Bizzarro Italian Café Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • Seasonal Dishes
  • Bizzarro Classics
  • The Meats
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bizzarro Italian Café

  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • Seasonal Dishes
  • Bizzarro Classics
  • The Meats
  • Desserts

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  • Terri L.

    Props to Bizzarro for having GLUTEN-FREE options for my gluten-free friend! We came in on a Tuesday evening, not thinking it would be much of a wait - wrong! The place was packed with small and large groups, and the air smelled delicious. The ambiance was a little hectic, and the decor was little goofy, but it all seemed to mesh together and give the place a cozy feel. *This might be my own little neurotic pet peeve - when you walk out of Bizzarro, your clothes will smell like Bizzarro for a few days after-wards. I think my coat still smells like pasta - this could be a good thing or a bad thing - you decide.* Our table ordered the Sugar Snap Pea Carbonara, the Lasagna, the Clam Linguine, and the Elk Bolognese. Each item came with a small salad, which is upgradable to a Caesar, the Gor-Nut, or a cup of soup. We were also served some yummy focaccia with olive oil and balsamic. Everyone enjoyed their dishes and I pretty much devoured my Carbonara - yum! All in all, the food was very tasty and hit the spot on a rainy Seattle evening. I really enjoyed the family feel of the restaurant and will definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Matthew M.

    Do I review my date or the restaurant? They were both equally perfect. Bizzarros is a place that is turned upside down and right-side up. I like to be the one to show a lady or a friend from out of town a new and exciting place. Some place memorable that you than go and tell your friends about. It was time for someone to turn the tables on me quite literally. Our wait time at dinner was a mere twenty minutes and there is enough to look at in this place that the time goes by rapidly. We sat under a carriage that was fastened upside down above our table. Looking across the ceiling at teacups, tandum bicycles and upside down tables I knew I was part of a perfect moment. I was instructed to check out the bathrooms and inside I found a shrine to uncomfortable family photos, you know the kind where an entire family is wearing all denim or the like. Later, I was told that the womens bathroom was adorned with 1950's charactures, a furnace and a creepy radio listing by number inappropriate behavior. This is a wonderland of happiness for anyone enjoying the abstract, off the beaten path and odd. Oh yes and they serve food too. My date or in this case the person taking me on the date ordered the duck ravioli it was sweet and wonderful. I just have to say the pasta here has to be the best I have had. Very delicious. I decided since I was sitting next to a Lady and the Tramp picture to have the spaghetti and meatballs(only available on Sundays). I am not a meatball fan. . . Until now. Light and fluffy the meatballs like the entire evening was perfection. I highly recommend Bizzaros as a key to anyone trying to impress someone who likes to be the impressive one. I was turned on my head.

    (5)
  • Jim C.

    SO and I were in The 206 for Stone Soup Theatre's "the Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)" and wanted to enjoy a real dinner without the kids. (I know, novel concept.) We were a little nervous about the lack of reservations, but as luck would have it, were able to get right in. It's a very funky and casual feel. The Caesar Salad was excellent with real anchovies! I had the Forest Floor Frenzy, a mushroom, sherry, cream pasta dish that was outstanding. For dessert, we split a Tiramisu.

    (4)
  • Erica W.

    With a humongous tea cup and an upside down table on the ceiling (and many other things just hanging around), and posters covering the walls; this place has awesome decor. Although the restaurant is pretty small, some might feel a lil crowded, but I was quite comfortable. The staff was very friendly and the food was great. My bf took me here on my visit to Tacoma, it was his first time at this restaurant as well. (I think he heard about this place on the foodnetwork) We didn't make a reservation, thinking not that many people would eat out on a Thursday night, being that theres work the next day, but boy were we wrong.. The wait was 1 hour, and it was pouring outside. There isn't much of a wait area unless you want to cramp in front of the little bit of space between the receptionists' stand and the door. We ended up walking around in the rain. We did stumble across a toy store called Archie McPhee on the other side of the block. Lots of random and interesting stuff in there. Good place to pass the time. When we eventually got seated, we ordered the drunken clams for appetizer, which were delicious!!, especially the broth. For entrees, my bf ordered the lamb shank which was okay to me, but he liked it and I ordered the lasagna, which was very good. Their homemade marinara sauce is very tasty. I was very satified with my meal. I will definitely come back here the next time im in town to try the other things on the menu.

    (4)
  • Alexa W.

    Great restaurant atmosphere, and good food! Went for my grandpa's birthday and he had a great time. The server seemed to be a little overwhelmed by our party and didn't hear that we'd ordered 3 desserts instead of 1 and asked if we all needed spoons in our 9 person party for a small bananas foster. No big deal it was really loud in there. All in all good food and atmosphere!

    (4)
  • Pam R.

    Everything everyone in our party of 6 had was fantastic. I look forward to another trip to try more items from this fantastic, edgy, unforgettable menu! Don't miss this place!

    (5)
  • Kristin P.

    Fun little dive on the outskirts of Seattle. Reminded me a bit of Bucca di Beppo as the restaurant was covered ceiling to floor with eclectic photos and objects. Pasta made fresh in house. Our table ordered the Clam Linguine, pasta tubes with bolganese, and cauliflower ravioli. The clam linguine was good, although the white wine butter sauce was a little off. (I have to admit my mom's is better). The cauliflower ravioli was one of a kind but heavy on the cream. Rave reviews given for the pasta tubes although I can't attest to that fact as the dish was devoured be for I had a chance to steal a taste. Would be a great place to take someone on a date.

    (4)
  • Sin T.

    i absolutely love this place! It is my go to place for Italian/pasta cravings! They have freashly prepared pasta and the most flavorful dishes my tastebuds have every experienced. I always get their Gnocci..OMG...i must stop writing this review because it's making my mouth water. GO! GO NOW!

    (5)
  • Eugene C.

    I came here with a big group for dinner, and we ate "family style", so I got a chance to try a little of a lot of different things. And by a little, I do mean little. Unfortunately, the portions are pretty meager and eating family style may mean fighting for that last bite of food with another member of your "family". One of the appetizers we had was clams with prosciutto in a red sauce. The sauce was the best part and had a nice smoky flavor and richness imparted by the prosciutto. The clams were tiny but good morsels of sweet meat. Another appetizer was the eggplant parmesan. It was good, but nothing setting it apart from versions I have had at any other Italian restaurant. For our main courses we had the gnocchi in brown butter, the clam linguine, the forest floor frenzy, the carbonara, and the roast chicken. The gnocchi themselves were pretty good (pillowy soft but not mushy). However the sauce was a little bland in my opinion. Gnocchi in and of themselves do not have much flavor, so a robust sauce is really necessary, and lacking in the version here. The clam linguine was just okay, not great. There was some spice from the jalepeno, but the sauce was otherwise not bursting with flavor. The forest floor frenzy was okay, but again not bursting with robust flavor (not much you can do with veggies anyway). The carbonara was pretty good and my favorite of the pastas we tried. The sauce was rich, creamy, smoky and flavorful. One of the biggest problems with the pasta dishes I had here (clam linguine, forest frenzy, and carbonara) was the utter lack of pasta to soak up the sauces. Each plate came with literally like a tablespoon quantity of actual pasta/noodles. The actual pasta was good and apparently hand-made, but there just was not enough of it. If you are ordering pasta as a main dish, you should not expect a big bowl of pasta. Many of us in the group resorted to using the bread to soak up the sauces that came with the pasta, just to fill up. For the price, I expected a greater quantity of food. As many of us were still left wanting something more, we ordered a couple plates of the roast chicken. This dish was one of my favorites here. The chicken was well cooked, tender, juicy. The sauce had a nice tanginess/pungency (mustard, I believe). The accompanying ?fingerling potatoes had a nice crispy outer crust.

    (3)
  • pete h.

    This place is awesome, it's an excellent neighborhood Italian bistro that is totally decked out! The only problem is that too many people know about it so it's very very popular so be prepared to wait for upto an hour for a table on Friday or Saturday! The lasagna that I had was good, perfect portion but the calm linguine that three other people in our party had was even better! The prices run about 12-19 for an entree that comes with a dinner salad. Oh yeah, a tip is to always look at the blackboard to check out the daily specials prior to ordering. It's yummie in the tummie!

    (4)
  • Curtis L.

    My family had a blast eating here! The marinara sauce was perfect with the right amount of spices and tartness to augment the pasta. we also ordered the antipasti to go with the wonderful tasting bread that came with the meal. The prices were really reasonable since the dishes had huge portions copious amounts of cheese and sauce. The ambiance was perfect with a lot of things suspended from the ceiling and other things that reminded me of the Twilight zone....

    (4)
  • Sean T.

    The decor was actually a bit misleading for me. I find that a lot of eclectically decorated restaurants generally walk the line of normalcy - not here. When we first walked in, the garlic and butter aroma let me know that good things were about to happen. For appetizers, we shared the Drunken Clams and they were delicious! The spicy tomato sauce is as good as it gets. As I was enjoying the clams, I watched a delicious looking roasted red pepper soup walk past me. It called my name. If you're lucky enough to have that soup available during your visit, you have to get it. It was one of the best soups I've ever tasted. It was one of those dishes where you are still raving about how great it tastes after the 10th spoonful! I've yet to recreate it at home; however, I will be successful - I will pay for any hints! Since I enjoyed the clams for my app, I ordered the Clam Linguini - it was quite good, but I was still dreaming of that soup! I recommend asking to add the spicy tomato sauce to this dish - it makes it much better. I also tried the Elk Bolognese. This was excellent! I lived in Montana for years and never had elk near this good. It's seasoned perfectly and though they cheat with a little pork, there is absolutely nothing gamey about this dish. Great spot! Easily a Seattle favorite.

    (5)
  • Etta H.

    What?! I dunno - getting into the bathroom was confusing... and hilarious. I guess that is the only negative thing I can say, and really I wouldn't change it! The ambiance and decor is... well, yeah I suppose it's a little "bizzarro" but it's also a little "frickinawesomerro". My eyeballs were entertained - but nothing could distract me from the food (not even a rickety old rickshaw hanging above my head. I wanted to try everything on the menu - but I was only able to try a couple (this trip!). Everything was amazing.... (beware: I think the marinara has crack in it - it took everything I had to not lick it off the plate). The staff were all super friendly, attentive and knowledgeable! I was so intrigued by their interesting menu that I have been suggesting it for every dinner out since the night we went the first time just so that I can experience more of the loveliness that is Bizzarro Italian Cafe. You bet your rickety rickshaw I'll be back!

    (4)
  • Andy H.

    I like it. The guy at the front counter's hair was off the hook. My mom really liked the thing that had elk in it. I had an angel hair dish with mushrooms and it was "the bomb". They don't use real wine glasses but that's ok 'cause I had the beer goggles. hahahaha!

    (5)
  • Jim L.

    We went to Bizzarro's to try something new --- what we got was a GREAT experience and AMAZING food! The atmosphere is quirky and fun and there are tons of things to look at. The meat and cheese tray was great. I never thought to pair parmesan and honey but it is to die for. We followed that with caprese salad. I had the fall ravioli which is pumpkin ravioli in a leak and sage butter with apples and spiced pecans. Loved it! Savory pumpkin is great!

    (5)
  • John W.

    Stopped in on a Sunday night for dinner before bugging out of Seattle. I ordered their famous spaghetti and meatballs. Pretty tasty, but I have to say I liked the sauce on the appetizer, the Eggplant Parmesan a lot better. In fact I'd have been happy with the foccia and olive oil with a side of that sauce that came with the Eggplant Parmesan and I am not a fan of eggplant at all! Having said that, I did enjoy their version of the Eggplant Parmesan which was amazing! The foccia was damn tasty and a good way to soak up the spicy kick of the Eggplant Parmesan. The Eggplant Parmesan was covered in this tasty breading that did sort of rule the plate, but that made the eggplant innards okay. Again, there was that sauce with that was at last 5 stars. I think the reason the spaghetti was not that inspiring was because I did have the spicier marinara style sauce of the eggplant appetizer. I might suggest something other than that if you a going to have spaghetti as your main entree. About the restaurant... It is a pretty cool place, worth checking out! Also, some of the other dishes were pretty tasty, in particular the elk pasta dish of one of our party. This restaurant is sort of a cool, trendy, museum-dive. It is full of crazy old memorabilia and lighting fixtures. It is as if someone opened a building that was closed for fifty years. When we got there we put our name on the waiting list and then took a walk uptown. They called us in about 15 minute, we returned and they sat us down. I think some folks in the waiting area were slightly miffed because they thought we got seated past them, but they were sat pretty much immediately. All in all it was a great dining experience, the staff was attentive and ambiance at the minimum, unique. I would return, but just order differently. The spaghetti just didn't stand out and that was their "marquee" (famous) dish. I will say though, there were plenty of meatballs on my plate!

    (4)
  • Shenoah C.

    Quite bizarre! We only had dessert so I can't fairly give it a full review

    (4)
  • Riana N.

    Last Wednesday my boyfriend and I got a late night Italian craving and headed here around 9:30 for dinner. They sat us at a very cute table right by their large open front window. It was a warm summer night so we felt like we were eating al fresco but with the coziness of being tucked inside the restaurant. The server was very welcoming and offered many helpful suggestions. I ordered the special - summer squash fettuccini in a very light white wine butter sauce ($14) and my boyfriend ordered the gnocchi with duck and sausage ($16). Both were excellent! Their pasta is all made in-house and you definitely notice the quality of the ingredients. We also split a half-carafe of house chianti ($15) which was pretty good for house wine. The décor is pretty quirky, with hundreds of little trinkets, photos, and art to look at. It would feel cluttered but they do a nice job making the space seem airy, clean, and open, so you don't feel like it's chaotic. I would definitely recommend it for both romantic dates and friend groups as it can be both fun and intimate.

    (4)
  • Lawrence L.

    1)Hidden treasure in Seattle! 2)Best pasta in Seattle! Pink door is 2nd and Restaurant Zoe 3rd. (pasta only) 3)Very affordable. Highly recommended!

    (5)
  • dom c.

    Meant to try this place when we lived a lot closer, but finally had the chance. Great place for a casual date-nite dinner. Shortly after opening time, the wait time was 45min-1hr. We have been to Archie McPhee around the corner before, but thought we'd see what was new. Having left our cell phone#, we got a call 20min later, saying they had a table. The restaurant is cozy (Seattle-speak for small and oddly arranged), which works for us. We tried the clam linguine and lasagna-- our go-to test entrees. The clam linguine had more fresh clams than I've ever seen on this entree and roasted jalapeno, which is an interesting and welcome addition. The sauce on the lasagna definitely earns the "world famous" description in their menu. The lasagna had lemon in it, I'm guessing in the ricotta, which sounds strange, but works very well with the sauce. Next time we might branch out a bit and try something more daring. Or maybe we'll show up on Sunday for the rustica spaghetti with meatballs.

    (5)
  • J T.

    Went here for my birthday dinner while I was visiting seattle with my husband and parents. I couldn't have asked for a better meal! We had to wait for quite some time on a tuesday, even though the hostess said 15 minutes. It was because two tables were just sitting there staring at their bills. (Don't you hate when people do that??) Since we had to wait for so long, they gave us a free starter of mussels, which were AMAZING!!!! I want to drown in that sauce!! The mussels were quite small, but I don't care -- it was incredible. Our group had the clam linguine, the lamb, the mushroom pasta, and the sausage gnocchi. Not a single dish was less than delicious! It was so worth the wait.

    (5)
  • Nate S.

    i just can't say anything bad about this place the food is always Great, the Staff is always friendly and its always fun to visit. Sundays is Meatball night don't miss a chance to get them Turn your Phones off when you enter this is a place for food and friends

    (5)
  • Hal O.

    Have you ever noticed how many negative reviews of Italian restaurants contain a phrase along the lines of, "I guess living on the East coast (or Chicago) spoiled me. Boy, was this stuff bad." Have you ever noticed how you hardly ever see, "I guess living in Italy spoiled me. Boy, was this stuff bad." There's a reason, folks. East coast Italian isn't Italian Italian. And increasingly, the restaurant world is turning to Italian Italian. You're not actually hankering for "East coast Italian" -- you're hankering for Italian while on the East coast, and the warm nostalgic glow that would bring. Seriously. Go to Netflix right now, and stream a look at "Big Night" to see an all-too-painfully-probable tale of a pair of brothers from Italy trying to make it in the restaurant biz in New Jersey in the 1950's... and, um... Not exactly getting the love of the East coast public. Meanwhile, at Bizzarro -- Remember Bizzarro? This is a review of Bizzarro... Anyway, I've been eating at Bizzarro since 2002. They've long been one of my favorite places in town, not because of the setting -- I mean, I appreciate whimsy as much as the next guy (assuming the next guy is Steven Wright) -- but because of the food. I was born in Boston. I was an honorary Knight of Columbus as a bambino because that's how often we went to feste in the North End. I'm here to tell you Bizzarro is good enough that if you're going to cop an attitude about how the East coast "spoiled" you... Well, the spoiled part is right. And not in a good way. Viva Bizzarro!

    (4)
  • Doug C.

    Made the trek to Wallingford from SeaTac this evening to check out this DDD spot. We definitely enjoyed ourselves, but weren't completely blown away. The scene is definitely entertaining - Madonna night had all servers dressed in their Material Girl-best. We ordered the Lasagna and the Clam Linguine, one with the Caesar Salad, the other with the Gornut Salad. Caesar Salad was slightly above average - have definitely had better, but the Gornut Salad was right on (especially if you dig blue cheese). The bread at the table was extra-fresh and tasty as well. Onto the main courses - the Lasagna was probably the best we have had, or at least in the discussion, but the Clam Linguine was slightly disappointing and lacking flavor on many bites. Would definitely return!

    (4)
  • Jeff M.

    OK, first off, let me say that I'm not from Seattle or anywhere close to there. But, when my girlfriend and I found ourselves with tickets to Dave Matthews down at the Gorge on the Labour Day weekend, the planning began. Where to eat when in Seattle? As luck would have it, not 2 days after we'd booked our flight and hotel, I was watching (who'd have guessed it?) the Food Network, namely, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. As you've likely deduced, the episode I was watching was the one that featured Bizzarro. After watching (and drooling) as Guy introduced us to this eclectic little cafe, I was hooked. It looked fantastic and right up our alley... it didn't disappoint. We arrived at around 6:30 or 7:00 on a Saturday night, knowing they don't take reservations. We were told there would be a 1-1.5 hour wait. Problem? Nope, there's a nice little pub around the corner where you can sample some great Seattle micro-brewed beer. When we got our call, we rushed over to claim our table. The decor is fantastic. Totally off-the-wall.. or on the wall... ceiling... floor... well anywhere they could find the room. I particularly liked the decor in the men's washroom. Anyway, the menu was a good size, with lots on it for everyone. We ordered a couple of glasses of Washington wine (totally fell in love with the wines of Washington on this trip, wish we could get more up here in Alberta) - both were fantastic. We started with the drunken clams and I have to admit, this ranks in the top 3 of my favourite restaurant dishes. The balance between the tomato, pancetta and ouzo in the dish was amazing. I would fly to Seattle just to have these clams again. Outstanding! My girlfriend tried the elk bolognese while I had the special of the day (manicotti with white truffle oil and lemon zest, if I recall correctly). Both were absolutely terrific, although I'd give the nod to the bolognese, it was stellar. We ordered dessert, but both of us found we didn't have enough room to eat it right then, so they happily sent it with us in a doggy bag. The tiramisu, which we didn't have room to eat until the next morning, was some of the best I've had! Overall, the evening was outstanding. The food was top-notch; well-deserving of 5 stars. The service was prompt, fun and quite comfortable. We're already talking about our next trip to Seattle and, of course, or next visit to Bizzarro. A definite must when in Seattle!

    (5)
  • Alix H.

    OMFG the ELK pasta thingy. The 2nd time I was there I ordered the Elk pasta thingy (don't recall what I ordered the first time). Then the 3rd, the 4th, the 5th time, I just kept ordering the Elk pasta thingy. It is so damn good I can't stop myself from trying anything else cuz it's all I can think of when I step into that restaurant. OM Nom NOm NOm NOM. I forgot my leftover elk pasta thingy on the table the 2nd time I was there (it's a good amount so I couldn't finish it). STOOPID STOOPID STOOPID!! That is not something you want to waste! EVER!!!! So the subsequent times I went I just made sure I went ultra hungry so I could eat the whole thing. Yah, I got smarter and maybe a little fatter. Worth it!!!

    (4)
  • Jenny H.

    You know a place is good when as people are leaving, they stop to reassure you that the hour & a half wait-list for a table is well worth the wait! I went by myself, realizing after I was seated that this place is somewhere you go on a date, special occasion, or to meet with large groups of friends rarely seen. The food was an event by itself! Delicious bruschetta with figs & red-wine reduced vinaigrette, a starter salad with just enough house-made dressing, and a sweet & mildly salty pumpkin ravioli entree. You bet I'm coming back! Next time, though, I'll skip the weekend and reserve a table during the week. Reservations accepted only Mon-Thurs.

    (4)
  • Jody S.

    Perfectly cluttered and cozy! The atmosphere is second only to the fantastic food. Service was quick and friendly. Well done, Bizarro!

    (5)
  • Jennifer P.

    My absolute favorite Italian place in Seattle. I love the interesting ambiance and the service was wonderful. There was a little wait in getting seated but no problem because there's a bar/diner located conveniently next door to have a brew while waiting. My guest and I ordered the party plate appetizer which was an absolutely amazing mix of meats, cheeses and pickled veggies. I ended up ordering the elk lasagna which was also amazing! My guest ordered the margarita which was also very good. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Brad L.

    Based on a Food Network recommendation we came from Washington, DC for dinner (not just for dinner). Food was great, place was interesting and the staff was spectacular. Next time in Seattle we will be back

    (5)
  • Kevin S.

    Was looking for a cool place to have dinner after the Red Sox/Mariners game in "pre-planning" for my trip to Seattle. On comes Diners/Drive-in's, and Dives with Guy Fieri....and I'm thinking...what's with his hair? Anyways, on comes Bizzarro Italian Cafe. I normally just look at the places Guy reviews....because he's not going to give a bad review to anyplace ON the show. Just common sense. So after looking at the place, their website, and reviews, decided this was THE place I had to check out. I will tell you I'm an Italian food expert, having grown up 5 mi from the North End in Boston. I KNOW good Italian food. Bizzarro has it! From the bread to the vinegar dip for it to the salad to the Sunday Night Meatballs, and finished off with the decadent ice cream, it was 100% authentic and excellent! Arrived right after 5 pm when they opened, no wait. Suggest you do this if you don't like waiting. or try to sneak in at 10 min of 10 pm.... ;) Great place! Great prices!! Great service!!! I'll be back for sure!!! Just make sure your cell phone is on vibrate and NEVER use it when the waiter/waitress is watching!

    (4)
  • Glenn D.

    I had heard great things about this place but was always put off by the apparent long wait. I decided we would go about an hour before they closed in hopes that the dinner rush would have passed. We got there and there was only one couple in front of us. We only waited about 15 minutes and were seated. The waiter came over promptly and brought us our drinks. A lot of the specials were out by the time we got there but the lasagna was still there. I'm always willing to try someone else's lasagna. Damn I am glad I did because this stuff was amazing. Very sweet, just the way I like it, and it was wicked cheesy. For one slice of lasagna, it sure was a lot of food though. Appropriate for the price but way more than one person should eat...not that I didn't eat it all. I will undoubtedly come back here. I don't know if I could wait more than 20-30 minutes though. There just isn't much room indoors and there is almost no where covered to wait outside.

    (5)
  • Erin S.

    Worst service I have ever received at a restaurant. After waiting for over an hour and half to be seated (we had a large party), they said that they couldn't seat us all together and gave someone else a smaller table next to ours that would have fit the rest of our party. We had been waiting for much longer than anyone else by at least 30 mins. We ended up leaving all 15 of us without eating after we were all treated so poorly and were starving. So much for trying to help out local small businesses. Will NEVER return after such poor treatment.

    (1)
  • Amanda W.

    A great spin on classic Italian food. The concoctions whipped up at this strange establishment are delicious and inventive. Try the Arancini, Drunken Clams, Clam Linguini, Forest Floor Frenzy, Pumpkin Ravioli, and of course Banana's Foster. They always have seasonal dishes and specials which are quite tasty as well. However, I'm confident that anything your order here will be amazing. The atmosphere is funky and fun ... but it's also a rather small place ... so it makes a better date night than group outing. However, I'm sure you could make reservations if planning for a large group. Don't miss their feature on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (Guy Fieri's Food Network show).

    (5)
  • Michael W.

    If anyone has had a creepy eccentric, yet endearing family member, they would understand the vibe at this place. Several pictures on the wall feature a crazy guy wielding a knife, and the restrooms are decorated with enough awkward family photos to keep you entertained until the next in line begins beating on the door frantically. Hey man, wait your turn! The menu is full of items that have a bit of a twist from traditional Italian. I had the 'Duck, Duck, Ravioli', which had a perfect combination of savory with just a little sweet (not to mention a great name for a dish). Our service was excellent, and our witty waitress often had us chuckling between visits. There were so many interesting menu items to choose from, I'm just going to have to come back to visit this creepy relative.

    (4)
  • Katie J.

    Visited on a Sunday because I heard the meat balls were yummy. The place was super packed. The hostess took our phone number and we went next door to Blue Star for an adult beverage. 30 minutes later the hostess called and we were in ball heaven. The balls in my mouth did not disappoint. The pasta was just OK and the sauce was really watery. The focaccia bread and oil was awesome. The house chianti was rather gross. The place has funky photos and trinkets scattered throughout. I think this would be a great place to bring the kids. I really hate that they advertise Guy Fieri on their website. That guy is the worst 'cook' on Food Network and his show is un-watchable. Yes, worse than Rachel Ray and she really sucks. I wanna punch him in his stupid died spike sunglasses hair.

    (3)
  • Bryan J.

    Love this place, I cant believe I have not been here before. Went last night with a friend and I had the Elk Bolognese the pasta melted in my mouth and the sauce was excellent with plenty of meat. My friend had the Forest floor frenzy and I was absolutely floored how it tasted. The atmosphere is fantastic make sure you are prepared to wait in line to get a table.

    (4)
  • David C.

    I've been eyeballing Bizzarro's website and menu since we moved here three years ago, and I'm happy to say that we finally made it out for dinner and it was everything I had hoped it would be. As others have mentioned, a short wait before you're seated is pretty much to be expected. But considering the neighborhood and surrounding businesses that's almost a good thing. The amazing Archie McPhee's toy store is only a few doors down, but we unfortunately made it to the door ten minutes before closing, so we didn't get a chance to go in. No problems there, since there's a pretty great bar/diner right in between Bizzarro and Archie's. We both had a beer before the hostess at Bizzarro called out cell phone to let us know that our table was ready. Now before I go much further I'm going to explain my four-vs-five star review. It's the seating inside the restaurant. Yes, it's cute, tacky and kitschy, but it's also very crowded. The people sitting next to us were so close that I could have easily reached over and snagged some of the food off of their plates [actually fairly tempting], and our waitress [and others] seemed to have sort of a tough time navigating between tables when they were loaded up with food. That one complaint aside, everything else was great. Our waitress was friendly, helpful, and just had a really fun attitude. I ordered the Happy Sausage Pillows, and my wife went with the pasta Margherita. We also ordered the sunday night meatballs to share....Well, we shared everything. My dish was amazing, and I was actually surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did as I'm not a huge fan of bacon being used as an ingredient in most dishes, but it was just perfect. The saltiness from the bacon complimented the richness of the duck sausages, and the gnocchi were perfectly shaped and cooked. The Margherita was also great. Fresh, full of flavor and perfectly cooked. And the meatballs? Probably the best I've had in the past few years. Tender, rich, nicely sized, and full of great flavor. We're definitely going back for another meal soon, and we can't wait.

    (4)
  • Melissa R.

    Amazing food! Homemade pasta is fantastic. The atmosphere is a little weird, but that is part of the charm.

    (5)
  • Kevin B.

    A solid 9 out of 10! Great food, good beer, awesome vibe! Had the lamb and the clam noodles. Will definitely be back, this is a special place.

    (5)
  • B F.

    Delicious food and a great atmosphere for a date! My husband and I had our first date here, so Bizzarros is a special place to us!

    (5)
  • Ryan L.

    Went here for an anniversary the other week. The decor is unreal. Small intimate place but very very good. Split a carafe of wine with the lady. Started with the app. special, it was like a crab cake spring roll (sorry for forgetting the name of it!) but it was really good. Then I had the shank of lamb which was really freaking good. My girlfriend got the frenzy floor which was really good too! Recommend coming on a date or special occasion here, lots of conversation pieces in the establishment. Service was great, clearly no uniforms on the staff, but it really adds to the great character this place has. Will be back at some point!

    (5)
  • Anton Z.

    There is something wrong with me for not having done my review yet! We tried Bizzarro early on when we moved to Seattle, and have been hooked ever since. It's one of the few places we will go regularly, when we want something amazing and comforting. The menu has some standbys and some fun and interesting options. The carbonara is great, and the snap peas add great color and texture. One of my favorites, the sausage pillows, rival the gnocchi I had growing up from family. When we're feeling like something more meaty, the elk bolognese is savory and satisfying. The specials are always interesting and appealing, and we've never had something we didn't love. One of my favorite aspects of the restaurant is the staff. THey are friendly, outgoing, and recognize locals who come regularly (like us). The ambiance is warm, with outlandish items hanging from the ceiling and walls. The tables have pictures and letters to the restaurant, and make for some fun reading. All in all, Bizzarro is a restaurant we'll continue to use to introduce our friends to Seattle.

    (5)
  • Eric V.

    We got there shortly after it open and it was already pretty full. However, we got seated right away and the staff was very friendly. The food was good, but a bit pricey. We loved the decor!

    (4)
  • Elizabeth M.

    I've been here twice. The dining room is interesting and kitschy. The menu has some great choices. But I haven't felt that the food was worth the price.

    (3)
  • Hunter E.

    You must get the gargonzola date bruschetta. Very unique dish, worth the trip just for the bruschetta. Flavorful dishes and strange surroundings are sure to make it a memorable experience.

    (5)
  • Nikki C.

    I really like this place. The atmosphere is cozy and fun and there is a whole lot of quirkiness going on! Including in the bathrooms. I think someone went nuts and downloaded photos from the website awkwardfamilyphotos.com and hung them in the men's bathroom. My husband told me all about it and, of course, I had to see it for myself! The food was yummy and the glasses of wine were big.

    (4)
  • Eat M.

    I can't believe they are charging $17 bucks for low end Italian food. Three of us went in spent over $60. Had an dinner each, all walked out hungry and not impressed the slightest. Pretty sad. There's much better spots in Seattle, and not so costly. Won't go back.

    (1)
  • Alishea T.

    What can I say other than amazing!!! Excellent service, excellent food (the cauliflower gnocchi is to die for), great environment. I'm a cell phone junkie, and even I appreciate and respect the no cell phone rule, why would you need your cell here? Though I did sneak mine to take pictures of my beautiful food. Keep it up Bizzarro. Seattle loves you!

    (5)
  • Ken R.

    Love this fun place. Small and cozy, really good food. Very bizzarro decor. Tasty food, some bizzarro dishes but all good. Went here twice during a week vacation to Seattle. Everyone in our party of four enjoyed it, bizzaro huh? Great place for any DDD fan.

    (4)
  • Darth V.

    Dead man, dead man walking! Dead man walking here! Well, it was time for my last meal. Of sorts - had a major dental procedure done yesterday, and so Wednesday night I had the unenviable task of figuring out where I wanted the last solid food I'd eat for a week to come from. Chose to knock another item off our "beloved" Foodie 100 list - "The Chicken" at Bizzarro - before going in to be worked on by a droid that I once assembled with nothing more than the baggies of leftover really important looking parts I've collected from assembling all my furniture. On a related note, if you ever come over, it's really best you not put anything heavier than a piece of paper on my coffee table. As an added bonus, I'm Bizzarro's 250th review. Guess that's gotta mean something. Like, the next guy will be 251. I don't know what everybody fusses about with regards to a line here. Maybe on weekends, but I can tell you that at a quarter after 5 on a Wednesday, you'll be seated immediately, and there'll only be a couple of other people in the place. The decor of the restaurant definitely lived up to the name. Somebody has been to a loooooooooot of Empire seizure auctions and flea markets. You know you're in an odd environment when your iLightsaber accidentally goes off, and it's not even the most interesting thing in the building. There were about a half a dozen other things on the menu that looked better than "The Chicken", but the list mandates, so the list gets. I typically try to avoid chicken dishes at restaurants....I've always felt they were kind of a cop-out and something that is merely placed on the menu by chefs to give people a "safe" choice. As we all know, I'm all about risk. As I had been to a different "Guy Fieri approved" restaurant here in town and left disappointed, I didn't have my hopes all that high. Again, seriously, WHY does anybody watch this guy or trust anything he says about food? If I needed advice on a good hair froster, sure, I'd ask his advise in a second. But food? I mean hell, nobody ever asks me my opinion on plastic and/or respiratory system surgeons. Anyhow, I don't know what he claimed his favourite was, but it couldn't have been "The Chicken" - because "The Chicken" was actually quite good. You're given an absolutely MAMMOTH cut of fowl. Usually this is a problem because it's hard to cook evenly, but they pulled it off. The lemon-caper sauce they served it with was fantastic, and actually went with everything else on the dish (golden potatoes, asparagus), as well. I thought about buying a couple orders to go for my Stormtroopers of the month, but let's face it - they wouldn't have lived long enough to receive them, anyways. Prices were a hair on the ambitious side, but not ridiculous. Service was decent, not bad but not great. On the wildcard, I loved the bread they served. Smelled fresh baked to me. The balsamic they mixed with the olive oil was a little bitter, though. Might want to up the quality of that. All in all, a quality last meal. At least until I restore my chewing functionality. Be glad it was tasty, because it'll lessen my wrath when I'm back to full-strength and looking to take out this week of torture on the populace. 4 Deathstars.

    (4)
  • K K.

    I'm usually not a negative reviewer on yelp, but we were so disturbed... We came to Bizzarro for our 10th Anniversary because there were so many awesome reviews on Yelp. They do not take reservations on weekends, so we walked in, put our names on the list, and waited 35 mins before they called us about our table being ready. As we returned, I was impressed that the hostess remembered my name. However, they put us at a table so small that you almost cannot order any food. So, as soon as we sat down, he asked the waitress to move us away from the tiny table/corner to a table for two that's a little bigger by the window (we can see that it's free and ready). The waitress went to ask, but our request was denied by the hostess because that table is ready for a party of 2 on their way. About 15mins later, that table was still empty, so he asked to be moved there again, but same reason was given to us and our request was denied again. The party of 2 showed up 30mins after our 2nd request...they could have moved us there at our first request and nobody would know it had happened...since that was the time we just sat down. Anyway, about the food, we ordered their "famous" Clam Linguine and Lasagna. The complimentary salads came, i was 97% sure it's straight from the box from Costco. The Clam Linguine ($19) tasted and textured like a Chinese Wonton Noodle Soup from Chinatown, and the Lasagna ($18) was just like a heated up frozen dinner from any grocery store (the meat was super mashed making it very mushy, it was a very disgusting texture). The Marinara Sauce on the Lasagna tasted just like it's straight from a can of tomato sauce without anything added. We wanted a place that's romantic to celebrate, as many yelpers mentioned in their reviews, another reason why we picked this place. However, nothing is romantic, especially the atmosphere (it was loud and people all over the place has to scream to be heard by the person sitting right across the tiny tables). I'm not kidding about the size of the table, I almost knock my water off a few times and dropped my fork once (I'm not the clumsy kind). The place feels like a hole in the wall, very ghetto. This sign on the wall totally offended me, "Nobody is 'fine' with water." Italian dishes are meant to be shared, but when we asked for two small plates to share (like the ones they took away right after salad), the waitress eyed me and said that there's no room for me to use them. And the only 2 times I raised my hand or make eye contacts with the waitress to get her attention, she would come, but smiled and spoke only to him...like I didn't exist...I only asked for her twice the entire time. We tried to eat, but couldn't stomach the food, it tasted so bad and off. A few bites later and had to asked for our bill. Do not understand why people would lined up outside to get in...when there are so many actually awesome restaurants in town. It was a waste of time and money to come to Bizzarro, our 10th anniversary was totally ruined!!! We left angry and hungry. Definitely NOT coming here ever again.

    (1)
  • Henry L.

    One of my fondest and ghetto-est moments in my life happened here: We were having dinner and the table next to us ordered a bottle of wine. They got maybe a glass or two in then they paid and left. I reached over and continued pouring their wine... for me. Yeah, it's ghetto. But hey, free booze! I actually really like this place. It's a nice combo of good prices and delicious food. The decor is wacky - but you know, that's why it's called "Bizzarro". The only downside is that it's a small space and can get pretty packed -- potentially a long wait.

    (4)
  • Angela S.

    I love this place. Everybody I take there also loves it. The decor is super eccentric/fun/interesting. All the food I've ever tried has been great. The focaccia is very authentic (and yummy!), and I really love the seasonal arancini appetizer (fried risotto balls with fontina cheese). Their tomato (marinara?) sauce is DELICIOUS. They do serve Molly Moon's ice cream for dessert (among other dessert options), but Molly Moon's itself is just up the street--we usually just walk over after dinner so that we can have a wider selection. It's good for a date night or a night out with a few friends (but not too many... It's not a huge place). There can be long waits, especially on weekends... We just try to go early. Highly recommended!

    (5)
  • Charlie L.

    O.M.G. I can't believe I never been to Bizzarro's, and in fact, never even heard of it until Bob (my ex's dad - who lives in Colorado, no less) told me about it because he saw it on the food network. I feel like I've been in a hole or something... how is it possible that such amazing delectable food and fabulous / fun / funky atmosphere can beautifully merged while existing under my foodie radar?? Have I lost my touch? This is causing me to question my foodie special power and my foodie network... something else to add to the list of "things to ponder during my mid-life crisis".... but I digress. Liana and I decided to venture out to Bizzarro's for a bite, and we were taken by its quirky atmosphere, its friendly and welcoming people and the rich texture and perfectly balanced flavor offerings. We were smitten, if such a word can be used for a restaurant. Yes, there is no doubt in my mind that I will return to Bizzarro's bosom soon.

    (5)
  • Stacy K.

    $75 for dinner for 2. Not kidfriendly. My friend enjoyed her elk bolognese, but the clam lingiune tasted like socks. Every single dish tasted like they sprinkled dirt into it. Service was odd...once the last morsel of food or drop of drink entered my lips the overly anxious waitress whisked away my dishes. Gave me the feeling they wanted me to inhale my grub and go to pimp out my table .staff lo oked at me like I had a disease bc I brought children w me. The ladies room has a lowered ceiling and some strange contraption reading off hobo hammie id numbers. I had a panic attack bf I could get put off it bc the ceiling was literally 6'4 & the longer you are in there, the hotter it gets. Quite dissapointed. Not DDD worthy. Overpriced. Portion size was ridiculously small. No kids options. We left disappointed, hungry and broke

    (1)
  • nate c.

    We had the best experience here!! Our waitress was personable and OUTSTANDING !! And the food was even better!! Rarely in Seattle do you get great service and a great food experience at the same time haha. We ordered the clam app and the sauce was to die for.. It tasted lie the best pizza you've ever had but in liquid form!! I know that sounds ridiculous but I don't know how else to describe it, the arancini ( which had an excellent smokey marinara ). And then we had the spaghetti and meatballs ( really good, but not amazing) and the gnocchi with cauliflower purée for dinner. Eclectic decor and big personality. Highly recommended.

    (5)
  • Vanessa A.

    Service is friendly even though I was put off by the big chalkboard sign that read "nobody is fine with just water." IMO a passive aggressive way to make people feel guilty or embarrassed about having water instead of a drink (sometimes you just want water or you're trying to save up calories for dessert or something. All sorts of reasons for opting to stick to water). I guess it's supposed to be cheeky like the other sign that jokes about a cellphone use surcharge. I found the signs more annoying than amusing. Anyways, they do neat things like getting the whole restaurant singing happy birthday. They're prompt and attentive. Decor is very garage sale-esque with random stuff hanging crookedly from the walls and ceiling if you're into that sort of thing. Herb bread with oil and vinegar was cold like it was just in the fridge. Elk bolognese was okay. Not the most impressive presentation and the portions weren't that big. Tiramisu was pretty good. Good pour on the wine. Not bad but not that memorable (except for the chalkboard signs). I wasn't as impressed by the food as everyone else seems to be here. If I'm craving Italian I'd sooner head to La Spiga.

    (3)
  • Carrie R.

    This cozy restaurant had delicious homemade Italian dishes. The ambiance is eccentric, cozy and casual. Had such a great intimate family birthday dinner and will definitely be returning very soon.

    (5)
  • Cami G.

    Been to Bizzarro on multiple occasions but there are a few that stand out. Here are a few tips and observations: 1) Some pasta dishes are simply out of this world and some are simply mediocre. I especially like the Puttanesca and The Forest Floor Frenzy. Steer clear of their pesto dishes and the clam linguini. You'll be disappointed that you spent $20 on something you could have made at home for a quarter of the price. 2) Drunken clams as an appetizer is a smart choice. 3) Check out the bathrooms. They are awesome. 4) Service is consistently helpful, prompt, and courteous. 5) Tiramisu ends your meal on a good note, even if you ordered the clam linguini. 6) Fun atmosphere. Lots of things to look at. I recommend Bizarro for a lovely date night or with a group of friends. Reservations are not taken, so be prepared to wait a while for a table on any given evening.

    (4)
  • Estelle C.

    My second time here. First time, I had wine and clam linguini, today I had cream sauce pasta with mushroom and walnut. I remember they had a lot of clams in clam linguini, which was very delicious. But today's pasta- was a little disappointment. TOO SALTY. The bread served before the pasta was very soft and delicious. Overall, food are good portions. The side salad coming with pasta was fresh. It has an interesting vibe, and interior is unique. Random elements hanging on the ceiling, and lots of pictures on the wall. Noise level was o-kay. We went on Friday 6:00PM, waited for about 10 minutes. Service was okay. Not much space b/w tables.

    (3)
  • Jenny J.

    I SO badly wanted to love this place. We live close by and have been meaning to go for years...we finally made it in on Saturday night. *****5 stars for service, that was great. Super nice people and servers were very attentive. We were seated quickly and they kept our drinks full. ****4 stars for the bread and oil. Soft and yummy. ** 2 stars for the environment...music was far too loud and I felt a bit like I was in Bucco di Beppo. -**** (yes,that would be negative 4 stars) My husband got the "fresh,amazing, best ever" gnocchi...um, it was so disgusting. I literally spit my bite out in a napkin. Seriously, I spit.it .out. * 1 Star for my dish. I ordered the lasagna which I thought would be a safe bet. Wrong, it was okay but certainly not superior to any others that I've tried.There was way too much nutmeg or cinnamon. And totally weird how each bite seemed either bland, acidic and spicy. Took the leftovers home (it was like $20 after all) but pretty sure those will go in the trash too. * 1 Star Cell Phone Policy: While in theory I can appreciate it, for guests with with kids at home or anyone who may have an emergency situation this policy is stressful. I had multiple texts from our sitter during dinner and felt like I needed to hide my phone. Totally disappointed in multiple ways and we will not be going back. I'm going to think twice before fulling trusting yelp reviews again.

    (1)
  • Jeff W.

    Really a great location. Their lamb shank as well as their pastas are astounding. For dessert, try the tiramisu! Parking is tough, so if you can walk, do it.

    (5)
  • Evelyn F.

    Upon first walking inside, the eclectic and bizarre decor is the first thing that entranced me. I enjoyed the atmosphere and all their menu items looked wonderful. We split two carafes of house wine, one chianti, one pinot grigio. Both were nice, but it was odd to me they didn't didn't have wine glasses and instead we had to pour the drinks into smaller regular glasses. I enjoyed the clams and my prawn pasta a whole bunch, though. The entire dinner was fun, delicious, and our waitress was helpful.

    (4)
  • Sara K.

    Super great! Food was amazing, decor was wonderful. Our waitress was great and had us sample a few different wines before settling on one. The lamb was great, melted off the bone and the brussel sprouts paired well!

    (5)
  • Michelle D.

    Wish I stopped in sooner. First time I haven't had boring food in awhile! Loved the bruschetta; should have got it for dessert. Clam appetizer was amazing and had a more inventive tomato base than other restaurants.

    (5)
  • Steve A.

    This place is really one of the best in Seattle. The place is warm, funky, and welcoming. The food is always great, and we were all talking last night about how we've never had a bad meal here. When people want a snap shot of Seattle, Bizzaro is our go to.

    (5)
  • Alan S.

    OMG what an awful dining experience! Where can I start? House salad was half rotted costco greens with grains of some kind of unidentifiable grit. IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER! WTF? Fresh greens are everywhere this time of year! OK and $20 for the spaghetti with (as advertised) 5 meatballs. I think there might have been two ounces of spaghetti there... and yes five meatballs which were mediocre at best. So for $40 my family of three got: a small piece of bread, an apple juice, a bottle of beer (no Peroni on tap), two inedible salads, some meatballs (almost zero pasta) and my wife had seafood pasta...and guess what? She is now on the crapper! Thanks a lot! :( Did they take one look at my family and decide to make sure we didn't come back? Look, I dont care how tacky your decor is, I dont give a damn about your dirty chairs. Just feed me something edible and I wont complain. I don't know what people are thinking when they steal our dollars like that. Going out to eat is always a crap shoot I admit, but usually you get at least a little of what you pay for. I guess not anymore. You can just get totally taken and there is nothing you can do but get sick...and yelp them.

