Cafe Piccolo
9400 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115
Cafe Piccolo Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Seattle for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
9400 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA, 98115 - Phone (206) 957-1333
- Website https://www.piccoloseattle.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
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.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Olivia S.
Went based on fellow yelper reviews and I'm glad I did. Hidden neighborhood gem in Maple Leaf neighborhood. Parking wasn't too hard to find. Restaurant was half empty but I made reservations ahead of time thinking it'd be packed. I couldn't decide on wine, but the waiter allowed me to have a taste between two of my choices. All noodles are in house. I was happy with my pappardelle. Their gnocchi was too creamy for my taste BUT it was pillow soft fluffy for those of you that like creamy pesto. Great for a small group, date, or girls night out. I'll be back to try some other items on the menu. It would be my choice if I was in the area or wanting something different aside from major chain Italian restaurants. Buy a certificate that's on their site, it's basically getting half off your meal!
(4)David P.
Worst lasagna EVER. I think they made it with all ground mystery meat-my wife asked me if it was catfood. Ouch! No chunks of sausage or gr. beef, no sponach, little sauce, and a texture like...canned tuna from Friskies. Now, the rest: excellent antipasta plate (but why do they call it a salad? even the waiter apologized for that) The service started bursque & unwelcoming, but got much better as the night wore on. And it was cold in there . Not "cool", cold. Liked the half-price wines-not bad pours. The Prosecco a bit over-sweet, which I actually kinda like, so it was OK. I will never go back.
(1)Lisa D.
The food and service here is excellent. The chicken saltimbocca was delicious; it came in a rich gravy that had a nice deep flavor. The only thing that I did not like was the polenta, it was very bland. Substitute a side of their lovely house made fettuccine, instead. The space is a little small and it can get noisy. I'd recommend calling ahead as this seems to be a very popular spot, although they usually do not take reservations for less than 6 people. It is a family friendly restaurant, and they have a corner with some toys to keep the little ones entertained if you want to linger over your meal.
(4)Joseph M.
Went here on an offshoot chance because my GF wanted pasta. It was small and intimate feeling but the food tasted really fresh. The pasta was great and you could tell it was hand made. The reason I am giving it three stars is the meats tasted like they came out of a can. We had a pasta dish that came with clams and bacon. I looked and looked but found no bacon and the clams tasted like they came out of a can. Living in Seattle I would expect much fresher clams. Especially when I look around and see others with a mussel pasta that came with fresh mussels.
(3)Megan N.
This is a great local italian joint. The service is great and the food is solid. The bread before dinner is some of the best I've ever had. The interior design is a little out dated so try not to judge it on that. They have great deals on wine mid week.
(4)Meaghan B.
Gluten and soy free? With a kid? You've got to be joking, right? Cafe Piccolo not only handled our allergy issues without a problem, the server handled the allergy concerns of a neighboring table with pine nut allergies incredibly well, additionally! The staff here are amazingly thoughtful regarding allergies and sensitivities and the menu is packed with food that's amazing. They have an information sheet available from the small company they purchase the gluten-free noodles from, in case you need to review the information yourself. I hear they make all of their regular pasta in-house. To start, we had an antipasto plate and the baked olives. Olives and garlic together can't really go wrong but these were seasoned beautifully. I could have used more meat and cheese on our antipasto plate for the price but it was definitely a tasty variety. The gluten-free bread is very interesting - and I don't mean that in my usual veiled-insult way, I mean that it was unlike any other bread I've tasted. It was a little crumblier than I would have liked but very tasty - somewhere halfway between cornbread and focaccia. Our son had gluten-free penne with butter and cheese with meatballs, I had marinated flank steak (rare and delicious) with polenta (less creamy than I generally like it but everyone's a polenta critic,) and my spouse had the Fazzoletti Bolognese with gluten-free noodles - he cleaned his plate, so I assume it was good; I didn't even get my customary try-it bite! Then, we settled into dessert - flourless chocolate torte with your choice of gelato flavors (I chose panna cotta, delicious combination!) and goat cheesecake (just a hint of lemon, a little more savory than sweet - perfect for someone who isn't really into desserts.) We didn't feel rushed at all, which I had feared given the small number of tables and how popular this place seems to be. We were given as much time as we wanted to linger at the table and talk with our dinner companion. How on Earth did a two-year old child survive this long wait at the table? I mean, even the most patient and quietest toddler isn't exactly long-suffering. Well, Cafe Piccolo has a small basket of quiet toys, a bead maze, some connector toys, and basket of books near a bench between the front door and the bathrooms - before and after our meal, we took turns sitting with him while he quietly played. Happy staff, happy diners, happy kid, happy parents. Makes that $100 bill fully worth it!
(4)Sonja S.
Ate here last night with a friend & thoroughly enjoyed it. Great, cozy atmosphere. Glad to see that at 6:30, when we arrived, some kids were quietly playing in a corner with lots of toys - look forward to bringing my kids here. We sat and chatted for a couple of hours & were welcomed to stay as long as we wanted; a nice plus! I had the gnocchi in a braised lamb tomato sauce. Amazing! I almost always order gnocchi, but I can't remember ever eating such pillowy soft ones before. Yum. Finished off with the flourless chocolate torte + orange sorbet. Could have eaten 2 of them! Looking forward to going back. Hope I can convince myself to order something other than the gnocchi! =)
(5)Gretchen S.
The measure of a good night might be how much you have to clean up afterward. And a great meal at a great restaurant can set the stage for a great night. After dinner at Cafe Piccolo, expect a night of clothes strewn across the floor. The intimate atmosphere, great food, and just-right service really sets a positive mood. Although I have to say that they do seem a little stingy with the bread - which was delicious - the food was great. Cafe Piccolo is an example of the sort of neighborhood place that makes Seattle a restaurant town. Tucked into a corner of Maple Leaf next to the Doggie Style dog grooming parlor, it's both local and cosmopolitan at the same time. Bottom line: This restaurant may improve your sex life.
(4)Alex T.
Delicious delicious delicious!! Seriously, amazing little place in such a neighborhood so close to home. I had a $25 restaurants.com coupon via Bank of America (yeah, I work there and we get discounts), which I got for $2! First stepping inside, I gotta say, it's a little strange. It's basically a big open space with no dividers or anything, but the ambiance and lighting was actually kind of nice. Honestly, it reminded me of a cafe, and you know what? It IS Cafe Piccolo after all. Seated quickly, it was half empty since it was a Thursday night. Started off some wine I can't remember off the top of my head, but it was delicious! Anyways, off to the meal. We started off with antipasto which is basically their variety of little goodies as an appetizer. It included marinated artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, olives, eggplant agrodolce, carrots, cheese, and SALAMI! Oh, don't forget the bread of course. My sister got the eggplant parmigiana, basically eggplant that is roasted and layered with LOVELY cheese, mariana, bread crumbs, etc. Honestly, it was just freaking good. I, on the other hand got the braised lamb gnocchi. The gnocchi was a little creamy for my tastes, and the sauce was a bit overly sweet, but man oh man, that LAMB! Nonetheless, huge portions, and both my sister and I were stuffed. Happy dinner. :)
(4)Blaz B.
Cafe Piccolo serves some the freshest, best tasting Italian that I have ever had in Seattle. Everything is made in house and the decor perfectly matches the family-run restaurant that this place is. Whenever my wife and I have something to celebrate, Cafe Piccolo is our restaurant of choice because every time we go here we have the most memorable meal of the month.
(5)K R.
Best Italian food in Seattle! I have never had a bad experience at Piccolo, my food is always fresh, delicious, and flavorful! Excellent atmosphere, perfect for any kind of gathering. They offer lot's of options if you've got dietary restrictions, like gluten-free pastas. They use locally sustainable products and know where all their food is coming from, which is really comforting to me. The waiters are always lovely and the place smells phenomenal. If you're going out for a slightly nicer meal, I wouldn't choose anywhere else. I love this place :)
(5)Melissa L.
