Since I started working, it has been a little bit hectic and our schedules have got a lot busier. Conveniently, S and I work in the same building, so we are able to go for dinner downtown right after work. 🙂
Cafe Bengodi is situated in the oldest part of Seattle, Pioneer Square. There are plenty of cute buildings and cafe’s around this area. We have walked by many times and have always wanted to try it, and when Groupon offered a deal for Cafe Bengodi, we jumped on it!
It’s a cute little restaurant, and the vibe is very friendly. The person working there was our host and server and did a fine job at both.
Here is what we dined on:
Wine Bottle for Water
I thought this was such a cute idea. I’m not a drinker, but having my water poured from a wine glass added a nice touch.
Garlic Bread
The Garlic Bread was delicious, and as you know, I’m not a huge fan of bread. The crusts were cut off – extra points! And it was very flavorful and the perfect amount of crisp. I am not a huge fan of parmesan cheese, but the freshly grated bits on top were a perfect accompaniment.
Meat, Cheese, Olives
Next up was our cold plate, with meat, fresh mozzarella, olives and tomatoes. S really loves meat and cheese so he loved this course! Everything tasted really fresh and it was rather enjoyable. The portion was quite large as well!
Carbonara
The Carbonara was next, and let me tell you, I was surprised as to how good it was! As you all know, I am super picky about my pasta, and this was really well done. The presentation isn’t the greatest, but the taste sure makes up for it. There were generous bits of real bacon and the herbs tasted really fresh. We ate it all and didn’t even feel guilty about it.
Pork Parmigiana
The next course was the Pork Parmigiana. I might have been getting full at this point because I wasn’t loving it. Admittedly, I am not the hugest fan of tomato sauce, or breaded pork really, but it tasted just ok to me. S enjoyed it, and Parmigiana is one of his go-to menu items at Italian restaurants. It was served on a bed of vegetables which I thought was a nice touch, and I enjoyed that part, but the actual chicken didn’t do it for me. Like I said, I am bias and S really enjoyed it.
Tiramisu with the Seattle Skyline
Ok, ok. So I know I said that I was getting full on the last course, but seriously! Look how cute this dessert is. Tiramisu is great at the best of times, but when it’s presented in such a way – how can you not love it?! I thought this was so creative and it was such a great way to end our meal. It definitely made up for the lack of presentation on the last two courses. The tiramisu is house made I believe, and it’s yummy!!
The Damage
Total Damage: $43.45 (with tax, no tip)
Personal Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)
I loved this little place because it feels very welcoming and you feel at home. It’s great for a cute date, casual date, or just a bite to eat after work. Our server was great, he spent some time chatting with us and was really helpful on making suggestions and debriefing the menu. I kept wavering between giving it a 3.5 and a 4. I would definitely go back here again and recommend it to people as well. The value is great. I wish the two middle entrees were served together. I think I would have enjoyed the Parmigiana a lot more that way.
Overall, it was really good. Looking at the photos and reviewing this right now is making me want to go there! The experience was really great, and there’s nothing I would change in regards to the service or the atmosphere. Check it out!
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700 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 381 0705
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