    (1)
  • Eric H.

    The food is top notch and the environment is terrific. I have been going there for years. Everything s good, but FFF is hard to ignore. I still have dreams about Forrest Floor Frenzy!

    (5)
  • Janelle R.

    I would go on a date here. What a fantastic atmosphere. That being said, I actually just came here with my mom and sister a week ago. We literally stepped in, asked how long the wait would be, and got in 4 minutes later. And it was dinner time! I don't know, it was just awesome. We were then seated with water and magnificent bread with oil and vinegar. I love when they do that!! So, we all decided to order different things and share. I got clam linguine, my sister got the forest floor, and my mom got this three little pigs dish.... at least I'm pretty sure these were the names. So, I'll break down the dishes. Clam linguine was so good! It has jalapaneo, bacon, noodles, and steamed clams. Unique flavor and everything was cooked perfectly. Yum. Forest Floor was so delicious. Noodles and mushrooms, where can you go wrong with that? Three little pigs (I think) had asparagus, pork chop, and macaroni and cheese made with truffle oil. Oh my gosh, this whole dish was to die for. I really hate pork chops because they're typically dry, but these were moist and flavorful. And that mac and cheese was amaaaaazing. I wish I could just get a huge plate of that. I think the dish is just a special though, so you gotta watch out for it. Ahhhh, so yummy. I highly, highly recommend this place. It is expensive, but it has fair portions and incredible flavors.

    (5)
  • Bob P.

    A must stop for those "anti chain" foodies. Another DDD off the list and this one proved as good as the TV show made it out to be. The 20 minute Wednesday wait means its popular with the locals The eclectic decor is chic/voodoo New Orleans that we love The service was outstanding The clam linguini was excellent The lamb shank fell off the bone. Cooked perfectly and that good of taste No reservations but you can put your name in, give them your cell number, and head to the bar next door......gret thought for your customers to relax and wait A definite must stop .....it even registers on the WOW meter!

    (5)
  • Sarah V.

    Exactly what I needed! My fiancé and I were visiting Seattle from Anchorage, AK, and our goal for dinner was handmade pasta. Bizzarro did not disappoint! In fact, our entire experience was great. Although the place was busy, we were promptly greeted and seated at a cozy table. We had enough time to get comfortable before receiving our menus, but the timing was just right. I had the elk bolognese and he had the lasagna. Both entrees came with dinner salads- and a heavenly-textured loaf of bread with oil & vinegar. The salads had a nice mix of greens and a refreshing vinaigrette. Then came our entrees. The elk in the bolognese was cooked to perfection and had a nice warm blend of spices. I would have liked a bit more sauce, but the sauce itself was very good. A sprinkle of cheese on top tied it all together, and the pasta had a nice toothiness (SO satisfying to chew!). My finance's lasagna was amazing as well... In fact I almost wished I had chosen that as well! The layers of sauce, noodles, and meat were a-m-a-z-i-n-g, and I especially liked the fact that the tower of goodness was situated on a nice bed of marinara. Yum. I could eat that on the reg! We usually are pretty good about stopping at full, but our meals were so good we decided it would be a crime to miss the tiramisu. I am glad we made room. The cream was the perfect consistency, the lady fingers were soaked with just the right amount of rum, and the topping of cocoa powder and chocolate syrup was a lovely accent. It was the perfect blissful ending to our meal. Needless to say, we will be back!

    (4)
  • Emmy R.

    I'll admit that when I first walked in, the decor screamed to me "Italian Mama's". While eccentric and playful, it's personally not my cup of tea and I immediately thought the food would be the same. Strapped for time and on a longer than one hour wait, we didn't end up eating here that night. With a little hesitation, we came back at a non-peak time to give it a shot. I am SO glad my initial impression didn't deter me! The food was delicious, the service impeccable and we've been back a handful of times in such a short span since we first came. I'm a tried and true kinda gal--finding my favorites and sticking with them. That is just simply impossible here since every dish is amazing. Also, the best I've had has usually been a special or on the rotating seasonal menu. I'm a little sad when that great dish I had the time before is no longer available, but the new dish I end up getting is always just as great. If you can swing it, try to sit at the "Best Table in the House", especially for a first date or special occasion with your longtime love. It's called that for a reason. And don't forget to share a Molly Moon's affogatto or the tiramisu with a shot of espresso drizzled on top. Bravo, Bizzarro! I am in love with you!

    (5)
  • One R.

    amazing service and amazing food.. with an ideal atmosphere... I rank this place just as good or better then the high dollar restaurants you find in the greater Seattle area... funny thing is, i would and will come back on a regular basis.. just for bang for your buck excellent food.. and you don't go broke ordering a few bottles of wine..

    (5)
  • Kelly L.

    We live 5 mins away from here and walk by it all the time. Been meaning to go since it looks so quirky inside. So glad we decided to finally stop by one night. Came on a Friday night and it was pretty busy but were seated right away. Ordered the Puttanesca (oh wait, sounds like puta in Spanish? Found out it means "whore's style spaghetti") with Shrimp and it was my first time trying that dish. The noodles, shrimp and sauce were delicious. Unfortunately, I am not a big fan of olives and only had a few of the capers since they were a bit salty for me. My boyfriend ordered The Chicken and it was delicious. Everything is yummy and it's a fun place to eat but felt that the dishes were a bit pricey for what you get.

    (4)
  • Lynda Z.

    Where to begin, where to begin? We stopped in after reading all of the great reviews. We were NOT disappointed either. The decor of the restaurant is wildly weird. I was intrigued the second I walked in. Especially when I saw the sign warning you NOT to use your cell phones. I loved that! They have the right idea too. That's the way it should be when having dinner with friends, family and/or significant others. Give THEM all of your attention, not the people you know on social media outlets. Our server matched the atmosphere. She was quick witted and extremely helpful and attentive. She made several different recommendation including a special for the night. The arancini. It was so good, I wanted to lick the plate when all of the deliciousness was gone. We ordered plates from the special menu which of course, changes all the time, so I forget by now what they were. BUT, I do remember them being great. If we lived in Seattle, we would be at this place at least once a week. I loved it!

    (4)
  • Nick B.

    Unapologetic and hot. Like sexy hot. More later.

    (5)
  • Brian J.

    Soo delicious. Started with the bizarre bruschetta. My wife got the mushroom linguine. I got the gnocchi, which was fluffy and perfect, with duck and bacon sausage. Then finished with tiramisu (which was light on coffee flavor). Highly recommended.

    (5)
  • Jennifer H.

    Losing a bet never tasted so good! I lost and my price was dinner. Not being a sore loser I couldn't eat crow just anywhere so here we landed. Perfect! The Forest Floor Frenzy was more than that. Superbly cooked, hand made pasta smothered in plethora of 'shrooms and creamy goodness. It was plate lickable! what good possible top that? Desert...a chocolate cake topped with creamy, chocolate ice cream. The coolness of the ice cream settled the richness, and chilli spiced, ganache covered cake. I'll loose any bet For a chance to come back!

    (5)
  • Darren C.

    I've been to Bizzarros twice. I enjoyed both experiences. It would be nice if they took reservations on the weekends, but the waits weren't too bad. I like the quirky laid back atmosphere. The servers are friendly. Overall I've been happy with the food there. I wouldn't say it totally rocks my world, but for price it's a good value and good quality. I think it's a great date spot.

    (4)
  • Cory D.

    This place definitely lives up to its name! One of the oddest places you'll ever go to, but it's awesome. The food is very good and best of all, it's unique (and not just the decor). I actually don't know why I haven't written a review for them before. My wife and I have gone here at least a half dozen times and we've never had a bad experience. Went there last week and it was more of the same: great food, good service. I had the Elk Bolognese and my wife had the Braised Lamb. Both were excellent. The main dishes, an appetizer, and a full carafe of wine and we were out for less than $100 with tip. Not too bad considering the quality. We are definitely going back.

    (5)
  • Terry R.

    The food is authentic italian comfort food. Its clear that things are made from fresh ingredients and scratch recipes. It is really well done. You gotta try the Risotto Balls and the Caesar Salad! Pair that with a super fun environment and the most genuine service in town, you get a top notch experience. We love this place for fun nights with friends and big celebrations alike. This is a Seattle Icon in the making!

    (5)
  • Aimee K.

    My boyfriend and I went here on a whim due to the reviews posted here. The wait was decent, only about 15 minutes or less. We took a walk and they paged us while we were strolling. It's a cozy little place and the interior decorating is exactly as specified. We spent most of our time people watching and pointing at the garage sale items nailed to the walls and ceiling. The waiter was friendly and attentive. We enjoyed the bread starter. I had the caprese salad and he had a regular salad which were decent. Kind of an expensive upgrade to get a caprese at $4 but you can't beat arugula! Our main dishes were so so. I had the elk bolognese and he had the margarita with the meat sauce. They were good but nothing special although the handmade pasta that comes with the bolognese does in fact melt on your tongue. The reason we gave this place 3 stars is not just because of the hospitality of the staff but because of the Tiramisu! My guy says he's had a lot of Tiramisu and this one was a clear standout! He says he'd actually go back just for it. Without any drinks, the tab came to over $50 which is a little high considering the quantity and quality of the overall meal.

    (3)
  • Christopher M.

    I can't even explain how incredibly good the food at this restaurant is. I have to say that this is by far hands down the best original Italian food I have ever had. I totally recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Lesly L.

    We had the clam linguine and forrest floor. Both excellent! The pasta was freshly made. The caesar salad was incredible, my 3 year old couldn't have enough. By far an excellent choice to dine in while visiting Seattle, only downfall is that they don't take reservations on the weekends, so you have to wait about a long time to get seated. The place is pretty small so waiting outside in the rain is not out of the question.

    (5)
  • Luke M.

    A very funky restaurant, food is unique and pretty good,. Small dinning space, good for couples and small groups. Walls and ceiling is covered with "bizzaro" oddities.

    (4)
  • Jessica M.

    It just doesn't get better than this. I've been here multiple times and always look forward to coming back. Bizarre atmosphere that would make for a killer first date - lots of conversation art. ;) I write this review today to encourage all of you to go to Bizzarro as soon as possible as their seasonal menu changes and they currently feature an item that raises the bar so high I just have to share it with the world. Gnocchi Cavolfiore House made little potato dumplings in a creamy parmesan sauce with cauliflower and roasted garlic. The gnocchi melts on your tongue. The cauliflower is crispy. The garlic and the sauce still dance in my dreams. What are you doing for dinner tonight? Gnocchi Cavolfiore @ Bizzarro? I thought so.

    (5)
  • Justin I.

    Loved the service, loved the decor. A little like Archie McPhee's in Italian restaurant form. Food left a little to be desired, which was disappointing because I'd been wanting to try this place for a long time, and had been certain it was going to be our new favorite place, or something. My dining partner had the clams linguine, which was way too salty and studded with chunks of rubbery, waterlogged bacon. My elk bolognese was just OK, and had an odd sweetness to it--though it occurred to me that maybe I just don't like elk (is this the "gamey" flavor people refer to when discussing venison?). The food was passable, and overall the experience was fun and funny enough to make me want to give it another chance (we were there on Valentine's Day, and the maitre d' wore a false pencil mustache and spoke with an outrageous French accent), but I'm afraid, with so many other good options around, and new places to try, it may be a while before I come back.

    (3)
  • Annie B.

    Soooooo tasty! I've been here multiple times and always have such a hard time choosing the best thing to eat on the menu. Everything I've eaten there is incredible! The ambiance is also really fun! They even open up their doors to make it feel like a patio to the outdoors when its nice out. Unfortunately, there is usually a wait if you are more than 2 people - any night of the week - but it's worth the wait! Bread will be at the table soon!

    (5)
  • Howie R.

    Amazing restaurant. My girlfriend and I went tonight and had a great experience. We were seated in the "best seat in the house" which is the romantic nook in the back of the restaurant. The staff were genuinely super nice. I got the clam pasta and my girlfriend got the margarita dangle. I wasn't a huge fan of the pasta noodles, but the clam's were delicious and fresh. My girlfriend enjoyed her food as well. The complimentary bread was good, but not the best. I LOVED the craziness of the restaurant. There are random stuff everywhere..even an upside down table hanging from the ceiling. Really fun experience and we will definitely go back again.

    (4)
  • C. K.

    Whoa, what a place. I can guarantee you that 9 out of 10 of you haven't been to an unique place like this place. First thing that invites you when you walk in is the creepy old grandma sculpture on the right, and a big sign saying "you are never 'fine' with water." You see tables upside down on ceilings and old style lightings to give the place that horror movie house vibe to you. It's all interesting and fun until you notice a cobweb on the structures on ceiling that are definitely not a prop, and when you think about how dirty the top of those structures would be. Even if you don't have mysophobia, it's very disturbing thinking about dusts falling on top of your food. The restroom was like you are being set up in a saw movie to "play a game." It reflected the restaurant's theme, but I wouldn't want to go back in there after once. Food was just a-ok. Bread for the appetizer started us off in a bad start. One bread was a little bit crunchy still, but other was soggy as hell. We ordered two different pastas, and I know for sure that I've had better pasta in Mexican restaurant than here. Kudos for trying new combinations but I'm sorry some don't work out. Forest floor pasta was VERY mushroom-y. It's flavor was very one dimensional, and I could taste nothing but the mushroom-ness. Unlike the feeling this restaurant provides, employees are very kind and they sure will not kill you. My server was very kind to check up on us at least 5 times the whole meal, and split our tickets even though they "normally don't do that." Someone recommended this place for date, I would say otherwise. Unless you are with someone who would enjoy 'interesting' over 'romantic' for a date and doesn't care about the food, I wouldn't advise you to come here with your just-met first date.

    (3)
  • Frank C.

    Came in on a Sunday night around 6:00. The place was busy, but no waiting, Food was great, fun atmosphere, and attentive wait staff. I opted for the clam linguine and needed a second serving of bread to sop up all that good sauce. Got a free dessert thanks to Melissa's tip - download that Chinook Book app. My tip - don't park in back, it's apparently reserved for tenants (never saw a sign though) Sidenote - we sat next to an elderly woman who was there by herself. We had the same waitress. I watched our waitress be extra friendly and patient with her. She also took good care of us. She gets an A+ in my book.

    (5)
  • Laura P.

    See review below. Didn't mean to press update : and it's still the best place to eat ;)

    (5)
  • Frank L.

    Great place!! The meat balls and spag are fabulous. The bruschetta with blue cheese, figs and wine reduction was incredible. Need to try this at home. Tried the fried egg plant Parmesan; really great!!

    (5)
  • Brittany B.

    Was visiting from out of town and read the amazing reviews on here. The food was pretty good and served in large portions, but the service was mediocre. Waited 45 minutes on a Saturday night, which we expected, no big deal. The restaurant is pretty small and you are seated in close proximity of other tables. Our waitress was blunt and unfriendly the entire time and seemed to rush us and rolled her eyes whenever we needed something. Not sure that I would highly recommend or return based off the service.

    (3)
  • Terrell E.

    This place gets a 5-Star rating because of its ratio of Quality (lots) to Pretentiousness (none). A special place that doesn't require a special occasion to patron. Went there the first time because a friend saw Bizarro on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives". The owner works as a waiter/host/wine expert ("Sommelier" to the bougie, I guess). Every one is super personable and, fairly knowledgeable. The place is small and eclectic - super warm feeling which is not an accident (they advertise a fee for ringing phones). There is glass on the table covering random pictures and drawings - I get the feeling it is acceptable lift the glass and add your own. A really great place for the senses; peer into the kitchen and watch, smell, hear. I went there with a friend once and she commented on the fact they pour wine into table glasses. The owner turned around and said - "the French started the whole wine glass craze. We, Italians are a more practical people" and proceeded to learn us some history. The food is always great. Small seasonal menu with local ingredients and a little PNW verve. I've had the Clam Linguine, Forest Floor Frenzy (alliteration always appreciated), Elk Bolognese, Gnocchi (usually on menu but prepared with different seasonal ingredients) - all very good. The bread that they serve while you wait - so soft. The desserts are pleasant too. The only negative: It's small and, now, well known so there is usually a wait (no reservations for regular sized parties) but I just leave my phone number and go to the "Blue Star Cafe" around the corner and have a drink. I hear tell that sometimes one of the waiters/owners plays the piano (there is a small piano perched precariously - alliterations again - though I've never seen/heard it played).

    (5)
  • Alana E.

    Went here for a birthday dinner and the food was great, dessert was also pretty good. This place has a fun quirky atmosphere as the name would imply.

    (5)
  • Kinda Invisible S.

    If you don't try the pumpkin ravioli, you're missing out. That is all :)

    (4)
  • Vi N.

    This is one of my favoritest places in Seattle! I have come back here and introduced more friends and family to this place than anywhere else. The noodles and fresh and tasty and the tiramisu here will ruin you for tiramisu anywhere else except maybe in Italy! I've never had a bad meal here and the service has always been wonderful. *Forest Floor Frenzy and any specials are always nomnomnom!!

    (5)
  • John W.

    Spent a nice dinner with 3 other friends on a rainy, cold Sunday night. The mood inside Bizarro was as upbeat as the creative and fun decor inside the restaurant. My dish, the Clam Linguini was superb. My friends' meals were equally good. I'll be back here soon!

    (4)
  • Janice J.

    After years of "meaning to go here" I finally went and waited to get a table like everyone else, since they do not take reservations. I wish I had started going here sooner as it is fantastic. I feel like the later you go in the evening, the easier to get a table, but as many reviews mention below, the place is tiny and not good for large groups, I would say 4 max. FOOD- We started with their special on the menu for an appetizer- it was a fried risotto ball, delish! For our soup or salad, because it comes with it when you order your main entree, we had the caesar salad, note it has real anchovies on it, my friend didn't like that, the gorgonzola salad, which was very good and I had the soup special- white bean tuscan soup, which was delicious! For our main entrees, we had the lasagna, clam linguini, and the carbonara, ALL very good. The lasagna is a hearty portion and I had 1/2 to take home with me, not that the other aren't, but when it came out, I remember thinking, this is freakin' huge. After all of that food, we decided we could still do dessert! My friend got their ice cream, as it is from Molly Moons and I had the chocolate caliente, I love chili chocolate so to me this was very good. So what?!?!?! we stuffed our faces and had to roll back home and I'd do it again. I felt like the quality of the food and the price were well worth it. $17 for the lasagna seems high, but I did mention that I only could eat half of it. The service was very good and yeah the place is kitschy, but we are in Seattle.

    (4)
  • Tony G.

    Why did it take me so long to check this place out? It is really good. My friends took me here for a birthday dinner on spaghetti and meatball night. We came here right when it opened and there was already a line. This can be a problem if you are really hungry. We finally sat down and while we were talking and I couldn't really pay attention to what my friend was saying because I was checking out the place. Pretty cool, weird stuff, hanging on the walls and ceiling. They give you some bread and oil and vinaigrette to start off your meal. The bread was really good and want to pick up some of that oil and vinaigrette they used. And now the main event: Spaghetti and meatballs! Probably some of the best spaghetti and meatballs I've had. The noodles were about the perfect texture and the meatballs were very flavorful and delicious! I can't wait to come back here again. Zipzap Zubidy Bop!

    (5)
  • Janice V.

    Went here with my bf and a another couple. They don't take reservations so there was a wait. The host took our number and called us when our table was ready. We grabbed a drink at the bar next door. Finally got our table, I ordered clam linguini (had to substitute w/ shrimp cause they ran out of clams) and it was awesome! My bf had spaghetti & meatballs (Sundays are spaghetti & meatballs night). That was soo good too! One of the best Italian meals I've ever had.

    (4)
  • Dante M.

    Very cool, cozy Italian establishment. We came here on a Friday night with no reservations and naturally that took approximately 20 minutes to get us seated. Luckily there was a bar next door to enjoy a gin and tonic in preparation of some Italian food! When we were seated we noticed all the decor around and can understand why it's called "Bizarro." Lots of strange trinkets and pictures hanging around the place, but gave it a nice intimate feel. I ordered the daily special which was a pork and cheese. This consisted of slightly overcooked pork medallions that needed a little more zest. Although the truffled mac and cheese was FANTASTIC! Definitely made up for what lacked in the pork. The asparagus on the side was very tasty and crispy as well. All in all, fun spot that we'll definitely try again!

    (4)
  • Sara M.

    We saw this place advertised on Food Network's Diner, Drive Ins & Dives last week and figured it was something different so we tried it out. Let me tell you...we weren't dissapointed! Located in the Greenlake area of Seattle, Bizzarro is very small & intimate but in a perfect sort of way. On a Thursday night, before 6pm we got right in and sat in the back at the "best table in the house". This is where you can read all sorts of anniversary, birthdays. The service was immediate & very attentive. Danelle was spot on, clever, funny & so helpful, suggesting the perfect meal for both my hubby and I. Something else I really liked about this place, something that might be strange to most is the fact that they keep the ice water filled at all times and bring fresh, sliced lemons upon request. I was a happy customer with this one. We will surely have to return. There are at least four other dishes my husband is just dying to try.

    (5)
  • James L.

    Took the friendgirl there one random night and damn it was amazing.... It was a Sunday night around 900 and we got there and still had a small wait... So worth it.... We started off with the risotto balls.... Holy Jesus, Mary and doggy-style Joseph... and that was just the appetizer... 4 risotto balls with some amazing rare cheese on a bed of smoky marinara.... Salads came next; The gorgonzola and the plain house salad... Delightful Entrees: She had the "pasta tubes" as she called them with an arrabiatta style sauce... simply amazing.... Myself, Gnocchi.... HOLY HELL, So amazing. A ton of garlic, basil and chili flakes. Accompany that with a glass of Montepulciano. Why have I stayed away for sooo long?!? Perfect last minute date spot... She loved the awkwardness of the decor as well...

    (4)
  • Rudy J.

    This was the first place I ate at when I first moved to Seattle and will always have a special place in my heart. A great place to take a date. Deco is fun. It's so cozy that you feel like a glass of wine is appropriate for that place. Food is great! Staff is very friendly and accommodating. One time my gal and I closed the place down. Upon getting home, I realized I had left my phone there. I called on a whim and the host answered and met me to give me my phone. That's customer service!!! I will miss this place now that I'm back in Texas but when I go back to visit, I'm hitting up Bizzarro! Faves: Beef cheek gnocchi and elk bolognese

    (5)
  • Jen B.

    I went here on a date and it was fantastic! The inside is cozy, eclectic and a little random so of course, being a weirdo, I liked it. At first we planned on heading next door for a drink since you can't make reservations on a weekend, but we were able to get a cute little table tucked in the back. The waitress brought the usual fresh bread with olive oil and basalmic which was perfect with the caprese salad and wine, which he chose since he has better taste then me (this rarely happens). I had the chicken and he had the "special" and I can't recall exactly the name was but I think it was the "produken". It was delicious. For desert, we had the homemade strawberry shortcake...OMFG I could've slathered it all over my body, it was so frickin good. Pro's: I love this place, it's not perfect. They ran out of wine glasses and used tumblers. It's small and cozy but romantic. Great service and excellant food. Cons: You can't make reservations on the weekends

    (5)
  • Penny G.

    Went there for a girls night out on a Saturday. Arrived at 7, was told it was a one hour wait for a party of 4 - seated at 7:55 by a friendly hostess. Service was prompt and friendly. And the food - oh my. The Forest Floor Frenzy is amazing. I have it every time I go there. Friends got the gnocchi and the carbonera - also got rave reviews. The tiramisu dessert was HUGE and tasty. Friend got a chocolate cake that was a bit dry - she mentioned it to the waitress and the waitress kindly took it off our bill. Definitely recommend.

    (4)
  • Agnes A.

    Unique menu, great food & atmosphere! I took 3 of my friends to eat here and they all loved everything that they ordered. I must recommend the gnocchi, this was the one that stood out the most, the gnocchi was so buttery and it just melted in my mouth and the sauce was perfectly amazing. The other pasta that I tried from my friend's plate were okay for me but they loved it. The downside, since I guess this place was featured on Guy's show on food network, this place tend to be always buisy so everytime I tried to come here the wait would always be 30-40 mins. I never have any patient for any restaurants that I would have to wait for that long to be seated, I don't care how good of a restaurants it is, so that's why I gave this place a 3 star. I think they named this place Bizzaro for its decor!

    (3)
  • Tami J.

    Stopped in for a Friday night dinner. They do not take reservations on week-ends (or for parties with less than 6 during the week) so it was a 45 minute wait. It is a very popular place, so a wait is to be expected. We tried the daily specials. The starter was a risotto fontina cheese ball with a smoked marinara sauce. We didn't care much for them, not anything I would order again. The main was called "The Little Piggy". Roasted pork with celery root mash and braised collard greens with bacon. The mash and the greens were fantastic, really good. The pork was seasoned well, but over cooked, so it was very dry. When trying a daily special, it is always a bit risky, as it is usually a new recipe rather then a tried and true one. Even though this special was not that great, I have had others in the past that were much better, and I will be back to try more in the future.

    (4)
  • Emma M.

    This place is a MUST eat! Delicious food, funky decor, and amazing service. I can't wait to go back again. They do italian food RIGHT!

    (5)
  • Mr. C.

    Had the forest pasta - was extremely delicious. Girlfriend had the clam linguine. Pasta is hand-made, you can tell by the uneven-ness of the strands. Though the clams tasted fresh, the linguine was a bit on the salty side, but still good. I have to say what detracted from this experience was our waitress, a short-hair blonde, who gave us odd silences and puzzling looks when we asked her questions while we were trying to decide what to order. We felt stupid and unwanted. The food was delicious, the ambiance unique, so this place still squeezes in a high star rating from me. However, I don't think if you were in my shoes, you would want to feel belittled by anyone serving you, especially if you are paying $18 and up per dish.

    (4)
  • Michael L.

    I've got lots of family in Seattle and they all know where the good eats are. Bro and Sis-in-law took my wife and me to Bizzarro after our tour of Theo Chocolate (which was total fun). They recommended the Drunken Clams, the Forest Floor Frenzy, the lamb -- in fact they basically said make sure everyone at the table gets something different so you can taste as much as possible. The ambiance here is, hmmm, might the word bizarre pop into one's mind? I loved it, there was something weird to look at everywhere. Over your head, an upside down sleigh and an upside down table with champagne glasses hung from the ceiling. On the walls were Frida Kahlo-esque paintings, many 3D pieces of art, and several Mad Magazine-style portraits of their signature character, who looks like a cross between Johnny Depp, Edward Cullen and Eraserhead. Even going to the bathroom is a trip ("Make sure you stick your head into the women's room too!" my sister-in-law called). I can't do them justice, but make sure you do check both out. The food was as creative and as wonderful as the place. I was tempted by the Forest Floor Frenzy, "Wild mushrooms and walnuts foraged from the darkest woods melded with a cream sherry sauce and our house made parpadelle ribbon pasta" and by the Capellini Bombastico, "Chanterelle mushrooms and kale in a blood orange and lemon sauce with a hint of chili flakes tossed with angel hair capellini pasta." In the end I went with the Elk Bolognese, "Wild Oregon Elk with fennel, thyme, Mama lil's peppers and pork shoulder slowly simmered into a creamy ragu tossed with our handmade parpardelle ribbon pasta." It was as good as it sounds, a taste treat, rich and flavorful. My wife had the one with the blood orange and lemon sauce and it was a different taste explosion. Andrew had the lamb; it was good but I didn't care for it as much. Llysa had the meatballs and they were as good as the meatballs at our favorite Bay Area Italian place, LoCoco's.

    (5)
  • Jamie R.

    Loved it, Super friendly staff, the food was great, I had the clam linguini, fresh pasta and well cooked, my friends had the carbonara and lasagna and it was great! I was also impressed with their quality/price ratio, even the wine is well priced. Great experience and would recommend to all

    (5)
  • Ryan F.

    The wife and I travelled down from Vancouver to try this restaurant out, after of course - seeing it on Diners Drive ins and Dives. The decor is cool, lots to look at and take in. The bathrooms were strange but gave us something to snicker about for awhile. The service was good and helpful. We did not partake in an appetizer and went straight for the main course. Our main came with a salad - I had the ceasar. It was definitely different! The one large cut of romaine, and whole anchovies on top, it was unexpected and delicious. The main wasthe Clam Linguini, which Guy Fieri commented was one of the best dishes he has ever had. Has to be good, right? Well. It was, to an extent. The clams were left in the shell and after the first few bites I was grinding my teeth on sand. The linguini was fresh and the butter sauce was great - but the clams were chewy, dirty and didn't taste very good. I was a little disappointed. The wife had The Forest Floor Frenzy: Wild mushrooms and walnuts foraged from the darkest woods melded with a cream sherry sauce and our house made parpadelle ribbon pasta. The mushrooms tasted like the ground they came out of, she didn't enjoy it and did not finish her plate. We decided on dessert - though we did feel like we were being rushed. I believe the time we were there did not exceed an hour. They were busy and people were waiting for seats. For dessert, Italian restaurant? Tiramisu of course. We paid an additional $4 on top just to share it. (Remember to read the fine print) - which makes sense if they don't want people lingering and taking up precious space in their busy restaurant - turn over, turn over, turn over. Would we go back? We'll see. Too much competition out there, we will probably have to try something different next time.

    (3)
  • Irene L.

    Spunky Funky Italian at its best! For a fun dining experience for your tastebuds, Bizzarro will not disappoint. However, I do hope they bring back the Arancini Balls real soon..

    (5)
  • Larena H.

    This place definitely lives up to its name. The decor looks like someone started decorating using the stuff they found in their eccentric grandmother's house ... and then RAN with it from there to every single flea market in the Puget sound. It definitely gives you something to talk about, which could be a good thing if you're on a date with someone you reach awkward pauses with. Keeping true to "the list" I ordered "The Chicken." Sounds ... almost completely non-descript, right? This dish earned its spot on the list. It's a ginormous chicken breast and thigh, covered with a tasty lemon-caper sauce, served with a side of asparagus and fingerling potatoes. That sauce went well with everything served on that plate. Everything was even delicious as leftovers the next day. We showed up mid-week for dinner around 5 pm, and there wasn't a crowd at all. They also had a few wine specials going on, but I didn't try them out. Service was friendly, and the bread was quite tasty.

    (4)
  • Samantha E.

    Bizarre and amazing! A very small place with a very powerful menu. Everything we had (meatballs, gnocchi, chicken, and clam alfredo) were mind-blowingly delicious. I highly recommend upgrading your salad to the soup as well. Their soup was literally one of the most amazing things I have ever had in my life. The aesthetic of the place is whimsical and the staff is extremely attentive. Definitely give Bizarro a go and you won't be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Kyoni R.

    I had a party of 10 on a sunday night to feed. This hole in the wall was featured in diners and drive inn's. So I come after beach volleyball and make reservations for 10 at 5.30pm. The time I wanted to be seated was 7pm. My party arrived by 7pm and I told them to wait at Blue Star Cafe and wait till our reservations was called. This place is not a big place so we had to be seated in the middle of the restaurant. We had to wait till all 3 tables were done to accommodate us. Tables were cleared by 8pm and we got seated right after. This place is quirky they have so much going on all around you. It was like eating in a garage sale. We ordered all the most popular items on the menu for a tasting. I truly enjoyed the linguini and clam. It had chili pepper in it. So every bite had a zing in it. My second favorite was the clam appetizer. With bread this was disappearing like we were starving. Pasta and bread are home made and it tasted that way. My third favorite was the forest frenzy pasta. The noodles and ingredients melded well together. I could have finished a plate of this myself. We ordered at least 5 items 2 of each. Each tasted extremely creative. Think of it as Italian with a northwest twist. They kept my party happy so it made me happy. We will return here. I really enjoyed the meal here. And it was affordable...

    (4)
  • David J.

    So it was the night before the Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon, and I had to have pasta. It's a tradition. Do I save my reservation for Il Fornaio....or do I risk it and wait in line at Bizzarro's who does not accept reservations on weekend? I said F'it. Goign to Bizzarro's. It's also rated one of the top pasta places in Seattle, so can't go wrong right? After waiting for 2 hours browsing through even more bizzare Archie McPhee gimmick store, we finally sat down. The name fits this place perfectly with so many weird trinkets plastered all over the walls and ceilings. It's really a unique and bustling place. The Food: WOW the pasta I got was SO GOOD! Ordered the The Forest Floor Frenzy." I was a little skeptical because no meat. The pasta came with so many mushrooms....I was in Shroom heaven! The pasta was very tasteful, yet not overpowering. Definitely worth going here and waiting in line!

    (5)
  • Staci W.

    I have to start out by saying that the service was very cheerful. It had been years since dining here but trusted the chef could still rock it...based on these reviews. We arrived for the first seating on a Friday night. We both started out with the Caesar Salad. The romaine had visible dirt on it and the croutons could have broken a tooth. I followed with the Clam Linguine. The chef watered down the lovely liquor from the fresh local clams. The lasting flavor was from the leathery (it was waterlogged) house cured pancetta was allspice. So so wrong. The handmade pasta was actually really great but overwhelmed by everything else going on. I overheard a table complain that the same dish was super salty. I don't know, possibly a result from that killed pancetta? I'm thinking that the chef must have sprinkled magic fairy dust on Guy Fieri's "best clam linguine ever". My dinner date ordered the Lasagna. It rested on a sauce straight out of a San Marzano can (lovely but bland). The béchamel was replaced by ricotta...or was it just missing? Very pedestrian dish. I'm seriously flabbergasted by these high ratings. I will not be back. Brad's Swingside Cafe wins this throw down by a landslide. Go there.

    (2)
  • Beth C.

    Loved it! The atmosphere is super chill and fun. We only waited about 30 minutes on a Saturday night. We both ordered vegetarian dishes, not b/c we are veggies, just b/c they were the most delicious looking! Pesto Chango and the Forest Floor Frenzy. Food was amazing. Half carafe of wine is a good deal and plenty for two (usually). My only complaint is the hygiene and cleanliness of the hostess and waitstaff. The hostess sets the tables and brings out water glasses. She handled the glasses by the rim and the forks/knives by the prongs/blades. It's disgusting to watch. So I naturally asked for a straw (three times, three different staff members) so I wouldn't have to put my mouth where the hostess had put her hands only minutes ago. The server actually brought the bare straw to me IN HER HAND. She didn't even bother to wrap it in a bev nap or something. I worked in the service industry for many years and these are big no-no's. Health code violations to say the least. Everybody knows you handle the glass by the bottom, not the rim! Seriously! Either way, we'll be back when we visit Seattle again. Don't miss out on the food if you can handle the germs! And the bathrooms are fun :)

    (4)
  • Chris M.

    What a great little place!!! Fun personality with even better food and in a great location. Might be my new favorite place in Wallingford!!!

    (5)
  • Megan J.

    I must say I was utterly shocked to see Bizzarro only had four stars. Upon further review, all the 1-star reviews are for mostly service-related issues AND they are at least two years old. The most recent below-3-star review was from April 2010, sooooo those of you debating whether or not to try, take the good reviewers' advice and GO! I personally believe Bizzarro is some of the best Italian I've ever had (in the US). I've eaten at "fancy" italian restaurants, normal run of the mill, mom and pop, in Italian neighborhoods, in SF's North Beach, etcetera etcetera.... Nothing compares to Bizzarro. It is just absolutely delicious. My family has sampled numerous items from the menu and has never been disappointed. Throw in Manny's on tap for $4 a glass and I am one happy camper. I have tried numerous times to recreate the marinara sauce in my own kitchen and just can't pull it off. It is the best of the best. The service staff is part of the ambience, too. They are not a restaurant to wait on you hand and foot like you're the new Princess of England. And seriously, put the cell phone away. I can't say enough good things about this place. You really must try it for yourself. I would give ten stars if I could. Reservations Monday - Thursday, no reservation Friday, Saturday and Sunday

    (5)
  • Daniel B.

    Really great place. I had the house wine, an appetizer (gnocchi fried balls, forget what they are called) and a walnut pasta with cream sauce. The waitress was great and very attentive, I absolutely loved the atmosphere as well. Appetizer and wine were amazing. The bread was average though, I wish they served a more crispy italian bread rather than very soft foccacia (i think thats what it was). The main pasta dish was just ok, nothing amazing. All and all I would say it's worth going back and I will try another dish. It's a great date spot but you gotta wait a while. Went on a Sunday late night so there was no wait, that was quite nice ;)

    (4)
  • Meredith H.

    I had heard an old wives tale that eggplant parmesan can induce labor. Five days prior to my due date I was on a mission to get my baby moving - I did not want to waste a single day of my maternity leave not having a baby. One disappointment was that the eggplant parmesan is actually an appetizer here. The disappointment didn't last long because the dish was delicious and being 9 months pregnant I certainly wasn't going to complain about the need to order an entree too. Well....it worked! A few bites into dessert (I don't recall exactly what it was, some type of spicy chocolate cake) my water broke! Luckily I am not easily embarrassed. My husband let some of the wait staff know what was going on and that we needed to get our check sooner rather than later. We hustled on out of there and in our rush to the door they handed something to my husband. It was a gift card and a note that said come back soon. I was so appreciative of them not making me feel like a freak, the gift card was just the icing on the cake. We will definitely be returning as the food was delicious and the staff showed extreme grace and class.

    (5)
  • James M.

    Fantastic. My partner took me here for my birthday. The staff was super nice and gave us "the best table in the house" Its labeled as such. The food is amazing homemade paste tastes completely different then what you buy in box. Honestly, everything on the menu looks great. I had the carbanara and loved it.

    (5)
  • Andrew C.

    Let's get this out of the way: the food was fantastic. Exciting and tasty. That said, it's the ambience and setting are what make Bizzarro stand out: I felt like I was having dinner inside David Lynch's brain - in a good way. Everything in here was just the right amount of wacky and tongue in cheek, even the things that I would find somewhat rude in other situations were fun, friendly and surreal. While there, make sure to visit the bathrooms. What a trip!

    (5)
  • Delaney C.

    Went there tonight. Got seated right away and our server came to greet us within seconds. Appetizer-the eggplant. Very good, not greasy or bland. Salad-the caesar. Served in one big romaine. Tasty dressing, not a fan of the whole anchovies. Entree- the pesto with prawns. Nice presentation. A bit too buttery, not a lot of flavor, prawns were overcooked a bit. Overall an okay meal but nothing stupendous. Attentive staff, fun decor, great appetizer. HIGHLIGHT OF THE MEAL: A gentleman at the table next to us dropped his joint on the floor, so I oh-so-kindly picked it up and returned it to him.

    (3)
  • Foody G.

    I had angel hair pasta with mushroom and slight lemon flavor. It is one of the best pasta I have ever had, I will definitely recommend this place. Service is also good.

    (5)
  • Judy M.

    This place is bizzarely good! Is that a word? Whatever. You know what I mean. It's pretty small, so it can fill up fast. I like to start out with the caprese salad. Among my favorite entrees are the Gnocchi Cavolfiore and the Truffle Pasta that they don't always have. Both are made with tender house made pasta and obviously, love. The sauces are high in flavor...comfort food at its finest. Once, they even made a pasta with butter and cheese for my picky son, and he has been eating pasta like that ever since. I like the Gnocchi Cavolfliore so much that I tried to make it based off the recipe from their website. Fail...I'll just drive up to Seattle. Even though my gnocchi was dense, the flavors are so good, it still tasted good, just not the pillow soft gnocchis they make. I don't like wine, but the house wine is pretty good and a good deal. One carafe later, and my husband learned a life lesson. One carafe is too much to share for two people. Hmmm. Who knew?

    (4)
  • Patricia W.

    LOVED this place! I was taken here the other night for birthday dinner and the atmosphere was so much fun! I was into the weird decor and signs and such. Anyone who complains about the "no one is fine with water" sign just doesn't have a sense of humor. The service was excellent, starter bread and oil was tasty and warm. I had a delicious, very fresh tasting lasagna with very homemade and tasty meat sauce. My bf had the forest frenzy and said it was decent but not mind blowing. We're planning on coming back again soon to try out more dishes!

    (4)
  • Liz S.

    One of my favorite restaurants! Love their gnocchi, especially when it's prepared with the parmesan cream sauce, roasted garlic, and cauliflower. Yummy focaccia bread and starter salad too. The atmosphere is super fun and quirky. Expect long waits, but it's worth it!

    (5)
  • Brian B.

    Sugar Snap Pea Carbonara $16.95 A traditional blending of fried house cured pancetta, chicken stock, egg and parmesan with sugar snap peas tossed with our hand made linguini pasta. Delicious !!!! Atmosphere was funky and service was on spot.

    (4)
  • Rebecca R.

    We LOVED Bizzarro! He had the Elk Bolognese and loved it. I had the Puttanesca, and it was packed with Nicoise olives and little sweet spicy peppers. Nice and hearty, but not overly rich. I kept the salad that came with mine, he upgraded to the caesar, which was unlike any I'd seen before... it was like a caesar deconstructed. Very neat. The bread was great, the wine was great, and we got there just before the Friday night dinner rush, so no wait AND we ended up with the "Best Table in the House," with a sign to prove it! It was so neat and quirky, and our server was very helpful. We will certainly be recommending.

    (5)
  • Bryn B.

    My sister and my niece came into town and were excited to eat here because of the show 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives'. We came in at around 9pm (they close at 10) and felt an immediate unfriendly vibe coming from our waiter. Our waiter was unhelpful with my sister's question about what to order and had a very curt impatient tone, which resulted in a misunderstanding of what she wanted. I wanted to add kale to my pasta since it was in another dish and was refused, which was ok with me as some places won't make modifications, but again was dealt a shitty attitude. My 6-year-old niece wanted a ceasar salad. My sister's dish came incorrect as a result of the misunderstanding and she would not eat it. My niece's dish, the ceasar, was an entire head of romaine with big chunks of parmesan and halved anchovies laid across it. What 6 year old is going to eat that? Granted it is not your typical meal request from a child, but I would expect a waiter to suggest she order something else or modify it to be more kid-friendly. My sister explained that her dish was not what she ordered (he took about 20 minutes to come check on us at least), but she understood that the kitchen was closing and asked it just be taken off our bill. He did not offer to get her something else, but proceeded to walk back to the kitchen and we heard a loud clanging of plates as he had obviously THROWN her plate into the back. Totally uncalled for!!!!! We were being as polite as we could in the face of this rudeness. Another waitress came to ask how our meal was and we explained about the salad. No offer to get us something else in this case either. So here we were, on one of our very few nights together in Seattle and NEITHER of them had dinner. I have not had such a bad service experience in a long time and will neither return here nor recommend it to any friends.

    (1)
  • Shaunda B.

    My family and I have eaten here many times over the years and have always been very happy with everything about the place until this last Friday and now we will never eat there again. My parents had just gotten into town and we wanted to head over to Bizzaro's for dinner. We walked in the door at 9:40pm and were told that the restaurant had already stopped serving dinner and they were closed. We did check the website before heading out and it said they were open until 10pm so we figured we were cutting it close but it was a Friday night and they were open until 10pm. We also would have completely understood if it had been a Tuesday night for example and the place was empty but it was pretty close to being full and there were several tables who appeared to be just starting their dinner. Just be aware if you want to go to dinner there that they actually close earlier than they say although I have no idea what time that is. They should probably just put open and closed when we want. For us though it really isn't a problem any longer because we will no longer be going there. Instead we went down to Cantinetta 3650 Wallingford Ave N. who is open until 11pm and had a fantastic dinner, we will all be going there again!

    (1)
  • Trina H.

    Super good food and unique environment! They were super awesome for being patient while we waited for the other half of our party that was running behind. We had the Elk Bolognese, Clam Linguine , and Lasagna. Only complaint is the limited parking and on top of it someone decided to take up two spots... :/

    (5)
  • Jerry M.

    Great service and the meal was really really good.

    (4)
  • Alan S.

    A great combination of fun and good food. This was my favorite place to eat in Seattle (of the small selection I hit up during my visit). I would imagine this would be a great date place. Following the Seattle theme I seem to have found... its "cozy" and has a very friendly staff. I was surprised that there was no wait given that it was a Saturday night, but from what my friend said who had been there a few times before, we just got lucky. The bread was yummy... so much so that we got a second serving. This would later turn out to be a mistake. I opted for the "fluffy sausage pillows" which was delicious. I also decided since I might never get to come back rather than have the "starter salad" that is included I opted up for the "bacon and bean soup." The soup was awesome. I can't explain the flavor but the consistency was similar to a backed potato soup. The soup was just a cup not a huge bowl, which led me to eat more of that bread (It was 8 and I was really hungry). Then my meal arrived. Quite a nice portion (not Texas sized) but plenty of food. So much so I regretted eating all that bread! Everything I ate here was delicious... I wish I would have had room for desert. I would totally go back here and if I live in Seattle this might even become a regular place for me. I highly recommend it! p.s. They don't take Discover (which also seems to be a trend in Seattle I noticed)

    (5)
  • Jonathan S.

    This is our go to place to bring people when they visit us from out of town. My favorite dish is the Puttanesca and they usually have a good selection of daily specials. The place has it's own character without looking like it's trying to hard. Why 4 stars instead of 5? Primarily because I wish they had additional veg/fish dishes.

    (4)
  • Ninette C.

