ViaVita cafe brings taste of Europe to downtown Bellevue

Traveling in Europe, Jan Lawrence noticed an interesting trend: People take more time to savor the moment – whether it's on a leisurely stroll or treating oneself to an espresso and croissant in the morning. The cafes throughout Europe stay open all day, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and wine offerings at night. Nine months ago, these European customs would inspire Lawrence to open ViaVita – a cafe, restaurant and wine bar in downtown Bellevue.

By Gabrielle Nomura • August 29, 2011 6:48 pm

Traveling in Europe, Jan Lawrence noticed an interesting trend: People take more time to savor the moment – whether it’s on a leisurely stroll or treating oneself to an espresso and croissant in the morning.

The cafes throughout Europe stay open all day, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and wine offerings at night.

Nine months ago, these European customs would inspire Lawrence to open ViaVita – a cafe, restaurant and wine bar in downtown Bellevue.

Here, the music is never blaring to allow for conversation. Natural light and the goings-on of the outside world floods through floor-to-ceiling windows; A solo diner can look outside instead of at a book. Even the menu is “in the moment,” changing with whatever is in season.

Lawrence, a former restaurant manager, was inspired by the increasingly “vertical” state of the city: big buildings, big industry – not enough of a personal experience.

“People needed a place to slow down,” she said.

As Lawrence put it, she’s created her own Italian piazza in Bellevue, with influences from Spain and France, too, from the menu offerings to the Spanish-style bar. With only eight seats, the semicircular bar allows people to talk more face-to-face.

For lunch, try a panini or a Croque Madame with French ham, gruyere cheese, on Brioche with sautéed egg and mornay sauce – each for $10. French food purists will also love that escargot and frog legs with white wine, garlic, tomato, parsley and brown butter sauce are offered for $13.

“People typically assume that French cuisine means they have to spend a lot of money,” said Lawrence, who has tried to balance her menu with upscale, yet affordable offerings.

A diner could get three small plates, plus a glass of wine, for $30 or less.

Here, Lawrence aims to move away from the “big-box” restaurants and chains, pouring her heart, as she says, in creating a comfortable atmosphere with attention to all the little details from first bite to first glance.

ViaVita is located in the Belcarra Building at 1032 106th Ave. NE, Suite 126 (but the front door is actually on 10th Street.) Free parking is offered in the garage off of 106th Street; 425-449-8917; www.viavitacafe.com.