During an excellent four-course dinner at Place Pigalle (PP) in December, I snapped this photo of Sidney Markus, a.k.a. “bartender extraordinaire,” in a rather precarious position between the front and back bars. The intimate French restaurant with postcard views of Elliott Bay is one of our favorites and the servers really know how to treat their customers right, but risking life and limb?!?!

We were at PP enjoying their Autumn Prix-Fixe dinner, a four-course meal for $35 (or just $50 with very thoughtful wine pairings devised by Kerry Johnson, maitre ‘d and wine steward at the venerable Columbia Tower Club who also pinch hits at PP). As an example of his wine pairings, the rich Duck Confit Ravioli with Flageolet Beans and Sage Jus was paired with J. Christopher 2007 Cristo Misto from the Willamette Valley, an interesting blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris (90%) and Riesling (10%). Roasted Beet Salad and Baby Arugula Salad simply dressed with EVOO and parsley and sprinkled with goat’s-milk cheese from France paired with Freemark Abbey 2003 Merlot from the Napa Valley. 

Entrées included Fresh Diver Scallops with Beluga Lentils, Smoked Bacon Vinaigrette, and Shaved Fennel Salad with the lovely (and biodynamic!) Cooper Mountain 2006 Pinot Gris from the Willamette Valley. Coriander-Encrusted Pork Tenderloin with Yakima Apple and Fall Squash Hash and Calvados Jus paired perfectly with Dobbes Family Estate 2005 Pinot Noir, also from the Willamette. 

Our sweet tooth enjoyed PP’s famous (some might say infamous) Pot de Crème au Chocolat, Cherry Pecan Torte, or Crème Brûlée. Be on the look out for PP’s next four-course, prix-fixe dinner, whenever it arrives. It’s a great deal and real bargain, and the gorgeous view is an added bonus.