    The lesson I learned from Bizzarro was don't avoid ordering something just because your friend already ordered it. My friend wanted the gnocchi. So did I, but I ordered the puttanesca instead. The puttanesca was ok, but the gnocchi was much better. I love the richness and melt-in-your-mouth texture of gnocchi. The cauliflower was a nice touch to it. We also had a bananas foster dessert because I wanted the Molly Moon's ice cream and it was ok. The decor is cute and quirky and in a cute and quirky location. I thought the restaurant was alright. It was definitely adequate and I like rustic styles and food. My friend had hyped it up because she saw it on Rachael Ray and I wasn't in love with my dish, the selections or the prices.

    (3)
  • Laura N.

    Love Bizzarro. Great date night or for small groups. They can accommodate more, but it is a small restaurant. I tend to love what they have on the special's board. Really good stuff. I had the clam linguini on my last visit which was tasty as well. Funky decor, street parking, but never really an issue. Make sure you go to the bathroom, there is always something funny playing in it.

    (4)
  • C Y.

    Bizzarro had been off our list of Italian restaurants. The crowds had kept us away. But good things come to those who wait. We recently celebrated an occasion with some friends and decided on Bizzarro. Even on a week night, early evening we had to wait but it was worth it. The funky, eclectic atmosphere was the same as I remembered. Food and service-excellent. I heard their clam linguine was recognized on the Food Network show. It was superb with the most generous portion of clams I've seen in this dish. It's no wonder the tables surrounding us all had orders of it. I don't think the nontraditional, jalapeno peppers lent much to the sauce but it nonetheless was delicious. The rest of our table was very impressed. We'll be back soon.

    (4)
  • Suzy F.

    I went here last night for the first time and was thoroughly impressed. The space is fun and funky and feels very welcoming, and the staff was friendly, all with a sense of humor. I ordered the Elk Bolognese which had a great layered flavor, and tried my companion's gnocchi (sweet and garlic-y) and lasagna (massive and also containing the flavorful elk). We also had an appetizer of some sort of amazing breaded-potato-crab-concoction that I could eat every day, forever, and a great bruschetta with figs and bleu cheese. The tiramisu was ample and rich, and the shot of espresso poured over the top really complimented the sweet whipped cream. All in all, a place I will return, with friends in tow!

    (5)
  • Kevin C.

    I don't really know what to say about this place, as I just finished dinner here. But it is absolutely bizarre! Everything is so weird, from the way they serve your vinegar and olive oil for your bread, to the way they serve wine in low-balls. But, it is quite a special place. You won't find anything like it. If you look up while dining, you'll see that there is a piano on the second floor, and everything on the ceiling is upside down. I can definitely recommend something from here, Their clam appetizer is succulent, but the best part is their dishes with Truffle mac and cheese. This is absolutely amazing! I've never had better mac and cheese. Its baked with truffle oil, and it adds an amazing flavor. If they made that by itself i could eat a whole plate just of that!

    (5)
  • Kiana F.

    Let's start off by saying that their food is to die for. Yes, there's usually a wait because it's small and being featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives made business go up substantially - just keep that in mind when you go. Because you need to go - their menu changes with the season so there's probably always going to be something new each time you go. There are so mane bizarre things in the restaurant (truly living up to their name), that if the conversation stalls you can just gaze around the restaurant. :P The staff is friendly, very knowledgeable, and the owner was around the evening that I was there and engaged us, and the other tables, in conversation. I had a great time, and look forward to coming back again and again.

    (4)
  • Sharon C.

    It was my first time visiting this place last night and I loved it! My boyfriend and I were invited out for his belated birthday dinner from two friends. For the four of us, it was a first time and def not the last! The atmosphere this place infuses interesting concepts- very fun and full of wild pictures/drawings. I ordered the lasagna. It was delicious and full of saucy flavor. My boyfriend had the elk pasta which was very tasty as well. However, once tasting my lasagna, the elk pasta tasted much more bland! Either way, it was still a delicate meal- very enjoyable. Our friends ordered the Pesto Chango and the clam pasta with white sauce. Both were amazing! No one was disappointed. We are planning on coming back here for sure!

    (4)
  • Shoshanna M.

    Perhaps being spoiled by the delicious restaurants on the east coast has left me with a snobby palate. The food was so-so however, my family loved their dishes. We ordered the clam linguini, elk, lamb, and meatballs. I tried everyone's dish. The elk was my favorite. It was sweet, aromatic, and creamy. If I could get over the idea it is elk, I would order it myself. I had the lamb. It was good, less the two hairs I found on th plate (I could have gone without the extra bits of DNA). I guess after reading its description on the menu I expected something a little different. The atmosphere was a combination of fun history lesson on decorative fads and haunted house. The bathroom family photos are hilarious. I suggest soend an extra few minutes in their to take them in. Besides the hairs, a major problem in the cusotmer service. We had a party of five, too little for reservations, no prob. But somehow that was enough of a party to get the gratutity included. I don't have problem with that as I normally give 20% tip. Usually they do 18% grautity. For some reason, our waitress included a 25% on the after-tax bill (or 30% of the pre-tax bill). We paid over $45 on tip!!! Ridiculous! The $151 dollars ended up costing $200. For that price we should have stolen the cute cow creamer they brought with our coffee. My suggestion, go in small parties, ask to hold the hair with the food, and watch your check before you hand over the credit cards :)

    (3)
  • Mel N.

    Yum, Yum, Yum! I kept saying, 'Why have we not been here yet?!" We ate here on a Saturday night and as others have pointed out, it can be risky as Bizzarro does not take ressies on Fri or Sat. We ended up waiting about 25 min which was no big deal, as we went next door to the Blue Star Cafe for a drink first. When they called us for our table we were seated in the middle of the restaurant - which in many cases I do not like for some reason. Not here, any table is great. It is quiet enough for a personal conversation and yet just enough noise to be entertained. Great place for a 1st date. Now lets get to the food..."Arrancinni": Get this if they have it. It was the special when we were there. Saffron risotto balls stuffed with cheese, fried and topped with smoked marinara. Entrees: My date had the elk bolognese and it was really good. Rich and flavorful. I had the lasagna - so GOOD! I actually just finished the part I look home and ate it for breakfast. Sauce is vibrant, fresh and a touch sweet. Everything that came out of that understated kitchen looked amazing. Service was excellent. The staff is super attentive, friendly and seem like they really enjoy their job. If you have not been here yet, you should definitely go!

    (5)
  • Arry Y.

    Bizzarro is Bizzarro. Decided to go out and expand the horizons, get out of the comfort zone and do something different and tasty to kick off /set the tone for the new year. Decor = bizzarro and crazy. Think Archie McPhee. Wait = a bit. The place is busy and packed. Popular. Bread = love bread. Love olive oil/balsamic. Bread was so soft and fluffy. Prices = reasonable. Wine = good. I had the snap-pea-carbonara-home-made linguini. Yum! --DEVOURED-- my plate in its entirety (and let me tell you, this very rarely happens where I have zero leftovers to bag up). No leftovers! Yea, tasty is right. Fabulous way to kick off the new year. Changing it up is good - try it. Live a little!

    (4)
  • Chris C.

    We eat here occasionally, as we don't live too close, and it's our #1 choice for italian food in the area. Everything is always very delicious. It's a smallish place, so if you don't get there early, you may be waiting for awhile. At our last visit (on 05/12/12) My wife had the lasagna. I had one of the specials, a truffle mac & cheese with bacon/duck sausage, in a smoked marinara. Wonderful. the menu is usually stable, with seasonal offerings, and usually a few interesting combinations for the slightly more adventurous eater. As always, the decor is a little "Bizzarro"!

    (4)
  • Munya S.

    I finally got to see what all the fuss is about when I made it to Bizzarro after wanting to go for awhile. We went early enough in the middle of the week (around 6) so we had no problem getting a table, though I noticed when we left around 7:15, there were people waiting to be seated. It's a small, cozy, quirky restaurant (i.e. an old-fashioned radio listing one-by-one, over 700 different hobo names), and popular even during the week so get there early if you don't want to wait (they only take reservations for groups of 6 or more, and not on Fri, Sat, and Sun). Let's get to the food though, shall we? Yummo. The free bread was amazing- kinda like focaccia, with delicious flecks of salt all over it. The soup of the day was creamy goodness. For my main course, I had the special of the night- fettucini with prawns and garlic-butter sauce and Mama lil's peppers. Can Mama be my mama? Well, can I at least have the recipe? The peppers were tangy and delicious- and the sauce as a whole was amazing. My pasta wasn't homemade, but someone at our table had the elk bolognese (how cool is that?) with homemade noodles and they were great. Bonus- they serve Molly Moon's (which is just around the corner) for dessert. I like that they support their neighbor and the ice cream was great. Service was A+. Super friendly, helpful, etc. etc. No complaints whatsoever. Another typical yelper gripe...I wish you could give half stars...The only reason why I left off a star is that it is a little pricey compared to other restaurants of this nature (pasta portions were decent but not super-filling)- that said, much of their pasta is made in-house, so you might want to shell out those extra bucks for that kind of quality. Great food in a really fun atmosphere- I'll definitely be back!

    (4)
  • Melissa C.

    It's between this place and The Pink Door when I'm looking for some authentic Italian. Bizzarro is the closer, cheaper, less picturesque place to go between the two, but parking is a hell of a lot easier and it sure won't put its fists down for a fight to give you some of the tastiest Italian you'll find in Seattle. I'm a sucker for house made noodles and they don't serve anything BUT that at Bizzarro. *snap snap* I went there for a nice intimate birthday dinner with the besties and we had ourselves a grand old time. My friend ordered the tiramisu and was kind enough to have our 8-person crew gang-bang the poor thing. I swear, if you closed your eyes, you'd think that my table was having an orgy. The patrons there seem to be welcoming regulars who were kind enough to burst out into an operatic rendition of 'Happy Birthday" when my birthday gelato came out. I wish that I got a picture of the fat man because, yes, he did sing for the restaurant that night and he was fantastic :) What a great little place! TIP: Download the Chinook Book App on your phone and receive a free house-made dessert with any entree.

    (5)
  • Opal D.

    Cluttered and whimsical decor, OK Italian food, and friendly staff. Their bread was strange - doughy, a few degrees above room temperature, and crust like it was trying to be focaccia and french bread at the same time but failing at both. The molten chocolate dessert was overly sweet and inspired visions of frozen trays heated up in the microwave, dressed up with a scoop of Molly Moon's ice cream. With all that said - This place is like your best-friend's girlfriend, mediocre and flawed, but for some reason he likes her. In short: I like this place and I have no idea why, but I think you will too!

    (4)
  • J K.

    I've tried coming here a few times. It's always way too full. And I loath waiting in line for anything... except free samples of sake (Sake and Sushi Fest). So consequently, I never knew what I was missing. Well, I finally was able to get in last weekend, probably because we arrived at 5:30. By 5:45, it was completely packed -- people waiting outside were ogling our appetizers. I felt special. Moral of the story: get here early unless you like standing around... and ogling. The atmosphere is very fun. Lots of funny little knickknacks and old photos of goofy families (see my pics). It's sort of like a grown up Beth's -- lots of stuff just pasted on the walls and tables. The service was great. The menu was a little difficult for me to understand since I don't eat Italian very often, but the waiter pointed me in the right direction. The food was yummy. Again, I'm no connesuir of Italian food but I'm very familiar with my own taste buds and they were happy.

    (4)
  • Angel I.

    My boyfriend craves Italian food and we found this gem in Wallingford and want to go back already! Everything is delicious, affordably priced, and a fun experience with the decor and atmosphere. I'd definitely come here with a large group of friends as there is something on the menu for everyone. My boyfriend couldn't get over how delicious his caesar salad, eggplant parmesan, and clam linguini were and I had the duck ravioli and it was delicious! I usually like duck at mostly Asian restaurants, but this dish was THAT good! Tiramisu as dessert was good, and they had Mexican coke which we had for our drinks. I'm already trying to figure out when the next time I can go back is!! I wish I discovered Bizzarro's sooner!

    (5)
  • Erin B.

    We've heard that Bizzaro is mostly about the experience. A guaranteed good time. Happy music- eclectic deco- sweet/sassy wait service. We found the food was also a reason to go. Beef cheek gnocchi, elk bolognese, "the Cow", & a lamb dish. Yumski! Prices range from $ 15.95- 19.95 which is ok enough considering the quality, creativity, & inclusion of a salad & bread. Deal. The other thing friends had failed to mention? This place has the best bathroom in Seattle. No joke, the absolute most clean fun you can have in a bathroom. There is literally a fireplace in there. Even better, pics of people & their pets. Like 3 girls in their prom dresses with chickens. A booby woman & her poodle. And, yes, I do believe that is a middle aged naked couple holding cats in front of their genitalia. I think I just fell in love with a bathroom.

    (4)
  • Jeff D.

    For starters the soup was warm and not hot. Had to ask the waitress for pepper, normally if pepper is not on the table the waitress will bring some by. The soup was ok. Had the Sunday night meatball special. Again the food could have been warmer. The sauce did not have much flavor and a little spice would have gone a long way. The meatballs were ok, nothing special. Had to ask the waitress for pepper. Figured that after asking the first time she would have brought it around.

    (2)
  • Vy D.

    Visited this crazy place last night for a birthday dinner. Ambiance: Colorful and crazy with cute, witty signs. Service: Nothing much to say. Waiter was pleasant, but service was a little on the slow side. Food: +Focaccia bread was yummy. +Most dishes come with a simple starter salad that was good. +I ordered the Forest Floor Frenzy and thought the flavors were really nice - loved the mushrooms in it but thought overall it was a little on the salty side. +Got the chocolate vesuvius for dessert and traded out chocolate ice cream for vanilla. Really liked it but it's nothing crazy fancy. They use Molly Moon's ice cream which is always a plus! Of note, they are featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in an episode called "Funky Joints"!

    (3)
  • Alisha H.

    Friendly service. They take your number and call when they're ready to seat you. Wonderful decor, something to look at or hear in every corner. But none of that matters when they bring out the food! The eggplant starter is delicious, and the starter salad is just the right size. I had the special (pork with risotto), delicious! Definitely a must. Reservations Monday through Thursday, but just show up Friday through Sunday.

    (5)
  • Cynthia V.

    Summertime Gnocchi!

    (4)
  • Susan X.

    Came here last night for a wonderful dinner! First, the atmosphere is as charming as everyone has mentioned. There are tons of stuff hanging off the ceiling and paintings on the walls (although I wasn't very enthusiastic about the giant furry spider right above our table, haha). Between the 4 of us we had the drunken clam appetizer. The broth is truly as life-changing as the menu claims! After eating all the clams we exhausted our bread supply sopping up all the goods and may have even used the clam shells as spoons... For dinner we ordered the ravioli guacciale, the cow, and the prawn pasta special they had that night. Oh my lord everything was amazing. Granted, I didn't get to try the cow since I just had my wisdom teeth taken out :( but everyone else said it was great! For dessert we shared the panna cotta and the chocolate caliente (something like that?). Very good texture on the panna cotta. The chocolate cake part of the chocoalte dessert was a little bit dry, but still very good with the sauce and ice cream together. And the full carafe of the house chianti with dinner was a great match. Can't forget the service - excellent. Pricing was completely on par with the quality of the food.

    (4)
  • Carol C.

    This restaurant is overrated. The food was just ok, and the service needs lots of improvement.

    (1)
  • Evita-Marie R.

    Went here for a valentines dinner with my boyfriend. First, get the cow. It's worth it & amazing. (the bf got the cow) I got the elk bolgonese which is also flavorful and the homemade noodles are probably the best I've ever had & I'm an italian food snob. The salad was mediocre, but at least it comes free with the meal. The gorgonzola bruschetta was interesting & flavorful, but I'm not too crazy about dates. Overall definitely a place I will have dinner again in the future. The ambiance is different, but fun. The food is flavorful, fresh and interesting. The service is pretty prompt.

    (4)
  • Dennis M.

    Love this place. Comfortable, fun, good service, well prepared food.

    (4)
  • Nina H.

    Elk meat tastes kind of like ground beef. BUT MORE DELICIOUS! I love Bizzarro and everything about it. I loved that even though we had to wait 30 minutes for a table, they called us when our table was ready. I love the outrageous hanging decorations that range from a bicycle, Chinese lantern to an upside-down dining table. I love that we had Molly Moon's ice cream as an appetizer (because it's just up the block). I love the house bread that comes with oil and vinegar. I love the variety of ingredients (radish and cranberries) in the starter salad. And best of all, I loved my ELK BOLOGNAISE which I cannot pronounce. I originally intended on ordering the gnocchi (I actually had to look up how to pronounce the word so I didn't look stupid when ordering), but I decided to go bold and ordered some good ol' elk. The meat was divine and ohmygosh the pasta... SO CHEWY AND SO HOMEMADE TASTING. I seriously thought pasta tasted the same, Safeway pasta, pasta at Salvatore... I couldn't tell the difference but dude, the pasta at Bizzarro is truly unique. I could taste the Italian-ness in every bite and it was wonderfully orgasmic.

    (5)
  • Marie V.

    My boyfriend and I had a trip planned for months to go to Seattle and visit his sister. So excited I did a bunch of research to find a great restaurant. Since Bizzaro's happened to be showcased on Food TV it was without a doubt, this was the restaurant of choice. Well.....being half Italian I have had my fair share of Italian food. The prices were high (but expected) and the portions were small (not happy). Ive never been to an Italian restaurant that didn't have family size portions, disappointment. Aside from that we ordered a half carafe of wine, which not only took 15 minutes to come to us but I SWEAR they watered it down, GROSS. Im no wine expert, but I do indulge in my fair share of wine and that wine was definitely watered down. The ladies at the table next to us ordered the same exact wine and theirs was a normal color. The only good thing I can say about this place is that the décor was really fun. But other than that, the service was slow and sub par, the "wine" was shit, and the food was nothing special and overpriced.

    (2)
  • Amy G.

    My boyfriend and I love this place. This was our first nice date location and we've come back to Bizzarro for all of our anniversaries since. I love the corky/fun/intimate atmosphere and the food is amazing. I'm not even a huge italian food lover, but I do love this place. Definitly a place worth trying out.

    (5)
  • John G.

    Awesome. That's the best descriptive term for this place with my limited vocabulary. We started with the caprese salad. While small it was incredible. The mini mozzarella balls were great and the tomatoes were so fresh. The Foccaccia table bread is also great with the right amount of salt. We order two pasta dishes: Gnocchi with pancetta and onions and the Linguine clams. Every dish was better than the last and we went away satisfied. The best DDD in Seattle. Our waitress was also the owner and she was terrific. Super nice, attentive but not hovering and very just chill. If/When i get back to Seattle I will come back.

    (5)
  • Alison P.

    For a city lacking good Italian food, Bizarro is a pretty decent place. The meal starts with super delicious bread with olive oil for dipping. Entrees come with a little salad, which is nice, not common in Seattle, and a more traditional Italian style to include with the meal. The entrees were really fantastic. The Forest Floor and the Elk were super amazing. The pasta was delicious and fresh, the sauces full of flavor with just the right amount of cheese on top. There were a few things that weren't so awesome. The timing of the service was more like an Applebees than a homey Italian restaurant. The entrees came before I finished my salad. The dessert menu was dropped before I finished my entree. The check was dropped with the dessert. I felt rushed the entire meal. I know it's busy, I know they need to turn tables, I know it's a small restaurant and there is a wait. But I felt super rushed and felt like I was eating at a diner. The other thing that wasn't awesome was the tiramisu. For a dessert, it was a good dessert. It was sweet and moist. But it wasn't tiramisu. I don't think they use marscapone in the dessert, it tasted more like frosting. Where there should have been lady fingers, there was a thin vanilla cake layer slightly dipped in espresso. It was a good dessert, but it was not a tiramisu. Despite the rushed service and the slight disappointment in the dessert, the entrees made this a 4 star place in my mind.

    (4)
  • Thera Z.

    I'm glad I finally tried this place out but not sure I would come back for a second time. The food was really tasty and the ambiance was great but I'd like to try out other places for the price. I had the FFF which many other Yelpers suggested. It was great but really rich, but it did reheat surprisingly well. My boyfriend had The Cow which was underwhelming. His meat was a little tough and bland. We came on a Friday night and had to wait about 30 minutes. We didn't mind because we stopped off at Blue Star for a drink and when our table was ready there was a delicious fig and Gorgonzola appy waiting at our table! Our hostess was great but our server was a little judgey. We came with another couple and when we asked to order a second carafe of wine she made sure to remind us there were six whole glasses in a carafe. We walked to the restaurant and it was a birthday celebration, so please, let us get our buzz on.

    (4)
  • Jennifer A.

    AWFUL customer service! I've never posted a review until now. Until I received such negative reception, I never felt so inspired to write a review. We called 1 hour prior to closing time to confirm the restaurant was still open. Janelle answered the phone & told us that because the restaurant was so slow, they would be closing shortly. We asked if we could place an order to go (since we were only 2 min away & already in the car headed that way). She told us they didn't take to go orders. So we asked if we would be served if we arrived within 2 minutes; she said they would be closed in 1.5 min. Since so close, we decided to "risk it" & just double check. When we arrived literally 2 min later, we were surprised that not only was the door locked, there was a restaurant full of tables. Slow night or simply slow & lazy staff? Unfortunately, easy question for us to answer. We were sorely disappointed, as we were so excited to try this supposed "gem". However, no business who doesn't appreciate business will get a 2nd shot by me.

    (1)
  • Samantha T.

    I really want to write an amazing review for this place. My fiance and I are HUGE fans of the who Diners Drive in's and Dives and Guy said that this place has the absolute BEST Clam Linguini he's EVER tasted. So on a very special anniversary, we sought out Yelp.com and wanted to find the best place around to have a romantic night. We were ecstatic to come here. The service was pretty good the waiter was funny and nice, but the food was not what we were hoping for. I got the famous clam linguini and it didn't even come close to hitting the mark. I was really dissapointed and I'm not even picky! My man got a pretty good dish, it was an elk bolognese, but again I felt like we could've gotten this plate anywhere. We weren't expecting to get all star treatment because it was our anniversary, it just sucks because we were really looking forward to going and our experience was anything but romantic or even fun. :(

    (2)
  • Jess W.

    Food is FAB, price is right and they have a nice selection of gluten free options. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Karen H.

    Fun, funky , tasty!! We loved our wine in hiball glasses, the bread with oil & vinegar, playing eye spy!!! The beef cheeks were melt in your mouth yummy! The sweet pea pasta, mmmmmm! Forest frenzy was divine! The cheese plate sublime... And tiramisu tasty!! We loved our dinner experience(although we waited 45 min on a Sunday evening at 5:30!)!!!

    (4)
  • Emily D.

    I like this as a nice-ish place I can go with my infant and toddler. There's enough stuff to look at they are entertained and it's loud enough that a little noise doesn't bother anyone. They are quick with the food for the toddler too, which helps. The food is great to boot.

    (5)
  • Rowena D.

    Since seeing Bizzarro appear on the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, I have wanted to try this place. The opportunity to go came up last Saturday night when I was in the mood for Italian food. Once we arrived to the restaurant the wait for a table was not long. After a 5 minute wait we were seated right away and served water along with bread and the typical olive oil and balsamic vinegar combo you get at Italian restaurants. The restaurant decor itself is very kitschy but cool. They seem to have patrons who are regulars here based on the many conversations heard near my table. I decided to go with with what appears to be the restaurant's signature dish, the Forest Floor Frenzy. I noticed the guy sitting next to me ordered it and it looked so good so I had to give it a try. Entrees generally come with a starter salad or for an additional $2 the soup of the day. For an additional $4 more you can get a specialty salad. The Forest Floor Frenzy comes with handmade parpadelle pasta noodles dressed in a creamy sauce that includes various types of mushrooms. Walnuts normally accompany this dish but on this night it was made with pine nuts. While the dish itself was tasty and had great ingredients, it was too salty. The saltiness sort of ruined the dish for me. I think the cooks definitely need to ease up on the salt a little. I did love the different kinds of mushrooms in the dish. Overall the service was good here. The staff was attentive and really friendly.

    (3)
  • Allie S.

    I think I am in the same boat as some of the other reviewers here. My brother saw the FoodTV special about Bizzarro first and since he lives in Arizona he told me to try it for him. Shortly after I saw the FoodTV show also and it look amazing. Maybe my expectations were too high becuase of the show but... the food seemed to be very plain or normal, especially for the prices. Service was great, there seem to be a good group of people working there. When you eat there, and I still suggest that you do, order one of the pasta dishes. I had the artichoke ravioli with duck egg on it and it was good, the sauce was pretty thick and salty but I enjoyed the dish. The part that was a bit disappointing was the Chicken option. I thought it would be.. different...It was a half chicken breast (too thick to have any flavor throughout) baked with prosciutto and had some mashed potatoes, I make this 2 times a week for $3 and paid $20 at Bizzarro... I do really want to go back and try the Forrest Floor dish, that one looked great and had lots of reviews but I am a sucker for Ravioli.

    (3)
  • Conor S.

    Bizzarro is the best date restaurant I have found in all of Seattle. The food is fantastic (the waitress accidentally brought us another table's meal, which looked pretty much amazing), the decor was unique and stylish, and as for the service... any waitress that can put up with my mum gets five stars off the bat. I want to go back. Right now.

    (5)
  • Kelly A.

    Whoa. I don't know how else to start this review, seeing as it was one of my most joyous dining experiences in recent memory. We were visiting Seattle and had heard good things about Bizzarro, so we trekked on over to this place for a midweek dinner. We walked in and were greeted by all sorts of kitsch. The artwork was especially impressive in its quirkiness. The waitstaff came around to greet us and take drink orders, and they were decidedly laid back, a nice change of pace coming from the East Coast. We ordered some drinks, perused the menu, and made our decisions. Seeing as all of the main dishes are accompanied by the simple salad, or for a fee can be upgraded to a ceasar or caprese, I figured I'd try the caprese. I mean, it sounded awesome: heirloom cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, top shelf olive oil, fleur de sel. How could I go wrong? Well, what a decision that was. That was the absolute best caprese salad of my life, and I've had many versions. It was unbelievable. I never in my wildest dreams thought that caprese salad could be so good. It was a large portion too, large enough to share with my dining companions, who all agreed it was superb. Onto the main courses! I opted for the gnocchi, which was served with cauliflower and roasted garlic in a parmesan sauce. Mind you, I don't even like cauliflower, but something was calling me to that dish, so I ordered it. The boy ordered the forest floor pasta, while our friends went for the pesto and the tomato/olive oil, respectively. Our dishes came, and we were blown away, every last one of us. I am an admitted gnocchi snob, and it's very difficult to satisfy me with most gnocchi. I grew up with my grandmother's homemade gnocchi, and there are only a couple of restaurants that I've found can compete with it. But oh yes, Bizzarro is now among them. The gnocchi was light and fluffy, little pillows of heaven swimming in a sea of deliciousness. The boy was duly impressed with the forest floor, which boasted many varieties of mushrooms over housemade pappardelle. Our friends enjoyed their dishes as well. Visiting Bizzarro was one of the highlights of our trip to the NW. It was fantastic. It basically takes all of the best things about many of our favorite restaurants in New England and rolls them up into one wicked good dining destination. We even bought a t-shirt.

    (5)
  • Neal W.

    Oh baby baby yeah. We sat in the "Best Seat in the House" and I suggest you do the same if it's open (and you're cool enough of course). I had the elk because I wanted to try something crazy. Well let me tell you it was crazy. Crazy good. I tried my friend's dishes too. Awesome. The decorating is excellent. It's kind of depressing in some areas, but you know life's not all puppy dogs and rainbows, know what I'm saying?

    (5)
  • Peter H.

    By far my favorite Italian place in Seattle. This place is quaint and has the most unbelievable food. Do NOT miss the lasagna, and the pasta with truffle oil is ridiculous. The servers are friendly and eager to get the wine flowing :) this is a special place

    (5)
  • Kiwi B.

    I don't know why it took me so long to eat here. I've been aware of the place for ages, lived in the hood a few years and only just went. YOU GO NOW! I'm very skeptical of Italian places, been to too many awful ones. I should've trusted the yelp reviews. I had the special, asparagus ravioli with wild ramps. YUM Well sauced and cooked perfectly. My boyfriend had "the pig" and they were able to accommodate his allergy and prepare it w/o onion or garlic. He was quite happy with his piece of meat. The only down side is they serve bread that's loaded with garlic. Could repel vampires. (I don't care for garlic) But that's a small thing in comparison to a lovely meal overall. I'm glad to have a delicious Italian place close to home.

    (4)
  • Katie A.

    My old coworkers shot me an email last week b/c they wanted to get together for a nice pre- holiday dinner... at Bizzarro. They wanted Italian. Fantastic, I thought. I've heard great things. I can't wait to go. Fast forward a few days, and a slight shift in my thinking/ a rearranging of the letters led me downtown to Branzino (which is also Italian), jonesin' for this Gnocchi with lobster and snap peas that I've heard so much about. I walk in, search for my friends, and see that they're no where in sight. I ask about reservations, etc. Nothing. I call my friend. "It's Bizzarro", she says... "It's on Stone and 46th." @&#^@*&^#( I haul a** over there and was happy to find my lovely friends sitting and conversing over wine, awaiting for my late arrival. "You of all people should know where this is," they kid.. "I know," I reply. "I even planned out what I was going to order at Branzino." We all laugh as I check out the menu. I'm brought a glass and I quickly decide on the Lamb, which was such a good decision. We all order, mostly pastas- which come with salads. The service is great and the staff is really nice. The place reminds me a bit of Chez Gaudy, which is a good thing. The salads are great and the lamb is SUPERB. A huge slab of meat (falling off the bone) covered in a slightly sweet, tangy sauce that I just could not get enough of. It was served with perfectly cooked polenta cakes and greens. It was very good. The pastas came to the table covered in golden brown bubbling cheese. Did we stop there? H to the No! We were havin' such a good time, we had to have dessert. We had the Mount Vesuvius and the Bananas Foster. The Foster was phenomenal, while the Vesuvius was good. It was just slightly over cooked, but still tasty and It was jammed packed with espresso flavor- only get this if you're a true coffee lover. This is a great place for a date or a group dinner, but make sure you make reservations. The prices are very reasonable for what you get and the service is exceptional. I'll definitely be coming back to Branzino- I MEAN Bizzarro sooner rather than later.. and just like Branzino, I now know exactly what I'm going to order when I do.

    (4)
  • Gene D.

    Sometimes it feels eventful or special to have a chef take control of the table and present his or her "best of". This is certainly the case each time we venture to Bizzarro. Chef Mike Easton is on top of his game. His travels to italy are definately paying off. A little pasta here, fin fish there, a bottle of wine, I don't care, it's all going to be just fine. Besides, it's enough work just finding parking, let Mike run his room, for chrissakes!

    (5)
  • Madey A.

    Soooo cute!! I went here with my girlfriend one night and we couldn't believe how hidden this place is. The decor is eccentric, mix-and-matched things from all over. It's a really cool place. It's small, so I would get there before 7, it fills up quickly. Cute little date spot, perfect for a casual valentines day dinner. The food = amazing. I ate my entire dish. The starter salad had simple ingredients, but everything was fresh and had a lot of flavor. I had butternut squash ravioli with a cream sauce and it was to die for. The flavors all worked together to create excitement for my taste buds. They have lots of vegetarian options, and even some vegan. Their menu is very large and diverse, and I will definitely be coming back to try everything.

    (5)
  • Hana B.

    I would truly eat here several times a week if my husband let me (fortunately for my waistline, he does not). Hands down, it's the best little neighborhood Italian restaurant in the city.

    (5)
  • Tillotson G.

    Love it - my new favorite. The place has lots of character and is warm and fuzzy! Great first date place and lots of fun!

    (5)
  • Veronica D.

    This place is perfect! It's so cute & hidden, and conveniently in the heart of Wallingford. The morale of the restaurant is nice for a first date, this is where my current boyfriend took me, also the drunken clams were amazing! They have a nice selection of wine to eat with whatever you're eating as well. I was so pleased to come here on a first date... The service, the quality, and the food portions, and just the entire atmosphere is a great place to eat out for a romantic feel with a signigicant other. Love it !

    (5)
  • Jason M.

    Stopped by on a Thursday night with a party of four and had to wait about a half-hour or so to get a table. They took our number and we had a drink at the pub around the corner. When we got to our seats we were greeted and seated in one of the most stunningly eclectic restaurants that I have ever had the pleasure of eating in. I had to use the restroom...and well... imagine a gallery of the most ridiculous family pictures ever taken. See it for yourself...it's worth a look. The service was excellent and we ended up getting a nice bottle of Italian red wine along with our delicious entrees. My father-in-law and I decided to go with the linguini and clams. They are served over homemade pasta in a butter and white wine sauce. By far the best I have ever had. My wife ordered one of the specials, I think it was a spinach and swiss chard ravioli with brazed lamb and tomato sauce with a big dollop of lemon ricotta. It was super delicious but a little bit too rich I think to eat the whole plate. My mother-in-law got the Puttanesca and loved it. Overall the service was great, the atmosphere was lively and entertaining, the wine was high quality, the food was unbelievable, and we all left raving about our experience at Bizzarro. Do I recommend that you eat here? Absolutely. I am a newcomer to Seattle, but so far this has been my best dining experience in the city.

    (5)
  • Kristina W.

    The lasagna is soooo good. The wine is good, the patrons are unique, and the ambiance is UnFORGETABLE. I will be back for more.

    (4)
  • Roxanne B.

    Frankly, I'm waiting for Yelp to stop letting me pour love on these guys. Tonight was one of my dear friends' birthdays, and of course we had to Bizzarro it up. Reasons to love this place so much: 1. Cauliflower gnocchi that makes you want to curl up under one of the tables and live there, in a little cozy italian restaurant cave of contentment. 2. Birthday songs that never end, that compare the birthday girl to Linda Blair in the exorcist, and make you smile so hard that you hurt your cheeks. 3. The balsamic vinaigrette on the salad is pungent, punchy, sweet, acidic, and makes my mouth water while I think about it. 4. Instead of ordering from the menu, you can just say, "Surprise me for under $20", and they will. 5. Food Network was filming there tonight. It's an adventure as well as some of the most delicious food ever.

    (5)
  • Daniel D.

    Went there before my cruise. We were in Seattle and decided to eat here over Dick's Hot Dogs. My dad and sister are a fan of the show. I found it to be a good meal. The bread was to die for. The caesar salad was great. The pasta was good. Everyone else enjoyed the meal. It was a tad bit on the expensive side, but overall great food. I also loved the quirky staff. The owner is Australian and he was part of the circus. The staff were extremely quick and helpful to get you what you need. It was a great experience.

    (4)
  • Cathy G.

    they had a sign out that they were open tonight Christms Eve They are not. I had posted it on here. I had made a date,. This stinks. I left them a voicemail.

    (1)
  • Zachary Sam Z.

    It was someone's birthday. If you haven't been to Bizzarro when it was someone's birthday, I won't spoil it for you, but it involved our waiter banging on a toy piano on the balcony above the dining area. I threatened to tell the waiter it was my friend's birthday also (technically in August, but who's checking?); alas, I was promptly vetoed. I had a hard time with the menu. I was trying to be a tiny bit healthy, but everything seemed to have some sort of cream or butter sauce included. I ended up with the chicken - which was brilliantly prepared, nice and juicy - but of course I couldn't stop eating the (creamy) mushroom risotto. In a word, addictive. My friend and I also had the potato garlic soup. Well flavored, but all liquid. I guess we'd been holding out for chunks of potato? It was good, but (like everything else here) too rich for me to finish. The service was ok. The waiter was really quirky, which I loved (making random noises to confirm your order instead of saying "OK" or "sure" is wonderful). And our water glasses were always promptly refilled. But at the end of our meal, things seemed to grind to a halt. Getting our bill and paying took 20 minutes -which I'm sure the people waiting for a table minded more than we did. (But then again, I'm sure they also minded that there were like 5 empty tables in the restaurant... but who's counting.) I'd definitely come here again. Preferably on someone's birthday. Though I think I'll comb through the menu before-hand to hopefully find something without a cream or butter sauce to order.

    (4)
  • Katya L.

    Popped in for a quick bite to eat before a show with the boy. The decor was fun and quirky, and the food decent. We had the bolognese, which was good, no complaints there, and the oil and vinegar for their bread is pretty tasty. The thing that killed it for me was the owner/manager fawning over the regular at the table next to us while giving us perfunctory service. Not gonna lie, we felt a little overlooked. The real dealbreaker, though, was the fact that he gave us a $5 in change instead of five $1s, forcing us to leave him a tip much bigger than the check warranted (one dish! half-hour!) or the service deserved. It was incredibly presumptuous and rude, and we won't be back.

    (2)
  • Erin W.

    I went there last night and it reconfirmed every reason why I love that place! I LOVE that the food is served as soon as it is finished, so it is hot and the cheese is melty. I LOVE that the servers suggested things to my date and he took their advice and loved his meal. I LOVE that the salad has fresh greens, delicious dressing and Craisins. I LOVE that the bread is porous and sops up the garlic and herb-infused oil/vinegar. I LOVE the friendly faces and the incredible food. People think I would get tired of this place by now, but I just seem to fall deeper into love.

    (5)
  • Ryan D.

    VEry good and nicely priced italian restaurant. Fun "bizzarre" (go figure) interior. Small place, but thats just fine with me. Went on Dining Out for Life night so it was a madhouse but still had fast quality service. The Pastas are fresh and outstanding, and all entrees come with a salad so you can feel a little better about pigging out. Easy to get a good quality past meal for under 20 smackers. Service is a little terse at times, not overly friendly, but efficient.

    (4)
  • Michael J.

    I had a Gnocchi with truffle oil! mmm.... It was fantastic! Great atmosphere and service! This place is great!

    (4)
  • Stevi C.

    Surrealist dining at its finest. My husband has wanted to try this place ever since he saw it on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. In fact, he ordered just what Guy Fieri ordered: the bolognese. I, on the other hand, went with adorable/cute/helpful/quirky waitress Gwen's suggestion of the Forrest Floor Frenzy, which was this totally sublime mushroom marsala/stroganoff thing with papardalle, mushrooms and walnuts cooked in cream and sherry. So. Good. The pastas here are hand made, which I think makes them worth the price. They're also so rich in flavor that the portion size is about spot-on as well. I'm also in love with the decor, which reminds me of an even stranger version of the roadhouse bar I like to go to out in Port Costa, CA. It's pretty fun to glance around the restaurant and see what oddities jump out at you. Bonus points for the inclusion of odd children's drawings, business cards and other restaurant leftovers under the table tops. It's a very entertaining place to be.

    (4)
  • Claes B.

    We went to this place to celebrate my wife's birthday and I'm happy we did. It looks like an old curiosity shop run by friendly goths but the food is first class. We were 5 people and sampled a number of different dishes, all good.

    (4)
  • G R.

    Ok, for someone who doesn't like Italian I've been eating a lot of it lately. Bizzarro's is my kinda place. There friendly but they offer no bullshit service. They have a rotating menu & charge you if you talk on your phone. The menu is small but diverse. I had "the cow" and it was delicious. My biggest complaint with restaurants is they put a good portion of food on huge plates that don't make a good statement. ( see black angus ) The atmosphere is amzaing. Your eyes will have plenty to gander at. I actually ate dessert here, which I rarely ever do. It was superb. I wouldn't need someone twisting my arm to go back. Great waiter service aswell.

    (5)
  • Erik L.

    Went here once and was not impressed by the service or the food. Wont go back.

    (1)
  • Jeffry R.

    We had an amazing meal here Feb. 2011. The service was spectacular. If you get Danelle, tell her congrats on her new engagement. The food was delicious. I had the Elk Bolognese. Extremely good and tender meat and the noodles are all home made. The owner came by and asked us how everything was going. He cares about how it is coming along. Wine selection is upper middle.

    (5)
  • Carrie A.

    WE LOVE YOU!!!! So worth the wait, the food,the service,the atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Jaime B.

    I love this place! We come here every couple of weeks. I always get the margherita extra crispy on top. The staff is friendly and cooky and fun. Definitely one of my top 5 restaurants in the city.

    (5)
  • Lara M.

    Wow. This was a great dinner. It started with the wonderfully (garlicky) bread to dip in oil and balsamic. Then came my Asparagus raviolo Carbonara. OMG.. Had always wanted to try a Carbonara style (egg) dish and am so glad I did. It had a duck egg on it and it was to die for. My dad had the lamb and it was awesome too. The service was pretty good (they were quite busy) and it had some quirky decor which added to it's charm. My only regret is not trying dessert. We will have to go back for that.

    (4)
  • Ryan M.

    I originally wanted to order the Elk Bolognese (they had me at pork shoulder slowly simmered into a creamy ragu), but the lady on the table next to us ordered the clam linguini. It looked tooooo delicious that I had to order it.....and I was not disappointed. The clams where so fresh and delightful, linguini so fluffy and light, that I was to go back to Bizzaro tonight and have it again! 5 stars! And btw the house wine was also delightful!

    (5)
  • Allison Y.

    There's a sign when you first walk in that Bizzarro placed for the top date night restaurant and I completely agree. The atmosphere is so cozy and eclectic. I highly recommend the house wine - red. The seasonal dish - duck sausage with potato pillows was amazing! There was so much flavor to this dish. Great place to take friends, family or for an evening with your significant other.

    (5)
  • Scott O.

    A lot of people like Bizzarro, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Here's why: 1. The decor gives me a headache. It would be one thing if I was in a second-hand junk shop looking for bargain antiques, but not at these prices. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say, but for me it's so in-your-face that it can't be ignored. Either deal with it, or tough cookies. 2. It's loud and cramped. When I can't hear my other dinner companions, paying a premium for good food is less than appetizing. 3. Value-for-dollar not quite there. Our group agreed entrees were $2-$3 higher than we thought merited the food and the surroundings. Even with dinner salads included, we felt this wasn't the best bang for the buck in mid-priced dining. 4. Bad service. I believe this one was luck-of-the-draw, since other servers seemed reasonably concerned for their tables. Unfortunately our server was inattentive and self-absorbed. At least we saved on the tip. On the other hand, our food was fairly good. I had the bolognese, which although a touch dry was well-flavored. Other companions also enjoyed their selections. Overall the consensus was good meal, but none of us are planning a return trip. There are better choices when it comes to good food and an atmosphere that is relaxing and conducive to conversation. On the other hand, if you like "atmosphere" served with attitude you may feel differently.

    (2)
  • Sophia C.

    This is one of the best places in Seattle to have Italian! The food is godlike! Their White Truffles Ribbon (house-made parpardelle tossed with butter, parmesan, and white truffle oil) is particularly good. And the quirky atmosphere is just so like Seattle with random objects (safely) hanging from the ceiling. When I think of Seattle and food, I think of this place. I definitely recommend this place to all Italian-food lovers!

    (5)
  • R C.

    So I went there for the first time on Saturday, (I say first time because I will be back) There was about an hour wait so they took my phone number and called about 50 minutes later that my table was ready, awsome.. Ordered food and it was delicous, love the drunken clams, awsome, everything tasted fresh, seasoned just right, thanks for a great meal and service, you guys rock.

    (5)
  • Tiffany S.

    I really want to like this place more than I do. The food has been hit or miss. The Forest something or other pasta is good, but has a tendency to be a bit salty. Their bread is either too greasy or dry. I also have has the Caprese Pasta. Not really a lot of flavour unfortunately and the noodles were a little over cooked. The decor is the best part, quirky, fun, irreverent. The wait staff is pretty good too. Friendly, helpful with information about the menu. However, they seem to get overwhelmed pretty easily on a busy night and have a hard time checking on your needs. I'll probably go back, but during early dinner on a week day.

    (3)
  • Jk L.

    the place fills up within 10 minutes of opening for dinner. good pasta dishes. specially liked the clam linguini. one time i tried a Elk Bolognese and didn't like it. i don't say this often, but the flavor was too dense for me. excellent service and friendly atmosphere.

    (3)
  • Maeve C.

    I moved to Seattle from the East coast (Philadelphia and NY) and was really missing good affordable italian food - not like dainty pasta with some wild mushrooms and truffle oil, but just satisfying and well prepared pasta. And this is really the first place I've found that in Seattle. It is a little odd - the seating can be awkard, and I'm not all that in to the thrift store/artsy decor, but the food was very good, our server was helpful and suggested some solid wines to compliment our meal, and the price was on par with good ethnic food. So, if you're craving comforting italian, Bizzaro's a good choice.

    (4)
  • Amanda H.

    We showed up one hour before closing and still had an incredible time, delicious food. I'm not a huge fan of italian either-- the lamb was superb! Thanks for making it a great experience even late night!

    (5)
  • Melissa J.

    My then-15 year old nephew noticed an ad in the Stranger for Bizzaro: "The only thing fresher than our ingredients is our staff." He loves Italian food, and flirting, so we had to check it out. He's almost 18 and still raves about the tiramisu. Bizzaro is welcoming, casual, kid-friendly AND date-worthy. Really. The decor is sincerely quirky and fun--someone's sense of humor, not a marketing crew at work. The food is really good, but uneven. I've not loved the white sauces, and found the bleu cheese sauce unsubtle, but the fresh pasta is always good and the red sauces are perfect. The tiramisu is amazing! Nephew's only complaint (coming from a 15 year old)? "The staff weren't that fresh." He said that about Hooters that same year. I told him to wait until his voice changed, and his experiences might.

