Il Fornaio
600 Pine Street, Suite 132, Seattle, WA, 98101
Il Fornaio Menu
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Address :
600 Pine Street, Suite 132
Seattle, WA, 98101 - Phone (206) 264-0994
- Website https://ilfornaio.com/catering
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Todd X.
This review is for the Risotteria only. It's grey outside. It's drizzling. You're downtown and want some warm comfort food, but you don't want to pay an arm and a leg or have to sit in a pretentious scene. I give you The Risotteria. Downstairs from Il Fornaio (which is a middle of the road Italian restaurant), the Risotteria offers more lunchtime fare. For me, though, you should go for one of their risottos. You see, I'm a huge fan of risotto. I make it quite often and love to order it when I'm out (so that someone else has to do all that stirring!). The Filante risotto is probably my favorite. It has a tomato base with garlic, basil, and chunks of fresh mozzarella folded in. Top with a little parmigiano and you've got a satisfying meal for a little more than a sandwich and chips will cost you at Quizno's. You decide: risotto or Quizno's. Wait, don't decide. I'm doing it for you. Pick the risotto. 3.5 stars really. A half star for nostalgia's sake.
(4)Jasmine M.
YUM! Il Fornaio to me only exists on the lower level, in the Risotteria, on the 6th Ave street level (the upstairs despite its very wonderful upscale food is far too prissy and snobby for me to bother with and it even might give the lower level a bad rep if people go off a review that was about the upper level). They have several risotto dishes that are creamy, flavorful, and hard to choose from. I've enjoyed the Dorato numerous times with its asparagus, butternut squash, artichokes, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, and saffron. And my other fave risotto dish is the Buranella: mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, shallots, lemon, garlic with lobster sauce. Heavenly would be an understatement. I agree with India B that their caprese rocks but in the Risotteria the price is better. Pasta dishes that have been above expectations, even in their simplicity, are the Capellini, Cannelloni al Pollo, and Fettuccine Pesto e Gamberi. The bread is a lovely touch but don't indulge too much, it is filling. We like to pick up a loaf of sourdough from the cafe in the commons area of the Pacific Place for dinners at home. The service in the Risotteria has always been down-to-earth, friendly, informed, and not pushy at all. I love the smells coming from the open kitchen. Also a great place for groups and families, gotta love that.
(5)Jen B.
Came here for a late lunch on a Monday. I didn't realize this was a chain; we were hoping to go somewhere distinctly "Seattle." But I digress: the food was good but overpriced for the portion you get, pretty much across the board. Our server was way over the top, like seriously, dial it back a bit dude, it's just pasta. He did split our shared salad up tableside which was nice, and our glasses never wanted for refills, so maybe I'm being a bit harsh w/ only the 2 stars. Guess it's just not my kind of place....or maybe I've been spoiled by the fat-kid sized Italian food portions a la Olive Garden and Buca DiBeppo.
(2)mandy m.
pssst, il fornaio, yeah you. you are a chain restaurant. in a mall. stop trying so hard.
(2)Esther L.
Excellent food, service, ambience. Amazing pasta, delicious desserts. Good for large group of 10.
(5)Tanya J.
Today I went to the Il Fornaio Restaurant for lunch, after all these years of frequently visiting the Il Fornaio Café in pacific place, and found it fantastic. I ordered the marguerite pizza, a recommendation from a colleague who swore by their pizza's and it was pretty tasty. I did see so many things on the menu that thirsted my interest for a repeat visit back so I can't wait to try more. The pizza was great, it was large with a thin-medium crust and hearty just how I like it. The bread and dipping oil was great and extremely fresh. The service was great! It was very professional, formal, and knowledgeable. I felt like if I asked my server where the tomatoes were grown, she'd have an extremely intelligent answer to this question. The restaurant itself was clean and very well maintained yet comfortable. I can't wait to go back and try more off their fabulous menu!
(4)Melissa F.
Holy delicious foods, Batman! We went to this place before checking out A Christmas Carol at the 5th Avenue Theatre. There were 6 of us, so we all got to sample each other's dishes. The seasonal mushroom risotto was probably the best. The seasonal mahi mahi was the worst - too much tomato sauce and not enough real flavor.. and the fish was overcooked. :( One should NEVER overcook fish! The canneloni was also delicious. The wine list is to die for. The service was impeccable - I really couldn't ask for better. Their challah bread is ridiculously good. I probably ate way too much of it. The tiramisu was phenomenal, as was the zabaglioni, and the gelati. How often can you really go wrong with dessert? It's spendy, for certain, but it's honestly not that much more than a junky food place like Red Robin. I've never been to the cafe in the middle of the mall, but that'll be next on my list, as well as the Happy Hour.
(4)Wade F.
I came to the restaurant awhile back for dinner and the service was really good. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will be back for more. It's a good spot for a special occasion or small group
(4)Tom K.
we went there for lunch, had a calzone and a pizza. you'll get some ciabatta bread as a free snack on the side. food was all very good, service was good. so I can absolutely recommend the place.
(4)A B.
I skip the restaurant and go straight for the sandwich bar in the center of Pacific Place. I maintain that their tuna salad sandwich is the best in Seattle, and have been returning for it periodically since 1999--it's still the best. Everything I've had here has been delicious and I've never had a problem with my order. Make sure you ask them to toast it for you. Their bread is fantastic! Soft, chewy, crunchy, amazing. Bar Paseo, my favorite sandwich in the city.
(5)May N.
A friend and I went for restaurant week. Honestly, if it wasn't for restaurant week, I wouldn't have gone. I think the prices are a tad on the outrageous side (keep in mind that I am currently on a college student budget). The quality of food was OK, but nothing to rant home about. I'm willing to pay for quality food, but if it doesn't particularly impress me then that's not enough to justify the price. They give you plenty of bread with the meal, so at least you will leave full (depending on how many refills of bread you get). The portion sizes are decent, but if I were to pay full price I would still cringe. However, the zabaione was quite delicious - the highlight of the meal. Service was FANTASTIC for us. Our waitress connected with us and gave us wonderful suggestions. If we asked for anything (like butter for bread) she got it to us promptly and with a very warm smile. At the end of the meal she offered to bag up our left over bread and even included a couple unsliced loaves so that it'd be fresh for the next day. How amazing! I made sure to leave a nice tip. One star off for food quality to price. It was good, but not great.
(4)Christy H.
First and last visit! I sat at the bar and had courteous, prompt service, but the food left much to be desired. The pasta was so overcooked that when I tried to pick it up with the fork it fell apart. But the worst part was the chef tried to insult my intelligence and tell me that whole wheat pasta always comes out too soft. Just not so, I can successfully cook whole wheat pasta al dente in my novice home kitchen! Overcooked is overcooked no matter the type of pasta!
(2)Amanda P.
Great service, good wine list, and lunch is very good quality. The bar is awesome to cozy up to as well. I always get the risotto if it is on the list and haven't been disappointed yet. I highly recommend this place as a lunch option for anyone looking a great Italian place that is within an easy walk of most of downtown, has easy parking if you are driving, has a formal yet warm atmosphere, A+ service, and won't break the bank. It is a good option for entertaining business clients. If you go here for dinner, I recommend reservations as it gets quite busy.
(4)Luca T.
OK, let's start talking about the food... barely decent! Aragosta (lobster) soup has no aragosta in it, not even a small piece made it in by mistake into the tomato sauce with a light aragosta taste. Trenette alla riminese (spaghetti with some fish)... first of all you can't put Parmesan cheese on top of fish and secondly there was no salt at all. Zero taste! Grigliata di pesce (grilled fish) was completely watery! Frozen fish cooked quickly and therefore the ice melted. The service was acceptable, but since I was there by myself, they tried to say that I never made a reservation, obviously they wanted to give that table to more than one person... this is not professional... Also don't try the special menu thinking you're getting a deal, because they don't say anything but I'm convinced that the portions were much smaller than regular size. 2 stars is a fair score for this place.
(2)Nancy H.
My family and I come here about twice a year, so we've had approximately six or eight meals here now. They've all been super. Not once have we had a sub-par meal or poor service. Tonight my kids each had a Caesar salad and minestrone soup which they loved. The lettuce was super-fresh and the homemade croutons were especially good. The freh parmesan shavings on top were big and delicious. Hubby had the roasted chicken which was cooked perfectly and was moist and perfectly seasoned. It was a big portion, too. The side vegetables were fresh and colorful. I had a pasta dish "Bolognese" (with meat sauce) which was wonderful. I will definately order that again! The server was attentive and came by regularly to ask if we needed more bread, dipping oil and balsamic and/or drinks. My only qualms: the dishes aren't creative or different in any way, and the desserts aren't special. Hubby had some sort of partfait tonight which looked beautiful but he said it tasted funky because it was made with some sort of liquor in it, and he wished the waiter would've told him this when describing the desserts. If hubby knew, he wouldn't have ordered it. He didn't like it much. My kids and I shared the apple crepes. The two crepes were tepid at best (I would've liked them heated a lot more), and they were sitting on a sauce that I thought was caramel but this, too, had a funky taste to it; it tasted as though it was made with an orange lacquer in it. My kids and I didn't like it much (although we ate it). Had I known it was made with alcohol, I certainly wouldn't have ordered it - especially since I was sharing it with the kids! And the server knew this when we ordered. Again, he should have told us this in advance. So....although the dessert tray looks gorgeous and it's so tempting, I'd recommend diners to avoid it.
(4)C A.
You're shopping at Pacific Place, you're hungry and cranky and don't want to walk around looking for a place to eat. Well, this place will fit the bill and satisfy in that kind of situation. It's a place to eat vs. dine. It's what you'd expect from a chain restaurant. The food is okay but not the best value for the $$. There's better places around downtown.
(3)Doug P.
Have usually enjoyed this experience but Black Friday not the time to come back. Staff and kitchen overwhelmed with food very mediocre.
(2)Brittany L.
This is my first time at this restaurant, the ambiance is nice. We were served right away and got our bread an drinks. But, we had to keep asking for refills, they never really check if our food was ok/good, slow service, the food was ok. then when the server made a mistake in separating the check, we asked to fix it, she was so irritated. Like we did "something" wrong! Ok! It was ok until the end, she never even said thank you or have a nice day. I didn't feel welcome there anymore. I'm a little sad because I don't like to give bad reviews, It will be a while before I try them again.
(2)Tenille L.
Mediocre food. Good service. Easy quick bite before a movie. Wouldn't try it again.
(2)Brynne H.
Eh, it's a step up from Bucca di Beppo, at least. I actually kind of like the space and what they've done with it. It's certainly nothing if not convenient, and it has the distinction of being the best food in Pacific Place. But the best food in Pacific Place isn't the highest mark in the world, is it? There's no terrible food in Pacific Place, but nothing great. Nothing that makes you think, 'Oh! I need to go to Pacific Place to go to xxxxx!' No one ever says that! No one ever thinks it! (Sorry the Pike Place Chowder outlet is not nearly as good as the flagship store 7 blocks away.) Even though you don't ever say or think you need food in Pacific Place, fact is, sometimes you just might need food while you're there or in the area. And although Il Fornaio is the most expensive, they are the best of this little mall/parking garage, and therefore worth popping in. Decent service, they calorie bomb you with the customary complimentary bread/olive oil, and they have an extensive enough menu that you'll probably have a hard time deciding. It's a good place in a pinch on a Sunday afternoon if you want good ambiance for a cozy little date.
(3)Occam W.
This is for the bakery... I got a bean soup made with vegetable broth, which was a welcome vegetarian option. It wasn't too expensive really, and quite filling and hot. Their salad assembly looks pretty interesting... pick your greens, add 3 or 4 items, and they make it right in front of you.
(3)Cary R.
I've returned to Il Fornaio many many times upon my first Seattle outing here and it is A-okay! In fact, it's better than that and I'm a fan. I feel silly giving it such a lackluster review the first time, although the part about the waiter was absolutely true. They always have great happy hour deals and it's become a favorite of my fam's. Love the dark, classy ambiance of the restaurant too.
(4)Tracy M.
I've only ever eaten in the bakery/deli section in the center of Pacific Place lobby. It's actually above average pastas and "to go" style salads. Prices aren't super cheap during normal hours, but the food is actually fresh and real, so that's okay. THE PASTRIES are actually quite good. BEST DEAL. Their Happy Hour is 5-7pm on weekdays. 50% off of the pastries and cheap prices on meals, coffee, and beer. I often have to work in the evenings in this part of town. It's great to rush in, grab a VERY fresh and tasty croissant sandwich, and only pay $2 or $3. I don't think this is a "destination" restaurant, but if you're in the area in the evenings (seeing a movie, going shopping, etc), stop by the main floor of Pacific Place before 7pm and get a super cheap, delicious, flaky, buttery pastry for just a few dollars. And a lot of the stuff is pre-packaged so you can just grab it "to go." And, for being a deli in the middle of a mall (an upscale mall, but still), it's a very pleasant seating situation (much nicer than the red mango situation in the basement). It's light and airy, and the tables/chairs are pretty.
(4)Stacy C.
Not the best. Portions are small. Restaurant is huge.
(3)Sam H.
Il Fornaio is pretty good. The food is good, the service is excellent, but I always feel a little weird going in to the restaraunt. The food is a little foo foo, but there are a few gems on the menu that are just plain good. I suggest the Penini Ala Vodka (if I got the name right). The best part of the food is the bread and vinegar. I'm a sucker for old world breads and the vinegar is super excellent. Heck, I could make an entire meal out of that! The service is excellent. The water glass, even for someone like me who sucks up water like a thirsty cactus, was rarely empty and never empty for long. I'm always checked up on too. The thing that makes this a 4 instead of a 5 is the faux ultra fancy interior that always makes me feel under dressed. Even if I were wearing slacks and a business shirt I'd feel a little uncomfortable, but that's just me.
(4)Jun Hee D.
So, I was pretty excited to go get some yummy pasta and italian. But honestly, the food was mediocre. We ordered 4 different kinds of pasta too, and I regretted bringing my family/friends here. It was at best okay. The pasta isn't that good, the sauce doesn't feel freshly made, the noodles either. I usually really like italian food, so it was a major disappointment for me. I got this ice-cream dessert and the waitress said it was "really good" but it wasn't tasty at all. I'm sorry to be harsh, but its' true. the waitress didn't deliver the best service either. at the end, we wanted to talk to the manager concerning the bill, and she said she already talked to the manager and it wouldnt work (or smthg like that) and when i pressed to speak with him/her in person, she was startled and we realized the manager wasn't even in. she talked about how their register machine could'nt to it, even though my dad had been to this place many times (since its close to his work) and this place could definitely solve that issue. wtf, she practically lied to my face. I'm never going here again.
(1)Sonia C.
I've been to both the main restaurant upstairs and the risotteria downstairs, and prefer the latter. The menu is basically the same, but the environment is a little more laidback and the prices are cheaper. I recently went to the risotteria for a quick dinner before catching a movie at the AMC upstairs. We split the gnocchi pomodoro and the filetto risotto. The gnocchi was cooked perfectly (pillowy, but not too soft). The risotto was very savory, and had a nice amount of asparagus and tender beef. Delicious! The dishes were filling, but not so big that we didn't have room for dessert! Per the waitress' recommendation, I ordered the bread pudding with vanilla gelato and my companion had the black forest cake. The bread pudding was served piping hot and had a nice chewy consistency (I don't like my bread pudding mushy). The black forest cake was only ok - I think it had too much whipped cream. Overall, an excellent meal. The risotteria is the way to go!
(4)Jen T.
I use to go here for lunch all the time to get their hand tossed salads. Is it just me or did the salads magically shrink in size? O_o They did however add more topping options like : grapes, apples, dried cranberries. They also got stingier on the toppings- I really wish there was an accurate way for them to measure the toppings so that the salads would be more consistent. The rest of the of the food is way over priced. :(
(3)Rochelle W.
I went to this place with my prom group and we had a great time. We ate all the bread in the basket and got more without them giving us a "you guys are fatties" look. Me and my best friend/prom date ordered their pizza and calamari and they were amazing (well worth the money)! The crust was perfect and the toppings were piled on top. I had a bite of their Butternut squash ravioli as well and that was completely delicious (a little small on portion from what I saw). There is a dessert cart rolling around to tempt you but I didn't budge (I was too full from the pizza and appetizer. Minus one star for their waiter service: they talked too quickly and left quickly without making sure they got everyone's request. Splitting the bills seemed like an impossible task for them (they requested that we warn them 45 mins. before we finished eating so they can split it then instead of just taking our orders on different checks). I would definitely come back again but with a smaller group of people!
(4)Shari d.
I have been here several times and thoroughly enjoyed each meal. I can't say it is the best Italian food I have ever had but it is good and I have never been disappointed. I have tried several of their options in the past but most recently I came here with a friend and had the gnocchi. They were light and fluffy covered in an average meat sauce. The price would make you think that you would get more but as you get further into your meal you realize that any more gnocchi and it would be too much. My friend had the risotto and that was yummy as well. Perfectly cooked. 2 glasses of wine and 2 entrees = under 50. Thumbs up.
(3)Liam R.
First of all, I don't consider anything without meat a suitable lunch. Which means that 80% of Il Fornaio's menu items are out of the question. Their "working professional prices" mean paying $7.70 for a tiny mediocre sandwich. *This review applies to the take-out part only. I've never eaten in the actual restaurant.
(2)Amy C.
My husband and I both got food poisoning here. If you like pukerhea, then you'll love Il Fornaio!
(1)Richard U.
This update is for the Happy Hour only! I wasn't the biggest fan of this place during my first review when I went for regular dinner. The Happy Hour is a different story. between 430pm-630pm they have free appetizers! Yikes! The caveat is you are either at the bar which isn't so bad or the tall tables which sits two. As you can imagine things get filled up pretty quickly. The 'Free-ness' was a suprise to me but dove in with gusto. Tonight they featured a variety of appetizers: chicken wings, caprese, brushetta w/ olive tapenade, crab cakes, mini-chicken salad sandwiches. You have to buy a drink of course, I got a diet coke for I think $2.50? But with that you can pretty much serve yourself as much as you want! Insanity! The stuff was okay, not the greatest either but the price really is hard to beat. Service was very friendly and the free eats was replaced pretty regularly and with a decent variety. Definitely decent choice for a happy hour in the downtown!
(4)Vince N.
Classy dining with tasteful flair! This place is consistent and solid with the food presented. Everything taste fresh and seems to be cooked with care with a strong attention to detail. The lamb risotto on special was great. The veggie pizza was very fresh and filling. Prices are fairly reasonable for the location. Would I recommend this place. Yes.
(3)Debbie H.
Love the happy hour! Casey and the other bartenders are awesome, they always treat you right. The food is consistent, excellent and I never have to wait to long. Thanks for all your hard work.
(5)Bob L.
Good Italian restaurant (and since I am Italian and from the East Coast I presume my report has weight..LOL). Downstairs is very casual and upstairs is more elegant dining. I prefer the upstairs atmosphere. Had a nice Caprese Salad (use of basil and oil a major plus over using balsamic!) followed with a very nice Bolognese. The desert tray was quite amazing and had more than one or two good looking desserts I had never head of before. By the way, if you look for 600 Pine this place it impossible to find. There is a mall on the corner of 6th and Pine that contains this nice restaurant.
(4)Holly M.
Ya know...just 'cause it is a chain...doesn't mean it don't do good... Seriously am here almost once a week...usually sit at the bar; or one of their bar tables. They are consistently very, very good; and the bartenders are AWESOME. Il Fornaio has one of the best Beef Carpacchios in the city. Thinly sliced; with Grana Parmesan, capers and truffle oil. OMG. Heaven. On more than one occasion...have ordered more than one... Another bene of sitting at the bar is the Olives...they are spiced; and served in the aforementioned oil...yummmmy! Their specialty cocktails are always very good. Currently, cannot stay away from the Ginger Mojito. So...for just a chill place; great atmosphere, awesome appetizers and cocktails downtown, this is one of my favorites. (But avoid it at Happy Hour; it may be free; but it is frenzied with people that are trying to get free food; and while it is free; it is very pedestrian...kinda like a Vegas buffet) (I also avoid the downstairs...a bit of a cafeteria atmosphere)
(4)Xela H.
good late night pasta place. Food was good. Full bar is great.
(4)Julie K.
While there was surprisingly more meat ragu than noodles in my tagliatelle alla bolognese (which isn't the norm in my experience as lots of places like to pack in the carbs and skimp on the meat) and the bread service was fine, whatever enjoyment we could've had with our dining experience was marred by our waiter's lack of professionalism. He clearly favored the larger party of probably 5-6 people next to us as they were ordering bottles upon bottles (so it seemed) of wine and plenty of food. He couldn't bring over the dessert cart because he had a "bigger party" to deal with. He never checked on us after our entrees were delivered. My friend had to ask the manager for a spoon and I had to ask another waiter for a spoon as well. Sure, tips are important, but being a professional means providing the same level of high quality service to ALL at any given time. That's part of the dining experience for the customer. At least this customer. So I'd say pass on Il Fornaio completely or don't dine in "Mike J's" area.
(2)Janet S.
I am reviewing the salad area in the middle of the mall. Aside from the fact that the people that work there hate their jobs and it is very apparent. They ran out of bacon for salads and couldn't offer anything to replace it that they weren't going to charge extra for. I was pretty disappointed in the place and the workers. I would not recommend this place :(
(1)Kelly C.
This restaurant has the unfortunate reputation of being a "restaurant located inside a mall." It's typically Seattle casual, so you can stop in if shopping in jeans and a t-shirt, yet a good experience worth going out of your way for even if not shopping at the mall, such as a special occasion. The service is great - attentive without being overbearing - and the atmosphere classy with a hint of being romantic, though without trying too hard. The portions are also appropriately sized - just when you think you wish you had more food, you realize how full you are. Definitely a good option if you're craving good pasta.
(4)Tara S.
Il Fornaio is the only way I will voluntarily eat a salad. Once you make your way through the cafeteria line up filled with hungry mall employees, you will have your choice of sandwiches, pasta salad, pastries or my personal favorite - do it yourself salads. You pick your lettuce, your five favorite toppings and then a dressing. My favorite combination is romaine lettuce with raisins, artichokes, mushrooms, pine nuts and BACON with creamy balsamic. Essentially, you have the opportunity to turn the healthy option of eating salad into a dripping, bacony mess. If I were to rate Il Fornaio on salad alone, it would win a whopping five star award. Despite the food, the service is a little lacking and the food is a little expensive. However, the real kicker is the moolah you dish out for the Pacific Place parking. Six dollars for an hour!? In the end, Il Fornaio is a good option for hungry hippos during busy shopping weekends that don't want to pig out on greasy food offered at the top floor of Pacific Place. Good for: a quick filling meal (the mall employees obviously love it) Not good for: those wanting to be waited on, authentic italian lovers
(4)Sarah Z.
We went here on Thanksgiving. We were seated in the area that can be used for private dining overlooking the street. There were very tall windows and lots of wood paneling, a big mirror to make the space look more open. I think the main dining room actually had a bit better ambiance than the dining area we sat in, but it was nice. The bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar are very good :) I ordered the traditional 4-course Thanksgiving dinner (butternut squash soup, grapes-gorgonzola-spring mix salad, turkey dinner and pumpkin pie) and my husband ordered Linguine Mare Chiaro, a plate from the regular menu. Neither of us were impressed by the soup or salad (we shared them) they were fine but nothing to remember, but my Thanksgiving dinner plate was very nice, as was my husband's Linguine. The waiter was really nice and offered good service. I felt a bit bad that he was working Thanksgiving but hopefully the extra tips for working the holiday made up for it. The hostess was actually quite abrupt and was probably the only less-than completely pleasant person we met with. She seemed overwhelmed with the busy holiday. I'd go back. We liked the food and our waiter. When I gave an A-OK 3 stars I meant it. :) Our total bill was $70 without tip. We didn't have any alcoholic drinks.
(3)Jose B.
Very nice Italian restaurant in Downtown Seattle. The chef is very talented and all the pastas are home-made! My mom and I go here as often as we can. Especially because it's her favorite!!
(5)Violet D.
The service was slow and food was edible at best. The high point was the bread-it was placed on our table with our water about 4 minutes after we sat down. It took another 5-8 before we were given the oil/vinegar dip and for anyone to ask if we wanted something else to drink. My companion finally had to ask again for the wine 10 minutes after the wine order was placed. I had the roasted chicken-I've had better I brought home from the grocery store. My companion had Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. It tasted the equivalent of pasta with meat beanless chili poured on top. In tourist area-an I was tourist- but everywhere else we ate in Seattle was tremendously better (food and service) than here. After sat down, I noticed all -not just ones near kitchen- ceiling tiles were very dirty. Too many better restaurants in area to eat here.
(1)Marc L.
Recently walked in here with my wife to order some appetizers and desert to go. It started off good, as we were greeted by the hostess. She explained to us that the desert we were trying to order had to be ordered from up stairs at the bar. Ok, no problem, so we walked up stairs, and were completely ignored by every one of the wait staff, to include the bus boys and the bar tender. Anytime one of them would approach us, they would avoid eye contact, and keep on moving.... We literally waited 1/2 an hour before the bar tender acknowledged us (keep in mind this was around 2:30 pm-ish). Not only did they NOT acknowledge us, but the bar tender was really rude! As if we had done something to her? So we placed our order, and one of the appetizers was burnt. Well, never again!!!
(1)D M.
Great cooked from scratch food. Super family friendly - excellent customer care!
(5)Kjell S.
I ordered a special at lunch, which they seemed to be very proud of. Risotto with veal and other goodies. Food didn't match the presentation. Was undercooked. In the words of the assistant Jone Filipe guy on Hell's Kitchen, "risotto is undercooked, sir".
(3)Michael I.
Awesome for lunch... the new york steak salad is to die for. Also good for late night apps and a glass of wine after a movie or show. Service is good!
(4)Julie S.
Service was a tad slow, but we had overheard two servers talking about being short-handed when we walked in. It is possible they weren't talking about that night, but the staff did seem light. Our server did check in often about bread and water, and told us that our food would be coming out. One friend had a pizza, which was HUGE for one person, another had the 4 cheese gnocchi, another had the gnocchi with a tomato-cream-pesto sauce that looked amazing. I had the seafood risotto. I'm not experienced with risotto and I did find it a bit crunchier than I expected. Portions for our three pasta dishes were not huge but were satisfying. I really want to go back for something classic like Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken.
(4)Cruz O.
