Cafe Paloma

• Cuisine(s): Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
  Hours: Mon 9am-5pm, Tue-Sat 9am-8pm
  Price: $
  Payment Types: MasterCard, Visa
• Features: Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Takeout, Delivery, Private Party, Catering, Wheelchair Accessible
  Serving: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
  Entertainment: Live Entertainment
  Alcohol: Beer/Wine
• Reservations: Accepted
  Parking: Street

Description

Finding a reasonably priced casual restaurant in which to while away an hour or two is surprisingly difficult in downtown Seattle. Café Paloma is one of the lone exceptions to that frustrating rule. This intimate little nook is maybe the size of a big garage, and that's counting the tiny patio, a perfectly charming place to sit on a sunny day so long as you're good at ignoring Pioneer Square's gaggle of transients. Even though the atmosphere is casual, everything about Café Paloma exudes understated class without succumbing to the exasperating pretension that plagues so many of downtown's pricier establishments. More important, Paloma is one of those rare places where you can open the menu, close your eyes, point at something, and order it with confidence. Every single item is a study in the kind of balanced flavors that can only be consistently attained with careful attention. The panini sandwiches contain perfectly proportioned layers of filling; it's just the right amount not to be overwhelmed by the thick foccacia, and it's hard not to resist the urge to lick the last bits of hummus and red-pepper dip from the meze platter.