the idea that a varietal could vary so much from Canada to France to South Africa; it was like a completely different wine. For some reason, the waitress tried to talk me out of ordering it, but eventually she warmed up and raved a minute about soil and the like.

    The tastings were a tad silly: $5.50 for a one-bite lamb empanada? The duck confit was nice but its composition ill-conceived (the bed of black lentils was hard and added nothing to the flavor profile). All was redeemed by the lobster mac 'n' cheese, 'cuz, well, it's lobster. And mac 'n' cheese. And lobster. The only downside (besides my cholesterol level and BMI, that is) was that we were too stuffed for dessert.

  • Review from Dave P.

    •  
    • 1 friend
    • 43 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    3.0 star rating
    1/3/2012

    The good:  Great atmosphere, nice wine selection, outstanding wait staff and service. We brought guests from out of town and they were impressed with the restaurant.
    Appetizers were good. The waiter made a nice suggestion for a cheese plate to go along with the wine we selected. The pork chops were great, salads aswell.

    The bad: I did not care for the cinnamon sauce on my beef short rib. It was pretty heavy and over powered the meat. Another guest concurred. Others may like it, just my opinion.

    The ugly: We were forwarned that there would be an 18% tip added to the bill. No problem, 15-18%  is typical for a aprty of 6+. When we received the bill I noticed an
    extra charge that mentioned "Service Charge Tax". I asked the waiter what this was and he was not able to give me any kind of answer other than this is just what is charged on top of the tip. I had never seen this before and others at the table had not either. I did not make a big deal about it but by paying this service charge on the required tip, it turns out to be a 21% tip, not 18%. I would feel better if they just said there would be a 21% tip added rathger than simply try to slide this by. Disclose your fees and costs in advance.

    If it were not for this item I would have probably given a 4.5 star overall.

  • Review from John S.

    Bellaire, TX

    4.0 star rating
    12/15/2011 1 Check-in Here

    This place is perfect for intimate gatherings or just hanging out by the bar. Upon walking in, I saw exactly that... two guys at one end of the bar had flirted with two girls at the other end and were leaving together... a couple celebrating the wife's birthday... etc.

    If you come here, I highly recommend one of the wine and cheese flights.. (The wine pairing is only an extra $5 per glass). I had the Rich and Creamy which was exactly that.... and became perfect once placed atop yummy flat bread crackers... (Hey, I'm a sucker for anything local, especially cheese)

    From the tasting menu I preferred the Gorgonzola Stuffed Dates and the Curried Lamb Empanada... although the empanada was exactly that -- one single empanada... oh well..

    Overall, the wine selection was amazing... there is suggested pairings for pretty much everything on the menu... the wine cellar / staircase is cool... and has an entertaining crowd...

  • Review from Larelle F.

    •  
    • 2 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    1/15/2012

    Fun wines and cheeses!

  • Review from Stephanie M.

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    11/16/2011 1 photo 1 Check-in Here

    Purple Cafe and Wine Bar is perfect for any special occasion or group outing.  I recently celebrated my birthday here, for dinner, and had a fabulous and memorable evening with my closest friends. :)

    I love the decor here.  Nothing beats the round staircase in the middle of the restaurant, that wraps around a tall wine tower.  It's beautiful and it makes you thirsty.  I love the steel, heavy chairs, matching napkin holders, matching wine flight holders, and it even matches the ceiling pattern.  Everything from the entrance, to the bathrooms, to the table settings just simply work.  It's beautiful and very inviting.  

    Our waiter was amazing--the best I've ever had.  He acknowledged that it was my birthday constantly and he made all of us feel welcome.  He wasn't just there to "serve" us; he made our dinner an experience!  At the end of our meal, before we left, he even took the time to take our picture up on the staircase--a memory I will never forget!

    Now onto the food....delicious, perfectly filling, and sophisticated.  I ordered the Basil Pesto pasta with Prawns, which completely satisfied me.  My girlfriend next to me ordered the Lobster Baked Mac n Cheese, which is a MUST!!!  Super creamy, and buttery. :)  Other people got salads, sandwiches, and pizza and everyone seemed to really enjoy everything.  I don't think we had any complaints.

