Relish: Café Septième
Everyone needs comfort food once in a while. Of course "comfort" can mean different things to different people, but for Seattlest it generally means good, simple food that we don't have to cook ourselves. This is why we have our favorite comfort restaurants. In order to qualify, the restaurant not only has to provide the aforementioned good and simple food (at a fair price), but they also have to provide a comfortable and easy atmosphere. For Seattlest, this means: a place within walking distance of where we live, a place where we never have to wait to get a table, a place where ratty t-shirts and flip-flops are acceptable attire, and a place where we can lounge and not feel rushed through our meal for table turnover.
Our current favorite hangout is Café Septième on Broadway. Seattlest finds the dark red walls, dim lighting and lofty ceilings warm and inviting, even when it's pouring down rain outside. We adore the cozy bar area with its smoky booths that we can sink into. The menu is varied and inventive enough to not induce boredom, yet it retains the foundations of good and simple food. On this visit we decided to forgo our usual Gorgonzola Blue Cheeseburger ($7.75) with bacon--even though it's one of our favorite burgers in the city. In its place, Seattlest tested out the highly recommended Schweineschnitzel (Austrian breaded pork loin), the Chicken Club Sandwich and the Flank Steak Sandwich.
The Schweineschnitzel ($13.75) arrived awash in beige tones with a bright purple cabbage accent. Seattlest thought the pork looked terribly bland, but was pleased to find the lightly breaded pork tender and juicy and seasoned with just the right amount of salt and hints of lemon. The mashed potatoes were packed full of buttery, garlic flavor which went perfectly with the Schweineschnitzel. 
The delicious braised cabbage was uniquely flavored with fennel and cooked until soft. Each item on the plate complimented the others perfectly and practically screamed "ultimate comfort food".
The Chicken Club Sandwich ($7.25) was everything a chicken club should be. The tender breast of chicken was properly cooked and sandwiched in a lightly toasted, soft roll. The chicken was topped with a beautiful tarragon flavored mayonnaise and crisp, salty, divine bacon. The sandwich came with the perfect accompaniments of crunchy (Tim's Cascade?) chips and a briny pickle.
Seattlest was surprised to find that the Flank Steak Sandwich ($7.00), was not technically a sandwich, but rather an open faced sandwich. Were we disappointed? No, way. 
The benefit of the open faced sandwich is that we could instantly see the giant portion of flank steak covered with melted, gooey white cheddar and soft caramelized onions. The flank steak was very flavorful and cut thin enough that it wasn't tough. The cheese and onions elevated its status to a rich and highly satisfying sandwich.
Seattlest would say the only downside to Café Septième's food is their salads. We consistently find them overdressed with pungent and cloying dressings. But let's be honest here; salad was never meant to be comfort food. We love everything else about Café Septième: good portions of satisfying food at a reasonable price, cozy atmosphere, honest cocktails, great people-watching and a display case brimming with beautiful cakes and tarts (although we're always too full to partake). Yes, Café Septième fits the bill perfectly.
Café Septième
214 Broadway East
206.860.8858
