Le Pichet

Every time I read a review written by someone who eagerly longs to ride Bourdain’s dick, I feel like I’m skimming over a script for softcore porn.
I can appreciate simplistic food that accomplishes the bare minimum of making me feel satiated after the food is gone. Let’s take the dildo out of our butts and see that there is not much to praise about elementary level assembly of cheese and ham with a side of smug a la mode.
There is a threshold of how good broiled ham can taste. The taste of ham doesn’t transform in the oven, no matter which angle or oven setting you have. When has anyone ever been like, «Warm harm?! I’m literally gonna shit on my dick!» Their oeufs au plat is not a panacea, it is simply a common breakfast item.
I dined at Le Pichet solely based on the virtue that others told me that this small café made the best quiches around the Seattle area. I’ve been to Le Pichet twice to give it a second chance after my first trip got off on shaky, uncertain grounds.
The first time they ran out of bread at 6pm on a weeknight. In my opinion, the bread is one of the better parts of French restaurants, they ought be churning that shit as if their lives depended on it.
We had to gesture, motions that were just a little short of flashing my nipples, our waiter multiple times to get some attention at our table. Then my questions about the menu never really got answered because our waiter insisted on not breaking character and continuing to use French to explain the menu I can already fucking see is in French. What a swell guy.
The second visit was a redemption for the first as I kept communication minimal and non-​existent. We shared a quiche. It was a good treat. It was one of those super dense, creamy treats that you know will come out the other end nicely.
Keep expectations low except for dat bowel flow.

A cute French café for French food lovers! Came here for Saturday brunch. Not too many brunch choices here so I ended up getting the quiche and a mocha. I was pleasantly surprised with the quiche. It was super fluffy with a crispy crust. Really delicious and generous portion! Others I was with got the charcuterie plate and the broil. The charcuterie plate was good but I didn’t really like the broil. Overall really enjoyed my lunch here.

Uh oh — $ 14 French Onion Soup? Seriously one of Seattle’s coolest little joints but, no — mediocre $ 14 French Onion Soup is too far.
One is really hard-​pressed to find a soup worth $ 14. While the design, location and service certainly get it high marks, overpriced menu items simply cannot be overlooked.
Wine selection and coffee take up some of the slack. Hopefully the high prices don’t take it down.

My friend and I were visiting Seattle from California and decided to try this place over Lola and Biscuit Bitch and we regretted it. We ordered the eufs plats, jambon et fromage (2 eggs and ham) and the pâté albigeois (basically salami with pickles and honey walnuts) and it was SO salty. The pork (tastes like salami so we call it that) had so much salt that my friend took a chunk off and it was still so salty.
If you’re looking for something light this place will do, but I’d suggest going to another breakfast spot.

One of the best breakfast I’ve ever had in Seattle.
Espresso, pork pâté, six oysters, Half a baguette!
It’s like they put this on the menu because they knew I was coming in.

Got a Sandwich en baguette to-​go so that we can bring it to the airport and consume before boarding our flight. It was nice that they still offered us a glass of water while we were waiting for our order. The sandwich tasted great. until you’re hit by the punch from the mustard. I wanted to finish the sandwich because the bread & ham tasted great, but the punch was way too powerful to enjoy the sandwich comfortably.

The place is quiet on weekday mornings, but don’t let it fool you if so.
Like others, I favor the broiled eggs, ham and Gruyère cheese dish. It is awesome – and also very hot! Watch out for the first bite.
I strongly recommend the brioche, which is very large and comes w raspberry jam. Yum.
The mocha latte was great. They also supplied me w my requested honey to sweeten to taste.
Feels like a bit of France in downtown Seattle – and it should, since its founder is from France, but passed away in 2005, at only 60. Check his picture on the wall.

I came for lunch with a friend who was incredibly disappointed that the quiche sold out while we were thinking about what to order. Don’t let that happen to you! If you know you want it, get there around 11:30 and order it right away. I had the baked egg with ham and it was pretty damn tasty. That and the bread and butter left me feeling sated. I’d definitely recommend this place for a simple lunch and they do have a small patio for when the sun is out, which is the perfect place for a quick meal.

