Cafe Campagne, Seattle

I don’t mean to exaggerate, but I don't think I’ve had a bad meal at Café Campagne in 10 years. Seriously, it’s why I keep coming back.

Simple, well executed French food without fuss or pretention. The staff has always been attentive, helpful on wines, happy to offer an opinion, and engage customers when they aren’t doing side work like cutting bread, refilling water, cleaning their stations. The staff and whoever trained them seems to be on the ball.

I had three courses, local raw oysters on the half shell, blanched green beans tossed in a light shallot based vinaigrette and a classic beef tartare with the sharp taste of mustard. All wonderful, balanced and delicious. I know there are other restaurants in Seattle I should try, but they’ll have to wait in line behind Campagne.