4. Restaurants

Il Terrazzo Carmine

411 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98104
  • (206) 467-7797
  • Store is closed

Il Terrazzo Carmine Menu

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  • Tad D.

    This is a very classy place that I never knew about, even though i have lived here for 23 yrs. Perhaps that is because you can't see it from street. My wife and I received a gift certificate for Christmas so we were happy to head out to a nice meal after a day of skiing. We decided to split everything, appetizer, salad, pasta, entree, and dessert, and they were happy to oblige with separate plates, making this a true 5-course meal. The food was very good and simply prepared. I tend to go for somewhat bolder flavors, which this was not, but you can't argue with traditional food done well.

    (4)

  • R W.

    Great service, good food. Sweet ambience but not too casual. A nice and relaxing meal.

    (4)

  • Rain And Rob H.

    Amazing food. Great chef. Four and a half stars because some of the foods were just a little bit off, but so many five star experiances there have forced me to round up this visit to five stars too. Venison ravioli not too gamey. Caniloni with great meat and cheese. Scallops perfectly cooked and seasoned well. Duck sweet and savory. (I don't like my duck rare and I didnt specify how I wanted it cooked. I just figured if the chef cooked it rare that I would eat it that way beause that is the way it came, but I was surprised when it came to the table, cooked through yet moist.) As I said, at this visit the food was just a little bit off. For instance the buffalo mozzarella and the basil that came with the caprisse did not taste as fresh as it should. Not the season for fresh basil. Little things made us leave thinking "That was a good meal" rather than "that was an amazing meal". Service was great. This was my 18 year old daughter's first experiance at anything remotely like fine dining. The waiter made us feel at home and it was a fun experiance.

    (5)

  • Luca T.

    Great place: Food 8/10 Service 9/10 Decor 7/10 Atmosphere 7/10

    (4)

  • Noelle H.

    Sadly, Carmine passed away recently, but his amazing family and staff will keep Carmine's spirit and zest for perfection alive. This is a wonderful spot for everything from business lunches/dinners to special occasions, family celebrations, drinks with a classy touch, and most especially just to taste delicious food with a competent and classy staff. The wine selection was made for us, after we gave some tasting preferences, and I found the menu to be overwhelming with its massive selection, and the vast differences in Italian wines confuses me to no end. The sangiovese was a good choice, and the price point was not the top level, they were not trying to push the expensive bottles on us, just the right one. I am always grateful to servers/sommeliers who take this approach. It was about $45-50 bottle I think. I forgot to snap a shot of the label, darnit! The Antipasto plate is outrageously yummy and simple way to start and had slices of tomato, beets, fresh mozzarella, grilled eggplant, and seasoned white beans - and some fresh crusty bread. 9.00 for one 16.00 for two. Our neighbors had a delicious looking salmon thing I would love to try next time for an opener. Next up Bisque Di Gamberi Bisque of prawns with roasted peppers $8.00. Happy belly already. But we had to keep going! For me: Ravioloni Di Pesce Large ravioli filled with crab, shrimp and spinach, sauce primavera 19.00 Sm 13.00 was very filling, and indulgently good. There are two Ossobuco options and I would happily try both, but my dinner partner zeroed in on the Ossobuco Milanese - a center cut veal shank, braised in wine and vegetables, over saffron risotto 38.00. I expected it to be "heavier"... and pack a little more punch, but less intense than I had thought it would be., and nicely done, too. The two of us were each taking turns on this one, but we were pretty full, we still had food left over. I want to try the other version as well on my next visit. We did not have room for dessert, but our efficient waiter had us both sipping on a closer of espresso which capped the evening off nicely. $3.00 This was not a budget night out, but we feel like we got a good amount of food for a fair price, the servers were very attentive, although there was a sizable lag between a couple spots in the dining, we were willing to wait for the food, and the classy folks in our vicinity made for wonderful people watching. I am glad Seattle has Carmine's, even if Carmine himself is no longer there to rule over that place with his famous stern and noble demeanor, and his unpretentious and larger than life hospitality. He was a wonderful addition to the restaurant community, and Seattle in general. His legacy will live on! GO! MANGIA!

    (4)

  • Julie T.

    Absolutely delectable with a splash of elegance! I cannot get over how great the food is here. I tried the seared sea bass which I still dream of to this day (it melts in your mouth with a buttery texture and aroma that is out of this world), and they have an excellent roasted chicken entree with potatoes and asparagus. I'm not sure the menu is the same as when I was there, but my food experience was amazing! I only wish this place was closer to me. The service was superb, and the staff was very helpful. I will definitely be back when I'm in town again.

    (5)

  • Felicia C.

    Tucked away in Pioneer Square, I had no idea this place existed until I went there with friends. Food is really good and service is impeccable. Decor is traditional and the atmosphere is very ladies who lunch, literally.

    (5)

  • Jon C.

    Was pretty disappointing given all the great reviews.. When we arrived a man was on the phone at the host desk and didn't even look up with a smile to greet us. We stood awkwardly for about 5 minutes while he was on the phone until another hostess did greet us. We were out to celebrate my new job promotion with a romantic dinner. As we started on appetizers a party of 10 was sat right next to us. From that point on we had to yell over the very loud party. The food was okay but really nothing special. The bolognese tasted like a basic meat sauce with no depth or care put into it. I know it's a simple thing, but when done well it's amazing. This was just ok. Service was fine, a little slow at times. Overall nothing to drive us to go back.

    (2)

  • Joshua K.

    Great service and very good traditional Italian. The Caesar salad was amazing! Somewhat hard to find.

    (4)

  • L. D.

    Visited 2/26/13. Beet Salad and Pork chop entree. Beet Salad was good. The Pork chop was also good.

    (3)

  • Andy F.

    Terrazzo is a hidden treasure trove. Hidden behind an office building lobby, this place can be very hard for newbies to locate. So if you are trying it cold or are meeting friends be sure to tell them about the free parking up the block and alley entrance. Once you get in, it's romantic and comfortable. If you're reading this review on a computer, the average diner's age is older than yours. That's cool with me. The service - always excellent. The food - always excellent. I think they have a private Italian butcher hiding in the back because these guys get the best cuts of meat (giant veal chops, beautiful pieces of fish, etc.) We like to start our dinners here with oysters and martinis. They're always happy to put together some scratch cocktail sauce for us. Mignonette just doesn't have the same punch. The outdoor patio is comfortable and I suspect that its view is about to change dramatically with the upcoming viaduct construction. Hopefully that doesn't impact this business, which has been serving hungry diners long before my time. Thank you for all of the great times. Cheers to many more. Five stars from me.

    (5)

  • ananda g.

    what a lovely evening was had here last night! from the moment you pull up into the well-lit and well attended garage parking (in pioneer square! such a nice add), a few steps away you enter into a peaceful courtyard and then into the restaurant. it is an oasis, like entering a beautiful and comfortable place where you are authentically welcomed and cared for by their wonderful staff. it was full but didnt feel packed and you could easily hear everyone at the table which really allowed for meaningful conversation. meals looked and tasted delicious - the only reason i'm rating 4 and not 5 is that they were truly good but not great. i'm a tough critic. i loved that they offer a smaller portion entree. definitely will return for another evening with friends or family. great place for gatherings. cin-cin!

    (4)

  • Christopher H.

    The food was fantastic and the servers were very helpful. They had a gigantic wine list with reasonable prices considering that this is a more upscale restaurant. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Joey M.

    1 word: Ossobuco "nuff said.

    (5)

  • kathy c.

    Just had another fabulous dinner at Il Terrazzo. So proud to take our out of town guests to the best Italian restaurant in Seattle. It never disappoints. The chef's antipasta plate was the best ever. Kathy C, Bellevue

    (5)

  • Sin-Yaw W.

    This seems to be a standard business lunch destination. We arrived at almost 1pm to see a restaurant filled with suits and finely dressed ladies. The waiter was professional, but clearly over-booked. The Risotto of the day was veal and it was delicious. My companion ordered a seafood pasta and was satisfied, but he is a regular to this restaurant. Good business setting. I am not sure what would it be for dinner.

    (4)

  • Paul S.

    Ordered 2009 D2 Red wine on the list but they brought out 2010 instead without noticing us. So, I asked for 2009 with the waiter.. the manager came to us with the same 2010 and told us this was the right D2... I know... it's D2, but my point was the year, not the name on the label. Their food was ok. Linguine with seared scallops was good. The center cut veal was a bit too dry and their risotto came with it was slightly mushy, i believe they could do better especially at this price level. +1 for splitting the dishes for me and my fiancee. I wouldn't go back as I feel like it was just ok.

    (3)

  • Rena C.

    Everything was absolutely fantastic. The Salmon and pasta in the cream sauce was absolutely out of this world. I wouldn't hesitate to eat here again. The servers were attentive and friendly, the food was wonderful, and for such a nice restaurant I thought the prices were quite reasonable. The only negative thing I can think of is I felt a touch under dressed while we were there, but beyond that it was fantastic!

    (4)

  • Kozby E.

    Fantastic place to try Italian Food. It's pricey but everything was great.

    (5)

  • Stacya S.

    Went to first Thursday and we decided to go to here, hadn't been in years! It is so easy to forget about it, but Il Terrazzo Carmine is really one of our best restaurants. I just read Eric M.'s review and he said Carmine passed away recently, I did not know that. How sad! Read his review, too. My friend Nancy said her parents are in there almost every night! I would love to be there every night!!!! You will not be sorry, it is really old school all the way around. Fantastic service, the food is amazing.

    (5)

  • Lily S.

    HOLY. SHIT. I've passed by this place back in my days of working in Pioneer Square, but I've never gone in. And then I did. For a work lunch. And I almost passed out from the goodness that entered my mouth in the form of gnocchi. Sweet God. Tasty. Italian. Eatins. Aside from the cheesy Italian music and the fact that I tripped over the carpet walking in, if you like Italian, you should go here. It's no Swingside, that's for sure, but it's pretty frickin good.

    (4)

  • Liz A.

    Food was okay. Not sure what was off more. The waitress was not very dynamic and the food came at all sorts of odd moments. We have been there a lot of dinner and lunch over the years so I was expecting an excellent experience. It was my husband's birthday and it was lack luster at best. Not sure when we will go again but definitely will request a different table if she is our waitress again.

    (3)

  • Adrienne N.

    Fantastic dinner!

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    Kinda snooty and upscale but the salmon was amazing. You could walk by and miss this place completely but it's a hidden pioneer square gem. Food five stars service gets three.

    (4)

  • Erik E.

    Excellent! I find a lot of Seattle's "fine dining" to be underwhelming, relying on the view to bring customers back. Can't see the water from here, but the food is consistently great; have always gotten great wine suggestions and great service in general. Not just another half-assed Italian joint.

    (5)

  • Liz J.

    I went for dinner this month for the third time in the last few years and was really disappointed. -The salmon was nothing special and the dessert was downright boring. -The water had no table presence, he didn't even introduce himself or look anyone in the eye. -The most disappointing part of the night came at the beginning, we were helped to our table by who I believe was the floor manager (as he was in a suit). This man was extremely condescending and not welcoming, he also didn't address anyone in our party directly, and was buzzing around has if he were rushed and we were an inconvenience. With so much fantastic fine dining around Seattle, why would I want to come back?

    (2)

  • Ana O.

    The eponymous Carmine (the inimitable Italian gentleman who founded the place and who could be found dining there early most nights) passed away not long ago, but the restaurant continues to shine. I'm no longer a Seattle local, but Carmine's will always make me feel at home.

    (4)

  • Sophia C.

    Phenomenal Italian with a relaxing but dressy atmosphere. My boyfriend and I came here for our anniversary and LOVED it! Their ravioli with crab, shrimp, and spinach with primavera sauce was to die for. And the Napoleon dessert was amazing. The service was also excellent with friendly waiters with great manners! Note that the pasta dishes tend to be in the upper tens, whereas the other dishes are $25+ so it isn't as expensive as advertised on Yelp! Come here for mind-boggling food, a formal dinner, and a wonderful evening.

    (5)

  • Joe O.

    My wife and I dined here for lunch and dinner during our visit to Seattle. We had high expectations and knew the service would be excellent due to what I have heard. We absolutely loved it! Best Italian I've ever had. We had Gnocchi, The King Salmon Special, Rigatoni Bolognese, and some salad, mushrooms (highly recommend) and desert. If you are in Seattle - eat at this restaurant. You will be glad you did.

    (5)

  • Carolyn G.

    Awesome. Played with having lunch at Pallisades but were in this area; BEST caprese salad, caesar, prawn bisque with cream, prosciutto with melon...the only reason we didn't order dessert is I required a visit to Dahlia Bakery for some coconut cream pie bites :) Excellent service and environment, will definitely recommend and go again.

    (5)

  • Vince N.

    "Sexy Italian and a hidden secret!" Ill Terrazzo is an understated, elegant marvel that serves primo Italian food in a relaxing environment. The food here is down-right spectacular. This is the best Italian food that I've ever had in Seattle. Closely compared to some Italian restaurants I've dined at in the New York boroughs. Go here and enjoy a great meal.

    (4)

  • David M.

    Heaven on Earth - need I say more? What always comes to mind when I compare this restaurant to any other is how they can create such a superb experience at only slightly more than other far more modest restaurants ask. Just a completely wonderful place that is my absolute favorite. A true bargain.

    (5)

  • Keith W.