As always, on the last night, we try to find some place for that last great meal. Le Pichet had some high reviews, but our dinner was not the best. I understand it was the day after Thanksgiving, but people are done with turkey and may want something else, so everything should be on point.
I like the space… it’s nice and cozy like some restaurants in Paris. Great wine list! Fresh crisp crust bread! The amuse bouche was a delicious surprise! I ordered the soup of the day to start and it was delicious! Tender garbanzos and kale in a wonderful broth. We both ordered the steak frites, and here is where everything changed.
The partner’s steak was so tough that even the steak knife had trouble cutting through. Mine was tough as well, but a littler more tender than his, so we switched. I like jerky… LOL. The disappointment hung like a cloud over the table. The friendly waitress came by, but I really hate sending food back. Maybe this time I should have. Perhaps it was an off night… being a former industry server, it happens. But I would not serve something like this.
Again, everything else was amazing up to that point. I would come back on my next visit but maybe for just wine, cheese and charcuterie.

My first time here, should have come years ago.
I had the chef’s pick of 8 on the charcuterie board. All delicious with endless baguette and strong black coffee.
I highly recommend this restaurant.

Great place for baked goods. Order the tea and indulge in the restaurant atmosphere. Bön A Petit! This place does get busy so you may ask for a bar seat on the weekends. Patrons are similar to the food so expect some tailored pants and shiny kicks so leave those sweats you thought could swing as causal at home. Have fun in Paris errr I mean Seattle.

Quintessential authentic old French café. I felt for a moment I was in France. The owners are French, seems they have a lot of French customers and the croissants… mmm mmm good.
We came for breakfast based on the Unilocal reviews saying it served breakfast. It really doesn’t, at least not a NW breakfast. There was only one dish with eggs, and the quiche isn’t served until 11:30 for lunch. This is truly French and breakfast is more simple, so we asked the waitress to order for us.
She chose the charcuterie plate with chicken liver pâté (really good!!), freshly made yogurt (TDF) with walnuts and local honey, chocolate croissant, French baguette with butter, and the one dish with eggs that had a fabulous French name that I can’t remember but that was tasty and light. It was a simple baked dish with ham, over medium baked eggs and a yummy stinky gruyère. So good.
Two well-​crafted cappuccinos later, were happy to come out with a $ 35 bill. I love that you can find places like this in Seattle for a unique experience.

Expérience décevante. Des portions minuscules pour un prix assez élevé, la charcuterie n’est pas mauvaise, et le service est moyen. J’étais très contente à l’idée de manger français, et j’ai été très déçue !

This meal was beautiful. The intimate ambiance manages to be cozy without being over loud. Candles and dim lighting with chalked out specials add to the authentic feel. From house-​made charcuterie, to egg-​topped ratatouille on socca, followed by fried dough balls with house-​made ice cream and a glass of tawny port, the meal and the wait staff made my night effortlessly delicious and friendly. The staff paired a wine for me perfectly. The wait staff was the best I have had in years – attentive, timely, considerate, and helpful.
Le Pichet is an absolute gem. Five stars are rare, but Le Pichet earned them with ease.

My fiancé and I walked in here looking for a good, old-​fashioned American brunch. We did not find that. What we did find was a menu full of excellent charcuterie options (and some salads).
Since I love salami et al, this was not a problem for me. My fiancé made do with a dish where two eggs sunnyside up are smothered with gruyère cheese and laid on a thin bed of ham before baking for a bit. He enjoyed his meal. I had an open-​faced sandwich: salami on top of bread with mustard in between and a couple of cornichons on the side. It was quite good, but I wouldn’t run back to Le Pichet for that meal.
I loved — LOVED — the orange juice! I know that’s weird to say in a review about a French charcuterie restaurant, but it was freshly squeezed from juicy oranges and delicious from beginning to end. Their complimentary bread and butter at the beginning of the meal — also excellent! The restaurant has a nice cozy vibe, which adds nicely to the experience. For $ 33 (two meals, two OJs, and two hot teas), we had a yummy meal for a great price.

