I honestly considered gatekeeping this place...
Star of the Night: El Diablo. A decadent dessert you haven't tried in Seattle and will not forget how good it is.
Came here on a Tuesday around 8 PM during SRW and wasn't expecting much with only one Yelp review and being listed as a bar. But we were beyond surprised. Two hosts greeted us and got us seated immediately. Our server was personable and attentive, and when I waved down a lady for a fork, she practically sprinted to get it with full enthusiasm, ASAP delivery.
We scored the best seats by the window to people watch and getting a completely unobstructed view of the chef's counter. Seeing the kitchen in action made the meal feel alive, and made everything more exciting.
SERVICE
Our waiter was personable, and extremely attentive yet unhurried. She overheard my joke about needing to just "sit" for a moment once I was done scraping my plates clean, and it genuinely made me feel seen. As a customer dining in I really value feeling like my presence is wanted, not just another table being rushed in and out.
STARTERS
6.5/10 Toasted Garlic Bread
Im not a hater I just prefer my garlic bread to be more pillowy and soft. This one is crisp and offers a generous grating of Parmesan, and a side of that delicious marinara perfect for dunking.
7.5/10 Bruschetta alla Pomodoro
Bread was the slightest bit buttery but I personally live for the juxtaposition between a golden crunch and a mountain of perfectly diced, ultra-fresh tomatoes. Drizzled with balsamic glaze and over a bed of lightly seasoned peppery arugula. Light yet satisfying, and got my palette ready for the mains.
MAINS
9.5/10 Eggplant Parmesan
Absolutely phenomenal with every bite. I love that the breaded eggplant stays crisp all the way through, which is rare yet so essential. The layers are beautifully defined, holding their shape as you cut into them. It's the perfect portion. I really should have taken half of it to go... but I devoured the whole thing on the spot.
9/10 Lasagna
Solid rendition. Sauce is tart and flavorful. They mentioned it has been marinating for the entire day and it had me almost asking for a spoon just to scrape up the last bit at the bottom. Comes hot and in a generous portion, perfect if you're hungry and ready to dive in.
DESERT
6/10 Tiramisu
A delicate, airy dream. Mascarpone takes center stage giving each bite a creamy lift. The coffee flavor whispers rather than hits, but the soft rum note brings it all together beautifully. Not a showstopper for me but it's balanced and elegant and executed beautifully.
10/10 El Diablo
Without a doubt the best dessert I've had this year. Fluffy at its core chocolate mousse is dusted over with cocoa powder like tiramisu.
It's layered over meringue toasted like campfire s'mores, a little crunch from the nuts, topped with a drizzle of rich tequila caramel sauce, and with just the slightest hint of heat after that first bite... It's over. Can I please have another one of these to-go? The desert itself is generously sized, perfect for sharing. However if you love sweets, to keep the peace, you'll order one for your guest... and one just for yourself.
TIP: go now before the Instagram crowd discovers it
Not sponsored or comped just sharing because this spot genuinely deserves the love read more