Tosoni’s
14320 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA, 98007
Tosoni’s Menu
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Address :
14320 NE 20th St
Bellevue, WA, 98007 - Phone (425) 644-1668
- Website https://www.tosonis.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Doc M.
I've driven past the place for years without even realizing it is there. Boy have I been missing out! Once you get past the strip mall exterior, this place is cozy, charming, and the food and wine are amazing. The servers are excellent and there is a real warmth to this place. You're gonna spend a bit more to dine here, but it is well worth it. Great place for a romantic dinner.
(5)Shree M.
Walter, the owner chef, loves to talk with his clientle, but he loves to cook for them even more! Even though the menu is only 10% vegetarian, I dont hesitate to take a group of 5 vegetarians over there for dinner -- Walter will come up with something for everyone! [dont expect this all the time]
(5)man z.
the ground beef they used for lasagna was not fresh...i did not pay 20 bucks for that. very disappointed. will never go back.
(1)Tammy V.
what a weird location! tucked away in a strip mall in bellevue, tosoni's is like a needle in a haystack! once you're inside though it's a whole 'nother story. dimmed lights create a romantic atmosphere and the expensive menu mos def makes it a date place (or a normal place if you're filthy rich XD). i didn't have dinner but i did order dessert to go. it was my brother's birthday and his favorite cake is tiramisu so i found this place online (searching for best tiramisu on eastside). it was really really really good. i've only been here once but my five stars REALLY go to the customer service here. although the server is a little blunt he is really friendly. when i ordered some cake to go and was waiting for the cake the chef/owner? came out and introduced himself - offered us wine and even gave us extra cake (2 slices of other kind of cake) b/c i had said it was for my brother's birthday. i'm sure he can't do this all the time but he was a DELIGHT! i just can't believe people are THIS friendly. (it even makes me smile thinking about it) overall, the prices for dinner here for $TEEP, maybe you should try going for dessert first =D and --- LOVE (if i could make this font any bigger i would) the chef. ps. maybe i'll go write them a letter / i've always wanted to.
(5)Alyana V.
So happy to have found this hidden gem that's been in business for over 30 years. My other half took me here for my birthday dinner, and the experience was just amazing. The food is remarkable. I ordered the duck with cherry glaze and my boyfriend, the veal. For appetizers we got the portobello mushrooms and caprese salad. Sooo delicious, filling, and light on the stomach! We got the house cake to share for dessert, and that was just to die for! I would gladly come back. The owner is extremely friendly, and his passion for food, culture, and people is deeply expressed in his menu.
(5)Jamie C.
I've been there twice now knowing that i will visit them again anytime soon. I went back there for the secodn time for their creme bruee (I've tried their desserts only) Their creme brulee, chocolate decadence, and house special cake is so significant! Sweetness is just right, not overwhelming like most desserts do in other places. Their chocolate decadence is pretty strong and just melts in your mouth! you would love it if u like dark chocolates. Their raspberry hot wine was pretty tasty and a good match for gloomy, chilly weather! I would love to try their entree dishes one day when i can afford it :P
(4)Kristine L.
Had a lovely dinner there. Ate the mezzo mezzo that had quail and venison. Fun to try items you don't usually see in other restaurants. Walter who owns the restaurant came by and chatted with us, even shared a glass of his wine with us. We thought having him come by the table made it a special and warm experience. Definitely recommended!
(5)Tanya P.
This place can be a little pricey, but I love it. We found this place a few years ago when visiting friends in the area and make it a point to eat here at least once anytime we are in town. It's small and in a strip mall so it is easily missed, but it's a diamond in the rough. The inside is cozy and the gentlemen working there are welcoming and friendly. The food is good-fantastic depending on what you order. The menus change so it's not the same all the time. I had a steak which had a wonderful sauce and artichoke hearts over it, served with mashed potatoes and carrots. My husband had the Wienerschnitzel which I tired and that was good as well, I would have preferred it with a gravy of some kind. My mother wanted the lasagna but they were sold out, but the waiter (owner?) who is always there checked in back and offered to make her a spaghetti which wasn't on the menu but as they still had leftover red sauce from the lasagna they could do it. She agreed and her and I both loved it. It was amazing. The service has always been above and beyond and the food has yet to let us down. Everyone should give this place a try.
(5)Mike G.
An excellent, relatively small, hidden gem. The food is outstanding with a changing menu daily, but enough choices to satisfy any palette. Had dinner with my two daughters and the grandchildren. We were treated like family, as are all of the guests. It's hard to distinguish what was a standout in what we ordered, since all of the offerings were awesome. It's a place to go, relax and be treated with special care.
(5)Roger B.
Had dinner here last week and enjoyed it so much, we are returning this week for a special occasion dinner. It had been so long since we had dined here that we forgot just how good it is. The spouse and I both had salads to start and then Duck for her and Weiner schnitzel for me. I also had a glass of their craft beer ( I think the only beer they serve) from California and enjoyed it so much, the spouse and I shared a second one. Everything was excellent and there was enough food that we had some to take home. The owners (Walter and Wendy) are very personable. Bring lots of cash or a good credit card because the meals are somewhere between $$$ and $$$$ and worth every penny.
(5)Dmitriy R.
This place is awesome. Anything you will order is outstanding. Probably best lasagna in town. Portobello mushrooms with some tasty sauce and home pie made my day. P.S. Good wine selection.
(5)Laura B.
This place is charming and reminds me of being on the east coast. We had the duck and the lasagna. The food was great. The duck reminded me of a thanksgiving dinner with all the sides. The dressing on the house salad is quite sweet - not my favorite, but some people would love it. The setting - in a strip mall - is a little off putting... but once you are inside you forget you're in ugly Bellevue. The inside of the restaurant needs a makeover and the ceiling could use a fresh coat of paint - there was some wood molding missing from the ceiling... but if you don't look too closely the place is like being in someone's living room.
(4)Mack M.
It's a good place, and you should go. The prices are fair and the value is good. If you want a nice dinner out, this is the place. The service is quite Italian, except that if you do have a time crunch, they will accommodate you. The menu is a chef's menu. Some things are extraordinary, some just good enough. The cocktails aren't good (put more ice in the sleeve!), but the wine selection IS. As we go up the fine dining scale, Yelp's star system doesn't quite cut it. How would you rate a 1-star Michelin restaurant? A 3-star one? At this price point, this is a three Yelp! star restaurant. A-OK. Good. It's not Canlis in a strip mall, and it's not your plaid-tableclothed Greenwich Village Italian joint. You should go. One of the reviewers complained about being addressed in Japanese; that's not racism or bigotry, it's a desire to connect, to find common ground. When I asked if the caprese had mozzarella di bufala, the waiter corrected me: "It's buffalo." (Actually, it's not, and that's fine.)
