Seattle’s 50 Essential Restaurants: Le Caviste is No. 9
by Tan Vinh · The Seattle TimesThis capsule restaurant review is part of our ongoing Seattle’s 50 Essential Restaurants project. Find more at seattletimes.com/tag/restaurant-news and in print on Nov. 15, in a special edition of The Mix.
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No. 9: Le Caviste
French
1919 Seventh Ave., Seattle (Downtown); 206-728-2657; lecavisteseattle.com
The food churned out of the kitchen at this downtown bar a vin is impressive considering Le Caviste cooks out of a half-sized convection oven.
This is as minimalistic of a hot food operation as it gets for such a bustling spot: flaky trout cocooned in parchment paper with slices of potato and butter; roasted mushrooms sprinkled with breadcrumbs that have been seasoned with anchovies, garlic and herbs, then topped with a runny yolk to finish.
Le Caviste also boasts the best list of wines by the glass in the city, with as many as 40 French wines to choose from, including some top-notch Burgundy.
Owner David Butler doesn’t play by American rules. His menu is written in French with no English translation. His bar counter doesn’t have seats; you stand or lean on the counter like you would at a Parisian haunt in the 11th arrondissement.
You either love it or go somewhere else.