I'm always afraid of Italian restaurants because I tend to end up at the ones that come from the Olive Garden School of Italian Cooking. I found myself at Piccolo's after hearing a rave review from my boyfriend's dad. Atmosphere: plainly decorated, pretty dark. But not overbearing. The room is an interesting shape. A little cold, so take a jacket if you can't generate body heat like me. Roomy, so even when it was full of people, there was ample room between parties. Service: We had a really cool waiter who was relatively attentive and great at giving recommendations. I wanted some kind of apertif, and he went over to the owner to ask, since he didn't know himself. Good attitude. Food: Holy crap. Almost everything was alarmingly delicious. We started off with the appetizer specials: flatbread with slow roasted onions, goat cheese, and squash blossoms and the stuffed mushrooms. The mushrooms were all right, but paled in comparison to the flatbread. The roasted onions were sweet and deeply flavored, which contrasted with the sharp taste of goat cheese. The four of us ordered the eggplant parmigiana, lasagna, cioppino, and fettucine with marinara. All the pasta is homemade and both the eggplant and lasagna are made to order. It takes twenty minutes, but totally worth it. The lasagna was light and airy, not heavy at all, yet delicious. The cioppino - a type of seafood soup - was heavenly. Galicky, tomatoey, and smelling of the ocean without being fishy. Scallops, shrimp, squid, mussels, and chunks of fish. I ate every last drop. Being from the Midwest, I rarely get to eat good seafood. I'm still dreaming about it. It came with grilled focaccia, but I thought that was too dense for the soup so I didn't eat it. We left feeling full, but not disgusting. The portions were perfect and the prices were pretty good. I would love to come back if I get another chance to return to Seattle.
(5)Richard N.
If you like home-cooked Italian food, this is the place. It is not the traditional american-italian dishes, but simply great homemade food. The fact that there is a lot of kids playing around gives you an idea of the ambiance: family style. Not that romantic... The service is fine, but the waiters seem a bit overwhelmed. And this is true whether there is 5, 25 or 45 people in the restaurant... I wish they had more WA wines on their wine list.
(4)Laura M.
Maybe they had an off night, but I am wholeheartedly and without reservations giving Cafe PIcollo 2 stars. The general thought throughout the entire meal was exactly "meh, I've experienced better." However, there also were some critical flaws in the meal. First, we ordered the bruschetta with mushrooms and arugula on top. It arrived with romaine on top. When I asked the server he pointed to a few little sprigs of arugula. I guess it was sort of mixed with the romaine but it was 5% arugula. If you say you're going to top your bruschetta with romaine, then say it's romaine. I wouldn't have ordered bruschetta with romaine on top though! Second, for a place that has several types of bruschetta you've got MINIMALLY have crusty bread. I think they use their homemade buttery bread. It was like bruschetta on a brioche. Ick. Third, my man ordered the seafood and the mussels weren't cleaned well, the seafood was over cooked (I hate that!), and the scallops were tough dime- sized eraser tops. The mussels not being cleaned well was particularly gross because there were little pieces of green nastiness in his food. He ate it anyway! Finally I ordered the pasta and it was really just not cooked properly, waterlogged or something. What disappointing meal! But even if they had cleaned and cooked things well, and the bruschetta was crusty bread with arugula on top it still wouldn't have been a good because the overall quality of the ingredients here is just sub-par.
(2)Tracy L.
Had a very nice meal at Piccolo-a neighborhood gem. The homemade pasta is wonderful, both salads were excellent, even the bread they bring to the table is nice with excellent olive oil. The portions are quite generous and the staff and service very good. It's not fancy but a nice atmosphere with honest, good food at a good price. Will be one of our favorite, non-downtown high-end restaurants.
(4)Diva D.
They always have a variety of delicious options to choose from. The food is made with careful attention (I have several food allergies) They use fresh and local ingredients and always friendly service. Everything I have tried is delicious but the eggplant is to die for!
(5)Harlow F.
My husband and I recently dined at Cafe Piccolo. I was bummed to discover the noodles in the Puttanesca that i ordered were completely over cooked, and the flavor of the sauce was pretty bland. My husband ordered Chicken Scaloppini, which was also very bland. The polenta that came with it was really runny - not a good consistency. The quality of the food we received did not match the price we paid for each dish. We really wanted to like Cafe Piccolo... Not sure we'll give it another chance though.
(2)Rob B.
It doesn't get better than this. I have eaten here MANY times, and half always found the service to be personable and the food to be DELICIOUS!! My wife and I have enjoyed almost everything on the menu, but usually listen for the specials because the chef likes to use local fresh ingredients to make exciting meals. If you haven't been, GO, if you have, GO AGAIN!
(5)Lesley G.
I thought that this was a great find! I wish that I had found it sooner. Cafe Piccolo is a very intimate, semi-casual Italian place. They have some very unique dishes, and the portions are not ridiculously sized, nor is the price too high. I believe that they have discounted wine on Wednesday, but I have yet to take them up on the deal. The place is very small and quiet - very different than many trendy, crowded places you will find in downtown Seattle. I am definitely looking forward to making this a regular Italian stop.
(5)Angela B.
Oh my gosh, I am soooo addicted to the fresh pasta in this place, I can't believe I haven't written a review about it sooner. Other things I like about this restaurant is that I have a lot of friends who can only eat certain foods, and they can all come here. Whether they are gluten free or vegan, they can make some foods for my friends. It's a small restaurant but have been very lucky in that every time I've come here they've had space and I didn't have to wait. However if you come here with a group, I highly suggest you make a reservation. Servers are nice and friendly, but can be slow. Not sure if it's the kitchen or the service that's slow. I think it's probably the servers as sometimes what we're waiting on is a coke or a napkin or something like that. It's a bit pricey and they are not in any of the coupon books, which is sad. I'd definitely come back more frequently, if I could afford it. But highly recommend the butter ravioli!!! So fresh and melt in your mouth soft. Salads have all been good as well, and they can pour a good drink. Haven't tried the dessert yet, but plan to, the next time I come!
(5)Ann A.
This small, non-flashy little restaurant is one of a limited number of choices in a not particularly trendy part of town. So I didn't go in expecting much beyond red sauce, but was pleasantly surprised. The place has a low-key neighborhoody feel but really good creative food and top-notch service, for pretty reasonable prices. We had a variety of dishes, including pastas and meats, and all were quite good. It was fairly quiet, even when mostly full, so it's a good place to go for conversation. I was there with my somewhat hard of hearing mother, and it worked out fine. All in all a great choice.
(5)Sarah V.
How are you missing staples like any Alfredo dish in an Italian restaurant? The ambience is terrible. The music comes from the kitchen, leaving the sound lopsided. The food was seriously over cooked and desperately lacking flavor. I am still scratching my head as to how you mess up something as simple as bread before the meal and common dishes like lasagna and chicken parm. The burned out Christmas lights framing the tacky Italian map complements their gaudy decor nicely. Cafe Piccolo needs a visit from Gordon Ramsay.
(2)Kevin S.
This local neighborhood restaurant has always taken good care of me, whether it's date night or a nice family dinner with my kids. Every dish I've tried has been delicious, and the wine selections are always intriguing. Plus the wine is usually half off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays!
(5)Robb M.
You know, one of the reasons I love yelp is that you can have a hankering for a particular type of food, and find out that there is a great place right in your own backyard. In my case, I was looking for a great bolognese sauce, which many places have, but few (practically none) do well. Since one of my favorite restaurants (The Rialto) closed a couple of years ago, I have been on a never-ending quest to find a bolognese sauce that can compare to theirs. Well, I have found one that is darn near as good at Cafe Piccolo. But wait, there's more!! This restaurant has so much more to offer than that. There is the Seafood Risotto, Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Parmigiana, and Veal Saltimbocca to name a few. In addition to that, they have gluten free options, and really work at making a dish that everyone will enjoy. As I have said before, my son has multiple food allergies, and each time they have gone out of their way to make a special dish that is safe for him to eat, but is also tasty! And to top it all off, the staff are very friendly. Thank you for a wonderful experience every time!!
