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Cantinetta
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
3650 Wallingford Ave(between 36th St & 37th St)
Seattle, WA 98103
Neighborhood: Wallingford
(206) 632-1000
- Hours:
Tue-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
160 reviews for Cantinetta
Review Highlights
"The pancetta wrapped dates are a must-have starter."
(in 23 reviews)
"Great food and amazing wine list."
(in 20 reviews)
"...wrapped figs, brussel sprouts with duck confit, and ravioli."
(in 4 reviews)
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160 reviews in English
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Review from Olivia S.
1/23/2012
Quaint and romantic spot in the neighborhood. Called in on a weeknight to see if they were busy and but luckily enough no wait or reservation needed. The ambiance was so romantic, dim and warm. We made the trip so I could try the papparadelle (I've been on a mission to find yummy papparadelle in town as it is my favorite kind of pasta) but the Wallingford location didn't have it on the menu as they advertised online. I mentioned it to the server and he was kind enough to see if the kitchen staff could make it happen. I was out of luck but the thought that he tried was good enough for me. More reason for me to come back next time! House white wine was only $5-6 which is a steal and went great with my tagliatelle which was light and not too heavy!
I'll be coming back for future date nights for sure!Listed in: Dinner For Two
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Review from Claire O.
1/3/2012
Great atmosphere (romantic yet buzzy), excellent service (the staff were attentive and accommodating: we got a free dessert for a very minor inconvenience) and really great food. I'm touching on many of the themes of other reviewers but the brussel sprouts with duck confit were the best brussel sprouts I've ever had; the pancetta wrapped dates were yummy and the tagliatelle was really outstanding. Only slight disappointment was the beef cheek risotto: while the beef cheek was outstandingly tender, the risotto wasn't al dente and was a little too liquidy. But I am the first to admit that I'm horribly picky when it comes to risotto.
Great date place for excellent food and perfect atmosphere at a reasonable price. -
Review from April B.
Seattle, WA
11/8/2011
I went to Cantinetta with five of my girlfriends for my birthday dinner and was very impressed. We had a great table in the back by the bar, somewhat secluded. The ambiance and service were great and the decor was very quant and rustic. This would be a great date spot, dim lighting and romantic.
We started out with the Pancetta Wrapped Dates and Avocado salad. The dates were great, the avocado salad was a strange flavor of citrus grapefruit with chiles, not my favorite. My main dish was the Gnocchi, oxtail, and butternut squash, it was delicious! There really isn't a pasta sauce on it, but the oxtail and small pieces of butternut squash gave it all the flavor it needed. Some friends had the Mushroom Risotto which I think could have used a little more flavor, very bland. For dessert, we tried the Zeppole, which is basically giant donut holes stuffed with Nutella, so good!
I would definitely go back to Cantinetta as there are many other pasta dishes on the menu I would love to try. -
Review from Alex L.
Seattle, WA
2/4/2012
Went here with my wife to celebrate and had the worst dining experience.
We called to ask if we could make reservations and they said no - that the place was pretty empty. When we walked in we were told the wait shouldn't be too long and were asked if we wanted to visit the bar for a drink.
Over an hour later the waiter asked if we wanted a seat at the bar to eat. I did not want to eat at the bar as I wanted to sit at a table as we had requested when we arrived.
Another 30 minutes later we were seated but the waiter told us "You can sit here but you'll have to hurry because we have a large party coming at 8pm".
The waitress took her time getting the menus to us. After we ordered the waitress pretty much through the desert menu's on the table and shortly after through the check on the table without asking us how things were. Wow! Awful!
As we walked out the waiter or manager asked how dinner was and I said the food was great but that we felt rushed. He then began arguing with me after I said we felt rushed.
I work in customer service and would be appalled and would probably fire my employees if they argued with their customers. This was absolutely by far the worst dining experience I've ever had in Seattle. I've lived here for 32 years.
It's too bad because we've been there before and were never treated so badly. We will NOT be going back and do not recommend eating here unless you want to be treated like crap. -
Review from james k.
Seattle, WA
1/10/2012
Love the atmosphere, staff is cool. Bar is small, but hopping. Great menu, it is short, but innovative. The Gnocchi is unbelievably good. Wine list is exceptional, if a little pricey. You can BYOB for $18 per bottle, not a bad option.
