An excerpt from Seattle Weekly food critic Jason Sheehan's review of Mawadda

An excerpt from Seattle Weekly food critic Jason Sheehan’s review of Mawadda Cafe: “When looking for Mexican food, there’s the PiA±ata Principle: Find a neighborhood that looks promising, count the number of places selling piA±atas, try to triangulate an area of maximum piA±ata density, and then eat tacos or tortas smack in the middle of that area. Finding good dim sum requires less geometry; the wise gastronaut just drives around likely neighborhoods on a Sunday morning and looks for the lines. As for French food, I look online for whatever restaurant is most beloved by the local foodistas and avoid it like it was on fire.I found Mawadda by counting the cabs parked on the side street that runs beside the strip mall it calls home. My first time through was a three-cabbie day. I knew right thenaE”before even walking in the dooraE”that it was going to be good.”Photos courtesy of Peter Mumford.Published on April 9, 2010