    (4)
  • Christine C.

    like most of the reviews say, this place has really great service & friendly wait staff, which is why i gave it a 4 instead of a three even though food wise-- it's nothing mind blowing..,. they have good portions,specials and unique dishes (first time i've had ravioli that was sweet in a overly salty lamb ragu), but i wasn't a huge fan of anything i tried that our table ordered-- everything seemed heavy on the salt. but they did have good wine. it wasn't bad, just nothing really great. if you're looking for a good meal with friends or a nice date spot it would be a good location. eclectic "american pickers"-ish decor that can keep conversations going through the whole dinner. mostly street parking which can suck. and no reservations fri-sun either, but we showed up at 6 this past friday with a party of 8 and got seated easily despite the place being pretty small/cozy. gratuity for large parties is 20% (on the higher end for charging for large parties) but the ladies serving us were helpful with suggestions and recommendations and earned it.

    (4)
  • Lisa V.

    I took my friend for her bday. We used to love going here but she cant eat gluten anymore so it had been a few years. However they now have handmade gluten free pasta available for almost every dish. My pal was in heaven. I tried it too and it tasted just like regular pasta (no that rubbery consistency). She had the elk bolognese (DELISH) and I had the flat iron steak. AMAZING! Shout out to them for spending the time to develop their own gluten free pasta!!!!

    (5)
  • Food L.

    Glad that we found this restaurant on last Sat. Last minute plan changed and we had to find a restaurant on busy Sat evening while we were very hungry. Thanks to Yelpers and we gave this restaurant a try. What a great restaurant with good ambience,delicious food and friendly service. We got lucky to have one last table just available. Food came in reasonable speed. We were munching on the bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar while waiting for our entrees. Arancini was ok and hope to have more cheese flavor. We think it needs a stronger flavor cheese instead of the Fontina cheese on the risotto. The Elk Bolognese was yummy. Loved the parpardelle ribbon pasta and it had good flavor. Lasagna was just right for our taste as it was light and fluffy filling instead of the heavy kind. The Lamb was very tender and good, but we think the pasta dishes score much higher. Can't wait to go back to try their Gnocchi and Clam Linguini!

    (4)
  • Ella R.

    Love the funky, sarcastic, surreal humor of the decor and the wait staff. Right when I waked in, I knew this place was up my alley. I came here with friends and we were all starving! None of us had heard of this place before, but were in the area and thought it looked good. Boy were we right. Since we were so hungry, we ate copious amounts of the bread, but did not let that ruin our appetite. I had the Forest Floor Frenzy, a mushroom pasta dish, which was de-lish. Then we finished off with 2 deserts: CHOCOLATE VESUVIUS and the CRÈME DI LA CARAMELLA , both wonderful. The only thing semi-poor about this place was that the service was a bit slow. For us it was not a big deal; we had are bread so we were happy, but to some it might be. Try it. You'll like it!

    (4)
  • Adriana K.

    i think i am in love. randomly, my "friend" and I went to dinner here on a saturday night as a fall back after we discovered "Perche No" was closed due to a fire. I had passed here one day after eating brunch at Blue Star and thought "This looks like a fun zany place, I should try it some time..." I was not disappointed. Super crowded but equally super friendly staff, I loved the cozy atmosphere, and of course, the eclectic decor. But that wasn't all - they make their own bread (served with a nice blend of tasty oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic) and house made pasta - which i tend to think makes a true Italian restaurant. The food was decadent, my puttanesca, extremely spicy, and the tiramisu you could actually taste the liquor. and now i must slip into a food coma...

    (5)
  • Billy B.

    If you are visiting Seattle and plan on eating, do yourself a favor and make the short trip to the north part of Seattle near Washington U (opposite side of Interstate) to this great little restaurant. Great food, eclectic atmosphere and good service, BUT PLEASE, turn off your cell phone or they will fine you... not really, but they threaten to and it is such a great experience for all your senses that you won't want to be bothered with phone talk or text.

    (5)
  • Jillian R.

    Loved! Came on meatball night, not a big fan of the balls, but the Forest Floor Frenzy was amazing! Portions were also giant. Service was friendly and attentive.

    (4)
  • Gregg B.

    Absolutely to die for lamb shank; great attitude from the staff; this place will be a regular!

    (5)
  • Dan L.

    We went for dinner here a couple nights ago. When we walked in I saw a girl had dicks on her head stuck to a veil. So yeah, there was a bachelorette party there. No biggie, but they were crazy loud. Didn't bother me all that much, but still distracting since we were on a date for our anniversary. My Girl got Ravioli that was undercooked pretty bad. The sauce was pretty good though, and she ended up eating the whole thing. I got the gnocchi with crab. It was very good, and I took some home. It didn't last long, I ended up eating it cold right out of the fridge a few hours later. That dish is really the sole reason I'm even giving this place 2 stars as opposed to 1. The music was very odd to say the least. I'm guessing someone from the bachelorette party got the server to allow them to play their ipod. It was a mix of 80's music. Right before we left I heard Vampire weekend "Who gives a fuck about an oxford Comma", which was cool, wish they would have just played that CD instead of 80's and 90's crappy music. The walls/celing are so busy with weird stuff it looks cluttered, lots of places do this now. There is a big sign, as well as being mentioned on the menu that they will charge you if you use your celly at the table. Amen to charging people for using their cellphone in a restaurant!

    (2)
  • Jessica M.

    This was my second visit to Bizzarro since coming to Seattle, so it deserves a review. This visit was on a Saturday night and we had an hour wait. Happily we went around the corner to a bar and had a few beers while we waited. When we were sat an hour later, the server was quick to introduce himself and took our orders immediately. Interestingly, the bottle of wine we ordered was poured into rocks glasses???? The meal began with yummy Focaccia bread and an dipping mix of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Next, each entree came with a house salad of mixed greens and vinaigrette dressing with a unique twist of cranberries. My entree was amazing "Forest Floor Frenzy": mushrooms, walnuts, homemade pappardelle pasta with a creamy sherry sauce. Other dishes at the table were: Elk Bolognese, a bit gamey tasting and the Lasagna which matched the menu description "baked to perfection". Since we were celebrating a birthday, we saved room for dessert and ordered the Chocolate Vesuvius with Molly Moo's Scout Mint ice cream. It was a moist chocolate cake and topped off perfectly with chocolate sauce. The Molly Moo's ice cream was our addition to the dessert and rounded out this amazing meal. I am sure we will become regulars here.

    (5)
  • Anna A.

    Best italian in town. I love this place. its so cool with funky decor from a gypsy caravan... Friendly staff and superb food. Long waits on weekends but leave your phone number and theyll call you back. Everything in the menu is good.

    (5)
  • Ryan T.

    Went here with my best friend and had a great time. This place is great, the only reason I am giving it 4 stars is the lack of bar and alcohol. available. I love the fact that food is local with keeping the creed "Think global, live local" in mind. The Staff was way above average and knowledgable. love the no cell phone rule... yea BIZZARO!

    (4)
  • Alice K.

    I remember running across ads for this place in my breakroom browsings through the Stranger, largely made most memorable with their very striking mascot. Surely you've seen him? He's an eccentric looking man with gravity-defying dark hair, wielding a knife, coercing (or enticing) you to join his company or risk a less benevolent fate. It's not a matter of life-or-death. Regardless of whether you can already sense the blade against the vulnerable skin of your neck and see your past flashing before your eyes, he means well-- really. Just take his hand, try his food, and revel in your latest, most gratifyingly delicious, daring brush with the soul reaper. I adore their snarky postings, the whimsical decor (again, you'll find challenging the laws of nature a common theme here), the proliferation of aged photos and vintage prints under the table glass, to the very thinness of their bathroom walls. I mention the last part not because I'm a creep or encourage deviant behavior, but I'm comforted, unnerved, yet simultaneously energized by being able to hear, sense, and feel the presence of people and activity practically pulsating just outside. I know bathrooms are typically well-lit, minimalistic, and altogether sterile for a very good reason (in fact, I adamantly advocate this), but I have to make an exception for Bizzarro. It's just so different that I can't help but, well, like it. That aside, I couldn't possibly forget to mention the food. Good god, glorious. I've been here previously with a co-worker over a year ago, and my most recent visit to celebrate a friend's upcoming birthday only confirmed this place still plain rocks. The two of us gorged ourselves on their complimentary fresh bread plus dipping sauce and I dream about the Arancini appetizer. Both of us also opted for that day's butternut squash soup over the salad, made all the more impossibly perfect in light of the evening's chilly weather. Ironically, it was our main entrees that were a little disappointing. The Duck, Duck, Ravioli, while good, was a bit too salty for my taste, with the sweet potato ravioli offsetting it just enough for me to finish. I'm typically not a fan of white sauce anyway, so perhaps that was simply bad choosing on my part. My friend had the Sugar Snap Pea Carbonara which was definitely too sodium-enriched, much to our mutual dismay. We finished up with a scrumptious ice cream-topped chocolate lava cake dessert, which thankfully satiated our then sugar-hungry appetites. The dinner may have been less then perfect, but I'm still so smitten with this place. Witty, knowledgeable, and patient waiting-staff, colorful ambiance, and overall so damn yummy. With Molly Moon's just a gentle calorie-burning stride away, I know this place is screaming for another future dinner date. Just don't tell my man he'll be sharing me, albeit briefly, with the ever bewitching Bizzarro.

    (5)
  • Richard P.

    First time dining here but had to try it out after seeing it on the food channel. The service was very good, but i was a bit disappionted in my bolognese i thought there was a lack of sauce and meat. My GF had the Forest Frenzy which was very tasty but we had to send the first order back because the pasta was undercooked and stuck together. Overall it was pretty good, but i expected more. I regret not trying the Lamb instead of the bolognese.

    (3)
  • Mark T.

    My family and I returned to the Seattle area for a wedding, and ate here mid-week under a reservation made two or three days in advance for a table of twelve. We had not eaten here before, and went on the strength of Yelp reviews seconded by the bride. The ambience is bizarre, but fantastic/artistic and not chaotic. Think Van Gogh after the loss of his ear, but not Chuck E. Cheese. Service was fast and efficient and just the right touch of helpful without becoming obsequious or chummy. The food (both regular menu items and specials) was incredible in terms of taste, finish, texture, color and presentation. Our table sampled the elk ragu as well as the classic pesto with gnocchi. Portion sizes were more generous than European, but not overwhelming. Desserts were equally fantastic. Chocolate here is rich, complex and perfectly textured. Entrees were in the $15-18 range which is particularly great in view of the quality and portion sizes. The entire bill for a table of twelve adults including wine, desserts and coffee and tip added by policy due to the size of our group was about $350. The neighborhood itself is pleasant and low-key and happily includes the Blue Star bar around the corner if you happen to arrive early as we did! We would happily recommend this for groups our size, but also for couples.

    (5)
  • Barbara M.

    Sticky, sticky, sticky We all had pasta. While the flavors were not bad, the pasta in all cases was sticking together, very poor preparation. None of us felt that there was enough sauce. Good service and attentive waiter.

    (2)
  • Nicole C.

    I love this place! Always great service and a great menu. I'm always interested and confident in trying something new because they have not failed me yet! The artwork is interesting and random and always makes for good conversation. Wallingford is my favorite place in Seattle so this makes it even more of a plus to dine here. This place is ALWAYS packed and it is very very small, so plan accordingly if you don't have time to kill if you have to wait. One of my top recommendations in Seattle.

    (4)
  • Mindy W.

    I have been going to Bizzarro for over five years, it is by far my favorite Italian place in the city! All the other reviewers summed it up, quirky decor, really awesome wait staff, makes-you-wet-in-the-pants-its-so-good kind of food, but.. expensive. It's not uncommon to spend $75 for two people here, and I have certainly spent more than that in the past on just two of us. But it is all worth it. Last time we went, about two weeks ago, I was slightly disappointed with their menu choices though. As a vegetarian, there wasn't much that I could even eat. Only one dish, a cheesey pasta type thing. It was delicious, but a little disappointing. Not the kind of place you'll want to go every week due to the price, but we try to make it here once a month as a treat, or on special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, etc). Changing menus with the changing seasons makes it something to look forward to every few months too.

    (5)
  • Bunneh L.

    I've been meaning to try this place for YEARS, so I'm glad I finally got around to it. I was torn between the puttanesca and the linguine with clams. Upon informing our server of this, she suggested that I get the puttanesca and add clams. Brilliant. I was not disappointed. This is one of the best puttanescas I've had. Spicy, flavorful, and quite a large portion. The linguine was cooked a bit beyond al dente, but the sauce was so good it made up for it. The gnocchi gorgonzola was good too, but was a pretty small portion. I'm definitely coming back to try other items on the menu, like the chicken picatta, braised lamb shank, and chicken parm. I was expecting some wacky service, but all we got was friendly, competent service. No jokes, no games, no song and dance. I was slightly disappointed, but I lived. Note that they will charge you $5 for cell phone usage. WTF? Weird and Nazi-like for sure. But I'll still come back for the food.

    (4)
  • Adam C.

    Lately Bizzarro has been my "go to" Italian place, however I do love Angelina's in West Seattle as well. The atmosphere, food, everything is wonderful. I've yet to have a bad meal there, although I will agree that some of their plates are a bit sparse for what you are paying. I do feel however that their baked pasta dishes are just right, I don't think I could handle anymore cheese than what they dish out... with my own self preservation in mind at least. Another thing to be aware of is their cell phone policy; if you answer one or make a call, $5 bucks. More power to them for doing that, I know I hate sitting by people who feel it necessary to yell into their phones while shoveling food into their mouth and having the satisfaction of knowing that some schmuck is going to have to pay out for that convenience (as well as get called out in the restaurant) adds a bit of comfort. I'm not a big wine drinker, in restaurants at least because of the cost. $7 a glass is not my bag; nor is a $12 corking fee, but at least those who do like to bring their own wine have that option. However, I was disappointed in their mediocre beer selection. On my most recent outing I came to find that they only had Hale's Ales IPA on tap, and Peroni in bottle; I find that a majority of the NW brewed IPAs are over-hopped and bitter, any other Hale's Ale I would have given a shot, but IPA... no thanks. I know that Italian food is generally paired better with wine than beer, but I refer you to my comment on the $7 a glass business and rest my case. I do realize that wine is around that price at most restaurants; not knocking Bizzarro directly on that, just a general gripe. Prices are a little high, menu a little small, but the meals are amazing.

    (4)
  • Cynthia C.

    My husband and I first saw this on the Food Network Channel and went the next day for dinner. We weren't the only ones who saw their tv debut so the wait on a weeknight was more than an hour for a table for two. Once we finally got seated, our orders were immediately put in and it was definitely worth the wait. Ever since then, we go back to this place every time we have an italian craving. We're both from the East Coast and we missed the North End/ Little Italy Restaurants. Whenever we go back, we're excited to try their appetizers, specials, wine of the day. The menu never fails us. Their mariana sauce is heavenly. The staff is always great. The restaurant definitely lives up to its name in decoration.

    (5)
  • Saisai M.

    Perfectly "bizzare" atmosphere. Slightly overpriced, but worth it for the loony atmosphere. Decorated with hanging bicycles, upside-down tables, and anything else they could find. Lively staff. Great place for a weekend birthday (they'll sing to you in all sorts of deranged, creative ways). I HIGHLY recommend the butter and truffle-oil fettuccini. Not sure what the actual name is but that's basically all it is and it is AMAZING. I went once right after they switched to the local/regional menu and it wasn't as great as before but I'm hoping that by now, they've found their stride again. PS - just don't use your cellphone at the table because they WILL stick an extra $5 charge on your menu if you do.

    (4)
  • Briana W.

    An absolutely amazing find!!! The service is great, the atmosphere is great and the food is to die for!!!! I recommend anything on their menu! Even though it is a tight squeeze in the bizzare cafe, you do not feel like you are listening in on everyone else's conversations! It is a very intimate place to take your family, friends or significant other! Don't forget to leave a note under the table!

    (5)
  • Chas P.

    Wonderful everything. I really dig everything about this place. Good food. Cell phone free. AWESOME

    (5)
  • JP L.

    This is my favorite Seattle restaurant, and has been for as many years as I can remember. With their old menu, the forest floor frenzy pasta was always my choice, but under the new "eat local" menu the lasagne is my current favorite. I love the ambience, the staff, and the Frieda Kahlo nights are a good reminder that humor shouldn't be optional. The tables are really close together which, for a larger gal like myself can be awkward, but everyone's always in a good mood at Bizarro so a little bump here and there works out. They've also been very accomodating the couple of times we've had a family dinner there (me, my partner, my mom, and my 88 year old grandma) by ensuring there was room for my grandma's walker and that she could get in and out safely even when the room was packed. They also sang Happy Birthday sweetly, and hilariously, to my mom on her 65th. Gotta love that. So, kudos to Bizzaro. I love your Prosseco by the glass, your marinara sauce, your bananas foster, your $5 cell phone fee, and your kind and funny Aussie (I think? Maybe NZ?) server who is my favorite. And I especially love that you're only about a mile and a half from my house.

    (5)
  • emmalee c.

    bizarro takes me back to my semester in italy. YUM! the food is amazing. the decor is...well...bizarro! (which i like - i think it's fun) and the staff is fun and not in your face. everything i've ever had to eat here has been wonderful. thinking about it right now is actually making me drool!

    (5)
  • Rob N.

    I really use to love this place! It was original with crazy decor and the prices USE to be reasonable.. Not any more! Food prices have been jacked up, menu shrunk, and 75% of the decor has been taken down. I believe the resturant has a new owner or something.. things sadly aren't the same any longer.. I give it a three star because of my histroy with what use to be a quaint little place and also their staff still kicks ass!

    (3)
  • Nicole B.

    Under new management this explains a lot... A long, long time ago about a half a decade or so, I discovered Bizzaro and all the yumminess that it had to offer. It was the place that I brought only the select few because of my ever growing fear of mass production... The atmosphere was delightful, the menu was simple, small and inexpensive and the food was enriched with color and tastes that soared my taste buds into an orgasmic coma. Over the course of these five years, I found myself always wanting and willing to make the small journey to Bizzaro... But somewhere between 2007 and 2008 something was off. A bad night perhaps, abnormally busy? I wish... 2008 proved that Bizzaro has lost its purpose... The atmosphere is still eye catching, with a certain level of beauty in all the clutter that clings to the walls, the staff still knowledge and always willing to make that wine recommendation that will send your dinner into a whole new world.... But the food. What the heck happened with the food? I order ravioli that seemed to have been doused, dried and re-doused in about 4 pounds of butter and that was pretty much it... The flavor, well, there wasn't any except for the think tail of grease left on my plate each time I took a bit. My husband ordered a lamb thing and it was burnt to hell through and through... The salads were nothing more than a wasted side dish, with watery greens and thickness of oil that Bizzaro now calls dressing. The staff completely ignored us and actually never brought us our check; we had to ask the dude that cleared our table if we could pay? I actually don't recommend this place anymore, not even to people that I don't like... It's incredibly overpriced and the food is just not that good, there is little value to your dollar at Bizzaro now which makes me a bit sad but I shall find another place that it will take it's place, one day... I'm just really glad that I knew Bizzaro is all its awesomeness so that now I can actually compare it to the fancy Olive Garden crap that is tossed on your table and presented as being sophisticated simple food, which is just one cruel joke.

    (2)
  • Sara L.

    Always love coming here. Usually get the forest frenzy... yum! Great location, food, wine, service and atmosphere. It is a bit pricey, though. I like reading any notes/pics people put under the glass at the tables. Oh, they don't accept reservations so if its crowded you can leave your number with them and walk over to blue star for a quick drink. Bizzarro will call you when they're getting your table ready.

    (4)
  • Michael N.

    Simply the best, most innovative pasta I have had outside of Italy! Excellent, fun service. Surreal, funky, unique decor. Particularly nice on a summer day when they open the front window doors. The clams over pasta are exceptional, the elk ragu was very special, and the wine selection was excellent. I love the $5 surcharge on cellphone users! I am definitely coming back--as often as I can.

    (5)
  • Eric P.

    Great Place, Food and Decor! Service is swell too...

    (4)
  • Z Z.

    Yeah yeah yeah. I've been here a handful of times. It's consistently good. Not amazing. It's not like you're going to be humming throughout your meal. The Montepulciano was good but didn't get me buzzed. The pasta was a little bland. Predictable. You come here for the cozy, antique store atmosphere and the fact that you can find parking. The thing that really knocks my stars off, is how LAZY the chef is for not bothering to ROAST or even SAUTE the incredible amound of garlic they put on everything. Bread comes with balsamic, olive oil, and a heaping pile of RAW GARLIC. My pumpkin ravioli came in a cream sauce, topped with parsley and RAW GARLIC. Is everyone suffering from a terrible cold? Are we afraid of vampires or high cholesterol? The next morning I woke up to that terrible morning-after garlic make-out breath and shook my fist in anger. Damn you, garlic!

    (3)
  • Julian G.

    meh Meh and MEH again! I'm all for paying for the experience. I've walked out of restaurants with a solo bill of 200 bucks and smiled all the way home. This place, not so much. The portions are not large, im small 5'7 125 pounds and i left the place mildly hungry! This place could be ok for someone on a date or even a small party. Seriously, this is no place to get excited about. If you have 75 bucks to blow on 2 people, take your money else wear. If you NEED to try this place.. go for it, i warned you- the food is nothing worth calling home about.

    (2)
  • Ninja S.

    Over-rated. Bitchy hipster waitresses and overpriced slow food with small portions. If I get a $16 small plate of pasta, it had better taste accordingly. This place doesn't make the grade. Sure, the bizarro kitsch of this place is like an anti-TGI Fridays, but after you look around at the walls for a couple minutes, you're bored. Since no one is working very hard, you'll be waiting a long time for your meal. The herb bread with balsamic is nice, but nothing special either. I will not be returning. Reservations for many is accepted. Reservations for few is literally laughed off.

    (3)
  • Jen H.

    My husband and I LOVE going to Bizarro! The staff is always very friendly and the food is outrageously good! We just went again recently the night before our wedding and everyone in our party kept raving about the food and service. We took our out-of-town guests to other supposedly 'nicer' restaurants throughout the Seattle area during their stay and Bizarro was everyone's favourite! My father in law could not stop talking about how great our server was and how much he loved the food. We will be back for every special occasion, and even the not so special ones!

    (5)
  • Julia L.

    Really good food, be sure to get at least one person at your table to order one of the specials as they're usually fantastic. I had the gnocchi and they were perfectly cooked, but the tomato sauce was a little bit bland. One of my table mates had papardelle with truffle oil and Parmesan which was pretty close to heaven. I also hear the Forrest floor frenzy is the best if you like fungi. Interesting decor (and i mean interesting in a good way) and the service was very friendly. For dessert, tiramisu of course. The panna cotta was alright, but had a sauce on the top which was awful.

    (5)
  • Craig H.

    Does this place really need another glowing, "oh it's so delightfully quirky and the food's great I just love it" review. No, of course not. So here's what they're not telling you. They don't take reservations on Saturday, but they also don't have a waiting area to speak of, so what they *will* do is take your cell number (irony alert!) and send you to the bar next door and give you a buzz when your table is ready. And the bar next door? (Blue Star Pub -- they should get an "associate" review) -- they seem cool with that. Anyway, that would've been great, except I was scattered when I left the house and forgot my cell... sorry, irrelevant, moving on... So the service is great, the salad was fresh and not your standard iceberg nor over dressed, and the pasta was just on the underside of al dente but very, very tasty. Go with good company (I did -- Hi Jim & Jen!), it'll be worth your while.

    (4)
  • Tula L.

    I had never heard of this place, never seen it and only found it trying to find parking for Musashis. The only parking was right in front of Bizarro so on a whim we decided to go (lucky us!). The food was delicious, the decor was interesting and cozy and the service was super friendly. I can't wait to go back. A note: I generally favor the cheap and delicious nooks in seattle (think thai toms, musashis) and bizarro is definitely not particularly cheap (although it is decidedly nooky) but it is worth is for a date, special occasion, etc.

    (5)
  • Kristin M.

    Friendly staff dances to Justin Timberlake music after hours. Forest floor frenzy dish and olive oil dipping mixture with foccacia bread are 2 of the many dee-lish-us food items. Funky art changes into new configurations. Everytime I have dined here it has been different. Not a large dining room, but cozy. Line may be long sometimes but the Blue Star is right next door and you can have a drink there while you wait. A great place to bring out of town guests to introduce them to the multi-faceted aspects of Seattle. Good place for taking a date. Atmosphere. Atmosphere. Atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Robin A.

    Pretty average Italian food. The salad was amazing, the soup was ok, the main courses were meh.

    (3)
  • Jim F.

    A solid 3 and 1/2 stars. The service was ok and food was above average but not fantastic. I thought the entrees were a bit overpriced but I'll be back sometime to check the lunch offerings.

    (3)
  • Alexandra L.

    I love love love Bizarro. Everything they make is just absolutely delicious and the service is great. The Forest Floor Frenzy and Gnocchi are my favorite entrees, and you can't go wrong with the Tiramisu as dessert. They take reservations for parties of 6 or more, but if you have less people it can be a huge wait. So don't go terribly hungry...you will want to die.

    (5)
  • Matt M.

    Based on rave reviews from a few friends, I've tried Bizzarro on three separate occasions. I've finally been convinced to not go back. I will agree that it's a charming atmosphere but that's where the appeal ends. Their food is priced relatively high compared to a lot of Italian restaurants with mediocre quality food at best. First, let me say that I have no problem paying a high price for a great meal. Like Jak's in West Seattle - expensive and worth every penny. However, I do have a problem paying high prices for mediocre food. And my last visit to Bizzarro didn't even rise to mediocrity. My pasta was border-line crunchy (NOT al dente, but undercooked. - I've eaten and cooked enough Italian food to know the difference) and my seafood sauce was bland (not an easy accomplishment). When I ask for the pasta to be re-cooked (I'm not eating under cooked pasta at $17 a plate and $7 for a glass of wine), I got attitude. But it's not just this one bad experience. Every time I've been there I haven't been impressed with the menu selection, the food is mediocre even when prepared right, and their overpriced. In short, I go to a restaurant primarily for a great food experience. Bizzarro isn't it. If you want a similar atmosphere with much better food, try Brad's Swingside Cafe in Fremont.

    (2)
  • Jeff G.

    "It's so good I feel guilty only paying once for it." Overheard from the guy at the table next to when the waitress asked if he liked his lasagna. I used to eat here years ago and haven't been back in a long time, partly because I dread driving through wallingford on a weekend night and because I'd heard so many bad reports from friends. The Wallingford traffic still sucks, but the good news is the current menu is outstanding. They're doing a "300 mile menu" which means that everything is grown or raised within 300 miles of Seattle. That means fresh oysters, dungeness crab, Salumi meats and local cheeses. The meat appetizer comes with several delcious cured meats, a pate and marinated red peppers. The roasted beat salad has huge chunks of sweet beats tossed with bleue cheese and fennl. I had the pork gnocchi with braised pork and tiny, perfectly cooked little pillows of potattoey goodness. The Dungeness crab pasta special had the fresh sweet oceany flavor you'd expect from good local crab. The Pana Cotta is almost like a glass of delicious creme fresh. The place is still oddly funky, the women who work the floor are bad-ass cool and keep things flowing perfectly. I may have by a helicopter so I can land at Greenlake and avoid the traffic.

    (5)
  • Stef S.

    In a word... WONDERFUL! We went on a saturday, and thou we had to wait 40 min for a table (simply went to a nearby bar) it was worth the wait. Super nice staff (hey the owner turned out to be our waiter!) great atmosphere... I will often pick a warm cozy romantic atmosphere over great food somewhere sterile... AND the food was fantastic! WAY better than the overpriced Serafina I used to love... I had the duck gorgonzola ravioli... oh my. My boyfriend had the mushroom pasta special- both were the best italian food we've had in a long time. How have we missed this place for so long!? I can't wait to go back !!

    (5)
  • Jamie G.

    Amazing! I mean really amazing! Possibly life altering. My fiance and I were visiting Seattle while traveling through the Pacific Northwest and new right away that this is where we would have dinner. I'll admit, I like going to places that Guy Fieri has suggested but I would have gone here anyway. I have an obsession with hand-made pasta and this place definitely delivers. My fiance and I ordered the lasagna and the elk bolognese, planning to share so we could experience as much as possible. The lasagna was great but the real show-stopper was that elk bolognese. The pasta was perfect and the sauce was earthy with just a little kick. Every bite was an amazing experience. I think I took a little more than my share of the dish. Sorry, fiance! For dessert we shared the Chocolate Vesuvius- a molten chocolate cake soaked in espresso and drizzled with ganache. Yum! The atmosphere is totally quirky and fun. There are mismatched chandeliers and large pieces of furniture attached to the ceiling. The walls are covered in all sorts of pictures and there are reviews/notes written by patrons under the clear table covers. The bathrooms are oddly shaped yet totally intriguing. The service was great. Fiance paid so I don't know exactly how much it was but I would gather it was med-high...not high for the quality, mind you, but not exactly budget friendly. Overall, this place is a must see in Seattle. I live no where nearby, not even in the same state, but I can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Linda P.

    Took the family (7 adults) here for a graduation celebration and it was fantastic. We all ordered something different off the menu and then shared. Every dish was great, particularly the Meatballs. We had some great wine and all shared three different deserts off the menu. The Bananas Foster was soooo good. Service was great too. Its noisy there, but thats the way we like it. Decor may not be everyone's cup of tea, but we like it. Going again soon.

    (5)
  • Emily D.

    This place is a dining staple. This would be one of my favorites if not favorite Italian restaurant within the city. The menu is now rotating so there is always an air of intrigue with what you'll be served these days. The soups are fabulous and if you go soon the pork gnocchi dish is to die for! The ambiance is so ecclectic and interesting although not as changing as it once was, but I still love this place and highly recommend eating here.

    (5)
  • Kate M.

    A tucked-away Wallingford treasure. My boyfriend and I have decided that this is our favourite restaurant in Seattle. Try 'The Cow.'

    (5)
  • Kerra H.

    This place is fun. There's a lot to look at, so it's a great place for a first date -- it's impossible to run out of things to talk about. The food is pretty delicious, although they have a tendency to go a little heavy on the olive oil. The steak is DIVINE and their prices are reasonable. The only thing keeping them from a 5-star rating is that most of the times I've been there... the wait staff have been A-holes.

    (4)
  • Rylee O.

    Looking for a good place to go on a double date? With pasta dishes big enough to share, decent - and inexpensive - selection of wine, and attentive service. Bizzarro is the place to go. Just a reminder that they don't take reservations on a Saturday night.

    (4)
  • Kandice K.

    It's probably been about a year since I've been out for a big bowl of pasta. I usually stay away from Italian in an attempt to keep my ass from expanding. But a couple of nights ago, after a brutal day, I wanted a big, warm, steamy bowl of yummy pasta. And I wanted something I knew I could count on. Not some new, trendy, packed with pretty people spot. So off to Bizzarro we went. It's hard to say who had the better entree at the table, and there was a lot of plate swapping going on. But everything was fantastic. Our waitress was sharp and charming, and when we let her pick our wine for us she nailed it with a Washington State Sangiovese. I never would have picked it on my own, but it was delicious. We finished it all off with the house made tiramisu. I think tiramisu is easy to throw together, and even easier to get wrong. But this was perfect. Rich, but somehow still light, and with the flavors all in balance. I have to say, it was one of the best dinners, and best dining experiences I've had in a while. I'm dreaming of going back again soon.

    (5)
  • Linda R.

    We are always looking for tasty Italian, and Bizarro is now officially added to the list. I had linguine with clams, which included these incredible chunks of pancetta (must have been Salumi's? Should have asked). Hubby had a tasty lasagna bolognese. But the highlight was when the table across the room broke out into song. I've never heard a drinking song sung in lovely harmony in full operatic form, so that was a treat. Only downsides were slow (but pleasant) service and a so-so salad. All in all a winner.

    (5)
  • Rachel M.

    Dinner for 4 for $80. Reservations not accepted on weekends, 45 minute wait with no drinks offered. Paper napkins, rude service, mediocre food, and poor portioning. First strike: while waiting, we had a view into the kitchen and noticed that onions were being stored in plastic buckets directly on the floor- totally against code. After being seated, we sat for 10 minutes without anyone speaking to us. Our server approached the table, flipped open her pad and raised her eyebrows. She did not share any specials with us, and I was unsure if she was taking drink orders or dinner orders or both. Apparently both. We all ordered pasta dishes which come with a salad, but you can't pick the dressing- they all come with balsamic. My friend ordered a glass of wine and it was poured into a cocktail glass, not a wine glass. A garlic-y bread and oil/vinegar was brought to the table. The portion was not enough for 4 to share, especially after waiting nearly an hour to be seated. The bread was cold and dry. More bread or oil/vinegar was not offered. Salads and entrees arrived in a timely manner considering how busy the restaurant was. I had the Forest Floor Frenzy which was 80% mushrooms and 20% pasta, which means that not even halfway through my meal I just had a plate of saucy mushrooms. The mushrooms tasted as though they had not been cleaned well- the entire dish had a sandy mouthfeel and a dirty taste. My boyfriend had the Clam Linguini and said the pancetta (house-made) was excellent, but the dish was pretty average and not worth the price. Our friends had the bolognese and were not satisfied with the portion size for the price. Unfortunately, we all left unsatisfied. It seems to me that what you pay for here is the atmosphere- not the food. I had high expectations in coming here after reading about the friendly and fun service, great food, and kitschy decor. The service was brief and rude, the food was mediocre at best, and the interior, while original, is simply unorganized and dirty.

    (2)
  • Amanda D.

    My boyfriend and I went out to Bizzarro to celebrate my job promotion (yeay) so we dressed up which is something we don't do very often. We got there a little later in the evening so we didn't have to wait for a table. We sat down and were greeted by a fresh loaf of foccacia bread and oil and balsamic for dipping. It was their first night of introducing a seasonal menu so they were out of the pumpkin ravioli which was a bummer. My boyfriend got a really delicious "Forest Frenzy" pasta with cream sauce and different kinds of mushrooms and walnuts - it was amazing! I got a pesto arugula pasta which was a little sub par, but sometimes that's just how pesto is. In retrospect I should have ordered something different, if only they had that pumpkin ravioli! The atmosphere was interesting - tons of kitchy decorations and quirky memorabilia. Also small and intimate with a friendly wait staff. Overall a great pick for a special occasion.

    (4)
  • Rachel A.

    I really like this place. It has a real kitschy and fun decor. My brother got caught talking on his cell by the waitress and she and the rest of the restaurant started yelling at him and chased him out of the restaurant (awesome!). The food was amazing. My partner had the elk bolognese and it was okay but i'm not very into sweet sauces with tons of cinnamon and nutmeg; he loved it. I had the gnocchi with white truffle oil and beef cheek and it was phenomenal. Seriously, i mopped up every last drop of that sauce with the bread. Speaking of bread, my family of four went through 3 loaves of the bread... it was amazingly delicious but as they found out later, deceitfully filling. The house chianti was delish and only $28 for a carafe which is super.

    (4)
  • Lori B.

    I've been here a couple times. One time I decided to take my mom here when she came up to hang out for the evening because I wanted to expose her more to the real vibe and essence of Seattle. I think it's some of the best Italian I've ever had, and the fun things to discover on the walls and ceiling make it all the more enjoyable....things that make you go 'huh?'.....Uber-friendly staff too. Definately a spot I will continue to visit when I can. I'd even take my son here- he'd get a kick out of it. So good family spot, date spot, or group spot.

    (4)
  • Ryan G.

    We love this place all over again .... My wife and I went here on our first date long ago and few times later and herd they Had new owners .What!!!!!!!!!!!! So we did the usual, give the guy my cell # and have a drink at the blue star next door and wait for the call "your table is ready '' or have a beverage as you wait . I always get the raviolis in cream sauce ...There was a couple there on a anniversary date and the owner got up in the attic and sang a quirky little song ... sweet same old off the wall place ...maybe next time a server will breakout in song like old days ...and being a cramped space is not bad but comfortable so go and enjoy.

    (4)
  • Emily T.

    My very favorite Italian restaurant in the city, I don't care how authentic the cuisine is or if the atmosphere is unconventional, I'll take this over some posh place downtown any day. Like others, I am a huge advocate of the Forest Floor Frenzy. If you are a mushroom fan, there is no other option. I've been trying to make myself order the gnocchi, but I keep crawling back to the forest.... God. Even if everything else about this restaurant sucked, I would go anyway for the FFF. But nope, everything else at Bizzarro is sublime as well. You're in good hands. Awesome, down-to-earth staff, great wine list, delicious bread/oil, and of course the entertaining, attention-grabbing decor. One time my dining companion and I were too full for dessert, our server brought out three shots and was all "so I know you said you weren't doing dessert, but these are on me, bottoms up" and downed one with us... well, I'll definitely take that. Another time, our server comped our (delicious and refreshing!) pineapple-basil sorbetto because supposedly it "took too long getting to us" even though we hadn't thought so at all. Moral: I'll never be one of those assholes who demands free dessert, but I'll always take it, and at Bizzarro it's been a fairly frequent event. Score. Two pointers: 1. If there's a wait, just go grab a beer around the corner! Don't be impatient! They'll call you. And who doesn't appreciate a little pre-dinner buzz. 2. Update to the Gornut salad. It's an investment definitely worth your $2. Gorgonzola dressing, come ON.

    (5)
  • Katie S.

    I love any place that has a much crap hanging from the ceiling as Bizarro does. Also the waiter was like, "Are you some local famous person?" which he probably says to several random people throughout the night just to be weird/get better tips BUT I had a cruddy week and it actually stroked my poor, pathetic, mewling-in-a-corner ego. So... My friend got some weird pasta I can't remember. I DO remember that I got the pumpkin lasagna and it was so delightful that I pretty much smiled the whole time we were eating. My friend got a nasty coffee but the waiter quickly replaced it although he did NOT say SHE looked like a famous person. I would go back butcept one of my friends said the prices have got even worse and they ordered mussels and got a paltry little portion so that sucks. Just for the record: I do not look like anyone famous. Get the pumpkin lasagna if you can!

    (4)
  • Wanee S.

    Where have I been?!? It's was so yummy and the best part is now that I have found you, I will never let you go. The margarita pasta made me feel like a kid again.

    (4)
  • John E.

    Good for dates, Bizzarro is expensive but not toooooo expensive. The decor and servers are quirky...conversational grist aplenty. There are thoughtful details with almost every dish, and portions are small but not too small: "Reasonable"? You are not going to be in a coma, even with a shared dessert and a glass of Vin Santo. I love that this place has funky decor and an attitude. Sadly: unless it involves truffles, I am not much a fan of Italian food, even with ambiance and flair such as this.

    (4)
  • Jackie C.

    I love Italian food and I can stop looking for my favorite Italian restaurant in town. It's Bizarro's. I recently went with my in-laws who were intown to help us move into our new home in Wallingford. We chose to go to Bizarro's after reading the review on Yelp. (Thank you "Yelpers" for being right on with your reviews.) We loved this restaurant. After a brief wait, they were overwhelmed with the Monday night traffic, we were seated at a center table in the middle of all the action. We were promptly greeted with a friendly welcome from the waitress that was clearly working hard. I was impressed that she was so personally attentive to each and every table. In fact, she remembered at the end of the night (after several bottles of wine and lots of food) our moving story. It was a great sign of personalized service. My family all ordered different dishes consisting of various soups, salads and pasta meals. Every single one was fresh, hot and absolutely yummy. My pasta de journo with truffles was exceptional and left me longing for my return visit for more. I applauded the no cell phone use that Bizarro's has in place. It's so refreshing to go out without having to hear my neighbors loud phone conversation. Kudos! My only wish for Bizarro's...please open for lunch!

    (5)
  • Allison H.

    Scratch made everything! Although that should be enough said I will go on. I had the drunken clams the first time I went because that is what they served Guy on DDD (food network geek here!), I found them a little over seasoned and salty but they were okay otherwise. But I am still willing to give them the highest ratings because of the Gnocchi with braised elk cheeks and lemon ricotta I had this time. That dish may be the best Italian meal I have ever had. I will make time to return to this restaurant EVERY time I am in Seattle (I go about 5 times a year for business). I can't wait to try the bolognese next time I am there...and possibly I will save room for dessert. Well done Andrew and the rest of the crew at Bizzarro, well done!

    (5)
  • Jonathan B.

    If it were not for the last two times I have eaten here, I would have given 5 stars. The food was still very good, but not excellent like the dozen or so times I have visited in the past. It is a happening place, with enough noise to take a crying baby, but not enough to effect your own conversation. I chose to go here on my last birthday, and it seemed the menu had changed from what I was used to...but it was still good enough in where I will go back. The staff are all real, and never have a fake plastic smile. They do a great job and serve from the heart.

    (4)
  • Ashley H.

    I have dined here for the last ten years and still counting. The Forest Floor Frenzy Pasta dish keeps me coming back, as does the eclectic decor and friendly staff. Take a second to look around at all the bizarre things hanging from the ceilings and adorning the walls while you dine. There is a reason this bistro has a wait to get seated, its worth it!

    (5)
  • Isabella O.

    04.11.08 Updated review: Yesterday I suggested we go to Bizarro since we were close by and I wanted to try it again. It was early, so not too crowded and we were seated immediately. I was able to see the specials board clearly from my seat, and immediately homed in on the Asparagus Ravioli. We were visited quickly by a server for a drink order. We wanted some wine and asked for a suggestion. She made a few, and we decided to try the house chianti, as a house wine is often a good representative of the restaurant overall. Unfortunately, we decided to get a full carafe, as it was described nicely enough. The description was honest enough though, as we both agreed that the wine was young. Really young. I wanted to ask if there was any way we could....I don't know, get something else, but Alex decided that since he ordered it, we should keep it. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't choose it again. I was very interested in the concept of the 300 mile menu, but I was really disappointed to see that nothing on the menu looked familiar. I think it has been completely changed since I was there last. I had hoped that they would do a lot of adapting the old menu to fit into the 300 mile concept, but it doesn't seem like it. At the very least, there was no Forest Floor Frenzy, which I would have called a signature dish, and I didn't see anything resembling some of the other delicious entrees I've had in the past. At least, I had already found something I wanted amongst the specials. Our order was taken right away - He got a cup of soup, and I, a salad, as none of the appetizers really looked that appetizing to us. It seemed like it took an inordinately long time for the soup and salad to arrive, and in fact, since we had ordered our meals at the same time, I feared it might all arrive at the same time. It wasn't really that busy to warrant it taking that long. I'm sure the soup was waiting on the salad, and I'm glad my salad wasn't entirely pre-made sitting around somewhere, but it seemed like if all the salad ingredients were properly prepped, it would have been done quickly. Perhaps they were holding back the soup and salad to time us finishing with the arrival of the entrees? Finally, the soup and salad showed up. The soup, a creamy parsnip, was delicious. The salad, with apple slices, and pecans, was also great. Dinner showed up in a timely fashion, relative to when we had finished soup and salad. I tried a bite of the steak seared in balsamic that Alex ordered off the specials menu, and it was very good. He enjoyed it quite a bit. The filling and sauce for my ravioli was very tasty, but the pasta itself was either under-done, or, if house made, perhaps made a bit dry in the first place (too much flour, not enough water), but it was totally edible, even though it was noticeably "firm", due to the delicious filling and sauce. We did not order a dessert, as by this time,I was just ready to go home, as the wine was not agreeing with me. Overall, the experience was not unpleasant, and my "complaints" are fairly minor - house chianti not great, starter took a bit long to arrive, but there may be an explanation, and pasta had a bit too much "texture". All very forgivable if only it was a bit less expensive. Don't not go there, but I won't go back on my own I don't think. Perhaps if I was with someone else who wanted to go? And admittedly, I am probably tainted by the fact that I liked it so much before. Still, my rating remains at 3 stars. (Old review) Hmmmm, sounds like I am going to have to visit Bizarro soon. I have been there several times, but for no reason in particular, not for a couple of years. I always had a good time there, including good food for a reasonable price, but perhaps it has changed hands since I was there last?

    (3)
  • Lydia P.

    Och my belly!!! I believe I am drunk from todays meals... aaack! Must stop eating! That being said... dinner was downright yummy! We started with perfectly dressed salads (simple balsamic dressing) that each had a slightly spicy candied pecan that was like a little prize for eating your veggies. Yay! Leslie got the lamb shank with a red wine/fig reduction... roasted potatoes and sauteed spinach with garlic. I didn't have any, but the lamb was a generous portion, looked delicious, and fell apart at the first touch of Leslie's fork... that, and the fact that nothing remained on the plate but a bone tells me that it was pretty darned tasty. Jaz had the special: Mexican scallops on linguine with crispy pancetta and what looked like a light olive oil sauce with chili flakes. The scallops were FAT!!! And not overcooked...quite frankly, they were beautiful...plump and juicy. Obviously fresh and delicious. Jaz LOVED. I ordered the forrest floor rigatoni. I'm a sucker for a sherry cream sauce. The pasta was lovely and wasn't drowned in a heavy sauce as often happens... Pretty simple dish, but it was tasty. In theory, it's a good idea to stop eating when you're no longer hungry... but no. We HAD to go and order the panna cotta with sweet balsamic reduction. Eehhhmm... YUM! Light, tangy, with a lovely creamy finish. That and a cup of coffee. Beautiful. It was nice to see noted on the menu that the lamb, chicken and the eggs they use to make the pasta (yeah! they make their own pasta and gnocchi) is organic. We interacted with at least four different employees during our dining experience, and they were all gracious, friendly, and professional. Yup. Dinner was good.