Can't go wrong for a date night or to meet up with friends at a hip joint. They only take reservations for tables of 6 or more, so that can play into your advantage if you are a group of 6. At least you know you are locked into a table. -
Review from Rachel S.
Seattle, WA
1/21/2012
Yummy pasta dishes. I'll fight anyone for the zeppoles.
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Review from Matthew E.
Seattle, WA
1/18/2012
I have to agree with the other posters who call this the best Italian in Seattle. Avocado salad was a winner, as were the root vegetables. Very good gnocchi.
Portions are not huge, but then again, you're not at Olive Garden. So many interesting pastas and choices that hopefully you're bringing a friend who will share. Very good wine selection, and a nice little bar.
Only downside is that the restaurant is tiny, and there's not much else nearby in case they are busy. Call ahead before you show up to confirm there's not some 24-person party taking the place out of commission. -
Review from Anne N.
Seattle, WA
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Day 4 of Restaurant Week.
Loved the atmosphere here! Simply furnished with dim lighting and soft Italian music in the background..its the kind of place you can sit around for hours... nursing that glass of Cabernet sauvignon.
Starters: we tried the mozzerella with saba (a sweet reduction made from grape juice).. there was a bitter "salad" component to it that I didn't like too much. Slivers of peaches were found on the side but it didn't help. We also tried the pancetta wrapped dates drizzled with a little balsamic dressing. The flavors were perfectly balanced but we kind of wished the pancetta was cooked more...a slight change in texture to contrast the mushiness of the dates would have been nice.
Entrée: the teres major (steak) was good but I would have liked it more if the meat didn't come out pre-sliced. The pureed celery(?) was creative.. much lighter in taste and consistency compared to your typical mashed potatoes. I had the parpadelle with bolognese sauce. Flavors were great, only change I would request would be thinner pasta.
Desserts: nutella zeppole was yummy...just imagine a deep fried donut hole, filled with nutella and rolled in cinnamon sugar. You simply can't go wrong with that! I had the semifreddo -- it was OK but it didn't blow my mind. -
Review from John M.
Seattle, WA
10/25/2011
The short version: some of the best Italian food I've had in Seattle
We've been to Cantinetta three or four times. The food has been consistently wonderful, the service good, and the ambience fun. The menu changes monthly, but in general you're likely to find preparations from all over Italy, from pasta Bolognese to gnocchi with oxtail to simple salads. This review is based on our most recent attendance during restaurant week.
The food. My companion had the salad of avocado, grapefruit, oil cured olives, and chilies. I had the mozzarella Fresca, pears, dandelion greens, and saba. She had the teres major (steak), I had the aforementioned oxtail gnocchi. She had the zeppole, I had the semifreddo. I've had variations on all of these at other Italian restaurants except the zeppole, and Cantinetta's preparation was exquisite. The steak was tender and smooth. The oxtail gnocchi was bursting with flavor, and the zeppole caused me to think, "Where have you been all my life?"
The service. We sat at the bar this time, and service was fast, courteous, and accurate. Other times, I can remember thinking the service seemed slow.
The ambience. The restaurant is loud when it gets full (and it gets full quickly), but it has a warm, friendly feel given by many old-fashioned lights kept at a low luster. It's enough to read by, but not by too much. The chairs and tables are comfortable for a lengthy seating. -
Review from Desiree V.
Seattle, WA
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have no clue how this place has 4 stars. This was one of the worst dining experiences we've had. The service was terrible (and rude) and not only was the food extremely overpriced but the food was very not good as well.
Between the four of us, we had the salmon, the house salad, bolognase, ravioli, and short ribs. All were very so-so.
I was so excited to go to this place and expected so much more.
Save your money and go to Bizzaro's and you will get a lot more food that tastes a hell of a lot better. -
Review from Zach R.
Alamogordo, NM
Cantinetta is all about really exceptional, rustic, well executed Italian food!
