Chef Holly Smith opened Cafe Juanita in April of 2000, driven by her interest to have creative control in her own restaurant and a strong passion for the foods of Northern Italy. Her hallmark rests with the special care she takes to cook seasonally with the finest local produce and artisan products available from Italy and the Pacific Northwest. The menu at Cafe Juanita changes frequently, but always includes an eclectic mix of meats and seafood, illustrating the commitment to fresh, bold dishes that most often utilize organic products. As a member of the food community, Holly believes in sustainable agriculture, supporting growers whose outstanding quality is tantamount to their long-term commitment to the land. In addition to nurturing the farm industry, Cafe Juanita is committed to offering great wine. The menu is complimented by an award-winning wine list with primary focus on Northern Italian producers and rounded-out with outstanding Northwest wines. A superior dining experience is marked by excellent service with great attention to detail. Cafe Juanita's staff receives consistent recognition by dining guests and media alike with acknowledgements including: Best Service by Seattle Magazine in their 2006 Restaurant Awards, Gourmet Magazine Top 50 restaurants and 4 stars (out of 4) from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in 2008. In 2011 Cafe Juanita was nominated for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant and Outstanding Chef in the US. In 2012 Holly was nominated a second time for Outstanding Chef in the US.