(5)M L.
Always solid! Very accommodating, and with great service. We have gone here many times and always had a good meal!
(4)Alexis E.
I went with a friend on a Friday evening I will definitely come back! The arugula salad with figs and Gorgonzola was Devine :) ate the whole thing. I had the special Ahi Ahi which was so fresh,cooked just right, my friend doesn't care for seafood at all but was able to convince to try a bite, loved it. And top it off the Feta cheesecake was to die for. The service was superb and I liked the atmosphere very quaint. Recommend it to all my friends . Can't wait to go back:)
(5)Kirill Z.
Fabulous restaurant with absolutely delicious and fresh food, happy and helpful staff, lovely setting just overall a great place to be. We found this gem by accident, living quite some ways from here, but now we plan evenings sometimes just to make it out here. You will absolutely not regret coming out!
(5)Jessica G.
Determined to try new Italian places (that aren't chains) in the neighborhood, my friend and I set out to try Cafe Piccolo based on Yelp reviews. First impression? It's dark and a bit on the musty side indoors. And the clientele tend to be of the older persuasion. Nevertheless, the staff is EXTREMELY nice, and that's why this place gets 3 stars instead of 2. I wasn't terribly impressed with the food. I got the lasagna, which was in desperate need of more sauce. It was dry and just overall uninteresting. The rosemary bread that they bring you is complimentary, and they will keep refilling it, but it's a tad on the salty side. My friend got gnocchi and felt it was just okay. It's competitively priced compared to other non-chain Italian restaurants, but I think I'd rather pay a bit more and have a better dining experience at Mamma Melina in the U District.
(3)Josh C.
First things first, take my review with a grain of salt. I came here with my girlfriend and her friend +1 because we heard GREAT things about this place from the friend. They tend to have pretty good taste in food so we trust their take on things. However, I am not really sure what happened, because our dinner service was simply not good. Trust me, you guys, I usually try and keep it positive when I hit up new restaurants, but this was just a really poor dinner experience. To start it off, our server seemed extremely rushed. The place looked understaffed as he was the only waiter for the entire restaurant on a Saturday night. Our table was sticky when we got there and there was no attempt to clean it. Seeing his poor predicament, I was pretty understanding and my review does not factor in the disappointing service (just thought I would add this little tip for anybody reading! Gotta be thorough nameann) Our server quickly briefed us on the special of the night (seared pork belly with gnocchi)which piqued my girlfriend's attention. She's a huge fan of pork belly so it was an easy choice. I went ahead and ordered the first pasta on the menu (I tend to think restaurants are smart and put their money-maker first) which was the lamb gnocchi (we're fans of gnocchi). When our food came out, the first thing I noticed were the small portions. I mean, sure for $16 you cannot really expect that much, but come on. Secondly, when I went in for a taste of my gnocchi, it was essentially non-existent. I was served a grimey gloop of what resembled a gnocchi but it had no texture whatsoever. I had a bite of my girlfriend's gnocchi and it was significantly better (it was actually formed and had some consistency?), but it was not really anything special. Her pork belly was pretty solid but they came in tiny bits and there were not very many of them. My lamb was served as a ragu and really lacked the flavor I typically associate with lamb. All in all, I think it was a pretty disappointing dinner. Based purely on the food and price, I would say this is easily one the worst Italian dinners I have ever had. I hate to give such a scalding review, but I am simply giving my honest opinion. I would give this place a second shot though; there must be a reason for all the hype.
(2)Kalindi T.
I try to base my reviews fairly across ambience, service, ingredients and flavor a so that a hole-in-the-wall mom and pop shop can garner 5 stars as can Michelin Star rated fine dining establishments. Who doesn't love to find a relaxed neighborhood gem? Sadly, in my opinion, this little neighborhood spot does not live up to any of the hype of previous reviewers. Perhaps our group last night have too high foodie standards, but my risotto was inedible. They claim to have used arborio rice, but it was waterlogged and soggy, rather than chewy and savory. The rice, crab and bay shrimp sat sadly in a ridiculously salty chicken broth, almost a soup rather than a risotto. Our server was indignant and very unfriendly about it. My replacement dish, ravioli in sage brown butter, also sat in the same salty broth, and had none of the richness one expects to find in a brown butter sauce. All of my companions had the Copper River Salmon, with pesto and mashed potatoes...the salmon was cooked beautifully but also so salty, and with big chunks of raw garlic in the pesto over uninspired mashed potatoes. I appreciate that they tried to make it right for me, but frankly the server's attitude erased that completely. I am sure that they will be pleased to hear that our group will not return.
(2)Elizabeth H.
Such a hole in the wall place, but I love it! We had the steak (which melts in your mouth!!!) and the pasta with Shrimp. The pasta was good, the noodles were a bit bigger than I am used to, so eating it wasn't the most graceful I have ever been. But that steak! OMG. THE BEST! At first my mother ordered the fish and wasn't happy with it. The server was so kind and attentive to her thoughts. He right away took the plate away and told her to order something else. The service was GREAT. Order the flourless chocolate cake with the sea salt caramel gelato :) The food does take a little time to cook, but worth it. I would call ahead to make sure there is room available. The featured menu gets very creative. Gluten Free pasta available.
(4)Jeff H.
Solid! First time. Will certainly return. Love neighborhood joints and Piccolo hits the mark!
(5)Jay J.
Another great meal from a great small and unique Italian restaurant. Always kid friendly menu and toys to play under the bench at the front door.
(5)jenn t.
Get their specials. Can't go wrong. Chef rotates dishes based on what he can source from the market. Just delicious! Cozy, friendly atmosphere. feels like it's own little Italy inside. Love this place!
(5)Rory S.
I have nothing bad to say about this place. The service was fantastic and the food was delicious. I was even surprised that some wines were half off last night!
(5)Steve C.
Just for the homemade pasta alone, this place deserves 5 stars. The 2 pasta dishes where small but so flavorful. You can actually taste that tomatoes sweet and tartness with herbs that were aromatically fresh... It was a wonderful experience... Didn't know the pasta was homemade at first - but we noticed how perfectly cooked, flavored, and timed the pasta itself were (without the sauce)... We will definitely come again...
(5)Lisa V.
Wish I liked this place more, but it just seems to be missing something. Staff are nice, food is good, but I just don't feel the need to go back.
(3)Kathleen K.
Cafe Piccolo is owned by a dear friend and former co-worker. He is the chef, taste master, and brain behind this place. I love how cozy and friendly it is. The waitstaff is amazing and helpful. Hello half off wine nights :) The lasagna is my FAVORITE but all of his sauces and chicken dishes make me drool.
(5)non o.
This restaurant is sort of hidden. Previous restaurants didn't make it more than one year at the same location, but Piccolo seem to be making it so far. We used to walk to this place quite often right after they opened. I like their handmade pasta, and ragu is really good. My hubby usually order chicken dish but everytime we go there, their portion size was getting smaller and smaller. And price isn't so reasonable. Since their dish got smaller and smaller and price stay the same (of course) we stopped going there. Their food is yummy though. Maybe I'll try sometime again soon. So, I'd give 4 star for their food, but price and portion I'd give 3 star. It would be nice if the food comes with small salad... Hey, don't call me pig! I'm starving!
(3)Alicia D.