(4)Al K.
I have been a fan and a patron of Tosoni's for over 20 years. I remember the first time I went meeting a group there who had made the reservation and thought, 'What the heck kind of place is this? In a strip mall??' Boy was I mistaken. Walter Walcher and his wife Wendy run this place. They have a very small eclectic chalkboard menu with a few hidden and non advertised gems for those who have been coming for years. Eggplant appetizer anyone? The food is excellent. Start with the homemade bread and ask for some of the homemade pesto with a wink and they will whip some up. The pheasant with raspberry sauce, the lamb, the steak, the venison and many others are all good bets. Walter can whip up many things that are not on the menu for those from Austria that have requests. The dessert is also very good. House cake is light and pleasant. The creme brulee is good too. The best is an unadvertised dessert where they make it in a large pie dish and it has fruit and custard in it, but you need at least 4-6 people to order it. I always have Tosoni's on my go-to list for birthdays, anniversaries or work dinners. IT is a truly unique hidden little place that I hope, stays hidden for the next 25 years.
(5)Lavonne P.
I must say this place surprised me. The waiter (owner?) was so attentive to everyone and actually cared how you enjoyed your meal. I ordered the lasagna which they had run out of but our waiter went and spoke with the chef and they made me spaghetti with the leftover lasagna sauce which came out beautifully. Wonderful place to dine and be taken care of!
(5)Mary D.
Very quaint and small restaurant in a strip mall. Yelp brought me there and boy was I happy! I had the wiener schinitzel and it was delicious! This place is a little pricey but you're getting quality food here. Beautifully plated and all made to order. The chef came out and sat with me while I dined. It was a great experience. I also had their house salad, apple strudel and the chef's raspberry and mango sorbet. Everything was wonderful. The wienerschintzel was huge. I loved the sides it came with. Some pickled veggies, sweet potato mash and regular mashed potatoes. The apple strudel is a very simple yet very tasty light dessert. I highly recommend this place for a nice romantic dinner for two. Thank you Chef for spending some time with me! Aloha!
(5)Aaron F.
I think this restaurant has one of the best Fettuccine. Friendly waiter and owner. Nice cozy setting. Veal is really tasty but the duck is ok.
(4)Jeff G.
Very nice, and quant storefront location. They make the best of the setting. I had the fantastic mushroom appetizer. I then had the wonderful Orange duck. My wife had filet minon, and quail which was nice. We split some awesome tiramisu for desert.
(4)Jay K.
Subtle tastes, worth the cost. Loved the lamb shank and the house cake. Great service.
(4)Kelli C.
Went there for Valentine's Day dinner. We were rushed out of there in an hours time, and $228 later, without the tip. Food was ok, some cold. Server couldn't remember who order what with a table for 2, and a prix fix menu. So disappointed!
(1)Mak S.
I don't believe I'm biased when saying that this is a wonderful restaurant. Having a father who personally knows the owner is amazing as well. The food is worth your while, please do try anything. The owner let me try some unsugared grape juice to make the experience more real. If you're a fruit fan, then you'll love the house cake. I recommend this dessert! Also, I enjoyed the music, which was Austrian (or so I think). In any case, I would definitely come back and have their delicious spaghetti.
(4)Soumow D.
We've been here more than 5 times. The food is great, i love lamb and it's rare to find in the US so I always go with the merguez as appetizer and the rack of lamb as entree. My husband is french, he always goes with the escargot as appetizer and chooses something different each time for entree. For desert, we tried their house cake, creme brûlée and tiramisu, they were all very delicious!! You should probably call before you go or make a reservation as it's small place and they have multiple clients. It's pricy though but totally worth it.
(5)Lauren S.
I stopped in for dinner to avoid a really bad rush hour. What a beautiful surprise! I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh, crusty yet soft bread and the spicy lamb sausage appetizer with a glass of cabernet. The entrée I chose was halibut, prepared with a lemon piccata sauce, and was outstanding! It was served with mashed potatoes with some julienned fried potatoes as a garnish. Wonderful! The carrot puree and the vegetables were superb as well. Then for the coffee, which was obviously prepared using a French press. Wonderful! I also had the house cake, a very light sponge cake with a creamy not-too-sweet frosting and lots of fresh fruit on top. Worth every penny. I will be back!!
(5)Alex S.
We had delicious oysters, risotto, caprese, Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel. The house wine and espresso were equally great.
(5)Jeff B.
Nice place for dinner with friends or family. FOOD: - Portobello mushroom appetizer: 4.5. Good amount of seasoning, nice texture. - Greek salad: 3.0 - Prawn special plate: 3.5. - Osso Bucco special plate: 3.5. ($38) Wish there was a bit more vegetables. The Osso Bucco had a few small carrots and green beans. SERVICE: 4.0. AMBIENCE: 3.0. OK. The rather shabby-looking white false-ceiling tiles smother an otherwise comfortable dining area.
(3)Nick S.
Very good place if you like European cuisine. The small place is awesome. I wouldn't suggest to come here when the place is busy. They don't have a lot of ability to handle many people at once. I would suggest weekday evening.
(5)Steve W.
Yelp sent me there. My family wanted Italian, and though it's fairly expensive, it was less than the other top Italian restaurant in Bellevue. We had wonderful fresh pasta dishes. The food was as good as many of the best restaurants we have visited in Italy. My wife had the house cake and said it was the best cake she's ever had. I only wish I ate sugar, but I'll take her word for it. The waiter was a wonderful guy. It turned out he was from our favorite town in Italy, Positano. He was childhood friends with the guy we rent a villa from. He was appropriately friendly but also let us enjoy our daughter's birthday. We will definitely be back there.
(5)Khoo K.
Great Bavarian plate. The pork is super tender. Cherry cake is decadent. The service is excellent.
(4)Patty G.
We came here for a special celebratory dinner. It fit just the occasion. The food was amazing and so was the service! Definite gem.
(5)Alex B.
Food and service was average at most. Feels like most items are pre made and come out very fast. Owner was very kind and fun to talk to. Decor was not impressive at all.
(3)Mark Y.
The owner is a character :) I've eaten here about 3 times in the last 2.5 years. Great flavors in the food they prepare.. small menu yet enough choices for a party of 4 to try different things. the owner comes out and greets the diners.. one time we brought a magnum of barbaresco.. he saw that and brought out his own wine that he makes in Italy haha.. tastes quaffable albeit a bit primary in fruit flavors.. point is though - nice dude who can cook. A bit pricey so not an everyday place, but a nice little gem in Bellevue.