    I love this restaurant. The atmosphere is reminiscent of being at a wonderful dinner party at someone's house. It is cozy but very nice. The food is excellent and the spirit of service is old-school in an extremely good way.

    (5)

  • Bill G.

    This is a great Seattle dinning experience. The food is absolutely fantastic and done just right. The staff is friendly and helpful however, our server was not fantastic. Why would such a great place make you wait so long to order drinks and then wait even longer for them to arrive? This poor mark could have been so easily avoided. You know what I mean you get that server that seems to be in a big hurry and does not take the time needed with their guest - note that is why they get a 15% tip and good servers get 20%+ just saying! Despite this avoidable issue the place is diamonds! Other note: the front door is not actually not on first street - turn west on King Street and park in their safe - free - valet garage. BTW- this is an adult dinning place leave those darling kids of yours at home with a sitter!

    (4)

  • richard h.

    Went there on Saturday night. I must say that I have been a fan of this place for many years and it never disappoints. Many in the Seattle restaurant scene may not enjoy this place as it is a traditional, white tablecloth venue with wait staff that do not call you "guys" or tell you what they like to eat if they were ordering.....I didn't see a tattoo or piercing on any of them! It was very crowded (not an empty table) with a moderate noise level. There were six of us dining and every course was great! I had 1/2 order of the rabbit ravioli (spectacular) and the pork tenderloin (great) and ended with the napoleon (5 star). I asked for a good $40 bottle of wine from the waiter and he returned with a fine Italian red. All in our party agreed that this continues to be one of the best dining "experiences" in Seattle. In a town filled with hip "one name" restaurants where one can't hear what the person next to them is saying...and ones that go in and out of business as fast as one changes their socks, it is comforting to know that this "class act" is still appreciated!

    (4)

  • Vanessa B.

    It was just ok.... I ordered the ravioli with crab and spinach and it didn't blow me away. Service just ok as well...... we had to continually flag down our waiter and I didn't even get a refill on my coke :-( Wouldn't come back if I was craving italian.

    (2)

  • Crysta L.

    Went for dinner last night. Some things were great while other things were underwhelming. We had the Cream of Asparagus soup, pretty good but a tad on the salty side. For entrees we had the Ossobuco Milanese and the Spaghettini Ortolano. Although we both liked our entrees we felt that it was a little on the expensive side for what you got. The dessert was really great although I can't remember what we had. It was something with chocolate and it was delicious! Our server was fine although we waited at the front for someone to greet us for about 5 minutes. The phone was ringing and I think that was the only reason the guy came up to the front. Wasn't really a good way to start the evening at a restaurant you've never been to. Overall I doubt we'd go back. The food and the service wasn't spectacular enough for us to go anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Michael B.

    This is the place we go for that special date. Service impeccable which matches the food. I started going there in the 80's now living an hour away it's only every couple of months, and for me it's worth putting up with the traffic

    (5)

  • Ed Y.

    took my girl on our first dinner date here, she was impressed, very romantic place. I ordered the duck, which was savory but I found the meat a bit tough, still not bad though has its own parking garage and a fountain outside, reservation for dinner is recommended since it does get packed

    (4)

  • Sarah T.

    We parked in the garage next door and, after sight-seeing around Pioneer Square, we were starved. We felt under dressed (jeans and plain tees), but the waiter made us feel comfortable. I can't remember what I ordered-- the halibut special, I think-- but it had capers and lemon butter sauce (my fave). My boyfriend had some sort of meaty ravioli, which was also OK. The food was good, atmosphere was nice, and there were several small groups dining while we were there. I only rate it four stars because of the prices, but I suppose that's what you get for good food in the heart of old Seattle.

    (4)

  • Randall M.

    WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TOP TO BOTTOM! Cream-free shrimp bisque was heavenly! Veal Scallopine was tender and tangy, and I added a side of Rigatoni Bollognese that was rich and wonderful too. Dinner s not cheap, but worth EVERY PENNY!

    (4)

  • Sean B.

    If you want PASTA...this is your place. It is a bit pricier, but WELL worth it. If you REALLY want to impress your date, take them here. The wait staff is excellent, and the food is absolutely perfect. If you're looking for traditional Italiano, this is your spot- it's as if you are sitting in Italy. EXCELLENT place!

    (5)

  • Maria J.

    Complete hidden gem. My boyfriend loves italian food so I found this on Yelp and both of us were so pleased at how great everything was. The decor made us feel like we were in Italy and our server was very attentive and suggested the perfect bottle of wine to go with our meal. I had the halibut and my bf had the duck. Both were so delicious and neither of us left anything on the plate. Yes we were part of the clean plate club. It was just soo good, writing this makes me want to go back!

    (5)

  • Jessie U.

    I had one of the best dinners of my life here. The food was outstanding, the service even more so. Our waitress, Veronica, was an absolute delight. She took such good care of us and recommended the perfect wine for our taste. I can't wait to go back. This is a really special gem of Seattle.

    (5)

  • Gary H.

    My wife helped me pick out Il Terrazzo for a company party. It is a decent place but I won't recommend it for the Holidays. Why you ask? It's not because the wait staff does not give good service because they do. It's not because the food is not delicious, because it is. It's not because parking was hard to find, because it wasn't. The number one reason why I give it and "eh", take it or leave it is because from the moment we entered, it seemed that the Maitre D' or manager (the guy in the suit and tie) was outright rude and almost acted as if he wanted us to leave when we arrived. He was rude, barging through us including some women and stood and stared at us because he didn't want us in the bar. I don't understand it; you don't want us in the bar, the most profitable place in the restaurant?! He simply had no manners or class. We decided to stay and the wait staff more than made up for what was missing from the "suit" and the food was great. But when you spend $1300 at a place, you expect to be treated well. His actions spoiled my evening and I will never return. Personally, if it were my restaurant and he treated my customers this way, I would have fired him.

    (2)

  • Chris P.

    Very good food, very pricey prices. You get what you pay for. Been here two times, once with no issues, the second time the waiter disappeared without giving us a check at the end of the night and we had to go grab someone in a different section to help us out. I imagine this is probably a rare occurrence, but it was pretty weird to have your waiter leave in the middle of your meal without saying anything.

    (3)

  • Miki S.

    My favorite Italian place in the U.S.

    (5)

  • James E.

    Okay, I give up. Why is this restaurant classified as Japanese as well as Italian? My partner's company held its holiday dinner at Il Terrazzo, and while I loved the spinach antipasti and cannoli dessert, I was underwhelmed with the service. Not that I was keeping count of the minutes I held a menu in my lap, but any amount of time beyond five minutes is too long in my book. If you arrive at the restaurant and work in concert with the staff, ordering plates on their schedule, then you will enjoy yourself immensely and somehow convince yourself that all restaurants in Italy operate in a similar fashion. But I've eaten in Italy. Numerous times. And even if I hadn't, the patron of our holiday dinner ordered plates and drinks out of sequence to which the restaurant staff didn't know how to respond. The restaurant is heavy with its meat entrees which I found almost cliché. For all the pomp and circumstance of the restaurant, its menu bordered on "We're like Olive Garden but FANCY!" And I'm all, guido please! If a restaurant wants to be a five-star experience, then ensure the staff act in accordance. Don't make me hold my menu and don't make me wait for *anything*. I don't want to think about what I need next, I want my wine glass full at all times and how about getting that goddamned menu out of my lap already? I'm sure eating lunch at this restaurant is fun or whatever, but a three-and-a-half-hour meal is a better investment of your money spent. And for the record? This ain't Italy.

    (4)

  • Peter S.

    Top Italian restaurant in Seattle hands down Parking - simple Food - great Service - great

    (5)

  • Hawker C.

    Was looking for a place to take an extended family for a special occasion over the holidays. I needed to please (a) some older relatives with very un-adventurous tastes (b) some younger relatives with very adventurous tastes and (c) one committed vegetarian. And we wanted something old-school, calm and classy. This fit the bill perfectly. Maybe a little tame for the adventurous diners in the group, but still very nice, nicely prepared foods, great service. Will definitely return for the right occasion.

    (5)

  • Bill P.

    Had dinner here with large group and had a great time. Antipasto outstanding , Caesar salad was just ok. Fresh halibut was great. Very good service. Would repeat and recommend.

    (4)

  • Eugenio F.

    This is the second time there, and now i can say that this place is consistently good... Great food, even better Italian wine list. The ambiance it is a bit stuffy (and avg. customer age tend to be above 50s...), which makes this place more appropriate for special occasion than for every day dinner...

    (5)

  • Elyssa H.

    I have been a fan of this place since my dad first brought me here when I was about 6. Very good homey Italian food. The stuffed chicken is amazing, their salads are well put together and dressed correctly. The salmon on top of the risotto is outstanding in flavor and how it is prepared. I've also had several of their pasta dishes and have never been dissapointed in any of them. Their meat dishes are also very good. Osso bucco is again another outstanding dish. Carmine's is a wonderful restaurant that I'll be coming back to for as long as I'm in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    The dining experience was divine, as usual. I've eaten here many times and especially enjoy bringing first timers here with me like today. We had the Calamari Affogatti, which was tender and prepared in garlic, tomatoes, capers, and olives. The flavors were a perfect Mediterranean blend with the taste of the sea lingering still in the squid. We also had the Buffalo Mozzarella Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad - delicious. Next, the Linguine Alle Vongole - again the clams were fresh from the sea - prepared in garlic, Olive oil, and chilles - So simple yet bursting with flavor. We had the special last - Halibut. My grandfather was a fisherman and both my mother and grandmother have perfected preparing fish for any occasion, so I don't give this review easily - the Halibut was perfect - Amazing! It had been browned in the pan for a sear, then put into an oven to finish it and was drizzled with olive oil and salt, pepper, and a tomato relish then served with vegetables. For dessert we had the Creme Brulee and the Red Velvet Cake. The cake was moist and dense - Fabulous! All flavors were complimentary and the overall meal was one of the best I have had there. Delicious! Can't wait for my next visit!

    (5)

  • Yuri Y.

    first the good: wine selection is great. Obviously, there is several pages worth of Italian wines, but you can also find NW, Californian wines as well as wines from around the world. Ambiance/decor is also great - more of the "classic" or "old world" style. Now the other news: service was VERY slow. I understand this is not a fast food place...it took about 5 seconds after we sit down to get the bread and the water and then we waited for 10-15 mins just to order drinks. After drinks arrived, we had to just grab the waitress and ask her to take our order. food arrived almost cold. Barely warm. I expect pasta to be warm enough so I do not have to actually touch it to see if it's warm or cold. At the end of the dinner, waitress did apologize for slow service and comp'd the desert. This was nice. I have visited this place several times over years. To me it feels like it has been slowly sliding from "gem" and "awesome" to "just another eatery"...

    (3)

  • J. B.

    Was in town for work and came here with a group of about 8 and had a very nice meal. The food was great, i think everyone enjoyed what they ordered and I definitely enjoyed by osso buco. Only issue we had was that were were brought a different vintage for one of the wine's we ordered and luckily we caught it. The (not sure if it was the waiter or sommelier) said the vintages were basically indistinguishable but that answer didn't sit well. They brought us another bottle and I believe they comped one. The decor is old school and kind of outdated, seems like they need a re-vamp but I was from out of town, maybe that's their thing.

    (3)

  • Lor B.

    This place is fancy italian at its best. Been here for both lunch and dinner and I've never had a bad experience. They usually have a Risotto of the day - the chicken with asparagus risotto is always divine - (usually a special - but they can easily make this if you ask) - All pastas are fresh and cooked al dente. The rack of lamb is a must have too. a place to get dressed up and celebrate - more of a grown up italian restaurant. Lots of movers and shakers here at lunch ...

    (5)

  • Stephan J.

    Looking for old school service and basic no frills Italian done really well? If the answer is yes, this is your place. Having lived in Seattle for several years now, I never realized I was driving past this unassuming restaurant in Pioneer Square. It obviously is not a well kept secret as the place was packed yesterday evening. A reservation is a must as we waited beyond our reservation time to be seated, but they apologized and prepared us in advance for the wait. The restaurant has a huge wine list and an extensive menu of classic Italian food. There is a lot of attention to detail and you can literally watch them shaving the prosciutto, salami, and beef carpaccio as it was ordered. I really enjoyed the ceaser salad and rigatoni bolognese. The pasta special of the evening was also a standout. My only negative is that they don't give much room for the wait staff to move and my dining partner and I both got elbows to the head, but the food was so good I didn't mind. I think foodies get caught up in the hype of critically acclaimed restaurants like Altura or Spinasse, but this place really shouldn't be overlooked for a top notch Italian dining experience!

    (5)

  • S S.

    Intimate setting, very good food. Great service consistently. The veal chop is my favorite.

    (4)

  • Todd B.

    Definitely not my type of place, but ate there last night with my co-workers as the big boss was in town. Very hoity-toity, the sort of place my gramma would love. I was a tad out of place in jeans, t-shirt and tennis shoes. The menu, however, was beautiful. Just looking at it gave me visions of plates filled with yummy Italian food. My co-workers dug right in, ordering $40 entrees from the menu. I have rarely been faced with such expensive food and I tell you, I can't help feeling it's a little obscene to spend that much on a meal. I understand it logically, but instinct kicked in and I ordered the small seafood ravioli. The caesar salad that came first was gorgeous - ripped bread croutons and fat slivers of cheese, without too much dressing which seems to mar most caesar experiences. The scrumptious ravioli followed and it was just enough to make me full - perfect. Of course there was wine (um, lots) and a variety of desserts that were passed around to the moaning sounds of my fellow diners. Super yummy. One star off because, you know, for a place this fancy, the pictures were crooked, one glass broken and they were just trash in the first place. Get someone in there to clean it up a bit visually. Unless someone buys my tissue dispenser shaped like an ass novelty idea, I will probably never go back, but I will wish I could.