    (5)
  • Hans G.

    This is one of those places where everything is so delightful you can't help but share with the table, and the only regret is that you can't sample everything on the menu.

    (5)
  • Ireina B.

    This has got to be one of the most fun places to dine at in Seattle. Bizarro's is hilarious with the fixtures on the ceilings. I love the forest pasta and the gnocchi. To die for.

    (5)
  • Drew S.

    Tragedy. I used to absolutely relish going to Bizzarro. I always had a good meal at a quirky little dive and all my friends enjoyed the place just as much! The last two times I've been there, the food has been really terrible. I hate saying something was terrible, but there isn't a better word. The food was bland and uninteresting. It pains me because I really loved going there, but now I'm not sure I'll ever go back :(

    (2)
  • Dave S.

    Myself, my wife, my daughter and son-in-law went to the restaurant last night and it was so-so. The service was good and the Gonut salad was tasty but that's where it ended. I had the Lasagne and while it was ok, the red sauce was way too sweet. My wife had the linguini carbonara and it tasted like something from a Chinese restaurant. My daughter's gnocci was too soft and mushy for her likes. I don't think we would go back there. The environment is eclectic and fun but it can also get a bit noisy inside as well.

    (2)
  • Skip B.

    The most fun I've ever had at dinner. There's always a wait, but they'll call your mobile if you wanna go around the corner for a beer. A must for mushroom lovers: Forrest Floor Frenzy. Just order it.

    (5)
  • jmg g.

    I almost hate to give 5stars b/c it may lead to me having to wait for a table, but who am I to deprive others of the awesomeness that is Cafe Bizarro? Yes it is Bizarro, and can be a little overwhelming visually but that's part of the charm. Cafe Bizarro is great food with sass, and is perfectly priced. Between my husband and I, we've had everything on the menu, and have never been disappointed. But my favorites, Clams w/ Linguini, made extra special with the thick pieces of pancetta, Elk Bolognese is bursting with flavor and pork. My most favorite, the Lasagna!! Homemade noodles, made with the elk Bolognese and just a hint of citrus in the sauce, I can never eat it all and it makes for a great lunch the next day. Antipasta for 2, best starter in town with the best price. Great quality of meats & cheeses, spiced pecans dipped in tasty honey, and not just any ordinary honey, this stuff is addicting. Oh and the Tiramisu!! Friendly atmosphere and a must try for anyone who likes Italian.

    (5)
  • Laura C.

    Wow. I am really confused by all the good reviews of this place. Pros: Clean, friendly, timely food arrival to table. Cons: um, the FOOD. Hello people? Dont lower your standards to give this food 4 or 5 stars! The food is tasteless. I've eaten here twice with 3 people, sampling a total of 5 meals. If you are looking for food like my mom cooks: no taste, but not raw, then this is your joint. Seriously Seattle, eat somewhere else you can do better!! Don't be taken in by the "quirky" atmosphere a restaurant should serve food that tastes good, or has taste at all, especially at their prices!

    (2)
  • William M.

    Amazing food, always get the nightly special, I have never been disappointed:)

    (5)
  • Cecilie H.

    My new favorite place in town: the coziest interior, good service from waiters with character, all the 6 dishes I tasted were excellent: Drunken clams and Beets w gorgonzola as starters, and lamb, elk, forest floor frenzy and Capellinni Rustico. Love it!

    (5)
  • J R R.

    I found myself, sitting at a corner table this Easter, enjoying a delicious plate of clam linguine, in a restaurant that reminded me of the set of Sanford and Son. What an eclectic mix of Junk. I loved it... it was bizzaro. My linguine was perfectly al dente , loaded with clams, little lardons of panchetta, bits of jalopenos, and parsley. It was so good. The wait staff was very attentive and aware of you. I finished off the meal with Bananas Fosters They brought it to my table in the corner, a big bowl of Molly Moon's vanilla Ice cream and another with the bananas and the sauce, I've never had it that way. It was really good. I'm going to have to go back and wander my way through their menu. JR

    (5)
  • Tiffany D.

    I applaud most establishments that frown on the use of cell phones within their confines. I'm usually one of those people that will look towards your table, with a frown, when I hear your phone ringtone cut through the ambiance or when your phone conversation is louder than the room noise level. That being said, I had the most unnerving ending to an otherwise enjoyable dining experience at this favorite spot. First the food. My friend and I spilt the two evening specials: NY Strip in a balsamic marinade, roasted potatoes (which were perfectly cooked, you know the kind, they pop when you bite into them!) and roasted cherry tomatoes. The other dish was pappardelle in white truffle oil and parmesan. Very good, just the right amount of the truffle oil. The pasta was a little too al dente, but not horribly so. My friend ended with the panna cotta - the taste I had was on the tart side, but I think it was because my taste buds were dulled from the wine. Friend enjoyed it tho. So, the unnerving part. With the bill paid - $89.00 (incl. tip) - we were finishing our conversation. I had placed my purse on the table, which I was leaning on. As we were talking, I felt a vibration from the purse - which was my phone. NO RINGING - I HAD TURNED THAT OFF. I looked at the phone and saw that it was a mutual friend. I handed my phone across the table and my dinner companion quietly said hello to the caller. After a brief moment, he handed the phone back to me. Now mind you - our voices were no louder than they had been throughout our meal. As I was about to say hello - the ENTIRE dining room activitiy was brought to a sudden halt as we hear the owner - via an intercom speaker- say, to the effect: "The people at Table 7 with the cellphone - you will be charged a $5.00 fee."! I have never been more shocked as I was at that moment. In what seemed like slow motion - the entire dining room looked at the owner with the hand held speaker and then to my table. Let me state again - MY PHONE NEVER RANG. OUR VOICES NEVER RAISED. He obviously saw my friend hand the phone over to me and decided to be funny. After all, it is Bizzarro. Needless to say, we ended our evening. As we were leaving, my friend handed the owner a five dollar bill, which he waved off. I think the owner got that his "attempt" at humor was not well received. I love this place. I love the food. I love that they don't do the singing server anymore (right?). I love that the only thing "Bizzaro" is the decor. If they want to ban cell phone activity of any sort (which is fine), then have the server state this as you sit down. There is too much, visually, going on to read everything and take note. Please, Please, don't humiliate your customers.

    (3)
  • Scott L.

    Saw this place on Diners, Drive Inns and Dives recently and have to say its the best Italian food in the city!! Very eclectic and e food is outstanding!

    (5)
  • ran y.

    Waitress was friendly and handled her biz. Food was tasty but a lil bland, kinda pricey and I left hungry. Considering I dropped $40+ with the tip that was not the best look, but it is what it is. Bigger portions in an Italian restaurant are a must IMO tho.

    (3)
  • Laura P.

    This is a great little spot! I love the decor and the feels of this little hole in the wall, and the staff is wonderful! The fig bruschetta is delicious and I love the putanesca here! It's a great place for a date or a party. I can't wait to go back.

    (4)
  • Jamie P.

    Ok, there are so many positive things I could say about Bizarro- about how homey the wacky decor feels, how awesome it is to be able to be totally informal with your waitstaff, how the smell outside makes me weak in the knees, but the true proof of my love for this place lies in my birthdays. Every year for the past 15 years (I'm 35 now) I have gone to Bizarro for my birthday, and every year I have ordered the same dish (chicken picatta). Every year I am blissfully happy with my meal- from the bread and garlic butter/oil to the salads w/honey mustard, to the amazing wines. One year I decided to go out on a limb and try something different (don't remember what it was) and it wasn't quite as good as my picatta. One year I lived at Mt. Hood and worked as a lift operator and I would sit in my little shack and watch the chair go by and dream, foam at the mouth even when thinking about the food at Bizarro. I love it THAT much. Go. Bring a date. Eat some pasta. Get some wine. Check out the fabulous murals in the bathrooms (both of them). Have a wonderful time. P.S. For those that don't 'get' the whole cell phone thing, it means they don't 'get' Bizarro. :-)

    (5)
  • CB C.

    First time to Bizarro, and on a crowded Friday night. While the decor and the food are certainly very good, the single most important detail of the evening was the service: Our server had such good timing.. we had plenty of time to enjoy each course without the "rushed" feeling that some places convey because they want to turn the table. We were never left to "think" about where our server was.. she had a knack for appearing at just the right time. Italian food is not hard to come by in Seattle, though Bizzarro's menu, while rather limited, offer well balanced appetizers and entrees. Proscutto Clams were first rate, although the Elk Bolognese's presentation was underwhelming. The house-made Tiramisu lacked character and definition.. stingy on the Marsala, and the ladyfingers were not discernible at all, if there were any. Overall a great experience, and a fair value for the money. I'll certainly return.

    (4)
  • jodene e.

    First Impressions: Eclectic kitschy fun decor. Super happy greeter. Fast initial service. I liked the concept of the 300 mile menu (all ingredients bought within 300 miles of Seattle.) Unfortunately the item I wanted (trout I believe) was not available. The wait person had forgotten this when introducing the menu/specials, so I had to do a choose a quick second item while ordering. On a whim, I chose the steak instead. As my two friends and I settled into wait for our food and have a dining experience, I began to realize the restaurant was very loud. I ended up leaning forward across the table for half an hour trying to keep up with the conversation with my friends (who were only 3 or so feet away.) When the food arrived it was just .... so-so. I generally look forward to the veggies that surround the entree as much as the entree, and in this case, they were quite disappointing. Like five slivers of potatoes. The steak was well ... a steak, but I wasn't swooning. By the end of dinner, we opted to have dessert elsewhere so we could actually carry on a conversation. Price/Experience ratio didn't quite match up. It was fun once, but I doubt I'll return.

    (3)
  • Rachel S.

    For a while, I focused on trying all of the restaurants in my neck of the woods in Seattle. Bizzarro Italian Cafe had been lauded over the past year by a few of my Rollergirl pals after they had a big group dinner with many of the teammates, and during one of the first cold Winter nights in the Fall, I remembered it as I craved some heavy pasta. I've been back 3 times since the first visit. I absolutely love this place. There may be others that are technicially superior or even more authentic, but the eclecticism, flavor, service, and overall experience sent it to the top of the heap. Our bill came to $68 with a 20% tip, with at least 3 glasses of wine to accompany our two entrees and one appetizer. Our menu: The House Red (Meritage) - 3 glasses Bruschetta: Fig, Gorgonzola, and Red-Wine Reduction Puttanesca Stroganoff (one of the evening's Specials) The bruschetta was the best appetizer I've ever had. Both of our entrees were preceded by a perfect House Salad. The Puttanesca was tasty enough that I wanted the leftovers for breakfast on Monday morning. And the Stroganoff has to be the perfect winter dish with the spicy italian sausage, and the delectable brown gravy. Our waiter, who I loved from the moment I saw the "Dumb Waiter" nametag, provided us with a great-tasting house red. The bruschetta was not on the menu on that first visit, but has been added when I checked in recent weeks.

    (5)
  • Madison H.

    So I was watching DD&D on the Food Network a couple of months ago and saw Bizzarro and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was within walking distance of my apartment. That night my boyfriend and I walked into Wallingford and had the most delicious pasta I have had in Seattle. There were so many amazing things on the menu that it was hard to choose. It has been awhile so I can't remeber exactly what I had but I want to get the word out because its such a great experience and I will definitely be dining there again!

    (5)
  • Marcie C.

    I had the clam linguini and it was delish! There were jalipeno peppers in there, which was cool. The sauce was really thin. Loved the house red in the half caraffe and juice glasses. The decor was super cool! We arrived right at 5pm and before long, the whole place was packed!

    (4)
  • Kelly B.

    This place rocked! I was a little skeptical at first, not having heard much about this place, and the name seemed kinda un-sexy. Holy smokes was I in for a surprise. The prices were just right. The fig brushetta was the best thing that's happened to my mouth. Ever. Come hungry....enjoy the free salad....order short ribs and loosen a button of your pants while you're at it. Enjoy.

    (5)
  • Michelle C.

    This place has really strange decor, thus the name Bizzarro I guess. we ordered the Forrest floor frenzy and a bolognese. The Forrest floor frenzy was better, nicely flavored mushrooms and their pasta is the wide ones, tastes soft and fresh. The bolognese is also pretty good except it was a bit salty. Service was average. I'll probably try somewhere else for italian first before coming back here again.

    (3)
  • S B.

    Excellent food, fun decor!

    (4)
  • Madeleine T.

    My sweetheart was struck with a sudden hankering for pasta while we were on holiday in Seattle, and I knew just the place. My dear ladyfriend had recommended Bizzarro to me several months back, so we set out determinedly and hungrily. We had to wait a little bit for seating, but not very long at all considering we had walked through the door at 9pm on a Saturday night - one of two nights when they don't take reservations. Besides, those few minutes gave us time to eyeball the eccentric decor, which is a little bit like falling down a rabbit hole - "gilt-framed everything," indeed! My sweetheart had to talk me out of petting the wee taxidermied duck-billed platypus* that was guarding the register, and that may be for the best as one shouldn't behave so in public, after all. Still, platypus! The quirky mismatched seating was a little bit uncomfortable, but I'm really particular and I could have switched out for another chair if I'd wanted to. Our server was personable without being pushy and laid back without being lazy, which was perfect and mellow. A party at another table was celebrating a birthday and the entire restaurant joined in singing, which could have been awkward or irritating but was, really, well, jolly. My sweetheart and I split the arancini as an appetizer, and they were fantastically crisped on the outside without being overly oily. For dinner, I was happy to see a reasonable amount of vegetarian-friendly entrées - I had the Gnocchi Cavolfiore, which was fresh, perfectly textured, and with just the right amount of roasted garlic. The parmesan cream sauce was very rich and maybe a little overwhelming for me, but unfortunately any cream sauce generally is, as I was born with tiny delicate lotus blossoms instead of taste buds. Other reviews mention small portion sizes, but this was quite generous - I was so sad I couldn't finish it! My omnivorous sweetheart had the Pasta Puttanesca, so while I have no idea what it was like firsthand as I am a vegetarian, secondhand scuttlebutt is that it satisfied the pasta craving quite tastily. For dessert, we split the Bananas Foster, something I had never had before: O my. We also got to read a cute little love story handwritten under the table-glass. Aw! *Ornithorhynchus anatinus has a special place in my heart.

    (5)
  • P H.

    I have had great food here and food I really didn't like. I'm not a fan of overly sweet sauces, so I think I just don't have the same palette as the chef sometimes. But the savory things have been very good, service was good, and the wine was tasty.

    (3)
  • Bernadette E.

    this place sure does live up to its name! the pics on the walls, under the glass on the tables... awesome! *side note* there was a photo of 2 boston terriers on my table... eeeeeeee!!!! PERFECT!!!! *end side note* i enjoyed the margarita with bolognese and it was fan-tas-tic! the melted cheese on top was so so tasty and if i wasn't saving room for dessert later that night i would've gobbled it up!! : ) -prices are decent as our 4-top got out of there for right around $100- -our server was excellent and even had a sense of humor -my company was the BESTEST!! thanks bizarro's... i will return soon for your sunday night e-spi-ceeee meeeat-ah-ball-ah!!

    (5)
  • Chloe B.

    First off I must say the food is exceptionaly good which I did not expect for such a festive environment. I thought I hated Manicotti until I tried it here upon the servers recomendation and it was great. Also, try ordering the cheese and meat sampler plate and don't skip dessert! YUMMY Speaking of the servers when I was here they dressed up in little what appereared to be Hansel and Gretel costumes and evey now and then they did an elaborate jig. Hansel was our server and he gave the best service I have had in this town. Do not come here for a romantic evening, come here with your friends and drink some wine. Sidenote: The place is small and the wait can be long.

    (5)
  • Sarah S.

    I liked it! The servers were friendly, but they tried to sit us right next to the restroom (when there were clearly empty tables elsewhere... big no no), but they didn't hesitate when we asked to move. The food and wine were both excellent and well priced for the quality. We had the spaghetti and meatballs and the pasta putanesca. Both were well made, the pasta was fresh and light, and the toppings were well proportioned and flavored. They both came with a small green salad. Too full to try the desserts! But they did have a great selection. I will be back.

    (4)
  • Fred E.

    Good food, I had the lasagna and the House Cabernet was good... Everyone enjoyed their food.

    (3)
  • Oscar B.

    I came here for my second time tonight. I'll cover the bad stuff first: Service was a little slow, the prices, although low for the exquisite food you get, is out of my usual price range ($15 an entree), and temperature control was primarily window based. Also, my singular food complaint: if I'm dropping $8 on bananas foster, I want some light-that-sheez-up-with-fire-right-at-my-table kind of action. Yes, it was delicious, but we all know the reason to get this kind of desert: when it's lit up, everyone in the restaurant then looks at you and says "ooh, what a cool restaurant patron, maybe if I get what he's getting everyone will look at ME and think that I'M the cool restauranteur!" Peer pressure is always in style. That being said, the food is far more spiritually lucrative than just any ol' restaurant's ho-hum, pedestrian, yawntastic food, even if it's amazing. Rather, Bizzarro is a jazz odyssey of ingredients, changing violently from season to season and never being satisfied with tradition or cultural sentiments. My favorite phrase to torture a waiter or barkeep with is "surprise me." What's great is when this gives 'em that deer-in-the-headlights look and, terrified of displeasing me, they try to interrogate with such palette platitudes as "do you want something white-saucy or red-saucy?" Bizzaro's chefs, waiters and general team behind their identity are the sort who would get wide-eyed with bloodlust at such a question. They would respond with "prepare to be surprised, then disgusted, then enlightened!" or something else cool. The design is in this same vein. They combine the kitsch and posters every restaurant hopes to manufacture (but come off as authentic), rounded out by actual italian artifacts, gallery art, and the bizarre. I've given 4's before. And then I read these old reviews and wonder, "so how come I haven't been back?" The answer is simple: there's lots of boring 4-star places, and actually lots of boring 5-star places. Bizzarro will stick on your subconscious a lot more; It is the fever-dream of Seattle. I encourage you to go to Bizzarro. And if you get a chance, try out the...uh...whatever it is dish.

    (4)
  • Philippe D.

    Hard to find at night but worthy Charming atmosphere where you feel at home Great waitresses who are helping w/o overdoing it The appetizers could be shared as they are big Italian comfort food at its best

    (4)
  • Merry T.

    Love the bizzarre dining experience here! The "cant use your phone" and "nobody is fine with water" They have the best clam linguine in town, and they have good specials of the day... They have good desserts as well. Good dining experience and will definitely come back for more.

    (5)
  • J S.

    For all reviews about food allergies or the service....just stop. Nobody said that the service would be impeccable, or your specific food requirements would be met. No, this place serves great Italian food in a small, cramped, crazy place. And I love it. I can't believe people ding Bizarro for (1) making them wait, (2) not catering to food allergies and (3) the area being "not what they expected." Dudes and dudettes, have the bolognese, or the rice ball appetizer (forget the name), and shut up. Amazing food by great people, and if you disagree...you don't deserve a bohemian place like this. Male it easier for me to get in and don't make the voyage. :)

    (4)
  • Herman C.

    Yes, the name's a bit strange for an Italian eatery but it doesn't matter. The food is delicious, as we left our plates as clean as they come out of a dishwasher. The lamb shank and the clam sauce pasta were our entrees, paired with the gornut salad. Tasty! Portions are hearty and try to leave room for dessert, we didn't. The only knock I have on Bizzarro is the wait. Expect at least a minimum of 30-45 minutes.

    (5)
  • Mrs M.

    Last night was our first, but not to be our last experience at Bizzarro. Our first impression was fabulous and we weren't even inside yet! It smelled delicious outside. When we went in we were told we had a wait, but our phone number was taken and we just went around the corner to have a drink while we waited and got our call before the drinks were done, even though we were expecting it to be an hour. Half the party went to get our table while the other half finished their drinks. I let the hostess know it was my mom's birthday, she let our waitress know before she got to our table and our waitress gave us the option of ordering our dessert before mom made it to the table. We found the decor to be fun and quirky, just as to be expected. Our server was really nice, knowledgeable about the wine they had available. My only complaint is that I shorted myself on what I ordered. I read all of the reviews about how good the Forest Floor Frenzy is, I was a little unsure about having a dish that was mainly about mushrooms. What a mistake!! Luckily everyone ordered something different so we were all able to taste each others dish. The clam linguine was good, the elk bolognase was great, BUT the Forest Floor Frenzy was amazing. Don't make the same mistake I did, it's what I should have gotten, next time i'll know better. Sure it's pricey but I don't mind spending a bit more once in awhile for good food, good wine, and a good atmosphere. If we didn't have to make an hour drive to get to it, im sure we would visit more.

    (5)
  • Rufus Figgums L.

    It had a nice atmosphere and the service was good, however, it's bizzaro to spend that much on mediocre pasta. My husband had the clams with linguini and thought it lacked flavor. I had the Sunday night meatballs and spaghetti. The meatballs were pretty good, but the pasta was overcooked and the marinara sauce was a bit too tangy. Maybe our expectations were too high, but there must be better Italian food in Seattle.

    (3)
  • Shyam H.

    If you enjoy strange experiences and can deal with a bit of cacophony (the staff singing happy birthday to the tune of one hundred cats making mating calls), this joint has decent italian food and good italian wine. The interior decor is quite, um, strange and interesting too!

    (3)
  • elsa f.

    Came here with some friends, and we all had a great time. The food and wine were great. The atmosphere was just as its namesake and cozy. And the staff was very nice despite it was close to time for them to close.

    (5)
  • Rick M.

    We went early on a saturday night and were seated immediately. We started with the arancini and they were absolutely amazing. They came out incredibly hot and the sauce went perfectly with them. The lamb was served with a knife but it was completely unnecessary as it just fell off the bone. The elk bolognese was also amazingly well done. I didn't get any of the gamey flavor others spoke of. The dessert was okay, but I'm not a fan of coffee and was surprised to find it as a key taste component in a chocolate vesuvius. Overall the meal was one of the best i've had at any italian restaurant in Seattle.

    (5)
  • Adriana C.

    I went here with my boyfriend and we had a great time. They brought out some nice warm bread that was warm and doughy in the middle, but nice and crisp on the outside, just how i like it. The bread came with a really good balsamic dipping sauce. We had house wine with our meal and it was very good. not too bad of a price for the house wine. I had ravioli with a duck egg on it. I wasn't sure what to expect with the duck egg but it made it rich and creamy. It was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend had a seasonal dish that was awesome as well. Our waiter was friendly but didn't pay too much attention to us. We are both 24 and I find that a lot of waiters don't take us seriously because they think we don't tip. They weren't mean or rude, just went to all the tables more and didn't ask how our meal was until we were half way done so if something was wrong, it was a while before they came over. Over all it was a good experience and was very tasty. I will definitely be going back there. Not too often because it is pricey. The meals are a bit smaller than some places so really just meant no left overs. We were full by the end of the meal.

    (4)
  • J Y.

    Food was good. Was asked four times in ten min "are you done". Our plates were not empty....

    (3)
  • Allison C.

    This is my idea of the perfect restaurant! Very eclectic, cozy, and interesting with fabulous wait-staff, and DELICIOUS food! I was there on a Monday night and in was surprisingly busy. My date and I had to wait for about 30 minutes, but it was well worth it. We were seated in a corner table, which was great because we could scope out all the quirky things hanging on the ceiling and walls. I ordered the autumn ravioli, which reminded me of a pumpkin pie, but doused in a savory sauce. The yummy little raviolis were surrounded by apple slices and pecans. I ate ALL of it, and followed it up with some Molly Moon's salted caramel ice cream. I would highly recommend this place as a date location, or just a fun night out with some friends. You've gotta try it!

    (5)
  • Jenn B.

    Holy cow, I love this place. I've been coming here for years and now I wouldn't be able to be without it! It's one of those few places that I will crave a dish from and will not be able to stop obsessing over it until I order it again The one dish that makes me go mad with desire is the pappardelle with truffle oil. So simple in theory, but CRAZY delicious. Just try it once, you will be hooked as well. I love the environment and you never know what's going to happen there. The staff is quick-witted and never shy to make you skip around the room or tell you a joke. Just love it! Go once and you won't be able to stay away for long.

    (5)
  • Jeff J.

    I don't get the hype. I wasn't impressed. The first girl we ran into that seated us didn't know if they had bruschetta. Huh??? An Italian restaurant that doesn't know if they have bruschetta?? Really??? We ordered it from the waitress when she came asking for drinks. All we had was water, which they refilled as soon as you took a swig. I wish I had looked at the menu first because what we got, we weren't expecting. Usually everywhere I've been bruschetta consisted of a type of Italian salsa put on top slices of bread. The stuff we got, fig on (goat?) cheese on bread. Umm okay, whatever the hell that was. The focaccia bread was tasty but a bit underdone and kind of chewy. I ordered the pompadour and I hated it, and so did my partner. My friend thought it was ok, but not high on his list. He had the Sunday night meatballs and thought the pasta and sauce were fine, but didn't like the meatballs. He said that they were softer than expected and had a weird taste. My partner had the Forrest Floor Frenzy which we all liked, and I ended up sharing her dish while mine sat to the side uneaten. My dish had great essence, and a nice kick, but lacked in actual flavor...quite bland. It wasn't till the end of our dinner before someone finally noticed I didn't eat mine, after been passed numerous times by the waitstaff. We would've have been better off at the Spaghetti Factory I feel. The service was mediocre, the food was in no way worth the prices , nor did we receive these enormous portions that everyone keeps talking about. The menu also seemed very lite, I think it could use a few dishes, esp for those that like meat. I had asked for a side of chicken, because I wanted some meat with my dinner and i was told they would have to charge the same as the chicken dish because they meat they buy is very expensive. What the hell??? WTF kinda mess is that? I guess I coulda asked for bolognese to have some meat in my meal. It wasn't busy, we were seated right away so I guess we just caught them on an off night? I will never know, because I will never return. The only reason I'm giving 2 stars is because of the Forrest Frenzy.

    (2)
  • Bill A.

    On a friend's recommendation, we went here on our one night in Seattle and I have to say it was the best decision we made. The decor is cool and funky and homey. The staff was super helpful and pleasant. But the food is the star of the show. It's standard Italian fare elevated to a whole new level of flavor. We had the Drunken Clams appetizer which is described in the menu as being served in a "life changing broth". I ordered it because I thought that was a ballsy description. Did it really change my life? Probably not but it came pretty darn close. The entrees were stellar as well made with obviously fresh and local ingredients. This is my first yelp review but I was compelled after this meal to tell people "you must check this place out"

    (5)
  • Lyca F.

    If the prices were less a little, I would give four stars. This restaurant is one of Seattle restaurants which I would like to go back to if I have enough money... I'm not that sure about the flavor of the sauce compared to a home-made sauce, but the fresh pasta, the combination of flavors in total, and the desserts make a great mix. Yes, I was on a date. I wish I could afford to go there on my own.

    (3)
  • Nina N.

    So I went here with my bestfriend and stumbled here by accident!!! perche no was closed that day and we were hungry for some food.. we drove south on stone way and thought to drop by this little restaurant!!!.. the name looked cool so we went in.. the sign said no cell phones.. we laughed and turned ours off... we got seated and right when we did.. all these people started to rush on in.. the restaurant got packed within 5 mins of us getting there!!!!!... crazy!!!!! so we go lucky.. anyhow... so I ordered some type of shrimp linguini, and traci ordered a margarita rigatoni... and I wanted hers instead.. mine was okay.. but hers tasted so good!!!!!.. the bathroom was really cool and small.. but perfect for me.. it's really ecclectic and cool.... but I wish I had her food instead of mine.. and the house bread was yummy...... do go :)

    (4)
  • B J.

    We went here for our daughters birthday, I didn't even realize it was there and its really close to our house. We were very happy with the service and the food. It was a busy night but there wasn't a wait when we got there. The food was wonderful and they all wished our daughter a happy birthday! Bottom line is we have found a new local place to support!

    (5)
  • Dustin K.

    Funky atmosphere and servers. The food is unique and yummy. Fresh homemade pasta - both meat and vegetarian dishes. Their happy hour (5-6pm) half price wine and apps. Try their tiramisu.

    (4)
  • Jennifer B.

    I have been coming to this spot for several years now and will say that it just gets better and better. Its not the place for a quiet dinner as the space is small and the tables are fairly close together. The plus side is that you can easily check out the entrees as they make their way to the tables around you. The decor is funky and the staff is friendly, but the real shining star is the food. The pasta is absolutely delicious and your waiter or waitress can always suggest the perfect wine accompaniment. If you have any room for dessert after the foccacia bread, salad and entree, I would suggest the chocolate lava cake. It has a rich espresso/chocolate flavor with a delightfully gooey inside...

    (5)
  • Amanda S.

    This has always been one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. A friend and I descovered it about 5 years ago and I continue to bring people to it all the time! It really went to the test when I decided to take my boyfriend during one of his (many) "I need italian" moments. Being from Chicago, he knows good Italian and has been consistently disappointed here in Seattle. Obviously, he loved this place and it's one of our spots now:) I always enjoy the forest floor frenzy, he likes absolutely everything.

    (5)
  • amanda m.

    My favorite place to bring out of town guests - they love it. a neighborhood hot spot!

    (5)
  • Jeffrey S.

    Just short of awesome. A cafe version of Theatro Zinzani sans the drag queen and circus performers. Good menu choices, fresh, bright flavor, and like the name, it is both humorous and friendly. Bring a date to relive & discuss the experience.

    (4)
  • WineCOW B.

    Bizzarro is now my second favorite neighborhood Italian joint in Seattle, second only to Mamma Melina Ristorante. Like MMR's the food is exceptional but space is limited, and it can fill up quick. However, what Bizzarro might be lacking in seats it more than makes up for it in personality. Hanging from all areas of the restaurant are an eclectic mix of art, antiques, crafts, and...well...junk actually. I could probably eat there ten times and never notice everything. The wine list is small but like the restaurant itself, quite good for it's size. I'm not extremely well versed on Italian wines (something I'm working to remedy), but the one Italian wine that is currently my absolute favorite happened to be up on the chalkboard as a bottle special for the evening - Le Gode 1999 Brunello. Unfortunately it was out, but they did have plenty of other nice regional and international wines to choose from. If you're in the mood for to share an exceptional meal along side a packed house of other patrons and a whole garage sale on the ceiling then Bizzarro is your place. Food and flavor, it's got it all!

    (5)
  • Ashley C.

    Yummy food and quirky decor make this a restaurant to visit. Prices, a little high for pasta, but worth it in my opinion. The desserts are so fabulous, try the Creme de la Caramella...rich, creamy, and decadent. Service can be on the slow side, but has always been friendly. Although the atmosphere is definitely interesting, and not exactly romantic, the mood lighting and food make this a great date place.

    (4)
  • David G.

    I appreciate the fact that they are trying out a 300 mile menu (most ingredients sourced within 300 mi). The baked pear appetizer special was great! However, some other dishes were a bit flat, and not very flavorful. The pasta was also slightly overcooked, which for the price was disappointing. The Panna Cotta and chocolate cake are definitely worth getting! Overall a cool place with unique decor, nice staff, and good if not stellar food.

    (4)
  • sarah p.

    Maybe I was expecting too much after reading all the posts on Yelp before going to Bizzarro last night but needless to say, I was disappointed. The restaurant was so hot and steamy the walls were wet. Out of all the food we had the pumpkin ravioli was the best, but not good enough for the price paid. The Gnocchi was drier than what I attempt to make at home. The owner(?) was standing against the wall the whole evening with his arms crossed and I felt like I was being watched for good behavior. Overall, I wouldn't come back which is a shame since I was so excited to become a usual here. I didn't think this was worth the price and the food didn't take my breath away. Anything is good if you slather that much butter on it.

    (3)
  • Barbie H.

    Awesome. Thats all I have to say - the food was great, the staff was incredibly funny (love the birthday opera singing!) and the atmosphere was definitely bizzare... we loved it!!

    (5)
  • Sarah S.

    Food was excellent! I got the gnocchi and, despite normally not being a fan of pesto, really enjoyed the sauce and how soft the dish was. Cooked perfectly! Fairly small space, but I asked and they surprisingly said they can host groups. (Just call ahead of time and make a reservation.)

    (4)
  • Vicki A.

    Bazzarro has all the qualities of a great restaurant except for one thing; customer service. We had a fabulous meal and thoroughly enjoyed its "bazarre" interior. When it came to the time to pay, the server neglected to give us our Visa back. We were quite alarmed when we discovered it the next morning as we were leaving to drive home. Since it opens at 5pm we were forced to stay late to retrieve it. When we told the server of this inconvenience, she just said, "oh". No apology, no recognition of our inconvenience, no compensation. I would have thought that a restaurant of this quality would have wanted to bend over backwards to make up for THEIR mistake. Bazarro, you are great on the food but low on customer service.

    (2)
  • Erin B.

    So funny story about this place :) My friends and I made reservations (can be up to 7) a few days in advance of my birthday, and as we show up, there is a board outside of the restaurant saying that by entering the premises, you give permission to be on the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives"!!!! It was awesome! It was like they showed up for my birthday! :) Well, the food was AMAZING, and I recommend the red house wine to everyone. While you are waiting for your food, which isn't too long, you can munch on some yummy, warm sourdough bread. All in all, this place was an amazing experience. From the very charismatic waitress, to the owner who sang me happy birthday and served us drinks, this place earned every one of the stars they got!

    (5)
  • Mandalore F.

    Nothing about this place can be even remotely considered less than absolutely perfect. I will return.

    (5)
  • Kristin S.

    I'm not gonna lie, my dish was a little bland. :( I had some pasta with mushrooms. I also didn't like the cell phone restrictions ($5 charge) it made me feel scared and like I was in school or something. Fair, fair, fair. We did have some nice wine and I enjoyed the appetizer much more than the entree, although I did not like the salad.

    (3)
  • Sean M.

    Whats not to love? The food is AMAZING. The service is AMAZING, but a little odd. The decor is AMAZING and very odd. The whole restaurant is filled with crazy items and painting that I can't even begin to describe here. You just have to check it out yourself. Trust me, if you want good Italian food with a crazy edge, come here. Its a great place to eat with friends or a loved one.

    (5)
  • Pieter A.

    Love Bizarro. Been going there for years and now that the business changed hands (i believe this is the story right?), the food is better than ever! The pumpkin ravioli is killer! Love the fact that they are making all the pasta there and that the meat is organic/free range... the banana's foster is also damn good... and really cozy this time of year.

    (4)
  • Kat H.

    All I can say is: If you are a mushroom lover, Forest Floor Frenzy is heaven on a plate. For the naysayers out there, if you don't like mushrooms, don't order it, duh! I ordered the gnocchi the other night when I was there with my boyfriend and his folks, and I must say, they are damn good gnocchi. I did find the gorgonzola sauce to be a tad bitter, which is odd, because I normally love all kinds of strong cheese--especially the blues. Maybe my tastebuds were a bit off that night. However, once my honey's mama shared a bit of her entree with me, I deeply regretted not ordering the Forest Floor Frenzy and promptly exclaimed that we were coming back for more of that main dish, and SOON! I hadn't ordered it because it had a cream sauce and I was feeling guilty about a gluttonous week of eating (don't you love it when the 'rents are in town and spoil you rotten?). Oh, what a wayward lass I was. The other folks at our table were exclaiming over the glorious ravioli special that night, which I sampled, too. I could only agree that there was not a bad dish on the table...and there were 9 of us! Prices are totally reasonable, especially considering that soup or a side salad is included with your pasta purchase. I noticed a complaint about the salads in another review, and can't disagree enough. It seemed apparant that both dressing options (balsamic vinaigrette and honey mustard) were made in-house. The balsamic was rich and clingy, and the honey mustard was mixed with real Dijon that packed a punch. I was totally stoked about that. And don't even get me started on the generously herbed dipping oil for the starter bread. We were practically licking the plate clean. Is Bizzarro the best Italian restaurant in Seattle? Probably not. (I still haven't been to Brad's Swingside Cafe, which seems to claim that title). However, when 9 people go to dinner and everyone walks out happy, well, that's a great dining experience.

    (4)
  • Kristen E.

    The Bizzarro, Blue Star one-two punch is one of the strongest moves in town. We love Bizzarro - the fun and personality of this local staple exudes throughout the decor and the food. Check out the extensive specials boards for something new and exciting. I usually go for the pasta dishes, but once had a rainbow trout that made me fall in love with fresh water fish! I read a few reviews that included questionable service, I have to say service is something we're pretty picky about and we've never had a bad run here - on the contrary the staff have been helpful, fun, and engaging all while trying to manage their very full and demanding sections. The seating is close in proximity, but somehow avoids making you feel like you're participating in the date at the next table.

    (4)
  • Denny K.

    Last night was the second time I've been to Bizzarro, and both times I've been completely impressed. The food is so SO good, and the service was laid back and attentive. I highly recommend this place!! The beet salad was delicious, and everyone loved their entree. The lasagna is made with fresh noodles, and is fantastic!!

    (5)
  • Molly R.

    This is my absolutely favorite italian restaurant! Perfect place for a date. The atmosphere is everything I love in a restaurant. . .small, intimate, soft lighting, crazy/interresting things hanging all over the wall/ceilings. I love how they make a big fuss for being on your cell phone and charge you $5! I can't stand when people talk on cell phones during dinner, it's extremely rude! So kudos for that. The food is to die for. I'm determined to try everything on the menu! You can't go wrong on what you order, you are guaranteed it's going to be good. However portions are small, so order appetizers or a salad along with dinner. They also have a huge wine list, lots to choose from. Servers are great, informative and fun. The place is kind of pricey but well worth it!

    (5)
  • Doug A.

    Had a great date night out with my wife here Sunday night. We arrived at about 530 and found a parking spot right up front luckily. The restraunt was about half full. The ambiance was very interesting and kept our eyes busy. Our server was very nice and attentive and all the wait staff had smiles on there faces and seemed happy and helpful. My wife had the Gnochi along with a half carafe of the house pinot grigio and she loved it. I had a few bites and was impressed myself. I had the Sunday night meatballs and a few bottles of italian beer. The meatballs were amazing, the sauce was good as well, but the large spaghetti type noodles (forget the actual name) were just ok. We shared a balsamic strawberry ice cream for desert that was very unique and tasty. Our bill was only about 80 dollars or so. Overall, great dinning experience. Will definately go back as I'm anxious to try the Forest Floor dish as well as the putanesca. I would definately recommend it to anyone!

    (4)
  • John H.

    I've tried several times to hit Bizarro, but it's always been jam-packed and it didn't seem worth the wait with Blue Star right around the corner. Finally got to try it on a Wednesday night around and wasn't disappoint. Excellent salads, good beer, and a might delicious pasta dish. This was like a month ago so I can't remember the specifics, but it was damn good! Service is what you'd expect - a bit quirky, but fun.

    (5)
  • Alexis P.

    One of the best restaurants in Seattle! If you haven't been there you need to go, and if you are a carnivore be sure to try the lamb shank. Awesome place!

    (5)
  • Tim O.

    One of the better I-talian restaurants in Seattle. Love the food, service is a little lax (or awfully cool for school), and the atmosphere is fun. If it had a better location or a view, I'd give it 5 stars.

    (4)
  • sarah b.

    Been going here for two years and it's one of our favorites if we're going out for more than a pub meal. The new menu has improved on their already yummy food and works to use local ingredients which is always a good thing. Their rotating ravioli is consistently yummy and you can't go wrong with the lasagna. The bananas foster is a scrumptious way to end the meal. Service is friendly and attentive.

    (4)
  • Anje V.

    If Salvador Dali invites you to dinner you go, it's just good form. No excuse can replace your seat at the table he set for you, but I guarantee you that it won't go cold. Someone else will happily sit in the spot you could have occupied and you will be sorry, not to mention hungry. Bizarro is Seattle's version of an invitation to Dali's for dinner. (Yes, I am aware Dali has long been gone.) Like that invitation to dine at Dali's, if someone tells you to dine at Bizarro, you should go. There are those who are weird because they think it makes them interesting and there are those who are weird because the status quo says so, the point is, Bizarro is a tiny place with loads of character, charm, and surrealism in the most natural of ways. Bizarro is just being itself. From the doll part and Bibi Caf chandelier to the Lewis Carroll bathrooms, Bizarro is effortlessly unique. In addition to being treated to atmosphere galore you get to eat too! I am a self proclaimed Gnocchi connoisseur. Fortunately I have connections, but mum can't always make up a batch of potato dumplings from the motherland. While I've found spots to pacify my cravings for Gnocchi around town (except Trader Joe's, their Gnocchi is rubbish) Bizarro satisfies. Since Gnocchi is on the menu at Bizarro's I ordered it right up. Silly me, I figured I would get a batch of decent Gnocchi and call it a night, but, I was happily surprised. I am going to jump around here a bit, keep up, it happens when I get excited. My friends and I, a party of five, were seated comfortably and served by a local Seattleite who sussed me out as a local within five seconds of our acquaintance. He later quizzed me on local Seattle history, which mountains are volcanic, what Belltown's name use to be, etc. He was delightfully quirky and well suited for his post at Bizarro. My party and I were served bread that was divine. We purchased another plate and disregarded the cost as it was so very worth it. (It isn't expensive mind you but not everyone charges to keep you in bread, just a note so you know what to expect.) The pre-meal salad was crisp and refreshing without competing with my main course. Score! Fast forward to the Gnocchi being placed before me. Leftovers are not part of my dining experience. I will have my food boxed up and will happily bestow it upon whoever should first request to take it off my hands. My Gnocchi at Bizarro's was relived the next morning, it was that good. Fresh dumplings in a tomato garlic sauce with crisp Pancetta. Dear God! The flavor held until the next morning and was just as good as it was the first time. I met with a sauce I loved and a flavor I savored. Bizarro has the best restaurant Gnocchi in Seattle, possibly even further reaches. There will be a wait at Bizarro. Play nice and wait your turn. The host who has his eye on everything will kindly take your cell number and phone you at the bar next door. DO NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONE IN BIZARRO! Just don't. (The bar next door is a decent layover before taking off to Daliworld. The staff will kick Big Lebowski references if a White Russian is ordered, this isn't certain but, it happened when I ordered my drink.) In short, Bizarro is a gem of a restaurant. Ignore the other patrons as you are not there for them you are there for the rocket ship cuisine and the very memorable establishment. Focus on your company, the dcor, and your attentive and your genuinely eccentric server. "Bizarro, or else!"

    (5)
  • Melanie L.

    Keep in mind, this place is SMALL but so worth it! We ended up going here for my birthday and it was fantastic. The brought in a bottle of wine (corking fee is $14 but the waiter waved the fee when I gave him a taste.. ) I didn't hear any complaints from friends about their food... The ambiance is really unique with decor that looks like it came out of someone's garage hanging from the ceiling.. I tried the lamb shank since it came so highly recommeded... it was definitely tasty.. I want to try the Forest Frenzy next time since it has such a good rep... I would go here either early or late since it fills up fast... Keep in mind you can't use your cell phone in their, they really do charge you a fee if they catch you using it.

    (5)
  • Francisco A.

    The ultimate rating any restaurant can have would be "the place I'd go back to Seattle for whenever we decide to leave this city." This is definitely the place. I've been here countless times and have to admit that virtually every entree I have had has been nothing less than amazing. Their soups are their only weak spot but everything else on the menu, particularly their daily specials, is to die for.

    (5)
  • Annika M.

    Don't let the strangeness of the decor fool you, this is a place for good eating. Whether you like the carnival atmosphere or not (I do), you'll get lively food prepared by an attentive chef. Good stuff!

    (4)
  • Randi M.

    It's OK to be quirky-different in Seattle. Bizzarro is aptly named, as the atmosphere is quirkyly Bizarre. :) bicycle hanging from ceiling, quirky signs and stuffed things about --you can't read the specials of the day on the poorly placed chalkboard -- different, but not "good". You would get bored with the "different" decor by the 3rd visit. Many people will rave about anything that is different, because they are so bored with the same old, same old. That should not be confused with it being great. Bizarro's food offerings are different -- but after more than one visit to this cafe, I can say that their offerings are inconsistently prepared, inconsistently served, and just "OK." The famous "Forest Floor Frenzy" was the best offering -- good enough -- and different, but not fantastic, to die for good. Same with the service, the first time. OK, but not even "good." We were actually pretty offended by the exceedingly poor service on our second visit to the cafe. They take "i'm doing you a favor by waiting on you" to a new level. After being seated, it tood 20 minutes to be acknowledged by a wait staffer, and you could not imagine how bored, inattentive and just really boring our server was. Never checked with us, never cared to ask us if we wanted another beverage or anything else, kept us waiting another 20 minutes after asking for the bill. We will never be back, not that anyone from the Bizarro wait staff cares about that fact. It's almost like they are hoping people don't come back so that they don't have to wait on them. Nobody should have to pay for being treated like that. This is a "dating and dumping" place, as there are things to observe and talk about, but it will never turn into a romance with this restaurant!

    (2)
  • Mary M.