(4)Mark L.
I have been coming to this place since the early '90s! Walter, the chef/owner is a stud. The quality has always remained the same! Fantastic! A lot of people drive by this day after day. Located in a generic strip mall, you would never have any idea how amazing the food is here. Walk in and you are transported to a different world. VERY small at about 20 tops, it is intimate. Nicely decorated, intimate, attentive service, sublime food and wine! If you are looking for a super high quality place on the Eastside, this is one of the few! Stop in a get ya some! The menu changes frequently based on whats available with a few standby items. solid 4.5
(4)Sam T.
You're probably wondering why this place is getting 1 star from me when most other people are giving it 4 to 5. Just to let you know what kind of a Yelper I am, I eat out about 300 days a year with my wife and we have been to almost every restaurant in my 9 years living in Seattle. I rarely write negative reviews but this place infuriated my wife and I and now that Yelp offers mobile reviews, it's convenient enough for me to provide this feedback to the Yelp community. Let's start off with the food. It's good. I give it 3.5 stars. We had the Caesar salad and the romaine was fresh and crispy. And it was baby romaine, so you don't get those huge chunks. The dressing was also good. I wasn't a huge fan of the croutons. We had the filet minon medium rare and it was very tender. The peppercorn demi glacé was much better that many other steakhouses. We also had cannard a la orange. The duck was richly prepared and the fat was rendered properly. So why am I giving this place 1 star? Because of the racist service. The first thing the server says to me when we sit down is "Kon ban wa", which means "good evening" in Japanese. Oops, I'm not Japanese. I may be Asian, but I think you got the country wrong. I let it slide at the time because he might have just mumbled something else. When the server is telling us about the menu, he doesn't bother to tell us the specials. So when my wife asks him about the menu, he's condescending about how the entees are prepared. Side note: the menu is not descriptive at all. Menu items are listed in this format "Entree name - one short note about it". Nothing else about sides or how it's done. So when my wife asks about the preparation, he answers in a very short way, "it has buerre blanc". Servers are supposed to sell the food, and so far we're not sold. Then I ask him to recommend an appetizer. He recommends the portobello mushroom because its tempura flash fried with citrus soy. I wonder why? Cuz we're Asian and he said that we might like that. RACISM STRIKE 2! Reminder: Three strikes and you're out. We order the Caesar salad and entees to move on with this painful process. When the entrees arrive, the server says, "Itadakimasu!" Which means "Bon appetite" in Japanese. At that point I decide to speak up. I asked him why he thinks we're Japanese. He said its because my wife "looks Japanese". I asked him that if he looks Italian, does it make him Italian? I asked him if he spoke Japanese and he said, "Er...um... I speak 5 languages." Then I said, "So do you speak Japanese? Because I may not be Japanese but I studied it for 4 years." *Awkward silence befalls the small eatery* Then I said, "Look, there are a lot of different people living in this city, you should not assume that just because someone looks a certain way that they are some race." What an ignorant racist. I was so pissed at that point that my wife just looked down and poked her food. Seriously what the hell do you think you can accomplish with an interaction like that? If you wanted to chat us up, THEN TELL US ABOUT THE SPECIALS AND THE PREPARATION OF THE FOOD! Don't keep shoving whatever 2 Japanese words you know down our throats just because we're Asian. Important: I have nothing against Japan or Japanese people. What this server did to us is no different than if you walk up to an African American couple and said, "tell me about [insert African country]" or said to a Hispanic person, "where in Mexico are you from?" It's ignorant, annoying and I won't let it slide. Even though it might seem like I'm shouting in this Yelp review, I afforded that racist much more calm and composure. I simply made my point that we're not Japanese and that he should not assume. He acknowledged it and sulked away. He didn't return to the table until he brought the check. I will never be returning to this place again. Even though their food was good. The service makes me wonder what kind of owner or chef would allow that kind if ignorance and racism represent the public face of the restaurant. Despite my deep resentment to what my wife and I were just subjected to, I still left him a tip. Yelper, make your own decision about if you want to try Tosoni's. I don't believe this place lives up to the approximately 4 stars it currently has.
(1)Sean G.
Prepare your soul to be satisfied! I went with my wife to this unassuming little place for my birthday. I love good food and had forgotten just what it could be like what with fast asian joints and Pho shops. My soul was touched. We asked to suggest a wine with the stuffed quail and lobster, the waiter was spot on. Everything from the oysters to the deserts was above and beyond what I expected. Walter, in his hat and Pheasant feather was engaging, sincere and personable. One of the best dining experiences I have had in years. I anticipate my next occasion to celebrate and will be back at Tosoni's for the wonderful meals and great experience I had. Aside, It turns out this was a favorite spot of my Dad's who passed several years ago and was a huge patron of local art and great food. I remarked at dinner that my Dad would have loved this place, turns out he knew Walter and DID love the place. Some things are just good. pleased that I found this one. Thank you to my wife for opening the door to what is a terrific Bellevue secret. Bon Appetite!!
(5)Jacqueline T.
The appetizers were very delicious. Mushrooms were definitely the high point in this meal. Maybe since they raised the bar so high for the appies.. i felt like everything went down hill from that. Pasta was nothing special Beef liver was very salty Veal meh Actually felt kinda ripped off after my meal. I would've had to spend less $ at Maggiano's, and would've probably had a tastier meal. I wish I could tell the story differently. 2 stars for the mushroom appie!
(2)Stephen H.
I've been here several times because my wife's a fan, and I'm perplexed as to why so many people (my wife included) think so highly of it. The portobello mushroom appetizer is pretty tasty, but other than that, the food's generally mediocre -- not bad, just not particularly flavorful or noteworthy in any way. As another reviewer mentioned, at least it's entertaining watching your fellow patrons squirm while being chatted up by the hammered chef. :-)
(2)Ratish K.
Highly rated in Yelp & we were not disappointed. We went in to find a small restaurant and for a moment we thought we were under dressed. A good welcome by the owner himself, a pleasing waiter who patiently hears you and gives you suggestions and a talkative chef for company ;) All dishes were their recos as we had never been here. Started with the Portebello Mushrooms, the best mushroom dish ever!!. along with in house organic Grape juice. next were the Veggie dishes - a veggie lasagna, another in house veggie special. we were just satisfied with what we were served with and we left the plates clean! the dessert was little underpar - the mango, raspberry sharbat
(5)Thomas M.
