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Photo courtesy of Bruce Miyahara

Café Juanita

Item: Café Juanita
Author: Corinne Whiting

Cuisine: European, Italian

Price Range: $$

10Best Says

Named for the creek it rests beside, this fantastic restaurant is influenced by Italian cuisine, although it's not the red-sauce-and-cheese variety. Instead, dishes are more refined, featuring first-rate ingredients and careful preparation. Among the offerings you'll find: silky foie gras, sweetbreads in marsala sauce, seared yellowfin tuna and bacon-wrapped roasted rabbit. Accompanying dishes include such delicacies as fava beans, polenta, asparagus, artichokes and a medley of earthy mushrooms. Desserts follow suit and include several Italian classics: tiramisu, panna cotta and berries laced with balsamic vinegar. The excellent wine list offers a perfect accompaniment, whether you decide on an Italian favorite or regional vintage.

Address:

9702 NE 120th Pl
Kirkland, WA 98034
425-823-1505

Hours:

Tue-Sat: 5pm-10pm
Sun: 5pm-9pm

Website:

cafejuanita.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Corinne Whiting
Seattle Local Expert

Italian, Romantic Dining: "Check out the website for upcoming events like dinners with local chefs and winemakers."

Best for Italian Because: At Cafe Junaita, the owner's passion for Northern Italian food and wine comes through along with a commitment to organics and sustainability.
Best for Romantic Dining Because: Special occasions call for a delicious, Italian-inspired meal in this fantastic, intimate restaurant in Kirkland.

Dinner Menu
- Aperitivi
  
  Prosecco
  
  with Parmigiano Reggiano ($13.00)
  
  Barolo Chinato Spritz
  
  with Marcona almonds ($14.00)
  
  Krug Grande Cuvée, Brut, MV
  
  with Smoked Bone Marrow Bruschetta ($44.00)
  
  Pear brandy Prosecco Cocktail
  
  with Crisp Chicken Skin Crostini ($16.00)
  
  The Grand Torino
  
  with Fried Rabbit Livers ($15.00)
- Appetizers
  
  Tenaro Galloni Langhirano Prosciutto
  
  Parma, aged 30 mo. With figs ($24.00)
  
  Cauliflower Sformata
  
  with Spot Prawn Cruda, Spot Prawn Roe Whipped Lardo, fennel and pumpkernickel ($18.00)
  
  Seared Foie Gras
  
  with Marcona Almond Crema, Caramelized Fig, Candied Ginger and Cocoa Nibs ($22.00)
  
  Roasted Eel
  
  with Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale and Green Apple ($16.00)
  
  Smoked Pumpkin and Burrata
  
  with Hazelnut Cacao nib Crunch and coffee Prosciutto Brodo ($15.00)
  
  Carne Cruda of Australian +7 Wagyu
  
  with Lardo Crostini ($17.00)
  
  Grilled Octopus
  
  with Fennel, Smoked Bone Marrow, Green Sauce and Chickpea Purée ($16.00)
- Salads
  
  Butter Lettuce
  
  with Avocado Vinaigrette ($11.00)
  
  Roasted Baby Beets
  
  with Gorgonzola Bombolino and Marcona Almond Butter ($12.00)
  
  Ruby Streak Mustard Greens
  
  with Toasted Anchovy and Pecorino Crostini ($11.00)
- Pasta
  Tajarin with White Sturgeon Caviar
  
  ($35.00)
  
  Goat Cheese Gnocchi
  with Braised Lamb, Pomegranate Arils and Crisp Sage
  
  $16.00
  
  $28.00
  Risotto Nero
  with Sylvia's Spot Prawn Scampi
  
  $19.00
  
  $32.00
  Orecchietti, Hand Shaped
  with Parmigiano Reggiano Fonduta, Leek Ash, Cipollini and Breadcrumbs
  
  $17.00
  
  $29.00
- Fish, Meat and Fowl
  
  Fermin Iberico de Bellota Pressa
  
  with carrot Crema, Chanterelles, and Carrot Top Salsa Verde ($37.00)
  
  Rabbit Braised in Arneis
  
  with Chickpea Gnocchi, Mache, Porcini and House Made Pancetta ($37.00)
  
  Andersen Valley Lamb Rack Scottadita
  
  Fonduta Gratin, Mâché and Persimmon ($45.00)
  
  Pesce della Sera
  
  Greg Norman +7 Australian Wagyu New york
  
  daily preparation
- Contorni
  Roasted local Carrots
  
  with Sulla Honey and Thyme ($11.00)
  