    (4)

  • Frederick H.

    Excellent salmon. Very friendly staff.

    (4)

  • T P.

    This is a really classy restaurant through and through and by far the best in Seattle! The atmosphere, the service, the food and Mr. Carmine coming around to greet you is just superb. The food was so fresh the seafood still tasted of the sea and the tomato sauce was this gleaming bright red color. Every bite was incredible and delicious. Service was seamless, mature and professional. Even though the place was somewhat crowded, it still felt very intimate like we were alone. My Italian born husband thought this was better than his Nonna in Italy and that's saying alot!

    (5)

  • Sky M.

    Great food :-) I can't give it 5 stars because it's just not the best. Maybe it felt like an awkward atmosphere or no beers on tap or they don't use enough salt. I went with a get together with my family, so there was 10 of us. They have an excellent and extensive wine list with a few really expensive selections. Maybe our wine out classed our food. I had their house salad with a side of Caesar dressing. The lettuce was of great quality and the candied nuts were yummy. Main course we split the duck, it was just barely overcooked and needed a little more sauce. Try pairing the cherries with the potatoes :-) Finished off with Spumoni, smooth creamy, great finish. Try it once... there's plenty of 5 star fans for this one.

    (4)

  • Beth D.

    Best Italian in the Pacific Northwest! My husband and I have been going here for years and most recently for an anniversary and we are never disappointed. The food, the atmosphere and the service cannot be surpassed! Do not hesitate to go it will be worth every minute and morsel - fantastico!

    (5)

  • Jack S.

    Two couples had a relaxed 2-hour lunch in nice surroundings. Although we were leisurely diners we were never rushed. I had the Penni in white vodka sauce with salmon and it was fantastic. My wife had the eggplant parmigiana but she thought she had had better.

    (4)

  • Cindy R.

    Our family's first choice for a special occasion. The amazing food and great service is super consistent. Last week was my daughter's birthday and she predictably chose Ill Terrazzo for her celebratory dinner. I started with the caprese salad: the buffala mozzarella is straight from the old country and the tomatoes tasted as if they were fresh from the garden. Then came the piece de résistance: sea bass with black rice and broccolini. No restaurant anywhere does sea bass better: always thick, juicy and flavourful. My daughter had the eggplant and the clams vongole. They were excellent as well. We split a bottle of the house pinot grigio. It was not expensive and complemented the seafood entrees quite well. The tiramisu dessert was the perfect ending to our wonderful meal.

    (5)

  • D.J. Y.

    WOW! This is in the heart of downtown Seattle and from the inside you'd never know it! I've been here a few times for lunch, only, the prices reflect the quality and the style. Never have I felt rushed here, service is always professional and unobtrusive. The apps really are key, they start you off on the right note. I have yet to have anything not top quality in product freshness or taste. A great place to conduct a business meeting if you are around that area of town, do stop in.

    (5)

  • Eric M.

    This review is long overdue and a sort of tribute to Carmine who passed away recently. I used to live in a loft above Carmine's so I got to know the staff and Carmine really well. For me it is a sentimental place of first dates, last dates, anniversaries, closing dinners, board dinners,welcome parties, going away parties, valentine's days, casual lunches. I have seen many local luminaries dine there both famous and infamous. Fugitive Mike Mastro had a regular table at lunch until he took his investors money and moved to Italy (I hear). Also-Governor Locke, Trade Secretary Mickey Cantor, Bill Gates, Paul Schell, Tom Skerritt, Dale Chihuly to name a few. Now about the food/service....sigh, I wish they served breakfast. Carmines is really a Manhattan style restaurant. Carmine learned the ropes from the Vancouver & Whistler based restaurateur who owns IL Gardino di Umberto. If you eat at one of those spots you will see where Carmine got his Mojo. I love the bar/bistro to the side as you walk in. If you don't have reservations on a busy night you should try eating there, it's wonderful. I get the feeling that many of the couples dining there are married, just not to each other! The Antipasto bar is a wonder to behold. I actually have a painting of the antipasto bar by a local artist hanging in my home. With grilled veggies and shrimp and seasonal goodies it's worth checking out as you pass by. I always order a plate as a starter and am never disappointed. Over the years I have also enjoyed the Misto salad with goat cheese and nuts and different lettuce's like radicchio and frissee.Their specials usually include sea bass or salmon and they do a wonderful job cooking the fish. The Minestrone soup is just like "Nana" would make with fresh cut veggies and homemade broth. I have tried most of the pasta dishes and they are sublime. The seafood pasta especially. Back in the day they had a classical guitarist a-la Herbfarm but "Andre" has moved on and they don't normally have live music. I miss that. The waiters are professional waiters like you would see in Rome. They wear white jackets. Many are Italian and they know the menu, the wine and their business and take it seriously. They have been known to flirt with pretty women at the tables however so don't be put off by that, it adds to the charm. The parking is easy with the valet off King Street, The same valet has been there for over 13 years and he will remember you if you are a regular. I'm glad Mrs. Smeraldo has taken over and I will go back often to help keep this type of place alive and well in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Jan M.

    It was great! I loved the food, atmosphere, service, what a great surprise! It was romantic but would be good for a nice family dinner. Felt like I was back in Italy! We will definately go back!!!

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    We had a work dinner here on the spur of the minute with 14 people. They were quick to get the tables together, and every piece of food that came out looked fantastic. Lot's of flavor and ambiance. Definitely the kind of place I will bring the wife back to for a romantic date.

    (5)

  • Jamie C.

    We have gone to Il Terrazzo since the restaurant opened and will continue to go as long as we can!! We have entertained family and friends over the years and every experience was perfect. Il Terrazzo is one of the best restaurants in Seattle, always has been and always will be. This review shares the thoughts of two generations of loyal patrons!!

    (5)

  • Concerned C.

    We have been here twice and although the food is consistantly excellent, we have had bad experiances with the waiter both times. They had a few daily specials and this last time when we asked how much they were the server said he didn't know and made no effort to find out. We brought a couple of bottles of $100+ bottles of wine and had them cork one. After selecting our meals and deciding that the other wine we brought wouldn't go with dinner, we purchased another $100+ bottle of wine. We asked for recommendations based on what we ordered and he didn't offer a single solid recommendation . We asked if we purchased a bottle if they would waiver the cork fee on the first bottle and our waiter said "of course". Guess what showed up on our bill? When we reminded the server that the corkage fee was still on there he gave us attitude and said that he checked and that they never waive the cork fee. In the scheme of things an extra $20 is no big deal but the lack of knowledge about the menu , wines and attitude was embarassing after I recommended this place and the amount of money we spent here. Dont think I will be taking anyone else here.

    (3)

  • Niko P.

    Fantastic service, excellent food, and great wine. What else do you need?? Oh- how about awesome dessert to top it off!

    (5)

  • Vaishali B.

    If this place wasn't as hyped as it is, I would give this place 3 stars. I was absolutely disappointed in this restaurant. Being rated as one of the top restaurants on yelp, I expected something enjoyable at the very least. First off, when I ask for wine recommendations and specifically stating a price range, the waiter isn't supposed to recommend a wine at the upper limit of my budget. I find it hard to trust a suggestion that seems to be geared towards making you spend more. As for the food, we ordered a caprese salad and an eggplant parmesan as the appetizer. There were 3 of us sharing and usually it's a fight for who gets the last bit of each dish. We left some of the eggplant dish because no one wanted the rest of it. There wasn't anything specifically wrong with it, but obviously nothing good for us to clean the plate. It's really hard to go wrong w/ caprese salad so I guess that was ok, but nothing amazing. For the main course, we ordered a gnocchi with tomato sauce which was horribly bland. The idea in principle was probably to serve true Italian simple cuisine such that would be served in Italy. The problem is, a tomato sauce with only tomatoes and seasoned with salt doesn't work in America because the taste of the tomatoes is so bland. It's necessary to add spices ... whereas I've had the same simple sauce in Italy and it's absolutely divine. The Spaghetti Ortalano with goat cheese, pine nuts, and arugala was also mediocre. It was definitely better than the gnocchi but nothing to write home about, or more importantly, to venture to the restaurant again to eat. We were not full or satiated at all by the end of the meal, which usually calls to turn to dessert, but we were so unimpressed with the food that nobody wanted to try the dessert and be severely disappointed, again. Better to save those calories for a better meal in the future!

    (2)

  • Valentina V.

    I'll start by saying that our visit to Il Terrazo had two nonfood highlights: 1. The great company. It's always a pleasure to share a good meal with good friends. 2. The Phillies won the World Series just a few hours before we went to dinner. Needless to say, the Dude was in an unparalleled state of bliss. And I bought him a belated, fancy-shmansy with a "New Jersey-Philadelphia Italian twist" birthday dinner. This is definitely an old school--yet sophisticated--restaurant. The maitre greeted people by their name (I heard "good night, Dr. XX...good evening Mr. YY " in less that 5 minutes). The atmosphere is welcoming and has a genuine Italian feel. Huge wooden chandeliers provide the place with a soft amber light. The crowd consisted mostly of well-dressed, respectable senior citizens and a couple of large groups (I heard some polite clapping at some point). I have to confess I felt a little under dressed. We where coming from my studio, where I spent the afternoon with a dozen of mini-clients, so jeans and a fun t-shirt made me want to keep on my coat. I even waved "goodbye" and pouted when I checked it... The food is solid and the menu is varied and appealing. They have a couple of veal dishes--I love the word in Italian, Vitello...Vi-i-i-te-e-e-llo...ahh it sounds like a love word. They also have Ossobuco, Cioppino, Lamb and, of course, Pollo. The salad menu was tempting but I was craving carbs to the point of feeling I was going to pass out if I didn't have a bowl of pasta PRESTO! So I skipped the greens and ordered the Spaghettini Ortolano (with arugula, goat cheese, tomatoes and pinenuts) which was delicious. Everyone else ordered an appetizer. The salads "winked" at me so the BF gave me a bite of his. It was very good. But the starter dish that intrigued me was the Tuscan bean and escarole zuppe. It looked very appetizing. The BF had the Rigatoni Bolognese. I didn't try it but the sauce looked thick and savory. Everybody was happy with their meal. I also had a glass of Prosecco, which was nice, nice, nice. The tiramisu was a little of a let down. I had it better here in Seattle. After that delicious meal, I was expecting something extraordinary. It was just fine. Service was very professional, even though it looked that everyone there were in a rush. Our server was attentive and polite and checked on us often, but it seemed that he was on a different speed than us. We were definitely in the mood for a nice after-dinner juicy conversation. He was more into "ok guys, here's your check even though you're still working on that soup." Overall, it was a delightful dinning experience. Ci sara di nuovo (we'll be back). I love tutto Italian. Ciao!

    (4)

  • Stacy R.

    This is the best place in town! The most consistent of all restaurants in Seattle, not just Italian establishments. Love the wine list and the daily specials. Had fantastic oysters and sea scallops last night paired with a fantastic pinot grigio served by the glass. Very impressed by the service and friendly, knowledgeable bar tender. Since the valet parking is so easy and free at dinner, I will be back later this week!!!

    (5)

  • Michelle Z.

    Finally, Italian food that transports me back to the piazzas of Italy! My parents had always raved about Il Terrazzo Carmine, but I'd never had the privilege, and oh yes, it is quite a privilege to eat here! The food is quintessential Italy - caponata antipasti, fresh and flavorful buffalo mozzerella caprese, prosciutto and melon, ah my mouth is watering at the retell alone... The entrees were just as delicious, my spaghettini with goat cheese, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes was finished with an olive oil that was damn near perfection, wonderfully authentic of Italy. Combine our delicious food with the familiar yet tasteful decor (reminiscent of a high-class Florentine restaurant), a lovely Chianti, and the fact that all of our dishes were served on plates heated to the perfect temperature, and I was one happy camper. Thank you Il Terrazzo, I've missed Italy, it was nice to escape (if only for an evening visit)!

    (5)

  • Kyoto W.

    This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Seattle. I love the atmosphere and the dishes are excellent.

    (5)

  • Walter E.

    Good Italian food in a hard to find Old Seattle location in Pioneer Square. Older crowd and a little stuffy at first, but once the food comes you'll feel right at home. Succulent lamb chops and flavorful pasta along with great red wine. Winner!

    (4)

  • Shelby H.

    Can someone please tell me why everyone has such a crush on this place? I went here Tuesday for lunch with a friend whom I find to have better taste in dining than most. I requested Italian, he suggested Il Terrazzo. Perfect. As soon as we opened the door, we were aurally greeted by that God awful Italian restaurant soundtrack. I felt like we just walked into "Italian Restaurant Land" if Disneyland had that attraction. Fortunately, we were also greeted by a very nice hostess that pushed the table in the lounge by the window because "it is her favorite." I would have to say it was definitely the best table in the restaurant. So cozy, full of light and relatively private. I wasn't starving, so I only ordered the Insalata Campagnola which was great. A good balance of flavors and exactly what I had in mind. I also requested something "like an Italian soda" but couldn't find one on the beverage list. Our server promptly appeared with a cute little pink beverage which was also exactly what I had in mind. Although everything came very quickly, the Bisque Di Gamberi and Ravioli Di Capriolo were so incredibly disappointing. My sadness was reminiscent of the feeling one would get if The 4th of Jul-Ivar's ended with a cheap ass sparkler. I had such high hopes, but was severely let down by the blandness of the bisque (decent texture, however) and the visual bummer of the ravioli. Everything was just... meh. My overall feeling of Il Terrazzo is that tourists would dig this place. People that know spectacular Italian food? Not so much. I would give this place two stars, but I must say the service was attentive and the restaurant was rather cute -- I think the Tiramisu was a good representation of the place: beautiful presentation, unremarkable flavor. Sad pandas.