"Would you like some more?". Walter, the chef, came over to the table with a more pureed carrots with ginger, must have noticed I finished them off so quickly. First of all, I love a place that has an open kitchen where I can see people preparing my food. Gives me a sense of trust, and it's interesting. This is a very small place, total hole in the wall. Maybe 10 tables, room for 25ish people. I found it the first time thinking I would stop and get a sandwich at the little strip mall. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! Everyone there seems to be a regular, and you can see why. The food is great, service superb, and the wine is not over-priced at all. I have had venison, duck, crab, etc. Always a great menu.
(5)Paul R.
I dined with another foodie this weekend and was pleasantly surprised. Other reviews note the strip-mall location and interior ambiance and those reviews are accurate. What I didn't see mentioned is that this place feels as though it is run entirely by family, friends, or staff that have been there for a very long time. No teenagers or twenty-somethings here - everyone seemed seasoned and patient. The regular menu is skinny but not bad - the real dishes seem to be daily specials and definitely seem to be of the model where the owner/chef must tell the staff "we have only six osso bucco tonight" before doors open for dinner. The wine list seemed reasonably populated but I couldn't read it as I'd not brought my glasses. I considered knocking this review down to three stars for the lack of decent wines by the glass - it's a reasonably expensive restaurant and so should do better than bottom-fishing for house wines. At least serve a decent Zinfandel and Chianti, for goodness sakes! Also, standard cocktails only. This is a place for food, not drinks. I'd bring my own bottle next time and be quite happy. I had osso bucco and it was pretty good, though not spectacular. The sides were generous and good - smoked risotto was delicious! There was one orange side that could have been creamed yam or carrot and was hard to tell which, but was delectable nonetheless. We had merguez sausage for appetizer and it was simple and tasty. I recommend sitting near the kitchen and enjoying watching and listening to the action if you like that sort of thing, which we did. Something else to consider when planning is that the restaurant pretty much closes down around 10pm and if you are still seated around that time you will likely get the impression that it would be appreciated if you could wrap up the dinner experience and find another location for continuing your evening, if that's your goal. I didn't feel pushed out at all, but just became aware of the emptiness and clear preparations for the following day. Oh, and last reason for potentially striking a star from this rating: no online presence so no menu or contact info or other Internet benefits. Rather old school!
(4)Julien D.
GREAT food! I tried many French/European restaurants in USA. I never found a really good one EXCEPT tonight. The BEST awesome place. High quality (but $$$). If I closed my eyes I felt in my country. Thank you!
(5)Sheila C.
I have been coming to Tosoni's for dinner for many years and have always been impressed that I can count on one or two interesting menu items such as ostrich or pheasant. The food and service are always excellent but I was surprised the last time I was there a few weeks ago and ordered a Caesar salad which came with store bought croutons. Are you kidding? This isn't that kind of place. What happened Walter? Don't cut corners with cut rate croutons from a box. Got to make your own with stale bread. Even I do that.
(4)Sharon H.
Great food in a small, cozy setting! All of the appetizers, entrees, and desserts that my friends and I had there were all really, really good. I don't think you can go wrong with anything you might order. I had the vegetarian lasagna- with their home-made noodles!- and I might have experienced then, for the first time in my life, what it felt (and tasted) like to KNOW that everything I was eating was super fresh. There were so many wonderful flavors going on, it was just perfect. I highly recommend Tosoni's, but plan on spending more than you would on an average meal. **oh, but it was a little difficult for me to find. i had to make a couple of u-turns.
(4)Jens J.
Ambience is nice with standards lightly playing in the background. On a Wednesday night, the restaurant was about half filled. Our waiter started out by telling us the cuisine is Northern Italian with a heavy influence from Germany and France. Our waiter also told us Tosoni's has been in business here for 28 years. While they do have a wine list, there is no menu. Specials are written on a chalkboard. The rest of the menu is recited by the waiter. The waiter fussed a lot about the wine selections available, and it was nice that he allowed Penny to sample a couple different wines. She remarked the wine she finally selected was "bright" with a "smooth full-fruit" flavor. And my ice water was fresh, light and cold with a nose of oxygen and a tail of hydrogen. How's that for being a water snob?! We just were not wowed by the food tonight. We went with the stuffed figs for an appetizer. The waiter said the figs were grown on two trees right outside the front door. Each lime-colored fig was topped with a mild creamed goat cheese and a strip of prosciutto. This appetizer was just OK. Though the goat cheese was good, there was way too much of it. At our waiter's suggestion, we then both had a bowl of the tomato bisque. Tosoni's bisque is not cream-based and it had the texture of applesauce. Too sweet. Penny went with the osso bucco (cross-cut veal shank) for her entrée. I opted for a beef special called "rouladin". Of course, when we asked our waiter about each of these dishes, he indicated each one was a personal favorite. The osso bucco, served with polenta (topped with a potato chip) was OK, but the flavors were muted and not compelling. My rouladin was served with mashed potatoes, mashed carrot and an odd-tasting salad made from zucchini and squash. The rouladin was flank steak and bacon rolled into two logs (that looked like...oh never mind) and stuffed with pickles, onions and carrots. I didn't care for its flavors However, the mashed potatoes were perfect. For dessert, we split an apple strudel. It was not good. The strudel, while flaky and topped with a few raspberries, was extremely greasy. Also, the strudel had very little fruit filling and was not sweet enough. Even the whipped cream was unsweetened. The bill was a shocker. The osso bucco was $35 and my flank steak was $30. The high prices were justified by neither the quality nor quantity. Oh, a glass of wine was $10.
(3)Jesena M.
Love love love this restaurant! We drove past this little strip mall soo many times the past years, but we never looked into who might have a restaurant there. We went there with friends to celebrate a birthday party and needed a place that can accommodate a larger group. Even though the place is small, they had no issues getting us 10 in on shorter notice. The food there is amazing, one of the best Italian places we have tried around Seattle. We usually share or at least everyone gets the chance to try someone elses food and the 4 different dishes I tried, were all outstanding. I think most all of us ordered something different and everyone was happy with their dishes. They also told us that they adjust the menu and make new ones regularly, so even if you had a dish now, it might not be there again in a couple of months when you return. Sure, this might not be a cheap place, but it sure is great for special occasions and romantic dinners for two. We would go there again in a heartbeat and might even make this our new anniversary restaurant for the future.
(5)Lil B.
"Can we order 1 of everything?" is what I asked my fiancé when we read through the menu. One word summarizes the food and service.... AMAZING. Absolute must haves are the crab cakes and their house cake dessert. We also had the caprese salad appetizer, venison tenderloin special, and winterfest special. It was all pretty phenomenal. The venison was super tender, in a port reduction sauce, served with crisp green beans and a cheesy potato bake something. So freakin' good! The winterfest included a pork snitzel and a tasty bratwurst wiener; served also with the yummy cheesy potato bake thing. No wine for me... instead I had fancy grape juice that doubled as wine. But, my fiancé had a Spanish Navarro wine that he enjoyed very much. All in all, a superb dinner. We loved every morsel of it.