    Now onto the drinks!  I had never heard of wine flights before so this concept was extremely exciting to me.  I ordered one flight of Riesling and I was very satisfied.  It's great for non-wine-connoisseurs like me who like to try multiple tastings and the price is reasonable!  So many options!

    I recommend this restaurant for luncheons, special dinners, or just to experience it.  It's definitely a must-visit in Seattle!

  • Review from Michaela D.

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    • 0 friends
    • 4 reviews

    Santa Barbara, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/26/2012

    Came here on a recommendation on a weekend visit to Settle. Great ambiance, big windows, spiral staircase in the middle of the bar displaying the wine collection. Very cool.

    Best part about the meal was the cheese and wine flights, so many options so little time. The Barley Buzzed was a delicious and unique cheese. I got the Italian wine flight, bf got Spain, great way to sample multiple wines. They give you a card with the names on it so you can remember your favorites. Tapas were fun and tasty, esp the beef carpaccio. We were pretty full at this point, but rounded it out with the new york strip--well worth it. Would definitely come back.

  • Review from Angela C.

    Cincinnati, OH

    5.0 star rating
    12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I wish I could fly back over to Seattle whenever I wanted, if only to come back to Purple a few more times. What's not to love about the winding wine tower staircase?

    Service was fantastic and so was the food- my friend and I tried some amazing cheeses (with great recommendations from the waiter) and breads, and then shared the pork belly sandwich and salmon sandwich.

    Great dining experience- perfect place for both date night or a group of friends.

  • Review from Joel C.

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    • 7 friends
    • 4 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    1/19/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here

    This is a great place. Nicely done decor (dark wood, heavy chairs, wrought iron), with good continuity of theme (the ironwork on the ceiling matched the chair backs and napkin holders). The food was excellent. I had a curried cauliflower risotto, my girlfriend had butternut squash pasta. Both were rich and flavorful. We went on a Monday, which is half price bottle night, a nice bonus. The tall windows looking out on downtown provide a nice contrast to the dark interior. The only downside? The location. We don't get downtown too often. And the price suggests a slightly more upscale restaurant, while the decor suggests something more comfortable. But still, a great place.

  • Review from Sally F.

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    • 0 friends
    • 4 reviews

    Birmingham, AL

    5.0 star rating
    1/22/2012

    Really cool atmosphere.  Good wine selectioin.  Agree with previous review.. thought there would have been more seafood/fish selection.  Ordered a pasta dish.  The most fabulous pasta dish ever!  Nice service.  Would def go back again if in the area.

  • Review from Carly M.

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    • 1 friend
    • 12 reviews

    Bellevue, WA

    5.0 star rating
    1/21/2012

    Wowie, wowie! The food, the wine, the service...yes, yes, yes! I was brought here by a friend when I was feeling a bit down and let me tell you, this place cheered me right up. We had an adorable server who had excellent suggestions of wine and checked on us really frequently. The food...oh, the glorious food. I can't even finish this review because I'm getting hungry thinking about it.

  • Review from Chris R.

    •  
    • 17 friends
    • 1 review

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    1/14/2012

    Great service, awesome atmosphere, delicious food and good wines

  • Review from Amy V.

    Everett, WA

    4.0 star rating
    11/23/2011

    What a lovely spot this is!  I have to start out with the fact that I don't drink wine, and Purple is known for the wine.  

    I went here for a wonderful party a friend was having - the staff did a wonderful job.  The food was delicious, the tables were set beautifully, and our glasses were never empty.  it was a great experience and I would go there again.

  • Review from c k.

    •  
    • 9 friends
    • 109 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    3.0 star rating
    1/30/2012

    it's a nice, trendy place to have dinner. gets three stars because the service was just so-so. took them awhile to seat us (party of 7), even though we had reservations, and didn't really check on us all night.

    if you dine here, absolutely try their lobster mac 'n cheese. i think it's the best mac 'n cheese i've tasted in awhile.

  • Review from Cindy T.

    San Jose, CA

    5.0 star rating
    11/20/2011

    A group of us stopped by for lunch and it was a fantastic meal. The decor here is gorgeous and the middle centerpiece, a floor to ceiling wine tower staircase is visually impressive. I love the steel theme - chairs, menus, napkin holders, flight holders and there were even steel details in the bathroom! The huge windows are beautiful and make the restaurant very open and inviting.

