Food is hands down 5 stars ... wine selection is 3 stars ... service is 4.5 stars (with one hiccup on our first visit and slow service between apps and entrees last night).
I think the best refined casual Italian in Seattle ... when I say refined casual, I think of Spiaggia in Chicago as fine dining Italian ...
We arrived a bit early and were able to sit and stand at the bar -- very friendly service while we waited. Once seated, prompt and friendly service -- although I learned the pasta I wanted (ravioli) was sold out :(
We started with 1/2 dozen Kusshi oysters, beef tartare, Mozzarella, pesto, walnuts and grilled bread, and roasted carrots. They were all outstanding. The oysters were so fresh (not overly briny) and came with freshly shaved horseradish root and a sweet(ish) brunoise red pepper/chili mignonette type sauce. Beef tartare was skillfully chopped and well balanced so you could taste the quality of the beef - comes with grilled bread ... OMG, the bread ... it's Columbia City, which I think makes the best bread in Seattle. The Mozzarella, pesto and walnuts also came with grilled bread - fresh, somewhat firm but creamy cheese, whole roasted nuts and a vibrant pesto ... lovely. THE CARROTS ... sooooo yummy ... and I don't get all that excited about vegetables ... baby heirloom carrots (I suspect) halved, then roasted with olive oil, chopped pistachios, creme fraiche, and lemon zest topping ... out of this world good.
All pastas were outstanding - perfectly made and cooked pasta - slightly toothsome. Sauces were all spot on ... my friend had the pork shoulder pasta, my husband had the spaghetti with a beautifully well balanced spicy tomato and basil sauce, and I had the sausage, escarole, and pecorino tagiatelle ... they add a little creme fraiche to the sauce (sauce is a little pork fat from cooking the outstanding home-made sausage, white wine to deglaze the pan, butter and pasta water (a modified beurre fondue)) at the end which give it a rich (but not overly rich) texture ... ate the rest of it for breakfast this morning ... yum.
Another friend had the Black Cod and it was bright, fresh and moist ... perfectly cooked. He loved it.
Of last night's visit only the very limited and seemingly intentionally eclectic wine selections and a longer than expected or desired wait between the apps and entrees were mildly disappointing. On our first visit, about a year ago, I had a couple of very unpleasant exchanges with our server who was hell-bent on showing me that I knew far less than him about the Italian wines we were considering, and who refused to give me the cork from the bottle until "he was ready" - he put it in his apron pocket and didn't present it to me until after he had poured a taste and I prefer to see the cork before I taste (small point, but the interaction and vibe from him was deep condescension). I don't believe we saw this fellow on our return visit last night, and the wine service was just fine.
Definitely need to come back, with an early reservation time so as not miss out on the ravioli! And, looking forward to trying Chef Clevenger's West Seattle Raccolto ... read more