(5)Martha L.
Just on a few Yelp reviews, we decided to go to this place. Thank you Yelp. Food was delicious. Service was excellent. It's a tiny little place with excellent food. They didn't have the wine we ordered but offered something else at the same price that I'm pretty sure was better than what we ordered. A must do. It's in a little strip mall and from the outside, looks pretty nondescript, but if you go in, so worth it.
(5)Craig T.
Tosoni's is a wonderful restaurant with excellent food and service and I should know having had the pleasure of eating here about fifty times in about the past 30 years. My wife and I just had a great meal again this evening with excellent service as well. She had the fresh king salmon and I had surf and turf - filet and lobster - everything was delicious! The escargot we had was as good, if not better, than any high end seafood restaurant we have eaten at anywhere in the USA and that's saying a lot - it was outstanding! We do know excellent cusine and Tosoni's offers it at a very reasonable price in our opinion. I wish I could eat here once a week, or at least cook as well as Walter (the owner/chef) and his sous chefs! This place is worth your $$$.
(5)Marta B.
Very very nice. Simple but elegant. Nice fine wine selection.Food is true to order and quality is quite high. Service is consistently great,a week ago we had a group of eight,were seated upon arrival,drinks were perfect,they even knew my favorite Corn'n'Oil recipe! That left me pleasantly surprised.ha! Priced accordingly to quality of food,true drinks,overall service. I will choose Tosoni anytime for a private get together where you are treated as a longtime guest and can ask for some extra accommodations.
(5)Sharon K.
WOW! Never judge a book by its cover! From the outside, you could never tell all the awesome tasty delights that it holds. I went with a few of my good friends to grab dessert. The server was so personable and welcoming, along with the chef (whom I believe is the owner). They showered us with compliments, which made us feel more at home. We ordered the creme brulee, tiramisu, sorbet and the house cake. O Lord. I couldn't believe how good everything was! The house cake definitely deserves its popularity. Just looking at it, you'd think it's like any other cake with some fruit and nut slices but once you take a bite.... oooo heaven! My next favorite dessert was the creme brulee. Deeeeelish. Although its $8 per dessert dish, it was well worth the company and service. The ambiance was very nice and I liked the music that they played-it has an old glam Frank Sinatra feel to it. Anyway, I DEFINITELY recommend the house cake and creme brulee!
(5)Evil W.
This Eastside pan-European bistro hidden in a strip mall is small, probably ten tables. Three waiters - all professional, with the head chef strolling around with a feather in his cap - literally. I had no expectations when I went here for dinner after work. Then I sat down, and while the meal was exquisite (the crab cakes are the best I've ever eaten), my mind was preoccupied - by the girl. She sat - with her family no doubt - at the next table. Her hair back, her classic features on display for the entire room. Of course, she ignored me, a mere peon intruding on her world. But the poetry that she inspired in me could crash this site from the sheer weight. Romance incarnate - truly she was a pleasure to behold. While I sat, crammed in amongst several people (space was not at a premium but the table as set as though it were) and enjoyed the variety of perfectly cooked appetizers and a lamb shank decorated with miniscule portions of potatoe and carrot, my eyes hardly wavered from the statuesque beauty sitting mere feet away from me. Once, as the wine began to take hold of her, she exclaimed 'shit', realized her faux pas, covered her mouth in shock and stared at her companions. Her aged companions seemed nonplused, but the evening progressed. She continued to delight, and I continued to savor her with my eyes. In effect, I ate two perfect meals, although I suspect that the memory of the girl will outlast the memory of the food. Venus, you elude me, but I have gazed upon you now and my desire has left with you. Exquisite - as was the food and the service. Vulgar people need not apply - up the hill there is Applebees for your ilk. =;^)
(5)Mike G.
I truly enjoyed my experience. It's a very quaint atmosphere with a lot of personal attention. We were there to celebrate our friends birthday and the staff catered to our every need. I'm not traditionally a dessert person, but the entree was so delicious that I had to give one a try. I was not disappointed! Fine work!
(5)Carolyn M.
Based on the great reviews, I had high expectations. The waitress was rude from the moment we said we didn't have a reservation (without a restaurant website to guide us, we found nothing to indicate we would need one). She rushed through the specials so fast I didn't understand her. I asked questions and she treated me like I was an idiot. Once we ordered, she never checked on us and let one of our salads sit so long in the window it arrived at the same time as the entree. The quality of the tomatoes and other veggies was horrible, the bread was stale and the meat undercooked. For the price, I expected far more. The owner was lovely. I think I would have walked out during the salad course if not for his warm and welcoming smile.
(1)Derek P.
The food was quite good and definitely worth a premium however they increased their prices and reduced their menu for New Years Eve which was a surprise upon our arrival.
(4)Amy B.
Dark, European decor, Lit candles, Chalkboard menu, Followed by a tantalizing, verbal menu, Handsome waitor. Small and intimate. Bread and oil, complimentary, 2 glasses of Chianti, Penn Cove mussels, Caprese salad, Veal cutlet, and Lamb shank. Romantic way to celebrate a one year anniversary.
(4)M G.
Food is amazing! This is my husbands and my favorite place to go on special occasions. The mezzo mezzo is always fantastic and the portobello mushrooms are delicious!
(5)Scott M.
Went back to Tosoni's the other night and had another great experience, which is not a surprise, but dang it...I love to find a place that is consistently knocking out of the park at this level. Server was the same one as last time, youngest guy in the building but a total natural at the service gig, walked us through the chalkboard menu by memory and not by looking at the board, and made some great recommendations along the way too. Which resulted in a great bottle of Italian red at a very reasonable price...and some nice Alsace riesling to start with over some luscious sautéed squid. Walter the owner was out working the room as per usual, and stopped by a couple of times to chat in his eminently affable manor. We learned that he has a farm on the East side of the mountains that he is getting a majority of his produce from during the season (this would explain the heirloom tomatoes that tasted of sunshine), and raising a bit of grape for wine too. My only niggle with the place is that there are no heat lamps on the pass bar, and being that Walter is an old school perfectionist, NOTHING sits in his window...so you wind up getting one entrée, and a minute later the other shows up...while I totally appreciate this level of dedication to food served at it's immediate best...my wife gets tired of my inhaling half of her dinner before mine shows up. Why should you go to Tosoni's? Old world culinary with new world passion and sensibilities, great food, some of the best service in the county, and very fair wine prices.