    I ordered off their special of the day - grilled mahi mahi on a bed of watercress, veggies and beet coulis. I love beets and this meal was an absolute divine to eat. It was light in every way, delicious and beautifully presented. My bf had a turkey bacon sammie with a bowl of fresh french fires and he loved it. I also got to taste my friend's beef stew and it was amazing tasty as well. We had a great time here and I would recommend Purple Cafe to anyone for lunch or dinner. I would definitely come back the next time I visit Seattle.

  • Review from Cee B.

    Houston, TX

    5.0 star rating
    11/6/2011

    Within stumbling distance of the Fairmont Olympic. We came in here still wearing our plane ride clothes -ratty turtlenecks, jeans, and North Face (whoops!), didn't have a reservation so they warmly let us sit at the bar. We had various cheese flights and I ended up getting the lobster mac & cheese. MMM.

    We got several flights of liquor. I remember something with a Sazerac in it. That one was good. They have tons of unusual flights and pairings that you just got to see when you get there. I think they change on a weekly basis.

  • Review from george c.

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    • 33 friends
    • 16 reviews

    West Hollywood, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/3/2011

    This place has sexy written all over it. It has NYC style, SF taste and a little Hollywood "You Go Girl". Wine bar and small plate meals.

    Super fun with a big crowd or very intimate with a date. In my case I was there with 3 people so I split the dif.

    I had a couple of memorable plates the Gongonzola with stuffed dates and also the Ahi was great. They do wines in flights so experience the local WA stuff.

    For dessert... yes we did,
    sea salt caramels and a dessert wine call Ca del madorli which is just a lightly sparkling red which was amazing.....

    Get off the .com train for a second in SeaTac and be a Purple!

  • Review from Connie C.

    San Jose, CA

    4.0 star rating
    11/14/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here

    The ambiance of this restaurant is quite unique. I love their wine celler/staircase design...very unique and fun to look at while you're eating there.

    My fiance had their special risotto for the day--spare ribs I believe. That was really good! I had their pizzeta and salad combination--- I wouldn't recommend it. I just wasn't satisfied at all. =(

    However, their mushroom bruchetta was really delicious- something I've never had before.

    Cute restaurant, worth checking out. I saw alot of people getting their sandwiches as well--perhaps I'll try that next time if I'm in town...

  • Review from beth i.

    Honolulu, HI

    5.0 star rating
    10/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    Wow!  I was a bit skeptical after calling in to make the reservation and after looking at the pictures as it was hard to know how the service would be, but after coming here twice, I'm sold on this fine establishment.

    The food is amazing, service is exceptional (in both cases), wine selections are fantastic, and decor is modern and fun.  

    The first time I was here for my best friend's birthday.  I tried the maine lobster mac and cheese and it is a must have if you love lobster and/or mac and cheese.  This kicks up my expectations for M&C as it was amazing!  The fried green onions on the top also made the textures interesting and fresh.  It was extremely rich, but you have to try it!  The service that night was exceptional.  Our server was friendly and personable and efficient.  He checked on us regularly and got us everything we needed.  Fantastic!

    Two days later, I hosted a baby shower dinner for 6 people and the reservation made the experience easy and stress free.  We had a great table and the service was great.  I tried the pasta special which came with a yellow squash puree sauce and I order a crab cake on the side.  We also had the baked brie and the salmon spread. It was all fantastic - well flavored and the ingredients were fresh. I appreciate the relaxed service and we never felt rushed even though we sat for at least 2 hours.  Throw in some 15-18 dollar wine flights (3 generous samples brought to you on a cool rack) and it's a done deal.  I enjoyed the chardonnay flight, but my friends enjoyed the other offerings as well.

    Go on their website to check out the menu and the pictures before hand if you're still not convinced.  It is as good as we all say!  Really.

  • Review from Lilani E.

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    10/7/2011 1 photo 1 Check-in Here

    Expect a LONG wait if you think you are going to walk in during dinner to sit. Luckily we found four seats at the bar right away. EXCELLENT service. We followed up the Urban Enocteca here and I actually prefer ordering the flights from Purple Cafe versus going booth to booth at Enocteca.

