The Lilac Cafe unmistakably boasts a bright purple awning on Central Way in Kirkland, and is the home of delicious, French-influenced, dishes. The main menu features “small plates”, but there is also a fixed price menu that offers either beef, a market fish dish, steak frites, herbed chicken, or a pork chop, in short, “large bites” for bigger appetites in a range of meat choices.
On our first visit, my friends chose from both the “happy hour” menu and the main menu. We ended up with an array of dishes at our table, each one shared, and each one equally delicious.
The first dish at one sitting was the mixed green salad, as a test to see how the Lilac would jazz up the ordinary. They did a great job with the mixed spring greens which were perfectly dressed.
The salmon quesadilla that came next mixed crispy bread with smooth, smoky salmon wedges.
Another diner at our table had the caesar salad with bacon mac and cheese. Both dishes were masterpieces of opposite textures, crunchy crisp tangling in a tempting way with smoothly creamy ingredients.
I went for the fixed price menu and ordered the shrimp cocktail with the steak frites. The shrimp was as expected, but the steak and fries were amazing. The steak was charbroiled to a perfect medium, and it was of nice size, probably a good 8 ounces: It was tender and juicy, perfectly architected for lovers of beefsteak. The fries were crispy on the outside, and both were sitting in a smooth, quite complimentary, peppered sauce. The third course is a dessert, and I chose the custardy chocolate mousse, but they also offer creme brûlée and other sweet treats.
Other menu items are sliders, salmon, beef, or pork belly, and tempting truffle polenta fries, which I will definitely try next time we go, and there will be a next time.
On tap are several IPA brews, Trumer Pils, which was declared perfectly German at our table, and Mac N Jack African Amber. They also have a full bar, and interesting drink offerings on the happy hour menu: Limoncello Fizz, something mysteriously called the Jasmine Hattan, and the Lemon Drop. I ordered the Lavender and Tonic, since I have a penchant for flower-flavored sips in springtime. It tasted just like the relaxing floral scents of my garden, and helped me feel right at home.
The service was excellent as well, our plates came flying out of the kitchen on time, and just in time. The staff was friendly, helpful, and cheerful, always a plus.
A la carte menu from $13-25. Small plates from $9-17.
Happy hour from 4-7 p.m.
Mary Charvat is a restaurant reviewer with the Reporter Newspapers group.
