Cafe Soleil - (206) 325-1126

I love this place, and have since I moved here five years ago. The chef (and I think owner) is wonderful. Her cooking is simple yet utterly delicious, and I've never had a bad or even mediocre meal here. I like the fact that it's not a chichi spot like so many places in the city, but the space is comfortable and homey. Her focus is the food, which is flavorful and always tasty.

The food here is fantastic! The dinner menu of Ethiopian items is better than any of the other Ethiopian restaurants I have eaten at in Seattle or LA. It is a fresher take on Ethiopian, less cooking the veggies into unidentifiable lumps, and more using the flavor the veggies came with. The meats are higher quality cuts than one usually finds in many ethiopian restaurants as well, which also may have to do with not cooking them forever. I haven't even ever tried the non-ethiopian items on the menu, (pasta and salads are offered as well) because I can't get enough of the stellar items I already love! The breakfast/lunch menu on the weekends is a little small, but the egg dishes and potatoes are great: homecooked and non-pretentious, simple combinations of flavor. I think far better fare for your money, than the last few brunches I have had at the other restaurants in Madrona which either are trying too hard to impress or feature a huge wait time. I am not sure why others have had issues with finding this wonderful restaurant open. It is always open when the hours posted on the door say, aside from what seems to be a regular summer vacation. Understandable for a small owner-run buisness in my book! I love the dependability of Cafe Soleil because the owner is always the one cooking your meal! All said, great value for good food!

Is this place ever open? I hear from the (unlucky?) few who have happened upon the restaurant open have been sorely disappointed. Madrona can do better. Just look across the street at the jewel of a place in Cremant. Too bad someone with a corner space can't put in a better effort.