My BF and I recently enjoyed a lovely evening at Cafe Piccolo. Our first time in, we didn't know what to expect. Admittedly we'd read reviews about the family friendly experience where kids played with toys on the floor (a nice thing for parents, to be sure!), but we aren't parents & were looking for a quiet, intimate meal after a really tough day. We just knew it was 8pm and nothing but Italian would do. As the food was well reviewed, we gambled on an arrival time that was usually 'past bedtime' and I'm so glad that we did. When we arrived it was mostly a full house, something we took as a good sign. Our first impression was all about the ambiance. It initially felt like they were about to remodel. The dining room fixtures had an oddly temporary feel. The tables seemed haphazardly arranged. It was pleasantly curious. We waited a few to be seated and as we did so, the dim lighting and a certain coziness started to seep into our bones. By the time we were seated we were already relaxed. The leisurely service gave us time to thoroughly peruse the wine list, something we enjoy, and discuss various entree options. True to rumor, the pasta is fresh and handmade, toothsome and delicious. The BF ordered a pasta special with smoked pork that he really enjoyed. I ordered the Fazzoletti Bolognese and found the rich tomato gravy more than satisfying. We both ate half our meals and still had a full portion to take home. I could count the times we've had dessert on one hand, and the mango gelato here was one of them. It was a nice way to extend this very pleasurable meal just a bit longer. We're looking forward to returning and trying other dishes at Cafe Piccolo.
(4)Chelsea J.
My friend and I had dinner at Cafe Piccolo the other night. We got focaccia bread on the table to start. I thought the bread was just ok. We each had only one piece but that's probably a good thing. :) I had the sage brown butter cheese ravioli which was excellent. The ravioli was hand made and so tender and delicious. The herbs in the pasta stood out a lot contributing to the simple, clean flavors of the dish. Most of their pastas are house made with the exception of the spaghetti and one other dish. You can ask your server for specifics. My friend enjoyed her lamb gnocchi. ($15) The pasta ranges from $10-17 and the entrees are a bit more expensive but not unreasonable. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays glasses of wine are half off! We each had a glass for $4 each which was a great deal. I really enjoyed my Sangiovese. The atmosphere wasn't quite what I was expecting. Honestly it reminded me a bit more of a casual pizza place inside than an intimate neighborhood bistro. That's alright though. Our server was friendly and did a good job. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Right B.
My wife and I went there for the first time and enjoyed it. Service was attentive but not cloying. The missus had a Limoncello which was stellar, apparently - I stuck to Manny's. ;-) She had the Ravioli and I, the Penne pasta with the pesto sauce. Both of us enjoyed the food and although not particularly cheap, was not excessive and we both felt that we had good value for money. Atmosphere is a little cold, perhaps due to the nature of the room. It's a bit too new and needs something to warm it up but really, that's a minor, piffling grumble. Go there and enjoy the food. I know we'll become regular visitors.
(4)Yummy P.
Fresh and Generous! Cafe Piccolo makes everything from scratch, yielding less than one ounce of garbage per customer. Most of their compost is used to create the soil that grows their herbs and vegetables as well as using compostable take out containers, which quite frankly, I feel is truly unnecessary because you'll eat everything up! Cafe Piccolo is also actively involved in the community, donating to several schools and organizations. Cafe Piccolo has an antique feel. Dim lights, sturdy tables and chairs, wood framed windows and walls covered in wine. Most frequent here for the wine. You have the option to bring your own with a corkage fee of $15 but we weren't here for the wine! The Seafood Risotto sounded amazing but sadly the Chef informed us that he just cooked up the last batch. Taking a few more minutes to look over the menu, we decided on the Pear & Goat Cheese Salad, Campanella Puttanesca and Braised Lamb Gnocchi. The salad had a tangy bite, which I enjoyed. Soon after, our entrees arrived. To our surprise, our server places a small plate of risotto between us! Since the Chef didn't have enough risotto for an entire entree, he served us a half order complimentary plate! We were so glad for that because the risotto was the best of all 3! You could taste the freshness and love that went into making the pasta and would have been satisfied with the two, but we just couldn't get enough of the risotto! Our server, Anthony was just as amazing! Thank You Chef and Anthony! We will definitely be back for more!
(5)Becky R.
The service at this café is really warm and friendly, along with the lovely romantic ambience. I've been here at least a dozen times, once for a large, private birthday party and several times with gal friends on half price wine night and with several dates. My favorite thing about this place is that they have fresh gluten-free pasta, and they serve a complimentary gluten-free bread starter as well, the only restaurant I've found that does. Hallelujah!!! I enjoy their regular salad specials, as they change it up often, and they're really fresh and tasty. They have a decent wine selection and the half-price wine nights midweek are really great for mellow evening. Café Piccolo has no problem with special requests, they're very accommodating. Finally, make sure to ask for the salted caramel chocolate chunk gelato for dessert. It's definitely my favorite. And call to see if you need reservations as it is a small place, on weekends, it's likely you'll need one.
(5)Laura B.
Decent prices because of the out-of-the-way location. Great raviolis and salads. Chicken Scallopini was just OK. Chinook Book coupon made this place a STEAL of a DEAL.
(4)Jenny F.
I love this restaurant. The staff is very friendly, timely and here we go with the food: The complimentary bread they bring melts in your mouth with goodness. I crave it a couple days after I leave the restaurant! If you have a chance, try their puttanesca sauce on a homemade pasta; it is incredible. I have been to this restaurant lots of times, and even though they have great options for my order, I always go back to the puttanesca. It is amazing. It is hard to find great Italian food in Seattle, and this is it. Highly recommend it.
(5)Cami G.
Dang, I so wanted to like this place. Like, really really like it. But after my experience, I don't. It's just ok. I typically don't eat at Italian restaurants because coming from an Italian family, we made excellent meals at home so there was no need to eat dishes that were not quite to that standard. I put my pride aside and walked in to the cute little eatery, only about 7 tables total, dark, comfortable. Cool, I'm digging this. But then there was the food. First off, the Antipasti took forevs to get to our table. In fact, we were served our meal 45 seconds after it came. The wait was horrendous, and we were starving. I watched the wait staff attentively help other tables but ours was sorely neglected. As for my meal, I opted to try one of their specials because it sounded good. And then when it arrived at the table, I immediately regretted it. I couldn't taste the lamb at all; there were ground bits mixed with the risotto. The risotto was soupy, like I was eating oatmeal. I had no idea what else was in my dish, it was all a mystery to me. My date ordered the Bucatini Puttanesca with meatballs. That was tasty, but it doesn't count because it's not what I ordered! Good selection of wines. I needed three glasses to get over how disappointed I was in the meal itself.
(3)Laura L.
Been here three times with family, but nothing that I get too excited about. The only dish that I am a fan of is the fettuccine napoletana, but it's pretty garlic-y. Nothing to write home about. They don't even have tiramisu!
(3)Ryan F.
I've been going to this place about two times a month now. The food is incredible and the service is great. For what you get the prices are more than reasonable. Going this coming weekend and I can't wait. I wonder what the cook will put on the special menu??
(5)Brendan B.
Tasty food and great service.
(4)Biela A.
This restaurant is one of my favorites. First of all the service is top notch - the wait staff is VERY professional and always aiming to please. The décor is warm and cozy and also kid friendly. Then there is the food! In addition to cooking with organic produce, they also offer gluten free options of everything. The pasta is incredible - love the bolognese. Eggplant parmesan is probably the best I've had. Plus their chicken and fish dishes are always a good option. Also, they regularly change up their specials, so there is often something new to try. Highly recommended!
(5)Lisa F.
A very cute, intimate neighborhood place. The menu focuses on what they do well, and they often have specials (which seem to be pretty similar every time we go there). Salads are good, and a good assortment of wines. Servers are friendly and helpful.
(4)C B.
The food was not worth the price. The one drink was a heaping cup of ice with a quarter shot of vodka and some other stuff sprinkled over it. Rather forgettable, disappointing and destined for a short visit - though I had great hopes for it!
(3)K S.