    (3)

  • Tina W.

    Excellent service and excellent food! I had to organize an office outing, and I was glad this place managed to please everyone. Every single one of them cleaned their plates, some even ordered coffee and desserts. This place is very reasonably priced. I am definitely coming back for non-work meals.

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    I've been meaning to write this review for a while. This place really impressed me with their service and style. I couldn't even tell you what the food was like expect that it was spectacular. I just remember when my date accidentally moved the table a made our bottle of wine crash to the floor. Skip the fact that I was really embarrassed and to this day I can still totally give him a hard time about spilling the wine...our waiter handled the situation so professionally. He quickly came over to clean up the mess and then offered us wine from another bottle for the amount that we had lost. I was sooo sooo impressed with the professionalism. If you want to impress a date with good service and good food this is the place to take him or her!! Trust me on this one.

    (5)

  • Shirley Y.

    So this is what REAL Italian tastes like? SWEET JEEBUS! The Parmigiana Di Melanzane (eggplant parmesan) was the best thing that ever happened to umm... eggplant. **SIDE NOTE - This place can be only $$ rather than $$$ if you order pastas rather than entrees. Their pastas range from $9 - $18 which is comparable to any other mainstream, substandard Italian restaurant, but tastes sooooo much better.

    (4)

  • diane M.

    I've experienced three joyous evenings at Il Terrazzo Carmine, one with a large group, two other more intimate dinners. I loved stopping in here after a hectic day and relaxing in the bar before dinner. Our wait staff has always been extremely professional and attentive. Love the lighting, the tiered dining room, the quiet conversation all around. My favorite entree is the Anitra Alle Ciliege Amarene, the roasted duck with cherries is moist on the inside and sticky good on the outside. Wonderful menu selections for fresh seafood and mouthwatering pastas, risottos and salads. The sweatbreads are sauteed with mushrooms and marsala wine...the finest I can remember enjoying. Carmine, the owner is charming. I was sure to mention Il Terrazzo was my favorite Seattle restaurant and he insisted I name all the others I enjoyed. It was important to him and very sweet. We linger at Il Terrazzo. The group dinner we attended was hosted by a man from LA known as a marathon diner. We have arrived at many 7pm reservations and managed to close the place. Il Terrazzo was as welcoming at closing as they were when we first arrived. Because of the very discreet location, it always feels as if we are discovering a secret gem of a restaurant no one else knows about. There is a wonderful old restaurant in Chicago called Zevens. Mr. Zeven like Carmine has owned it for many, many years and yet few people seem to know of it. Those that do insist it's their favorite Chgo. restaurant. It's not unusual for Zeven to bring out a bottle of wine he insists he should never sell and indulge his regular patrons. How I miss that place and here is a little heaven just like it in Seattle. This is old school kids. Nothing trendy or swank, just a lovely evening of fine dining.

    (5)

  • Chrissie E.

    Just got back from dinner. I had clam linguine and my hubby the rigatoni bolognese. However the star of the show was the dessert! man oh man the Napoleon is so delicious, and I am going back for the tiramisu. Great wine, wonderful service. This place is a winner.

    (4)

  • Katie H.

    This restaurant is "old school" in a good way. In a city that has new restaurants coming in and out all the time this restaurant has staying power....and I don't expect it to go anywhere...ever. I recommend this place for a date or business dinner....people seem to actually dress up here (not usual for Seattle). Great ambiance.....although again it's not a modern design....and I don't think they've redecorated in quite a while....think very Mediterranean. The food is wonderful....pasta made in house...everything fresh and not overdone. The wine list has great choices at every price point. The service is attentive and professional. I'm partial to the gnocci...but I'm a taster....and have grabbed bites off all my friends plates and haven't been disappointed yet. I think this is the best Italian restaurant in Seattle.....it's my favorite by far.

    (5)

  • fmc c.

    Definitely would not eat here again... I've been here twice for dinner with co-workers and the food has failed to impress. Considering the price and reviews, I expected a lot more. Service is ok, but end product leaves something to be desired.

    (2)

  • Corrie W.

    I just got back from Italy and I'll tell you what...Il Terrazzo is as authentic Italian as it gets! The love, passion and quality that goes into the food is amazing! In Italy eating is an experience. The Italians sit down and make lunch and dinner an event, they take the time to enjoy their food. Americans are in such a hurry, we tend to forget what dining is all about. Il Terrazzo reminds us of how REAL dining should be enjoyed. Every time I dine at Il Terrazzo I feel like I've been transported to a restaurant in in down town Roma. I recommend Il Terrazzo Carmine to people who value food, experience and fine dining! Oh, and try the antipasto! :)

    (4)

  • Traci J.

    Some friends took us out to dinner on a Friday night to this place. I haven't been here since the early 90s and it is still bustling after all these years. Walked into a full dining room and started off with cocktails all around and I've got to say that it's a pretty generous pour compared to most restaurants. Their bread was rustic, chewy and wonderful. They served it with those flat little pats of butter sans the cardboard bottom and wax paper top. A little tub of butter or olive oil might have been a better choice. Started with a nice mixed green salad with goat cheese and candied walnuts tossed nicely in a vinaigrette. Had a bite of the grilled romaine gorgonzola salad and definitely have to get that next time. Three of us ordered the pesto and prawn pasta. I've never had pasta so good and so piping hot. A bit of cream not just the pesto coated the fettucinne. Took a bite of the salmon and asparagus pasta and it was equally good, and not as heavy as a normal alfredo sauce. Split the creme brulee, tiramisu and profiteroles with ice cream. Gotta say the creme brulee was a nice size, crackly on top and a touch warm in the custard. Nice. Will remember to visit before another decade goes by.

    (4)

  • Kyann M.

    We went to this restaurant last week when we were in Seattle. The service was great. We split a caprese salad and it was rather mediocre (at $16 it not a good deal). Fortunately our entrees were great. This is a place we'll definitely visit again when we are in Seattle.

    (4)

  • Jacqueline N.

    My absolutely favorite restaurant of all time. Nothing surpasses the food, service and ambiance of Il Terrazzo Carmine. I have been here 3 times and tried out at least 10 menu items and each and every item was cooked to perfection. The antipasto plate is something that you would find straight from Italy. The tuna tar-tare had the perfect amount of seasoning and I believe that it's the freshest around. I enjoyed the Cioppino for lunch recently and it is hands down one of the best. The veal tenderloin is like no other, flavorful and didn't have that gamy taste to it. I could go on and on about the dishes and it would really make your mouth water, but you must try for yourself. I came there on a whim one Friday night and usually you have to make reservations in advance but the host found us a table and was so accommodating. The restaurant was packed that night and Joe our waiter, gave us amazing service. All around our table all I could hear was "wow, this is so delicious". The Executive Chef even greeted the guests at the table. This restaurant is a true Seattle Gem.

    (5)

  • Jen S.

    I've been here a few times for lunch. I think it would suit almost any occasion, from work lunch dates to romantic dinners. I would advise reservations for larger groups. I ordered the Fettuccine Al Pesto Con Gamberi last and it was perfect. Nothing from their menu will disappoint you! The place is actually a little hard to find and parking is always an issue... but I suppose that's typical for Pioneer Square.

    (5)

  • larry m.

    Wow, what a wonderful surprise and fun experience. I hosted a group of 12 people for a business lunch - location picked by one of the group who had been here a few times before. We all ordered and shared tastes - everything was fantastic! Halibut, salmon, crab ravioli, soups, salads and a variety of deserts. I can't wait to take my wife. Really great. Maria is a rock star waitress!

    (4)

  • Sophia P.

    Really, really, really good food. Kind of cold in there, so dress appropriately.

    (5)

  • Joshua J.

    Granted, it's been over a year since I went to Il Terrazzo Carmine, I think that gave me some time for insight on the meal. Mainly, I really can't remember what I had, and I have a pretty good memory (...for food). That said, shouldn't a place that costs as much as Carmine have something memorable about it? Well, I do remember that my step mom didn't think much of her seafood dish, because the fish seemed especially fishy. Like old. You know. It was quickly replaced with the dish of her choice, but the whole experience just lacked something. The service was fine, but especially unremarkable. I actually recall that it was unremarkable. Now that's remarkable... okay, enough. I remember that the dessert was tasty, as was the bruschetta (it's pronounced "brew - SKEHT - tah", I swear... I lived in Rome in a recent past life). Try it if you can afford it. I suppose... Overall, not impressed, especially for the price. Thanks for listening.

    (3)

  • John R.

    We have had the pleasure of dining here after the sad passing of the owner, Carmine, to greener pastures in Italy. The management and staff are obviously dedicated to continuing the tradition of fine dining. Thank you, everyone at the restaurant, for keeping his vision alive and well!

    (4)

  • eli e.

    I've been missing the cutting edge cuisine of Chicago but not missing the prices. Here in Seattle most of the food is more directly rooted in the traditions of the countries the cuisine originates from, which can be fantastic when done well. Il Terrazzo Carmine is an example, probably the best example, of this traditional approach done extremely well, at least for Italian dining. The room is formal but not overly stuffy, they managed to not sneer at my bohemian attire and were politely welcoming, though certainly not effusive. My server, Brian, was a friendly young man (the servers were all male on this night) from Jersey, he was capable and attentive to everyone equally. Over all the service is just as polished as the attractive silverware but had a relaxed feel, I felt comfortable despite being so obviously out of place in my Sketchers and T-shirt. Il Terrazzo Carmine has exceptional food. The soup I ordered, the Zuppa di Pesce, was a revelation of properly cooked seafood. Tender calamari rings, moist salmon, and fresh mussels swim in the light tomato, garlic, and basil infused broth, powerful but balanced, a difficult dish to follow. Indeed the Ravioli Di Capriolo, a very good pasta stuffed with veal, spinach, and mushrooms with a heady veal based sauce, was a very good dish, it simply didn't seem as spectacular in light of the amazing soup that it followed. I was also pleased with the bread and butter served, I finished off my little basket worth happily, eagerly tearing away at the bread and dipping it into my soup to sop up the goodness.

    (5)

  • pete h.

    in my opinion, this is the best Italian restaurant in Seattle. i work fairly close to here and have had the fortunate opportunity to come here twice now for lunch with coworkers. the service is always top notch and the owners are always walking around ensuring everything is perfect. the first time I was here, we ordered for one of our coworkers who was coming later. When the owner walked by and saw that her food was already on the table and she had yet to arrive, he offered to recook her dish when she got there even though we all said that was not necessary. Now that's good service. Always listen to the specials even if the waiters/waitress do it in a fake Italian accent because I've yet to be disappointed. The one caveat about this place is expect to pay dearly for your food, for lunch expect to spend somewhere around $30 dollars per person with tax and tip.

    (5)

  • Brent K.

    BOUN APPITITO! If the badass mob dudes wearing Armani suits enjoy it, its good enough for me. The standard for authentic gourmet Italian food and service in Seattle. Outstanding.

    (5)

  • Coffee L.

    Okay, don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful lunch at Terrazzo today and am glad I went. And, I would love to give this restaurant more than the three stars that I'm offering today. However, I must say I was not impressed. For sure, the food was tasty, the ingredients fresh, the pasta was perfectly cooked, and the bread warm and crusty. As well, we were greeted with warmth and generosity, the service was charming, and the staff attentive, all donning their white coat uniforms. So where did it all go wrong for me? Well, for a 30-dollar lunch (no drinks, no dessert), a couple of my expectations were simply not met. First, the presentation of the food was, as my lunch partner calls it, "just like they do it in Italy." The food was slapped on the plate without any regard to how it looked. For this restaurant in America--that didn't feel 'rustic' at all--I just call it sloppy and irresponsible of the Chef. Perhaps it fits in with the joys of Italy, but for me, for 30 bucks, I was expecting more. The second thing that bothered me (and this bothers me in many of the restaurants I go to), is that the staff who brought us water wore heavy cologne. It was distracting, and frankly, it smelled like it was a day old. A definite turn off, again something I wouldn't expect from a place as supposedly well-groomed as Terrazzo. Maybe your experience there will differ from ours, and if so, please do share. I would encourage anyone to at least go and try the food. Who knows, maybe dinner affords a better experience than lunch does. For me, I'm sure it will be a while before I find out.

    (3)

  • Ariel B.

    This place was recommended to me by a local. It's a hidden gem near Pioneer Square. I'm Italian and I live in Chicago. I know Italian and Carmine's is one of the best Italian restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of eating at. Their menu selection was great, their food was fantastic and the wine went extremely well with our meals. And the tiramisu...heeeaaavvveeeen! We had a couple of the specials and they were, without a doubt some of the best meals we've ever had. Even tho we weren't totally dressed for this fancy place, they gave us the same great service they gave everyone else. We even got to meet Carmine, a wonderful older gentleman who thanked us for taking the time to come in. That's the kind of service that is priceless. If you live in Seattle or plan on visiting, get thee to Carmine's!!

