When we attend concerts and other
events at WAMU, The Clink, T-Mobile Park, or the other SODO spots, we are
always on the hunt for a place where we can catch a decent meal or snack aside
from the bevvy of poorly fried goods offered at the venues. Recently, before a
concert at WAMU, we discovered our new go-to.
Located
in Pioneer Square, Cafe Paloma is the epitome of a local hole-in-the-wall,
which in my opinion, is the best kind of restaurant. Nothing fussy, this cozy Mediterranean
restaurant is tucked into a side alley in Pioneer Square, just across the
street from a bustling Starbucks. The seating is comfortable, comprised of
mainly bench seats adorned with tasseled pillows, the lighting is warm thanks
to an abundance of fringed lamps, and the people watching through the window is
oh-so-entertaining. And, if you happen to tire of people watching, your
eyes can roam the many trinkets that decorate the walls—from musical
instruments to local art to magnum bottles of champagne—there’s something to
draw the eye in every nook and cranny.
The
menu small, but thoughtful. Comprised mainly of Turkish meze items, tapas style,
the menu boasts a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian shareable dishes, with a
few mains thrown in for good measure. For a set price of $16, guests can select
four of the appetizers from the meze options. We selected the hummus, tabbouleh,
lentil patties, and red pepper spread. Ensuring we scooped up every last bite,
we also ordered both extra pita and sliced cucumbers.
For
entrees, Ryan went for the falafel plate while I opted for the lentil soup.
Both were flavorful, hot, and hearty. It was exactly what we were looking for—substance
to sustain us for what ended up being a long evening out—and the service was
great to boot. Cafe Paloma also had a number of enticing desserts (including
baklava) and had a good variety of fairly priced Turkish wines.
If
you find yourself in SODO, looking for a cozy spot for some nosh with a
neighborhood vibe, be sure to pop into Cafe Paloma.