(5)Bill L.
Tosoni's for the umpteenth time accompanied by my daughter. We shared the portobello mushroom appetizer. She ordered lamb shank, osso buco style. I had a Wiener schnitzel al a holstein (not on menu). Our wine was Mathews Estate claret, an honest Woodinville wine. We concluded by sharing the haus cuchen. The service was first rate. We had a nice conversation with Walter. We had a wonderful meal. I consider Tosoni's to be the best restaurant in Bellevue. I qualify my opinion by confessing that Austro-German and Bohemian food is my favorite style of food. But, living in Germany for 21 months, followed up by several European visits will do that to you.
(5)Elizabeth C.
Okay, I'm going to say first that the only reason I gave this four instead of five stars has nothing to do with the food or service - it's only because I'm only a student and Tosoni's isn't that cheap. All that aside...I came here last fall on the night of a formal with my group. Even though the restaurant is really small, since we had reservations we managed to get all (about) ten of us at one long table. The interior and ambience of the restaurant is very calm and intimate but not so overly romantic that it could make you feel awkward. All of the food was great, and the servers were attentive but not overly present at all. Unfortunately, I can't comment on the wine selection or anything because I'm a minor, but the food I had here was so high quality. It's clear that they emphasize service and making sure everyone has a good experience.
(4)Paul S.
Tonsoni's is one of those "European style" restaurants where it caters to a very loyal clientelle of repeat customers and referrals. Walter is the chef and owner and can always be found with his chef's top hat and a glass of wine in hand, walking around and talking with customers. Walter is Austrian and provides a European-fusion style meal, all excellently prepared and reasonably priced ($20 to $35 for main course). It's in a strip mall and would you never notice it unless someone told you to go there. But inside, its decorated with charm and has a cozy romantic feel. This is not a chain or big restaurant, it's just the owner's personal passion which shows in the food and service. I recommend it for a date or even for a small group gathering. Definitely try to portabello mushroom appetizer.
(5)Misty C.
Very homey, yet cute European restaurant. We chose this restaurant for our Valentine's Day dinner. The location is not hard to find, but since the strip malls are blocked and divided by walls, we had to make several u-turns to find a right entrance to get in. The parking was pretty easy. The place looks like any other mediocre, fast-food like restaurant, but once you go in, ambiance seems to be changed quite a bit. It is very cozy and comfortable. We had the Valentine Prix Fixe dinner. It consists of crab crepes (appetizer 1), pumpkin soup (appetizer 2), entrée (choose from lobster to beef tenderloin), and raspberry chocolate mousse torte. Overall, everything is quite good! It was not super fancy as the ones I had in San Francisco, but the food was not bad at all. The service was not bad. The only thing was our server thought I was Japanese, so he kept on trying to speak with me in Japanese. Luckily(?), I can speak Japanese to respond him back, but I thought it was very strange. I would love to try this place again with regular menus!
(4)mandar j.
Had lamb shank here. it was definnitely exclusive as far as taste is concerned. Bread was nice and so were desert and wine. Waiter was really good but they dont have print menu so its little tricky here all dishes in his european accent and decide. it was pricey though, even considering the exclusivity factor. thats what robbed 1 star. i would also add following thing.. i would really recommend calling these guys and ask what dishes they have on that day. they have a dish with Pheasant bird and that looked amazing. we went for lamb instead but pheasant was looking better on some other table. oh yeah i was staring at it :)
(3)Dan W.
Poor service, pricy menu for food quality I thought was average at best, I have no idea how this place was rated so high. The place is in a strip mall, not in downtown Bellevue people. Once check-in we waited 5 minutes for table that was open right in front of us at the door, the waitstaff could have mentioned to us that was our table, but instead ignored us most of the night. And observed two other couples who were ignored at the door, many tables were open at that point
(2)Ray B.
The service was attentive and friendly. The owner checks in and chats with each table throughout the night. The food has been great both time we have been there!
(5)Maggie S.
We were searching for restaurant for dinner and since this is "the highest rated restaurant in Bellevue" on yelp we thought we'd give it a try. What a disappointment - I don't think it deserves the rating. The only food that I would say was great was the mussels - the sauce was delicious and the mussels were plump. Other than that, food quality wise, everything was just okay. Neither dish we ordered was bad but by no means great. The portions were pretty small, especially the fish. So at the end of all that I was still kind of hungry so we decided to get dessert. We got the house cake as I saw it mentioned in a few reviews. It was absolutely nothing special - it's got some layers of strawberries that tasted a bit stale. I would expect a person who's learning how to make cakes at home to be able to produce something like that with no problems at all (perhaps with much fresher ingredients). And the price is way too high for what you get. My fish was $32. For $32 I would expect something much better than what I got. It took a very long time to get our food - the mussels came reasonably fast but the main entrees took more than 30 mins. And when we walked in, the restaurant was only about 1/3 full. We also noticed that almost everyone there was in at least their 50's. I felt a bit out of place but that didn't bother me. It's the value of the food and how slow things came that bothered me. As we were walking out of the restaurant, boyfriend said "I don't think we will be returning...". And I said, "I agree".
(1)Stuart P.
Look carefully, or you just may drive by Tosoni's, even if you're looking for it. If you go past, make the U-turn--the food is worth it. For a fine dining restaurant, they eschew the snooty factor and make you feel welcome. We enjoyed speaking Russian with our Czech waiter, and felt very well taken care of by him and Walter, the owner. Service aside, the food was quite good--a New York Steak done to perfection, sea scallops that weren't chewy, and Wiener Schnitzel that equalled any I had in Germany (the breading was so light and airy, it was delicious). Heartily recommended, but budget $30/person (without wine).
(4)Scott M.
I really like this place. It's small and quaint, and almost has a bistro type feel to it. Great food, a very nice wine selection, and the staff is very friendly. If you want Italian food on the East Side, this is the best place to go.
(5)Moe M.
Fantastic dinner..each course was exquisite. Started with a dungeness ravioli...the crab was perfectly cooked in a light pasta and a rich sauce balanced with herbs...perfect. Next was the goat cheese beet salad..yummmm...and then my bacon wrapped venison in a port demi glace...all succulent goodness...wonderful meal...time for dessert....
(5)Scott M.
Delicious European fare. I loved the wiener schnitzel, and the wife's lasagna melted in your mouth with each bite. Excellent, quiet atmosphere!
(5)H K.
We've been going to Tosoni's for the last 10 years for special celebrations. The food and service is amazing! The staff pay special attention to all the details.
(5)N C.