As I walked into Cantinetta, I immediately felt comforted by the ambiance, decor, and light music playing in the background. The old-timey chandeliers, mirrors, wood tables, chairs and benches give the space a non-pretentious, warm and earthy vibe. Each table was simply set, and a single small oil candle gently lit each one. The menu is separated into 4 courses: Antipasti (appetizers), Contorni (sides, mostly salads and vegetarian selections), Primi (pasta, risotto, etc.), and Secondi (Meat/Protein selections). The wine list was broken down into Italian wines on one side, and domestic, mostly Washington State wines on the other. The wide variety of wine selections allows a diner to spend as little or as much as one wishes during their meal.
I ordered 3 Antipasti and a glass of red wine, and watched the kitchen (which is mostly open/viewable from the dining room) spring into action. The smells and sounds from the kitchen were very pleasant to say the least, and in a matter of a few minutes, my Antipasti had arrived.
The Pancetta wrapped dates sat on a bed of dressed greens, and were lightly pan fried. Smokey and crispy on the outside; and warm, rich and full of sweet flavor in the center. Next, I tried the Avocado and grapefruit with olives. The ingredients were extremely fresh, bright and full of flavor. The tart, sweet acidity of the grapefruit segments perfectly balanced the buttery, rich avocado, which was topped off by finely chopped oil-cured olives that offered a subtle saltiness to the whole dish. Then came a huge portion of sliced whole-milk buffalo Mozzarella, Red Bartlett Pears, and vibrant Dandelion leaves dressed in aged balsamic vinegar. Each and every bite was fresh, vivacious, and delicious.
Next, our Contorni and Primi arrived. The Insalata Mista (dressed salad greens), and Radicchio with speck and villa manodori were very clean, and full of flavor. The wild mushroom risotto was perfectly prepared, and was creamy, chock full of mushrooms and lightly finished with an exquisite truffle oil. My favorite entree of the night, though, was the Gnocchi with oxtail and butternut squash. The gnocchi were extremely light and fluffy, and not at all dense or overcooked. The oxtail meat was an abundant portion that was shredded and mixed throughout the dish; and with the addition of butternut squash and shaved Parmesan made it a flawless preparation.
We finished up the meal with an assortment of outstanding desserts to sample. The apple cake with ice cream was layered with light pastry dough, tart apples and finished with just the right amount of caramel sauce. The blackberry gelato was not too heavy, and was complimented with a crispy, sweet pistachio cracker. The best one of the bunch, however, were the chocolate-sauce filled Zeppolinis. They were generously rolled in sugar and cinnamon, served warm and fluffy, and perfectly accompanied a hot cappuccino to finish out the evening.
The service at Cantinetta was very professional, polite, and attentive. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and best of all, the chefs and cooks know what they are doing, and they do it very well. The attention to detail of each dish; and the creative, yet authentic use of really fresh and delicious ingredients make this restaurant an extraordinary pleasure to dine at. -
Review from Diane T.
10/19/2011
I had a great restaurant week experience here while dining with some girlfriends. Cantinetta is quaint, rustic, yet comfortable. I loved the ambiance!
Unlike some of my previous restaurant week experiences, all courses were fresh, made to order, and didn't have that mass production feel that some of the restaurants get churning out the same dish over and over again. I started with the butternut squash soup followed by the tagliatelle bolognese, and finally, the nutella zeppole. All courses were served piping hot! The squash soup was delicious and not too sweet. The bolognese was comfort food for a cold fall day. However, the real show stopper was the nutella zeppole. Mmmm..deep fried dough and nutella are an amazing duo. These must be eaten hot, so don't take your time when scarfing these down! -
Review from Caroline H.
Seattle, WA
1/13/2012
Ate here on a busy Friday night - arriving around 8.30 we did have to wait about 20 minutes for a table, but the staff were very good about it, were courteous and friendly and anyway, I always think if you have to wait - it's worth it. And it was. I had wonderfully fresh oysters with a dipping sauce, followed by smoked sturgeon, deliciously delicate flavour on a bed of greens. My dining companion's choices were the beef cheek risotto - and the rice was perfectly al dente - I know, because I stole a forkful. His Teres was "damn good" then we polished off a brown butter tart between us. Terrific value and great service, I almost don't want to post this review as it might attract even more hordes and make the wait even longer . . .