Ok, so we went here for restaurant week. The service was good, replete with silverware replacement and other such pretentious nonsense. However, I need good food. Here's a breakdown of what we had: The caprese was very standard. Cheese tasted a bit processed, but there was basil, tomato, blah blah. I've had worse. The calamari was lightly breaded with no seasoning. It was tender, but so bland I didn't care. I had to overpower it with the spicy marinara they gave me to dip, but that was pretty one note too. The anti-highlight was my girlfriend's bolognese; I could tell the ingredients were of better quality than canned pasta, but the flavor profile was the same. At least the pasta was cooked well. My salmon was juicy and the potatoes that came with it were nice. Probably the best part of the meal, but there wasn't anything distinct about it. Give me a QFC, 30 seconds and a 10 foot radius of room to work with, and then I've gathered the ingredients. The tiramisu was good. The mousse was good, but the lemon flavor in the cake at the bottom gave it this weird, almost metallic taste. I'm being kind of nitpicky, but the point I'm trying to make is that a place that puts on the kind of air it does, and charges the kind of prices it does, can do better with its food. If you make your bottom line more about net revenue, I'll go somewhere better, somewhere privately owned where the food is constantly being reinvented and improved. I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised, given that it's a chain. But that bolognese was terrible. No excuses!
(2)Sean V.
jst arrived in seattle and happy to see kj .so nice i got treated to a nice lunch at ill fornaio.we got there about twoish were friendly greeted and sat at a nice table next to the window stared with the capress insalata and the insalata ill fornaio shave parm so yummy.pennoni alla vodka 15.99 large pasta tubes with bacon, vodka-cream-tomato sauce and parmesan cheese was so good.our server excellent .
(5)Dianne C.
I honestly don't know how to make a good solid rating off this place. Sometimes, it's really good. Sometimes, it's really bad (and, just like the girl with the curl right in the middle of her forehead, it gets really, really bad). Most of the times, it's just decent. I've had some good food here, like their gnocchi and their pork dishes. Most of their pastas are pretty good... when they're being really, really good. On the up side, the dinners have been pretty good most of the time I've gone.. and that's usually when I have first timers with me. Lunch is more on the touch and go. Unfortunately, when it's been bad is usually during lunch when we're doing our department thang. One time when we went, the waiter glared at us pretty much during the entire stay after I accidentally spilled some water. Another time, we had three out of twelve lunches comped: (1) steak was cold and there was the veggie sticker label at the bottom of the salad; (2) they offered us their special menu item and then informed us about twenty minutes later that it actually wasn't; (3) other lunches were cool, but we decided not to pursue the matter. It was very nice of them to comp us, but the actual dining itself didn't go that well. There were a few other times, but these stick out the most. Because of this, I really only go here when it's more of a one-on-one thing when my companion's dining preferences clearly point towards this restaurant. Things I wish of this place: - better time estimation/management - more consistent service at the table - more consistent service in the kitchen (please, if we've waited long enough for the food... we, at least, hope that the food comes out right)
(2)L N.
Service was great, but I ordered the Insalata di Pollo salad with the dressing on the side, and it was bland. When explained that the salad was bland, the server explained that it was because I ordered the dressing on the side. I order dressing on the side at many other establishments, and the salads are not bland. Recommend seasoning the chicken a bit to help.
(2)Jennifer K.
I went here the other night before the Kathy Griffin show. It was my first time here. It seems like it would be a great date place. The only reason that I say this is because it is dimly lit - perfect lighting for that first date. You get to start out with a basket of bread (of course) which you dip in olive oil & balsamic vinegar. It was quite tasty. We didn't have any appetizers or salads. (I know, amateur diner-like.) I decided on one of their specials - a fusili pasta with porcini mushrooms, peas & chicken in a cream sauce. The price was a bit on the steep side ($18.99). It was good and the portion size was just the right amount. (No leftovers to take home.) My friend had the butternut squash ravioli. It was pretty good too. My friend had dessert - just a scoop of vanilla gelato with chocolate syrup. It came with a couple of cookies on it and you can't beat the price - it was only $2. The service was ok, the food was decent. I would probably go back sometime.
(3)John Z.
This review is based on the Risotteria section of the restaurant. I'm choosing to slightly ignore the Main Restaurant because my rating would be much lower if I include it. I was enjoying the Risotteria section so much that I decided to try the main, fancier, restaurant for a change. Expecting a really good meal, I was flabbergasted at how much I disliked the meal I ordered. I had some kind of fish ravioli, with flavors and ingredients that did not mix well at all. It was like a traffic jam of flavors. The plate quickly became challenge for me to eat, so I walked away disappointed. As much as I disliked the main restaurant though, I adore the Risotteria. I must have stopped by there at least twice a week during my recent 2 month stay in Seattle. I liked every single Risotto I had, always looking forward to what Risotto was on special for the day, or trying again one of the excellent Risottos on the regular menu. A risotto is a simple yet just about perfect meal to me, with its creamy and starchy versatility. The ones done right are among the top of foods I crave the most. Il Fornaio does it right.
(3)Jason H.
I was here last week celebrating a birthday. I would give this place 3.5 stars. Service: Awesome. Our server waited patiently and continuously check in on all. He was attentive and friendly. 5 star here. Food: I had the seafood pasta under the house specialty section and the food was nothing to brag about. I was somewhat disappointed relative to my expecations. 2 Stars. (5 + 2)/2=3.50
(4)Chet F.
Horrible food with horrible service. At least they are consistent. Stopped before a movie. It is a chain restaurant that serves "Italian" food. If you think olive garden is good Italian food, you might like this. Even then though...
(1)Hilary P.
I usually love this place, but it was just all wrong at the Seattle location this evening. Chicken was over-cooked in the Canneloni, Seafood not very fresh in the rissoto. The angel hair tomato pasta was bland. Bruschetta bites were ok- it was nice of them to give it to us on the house. Service was pretty good. Definitely won't be coming back to this joint until they get there shit together again in the kitchen.
(2)Nick C.
Il Fornaio at Pacific Place is divided into three sections. They have: 1) cafe at the first floor of Pacific Place; 2) non-reservation-able booth area on the lower level; 3) dining room area that accepts reservations, first floor. Calamari, good yummy. Ahi ... don't order the Ahi. Dessert, very good. I been to Il Fornaio in the past, always had the lobster ravioli, so thought I try something new. Alas, the ahi came out to be tasteless lump of fish. So, don't order the ahi!
(4)Darcy H.
Il Fornaio is gracious dining. There is cloth on the tables, low background noise, soft lighting, and lovely service. The food is delicious too, but it's the atmosphere--elegant without being capital "R" romantic--that makes it a posh place to relax and take a vacation from one's life. Bring your in-laws; they'll be impressed.
(4)Paul C.
Decent tasting food and service; however, the cocktails are very weak and very overpriced - half your bill will be from the bar if you have two drinks with lunch or dinner. Overall, I think it's overpriced for the standard Italian fare served. I don't have any complaints here but honestly I would choose Macaroni Grill over Il Fornaio any day of the week.
(3)S T.
We had the vegetarian pizza without the eggplant and Insalata della Casa. The house vinagrette is delicious, the vegetables on the salad were all perfectly fresh and delicious together. The pesto sauce on the pizza brought all the flavors of the veggies out perfectly. Our waiter was attentive and friendly. A great lunch during a day out shopping.
(4)Robert N.
This is one upscale place, great wait staff and bartenders that don't look down on me for being a newbie about their food and wine . I always feel welcome there . The food is great from apps to main to dessert . The place itself has a great feel to very relax but sexy too . I wish they had live music and dancing is all . All in all its a great place to take co workers or ask for a small both and take your favorite Boo .
(4)Black X.
Ate here on a trip while waiting in the mall. What a disappointment. I'm familiar with this establishment as I live close to one of their locations in So Cal.................but this meal was ghastly. And to make matters worse--my dish of choice is kind of hard to fuck up. Rotisserie Chicken seasoned w/ Rosemary. Served w/ roasted potatoes. Dry. Chewy. Flavorless. Worse than COSTCO--who only charges $4.95 for an entire bird. Pretty bad for Il Fornaio to lose a flavor contest against a big box shoppe........ I won't be coming back. Yeah......that turned off.
(1)Lejla M.
Yes, I know. I have eaten at the chain restaurant despite the amazing food offerings downtown. Peer pressure, proximity, whatever is the reason, this ended up being a great choice for several reasons. This said, I will NEVER miss the opportunity to enjoy their Carpaccio- raw slices of beef, with shaved grana cheese, capers and wild arugula drizzled with lemon olive oil. As you take a bite you taste the sweet, gamey, thick flavor of the meat itself, cut with the bitter tang of lemony arugula and capers add the hint of saltiness. These flavors complement each other absolutely perfectly and go to create a party in your mouth; one that you will not soon forget. Endless bread basket is amazing. Four kinds of bread ciabatta, rosemary roll, whole wheat roll and baguette. Calamaretti fritti looked pale and tasted like tasteless pieces of deep fried dough with something chewy inside. And the title and description were so promising, but dish itself major disappointment. Insalata Cesarina with housemade Caesar came with no dressing whatsoever, but enough for me to tell that they are anchovy friendly. However, this is lovely since most of the place overdress the salad so for a change it is nice to see this mistake reversed. Original. Pizza Vegetariana comes with mozzarella, tomato sauce, sliced artichokes, zucchini, eggplant, sliced tomatoes, mushrooms, fresh basil and it is probably the best veggie pizza I had in a while. Pizza Fradiavola also had mozzarella, tomato sauce, but was loaded with Italian sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, red onions, spicy peperoncini oil. Careful this is really spicy, 2-3 stars. Great family style place with great cocktails, extensive wine list and fast service; chose a spot closer to the windows to avoid major traffic as hostess brings the new eaters. I am definitely going back to get some Carpaccio, the cheapest food item that evening, but the one that made it all worth it.
(3)Chinmay N.
We were in a rush and explicitly told the waiter that we needed to get out of there in 30 minutes. He said that was easily done. We didn't get our food for 40 minutes. We had to bag most of the food and go. Honestly, their food wasn't too great either. Their pasta tasted bland.
(2)Jim H.
I was not impressed with my Raviolis, unless the outer shell is supposed be tough and chewy, like it was kept under a heat light for a bit. My date seemed satisfied with her choice. The service was top notch, so that counts for a star. To be honest I probably won't go back given there are so many other choices in Seattle
(3)Tony C.
Had the seafood pasta and grilled seafood skewers. Seafood on the skewers were fresh but over seasoned. The pasta was a mish mash of sauce, overcooked pasta and seafood. The dish lacked distinct flavor, just salty and saucy. We ordered what we thought were two iced tea/lemonade mix. A few slurps and the glass was empty. It turned out there are no refills so we were charged repeatedly for what would normally be refillable drinks (that were mostly ice anyways) at over $3 a pop. The waiter was not particularly attentive, stopping by once only when I flagged him down. With all the other restaurants in the area, I think I will be spending my money elsewhere. Especially when I paid for a full dinner when happy hour was in full swing. Very disappointing since I had a much better experience in previous visits.
(2)Claudia K.
I'm normally a dyed-in-the-wool fan of Maggiano's in Bellevue, but my fiance took me to Il Fornaio last night for a surprise Valentine's Day dinner and it was delicious! The wine selection was fairly impressive, and the bread served to us as we waited for our entrees was quite tasty (though I believe 1 piece may have been stale - one of the reasons for the one star deduction). Everything was seasoned perfectly and the portions were impressive. Also, I noticed all waiters were very attentive to drink levels. The dining room staff seemed to work seamlessly together and there was definitely a smooth order to how everything progressed throughout the meal - even if the kitchen had been chaos, we wouldn't have known it. Very impressive! The one star deduction is based off of a few things (including the stale bread comment above): 1. It seemed like we were asked to wait a little longer than necessary for our table, especially considering we had reservations. 2. The hostesses were very unprofessional and were arguing at the podium about where so-and-so went and what table what's-her-face had been sat at. The conversation, had it been necessary, should've been conducted away from the podium and in a hushed tone. 3. My fiance and I had never been to Pacific Place, so after parking and taking elevators to the lobby it was difficult trying to find the actual entrance to the restaurant. While I know there are many other shops they have to compete with for signage, it seemed like there could've been a slightly better effort made to help the newbs. :-)
(4)Melissa R.
Thank you for satisfying my huge appetite. Met one of my besties for lunch and as always, was fantastic. The calzone is SOOOO good and the bistro area on the first level is great for casual lunch. Service is good, lunch comes fast so I've never had a problem keeping lunch to an hour when meeting someone. I have also had happy hour on the upper level which offers yummy wines by the glass for cheap and they have free bites while you drink during happy hour. It does get crowded, so get there early!
(4)Shradha A.
On a recent visit to Seattle, we were walking around the mall and got hungry. Didn't quite want Mexican, so decided to try this place for italian instead... the restaurant not the cafe... The food was actually quite good... the thin crust pizzas are great! The service although was terrible!! Took them forever to bring us olive oil... then another eternity to bring chili flakes... is bad service a Seattle thing?
(3)Jennifer M.
I have been going to Il Fornaio for many years and I have never been disappointed (not once)!!! I love this place! The service is always great, the food is as fresh as it gets and you get your money's worth everytime. Great dining experience. Consistency is the name of their game! I love their dessert cart, and did you know you can buy fresh breads~olive oil and balsamic vinegar from them! Tried them all and we love it! My top dish is their capellini pomodoro w/ chicken with fresh mozzarella and basil. Yummo!!!!! : o)
(4)Rachel S.
A restaurant, says I, exists for the provision of food. Therefore does it irritate me when people start complaining about service; easy it is to conceive of [by which possibly I mean remember?] me nattering on at intolerable length about how people should shut up about not being waited on hand and foot and just eat their food and enjoy it. And yet. Every now and again, I run into service so annoying it overpowers everything, rendering the quality of the food a matter of pale insignificance. Such a salutary reminder came my way at Il Fornaio last week. It always is at this sort of place that it happens: they bring you bread beforehand, there is much ostentatious grinding of pepper, a bumptious garrulousness prevails, and you're supposed to feel bathed in elegance. Detestable. I should say that my spinach salad was very good: nice bacon, nice goat cheese, vinaigrette in whose flavor vinegar, not sugar, prevailed. I ordered an iced tea. "Sweetener?" he asked me. I accepted, out of laziness: "yes" is a very easy syllable to articulate. But he forgot my answer, and came back and asked again, and then there was the little here-you-see-it-here-you-don't move behind his back and the presentation of the little box of white crockery with all its little paper packets, and the grand flourish as he set it on the table, and several further occurrences of the word "sweetener" (though what excuse could he have found for saying it so many times?) and then at last, at last he went away and left me with my tea. "Couldn't he have just brought the sugar?" I asked my friend, as she patiently waited to resume telling me whatever she'd been telling me before the sugar intervened. "It's not like it would harm me to have it sitting there even if I decided not to use any." I picked up a packet and stirred it into my tea. I listened to the rest of the interrupted story. A great white arm swooped down and bore my tea away. A little later, the big white arm came down and swooped it back again. "You didn't happen to notice," I asked my friend, "the level in my tea glass? It seems like I'd only had maybe one sip." Her impression was the same. We sighed and went on with our Saturday outing, just a tad less happy than we'd been before. We finished lunch. We cast about us for our bill. We sought it here, we sought it there. Where was the blighted sugar man? Nowhere to be found. We did at last manage to pay, were addressed again as "ladies" (how I do hate being called "ladies"), we drifted off away. And next time someone starts complaining to me about bad service, I shall suppress my surly impulses. I shall listen with attention. I shall smile. I shall know whereof they speak.
(3)Elizabeth C.
There is really nothing to complain about with Il Fornaio. The bread basket they start you off with, which you can dip in balsamic and olive oil, is so good that I had to stop myself from filling up before I even ordered. The waiters are attentive and polite but not hovery, and the noise level isn't uncomfortable quiet, but you won't have to yell to the person sitting across from you. The Ravioli Alla Lucana (what I got for my entree) was super tasty and just the right portion size--satisfying but not to the point where I couldn't move afterward. There are really only two things that would keep me from coming back to Il Fornaio regularly. One, it's not cheap, especially for a college student. This is definitely more of a special occasion restaurant for me. Second, while dimmed lights in this kind of restaurant are appropriate, it was a little too dark in there for my taste. But overall, I had a good experience there and will try to go back sometime.
(4)Chet F.
The first time I ate here I was very pleased. I took my parents in for lunch and everyone really enjoyed there food. My first experience was with their Risotto. It was a creamy steak and portobello delight. The portion was smaller but it had a great balance of flavors. The second time around was just mediocre. I had the lasagna which was good but not mind-blowing by any means. My lady has some type of chicken fettucini with mushrooms and asparagus. Meh, I would def pass on her dish if we are to din here again. We also had a salad that was good, but just good. They always bring out focaccia bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This time I noticed the olive oil didn't seem to be of the higher qualities, like other restaurants. The waitress we had today seemed like maybe she had a rough night and was not the sweetest thing Sunday afternoon. Whatever, I can sympathize with those days. But what really got under my skin was after we asked for boxes to take home a fair amount of our entrees, she tossed our bread out??? We had almost a whole plate of bread left on out table. She took the plate away and threw it in the trash. We had a whole meal left that we both would have enjoyed a piece of bread with. It almost seemed as if she did it on purpose to make some sort of a point?? Both of us were wondering, did that really just happen? Who does that? It's not like we are WT dining on an 'all you can eat salad and breadsticks' at Olive Garden. I just paid you over $50 for two lunch pasta dishes and a split salad. Il Fornaio you left a sour taste in my mouth today. Even Olive Garden would have offered to put the leftover bread in a bag for me to take home after only paying $6.95. One last added comment: All the dishes I have tried have been a bit on the too salty side. So if you have high blood pressure, beware!
(3)Andrew H.
Great tagliatelle alla bolognese. Great bread. One of the head chefs is legitimately Italian, as in doesn't speak English, which I find impressive for a chain restaurant. Their happy hour has free food.
(4)Rebecca S.
My party of 4 showed up at 07:15pm for dinner without reservations. We got in our booth in less than 15 minutes. While waiting the hostess showed us to the bar where we could wait. She came upstairs to get us for our table. Our server was amazing and friendly and kept our bread and drinks flowing. When our food came, my husband's calzone had been dropped on the floor. Two people came over to apologize and they were making him a new one and put his in front of other orders to get it promptly. Then they offered us free desert to make up for the whole calzone dropping incident. We know that people are not perfect but they did an amazing job to make sure that we were happy despite what happened. The food was great and atmosphere awesome. I would suggest that anyone go eat there.
(5)Penelope K.
This review is for the happy hour food. This is an incredible happy hour for the hungry. Their appetizers are $5 (much less than the usual 12 or so) and they do not make the plates smaller for happy hour. I had grilled prawns, scallops, and squid. The quality was excellent. For the hungry and budget minded - what's most impressive about this happy hour aside from generous portions of quality food is the happy hour table full of complimentary bruschetta and small pastries. This may very well be the best happy hour eating spot in Seattle. Starts at 4:30pm
(5)Elena B.
Our hotel was nearby and we decided to eat dinner here on Saturday night. It was one of the worst meals we've had in a long time. Pasta with garlic and tomatoes was mediocre. My boyfriend got the Minestrone soup and it was one of the worst soups either of us had ever had. The waiter never asked how our food was after we got it. The house wines start at $7 or $8 for a glass, which I think is overpriced. We got better glasses of wine at nicer restaurants in the same downtown area for cheaper. Service was pretty slow. Also, they had a full dessert cart come by with a lot of sad options. We love dessert, but decided to get some m&m's from a local convenience store after dinner because that sounded better than any of their options. Atmosphere was nice, but we went in for a late dinner and they tried to seat us in the middle of a long row of tables with a chair and booth back on the other side next to other patrons, when there were empty tables all around where we wouldn't be sitting right next to other diners. I had to request to sit at a different table. Very overpriced meal for the quality of food. We left feeling like we had been robbed.
(1)Klint K.
Good food, horrible service. From the moment we walked in, the staff were rude and did not acknowledge our existence. First, we waited for nearly three minutes to be seated, with several staff members passing by us without saying anything. One even bumped into a friend without an apology. Then, when we got seated, we were stuck at a table in a dark corner near the waiters' door. Mind you, the restaurant was nearly empty AND we had a reservation. My friend was nearly knocked into three times in 5 minutes. We asked to be moved. Dinner came out quickly, but we waited 20 minutes to even have our order taken. The food was good, but not so stellar it made up for the atrocious service.
(1)Gilad B.
great place for a business lunch. Everything we had was good and the staff was awesome. ill be back.
(3)Cynthia W.
This review is for the cafe in the middle for pacific place mall Pastries are very good, however the service is horrible I stood in line for 1 minute listening to the employees talk until one decided it's time to help me out. Then when I paid, she was off in wonder land before she even took my credit card that I was holding in mid air waiting. HORRIBLE workers. Lazy
(2)Shar C.
The food is incredible! Have eaten here before and it lived up to the quality we remembered. The service was a little slower than we remembered. Good experience overall for the friends we brought in from South Carolina.
(4)Mikhail H.
We walked by here while visiting Seattle and my husband was craving pasta something fierce. Great first impression with the beautiful open kitchen and the beautiful decor. I will say the restaurant is decorated so well, in fact, I expected a pricetag on the food to match. Imagine my surprise at how reasonably priced everything was. I was also happy for the food variety since I was not feeling like pasta. I had wonderfully grilled salmon and some pretty incredible vegetables.My husband loved his dish as well. The staff was very friendly and I must confess, I was left wondering why the restaurant was so empty though I was not upset since it meant a very peaceful lunch in the midst of a busy shopping day.
(4)Mark L.
This place made me change my mind about Italian food. Great food, decor and atmosphere combine for an enjoyable experience. It's really low key and nobody makes you feel like you need to eat and run. On the contrary the meal is designed to be enjoyed and lingered over.
(5)Alissa F.
Openers, we didn't get seated until 20minutes after our reservations. Oil and balsamic was adequate (they need better balsamic vinegar) but bread was excellent. Calamari was flavorless and a bit rubbery. We shared roast and it was very good, but drinks were not strong and we had to wait for 10 minutes for a water refill. I was very frustrated that they put us at a table right next to a busing station, which I guess is like being seated next to the kitchen. Lots of activity, but they don't notice you. I don't think I would ever eat here again.
(2)Jonathan W.
The other people at my table seemed to enjoy their meals, but I don't think I've ever had such bland Italian food. My gnocchi was served with only tomatoes and the lightest amount of seasoning that most people would never be able to taste it.
(2)Tom B.
We ended up going there because we walked bye and saw the DeCecco pasta box on display in a window. I said to my wife, lets try this. I had the cappolini in red sauce. It was cooked perfectly and seasoned well and the tase of the unburnt garlic was great. It was served with a sprig of Basil which I chopped and added to the meal. My wife had a pizza, which was a bit under cooked on the bottom. Though tasty it did not have the crispness that va pizza should have. We arrived a bit early and I think that the pizza oven was not hot enough. Our server was Kyle and he did a very nice job. Prices were reasonable, the bread was very good. I would certainly return if I am in Seattle ever again.
(4)Rose B.
Great food, great, great food. I love their appetizer options and their wine list. They don't go for the 10 page wine list but a select list of wine to enjoy. Their cocktail menu has some good drinks. I really enjoyed my French 75. I had the sausage ravioli and it was divine. I gorged myself on it and did not regret that choice. The service was nice. The waiter came by often enough to check on us without hovering. I might come back with my husband for a romantic dinner.
(4)Corinne M.
We were not the biggest fans this place, there were good parts, and there were bad parts, I was torn on a 2-3 star rating, as there seemed to be more bad parts, than good. This place is huge, so we didn't have to wait to be seated at all, huge plus. The women who sat us asked us if we'd like kids menus for our boys, and we told her, yes, just one. We get to the table, and there is no kids menu, this second person asks us if we'd like a kids menu for our son, and we said yes. The server gets there, and said "oh, would you like a kids menu", and we again, said yes, I think that by the time he asked us, it was already on it's way, but really, three people to ask us if my son wanted a kids menu. We sat downstairs, and the bathrooms were upstairs (which the stars were really dirty, with fallen lettuce, and food mostly); it was awful where the bathrooms are located for those who were dinning downstairs. I actually liked that the restaurant was sectioned off for fine dinning upstairs, and downstairs was more casual, but again, the bathroom issue was not pleasant. The bread we got was pretty good, would have loved it, had it been served warm, but it was still pretty good, so I was very hopeful that this was going to be a good meal. Upon ordering our food, our server offered us more bread, that took forever to come. Our server talked about this risotto rice, and cod meal, like it was the "it" thing to order, and so I agreed to try it, and I was seriously disappointed, it lacked in flavor all together, it was not seasoned well, the rice was not cooked right, it truly didn't resemble a risotto to me, it really felt like cooked rice with cream sauce mixed in, not risotto. The cod had a light breading on it, that was so light, it was kind of soggy, not seasoned well either. I tried my older sons dish which was a pasta with chicken, mushrooms, asparagus, and garlic; now it had whole garlic cloves, which are usually good in a dish, if cooked properly, and these garlic cloves were browned, but not "cooked" at all. The dish itself was not too bad, but it just could have been a lot better. My younger son ordered pizza, and he didn't like it at all, it was a grease bomb, and limp to boot. My husband got the wrong thing at first, but they were quick to fix it, and made everything right for him, and surprisingly his cod panini was probably the best thing that we ate that night. Overall, they were quick to make things right, even though they seem to be a little all over the place and scatterbrained, they still gave us good service. The food, was not so great, and this place has the potential to be amazing, I wish that they would try their own food, it's not so good, it doesn't take too much to realize that.
(3)Bec P.
eh. The food was good, but not stellar. I don't know the prices because it was a work dinner. We had a private dining room that had huge windows overlooking pine street. The ambiance was cool, intimate. The starter salad was decent, but not special. The risotto was a little doughy but I really liked the mushroom assortment in it. the prosecco was too dry and not good. The white and red wine (we had a flight) was pretty solid. I had the salmon which was well done...nice presentation. Now, the REAL winner was the tiramisu. SO GOOD. Really chocolatey, nice and strong espresso taste, large portion. The main reason I won't do this place often is because it's a chain and meh. Standard across the country.
(3)I M.
I ordered take-out from their restaurant and went to pick it up inside from the bartender. I didn't feel like eating pasta with marinara sauce so I ordered a mixed seafood dish with some kind of toasted bread. The dish was very flavorful. Calamari, shrimp, and scallops were cooked just right. Texture was great and I love how it was spicy. Arugula in almost anything always give it a better taste. The only things I'll complain of are their portions and price. I don't eat a lot but this dish was not enough to fill me up. Bear in mind that I do not eat much to begin with. Whole meal cost about $21. I think it's quite expensive for lunch. Then again, this is an Italian restaurant. I'd love to try their pasta dishes one day. I'd give it a 3.5 star.