Superb. Everything is done well -- from the personal service to the carefully selected appetizers to the perfectly paired wines to the delicious main courses to the wonderful desserts. I simply cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. I have been here twice, and both times were equally amazing. There are no set menus -- there is a large chalkboard with some excellent dishes, but the most interesting options tend to be a long list of nightly specials that are introduced to you by the waiter. (Waiters are not only wonderfully kind, but truly knowledgeable about the extensive wine selection.) This place honestly reminds me of some of the better restaurants in France. The chef is also only too ready to come visit with everyone and have a conversation. I've seen him sit down at the table with his guests and have a good dialogue. If you have a chance try and engage him, he's a very well-travelled gentleman. For appetizers I recommend the escargot or the oysters, and for main courses the mezzo mezzo, canard a l'orange, or osso buco are wonderful. I would save room for dessert though because the cakes are scrumptious and the tiramisu is nonpareil. I will admit when my significant other first drove up to the restaurant I was less than impressed by the environs (the words "you're taking me to a strip mall?!?" may have slipped out). However, I could not happier to be utterly wrong. I have returned with my entire family to celebrate my mother's 65th birthday and it was once again completely amazing.
(5)Judy C.
I've been to Tosoni's twice now. Both times, the food and wine were spectacular. Anything w/ marinara sauce is good. I love that it is a small staff and great quality control. I didn't give it a "5" is because that's for perfection only. The location should be a quaint old house on Bel-red or Main St. in Old bellevue. Also, bad pesto fettucini. At $22, it was too garlicky and oily, and hardly tasted of any basil or pine nuts. Maybe it was old, cuz it wasn't on the menu. It is exactly the opposite of Maggiano's (mass portions w/ hi profile location) tho I'm usually satiated there too. This is hard for me, as I grew up in NJ. Don't expect much for Italian anymore.
(4)Ben M.
This is literally a "hole in the wall" restaurant in a strip mall. The dinning room can't possibly be any bigger than 600sqft. You can see the kitchen from at least half the seating which offers a nice kind of intimacy to the place. I didn't really notice the decorations, I wasn't really there to look at the walls, I was there to eat. We made reservations, which appeared to be a good idea as the place was packed on a Wednesday evening. We were there to celebrate my Wife's birthday and there were 9 of us. The bill came out to be a little under 50 bucks per person. (no wine/ alcohol) I would say that this is an expensive place to eat... however: This is easily the best food I have eaten in Bellevue. All the food was excellent. Everyone at the table ordered a wide range of food and we all shared bites. All of it was amazing. The lamb literally melted in my mouth. The stuffed peppers were delightfully flavored and sweet. The mashed potatoes were presented in a very fantastical way and tasted excellent. Service was sparse, but Tosoni's was full of people and as we were busy talking I don't think anyone really cared all that much. (Not really a place where you can "drop in for a quick bite") We all had a great time and the food was excellent. We'll be back to try out the desserts sometime! Hard to believe we've missed this place being in Bellevue for as long as it's been here!
(5)Pierre G.
I had a wonderful meal here recently, which included: Appetizers: *Portobello Mushroom [$12.00 + tax (1.20) + tip (2.40) = $15.60], battered & served in a light teriyaki sauce; suitable for sharing *Oysters Rockeller [$14.00 + tax (1.40)+ tip (2.80) = $18.20] - 6 large oysters; also suitable for sharing & flavorful Entrees: *Osso Bucco [$35.00 + tax (3.50)+ tip (7.00) = $45.50] in a lovely wine reduction sauce; fall-off-the-bone soft with a delicious marrow; unfortunately accompanied by unadorned polenta and bland green beans; * Tournedos Genovese [$32.00 + tax (3.20) + tip (6.40) = $41.60] - only had a bite but liked this very much . Dessert: * House Cake [$8.00 + tax (.80) + tip (1.60)= $10.40] - Genoese cake layered with fresh fruit - scrumptious & light; * Apple Strudel [$8.00 + tax (.80) + tip (1.60)= $10.40] - not on the menu, Walter whipped this up, served with cream; warm & not too sweet - yum. Owner Walter is now a wine grower/winemaker, growing grapes out in Sunnyside, WA - he sat with us & told us about his venture; Props to Alexandre, our attentive & gracious waiter.... Reserve a booth, ask about specials; the wine list is impressive as well As the menu is ala carte and prices are higher than most venues, I'd recommend Tosoni's for a special occasion [as a comparable, think Cafe Juanita]; note that there are also entrees priced in the high teens [i.e., Stuffed Peppers, Ravioli] for the more budget-minded.
(4)Danny S.
Had a great meal. I strongly recommend the wiener schnitzel. The owner Walter came out and had us try his new hellfire sauce which was excellent. A hole in the wall but worth the trip.
(5)Donna V.
This resturant has been around for 20 yrs. The food is consistantly amazing. It is small and intimate. It might be your special occasion spot or you just want great food! I wouls say price is 3* but food is definitely 4*. It is small so you do need reservations. My favorite is always something on the special lists!! I have loved this place forever!
(5)Vienna W.
Tosoni's in Bellevue is a romantic fine dining restaurant located in Bellevue. A small intimate dining room w/white linen table cloths, a wide assortment of wines to choose from and the food is "out of this world" with freshly made ingredients. The fabulous waiter, Alexandre will greet you and see to all your needs with joy and enthusiasum. And the cook Dimetre, makes a mouth watering meal. A very friendly atmosphere where even the owners make you feel like you are right at home. You'll want to eat there again and again and it's a great place to bring your clients, business partners, date or loved ones!
(5)Tyler P.
Are you looking for a place to get lost in ambience and epicurean delight? As soon as the door closed behind us, it was like we were transported to a hillside home in Trento, to the dimly-lit dining room of a beautiful home for a romantic dinner with a personal chef. We could not believe that we were in a Bellevue strip mall. You get what you pay for. This place is not for the budget-conscious. I recommend it only for special occasions and splurges. Having said that, when we ate there with friends last month, somebody at our table wanted something on the menu that had run out, so Walter --the head chef -- rustled up a 5-star alternative in the same style but that hadn't been on the menu. Just having a 5-star meal "whipped up in a jif" is what I call extraordinary service. Walter then made his nightly rounds to all the tables to ensure everything was perfect. He really is like a personal chef. And to think we happened upon Tosoni's by accident because we hadn't been very pleased with Italian fare in the Crossroads and Overlake areas, it sounded Italian, and we decided to give this "strip mall hole-in-the-wall" a try!
(4)Trevin C.
This is a hidden gem on the east-side. It's overpriced if you are expecting elaborate decor, but for food and service I think the price is well worth it. One of the best restaurants on the eastside!
(4)MyBabyLove R.