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Review from Erik B.
Seattle, WA
9/24/2011
This is our go-to place when we want reliably great food without having to drive (it's close to where we live). If we ever move, I'd still drive back to go to Cantinetta.
The menu is Italian (mostly Northern) but with local ingredients. It changes frequently, but there's always great cheeses and salads available, and the pancetta-wrapped dates are worth the trip alone (as an alternative to dinner, cheese, dates & bread make a fantastic snack at the bar).
The pasta dishes are always great (pappardalle with oxtail ragu stand out in my mind) and, unlike the steteotypical "Italian" restaurant in the States, the portions aren't so huge that you can't enjoy it.
The service has always been perfect and the atmosphere is cozy & warm. I love how it's a small neighborhood place, but with a tasteful decor and top-notch food. -
Review from Lori B.
Seattle, WA
1/21/2012
Love this place and the staff! Eaten here 5 or 6 times and it's always great! The Avocado, grapefruit, oil cured olives and chilies appetizer is awesome. They also have a nice bottle of brut sparkling wine that we love.
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Review from Naveed N.
Mercer Island, WA
8/19/2011
Love this place.
My first time at this location was actually a first date back in February 2011. The location, ambience, lighting, music, decor.. everything adds up to a great quaint and romantic environment. Although don't overlook it for other occasions as well!
Lets start with the basics.. street parking is plentiful and available, and if you're familair with the neighborhood- you'd know its a nice little place to be and right near to gasworks park for a late night walk afterwards.
You walk in and you'll see its pretty small, intimate/cozy, dimly lit (but lit enough to see your food and make conversation of course)
The service is always great, and even the owner will come around and acknowledge his guests occasionally.
For the foodies in the room... The food here is to die for, and for what you're getting.. great value! I will note that certain taste buds may not be happy here as I've heard 'salty' or 'bland' remarks.. however for me and anyone i've gone with there have been no complaints whatsoever.
I'd recommend starting with the 'Avocado' antipasta, or the 'Pancetta Wrapped Dates'. Both are a nice way to get the palate awake and going. For wine.. the house red isn't bad, and for the price you can have a few- however i'd urge you to try something italian too.
I'm a big-time advocate of the teres major entree~ this is an interesting yet nice cut of beef that is flavorful and has a fantastic texture. Also.. to make things more impressive, its Kobe beef! I've also tried a red-sauce pasta dish which seems to no longer be offered, as their menu is constantly changing. The gnocchi is delicious, and the tortelli holds its own. The pasta here is made fresh daily, and trust me you'll taste it..
I may have said it in other reviews before.. But typically i'm not a dessert person- I'd much rather fill up on apps and dinner and leave no room. However at Cantinetta you'd be treating yourself short if you skip out on the dessert! Leave room for the Zeppole, which has a gooey nutella filling! Excuse my language, but it is F***ing awesome!
Give cantinetta a try.. you'll be glad you did. -
Review from Verne V.
Seattle, WA
12/12/2011
I can see where this might warrant three (3) stars but I can't bring myself to give it. The setting is interesting and pleasant. My problem is two fold here. The food is marginal for the money. I have no heartburn with a pricy menu IF THE food served is as unique as is the higher prices. This is Olive Garden stuff with a big price tag. My other issue is the service or lack thereof. We had some blonde with long flowing hair that was borderline rude and spent most of her time making sure that everyone saw her. There were a couple of very nice young men that picked up the slack and brought us drinks when ours were empty while she was off to be seen elsewhere. My vote is go elsewhere. There are several very nice restaurants in the area that have food at least as good and service that is head and shoulders above this.
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Review from Sarah C.
Seattle, WA
8/21/2011
It was an amazingly nice night so we wanted to sit outside. Their outdoor area is on slightly slanted ground, and it felt a little odd sipping through our drinks with our bodies tilted to one side.
we went there specifically for the dessert listed on their online menu, but they didn't have it! what a bummer...
on the plus side, our server was nice. -
Review from Tom L.
6/5/2011
Hmm...well this is the second time I've written this review. Apparently either Yelp or my browser has amnesia.