    The FOOD was delicious. Excellent crab cakes and the "revamped" lobster mac and cheese, now with Maine Lobster, is delicious and deceivingly filling. When it first came I was disappointed because it did not look filling.

    Lastly, the salted caramels are TOO DIE FOR. How good? Order another round good...and maybe some to go as well. :)

  • Review from Kelly G.

    San Diego, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Awesome dessert spot.  We had chocolate cake and salted caramels on 5/28/11.  The ambiance was dark & romantic and provided a great ending for a date.  We got an order of caramels to-go and they were awesome the next day.  I would definitely come back here the next time I'm in Seattle!

  • Review from Heidi B.

    •  
    • 1 friend
    • 20 reviews

    Staunton, VA

    5.0 star rating
    1/8/2012

    Had an absolutely wonderful experience at Purple.  Loved the wine and cheese flights-- a great way to sample and slowly savor a number of different cheeses and wines.  What more could you ask for?  The tempura cauliflower appetizer with truffled aioli was delicious and the salad was good too.  A real treat all around.  Great service too.  Highly recommend.

  • Review from Leigh C.

    Seattle, WA

    5.0 star rating
    10/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    What a wonderful night I had here!!!

    I tried to make a reservation via Open Table, but couldn't find a table for my desired time. After reading a couple reviews, I figured I'd try to get in without a reservation. I was expecting quite the wait, but it must've been my lucky day because my friend and I were seated immediately.

    Three words: GORGONZOLA STUFFED DATES. I'm still thinking about them. Next time, I seriously think I will have three orders and two to go. They were so incredibly delicious. Slightly sweet dates, creamy gorgonzola, and crunchy pine nuts. They were divine. Mmmmm. What else? The crab cakes were very good as well. The fennel slaw added a nice bite and texture to the dish. I also had the asparagus pizza, which was delicious and big! I ended up taking half of it home. For dessert I chose the blueberry mascarpone semifreddo, which was so smooth and creamy. I absolutely looooove mascarpone, so it was the perfect ending to a night of delicious food and drinks.

    I know nothing about wine, so I asked the waitress for some advice. I decided on the Noir vs. Noir flight and I was quite pleased. The idea of red wine was initially very intimidating to me, but I was glad that she was able to recommend something that didn't knock me on my ass/scare me away from red wine forever lol. All in all, the service was wonderful. The waitress was attentive and very patient. Three hours spent eating, talking, drinking, and eating some more - it was a great first experience.

    I just can't wait to come back! I want more dates and I'd like to try out other menu options as well, including more wine :)

  • Review from Aliah D.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 11 reviews

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    1/4/2012

    I tried out this restaurant for dinner and I enjoyed myself.  The environment was dark and intimate, perfect for a date for two!  I tried the seared ahi tuna that came with  edamame, alderwood broth, parsley and radish salad  (yes I copied from the menu lol) and it was delish!  I loved that the edamame remained crunchy, it added a different texture to the mix.  Dinner was paired with a bottle of Graff 'Graacher Himmelreich' Spatlese Riesling.  If you like your wine sweet, try it!  It went great with the tuna.  The waiter was polite and informative.  Couldn't ask for anything better.  I will recommend this restaurant to everyone!

  • Review from Angela A.

    •  
    • 313 friends
    • 228 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    5.0 star rating
    9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I love to wine and dine. And Purple Cafe and Wine Bar is the perfect place  to get a great assortment of wines. They cater their menu so that each appetizer, entree, and dessert is complimented by a wine. The floor to ceiling windows and 20 foot wine tower makes the restaurant impressive enough where you want to dress up a bit.

    As amazing as the space is, so is the food. We started our meal with beef empanadas and gorgonzola stuffed dates. The crust of the empanada was nice and flakey and the beef was shredded and very tender. The dates were slightly warm and the cheese was creamy and was accompanied by a few pine nuts that gave it a nice bite and texture.

    My husband ordered the special, which was Columbia River sturgeon, with caviar, white bean and pork ragu, and champagne creme fraiche. I ordered their signature Duck Two Ways: Seared duck breast, duck confit,  green lentils, peas shoots, and blueberry-vanilla gastrique. Both of our meals was to die for and we couldn't decide whose dish was better than the others. We were biased to our own dish.

