Spinasse vs. Cafe Juanita

[julieh1968]

Hi Seattle Hounds! I will be coming to your glorious city at the end of October for a long weekend. Starting to narrow down places I would like to try on this trip. With that in mind, I would appreciate any guidance you all could give me regarding whether to have dinner at Spinasse or Cafe Juanita. I can't do both this time through so I need to pick one. Thanks!

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Cafe Juanita
Kirkland, WA, Kirkland, WA

Spinasse
Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA

[NYPORK]

Spinasse hands down.

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Spinasse
Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA

[julieh1968]

Thank you NYPORK. :-)

[dagoose]

I think it depends on which side of the lake you're on. They are both great food and nice restaurants, but if you're on the West side (Seattle) it will be much more pleasant to go to Spinasse and keep travel times down. If you're already on the east side, then you can pop up to Cafe Juanita.

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Cafe Juanita
Kirkland, WA, Kirkland, WA

Spinasse
Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA

[julieh1968]

Thanks dagoose. I will be in both areas actually. Most of my time will be in Seattle proper as I am staying downtown. But, on Saturday I thought I would rent a car and drive over to Woodinville for the afternoon so it would be easy to go to Cafe Juanita that evening for an early dinner.

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Cafe Juanita
Kirkland, WA, Kirkland, WA

[PAO]

What a choice to have to make! I love them both. Spinasse is a bit more casual. If you're feeling more like pasta, I'd go to Spinasse.

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Spinasse
Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA

[tsquare]

I also think the atmosphere is quite different - Cafe Juanita is quiet, often an older crowd (with more money) or lots of tech types. Spinasse and the adjoining Artusi is hipper, louder (by a lot) and more of a scene. There is also a lot of street activity in the area (and terrible parking.)
Do check the menus - I think they are also different enough that your preferences will weigh in easily.

[PAO]

Tsquare is right about ambience. Unless they changed them today, I'm not sure that either restaurant's online menu is correct.

[julieh1968]

Ok, thank you tsquare and PAO....this definitely helps me make my decision. While I am not exactly young (43), I would rather go to a place that has a bit more going on. The current menu at Juanita is more appealing to me presently BUT my whole reason for going to any italian restaurant is typically the pasta. This time would be no exception. I think Spinasse it is!

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Spinasse
Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA

[fuzzyboy]

I'm with most of the other crowd. Two different places...it just depends on your mood. They're both great. If pasta is the what you crave, hit Spinasse. Juanita has a bit more variety.

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Spinasse
Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA

[julieh1968]

Thanks fuzzyboy. I have made a reservation at Spinasse. :)

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Spinasse
Seattle, WA, Seattle, WA