Anways my girlfriend and I went here for a nice little romantic dinner. And I have to say it was a good restaurant, but I think it could have been better. I'll explain.
The complimentary bread that came with the was very flavorful, but it was also quite salty. I usually a salt fiend, but even I noticed that the bread was a little too salty. Not sure why. It could have been the butter or just the amount of salt added to the dough.
For our meal we ordered the rainbow chard, pancetta wrapped date, pici, and braised beef. I've never had chard before, so I thougt this was interesting. It was very flavorful, but I can't say that I'd order it again. Honestly I don't remember how it was prepared, but it was definitely cooked. Next came the pancetta wrapped dates, which I thought were very good. They were perfectly cooked. The bacon was just on the verge of crispy and the dates were soft and not overcooked. The pici was also very good. The pasta in the pici was perfectly cooked. The chilis in the pici added just a subtle amount of heat to the dish. Very tasty. The braised beef was good but didn't really stand out for me. I enjoyed the dish, but I can't quite put my finger on why it was spectacular for me.
I did enjoy the meal at Cantinetta, but I think I may have caught them on a slightly off day. But I would go back, because the dishes that I did enjoy I would definitely get again. -
Review from Jessica N.
Seattle, WA
8/4/2011
I really wanted to love Cantinetta because it's near my home and I adore the interior design of the restaurant, but it was eh. Not bad but not great.
As others have noted, their bread is a bit salty. We ordered the Prosciutto e Melone and the Pancetta Wrapped Dates to start. Both were pretty good. For my entree, I ordered the Tagliolini. I ate it and it was fine but it wasn't my favorite pasta dish compared to other similarly priced Italian joints -- I'd rather go to Tavolata (though I'm not a Belltown fan so I may end up at Cantinetta to give it another shot).
The desserts here were yummy though. Probably the best part of the meal. Go for the Fresh Peach or the Zeppole. Yum. -
Review from Mylene B.
Seattle, WA
10/15/2011
Nice to see that 2 parties who arrived after you get seated before you in a restaurant that doesn't take reservations for parties under 6. Do you like to yell?! Plan on it if you expect to be here. Food -- gnocchi / braised short ribs / kale / etc. -- is flavorful and well cooked. But would I go out of my way to come back? For the wait -- no. For the noise level -- definitely not. Our waitress was attentive to begin with but faded after entrees were delivered. Nothing looked compelling enough on the dessert menu to battle through the ridiculous noise level. If you have patience -- on MANY levels -- bring lots with you. Otherwise...take your business elsewhere.
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Review from Asela G.
Seattle, WA
5/13/2011
We enjoyed ourselves, and the food was good, but it was obvious that the place was trying to maximize their revenue at the expense of the experience and the food. If I wanted that, I would have gone to any of the higher end chain restaurants.
The menu is laid out in classic itallian style, antipasti, contourno, primi, secondi, so we ordered one of each. We were disappointed that the antipasto and the contorno came to the table together, and then the primo and the secondo were served together, one to me and one to my wife, even though we had ordered to share. No biggie, but if you list one item as an appetizer and another as a side dish, why would you serve them both together as appetizers? Presumably, you don't want the side to get cold before the meat course shows up. And if you list something as a first course and another as a second, why would you serve them together? Unless, of course, you just wanted to move people through the restaurant as quickly as possible, and cash in.
Also, they'd taken a bunch of liberties in their naming of the dishes. E.g., one of the items which we ordered was listed as Bistecca alla Fiorentina--no translation, no description. What we got was a nice, if small, half inch thick ribeye. What Bistecca alla Fiorentina is supposed to be is a super-thick (more than an inch and a half) T-bone or Portehouse from a specific breed of cattle. Would the owners try to pass off a regular ribeye as a Kobe T-bone if they couldn't hide behind a fancy sounding Italian name? -
Review from Jack C.
Seattle, WA
8/4/2011
I throughly enjoyed every aspect of my visit here, from the decor and staff to the dishes and wine.
My husband made a reservation here for a special celebration, and the host (owner?) was extremely gracious, even toasting us with complimentary champagne to celebrate. We has extremely good timing as well - on the first Wednesday of August, September and October, they do a farmers market prix fixe menu with local ingredients from the market that day.
