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Cafe Septieme (Capitol Hill)

214 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 860-8858

Categories: Restaurant

Restaurant Details

Bar Details

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 2.56000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (20) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Cafe Septieme
20
Okay - I COMPLETELY agree with Questioning My Loyalty. I have been going to Cafe Septieme since I was seventeen, and always thought the thick, beautiful red created an ambiance that was comforting, dark, striking - without being cheesy. "Septieme Red" became my (and others') nickname for the color - it was so unique. The day I walked in and saw the GAUDY, HELLISH yellow on the wall I immediately cringed. It made me want to leave. It was like someone had taken this strange little cafe and bleached it into a cheery, disgusting chain-store. I could not believe the error in judgment. I really hope that the higher-ups consider changing it back. Other than that, I have no complaints. The service is always wonderful, and the prices are reasonable. Still, all these qualities are completely snuffed out by the fact that the dramatic change in color has completely ruined what was once a lovely atmosphere.
Posted by neuvieme on May 16, 2009 at 3:04 PM · Report
19
I concur with the others who mention this place's great past and shoddy present condition. The ambiance in particular has gone sour, followed by food quality and service. Only go here if you can time-travel.
Posted by lanoshome on April 22, 2009 at 1:48 PM · Report
18

Happy hour review

3 solid stars for CHEAP drinks. $2.95 wells? Bring it on! Menu looks really expansive which is usually a bad sign but they have some interesting daily/sunday specials so if you're trying to save a buck, maybe not a bad choice. As for myself, I'm just going to stick with the booze thanks
Posted by biju on November 27, 2008 at 12:47 AM · Report
17

It once was great!!!

Ever since Kurt sold the place some years ago the place has been declining in all regards. Too bad as it once was a great place to both eat and observe Seattle people.
Posted by ajh on October 23, 2008 at 7:10 PM · Report
16

Lots of people waiting...

The service is unbearably slow. Last time I went my boyfriend and I paid for our 2 cups of coffee and walked out. We had waited nearly 90 minutes for a pretty simple breakfast order. Our waiter was clearly addicted to something or other. To be avoided.
Posted by Justin on October 6, 2008 at 4:23 PM · Report
15

DOWNGRADE.

What in the hell??? I've been going to Septieme for years now and have almost always enjoyed the service and the food. But for some reason they've put down fake hardwood flooring in the larger dining area, and SPONGE-PAINTED the walls a hideous yellow/ochre color that makes the place feel like a Denny's restaurant in the 1980's. BAD CALL. The color is so wrong and makes me not want to go there. It was so much nicer when it was dark and cozy. I hope enough people complain for them to rethink it. Terrible downgrade in atmosphere.
Posted by questioning my loyalty on March 8, 2008 at 1:05 PM · Report
14

Horrible Service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will never go back! The service was aweful.I have never been so ignored or had such bad service at a restaurant.
Posted by Nicole on January 17, 2008 at 1:49 PM · Report
13

lord of the flies

OMG I would not go again if it were the last bar in all of africa. septeme is the lord of the flies. if you dont believe me just look they are everywhere. the whole time i was there i was eating pasta and wishing i was in that brad pitt movie where he is in africa and there are a lot of flies by his bed. but i wasn't in that movie. i was on broadway. just look at the department of food violations and there are so many from septeme, if you don't believe me. julias also has the better drag queens because i don't think septeme's are even licensed or official!
Posted by IL DIVA on December 18, 2007 at 10:30 AM · Report
12

love it, especially the service

i've been going to septieme for years now and never have i received a lapse in service. i think the waitstaff, and especially the owner (victor) are all super wonderful. the food is my favorite in seattle - especially the garlic potatoes and the biscuits. i always leave there feeling perfectly content and never overly full. i understand that the community is disappointed with the owner's decisions last year re: the immigration march. being an immigrant and working in a family business, i find it easy to relate to the owner's actions, although of course i don't condone his firing of the manager; regardless, hating a place because of politics one can't possibly understand seems like a poor excuse to boycott a place.
Posted by subhadra on September 13, 2007 at 11:39 PM · Report
11

Divinely erratic

The Schweinschnitzel is divine, Rodney is divine, the drinks and breakfast can be devine BUT the kitchen and staff are not consistent, the owner is a yutz and the place could use a good cleaning/remodel; it's getting a bit seedy...oh, and the dessert case is a bit sad...but did I mention that Rodney is divine?
Posted by strangeways on August 28, 2007 at 12:37 PM · Report
10