My husband… LOVES this place. He’s in Seattle several times a month and therefore at Le Pichet more than several times a month. Gregory R is right on the money with his «Paris in Seattle» comment. You feel transported the minute you sit down.
I’m only broken hearted that I didn’t know I could order the quiche. We started with the Assiette de fromages and Assiette de charcuterie which was followed by the much praised Salade verte made with bibb lettuce salad with mustard and hazelnut vinaigrette and Soupe aux oignons doux et au beurre de maquereau fumé made with Walla Walla sweet onion broth simmered with mustard greens and wheat berries, served with smoked mackerel butter croûton.
For dessert, we had the Lavender Crème Caramel and Plum Upside-​Down cake. Both were outstanding. They also make their own caramels… which they serve with coffee after dinner. Don’t leave without having one.
The Salade Verte and fromages (which change daily) stood out. They serve wine in lovely clay pitchers (hence the name).
It’s quite small and you may have to wait for a table, but it’s worth the wait. On a lovely day, there’s nothing better than sitting outside.

My experience at this place has been ruined by one of the rudest waitresses I ever met. From the moment I sat on the table to when I left, bitter coldness is what I felt. First of all the phrase, «excuse me» should be included in her word bank. I am reading the menu and she puts my tea on top of it and then pulls it away-​not a word. She moves my arm for me to get the plate-​not a word. Ignored me when I was trying to get her attention and glared at me when i finally did after multiple attempts. Took forever to get my hot water.
Here are some tips the waitress can do– turn that frown upside down, talk to the customer, like have words coming out of your mouth, dont glare, dont stare into space that you miss your customers and be polite. Manners go a long way.
Food was fine, a bit on the salty. Assorted Charcuterie is a must if you have not been. Its a cold dish packed with diffrent meats. My favorite is the beef tongue, and slow cooked pork. The safest dish to order is their quiche, but its good.
Dishes are from $ 5 – 14 for breakfast/​lunch

«If you’re like me and have a real soft spot for a superb well-​executed old-​school French bistro, Le Pichet is one of the best in the country.» — Anthony Bourdain
I happen to agree Mr. Tony B. As soon as I entered La Pichet, I felt as if I had time warped to France. LP is about authentic as it gets stateside, all the way from the décor to the cuisine with phenomenal service.
LP is open from 8am to midnight 7 days a week, so my husband and I thought it would be a great choice for a late dinner after a very busy day of seeing the Seattle sights. Please note, they have 4 menus, with the La Casse Croûte and La Charcuterie available all day… so we inadvertently missed the dinner menu; however, easily still enjoyed a full meal of assorted French specialties.
First, LP offers a very large selection of aperitifs to choose from if you please. Or, just choose one of their many fine, and some rather affordable, wines by the glass, half or full carafe, or bottle. Be sure to indulge in the wonderful, complimentary baguette and super creamy butter while perusing the menu and/​or waiting for your food — just be sure not to over-​indulge — the staff will keep it coming and it’s oh so good.
Off the La Charcuterie Menu: In my opinion, one of the best ways to begin a meal done «tapas style» at Le Pichet is by ordering Olives with Pastis and choosing either their 3 or 5 item Assiette Plate– a great way to sample charcuterie items and super affordable ($ 8 and $ 14, respectively), served with tangy cornichons. The house made Terrine au poivre vert (duck liver, pork, and green peppercorns) was to die for. The slow braised, pressed Beef Tongue was amazing. For me, the charcuterie highlight was the Smooth Chicken Liver Pâté. Smooth indeed. Not a bit grainy. And for those less experienced, the typically very inexpensive Chicken Liver, the terrine at La Pichot had complex flavors and silky texture, might have easily been passed off as a high priced foie product. Very impressive.
Off the La Casse Croûte menu: My hubby just had to try the Asperges et poireaux en vinaigrette et ses grattons de poulet (grilled asparagus, with white wine vinegar and walnut oil garnished with crispy chicken skin and Roquefort cheese). We’re both big fans of asparagus and this dish certainly did not disappoint. Plump veg, seared perfectly, with amazingly flavorful and well accompanied vinaigrette. And, the slight saltiness and texture brought by the chicken skin was a nice touch. Highly recommend.
The Œufs plats, jambon et fromage consisted of two beautifully cooked eggs atop some lovely ham, covered with gruyère, and put under a broiler. Very tasty indeed. Although eggs are good at time — day or night — this dish with a few pieces of baguette would make for a perfect breakfast. Yum!
Overall: After sadly experiencing way too many extremely overpriced and poor quality food at French restaurants across the U.S., La Pichet was a wonderful, welcomed change. Simply amazing and authentic food at a quite affordable price. Oh, and at the end of the meal we were presented with two house made, hand wrapped, and delightfully delicious caramels. The perfect way to end a great meal! Tres magnifique!