(3)Rona L.
I came here with some friends for a quick dinner and I ordered the Calamaretti Fritti and Pizza Vegetariana. Both were fine and satisfying but nothing I would rave about. Apparently, I ordered the wrong dishes considering the positive reviews by fellow Yelpers. Looks like I'll have to add this place to my list of "Try Again" restaurants!
(3)Sara A.
I'm kind of amazed at the negative reviews on here, but all I can think is maybe these disgruntled yelpers are ordering the wrong thing?? Because I see no mention of the Pennoni ala Vodka or the Pollo a la Milanese, both of which I'd eat daily. Unfortunately, the chicken dish is a weekly special and you can't count on when it's offered. BUT, the waiters/kitchen have gone above and beyond by making it for me anyway. (2 weeks in a row, no less!) Tack on the unlimited crusty bread and I'm in heaven. Oh, and on every receipt there is a code for a survey. Take 2 minutes to do it and come back for a free dessert! They'll even let you get the $13 sampler with tiramisu, chocolate cake and the apple crepes a la mode. I love you, Il Fornaio.
(4)Ross F.
I was hoping for a lot more based on the recent reviews. However, we found the food to have a lack of flavor, the service to be mediocre and the prices to be high when compared with the food and service. Overall it wasn't terrible by any means, but I was not impressed.
(2)Nina H.
I'm not sure why my last dinner experience here was as average as I had remembered this place to be... Maybe their lunch menu is better? But there was a large group of us who dined here a few weeks ago and we all ordered something different... I think my favorite dish was the lasagna. My seafood pasta just didn't cut it for me, it was really bland and the seafood didn't taste very fresh. =/ The servers were great though and the wine selection was nice. The restaurant itself is HUGE and really nice but the price and quality of the food weren't very ideal...
(3)Paul C.
Very slow service. Waited at bar to get drinks and they almost wouldn't serve me because I didnt have a table. Gave me my drinks and then it took 5 minutes to give me my bill for payment. Finally was seated for dinner. No one came with waters. Couple got seated next to us and promptly got waters , we still did not get any. We got up and left. We will give our business to an establishment that values it.
(1)Matt C.
Good food, service was great , wine knowledge of server was far above average. Not a 'special' place but a good, consistent meal. Dinner in a mall is always a little weird but felt like a restaurant eventually.
(4)Liz O.
Quick pick-me-up - dehydrated from a day out in the sun, and needed something to drink, stat! iced Caramel Latte may not have been the best choice for the circumstances, but it hit the spot! Just what I needed. Happy employees, good prices, quick service - thank you!
(4)Peter S.
We went as a party of nine prior to a relatives graduation. It was okay Italian food, but it think there are much better choices in Seattle. I had their house specialty beef dish, called Spineti, beaten thin with cheese and pistachios. It was terribly bland piece of meat, and a lower grade cut. My wife had a vegetarian eggplant and ringlet pasta dish that had good flavoring, but came with no side vegetables. The calamari was overcooked and rubbery even though we had it grilled, not fried. Service was pretty good, waiter kept an eye on the time. The pizzas were a bright spot, we had the crista which was infused with truffle oil and was very well done. Prices were moderate with dinner and appetizer ruining about 40 per person with tip. I will go back, to give them another chance, but will probably stay away from beef dishes
(3)Preeti K.
Great food, bread was fantastic and the pasta I got was delish. My lunch mate got the salmon and proclaimed it the best she's had. Service was fantastic. Would definitely recommend.
(5)Gail L.
Tonight, I ate one of the seasonal $32 taste menus. The appetizer was lobster bisque. It smelled of foul rotten fish when delivered. The taste was repulsive & not fresh. I sent it back. The arugula/pear salad was good. I had a pasta taste with crab in a cannelloni , that was pretty good. The entree was salmon. It was cooked semi rare, which was a good texture, but the taste was bland. I eat at this restaurant for lunch often. It is usually pretty good. This $32 "special " taste meal was Denny's quality. It was a bad decision to even serve that quality of a meal. If you cannot offer a delicious meal, during a promotion (reasonably priced meal), then don't offer any specials at all. If anything, I think less of your restaurant now than I did before.
(2)Lori O.
Sat in the bar back in December it took 20 minutes to get a drink, we did not order food because the service was bad. The bartender and server were arguing. The server apologized and comped our drinks. Gave it another shot last night for drinks and dinner in the bar...sat down for 5 minutes again no service...the bartender/server was flirting with a couple of girls at a table next to us. We left and will never go back!!!! We ate there last summer and were pleased with the food and service. Bummer with all the competition in Seattle hope they can get it together.
(1)Shaunevalice L.
this was a business dinner with about 12 people there we had a variety of plates I enjoyed the 22 ounce porterhouse as did 6 or 7 other people in my party the steak was cooked wonderful came with a side of spinach and potatoes. Had some appetizers they also were very good. I would come back here again.
(3)Beth A.
I've been to Il Fornaio twice. Overall, I'm not a fan. Pros -My server (second visit) was attentive and friendly -The wine selection is okay, and includes affordable options. -The interior design is nice. -The booths are comfortable. -The bread starter with oil and balsamic vinegar is good. Cons -The meat is consistently over done. (At my most recent visit, the meatballs were burnt on the edges, and the fish in the Cioppino soup was way over. It was very unappetizing.) -The food is unreasonably salty. I love salt, so it's VERY SALTY. -Many of the options are too greasy for my taste. -Even on a bad night, I can make better food at home. Unfortunately, the location is close to my work, so sometimes people congregate there. If I find myself at Il Fornaio again, I'll consume wine only.
(2)Racheal W.
This is close to our hotel downtown this past weekend and three of us for craving Italian food. When we came in we noticed the ambience was a little bit less than high-end, and seemed more like a fast food Italian restaurant than a place to sit to eat. Our server admittedly made numerous mistakes saying she "was just out of it". We ordered the eggplants pasta, that pizza, and a mushroom and hammer Zotto. Out of the three, the pizza was edible, but very mediocre and had nothing special about it. The eggplant pasta had little to no eggplant and seems more like something reheated out of the can. Finally, the ham in the risottos have the taste of something old and in desperate need of being thrown away. We left not one of us having finished our food and very disappointed in the overall quality of food, timeliness, customer service and ambience.
(1)Audrey N.
Love love love this place ! First time I came here, I had ordered the "Pollo Toscano" and dang, they weren't joking about a costco sized rotiserrie chicken hahah. Very flavorful and the meat was cooked literally to the t. As for my partner, he had pasta, which I don't recall which one it was. Pretty decent pasta. He ended up eating his plate and half my chicken. This place is more for a nice/decent dinner or lunch. Their service is awesome. The hostess had arranged our table, had great sarcasm and showed us great service overall throughout our whole meal. Would recommend this place for couples, groups for birthdays or a casual drink and great food. Love the vibe of this place and it's very mellow.
(5)K K.
Food was rather tasteless. Pear salad seemed to have only oil as a dressing. Minestrone was bland. Veal was chewy. Definitely a chain restaurant was very little character. Service was good. Location convenient for shopping. They do take reservations which is a plus. Not excited to ever go back.
(2)Thigh C.
Mediocre food, ok atmosphere. I don't even remember what I ordered but I didn't finish it at all.
(3)J K.
Very good. Kind of pricey though. Pretty interior, great food, and their bread is amazing!
(4)Priyanka M.
With so many good Italian restaurants in Seattle, Il Fornaio really needs to step it up with their food. Its just about mediocre for the price you pay. However every so often, I find myself coming back here. I typically end up at the restaurant when I'm running short on time. They have a big advantage of being in Pacific Place mall which makes it easier to swing by before a movie or after some shopping!! Over the years, I've tried everything here from appetizers, pizza, drinks, entrees to dessert and have yet to be impressed. I do think they have a decent bakery on the 1st floor of the mall which is reasonable and has delicious almond scones and breads. Advantages: Location, fast service, convenience, great bakery! Disadvantages: Mediocre food, parking (especially if you're coming just to dine here), expensive!!!
(3)Christine S.
I'd like to give them 3.5 stars, but Yelp says no and 4 stars is too high. We came here for Restaurant Week, but found the choices exceedingly uninteresting and so we ordered off the menu. We started with the mushroom polenta, and were not fans at all. I get that polenta is hard to do, it really is, but this was like cream of wheat that had congealed. Not the creamy, rich appetizer I was expecting. This was left 3/4 full. I had the gorgonzola & walnut ravioli, which was fine. Not great, and didn't fulfill my Italian craving, but still edible. My gent had the wild boar ragout which he LOVED. He would definitely venture back for that meal, but it is seasonal so this won't be a regular spot for us. The location is nice, and the price is pretty reasonable (we got out of there for $60 after tip), but it definitely feels like a chain restaurant (even though I'm not sure that it is).
(3)Theresa S.
Not great food. Stone cold bread. A waiter that did not want to be there. Question: "What is a denver steak?" His answer "A steak from Denver." When I asked what part of the cow or what cut, he could not tell me nor did he want to find out. My chicken was over cooked. My daughter and I both asked for no potatoes and extra veggies and our plates came out with less veggies than on my friend's steak plate with the potatoes. Guess they did not like that request. Over priced for what it was. Not going back and reminding myself not to venture to the one in Walnut Creek, CA either if they have the same menu.
(2)Scott L.
One of the worst service experiences I have ever had. There is a broken service culture here that seems to permeate in all levels of this establishment. It began at the entrance when an assistant manager barreled into one of our dining party while he was standing still. Instead of apologizing, she decided to be curt and dismissive about it. We finally got seated (in the nearly empty restaurant) right next to a wait station, so we can get knocked into, and hit by the servers as the carry trays, chairs, or just hurry pass. And in five minutes of being seated members of my dining party were assaulted by servers twice. Clearly dining here at Il Fornaio is a contact sport. One of the people I was with went to the hostess to be reassigned, but by this point the out and out rudeness of the people here had already spoiled my appetite and decided to do some window shopping while I left the rest of my part to eat. So I refused to order anything. Because (frankly), my principles would not allow me to give these people money after having to suffer abusive from these people. And I think you would do better to eat anywhere else but here. As you can see, I cannot comment on the food, because I never got any; but the staff is reason enough to steer clear.
(1)Brendan C.
I love Italian food, it's arguably my favorite cuisine. Il Fornaio makes great food, I had a good date dinner here once. My girlfriend had the bruschetta calda and calamaretti fritti - I had pizza vegetariana aka Vegetarian Pizza. This place has a lot of vegetarian options, especially for an Italian place. While I think the portions are huge and adequate, I'm not sure anything from this restaurant really stood out. The prices were a little on the expensive side, the restaurant decor was great. I did not know this place was a franchise from California, hadn't seen a Il Fornaio back home. The next time I go to California I'll check it out. Overall it was a good meal, I can't say it was a bad one.
(4)John B.
BEST CALAMARI IN SEATTLE!! I consider myself a connoisseur of only a few things, but calamari is one of them. Mike, Ryan, and Chad were pleasant and attentive. Conversation and service came at just the time in just the right quantity and quality.
(5)Tom J.
Both times I've eaten here have been great. About the best service at any restaurant in the Seattle area we have been to. Polite and attentive. The aps were great, the right size and intense flavors. Really loved the entrees, couldn't begin to eat it all, so lunch tomorrow is going to be fun. The cannelonis were ok, the other deserts looked great though, so probably worth saving room for. Il Fornaio and Pink Door are 2 of the better Italian restaurants in Seattle.
(4)Elyn Z.
The cafe at Il Fornaio is convenient when downtown. The food is not rave-worthy but dependably decent. You can be in and out for a good lunch without too much fuss. Overall the ambience is fine for a cafe type experience. If you want something more special or formal the upstairs would be better.
(3)Will K.
Try Zach's Espresso Martini. It will change your life. Food-wise it's impossible to go wrong with their vodka pasta, carpaccio, delicious pizzas.
(5)Karen L.
I went to Il Fornaio for dinner last night with my boyfriend and a couple of our friends for Restaurant Week. 3 courses for $25 = a pretty good deal, if you go for the more expensive restaurants. However, the food here was mediocre at best, and I might have given this place a two-star rating, if it wasn't for the friendly waiter who gave us complimentary bruschetta. Extra points also go to the ambiance and friendly staff. But the food... Eh.... I've had better from Cheesecake Factory. For appetizer, I chose the caprese and the boyfriend chose the calamari. The caprese was pretty standard. Not bad nor terribly delicious. The calamari, however, was very bland. I think someone forgot to season it. Even with the marinara dipping sauce, it was still very bland. So far, not so good. For entree, I opted for the "Tagliatelle alla Bolognese" (pasta ribbons with meat ragu sauce) and boyfriend got the salmon. Unfortunately, both were mediocre. The meat ragu sauce was not very delicious, and the meat was very dry; I ended up scraping off the meat sauce. And the salmon was also bland and dry. I can cook better salmon than this! On the plus side, the roasted potatoes that came with the salmon were tasty, though I can't imagine how anyone can mess that up. For dessert, I got the chocolate mousse, and boyfriend got tiramisu. Both desserts were pretty tasty, though I couldn't finish my mousse because it was a little bit too chocolate-y for me. However, I helped the boyfriend devour the tiramisu. I think you can tell I'm a big fan of tiramisu. In conclusion, only the desserts were tasty, so we shall not return again. If I have to choose between Il Fornaio or Cheesecake Factory, I'd choose Cheesecake Factory, hands down (though I admit, I do love Cheesecake Factory--I'm a fan of their pastas). Oh, and the complimentary bruschetta was actually pretty good. So if you must dine here, at least get the bruschetta and the tiramisu.
(3)DeAnne E.
I'd like to thank Spencer, my server, for the excellent customer service I received. I made dinner reservations since it was Seattle Restaurant Week. I went with my co-workers. We were seated on the west side of the restaurant near the window. The linens and tableware were clean. We were greeted by Spencer. He gave us food recommendations on the restaurant week menu as well as the regular menu. He was very friendly and maintained a professional attitude. The bread selection was tasteful and went well with the olive oil/vinegar combination. I chose the Caprese for my appetizer. Delicious. I chose the Salmone alla Griglia for my entrée. I only ate half because I wanted room for dessert. I had the Tiramisu. Heavenly. Spencer noticed that I didn't finish my food so he asked if I wanted it boxed up. I did and he boxed it up for me. I really liked the ambiance. Open. Not crowded. It's a great place to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.
(5)Rosalie G.
Yeesh. We explained that we only had an hour for lunch but still waited at least 10 minutes for our order to be taken. Then, the salad I got was so drenched in dressing that I couldn't eat more than a couple bites. No one ever asked if the food was okay - or asked why I barely touched my dish. Also: $3.29 for a cup of black coffee? Really? That doesn't seem just a little overboard? In short: Okay, if slow service - and always ask for the dressing on the side.
(2)ed b.
We looked forward to a wonderful meal. When we arrived we were pleasantly seated. Waited forever for someone to show up with a glass of water. When our food server finally came she welcomed us with a basket of bread that was not only cold but hard as a rock. When we mentioned it she said they just got a warmer yesterday and let me see what I can do as she removed our bread basket. Waited forever and she came with fresh bread room temperature, but fresh. She started to tell us about the specials and literally had to read them and the history of where they came from from their menu. We just wanted to order. Two glasses of wine took forever. We started with the flatbread. On the third attempt, this one wasn't burned to a crisp. Ravioli and pasta dish were good. Will never go back. Don't waste your time. Bad service, some bad food, never had the mgr come over to apologize, etc.
(1)Jacob B.
we have been here a few times. it's okay - the good is traditional Italian. the service is a little slow, so not a good place to go if you are on a time schedule. the views of downtown Seattle are pretty good - I love to see the monorail go by. there's something magical about downtown Seattle - and it's great outside of the window.
(3)Sin-Yaw W.
Cannot believe I have not review this one yet. This is the work-horse restaurant for business occasions, travelers, and family alike. If you wish to go to an restaurant and the brain is drawing blank, Il Fornaio will usually win the party's vote. No one will be disappointed. The Pacific Center location has three establishments: the cafe, the restaurant on the upper level, and the "Risottoria" on the lower level. If you are here for a light lunch sandwich or salad, the cafe is perfect. Otherwise, the upper level is a bit more upscale and has a full bar. The menus are slightly different. Both are excellent and similar enough. Nothing can go wrong here. The lower-level pizza is spicy (and good). Go for the pricier wine here. Unlike other restaurants, they marked up the wine less so you can aim higher with your budget. The waiting staff is reasonable with their wine knowledge.
(4)Ed L.
A nice Italian restaurant in the Seattle shopping center that is good for a more sophisticated meal. Menu features all the Italian fixings antipasti like carpaccio, pizzas, secondis like steak / roast chicken, nothing out of the blue. The prices are not cheap but the food does not have the homemade taste and feel. Their entrees are definitely not pre-packaged and warmed up but it also lacks the freshness and spark from an order made from scratch. Beautiful restaurant with good food that is not great or unique.
(3)Katy H.
Great food, a bit loud on the evening we went. It was full of kids but it happens, kids need to eat also.
(4)Jen M.
Went here for dinner while staying on vacation and was quite pleased. The risotto was delicious! They served a nice focaccia bread while you wait for your food and all of the pasta was made on site or imported from Italy (according to their menu). They also offer cooking classes at a very reasonable rate!
(4)Ann A.
Their service is so erratic, where is the management to train their staff properly? Visit #1, service and food were excellent. Visit #2, I told the waiter I couldn't find the salad I'd ordered & enjoyed so much the previous week on their menu. He shook his head and said he'd been working there for years and they have never served that salad, so feeling disappointed, I ordered a different salad. Today, visit #3: Commented to the hostess, who seemed average nice, about the salad and she immediately said, "Oh, that's off of our upstairs menu" & promptly grabbed one and yes, there it was, my delicious salad. Why didn't the waiter on visit #2 know that? But here's why the 1 star rating: My waitress today was dismal. I requested no raisins in the salad, and when she brought it to my table, she left so quickly, I didn't have time to notice there were raisins. Not once did she check on me during my meal, no water refill, etc., and it wasn't like it was busy. Maybe 20% full. But I noticed the table across from me, she checked in on them 3 times. (I counted). I had to ask for my check and when she finally gave it to me, I commented on the raisins. She immediately got defensive and said "but I did the order right"! & proceeded to prove to me on the computer. I've been in the customer service industry for 30 years and guess what? It doesn't matter whose fault it is, its nice to apologize on behalf of your business. I also mentioned needing more water during the meal, etc. and she again defensively said, "but I did check in on you"! Wrong. If you had, my water glass wouldn't have stayed empty the whole meal and I could've pointed out to you that my salad contained raisins.
(1)Shannon K.
We went there before an 8pm Book of Mormon show. We had a reservation and were seated exactly at the time of our reservation which was vaguely impressive given the wait for walk ins was over an hour. Our waiter was very nice, at first, but by the end of the meal we were pretty much on our own. He helped us pick out a bottle of wine. The food was average. Nothing I ate impressed me or upset me. We neglected to tell our waiter when we sat down we were going to a show. After a fairly long wait for our salads, we let him know our timeline, and the time between courses was acceptable. We both did the tasting menu. Since we had to leave we never got the dessert. Also the waiter simply ignored my friend's request for a box for her food. It's interesting, the last show we went to, we chose to eat in a restaurant outside of downtown and we felt a bit rushed, so we wanted to try a restaurant more 'experienced' turning around the theater crowd. We were actually more rushed at Il Fornaio than we had been at the other place. I should mention, both times we gave ourselves two hours for dinner Nothing about our experience at Il Fornaio made me want to go back or recommend it, although it wasn't so bad i'd actively recommend against it. Just very middle of the road.
(3)Jennifer N.
They're getting a 2 because the service was miserable. We sat down, ordered a glass of wine. Took about 20 minutes to get that glass of wine after we ordered it. No one ever asked if we wanted another glass after we finished the first one. About 10 minutes after we sat down, we ordered all of our food (appetizers and entrees). We did not receive or appetizers until we had been sitting there for a full HOUR. About 45-50 minutes after we sat down, the waiter came by, for the first time since we ordered our food, surprised that we hadn't gotten our food yet and then ran off to the kitchen. Something tells me he completely forgot. We ate all of the bread and olive oil within 10 minutes of sitting and never got offered any additional bread or dipping sauce. And we would have gladly taken more. The food was good, not amazing. Definitely not good enough to make up for the terrible service. We had the Rustichella (good), ceasar salad (good), and 2 different types of pizzas (just OK). In the end, we won't be returning. If we were going out for a really fancy night out maybe I'd want my dinner to take 2 hours, but since this was just a regular night out it was ridiculous and not what we were looking for.
(2)Aubrie D.
Had the pasta with tuna and a bunch of wine, and then the Zabaione for dessert. I really loved all of it! I've had better Zabaione but it was still pretty tasty. I forget what my mom had but she enjoyed it. The bread was delicious. The staff was super friendly, fairly knowledgable and attentive. Would have been nice if the dude at the table next to us would have stuffed his gob with food and stopped talking so much, but that's not the restaurants fault. I would go here again :)
(4)Paul H.
OK, somehow the menu selection does not blow me away. I think about the menu at a much smaller place like Marzano's (where there must be 10 things I really want) and then the menu at Il Fornaio. Yea, there are some choices.... Four stars though for some of the dishes I have had here over the years. My choice? The squash ravioli with crispy sage leaves - absolutely amazing - worth the price of admission!
(4)Aaron B.
The salad bar in the center of Pacific Place is a good spot. Average salad made your way. I'd give it 4 stars but their prices are a bit high.
(3)Scott W.
I would expect more from an Italian restaurant in this price range. I had the ravioli which I found to be rather bland and had to add salt for flavor. I also found the tiramisu to be rather sour. I would not recommend this restaurant.
(1)Nikki K.
I had my 21st bday dinner at the Las Vegas location. :) Oh so long ago. This is a reliable place to go eat. I like upstairs where it's the restaurant and then downstairs is more of a casual bistro style cafe. You can get dinner downstairs too. They also have a nice walk up cafe within the mall with really great soups and salads to go. I like this place. I'll always like this place.
(4)Scott W.
Had my first ever experience eating out on Thanksgiving at Il Fornaio. First off, I'm glad we made reservations - predictably, the restaurant was extremely busy. We were seated more than 30 minutes after the time we had reserved. It turned out to be worth the wait as far as the food was concerned. We had their Thanksgiving feast; each course better than the last. Even the butternut squash soup - of which I am not normally a fan - was VERY tasty. The salad was terrific - but the main course was just spectacular. Perfect turkey breast, excellent stuffing, great mashed potatoes, terrific gravy, and exceptionally nice spiced cranberries rounded out the meal. The pumpkin pie dessert was good as well, although it would have been nice to have had a bit larger piece. The only problem I had here was when I went to the front desk first to check in, then to see how much longer it was going to be before we were seated. I use a wheelchair, and sat directly in front of the desk - and was pretty much ignored until I raised my hand up REAL high (and had assistance from the person in line behind me) to try and get their attention. I understand that they were busy, but really ... I'm just in a chair, I'm not invisible! Regardless, I hope to eat here again when they aren't so busy. Excellent food, nice ambience, and a good view of the Space Needle (which, even after living in Seattle for 20+ years, never gets old).
(4)Benjamin P.
Abstract: My worst dining experience ever. There is so much I would like to say but I feel that too lengthy a review just means I want to rant. That is not the purpose of reviewing so I will try and break it short, with as much information and as little exaggeration as possible (including the abstract). As an employee in the Food & Hospitality industry, I feel it is best to break down a restaurant review into those two categories. Il Fornaio's Food: Quite simply put, it was not good. I had, of all things that should be perfect at an Italian restaurant, the lasagna. It tasted like it was a microwave dinner, again, with no exaggeration. By that I mean it was borderline flavorless and it looked limp or deflated, if you will. The texture was just as weak. I would be surprised if there were fresh pasta noodles in the lasagna (which I would expect, with the dish being a "specialty"). The wine selection seemed formidable. Good wines, Italian and otherwise, at varying prices. Il Fornaio's Hospitality/Service: I was beyond disappointed with the service, which is why 'IF' gets such a low rating. The, perhaps, only redeeming quality of the service was the friendly and helpful hostess, who engaged me in conversation while seating me, checked on me during my meal, and pointed me in the direction of the restroom when it was obvious that I was looking. On the other hand, the server, whose name I will not mention because this is a negative review, was completely inept to do his job, at least for me, a single-diner and "a case of the Mondays," (for those who work in the industry), or at least, this is my suspicion. Whatever the reasons were, the facts are these: - I was not greeted by my server for five minutes - Once arrived, my first question seemed to startle him. I asked him about good red wines to pair with a pasta, probably having chicken (as I didn't know what exactly yet). He responds by giving a seemingly automated two wine response "Oh, for whites I'd say a Chard, and for reds I'd say a good Pinot Noir. We have one by the glass here (*pointing*)." Now maybe this is my inner food snob expressing itself, but there was nothing about the palate complementing distinct flavors in ANY dish, which is what I expect from a pretty pricey Italian restaurant with a server who is wearing a friggin' suit. - I thought I'd have better luck asking for his favorite dish, a question for which you should surely expect a genuine answer. Instead, he proceeds to give me an unenthusiastic menu tour, again, not even describing even a SINGLE dish. - Another menu, the wine pairing and three-course meal menu, were not even mentioned to me, while I overheard it being described to another table moments later. - Once I received my food, in good time I admit, there was not a check back until ten minutes later, when I was more than halfway done with my food, at which point I asked for more bread (I don't need attention for the sake of it). - Because my server was weeded from his other two, perhaps three tables (which all came in after the first half hour of my being there), the manager had to come and assist me in choosing a dessert, something she seemed no more helpful or enthusiastic about doing than he. - After deciding that there was not much for me to choose from, I instead elected to get my bill. I waited 5-8 more minutes to get my bill, again from the manager, who, upon delivering it asks me "has he given it to you already?" Disappointing. - The worst, most disrespectful part of my night, the reason I want the whole world to know what a terrible restaurant this is is because when the server finally made his way back to the table with my bill and payment, he literally threw the bill down and said thanks as he was turning his back to me to help another table, as if to say "I know you won't tip me well anyway, I'll go deal with someone who will." I don't care how busy servers get, if you don't have the COMMON courtesy to greet someone in proper fashion, you should not be serving. Summary/Conclusion: I am a student and a server myself and as such I don't get much time/money to spend on myself just to enjoy myself. To have a very intimate and precious dining experience ruined by such carelessness genuinely made me feel like crap. I wish there were not such a stigma about certain kinds of people tipping certain kinds of money as I would feel more free to let my money be EXACTLY where my mouth is (shoot, I would tip negative dollars); instead, I just allow my mouth (or hands) to do all the talking. The only mitigating factors were the sweet hostess and the constant refill of water by the gentlemen in red. Though I wish no one would have this experience by not visiting, I suppose I'd rather Il Fornaio first admit and then learn from these mistakes in serving other guests, namely, single-diners; also, it might be good to invest in either black tablecloths or crumbers. To fellow reviewers: simply don't go.