I've had Tony as my server twice in 6 months. Last time I went was in January - both times, fabulous service, always helpful in choosing, and will tell you if something is particulary special. Went on a date with my guy last night - it had been a while! ;) Wine was excellent - they have "by the glass" on the chalk board above the bar. We had a great cab sav - and Tony even told us where we could pick it up if we loved it (which we did), and yes, we'll be picking some up - if I could only remember the name... We started with the mushroom bruschetta - served on a crispy, slightly charred sourdough, smothered in mushrooms, with an arugula salad on the side, topped with a little fresh parmesan. For dinner, the Mister had the lamb gnocchi - said it was the lightest, fluffiest gnocchi he's ever had - and the sauce was rich, savory, yet sweet and not over seasoned. I'm not a huge lamb fan, and I have to say, it was amazing. I had the special of the night, ribbon whole wheat pasta with pumpkin, onions, proscuitto and roasted garlic, an olive oil splash to finish, the slippery feeling in the mouth. Wow. Can't wait for lunch today! Finished with a shared salted caramel gelato - this was the only disappointment of the night - it was a little grainy - I expected the smoothness of gelato - but the flavor - Amazingly on the button without being too sweet. Dark chocolate chunks added a nice balance. Two out of two visits were amazing. So can't wait for another meal here. Also, check out restaurant.com and get a gift certificate, should help if this is a little out of the price range. But with entrees ranging from 12-20, it's a nice night out, without breaking the bank.
(5)Amanda H.
One of my favorite places to go in North Seattle. I may have never gone here except that I live just a few blocks away, but even when I move I will plan on returning. My most recent meal was the Sole Picatta. The fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce was full of capers (yum!). It originally came with sauteed kale, carrots and turnips (if I remember correctly) and potatoes. At the time I was on a low-carb diet and asked for double vegetables. Our friendly server asked if I would like it gluten-free and I said sure, but didn't tell her that I was not on a gluten restricted diet. She then pointed out that a large portion of the menu could be made gluten-free, and brought out GF bread along with their regular bread. If you ARE on a GF diet, I HIGHLY recommend coming here! There are a couple reasons as to why I gave Cafe Picollo four stars rather than 5. The service is reliable, be it a little slow, but it is also VERY relaxed. I don't have any problem with that but I know what 5 star service is and this isn't it. Also, the ambiance is a little lacking (though I do like the leg lamp from A Christmas Story in the back!). And since it IS kid friendly, there are usually young ones running around the restaurant and making more noise than I might prefer than at another chosen '5' star restaurant. Summary: Reliable service, great for GLUTEN-FREE, consistently good food!
(4)anita f.
Okay, I have always loved this place but hadn't had dinner here for a couple of years. Went September 2012 for a family dinner. Same waiter as before and he is great, attentive and offers wine suggestions. Ordered my favorite standby pasta puttanesca, which has always been delicious - overcooked and way too salty. My mother's stomach was so upset from the too al dente ravioli and she said it was way too oily/starchy tasting. Expensive. I will probably give another chance in the future, but we really weren't happy. Maybe it was just a bad day. Tasted like there was nother chef in the kitchen.
(3)Taryn H.
I think I'd really go a 2.5 stars, if that was an option. Cafe Piccolo is close to home, the hubby wanted Italian, and the restaurants.com coupon sealed the deal. Our meal didn't start out very well -- we both ordered the house Manhatten and were brought teeny drinks. Turns out, they forgot to put a shot of Rye in. He brought the shot out and poured it into our half-drunk cocktails, but he mix was all off. Sad. We ordered the bruschetta with goat cheese, peppers, and onions for a starter. The bread was pretty burnt and the dish was cold. Maybe it was supposed to be cold but I feel like all other bruschetta I've had has been warm. I ordered the calamari pasta on the server's suggestion. The homemade pasta was nice, but all I could taste was stewed tomato from the sauce. Very disappointed. However, Mr. B. had the special which was as braised pork ravioli that was excellent. We did order the lemon cheesecake for dessert, but I was so crabby from the rest of the meal and don't really like lemon, so I won't comment on how it was. Overall, the food was very slow coming out of the kitchen, even though we didn't order any "extra time" dishes. We also happened to be there on half-priced bottle wine night, but it wasn't mentioned to us (overheard from another table). The wine didn't count toward the coupon, but we were ordering enough other food to cover the minimum and certainly would have ordered a bottle had we known before we decided on drinks. As other reviewers commented, the restaurant is chilly. The decor is a bit spartan, but not as bare as other reviews would have you think. We may have just been there on an off night and I feel like we should give it another chance, but probably won't because it's just a bit too spendy to take a chance on another bad experience.
(2)Tyler M.
A little outside my usual price range, but all in all, great place. Had the calamari pasta, which I wish they hadn't used a red sauce for, as seafood and tomato sauces don't really party well together, but gave it a shot out of curiosity. I liked it, buuuut probably wouldn't order it again. An oil based sauce would've made it AMAZING, though. Service was excellent. The waitress was attentive and pleasant, and the food was delivered very quickly. Only real complaint I have is the parking. What few spaces there are in front of the building seem to always be hogged by asshats. This actually kept us from going back again twice, once due to two cars taking up four spaces worth. Maybe put up a sign encouraging people to not park like dicks? If I could give it a 4.5, I would, but I just wasn't impressed enough by the dishes we ordered for the price to feel justified. Willing to give it another try though.
(4)Chad Y.
Cafe Piccollo is a wonderful little place in a quiet negihborhood. The place has a simple ambience and they offer fantastic food and very decent prices. A great place to go on a date when you are trying to impress. Food is great quality and tastes great! I would check out what's on the specials menu and the lasagna is to die for! Service is pretty good and the servers are very knowledgeable about the menu. Make sure to save room for the homemade limoncello.
(4)Angela M.
I went because the weather was miserable and a friend of mine had said this place was great at home style Itallian sauces. They weren't kidding! I took the friend who had recommended it with me and got a gift certificate online for $10 for $25 worth of food at Restaurant.com . We got there and it was a nice open space with little quirks hear and there. My favorite was the lamp that is tucked in the back corner to give indirect lighting. It's the leg lamp from The Christmas Story. That instantly made me feel like I belonged. The waiter was very fast to make sure to show us to a seat and recommended a nice Syrah. The place was full but the service was never lacking or inattentive. We started with the Mushroom Brushetta and it was very nice. That was followed with, for myself, the Lamb Ragout with house made Gnocchi and it was DIVINE. My friend had the Cioppinno. I loved mine, but he unfortunately didn't realize that he was ordering a seafood chowder essentially so, while he liked it, it wasn't what he was expecting. We finished off the meal with a Choclate Cheesecake that was made in house and was delicious. They even threw in a free aperitif of the Fennellocello which was the perfect compliment. I asked to compliment the chef and it was actually the owner doing the cooking and he was very nice. I live in West Seattle and usually travel by bus but this is one trip I will make again and probably soon. All totalled with tax and tip the final bill was $60 so after the gift certificate it was $35 for a nice 3 course meal for 2 with wine.
(5)mad l.
I'm playing the lottery since I ate at cafe piccolo. I wanna have enough money to hire this guy as my private Italian chef. Simple, uh? Do I like everything there? No... but it's just my personal taste, not the quality of it. I could eat there happily every day and not be bored. Haven't tried it yet? Do it!!
(5)Brooke D.
I live in the Maple Leaf neighborhood and I am always very excited to try new restaurants. We have been going back to Piccolo over and over since it opened and each time we have enjoyed the food. I like that they menu is not to large and overwhelming but instead features just items they do well. It is always nice to hear the specials and either me or my husband usually ends up with one of them. Their appetizers are nice to start with and don't forget the home-baked focaccia bread. The wine list is nice and features very reasonably priced bottles. My favorite part is that it is only a short walk away.
(5)Jonathan B.
Best bolognese in the city. Get the housemade fettacini noodles with it or $10.95!!!! Comes with good bread too. Great deal! Especially if you have a restaurant.com GC. Some of the other dishes are hit and miss, but the bolognese is 5 stars for sure. Not the fanciest place and has worn carpeting, but still cute for a neighborhood spot. Again, go now and get the bolognese with fettacini. It's bomb and cheap. Compare that price to Spinase. Hell, compare it to Olive Garden or Old Spaghetti Factory... Go here instead..
(5)M W.
