FRENCH Le PichetIn a city that’s zealously embracing French bistro-style food, Le
Published 6:18 pm Wednesday, April 9, 2014
FRENCH
Le Pichet
In a city that’s zealously embracing French bistro-style food, Le Pichet still manages to be the most Parisian of the bunch. Their roasted chicken is unrivaled, their charcuterie varied and flawless, their onion soup one of the few I’ve ever tasted where the cheese doesn’t completely overwhelm the delicacy of the broth. If you’re looking for a lunch sandwich for less than $10, their $7 sandwich en baguette is a steal, with its choice of Paris ham, jambon cru, pate, or chicken-liver terrine with Gruyere or your choice from the cheese board. The $6 desserts are also thoroughly French in all the right ways. 1933 First Ave., 256-1499, lepichetseattle.com NICOLE SPRINKLE
Bastille Cafe & Bar
This large French brasserie on Ballard Avenue is always hopping. Though it’s not pushing any boundaries, that’s part of its appeal—this is the place to get solid standards like steak frites, a croque monsieur, moules frites, and pate while sipping a French 75. But, being Seattle, it also offers things like raw kale salad or roasted delicata squash. In the summer, reserve one of their evening seatings on the rooftop garden (it comes with a tour) and watch all the Ballard hipsters mosey down the avenue. 5307 Ballard Ave. N.W., 453-5014, bastilleseattle.com NICOLE SPRINKLE
Luc
After Rover (now closed) and before Loulay (recently opened), there was Luc, the most laid-back of Thierry Rautureau’s French restaurants. Tucked away in Madison Valley, this dimly lit, very romantic restaurant can as easily be a place for a special-occasion meal as for a dinner alone at the bar. Either way, the food doesn’t disappoint, with classic French standouts like a white-bean cassoulet with duck confit, braised lamb, pork sausage, and arugula salad, or trout amandine with root-vegetable hash, parsley, almond, and lemon. Of course you can always just go for the burger, with Luc’s aioli, tomato jam, caramelized onion, and fries (add comte cheese or Zoe’s bacon if you wish). A four-course prix fixe menu is served each night. 2800 E. Madison St., 328-6645, thechefinthehat.com/luc NICOLE SPRINKLE