(1)Chris O.
Came here with a few friends to take advantage of Seattle's Restaurant Week (3 course dinner for $28). First off, I love the atmosphere here, dimly lit and intimate. The restaurant itself is huge, from the outside it's very deceptive but it pretty much takes up an entire corner, and some, of Pacific Palace. Onto the main stuff... Appetizer: Caprese Calda (there were 3, but I ate one before the pic), yelp.com/biz_photos/rbjj… Main: Ravioli alla Lucana, yelp.com/biz_photos/rbjj… Dessert: Zabaione alla Gritti, yelp.com/biz_photos/rbjj… The Caprese Calda was alright, only twist that was new for me was that they grilled the tomato, but other than that, it was ok. I was lucky to eat some of their Rustichella, which was very good. The bread instantly reminded me of pizza from Serious Pie, very thin and almost instantly disappears the second you chew on it. The Ravioli alla Lucana was also average. I believe this is one of only a couple dishes on their menu that included a meat that wasn't chicken. The sausage stuffed ravioli had minimal flavor and there were rather large chunks of tomato in the sauce. Unexpectedly, it's the dessert that pulled through. I've never had a Zabaione, but it was something the waiter recommend. It was almost custard like. At the bottom of the glass were strawberries, blueberries, and a lemon sorbet. My taste buds were jumping going back and forth from sweet to tart, love it. Parking: Plentiful since you'll be parking at Pacific Palace. Prices: Very reasonable, largely between $20-30 Atmosphere: Need to reiterate this, romantic! Probably a good place for a first date. What I want to order next: Lamb Shank!
(4)Keiko T.
I was hoping for an authentic Italian food but the food wasn't that impressive. We were there on a week night and the restaurant was not crowded, yet we had a very slow service.
(2)Oran M.
My partner and I are big fans of Il Fornaio. We have dinner here at least twice a month, and are always treated well and the food is good. The risotteria on the first floor is where you go to grab a bite and then dash. The restaurant upstairs, however, is for relaxing and chatting with company. We spent over two hours having dinner with friends and there was no rush from the server to turn his table over. He just let us be, and checked in when we needed. I would go a full out five stars save for one thing; the pricing can be a bit on the wtf side. The food is good, and the restaurant is on the edge of the retail district, but even still, it's a bit expensive for the overall quality. It's certainly no Olive Garden as the food is real Italian, but it's not 5 star either. Overall, we love going here, especially since we moved across town from our absolute favorite Italian restaurant. The service is great and the food is delicious. Highly recommend spending an evening in the restaurant before making any sort of review of the place.
(4)Joe B.
Looking for something light on the menu, I had a great piece of fish and veggies. Cannot speak to the other dishes but the bread and fish were pretty good.
(4)Inna B.
I sometimes like and sometimes love their free apps during happy hour. Free is free, but... a lot of the time they have bruschetta, and while I'm sure it's pretty good.... I just don't like hard or crunchy bread, so I regret whenever I decide to pick it up. This last time they had small savory-looking pie like things and some pretty tasty chicken sandwiches, however, so I was definitely pleased and full by the end of my stay. Their beer is always good, though, and I enjoy the location. The happy hour pizzas look good, but I haven't tried any yet. The one frustrating bit is that while the bartender and servers tend to be friendly, they tend to be (get?) super busy whenever I try to leave and it almost always takes 5-10 minutes to flag someone down to request my bill and then to pay it. On my last visit I ended up going up to the bar to request it and had the bartender tell me a total and then immediately leave. I didn't want to just put cash down in a random spot, so I waited for him to return...
(4)Katy H.
I have to say... This place is pretty great. First, there's the Il Fornaio restaurant and there's also a little cafe spot in the center of Pacific Place that serves pre-made sandwiches and salads. Surprisingly, it's JUST as great! I'm a huge fan of the mortadella sammie and have come here just to get it on a number of occasions. So if you're cramped for time or you don't want a sit-down restaurant meal, pop by here and have a quick, cheap quality deli-style meal!
(4)Cynthia L.
Great Italian food. The pastries at bakery are delicious. Whenever I go to the restaurant I always order the Seafood Pasta. Yum! & the bread they serve is delicious!
(5)Henry L.
3.5 stars rounding up. It's a big chain restaurant. I loved it when I was in college in the 90s. The food is consistent so you know what you're gonna get. The prices are decent too. But the best part about this particular Il Fornaio is the happy hour. $3 beer and $5 pizza. Um, best pre-movie meal deal! The pizza is full size and pretty yummy. If you come with a movie ticket for anytime during that day, they'll extend the happy hour specials to you.
(4)Ninette C.
I heard this place had free happy hour food (with the purchase of a drink) so off we went. My friend and I each ordered a cocktail and went to the buffet style happy hour. It was cold pizzas and cold appetizers such as olives, squash, zucchini, antipasto style. The food didn't taste very fresh but I guess antipasto's usually aren't. Let me just say: this stuff is def. not made with love. Sure the food is "free," but I still ended up having to pay $10 for a highly priced drink (purposeful I'm sure). Yes, I know, I know, it can't all be free. However, I would have rather gone to a happy hour with $3-5 dishes and drink specials and spent my $10 (or a little more) there. Maybe the dinner is better. Probably, but I haven't been back since.
(2)Anone A.
We ate here on 5/6/12 in the late afternoon, early evening time-frame. The hostess decided to seat us along the window facing 6th Avenue, which might have been cool had the sun not been beating through the window. The temperature was almost immediately uncomfortable, and we asked to be moved to a different location. Considering the fact that there were virtually no other patrons seated at the time, we did not think that this would be a problem, but the waiter that served us water appeared confused about the request, and stared blankly towards the hostess' station-we picked up our place settings and moved after a bit. We both decided on a veal dish, which was priced beyond the quality of the food. The potatoes were fine, as was the veal (the spinach tasted fresh, which is rare nowadays), but everything on the plate was just acceptable at best. The dish was good in concept, and a better chef might have been able to bring the concept to a better reality, but not the one that was on duty when we were there. With such a limited menu (and the pasta dishes being priced rather high), one would assume that the kitchen would have mastered what was on offer, but that was not the case for our meals. I could not say that others would not like the restaurant, but we will not return, nor would we suggest it to others.
(2)Shekinah S.
This review is mostly for Il Fornaio's cafe/bakery out front, but I'll touch on ze restaurant as well. Yummy yummy yummy bread. I love me some carbs and this is delish!! When I go to the cafe I ALWAYS get the same darn chicken sandwich cause it's so damn good! The bread is fabulous, the chicken is nice and roasted and doesn't taste of prepackaged nastiness, the red peppers are a nice touch, and the aioli is good as well. Be sure to ask for it to be toasted though, I forgot once and it wasn't the same! There are also soups, coffee, pastries and made to order salads. The checkout can be a bit confusing. Usually I grab my sandwich, head for the register, and bypass the salad line, but I've gotten some dirty looks for this. Not sure what the correct etiquette is. Service has ranged from nice and helpful to rude and negligent. Two restaurant experiences. One Valentines Day dinner many long years ago. Mostly I remember there was a pissed off girl dressed like she was going to prom sitting with some guy in a jersey and jeans. I don't remember being that impressed with the food, but I do remember the waiter used one of those fancy things to brush crumbs off the table. This spring I headed back with a friend for Happy Hour. Main attraction: there is free, yes FREE food. Not like free entrees, but really decent appetizers for a couple hours. I'd def go back for that!
(4)Ryan S.
I went here with some girlfriends the other night and it way just horrifying...but not like the hilarious kind of horrifying story you can tell everyone later. I ordered this flat bread that was all bread and basically no ingredients, and then I had some butternut squash soup which was pretty good (hence the two star rating). The portions were just ENORMOUS and not even that good, and the service was HORRIBLE. Our table had to ask several times for more water/forks/limes after waiting several minutes in between each time we asked. Only AFTER I was overheard commenting on the service did our server perk up and smile and actually give us some decent service! But it was too late because that was basically 5 minutes before the check came! Sorry sister! Glorified mall restaurant.
(2)Jennifer G.
It's my birthday today...which means I got to eat at Il Fornaio for free. This time I had the Conchiglie al Pollo (along with a cup of the chef's family recipe for homemade bean soup), but more often than not it doesn't matter what I have: the food's damn good. I also sat in the upper, more pricey area, but that also doesn't matter because it's good downstairs, too! If you're celebrating an occasion or meeting for business, hit the upper level and sit near the window. You'll get more privacy and the service will be attentive without going overboard. If you're looking for something more casual (or just a little less expensive) stay downstairs and order one of their delicious pizzas. While you're at it, get there while it's still nice out and order dessert - anything with fresh berries is heavenly, but I especially liked the Zabaione alla Gritti (chilled zabaione with fresh berries, Bellini sorbet, fresh whipped cream and an amarena cherry). Can we say "Awesome birthday"?! I think we can.
(4)Jesse J.
Was craving a warm drink and after stopping in to the Seattle Sounders team store at pacific place I went to Il Fornaio. I ordered a 20oz. Chai Latte and it was awesome. It was full of spice and flavor and was the perfect temperature not too hot where I'd burn myself but hot enough to enjoy sipping on it.
(4)Julian H.
I've eaten at the cafe, and it's pretty underwhelming. But exceptionally baby friendly.
(3)Lindsey S.
The salad line in Pacific Place is hard to beat! You can pick from about a million different choices of salad toppers(5 are included in the price, everything else is extra) and they mix it all up in a big bowl with dressing prior to plopping it back into the nifty plastic container. It's my favorite lunch salad downtown! And since you're getting a salad for lunch, it's ok to treat yourself to that marvelous little cookie that's staring at you as you wait to pay. Bad thing: The prices keep creeping up every 6 months or so, which is getting really old.
(4)Kim C.
After a poor risotto experience at Redmond Town Center's Spazzo, (and after seeing 300 at Pacific Place), I eagerly went to Il Fornaio for some takeout. I had had a mixed experience downstairs at the Risotteria before, but always good experiences upstairs in the main dining hall. Almost everything I've eaten at Il Fornaio has ruled, including the gnocchi with ham, cream, and peas, and the squash ravioli. This time, I got (from downstairs) risotto with parma ham (a much less fatty version of proscuitto), peas, and porcini mushrooms. Rice was near perfect consistency -- soft and just at the borderline of being mushy. A good sized quantity, which came with a whole box of foccacia bread. I also ordered the polenta triangles (which were definitely not crispy like advertised); these were also delicious, though a little plain (a nice side of pomodoro sauce to mingle them with would have been stellar). Still, for only 6.50 (for a very filling portion that I couldn't eat all the way through), that's a bargain. Total price for the polenta and delicious risotto came to $20, and was ready in 10 minutes or less. Way to go, Il Fornaio! Also, a note: the reviewer below me must have stood in the fast-food version of Il Fornaio, inside Pacific Place itself. This should be no surprise that the paninis came out of the cooler as the cooler is in front of you before you stand in the line :) not to mention the insanely low prices and/or how the area is set up. I don't think one can compare to the other, just like Cucina Presto (the fast-food nasty version of Cucina Cucina) can't really be called or compared to the same thing as Cucina Cucina (pretty good)
(4)Melissa S.
I was dying for some Italian food, so I coerced my friends into coming into here. We arrived right when they opened for the day, so we were the first customers. I ordered something special and not on the menu, like I do at every Italian restaurant, and our waiter was very willing to accomodate my request. In fact, our waiter was quite pleasant throughout the meal, asking us questions about why were in town and such. However, we were sitting near the opening to the kitchen, and I could hear thim as he was trying to explain my order to the cook -- he was having some difficulties and thus I didn't expect my food to be that good. Although it was made to order, for the most part at least, it was far from spectacular. The sauce was mild (I had asked for something spicy, like arrabiata) and the noodles were mushy and stuck together from being over-cooked. Meh. I didn't hate it, but I recommend you look elsewhere for Italian.
(2)JASMIN F.
Went here for a business dinner after a meeting.. Nice atmosphere, good food. I liked that the menu had a lot of different seafood options. I had the Linguine Mare Chiaro - it was delcious. Fantastic appetizers and I enjoyed a nice glass of wine. Nice Place.
(4)Lee G.
Il Fornaio is your basic chain-style restaurant, but not slugging it out down in the trenches with Marie Callenders and TGI Friday's. They have more class than that. They just look down their noses at those places and hurl day-old bread rolls at them. Super professional wait staff. Our waiter wore a white jacket, and spoke with a thick Italian accent, giving the feel of eating in an Italian bistro. Every part of our meal, from bread to polenta, was excellent. They accommodated the stripped down dietary needs of our son, and were engaging the whole time. Top notch!
(5)Lisa C.
I was really hoping that Il Fornaio was going to wow me. I had heard so many great things about how wonderful it is that when I got a gift certificate to go there I got excited. The ambiance is ok. It's painted nicely, in Tuscan colors, and looks great but the place is LOUD. Definitely not a place where you can have a nicce quiet dinner. In fact it was so loud that my fiance complained that he could not hear anything our waitress said when she turned her head even slightly. The best thing we ate was the bruschetta. It's complimentary on your first trip and it is divine. Tomatos, olive oil and bread. The next best thing is the wine list, which is a bit pricey but diverse. We ordered a Washington State Nebbiolo that was spicy and deep and kept opening up layer upon layer of flavor. I ordered the insalata della casa, don't get it. It's very bland with an overwhelming taste of gorgonzola. We both ordered ravioli, I got the lobster ravioli with a lobster creme sauce and my man got the spinach. they were good, but not great. I unfortunately now compare all italian restuarants to Oliveto in Oakland which is maybe the best meal I've ever had in my life. All in all not quite worth the $170 price tag. Maybe it'll be better in the summer and fall when the specials are more seasonal. But maybe I'll just go back for appetizers and wine.
(2)Lis M.
First thing you need to know about Il Fornaio is that it's sort of two restaurants in one. The bottom floor, accessible via the Pine Street + 6th entrance, is the risotteria. And the top floor, accessible via the mall floor or the stairs from the risotteria is where the main restaurant is. Now, I haven't tried the main restaurant yet, but why would I? The truth is, I am a risotto fiend. FIEND. If there is a chance of risotto, I will probably take it, and sometimes even if the risotto has things in it that I don't normally eat....like seafood. So, of course, I am absolutely going to dine in the risotteria where there are about seven types of risotto to choose from in addition to the standard Italian fare. The first time I ate there I had a delicious saffron risotto. The second time I ate there I had a delightful curry and brandy creme risotto (a special not normally on the menu). Both were delicious and despite my best intentions, I couldn't exert any willpower or portion control. They were gone within minutes of being placed in front of me. The service is fine. I can't recall anything horribly objectionable or perfectly divine. Of course, I may have been blinded by the risotto. I should add that I can cook risotto myself, and often do, but it's a treat to have somebody else make some for me. (I would also be correspondingly annoyed to go to a restaurant and have poor risotto, but that has not happened at Il Fornaio yet.) And I have just discovered that they put some of their risotto recipes on the Il Fornaio website: ilfornaio.com/page197.ht… So I shall have to try those out. :)
(4)Michelle G.
I think our waiter was more interested in my husband than doing his job. The decor is lovely and the menu looked really fantastic but the service was lacking and the food even more so. After rushing us through our drink and food menu, then becoming exasperated because we did not want appetizers we waited 35+ minutes for our food (two pasta dishes). The waiter didn't check in on us durring that time but rather went and BS'ed with his co-workers in a nook within eyesight. Once we got our food the portions were really small and the food was lukewarm (I think he brought it to us late.) The food quality was typical but nothing fancy and certainly not warranting the price tag.
(2)Tom B.
Let's just start this review off by saying that, without fail, I had been ragging on this spot every time we walked past it for having no one in the street-level restaurant. I most certainly stand corrected -- though we did dine upstairs. I made a 1,000 point reservation on OpenTable, maybe 30 minutes before we landed at the restaurant. Upon reaching the desk, they asked if we hadn't eaten there before, and we were then treated to the "table of honor" in the restaurant. It's adorned with a red tablecloth, and comes with all sorts of service-ups. Our server was excellent, and was definitely one that had that knack of paying attention to all of his tables while serving the others. As part of sitting at this particular table, we were treated to complementary appetizers chosen by the kitchen, as well as bottled water and a dessert. We both ordered a steak option with vegetable sides, and were pretty pleased with the portion size and preparation. Our appetizers included a spinach ravioli for each of us, of a nice size, along with a plate of olives, salad, cheeses and meats. For dessert, we had a champagne custard along with fruits in a three-layered fashion, served in a martini glass. All were well prepared, exactly what was explained by our server and the menu, and delivered in a timely manner - something that many restaurants fail at when attempting the multi-course runthrough. Upon leaving, I wondered as to whether this was a three-star dinner that would get a four because of the table we were seated at, or truly a four-star experience. I'd have to say it was the latter. We saw this as a neat way to get a new customer into what the service and variety of menu was all about, and we were seated in an area that wasn't distracting, yet let us take in the whole of what went on in the room at the same time. Given my previous ponderances of the establishment, I definitely think it improved my perception and aptness to recommend it to others or go back. We'd definitely go back, and were happy to see that they handled groups of more than four just fine - something that other Yelpers have also mentioned. Net-net: surprisingly good, and I don't do much by way of dining out at Italian spots as I'd rather make my pasta dishes at home...
(4)Bill O.
I went into it thinking it is in a mail so don't have my expectations too lofty but even with this in mind the food was marginal the service OK overall disappointing. Go eat upstairs in the food court.
(2)Lor B.
Recently went to Il Fornaio for a business lunch with a large group (14 pax) - I'm giving this an A-OK rating for their great service with our large group. The food was just OK - I had the Lasagna and it was good. I've been here a few times but I've never had a mind blowing experience. Location is convenient and service never seems to disappoint . Tip: there is a mini cafe on the lower level that is a more casual option if the upstairs restaurant is packed.
(3)Kyoni R.
When we have FREE movies at Pacific Place. I usually set a meet up here for Happy Hour. How can anyone say NO for FREE appetizers. Jerky Chicken, Mini Pizzas, Bruchetas, Pasta, crab cakes. everyday is different. Buy a drink and fill a plate. Micro Brews $3 or glasses of Wine for $4. Come with a group and fill multiple plates. It fills up fast so come early. If we have another preview movie come join us ..We will be there.
(4)John D.
It was great...if you like rubber in your ravioli. Things got off to a good start when the hostess honored our request to sit near the window, where we could watch passersby come and go. But it was all downhill from there. Our waiter gave us a rambling, canned overview of the menu and said it was still about an hour and a half too early for any specials. We were about ready to order when the hostess returned and snatched away our menus, saying she accidentally gave us the lunch menus (which apparently expire at 4 PM -- we must have walked in at 4:01). She then handed us the dinner menus, which were virtually identical except for the fact that most prices were about 3 bucks higher. Whatever, we were starving. The waiter brought us a free pair of bruschetta, which was a nice gesture for "new" customers. It momentarily made us forget about the menu-snatching. My wife ordered a spinach salad and the seafood linguine. The default sauce is tomato-based, which my wife wasn't too keen on, so the waiter offered to have it prepared with an "aglio" (oil & garlic?) sauce, which seemed more fitting in theory. I ordered a caesar salad and the sausage- and cheese-stuffed spinach ravioli with tomato sauce. If I have a food fetish, it may very well be caesar salad. I've probably had about a hundred different caesars from a hundred different restaurants, all up and down the dining scale. Il Fornaio's rates right about in the middle, maybe just a tad below average. Large shavings of parmesan came atop a modest (for $9) pile of romaine, with four croutons and four wedges of hard-boiled egg(?) around the edges. The dressing was far too sparse for my taste -- most of it managed to cluster inside a few folds of lettuce. It had a nice dijon mustard bite, but not enough tangy lemon and no Worcestershire sauce or anchovy whatsoever, at least none that I could discern. The real downer was the ravioli. The pasta itself was OK, the sauce was passable, but the stuffing was appalling. The "sausage" seemed more gristle than meat, and the coloring (neon white and pink?) was extremely off-putting. And then came this unforgettable delight: I took a bite, sensed something chewy (but not food!), spit it out, and discovered a piece of rubber! Probably broke off a spatula. Mmmmmmmm delicious. Who doesn't want a little spatula with their ravioli? I showed it to the waiter, he brought a plate, scraped it away, and took it back to the kitchen for analysis. He came back a few minutes later and asked whether I found it in the sauce or the ravioli. Are you kidding me? I found it in my mouth! Nice detective work, Sherlock. How'bout a little something for ruining my meal? Nope -- just a superficial apology. I thought about asking to speak with the manager, but any self-respecting manager would have been all over that. Situations like that are what managers are for, but this one was AWOL. Oh well, I'm just grateful I didn't swallow or choke on the spatula. My wife was only slightly less disappointed with her linguini. The "seafood" consisted of 3 clams, 3 scallops, 3 shrimp, and 3 mussells, tossed in an oily "sauce" (that congealed over time) with browned garlic slices. Needless to say, we were ready to leave after those adventures, but our waiter was nowhere to be seen. So we waited. And looked around. And watched as numerous Seattle-ites and tourists began to pack the place. This was dumfounding. Even more dumfounding are the many positive reviews here on Yelp. Are you kidding me, Seattle? Five stars? Four? After getting down on my knees and begging the waiter for the check, we finally were able to head for the door. On my way out, I asked for parking validation. Surely an establishment as classy as this will validate parking? Nope, think again. Apparently, the parking lot is owned by the city, and they won't accept validation from anyone. Thanks for the memories, Seattle. I never thought I'd be so happy to go back home.
(1)Tanya Z.
Sure, the place has nice selection, but good god, why is everything they serve so damn salty?? We live a few blocks away and decided to give them a try one day, hoping for some reasonably good food. Wellllllllll, my risotto was so salty, I couldn't finish it. Unfortunately, boyfriend's lasagna wasn't any better and both of us left hungry. The first time we attributed this to an off-day and months later decided to try them again. Surely the second time would be better, we thought.... right? RIGHIT??? well, WRONG! This time I got a pizza and boyfriend got some sort of a pasta dish with ragu-type sauce. and surprise, surprise! - it was salty as hell again! I would love to know how they managed to oversalt my margherita pizza since all it has is cheese and tomato, but we finally came to the conclusion that it must the the sauce they oh-so-generously dump on all their dishes. The pizza was actually pretty good once I scraped off the salty grossness, but anyway. We wanted to like this place, we really did, given that it's just down the street, and we feel like we gave it a fair chance. I guess it deserves 1 star for service, but no amount of service and ambiance can make up for the awful food. The end.
(1)Stephanie S.
Went with a large group on an extremely busy Saturday night. They had us seated in 10 minutes in the corner of the restaurant and our server was also the bartender for the evening. Great energy and she filled our drinks quickly. Only downfall of our seat was that every time the door would open, a dramatic gust of wind would hit us... I got the seafood risotto. My family commented that it smelled too pungent but it didn't bother me and it tasted oh so delicious. Also had a slice of my nephew's pizza. It was forgettable. I definitely want to go back and try other items on the menu. Only complaint from others was that the portions of the food weren't large enough, but it filled me up just right. Maybe it was the bread that came before the dinner or the yummy calamari we had as an app. Nonetheless, I'll make my way back someday... when I feel compelled to deal with the downtown madness.
(4)Robin P.
Great food, nice atmosphere, good service - doesn't get much better than that!
(4)Aaron E.
It absolutely drives me crazy when people give a restaurant bad reviews simply because it's a chain. Get over it, not everything can be unique. I've been to Il Fornaio locations all over the country and they've always been consistently good. I've had some off meals and some off service, but for the most part I leave with happy taste buds and a full stomach. The Pacific Place location is the one I go to the most and I'm happy report there's never, ever been a wait. If you go upstairs to Gordon Biersch or Mexican the waits can be absolutely ridiculous and I'm an impatient person so I do find myself here quite often. Even though it is just a chain restaurant in a mall (GET OVER IT PEOPLE! There are chain restaurants in malls) the decor is pretty nice. Rich and elegant looking without being heavy. All the wood is soothing I think. The bread that you start off with is always fresh and tasty. It's hard to really get excited about bread, but it's so good here. Pillowy in texture with a crunchy, crisp and flaky crust. Water is always refilled quickly and the drinks from the bar come out very strong in my experience. Warning though, the drinks are priced oddly. Last night, for example the Long Islands and screwdrivers were priced the same. WTF? I was fine with that, but my friend who ordered the screwdriver wasn't so happy. The food has all been good in my experience. My favorite appetizer would be the sampling one which comes with bruschetta, scallops, occasionally prawns, mozzarella, lots of prosciutto, etc. At $14 per person it's pricy, but oh so worth it. The carpaccio has been decent and the calamari has always been fried to perfection with a nice, light batter. About 60% of the time I come here I order the Butternut Squash Ravioli. The pasta dough, which is made in house, is the perfect thickness and is cooked to a flawless level of al dente. With thicker pastas I feel like al dente is hit or miss but Il Fornaio manages to make their pasta tender while still having a bit of a bite to it. The fried sage that's served with the ravioli is a nice touch. The other entrees have mostly been okay, but I like to stick with either my ravioli or another of the pasta dishes. The desserts are all visually appetizing. I love it when they have a little cart. The zabaglione dessert is my favorite because it's a little lighter than the other desserts. Most of them manage to be rather rich and heavy and after an entire meal of rich and heavy things it can be nice to have a more refreshing dessert. If you find yourself in the area and want some filling, tasty food I recommend you check this place out. You probably won't have to wait and you'll probably get some good food. It's a little more pricy than Olive Garden or Buca, but the food is better. I promise.
(4)Brad B.