    (5)

  • Rosie W.

    This is the first time I've been to Il Terrazzo Carmine. It's not visible from the street but worth the time to find it. From the moment I walked inside, I loved the place. It had a nice ambiance, friendly and attentive staff, and great food. We ordered calamari affogati, saute di vongole & cozze (steamed clams & mussels), insalata campagnola (a salad with pancetta, goat cheese and candied walnuts), linguine alle vongole, bistecca al pepe verde (NY steak w/ green peppercorn sauce), and the pasta special. All of the food was shared and the three of us loved it. We didn't try the dessert because we are all stuffed. But they bring them out on a dessert tray to show us, and they all looked great. The service was really good. They would come in at the right time and give us just enough attention without being intrusive. I would definitely go back again.

    (4)

  • Tracy I.

    Il Terrazzo Carmine is simply a hidden treasure within pioneer square. It's a great place for groups or for a nice date. I've tried almost everything on the menu and have yet to be disappointed.

    (5)

  • MissMaryAnn D.

    NOTE: skip to *** for the useful part. Mariaaaaaa. I just met a girl named Maria, and suddenly I find, her nose is in my wine... This is what happens when you invite a bunch o' yelpers out to dinner, and that's okay, cuz I don't mind nosey broads. I do mind the whining and complaining about how I organized the event, and I know you can't please everyone, but I thought that was tacky. There's a whole raft (or should I say ferry boat) of new Yelpers now, and I'm sure they would never be so rude or tacky as to try to negotiate the terms of an invitation. They might show up with margaritas strapped to their back or spend inordinate amounts of time cooing to a warm toilet seat, but hey - that just means they're "interesting" and "eccentric", right? Yay! That was eons ago in Yelp time, and now they pay someone to organize these things. Alleluia to the Hell Yeah, cuz once was enough for me. And to her I say: Better you than me - good luck and Lordisa be with you. *** I have since returned to this old school Italian restaurant, and I enjoy it every time. The menu is situated so that you can have a traditional three or four course meal, or set yourself up nicely with pasta and a salad. I always order the soup because they serve it very hot, which I find is rarely the case in restaurants. Pasta dishes are on the large size for a second course, but work as an entree. A small and a large size would be nice. I highly recommended the osso bucco, the fish dishes were a bit dry (overcooked) on two occasions. The salads are cool, crisp and nicely dressed. I have had both the Mista and the Cesar. The service is professional and attentive without being intrusive, and all the gentlemen are handsome and wearing white jackets; so I guess you could say that the wait staff is also cool, crisp and nicely dressed. Valet parking is free and there is full bar. The dining room looks like some I have either visited or seen pictures of in Umbria and Tuscany - with floral draperies and huge rustic chandeliers. The china has a very European looking floral pattern. (I say either visited or seen pictures of because I hate those posuers who reference their world travels as if that makes their opinions more valid than others. I feel no need to do this because it is common knowledge that I have very good taste as well as naturally straight teeth.) The clientele is definitely old school as well, and I find the warm atmosphere and service at il Terrazzo to be a welcome relief from the chilly/stainless/granite trendy-sceney vibe of more than a few Seattle restaurants - don't try so hard, m'kay guys? Please. The noise level is a bit high when the dining room is full, but in a convivial and festive sort of way instead of a I-think-my-head-is-gonna-explode manner you find in some establishments (As I said - granite and stainless steel - WTF?). This is a good place to duck into if you are on the down low - Seattle Style: meaning that you are afraid of losing your hipster stripes (or should I say polka dots) if you are seen outside of Belltown or Capitol Hill on a non-game night. It's also a great choice for taking your mother to dinner - or maybe your date who is old enough to be your mother: and by old enough to be your mother I mean much older than me.

    (4)

  • Scott M.

    Hands down the best classic Italian food in Seattle.

    (5)

  • simon B.

    Wow. I went here for lunch. Its well hidden, in the basement of the Merril building, hidden behind a wooden door. As soon as you enter you know you are in a classy well run restaurant. it's relaxed, but not too relaxed. an efficient buzz of really great waiters and servers tending to you. the food i had was excellent. a simple green salad - very fresh, crisp greens lovely dressing. my liguine al vongole again was simple, elegant and very very tasty. this place is a gem. make no mistake. you want great italian. i think this is at the very top of the list. oh, and there were three of us for lunch. 3 mains, salad, soup for one - soda and iced team all for $67. which for excellent food is some value.

    (4)

  • Brittany S.

    This place is a really classy restaurant. You notice right away, that most of the people who eat there are regulars. Me and my boyfriend at the time went for dinner. Everything is expensive but you get what you paid for, very delicious food, and excellent service. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and pleasant. Parking is valet, the location is a bit random (sort of by cow girls inc?) and I noticed that the restaurant doesn't have it's own bathroom, you have to use the building's bathroom.

    (5)

  • Kat H.

    Ever the broke grad student, I obviously ate here because someone else was buyin'. Otherwise, this place would never have crossed my radar, for obvious reasons...the less obvious being that I'm rarely south of Pike Street in Seattle unless I'm in a stadium. Which is not often. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll admit that I was taken there by my uncle, and this place is his clubhouse. As in, we walked in, and everyone knew his name. And he knew everyone's name. Everyone who was important, anyway. I didn't get to experience the loudness of the big dining room, because when Carmine's (as Uncle calls it) is your clubhouse, you can ask to be seated wherever you want. So we sat in a little corner table in the bar area...which was actually quite nice. I'd recommend it, in fact. Since this is my uncle's "Cheers", I don't know if we got better treatment, or better food than the other patrons. I do know that I ate the most fabulous truffle risotto of my life in there. And the halibut dish I had was also to die for. However, if said death were to occur, I want to be buried with a tureen of that truffle risotto next to me. You know, like an offering, to keep the gods happy. And more importantly, to accompany me to the next world with a full and satisfied belly. Which everyone should walk away from Carmine's with. Because there's no other option...it's just that good.

    (5)

  • Kris A.

    Had no reservations on a Friday night, but they had ample seating in the bar area which was very nice and sat us right away. Our waiter was the bartender as well, and he was fantastic and laid-back, but very knowledgeable and professional as well. Food was wonderful - I loved my salmon and risotto. My fiance thought the sauce in the seafood risotto sort of overpowered the seafood itself, but other than that, we were very happy.

    (4)

  • J S.

    This has to be one of the best full service Italian restaurants in the Pacific NW. As we walked in, (I was dining with one of the Batali clan from Salumi's) the owner Mr. Carmine Smeraldo who has been running this establishment for 20 years greeted us. Everything from the layout, surroundings, to the smell of the authentic Italian dishes being created in the kitchen you know you are in for a wonderful meal. Carmine seated us and as most "good" restaurant owners, he was very interactive and makes you feel at home in his house. Remember it's not all about the food but how the host and staff makes you feel while you are there. Carmine is a master and has this down. This is a lost art here in Seattle, most establishments hire some cute girl to work the front of the house that has a pierced belly button that greets with you "high guys"...so tacky... The meal was outstanding (I had the halibut, pan roasted with aioli sauce, perfect with a glass of Pinot Grigio) I am sure I could have ordered anything off the menu and it would be done perfect. This was my most recent trip to this restaurant but I have dined here many times in the past. A little tricky to find in the old Aldus HQ's if some of you old high people remember were I am talking about. If you have a chance to dine at this notable and corner stone establishment I would highly suggest it before Carmine retires. This can be a romantic location in the evening as much as an enjoyable place with a friend or client. I would not suggest kids on this trip unless they can enjoy true Italian food. Ciao Native Seattle Diner

    (5)

  • Sally G.

    Best Italian in Seattle, hidden away in Pioneer Square. Found this gem one day and never looked back. The restaurant is off the alley across from 83 King, but resides within the lower floor for a hotel off of 1st Ave. It's not a pretentious place, they seem to care more about the food and service you are getting. Spotless wait service, mostly diligent men direct from Europe. Salads, pastas, fish are excellente. The sauces are rich and dreamy. Even better than how Mama made it. Don't think there is a bad dish here. Prices are high but worth the occasional visit. Oh and Carmine - he is truly adorable and very hospitable. Tell him Sally sent you!

    (5)

  • Ronnie K.

    One of Seattle's finest restaurants, in my opinion. From 1st Ave., the outside of the establishment is very unassuming. (After years of passing by it, I didn't even know it was there until I went there for a business lunch a couple of years ago.) Once inside, the feel is very warm and elegant. The waitstaff are incredibly attentive, though I have to admit that I have the hardest time understanding what they are saying when they recite the specials so rapidly! I have dined at Il Terrazzo numerous times for both lunch and dinner, and I've never once had a bad, or even less-than-fabulous meal. My favorite dish, by far, is the Spaghettini Dell 'Ortolano. The wines are divine, and the desserts are truly something to behold, especially the cream puffs...oh my! Definitely one of my top three restaurants of all time...

    (5)

  • Chandra G.

    Very traditional place with a homey atmosphere, pretty good Italian food, and nice service. Only giving three stars because the food just didn't wow me.

    (3)

  • David W.

    If you want a fancy night out. If you want to impress. If you want Italian. If you want Romantic? If you love wine...All of the above? Il Terrazo Carmine is the place. I have eaten here several times over the years and each time has been very memorable...the food, the service, the wine, the ambience...everything. What else can you say?

    (5)

  • Francine N.

    I was sooo excited to take my husband to Carmine's for our anniversary after proclaiming for years how great it was; I had worked for Carmine when he tried his hand at a new restaurant across the street. Sadly it was far from the enchanting experience we were expecting. Our table was situated perfectly in the thorough fare and we were repeatedly bumped, our chairs used for the staff to swing a corner and even hit in the head with a tray! When it was time for the staff to momentarily stop at our table, it seemed there was a much more important place for them to be. I was confident that the food would greatly make up for the table and the service-Damn! Presentations and flavors were way off the mark. We decided to go elsewhere for after dinner drinks and dessert, hoping to get some of that enjoyment of the special occasion. I would definitely not recommend it.

    (1)

  • Milla V.

    I used to love this restaurant, have been visiting as frequent as 3 times a week. Service is impeccable, presentation is marvelous. I have had a better Italian food, dessert could have been updated already. However it is not the food that made me to stop coming there. I am deeply disappointed by the rudeness of the maitre d': once I was with my mom and he sat us somewhere in the further corner that the waiter could hardly get to our table. On another occasion, I was with a girlfriend and he actually asked us to move to another table, because he "just remembered" he promised our table to someone else!!! I also noticed that when I was accompanied by a man, the host was at his best behavior. I did not appreciate that kind of treatment and stopped coming there . Too bad...

    (2)

  • johnny D.

    How do you say well oiled machine in italian ! I don't know but Carmine's is the image you would want in yor head.Top notch selections, excellent service from a long standing seasoned wait staff.

    (5)

  • Kathryn H.

    Carmine and his restaurant are a class act. I had dined there a few years ago and spent quite a bit on a meal that was lackluster. I wrote Carmine a letter which he responded to immediately and he lived up to every promise. We have gone back a number of times since then and I can easily see why he continues to receive all of the accolades. The restaurant business is not an easy one to begin with, but to maintain such high standards is commendable. A side note: no matter where you go to dine, it's expensive, but money is well-spent here. Thanks Carmine.

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    At first I thought I wouldn't be able to write an insightful review of this restaurant because I was so focused on the company that I didn't pay a lot of attention to the service. Then I realized my lack of awareness was due to such unobtrusive and flawless service that I didn't need to pay attention. Wine was poured, cheese and pepper were grated, and appetizers were served smoothly and efficiently. Adjectives like "quiet" and "gracious" come to mind. I highly appreciate "quiet" and "gracious" in my life. The restaurant itself isn't all that quiet. We had a party of 8, but it wasn't a really large table and I still couldn't hear much of what was going on at the other lively end. The sound seems to echo in the large space with high ceilings that still manages to feel intimate even with the noise. The long draperies, white linens and dim lighting contribute to intimacy, though I had to squint a little to make out the menu. The squinting was worth it. Carpaccio was passed that melted like the finest sashimi. Bruschetta with a salmon mousse, a red wine with a bouquet that made me want to hold the glass to my nose all night. I didn't. It wasn't actually my glass and I only just met some of these people. I'll save bad manners for later. I had Ravioli di Capriolo with venison, spinach and wild mushrooms. I had no idea that Bambi could be cooked so well. Sorry, couldn't resist, but really, this was nothing like the hunk of venison my father came home with after a bow hunting trip. Tender, rich, and perfectly complemented. Carmine's, not my dad's. They bring a dessert tray, so if you think you can pass up temptation with those sweet beauties staring at you and begging to be eaten, think again. Terrell and I split a divine tiramisu - the best I've ever had and deserving of its reputation - and the rich, smooth coffee was a perfect ending. Which brings me to the company and the first Yelp Supper Club. When's the next one? I'm so there. The fact that we spent 3 hours over dinner, and not because service was slow, should tell you something. We were never rushed. Miss Mary Ann, Terrell, Michelle, Anna, Sam, Sara, Jan - thank you all for a truly fabulous evening.

    (5)

  • Jeremy H.

    Lunch or Dinner - this place is the best. It is the feel of 1950's classic italian restaurant with the history and patrons to go along with it. First class all the way

    (5)

  • Sara H.

