Le Pichet(8/10 on my bangin' scale)
1933 1st Avenue, Downtown
Besides the fact that you are surrounded by Northwesterners, that the waiter says "demi pichet" like an American, and that the service is pretty fast, you might think you're actually in a Parisian bistro. From the way they serve the butter to the setup of the counter and bar, you
almost feel authenticity at Le Pichet in downtown Seattle.
Don't expect anything too fancy (at lunch, anyway... Note: dinner prices are cheaper than at most good French restaurants, but are still above a grad student's everyday range). Just expect some tasty, French, snacky meals that are pretty darn inexpensive for a French place just 2 blocks from Pike Place Market.
I tried the taboule ($8). I'd been missing taboule since my days of buying lunch at the Monoprix near the Alesia Metro stop. Their version, topped with a merguez sausage, was def's better than the Monoprix version. Nommy, some might say. You can also get other simple things like broiled eggs with ham and gruyere ($8), or a sandwich jambon-fromage ($6.50). Oh, yeah, the baguettes are pretty dece, too. Don't forget the dozens of wines available in pichets (not sure of price), demi pichets (starting at $9) , and glasses (starting at $5).
The portions aren't proper American portions, but remember, you're at a French restaurant. By the time you have the cheese platter ($12) or dessert ($6, things like chocolate mousse), you'll be too full to care about the size of your entree, anyway.
Unfortunately, there is a sign this year that informs visitors that this will be their last year decorating. Does anyone know why? Is it because of the electric bills in this economy? Is it because the family is downsizing from their ginormous house, also because of the economy? Have they lost all Halloween spirit??? Westfielders, let me know!