I liked this place. I took ten people to lunch there and really enjoyed the atmosphere (upstairs) and the food was pretty damn good too. Now, that said, I rarely eat italian food....I just don't really dig it....so for me to have enjoyed the dining experience, AND the food, thats kinda saying something, 'ya know? Almost to a person, the entire group enjoyed the food. Ten yelps, all in one review, right?
(4)Louis B.
Food was good. Had the salmon appetizer which was delicious. Pizza and salad was ok. Server was very bad. She had a bad attitude and seemed disinterested as soon as my wife and I asked to share a meal. We were sat right by the computer and could hear her complaining about other tables to her coworkers.
(2)Cory Z.
I was a first timer here last week. It was a long tiring day and my friends and I were looking for a place to fill our empty stomachs. One of them suggested Il Fornaio; he hadn't been there in a couple years, and the rest of us never heard of the place. We decided to give it a try since it was located inside of Pacific Place. I don't know about how it is normally, but the service we received was excellent - our waiter was very professional and courteous, refilled our drinks when they would only be at about half empty, and didn't give off that antagonizing aura that some people have. Since I can't speak nor read Italian, I immediately forgot the names of the dishes I had ordered after handing back the menu. Anyways, I believe I ordered the seafood antipasti which had shrimp, octopus, and scallops on top of a bed of pesto for our group. For myself I had a dish with chicken and broccoli, and pasta shells filled with garlic (I love garlic!); it was delicious! Oh and the fresh bread was really good too! After our meal we were offered (not pressured) a dessert, to which we declined. We were on our way and left with a good impression of the place overall. Will definitely come back here to try some of their other dishes. =)
(5)Sarah G.
I have to wonder if people who have enjoyed eating in this restaurant have ever experienced truly amazing, authentic Italian cooking. As someone who falls into the latter category, I was disappointed by my recent meal at Il Fornaio. First, the good things: (1) Nice decor, very pleasant environment for dining. (2) Our waiter was very pleasant and nice, and the service was great. Not too nosy, not invisible-- he struck the perfect balance between checking in and allowing my boyfriend and I some alone time over dinner. (3) The bread with olive oil was delicious! Unfortunately, good service doesn't mean that the food will be the same. I ordered the bruschetta to start, one of my favorite Italian nibbles. It's an easy food to make, so I didn't think that it was a risky order. Wrong! The tomatoes were grainy and mushy and lacked any sort of flavor that would identify it is a tomato. wtf? Looking back, adding some salt may have improved upon the bruschetta, but generally I like my tomatoes to actually have a taste themselves. My boyfriend ordered butternut squash soup, which was tasty, but I've definitely had better. For my entree I ordered the butternut squash ravioli. Again, nothing too risky as far as pastas go (I love gnocchi but have stopped ordering it at restaurants because too many places are incapable of making it well), so I felt sure that I would enjoy it. Again, wrong! The pasta itself is very thick and doughy and distracts from the filling. My butternut squash was lackluster and flavorless. Overall the pasta suffered from drowning in too much oil, and some pieces were crunchy, as though it were pan-fried. Overall, this just isn't great food. It lacks flavor and is mediocre at best. Improvements need to be made in quality of produce, texture and thickness of pasta, and general flavor! Come here if you want to shell out $30 or more on a simple meal that is generic, unimpressive, and bland. Il Fornaio markets itself as a higher-end restaurant, but to actually achieve that, they need to serve pasta that wouldn't make an Italian (or even just a girl who studied abroad in Italy) cringe.
(2)Kelsey F.
Ridiculous. Went around 4pm on a Saturday and the place looked empty. There was a couple ahead of us who were told it would be "just a moment" before they were seated. We were told the same thing. Strangely, they seated us first, and we're not sure why - no reservations on our end. Oh well. They seated us and a few moments later, a man came by and dropped off two waters. And we waited. And waited. And waited. And watched as three other tables were seated and immediately waited on with bread and drink orders. Servers passed us and didn't give us a second glance. After close to 15 minutes, we got up and left. When I went to the front to tell them that we were done waiting without so much as a glance in our general direction, the response from the woman at the front was "I don't even know where you were sitting." The woman who seated us was next to her and she told her where and there was some tapping on the touch screen and the first woman said "your server had four tables seated all at once." I responded with "I understand you are busy (with 2/3 of your dining room empty) however we watched three tables seated after us being served immediately. Nobody even glanced our way, so thanks but we're taking our business elsewhere." She gave me a half-hearted "well, I'm sorry to hear that" but whatever. If you're in the service industry, provide the service. I usually do try and base reviews on multiple visits but being all out ignored in a restaurant setting is an entirely different situation. (If someone had said "someone will be right with you" or SOMETHING like that, this would be a different review.) Instead, this was ridiculous. I will not be going back and I will not be recommending this place to anyone. There are MUCH better restaurants in Seattle with much better service.
(1)L N.
This was disappointing after eating at the one in San Diego. No multigrain rolls at all. The rolls weren't fresh or soft. It iw a pretty place. Nothing is special about the food.
(4)Molly M.
The pizza and pasta dishes are great before a downtown show. Service is quick and staff are attentive and kind.
(3)Kaizer K.
Definitely one of the places I stop by whenever in Seattle... Went here often when i used to work in downtown Seattle.. This was probably the most frequent location for business lunches. Always preffered to sit in the downstairs area.. you tend to appreciate your food when you watch it made... plus you get to enjoy the busy scene of downtown just outside the window. Not sure if they still have it, but I highly recommend the seafood risotto!! (One of the things I still try and recreate at home but just never quite happy with the results) And to finish off your meal, I suggest their Tiramisu!
(4)Jeff E.
I visited Il Fornaio with a small business group and had a fantastic meal. I highly recommend the Casonzei de Berghem (pasta filled with sausage)... and of course their breads are the best. Dessert - Semifreddo all' Amaretto was the perfect way to wrap it up. Highly recommended! I was there on a weekday; not too busy, elegant and classy, never waited for service.
(5)C C.
The place is really nice, great decor and to be fair, I did not have dinner here, so their dinner food is a mystery to me and may be very good.... I actually think it probably is.... However based on the appetizers you wouldn't guess it. A friend and I went by there to have some drinks and try their free happy hour appetizers. It was so crowded that about 15 people were standing crammed in corner by the bar waiting for table or seats to free up. There was no where to wait, we were literally crammed together in the corner. No place to even set your glass down and try their snacks. The appetizers were simply terrible. The tiny doughy pizzas tasted like cheap boxed kids snacks, the stuffed mushroom caps had the flavor of cardboard, the pigs in a blanket were cold and over cooked, everything tasted bad or was really cold and I was really unimpressed.... THEN to cap it all off, a Jack and Coke cost me $9.... seriously??? 9 bucks for 1/2 a shot of jack and some coke at happy hour?? Whoa... No thanks (We left) I think my experience would have been much better if I went for dinner and the staff paid attention to us but since we didn't have a table I wouldn't really expect them to.
(1)Hope F.
Il Fornaio is an excellent Italian restaurant centrally located in downtown Seattle. They offer a great happy hour with cheap and tasty drinks and food. Service is also great and the servers are very attentive and they know whats good. Highly recommend!
(5)Jim P.
Meh. Great rose wine, very good bruschetta. Wife did not like the risotto special but my ravioli (spinach/sausage) was good. Kids liked ravioli with Alfredo sauce. It was average overall. Service was above average but not spectacular.
(3)Anne F.
I went today to il fornaio with 3 friends, because barolo was closed for a wedding celebration. At the beginning the waiters were very nice. We ordered. We got our beverages and dishes pretty fast. One of the waitresses were very nice, adding parmesan to our plates. The food was ok. But at the end, when we had to pay, we wrote in the back of the receipt which cc should be billed for which ordered items. And she messed up everything. When we told it to her. She asked if we had time. We answered: "actually, no", because we had to leave. She looked irritated and went to bill us again. Then she came back, gave us the receipts and left. She did not apologize. I mean, it was her mistake. It can happen. But don't be rude. Just apologize and fix the problem quickly. Obviously she was not smart. Also we went to another waitress to ask if we were billed twice. She was so arrogant! She went: "obviously she billed you correctly". Which is totally wrong. She did not! So we still don't know if she billed us twice. If she did, we will deny the payment through our banks.
(3)Kimber R.
It's been a long time since I've been through the salad line. I used to come through all the time till I got burned out. Saturday afternoon, I realized, once again, how really really good and convenient it is. Grab your choice of greens, tell them what you like in it and poof! You're out. I love the way each salad gets a fresh bowl and tongs to mix it up; there's no threat of cross-contamination between veggies and meats. Plus, all the employees are fast, efficient, and really nice.
(4)Angie B.
Even though this is a chain, I have to give thumbs up. DH & I frequented this location (downstairs & fancier upstairs) many times after shopping days (pre-kid). Always enjoyed something new off the menu, had good service & were surprised that we could have that kind of quality & service "in the mall". The past few times we've gone w/ kiddo in tow, we stick to the downstairs restaurant, but still get consistently good service (seems like there is a decent amount of turnover though, often folks telling us they are new). At this point it has just become a decent stand-by when we are downtown & wanting something other than fast food or bar food. I'm not saying it is the best Italian I've had in the city - but it is generally consistent & fresh. It is convenient when we need it, clean, accomodating for adults & kids, service is good, etc... I don't know if they have them anymore, but we used to order the risotto balls - nothing to rave about, but the only ones we could find after returning from a trip to NY where we fell in love....I know "risotto balls" - sounds funny...like something in an Adam Sandler movie. But they are good, I promise! Planning to go soon for a winemaker dinner (haven't ever done one there), so I'll update in a few weeks.
(4)Sara C.
One of the few Italian restaurants in downtown -- surprising, huh? I like Il Fornaio a lot, especially for lunch. The risotteria downstairs (street entrance on Pike) and the main dining room (through Pacific Place) are both great places to sit down and enjoy a nice meal and good service. I've had risotto lunch specials (ALWAYS good), and some of the fresh pasta dishes in the main room. Flavorful, piping hot, cheesy Italian food, yummy! Service is good (my waiter today had a POMPADOUR! FTW!), and the breads are excellent too. I tried and failed not to eat all the kalamata rolls in our basket. With olive oil and vinegar, hell yes. (Butter, you are old news.) I would definitely come back here again, for lunch, dinner, the happy hour or dessert and coffee. Italian in downtown, yes please!
(4)Betterthanmao ..
I loved it here. It has a calm and full ambience and bright lighting. Food was delicious and actually served quite fast, low wait time. They give heaping plates and endless bread. I also like that it is in Pacific Place, you have access to the movies and downtown shopping. Il Fornaio is quite and worth it, especially given the prices are just right.
(4)Tim R.
I've been to this chain in Denver, L.A. and now Seattle. As far as an Italian chain, it's pretty impressive. If I were in Italy, it'd be a two and a half star, meaning totally average. But, for Seattle and the US this is nothing to dismiss. The butternut squash stuffed pasta is really good.
(4)Rhett E.
Best Italian in Seattle. Very unique (and tasty) complimentary bread. Excellent flexibility for vegetarians. Quick, friendly, and super professional service.
(5)Eric H.
We found nothing special about this place. All of the food we tried was uninteresting, and some of it was cold. The service was friendly, but inattentive. Considering the mediocrity of the experience, the prices seem awfully high, but I suppose the waiters' jackets and the 1980s decor have to paid for somehow.
(2)Amy B.
One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle, esp the risotteria downstairs. I find the location, decor, ambiance, menu, and staff to be pleasant, warm, delightful and never disappointing. I've enjoyed three meals here and would come back for many more. It is delicious!
(5)Amy L.
Last night was my second time here and both times I've been expecting chainy food, but am pleasantly surprised. I had the butternut squash ravioli which was amazing! I even made my reservation on opentable.com although we wouldn't have had to wait anyways. The wine menu is pretty decent too. My friend even brought her one-year old and they were very accommodating. I think once you get over the fact that its a chain you'll enjoy your meal.
(4)Sheridan T.
My server was very good but the food was not worthy of a 14-18 dollar price. I may try a different entree if I return but I think there are better Italian places.
(3)S V.
This will not be the best Italian restaurant you will eat at, but the food is good for a chain establishment. Although I haven't had a dessert there I have ever like. The main course and starters are good, my husband likes this place way more than me but he loves their tiramisu. The wait staff is really good which is why we typically go back we know we will have a decent meal with great service.
(3)Mae T.
A couple of my girls & I went here to "snack" on something. We only ordered a couple appetizers & a dessert. The portions of one of the seafood appetizers that we got was pretty small. They're calamari was delicious though. The dessert menu looked really good too & I can't remember the name of the one we ended up choosing, but it was pretty good but a little too rich for my taste. Atmosphere is good & our waiter was really nice but it's a little too pricey for the quality & quantity of the food that they give.
(2)Donald M.
Awesome happy hour, with great calamari and carpaccio. 3 dollar drafts, 4 dollar wine, 5 dollar well. Select appy are 5 dollars including calamari and carp.
(4)Carlos L.
Food is GREAT, loved this place, 2 ambiances (casual and formal).
(4)Matias V.
Simply the best I've seen in too long a time. The combination between food, service, prices, and smiles was the best it could have been. We were extremely pleased. I took my girlfriend here for a quick Birthday lunch celebration (her's) but we only had an hour for lunch. I was kind of worried ... They already knew from the reservation that it was a 1 hour lunch and b-day at that ... (so its not magic, i gave them the heads up)... but ... Woh!~ Great smiles all over the place impecable service, freindly fast and awesome... We had the ensalata balsamica (or how you spell it) and a pizza. Great taste, fastest service ever, the chef came to deliver the pizza and gratted cheese for us ,,, it was exactly what we needed. 5 stars for making what could have been a rushing bad experience on a 1 hour birthday lunch and awesome enjoyable both romantic culenary experience. !! You gotta check it out sometime !!
(5)Lisa I.
My work group went to Il Fornaio after working a long week at the Washington State Convention Center. We were looking forward to some comfort food and "drinking to excess." We had made a reservation well in advance of 7:45pm in the private dining room for our group of 11, but we ended up waiting 30 minutes after arrival to get seated. There was a group in the private dining room that would not leave (which is their right), but the restaurant planned that poorly. We waited 30 minutes and were finally seated in the general dining room. I guess it took that long to set up tables even though by that time of night the restaurant was only half full. The waiter did bring some complimentary Bruschetta to make up for the wait, and that was good. The drinking commenced, and based on the state that we all left in, the drinking was good. I had a (couple) double vanilla vodka with diet coke, and the bartender did right by me. Our service was a bit slow at first, but our waiter did put up with me screaming about his pompadour hair style and touching the fake desserts, so I have to give him props. I ordered the lasagna, which was one of the house specialties. The portion was freakin' huge, and since I did not want to soak up all of the glorious alcohol, I only ate about 1/3 of it. It did have a slightly bitter taste, which was explained by the burnt cheese on top. Just meh. Even though my order was just meh, everyone else around me had great food! Since I was slightly drunk, I felt it was OK to eat off all the plates around me. The calamari was fantastic! Not rubbery or chewy at all. The SO had the Conchiglie al Pollo, which was really good and fresh tasting--not overly saucy. My boss has the Butternut Squash Ravioli (I skipped the fancy name this time), which was delicious and creamy. My favorite though was the Pennoni alla Vodka (Penne with Vodka-Tomato sauce). The bacon flavor in this just puts it over the top. Once my co-worker was done eating, I finished it off for him. We then finished with the dessert sampler (Dolce Trio) for the table (this is after I manhandled the dessert tray). The gelato was very good, but everything else was just average. Since I was in the mood to drink my calories rather than eat them (that is a rarity for me!), I didn't chow down here. The desserts were very light, but not necessarily in a good way...maybe in a kind of bland way. One of my co-workers wanted a brownie, and our waiter brought some fudge-like thing that was not on the menu. Now THAT was good. We ordered a round of Limoncello, since most of us had never tried it before. It was way too intense for me, kind of like lemon Pledge cleaner. Others liked it, so I'm sure that was a personal taste thing. Our group closed down the place, and we had a great time.
(3)Kellie P.
Came here at lunchtime, and everything was good but not amazing. Service was fine, and we each had one of the risottos. The portion sizes didn't look consistent. I had a very large portion, while one of my companions had a much smaller one. Strange.
(3)Marion P.
Fettuccine special with venison & red wine sauce. Margarita pizza, veg rissotto, bolognese, bruchetta, carpaccio - all good. All good. Will definitely visit Il Fornaio again on my next trip to Seattle.
(4)Natalie A.
It was okay. My boyfriend and I visited here from California and wanted a nice last meal in Seattle. The server wasn't very attentive and the food was very average. I got eggplant pasta and he had squid ink seafood pasta. Wouldn't come here again.
(2)Elizabeth V.
Passport FESTA REGIONAL " R.S.V.P." in this place did a fine appetizer or antipasti event in plates if asked yourself requested to enter! When from sometime onto the passport festival monthly menus per regions off all the bigger of Italy's (#17) areas providences. Better try more than a year long or for two cards in six months time on six places! Sound too expensive yet there will be other free deals on the passport monthly.
(5)norman g.
Ok food, good service. For this restaurant I expected better. Was a large group so maybe that threw them off. Fortunately there was plenty of good Washington wine.
(3)Daniel R.
Really good food & solid service. Well worth checking out.
(4)Cyrielle W.
One of my favs for happy hour!
(4)J K.
The food was not very good. I'm not a super picky person and generally don't like giving restaurants bad reviews, but I just can't recommend this place. Everything else was great: the wine, the service, the atmosphere, etc.
(2)Molly O.
I have to say that this was one of the greatest meals I've ever had. Even though I found out that this was a chain after I ate here, it was still fantastic. I was flip-flopping between a seafood pasta and the butternut squash ravioli. When our waiter said that the ravioli was her favorite, I got it, and boy, I was in for a treat. As a butternut squash ravioli connoisseur, this was about as good as it gets. I was trying to eat well while I was on this business trip, but it was all over. I just about licked the plate clean. I would definitely go back here, they know what they're doing and they do it right!
(5)Flying J.
Elegant, wonderful service. My wife and I come here about once every few months and have never been disappointed. Nice wine list and dishes that do not disappoint. Granted, Italian never really strikes me as "wowza", but this place fits the bill nicely in terms of an elegant setting with great service. Nice wine selections as well.
(4)Eric s.
This is a great place to buy lunch. Located in a very great area, Pacific Place in downtown Seattle. I always get the the salad bowls. You pick the lettuce in a bowl. An employee takes it and you get 5 choices of ingredients to add. For less than $10 smackers, you get a full meal and very quick lunch. Nice atmosphere, friendly and convenient. Would recommend to any one on the go. Oh yeah, good fresh food. Love it.
(4)Andrew C.
Like This spot quite a bit. I enjoyed everything I had and will definetly go back sooner rather than later.
(4)Brent R.
I still have yet to find better Cannelloni. I have tried at many places to find a replacement but it can't be done. I'll keep coming back for more as long as they have it. Service is usually good but occasionally your waiter seems distant; luckily the food makes up for it.
(5)Carmel P.
Ok, I know Seattle has it's hatred of chain restaurants, but sometimes you just have to give some places a break. In college, I lived close to either the first or one of the first Il Fornaio's and it was one of my very Italian classmate's favorite places to eat. She always arched her eyebrow if anyone questioned the authenticity of it. They have consistently good Italian food here and that's why you go and the bread is great. Good for business dinners or with a group of friends meeting together downtown. They try to vary the menu every month with regional specialties, which is appreciated. I like the Cappellacci di Zucca (butternut squash ravioli with crispy sage dish) which is on the regular menu. They also have good risotto (always right texture, which for many places is hit or miss) in the Risotteria on the first level.
(4)Carrie H.
This is for the actual restaurant, not the pick-up-n-go thing in the actual mall area. I have been here many times and am delighted as a little girl when I come. The service is phenominal, the food is great, drinks, and desserts are to die for! Seriously, you'll commit hari kari coming in. Usually coming here means that it is someone's birthday, or anniversary, or something to that effect. My brother is part of that "passporto" thing that you collect things and get this awesome plates after eating from the "region" menu. This is my brother's favorite restaurant and for that we are thankful because his b-day is New Years Day (when everything is closed) and this place is open! One star down for two reasons: Pricey pasta (I worked at a restaurant and know the cost of pasta vs. how much you sell it for) and it's at Pacific Place, i.e. no parking unless you want to pay to park.
(4)Leeland W.
I went to Il Fornaio for my 5 year anniversary and was quite happy. I sent in a reservation through an on-line service with a few comments attached. I asked for a private setting so as to enjoy my evening with fiance. They did precisely what I asked back corner booth not facing the center dining area it was perfect. I ordered a pasta dish with Vodka Bacon Sauce. Just thinking of the Vodka Bacon Cream Sauce I had when I went here is making me salivate. The highlight of my meal was Bashaar, single handedly the greatest waiter of my entire life. Charming, accommodating, and funny he was a great help. For our anniversary he comped us a dish plate which was spectacular we both shared. I ended up paying $80 for the meal and he got $20( 33%) of that. It was a very intimate setting in the dining room and you could also eat by the kitchen and see some action so best of both worlds.
(5)MyBabyLove R.
Before I get into my review I have to preface it with an entrepreneurial commentary-- the executive management is brilliant. From a business perspective, they seem to have an endless amount of reasons to get you to dine at their establishments. Go to their site and check out their promotions. Anyway, the review: My most recent experience a few weeks back was the caprese salad, pizza margherita, and a very good house Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from Marche, which is a great way to prefunk for a crappy movie. I know, because I've watched many a hollyweird flick here in Pacific Place. I have always received great service here, and the servers actually take their job seriously while making you feel relaxed and not hurried. Once I was here before a movie and realized I only had 30 minutes before it started. I asked the hostess if this was acceptable, and she smiled, took us to our table, had a server immediately come over and serve us bread and oil, then took our order and had it served within 15 minutes-- and the place was packed. WOW. When does THAT ever happen? That was very demanding, and they didn't seem to mind at all. What a great place! It's no wonder that the Wine Speculator, er I mean Spectator gave Il Fornaio the award of excellence for _all_ locations in 2005. This kind of hype reinforces my beliefe that high quality can be properly maintained in chain restaurants. There are 21 locations, 16 of them in California. Il Fornaio has been around in Seattle since 1998, 1 year after the company went IPO on NASDAQ. Subscribe to the Il Fornaio mailing list to learn about upcoming events on their home page. There's something going on right now called Passaporto where you can taste a specific region of Italy. That's such a great gimmick. 5 stars for service 3 stars for the cuisine
(4)R R.
Came here for dinner after eating amazing italian food at Bella Italia a few nights before. So we had high expectations. Unfortunately our expectations were not met. The food was just okay and the service was lacking. Our waitress took so long to bring us our check and then to pick it back up. We were trying to finish in time so we could stop by one of the shops down the street before closing. Needless to say, after wasting 25-30 minutes for her to bring us our check and take it back to run our card, we were late. Wouldn't waste my time here again.
(3)Erika P.
We had a great afternoon here. The waiter was very pleasant with just enough of a dose of sarcasm to keep us amused. The food was very good and kept everyone at our table silent for a bit while we ate.
(4)Cryetti C.
Went to get some drinks and apps with friends. We sat in the bar area and service was quick and friendly. It was 3PM on a weekday, so it was not busy at all. My friends I ate with there are regulars, so we were treated pretty well. We all had red wine, which was yummy (forgot the name). We also ordered calamari and rustichella. Both items were good, not great though. 4 stars for friendly customer service, nice location, great ambiance, yummy wine and okay food.
(4)Lauren H.
Il Fornaio is a chain restaurant, but it's actually pretty tasty for a chain. I love how they make their own fresh pasta in the restaurant. My brother and I ate here last night for dinner. We entered the restaurant on the bottom floor, which was the Italian eatery-style dining room (less fancy and formal than the dark dining room upstairs). Service was just the right pace and a gentleman kept bringing back that fresh yummy foccacia bread to snack on with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Num! My small cup of minnestrone was good with the exception of the vegetables--they were so darn soggy, as if they've been sitting in the soup all day. Gross. I ordered the ravioli stuffed with mozzarella, parmesean, and grilled pears (yum!) in a cream sauce with asparagus and walnuts. It was unusually delicious! I was disappointed that the pears tasted like the canned variety though... not fresh pears. My brother ordered the fettuccini with shrimp, mushrooms, and a pesto sauce. I took a bite: tasty, but there was probably about all of five small shrimp buried in the pasta. So Il Fornaio is tasty enough that I want to give it four stars, but I have to subtract one star for price. If I'm paying $15 for a plate of six pear-stuffed ravioli, I expect the pears to be fresh and not canned. If my brother is ordering a $15 plate of shrimp fettuccini, I'd expect more than five small shrimp. On average, I'd say everything is about 50% more expensive than it's worth. If I go back to Il Fornaio, it will be out of convenience and not because it's a destination for me.
(3)Deirdre R.
Where do I begin? My relationship with Il Fornaio began when I was just a wee one. I must have been ten when my parents took me there for the first time. We often stopped by the S.F. location when we drove in from Cali's Central Valley to shop or see a show. Even back then, when I was a picky little kid I loved going to Il Fornaio. I have been to several locations throughout the Bay Area and now here and everytime I know I am going to have a good meal. My tastes have changed as I have gotten older and I branched out from their pizzas to the rest of the menu. My old standby is the cappellini pomodoro, which I add chicken to. Just tried their butternut squash ravioli with sage sauce and fell in love. Had a steak once there and it was so tender! And desserts...don't even get me started because I love them all. Recently, I tried their happy hour. Man, is it ever good. $4 glasses of wine and $2 beers. I've never had a bad wine there. I especially like that I can splurge and get Taittinger by the glass. Never had a bad server there. They have all been knowledgable and personable. Never stuffy.
(5)Milo D.
We ordered a lot of wine, so for me, the service was good. The waitress was friendly and chatted with us, and the food was better then I expected it to be. I can see why people would view this as a typical snooty restaurant which is probably is, luckily for me, on my visit it wasn't.
(4)Rizwan R.
Been here a couple of times. Most recently was for a business lunch last week. The service is very good but I always find the food so, so! I like the location and atmosphere but found that just ordering a raspberry lemonade is almost as expensive as buying an alcoholic drink.
(3)patricia r.