    Sam's atmospheric reference to Grandma's house was dead on. And everyone has already made note of the noise level (however, I did take note at one point in the evening that you could not hear nearby highway 99 at all). That said, I was fairly impressed. I had the pesto with shrimp and while the pesto was surprisingly (almost too) rich, the prawns were heaven. Sam's friend who came along, picked a red wine that was superb -- and I don't really care for red wine. The waiters were very attentive, but as Maria noted, quiet...not at all obtrusive. For me dessert consisted of coffee, which for "just coffee" was very good. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of the evening and am really looking forward to the next gathering!

    (4)

  • gary g.

    mmmmmm-mmmmm! damn good pasta! took my fam of four, and we were all delighted. i had rabbit ravioli in a demi glace sauce, a 9.5/10. wife: shrimp in pesto, son 1: gnocchi in marinara, son 2: pasta e vongole. all were AWESOME! definitely coming back here. we didnt even try the main courses, we were all wanting pasta. ties with pink door for best pasta in seattle!

    (5)

  • Sam H.

    Do you remember those floral-patterned plates that lined the walls of your grandmother's house? Terrell and I had a conversation about the decor being similar to that kind of feel. Pretty good place to have a yelp supper. The waiter was OK. I thought he could have been there slightly more with the water... not that I drank any. The dining room was pretty noisy. There were 8 of us at a table and I could really only hear the delightful people (Terrell and Jan) right next to me. A round table would have been more conducive to chatting as a group. That being said, it was a wonderful 3 hours getting to know some fun folks and learning a lot. After a while, I switched places with Jan so I could meet Michelle and Anna... I think Jan was just outgunned by the superior wit, which was entertaining to see. I think he liked it. On with the food. Well... I wish I could say I loved it, but it was just OK for me. We had an outstanding bottle of wine to start out. The carpaccio was impressive as well. I ordered a NY steak and asparagus risotto for my entree. It was good, but I could have made it just as well on my own. Also, they made it just a little too thick. Risotto should ooze a little, and it just kinda sat there like thick oatmeal. Also, (I was in the minority on this opinion) I didn't care for the presentation on Terrell's salad. It had a nice fruity olive oil dressing, but the way they stacked it was kind of boring to me. It needed some color or height or something. Fortunately, it wasn't my salad. For dessert, people seemed VERY pleased with the selections. I saw some happy faces when the creme brulee and tiramisu came out. Of course, I had the best dessert of all... 18 year old scotch.

    (4)

  • Geoffrey N.

    The food was very good and the atmosphere was nice. The Calamari was amazing. The olives in the sause jumped off the plate with freshness and a crisp and delectable taste. The entree's were very nice as we had Osso Bucco (marrow in bone++) and the special rizzotto with itiallian sausage. The only thing that wasnt special is the Canoli which suprised me with it blandness and predestian taste.

    (5)

  • Anna B.

    Always delicious, but on this visit, the venison stuffed ravioli made a ravioli lover out of my husband. Delicious.

    (5)

  • Steve B.

    I don't often write reviews, but what the heck, Il Terrazzo is worth it. Yes, go, now! The place has been there for as long as I can remember. I took a girl there on our first date some 20 years ago and ended up marrying her. It's as good today as I remember it being back then. Perhaps if I had taken that girl there after we were married, I'd still be married to her. Now that I think about it, I'm glad I waited.

    (5)

  • Bryan S.

    I've had some amazing soup here ... and I don't like soup that much.

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    This place is my favorite italian restaurant in Seattle. Their appetizers rock (i especially like the prawns and antipasta platter) and the ambiance - while a bit loud can't be beat. The service is great and the place never lets me down. Its in a bit of an odd location (merril building on 1st and south jackson), but trust me its definitely worth searching out.

    (5)

  • Pete B.

    This is a great restaurant. The service was top shelf, Food was very well prepared. I had the duck, which was awesome. Pricey, but worth it. Parking garage next door is free with validation.

    (5)

  • Alice K.

    Wow! One of the best Italian meals I've had. Ever! Thanks to some friends, I've discovered this heavenly place filled with godsent delicious food. For starters we had the Carpaccio di Manzo and Calamari Affogati. Husband had the Risotto of the Day and I had the Filetto Con Pancetta & Pignoli. They were all very very good. I highly recommend getting the Filetto Con Pancetta & Pignoli. You will not be disappointed. We also had a couple of desserts off the dessert tray. I can't remember the name of my favorite dessert but it came with the best vanila ice cream I have ever tasted. It had this rich chewy texture. The tiramisu was just okay, but then again I am not a big tiramisu fan.

    (5)

  • Denise E.

    Growing up my parent's best friends owned an incredible italian restaurant. They they sold out, I haven't been satisfied by traditional, Italian food until I discovered Carmine's. Always order their nightly specials. They are always incredible! I strayed once and ordered a regular menu item and wasn't as impressed. I've heard that from other people who have been regulars there for 20 years. In my many visits I have never been happy with service. On my first visit we had a timid, unattentive server. Since then we usually end up with pompus, rude servers. The food keeps me coming back. I don't like sacrificing good service for good food, but it always seems to happen. You can't have it all...

    (4)

  • Katie H.

    If you don't mind snobby service or awful food, then you may like this place. The server was irritated from serving a large table, and he wasn't trying to hide it. He and the staff absolutely profiled our group from the moment we got to the restaurant. The staff actually told us that. Just because we aren't 60 years old with diamond earrings in, doesn't mean we don't know how to tip well. This is definitely in my top three worst service experiences that I have ever experienced. To top of the horrible and selective service that we got, the food didn't taste good. The crab and shrimp ravioli had seaweed in it? Don't get that for you meal. It was horrible.

    (1)

  • Peter P.

    I've had Italian food but these guys bring it up to the next level. The atmosphere they created was probably the reason. I would love to eat from them everyday but I would probably start to gain a few pounds. It was loud but from my friends explanation it's like a family gathering.

    (4)

  • Shar S.

    Fettuccine Al Pesto Con Gamberi (Tossed with pesto and Gulf prawns 18.50) is the best!

    (5)

  • Frederick G.

    Have been here several times and have never been disapointed...the food is always amazing and changing t and ( I dont know how ) but always getting better. The service here is outstanding and the staff friendly..Was here for lunch the other day and had a great meal and good time and a great glass of wine...

    (5)

  • Kristin B.

    This place is great for Lunch too! A great escape from the day, from the rain... or from the usual feel of Pioneer Square. I had the canneloni with prosciutto and spinach the first time I went... wish I ordered it the next time too! Amazing. I am continually impressed by the level of service and attention by the waitstaff, although it is never overdone. The decor originally bored me, but I've warmed up to it... as it really shows a different side to Italian decor aside from the trite "family Italian" style that you get used to seeing.

    (4)

  • Elan W.

    We went as a group of 12 for a farewell dinner. Most of us are in our mid-20's to early 30's and we definitely felt out of place as most everyone else in the restaurant was middle-age or older. The decor was not exactly old school Italian, but more like your grandmother's formal dining room. The food itself was not very memorable. I had the risotto of the day - wild mushroom - and it was not that flavorful and a bit overcooked. At 10;30pm, we were the last people left in the restaurant (we came at 8:30) and it definitely felt odd to be closing the place down that early on a Friday night. They were good though about accomodating our big group and the service was attentive.

    (3)

  • Joe S.

    Before my recent visit, I'd noticed Gary H's unbelievable (literally!) pan of Il Terrazzo's host ("the suit"). Not sure if he means Carmine himself, or George, the maître d'. But this has certainly not been my experience with either. Carmine is Carmine; he knows how to own a restaurant, and his sure looks successful to me. George is the host most nights, and having watched this steady, hospitable man at work many times over the years here, and also at Canlis where he was before, I'm always amazed at how gracefully he seems to hold a busy place together. My wife and I were impressed not only with his enthusiastic initial greeting, but with how he unobtrusively keeps tabs on all the tables, dropping by each one briefly just to make sure everybody's happy. A consummate host, and the friendly face this place needs, he truly "works the room". Mr. H's numerous other reviews (a hobby, I guess) seem to indicate some issues (with "subordinates"?), which makes me suspicious of his negative, vindictive-sounding comments. But of course the bottom line was what happened at our table. A perfectly attentive server, a stellar wine recommendation (by George). A worldclass veal chop for me. The scaloppini my wife ordered was the best she'd ever had. And what a great - romantic - vibe the place has... nice buzz... you really feel that you're in a long-established place in Florence. This place is a keeper. Not trendy. Timeless.

    (4)

  • Gretchen B.

    This place is a little gem. When you arrive, park behind the restaurant. There was complimentary valet and little walkway that leads you in through the back of the restaurant-beautifully avoiding all the Pioneer Square riff-raff. The restaurant is quietly tucked away, you wouldn't even know you were in Seattle. We were promptly greeted, our coats were checked and off to our seats. Walking past an enormous display of the delicious looking antipasta. My first surprise was the prices, it was amazingly resasonable and I thought to myself why I am not eating here all the time! We started the meal with a glass of the Syrah, which was excellent and were told bread was coming out of the oven and would be coming shortly. It did, it was piping hot and yummy. We started with a bowl of clams and mussels. They were the freshest tasting seafood I have ever had in Seattle with lightly seasoned tomato broth. I could have left happy then. Next I had the field greens with goat cheese and candied walnuts. It was perfectly dressed and generous portions of goat cheese. My entree selection was the gnocchi. I went for simple and it was simple and perfect. But the menu selection was so amazing, I could barely decide. The offer 1/2 plates of all the pastas, steaks, fish, veal. My boyfriend opted for the seafood risotto and it was delicious. We ended with the tiramisu and it was perfect. When we got the bill, we were shocked at the price, it was actually cheaper than some of regular meals out! The only troubles I had with our meal was the waitstaff, there were two and we were never really sure who was our actual waiter and the fact that the bathroom is outside the restaurant in the hall. I felt like I was going to be abducted going out there. I haven't another bad thing to say. This is not going to be a special occasion restaurant, but a place I will visit on a very regular basis and I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Jake K.

    best italian in seattle, great ambiance as well.

    (5)

  • Nina N.

    where to go to dinner when you are with a picky eater!!! and since it was her birthday ... we let it pass..... so here were the guidelines to follow ... :( - no cheese - no chicken - no cream sauce - not too fatty - lots of veggies great... so where do we take her for her birthday... a salad bar??? hahahahha ... so I just took the safe route and just asked ... sister where do you want to go? and so she replied.. il terazzo... what? where is that? is it italian? and she says yes... I am quite confused.. she is so picky so anything authentic might be out of her element... I look online and see if this is a place she might light.. but it isn't... but if she wants to go I will let her choose.. I don't want to complain...because I don't want to get stuck eating crap.. so we booked a reservation with such ease and go there... hidden in pioneer square in a hotel... interesting... we sit down and have kind of a struggle with our reservation and had a to wait a little bit.. so we headed to the bar for some shots haha...and then all of the sudden... a woman starts to sing.. wow.. how cool.. she is singing sweet soft opera :) delightful ... me likey :) that wasn't the only cool thing...there walked in a massive group of people that went out to the court yard and had a bunch of servers serving bottles and bottles of wine..I am guessing a wine tasting party/eharmony/maybe even an elite yelp party? who knows what it was.. I wasn't invited :( . shoot.. where was our invite?? anyways... we finally get our table... and meet our server .. the special sounded amazing, seared scallops on a bed of asparagas..my type of dinner.... my sister and her fiance both ordered beef medallions and had grilled veggies :) and shared a plate of shrimp scampi... their food looked good and with me looking at their food like sarah jessica parker drooling over a pair of manolo blahniks.... they offered me a taste of their shrimp and veggies... it was amazing..I don't care much for meat so I declined and continued to my scallops ... that were prepared oh so perfectly.... I love scallops.. :) for dessert of course we had some espresso and it just made the night perfect.... we bought her a cake so we didn't have a chance to order anything off the menu .. but the next time I go..I will most defintely find out what that wine party was all about, and why I wasn't invited haahha jp!!!!! do go for a nice casual date.. we are always dressed to the nine's but when we walked into the restaurant we felt over dressed.. :( jeans and a nice sweater would do....

    (4)

  • Moira H.

    The food is outstanding. The antipasti platter for two is the best I've ever had. Even the basics (old school Italian standards like grilled red bell peppers) are truly amazing in flavor. The pasta course we shared was exceptional (cannelloni) and the entrees were well worth the price. My husband had a NY strip and it tasted like no other I've ever had. This is a place that I will recommend and return to based upon the menu alone. The service is OK, but the general ambiance is fun and lively. It reminded me of a cross between a NYC restaurant and a good Las Vegas restaurant (like Prime or Francesca's). The difference being that the service in Vegas is far more gracious and doting (and certainly not just reserved for regulars as I think Carmine's may be). I kind of liked it though (maybe because I'm somewhat of an East Coaster). The exception was the bartender however. He was very friendly and gave us great suggestions on a reasonably priced bottle of wine and what we should order for dinner. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Dandelion F.