Complimentary bread was also served with our meal - not overly greasy or salty - spongy and perfect. I would describe our meals, but there's no way I can do them justice with my descriptions! Four courses, with several options to choose from for each. Let's just say fresh ingredients make all the difference, that's for sure. Additionally offered is a wine pairing - which was fantastic.
We will definitely be back for this special farmers market night next month! -
Review from Jill B.
Edmonds, WA
9/15/2011
4.5 stars -
Enjoyed a great meal, start to finish. We selected a reserve wine from Montepulciano - incredible @ $50. Our party of three started with the dates and cauliflower for the table. For our primi we share the angolotti with chantrelles. The flavors were simple, clean and delish.
Each of us had the hanger steak as an entree. Really great flavor and had a silkiness (due to the butter and lard!), so good. We topped off our decadent meal with each of us selecting a different dessert. Flourless chocolate cake for my dad, the balsamic strawberry sorbet for mom and I had the amazing zebolle with nutella (little nuggets of warm goodness filled with nutella). Service was fine and the timing of our courses was spot on. Might have enjoyed a bit more banter and personality around a wine selection, but honestly it was all good. I am currently enjoying a very satisfying food coma - so really, who can complain? My parents and I love and appreciate good food and we all left very happy. Lovely! -
Review from Mary L.
Seattle, WA
12/18/2011
Our "go to" neighborhood restaurant, but we would drive across town for the food. Always a great selection of appetizers (shellfish is particularly good) sides, pasta with only three or four entrees. We usually order one dish from each category to share. Clams puttanesca, squash gnocchi, brussel sprouts with duck confit and sturgeon last time) Last visit with some trepidation brought a couple of ten year olds! Would the food be too weird? Not a problem. Pasta for kids are not listed but available (our kids chose to order off menu with squab ravioli and fettucine with prosciutto). Great wait staff and the bar is our favorite hang-out. Noisy, lively but friendly place!
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Review from Michelle U.
Seattle, WA
12/26/2010
I'm torn on this one. Cantinetta wows at ambiance, the medieval-esque chandeliers, low lighting, and candle-lit glow through the steamy windows really sets a romantic tone. However, the volume of the patrons kind of nips that in the bud, as you must speak loudly to have an audible conversation with the people just across the table from you.
The food was good but portions were tiny, even for "small plates." And maybe I'm a hungry one, but for me to feel full after a meal, I need a little more than what Cantinetta is delivering. Granted some dishes were larger than others. I ordered the ravioli-like pasta (it probably had a fancier Italian name that is slipping my mind at present), and I had no joke like 6 smallish raviolis - total. My sister's boyfriend ordered spaghetti with wild boar - which was the most robust of portions among our 6 at the table, and he was still hungry at the end of the meal.
Essentially - we had to go get a pizza afterward. This doesn't go to discredit the quality of the food because my taste buds were mostly impressed, but when you pay a hefty amount and leave hungry, something is wrong with this picture. -
Review from candace m.
Seattle, WA
5/16/2011
My husband and I love this place at 5pm on a Wednesday afternoon. We were told by my doctor to try it and we were NOT disappointed. You have GOT to try the grapefruit/avocado salad - we make special trips to this restaurant for it.
Cocktails great - never an issue when ordering something off the radar (negroni, etc) and everything is simple and classy.
The wait-staff is perfectly professional and hands-off - just like I prefer.
Cantinetta can be a bit pricey - we've never spent less than $75, but always well worth it. -
Review from izzy w.
11/3/2010
Maybe we ate here a couple of times too many?
After the first three times dining here, I was ready to call this one of my favorite Seattle restaurants. I was impressed with the smaller plates, each beautifully presented with unique, delicious and carefully prepared appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The wine selection was excellent.
However, the next two times, while the service was good and the wine selection still impressive, the food itself was far less in taste and presentation than I expected, especially considering the prices. I was disappointed, but not crushed.
Then the Big Bad Thing: poor service that culminated in our party of four being asked to leave because they wanted to give our table to a party who was waiting. As this place only allows reservations for parties of 6 or more, we had to wait a while for our table. That was fine. But to then ask us to leave while we were still enjoying visiting with our friends was a bit rude. It didn't help that the food was sub-standard and service had already been extremely slow throughout most of the meal.
