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Review content:
I know Juanita's not exactly in Seattle, and I don't like going to the Eastside any more than the next Seattleite, but Cafe Juanita is the real deal, so stick with me on this...
In my observation, the better Seattle restaurants tend to fall into one of two categories: massive, expense-account factories (mostly located downtown) like Wild Ginger and the Tom Douglas family; or funky neighborhood places (appearing all over the city) that serve great food, but often with a deliberately casual/quirky approach.
The rare exceptions to this generalization are those treasured few that combine excellent, hand-crafted food with the professional 'white-apron' service more common in the best New York or San Francisco eateries. Cafe Juanita is the local exemplar of this happy combination.
Located in a converted 1960's rambler on a quiet Juanita side street, Cafe Juanita consistently delivers excellent, innovative food, crafted from superior ingredients, in a style that combines traditional European (or, more accurately, Mediterranean) techniques with the lighter, more playful handling you'd expect to see at, say, Alice Waters' Chez Panisse Cafe. Instead of slavish Euro-formality, expect genuine west coast warmth, but with the respectful distance that is the mark of truly professional restaurant service.
In addition to superior food and service, Cafe Juanita offers an excellent and comprehensive wine list, and a pastry kitchen every bit as skilled as the main line. If you want to find something to complain about, it's that you pay for what you get. The prices are not (as in some local establishments) simply inflated to help the patrons feel good about themselves - instead, expect to pay fair value for the level of craft and quality you receive. But if you want a special meal that actually exceeds your expectations, don't let this deter you - Cafe Juanita is worth every penny!
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