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Finally, food and travel writer John Meyer shares his favorite Capitol Hill spot for
delicious french food. He says you have to try Cafe press.
�� >> When we opened Cafe press, we really
wanted to recreate a restaurant that we both really loved spending time in Paris.
And that's what we call a bar Cafe. A lot of people say when they first come in,
they feel like they're back in Paris. It reminds them of other places they've been
to, which I'm really flattered when I hear that.
This is very central to any Parissian Cafe. We do cured meat, cured tongue.
At any one time, we're making five or six items.
�� Cafe press is open from 7:00 a.m. until
2:00 a.m. every day. So it's a great place if you want to come
in, in the morning, for a cup of coffee and a newspaper, if you want to meet friends for
a bottle of wine in the afternoon. If you wanted to come in after being on the
town for a cocktail, we can do all that. ��
When people leave, I hope that they feel happy, well taken care of, well fed, and like they
spent their money well. >> So John, how did you discover Cafe press?
>> I actually had a friend take me there. I like it because it kind of offers any dining
style you might want, like you can go have a cup of coffee and read a book, you can go
have a business lunch, you can grab happy hour, or you can do a nice romantic dinner.
Just the number of items on the menu, there was so much, I'm a simple man.
I mean this is one of my first experiences at a real like french restaurant.
So it was, there was a lot that was new. >> Atmosphere was nice.
It's in a tough location, parking wise, a little bit.
But you know, once you finally get in, it whats a nice simple feel.
>> So what did you eat when you went? >> So one of my favorite things there in the
city is the Croquet bedam, which is some bread with ham, that's all melted, and then they
put a sunnyside egg on top. And it's a knife and fork situation for sure.
But you crack the egg, runs all over the place. But the flavor is there.
And if you have a little bit of a hang over, it's perfect.
>> I had the Croquet monsieur, which sounds like almost the same sandwich.
And I've had it other places where it looks like a sloppy mess.
But generally, other places. I'm not usually impressed with presentation.
But I noticed that the cheese was perfectly contained in this bread, it wasn't spilling
over the side, so that was a nice touch. >> And for your dinner?
>> That was part of what I had. So then I had the grilled smoked house sausage
with Lentils. >> Wow.
>> And it came with a little bit of cabbage and had this kind of like an apple cider sauce
with bacon in it. It was so good.
And we got the pork, which was like basically like if you could take pork and somehow get
it into a mashed. >> Like a pate.
>> Yes, like a pate. >> And it was incredible.
I had no problem going down that fork road. [LAUGHTER]
>> Yeah, it was a good experience for sure. >> So what did you have?
>> I had their fish item, and that night, it was Ling cod, but it was a really tremendous
item. Came with a crust on it, served delicately
with clams, and then it also had white beans and a sauce.
It was just tremendous. >> So no one splurged on the hour long chicken,
huh? >> I had it before.
I didn't do it the last time. But if there's ever like a chicken that you
eat and you're like this is what it's supposed to taste like!
Before I started going there, that's where I heard about it, like, yeah, they have this
chicken. And you think, how could chicken ever be...
>> Yeah, it's good chicken. >> What does the room look like when you walk
in? >> Yellow tables, pretty colorful wall.
It's definitely eclectic. I like it because it has that french Cafe
feel. You know, people are there.
What I think probably doing important things, like they're having important conversations.
>> Yeah. >> I've been there.
>> I'm drinking my coffee and probably reading a book.
And hopefully learning something. So yeah, it's got that feel.
>> How about sweets? >> That was the coup de grace for me.
>> Oh. >> I had the Hazelnut chocolate mousse terrine.
And with candied oranges. That was one of the best desserts I've had in this town.
It was just tremendous. And for just a little cafe sitting on 12th
avenue that I've liven by a million times, I'm mad I didn't go by earlier to try that.
And we were embarrassed because we were getting every little piece that we could off that
bowl. It was embarrassing.
>> And how's the neighborhood? >> Um, it's a great neighborhood.
Obviously, Capitol Hill near all the great places around.
>> Did you drive there? >> We did.
>> Did you park there? [LAUGHTER]
>> We did. It's a mess.
I hate parking on Capitol Hill. We went on a Monday night.
So I think it was a little less. >> I got a couch.
You guys can crash with me whenever. Here we go, show you the route.
>> How was the price point for you, Evan? >> Most of the menu is like $6 to $8 basically,
and then the entrees were $16 to $18s in all right.
Cafe press was your choice. Sum it up for us.
>> Wonderful small place. Unpretentious french food.
And the service anyway you want. What you expect, they will adhere to it.
>> Just really good food at a very reasonable price point.
I'm definitely gonna take my wife back, even despite the parking.
>> I was impressed with it. I felt like it was just good, clean french
food, where sometimes you can get a little over zealous is the best way to say it.
I thought it was very well done and very well presented.
>> Okay. You can check out the beautifully presented
french food for yourself at Cafe press. 1117 12th avenue on Capitol Hill.
It is open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and reservations are accepted.
So on this week's show, we featured rock creek in Fremont, Geraldine's counter in Columbia
city and Cafe press on Capitol Hill. Let's recap what our guests had to say.
First up was Rock Creek in Fremont. Scott says it's always a home run.
Evan says it's a perfect place for family and visitors.
John says the quality cuisine is worth the price.
Next up was Geraldine's counter in Columbia city.
Evan says it's family friendly and an interesting location.
John says the price point is perfect. Scott says it is quality home cookin'.
Finally, we stopped in at Cafe press on Capitol Hill.
John says it's unpretentious quality french food.
Evan says it's delicious, despite the parking. Scott says the food is well presented and
we'll be back. We have had a wonderful time this week.
I want to thank my guests, John, Evan, and scott.
Join us next week for three new guests recommending their favorite restaurants right here on check
please northwest. I'm Amy pennington.
And I will see you then. Don't forgoat to like us on Facebook.
Things are happening there. We're at check please northwest.
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