    I adore this place, but am unable to award 5 stars because every time I go there's one misstep (I wish there were a 4.5 option). My favorite thing about it used to be the genuinely exquisite, professional servers--real career guys who were like calm, cool, precise ballerinos to watch. However the last time I was there our female server seemed depressed and distracted. She was nice enough, but a downer compared to those glorious white-coated gents (especially after I had bragged to my date about the impeccable service). Food-wise, we're talking generous portions that are well-seasoned and beautifully presented. Next time I go I will call ahead to reserve a veal chop, as they had run out last time and it is superb. I had veal scallopini instead, which was also very good, but it was hard to shift gears from my initial intent to have the chop. If you're nostalgic for the no-nonsense "Big Night" kind of East Coast Italian, you'll love it here. It's also one of the prettiest dining rooms in town.

    (4)

  • brenda m.

    Took my husband here for his 68th birthday. The ambiance was lovely, the bread excellent, the wine list good (but expensive), service was superb and the caprese salad excellen. My huband ordered the osso buco ($42) and he thought it was very good. I am giving it four stars instead of 5 because I was disappointed with my entree. I ordered the "herb crusted pork chop" and it was mediocre at best.I would not recommend it. All in all it was a good but expensive dinner.

    (4)

  • Nathanael C.

    Best Italian food in seattle bar none. Fantastic atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Alfa Alyssa E.

    I think we decided to go here just to try out something new. Hoping for something so good it'd blow our minds. The restaurant had convenient parking. Everyone was very polite and formal. The restaurant was dim and romantic but the tables still seemed fairly close to each other.. We, or should I say I, had the raw oysters to start. Joe had 1 I think and I am pretty sure it was so I wouldn't feel bad eating them on my own. But the thing is I WOULDN'T feel bad eating them on my own. Love oysters and I know he isn't much of a fan. I had the Capelline De Mare. He had the Duck with Risotto or something like that. We agreed both meals were fair. The restaurant was very nice but truthfully, the food has to be AMAZING to pay that much for it. There are by far more restaurants with amazing food for probably half the cost. So to me, restaurant was fair but I'm definitely in no rush to go back...

    (3)

  • Rodney A.

    The service was outstanding and the food was great. If you visit Seattle it should be one place you definetly visit.

    (5)

  • Patrick K.

    We were greeted by a bounty of freshly chopped bread, the knife still warm, resting on a cutting board. The dim lights reflected faintly across the exquisite floral patterns of the porcelain vases. A woman wearing a white modified dinner jacket and a tie led us to a table in the back, her boots worn from the long days at the Terrazzo. A few paces from our humble table, a noble bovine specimen acquired from one of the local islands was carefully sliced into the pieces that would soon line my stomach and satiate my seemingly insatiable lust for meat, the color of which perfectly matched my wine choice: tuscan red. Only the gods know how that night ended, after I stumbled out onto the street, my cheeks aglow, and song on my breath. As I turned the corner, the meat butcher stood silently, drawing from a dark cigarillo, his eyes full of ancient wonder. He focused intently on me, slowly lowering his hand, and whispered disapprovingly, "You're moving with your auntie and uncle to bel-air."

    (5)

  • Kathi K.

    Oh my - what a treat! We had lunch there on Tuesday and going back tomorrow! Pistachio Crusted Sea Bass....divine! It's like butter and fish had a baby...a really really, yummy baby! The Insalata Caprese was suburb. The service outstanding. From the hostess to the server...perfect!

    (5)

  • Phil C.

    The atmosphere is elegant, the service is excellent, the food is pretty good. So why were we rather underwhelmed? Probably because the quality, while good, doesn't really match the price. I had a pepper steak that, while good, was nothing particularly special (and was $42-not-special); not especially tender, and with a sauce that had a rather weird aftertaste (I don't know what the ingredient was but it was vaguely unpleasant). The bean soup and risotto were likewise fairly tasty but forgettable. All in all, a bit more than $100 for one soup, a risotto and a main course plus a single glass of wine. This place is fine if you're on an expense account, but if you're going out in expectation of a really excellent Italian meal, I'd look instead for one of the smaller, trattoria-style restaurants in this part of town.

    (3)

  • Erika W.

    I'd probably go with 3.5 stars, but I'm feeling generous today. This place is old school fancy and feels like a upscale hotel restaurant that you'd take important clients to. In fact, the majority of patrons happened to be graying white dudes wearing suits. We started with the beet salad, which was brilliant - I loved the fact that it had fresh mozzarella instead of the more predictable goat cheese, and the balsamic vinegar was incredible - rich and sweet. For main courses we shared the stuffed crab and spinach ravioli and the filetto con pancetta & pignoli, a thick cut of beef tenderloin with string potatoes and a small side of veggies. The ravioli had nice big chunks of fresh crab and was cooked perfectly - a hearty meal that, while fresh and tasty, didn't blow me away in the flavor department. The tenderloin was also cooked perfectly and didn't have an ounce of fat. It was truly a perfect cut of meat. The string potatoes and veggies didn't disappoint. However, the barolo wine sauce was incredibly salty - a bit too salty for my taste, and I LOVE salt. Overall, two solid meals, but not ones that I'll be thinking about for weeks to come. This would be an excellent place to take a client or maybe your grandmother. And, even on your own, you won't leave disappointed. But at least for me, a five star rating warrants something truly exceptional and unique, or at least easy on the wallet - which Il Terrazzo is not.

    (4)

  • Dana R.

    3.5 stars - very old school, but solid, good food. The decor is 80s and could be updated a bit (like refinishing the yellowish oak stain on the wood with a darker stain). Menu hasn't changed in years, although they typically have 4 or so specials (pasta, risotto, meat and fish). Font on menus is actually quite difficult to read (the font on the website menu would be nice -- more modern and easier on the eyes). I have dined here occasionally over the past fifteen years at lunch and dinner and have had issues with service . One instance -- had a bowl of soup delivered to me so hot that I badly burned my hand on the plate. I had to ask our server twice for a piece of ice and wet napkin to be brought to the table very quickly to stop the burn. She didn't seem to understand firstly that she should have warned me about how hot the dish was and then how important it is to put ice (not directly) on burns right away. Another service instance involved the front of the house manager (who is also the maitre d') when I asked him whether the risotto he was placing before us (family style at a table of about 18 people) had mushrooms ... to which he tersely responded "I don't know, I didn't order it." This, after he had just been charming to a regular who was sitting in the seat next to me. I have mentioned to loyal patrons who are friends of mine my experiences of encountering his favoritism and a generally haughty attitude from him (and from a few of the other servers who have been there for years (not all)) almost every time I dine here, and they have articulated what I feel -- that if you're not a regular customer, there isn't much (if any) of an effort to make you feel like one. I realize they do a brisk business and have a very large following, but I'd implore Maria to put an emphasis retraining leadership and waitstaff (starting with George on down) to be warmer and friendlier to non-regular customers. Last night, I dined here with another regular -- she received warm and very friendly service from George and others, yet when it came time to interact with me and my husband, the tone and feeling changed and was flat, if not slightly cool. Doesn't make me want to come back. Another point Maria might want to consider is that the restaurant's large loyal following is an aging group (most of the diners are typically in their 60s or older) ... seems like she might want to remember that she'll need to attract some younger diners for the next round of loyal patrons if she and the other owners want the restaurant to endure -- I'm not talking about adding a happy hour that attracts hipsters looking for cheap eats and booze, but how about adding some interesting, more current menu items while keeping some of the old favorites -- take a look at Canlis's menu (literally) on how they've been exceedingly successful in honoring traditional dishes but also adding new items which have attracted a new, younger following while retaining is loyal, more mature patrons. My primary issue is with the service. The food is good, not sophisticated, modern or even remotely indicative of current trends, but good. My veal limone was perfectly cooked and had a lovely textured caper sauce, and they gladly added some capellini aglio et olio in lieu of potatoes. The caesar salad was fresh and lightly dressed (as we had asked for). My friend loved her eggplant parmesan, and my husband enjoyed his rigatoni bolognese. All well-prepared. I guess I might just tend to prefer the lighter, cleaner and more sophisticated (yet not overly complicated) Italian fare at Altura or Spinasse on a more regular basis. Update: I want to make clear that I highlight the above issues because I think this restaurant could be excellent with a little change. I've heard from Maria and she agrees that the issues need to be addressed; she and her family are working on them while trying to maintain the loyal customer base ... a difficult dance, no doubt. We will continue to eat here on occasion and look forward to seeing how things come along.

    (3)

  • Lisa E. L.

    28th anniversary! I can't believe I discovered such a great restaurant today. I will pick this over any other Italian restaurants any day! They have really delicious seafood pastas! The portion of seafood is extremely generous! Will be back very soon!

    (5)

  • Ricardo L.

    Good food, funny waitress. A little expensive for what they serve.

    (4)

  • Beatrice L.

    too pricey but worth every penny. Try cappelini di mare and the vongole dish. they're a must.

    (4)

  • Lowell R.

    I don't get it - had the bolognese and it was average at best - the Caprese salad the same - service was excellent - but I am missing something

    (2)

  • Jay A.

    Had a lovely business lunch here yesterday. Clearly a nice comfortable place when one wants a 'good' lunch in a comfortable environment. I had a bowl of cream of cauliflower soup that was incredible. It was as if they added macaroni and cheese. Also had a Caesar salad and some wilted spinach. All very good. The place is a tad formal and clearly all about business. I'm not a lawyer but would assume this is a great place for a lawyer to have lunch. Yes, I shall return!

    (4)

  • Ed L.

    An elegant sophisticated Italian restaurant tucked away close to the edge of the water. they serve very traditional Italian dishes incorporating the great seafood found locally like the crab meat bruschetta. Other appetizers I had included a wild mushroom tart was creamy yet did not overcome the rich mushroom flavors and Calamari Affogati which was simmered in a rustic tomato and olive sauce. For entree, the New York steak in green peppercorn saucewas great. Although slightly over cooked, the steak was charred well and tender and the peppercorns were mild yet aromatic. The shoestring potatoes added nice texture as well. Desserts were wonderful from key lime pie to tiramisu to creme brulee. Wash it all down with some Grappa and you will be quite satisfied.

    (4)

  • Danielle L.

    Not as good as these ratings show. The atmosphere was not bad and service was good. However, the foods were actually not impressive at all. During a lunch hour, I had clam Linquine and my friend had a Spaghettini. Both dishes were too salty and the breads served with our dishes were cold and too hard. Actually, I expected better than what we had. Again I realized that online ratings are not always reliable.

    (2)

  • Glenda E.

    Best dinner out we have had in a very very long time. Feels like an insiders club here where hosts know regulars' names. The misto salad was delicious. The tenderloin and the halibut special were both done to perfection and the creme brûlée was outstanding. Service was excellent and we will most definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Sai Z.

    Great italian restaurant with very reasonable price.

    (4)

  • Michael G.

    Loved it. Quality Italian spot in downtown Seattle. Went based on other positive reviews and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious. Flavorful and mouth watering. I had the bone in pork chop and my wife had the Rigatoni bolognese. Both were excellent. Even the spaghetti marinara that came with the pork chop was delicious. The staff is friendly and atmosphere is warm. Do yourself a favor and experience Italian the way it should be.

    (4)

  • Mike H.

    We had a wonderful dinner - excellent food from appetizer to dessert. Great cocktails and nice wine selection as well. This is a great restaurant that is often overlooked with all the newer and trendier restaurants.

    (5)

  • Aaron E.

    Il Terazzo Carmine was, without a doubt, the best meal I've had in 2012! And probably one of the top 10 I've ever had. My date and I had 8 p.m. reservations and were promptly seated. We had two servers and both introduced themselves promptly and offered to bring us cocktails. Since it was a bday dinner we had the booze comin' all night long, and their pours were generous and cocktails were respectfully and artfully made. We decided on sharing the polenta and wild mushroom appetizer. The polenta was moist and tender but had been seared on the grill and had a great, crusty, crunchy exterior. The mushrooms were super tender and flavorful and the wine reduction sauce it came with was divine. I had a grilled romaine and gorgonzola salad while my date had a goat cheese and greens salad. The grilled romaine had a pleasant char and tasted really nutty and smokey. I don't understand why more people don't grill romaine. It brings out such a great, complex flavor of the lettuce. My date's salad was equally delicious and had an abundance and variety of fresh, crisp greens. The caramelized nuts and dressing complimented each other perfectly and my date and I both agreed the goat cheese was the best goat cheese in history. It was so rich but managed to be a perfectly light and fluffy texture. Epic win. For entrees I had the lamb shank which was served with wild mushroom risotto. The lamb was seasoned perfectly, had a great earthy taste, and was melt in your mouth tender. I've never encountered a protein that was so flawlessly fall-off-the-bone in texture. My date ordered the crab linguini, a special of the night. It had an insane amount of crab and there was a perfect level of heat and spice in the dish. The wine pairings we had were flawless and the after dinner Spanish Coffee I had was perfect. Service, just like the atmosphere, was refined yet friendly. Everything about this restaurant exuded unpretentious elegance. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this restaurant to anyone and I can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • Kari V.

    We made dinner reservations and we ran late, called the restaurant and they said they would push our reservation. Once we showed up we had to wait, there is no real waiting area which makes waiting uncomfortable. The smell coming from the kitchen was great. We got sat, had wine -and ordered the prawn appetizer, that was to die for. The bread, was hot and soft. I had the bisque that was again just fabulous. The service was awesome. The hostess here do a lot of work! Everything we are here was delicious. A must eat place.

    (5)

  • Ryan E.