Always disappointing

Terrible food (good ideas, poor execution) and the worst service ever. I finally stopped going when I heard they treated their employees poorly (no wonder the service sucks!). It's sad really, for such a cool space in a busy location.
Posted by Pizza bagel on August 15, 2007 at 1:29 PM · Report
9

Best German-style breaded pork in town

with the red cabbage - yeah baby! - i've been ordering this dish since i moved to seattle 14 years ago and it hasn't changed a bit - thank god - it's unique - comfort - and the waitstaff is very nice. the place to go when you want relaxing simple fare - to sit back and have good conversation in a quiet relaxed atmosphere
Posted by Brecky Brown on August 1, 2007 at 11:25 PM · Report
8

Septieme is good!

I've been going to Septeime off and on since my teen years. I love the food, especially the Gnocchi. They also mix an awesome Cherry Coke. The service can be spotty, but Rodney is absolutely awesome. He reminds me of what would happen if Lewis Black and my UU spirit guide from childhood had a kid.
Posted by Capilet on July 10, 2007 at 9:31 PM · Report
7

Er, well.. Meh.

So yes, Septieme is a Broadway staple, and yes, I go there twice a month, and yes, their food is always delicious and reasonably priced ($4.95 breakfast and coffee? Yes please!), but here's the thing: Their service sucks. Like, SUCKS sucks. Everyone expects some Capitol Hill haughtiness on Broadway, but c'mon... The last time I was there, it took the waiter 15 minutes to bring the two of us water, and then he only brought ONE! The only rival for service crappiness is Bimbo's. So, like... Go there, and stuff, but expect to get a little irritated (until your breakfast arrives, then drown your sorrows in the potatoes... Mmmmm, potatoes...).
Posted by Justin on June 23, 2007 at 10:46 AM · Report
6

Had a burger there yesterday.

I know Septieme is incredibly inconsistant but had a burger there yesteday and it was perfect. It came out fast; it was cooked just right and it tasted great.
Posted by chowbert on May 31, 2007 at 8:27 AM · Report
5

ex-regular

I loved septieme for years and would often go there several times a week, but since the new ownership came in the food hasn't been consistent and I have been dissapointed many times. Once I learned of the owners poor treatment of his employees I just stopped going at all.
Posted by lulu on May 25, 2007 at 9:13 AM · Report
4

Goddammit Septieme!

I've been eating at Septieme since 1995. It's changed, especially when the new owner took over, but not significantly enough for me to bolster any complaints. I take that back... someone changed the recipe for the breakfast biscuits and now they suck ass. But in general you can get a solid breakfast and coffee for under $10, and sit there all morning w/o being bothered by idiots, fucked up music, or over eager waitstaff trying to squeeze another dollar out of you. I defend this restaurant as one of the best places in town, but you have to understand it, you have to become part of it, you have to become a regular, which is easy to do. If you like Julia's, you'll hate Septiembe. Julia's is just another shithole restaurant serving cheap ass food in an atmosphere that is trying too hard to distract you from the Wonder Bread delivery truck.
Posted by Hans Hackenstackerbundt on May 22, 2007 at 5:20 PM · Report
3

The Stranger reccomends this place???

I think there must be some kind of error going on here, or this recommendation is just old. Because this place used to be good... but oh no, not now. It's the land that time forgot, the bar at the end of the universe. You will be forgotten the moment you walk in and feel like you'll never be allowed to leave.
Posted by Charles on May 22, 2007 at 3:11 PM · Report
2

Not Even If They Were The Best Nachos On The Planet

I'm of the opinion that the Tio Taco who owns this place seems to hate imigrants as long as they're not him. Plus they don't serve nachos. They're pretty damned good at making a breakfast that is ideal for hangovers. Decent Bloody Mary too. Polite, somewhat shiftless waitstaff. I rated it a 3 but it's more like a strong 2 star.
Posted by Chambers McSween, Nacho Critic. on May 19, 2007 at 5:28 PM · Report
1

Not great

Septieme in its old Belltown location was a fab little establishment. I loved the breakfast brioche, the intimate atmosphere and the friendly service. Since it moved to Broadway, I've been several times, and I've never been impressed. The service has been erratic. The food has not impressed me (though I haven't had the dishes mentioned in the Stranger review). The waitstaff has been occasionally surly. All in all, I think it's just another mediocre Broadway restaurant. For a better, more reliable dining experience, I'd recommend the nearby El Greco.
Posted by Will in 98103 on May 18, 2007 at 4:52 PM · Report

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