Cafe De Paris

Food fine, service lacking

by windy_city at Citysearch

Went to Cafe de Paris last night. We really liked the food (the smoked salmon appetizer was fantastic, by the way!). We've spent quite a bit of time in France and were very impressed that the food was very typically French, not "Americanized" French. I felt like I was in a French person's home for dinner - quite authentic. The service, however, was just ok. The waitress was not just slow (I can appreciate that as a wonderful French characteristic), the problem was more in her attitude. She was not friendly at all. When new patrons came in to the restaurant, she almost had the air of being bothered by them, rather than appreciative of them coming. I'm sure the Chef/Owner in the kitchen would not have liked what he saw when a crowd of 6 came in and she made setting a table for them seem like a lot of trouble. Normally, I would understand that but there was a large open table next to us already set. Why she didn't seat them there we have no idea. I will certainly return, but hope there is another person serving that day. The place would have seemed a lot "warmer" had the waitress not been so icy.

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Service

A charming place for lunch

by SeattleTeddy at Citysearch

This is a wonderful little restaurant. It is clean, cozy, very

comfortable seats, nice views of the ferry area from almost all seats.

I found the server very friendly and attentive. If there is sometime's a little wait,it appears to be because this is a two-person run restaurant, and almost everything is made to order.

I was there for lunch today, so we only sampled the lunch menu. The soups and crepes are superb, possibly the best crepes

in Seattle. I had a beef bourguignon crepe, and the beef was

tender, succulent and perfectly cooked; the sauce was

delicious, just spicy enough to enliven the beefy flavor of the gravy. .

The cream of leek soup was, again, one of the best I've had,

again, because of that balance between taste polarities.

Desserts leave that balance for the side of richness - my

companion had a sort of flan - creme brule? - that was

swimming in syrup and topped with large mound of whipped cream.

This will be one of our ten favorite local restaurants - along

with T&T for Chinese, Matsu Sushi for Japanese, Chaiyo for

Thai, the Tacos Guayamas on 196th St in Lynnwood for Mexican,

and the Caspian Grill in the U District for Persian.

Not great

by sandradeen at Citysearch

Perhaps we have high expectations of a French restaurant, but we were a little disappointed by the food here and the ambience left a bit to be desired.

Please note this is not a "budget" restaurant as noted by Citysearch (not under $20 a person).

• Pros: Free parking
• Cons: Decor, ambience

"Better than a Paris Restaurant"

by happymoogman at Citysearch

This review is to counter the one that said the food was mediocre and cafeteria-quality.

I took my visiting friend to the Cafe de Paris recently. At first, he was disappointed that the waitress did not understand him, when he ordered completely in French! But when his food arrived, he was in heaven.

I forgot to mention that my friend is 100% French. After our meal, he was so thilled that he insisted that we go back and congratulate the chef, which we did. They both had a wonderful time chatting in French, (finally.)

On our way home, my friend informed me that his meal was the BEST French food he had ever had -- better than the best restaurants in Paris (!!) At first, I though he was just exaggerating, but he kept going on and on, but I eventually believed him. I did enjoy my meal, by the way.

The music on guitar by Enrique was charming, and our server was sassy, and nice. Best of all, the $$ cost was reasonable. It is not the classiest atmosphere you've ever seen, but functional, clean and nice.

When my friend visits again, I will definitely be taking him back there.

I am taking my Mother there tomorrow for Mother's Day...

• Pros: Good service, good service, good food
• Cons: Not a beautiful decor, but nice

This place is for old people only!

by foodbabymonster at Citysearch

Moved up north to buy a house and trying to find good places to eat up here. We check this place out for lunch because of the good reviews. I'll make this short and sweet, kinda. We are seated at a table with vinyl tablecloth and cheap plastic flowers. Its dark inside on a sunny day and all the other customers there were senior citizens eating soup and salad. We ordered the pate de maison and the beef bourguignon. The pate was a slice you get off a loaf at the grocery store served with canned peaches and olives. The beef was a pot-roast served with really overcooked noodles. The server was sweet in a very awkward way and I overheard her telling someone else that the chef is scary. Don't go here for french food of any kind. If your grandma wants to go to the waterfront to eat soup and salad this is the place for you.

• Pros: waterfront
• Cons: food, decor, menu