The cars rush by outside the spread of windows that line the new Purple Cafe and Wine Bar on the corner of 106th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Fourth Street in Downtown Bellevue. The lights of the city give the modern, 6,200 square-foot restaurant an urban appeal while the intimate interior creates an inviting allure.
Think industrial meets your wealthy neighbors wine cellar and you have the newest location of Purple.
Situation on the ground level of the Bellevue Towers, the new Purple mirrors the flagship location in Seattle, known for its vast selection of wine, Northwest cuisine and urban atmosphere. Purple can also be found in Kirkland and Woodinville.
Two oversized steel doors lead the way into the main entry of the new Bellevue facility. Guests are greeted with an industrial interior decor, including metal spiral staircases, brick walls, cement flooring, large pillars and hanging candle light fixtures. The tables throughout the dining area are paired with signature heavy wrought-iron chairs and a single tea-light candle in the center of the table.
The dining room seats up to 175 people and includes seating at the Tasting Bar, where chefs prepare menu items in front of guests including the feta and toasted walnut spread with candied walnuts ($3) and peppadew peppers and smoked salmon mousse ($5).
Executive Chef Mike Davis and Chef de Cuisine Casey Barnes oversee the menu at the Bellevue location and feature American classics influenced by Northwest cuisine. Popular dishes include the Lobster Baked Mac and Cheese ($22), Gorgonzola Pear Pizza ($11), and the Duet of New Zealand Lamb ($28).
Two semi-private dining areas are situated between floor to ceiling wine libraries and can be reserved for larger parties or multiple small parties upon request. A similar wine library with spiral staircase for employee access towers over the main bar located in the center of the restaurant.
Dawn Smith, the Wine Director for Purple in Bellevue, handpicked the wine list for Bellevue, emphasizing Washington wines and adding a vast selection of wines from regions all over the world. The restaurant offers more than 350 selections, a number Smith plans to increase over the next coming months.
“It has been a busy couple of weeks with the opening of Barrio next door and Purple,” Smith said, who also works as the Wine Director for Barrio. “Now that the dust has begun to settle I will have the opportunity to revisit Purple’s wine list and make sure it has a good representation of the world’s top wine regions.”
Smith previously hails from Canlis and Bin Vivant and was named Seattle Magazine’s 2009 Sommelier of the Year.
Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425.453.4602.
Purple in Bellevue is located at 430 106th Avenue NE. For reservations, call 425.502.6292 or visit www.thepurplecafe.com. Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – midnight, and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Parking is free with validation for up to four hours in the Bellevue Towers parking garage.