I agree with the guy that states who cares if they are a chain, if you bitch, whine and complain so much because it''s a chainnnnnnnnnnn then dont go. Enough Said. I love this place, we usually dine upstairs and the services just impeccable the staff are friendy, professional, and know their shit. The bartender is hilarious and remembers my drink order everytime I go in (I always have the same). We never a a wait problem whether waiting for a seat or our food and drink orders. I love the decore, lighting and the way it is spread out, very clean airy and he hardwod is soothing, also I like the background music it's (of course) Italian and the volume is just right so you don't have to yell across the table to talk with your dinner partners and blasts you to kingdom come. The happy hour is wonderful, free appetizers, and drink specials. Did I mention they have an impressive selction of vino, and liquors? The bread and breadsticks are housemade and very very good. Their pizza is absolutely wicked, love it, The seasonal entrees never disappointed us. But the star attraction is their desserts, oh man so much t choose from and they are soooo sexy, I want to roll around in them. We will be back again and again and again.....AGAIN!!
(5)Beth F.
This was seriously one of the worst pasta experiences I've ever had. There is a shell pasta with chicken, broccoli, sun dried tomatoes and roasted garlic on the menu at every one of their locations. I've had it several times and always enjoyed it. But at the Seattle location it was absolutely VOID of flavor. I'm not sure how they pulled this off! The tastiest part of the dish was the broccoli! I dumped a lot of parmesan cheese, salt and pepper on it, which only made it taste like cheese, salt and pepper! I'm actually confused because i can't imagine how to make food taste like pretty much nothing. Aw well. I give one star for the nice waiter and the bread.
(1)Bryce S.
After we finished our pasta, my wife and I tipped our plates over a cup to pour and combine the amount of leftover olive oil that had literally pooled at the bottom of our dishes. I think we had at least 4 tablespoons worth. At least it seemed to be the good olive oil...
(3)Claire T.
The bar at Il Fornaio has a great little happy hour that seems to be a secret still. The cheap wine and mixed drinks are all well and good, but the true magic comes in the form of free appetizers; little bruchettas, chicken wings and pizza squares, all prepared hot and replenished frequently. The bar is usually crowded, but not everyone in Seattle must be as cheap and hungry as I always am, because I don't understand why that happy hour isn't totally packed every single day.
(3)Heather S.
Went there for the first time with friends and their kids (4 kids, 4 adults). The service was slow and our waiter was a bit overbearing but ymmv. The food was a mixed bag--the minestrone soup was just ok, nothing special but my spinach and bacon salad was great. They had a kids menu with enormous portions that the kids loved. We had spumoni and tiramisu for dessert and both were great. This is a fine place to get a decent meal but not a place I plan on going back to anytime soon and not a place I could really recommend given all the awesome restaurants that exist in Seattle.
(3)Sean M.
Everything about II Fornaio is OK. The service is OK, the food is OK, the drinks are OK, the decor is OK, the prices are OK... That being said, every time I have come here I've had to wait to be seated. If something was better then OK that the wait would be OK... But.. with everything else being OK, I'm not OK with waiting... OK???
(3)Christine C.
I have since found my perfect salad here - spinach, feta, sunflower seeds, red onion and cucumber w/ the raspberry vinagriette! YUM-O!
(4)A B.
That desert cart is the devil... I hate that they bring it out after you're already full from your delicious meal... The sampler is screaming "Just share me, it'll be for the whole table but I'll be going straight to your ass/love handles"
(4)TC M.
I love, love the service in the main dining area but had a TERRIBLE experience in the downstairs bistro area last night. My friends and I went to get a quick bite before our show. Service was slow, one friend's chicken dish was cold and super dry, and mine HAD A HAIR IN IT, and it wasn't mine!!! When we finally flagged down our waitress, she asked me to show her the hair...so I did, and she went to get the mgr. About 20 mins later, Mike Neumann arrive @ our table and and offers a meal replacement. Well, after finding the hair...I had lost my appetite. I mentioned that we had show tickets and he said he could get something on the table in 7 mins, well we only had 15 mins remaining. Needless to say, I politely declined and as a "gesture" he offeres me a complimentary "house beverage or dessert". He lost a customer forever. I just found a hair and if he was as 'deeply embarrased" as he said he was, he sure didn't show it. Poor managerial decision on his part. Bummer.
(1)Ben J.
The food was decent, but slightly expensive. And it was really slow service. Not bad service, just slow.
(3)Eloise M.
I can't count how many times I've been either to the restaurant or to the cafe. Il Fornaio, meaning "the baker" in Italian, is probably one of the better well-known Italian places in Seattle. There are a few smaller Italian restaurants that beat Il Fornaio by a mile, but if you want good, family-friendly dining right in the heart of downtown, this is a great place to go. The dishes are excellent, and are actually good interpretations of real Italian dishes, compared to the restaurant's lower-end chain competitors (*cough* Olive Garden *cough*). It's always exceedingly crowded whenever I go to the restaurant, but it's worth the wait; that is, when the wait's a half hour or under. The service isn't bad. Although, it seems to be better if you have a large group and reserve the private room, as once happened at a friend's birthday party. But overall, a great place to go and take visiting relatives or just the entire family.
(4)Pamela L.
The il Fornaio Cafe located in the center of Westlake center is my favorite place to grab a quick salad for energey in between a shopping frenzy. It is fast, choose your lettuce, choose toppings, around 20 to choose from, choose dressing, and they mix it all up put in in a bowl, scarf scarf and back to shopping! They have soup, sanwiches and pastry too, I have never tried, they look good though. Cost, about $7 for a very filling salad.
(4)Levi W.
we had the daily pasta and the pizza contadina and both were excellent selections....wasn't expecting this to be such a scrumptious Italian treat in downtown Seattle
(3)David W.
This place does not feel like an Italian chain to me. I have always had wonderful food here and superb, attentive service. Last Saturday, after the symphony, my friend and I stopped in for a late night supper of antipasti and pizza that was simply divine. The antipasti plate has bacon wrapped scallops, caprese, grilled artichokes, scampi, and a smoked eggplant/pepper/tomato salsa that was a wonderful accompaniment to the fresh bread. The pizza had a brilliant light, crispy crust and slighty spicy sauce and smoky mozarella cheese. This along with grilled peppers and Italian sausage proved to be a definite hit. I will always keep this sexy, romantic and yummy place on my list of great places to grab a bite!
(4)Liz A.
I had been to Il Fornaio a handful of times before I found out the upstairs was reserved for those looking to put down a few more bucks for some way better food. It is worth the extra bucks! If you're going to bother visiting this restaurant spend the extra cash and take a seat upstairs.
(4)Metallic P.
Yummy Italian, but not what I'd term spectacular. Very nice ambiance, attentive and courteous waitstaff. Highly romantic- a great date place. The penne pasta is boring, go out on a limb and try something a bit more risque!
(3)Joshua M.
For having a location in the mall Il Fornaio seems a bit nicer for a location like that. The atmosphere was classy yet a little relaxed maybe because of its attachment to the mall. My friends and I shared some Bruschetta and had a few cocktails. I then had the Vodka dish and the waiter was very accommodating in switching the pasta with gnocchi. The food was all very delicious, the portions were adequate, and the price was fairly reasonable on the slightly high side. While in Seattle I found this to be a very enjoyable place to eat and would go back in the future.
(4)Silvia A.
I was dubious to say the least. It's in a mall (and a snooty mall at that), how can it possibly be reasonably priced AND tasty? I was wrong. My food was fabulous, the waitstaff was great, and the prices were quite reasonable.
(5)Amy G.
Yes, it's in a mall, and yes, said mall is overpriced and a bit on the snooty side. That said, their sandwiches and homemade bread are delicious. The seating area is bright and open, too, with plenty of space.
(4)Joel G.
My food was really bland, and my friend's food was undercooked, and the service was really, really, really slow (even though the restaurant wasn't all that crowded). I was pretty unimpressed.
(2)lindsey l.
The little cafe has the most terrific make your own salads....ever. Loved it.
(4)Adam J.
I went there for the happy hour with free appetizers with some co-workers. I asked if there was seating at the bar, and the hostess/manager? said that it was full, and there weren't any seats left. She even pointed out the people sitting on two tables. They said that they'd get some tables ready for us but still give us the happy hour menu. So we thought that there would be free appetizers still. After 10 minutes of waiting, and finding out that there were no free appetizers for us, (cause they'd be feeding everyone for free in the restaurant, if they gave us the promotion they promised) 2 of my co-workers went to the bar, and to their amazement, it was empty. There were approximately 6 tables with 3 barstools around each one, and only 1 of those tables were taken. The ENTIRE bar was empty. So despite the fact that the people in the restaurant LIED to us, they're appetizers were scarce, and of poor quality. They try to lure you in by saying they ahve free appetizers, but as soon as they're gone in the small table buffet area, they don't make anymore. Although they did have a lot of crappy cheese. The bartenders weren't friendly, rude actually. And they mixed up everyones tabs despite sitting in the exact same place. The hostess kept pointing at my group, and my group and i felt attacked by the employees. The bus boy was cool though. Was nice through the whole thing. But everyone else had a shitty attitude. Maybe it is because they didn't expect people to take them up on their "free appetizer" adverstisment.
(1)Audrey I.
My boyfriend and I came here for the first time for lunch before a movie after a friend recommended it for good food around Pacific Place. The service was quite nice and friendly, and the place was full of business men on their lunch breaks and some groups etc. I found the food to be delicious and of generous serving size. My boyfriend had the daily soup special, which was tomato with fried basil leaves and some other thing I don't remember. He finished it very quickly and said it was good - I didn't get a chance to try it myself! I had the Caesar salad and was impressed. I liked the light dressing and delicious shavings of Parmesan. Before our meal we too enjoyed their complimentary bruschetta as new guests - I did not feel it was bland at all like another reviewer did, but possibly a bit too piled on with the tomatoes. Overall we got a nice, light lunch for two for under $25 after the tip. I will come back again sometime I'm sure and maybe for dinner, I'm intrigued to try some of their entrees. If you're going to the Risotteria to dine as we were, I would not say the attire is very relaxed casual, but one wouldn't have to dress up much. If you're dining in the bistro / cafe area it's definitely more free to whatever you happen to be wearing.
(4)Paul G.
One of my daughter's favorite places in Seattle. Good salads and pasta dishes. I usually order the vegetarian pizza - nice thin and crispy crust. Very good bread... be careful not to fill up before the main meal ;-) Upstairs and downstairs have very different vibes. It's worth trying both.
(4)J H.
Good service, great atmosphere, great list of wines. If you are going to dine here, I suggest walking in from the street entrance and going up the spiral staircase. Walking through pacific place will ruin your appetite for dimly lit romance, or giggles with friends. The food is also very good
(4)Sarah S.
not too impressive, but good if you want standard inexpensive and filling italian fare. the waitstaff is in no hurry to get to you, which is fine if you aren't in a rush, want a plate to eat your appetizers on, want another glass of wine, or want dessert. the risotto is done well, which can be difficult, so props to that. however, still not enough to bump it to the top of my choice eateries, unless i am right near by and in a rush there are better places around. i'll most likely go there instead...
(3)India B.
It's a little corporate, and it is in pacific place so it seems a little artificial, but they have a great Caprese here ($8.00). I love a good caprese and this one has huge tomatoes, an abundance of fresh basil and beautiful mozarella. I don't really know about anything else, except their bread is made on premises!
(5)Laura P.
Had a few decent meals here in the last decade but haven't been back in years. Made a ressie on Opentable. Turns out it was only for the Risotteria upstairs but ate downstairs. Split a spinaci salad - yummy with bacon. Hubby thought that the aged ricotta was bland. I ordered the risotto of the day- shrimp with chanterelle mushrooms, pesto, and Parmesan. They failed my much feared former culinary teacher's test- if it takes less than 45 min to make, it's going to suck. It did. It seems that they tried to cheat and make the risotto creamy by using, well creamy ingredients, like pesto and more cheese. Wrong. The pesto also overpowered the chanterelles. The shrimp were tiny. Hubby ordered a linguine dish with seafood but wanted a white wine sauce instead of the tomato sauce on the menu. They happily accommodated him. . . but forgot to add the seafood. Oh well. We waited about 10 min. to get that fixed. Next time, I'll stick to the salads.
(3)Peter K.
Just bad service. Corporate restaurants have this problem. Food is okay but when it comes to Italian, there are so many great choices in Seattle. Guess its all about location with Il Fornaio.
(1)Jennifer N.
I apologize for the previous review my best friend had made at 9am regarding the business. I did not take notice until an hour after when I had woken up. My review on this restaurant.... My event coordinator, she is really sweet and kind. DeMeSHee would always email me back right away and tried to satisfy me of what I want for my birthday. She even greeted me "happy birthday" and hoped my arm was doing well since I had hurt my wrist a couple days ago. Loved her humor as well. This was the only restaurant that saved my life for my 20 something guests. Many many menus to choose from. I'm really appreciative that the staff worked their way into giving me the best dinner ever. I genuinely cannot wait for tonight!
(4)Tom C.
We wandered into this restaurant after leaving a festival in downtown looking for something light to eat. We were seated promptly. The atmosphere was nice. The restaurant has large windows great for viewing city activity happening below. We ordered drinks. Shortly afterwards they arrived along with the breadbasket. The entree I decided on was Taglialette alla Bolognese. The pasta was cooked well and the meat ragu was very good. The wait staff was adequate.
(3)Asuka N.
The evening before the half marathon this past weekend, we ended up eating at Il Fornaio, largely due to proximity to our hotel and having the necessary food (read: pasta) needed to load up before the big day. The restaurant is a very big space inside a mall, but it seemed like there was a bit of a wait to get seated, which I was surprised by. Despite having a reservation, we eventually got ourselves seated at a semicircle booth (a bit big for the three of us, but no complaints). Our waiter was very friendly, as well as self-aware enough that he was not going to be able to answer my friend's questions about wine, so he got the help of a waitress who is taking sommelier classes to help out, which turned out very well (we had a delicious red wine). Aside from that, our food was a bit slow coming out, but once it did we were set. You do get a complimentary order of bruschetta if you stay at a nearby hotel, so definitely mention it if you're visiting from out of town (the Fairmont did qualify). Pretty standard, with slightly larger pieces than usual but still with plenty of juicy tomatoes on top. We also ordered a flatbread for the table, which was solid overall, but I was not a fan of the corner pieces basically being all crust/dough and no toppings; it kind of suggested that it was thrown together hastily instead of with any precision or care before baking. For my main, I went with the capellini al pomodoro, which was a very hearty serving of pasta with lots of tomato sauce...unfortunately, it was missing the garlic and basil that I think would have provided a bit more depth to the dish. I also think this would have worked better with thicker noodles; with thin noodles, it actually felt much more filling than I think it would have otherwise. In all, the prices are definitely reasonable enough to warrant coming back. However, I felt this was pretty average Italian food with a friendly wait staff. Given the multitude of other food options one has in Seattle, I'd definitely investigate other spots first if you are looking for pasta or something similar.
(3)Julia H.
Italian food is one of my favorite cuisines so I was very excited to try this place for the first time. I ordered the Spaghetti Polpettine. The actual entree size dish was definitely adequate enough for me for two meals! The spaghetti tasted delicious. However, I've rated Il Fornaio only 3 stars because of the service. I went here with a group of friends around 8pm on a week night, and there weren't very many people in the restaurant (less than 20?) so I was expecting service to be quick. That was definitely not the case. It took 15 minutes for us to even place our order (our server kept disappearing and whenever she walked past us she would always be servicing another table and definitely overlooked us every time). When we finally did place our order, it took another 10 minutes for us to receive the bread basket. While the food didn't disappoint, the service sure did.
(3)Jean Y.
The food was not the best Italian, though the decorations, service were quite super. This restaurant is huge, was not packed when i was there with my friends. Service was quite excellent. Didn't try coffee and dessert here, because there is at least 2 Starbucks near..
(4)L S.
Randomly chose this restaurant because of proximity to our hotel and the price range. For a Saturday night it was not busy but had a decent amount of traffic. Service was great from the hostess to our server. Very friendly and attentive but not too much so that they did not interrupt the flow of our conversations. We did not order drinks but they had a large wine list. We also noticed that they a nice selection of craft beers and at a reasonable price (under $5). Our meal started with good soft bread and olive oil with basalmic. I ordered a Tagliatelle with salmon and my daughter ordered Quattro fromagio gnocchi, both pretty standard dishes. We shared a salad. They split the salad without being asked which was nice. And the pasta portions were just right. Portions were not a huge oversized portion but enough to finish and not feel like a pig. Overall it was a pleasant and relaxed meal for 2 for around $50 inc tip. Not the ultimate best place I've been but good enough to keep repeat customers and probably a nice lunch place for business people.
(4)Jenny B.
Easily my favorite Italian restaurant in Seattle! The food, the atmosphere and the staff are remarkable and really make this restaurant stand out from the rest in the city! Whenever I am craving gnocchi - Il Fornaio is my go-to for those delightful little potato pillows of heaven! I don't know how they do it- but their gnocchi is so soft, light and tender on the inside and just right amount of texture and chewiness on the outside! Pair it with fresh tomatoes, basil, bolognese sauce, whatever! If the Il Fornaio chefs deem the combination appropriate, you can bet it will be superb! Upstairs in the restaurant or downstairs in the bistro- it doesn't matter which also get you prefer, the food is excellent in both dining areas. Though you will find the menus are a little different. For example: I can always find a gnocchi dish on the downstairs bistro menu. It's a staple item and they pretty much always have it. Upstairs menu; gnocchi isn't a guarantee. But if they have it, you'll probably find it on the Festa Regionale menu which rotates monthly focusing on different regional cuisines of Italy. If you can't tell, I REALLY like their gnocchi! Just like grandma used to make! The dining rooms are gorgeous with views of the city surroundings, Renaissance period inspired wall hangings and several beautiful murals! It's all very tastefully done and sets the savory carpe diem tone for the dining experience. The food is beautifully presented, smells amazing and tastes even better! An artful feast for the senses!
(5)Terra H.
Absolutely the worst server! I wish I could comment on the food but I never got to eat because after waiting on our server for 45 min just to come to us for a drink order we felt it was time to leave. Worst part is the "sweet" little blonde server snickered under a menu while we told her that we were leaving due to her poor time management skills. But the bread that the random chef/host gentleman brought to our table right as we sat was delicious and I left a couple dollars on our table for his efforts. I wish I could review better, hopefully she will be fired before I return next if I do.
(1)Sean C.
Really, the food just wasn't that great. The Penne vodka sauce was decent, but was the best of the items we got. We ordered a pizza, which came out as a flat bread, with a ton of greens on it, but little or no melted cheese. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't what you would expect if you ordered pizza. Our server was pleasant, but a bit distracted, and seemed to have a hard time keeping up. For the prices charged, it should have been a better experience
(3)Eileen K.
GOT MY PURSE STOLEN HERE!!!! Been eating at the bar for years and was eating by myself and someone walked through the restaurant and stole it off the back of my chair and walked out with it. I was in tears: wallet, car keys, phone, all gone. What kind of establishment let's people from the street just walk through the restaurant. Apparently when they checked the tapes outside, some woman was loitering around the restaurant. Let me make note that I was at the bar downstairs, sitting in front of the whole kitchen staff. And not one person saw anything. Will never be coming here again. Awful management.
(1)Kelcy D.
Talk about fancy! This place is elegant with top quality pastas and the most rich and delicious red wines! One of my favorite restaurants never falling short of great service! I come here every now and then and I know I can count on a great dining experience!
(5)Picolina L.
Absolutely incredible food! The waiter was so accommodating and authentic. I will definitely be returning soon.
(5)Paul W.
The general manager, Marco N., Has been diligent about contacting patrons about their visits to Il Fornaio. Good customer service and correspondence between consumers is part of an integral foundation of success for any business. Will update again after a second visit.
(3)Wagner M.
Excellent food and service. The Gnocchi alla Bolognese is from another planet.
(4)Catherine S.
The service and food here was excellent . My daughter has food allergies and the manager Don was very accommodating . He even surprised her with a special dessert . Our waiter Thierry was very good and provided 5 star service . We will definitely come back when we visit Seattle !!!
(5)N V.
Only came here for dessert. Our dessert was very good. But what is a good restaurant without good service? Our service was extremely slow. We were sat down immediately but constantly needed to wave down our server.
(3)Williams Party Of Two W.
Wife had the gnocchi with lamb ragu.. Decadent I had the seafood plate so good.. Bread baskets were overflowing Pizza was great, wine selection was good.. Dessert was great Limoncello Tiramisu was godly Very clean place and awesome service
(5)Mardi A.
I was running an errand at Pacific Place during my lunch break recently and decided to stop by Il Fornaio's cafe in the center of the mall for a quick bite. I'd come in a little later than the typical lunch crowd, so the line was clear. I took a look at the sandwiches... dwarfed by the apparent main draw of the build-your-own salad bar, and selected a turkey bacon avocado sandwich. The woman at the counter offered to heat it and I stood patiently. It takes a while for the sandwiches to make it through the rolling salamander (or whatever you would call it), but when I had my first bite it was well worth the wait. It was so good in fact that I decided to go back the next day. Day 2 - I showed up right around noon and the line was insane. I'd already made up my mind on lunch, so I toughed it out waiting my turn. I was probably standing there for at least 10 minutes having only moved about 3 spots forward when a woman came by checking that everyone in line was there for salad so she could grab her sandwich and shoot up to the front of the line. That's a huge help for those of us with pre-made food, but not something that's apparently clear. The line of salad-goers cuts right in front of the sandwich fridge... because its also where they house the salad bases. The layout for this place isn't great, but hey, I now know that I can grab my sandwich and save a half hour easy. I pick up the first turkey bacon avocado I can grab and move to the front. There is no offer to heat it this time, but I don't have any more time to stand around. As I'm walking back to the office I keep looking down because I see this sickly green color coming out of the side of my sandwich. In my mind I'm hoping its the avocado because then the overall squishy look of it isn't as unappealing. But it isn't the avocado. The lettuce is so wilted that it's almost liquid, and that's all of it, not just the edges that were hanging off the side. I pull off the lettuce and start to wonder if the food is good enough to deal with the hassle again. So a week goes by and I have to go back to Pacific Place to pick something up. I figure that since I'm there anyway I might as well give it another try. Day 3 - I make the decision to head out closer to 1:00 again to avoid the large lines. That first day was so good, I have high hopes that day 2 was just a fluke. I find my sandwich and examine the two that are still in the case. I pick the one with the better looking lettuce and get in line. The girl doesn't offer to heat it, but I have time, so I make the request. I walk back to the office and pull out my sandwich and find that even with closer inspection the lettuce is still goo and this time the bacon is fatty and under-cooked. The bread was amazing every time, but I'm afraid that if I went back a 4th time the turkey would be grey or something. It isn't worth the ridiculous cost and I expect more from a place that 1) caters to the well-to-do and 2) keeps their noses in the air because they know it. If you want to be a pretentious little cafe you had better start serving me fresh food.
(2)Saejin K.
Just had a great experience at il fornaio! Even though it's a chain, the ambience and wine list were great, and the service was fantastic. Francesca was an extremely attentive, helpful, and gracious waitress! I had the carpaccio and beet salad which were both excellent. For those hesitant to try raw meat, try it here! Drizzle a little lemon and olive oil and I guarantee you'll love it!
(5)Jillian R.
Very slow and inattentive. Took 10 minutes just to be greeted and receive a menu. Then, as soon as I received the menu, and without having a moment to open it, the waiter assumes I'm ready to order a drink. I informed him that I'd prefer a moment to look it over. Ten minutes go by, no waiter, no water, no drink order put in, no concern for the guest or sense of urgency. As a seasoned industry vet, this is completely unacceptable. This is supposed to be an upscale eatery, but completely misses the mark with regard to the core of what keeps a restaurant going - guest service and perception. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone I care for, but would certainly give it a glowing recommendation to anyone that I would like to piss off.
(1)Jacob M.
I don't know what all these whiners problem is. Our food was fantastic. The hostess was attentive, met our request and seated us right away. The rest of the waitstaff were on top of our needs and we didn't wait for anything. Our food was delicious and we had to tell ourselves to stop. Ambiance also was peaceful and relaxing. I guess you can always find something that could have been better anywhere, but this is a reasonable priced restaurant - so chill out people. Always a pleasure Il Fornaio and well done!
(5)Joann U.
So, my review is for the Il Fornaio that is downstairs from the restaurants (i think it's the cafe version??) There's 3 versions of this restaurant in Pacific Place - the express version in the middle of the lobby, the main restaurant on the main floor, and the cafe version that's down the escalators. I'm assuming that this is the moderate priced part of the restaurant. I know that the restaurant and cafe don't serve the same thing. I had the risotto and i have to say it was pretty good - not dry and it had truffles in it! i'm not usually a fan of foccaia bread (places i've had it are always too dry for me), but theirs is really, really good - soft and has a buttery taste to it. Our waiter was pretty cool - my hubby and him had a lot of fun talking about PAX (since it was happening in town) so they really bonded lol. Service was great, and our waiter was very attentive to us. I would definitely come back again!
(4)Ariana N.
Our Monday lunch for six at Il Fornaio was wonderful. The server was very knowledgeable and we got exactly what we wanted. The food tasted amazing. We all really enjoyed our experience.
(5)Dori C.
I went here with my two daughters and my soon to be son in law and I really enjoyed the ambiance of this place. They play Italian music and their menu is written in Italian , with the dishes explained in English. Our server, Ian, was very gracious in presenting the specials and interpreting the menu for my daughter and her fiance. I had the Cannellini al Forno My daughter had speghetti and meatballs, my other daughter had the Margherita Pizza, and my son in law had the Linguine Mare Chiaro (Seafood linguine) My dish was extremely delicious and satisfying and I know my daughter enjoyed her pizza. I'm not sure if my other daughter and her fiance' were into the Italian experience but I love the place. I would go back again. It's a great place to take a date.
(5)Heather F.
Service was awful. Every single person on that staff was unpleasant and bitter. Food was cold and tasteless. Plates and utensils were dirty and when requesting new silverware our waiter just stared at us and walked away. Our bread basket came out cold and stale. I honestly could go on and on about my experience here but I'm going to leave it with you would have a better time at Olive Garden. Yes that's right I said Olive Garden. Stay away from this place. Save your money, time and stomach.
(1)Amanda N.
came here for a quick small bite before heading the movies. Staff was friendly. Got the calamari. It was a great portion size and tasted fresh. At first I thought it was a bit pricey for an appetizer until it came. Felt like I got an entree order :) The salads was great. The linguine fruta de mar is my favorite dish
(4)Kristen L.