    So I've been wanting to try this place after I saw it on the Food Network. Place was full when we arrived. They only had a 10 top available and offered it even though we were just 2 but we decided to wait. So they gave us a free glass of wine while we waited. I'm not a wine drinker so he offered me beer. Not a beer drinker either. We were sat in about 5 minutes. It started with this wonderful bread that had a garlicky taste with this balsamic oil dip. Really tasty. I ordered the putanesca and my friend had a cesar salad. The pasta was fresh and cooked just right with the perfect tangy sauce with a slight kick to it. My friend got a entire green leaf for his cesaer salad where he had to eat with a knife and fork. He enjoyed it and the experience of eating a salad with a knife. I couldn't finish my pasta so I took it togo. The server took my plate to the back and packaged it in like 15 seconds. No joke. I was shocked at how quick it was. We had some Molly Moons ice cream for dessert. Yumm.... So I had a great meal and yes I was "fine with just water". I'm not a wine, beer or soda drinker. I would of loved some sort of mixed cocktail but they only serve wine, beer, soda or aranciata/limonata here. Will be back to try the pasta with the clams!

    (4)
  • Kim S.

    Fun atmosphere, great service and delicious food!

    (5)
  • ryan j.

    An eclectic Italian restaurant a little hidden in Wallingford. You'll know you're at the right place if you see dinosaur heads above the entry door. Good food, good service. Expect a wait on the weekends. I'd give it five stars if I could afford to eat here more often.

    (4)
  • Mark M.

    Some of the best Italian in Seattle! The restaurant itself completely lives up to its name. The atmosphere is charming, funky and yet warm. Perhaps more importantly, the food is amazing. You will, no doubt, ask for seconds on the bread. Likely be enticed by the daily specials and totally pleased with the wine list. This is a fun, romantic alternative to the typical, a true hidden gem.

    (5)
  • candice c.

    great atmosphere! Pretty great food! a truly Seattle experience of Italian food. Love this little place. I always bring out of town guest here.

    (3)
  • Trip C.

    Throw a little funk at your Italian! After hearing the raves about Bizzarro through the grapevine (after living in the neighborhood and not trying it for the longest time), we headed there with family in anticipation of great Italian food with a little funk thrown in. Since we knew to expect an alternative type of dining experience, we went in with open minds. The food was absolutely phenomenal ~ you really can't go wrong with any of the entrees on the menu. The wine list was not extensive, but quite adequate. The servers, since we were forewarned, were expectedly quirky but quite knowledgeable and affable. The only real downside to the experience was that the music was turned up at a pretty high volume and our table of four couldn't readily converse without leaning over our entrees and talking loudly. Go for the overall experience, but come back for the food!

    (4)
  • Edward M.

    I was really looking forward to trying this place since I heard about it on the foodnetwork. I just moved to Seattle from D.C. A few months ago and was looking for an amazing pasta place like I use to go to every week. One with a lot of character(not the usual chain). One of those places that are usually hard to get into, but always payoff with great food and prices. Checked out the menu, and thought it was a bit pricey for a "hole in the wallish" type of establisent. I read it a couple times, and realized the pasta was handmade which comforted my wallet a bit. When I finally made it out there we hade to wait 30 min, which was ok since they said we could have a drink around the corner and they would call us. They called in about 25 min and were seated in the back. One would say it was the worst table ever, haha except for the sign in front of us that said it was "the best table ever". But after a few min I realized it was actually really cozy, pretty private, and a great spot for people watching and analyzing the eccentric decor. The food was full of flavor. The portion size wasn't huge like I've seen before, but really dense so I didn't have to eat a lot to get full. Service was good even though the restaurant was packed. This is one of the best restaurants i've been to in Seattle. I would come back as many times as my gut could handle it. I'll deginately take the next visitor I have here not only for the food but for the random but entertaining atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Jamie F.

    You get exactly what you pay for and more with Bizarro. Really wonderful, delicious Italian food that isn't just marinara and cheese like some places. I had the Caulifiore. It was roasted garlic and cauliflower in a parmesan/lemon cream sauce with gnocchi. Amazzzing. They also serve you the crispiest on the outside sofest on the inside/saltiest herbed foccacia bread with balsamic and olive oil to start. It's my favorite Italian place in Seattle so far. In addition, the atmosphere is great. It's not at all pretentious , and it's very warm and cozy with deep red walls and great service.

    (5)
  • Brooke S.

    anyone who says this is the best italian food they have ever had, hasnt had any authentic italian food. this place is really good, but not "blow your mind outstanding". first off, the decor freaks me out a bit. its pretty loud and busy. we went here for fathers day and let me tell you, their bread is amazing! we got the french onion soup, that was excelent. my dad ordered the clams, which i thought tasted horrible, but then again, i hate clams. he thought it was good. i must say their meatballs are really fantastic, the marinara is good but i dont think its as fabulous as everyone says. we decided to go again a few days later and my dad had the elk. it was far too gamey for my taste. i ordered the forest floor frenzy, which was yummy until about the fifth bite. be prepared for a sweet, heavy meal. i would recommend having wine with this dish, as it's so rich! we ordered the bananas foster which was nice. all in all, its a good, quirky place to go if youre in the neighborhood.

    (4)
  • Ann M.

    cute and decent...i'm no italian food expert though

    (3)
  • Nicole S.

    I went there the other day with two other people, and everything we ordered was delicious. I had a pasta dish with prawns in a buttery roasted pepper sauce, my boyfriend had cauliflower gnocci, and my mother had the forest floor frenzy. Each once was wonderful in its own way. The spicy sweet salty sauce on my prawns complimented them nicely. The mushrooms in the forest floor frenzy had been marinated in a sweet, woody wine that gave them a rich, complex flavor. The cauliflower gnocci was accented by roasted garlic, which kept the cauliflower from being overwhelming--and the gnocci texture was perfect. The only criticisms I have is that the focaccia they serve as a warm up is a little salty, and that the chocolate versuvius had a tad too much espresso flavoring. Everything else was right on the mark. Its amazing that this little place has been going so strong for so many years. I can see why.

    (4)
  • Teia D.

    I went there for the very first time for my birthday and had a wonderful experience. This is the first time I have ever written a review, but felt the need to tell people how wonderful this restaurant is. The service was delightful, the music was straight from my playlist at home and the food was good ol' fashioned comfort food. With all such wonderful combinations it made my dinner memorable. I left extremely happy and it was the highlight of my birthday. The server with super short blonde hair is absolutely precious.

    (5)
  • anna e.

    love everything about this place!!! the decor is random and inspiring, the food is beautiful, and the service is personal and friendly. great place for a date, you will never run out of things to talk about if you just glance around. the wait is usually about an hour on any given night, so walk around to one of the many surrounding bars and grab a drink and then they will call you when your table is ready. cheers!

    (5)
  • benjamin t.

    we had an outstanding experience here and would definitely return!

    (5)
  • Akiva S.

    Good Lord, this place makes me dizzy with glee. The food, the music, the waitstaff, the clientele; all just sort of spin around my head at breakneck speed. It's tight, it's claustrophobic, it's sometimes difficult to tell where the walls end and the ceiling begins but you'll have a plate of fantastic food right in front of you to focus on. Couple that with a glass of wine and you'll have yourself a love story that would make Nabokov blush. My favorite place to be on a warm summer evening when they have the shutters open and the sun is just going down.

    (5)
  • Pamela L.

    The decor is reason enough to make a visit here. Check out the totally warped "family" photo of the waitstaff. And the crazy prisoner looking bald man painting. The food is another good reason to go. On my last visit here we were celebrating my friends birthday and we all tried something differant. I had my favorite Italian dish gnocchi with puttanesca sauce-fantastic, the gnocchis were fresh made and the sauce was perfect, spicy and delicious! My friend had yummy chicken with potatos and her son had the linguini with clams, birthday girl had linguini puttanesca with chicken, all were delicious. For dessert we all tried something differant I had a panna cotta, it was good but would have been better with a fruit sauce, it had a carmely type sauce. My friend had a chocolate molten like cake, sooo good and other friend had some yummy banana thing and they even put a birthday candle in it, sweet. Bizarro is always busy so enjoy a glass of wine while you wait, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere fun and loud. A great place for a birthday dinner or a date.

    (4)
  • Michelle C.

    Super tasty! Super fun! A great place to go to for an impromptu night out with friends or with a date!

    (4)
  • Joyce C.

    Best experience during my trip to Seattle. Very unique decorations and atmosphere. I like that it's not exactly in the downtown area. The food was delicious and the service is wonderful. Reasonable pricing... way better than Waterfront Seafood Grill which costed 4x as much. I'll definitely go again when I'm in Seattle.

    (5)
  • J T.

    This is our go to "celebration" restaurant as it's just a few blocks from our house. The atmosphere, decor, staff, wine list, menu are all as good as it gets. I didn't give it 5 stars because it can be a bit inconsistent. Since we "celebrate" often, I've had some of the same dishes several times. Sometimes the pasta is perfectly cooked and sometimes not. Sometimes the dishes are sublimely seasoned and sometimes not. You can shell out a lot of money with meals for 2, a bottle of wine and dessert so it's a bit disappointing when your food is a crap shoot. It's either heavenly or so-so... I know recipes can be complicated but we dine out a lot and most of our regular places, our favorites, seem to be a lot more consistent than Bizzaro's. Anyhow, I still love the menu and the restaurant in general and everyone should try it at least once. Also, I've never had a bad experience with the wait staff. One of the best in Seattle. Friendly, warm and welcoming. Every restaurant should have a staff this good.

    (4)
  • Adam d.

    Went to this place after a day of looking at houses with my sweetie, and it was just what I was after. Quirky decor (someone had fun), good music, prompt service, excellent bread, and most importantly really good food. I've had issues with spicy food, being a whiteboy from dairy country (I wish Wisconsin had taken up the mississippi guy who proposed their license plate slogan should be "Wisconsin: Smell Our Dairy Air", but then they wouldn't be Wisconsin, they'd be Seattle. But I digress), but I decided to try their Gnocchi Amatriciana. I'm a sucker for a good gnocchi (gnoccho?), ever since I made them from a Moosewood cookbook when I was 14. Yum. Yum. Yummmmmm. Not melting, but yum nonetheless. The sauce was just spicy enough. Reasonable prices, though perhaps a little higher than I'd expect for a neighborhoody place like this (on 46th, rather than the main 45th strip), but I thought it was worth it. Come winter time, it'll be all about their bolognese sauce, which I hope will live up to the gnocchi.

    (4)
  • Wayne E.

    Located in the always hip Wallingford district, this tucked away secret is a fantastic find for moderately priced, but ever so delicious, Italian! The food is only half the fun, as the staff do their best to entertain and inform throughout the dining experience. Often they have live music, which is usually top-notch. The decor is a bit overwhelming, but somehow works to make the whole experience just that much better. This restaurant delivers something for everyone, whether you just want a fantastic meal, need to blow of some steam, want to transport yourself to a romantic Italian getaway, or want to escape the ordinary and join in the "bizarre"...this is a great place to remember life is for living!

    (5)
  • Rebecca K.

    While it might look like a random hole in the wall to the unsuspecting visitor, Bizarro is a must-dine spot. The hubs and I love celebrating life's little events here (promotions, job quittings, initial wedding discussions), and the atmosphere is so, well, bizarre! Good times always, and we love introducing it to our friends. Heck, I even love going to the bathroom there just to check out the latest decor. The house wine always hits the spot, the lasagna changes daily, and the menu standbys are mmm-mmm-mmmmm. Please go.

    (5)
  • Emma A.

    First time here and loved it! Fun quirky, cosy place to eat amazing pasta! Atmosphere was great, staff were friendly, attentive, funny and helpful. The menu is a nice size with some amusing names, it is not overwhelming and they have specials up on the board. I read some previous reviews that the tables are close together and the cell phone policy sucks but it's a small intimate restaurant people!, if you want lots of space go sit in a field! As for the cell phone policy......It's a nice idea, many places ask that you don't disturb other dinners and refrain from using your phone, plus it stops all the stupid couples ignoring each other while playing on their damn phones throughout the entire meal. They are not saying do not remove your phone or check it, they are asking that you are not THAT couple who never speak because they are glued to their phones or taking endless photos. Enjoy company and food for once! Bottom line, If you want a cool place to eat where you can enjoy some great food, wine, company and 'proper' olive oil to dip your bread into, then try Bizzarro. For all you cell phone junkies with space issues, stay home!

    (5)
  • Sandy N.

    Everyone in our party had something different, and we were all delighted with our food. I had the eggplant appetizer and Caprese salad, and that was more than enough food. The eggplant had a crispy crust, much better than the soggy eggplant I've been served at other restaurants. My husband said his "Forest Floor Frenzy" was one of the best mushroom sauced pastas he'd ever had, and our son raved over the clam linguini. We'll definitely go back!

    (5)
  • Kim B.

    This place had gnats flying around the table, we had to cancel our order and leave, and they did not even offer to pay for our drinks for the inconvenience, STAY AWAY!

    (1)
  • Savannah Y.

    By far the best Italian meal I have ever had! Visiting from Nashville, TN, me and my boyfriend were recommended Bizorras by not one, not two, but THREE PEOPLE. The look and atmosphere blew my mind. Eclectic, fun, and cozy all in one. Perfect for a date-night or to bring the family visiting in town. Super well priced for the amount of food you receive. We started with the bruschetta bread (served with olive oil and red wine vinegarette) -- AMAZING. I chose the special recommended to us...a meatball and pasta baked dish and my boyfriend tried the margarita pasta and not only was it so good but they give you so much food we each got a to go box to take home. For desert we chose the Strawberry Baslamic flavored ice cream that they carry from a local ice cream shop near by (Molly Moons) and I've got to say it was the best flavor of icecream I have had since I can't remember. I never wanted it to end. The service was immaculate, everyone was so nice, our water glasses were never half empty and it didn't hurt we received the table closest to their big open window accompanied by beautiful hanging floral arrangements draping the outside windowsill to keep us cozy (we saw the sunset as we ate our meal). Add some wine to our meal and you could say this meal absolutely exceeded our expectations.

    (5)
  • Jack L.

    I was intrigued by this restaurant as they are one of the few Italian restaurants that I was able to locate gluten free pasta. Though I am not the one who is gluten intolerant in the relationship, one thing that has always been an issue is finding good restaurants to go to together that wouldn't make her sick. With that being said, we had to try this out as I'm sure once you're gluten free, you miss your comfort foods like pizza and pasta. Food: Pasta is fantastic. You could not taste that the noodles were gluten free as we were told that they were made in house. The sauces were rich and the portions were just the right amount where you felt overstuffed after gorging on way too much pasta. The Forest Frenzy will always be one of our favorites though I would strongly recommend asking or looking over what they're seasonal specials are. Atmosphere: Not what I expected at first, but it has a lot of character. Reservations ahead of time is always recommended as the space isn't quite your average Olive Garden. Favorite Italian food in Seattle!

    (5)
  • Kayla B.

    I've lived in Wallingford for years and I've been wanting to check this restaurant out. I was not disappointed. I had delicious pasta and fabulous wine. Service was great and I am definitely going back.

    (5)
  • Ray E.

    I've been here four times and each time has been delicious. It has a very quirky ambience and I guess that's why it's called Bizzaro. I don't know too much about Italian food but what they serve here seems pretty legit and it's a great place for a date. Make sure you go to the bathroom and look at all the weird photos. I think my favorite so far is the forest floor pasta. The spaghetti and meat balls is very good too.

    (4)
  • Jonathan Y.

    One of our favorite Italian places. Cramped quarters, bizarre things on the wall, eclectically Italian Seattle. The carbonara is amazing. A bit salty to be honest, just a tad. Has a lot of proscuitto and snap peas (!). The forest floor pasta with walnuts and mushrooms was a bit bland for my liking, actually needed more salt this time, but my mom loved it and was raving about it. I might have just had a bad batch. The fried pork on noodles (forget the name) is tasty too. My wife always gets the baked ziti/margarita. Very good tomato sauce, nice portions. If they ever have the spicy ministrone soup - get it! It's the best broth I've ever had. The mozzarella tomoato poppers aren't great..kind of a weird appetizer that's sorta like baked moz sticks, but with a steamy tomato. Not my thing.

    (4)
  • James K.

    I only write reviews when I leave a place feeling like shit. And this place definitely delivered. The bruschetta was the best part of the entire meal, which isnt saying much. The salad, which we received about 25 minutes after the appetizer was limp. I had the clam linguine, wife had the snap pea. The clam linguine tasted like something that came out of a box, then you add clams bought from the local supernarket. Pasta itself was undercooked and way too much salt in it. Snap pea pasta was also very salty and congealed in about 37 seconds. Wife ate maybe 3 bites and said f this. Also the wait staff doesn't like to say bye when you leave or check to see if the food is okay. (They prob know their food is freaking shitty) Not that it mattered at that point anyways. All in all, Olive garden has better pasta than this shit hole.

    (1)
  • Linh N.

    I reallllly wanted to like this place. I thought the decor was cute. I use to work at the Ye Olde Curiosity shop so the decor in here reminded me of it. I love and hate that cellphone policy because when our server came by to drop off the house salad. He told us to put our phones away, his tone of voice was very rude and not nice. I understand you guys have a little rule but we were actually yelping the restaurant reviews and looking at pictures of the food. My friend found a fruit fly in her wine and when we told the same server about it, he was also rude. I had to repeat that she had a fly in her glass 4 times before he walked away. Do you expect her to still drink it with a damn fly in her cup?! I was turned off by this place at that point but we had already put in our ordered. We got the risotto balls, clam linguine, the pork, the lamb, and lasagna. I enjoyed the risotto balls the most. Did not like anything else that we ordered. Food was sub par at best. The dishes were either too salty or too flavorless. I've definitely paid less for better food and better service at other establishments.. Don't think we'll be going back.

    (1)
  • David P.

    Delicious! Loved the atmosphere and had a wonderful time without spending a whole ton of money. I highly recommend the macaroni (served as a slice of cake) which was simply delicious and had just a little kick to it. Definitely will be going back again.

    (5)
  • Kathleen C.

    No problem getting a table for dinner on a weekday. The place has a LOT going on on the walls/hanging from the ceilings. My friend called that a nice way of me saying there's a lot of shhhh here. The server was friendly/nice. Food: Claim Linguini is one of my go-tos mainly because I love clams. The clams were decently sized and there was a lot of it! To my surprise, it was not a creamy sauce though. It's a buttery broth. Ok, although it's all buttery, its still much lighter than a creamy sauce. I ate the whole thing, no problemo, whereas other pasta dishes can be pretty hefty. My friend got the Elk Bolognese. I was skeptical at first because I dont know about eating no elk. However, it's all ground up in the sauce anyway, so you can't really tell. It was good! I don't get Bolognese sauce often, but after this place and the yummy one from Il Corvo Pasta, I think I need to order this more often! Prices: The pastas were in upper teens. Hmmm...I think it's fine. There were a couple other things I'd wanna try, so would come back for more when I'm feeling up for the carbs!

    (4)
  • Ruth I.

    I want to come back! I'm glad I found this place because it was yummy! From the entrance to the bathrooms, the decor was oddly interesting like the upside down dining table hanging from the ceiling. Some are creepy and some are just too cute. The girls bathroom though, had paintings of dolls that stare and judge you when you're doing your business. Not to mention the weird radio playing "700 Hobo Names" in the background LOL I ordered their Elk Bolognese and I loved everything about it. From the flavor to the wide noodles (which I prefer), every bite was always satisfying. I wish I lived locally to try their other dishes but I know I'll come back! Also, I wasn't phased by their "cellphone surcharge" on their white board The food and company was good so it wasn't like I was on it anyways (except to Yelp and take a photo hah)

    (4)
  • Phil C.

    As awesomely kitschy as this place is, it's wonderful that its food is also remarkable. I have a deeply rooted personal problem in which everything listed on an Italian restaurant menu sounds delicious. That being said, I recommend that you order anything/everything here, as I found myself enjoying all items we ordered (and there were quite a bit). Creamy tomato basil soup is a perfect way to start off the food, and is obviously improved by popping open a bottle of red. Might as well splurge for the eggplant parmigiana as well, with fresh mozzarella and perfectly fried. Bring on the entrees! Their lasagna is beastly, hearty, and sinfully great, featuring their no-joke "world famous marinara". Another great option was the Elk Bolognese, with Mama Lil's Peppers, thyme, fennel, and pork shoulder. (I can't wait to try Sunday night meatballs!) Every member of the wait staff was not only pleasant, but actually comfortable and funny. They've perfectly nailed the just-like-home vibe.

    (5)
  • Cassandra A.

    Pretty good pasta & brews. I came in on week day night. The place was packed with several birthday parties. I want to say that we had bread at our table to much on while waiting for the food. My dish of the forrest floor frenzy was okay. It came with a Caesar salad. My friend ordered the special of the night - the kale ravioli and the bite I tasted of hers was way better than my dish. Although my food was average, I would like to come back here again. The venue was pretty rocking... the decor is eccentric, if not a bit bizarre (hence the name...). The bathrooms are incredibly interesting to use too...

    (3)
  • Steph H.

    After the appetizer I stated to my boyfriend "we are so coming back here" to which he replied "I'll wait til the end of our meal to decide that one". One bite into his entree he said with mouth full "we are SO coming back here". We happened upon this lovely place 15 minutes before they opened and decided to wait. What a good thing we did! The service was absolutely on point and everything we ate was delicious. The one thing I would do differently- maybe order the bruschetta for dessert. It was delicious but a little too intense and sweet for an app.

    (5)
  • Casey H.

    Came here Saturday night around 8 pm - the restaurant was full so we put our names on the list and were told about a 45 minute wait. Since they don't take reservations on weekends most people head over to Blue Star for a drink until called. The table was immediately ready for us once we sat down and after drink orders were taken the waitress brought two types of bread with oil. Both were fresh and delicious! The clam appetizer comes in a red sauce which I had never tried before but absolutely loved. Our entrees came out shortly after we finished the apps/bread and everything was amazing. The elk pasta was definitely a hit at our table and my order of lamb shank with garlic polenta was perfect. Will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • B B.

    We ordered the Risotto balls, clam linguine and forest floor frenzy. Out of 5 stars I give the Risotto balls a 3, clam linguine a 1 and forest floor frenzy a 4. The Risotto balls were ok if it wasn't for the tomato sauce the flavor would of been bland. The clam linguine was very disappointing. The broth was very bland and kind of had swampy smell to it. Just was not good. The forest floor frenzy was very good full of rich flavor. Service was great price was a little on the steep side I thought for the quality of food.

    (3)
  • Diana G.

    Hahahaha. This place. The name fits it perfectly, and it's a fun little joint, with a great food selection, but a bit salty and oily for my taste. When you first walk in, I dare you not to laugh. Seriously. Try not to. There are tables hanging upside down from the ceiling, weird lamps, huge tea cups, it is unreal, and totally Fremont/Wallingford style. Every time I've been here, someone orders the Elk, which I have found a bit salty, but still satisfying. I've had their soup, always awesome, great bread to start, some good pasta dishes, but my favorite thus far is the gnocchi. It's really good. Rich, perfect texture and flavor, and good portion size too. I would recommend this place to out of town-ers, locals, or anyone looking to have a fun eating experience. It's not always the best Italian food, but the atmosphere is certainly worth stopping in for.

    (3)
  • Jeromy G.

    If you had to describe this place in one word it would be whacky. There are tables and chairs and wheels and a bunch of random stuff all over the ceilings and walls of this place. I took a panoramic photo on my iphone but it does do this place justice. It's definitely not your average restaurant. We came without a reservation and the wait was about 45 minutes. We decided to wait it out and walk around to see the neighborhood. After coming back we finally got a table. Turns out another group was waiting just as long as we were. So probably count on a long wait for a table when coming here. You sit down and their menu is rather simplistic but the ingredients are not. You get some bread with oil and vinegar to munch on while you make your choices. We were driving so we didn't get any wine even though I really wanted some. We decided to just go straight to entrees and I got the elk bolognase and my girl got the clam pasta. Each entree comes with a soup or salad, I elected for a salad and it's your average house salad. The entrees come out and the bolognase is your average bolognase but because of the elk it gives it a gamey quality which I like. However the portion is just too small, I wanted more! My girl got the clam pasta and the clams didn't have any sand in them so that means they were cleaned well and the pasta was cooked to perfection and accompanied the seafood and sauce it came with. We also got dessert and we decided on a bananas foster but it was just bananas foster in a cup and ice cream in a cup next to it. It was good but I would have liked a bigger plate or bowl to mix the two together and have both flavors at the same time. The cups were just too small to mix them together. It is a little pricey for the amount of food you get but it tastes good and the atmosphere is pretty wild. I think you pay for the decor and the fact that they serve food here too is a plus. It's a nice novelty but I don't think I would eat here regularly if I was a local. When visiting from out of town this is a good place to come. Plus it was on DDD with Guy Fieri which is cool to visit places that were seen on TV. I like that type of stuff.

    (4)
  • Magdalena B.

    The place is fun, unique and cozzy, but the size of the restaurant is kinda small. However, the food and the price are good, not too expensive for italian restaurant. If you come here, try the bruchetta and elk bolognese !!

    (4)
  • Katherine F.

    Uhhhhnnnngggg...so good. I only seem like I'm in physical pain because the spaghetti marinara and meatballs (Sunday nights) was SO good. This was our first time here, and even thought there was a 45 minute wait for two at 6:45, we shrugged, put our names on the list, and went next door for a beer at Blue Star. Man, Bizarro does NOT disappoint. Simply fantastic comfort Italian food. I would've taken a picture, but I liked the cell phone surcharge and didn't want to have to pay it.

    (5)
  • Heather T.

    Quirky and weird little restaurant in north Seattle (near Fremont). Decor is odd yet awesome, and there's a sign that tells you there is a phone surcharge. Regardless of whether that's true or not, it's nice to interact with each other and the delicious food without smartphones. So sorry, no photos with this review! I had the lasagna - it was interesting and different and huge and delicious. My sister had the Clam Linguini, also amazing. The bread and oil/balsamic was quite tasty as well. Thanks Drive In's, Diners & Dives!

    (5)
  • Lindsey T.

    I heard of this place on DDD. It looked delish on tv but unfortunately did not deliver in person. On the positive side, there was no wait at 7pm on a Friday, and the place is quirky and has many interesting features decor-wise. The risotto balls as an app had a lot of saffron. Covering each bite with sauce helped mellow the flavor but eating without any sauce was not an option. The sauce was good though. The side salad came on a very small plate which was unfortunate because it was challenging to eat. Tossing the salad was not an option. I enjoyed the cranberries in the salad but otherwise it wasn't an amazing salad. The lentil soup was overwhelmingly spicy. There were whole peppercorns throughout the entire soup. I'd say 5 bites total were eaten. The flavor was good but biting into whole peppercorns is not good. Visually, you could see whole peppercorns in each spoonful. That's odd. Why would they dump peppercorns in the soup?? Eek. The forest floor frenzy was disappointing. There was something sweet in the pasta that overpowered every bite. I ate maybe 20% of the dish and did not get anything to go (and I normally can finish my plate). My bf ordered the elk Bolognese. He said it had nice flavor but he only ate about a quarter of the dish. We ordered the tiramisu to go because I didn't think you could mess that up. Well, I was wrong. It was dry and tasted primarily like whipped cream. Even splitting it, we only finished half of it. I didn't eat anything I would ever order again. I wanted it to be so much better but it just wasn't. The little Italian place, Salvatore's, off Roosevelt is soooo much better. I recommend that place if you want good Italian.

    (2)
  • Robert S.

    Pregnant wife just found a SNAIL in her starter salad (see pictures). We let the waitress know and her reply was "it's organic, we triple wash". She pats my wife on the shoulder in a toughen up' gesture. This was very unappetizing and we could not finish our meal. We asked for the check, boxed our pasta (which we will likely toss) and headed out. The really irritating part is that we felt rushed out as the waitresses attitude was "get over it". We never asked for any comp and were not seeking that in any way (paid in full), the response is what ended up turning us off more than the SNAIL. First time here and was really hoping to like this place. Price is fair and ambience is nice but this was just too much for us. The combination of the SNAIL and the response from the waitress made the whole experience unpleasant. Will not be returning.

    (1)
  • Eilish H.

    Great service, awesome food and wine, and really cool decor! The $5 cell phone surcharge forced us to really appreciate the experience and each other. I went with my boyfriend it was casually romantic a perfect night out!

    (4)
  • Roydyn C.

    Great atmosphere with quirky decorations. House wine is decent for good price. Two great meals leaving the two of us very stratified in our choice of restaurant.

    (5)
  • Kathy W.

    The last time I was at Bizzarro was more than 15 years ago, and I'm happy to report it hasn't changed a bit. I ordered my favorite pasta, forest floor frenzy, and it was as good as I remembered. What more can you say about an entree that has held its spot on the menu that long. My husband had the seasonal ravioli, which was also excellent. I wish I lived closer to Bizzarro.

    (5)
  • Ray And Josh M.

    Ray: Eclectic is the word that comes to mind, and indeed, dominates the mind when I think of Bizzarro Italian Café. The place is sort of tucked away just off of 46th St in Wallingford. I could have walked right by it and thought it was a 2nd hand store. It sure looks that way from the door. Inside is even more eclectic-ness. There are pictures intentionally hanging crooked, things hanging from the ceiling, like an old tandem bike among others. You could spend the entire visit just taking in the décor, and still miss something. The staff was really friendly and (being the early birds) we were seated right away. Josh and I split a half bottle of wine and ordered our dinners. I elected to go with the Elk Bolognese. I like Elk, so wanted to give it a try. After our orders were in, we were brought a really great loaf of bread to dip in oil/balsamic vinegar. That bread was awesome. The crust was chewy and the crumb was perfect. I tried not to stuff it down my face... Now, all the pasta at Bizzarro is made in house. You can tell too. The pasta that came with my beautifully and thoughtfully plated Elk (parpardelle I believe) was really, really good. A delicious and silky texture - and the Elk? The Elk was like sausage, well flavored, a little spicy and not gamey in the slightest. I am going with four solid and confident stars! Bizzarro is quite a place and, oh, be sure to check out the restrooms before you leave. I'm talking eclectic on steroids... Josh: Bizarro Italian Cafe is a brilliant secret in Wallingford. Concealed around behind the Blue Star it hides in broad daylight. With a slightly eccentric exterior, it looks slightly like a hoarder's front yard. The windows aren't large, so if you're casually walking past, you might not notice what hides within. I have walked past this place many times, often curious, but never actually finding out. As soon as you pass through the threshold you know you're in for a treat. The dining room is busy with trinkets and knick-nacks all over the place. I think my favorite was an old rusted tandem bicycle. But that's only what I happened to notice. It's the type of place you can thoroughly inspect and still miss huge details that will only become apparent after repeat visits. There are undoubtedly people on their fourth visit only just noticing the old rusted tandem bicycle hanging from the ceiling. The charm of the knick-nacks and random brick-a-brack that is Bizarro is not bound strictly to the dining room either. The restrooms are a true experience to behold. I won't go into too much detail, but if you find yourself taking this place in, definitely visit the restroom, even if only to wash up. It's worth it. And then there's the food. We were seated and brought menus, water and bread. This bread was absolutely delicious. Textured something like angel food cake with a slightly savory crust, dipped in the traditional oil and vinegar, it could have been an appetizer I might just pay for. I ordered the clam linguini and we split a half-bottle of Cannon Ball cabernet (delicious!). The pasta is made in house, and it shows. The noodles were about as perfect as pasts noodles can get. The clams were in the shell on top of the linguini noodles, and there was definitely enough to have a clam with every bite. I really loved this place. Such an unexpected surprise hidden in Wallingford, I have no problems rating a full 5 stars to Bizarro. There is no way I can possibly not go back.

    (5)
  • Anna Z.

    Ok found this on yelp, and food network... Ummmm lets start off, first impression, awesome cozy.... Excited to eat, nice decor, we ordered the risotto balls for appetizers! Nice presentation, so we were excited, then we had the Kings Pinot noir wine, nice and smooth, then our salad and soup came, were pretty content and excited for our food at this point, then we got our food... Here is what went wrong, as the few yelpers that posted "the pig" it wasn't even the dish! It was more like a pork cutlet fried on top of spagetti, then I got the clam linguine.... So soupy... No flavor.... My husband and I were so disappointed.... We really wanted to like this place but would we come back, no.... It was not what was expected... Usually I can togo my food, I couldn't even togo it, it was that bad

    (2)
  • Melissa B.

    Bizarro is such a fun spot. It is pretty quirky inside, the waitresses are super friendly and attentive, and the food is delicious. I recommend the bolognese. This is a perfect date spot, there are endless odds and ends to notice on the walls/ceiling. Great value for the price, and delicious wine, too! Try the risotto balls.

    (4)
  • Tammie W.

    The service was great but I can't say it was a great place to eat. It's a dark, dank establishment that needs a good cleaning. The tables were crammed together, the focaccia was okay, the salad was nothing more than spring greens and cranberries, the pasta was tasty but overpriced and nothing to write home about.

    (2)
  • Raymond O.

    What a great meal. Without a doubt, one of the best meals I've ever eaten. The linguine with clams is exceptional. All the pasta is fresh, as are all the ingredients. We'll be back !!!

    (5)
  • Inna B.

    I bookmarked Bizzarro in 2009 and finally ended up eating there on NYE '12-13 and on my birthday about six months later. It's now 2014, so apparently I have a really hard time getting around to trying them AND to writing about them... The main things I like: The gluten-free pasta option and that they're a nice restaurant in Wallingford. I lived in Wallingford 2009-14, so it was nice to have a good gluten-free-friendly Italian spot in the neighborhood. The thing that I don't love is that I haven't been amazed by their food. I enjoyed their pasta and other dishes and felt good after eating their food (not the case for some pasta places), but I was never amazed and for some reason kept expecting more. On my birthday visit (2013), we stopped by after a long and exhausting drive back from eastern Washington, and I thought: "This is a nice enough place... I bet they'll be fine with us ordering chef's choice." I was wrong. They did eventually bring us some food that met my pretty simple requests ("something good for me and something gluten-free and pork-free for him"), but the waitress tried pretty hard to get us to pick something specific off the menu.

    (4)
  • Eric B.

    Love love love this cute Italian place! I come here every time I'm in Seattle. The pastas are outstanding - snap pea carbonara? yes please! - and the staff is just a treat. Great wines, too, and at a price that won't break the bank! Their desserts are superb, and I love that they offer affogato. Come early, stay late, and just have a damn fine evening. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

    (5)
  • Lee H.

    Bizarro is a cute, neighborhood Italian restaurant - a great date night place as well as a good place to take your family. The food is divine! Sauces are flavorful and light - pastas are delicious . We enjoyed the gnocchi which had to be some of the best gnocchi in Seattle. We also had the puttanesca and linguini and a couple of salads and bread. Every dish was made to perfection. But the food is only half of what makes Bizarro such a fun place. The atmosphere is lively, eclectic and neighborly. The small restaurant is packed with interesting memorabilia everywhere you look. The wait staff is knowledgeable and friendly but without being intrusive. The only negative is that they don't take reservations. Although if you have the patience, the wait time seems to be half of what they often quote. Tips: Get the tiramisu for dessert Carafes of wine are tasty and affordable Great specials on various nights of the week

    (4)
  • Merrick N.

    If you like feeling like you rode on a unicorn to space and ate the most magical food then this is the place for you. Everything we ate was so fucking good. And the balsamic dressing is made into tiny balls which pop in your mouth. I died. I cried. I laughed. I came a little from food orgasm. AMAZING date location. Great service. Killer food.

    (5)
  • Mandi F.

    Decor and ambience are certainly bizarre! But the food, the FOOD, is amazing! Our party of there ordered the three seasonal dishes to share and they were all unique and outstanding!

    (5)
  • Kipling M.

    Ugh. I was going to follow that up with "Simply awful", but on further reflection there was nothing simple about it. Simply awful would be bad service, bad food, bad value. Bizzarro managed to raise the bar on how completely a restaurant could fail to deliver these core offerings. Our heavily "inked" server was both indifferent and elitist, prompting my wife to later ask me if she was perhaps playing a scripted part? She asked me (not entirely joking) "was that one of those restaurants where they treat the diners poorly as part of the atmosphere?" The customer is chided to not use cellphones via a chalkboard message that states that there is a cellphone surcharge, but further investigation reveals that it isn't a completely Luddite establishment as cell phone photos of the food (presumably to advertise their mediocre food) are allowed. In the spirit of "Simply Awful" I suppose I could simplify a few things: $9 for a dessert of scooped ice cream? No. Nearly $20 each for poorly seasoned, under portioned entrees? No. Scolding customers (again, via chalkboard) for choosing water vs, marked up booze? Seriously? No. While it wasn't Bizzarro's fault that I got snippy with my wife about whether or not to order an overpriced cappuccino, I'm going to go ahead and blame them for that as well - just because the meal was that bad. All in all, I would not recommend this restaurant to those looking for a friendly atmosphere with good, reasonably priced food. You won't find that here.

    (1)
  • Ali D.

    I will admit, I first stumbled upon Bizzarro not by accident or coincidence but because I saw it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I can't resist a restaurant that's been featured on TV (even if it was from an obnoxious show) so I couldn't wait to try it. You won't quite believe this place when you first arrive. Tables hung upside down on the ceiling, strange and random artwork, a tape playing hillbilly names in the bathroom - it is COMPLETELY bizzarro. But that's just one of the reasons why I love it. Strange, down to earth and oh-so-Seattle. If the quirky atmosphere was all Bizzarro had going for it, I would probably still go from time to time but it's definitely not. The service is personable and friendly, the wine selection abundant and not terribly overpriced, and the food is spectacular. What you will not find here at Bizzarro is truly authentic Italian food. What you can expect is fresh, homemade Pacific Northwest inspired Italian food which is just amazing in my book. All entrees are served with a small starter salad that is lightly dressed and sprinkled with dried cranberries and a plate of freshly baked foccaccia bread. The clam linquini is to die for, with a light white wine sauce, crisp pancetta bits and made completely unique with roasted jalepeno that adds a lovely smokiness. The Forest Floor Frenzy - wild mushrooms and walnuts melded with a cream sherry sauce and house made parpadelle ribbon pasta - is rich, creamy and earthy. The lasagna is robust, meaty and big enough to feed a family of four for a week. But my favorite menu item which shows up seasonally is the roasted garlic cauliflower gnocchi. Imagine an Alfredo sauce tossed with soft pillows of house-made gnocchi, only it's not Alfredo - it's a luscious sauce of cream, roasted garlic and cauliflower. It just works and it is heaven sent.

    (5)
  • Andre D.

    This is not a review of the Bizzarro Italian café parking lot. Bizzarro Italian café does not have a parking lot but parking can usually be found within a block. It's a nice neighborhood so just walk the block. There is no pay parking within a reasonable distance but who really wants to pay for parking anyway. The food is unique and delicious. I really like the Bombastico but that's only a seasonal menu item so you should make a point of going there when it's Bombastico season. The clam linguini is great too. Also, all that crazy stuff on the walls and ceiling really is there. You're not having a flash-back.

    (5)
  • Florence C.

    This is a cute little restaurant in Wallingford with eclectic decor ranging from photo stills from Lady and the Tramp to an Indian hand-pull rickshaw hanging upside-down from the ceiling. No joke. The food was excellent, with quite a few vegetarian options. I had the putanesca, which you can request without anchovies and my companions had the mushroom and elk pastas. We all loved our dishes. The entrees come with a side salad. The dessert was a little disappointing--I guess I wasn't expecting the bananas foster to be quite so liquid-y? But it came with Molly Moon's vanilla bean ice cream, which was excellent.

    (4)
  • Marc-André V.

    "Food from the heart." Cozy decor, very good and familiar (in a good way) service (the maître d suggested to go next door to have a drink while we waited for a table, and he came to get us because my cellphone wasn't working), nice choice of meals and wine. And a fair price ($90 for two, including a bottle of wine). Sadly, the entrées weren't as good as I expected. Appetizers were great (arancini and the roasted garlic soup), but the lamb and the prawn capellini were just ok. But with the great ambiance and the no-cellphone policy, we had a great night!

    (4)
  • Pepper P.

    I found this restaurant super overrated. Tiny portions of mediocre food sprinkled with pretentious touches, no cell phones and snarky comments about "nobody is fine with water". Sometimes people are. Their food is so over priced, I felt the water comment was just trying to squeeze more money out of me. Not how I want to feel when I go out for a nice dinner. :/ I got the forest floor pasta, my date got the clam linguine, both were just bland! SO disappointing! The pasta was fresh, I'll give them that, but leaving an Italian restaurant still hungry is just wrong. Bland Italian food is just wrong. Wrong wrong wrong!

    (2)
  • Nybble N.

    The one order I unknowingly ordered. Everything else is a GO!!! The Pig was very misleading. It is a japanese tonkatsu or breaded pork, topped with melted cheese with spagetti noodles and tomato sauce. I really was very very disappointed but i gave it a ok for taste. I dont like tomato spagetti sauce. The atmosphere was nice. The decorations and hanging objects above were original. The parking is non-existent. The staff was wonderful. The price was average. The dining area is small, maybe 60 - 70 patrons max. packed in, not elbow to elbow, but the next table is like a short arm length away from you. The noise level is average. Big Guys eating here have to move around slowly and do some side stepping to avoid other patrons.

    (3)
  • Amanda J.

    If I could give this experience a zero star I would. I have been here multiple times and have never had worse service. A friend showed up after we ate and had already asked for our bill, when we decided to grab some more food and another bottle of wine. Instead of appreciating the extra business they told us that they had promised their table to people who had been waiting for over an hour. Appalled, when we brought the check and asked to talk to the manager. Turns out he was the owner, who then proceeded to tell us regardless of us ordering a second bottle of wine and more food, our time there was up and we needed to leave our table, regardless of if we had asked for our tab or not. I will never return to a place that doesn't encourage its patrons to enjoy their meal and appreciate the extra business. Wait or not, you should never ask your guests to leave.

    (1)
  • Alison G.

    Arrived right as the restaurant was about to open and there was already quite a line forming. We chose to try this place for my boyfriend's birthday with a couple friends. It's a small place but packed with character! There's a bike hanging from the ceiling, various paintings, chalkboards notifying customers of daily specials & "cell phone surcharges", etc... Quite eccentric! We ordered the Sunday Meatball Special, Carbonara, Pumpkin Ravioli, & Elk Bolognese. Each came with a starter salad or you can upgrade to a caesar or soup for an extra charge. Food overall good and filling but not anything worth going back for. I enjoyed the snap peas in my carbonara because they added a crunch factor but my pasta was on the saltier side and had all stuck together by the time I was about 40% of the way through my dish because the noodles had soaked up the sauce. The meatballs were a bit mushy as well :/. Everyone else in my group found the food to be okay. I'd agree with the others who said the service has a warm and home-like feel. Our server was quite nice. I unfortunately didn't find the quality of the food in proportion to the price.

    (3)
  • George P.

    Came with a groupon type deal. We had the antipasti and the lamb. Overall, funky place, friendly service and nice food. Antipasta was a great value - and filled up my wife enough that she passed on a main dish, but kept eying our neighbors pasta. Sauce on the lamb was a bit heavy and salty, but the meat was perfect, almost dripping of the bone. The mash was flavorful and complimented the main dish quite well. My only complaint was the Brussels sprouts. I hate them no matter how they are prepared - the devil's cabbage - but my wife said they were very good. I'll have to trust her. We'll be going back and if they are as good on a second visit, they'll get all five stars. Kids want to try the Mac & Cheese cake.

    (4)
  • Jaimee M.

    This place is definitely bizarre... The bread was delicious & the gnocchi was rich and amazing! Huge portion of lasagna :) only thing we didn't like was the elk dish- it was dry and bland.

    (4)
  • Kim M.

    Preface: I normally avoid Italian restaurants because I don't particularly like cooked tomatoes... which happens to seem to be a staple in most Italian food. I ordered the prawn noodly pile of food. I forget it's real name. It was DELICIOUS, and served in the right amount. The prawns were perfectly cooked (not chewy at all)--and they were definitely generous with the amount of prawns. As someone who'll take protein over carbs any day, this thrilled me. The pasta was awesome, too, though! House-made and cooked to perfection. Kind of like the first batches of Walter White's meth. Perhaps even equally addicting. I can't wait to get back to this place to try some of their other non-tomato-based dishes. The vibe is awesome. It's kind of got this haunted vaudeville meets my high school bedroom kind of feel going on, and it felt great. The big lantern/chandelier in the center of the room totally reminded me of the lightning bug in Tim Burton's James & The Giant Peach. Service was excellent. I don't recall her name, but our server was helpful, playful, but also mindful of the fact that we were there to enjoy one another's presence, not hear server stories. She was present enough to leave an awesome impression, and absent enough to allow us to enjoy our time together. (PS. This was Monday 12/1 around 6pm - we sat across from the bathroom door. So whoever was serving in that area: GO YOU!!) If I have any complaints at all, it's this: The music, while an enjoyable selection, was a little too loud at certain points--and they could stand to acquire some new speakers for sure. (The ones they have are a bit blown out/distorted/sounded like boombox speakers from the early 90s.) I am looking forward to my next visit wholeheartedly!!

    (5)
  • S B.

    Wonderful, delicious food! Every dish we had was perfection. The marguerite pasta with the best marinara sauce ever was fabulous. The lasagna, the gnocchi and the salad was wonderful. My whole group loved the food and the eclectic decor! Truly a hidden gem.

    (5)
  • Adrianne J.

    Best Italian food that I've had in Seattle. The red sauce is the bomb! Try the eggplant parmesan starter and for an entree, the pumpkin ravioli (seasonal) is amazing! It's the perfect blend of sage, oil and butter. Yum! Fun atmosphere and friendly staff.

    (4)
  • Steve V.