In town on vacation with one gluten free person & 2 kids. Food was great. VERY kid friendly and extremely cooperative. I asked about a wine and they poured me taste. Small, family run. Don't expect quick service. They're more about quality than speed, but if you want a great dinner, this is the place!
(4)Lee A.
This is kind of an amusing place to have dinner, if you enjoy watching the waiters literally run from table to table and then back into the kitchen. If it weren't for the carpeting, I'd suggest roller skates would be a good investment. They either can't manage their tables or they're too overwhelmed, but the service isn't what you'd call fine around here. Which is kind of a bummer, because it ain't cheap. The pasta with grilled chicken will run you nearly $17. It wasn't terrible, but the sauce was watery, and the chicken was not very fresh. The seafood risotto was curiously skimpy on both seafood and risotto. What there was, was swimming in oil, as was everything else, including the salad and the bread. Did I mention it was noisy? Oh yes. That across from us, a young couple allowed their two year old to throw leggos, one of which pinged me on the knee? (I know. The romance.) But I'm giving it another star for the very good wines by the glass selections, and the fact that I spotted a replica of the Ladies Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story. That's worth one star, right?
(2)William B.
Cafe Piccolo is incredible. I went their with a small group to just "catch up." My girl and I were amazed by the place! The food was incredible! We had eggplant Parmesan and baked lasagna, and both were the best we've ever had. All their noodles are made in-house, a rarity in Italian restaurants these days. Our server was very friendly, and the owner/chef is obviously striving to give you an unforgettable experience. Talk about service - he sat down and had a glass of wine with our table! His wife, a hostess, joined us shortly thereafter. For $4 or $5 more than Olive Garden, we were able to support a husband and wife team, while enjoying some of the best food Seattle has to offer! We will definitely be returning!
(5)Sameer Ud Dowla K.
My friends went to Cafe Piccolo looking to carbo-load for the next day's marathon... I just went with them after hearing the words "homemade pasta". I love homemade noodles, no matter the cuisine -- Korean, Chinese, Italian, you name it. This place makes homemade fettuccine, ravioli, and squid ink pasta. They also have non-homemade pastas, but of course none of us got any of those. I ordered the homemade ravioli stuffed with two cheeses and lightly fried in butter and sage. I just wish I could have had two or three orders of that dish it was so delicious. Everything my friends ordered (homemade fettuccine with truffles, homemade squid ink pasta with seafood, and others that I can't remember right now) was equally fantastic. The texture of all the noodles was exactly what I wanted: a little on the doughy side. It makes such a difference when the pasta is fresh! I'm not a dessert person, but the bread pudding topped with rhubarb gelato was undeniably tasty. Perfect complement to my espresso and my friends' French press coffees. The service was also noteworthy. The host, the water-and-bread guy, and our server were all very friendly, helpful, and fast. Our server told us he actually made a second batch of coffee when he felt that his first batch was not absolutely perfect. He really went out of his way to make our dining experience a memorable one.
(5)Melissa S.
Food - The bread they serve is dry and I would say almost unedible. If they wanted to open up my palette they failed at that. The romaine salad I ordered tasted really great! However I ordered the Ravioli with Bolognese - yuck! I would have sent it back but I was already using a coupon from restaurant.com and thought it would have been tacky to do so. But this pasta had NO flavor - I asked for red chili flakes and even that hardly helped. NOT what I expected from an italian restaurant that makes their own pasta. I only came to this restaurant for food - and I was NOT satisfied with it. Service - for a nice date-type restaurant I expect the servers and service to be on the ball. It seemed like these guys were fighting in front of their guests! As a server I know this is not acceptable. And the server (not ours thankfully) looked really dirty. I totally respect being able to show your personality through what you wear but I don't expect a guy to come serve me with ripped rolled up jeans and a band tshirt. All together if you are looking for a nice professional environment to eat at with good food - this is NOT the place to be!
(2)Just Y.
My desire to love and support this place has been strong since they opened - Local owners trying to establish a quality restaurant. When they first opened the chef was creative, the food and menu developing, and the small staff (often just one of the owners) very interactive. You could forgive the 80's travel agent office look of the place because they were new. Now, the chef seems a little beaten down with owning a business. The menu hasn't changed in months, which is a shame because it moved from straightforward with a smaller but diverse selection, to a more cluttered offering which includes mix and match pasta and several main course offerings that seem to be the same sauce but different meats. They used to have a wide selection of home made deserts, but have gone the route of externally supplied items. Their hired servers also leaves something to be desired. I am always amazed at how bad they are at describing the main dishes, let alone the specials. I always wonder if they ran their presentation by the chef before giving it to the customer - rarely do the descriptions make the dishes sound enjoyable. At least they are nice and attentive. I do wish them the best, and I hope they reach a happy medium between creative cooking and running a business - but they aren't cheap and I haven't left completely satisfied in quite a few visits.
(3)saul c.
Very few dishes are not that great. The home made pasta is close to perfection. Love most of the food. Great appetizers! Good service. Good wine list. Very friendly!
(4)Michelle W.
A solid Italian restaurant. Chicken Parma was very tasty and organic. Rosemary lemonade is worth a try - interesting selection. Panna cotta was delightful with warm spiced pears - this was what moved me from 3 stars to 4 stars. Live music the night we went left a bit to be desired. Kids are welcomed so friendly for families but also has a romantic atmosphere for couples.
(4)Richard P.
I only give this place two stars becasue of the grilled salad, and soup we ordered. My GF had the Seafood Risotto which was so bland and tastless. I had the special Ragu Goat pasta that was sooo salty. I was disapponted and expected more based on reviews.
(2)Nina W.
This is a wonderful, hidden little neighborhood cafe-style local gem. Wow, what a mouthful!! The guys who own it are locals, and they take their food seriously. The pasta, for the majority, is made fresh (except the spaghetti which is a high quality italian, still ok for restaurant standards). Fresh made pasta?? Yah, seriously, its fresh made. The fettucini noodles will leave you dreaming about them for days afterward. You can build your own pasta dish here, Ive had the marinara here, and it is outstanding. Their meats are local and organic, the sausage and meatballs are stellar, the chicken, although a small portion (come on people, a proper portion of chicken for one is what? 6-8 ounces?? we are so spoiled in the US, we eat way more portionwise than we should, so a smaller poriton of fantastic tasting bird shouldnt bunch your panties too much!!!) is always juicy and flavorful. Ive tried the puttanesca, and found it to be very rich but a little salty for my taste. too much capers, i think. My favorite sauce for the pasta is the bordelaise. its a demi-glace and buttery erotic dance in your mouth. They always have fresh ingredients, their salads are really really tasty, and their specials are alaways new and unique. Try this place, and visit their website: piccoloseattle.com P.S. can get pretty pricey if you come with a large group.
(4)YO O.
Wow, it hard to believe that such an incredible place is not only in Seattle but in such an unassuming location. We saw Chef Nick at the Lake City Farmers market doing a cooking demonstration. He was a total charming sweetheart and an extraordinary chef. He made a mouthwatering bread soup! We knew that we had to try his restaurant ASAP. When we finally walked in it was as if into a more romantic culinary time and place. From the homemade limoncello drinks to the delightful antipasta platter we were smitten. We even tried the grilled romaine salad and loved it! What a delight to experience something totally delicious and unique. The noodles for some of the pastas are homemade. The cheese ravioli I had was perfect in both texture and flavor. I choose the brown butter and fried sage sauce which was a delicious as it sounds. I have to admit, I fall in love easily with a restaurant that has an intimate yet not pretentious feel AND extraordinary food but Cafe Piccolo is truly worthy of an LTR! Chef Nick became even more of our hero when he prepared 2 huge, amazingly delicious pans of lasagna and one pan of their incredible focaccia for a birthday party. It was the first party we have ever had where my Mom didn't exhaust herself by cooking up a storm. She was completely overjoyed with the food from Cafe Piccolo. It was fantastic and reasonably priced! We will definitely order more party food from this amazing restaurant! Enjoy!