Ah Le Pichet. Simple food but to me it’s good enough!
I had the Sandwich en Baguette. $ 8. I’ll have this again for sure if I come back. This is in their lunch menu.
Very cozy spot. Outside seating available. Although in cold Seattle almost everyone was huddled inside on our last day in the city. Menu posted on the window so you can peruse while waiting.
Adam mentioned that the hostess wasn’t writing down names until he called her attention to that important part of her job. I mean if you are willing to wait half hour you better be sure this hostess calls your name in the proper sequence. So watch her write your name. Do not leave or turn your back until you see your name down in writing.
Once we were seated the situation changed for the better. Our server was sweet, friendly and knowledgeable. Considering what we ordered– food came out pretty fast.
They share a bathroom with their next door neighbor and it’s clean.
It’s away from the craziness of the Pike Place market and yet it’s quite near. For what they serve here it’s ok if you don’t mind complicated sounding dish names and only about a two egg creation. What’s a breakfast without a choice of my favorite protein? It’s like going to an egg party with only a two egg dish!
So my own recommendation? It’s good if you wanna try once but if you want more bang for your buck go somewhere else. There’s plenty to choose from.

This is a little gem on the edge of the Pike Place area (close enough to the attractions/​market but thankfully far enough to avoid the maddening frenzy).
Brunch on a Sunday is definitely a popular time for them — we had a 30 minute wait for a four-​top at 11am.
The main offerings for breakfast were two types of egg platters, a charcuterie and cheese selection, salads, oysters, and other small dishes. Later on (lunch begins at 1130am), sandwiches, a quiche, soup and raclette are made available. If you’re looking for a traditional full eggs and bacon-​type breakfast, you won’t find it here.
What you will find is good bread and butter, tasty coffee and high quality meats and cheeses. I ordered the petite charcuterie (chef’s choice) and received an assortment of 3 meats. It would have been nice to receive a rundown of what those items were (especially as I opted to have them choose for me), but I’m pretty sure I had pork rilettes and two other types of sausage. We all enjoyed our dishes (a friend had a ham+cheese baguette sandwich, the other had beef tongue charcuterie, another had the oeufs plat).
Our server was perfectly accommodating and cute too boot. A lovely thing they definitely imported from France was the laid-​back, no rush atmosphere. Nobody was giving us the stink-​eye to hurry up leave our table. I would love to come back here to enjoy a meat/​cheese plate with a glass (or two) of wine and pretend I am in Paris again ;)