To the folks at Cantinetta, I hope you think about the common practice in Italy of sitting for several hours to enjoy a meal - yes, even in restaurants. We were only there long enough to finish dessert and pay. Poorly done on your part, in my opinion. After a lengthy wait for our table, we spent a lot of money on this meal; we deserve better treatment. -
Review from Alex L.
12/6/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Food is so amazingly awesome and atmosphere is so relaxing. Great selection of Italian wines.
The food: Try the Cheese plate with Truffle Honey Oil, Risotto (Taste the warm colors of fall), Beef Cheeks so tender, and the Pasta is all so freshly handmade. So many wonderful dishes you have to try them all and share family style!
We can see why it is one of the best restaurants in Seattle. Period!!! -
Review from S M.
Seattle, WA
10/1/2011
Cantinetta is a gem! We've been there a dozen times and everything has been great to amazing! I love that the menu is brief and seasonal. There isn't 32 entree choices so when I get the fish I know it's fresh. The only criticism is most of the menu is foreign but the waitstaff is always really nice about deciphering everything. Portions are not huge but the flavors are.
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Review from Laura L.
Seattle, WA
4/12/2011
Yuppy-opolis. The food is great, but the portions are small. The decor is minimal, but icy. The service is so-so. Felt a bit soul-less.
Yeah: The pancetta-wrapped dates. Bravo!
Nay: The bread + service were both off. Don't get me wrong - I ate the greasy bread. But, I'd take a crusty loaf with real butter any day. -
Review from Jodi S.
Seattle, WA
9/13/2010
Wowzas. This place is fantastic.
Intimate atmosphere, but not too fancy. Excellent Italian wine list, handmade pastas; great apps not priced too high....VERY attentive waitstaff and host(s)....and the donut thingys for dessert with the melted nutella centers are to die for.
Just celebrated my 30th bday there and I WILL be going back as soon as possible. Bella! Simply beautiful food and beautiful people.
Go there. Now. -
Review from Chris W.
San Francisco, CA
8/30/2010
Overview: Cantinetta is a great neighborhood joint for reasonably-priced Italian. The food isn't 'standard' but has some nice twists and the menu rotates periodically, making this a great mainstay on your 'go back list'.
Service: Cantinetta's service is always a bit slow, but the wait staff is friendly and always willing to provide advice.
Food: The food at Cantinetta is excellent. Dishes of note include the proscioutto wrapped figs, their pastas, and their great wine list. The food is always flavorful and prepared well -- I enjoyed the Ricotta Ravioli with Lemon as well as the Tres Major (steak) last night. Their house wine is always a good bet for a good glass at a reasonable price.
Their desserts are quite nice as well, and rotate frequently -- ensuring you always have something new to try.
Summary: Whenever we're in the mood for a nice, reasonably priced Italian meal with good, creative food we hit Cantinetta. Good for a couple, groups, or large parties. Highly recommended! -
Review from Stacey M.
Seattle, WA
10/16/2010
Absolutely crazy amazing. absacraymazing. I had to meld them together, sorry....
Went there tonight for a fantastic dinner. My dad warned me that it wasn't a young hip place, more of an older hip. The decor could definitely be a modern grandma's craftsman dining room, in the most awesome way possible. It's a really relaxed friendly vibe with great service and delicious food to go along with it.
The pastas will knock your socks off, we had a spinach tagliatelle with egg and a yum creamy sauce, and an oxtail pasta. The pumpkin risotto was hard to stop eating and all the antipasti were delightfully sweet and savory. Everything was hearty, fresh, and flavorful.
It's times like these when I wish I could fit more in my stomach with no consequences. Definitely worth a visit. It's on the pricey side for my personal wallet, however you will not be disappointed. -
Review from Hannah C.
Seattle, WA
1/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Food is amazing here and ambiance is really laid back and cozy.
Order the pork cheeks, must have!! -
Review from Karen N.