  Roasted Spicy Cauliflower
  
  with Cumin, Lime and Pinenut Crema ($11.00)
  
  Mosaic Farms Red Wattle Lardo
  $6.00
  
  $12.00
Wine List
- Italy
  
  Aldo Conterno 'Il Favot', Nebbiolo, 2010
  
  ($130.00)
  
  Biondi Santi, Sangiovese Grosso, 2009
  
  ($162.00)
  
  Bruno Giacosa 'Falletto', Nebbiolo, 2007
  
  ($450.00)
  
  Bruno Giacosa 'Rocche del Falletto Riserva', Nebbiolo, 2004
  
  ($900.00)
  
  Bruno Giacosa 'Santo Stefano', Nebbiolo, 2007
  
  ($375.00)
  
  Bruno Giacosa, Nebbiolo, 2008
  
  ($245.00)
  
  Cerbaiona, Sangiovese Grosso, Brunello di Montalcino 2010
  
  ($425.00)
  
  Cigliuti 'Serraboella', Barbera d'Alba, 2012
  
  ($50.00)
  
  Dal Forno Romano, Corvina/Rondinella/Molinara, 2006
  
  ($795.00)
  
  Fontodi 'Vigna del Sorbo', Sangiovese, Chianti Classico, 2010
  
  ($195.00)
  
  Gaja 'Sori San Lorenzo', Nebbiolo Langhe, 2005
  
  ($725.00)
  
  Giacomo Borgogno, Dolcetto d'Alba, 2013
  
  ($45.00)
  
  Giacomo Conterno 'Cascina Francia', Nebbiolo, 2006
  
  ($305.00)
  
  Giacomo Conterno 'Monfortino Riserva', Nebbiolo, 2001
  
  ($820.00)
  
  Giacomo Conterno 'Monfortino Riserva', Nebbiolo, 2005
  
  ($750.00)
  
  J. Hoffstatter 'Meczan', Pinot Nero, 2012
  
  ($42.00)
  
  J. Hoffstatter, Lagrein, Alto-Adige, 2011
  
  ($44.00)
  
  La Spinetta 'Vürsù Vigneto Campè', Nebbiolo, 2008
  
  ($280.00)
  
  Luciano Sandrone 'Le Vigne', Nebbiolo, 2006
  
  ($235.00)
  
  Luciano Sandrone 'Le Vigne', Nebbiolo, 2008
  
  ($245.00)
  
  Luigi Einaudi 'Terlo', Nebbiolo 2010
  
  ($124.00)
  
  Ruggeri Corsini, Nebbiolo, 2008
  
  ($78.00)
  
  Tenuta della Terre Nere, Nerello Mascalese/Nerello Cappuccio, Etna, 2013
  
  ($46.00)
  
  Tenuta Ornellaia 'Masseto', Merlot, Bolgheri, 2009
  
  ($720.00)
  
  Tenuta Ornellaia 'Ornellaia', Cabernet/Merlot, Bolgheri, 2010
  
  ($420.00)
  
  Tenuta di Valgiano, Sangiovese/Syrah/Merlot, Colline Lucchesi, 2011
  
  ($130.00)
  
  Tenuta di Vagiano 'Palistorti', Sangiovese/Syrah/Merlot, Colline Lucchesi, 2011
  
  ($68.00)
  
  Tignanello, Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011
  
  ($190.00)
  
  Villa Remotti, Barbera d'Asti, 2013
  
  ($36.00)
Dessert Menu
- Desserts
  
  Bittersweet Chocolate Tortino
  
  Banana Gelato, Malted Cacao nib ($12.00)
  
  Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta*
  
  with Cardoon Blossom Honey and Vanilla Salt ($10.00)
  
  Almond Torta
  
  with Preserved Pumpkin, Sage Gelato, Pulled pumpkin Seed Croccante,Cherry Vinegar ($11.00)
  
  Anna's Tiramisu Leggero
  
  with Espresso Granita ($12.00)
  
  Piccoli Pasticcini Fennel Fig Biscotti
  
  Baci di Dama, Mint Chocolate Wafer ($11.00)
  
  Parmigiano Reggiano
  
  with Acetaia di Giorgio 36year, Genepro, Balsamico ($20.00)
  
  Poco Carretto Sorbetto*
  
  ($7.00)
  
  Poco Carretto Gelato*
  
  ($8.00)
  
  Poco Carretto Gelati and Sorbetti Pints*
  
  for Take Away ($12.00)

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