    I have to say, the DDD spots raised my expectations, but we still enjoyed our visit here. In the end it really wasn't anything that different than a regular funky Italian place, but I've bumped it from 3 to 4 stars because a combination of "bonus points": +1/3 star for being a in a cool stand alone building on a side street in a new (to us) neighbourhood (we may never have come here if not for this place). +1/3 star for cool decor, it does have that +1/3 star for supporting other local businesses like Molly's ice cream My meal (the elk pasta) was really good. My fiance, however, went for the Sunday night meatballs and pasta. To me this dish was approaching spagetti factory quality, less worthy of a place like this in my mind. Go for he less common dishes, especially with the handmade pasta ones, and think you will do better here.

    (4)
  • Lydia N.

    turning the 45 minute wait into a mere 20 min. Not bad.. Amused by the way the oil and vinegar were served with the bread. But the whole restaurant is entirely amusing. They've got all sorts of strange oddities to look at. It's fun to imagine the stories behind all the objects - I think it'd be a fine place for a date. The atmosphere is queer but cozy. Clams. Were. Delicious. It seems so simple to have perfect tender little clams, but there is a mastery in it. The clam sauce was also really tasty and complex - there were clams and then there was something more. I would have asked for more bread to go with all the clam sauce but decided to save my stomach for the entrée. The server was really helpful in offering wine pairings with the entrée, bringing us some to try before we committed to a cup. I ordered the wascally wabbit - rabbit & gnocchi. The gnocchi was delightfully tender and pillow soft. Perfect. My friend ordered the elk bolognese. The noodles were fresh and cooked al dente - which is a little less cooked than the pasta. It was tasty though I couldn't taste anything special about the elk.

    (4)
  • Chris H.

    High marks for lively decor, very friendly wait staff, and unorthodox yet romantic atmosphere. My wife ordered "the forest floor", which was very flavorful and delicious. I ordered "the pig", which was mostly disappointing due to fairly bland marinara, overcooked spaghetti, and unimpressive pork. Would recommend going here and getting the former dish with a bottle of red! Also, the spicy chocolate dessert was great.

    (4)
  • Shino O.

    Food = great Service = friendly and attentive, open to customization Decor = artistic, unique, theater backstage feel Atmosphere = energetic Price = bit higher than expectation Mmm mmm good! Hand-made noodle! I didn't know until I spoke with the staff who came out from the kitchen and bid good-night-and-good-bye as we left the venue. He WAS the noodle chef. He is so nice. The most memorable dish of the night was fettuccine in white cream cheese sauce. Earthy hand-cut fettuccine has just peeeerrrfect texture with light sauce infused with sharp cheesiness. So good we ordered same dish twice. The runner up was angel hair pasta with wild mushrooms, kale, and orange zest. Every bite brought in different flavor. Some soft kale, some earthy creamy mushroom, and some surprise of refreshing orange. Mmmm!

    (4)
  • Jen S.

    I love this place! The food is delicious, the service is phenomenal, and the atmosphere had the right amount of quirk, homeyness, and romance. One of our favorite spots in town. Every dish has been delicious so you can't go wrong!

    (5)
  • Madelyn O.

    One of my favorite little places in Seattle. Such a fun dècor and I love how they change it up every few months. The Alice and Wonderland themed bathrooms are awesome. Oh and obviously the food is fabulous. Giving four stars because it's very small and gets crowded and loud easily and parking can be a total pain. But other than that, no complaints.

    (4)
  • Marja H.

    Oh how I love this place! There is a fabulous mix of eclectic charm and an intimate "mom and pop" type feel. The food, ESPECIALLY the cheesecake is to die for!

    (5)
  • Mindi A.

    Husband and I went there on one our first nights in Seattle and truly enjoyed the experience. Their decor and menu has amusing quips and their food is very tasty. I had the forest floor frenzy which is a delectable creamy and herbed dish while my husband had their sugar snap pea carbonara which he said was a unique and tasty dish. Their entrees come with a salad that can be upgraded to one of their specialty salads. I had their starter salad which had mixed greens and dried cranberries in a light balsamic dressing; the salad was simple yet flavorful. My husband upgraded to their caesar salad and claims it was one of the better caesar salads he has had. Before the food comes out, they serve warm focacia with oil and vinegar. My husband and I fought over the last piece, it was so good! Safe to say, we plan on coming back here :)

    (5)
  • Serena W.

    Finally got to try this place! It looked smaller than what I imagined it'd be but it was cute and cozy. Our wait on the Monday night wasn't bad at all. Had the risotto rice ball for appetizer- very good but wish the size was bigger or they'd serve more than 4 on a plate. For pasta: we had the Elk pasta and snow pea cabonara- both were delicious. Pasta was al dente, meat was plenty, and the snow pea slits were surprisingly crispy to the bite. Only downside was the portion- like others said- it was pretty small for the price. I'd definitely come back here to try other dishes though. Great neighborhood gem!

    (4)
  • Sean C.

    Many years ago, I lived in Wallingford, and used to eat at Bizarro's on a regular basis. years went by, I moved further North, and I forgot about it. Needing a place to eat on a weeknight in the Fremont/Wallingford area, I thought to come back. We were able to get in around 6pm without a reservation, and were seated quickly. We got the bruscetta to start, followed by pasta - Linguini with clams (which looked amazing), and a Putannesca. Man, I had forgotten how good this place was. The pasta was toothsome and the sauce was excellent. The portion sizes were appropriate - when I finished the plate, I didn't feel like I had over-eaten. The wine list was good - I can't remember which glass I ordered, but it was delicious. The service was quite attentive, and quirky, in a good way. The men's bathroom had pictures from "Awkward family photos" and is worth studying if you haven't seen them before. It made me want to go back - a perfect weeknight dinner stop.

    (4)
  • S C.

    Our family stopped here during a recent vacation, I will admit the Diners, Drive-In and Dives that featured this place raised my expectations. This place is extremely small and our party of four had to wait over an hour to be seated. You have to experience this place to take in the full atmosphere... they have all sorts of oddities and the place truly lives up to its name. The food was nothing special... your average Italian. Our server was nice and attentive. It was a fun experience... not sure if it needs repeating.

    (3)
  • Rosie R.

    From the outside, this restaurant looks like nothing special. Then walk in the door-wow! It was like a bomb went off in a decorators studio and it was beautiful. The food was to die for. I had the seasonal gnocchi and it was decadent. Even tried some wines suggested by the menu and they too were out of this world.

    (5)
  • Ele M.

    (Full disclosure: I started as a prep cook in an Italian restaurant and worked my way to Sous Chef many Italian, Greek, and Spanish places later. I've worked the gamut, from brigade kitchens to mom & pop cafes. After 20 years preparing the food, if it comes from the Mediterranean, I know my stuff.) Italian restaurants are my downfall. I LOVE the almost infinite variety of the cuisine, the dishes that are popular in one area and unknown in the next, the incalculable diversity. I love how every region has a different take on the same ingredients. Truth be told, and all my pho dining aside, I would rather eat a good pasta than anything else in this world. I've been to Bizzarro a number of times and it has steadily gone down the tubes. It certainly started out as a 5 star review and it is only because of the memory of how my food USED to taste that it now gets 2 rather than 1 stars. Memories are important, after all. The employees are always friendly, drinks are quick to arrive. In fact, other than the tiredness of the decor, the entire front of the house is a good experience. And the first times I went, the food was on par with all but the very best places I've eaten, which is pretty impressive for such an unassuming little restaurant. But that went away. And it slowly went down until we come to my last (and probably final visit): having come into a small sum of money that meant I did not have to cook for us, my partner and I decided to walk over to Bizzarro. For some odd reason, she craves meatballs and I hate making them. To her overwhelming sadness, we went on a Friday and meatballs are served on a Sunday. No balls of meat for her.... Eh, why drag this out? 4 days after our last visit to Bizzarro, I was forced to go to the Old Spaghetti Factory (I know, eww, right?) and... it was actually better. Every single bite of food. From the insipid salad with the boring dressing to the canned taste of the lasagna, every horrid bite was BETTER than Bizzarro. I was, and am, devastated. At Bizzarro I got The Lamb, a favored dish of mine at any Italian place. It was almost wholly inedible. The demi-glace was actually a brine. Polenta? It is supposed to be made with corn meal, not salt. The gremolata...also extremely salty. I can't remember what my partner got. I do remember that I whipped up a nice penne rustica when we got home. With a meatball for her. I'm sad about it, but I won't go back

    (2)
  • Stina K.

    This place has standard Italian fare. I would return in the future for the eccentric ambiance as I went with family but it would be a good date spot. The clam linguine this place is famous for was just alright. Very light and lots of clams but broth was lacking and tasted plain. Lasagna my friend loved, however it was a bit too ricotta heavy for my tastes although it had a good balance of layering in meat and pasta. Focaccia bread was great and so was the desserts as well as wine selection. Reason why this place got 3 stars instead of four is I thought the host was a bit abrasive and dismissing. However our server was very warm and accommodating. Although another reason is I believe this place is overpriced. I can get delicious freshly cooked handmade pasta at il Corvo for almost half the price of a dish here.

    (3)
  • Tom B.

    Funky, cool, welcoming, and the kitchen is right on point throughout. Especially given the prices, you just can't beat this place. Only possible drawback is the wait for a table. Foremost, they know the typical weaknesses of the average decent restaurant, and they avoid them. It's very easy to turn out a nice menu of dishes with explosive flavor if you goose the hell out of everything with butter and salt. That's what makes going out to eat such a treat, and one of the things that makes it hard to duplicate the showiness of restaurant food at home. One mark of a great place is consistently producing spectacular food all across the menu without layering everything down under butter, cream, and sodium. Bizzarro knocks their whole menu out of the park on this pitch. But before you even get there, you notice how cool the place is. It's all shoved in together with bric-a-brac everywhere; gigantic chandeliers and recycled signs and christmas trees nailed to the ceiling upside down and on and on. No tables match, no chairs match; you can leave little notes and pieces of paper under the glass tabletops if you want. The staff is clearly having fun, and they're incredibly charming and relaxed and in command at all times. They know the place cold and can handle anything. The menu is short--half a dozen apps, a couple salads, half a dozen entrees and three meat dishes in a sort of chef's choice section. There are usually a couple specials. My mom had the elk bolognese, my sis had the angel's hair bombastico something or other, and I had the papardelle with mushrooms. All of them had great texture and tons of harmonious flavor. We started with the drunken clams, which were immaculately prepared, all open, tons of flavor in the sauce and in the bivalves themselves. The focaccia was perfect for mopping up the clam sauce. The starter salads were fantastic, especially the caesar. The wine list has a bunch of nice Italian stuff, but we didn't get anything. They pour wine in little half tumblers, which makes you feel all the more like you're at a great little corner Italian place that stitches the neighborhood together. They really have it nailed here. Never get tired of this place.

    (5)
  • Harini B.

    We love love this place. It has so many options for vegetarians and I would kill for the Bizzaro bruscheta. It is layered with goat cheese and has a fig on it topped with sweet reduced red wine. Their putanesca ( without anchovies) is also awesome. The capers and herbs are grown by Bizzaro itself. All in all the best aunthentic italian restaurant.

    (5)
  • Ellie S.

    Nice place and great service! Pasta is absolutely amazing and I truly recommend the elk bolognese. Had to wait around 30 minutes for a table but I guess that is what it takes when you go to a popular place without reservation.

    (5)
  • Michael K.

    It was a nice bizarre place... Not normally a place I would go to in terms of ambiance, but service was good and the food was good. Their wine selection was just alright though.

    (4)
  • Jolene B.

    Great service. we had a time deciding. The elk was unforgettable. The dessert was also amazing. Awe had 2 apps, a bottle of wine and dinner for 4 and we spent 160.00 great deal.

    (5)
  • David G.

    You can never go wrong with forest floor frenzy. It's my favorite dish at this place.

    (4)
  • Erin M.

    I used to like this place. Now I feel like I don't really want to be part of their "show". I don't like the rule about no cell phones and that they don't think people are fine with water. Our server was brusque and bossy about keeping our forks after our salads. And, how can you keep a restaurant clean with all that crap everywhere? And even in the bathrooms? I don't know. I guess I'm over it. The food: bread/focaccia with oil and vinegar was lifeless; eggplant appetizer was tasty but weird with cold and hot components combined; carbonara was just small and only good for the first two minutes before it congealed; clam linguine was the worst sauce/broth ever (sour and thin); $9 dessert -- come on, just skip it! The busser was the only person who approached us with any semblance of serving finesse. Everyone else just seemed to busy and too preoccupied with being bizarre!

    (2)
  • Lynn K.

    Oh my goodness...I really can't understand why this place has such high ratings. It is completely misleading, and I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone under any circumstance, ever. Here's my personal experience in a nutshell. We called in on a Saturday to make a reservation to find out they don't take reservations, but that's alright. We really wanted to try it (because we read the yelp reviews, and the pictures of the menu items looked so mouth watering), so we drove there and waited 30 minutes for seating (not bad). BUT, the lady at the front was completely rude when she took down our phone number. I asked her if it's because she will call us when our seats are ready (just to make sure), and instead of being nice and giving me a simple "yes" she decides to give me attitude by saying, "that's why I'm writing it down" (as if implying why else would she write it down), Not cool. We were greeted by our server as we sat down and she was extremely nice and awesome throughout the whole meal. 10 stars to her, no complaints on the service. The decor was interesting with random paintings on the walls. It was a small space, very cluttered, busy, and hardly any space to move your elbows. We ordered an appetizer and oh boy... here's where it all went to shits... We ordered a bottle of wine approx $35 (it says 2010 on the menu I believe, but we received a 2011 bottle)... whatever, no complaint. The bottle was horrible, nasty, and served in water glasses you find in Diners by the side of the road. I guess they're trying to be unique, or maybe they simply ran out of wine glasses, or their dish washer broke down, who knows. We then ordered an appetizer, the antipasti platter. It came with a giant piece of over greased cracker bread, and an assortment of meats. The meats were mediocre, something you might find at the QFC deli, absolutely nothing special. For our main course we had the GIANT leg of lamb (SUPER DRY), Elk Bolognese (no flavor, no sauce, pasta with dry pieces of elk), and the Marinara pasta with bolognese (pasta was uncooked, it tasted worse than marinara out of a can, with a thick wall of cheese covering the entire dish)... The food was so horrible we hardly touched it. Our bill came out to ~$120 + tip, which is normally not bad, HOWEVER it was not worth what we were served. Now, it may seem like I'm bashing this over a simple bad experience on a busy Saturday night. But I assure you all, this is not the case. I'm writing this for those of you looking for new italian restaurants to try, do not come here. I would go to a restaurant with bad service if the food was amazing (or even just ok), but I would NEVER go to a restaurant for OVERPRICED shitty food.

    (1)
  • Rhonda V.

    Hands down best Tiramisu in Seattle! Can be a bit hit or miss on the entrees, but when they are good they are some of the best in town. The homemade linguine and seasonal gnocchi dishes are unique and a good bet. I admit the food is inconsistent and kinda expensive for what you actually get, but I am still a fan. The sauces tend to the rich side, but the food is homemade Italian, so don't come here if you are counting calories and carbs. Because then you would have to skip their yummy focaccia - also the best I've found in town and far better that the typical bread starter/filler. The eggplant parm appetizer in AMAZINGLY garlicky in the best possible way...Fantastic! The vampires will definitely stay away. I always upgrade to the Caesar with anchovies: it is simple but well executed (although I usually get the dressing on the side because I'm high maintenance). This is the place we bring out-of-town guests for a fun and quirky Seattle dining experience with (usually) decent food. If you come here with moderate expectations, likely you will be very pleasantly surprised.

    (4)
  • Dan W.

    Unique. Eclectic. Bizzaro. Even more so on Halloween... personally I find the decor and miscellaneous signs amusing. Ordered arancini appetizer, lamb shank with the most delicious Brussels sprouts I've ever had. For the entree, what a large portion the lamb was! Fell off the bone, moist, sauces great too, OMG, I was so full, but sooo good. Friend ordered the clam pasta. Interesting the wine is poured into non-wine glasses. For dessert, tried the tiramisu, soft, moist, creamy, and upon arrival at our table, fresh espresso poured over the top. so rich. Honestly, great service and recommendations.

    (5)
  • Caitlin R.

    When I come here, I always have amazing service and delicious food. Perfect date spot!!!!

    (5)
  • Anthony S.

    OK, gave the Forest Floor a third chance - and it was much better than the previous two times. Very nice dish. Maybe my oral chemistry was off before, making the dish seem excessively bland. So Bizzarro gets an additional star. As mentioned before, Bizzarro has a very nice and accessible Piedmonte wine selection. Kudos for this.

    (4)
  • Mrs. I.

    My husband and I LOVE BIZZARROS! You can not go wrong with doing a blindfold pick from their menu. The specials they offer for the evening are great as well. Even though we always get risotto balls for an app and our main dishes, we always find room for dessert...basically because they're dessert is always delicious. . We've been coming here for 3+ years and nothing can top it. I highly recommended Bizzarro's for a top quality and well price restaurant. We love you guys!!!

    (5)
  • Nathan M.

    Forest Floor Frenzy with handmade pasta was wonderful. Bruschetta and tiramisu were very good. While I am saddened by the lack of affordable italian food nowadays, this place comes as close to earning its prices as any. The decor is also appealing and appropriately bizarre, with a bunch of random objects fastened to the ceiling.

    (4)
  • Alan W.

    Cool place. I wouldn't say it lives up to the larger than life Guy Fieri review on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, but Bizarro is a quality eatery. The decor is mostly chandeliers, chinese lanterns, rickshaws and the like, and the pictures in the bathroom were not as bizarre as I expected, but all-in-all, not bad. The women's bathroom has much better decor than the men's room, but how many fireplaces can you really have in one restaurant anyway. The food was pretty good. The salad: a bit weak, lettuce, cranraisins, some veggies and balsamic, run-of-the-mill French onion soup: this I'd have again, flavorful and robust Elk Bolognese: you'll like this if you like hamburger helper, they're pretty similar Forest Floor Frenzy: recommended, mushroomed creamy pasta at its best, give the triple F a try The tables are a bit close together for my liking, though the servers are good. Expect a wait, but it should be within an hour, so its not so bad. While you wait, go explore the Mosaic Art Studio or Archie McPhee's around the corner. Also nearby are two drum stores, Molly Moon's, Wallingford Center, and some nice houses if you're looking for real estate in a location that will never go out of style. ****SOLID 4 STARS****

    (4)
  • Matthew A.

    Great food and service every time, quirky atmosphere, in fact the only low point is that it is a small establishment and getting a seat can be a challenge during peak hours. I highly recommend you go at least once [then you can't help a second ... third ...].

    (5)
  • Sarah H.

    Went on a Friday night and so naturally, there was about an hour wait - well worth it though, and you can easily stop into the bar next door for drinks and Bizzarro will call you on your cell phone when your table is ready. My favorite thing was the decor, everything from the fun notes and pictures under the glass table top, to the chandaliers and other oddments hanging from the ceiling. Food was delicious - I went seasonal and ordered the pumpkin ravioli and my favorite thing about it was that the portion size was perfect - no giant plate that could serve three like you get at other restaurants. The only reason I didn't give five stars was that the place was cozy - a little too cozy. Unless you're at a back corner table you're so close to other diners that although I was there on a date, we ended up talking to the table next to us twice just because we all felt like we were in each other's conversations. The restaurant does what it can with a small space, but it would have been nice to have had a little more quiet for a date.

    (4)
  • Kris L.

    Came here with the girlfriend on New Years Eve. Definitely going to be back sooner rather than later. First off, the decor is reason enough to come visit Bizzarro, because like the name implies, its surely bizzarre. Wait times can be long, but they will gladly take your phone number and send you to a little bar around the corner to grab a drink before dinner. The food is INCREDIBLE! Got the bruschetta, a great twist on a classic dish. Every dish that I could see, smell, and the two that I was able to taste were terrific. Dont think you could go wrong with any choices at this great place. Best of all they offer gluten free pasta!!! Impossible to find, but what a delicious treasure. If you like Italian and a little strangeness in your life, then Bizzaro. Its what's for dinner.

    (4)
  • Krishan K.

    One of our new favorite restaurants! The two dishes we tried were really good(clam linguine and forest floor frenzy). The service was decent, considering how busy it was when we went. Planning on trying the elk bolognese next; the gf said she will definitely be ordering the forest floor frenzy again. We will be back...soon!

    (5)
  • Ty S.

    Service was good. Appetizers were some of the best I've ever had. The entrees we had(elk, and puttanesca) were nothing special, and were akin to something that comes in the freezer section. I did enjoy it over-all. I would go back and give them another try. Notes: Lasagna is supposed to be good. It's elbow-to-elbow in there.

    (4)
  • Dianne B.

    Wow. I've been wanting to go this restaurant for a while now, and I'm so glad I finally got to go. It wasn't what I was expecting----in a very, very good way! The wait for the food took a bit of time, and when my plate of pasta came out, I thought it was on the smaller side for the price, BUT, after one bite, I was sold. I had the Forest Floor Frenzy and my sister had the Snap Pea Carbonara. Both dishes were delicious in their own ways. The mushrooms, the creaminess, and the perfectly cooked pasta of the Forest Floor Frenzy just came together so beautifully -- I know I'm going to crave this. And the Carbonara, omg, the pancetta and the snap peas together was so good -- I'm going to crave this too. lol. I couldn't decide which dish I liked better. I don't think I've had better pasta in my wee years of existence. This place is a bit pricey, but I left really full and satisfied without even getting dessert. It was a good experience for me, so I am definitely going to come back and try some of the other items on their menu. As an aside, my sister and I got there around 530pm on a Monday and were seated right away. We left close to 7pm and there were people waiting to get seated. I heard them mention that the wait was about 45 minutes. Everyone wants to have some of their amazing pasta, so plan accordingly!

    (5)
  • Jim H.

    Thanks to @alex_uw_mlis for introducing this little gem to me. There's not much I can add that hasn't been mentioned in other reviews (Guy Fieri Guy Fieri Guy Fieri #yuck). If you are visiting or a Seattle native, Bizarro island a once-in-a-lifetime eating experience. Check it out. Also, the best goddam Italian food I have ever had the good fortune to consume imo.

    (5)
  • Yiling W.

    After 225-some other reviews on this place, this is a vote yes for Bizzarro. They don't take reservations Friday, Saturday or Sunday. When you show up, if there's a wait, they conveniently take your cell phone so you don't have to stand around outside waiting and instead can go putz around at Archie McPhee's around the corner.

    (3)
  • Amie S.

    Bizarro has the unusual quality of taking an eclectic aesthetic and making it extremely comfortable and inviting. What might be random clutter somehow works as funky décor that not only gives this place personality, but makes it warm and intimate. It's always fun to see what's attached to the ceiling. I've been witness to low-hanging inflatable rafts, and most recently was dazzled with the sparkle of about a zillion antique chandeliers. As offbeat as the decorating motif might be, the food is straight up tasty Italian goodness. I'm partial to the pastas, and usually enticed by the seasonal specials. I don't know if I have ever actually had the same thing twice, but I do know that I have never been disappointed by anything I've tried. Ok, scratch that - there is one thing that I have definitely had more than once: the Bananas Foster. It's a pile of ooey, gooey banana sweetness engulfed in flames - how could I not? Careful not to burn your tongue on this one. It's so tasty you may want to slurp it all down at once, but that would probably be a little painful unless you are a trained fire eater. As a bonus to the tastiness, Bizarro has instituted a local food policy, with everything coming from within 300 miles of the restaurant. Just one more reason to love this place.

    (5)
  • Gabe H.

    The food here is wonderful and the vibe is pleasant yet lives up to its name. Come here for great food (try the bombastic somethingorother) and the intentionally weirdest bathroom I've been in.

    (5)
  • Tom T.

    Great food in a unique and unpretentious atmosphere with good prices. I've eaten here many times and always leave wanting to return again soon. The staff are all really cool. If you have to wait for a table, it's always worth it. They have some nice wines and beers to go with the food and the desserts are tasty too. There are a few parking spots in front of the restaurant and street parking is easy to find. Truly a Seattle gem. A great place to bring friends from out of town.

    (5)
  • courtney p.

    I honestly took away one star because there was a sign out side that said "It's a Duck!", then when we went inside a guy talked our ears off about the duck; "get the duck! you have to get the duck! duck duck duck". So I ordered the duck. "We're out of the duck." ....... :( However, I'm sure I'll be revamping this review after the next time I eat there. I practically licked my plate(s) clean. The bread was so good, especially to sop up the sauce from the clams (which were to die for). I ordered something with organ meat in it by accident and my date gladly traded me his lasagna, which was also to die for, and he couldn't stop eating my dish, ravioli with some cow-organ and truffle oil (I'm glad he liked it!). Portions were great for the price, we were too full for dessert and I had leftovers for lunch! The atmosphere is awesome, I love the house rules! I will be returning here soon, maybe they'll have some duck for me next time. Quack.

    (4)
  • Abigail L.

    Have you ever been treated to a "Happy Birthday" serenade, rendered painstakingly in long and short MEOWS? I have, by the actor cum waiter at Bizzarro. Everything else, hazy.

    (4)
  • Emily D.

    Delicious. Fresh Homemade Pasta. Authentic. Amazing. I can barely get past my one word praises of Bizzaro to get to why it is so amazing here. First off, walking in is like going into a strange person's house, then finding it very quaint and eccentric instead of simply crazy. There is a "no cell phone use" policy - just like one would expect when coming into a friend's house, let's be honest, it's out of common courtesy! But lets get to the main selling point: The food here is great. They come out with foccacia bread with olive oil, balsamic and spices and that alone is worth the 30 min trip it takes me to get here. Any salad is delicious, but my personal favorite is the caprese, with perfect bite sized tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. But the pasta is where it is at. ANYTHING you get will be super fresh, homemade and perfect. period. To top it all off, the service is always grand. The two guys that own this place are just as eccentric as the place itself, and that always makes for a great time.

    (5)
  • Orlene C.

    Ambiance - 4 Food - 3 1/2 Bizzarro is a place with a lot of character. It is fun to go to a place decorated in a unique, funky way. I met up with my boyfriend here last Friday. At 6:30 there were 4 tables available for 2 by 7pm there was a 45 minute wait. A lot of people would put their name on the list and then go to the bar next door. I recommend arriving here early, so you don't have to wait for a table. The Arancini appetizer (Saffron infused creamy risotto balls stuffed with fontina cheese and fried to a golden brown -served on a smoked tomato sauce. ) is a MUST. I loved the smoked tomato sauce. If I come back again, I will be asking for extra sauce. It was my favorite dish of the night because of the sauce. We also had the Elk Bolognese and the seasonal Gnocchi special served with a creamy, cheesy sauce with cauliflower and garlic. My boyfriend really enjoyed the Gnocchi. In general, I am not a huge Gnocci fan. The Bolognese was good but not my favorite Bolognese. I came in with very high expectations after hearing great things about this place. I was expecting it to become my favorite Italian restaurant in Seattle, but I was a bit disappointed with main courses. I was probably an unfair judge.

    (4)
  • Ed M.

    I was visiting family in the Seattle area and suggested Bizzarro as an alternative to the Italian restaurant they wanted to take us to. They continued to suggest their local place because they do not like change and well...I'm a little bit off. They were further afraid once they saw the decor. However during our 45 minute wait they heard other comment on how good the food was. Well my cousin's wife was seated under the picture of the naked rear end which I found hilarious. Before the food came out she had to use the restroom which in and of itself took her the rest of the night to explain. But on to the food - the Bruschetta was a great starter with the gorgonzola, fig and wine reduction. The standard salad with dinner was a bit weak but the Forest Floor Frenzy, Summer Pesto, and Happy Sausage Pillows were all fantastic. We rolled ourselves out of there after our feasting frenzy and had to go for a walk before our drive back to the burbs. Those who went in skeptical left saying that Bizzarro was their new favorite Italian place.

    (5)
  • May N.

    Definitely expect to wait in line. Depending on when you go you only really have to wait around 30 minutes. They are awesome and take your phone number so you are free to wander around the area at your leisure without being worried that they'll give your spot away. The decor is really cute and while the space is small, it isn't uncomfortable. The area I sat in was kind of like a little corner. Even though three tables were fit in the space, they were arranged well enough that we didn't overhear our neighbors at all and felt quite comfortable within our group. The selections all sound amazing and it's really hard to choose, but chances are you won't be disappointed. You automatically get this fresh, delicious, salty, garlic-y bread with basalmic oil and a starter salad. The salad doesn't leave an impression at all. I was in a group of four and we all got something different but sampled one another's dishes. I got the clam linguine and I have to admit that it was probably my least favorite out of the 4 I tried (Forest Floor, Capellini Bombastico, and the special "Pig n Mac" or something like that for the others). It was still very good and flavorful with a LOT of clams - but a tad salty for me and just didn't suit me as well as the other dishes. But that is my own ordering fault and I definitely don't blame that on the establishment. Someone who likes a more pure clam, slight twang of ocean taste would really love it. We also got the tiramisu which was moist and amazing! Portions were quite decent. I'd say you'll still leave a little hungry if you were SUPER hungry before going, but if you are just moderately hungry you'll be quite content. We all left pretty full. When you consider that a place like Olive Garden already charges at least $15, the prices here are more than fair - and I'm pretty stingey. I usually pay the money to try something and end up whining that it was really expensive. That isn't the case here. The quality is amazing, portions decent, and you leave satisfied. The service was very nice and friendly with recommendations. Very easy to talk to and we all laughed a little bit. Our waitress was definitely a plus to our first experience here! The only thing is that you can't really sit and enjoy conversation near the end of the meal because there's always a huge line waiting to take over your table. Once again, not the fault of the establishment (I won't dock them on their success), but just something I wish could be realistic/plausible.

    (5)
  • Lindsay W.

    Loved this place. My boyfriend and I went here after searching for great dinner places in the Greenlake/Wallingford/Roosevelt neighborhoods and this was a FANTASTIC choice. Fun stuff all over the wall and under the glass cover on the table to talk about. Great food, great service, reasonable wine prices. I had the clam linguine (homemade pasta, btw). Delish! Comes with a house salad and delicious bread/olive oil/vinegar. Probably the coolest thing about this place was the atmosphere/attitude. Very Seattle. I left here with a smile on my face. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Andre B.

    Somtimes Bizzarro is a five star and sometimes it is a two star. The staff is friendly and helpful. There is no waiting area to speak of and the cafe itself is a bit cramped. Other reviews here have noted the hit and miss system of giving them your cell phone and then hoping that you are still in the mood (or haven't found another restaurant) by the time they call. SI like thier decor and wine selections. They generally use good and fresh ingredients. My main detraction from this cafe is the hit or miss quality of thier entrees... I have had amazing, that is right, amazing entrees here. I have also had entrees here that I could have made better myself. The last time I came my party had the marinara which had good past and sauce but was smothered in ghastly amount of cheese (which is a turn off). You shouldn't have to scrape ingredients out of an entree in order to make it edible! The second entree was Gnocchi Cavolfiore which was good if a bit rich for my tastes. About a half serving of that was perfect. I will return, but I think that they do better on weeknights when they aren't so busy...

    (3)
  • emily d.

    We love this place. There homemade past is wonderful and you have to have there Drunken Clams!!! the best clam we have ever had. the ouzo they put in it take claims to the next level. Even though the Cow changes with the season it is amazing anyway they prepare it. It is really hard to bet the Elk Bologna's also!

    (4)
  • Geoffrey B.

    This place is anything but ordinary. As far as decorations and character, Bizzarro fits perfectly, but it's also very quaint, food is delicious, and the servers are sweet. I've been three times and have always been satisfied. If you have enough people, I would recommend trying every appetizer they have on the menu. Most recently, I came here with Calvin and thought to try the lasagna. For an appetizer, we had the Eggplant Parmigiana Spectacular, which tasted just like it sounded; parmesan encrusted, fried crispy and golden, smothered in mozzarella and their rustic tomato sauce. For dinner I ordered the lasagna. It's not everyday I order lasagna, I usually feel it comes out to dry, or the heavy pasta takes over all the other ingredients. Thankfully, this wasn't the case. The description from their menu couldn't be more perfect. Layers and layers of handmade pasta, meaty Bolognese, beschemelle sauce and our world famous marinara covered with mozzarella and baked to perfection. The layers of lasagna felt endless and the meat was cooked and seasoned to perfection, not overpowering, but just the right amount. The cheesyness of the lasagna held the dish together and made me appreciate each bite even more, but the cherry on top was the in fact the sauce. This sauce was amazing, thick, pure, spiced and made with lots of care. The best part was, they had plenty of sauce swimming around the dish, allowing me to dunk every bite in a sea of marinara sauce to coat the lasagna even more. Delicious!

    (4)
  • SugarLips S.

    Super fresh and delicious, very interesting menu and atmosphere. Took a long while to be seated wasn't too happy with the face that they don't take reservations on the weekends especially because we had to wait an hour and fifteen for our table. Service was good, will be back.

    (4)
  • Brendan M.

    I had a *very* nice time here with my boyfriend last night. They don't take reservations on weekends, so we took our chances and went in at 6:30 on a Saturday night -- yeah, I know, right in the middle of the dinner rush. My beau wandered down the street while I went in to put our name on the list. The party of five ahead of us were told it would be about 90 (!) minutes. I sidled up to the host. "Hey, about how long is the wait for a party of two?" The host glanced over at a single, small table by the wall, then raised an eyebrow and said, "I can seat you right now." I told him I'd be right back and dashed down the street to get my BF. "To childlessness and a cozy table for two," I said as we clinked glasses (a glass of red for him, a pint of Manny's for me). We both chose the seasonal gnocchi cavolfiore: gnocchi with cauliflower and garlic in a creamy parmesan sauce. We had barely finished bread and salads when the entrees arrived. The food was very hot, but I couldn't resist popping a few gnocchi from the outside of the plate. Perfection. Forget about the gummy, chewy, glutinous gnocchi you may have had elsewhere. These pillowy little potato dumplings were the polar opposite of those. I'm not a huge fan of cauliflower, but in this case, it was great with the garlic and the cheese sauce. In fact, I wouldn't mind if they replaced some of the gnocchi with extra cauliflower! A few delicious bites of roasted garlic added some pep to the dish, although the BF asked for some black pepper, too. By the time we were finished with our gnocchi, were were just full enough to skip dessert, but the dessert list was quite tempting with about 4-5 options available. From the bread and salads to the main course, there should be enough to satisfy most appetites. Pro: Quick and friendly waitress; a nice breeze through the open windows; never feeling rushed. Con: Loud dining area; close quarters; questionable taste & decor. Yeah, I'd go back -- but I wouldn't expect such good luck as to snag the last open table again.

    (4)
  • Jennifer O.

    This place is so cute! I love the decor. The food here is pretty good, It didn't blow my mind, but it definitely wasn't bad. Their salads are really good and their arancini was delicious! I could eat that stuff all day. I ordered lasagna for dinner and it was good, but not fabulous. I would go back just to try something else and give them another chance.

    (4)
  • Jon G.

    I forgot to review this place back on my birthday vacation road trip... The place is definitely one of a kind. We got here early (right at opening), a little too early, so no entertainment was going on and the place was empty. The decor was eclectic and was very well organized chaos... I liked the food but my wife still remembers the taste and texture of the manila clams linguine pasta. I have doing my darnedest to recreate but it seems we may have to go back here one day and then catch it during the entertaining hours and I will re-review.

    (3)
  • Dave S.

    We had dinner here on father's day after doing a quick search on Yelp using the AAA guide as a reference. We arrived when they opened in case it filled quickly, but they always had a few tables open throughout the time we were there. The food is fantastic, although I must say that I've had better in North Beach, SF (on one occasion, anyway). The decor is, well, bizarre, and the restrooms are kind of creepy in good way. It was so good, that we went back a few days later to try more of the menu. We had the clams and the special meatballs the first time, both of which were wonderful. My only complaint was a broken clam shell, which left me picking shell bits out of the rest of the meal. Also, some of the clams weren't completely open (only 3-4 mm), which I thought was odd. Maybe this variety of clam doesn't always open fully, or maybe they are cooked just enough to open, but not toughen? Not sure. Anyway, the meatballs and sauce were really really good. The french onion soup was really good too, but I had to add some of the bread to it in order to get the taste I wanted. Oh! The Bread! Almost worth a trip by itself! On our second trip, we had the forest floor frenzy and the elk, both of which were complex and very rich. Yum! We had to try the bananas foster for desert, and were rewarded with yet more creamy rich goodness; my only complaint was "only half a banana? Come on..." All in all, it's probably a 4.5, but since that option isn't available...

    (5)
  • Colleen R.

    I've eaten at Biazzro a handful of times over the last few years and a recent visit reminded me of just what a quintessentially Seattle experience it is. The eclectic décor and close-dining quarters should not put you off. This little place serves up fantastic Italian plates. Both my date and I opted for pasta plates (starting with the simple green salad that starts most pastas). Their focaccia is also a wonderful thing to dip in the oil, and push things around on your plate. My date had a bolognese (elk!) - which was VERY tasty. And I had a vegetarian, spicy plate that resembled a puttanesca. All the linguini was housemade and very fresh. We split a carafe of the house red- which went just fine w/ the spice and meat of our meal. And, even though I am not such a desert eater any more, we split the amazingly decadent chocolate cake-type dessert. It was divine. The bill rolled in right in the low 70s and it was a nice, long, relaxed meal with leftovers to take home on both of our parts. I would highly reccomend Bizzarro as a date spot, birthday celebration, or just a tasty Italian experience. Expect big, bold flavors: simple and great.

    (4)
  • Liz W.

    Great little cafe. I liked the atmosphere, and the friendly staff. They were quick (and nimble!). I had the Duck-Duck-Ravioli since I'm a fan of duck, and of sweet potatoes in my ravioli ... definitely a good choice. The sweet potato ravioli was such a surprise. I thought it would be mild, but it turned out to be very flavorful. It went nicely with the duck. The pork might've been a little overboard, but ... I wasn't going to complain. It was a great dish. Oh, and the drunken clams. So, so good. If anything, I would go back for the drunken clams. I could've eaten those all night.

    (4)
  • Mike K.

    Bizarro is good. My brother and I decided to avoid the long wait so we came back a day later when doors opened (5pm). We were sat right away and the place filled up 30 minutes after the hour. It was well worth coming back to try the place. My brother saw Guy Fieri's send up on the restaurant on the Food Network and made a note to try it out when we all met in town for the Holidays. Even w/ my brother's enthusiasm and the expose on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives", I can honestly say that Bizzaro is a winner all around. Although the Food Network show is named as such, I wouldn't necessarily classify Bizzaro as a diner, drive-in nor a dive. Sure, the interior is eccentric and arranged as if Tim Burton were on the interior design staff but it's not divey by any definition. It is small however so the wait can be a bit long (especially during the holidays). This is a plus, in my opinion, as a bigger place would immediately throw the charm and the ambiance out of whack. The food is outstanding. The bread alone is worth high marks. It was soft, warm and very tasty. My brother and I had to remind ourselves that more food was coming so we sadly curbed the bread altogether. We had the Drunken Clams (local manilla clams in a spicy tomato broth with smoked ham, basil, shallots and ouzo) as an appetizer and after a few clams a piece we just sat there in stunned silence. The next time I go to Bizarro I could just order this dish and call it a night. My brother and I used the bread to soak up the broth that was remaining. It was amazing. For entrees, my brother had the lasagna and I had the Puttanesca w/ prawns (a popular dish with the ladies of pleasure - fresh house made linguini tossed with a spicy sauce of nicoise olives, capers, anchovies, garlic and local Mama Lil's goat horn peppers, and mixed with marinara). Any dish popular w/ "the ladies of pleasure" is all right by me. Both dishes were excellent. The pasta for both dishes were house made which added to the charm of the meal. The lasagna was HUGE and very rich. The Puttanesca was very flavorful and a tad on the salty side (the capers do a number on this dish so be aware). I still loved the dish. It wasn't as spicy as I had imagined but it was very good nonetheless. After devouring a second helping of the bread along w/ the Drunken Clam appetizers, we couldn't finish our entrees and packed them to eat the day after. For what it's worth, the reheated meals still tasted great. The staff is very friendly and attentive. I think it's easy for staff at a quirky place such as Bizarro to take on an unfriendly attitude but I found the opposite to be true. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and very relaxed and engaging. The host remembered us from the night before and welcomed us in. That was a pretty cool gesture, if you ask me. I would highly recommend Bizarro Italian for your next Italian fix. The place itself is warm, fun and lively. The food is excellent, hearty and satisfying. The staff is friendly, energetic and cool. You owe it to yourself to check it out. ps: If you're looking to go here on a date, I can officially give you my approval. If you need something to talk about and want to fill in the uncomfortable silences, you can literally spend the night commenting on every square inch of the interior. Enjoy and let me know how your date went!

    (4)
  • Becky D.

    I have to admit, perhaps the hype made this experience at Bizzarro the way it was. My parents have been RAVING about this place for a long time. They drive 2 hours just to have dinner there. They tell everyone how wonderful the food is, and how it is the perfect night out. So, when my family was in Seattle, instead of going to our favorite place, we hunted out this place. They were just seating for dinner, and although there were several tables open, and they don't take reservations, we had to wait, no big deal. We went to the store around the corner and played, we came back, and sat down for dinner. The waiter was RUDE from the get go. My son and I have some food allergies, and we had to ask a few questions, because their menu didn't include full descriptions. Usually not an issue, we have to do this every time we eat out. He made this loud huffy noise, and walked to the kitchen, then came back and gave us the answer. We ordered... when the dinner came my son's salad had cranberries in it. Which he's allergic to... so, we asked them to make him a salad with out any cranberries. He asked if my son could just pick them out. OK, so anyone one who knows food allergies knows that doesn't exactly work... so my son just didn't eat the salad. Then his gnocchi came, they were hard and not cooked all the way though, the sauce was very very salty, like so salty that no one would eat it at our table. My pork dinner was OK... nothing special... nothing to rave about. My husband ordered a pasta dinner with a tomato sauce, it was OK. It was salty, and watery, but was just OK. The wine we ordered came in weird little glasses, and one of ours had a piece of something in the glass, and the Waiter wasn't super friendly about it. I guess, I was just expecting an AMAZING experience. The table we were sitting at was near the kitchen, you could see the dust on all the things hanging on the walls. The bathrooms are kinda creepy but, there was no toilet tissue in the ladies, and the floor was wet. It wasn't really what I was expecting from the rave reviews I read, and from my family.

    (2)
  • Steve M.

    We stopped in at Bizzaro on Sunday and were not disappointed! I had the Spaghetti & Meatballs while my wife had the Forest Floor Frenzy. We also had the Bananas Foster which was different than most others. We are huge fans even though we have only been here twice. The biggest reason is the fresh local ingrediants used as well as the fresh handmade pastas. If you're looking for original italian with a NW spin I highly recommend Bizzaro!

    (5)
  • Paul B.

    This place is wacky as shiii. A bunch of random stuff strewn across the restaurant is what you're in store for, so don't expect any fine dining here. Although, the quality of food will be pretty up there. The portions are big and rustic and pretty good - not awesome though. I had the elk and it tasted like stroganoff to me. My friend got the lamb and that seemed worth it. From all the hype of this place, I was expecting like crazy food options with crazy flavor. It all seems pretty much mundane to me. I wasn't blown out of my mind like I was expecting to be. If you want a novelty evening then I would recommend you check this place out at least once. Aside from that, don't come here expecting the best meal you've ever had. BTW. Not sure if it's reinforced, but don't talk on your cell phone here or else they'll fine you $5! Haha.

    (4)
  • krisztina g.

    Tonight i went with my father and his girlfriend to dinner here. They are both from Europe and are kind of picky about where they like to eat. I had to convince them that just because the place looked "weird" that that didn't mean the food would not be tasty. As we walked in i had read that the decor was quite interesting, definitely this is true but in a good way. I really liked the old carriage that hangs from the ceiling. The waitress brought us focaccia bread as we sat down and wow it was yummy. The olive oil, vinegar mix was delightful (not all olive oil is great!). Course #1 Arancini Fried risotto with i think cheese..(can't remember!) and rests on top of a red sauce This was really good, it almost had like a BBQ taste or something of that sort but it was great, there were four, i had one and a half which i felt was enough (i tap out pretty early) #2 meat and cheese plate Various salami and cheeses I tried each of the cheeses on the palate, there were three. I thought they were ok, the family approved of the meat since i couldn't try it. Course #2 Summer Pesto This looked so so good and i was very excited to try it. However for some reason i just wasn't liking it. I thought that maybe after a bite or two i would warm up to it, that maybe some cheese would help.. but honestly it tasted like crap.. I can't put my finger on it.. (i even took it home later and thought it might be better with some time on it but no it is still gross!). I am hoping this was just a fluke.. My dad had "the cow" and his gf had "the chicken" and they both said that it was very good. My dad was impressed with the food even though the place looked funny to him. I think this is still a place to try, i am just sad that my meal was a bust! One thing that i think is really great though, is the cell phone surcharge, you are NOT aloud to answer calls while in this restaurant.. just see what happens if you do. (perfect place for my dad, since he is ALWAYS on his phone!) Just because of that i bump my stars from 3 to 4 stars

    (4)
  • Deb J.

