5.00
Do you crave perfect food in a perfect setting for a perfect experience? Cafe Juanita is it...ahh!
Posted by Ron W. on 08/16/2016
No, this is not a taqueria. So, if you're coming here for a nacho fix, you woofed it. This is elegant food served at a civilized European pace, (assuming that Europeans are civilized these days.) It is sophisticated, cosmopolitan, polished, refined dining, that makes droppin' the rent here feel fun. The Yelper who belly ached about it taking 3 hours to eat dinner should be frog marched to the nearest Jack-in-the-Box. The restaurant is a converted home in the quiet neighborhood of Kirkland. Subtle tones, muted decor, white linen, (which also describes the patrons), classy stemware and china and yet it is still relaxed and unpretentious. These are Kirkland people who go here. They drink their Chablis with pinky extended. They do not eat pizza in the parking lot or maul corn dogs on a bench outside Costco. So, its Boomers in Beemers not Baby Mama's with screamers. Different section of Kirkland. There is also a downstairs garden patio serving the restaurant's greatest hits of small plates and charcuterie. Only the the hoodies know about this until now. Now, you do too. It is an ideal spot for that romantic occasion. A Birthday, an Anniversary, a 3rd date, or the night your divorce became final. There is a full bar without there being any bar. Order a draft craft beer and what is not in your glass or your face is chilling in a champagne ice bucket. How cool is that? The Staff: As professional as it gets this side of Taillivent. Kristin was cheerful, charming, and a culinary encyclopedia. She made the evening extra special. She knew exactly when to discuss the wine list as if she were Janet Yellin or when to smash a Foster's can on her forehead to get a smile from her guests. The Bar Program: Creative and urbane, No shooters or Micheladas at Juanita's. These are grown-up libations paired with perfect bar nibbles along with an endless plate of house made breads and crackers. A Summer Spritzer was Prosecco, house made Elderflower Cordial, Stone Fruit du jour, served with a buttered Radish Toast Point. It was as fresh and French as kissing that special person in high school who actually know how. The Limonata Sage Smash (which is how you'll end up if not careful), included Makers, Lemon, Sage, Cherry Herring, with a plum-y finish. A Rabbit Mousse and Big Cherry Bruschetta was along for the ride. The Food: You have died, gone to heaven and thumbed your nose at the French Laundry on your way to the Pearly Gates. The Belgian Endive Salad had Shaved Fennel, Walnuts, and a Calabrian Chili Vineagrette. The Endive were garden fresh and one of the best things Belgium has given the World besides chocolate and lax security. The Tajarin (linquine-ettes) was a tangle of house made hand cut pasta swirled into a Tammy Fay do. Owner Holly Smith hired a tool and dye maker who could cook. This was topped with fried baby Sage. Sage wisdom. It was a brilliant simple dish and as beautiful as your Mum when she was young. (Just in case my Mum is reading this). The Fermin Iberico de Bollota Presa, Chantrelles, Cipollino, roasted Apricot Crema, and Rosemary was grand. Imported pork shoulder from Spain carved off heritage pigs known for their boobs. (So is Scarlett Johansson, but these are accessible and no doubt cheaper.) This paired perfect with a glass of Le Piane Mimmo Nebbiolo Croatina Bocca 2011 which you should keep 6 bottles of just in case Scarlett shows up unannounced.The Rabbit braised in Arneis (an Italian white grape varietal), Porcini, Pancetta, Gnocchi alla Romana with herbs was the high water mark. This easily compares with the Bunny Porchetta at Redbird in LA. It was the best dish this side of Elmer Fudd's kitchen. I needed a glass of Abazzia di Novacello Pinot Nero Trentina 2013 to wash this spectacular food down, and guess what? They just happened to have some. Even though this is an Italian themed place it is really Continental food at it's best. Not since Le Cote Basque in New York closed do you find this level of cooking. But here it is. Finally, it was time for dessert, a delightful three hours later. Even though my slacks were two sizes smaller and had to be surgically removed I asked for the Bittersweet Chocolate Pave (brick), with Graham Cracker base, Marsala Brunt Meringue, and Smoked Gelato. There had to be a smoking gun somewhere. Of course there was, and now I will have to get a bigger Christmas stocking for mine. Side Bar: The bathrooms were spotless. I visited all of them. There was a stack of neatly rolled terry towelettes each one so no drip drying for you, or using the table cloth when no one is looking. Do you crave perfect food in a perfect setting for a perfect experience? Cafe Juanita is it...ahh!