Fine dining is not going to get much better than the Tosoni's Bistro in Smellevue. I've been eating venison and fresh salmon since I was a kid (thanks dad), but Chef Walter's venison was amazing. It was perhaps some of the most tender and juicy meat I've ever had. Holy Deer Flesh Batman! There's always a decent selection of wine, and you should make reservations ahead of time if you can. The menu consists of items such as free-range pheasant, veal chop in a shiitake mushroom cream sauce, filet of beef au poivre, and the aforementioned venison. The meats are enhanced with a wine-fortified demi-glace and hint of something smoky or bacon-y. I've always been surprised that Tosoni's never moved to a more grand location, but who cares-- it's definitely fine dining and service at its best here. I recommend this place for family dinners and gatherings. The ambiance is intimate, and the experience has been consistently top notch for over 15 years.
(5)cat b.
Hadn't been to Tosoni's in quite some time...I think it's been over two years. I'd been hyping it to my friend, who hadn't been there, so I had to prove my point. We went at 7:45 on a Thursday night, and they were very full. It's a tiny place with kind of an odd mood to it. The tables are squeezed too close together, but if you bring a large party or ask for a booth, you'll be OK. We didn't have reservations, but we called ahead and they said we'd be fine without them. The waiter greeted us with "Reservations?!" (uh, no) He was nice, but a little awkward and blunt. He seated us in a booth (bonus) in the corner (double bonus). Made a huge difference to me--I get stressed out when I get seated too closely to a stranger. We ordered the fried Portabello appetizer. They were very good, and it was a generous serving. They were thick slices, lightly fried, and kissed with a light soy and sesame sauce. Barely sauced, which was good. They weren't heavy or overly salty. Great start. I ordered Risotto di Mare and my friend had Rotollo (pasta rolled with chicken, cheese, spinach). The risotto was cooked very nicely--the rice was the perfect texture. I liked the sauce better than the seafood, though. The mussels tasted really strange...but the scallops were AMAZING. I could've eaten tons of them. Total perfection. The clams were just OK. My friend's pasta looked good--like a giant canneloni, topped with marinara and bechamel. Both dishes came with a sweet potato? puree, which I've always loved. I think it's one of their standard side dishes--and it's perfect. My friend is my friend because he loves pastry. Dessert is a must. I had the House Cake, which is a multi-layered Italian cream cake (thin layers of chiffon-like sponge cake), layered with light buttercream and sliced fresh fruit (mango, kiwi, strawberry), and topped with more fruit. Garnished with toasted almonds on the side. I actually took a picture--it was that pretty. Had to get some coffee too--I remembered it was smooth and lovely. I loved the food. The service was a bit odd. The waiter had a lot of difficulty understanding us, which was kind of troubling, since we were trying to ensure no food allergy issues (no nuts!). He was awkward about wine--like he just didn't know much about it. When he poured the sample, he just brought the bottle and poured...no information about the wine. He didn't even show us the label, which just felt a little weird. The service is also quite slow. All in all, great place for a small business dinner or a leisurely romantic dinner. Be prepared to invest some time--it will take about three hours. It may be a bit spendy for its crappy location, but the food is very high quality.
(4)Denise E.
Other reviewers were saying the place is over-priced. I just think its under-decorated. The price is consistent with the quality of food which is excellent. This is one of only a couple Italian restaurants in the greater Seattle area that is acceptable! Their rotating menu features some of my favorite, hard-to-find dishes which are rarely prepared adequately. At Tosoni's they are perfect. One of only a few places I leave thinking about how everything was perfect from the first course to dessert. Don't be fooled by the exterior, or discouraged by the price.
(5)Steve G.
This is truly one of Bellevue's gems. You would never in your life find this place, walk in and think to yourself that you are about to be treated to a fantastic culinary treat. Tosoni's has been here forever and is a in a non-descript strip mall on the north side of NE 20th. Walter, the owner and head chef is originally from Austria and has the place decorated with pictures of different places in Austria. The menu is made up daily from whatever is fresh - it is written on a chalkboard back by the kitchen. Their selection of wine is not huge, but is perfectly complimented for what they are serving that evening. Walter suggested a Pinot from Oregon which was spectacular. If you know Pinot's, or have seen the movie sideways (written by Bellevue's own Jim Taylor) you know a Pinot is easy to screw up. This was not an expensive bottle and we ended up ordering a second bottle since the first was so good. As Walter says, it is easy to find a good bottle of expensive wine, it is much better to find an excellent bottle that is reasonably priced! They can only fit about 30 people in the space, so it can be a bit of a challenge to get in. We ordered a bit of everything, none of which I could pronounce nor remember. I ended up having steak, which came with a reduction sauce and melted in my mouth. It also came with garlic mashed potatoes and pureed carrots (I could not believe how much I loved those carrots). Becky, my dear and beautiful wife, ordered their lamb, which fell off the bone. Paul ordered the pork, again it fell off the bone and Paul's lovely wife, Diane, had the seafood and pasta. For dessert, I had chocolate decadence (they actually made it correctly - high heat in a water bath for just long enough to "set" it), Becky had the Creme Brulee (I can still taste it - it was done right as well), and Paul and Diane shared the cake with fresh fruit. The cost is not cheap, but you really get your value. Expect to pay $25-$40 for an entree. We spent a good three hours there enjoying the food, the service, and talking about everything good in the world. Do yourself a treat and take your closest friends to Tosoni's.
(5)Terri J.
After reading the other reviews, our expectations were high. It is small and has a bistro feel. The wait staff was friendly and very helpful. We found it to be a bit noisy and I had a direct view of the kitchen. A lady at the table next to us wasn't pleased with her order and they replaced it with the risotto. It looked so great, my spouse ordered it and loved it. I had the mezzo mezzo which was the beef tenderloin and lobster tail. It was OK but could have been better. I guess what turned me off was watching them plate the food. They used plastic tubs fo the mashed potatoes and mashed carrots. Dipping a scoop in and plopping them on the plates. By the time I got my plate, the potatoes and carrots were just barely warm. All I could think about was how long the plastic tubs had been sitting out. Same thing for the sauces. They also lost an order for another table which had to wait a good 20 minutes to get their final order. Just seemed like they weren't operating on all cylinders last night. We will probably try again... but then again there are a lot of other restaurants to try.
(3)A. B.
i'd give this place 3.5 stars - the food isn't modern European but more classic European with strong french roots (aka a bit too laden with butter & rich for my taste). really quaint interior with old-world charm that transported me to Virginia, didn't belong in Seattle. an extra half star for the surprise & friendly visit by the chef at our table after dinner...
(3)