Favorite Places: Café Presse
I could never be a restaurant reviewer. At least not the kind that goes in, acts all diffident, then slams the place as soon as they get into the car with their laptop. I named this blog quickly and without much thought--In Praise of Leftovers--but more and more, it seems fitting that "praise" would be in there. I really, really like to praise things--people, cafés, elementary schools--so I don't think The Seattle Times will be offering me a job as a restaurant reviewer anytime soon. There are plenty of things that get under my skin (What? Sarah's opinionated?!) but I find it's not that gratifying to pontificate about them.
Café Presse gets the praise today. I've been a regular there since they opened and feel so lucky to live in the city whenever I go. Some praiseworthy things about Presse:
- Magazine rack. How I love magazines. More than life itself sometimes.
- Giant subway clock.
- Croque Monsieur, each bite dipped in lots and lots of Dijon.
- Little orange mustard pots on every table.
- Ceramic pitchers of wine.
- Friendliest of friendly waitstaff, refilling my coffee while I loiter forever in the morning.
- Mussels and frites at night, sitting at the bar with Yancey and looking for people we know.
- Students from neighboring Seattle University--all hipster and smart, making you feel like your real life is about to start.
- Open from 7am to 1 am every day.
- Free wireless.
- Gallons of soft light pouring through the front windows, allowing for a few good photographs.
That's it for today. Now you know where to find me.
September 23, 2009
Reader Comments (19)
I would kill for a place like that in my neighborhood!!
I would love to go to Café Presse.
Perhaps next to the fantastic food ideas, what I love most about this site is your consistent praise. We all know there's enough criticism in this world, it's refreshing and inspiring to find reasons to praise all the big and little blessings in our lives. Thanks Sarah!
sandwiches dipped in mustard...yum!
Hey Sarah, Like your post...makes me think of my latest visit to Seattle, when em took me to presse for the first time. I believe I ordered your favorite sandwich that you have listed here and I too love their magazine rack, as I am a mag. freak as well.
Jess
and "ditto" on heidi's comment:)
Myooks and I split some a baguette with melted dark chocolate. OMG. It was heavenly. So simple, but one of the best things I've ever eaten EVAR!
When the world closes in and we can't see the forest for the trees.....There you are pointing out the miraculous way the sun beams shine through the branches and play hide and seek with every leaf dancing around and around our heads. Thank you for sharing the wonders of "NOW" in a world so busy getting to tomorrow that today gets overlooked.
And please.... hot ham, cheese, bread,cheesy saucy goodness and tangy mustard.......How can you not like that!!!
:-)
completely one of my top favs in seattle! once when i was there, i asked my friendly, hipster waiter if in fact they were related to les pichet in belltown (which although transports me directly to france, i've found their wait staff to be a bit cold + pretentious). sure enough, they are. i told him how different my experience was between the two in regards to the servers and he responded --"they're probably all just mad because they have to wear uniforms." yep. that's probably it. cracked me up. can't wait to discover nyc's "presse" gems alongside you (let's see how many locations i can weasel that fact into conversation...)
You had me at Croque Monsieur and mustard pots! Lucky!
Nice memory for me too, Jess. We had a nice relaxing time there. I think you bought Sunset magazine?
I smile thinking about all the places you visit in my neighborhood far more frequently than I do. Whenever I hear about you hangin in one of them I think - why don't I do that more often? Thanks for the inspiration to get out of the house and to these lovely spots.
One of my favorite celebrity sightings occured at Presse - Laura Linney. I didn't violate her personal space, but I did think about making a poster saying I LOVE YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, THE SQUID AND THE WHALE, AND THE SAVAGES! YOU ARE AMAZING AND FUNNY AND BEAUTIFUL AND TENDER!
P.s. One of my favorite birthday memories is you taking me there early before work and wrapping all the blank envelopes and cards you got me in individual packages and how excited the waitress was to find out what was in them! So many good conversations have happened in this little gem...several with you, Rebecca, Jess G., my Jess, Sue, Rebecca!
Jordan too.
Can you tell I'm at work and completely checked out at 4:41 on Friday afternoon? May be time to surrender to reality. Gonna give the finish schedule one more go.
Yes! And I love it. Wish we were at Presse together instead of our respective other places--you at work, me over-the-top done with parenting for the day, and many hours to go.
me too. I'm signing off for real now though. And I did get one more thing done here at work before surrendering :)
I haven't been there in ages. But I so love the place. It's like stepping into a little bit of Europe. You feel like you're on vacation, even when you're not. ;)
oh, the croque monsieur, oh, the mustard pots, oh the coffee and the loads of cream. you must also try the bib lettuce with the hazelnut dressing...another treat. thank you for giving this place props, i adore it and try not to keep it a secret ;)