Wow. I LOVE this place. Why have I not been here before? Magic happens here.
I walked in at noon on a weekday and had plans to meet a friend at 12:30 but I was famished. The place was about ²⁄₃ full and I was told to seat myself.
A girl quickly came over and cleared my table and brought me silverware and water. I ordered the chocolate chaud and chocolate croissant. Right off the bat I was told the wait for the chaud would be a bit since the kitchen has to prepare the chocolate. Okay, sounds good.
She brought fresh baguette with butter over and then told me about the quiche of the day– gruyère cheese, leeks, and ham. I’ve read so many reviews on the heavenly quiche that I gave in. I even ordered a latte cause why not? I’m the weirdo who orders all this food before my date even comes.
The chocolate chaud was the best I’ve had in Seattle. It was perfect and not too sweet (and the wait wasn’t bad at all!). The croissant was smaller than other places but delectable. My latte was beautiful and strong. The sugar cubes were a nice touch. The quiche though was… the best thing I’ve had in my life. The idea of quiche kinda grosses me out. And the quiche here is thick and cut like a pie. I was worried but once I took a bite, I was in love.
The flaky crust was just perfect – not too buttery and melts in your mouth. The egg was baked to perfection.
The ambiance of this place is great too – I felt like I was actually in Paris. There was a cute boy cranking out espresso at the bar, the chef with dark artsy frames would peep out of the kitchen once in a while, and there was a very French lady who was running the whole show.
My friend finally came and she ordered the chaud and a croissant. All of this came out to $ 35. I was there for a whole two hours and didn’t feel rushed at all. I’ll definitely be coming back. I can’t wait to try their cured meats, cheeses, and baked eggs :’) The staff is SUPER attentive and our water cups were always full. Love!
This place is where magic happens, just a few steps away from the market. My words aren’t doing this place justice.

C’est un bon endroit pour manger lorsque certaines choses de France me manquent, comme le pâté et le fromage accompagnés d’une bonne baguette. Les desserts maison sont très bon comme quelques plats. Le seul problème est que l’on est un peu collé les un aux autres.

Internationale Küche in den USA? Nun ja, oft ist da wenig authentisch und viel auf das reduziert, wie sich der Durchschnittsamerikaner das Ausland eben vorstellt.
Das Le Pichet ist eine erfreuliche Abwechslung. Ich war zum Frühstück an einem Samstagmorgen dort. Das Interierur wirkt klassisch französisch ohne durch massiven Einsatz von «Brasserie-​Dekor» überladen zu sein. Es besticht durch seinen schlichten Charm, wobei gerade die geringe Größe des Raums vorteilhaft ist: Die großen Spiegel an der Wand lassen ihn optisch größer wirken, wobei er gefühlt nicht zu groß ist.
Die Speisekarte kommt konsequent in französisch daher und die englische Übersetzung findet man nur in klein darunter.
Ich habe mit für das «Pain et beurre» entschieden, also das Bagutte mit Butter und Marmelade. Alleine schon das Baguette ist ein Traum: Aussen knackig, aber nicht zu cross, innen fest und luftig zugleich. Die Marmelade war ebenfalls sehr gut, ich meine hausgemacht, bin mir aber nicht sicher.
Leider waren die Croissants gegen 9:00 Uhr bereits ausverkauft.
Neben regulärem Kaffee gibt es auch klassische Milchkaffeespezialitäten. Die Betonung liegt hier auf klasssich, d.h. es gibt den guten Cappucino ohne Kakao oben drauf (sic!) und auch Sirup habe ich keinen gesehen. Das der Milchschaum vom ein oder anderen Barista besser gezaubert wird mag sein, geschmacklich war der Cappucino aber absolut top.
Die Frühstückskarte bot noch das ein oder andere mehr: Leberpasteten, pochierte Eier mit Schinken und Gruyère-​Käse, Austern oder auch Jogurt mit Walnüssen und Honig.
Insgesamt eine kleine aber sehr feine Auswahl.
Das Früshtück macht auf jeden Fall Lust auf mehr — beim nächsten Mal geht es zum Mittag oder Abendessen hin und dann wird auch die Weinauswahl untersucht!
Preise: Angemessen. Das besagte Baguette lag bei $ 2,50, der Cappucino bei $ 2,75. Andere Frühstücksgerichte bewegen sich zwischen $ 5 und $ 12
Publikum: Sehr gemischt, alt und jung, teilweise leicht intellektuell-​alternativ. Unter der Woche sicherlich auch viele Anzüge und Krawatten.
Warum kein 5. Stern? Tja, ich war an einem windigen, regerischen Tag da — und da fehlt der schwere Kneipenvorhang an der Tür als Windfang. So blies der Wind mit jedem Gast fröhlich hinein und sorgte dafür, daß man auch drinnen besser mit Jacke oder dickem Pulli saß.

Tres magnifique! C’ete tres bon, tous les choses. Le service, l’ambience… je retournais!

Quelle petite phrase bouleversante au coeur d’un être?