    We had a wonderful celebration at Bizzaro! We arrived shortly after 5pm on a Friday and thank goodness they weren't busy yet - we were given the "best table in the house" which was totally delightful! Started with the "drunken clams" and the broth was rich and delicious! Great for dunking the bread in or just spooning it up. The house salad was very good, and the soup special was cauliflower/parmesan - very rich and creamy and oh-so-good in its decadence! For the main course, I chose the "elk bolognese" (excellent!) and my husband chose the special of the night, the "cheeky cow" which was beef cheeks slowly braised with wild mushroom ravioli (more than just excellent!). My iced tea was refreshing and his wine was a nice Spanish wine that he enjoyed quite a bit. He had the tiramisu (which he loved!) and I had the Bananas Foster with vanilla bean ice cream (I'd never tried it before and it was very good but I was pretty full at that point). Now here's an idea - provide an option to order a "spoonful" (like a Chinese spoon) of a dessert (and of course you could get an entire "sampler" or just one or two). The atmosphere was funky, eclectic and fun! The decor is great and quite unique. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive (even peeked around the barrier (it was the best table after all and a bit secluded) for water and iced tea refills. I want to come back for more wild mushroom raviolis or whatever other raviolis they are serving - so memorable!! We loved reading the customer notes under the glass on the table - really fun. We'll be back to sample more and enjoy what we know will become our favorites.

    (5)
  • Matt S.

    My wife and I absolutely loved this place. Our first night visiting Seattle, we wanted a meal we could walk to, and we were lucky to find this place nearby. I appreciated that there were vegetarian options to choose from--this isn't always easy in Italian places. I ordered the Forest Floor Frenzy, and my wife the Capellini Bombastico. Both meals were outstanding. We both agreed that this was one of the best meals we've eaten in a very long time, and we are considering returning before our visit ends. Love, love love, the food. Would eat here all the time if we lived in Seattle. As mentioned by plenty of others, the atmosphere is fun, and you must visit the bathroom(s) before you leave and check out the pictures on the walls. Hilarious!

    (5)
  • Christian R.

    Overall a disappointment, because the potential is there. The atmosphere is great (hilarious family photos in the bathroom, for example), and the fresh pasta is wonderful. And while I enjoyed the pasta sauce, it was bland! This was for both the Elk and for the pesto. I felt as though Bizarro could do much better, but was holding back to avoid offending meek palates. But it's called Bizarro, not McDonalds - make it flavorful! The Tiramisu was a Little League effort. Whipped cream in place of mascarpone, Hershey's syrup everywhere. Bizarro - I that really the best you can do?

    (3)
  • Danielle M.

    I've been here numerous times, and I've yet to have a bad meal here. This place is utterly AMAZING. I'm so happy we live right down the street because it's byfar our favorite restaurant in Seattle. I'm personally a big fan of the Chicken Parm and their specials in general. My favorite was a dish that had crispy fried prosciutto and basil, home-made fresh pasta in an amazing garlic cream sauce. Mmm, this place is so delicious. We always get there right at 5PM when they open because it gets busy realllllly quickly. The atmosphere is amazing; an upside-down table hangs from the ceiling, really neat paintings and artwork, and the owner is a super nice guy! I've never had bad service here either; they all know what they're talking about. I also can really appreciate the fact that they WILL charge you 5 dollars for using your cell phone. I love being in a cell-free restaurant for once. Go here if you've never been; you will not regret it!

    (5)
  • Black H.

    Took my wife here for a nice dinner looks a little diveish but we like that lol. Excellent service hostess sat us right by the window. Waitress was so nice and informative it was our first time ther so she gave us a run down if wats wats. Got the clam linguinie it tasted so fresh and the portion was very generous. The stater spinich salad was the best i ever had tasted like it was juss picked out of the garden. For dessert got the teramasue and a cup of coffee it was so perfect. The autmisphere brought a smile to my wifes face...very cool kinda off the wall decor even the restrooms had off beat pictures hanging up. Would definetly go back time and time again.

    (5)
  • Julian L.

    First off, I would like to say that anyone who gives this place less than 5 stars is out of their mind. I agree, there can be downsides to a trip here; but when you are in the mood for some comforting, delicious Italian food, no where I have found in Seattle will hit the spot like Bizarro (Salvatore's is almost as good, but I truly love Bizarro). Here are a few pointers to help you decide if Bizarro is the place for you tonight: 1) You might have to wait for a table (possibly outside) - This place is literally the size of a walk-in closet and very popular, they just don't have the room (Go early or late for a better chance at being seated right away). 2) The waiters are a group of friends that I assume are also the owners. They will not dote on your every desire. They have all been polite, happy and often a bit goofy, but unless you engage them you may find them a bit aloof. 3) The atmosphere is eclectic, but romantic if you can get over all the bizarre stuff on the walls (great conversation pieces too!). 4) Be prepared to spend at least $15 per entree. This isn't the place for a cheap, fast meal - sit back and enjoy the experience. 5) NO CELL PHONES! Never seen it enforced, but there is a posted fee for cell phone usage. As far as my personal advice on Bizarro - I've never ordered anything off of the "Meats" section of the menu because I never make it past the homemade pastas. Everything I've seen looks good, but I haven't tried it for myself. My favorites are the Bolognese and Lasagna, which are both homey and delicious. I also recommend some of the seasonal dishes, particularly the Elk Sugo and the Asparagus Ravioli. Don't be afraid to cut yourself off early and not be a fat kid; the leftovers are just as good for lunch the day after, and it can be pretty heavy. You'll thank yourself when you don't instantly pass out on your couch afterwards.

    (5)
  • Nona J.

    one of the best itallian restaurants in town. try the cheese and meat ravioli and the shrimp scampi. everything is homemade so you need to wait a little bit after you order.

    (5)
  • Erika R.

    The husband and I love this place. The food is great- pretty good prices and the funky decor makes great atmosphere. We have never had bad service and always enjoy our time there. Highly recommended for a romantic evening :)

    (5)
  • Catherine H.

    Being a tourist in Seattle, Yelp directed me to this small restaurant not too far from downtown. This is definitely the most unique restaurant I have ever been to, and just the decor makes it a five-star for me. There are crazy paintings and bikes and various other items hung up all over the walls. Another fun thing is the notes under the tables- witty. The first time we went here, we ordered the summer pesto and the Forest Floor Frenzy. The summer pesto was a light, delicious dish with the best pasta I have ever had. The Forest Floor Frenzy was more of a creamy, heavier dish although it was just as good if not better than the summer pesto. We returned here again for the summer pesto. If coming here in the summer, I would opt for a lighter summer special dish- although delicious, the Forest Floor Frenzy didn't seem like a summer dish. If you are in Seattle- you must come here!

    (5)
  • Shawn Q.

    Went last night for my birthday dinner. I hadn't been before but was really wanting some good Italian and a fun atmosphere so I thought it might be a good bet. I called earlier in the day to make sure my party of 9 wouldn't be a problem. They reserved a big table in the middle for us. The atmosphere there is fantastic. The decor is interesting to take in but not in the cheesy, overwhelming kind of way like the chain restaurants that try to mimic the style. The men in my group who used the restroom returned to the table laughing quite a bit from the interesting bathroom decoration. I had the "Little green dumplings," the gnocchi with pistachio pesto. YUM! Also sampled the clam appetizer and the arancini. Everything I had was wonderful and everyone at my table was making continuous yummy noises. The service was great, they didn't gripe about splitting a check with a big group and the waitress was so fast and sneaky that I didn't even notice when she brought back my take-away box. I've been looking for a good Italian place near my neighborhood and I will definitely be back!

    (4)
  • Ryan C.

    puttanesca and clam linguini! nuff said! the rest are just okay for me. lamb was so-so, cow was out of stock, meatballs was... i never liked meatballs... however the bread + olive + vinegar was great! loved the bread! dessert... get the banana foster.. but not advisable for those with sensitive teeth; banana is super hot whilst ice cream is... needless to say, torture but the good kind of way! forget your coat and getting seats fast. long wait-time + lack of ventilation = super smelly clothing & coat. leave your coats in the car the place stink of good food!

    (5)
  • Maggie B.

    I have my birthday dinner here every year for the past 4 years! And I bring people here as much as possible. They are AMmAZZzING! The atmosphere is great, the wait staff always does a fantastic job, and the food is incredible. Its like a magic trick since their kitchen is so small! Its always a wait, but well worth the wait. Just go around the corner for a drink till your table is ready.

    (5)
  • David L.

    Wow wow wow... From the clams to pasta.. A true hidden gem....

    (5)
  • Amy L.

    I went here for the second time last night with Jackie C actually and loved it once again. Likes: You can bring your own wine The personality The food - I got the pasta margarita...YUM! The fact the you get fined if you talk on the phone!! Oh and if you are early you can stop by Archie McPhee while you are waiting for your friends. Dislikes: Getting lost going to the bathroom...but that doesn't really count!

    (5)
  • Katie B.

    This is the coolest, the weirdest, and the best Italian restaurant in Seattle. This would be a great place for a first date, or even better to show off to your friends. The staff was fantastic, couldn't have had better service, and I had the most amazingly delicious pasta. Try the Forrest Floor Frenzy. It's really, really good.

    (5)
  • Christy S.

    Amazing food and eclectic atmosphere. I arrived in a group of 8 and we were fortunate enough to be able to sample a number of Biazzaro's dishes. The eggplant appetizer was hands down the best I have ever eaten. Fresh mozarella and homemade marinara made this dish spectacular. The clam appetizer was also delicious and could have easily been a meal alone with the delightful focaccia bread. Most of our group ordered the elk bolagnase and absolutely no one was disappointed. The sauce was home-made and spiced to perfection. The margarita dish had just enough zing, cheese and flavor. My husband tried the salmon ravioli and it was wonderful. The sauce was not overly creamy and the fish was fresh. A friend tried the lamb shank and he all but licked the plate clean. To say this food was good would be an understatement. The noodles are home-made, the sauces are fresh and made to perfection. Everyone at our table was a member of the 'clean plate club' and that is saying a lot because we just returned from a 7 day Alaskan cruise/food festival. If it wasn't for the fact that we live in Wisconsin, I would be looking to buy a house within walking distance of this place. The only reason this is not receiving 5 stars is because of the temperature. The restaurant has 'open air seating' and it is fine if you are sitting by the windows, not so fine if you are in the back. We were fortunate enough to be in Seattle on 80 degree day, so the restaurant was a bit warm.

    (4)
  • Will P.

    This place is awesome. I saw it on temptation for the hungry or food network as they call themselves, a while back. I think Guy went here on Diners Drive Ins and Dives. Anyway, this place not only has unbeleivable food, but it has the style and charm only a Seattle non-chain locally owned resauraunt can provide. For example, there are mulitpile signs that say they will add a charge to your bill for talking on a cell phone...I beleive they would. Good for them! I think my favorite sign in there is the that says "No one is fine with just water" Although I agree throughly with this sign, I was quite hungover when I came here and really was "fine with just water" A first on my part. I think every chair in there is a different antique chair...and every table has different things under the glass such as post cards, pics, and notes of appreciation. Excellent place. NO RESERVATIONS, which I think is awesome because if you want to go, you don't have to worry about this or others who have made their res. They will however take your name down and give you one of those pagers so you can grab a drink next door at Blue Star while you wait.

    (5)
  • Patrick L.

    Bizzarro, tucked just off the little village formed by 45th and Stone Way, evaded our notice for over two years. Since our first visit it managed even to topple the mighty Swingside as our favorite Italian place in town. It's a tight space with a fun/goofy ambience, with a very friendly staff. They have great seafood dishes, and yet also deliver the classic red-sauce stuff really well. They also have the best, most surprising bruschetta anywhere... mascarpone topped with a fig in port reduction. Salty-sweet nirvana.

    (5)
  • Lara H.

    Finally made it to Bizzarro Italian cafe. It was definitely worth the wait. I went with one of my coolest "foodie" friends, which made everything even better. On a Wednesday night, the wait was about 15 minutes, so we went to the Blue Star for a beer. (The Blue Star has a great beer selection, but that's another review). Got called before we had time to finish our beers. We started with a yummy, reasonably priced Barbera and a beet salad. The beet salad was fresh with lots of beets and greens. It was perfectly dressed. ( It was NOT swimming in dressing, which is a mistake a lot of restaurants make). My friend had the ravioli which was tasty in a sagey cream sauce. I had the Elk bolognese, made with elk and pork shoulder and perfectly cooked noodles. The sauce was flavorful and rich with lots of meat. It was fulling and delicious. Oh, and the tiramisu is to die for!!! The portions are substantial, the service is timely and friendly. I will definitely recommend it friends.

    (4)
  • K F.

    The forest floor is fantastic! All three of our meals were spot on!

    (4)
  • Shy A.

    i heart bizzarro. love the atmosphere...love the bread (more like focaccia)...the wine! and oh, yes...the food. i catch something new on the walls and ceilings that i hadn't noticed on my previous visits and that sort of "shiny bright thing" continues to entertain me even past the conversation. the food is wonderful...i suggest the elk and the scallops. Also you must have the banana's foster...it is literally to die for...

    (4)
  • Jy N.

    Bizarro is so good. My family has been coming here since the 80s and it has only improved. It is very hard for me not to order the Forest Floor, but there are so many good dishes. Happily this is not a tiny portion place, so reasonable for what you get! Dont be afraid of dessert.

    (4)
  • Ochonueve R.

    When: About 5 weeks ago Food: I had the clam linguini w/pancetta ($17.95) which was pretty good. Very rich but a nice amount of food. The Caesar salad was nice as well - (the kind with the anchovies atop the uncut lettuce). My wife had the Puttanesca ($15.95) and she says "I thought it was average. I didn't think it was anything special" Service: Good (not exceptional - not terrible) Ambience: Very cool and unique. Fun restaurant to 'explore' while you eat. The food is good but a bit pricey. Like most things we've found in Seattle, a bit over-hyped but worth a try

    (3)
  • Laura B.

    I really like this restaurant and definitely do not come here often enough. On a recent visit I was ridiculously excited that they had a gnocchi with cauliflower dish. Two of my favorites in one dish = kismet, right? Alas, they had just run out. But that's what I get for heading over there after 9. I have learned my lesson (probably untrue). But the server was really funny about it, joking around about my love that was not meant to be and suggesting alternatives. So, we ordered a couple of other dishes and when the food arrived all of it was wonderful. The server actually brought out the last of the gnocchi with cauliflower (about half a plate) for me to try since I was so enthusiastic about it. How great is that? Mmmmmm, mmmmmmm.

    (4)
  • Tassa T.

    Little cafes are often a study in kitsch. The family-style type expound upon their Down Homey-ness by packing as many old license plates and bumper stickers as possible, and "off beat" ones like Bizzarro attempt to prove just how special they are by decorating with calculatedly eclectic knick-knacks. Unlike most, however, Bizzarro actually managed to convince me it was in fact unique. The servers, while polite and charming, did make it quite clear that certain oddball policies would be enforced -- namely, no cell phones at the table. And the crazy bathroom hall, with a bright, almost blinding neon box lamp to light the way, made that crucial leap from poser-bizarre to well, actually bizarre. In keeping with the atmosphere, the menu is Italian with a twist. Their bolognese is made with elk, and many other dishes incorporate local and wild ingredients. I tried the seasonal gnocchi and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't drowned out by the accompany sauce. The portions were also perfectly sized. Call me crazy, but I love it when an Italian restaurant doesn't drown me in pasta. I am definitely into quality over quantity.

    (4)
  • Chris H.

    The food is good but the portions don't match the prices. Kind of cramped dining area that they try to make up for in pizzazz and flair. The nonchalant and care free attitude of the waitresses puts you off for a few minutes but they were good with the order. In the scheme of Italian eateries/restaurants I believe one can do better. How do places end up on Diners, Drives Ins & Dives. Gotta be one of those three I guess. This place would end up on the Dive list. Try it once like I did but don't back.

    (2)
  • C. S.

    I think this place has REALLY improved over the last year or so. The last 5 times I've been, the service has been totally delightful and the food has been exceptional. Kudos to you guys for your hard work and I WILL keep bringing my friends in to meet you!

    (5)
  • Amy K.

    This is your place for fun, tasty, uncomplicated Italian food. The decor looks like an off-shoot of Archie McPhee's, thereby providing a quirky dining atmosphere. We showed up for an early dinner on a Saturday night and the sidewalk was already jammed with groups of people. We were told the wait for two would be about 15 minutes so we walked around the corner and ordered a beer...was only a couple of sips in when they called to tell us our table was ready. NICE! We were seated and our water glasses were filled and tasty focaccia and olive oil and balsamic were placed in front of us. JP decided to order one of the seasonal specials with english peas and I couldn't resist the elk bolognese on a cold, June night. We both upgraded our salads to the Caesars with anchovies. The elk was tasty, but it was ground, perhaps not quite what I expected after having eaten lots of versions of elk in MT, but trust me, it was still good...I ate the entire thing. We ended our meal with a bowl of Molly Moon's Strawberry-Rhubarb, yum! Corkage is $12 so we were able to enjoy a great bottle of wine with our meal. I will definitely head back for a casual, tasty Italian meal in a bizarre setting.

    (4)
  • Dea D.

    I'm one of those suckers that gave in to Guy Fieri and his recommendation. Although food will always speak for itself. First thing we tried, butternut squash soup. I'll give it about 100 stars out of 5. I really didn't need the rest of my meal after this. I was in heaven and I didn't need to continue on. But okay, it's only a cup so I guess I should eat more, see what other heavenly dishes I can partake in. Main course: Wild mushroom ravioli in a brown butter sauce. Okay so I guess food does get better! The boy had the lasagna and that was great too. Everything was seasoned perfectly. I didn't need anything extra. Wanted to try dessert but I just didn't have it in me. I can't wait to visit Seattle again and enjoy some other delectable meals from Bizzarro

    (5)
  • A H.

    Bizzarro was the perfect place for our birthday party of nine. I loved the wacky decor, especially the faux fireplace in the women's restroom and the very large painting of a man dancing with a knife in his hand while a cat looks on. The service was fantastic, very quick and super nice! I was instantly impressed with the way a few of them worked together to provide us with such speedy and non-intrusive service for our celebration. The food was delicious! I was able to try the bruschetta, the carbonnera and the summer pesto. All were very tasty! We ended the meal with some desserts and the serves came out with a stuffed cat singing happy birthday with meows! Hilarious! My only complaint was that the dishes were a bit expensive for the portions. However, I didn't feel too bad spending a little extra on that great service and cozy feel.

    (4)
  • Amber M.

    I saw this restaurant on Diner's Drive-in's and Dives on the Foodnetwork channel, and my Husband and I HAD to try it. Mostly for the the Clam Linguini. The building is nice, funky and odd in a very different and awesome way. Loved it when we got there. They were PACKED. They had to call us in 45mins to tell us our table was ready. Fine with us...we loved the neighborhood in which it was located as well. We got "The best table in the house". Bread and balsamic. YUM. Wine. Superb. Pasta? Well...homemade pasta is delish, but the sauce nothing to be excited about. The bacon was burnt too. :( nono. As was my husbands dish, sauce = boring. We had better at spaghetti factory. Ooh burn. (16bucks for a not so good meal that you get about one handful of? no thanks) But hey, overall it was an okay experience. Just stick with getting the salad and bread. But dosnt that defeat the purpose of a italian restaurant? Maybe I'm just not cool enough to go here. Or maybe others are just trying to be cool going here. Who knows.

    (3)
  • Margaret S.

    The food was very good (hence the 4 stars)- I had a Lasagna Verde special, which was veggie lasagna topped with marinara sauce. It had a rich flavor, and the portion was big enough to be shared. However, the prices were fairly high. The decorations are quite interesting (and bizarre), but the wait staff was fairly rude. Our waitress was sarcastic and surly, and seemed impatient for us to hurry up with our lives and stop breathing her air. The second waitress who also "helped" us was not that friendly either. And, they will not split checks for large groups. Overall, it was good food but overpriced, and I would not go there again due to the staffing.

    (4)
  • Alon L.

    One of Seattle's well known holes in the foodie world is in the Italian department. I've been reading about Bizzarro for months here on Yelp, and I finally decided to give it a try tonight. Well, I must say - kudos to you, my fellow Yelpers! This is certainly a worthy contender to fill that oh-so-sad void. Food is excellent! I had the elk, since I was feeling adventurous and had never tried this gamey meat before. It was awesome. Very lean. Very tasty. The woman had lasagna, which was also very nicely done. Plenty of sauce, but not overly heavy - could have used a little more pepper in my opinion, but to each his/her own. Oh and the salad that comes with the entrees is really good. I think it's the dressing... A couple of criticisms (minor ones!). The bread at the beginning of the meal was a little cold. Also, the portions, for italian restaurant standards, are average to small. Adequate for me, but some may find this to be a surprise. Ambience was weird, but in an entertaining way. I would say this is a great date place. It has a unique feel and gives you plenty to talk about. Service - no complaints. Prompt, very pleasant. Price - mid to upper teens. Typical for Seattle and for italian food. I'd say it's appropriate for the quality and ambience. My breakdown: Food - 4.5 (-0.5 for the cold bread, mainly) Ambience - 4 Service - 5 Price - 4 Overall: 4

    (4)
  • Quani C.

    I seem to be on a roll of bringing fabulously rated places down in Seattle...my apologies to Michelle B. and to everyone that loves this place! Service was fabulous, the waitron was entertaining and funny. Also very attentive to our table. Food was okay, maybe even getting a meh. Dessert was awesome! The atmosphere was great...it seems like an okay place to take a date, perhaps...and impress her with your mad cash skills. Also, the no cell phone (I'm told they mean it) policy is a great thing to have...I've never been anywhere else that has and enforces that! Three stars for the priciness. I'm being pretty stingy right now because of my recent move and whatnot, so I was shocked to see that pastas cost $15.95...anything with meat was $19.95! Aargh! My alfredo shells were tasty, but the portion wasn't large enough or tasty enough to warrant the high price tag. Two of my dining companions had the Saltimboca, which was the special. Again, small portions, not worth what was paid. The dessert we sampled was T-A-S-T-Y!!! But still overpriced. I just don't know what else to say.

    (3)
  • Martine W.

    I almost hate to review this place because then it will be even harder to get a table. I love everything about this place. The funky ambience, the bread with oil and vinegar, the amazing waitstaff, but most of all, the FOOD. Last time I was there with three other people and we each thought our dish was the best thing on the table. I would walk over broken glass for the Forest Floor Frenzy. I haven't had food like that since I left Tuscany. It's making my mouth water right now. Don't even hesitate, you should go. Be prepared, there is always a wait, just put your name in and go around the corner for a drink.

    (5)
  • Austin K.

    This is my favorite Italian restaurant. The owners remembered us, even after being absent for a year and wearing a wig. The food is top notch, seasonal, and fun. The decor is untouchable. Regardless of your gender... check out the men's room. I love me some Bizzarro!

    (5)
  • Melissa A.

    I love this restaurant. Super friendly, attentive staff. That's a big plus to me. Food can be great at a place but if the staff is unfriendly, I loathe it with a passion. Great service can also make up for sub par food. Luckily, nothing has to be made up for at Bizarro. My boyfriend and I went here on our first date two and a half years ago and came back recently for my birthday. I had the Sunday Night Meatball and he had the Cheeky Dumpling. Both were excellent and between that and the wine and the appetizer and the dessert, I couldn't have been happier with a wonderful birthday dinner! They filled the half caraffe of wine up a little fuller than usual I think, and for that I tip my proverbial hat to them!

    (5)
  • Thom T.

    Really really good food, great atmosphere!!! Will be back for sure, had the elk pasta dish it was sooooo good. You can leave notes on the table under the glass, how cool is that AND they gave us the best table in the house... even has a sign that says so... lol... love all the stuff inside the place filling it with character

    (5)
  • pope b.

    The chef's Dale Carnegie kung-fu has compelled me to alter my review in a more favorable direction. I haven't been here in a while, but my experience there was decidedly unpleasant in many respects, to the extent that I would neither return nor recommend this establishment unless under a significant degree of duress.

    (1)
  • dante i.

    I ate here for my birthday dinner this summer. Originally, we were going to go to Cafe Juanita, but with my better judgement, I cancelled our reservations there (I'm not a dressy kind of person, especially in a restaurant, and I heard the prices were outrages, plus the food could be hit or miss). You don't need fancy clothes and expensive food to have good food. I like wearing flipflops and vibram five fingers, with exercise shorts/shirt! So, I found a similar organic/local/sustainable italian restaurant fairly close. And then I found Bizzarro. The first thing that attracted me, was the price point of $$ on yelp! The 2nd thing, was despite this price point, it consistently had 4/5 stars from people! Getting there/parking: We live in Kenmore, left probably 4:45, and wound up getting there at 5:20 on a Saturday (with a little street traffic, nothing too horrible). Parking isn't too hard to find on the street, or you could just park in a nearby neighborhood and walk a bit. Since it's not in the middle of downtown seattle, it's quite fine. The place opens at 5:00, and I heard there weren't many tables, and it could take a while to get seated (THEY DO NOT TAKE RESERVATIONS ON FRIDAY-SUNDAY!). We were seated immediately, which was nice, at a table near the large open window, with sunlight/a breeze/flowers right in front of us! Very nice and enjoyable. Atmosphere: My parents are very timid to try new things, and they've been on chain restaurants/their old "favorites" for a while. My mom actually began by calling the restaurant "a hole in the wall"! When you get in side, you can see every table in there. There are maybe 30-40 seats in the whole place, so it's very small and intimate. You'll also notice a very large variety of...antiques(?) hanging on the ceiling. Haha, this was great. They have part of a small carriage, an original lady and the tramp film screen, a couple of odd paintings, and more! It can help talking about these, if you have nothing else to talk about. Service: They had four waiters, and all of them gave excellent service. Constantly made sure we had our drinks filled, if we needed anything, how we liked stuff, etc. Drinks: Seemed very reasonably priced. My mom got a beer for a mere $4, and my dad got a glass of wine for $6 (and it was a large glass! The waiter filled it to the top!). Food: Clearly the highlight of the restaurant. Hopefully, by now you know, they primarily use organic/local/sustainable/homemade food items. They start by serving you homemade bread, with an olive oil/basalmic dip. They were delicious alone, and together. We started with an appetizer of "drunken clams", as well as crab fritters. Both were delicious, perfectly cooked and seasoned, with great flavors. For dinner, I ordered "the Chicken", my father ordered "the lasagna", and my mom ordered the elk bolognese. All were...well, delicious. I couldn't finish my potatoes, just because I didn't want to fill up on starch and not have my birthday dessert haha. Everything was cooked well, and the flavors matched up. Oh, and NONE of the entrees are over $20! For dessert, they have a few varieties, and they also serve Molly Moon's ice cream, so you don't have to go a street or two over and wait in a huge line! I had salted caramel, and my mom/dad had a banana foster. Again, great desserts, 0 complaints. They didn't end up charging me for my ice cream either, because it was my birthday! The tables all have a glass top, underneath, people leave a "piece" of themselves in the restaurant. Stuff written/drawn on paper, highschool IDs, pamphlets, etc. Very cute. The one single complaint we did have, being summer, the windows were open, and there were a few flies above us. But that was it, and they never landed in our food or anything like that haha. EXCELLENT restaurant, and a true gem that shows, you don't need to wear a suit in a "fancy" restaurant to have brilliant food. With three people, we had ordered three entrees of about $18, $17, and $18, two entrees at $11 and $10 (I don't know what the crab fritters cost), a drink at $4 and one at $6, an upgrades soup at $2, an $8 dessert, and my icecream was free. We had alot of food for three people, and the final price (with tax) ended up to be a bit short of $100! I was so surprised, it was very inexpensive for all we got, AND it was high quality! We tipped 20%, and am looking forward to going back again, to get something new off the menu, or to see their new menu (they have a seasonal menu!)

    (5)
  • Steven V.

    APPETIZER -- 4 Stars PASTA -- 2.5 Stars SERVICE -- 4 Stars I highly recommend Eggplant Parmigiana for appetizer; we loved it. On the other hand, the Pasta was very generic and average. I was a bit taken by surprise by how dirty and run-down the kitchen appeared to be. I honestly believe that this restaurant while okay, is overrated at 4 stars by other Yelpers.

    (3)
  • Sydney H.

    Super atmosphere, worth going once to check it out. Worth going a bunch of times to try all of the good entres. Talk about super filling, make you feel all happy inside, even better the next day food. The lasagna and Bolognese are my favorites. (Caution: traditional caesar salad, it will have anchovies). A note also so you can plan ahead. There is little to no waiting space, so they have a system where they call you when your table is ready. Have a place to wait in mind.

    (4)
  • Cara M.

    Forest floor pasta is a can't miss. So Good!

    (5)
  • C C.

    This time I went the food was rather plain and I really wasn't very impressed.... The Arancini (creamy risotto balls stuffed with fontina cheese and fried) were pretty bad, didn't really taste like anything actually. I had the Clam Linguini again, and the clams were pretty rubbery. The potato leek soup tasted like neither of the title ingredients.... go figure. The atmosphere is still very charming and cool, but I'm kinda tired of the food for a while (The need to change up their menu more). The only good thing was the Eggplant Caprese. Oh and they have started serving warmed bread... so thats good.

    (3)
  • Martha M.

    The Forest Floor Frenzy alone is worth the wait at this small, eclectic Wallingford spot. Wild mushrooms and fresh homemade parpadelle pasta in a delicious sherry sauce that complements the dish nicely without overpowering it. I'm usually not a big fan of noodles but this stuff was amazing. My friend's pumpkin ravioli was also quite good. I really enjoyed the light sage sauce and the shaved amaretto on top gave it a surprising kick. Having stuffed ourselves with our respective pastas, we decided to conclude the evening with the Chocolate Vesuvius cake. Though it was tasty, I was expecting something really fantastic after such good main dishes. The espresso infusion was nice, but the cake was surprisingly dry with very little chocolate in the middle. Go for dinner, skip dessert. Walk off some of that pasta with a trip to Molly Moon's for ice cream instead.

    (4)
  • Jon K.

    Excellent food, a very eclectic decor and design. I don't think there are two of the same light fixture in the entire place, but the Food is Excellent. Wait I mentioned that. Seriously this is one of Wallingford's Gems. 5 stars!

    (5)
  • Cassie H.

    I love to take friends here when they come into town! First off, you can't use your phone (unless you're taking a picture of the food) without getting a $5 Cellphone Surcharge - which is BRILLIANT! Everyone is actually talking to each other and making eye contact, which is a breath of fresh air. The staff is EXTREMELY accommodating and friendly and the food is amazing. The eggplant parmesan is amazing - the house marinara is something you will dream about! The Forest Floor Frenzy is my favorite pasta, but I also like to try something new every time because they have seasonal options (I've had some great gnocchi dishes). Love it!

    (5)
  • Robert M.

    The food is decent if not bland but don't bother splitting a dish. They failed to mention the $4 split fee and then told me each of us gets their own salad with the split. What they really meant was each person got a $4 salad. The squash salad was good, the Caesar was one of the worst I've had in both presentation and flavor. The split portion was small as well. I'm not a fan.

    (2)
  • Jeff S.

    Woah, this place is radical. We waited outside for an hour to get a table. It was well worth the wait. The decor is like a gypsy's quarters, always something interesting to look at to spark conversation. They have a no cell phone rule here, if you're caught it's a $5 charge (outstanding!). I had the seasonal pumpkin ravioli dish. It was remarkable. The ingredients are so well thought out. Right down to the roasted pumpkin seeds and crumble amaretto cookies that blanketed the pasta. It was one of the most memorable and delicious things I have ever eaten. Thank you bizarros, I will be seeing you again!

    (5)
  • Y L.

    Wait time: 45 minutes on a Saturday evening. Service was exceptional. The clam linguini with a spicy flare (from jalapeños) was absolutely delicious! It was obvious that the pasta was made in the house. The bread with olive oil and accompanying salad were also fantastic. I will definitely return for more and recommend this place to anyone searching for Italian food in the Wallingford area. Loved the wacky interior! Especially the decorations in the bathroom

    (5)
  • Sean K.

    Great food, service and funky ambiance. We have been going here for years, but less lately as we have small children. There are other Italian places close by that are better for kids but that's about the only downside of this place.

    (5)
  • Lindsey S.

    This place is just so delicious. Pasta dishes the way they should be. I was concerned about the price while deciding what to order, but when the food came I instantly realized that it is worth every penny and more! Be prepared to wait when you come, but again, totally worth it. If I lived closer, this would be my regular spot to go. I could eat it every day.

    (5)
  • Rohan K.

    Definitely some of the best Italian food I've had in Seattle. Well worth the 30 minute wait for a table of 7. Outstanding food, very good service and a unique ambience that grows on you. They started us off with some delicious herb and butter sourdough with olive oil and balsamic. We then had the starter salads which were perfectly dressed and very tasty. I had the elk bolognese which was absolutely fantastic; so well seasoned and not at all gamey. Highly recommended. The ravioli formaggi was delicious with the right amount of cheese and marinara. The forest floor frenzy had the perfect ratio of mushrooms that were full of flavor. The Margarita pasta was al-dente and what I really liked about it was that it was not drowned in marinara but instead had the right amount. The cheese was also beautifully seasoned in all the pasta dishes. The other dishes that my friends ordered which I tasted and really liked were the pesto chango and the asparagus soup. Since there were 7 of us I'm glad I could try this variety. We finished the meal with the tiramisu with the espresso shot. I've never had this combination before and as they said on the menu, it was a game changer. The two went amazingly well together with the bitter expresso perfectly balancing the sweetness of the creamy tiramisu and the chocolate sauce. I would highly recommend this place and will surely be going back here when I have the cravings for some good Italian food.

    (5)
  • Julz A.

    Cute, unique decor, friendly staff but culinary a little less yummy than an olive garden.

    (3)
  • Linnea T.

    The name of this restaurant is fitting as the decor and restaurant space are definitely bizarre. The food is very good (gnocchi is some of the best I've ever had and the elk bolognese is something tasty and different) and I suggest making reservations on Friday or Saturday night as the space is small and gets crowded quickly. I took away one star only because the pricing is a little hefty for the casual atmosphere and the wine list wasn't my favorite.

    (4)
  • Noah R.

    The ambiance and décor in this restaurant was gorgeous! But the restaurant fell short on their cuisine, I had the gnocchi and it tastes dry, bland, and rank. *might* be worth a visit, but I'll never return.

    (2)
  • Adrienne H.

    We LOVE this place :). Always worth the wait, carefully created Italian dishes, wonderful and "to the point" service. The lasagna and fresh gnocchi is outstanding, and the decor is like paradise for anyone with ADD haha! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Jeff C.

    Saw this on Triple D and wanted to try immediately! I came here on a weekday around 6:00 pm and didn't have to wait. I was expecting at least 30 minutes wait because this was on the food network. I was a little worry when there was no wait and thought "is this one of those disappointing places that made it on the food network?". I decided to give this place a chance anyway.... and I am glad that I did. I ordered a home made pasta dish and "the lamb". The pasta was very very good but "the lamb" was just ok. I would come back to try other pasta dishes... but will skip their meat items.

    (3)
  • Nick G.

    I saw this place featured on the Food Network show Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. The place looked interesting, and the food looked great, so I know that within my short stay in Seattle, I'd have to make time to eat here. I started with a Caesar salad, which is without a doubt, the best Caesar salad I've ever had. My entree was a Clam Linguine, which was featured on the show, and also looked excellent. Though it was pretty good, and had good flavor, I feel like it lacked something and could use some more flavor of some kind... it just didn't leave me as satisfied I'd of liked. It was kinda one of those things where you think you're gonna love it, but when you get it it falls flat, and then you start looking at everyone else's food around you and wishing you'd of ordered that instead... oh well. Lastly, I finished with the Tiramisu, as it came highly recommended on Yelp, and was also recommended by the waitress. The tiramisu I can say, was excellent. In the end, I'm sure this place is better than my brief exposure to it, so next time I'm around I'll be back. For now though, its a 3/5. youtube.com/watch?v=MLsY… foodnetwork.com/local/wa…

    (3)
  • Rachel L.

    I've been here a couple of times and some dishes aren't really my thing, but every dish I've had (and the people I'm with have had) have been consistently very well made with excellent flavor and the staff is great too. I studied abroad in Italy and I can say that the food is very authentic :) Here are a few of the dishes I've had/others I was with have had that I've tried: APPETIZERS: EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA SPECTACULAR This was incredible. The eggplant was crisp to perfection and it was done in a way where the mozzarella cheese wasn't melted on, it was cut into slices and placed on top, which I actually really liked. It comes with 5 eggplant, mozzarella cheese sets. PARTY PLATE Great combination of cheeses and meats. Perfect combinations of different flavors and levels of spice. You get your typically prosciutto and then you get various different types salami and then a couple different kinds of goat cheese. STARTER SALAD This comes with many of the entrees and it's just a spring green mix, but the dressing was a little overdone, making the salad a little too salty, so I would recommend getting it on the side. ENTREES: LASAGNA The marina sauce was a little on the salty side, but overall this dish was fantastic. The lasagna ribbon was perfect - not too soft, not too hard, the meat was so flavorful, and the cheese was melted on top in such a way that it was string when you cut it with your fork. AKA the best way. THE CHICKEN The chicken was SO GOOD! Chicken is actually really difficult to perfect, sometimes it's too chewy and dry and, the worst, when it's undercooked. But they did a great job with the chicken. The seasonings on it were well chosen. It was tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Comes with fingerling potatoes and brussel sprouts. DESSERT: BANANAS FOSTER This was amazing. The other places I've had Bananas Foster at have been El Gaucho and John Howie and the Bananas Foster here is more than just comparable to the Bananas Foster at those places. WINE: Whenever I come here, I've always gotten the House Chianti. For a half carafe it's only $15 and it's a really nice, full-bodied wine. EDIT: I changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars because it just continues to be amazing every time I come here.

    (5)
  • Danielle C.

    I have attempted to come here a few times with a group of friends (without reservation!) and after like the fifth attempt or so (every time we went, the wait would be over an hour), someone finally made a reservation and we were able to get a coveted spot! This restaurant is extremely tiny and I actually would not recommend bringing more than four friends here. We had seven in our party and the tables were quite small. The decor here is... well, weird. This place is Bizzarro after all. There are random eclectic items displayed on the walls and on the ceilings. (Example: a gigantic oversized street lamp and a wheelbarrow hanging from the ceiling) I feel like the restaurant tried a little too hard - I believe that restaurants can have a strange, whimsical feel to it with the right decor and atmosphere, but here, it just felt like I stepped into an unsavory junk shop. We shared some appetizers. I thought the giant slab of bread they gave us was rather delicious and spiced well. There was a meat and cheese plate that we shared. The cheeses were incredibly strong (it included some local cheeses, including brie) and I think I will pass on those. The starter salad is decent, although I thought it was weird that they put it on tiny tiny plates and not bigger plates or a bowl. It is hard to eat salad that literally takes up the entire plate. The salad has mixed greens and I liked the vinaigrette and the dried cranberries sprinkled in. But I was too busy trying to not get salad on the table... For the entrees, the majority of us got seafood and/or pasta dishes. I tried the ravioli stuffed with cauliflower puree, covered in a white garlic sauce. I thought the sauce was tasty and my friends thought the ravioli was pretty good. However, they don't give you too many ravioli pieces, and the dish itself was pretty expensive - about $17, and no meat in the dish! I also thought that the while the interior of the ravioli was delicious, they may have overcooked the pasta still. The jagged edges of the ravioli were rather dry, even while drenched in the white sauce. My friend thought the clams entree was way too salty, and he did not finish his dish. My boyfriend got some kind of elk pasta dish, and he thought mine tasted better! The tiramisu was for dessert. The slices are fairly large and can easily be shared among a few people. The cream in the tiramisu was rather light and not that sweet, which is great. However, the tiramisu did not really have any rum in it though - I liked it because I don't like tiramisu absolutely drenched in rum, but others missed the rum. In summary, my friends and I thought this place was overpriced and overrated - we each paid about $35 for everything. My boyfriend lamented that he felt like he should have never come here. I kind of have to agree with him!

    (3)
  • Michael S.

    Long line and wait without many things in the area too keep you occupied. Lasagna was excellent. Would skip the antipasti starter. Fun place to go, owner and wait staff are excellent. But food gets 3 stars owner and wait staff get 5 averaging 4 stars

    (4)
  • Susan C.

    Mamma Mia, can you say, "My stomach-a gonna explode on the ceiling so bigga that all the furniture gonna fall upside downa." OK, that might be mildy on the racist side, but the thing about Bizarro is that the portions are big and the food ranges from average to above average, which is saying a lot for a city like Seattle, which isn't know for its I-talian fare. Having lived in Wallingford since '97 I've only been here three times, although it has a huge and loyal following. Yeah, yeah. The decor is "neat"...furniture mounted on the ceiling looking like it's gonna knock you unconscious as you dig into your Elk Bolognese, the size of an overweight bambino. The portions are larger than the shi shi poo poo restaurants that gives you a plate the size of a steering wheel in a schoolbus with a piece of food that's even smaller than your nose strategically placed in the center. But the food isn't really anything to write home about. I'm surprised this place was featured on TV, being that there are many other better Italian places in Seattle. It's a fun place for friends to hang out, especially since the decor's so whacky, but they don't take reservations unless it's a party of 6+, so often there are long lines. I could go on and on about the food I've had there, but honestly I don't even remember what I'd ordered the few times I'd been, except to say that nothing left a lasting impression on me, and that should say plenty.

    (3)
  • Kerri T.

    Exactly as the name says- this place is bizzarro, and I loved it! The decorations are so unique and fun, but the food was delicious. Everything we had was tasty. I would recommend this to anyone in town!

    (5)
  • Megan R.

    This is one of my favorite Italian places! I was introduced to it by my bf and I have fallen more and more in love with it, each time we go. It's small and busy! We usually put our name down and walk around the corner and grab a drink from a random bar and come back. It's worth the wait though! It's definitely a bizzare little place. It's cute but has lots of random things for you to look at :) Their food is so good! I've had their clam linguini a few times. So yummy! But my bf has tried two dishes that we were both wow'd by! The first one was the sugar snap pea carbonara. I'm not a huge fan of peas but they were delicious and perfect in this dish! The second was the forest floor frenzy. It was amazing! I would recommend all 3 of these dishes but I know next time I go back that I'm going to get one of the last two I mentioned. I'm getting hungry just writing this review!! Overall, great food!! The servers are always very friendly and prices are very reasonable. Bf and I will share an app. Have some wine and an entree each and I'm pretty sure we come out of there under a bill with tip. Not bad and it's worth the wait and money you spend. That's just how delicious Bizzaro is :) :)

    (5)
  • Paul B.

    Even though I'm of Italian heritage, with last name very similar to Bizzarro, I rarely eat at Italian restaurants. However made exception here and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. The decor is wacky but enjoyable - part of the ambience. Had a pasta dish, the bolgenese - again rare for me - but it was excellent. Tiramasu for dessert - my daughters favorite - for dessert. Get it with s shot of expresso on top. Great place to go. Wad very busy on Thursday night when we went, but did walk up and were able to be seated.

    (4)
  • Joey F.

    EXCELLENT. I cannot say enough good things about this place!! The clams appetizer was effin outstanding. I am pretty sure the sauce for that dish was poured from a cloud in heaven. The gnocchi made me want to punch a grandma (not mine) in the face. It is so fluffy and light in an absolutely delectable sauce. I brought my friends visiting from Japan here and they loved it. They love seafood so we had the seafood special. I do not remember the name but it was superb. The risotto balls were fantastic as well. The decor is awesome. You will find something bizarre and awesome every time you lift your head. the staff is fun and friendly as well. I cannot wait to return here....seriously.

    (5)
  • Pamela J.

    We came for dinner on the weekend and it was great. The service was awesome and they were very accommodating for my picky kids. The foccacia bread was warm and delicious, the pasta with Bolognese sauce was great. We would definitely come back.

    (5)
  • Rossana Y.

    This is one of my favorite places for good Italian food! They definitely make an impression with their unique decor. Where else can you eat with a hanging bicycle over your head? Don't even get me started with the bathrooms. All I can say is that if you venture into the women's restroom, you might get too distracted by an audio recording of "500 Hobo Names" as you do your business....while being surrounded by a ton of pictures of dolls....yea. Other than the restaurant's funky personality, their food is delicious! We had 2 plates of the super soft bread that came with the vinegar/oil dip cause it was so good! You can tell that they make it fresh each time. What I like about their pasta is that you can taste the freshness. I had their clam linguini and it was really tasty with a lot of clams. I appreciated the fact that they serve generous portions so we were satisfied after our meal. We also tried one of their specials which was the crab fritters and it was really delicious! The servers are nice and they refilled our waters throughout the night and accommodated to our needs. The food here is a little pricier than some of the other Italian restaurants, but you are paying more for higher quality. My clam linguini was around $17 and it came with a small side salad. They are only open during dinner time, so don't try to come here for lunch! This is a good place for a date or a casual dinner with friends.

    (4)
  • David M.

    Fantastic eats, perfection wine pairings, oddly comforting surroundings and great service make Bizzarro Italian Cafe' an absolute gotta stop and experience "the other side of Seattle".

    (4)
  • JN K.

    Having been here many times, each time is great. Food is great. Not best-Italian-restaurant-in-Seattle but great. It's completely funky, the staff is good, and wine is served in tumblers! I'm a bit confused by them not taking reservations. The last time I went in a group said they had a reservation and were immediately seated. Maybe I didn't hear correctly. Ask for "the best seat in the house." ;)

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 9:3

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    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.

Bizzarro Italian Café

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