Seattle: Hip New Restaurant in Downtown
Jul 5th, 2006, 02:50 PM
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Seattle: Hip New Restaurant in Downtown
Walking up 4th Avenue today I was surprised at University to see the transformation of the University of Washington Bookstore into an inviting modern dining space. The Purple Cafe and Wine Bar is scheduled to open there on July 10.
I chatted with a young man at the door who told me that they opened their first restaurant in Woodinville a couple years ago and, more recently, a second restaurant in Kirkland.
I looked up their menu on line (www.thepurplecafe.com) and it looks like just the ticket for lunch--lots of starters, salads, and sandwiches served with a choice of one of eight salads.
The wine list is beyond huge.
I chatted with a young man at the door who told me that they opened their first restaurant in Woodinville a couple years ago and, more recently, a second restaurant in Kirkland.
I looked up their menu on line (www.thepurplecafe.com) and it looks like just the ticket for lunch--lots of starters, salads, and sandwiches served with a choice of one of eight salads.
The wine list is beyond huge.
Jul 5th, 2006, 03:54 PM
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I've been to both the Woodinville and Kirkland restaurants (I'm an eastsider). The food is good, the atmosphere lively. I think they do a Monday (?) 1/2 price bottles of wine.
I've tried maybe 3 or 4 of their entrees, and they have yet to disappoint. Seared ahi--yum!
I've tried maybe 3 or 4 of their entrees, and they have yet to disappoint. Seared ahi--yum!
Jul 28th, 2006, 05:19 PM
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Not me.
A new "W"-like hotel--1000 Madison has opened. It's operated by the same company that runs the Sorrento. The hotel is located at 1000 First Avenue on the spot where there was a sporting goods store for many years.
After taking a look around the lobby, I asked an employee why there was a fire in the middle of the coffee table. He looked as me as though I was a moron and told that I was looking at an open fireplace.
The upper floors of 1000 Madison are pricy condos.
A new "W"-like hotel--1000 Madison has opened. It's operated by the same company that runs the Sorrento. The hotel is located at 1000 First Avenue on the spot where there was a sporting goods store for many years.
After taking a look around the lobby, I asked an employee why there was a fire in the middle of the coffee table. He looked as me as though I was a moron and told that I was looking at an open fireplace.
The upper floors of 1000 Madison are pricy condos.
Jul 29th, 2006, 07:01 AM
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Enzian...if you end up going, please post back - I'm really curious. 
happytrails -- the Hotel 1000 looks fantastic. We're currently booked at Hotel Monaco for $175/night and Hotel 1000 is $225/night...trying to figure out if 1000 is worth the extra $75/night. I feel like the tub that fills from the ceiling alone might be worth the extra expense!!
happytrails -- the Hotel 1000 looks fantastic. We're currently booked at Hotel Monaco for $175/night and Hotel 1000 is $225/night...trying to figure out if 1000 is worth the extra $75/night. I feel like the tub that fills from the ceiling alone might be worth the extra expense!!
Aug 1st, 2006, 12:01 PM
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I walked into the Purple Cafe today with the thought of having lunch, but the music was so loud and discordant (to my ears) that I went to Palomino and had one of those wonderful thin-crust pizzas they do better than just about anybody in Seattle.
The menu at Purple Cafe--salads, sandwiches, etc.--is very appealing. I hope to pass by some time when more pleasing music is in the air.
The menu at Purple Cafe--salads, sandwiches, etc.--is very appealing. I hope to pass by some time when more pleasing music is in the air.
Aug 1st, 2006, 04:36 PM
#9
*Really* loud seems unfortunately to be part of many of the popular places lately. I couldn't believe the sound level at Black Bottom (a great new-ish place on 1st Ave in Belltown). Same with 22 Doors up on 15th Avenue East (Capitol Hill).
Sep 7th, 2006, 05:15 PM
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Went to Purple 2 nights on our 4 night trip. Never ate a full meal there, but enjoyed their large selection of wines by the glass (and their suggested tasting flights of 4 different 2.5 oz pours). Also had some cheese one evening with our wine and were pleased with the amount they gave us -- each cheese was $3 (loved the Saint Nectaire and Ballerina, but the Bermuda Triangle was a little stinky).
Very cool interior...highly recommend having drink at the bar (before or after dinner).
Very cool interior...highly recommend having drink at the bar (before or after dinner).
Sep 7th, 2006, 09:48 PM
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Thanks for the tip, happytrails, and glad to hear Palomino is still doing well. I always liked the food there and they made the best kamikazes I'd ever had.
The Purple Cafe's menu does look good. Maybe they'll tone the music down at some point. Have you emailed the restaurant and told them you found it too loud? I know some places have loud music to increase turnover, but perhaps they were playing it loud to help establish a "buzz".
The Purple Cafe's menu does look good. Maybe they'll tone the music down at some point. Have you emailed the restaurant and told them you found it too loud? I know some places have loud music to increase turnover, but perhaps they were playing it loud to help establish a "buzz".