I used to go here more often when I was younger and I remember it fondly back then. I'm not sure if it really was better in my childhood or if my tastes and standards have evolved, but everything the last time I came here was just ok. I ordered a pasta that had pesto, sundried tomatoes and some cheese which reminded me of fresh mozzarella. The noodles were too al dente for my tastes and the noodles were drowning in olive oil. There wasn't much flavor to the dish which is ironic considering what it consisted of. My mom's salad was underdressed and a bit plain in my opinion but fortunately she enjoyed it. All in all everything was ok, but I didn't eat anything and think to myself "I have to come back here." Price was standard for Italian food.
(3)Chandra H.
My husband and I stopped here the other day after finishing up our Christmas shopping. The hostess was a bit cold to us but I figured she was ready to go home and our arrival was a reminder that she wouldn't be leaving soon. We were seated in a table with two entrances on either side so it was a little awkward since people were walking through on both sides of our table. There were three other tables in the restaurant with parties of four or more. The server took his time coming over to the table, we were already better acquainted with the gentleman who brought our bread. The menu didn't offer a lot of variety and I learned quickly that this isn't a place where you're going to find some of the more Americanized options like Alfredo sauce or lasagna. I ordered the risotto thinking that based on the lack of cliche Italian items on the menu, it may actually be good. It wasn't. The risotto was a little firmer than al dente. It had crab on it that tasted like it came freshly from the can. The entire dish was covered in a fish like smell. I took two bites and decided not to proceed. In the meantime, my husband finished his entire meal before the server came back to check on us. Thankfully we had plenty of bread so that made an interesting dinner. Fortunately the server took the risotto off of the bill but I wasn't willing to play any further and didn't order anything else. It was hard to believe that after all was said and done, my husbands one entree and orange juice came to $38 + tax & tip. I wouldn't go back even if I had a gift certificate. I like good food and good service but had a hard time finding either here.
(2)Belle G.
Very good. The creamy tomato soup, DElICIOUS. Had the seafood pasta dish (sorry forgot the name) nice. Some bites had a little bit too much fishiness, but over not bad. Desert was tiramasu, of course, and the lemon orange canoli. Tons of flavor. I recommend for a nice light time.
(4)Mickaela M.
The service was good but my food was disgusting. I've never been a picky eater but I ordered a Calzone and it came to me visibly burnt but somehow still cold on the inside. I couldn't even eat it.
(2)Katie L.
Their service is always great here and food is good. I would always get their calamari, so delicious! Their Italian soda is also a good beverage to try. Pasta is on point and so are their other entrees. I came in on my birthday and they gave me a piece of tiramisu and wished me a happy birthday :)
(4)Joe H.
I tried Il Fornaio at two different locations (San Jose and Seattle) and they're both about the same in terms of the food, service, etc. etc. The service is always good. Nothing crazy good but good and never bad. This time, I ordered salmon over spinach salad (it had an Italian name which I didn't even attempt to pronounce when I was ordering). Salmon was cooked a tad bit too much but I like my salmon rarer than most people. Salad was okay. I also ordered espresso for dessert (no sugar added) and this was the highlight of the meal. It was awesome. Anyway, yeah, it's.... good. Yes they take AMEX
(3)Pankaj P.
I had Capellini. A nice vegetarian dish. It was well made and tasty. My friends had Grilled Chicken, and Porcini. It was delicious. The ambiance was great.
(5)Patricia B.
I am a regular at Il Fornaio and I like it a lot. It is a comfortable restaurant. I like that they have linen on the table and the atmosphere of an old style restaurant. Their salads are great (I often have the beet salad), the pizze are good (thin crust), their lasagna is delicious and they always have specials. They also have a good wine list. I agree with a few reviews that mention that the hostess is not very responsive and always tries to give you the table in the darker area against the wall even when the tables by the windows are free, but this is minor. Usually, the service is very good. I find it a relaxing place.
(5)Ryan N.
Cafe: Conveniently located right smack in the middle of Pacific Place. If you're like me who's always on the go, it's great. Line forms quick, but the turn-around time is just as quick. Sandwiches are made daily, customizable and ready made salads (greens and pasta). Strong and bold espresso drinks...my favorite. Restaurant: 4-6pm happy hour - $5 glass of wine, $3 dollar bottles of beer and menu of small plates for $5 os where it's at. Plentiful seating, minimal wait. Good old fashion pasta dishes. Authentic Italian specialties from their rotisserie and grill are priced higher. I've only had the rotisserie chicken and that wasn't too bad. Catering and private dining also available.
(4)Mike F.
Mixed review, went a week ago with family after seeing Grease. Inspired after reading reviews for my up-coming vacation when I was reading someone with almost 3,000 reviews, I better eat out more. I had a vegetarian risotto that was really good, five stars. Two other members had a risotto with sausage and both indicated it was excellent. Daughter had pasta, olive oil, pepper flakes, she thought was boring I concurred. My wife did not like the cannelloni al forno. She asked waitress about changing to something else after ordering but I am pretty sure the waitress rolled her eyes and she stuck with it. Said the red sauce was sorta cold, not sure what else was exactly wrong but I tossed the leftovers from the refrigerator my wife had chosen not to eat.
(3)Bob H.
Solid old school service. Well trained wait staff with good knowledge of the menu items and wine list. Competent kitchen executing a well thought out and matured menu. The rotisserie chicken was superbly prepared and presented. The pasta items were also excellent. Very good dining value for a downtown resturant. This location is just as good as the one in Pasadena California.
(4)Thomas M.
Great place for drinks. The food is always well done, but nothing extraordinary. The atmosphere is nice and the window seating looks out over the city streets. The service is always perfect.
(4)Y.S. S.
It has food like pasta, salad and good pizza. I usually have caprese salad with main dishes and it's all taste good. Specially, they made rissoto for your orders I like feminine here and love the restaurant.
(3)Rich T.
This is definitely the kind of place where u have to be careful what and where u order. It's a chain but somehow this location doesn't feel like one (vs. Silicon Valley startup deal central in Palo Alto :-) There are really five (?!) distinct spots. First is the main dining area which has a terrific ambiance with high ceilings and great urban views. It's the place to order the house made pasta (the best on the menu IMHO) and pretend ur in Italy. Try to stick with the simpler entrees vs the peace or carne. At least for us we've had better luck with simplicity. Then there are a few booths by the pizza station. These feel like an old restaurant in little Italy. Somehow the pizza always tastes better here. :-) Downstairs is the cafe and is really one of the best values compared with the upstairs. It's a nice sit down place where that's great for kids and the quick dinner after a movie upstairs. Then forth there is the bar. This is a nice spot for their 4-6 happy hour. The drinks are good and it is nice and airy up there. Plus u can watch Italian football games there and tell in your best Italiano. This also seems to be a favorite spot for the right after work crowd so beware that it gets crowded. Finally there is the quick service spot that is in the center of the mall. This is a good place to get a quick sandwich or build your own salad. All things considered id say the cafe downstairs and the bar at happy hour are the best values. And don't forget how convenient it is in the pacific place mall!
(4)Jim G.
Just completed the Dolci Class. Wow. Franz (the chef) is engaging and patient - answering every question, and showing the product every step of the way. Then, the best part, lunch is served with a tasting of each recipe made. Yay! We are definitely signing up for more classes - worth the price and the two hours.
(5)Julia E.
Bread and service was great but we found the food bland (we had the risotto and pizza).
(3)Kari G.
Always pleasantly surprised by this place, even though, yes, it is in a mall, and no, it will never appear in the Michelin Guide. A casual, unpretentious spot in a convenient location with friendly and quick service and also spectacularly comforting carbs! Sometimes you're in the Pacific Place vicinity and you just have to have big, sexy noodles... and IF is perfect for shoving some juicy deliciousness in your face. I consistently get a hankering for the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese which is frankly some of the best I've had... and might I also suggest the Caprese which has decent mozerella and comes surprisingly dressed down (in a good way)... All in all, a great little spot with laid-back ambiance and happy-to-see-you service.
(4)Caitlin O.
Exemplary service, delicious food, and creative drinks make this place the gem of the Pacific Place restaurant scene! Go for happy hour and enjoy $6 apps and drinks!
(5)JP R.
I had the bolognese for lunch and it was a bit heavy. My wife and I shared the Il Fornaio chianti and it was very smooth. Overall, I felt as though their lunch is not nearly as good as their dinner.
(3)Ralph E.
We were at Il Fornaio at Pacific Place (Downtown) on New Year's Eve, checked in 25 minutes prior to our reserved time. They said we would be seated at 7:30 (our reserved time). At 7:55 we asked how much longer - and they told us they had been looking for us! We were seated in the waiting area - obviously they didn't look very hard. They saw us sitting there - they could have easily walked over and asked our name if they didn't recognize me from when I checked in. Then we were seated in a less-than-desirable area of the restaurant - next to a large party of young adults that were quite noisy. Food was OK, not great. The only thing good was the waiter - he was very good. We've been to this restaurant in the past and had a much better experience each time, but this experience means we won't go out of our way to go there again.
(2)Jessica G.
Il Fornaio has been a staple in my life since I have been able to afford it (LOL). This location is kind of odd - inside of a mall - but I thought it would be nice since it overlooks downtown Seattle. I recently booked a "romantic" (joke) evening here with a friend through OpenTable. Was kind of disappointed when the requests for a window table and candlelight were ignored (what's the point of allowing people to put requests in if you don't attempt to honor them?), but I was pleased that we didn't have to wait at all to be seated. I was also entertained by the fact that the couple next to us requested at least five different wines on the menu only to be told they were out. *laughs* It's all about the Capellaci di Zucca. And bread. And tiramisu. But mostly the Capellaci di Zucca. That's the redeeming quality.
(3)Deepa V.
We've done both Dinners & lunch here & in general, like this restaurant. Their Chianti was really good & went well with our meal. I had the butternut squash ravioli (which was especially good this last weekend) & I've had most of their desserts and pretty much like them all. The staff can however be sort of aloof and standoffish at times.
(4)Jessica H.
Ok, first things first...there are not one but three Il Fornaios. I know your mind is blown right now. How is that so, you may ask? I will tell you... 1. There is the cafe in the center of Pacific place. 2. The actual restaurant is divided into two levels A. The casual dining downstairs --------spiral staircase in between the two---------- B. The formal dining upstairs (Which is also where the restroom is located by the hostess station, in case you are like me and enter on the bottom level the first time and get confused) And I have happily enjoyed all of them! I would say my favorite it the formal dining area. I have enjoyed some very nice birthday and anniversary celebrations there. They do have really great service staff who are very attentive and have always had good wine pairing recommendations. I usually order the carbonara or gnocchi. If you are eating downstairs, I highly recommend to get a dish with roasted chicken in it as they have their own rotisserie. Nothing like watching your dinners brothers and sisters sizzle on a rotisserie close to your face! Also, the downstairs area is pretty family friendly, I bring my teen sister and young son with no issue. We usually get pretty full on the bread and balsamic before our meal :)
(4)Lisa D.
Stopped here for drinks and dessert in the middle of the afternoon. We needed a refresher after some epic holiday shopping. We were seated promptly, but it took a while for the waiter to come by. Service was generally on the slow side, but our waiter was nice. The wines by the glass selection is small (and seems pricey), but my Chardonnay was pretty good. The pumpkin chocolate chip gelato and the apple crepes were awesome! One of our party was served a latte with no espresso in it - it was white! The server assured us it "should have coffee in it" but brought an extra shot of espresso over. Big star off for the improperly made latte and the server not noticing. Would come back to try dinner though. Nice view of downtown from the dining room if you are near the windows.
(3)Norris B.
Il Fornaio is one of my favorite corporate restaurants in Seattle's downtown retail core (Morton's is too). If you're craving carbs and pasta to fuel your body for the Christmas shopping season, Il Fornaio's the place to go. Nestled in the NW corner of Pacific Center, it's easy to find and there's ample parking on the street or in PC's parking garage. If you don't mind waiting to be seated, it's well worth the wait. Try the Bruschetta Pomodor for starters. You can actually make a meal of their appetizers. I like the calamaretti fritti and their carpaccio. There's enough to feed a table of four. If you want to skip the first course, you should try the capellini (angel hair pasta) or their vodka pennon pasta (be sure to ask for extra bacon). Be sure to save room for dessert. Their Tiramisù or their Doppio Gusto (chocolate mousse infused with a fennel custard) are to die for. Buon Appetito!
(5)Jack D.
Terrible ceaser salad! Way too much anchovy. Smelled like a fish tank! What's with the parmesan cheese being sliced thick enough to make cheese sandwiches? It was on my salad and with the carpaccio.
(2)Christina C.
Was delicious - chicken cannelloni was amazing! Olive bread is delicious and they have a wonderful wine selection. They also take reservations.
(4)Kendra S.
The bakery is amazing for pastries and lunch!
(4)Lucia D.
The food here is decent and Americanized but extremely over priced. I have also experienced multiple waiters here that made our table very uncomfortable. My friend had ordered a tea and then the waiter proceeded to go on a rant about how making tea is the most annoying thing you can ask a waiter to do-poor customer service. I don't think the food is worth coming back for.
(2)Stacy G.
Where do I begin? I want to clarify that this review is for the upstairs portion of the restaurant. We had a company party of 10 with a reservation at 5:30pm. We happened to arrive a few minutes early on a Tuesday night. The place was dead and our large party was told to wait at the bar by the terse and slightly rude hostess/manager. The bar area is on the smaller side so we ended up taking up most of the space, and for the next 20 minutes we were pushed and bustled from side to side by servers coming to and fro and as well as other customers. Overall, a tad bit of an uncomfortable beginning to our evening. After inquiring about our table (which by now had been ready for us for a while) we were told we can't be seated until the bar tab is paid. The hostess watched over our boss' shoulder to make sure the tab was paid. Not awkward at all but let's move on. After settling down, we ordered a couple bottles of wine for the table and waited for the server to request our orders. That didn't happen for another 30 minutes and by then we were full on bread and wine (insert biblical joke here). The food and wine was great, I can only comment on that since I never had the opportunity to eat my entree. The reason being that it took nearly 2 hours to have our dinner served. 7:30pm rolled around and our food was just coming out. I ended up requesting my seafood risotto boxed up to go. I cannot understand the reason behind the extremely slow service. We had plenty of time to observe our surroundings and this Tuesday evening was slow. Half the tables were not occupied and we seemed be the only party of substantial size. We had only one server and although she did a good job trying to keep up, the experience was ridiculous. For a group spending $600+, the service was horrendous. Never again. I won't come back even with my friends or my spouse. It's a pity because I hear their food is decent. Oh well, there's plenty of options in Seattle offering similar food and better service.
(1)Seth T.
So I made a reservation at this spot for our mothers sixtieth. I WILL NEVER GO BACK. We sat and waited 20 minutes for our drinks. My brothers ravioli came out cold so we had to send it back and get a new one. No special treatment or presentation for my mothers birthday. The server had little to no personality. BEWARE: OVER PRICED ITALIAN FOOD DONT BE FOOLED GO SOMEWHERE ELSE LIKE CARMINES. glorified Olive Garden. Ugh.
(1)Zoila A.
I had lunch at Il Fornaio on a Thursday. We were immediately served with water and at our table of 4, 3 of us stayed with water to drink and one had iced tea. The iced tea had to be asked for a refill only once; afterwards the refills just kept coming. I ordered the Salmon dish (don't recall it's full name) which came with roasted potatoes and sauteed spinach. The entire plate was delicious. My husband ordered the Salmon Sliders, which he did not like too much because it was a tad bit dry. It came with 3 or 4 sliders and on the last one, he just ate the salmon and left the rest. I don't remember what the other two had but there were no complaints on their end. The bread they serve with the oil and vinegar is delicious!
(4)Heather V.
I'm truly surprised by the 3 1/2 star rating -- this food is pretty dang delish, I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could. I've visited Il Fornaio a couple times, both during peak and non peak hours. I've never left disappointed, and my friends have always seemed to be happy too. I've had a few different salads (one with seafood that was really nice), a friend had a wood fired pizza, another friend soup and salad. All were very tasty, the portions felt just right (not too small or too big) and the breads are to die for, crusty and chewy, the way artisan bread should be. Apparently there's a cafe in the mall, I can't speak for that, but I think it's the same food. I've only visited the actual restaurant. The restaurant has pleasant wait staff, is clean and quiet with great views overlooking the bustling streets of Seattle and the bathrooms are very pleasant and match the feel of the restaurant (more high end). What else could you ask for when you need a rest from all that shopping?!
(4)James K.
Great happy hour. Got carpaccio 50% off. Attentive staff, great location.
(5)Cj P.
Great food! Amazing service! The waitress was fabulous and the Chef came out and was extremely wonderful. I recommend for sure. Not to mention prices on menu were very low.
(4)John Z.
My wife and I stopped into the restaurant on a Saturday night. Not having reservations we were looking at a 30-minute wait but decided to take a seat at the kitchen bar area, which gives you a front row seat view of the kitchen action. We started out with an order of the Calamaretti Fritti. It was as advertised in that it was lightly battered and perfectly fried. Very good! My wife ordered the Paccheri alla Pastora and was very pleased with the dish [see photo]. Great flavor and just the right sized portion. For myself, I ordered the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese [see photo]. It was tasty but seemed to be lacking a bit of flavor. Not sure what it was but none-the-less it was still good. We finished off or evening by splitting a Tiramisù [see photo]...it was a perfect ending to a good dinning experience.
(3)Meg E.
Terrible! Terrible food. Terrible atmosphere. When we first arrived we were seated at the smallest table I've ever seen. To make it worse the table was stuck right next to a server's station and two walkways. After being bumped several times, we asked to be moved. While they made it happen, the waiter was quite rude about it. As you look around the place it is clear that they care more about cramming in as many people as possible - not about the guest's experience. Once our meals came... Terrible! Mine was totally bland. No taste at all. The other dish was just down-right gross. The whole meal left us looking for something else and a way to leave as quickly as possible. Not how we envisioned our date night. So, we dropped $25 a plate to leave VERY unsatisfied. Won't be dining there again.
(1)Stephen M.
Very, very good Italian in a wonderful atmosphere. I had the Caesar salad, and it was wonderfully made. Not just fresh-tasting, but a wonderful mix of great flavors that weren't just muddled together. I had the grilled prawns on it as well, and they were superb. The waitstaff are extremely courteous, knowledgeable, and manage to seat a large party of 20 or so comfortably, and they not only took our orders quickly but our food was served quickly as well, with hot items hot, cold items cold, and all the accoutrements in the right places.
(5)Darla R.
I returned here with a girlfriend on 23 January to give Il Fornaio a second chance. (I received a message from the owner/manager stating that they would like to be given a second chance since they wanted to show us that they are a top-notch restaurant. I can't find the message from him anywhere on Yelp and am wondering why it was deleted. Hmmmm....) Anyway, I ordered the gnocchi again this time. There was definitely a difference in the pasta and the temperature in which it was served. It was amazing! I guess the last time we were here in December was just an 'off' night. My friend had one of the ravioli plates and was very please with her dish also. We both ordered the gorgonzola salad with baked apples or pears and were both pleased with our choices.
(5)Diana W.
Tried this place for the first time a few years ago when someone native to Italy said it was the most authentic Italian he has had in Seattle. I wouldn't really know and I imagine some people might disagree. Either way I thought the food has always been very tasty. I don't have a favourite dish here but the zabaione dessert is amazebears. If you're like me and don't really like chocolate or very sweet desserts, you should try this. It consists of peach sherbert, berries soaked in prosecco, and zabaione cream. The service here has always been very pleasant which I feel is difficult to find. I've only been to happy hour once but it is also very good. They have small tables of free food!
(5)Heather E.
Ugh, typical chain restaurant. I will say the star goes to the service. They were great, the menu was horrid. It was Thanksgiving and we were traveling, so our most expensive meal was our worst but law of supply and demand. Shrimp and scallop undercook and sauce plain, pizza fancier than it needed to be. A no go for us...and expensive.
(1)erin b.
Food and ambience were good but today at lunch our service was dismal. We ordered before the lunch rush (1145) and our food didn't show up for 60 min. During that time our server did not come by not even one time to give us updates or check on us. There's a lot of other restaurants in the downtown area I wouldn't recommend this one to anyone.
(2)Corina P.
Came here for lunch and it was busy but not crazy. I ordered orecchiette pasta with sausage, which was pretty good. Not too rich and the pasta had a good texture. Not too shabby for a chain! The service was also good; attentive and quick.
(3)Krystin T.
A friend and I came here for lunch - I'd never been and had always wanted to try it out. We didn't do the fancy upstairs, but rather the downstairs casual-dining area. It was a little weird at first, as I missed the first entrance and the second door was locked. The server came and opened it when she realized I was locked out, but it was just a bit odd. That said, the food was delicious. I may have mentioned my deep, undying love for gnocchi -- and not only do I love it, I'm pretty pick about it. I've had good gnocchi & I won't settle for less if I can help it. My friend said the gnocchi was good here, so I trusted her -- and it was true. SO good. The gnocchi was perfectly cooked: not too soft, not too chewy. And the marinara was delicious - I sopped the rest up with my bread because I couldn't get enough. I don't know how much this restaurant differs from the fancier one, but I can't imagine the fancy one would be any better.
(4)Angie L.
I frequent Pacific Place quite often and have always ended up on the top floor to get my grub on. However, we didn't want to go to any of our usual places... so we decided to venture to the first floor and check this restaurant out. The menu posted outside had good variety and plenty of choices... A little on the pricier side, but expected of a kind-of-fancy Italian restaurant. There were probably like four other diners in there.. The space is huge! We were seated and browsed our menus. My bf ordered the margherita pizza and I ordered the insalata di spinaci (spinach salad with bacon, onions, etc). His pizza was $14.99 and my salad was $10.99... Oh, and we ordered a glass of orange juice.. That thing cost $5! It was a skinny glass with hardly any juice, too. What a rip off. The bread they brought us was old and stale... The pizza was disgusting. I would have rather ordered a pizza from Domino's. The only saving grace was my salad... It was delicious! Service sucked. Our waiter was obviously uninterested and underwhelmed. I will never be going back. I'll stick to my usuals on the top floor. Meh.
(2)Samantha M.
I'm vegan and the menu wasn't very vegan friendly. I asked the waiter for suggestions and he went above and beyond to have a vegan plate made for me. It was happy hour....the wine was fantastic, the food was phenomenal and the prices were reasonable.
(5)Laura C.
As previous reviews stated the service was great the food however was only average. My husband, who is not a foodie, commented that the risotto was under cooked and he was disappointed in his tiramisu. The salted ice cream was by far the better dessert option.
(3)Ted P.
A friend and I went to Il Fornaio restaurant after attending a movie; we showed up at 8:30pm and asked the hostess for a table with view, which she promptly provided; we had a great view of nighttime city streets, which was very romantic. Atmosphere was relaxed, with Italian music playing in the background. Our waiter was a very friendly gentleman named Jax; he was still in training and provided wonderful, personable service. The next time I return, I will request him. My friend ordered the mushroom ravioli, and I the butternut squash ravioli. Both were excellent. Service was prompt and food was ready in about 10 minutes--which gave us time to enjoy wine and fresh-baked bread with olive oil/balsamic. I recently returned from vacation in Italy (Verona and Lake Como), where I eagerly sampled local food. My experience at Il Fornaio felt very similar to restaurants in Italy, and the food was every bit as good; and above all, the company of my dear friend made the evening extra special.
(5)Anthony V.
Good food but one of our 5 servers (in the bar) took our food early and everything else took forever! Its Seattle, not Italy ya dingbats. The bartender had a cute smile tho.
(2)Gloria C.
I purchased the "dinner and a show" package from the Paramount which included a 3-course dinner here. I took my parents, and although they were pleased with the dinner, I wish I had just purchased the show ticket separately and gone to dinner elsewhere. The "package" was all-inclusive of dinner, tax, and gratuity along with my show ticket, which ideally is a nice concept. The food was good. However, the restaurant wait staff knew we had this package purchase, and I felt we were treated second-class. Our waitress did not offer fresh ground pepper or parmesan cheese for our meals. This normally isn't a huge issue for me, but we noticed that the tables across from us were getting much more attention and were offered these small details as well as refills on water and simple check-in's. Small stuff, but maybe the restaurant does not care as much when you have an all inclusive "gratuity-included" meal.
(2)Elena M.
I can't decide if it's a good or bad thing that the Il Fornaio bakery/café, on the main floor of Pacific Place, does not open until 9:00 AM. I walk past Pacific Place most every morning on my way to work, but I generally get to work a lot earlier than 9:00 AM. So, stopping in at Il Fornaio, on most mornings, is not doable. But, on days like today, when I go into work a bit later, I almost always make it a point to stop in. As mentioned in my earlier review, the thing that Il Fornaio does best is bake bread. And, while their danishes and other pastries are not exactly "bread," they are just as good. The breakfast pastries available totally here kick the kneady arse of most anything else available in downtown -- at least this particular corner of it. So, if Il Fornaio were open at 7:00 AM when I am generally heading to work, I would no doubt stop in a lot more often (which would make my taste buds happy, but my waistline would almost certainly rebel). I also venture over to Il Fornaio at lunchtime on occasion for one of their chicken sandwiches. There are probably lots of other things here worth eating, but this is "go to" item and one for which I occasionally get a serious hankering. Oh, and the fresh-squeezed orange juice here is worth getting any time of day. Service is always friendly. The prices are on par with what you'd pay elsewhere in downtown, but here you're getting better quality foods. I shall return.
(4)Monica D.
I went here for Seattle Restaurant week with my friend and maybe it's a lower priced restaurant in general, the portions were SO generous! Their food and service was so delicious, I was even offered a free appetizer on my next visit. Not bad service, if I say so myself. I've yet to go again but if I do I'll have to update the review on what the regular prices are here.
(4)Patty H.
Lunch was wonderful! Out with 2 girlfriends, we had a lovely lunch with good sized portions. We had nice service, relaxed pace and everything was very enjoyable. I had an arugula salad with calamari,scallops and shrimp, it was Devine. My friends enjoyed their pasta dishes. I would certainly go back.
(4)Morgan R.
A reasonable place for an italian dinner when you're at Pacific Place. Way too expensive for lunch, and it's really nothing special Italian food in a big-chain environment at Pacific Place. Perfectly adequate, but nothing special. Downstairs is a good value for dinner, but it doesn't distinguish itself in any way. The lunch specials are extremely limited, and the rest of the lunch menu is way expensive for lunch ($16 for pasta is a lot to spend if it isn't superb). Frankly, you can do better. If you're going to a movie, and need a quick sit-down dinner, then this may suit your needs. For most folks, I'd say go elsewhere.
(2)Janell H.
Very enjoyable experience as well as delicious food. Don was very helpful. He made recommendations on what to order and even answered questions we had about the area.
(5)Yekta A.