(5)Wally O.
Just took our son and daughter in law there, the service was excellent and fast, the food was fantastic, even for our two gulten free ladies and the dessert was the best.
(5)Kerry P.
Used to be SOOO much better. Had the lamb gnocchi about a year ago when it was offered as a special and I can honestly say it was one of the best dinners I had ever had. I ate every bite and could barely waddle out. But the last 2 times we have been there it has been disappointing. I tried the lamb gnocchi again (now its on the menu) and as a previous reviewer said there was no meat, just a few strings and metiocre gnocchi. The first time it was full of chunks of melt in your mouth lamb with a wonderful slow braised sauce and PERFECT gnocci. My husband's pasta was pretty good (it was something vegetarian I just can't quite remember what was in it besides some great olives (though he was wishing there had been more.) What is so upsetting is that this used to be a great neighborhood spot and we know that the kitchen is capable of turning out great dishes but I'm not sure they care to anymore. It has become such a family stop that we felt we were at Chucky E Cheese, and the noise level matched! Granted it was early on a Saturday (5:30). We counted 18 kids in this small little restaurant, it was hardly the early romantic dinner we had planned on! So with all that said, I guess if you want a place to take the kids where they can be as loud as they want, but you want to feel like you are out for a nice evening then go ahead. For us I think there are way too many other places in the neighborhood that haven't forgotten how to turn out a really good meal. Sad!!!!
(2)Max R.
Classic italian done right, homemade pasta, and decent wine selection.
(4)Jeff S.
I've only eaten here once, but their eggplant parmigiana was outstanding. Sure, it's a bit quirky and hard to find, but my wife and I were very surprised by the meal. Decent wine selection (some Dolcetto's). Staff was very friendly and the chef came out to ask us about the meal. Overall a nice experience. Will be back soon.
(4)Jon W.
This is my favorite neighborhood restaurant. The servers are friendly and helpful and the food is great. The focaccia is awesome! Here's a tip- the special is always good!
(5)T H.
The pasta noodles were really well made, however the meat sauce on them was not good- it was greasy, salty, onion-y and had way too much garlic (and I love garlic). I wouldn't go back.
(2)Amy L.
I've been craving Italian food since I moved to Seattle. Last weekend my friend and I were going to meet for dinner and she said she was a vegetarian, so I recommended Italian and she said she knew of a great place in Maple Leaf... On first impression the place seemed like a date place...we were eating with a group of 4, but it was still perfect. The waitstaff recognized two of us as being big bread eaters....so they brought us an extra basket...I was a little embarrassed, but my friend said she come a lot and they knew her. The bread was good...a little bit greasy, but the perfect amount of grease to make it just right. I ordered the chicken parm which is my favorite. The entrees say they come with polenta or mashed potatoes, but I just couldn't picture either of those with my chicken parm, so I asked if I could have some pasta instead (they make their pasta fresh daily)...they said yes and I was so happy. I had the fettuccine with marinara sauce. It was awesome! The others at the table ordered ravioli with different types of sauce and I got to have a bite and they were yummy too. If you are in the mood for some down home Italian this would be a great place to check out.
(4)Kim C.
Wow. At the advice of a fellow foodie co-worker, I did the 10 minute walk to get to Cafe Piccolo to try it out; boy was I happy I did! Cafe Piccolo is housed in a condo-type building in a north Maple Leaf residential area. The interior is sparse (the furniture and spacing remind me a lot of Cafe Flora) but inviting, with unusual bathrooms that you must walk down the hall to get to. Parking is street-only. My first visit, I ordered cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, and an order of the white bean bruschetta. Upon arriving home, I discovered that by some fluke, I had been given a mushroom/goat cheese ravioli special that had been around the day before -- odd! Too bad goat cheese makes me remarkably ill. I called back to mention the mistake, and not only was CP very apologetic, but they gave me a free dessert flan to make up for it. Nice! The cheese ravioli and most of the pasta there is made in house, and you can tell. The "ravioli" is a big pasta sheet folded in half, with plenty of creamy cheesy goodness inside. The marinara is hands down THE BEST MARINARA SAUCE EVER, with a decent bit of wine, a bit of kick, and minimalistic texture. The white bean bruschetta is equally as amazing: thick toasted bread covered in perfectly cooked white beans, tons of arugula, oil, and parmesan on top. My second visit was even better. We ate in the dining room and had great service. We split a penne pasta with marinara (I could seriously eat this every day) and I had the chicken scallopine -- chicken medallions with tomato, mushroom and wine over mashed potatoes. Though delicious and affordable ($14.95 for the chicken) there were only two small chicken pieces -- I easily finished the dish (after already eating half a plate of pasta and some bruschetta), and given that I'm a small girl who normally has leftovers, that says something. Still, the quality was superb. Mashed potatoes were creamy but fairly plain, but still better than the other option (polenta) was which a little too runny for my tastes. In hindsight, I'd always order pasta here: it's insanely good, homemade, and cheap ($10 for the best penne marinara ever). The included foccaccia bread is also wildly amazing. Easily one of my favorite italian places in the city. I'll definitely be back again.
(4)Francine N.
My husband and I are always on the hunt for great Italian and a place that you could frequent on any occasion. I would say that Cafe Piccolo is such a place. We have visited twice now and have been consistently pleased with the food. On our first visit we came early and the restaurant was fairly quiet. Our server was friendly, comforting and timely with all courses. So the test here is the marinara sauce and the eggplant parm, if these are good we are sure to return to try some of the more complex items! The special salad app of the night was crisp, fresh and delightful. The house made fettucine with marinara and meatballs was flavorful and balanced; the eggplant parm equally pleasing! Gelato for desert and we are coming back! The second visit was at the prime dinner hour and the restaurant becomes disappointedly LOUD. The service was not as good as the first visit; albeit that is was busier, there were more servers to accommodate. Still friendly, just lacking the needed attentiveness of typical service. This time we had the bruschetta, the ravioli, and a smoked salmon special. To our delight the food was just as good as the first visit; the flavors of all that we've tried are pronounced, balanced, fresh and very enjoyable!! The chocolate cheesecake has the perfect texture and richness. Very much recommend, but go early unless you like it loud.
(4)Heidi S.
Cafe Piccolo is in my neighborhood, but I'm embarrassed to say it's taken me several months to try it out. I will never be gone so long again! It is approachable and affordable enough to be great for dinner on a random weeknight, but the food and service are perfectly suited to a special occasion. The place also sources their meat and produce from local, sustainable sources, which I appreciate. My husband had an amazing truffle pasta dish served with wild mushrooms and a light buttery sauce. I had a free-range veal ravioli made with gremolata pasta that was absolutely divine. Both were specials, so they unfortunately can't be found on the regular menu. However, all of their pasta is fresh and homemade, so you really can't go wrong. The service was very friendly and knowledgeable, the wine list was fairly extensive, and the check was delivered to our table accompanied by two house-made orange madelines. I just might have a new favorite restaurant in my 'hood!
(5)G. S.