Seattle, WA
10/28/2010
I was excited to try this restaurant....not only because its in one of my favorite neighorhoods, but because a good friend of mine was raving about it. The atmosphere is fantastic, very romantic.....perfect for a date. The service here is great. I had the pumpkin risotto which was very tasty, but a tad too salty. I also had the clams with ground lamb which was fantastic!
The only thing I didnt like about this place was being charged $12 for a Makers manhatten.......a little steep if you ask me.
Over all I had a great experience and will be back........but wont order a manhatten :) -
Review from Vanessa J.
Seattle, WA
5/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
The chef here calls his cuisine "sophisticated simple," which may be the best description of it that I have heard. I brought a party of 6 here at 8 p.m., last minute, on a Friday night. Bad idea anywhere else, but Cantinetta was gracious and warm, making our short 20 minute wait seem even shorter by welcoming us at the bar with rosemary breadsticks and generous pours of a very nice Montepulciano. The interior of the 1920s brick building in Wallingford is a sepia toned hug, pulling you in like a long lost Italian family member and wrapping you in exquisite and delightful familiarity. The brown tones and dark woods are offset nicely by large windows and cozy Tungsten lighting.
The service is impeccable, with a team of servers, bartenders, and hosts attending to your needs attentively without being annoying. We shared the mussels and the oyster appetizers between 6 of us, complimented by the house made foccacia and olive oil, and everything was exactly as it should be: not too salty not to spicy, but just enough to enhance the flavors of what it should be. My pasta with braised rabbit was simply the best handmade pasta I have ever had and the meat fell apart and simmered with delectable juices.
Cantinetta offers food as it should be: uncluttered, virginal flavors and hearty, honest vittals. -
Review from Kate M.
Seattle, WA
9/22/2010
I joined Yelp solely for the purpose of reviewing Cantinetta. It's that good.
The atmosphere is fantastic, the drinks tasty, and the service is spot on. But the food - oh the food- is what makes Cantinetta worth coming back to. On my first visit I ordered something that they happened to have run out of on that particular evening. Not feeling like scouring the menu again I asked our server what she recommended and she was quick to point out the lamb gnocchi. I apparently was feeling bold, because despite the fact that I normally dislike both lamb AND gnocchi, I took her recommendation. And I did not regret it.
This was literally the best meal I've ever eaten. In my life. I believe as I was eating it I described the dish to my boyfriend as "the meal you would be served if you lived in fairy-tale land and it was winter and you got lost in the woods and wandered into Little Red Riding Hood's house right when her mother was serving up some delicious fairy-tale dinner." Clearly I was delirious.
But seriously, you can't beat fairy-tale food. -
Review from Hannah L.
Updated - 4/21/2010 ROTD 9/14/2010
What does it say about me that I spent the vast majority of my wedding weekend planning focused not on anything to do with the actual wedding but solely on where to eat at which meal? Something....
If so, then I'd like to think choosing Cantinetta as the spot for our post-ceremony dinner says something as well. Like maybe that food and conversation (including conversation with adjacent tables about food!) are inseparable. That eating and drinking locally and seasonally (interpreted as Washington wine to go with handmade pasta dishes or Italian wine to accompany regional recipes) matters. That simple and honest ingredients expertly coaxed and combined into lovely, lovely meals will never be surpassed by any sophisticated (or expensive) dish.
No matter all my dinner deliberations, I always came back to Cantinetta. The evening was perfect: our less food-experienced family was wowed, I savored every morsel of dinner, we drank a free bottle of champagne (a gift on the house), and the sunset streamed in the west-facing windows.
For me, cooking is my own creative act of love: to feed someone else is a form of blessing, and so food and love are always intertwined in my life. So perhaps what Cantinetta says about me, is that if food and love are a blessing to be celebrated, then this place is one of the shrines to which I can go to be blessed.....Listed in: The Lovelies
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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4/10/2009
So exciting....The menu is changing today! so I'll be back next week....
Another fantastic meal, this… Read more »
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Review from Kyle B.
Seattle, WA
8/1/2011
Really great intimate atmosphere. Outdoor seating was perfect of the warm summer night. All the staff was very friendly. Classic takes on traditional Italian food. Chef and owner came out to say hello, and even let us help make the desserts. Wine list with American and Italian wines. Fun for dates or small groups