Good food! I had the chicken salad and it was scrumptious! The only bathroom is located upstairs, so if you sit downstairs beware you have to go up the stairs to use the bathroom!
(4)Alice C.
We picked this restaurant since there was no wait versus going elsewhere in downtown. Kiddo's pizza was bad... Like worse than Papa John's bad. My chop chop salad was in edible. Drenched in blue cheese dressing. Minestrone soup was flavorless. Hubby's ravioli was not memorable. It was supposed to be stuffed with purple tomato, but tasted more like purple yam. For the price, I expect better. The waitress was very interesting. She came around asking leading questions. Food is yummy right? Everything is delicious right? We didn't really want to answer so we just nodded our heads.
(2)Jimmy W.
went there for lunch after a matinee. shared 2 pizzas and a beet salad with 2 friends. The pizza was just ok...nothing all that great. We had the margarita. the crust wasn't all that great, and the toppings were just ok. The salad wasn't all that spectacular either. The best thing about this restaurant is its location right in Pacific Place, so it's a good meeting place with nice decor. But the food is fairly ordinary.
(2)John S.
I have had dinner here 3 times in the past year and have yet to walk away impressed. Tonight we brought a friend from out if town in for dinner and were embarrassed by the clinical service (the courtly manners and sweet smile she saved for when she brought our check); I had the linguine mare which was almost tasteless: red sauce straight out if a jar, luke warm pasta with no seasoning whatsoever. Our server was a bit curt with my wife, who's not a native English speaker. Afraid that's strike 3 for me. Try Barolo or Palomino instead.
(2)Donjay B.
Came here on the last day of Seattle restaurant week. It was my very first visit here (even though I've lived and went to school just up the hill for nearly a decade) and it was an enjoyable moment accompanied by a few close friends. Reserved a table 15 minutes prior to arriving via open table and we immediately got seated upon arrival. The food was good, that's about it nothing really to scream about. To start, I got the Insalata della Casa salad and I wasn't a fan of it but managed to eat it all. For the main entree, the Penne alla Genovese was delicious although I wish there were more shrimp in there. And as for dessert, the tiramisu was simply perfect to my taste. Aside from the food, I like that they have these themed Italian regions on a monthly basis featuring some of the regions imported wines. Puglia was the featured Italian city and our waiter recommended the Cantele Salice Salentino red wine. If there was something about my experience here that I walked out happy, it was because of this wine. Kudos to our waiter for recommending the wine. They also had a rolling cart of dessert to which everyone in my group always eyed it out as it passed by our table. Sadly it didn't stop at our table, but maybe that was a good thing considering we already had a 3 course meal.
(4)Hannah B.
This place was amazing, I was pleasantly surprised. I started a job downtown about six months ago and kept hearing about and passing by this place and I finally got the chance to check it out the other night! At first I was a little peeved by the hostesses (we attempted to come one time before but had to wait and this time weren't given a wait time), but they sat us within a few minutes. The hostess was very friendly, and treated us very much like welcome guests. The waiter was even better. He was a very personable gentleman with an accent that frequently checked on us, bringing refills and even pouring the rest of my boyfriend's beer into his glass when it got low. We didn't even have to ask! The place was fairly busy too, but everyone seemed to be taken care of. Aside from the fantastic hostess and waiter, the manager (or who I am assuming to be) came by our table to welcome us with an appetizer! This man also came by later to clear the dishes off of our table. You can tell these people really care about service. They are, in my mind, a shining example of what service should be in a restaurant. Or anywhere in general, really! Treat customers like friends, not like strangers unworthy of your time. Food was delicious as well, and came very quickly (further proof that the waiter is awesome). I got a pasta dish with vodka sauce and bacon, and I don't even like bacon all that much but was willing to try it because I like vodka sauce, and it was great! Good portions, too - first time in a long time that I didn't have leftovers from a restaurant! I will definitely be back, and hopefully I get the same waiter because he was incredible!!
(5)Veronica C.
Very highly recommended: Classic elegance inside, Sinatra cooing in the background, and gracious service. I requested Fettuccine Alfredo though not on the menu - it was PERFECT. Not too heavy, creamy, generous sauce, and fresh noodles cooked al dente. The Chiante house wine, generously poured, is quality. Excellence throughout.
(5)Josh B.
Served me prosciutto with paper still on it and didn't take it off the bill. Really?
(1)L. H.
I've been going to Il Fornaio for several years, and I almost always order the same thing - Filante. Risotto with fresh mozzarella, basil, and creamy tomato sauce. Always delicious. We sat at the bar last time because it was so busy and the kitchen staff was very friendly. The wine was delicious as well. I've never had a bad experience here.
(4)Sana S.
My husband and I were looking for a nice Italian place to eat and somehow we came across Il Fornaio. It was quite close to where we stay so we decided to go there. When we reached there, there was no one at the reception desk! We stood there for a good 4-5 minutes ( and the chefs who were there just at the entrance did not even acknowledge our presence). So we walked in by ourselves, and finally someone saw us and had us seated. The ambiance was pretty good which is what notched up our expectations. We ordered a soup - Minestrone di Verdure which was intolerably bland and full of boiled vegetables. I have had Minestrone soups umpteen times before but if this is what they claim as authentic Italian, God help Italians! So we returned it. The main dish that we ordered - Cannelloni al Forno- was bland too. It was heavy enough for 2 people though. After all, the bill even included the soup too even though we had returned it! So much for customer satisfaction! Ergo, 1 star!
(1)Orlene C.
I have tasted a variety of dishes lately since we are planning on having our rehearsal dinner here. Our favorites are the cannelloni, pennoni alla vodka, gnocchi with Tomatoes, tomato sauce, cream, and pesto (not on menu in upper restaurant but can still order), and the veal dish with lemon sauce (have to like caper flavor to enjoy this dish). The gelato espresso dessert is super refreshing and delicious!
(4)Rebecca S.
I said it before and I'll say it again: Il Fornaio has the best chicken salad ever. The black pepper and celery really does wonders. I very recently learned, however, that Il Fornaio is now sells boxed lunches. For $10, you get a mini fruit salad, a bag of chips (and not those nasty ass Tim's chips but Ms. Vicky's chips from Canada), and a whole sandwich. The sandwich that I choose is the chicken salad, obviously and it's easily my favorite sandwich downtown. The bread doesn't tear or leak making it the cleanest sandwich to eat while at the office. I'm pretty sure this is all I'm going to eat for the next week. I wish the packaging was a little more friendly though. The boxed lunches come in a giant plastic container, which is bulky to carry back to work and just goes straight to the recycling because I'd rather eat on a plate.
(4)Joyce J.
The food here is ok. There is nothing exciting about the menu. The space is pleasant. Fifth Avenue Theater ticket subscribers get discount at this place if you show your ticket stub. I would go else where before a show if you have other options.
(3)Jeremy R.
Been in twice for drinks and dinner. It is amazing how much difference there is between the top of the restaurant and the bottom. The top has a very formal feel to it, while the bottom floor of the restaurant is more laid back and casual. One of those places that you can take a date, or just bring family and friends by. All you have to do is pick the right spot to sit.
(4)Daren D.
Classy. Upiddy. Elegant. Great balance of soft lighting and decor design, even the bathroom. Cool jazzy music... Seems like a great place to take your other half. ;) And plenty of spots to choose from. I didn't peek around much on my level; I didn't go downstairs but snapped that shot. I think I was misled [from an old article] thinking there was some sort of "buffet" during happy hour... (dang!) Rather, if you sit at the HH tables, you can num num on yummy complimentary appetizers, also. I'd like to come back and sit somewhere else interesting and try the great food I hear. Mmm, bread, too! LOL. The following was a note on my receipt: receive free dessert with entree on your next visit. Take brief survey, enter access code, write thy redemption in the blank [on receipt], and bring it in within 30 days. Hm, now I WILL be back in 30 days. bowchikawowow.
(5)Jason K.
Il Fornaio was our favorite place to eat in Seattle. We actually did two dinners here. This is because they had a fabulous happy hour. You could get an amazing pizza for $5 and they had Pyramid IPA on tap for $3. The service was fantastic, we sat at one of the tables in the bar once and at the bar once. I felt a little under dressed with shorts and a t-shirt on, but it was all good. I also got an appetizer for $5 that had calamari on it, some scallops and some delicious grilled shrimp on it with a light sauce underneath the seafood. Everything on the plate you could see on other menus for $13, but for $5 it was amazing. My wife got the minestrone soup and she said it was fantastic, and minestrone is her favorite. At $6 a bowl it was still more expensive than my unbelievable pizza! On the table are these awesome thin little bread sticks that my wife munched on. There are two levels to this restaurant, but we ate upstairs each time and looked at the Seattle downtown goings on. Overall, a fabulous time each time we ate here, and we will seek them out in the other cities they are located in.
(5)Danielle M.
This place is definitely 2 1/2 stars and I am going back on forth as whether I should round up or down. If food is the deciding factor, I'd go down to two stars. If it is service, then I'd be generous and round up to three. I feel like this is a default restaurant for a lot of people coming into the city because of its location. This is rather unfortunate to me because there is way better Italian food to be had even in downtown Seattle. Excepting the bread basket, our food was simply not good. At the end of the day, this is chain restaurant and the food tastes like it. However, again because of its location the restaurant feels free to overcharge for its subpar food - and that is a huge pet peeve of mine. I will definitely say that the service was very adept and we were never overlooked and our waiter was very professional. I appreciate these things and will likely round up because of it. So, if you are perusing reviews because you want Italian food in Seattle and aren't sure where to go, here is where I suggest you consider beside Il Fornaio: 1) If you want a very similar restaurant on many levels with better food, go to Palomino. 2) If you want an Italian experience that "feels like Italy" (or at least a true Italian restaurant in Seattle) with way better food, go to La Fontana Siciliana. 3) If you want truly excellent Italian food (and are willing to pay more and make advance reservations) go to Pink Door. 4) If you really, really want to go to a restaurant called "Il Fornaio" in Seattle, go to the food court cafe and get one of those build-your-own salads and a piece of bread, both of which are really pretty good and more appropriately priced.
(3)Hideki K.
A Good Italian Place inside Pacific Place. My marathon charity team reserved a private room on the 2nd floor for a carbo-loading dinner. The food was good. The meal started off with platters of tomato and buffalo mozzarella, bruschetta, and other finger foods. For my entree, I ordered: - Ravioli di Verdure Housemade pasta filled with Swiss chard, pinenuts and parmesan; tossed in tomato basil sauce. I liked my dish. I tried a friend's grilled salmon and it tasted even better than my dish. It's hard to beat salmon from the Pacific Northwest. For dessert, I had a Tiramisu (Ladyfingers soaked in espresso and rum, mascarpone, shaved chocolate) and it was good (see picture). The shaved chocolate on top added a nice touch to it.
(4)Caliope S.
My boyfriend and I came here on a Saturday night around 8pm to celebrate our anniversary. Maybe it should have been a clue that the place was nearly empty, but I was pretty disappointed by the experience considering the spendy bill we got at the end. First of all, it should be mentioned that our $67 bill did NOT include any beverages. All it included was a pasta dish ($17), a steak dish ($27), tiramisu ($8), tax & tip. My pasta dish (penne alla vodka) had no more than 15 pieces of pasta on it-- that makes each piece of pasta over $1 each! Ridiculous! Not to mention, there was no option to include chicken, shrimp, or any type of protein. I've never seen that before in an Italian restaurant! My boyfriend's steak dish was tasty and included sauteed spinach and some potatoes. Hey, I was at least glad our money was buying him a complete meal! I stole a bite of his spinach just to get some veggies in my stomach. I guess it's my fault for ordering a pasta dish that I didn't get any veggies or protein, but honestly, the entire menu was overpriced and the only other thing that appealed to me was the calzone. I felt the pasta was ultimately the lesser of two evils to my waistline. Sadly that is how I made my dinner choice, and I think that speaks volumes to the quality of the menu. Truly, I was shocked that I couldn't find anything else that sounded good on an Italian menu, considering I love Italian food. The tiramisu was adequate. My boyfriend knows how much I love that dessert, and asked me what I thought of it. I responded, "It's not the best I've had, but it's not the worst either." Definitely wasn't $8 good. Could have used more espresso or chocolate or...flavor. All in all, I left wishing we had gone to Maggiano's or Macaroni Grill, since I felt we would have had a more satisfying meal, including wine, and would have had leftovers to boot, all for less than or equal to what I paid at Il Fornaio. Oh, and that brings me to having the woman pay! Even my boyfriend commented that our waiter quickly stopped paying attention to him (my bf) once he (the server) realized that it was the female patron that would be paying his tip! That was super uncomfortable for both of us, since I had basically been ignored for the whole meal up to that point. Not sure why I tipped so generously, other to say that I felt I had to represent female tippers well! Again, another sad basis for making a decision. Yeah, I don't think I'll be back any time soon.
(2)Sovanna S.
We were in Seattle for my birthday and couldn't decide what we wanted to eat the first night. My husband wanted Italian but I wanted seafood. We yelped places within walking distance from our hotel and nothing looked great. We saw Il Fornaio & wondered if it was related to the one by home in Walnut Creek, CA & was hoping this location would be just as good. We walked in just at the right time before rush hour. Our waiter, Jerrad, was extremely friendly and helpful. He was honestly one of the best waiters we've ever encountered. My husband got some sort of sausage pizza with wild mushrooms (I know, far from the Italian he was craving) and I got a seafood pasta. Both came out piping hot and delicious! Our drinks were constantly refilled and he came by ever so often to make sure we were okay. At the end, he gave us some good tips of what to do in the area!
(5)Sarah C.
I came here for a post-shopping lunch with my mom today and really enjoyed my meal! Delicious food, great service, nice vibe. The pre-meal bread w/olive oil and balsamic is soooo tasty. I ordered the Tagliatelli alla Bolognese pasta dish. It was amazing- fresh, hearty, flavorful, with fresh Parmesan grated on top by the waiter at the table. My one peeve is that the sauce was scalding, like mouth-burning hot, and no one warned me before I dug in :-/ Ouch! No worries though, I will for sure go back. I also loved the Blackberry Lemonade! Oh yeah - it was really reasonable too. Just $35 total for the two of us!
(4)Tommy K.
I'm usually not a negative person and I try to look on the bright side of things, give people/places the benefit of the doubt but in the case of Il Fornaio there's no bright side ... it's all darkness and ugliness. The food was at best mediocre. And I realize that this is a restaurant inside a mall ... in some of my other reviews, I've taken that into consideration but there's really no excuse for how poorly executed the food here is. On top of that, the service was rather atrocious. Took forever just to get our table ready (in a restaurant that was about half full), took even longer to have water brought to our table. The next time I'm near Pacific Place and in the mood for pasta, I'm going to get Mexican upstairs.
(1)Jeremy H.
I've been here twice now and both times the food has been abysmal. Mall food disguised as fine dining.
(1)Lauren B.
They have two sections - an upstairs which was obscenely priced, and a downstairs for us plebes. Still too expensive for what it is, but buying food in a mall is like eating in an airport - they know you want it cause it's convenient and you'll deal with the markup. So, taking that in stride, it was tasty. Man I love gnocchi al pomodoro, and they had FREE refills of tasty bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The caprese salad was delicious and made with tasty (read: ripe and flavorful) tomatoes, which for some reason are a scarcity in Seattle. The server was kind enough to bring me a balsamic reduction to add to my caprese - I recommend you request the same. He seemed a bit manic but whatever, he largely left us alone, which for me is a desired quality in wait staff.
(4)J A.
I have been an Il Fornaio fan for quite a while. I have a eaten at several of their locations and had both good and downright awful service experiences. The Seattle location has always offered great service and good food. This visit was no different. Our server checked in with us and then was absent for a little while. Next the manager arrived at our table to apologize for the delay and explained that our server had taken ill and had to go home. The manager would be serving us this evening. He asked if we had any questions and took our order. When he asked me what I would like and responded by first asking what our ill server had eaten. He laughed and said the server had just arrived and not yet eaten anything. As it was Copper River Salmon season I ordered the special and a salad to start. Our salads were fresh and flavorful, the entrees were excellent in both preparation and taste. The salmon was grilled with a simple seasoned butter, some of the best roasted potatoes ever and delicious steamed carrots. For dessert the manager offered a free dessert for the earlier delay in service. It really was not a big deal and the free dessert was not necessary but quite delicious. Another great experience at Il Fornio Seattle.
(5)Opal D.
Stopped in the morning for a pastry and coffee in the atrium - no complaints. Went again to the bar for happy hour after shopping. Food and service were good. However, the bartenders did not know a fairly simple drink and we had to look up the recipe for them. Convenient and a great stop for a bite when you're shopping!
(4)Jenn W.
I came here for lunch today, but I wish we had come later for dinner instead. The entrees were big, and it felt too early in the day to be eating such heavy foods. But anyway.... The bread was delicious. Il Fornaio takes its bread seriously. After all, it is a bakery after all! It was sweet and fresh and soft on the inside, chewy on the outside. I wish they served it with olive spread as well as olive oil/vinegar, though. It would have been amazing, I'm sure. We got a grilled seafood sampler-thing with parsley sauce to start. It was alright. Seemed like it was almost a little bit undercooked, which was worrisome. I felt like the parsley sauce was meant to be the oomph of the dish, but maybe if it had a tinge of spiciness it would have added more actual oomph instead of just falling at average. I ordered the lasagna, and it was huge. I wouldn't have been able to finish it, even for dinner. The taste was good, but nothing surprising or mouthwatering. Just lasagna. I guess as comfort food it'd hit the spot, but it wasn't something I'd want to order at a restaurant. Our orders took a bit longer than usual because of "technical difficulties with [their] printer" so we got a few coupons for free drinks/desserts. We used one on tiramisu :) The tiramisu was creamy and tasty. I'm not sure if they do this everywhere/all the time, but instead of chocolate powder on top of the tiramisu, there were chocolate shavings on top and inside of the cake. Each bite was soft with the lady fingers and cream, with a bit of a crunch because of the chocolate. It was definitely satisfying and I could've eaten the entire thing myself twice over. Overall, I'm not that impressed. Maybe my hopes were too high for some superdelicious Italian, but because my entree was just okay, I'm giving it 3 stars. Wasn't amazing and wouldn't be a top choice if I had an Italian craving. But maybe I'd come back and just get the tiramisu.
(3)Carolyn J.
Where three single ladies hit up on Valentine's Day. Two of my girlfriends and I hoped to eat at Cheesecake that night but unfortunately the wait would take two hours. If it had been any other day, we most likely would've waited with patience but because we practically starved ourselves throughout the day so that we could go all out for dinner, it was hopeless. Instead, we wandered the cold, stark streets of downtown Seattle and stumbled upon Pacific Place. We noticed the hustle and bustle of Il Fornaio and curiously wandered in the entrance helpless asking how long the wait would be. The amiable hostess greeted us with a smile and responded our pleading question with, "No Wait." We were asked for the number of our party and immediately seated to the front terrace. Our waitress for the night was especially courteous and seemingly interested in how our night was going and in showing us which items on the menu are popular and rated the highest. My girlfriends ordered the mushroom ravioli and the Italian sausage pizza whereas I opted for the vegetarian soup and a salad consisting of shredded romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbs of bleu cheese, julienned onions and red cabbage in balsamic vinaigrette. The entrees themselves weren't anything special. The mushroom ravioli was served on a huge platter with literally five pieces and lacking in sauce. The pizza's grease to toppings ratio was irrational, not to mention the thin-crust wasn't able to uphold the amount of "juice" oozing out of it. Don't even get me started on the salad. It's as if the cook, (yes, I mean cook not chef because the overall menu is not at all authentically creative) decided to play a prank on me by dumping two whole cups worth of bleu cheese over the salad, thus concocting a "bleu cheese" salad simply put. I could barely taste (and smell) the rest of the ingredients. The only upside of the dinner was the bread appetizer(s). Rest assured, potential customers, the breads served in a delightfully woven basket are unlimited and absolutely scrumptious! Just be aware of not stuffing your face before your actual entree comes out. I don't plan on coming back to Il Fornaio any time soon but I'm optimistic the rest of items on the menu are nonetheless decadently divine.
(2)Nicole K.
I'm not going to claim that this is the best Italian food or that the service is amazing: it's not. Although, it is still a pleasant place to eat. I found several vegetarian options and the bread is amazing. Pros: If you get stuck shopping with a family member in Pacific Place, it is yummy, convenient, and pretty. Cons: Not very original food Busy
(3)C Y.
I've been to multiple Il Fornaio locations in different cities. I have to say that my experiences have all been consistently good. Service has been great and I've never been disappointed with any of the food items. Our most recent visit to the downtown Seattle location was no different. There was a nice offering of Italian wines by the glass. Nice variety of complimentary breads w/ olive oil & balsamic. The beet salad and salmon carpaccio were absolutely delicious. The Pizza Margharita was not the best we ever had but still just fine. I don't quite understand the poor reviews.
(4)Lilly T.
I came here with the boy for Valentine's Day and it was such a lovely experience. It was packed for V-day so thankfully we had a reservation. The inside was nicely lit with candles and warm with the fireplace on. We both ordered pasta dishes with one of them on the special Valentine's menu. He got a dish with large pasta tubes filled with pesto, cheese, tomatoes and chicken. I got a seafood fettuccine in a cream sauce. Both fantastic. We skipped dessert and opted for a different restaurant to satisfy our sweet tooth. Service, decor, portions and food were all on par. :)
(4)Melinda D.
I'd give 3 stars, except they just don't have the flow of things down here. I went Friday night 7:30 ish alone and was seated immediately. Service was quick with water and decent bread with olive oil and balsamic (enough for a meal). Nice glass of Quianti (overpriced but it is downtown), but never offered a second glass. Ordered a basil gnocchi and wanted a side salad, but all they had were one size, $9.99 which I ordered. The salad was pretty tasteless and house dressing non-descript, and the size of a side salad. The gnocchi were tender and excellent and the pesto nice and garlic-y. The waiter was quick...too quick (well the kitchen really). My salad arrived quickly after the bread, and the gnocchi almost simultaneously - which got pretty cool while I finished the salad. Waiter had weird habit of asking how I was doing from over the wall that made the booth separate from the bar/walk area which was just kind of strange, like he kept invading where I didn't expect him. I suppose it was because he didn't want to walk around. All in all good, but not A-ok. I have no problem with premium pricing for the location and ambience, but timing is a basic for 3 stars. I'd go back, but would ask the concierge for an indy place nearby first.
(2)Sandy L.
Foods are really good, but the waitress should pay more attention about customer!
(3)Katherine W.
Good afternoon, My wife and I just had the most unsatisfying dining experience we have probably every had. It occurred at your Seattle WA branch on 10-10-11 at approximately 2:00 PM. As a result, we will not dine at Il Fornaio in the future and will make sure that our friends, family and business associates take their business to the multitude of other worthy establishments in the downtown area. So that you can address the issue, here's a rundown: 1. the waiter was entirely unprofessional and arrogant - he told us that our original order was not what we wanted, that we needed to order something else. Called our original request "Italian Enchiladas" and said that the chicken was not good. 2. Then he told me not to get the caesar salad because it was too fishy - at this point we are 0 for 2 - our waiter wasn't letting us order anything. 3. We had our sleeping newborn with us and he asked about how we were doing, then followed with the most off-color comment I've heard yet - "its like death, everyone handles it differently" - wow, comparing the joy of being a new parent to death. 4. The pasta that he finally allowed us to order came to the table raw - the pork filling inside was raw - and the waiter had the nerve to argue with us about it. Even if we were wrong, what's the point in arguing with us? 5. I guess there's really no point in mentioning that he offered my wife booze after she said she couldn't drink Sub par food, terrible wait staff, dirty worn out restaurant - all for white table cloth prices? No thanks.
(1)Chris H.
I was staying downtown and forgot to make reservations for 4 of us. Fortunatley, I was able to make one via Yelp for this place. Deceiving is that this is a mall restaurant. It was good but nothing extraordinaire. We started with carpaccio and it was good, salty and nice. We also had the mushroom polenta and it was just ok, lacking in flavor, not as smooth. I then had a salad with balsamic that had a thick consistency. For my main, I had an orichette pasta with brocoli and sausage. It was good. You know, everything was decent but the service threw me off. He seemed annoyed that we did not order wine and then was underwhelming from the start. poor to moderate service plus this was a mall restaurant = completely underwhelmed.
(3)Steve M.
We were craving italian on our last night in Seattle so after some good Yelp searching we ended up at Il Fornaio and it may have been because it was the only place we could get a same day reservation. We walked to the address and found no restaurant. We walked down the block still no sign until the wife happened to look up around the corner and saw that the restaurant was inside the shopping center. That's a bad sign to someone from the midwest because that puts you in the same world as Applebee's, or TGIF's. No offense to either of those restaurants but you get my drift. The restaurant was pretty empty and there were plenty of kids in attendance by all the crying and whining going on. The food was OK but definitely nothing to write home about I can't even remember what I ordered but it was covered in so much cheese and cream that it really just became a pasta soup. The salad was good but it's salad and that is hard to mess up. It would have been nicer if we were seated along the windows but from our view the restaurant is just a restaurant in a mall and nothing more.
(3)Meaghan B.
Stopped in for a "quick" meal before a concert at the Paramount Theater. I figured it wouldn't take very long, considering it's an Italian place in a mall. BZZZT, wrong answer. You see, we were seated at the "Table of Honor" off to one corner - the one with the red table cloth. It turns out this is something they do at random for walk-in parties of two. It was an interesting idea but I felt like we were rushing it due to time constraints. The food was pretty tasty - not over done, not over cooked and I didn't have any problem with over-salted. The service was friendly and fantastic. The little bites they brought us from the kitchen (part of the "table of honor" business) were all fantastic. I was a little disappointed with my chosen main-course, though, because I was not anticipating the meat-to-pasta ratio (lots of meat, little pasta). The food was good, just not what I expected from reading the menu descriptions or knowing what a certain dish was "traditionally" like. The front-end staff (hostesses) were a little short and snotty (also dressed somewhat inappropriately) but the wait staff were great. I do agree with other reviews that say it's loud. When we arrived, we could kind of hold a conversation but as the dinner crowd filtered in, we lost that ability all together.
(3)Melvin P.
Try the cannelloni.. awesome!
(4)Ellen T.
Amazing food. Can't wait to go again!!! Enjoyed everything I ate (and that's uncommon for me). Went on a date night with my husband and we were able to enjoy it during the sampling of Tuscany. Amazing. Would recommend it to anyone wanting a delicious meal!
(5)