    Actually the winner of the night are the handmade salted caramels. You can order 3 or a dozen to take home and enjoy. They are so GOOD! Salted caramels are SO in right now! Order 3 for dessert and then order a dozen to take home! (^_^)

  • Review from Ken N.

    •  
    • 210 friends
    • 253 reviews

    San Jose, CA

    5.0 star rating
    10/11/2011

    The ambiance of this place is EVERYTHING! Sure, the huge wine column is awesome but that feeling when you walk through those damn heavy doors and just get a 180º view of the entire place, it's just amazing.

    Bar service was excellent. The Baked Brie is UH-AMAZING! I never knew you could do so much with brie, let alone bake it apricots, caramelized onions, walnuts and grapes!

    HUGE wine flight selection which is awesome for anyone that has a hard time picking 1 wine to try. I opted for a bottle of the BOURGUEIL Cab Franc. Wanted something red but not too bold for my GF and she absolutely loved this one. We ended up ordering a 2nd bottle to take back to our hotel and it was discounted by 40% automatically! How awesome is that? I hope that wasn't some advertised special, otherwise, you just blew my bubble.

    Love this place. Awesome date spot.

  • Review from Michael M.

    •  
    • 1 friend
    • 4 reviews

    Prescott, AZ

    4.0 star rating
    1/1/2012

    Came here for dinner and drinks.  Well, actually we came here for the wine... the cheese platter was excellent as well as the wine parings.  Ask for Chris Cullen.  If you enjoy the company of the person you're with and have a carefree attitude, tell Chris your basic likes and dislikes in regard to food and wine (& budget if you have one) and allow him to choose the courses.  We had a blast and had to come back a few nights later to explore another portion of their extensive wine list.

  • Review from Dean R.

    •  
    • 22 friends
    • 61 reviews

    Gig Harbor, WA

    5.0 star rating
    10/30/2011

    After a few months of living in Gig Harbor (and being constantly disappointed by the local culinary offerings across the board) it was time to venture out to Seattle. This place is fantastic. We sat at the bar and got impeccable service all night.

    Great wine selections (and suggestions), great cheese plate and the Maine Lobster mac & cheese was as good as everyone says. There was a rum soaked carrot cake that was also fantastic, though it was incredibly small.

    The place was packed and a bit noisy but it wasn't a problem. The restaurant is also nice to look at with huge picture windows all the way around.

    There was also a group of zombie women who convinced the manager to let then do the Thriller dance for everyone, which was a nice add.

    Our bartender, Phillip, even had the stuff on hand to make something resembling a proper Trader Mai Tai.

    Great experience from aperitif to digestif and everything in between.

  • Review from gretchen m.

    Seattle, WA

    4.0 star rating
    10/7/2011

    This is a great bar and restaurant especially for girls night or taking friends from out of town. It's just sophisticated & urban enough with enough buzz but without being pretentious..with the big wine rack pillar. We recently were there on a friday and if we had not had a reservation oh boy, we would have been waiting.
    The wine was great (a little pricey). I had their house oregon pino and it was light and worked well with our appetizers. Marcona almonds and the baked brie, of course. My friend had the scallop special and it was great. My chicken was also very good. No complaints. We'll be back.

  • Review from Nicole L.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Purple is a cool food place - lounge-y and restaurant-y at the same time. There's a large HH space upstairs and a large dining space that is centered around a floor to ceiling spiraling wine rack with a table in the center. Yup pretty cool.

    The food was cool too. We tried the goat cheese stuffed figs, only 5 with an order but it was a sweet way to start off the meal. I like the sweet savory feel and the crunch of the pine nuts on top.

    My first thought was to order the lobster mac n cheese but I went for the lamb burger. The portions are huge, I would only manage half of my entree before I ditched the bun and just ate the pattie. The burger was tasty and was good just on its own. Luckily bf got the lobster mac so I got to try some. Not the best I've ever had but good. Plenty of lobster chucks to satisfy the seafood lover. I recommend eating this quickly though because by the end of dinner the dish had cooled and all that was left was a noodle/cheese block, not so appetizing.

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