I'm giving this the third star for two reasons: One, I really like small family businesses just for being small family businesses. Two, in all fairness, we had a $15 off coupon which we got at the Maple Leaf Neighborhood social from the owners themselves, who seemed very friendly, and with that in mind, the food was a reasonable deal. I went with my spouse and 8-month-old baby early on a Tuesday night when neither of us felt like cooking. The place was pretty empty, except for two other tables, one of which had kids as well although they were older. We got a high chair for the little guy, and a spoon for him to play with. The server belatedly asked if we wanted a kids' menu (didn't want one anyway) and that was that. I felt a bit as if we were imposing on them bringing a kid that little, even though he's very well behaved in public and didn't make a fuss, besides which we'd been assured bringing him was just fine (we like to do our research on this. No need to spoil someone's dinner). The server also very belatedly (ten minutes after we'd been seated) asked if we wanted bread. It was cold focaccia bread, and came with plain bland olive oil in a bowl. Not too exciting. It was also rather impossible to ask the server for, say, vinegar, because he simply didn't return until we got our main dishes. We also had bruschetta, which were cold, yes, but fine. We also wanted to try their wines, but when asked for a wine list, the waiter pointed to a (hard to decipher) chalkboard above the bar, saying that was their wine list. He also proved unable/unwilling to make any wine recommendations, again pointing to the chalkboard. So the dude ordered a glass of California Riesling, since that's what he knows and likes. Oh, and you don't get to do their half-off wine night if you come with a coupon. Which is fair, but we did have to ask first; this information was not volunteered. The main dishes were the real disappointment, here. I ordered the braised lamb gnocchi, and the dude, who doesn't eat meat, the vegetarian ravioli (forgot the exact name of the dish). The ravioli were delicious, pasta, filling, sauce, and all. There also were only 3 of them. You heard me, three. And not three large ones. Three regular sized ones. On a large dinner plate, it looked a bit ridiculous. My gnocchi were a much more generous portion. The gnocchi were a bit soggy, which I don't really mind, but it took some serious searching to find any lamb in it at all! Eventually, I found a very few overcooked strings of meat in the very acidic tomato sauce - not enough to even make me taste it. Maybe that is what "braised" lamb means? In any case, for $15, this dish is too expensive. The real kicker for me was our server coming by and saying, "how is everything, good?" which doesn't exactly give you the chance to mention these concerns. We had the lemon goat cheese cake for dessert, to share, which tasted fine, except I let the dude eat most of it, seeing as how he hadn't really gotten a fair portion of food. Short version: Food and service sort of blah, overpriced for what it is, but with the coupon it sort of was an OK deal.
(3)Calen K.
This place was really a find, a great neighborhood Italian joint. I'm sure I've gone by it a dozen times and never had the slightest interest but I like trying local places and it was on my list. We were warmly greeted when we entered and the place was packed with patrons from families to large groups to couples of all ages. The menu is fairly simple, but most of the pastas are made in-house and what they do they do well and for a reasonable price. The basil gnocchi was tenderer than most and melted where many have a doughy texture, I was quite impressed with the flavors evoked in such a simple dish. The calamari and squid-ink pappardelle was pretty good, the calamari was a bit lacking in flavor, perhaps not as fresh as it could've been, but the paparadelle was wonderful, fresh pasta makes such a difference. We were also very happy with the wine list, which has an excellent selection including an $18 and $24 section, the $24 Perolla Rosso was better than most $40 bottles I've had at other places. Service was friendly, courteous and knowledgeable, which I've decided is really all I'm looking for out of a waiter. Overall the experience was surprisingly nice, probably in part because I wasn't expecting it., but regardless, I'll probably be back.
(4)Berto M.
Discovered this little neighborhood gem because of restaurant.com . I am now a regular. The waiters are always very nice and are generous with wine pours before you make your decision. The food is well prepared with fresh ingredients and a very nice presentation. I have never been disappointed in my choices. The pasta is made in house. The focaccia is served warm w/olive oil to dip. Salads and bruschettas are great, too! And don't forget their lovely desserts!!! 1/2 price wine nights are a plus, too!
(4)Ann G.
We enjoyed this place as first time visitors. Our waiter was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable without hovering. The rosemary lemonade (non-alcoholic) is an amazing burst of flavor. They've got gluten free options (note: their gluten-free pasta is not vegan), they were happy to make my primavera without their usual chicken stock, and the cook made me a special plate of vegan, gluten-free bread and the eggplant from their antipasto plate to munch on while my partner enjoyed the special flat bread of the day which put a huge grin on his face. We barely had room left for our tasty dinner. We'll be back.
(4)Kal A.
this place is just okay. nothing blew me away. chalk it up to "gotta try it once". 3-stars since i had a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate (bought for $3) which made the cost reasonable. otherwise, it would be 2.5-stars as it's too expensive for what it offers. i felt it more of a local neighborhood place convenient for people that live close by.
(3)Pierre G.
A disaster - I ordered: - Lasagna Bolognese [$13.95] the excess lasagna noodle that stuck out on the side of the baking dish was brittle and should have been trimmed or discarded - it was reminiscent of cardboard; I could not detect any evidence of any meat [i.e, bacon? ground beef? pork? - or spices for that matter] and only a very faint taste of tomato in the bolognese sauce; by far, the dominant flavor was cheese, making it far too bland - not unlike Stouffer's supermarket frozen lasagna; plus the portion was small for the price plus and the menu indicates this dish is "baked to order"? my server, Tony, had no clue what "baked to order" means ["I don't know what you are asking"], outside of the fact it takes 20 minutes to bake [and unfortunately not worth the wait] plus there was a mystery side dish of pumpkin, swiss chard and onion [not indicated on the menu] - merely an afterthought; This version is in every way inferior to Cafe Lago's lasagna. the foccacia bread & oil were also mediocre; adding to the misery, my table was rickety - I had to stabilize it with my foot for the duration of my dinner. I have no idea why Grace Geiger included this in her "Five Spots Serving Up Perfect Lasagna" article in Seattle Magazine; No way is this "a classic done right" I know Cafe Piccolo won't need my business but based on this experience, I will not return...
(1)Debra W.
I'd give zero stars if I could. The meal was horrible (pork tenderloin)! Everything was buried in sauce because the underlying meat and the vegetables were dry and overcooked and unedible. I did not eat my meal as I am not going to subject my taste buds to something so tasteless. The server was very unsympathetic - she acted like she could care a less that I did not appreciate their food. I was initially excited to visit this place as my partner is gluten free. But her meal (oxtails) had almost no meat in it. It was all sauce and noodles. If you are into sauce, then you may like the place. But real food does not need to be smothered in sauce. The sauce should be an option, not a requirement to get the food down.
(1)Stacey S.
This is hands-down my husband and my favorite Italian restaurant in Seattle. I grew up eating New York authentic Italian fare and my husband comes from a family of Italian restaurant-owners. Chef Nick's cooking is consistently sublime and creative, while remaining true to the traditional cuisine. I have eaten here countless times and I always love the food. Especially noteworthy are the fresh pasta, salads, and the incredibly delicious soups. I also appreciate that it is a family friendly place; my kids love going as much as we do!
(5)Hollie L.
I really wanted to like this place, I really did. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed. I love Italian food and we generally like to support small local and/or family owned businesses and we've heard they have great pasta here, so of course I had to try it. They didn't seem too busy but their servers were running around as if it was a full house and it took them a little bit before we got seated--all while they had at least 8 available tables. We had their lasagna and fettuccini noodle and neither was fantastic. Needless to say, I will not be returning.
(2)Malea X.
the gluten free options give it the 4th star. i've had much better italian food in the days before eliminating gluten but the fact that i can walk into a restaurant and order pasta is pretty great. we started with bruschetta on gf bread, which was ok. the topping was good - the bread not so much. the grilled romaine salad is good, but could use some seasoning. the gf pasta is homemade and tastes like it - very good and cooked perfectly. the eggplant parmesan is available with gf breadcrumbs and was quite tasty. hubby had the (regular) ravioli, which he enjoyed. the sauces available for the gf fettucine are limited, so i'd like to see more variety in that area. the one thing they could really use is a new gf bread flour/recipe. our server was more than happy to bring us gf bread & olive oil for no charge but it was terrible. it's made from garbanzo flour and tastes like it, and was very dry & crumbly. all desserts are gf and i thoroughly enjoyed the goat cheesecake. i will definitely return.
(4)John S.
Quiet and dark place. The lasange and deserts are really good. Prices are reasonable. Will definitely be going back to this place
(4)R L.
The food is delicious. I love the bread. Wonderful homemade pasta (I love the giant cheese ravioli). I am a vegetarian, and I appreciate how vegetarian-accommodating they are here. Very reasonably priced for such an excellent restaurant. Good service. Chocolate truffle cheesecake is great!
(5)