2014 U.S. TOP 100 RESTAURANTS
68
CAFÉ JUANITA
RESTAURANT ADDRESS
9702 NE 120th Pl.
Kirkland, WA
425-823-1505
www.cafejuanita.com
RESTAURANT STAFF
Chef/Owner: Holly Smith
Sous Chef: Jonah Amodt
Pastry Chef: Anna Ivers
Sommelier: Kyle Brierley
GM: Kyle Brierley
OAD HISTORY
Ranked 69 in 2013.
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Though Italy is nearly 6,000 miles away, Holly Smith does such a good job of capturing the spirit of its cuisine that her restaurant might as well be located outside of Bologna. Smith utilizes the bounty of the Northwest in starters like Mad hatcher squab breast with escarole, walnut oil and aged balsamico; maltagliati with Cattail Creek lamb sugo, minted green beans and honeyed ricotta; and rabbit braised in Arneis wine with a Ligurian chickpea crepe, pancetta and porcini. Beloved by a number of our reviewers, the place garnered comments like "super-high-quality ingredients and owners who really care" and "the best Italian restaurant in the Seattle area; nothing else comes close."
Local Rabbit braised in Arneis with Ligurian Chickpea Crepe and Pancetta
Photo Courtesy of: Seattle*Met