Purple Cafe & Wine Bar
1225 4th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
This Downtown restaurant is the newest member of the Purple Cafe & Wine Bar establishments. There are 3 in the Seattle metro region, but as far as I'm concerned, the Downtown location is the only one worth going to because the other two do offer the small plates menu. Think about it this way. J and I have become hard-core suburbanites. We hate going into the city because we can never find parking. Also, one of the (less worthy) Purples is less than 5-minute drive away from our house and offers free parking! Yet, the Downtown Purple is the only one we go to. It's just that much better!
I hate writing paragraphs, so will just summarize highlights in a bulleted list.
- simple, tasty foods made from fresh and seasonal ingredients
- stylish modern decor including a massive wine tower complete with winding staircase
- small plates menu and a separate cheese tasting menu is available in addition to the regular menu
- entrees are also very good and they're more than happy to divide one entree into two tasting plates
- if you bring in bottles of wine that is not in their arsenal, they will uncork the first one at no charge
- dessert is also tasting size, so you can order just one or a few to try (I think there's 15+ options)
- they will happily deal with any kind of crazy bill splits that you throw at them. Do you see a pattern here?
- if you go on Sunday, wines regularly sold at $50 or less are half-priced
Since their tasting menu changes seasonally, it's hard to say what are the must-haves. I would say anything with duck confit or beef carpaccio is a sure thing. From their regular entree, I have enjoyed the gorgonzola and pancetta pasta (picture) and J really liked the pasta bolognese before they took it off their menu.
Bottom line: Purple is just a fun place to go with a bunch of friends for tasty foods and friendly service at a reasonable price.
p.s. Seattle area Costcos sell Purple gift cards - two $50 gift cards for $80. You do the math.
p.p.s. Do not confuse this place with The Purple Dot Cafe which is a ghetto Chinese restaurant located in the International District. I'm not a huge fan of their food, but I hear it's really good after a night of clubbing and sufficient inebriation.
