"Seta" means "yard" in Latvian. The building where restaurant "Melnie muki" ("Black Monks") is located is part of the building complex where until the beginnig of 16th century dominican monastery was located. Jana Seta or St.Johns yard is one of the oldest parts of Riga, here the establisher of Riga Bishop Albert 1201 A.D on the shores of little Rige river not far from its mouth into Daugava, started to build his castle so called Bischopspfalz - first building in Riga. Later this site was given over to Dominican monastery. The chapell of the Bishop's castle and later the chapel of monastery is adjacent St. John's church.

I cant agree - restaurants in Riga old town doesn't need booking even on sathurday nights . Because they are still too expensive for locals and only the well off Rigans go to restaurants. But this certain restaurant is very often full, because is prefered by corporate pepole and coorporat dinners, prefered by large expat community of Riga and has many frequent visitors among latvian community too. And it is relatviley small place. The person obviously made generalisation from visiting this only place.

Tablet22, seta actually means yard or courtyard :-)