    I was in town on a business trip and this place was recommended by a local who said, "it's the best Italian food on the west coast". I'm not sure it's the best on the west coast, but it is some of the best Italian food I have ever had. We started the meal with calamari, which was excellent. The sauce had a hint of spice, which was unexpected. The sommelier recommended that my coworker and I split small plates so that we could sample more, which was definitely the way to go. We have the ravioli, the scallops, the halibut, and the risotto with rabbit ragu (on special). It was all excellent, although the scallops, halibut, and ravioli stood out. Overall, this is a very good place to go for great Italian food. Other reviewers commented that this place would be good for a special occasion, and I agree. Good service and great food make this place a can't miss if you're in Seattle.

    (4)

  • Pietro C.

    Authentic, professional, knowledgeable, capable. This place knocks it out the park. I have been there twice now, and will make it my default stop in Seattle from now onwards. The location does not have a view, but makes up for it in many other ways. The food is incredible, no other way to describe it. This is as close as you can get to a top notch Italian restaurant in major cities like Los Angeles, Hong Kong, London and Paris.

    (5)

  • Kat R.

    We came here right after my engagement (we're talking 30 minutes after!) -- my review may be biased. I came in wearing a royal blue short dress and knee high boots. Yah, awful. My fiance surprised me by taking me to a fancy restaurant. HE changed, but he left me wearing my "I'm going to Gameworks" outfit. We walked in, the staff blinked and smiled -- I was uncomfortable at first as I wasn't dressed right -- they treated us so well! We had the calamari (the best D has ever tasted!), lambchops with asparagus spears, and seafood ravioli. D can't stop raving about this place! He was so proud of himself. He said he was stuck between choosing between the best food or the best view and, after thinking about what I would like most, decided on the best food! No wonder I'm marrying this man! He knows I prefer good food to packaging any day! I was quite pleased. The food was excellent. I *love* Italian. They even gave us dessert and coffee to celebrate our engagement! Our waiter was such a sweetie -- professional to be sure! D tells alls his friends to take their dates here. Here's my helpful review: It is a bit pricey, but it would be a great V-day place. Hint Hint Boys! Make your reservations now for Il Terrazzo! It is a romantic setting with professional wait staff that will treat your lady like a queen.

    (5)

  • Tammie E.

    i was REALLY hoping this place was going to be ah-mazing. it wasn't, unfortunately. not to say this place isn't good, but to say this place isn't as good as cascina spinasse. we ended up here because spinasse happened to be closed for the holidays, and after making the trek across 520 and really craving some good quality pasta, we ended up here after hearing so many good reviews. don't get me wrong, this place is pretty good. but it's not anything special and i don't think i'd come back again. the service: really good service. clean, friendly, informative. i think the service is really good. the food: HUGE portions. i mean, i thought we weren't ordering enough when we ordered a few half-size plates, but wow, these portions are GI-NORMOUS. which is great and great value! we were trying to eat family-style, but instead, the server (bless his heart) served us everything split onto different plates. which is totally fine, but it made it seem like we had enormous portions. maybe they were being overly generous? we had shared: beet "salad" - felt like the beets were canned. meh. seafood pasta - it was quite fishy. which is never a good sign. lobster ravioli - it was alright. nothing extraordinary. roast duck - this was huge and it was pretty good. the boy and i love duck and we were both a fan. not the best duck we've ever had (that award goes to canlis, naturally), but pretty tasty with the cherry mixture. i mean, this place isn't horrible. i just think that there are better italian restaurants (*cough* spinasse *cough*) and why waste another meal on an alright meal when spinasse is calling my name (and yours too!). what i would recommend for this place is to bring out-of-town guests or the parents. it's got that kind of feel and ambiance. i'll go back, i'm sure, but not anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Cliff M.

    I really enjoyed this place a lot. Great food and excellent service. I would definitely go back. I showed up here with a colleague after work. The interior of the place was *very* nice and I felt a little out of place in my semi-casual work attire and a messenger bag slung over my shoulder. The host was extremely professional and treated us respectfully, taking us right to the table and making me feel at ease. Very cool. The waiter was also great. Friendly, professional, and made some good recommendations. After my friend ordered his meal and then decided he wanted soup, the waiter was listing them off and pointed out that one of them would be too much like his entire: astute. The food was delicious. My caesar salad was well dressed and had nice big parmesan shavings on it. I had a rosemary-infused porkchop on the bone which was cooked perfectly and incredibly juicy. The accompanying pasta was well-cooked and tasted good although maybe a touch undersauced. Very hard to find much to complain about here. The prices were a little on high side but the quality of the food and service justify it.

    (5)

  • Nan T.

    Saturday was my first experience dinning on the terrace. Loved it! What a spectacular evening. Felt almost like I was in Italy. Our Server was so helpful and made great recommendations. Again brought another Carmines virgin, now a fan for life. Started with the Antipasto Assortito and La Caprese, (with heirloom tomato), for dinner we shared a Rigatoni Bolognese, I had the Duck and he had the Lamb, but we shared our dinners as well. The Lamb was superb, cooked perfectly. Honestly I would not order the duck again though. Also, since I was the only one "drinking," our server recommended a half bottle of L'Ecole No. 41 Merlot. I told him I would have to settle for it "not being Italian." It was wonderful. And for dessert we shared a napoleon. Sounds French, but it was seasonally refreshing and relatively light. Yumm! Of course with espresso! I think this is my favorite restaurant in ALL of Seattle! 1st pic: Costolette D'Agnello Provinciale Northwest lamb rack, roasted with rosemary and garlic crust 2nd pic: Anitra Alle Ciliege Amarene Roasted free-range duck with imported wild cherries, deglazed with grappa

    (5)

  • J. K.

    After the thoughtful response from the restaurant, I've returned a few times for work-time lunches. I'm so glad I didn't give up, because the service (over four separate lunches now) has been really terrific!

    (5)

  • Larena H.

    We stopped by here to try out yet another Foodie 100 list item - the chicken asparagus risotto. I called to make reservations one random evening, and I asked about the chicken asparagus risotto since I didn't see it on the menu. I found out it wasn't a regular item on the menu, but they said they would take a special request to make it with a little bit more advance notice. A few weeks later, I called to make a reservation and the special request for the chicken asparagus risotto. They happily obliged! The restaurant itself was a little difficult to find. Signage is a little odd from 1st Avenue since the Yelp pictures are from the main entrance from the patio area. To reach this restaurant from 1st street, you go through the building lobby, through the restaurant's back door. The ambiance is very nice though. The wine menu is very extensive. We were seated promptly and offered some bread to nosh on. We also ordered some bruschetta as an appetizer. It was kind of mediocre. The tomatoes should have been mixed with the basil a little better. The bread was also incredibly tough, and the olive oil messily seeped through the giant holes in the bread. The chicken asparagus risotto was very well prepared. It is a rather large portion. The risotto was cooked just right, and it had a great flavor to it. Though the flavor was a one that I grew tired of before the plate was finished. If you're craving a risotto, I would still recommend it since it was so well prepared. I ordered the cannoli for dessert. They were a bit gritty and also mediocre. Service was prompt, friendly, and attentive. Prices weren't completely unreasonable. It's a lovely Italian restaurant, and I would still go back to try some of their other dishes!

    (3)

  • Bruce F.

    Il Terrazzo has been one of my favorites for years - I love the "Bing Duck" - the best I found in Seattle. Renee had the Halibut tonight and it was tasty, juicy and great. Almost all the food we have had there over the years has been great and worth the slightly pricy cost. I noticed a few reviewers comment on "Grandma's" décor but that is what is great about it. If I had to guess, I would say they were all 20's and 30's - age. I would not call it "Grandma's" but East Coast upscale. It is designed like the East Coast restaurants and looking around tonight, most of the cliental are over 40 and wearing business dress (many with ties and sports coats) the group that appreciates this kind of a restaurant. I am sure if I went into one of the younger adults restaurants I would not feel comfortable either - so let's not criticize (wow am I really saying that) a style that is not in many younger folks taste - and somewhat foreign to the laid back basic plain Seattle style. Overall the services were efficient and prompt, the dinner and salad excellent and it is one of the older gems of Seattle. If you don't appreciate an upscale restaurant there are many other choices in the area including Cow Girls next door.

    (5)

  • Justin C.

    I got the feeling that this was a very nice Italian restaurant that must have had a particularly bad evening on the night I visited. While my overall experience was decent enough it definitely didn't echo the general sentiment shared by others of over the top impressiveness. From the service, to the prices, to the food itself, everything just fell a bit short of my expectations, and I left somewhat disappointed. The first thing I noticed (aside from how rather hidden the restaurant itself is) was that the prices on the menu were a bit higher for basically every dish than advertised on their website, and in some cases much higher. Hopefully this has been remedied by now, but it was kind of annoying at the time. I didn't have reservations as it was a somewhat last minute dinner decision, and that left me with a less than pleasing location in the dining room, and service which seemed to want me out of there more than being concerned with my actual meal. Rarely have I felt so rushed throughout an entire dinner. Unlike many people I actually don't mind a wait in between courses, even if I'm alone, because it allows you to properly digest and anticipate the next item. Here I was rarely ever finished with one course before the next was arriving. Generally I can even overlook service errors if the food delivers at a high caliber, but that just wasn't the case with the dishes I ordered. The Prosciutto con Melone supposedly used prosciutto imported from Parma and seasonal melons (cantaloupe in my case), but the quality of the meat just didn't seem right. It was surprisingly lacking in flavor, although the combination of the two ingredients went well, and the portion was definitely generous ( yelp.com/biz_photos/lVSi… ). My next appetizer course, the Zuppa Di Pesce, was even more disappointing, primarily because the shellfish was in no way cleaned properly, leaving lots of grainy bits in the broth. It's a shame because the garlic, basil, and tomato base was quite nice, and the fish in the stew was cooked well, but the sandy texture of virtually all the clams and mussels ruined this dish. The risotto course was an improvement over the first two, but still lacked proper execution. The roasted chicken was too hard and dry and tasted like they had just used leftovers from some other dish. The mushrooms added much more flavor than anything else, a benefit for me, but it was a bit one note. Even the texture of the risotto seemed off, I've made far better in my own home just playing it by ear. It was a nice attempt, but I expected far better from a place that apparently features risotto quite prominently. Raviolo di Capriolo was the final course, a ravioli ( yelp.com/biz_photos/lVSi… ) filled with venison and spinach in a mushroom and veal sauce. This was definitely my favorite of the items I tried at Il Terrazo Carmine, but it left me wondering where the venison was in the dish. The flavors were rich and earthy for sure, but it lacked any real hint of meat, especially one so notoriously strong. I decided to pass on the abundant looking dessert tray, seeing as I was already $100 invested in an experience that I wasn't wholly enjoying. Hopefully the quality is consistently better than what I experienced, because I found it quite hard to believe this was the best Italian that Seattle had to offer.

    (3)

  • Eugene O.

    I've come here for many a work lunches, and it is a spectacular place to eat. The dishes are all classic Italian, and done very well: bolognese, chicken provolone salads, eggplant parmesan and an assortment of fish dishes. They use great ingredients, make all of their sauces and dressings from scratch and offer the standard fresh pepper and cheese. This place is the perfect lunch spot, but I could imagine spending a nice dinner here as well. More than anything, the ambience is something to behold. You'll see bustling waiters, packed tables, great views of a courtyard and a display of desserts and dishes in the front of the house. It's all a little deceiving since this restaurant is packed in an unassuming building. A hidden gem, is what I would call this place, and one that will eat at your wallet (prices aren't cheap).

    (4)

  • Tami J.

    Super Yummy! A group of us came here for a celebration lunch. You know the food is delicious when a group of 7 (5 of which were women) finish eating and every single plate is empty - not a bite of food left anywhere. Never seen that before! The menu has a nice variety of choices, including vegetarian options. I highly recommend the salmon and asparagus, it is really tasty and perfectly seasoned (makes my mouth water just thinking about it!). Overall, I really liked it, great food, nice atmosphere and good service.

    (5)

  • Alex B.

    Held a small customer dinner for my customers. The food blew everyone away! Fantastic, classy and delicious without being overly fancy and pretentious. The waiter was very professional and attentive, and the manager was very accommodating. This is in the top 10 restaurants I have ever been to. Highly recommend it. Great food, atmosphere, service, and at a price most of us can handle.

    (5)

  • A M.

    I had high hopes for this place given the very good Yelp reviews, but it disappointed on a number of different levels. First, it has a dated appearance and the staff and clientele seem to fit that mold. There's nothing hip or innovative about the dining experience. We had a muscle and clam appetizer and a Caesar salad, which were both good, but our main courses were disappointing. The saffron risotto was unappealing and only marginally better than Rice-O-Roni. The wild boar ravioli was a bit better, but basically just tasted like pork BBQ inside pasta without any complexity to the flavor. While this wasn't a bad dining experience, it wasn't a good value for the money. If you are under 50 or are at all adventurous, then you should skip this place.

    (3)

  • Robbin O.

    Awesome food, great service very good crab pasta, fresh delic Caesar. Perfect for business meeting or romantic dinner.

    (5)

  • Jeff M.

    We were kindly seated in the back where, until the end of our meal, we had the back to ourselves. The room and restaurant itself is in an office building but once you get past the odd entrance, you are carted into an Italian Grandmothers house on a spring day. Decor was modern by no means but it would have taken away from the appeal if it was. Our server was kind and professional. He knew when to check and when to leave us in peace. We started off with the Tuna Tartar (w/ Avocado) and I got the Red Hook ESB and she the Baileys and Coffee, no whipped cream on this one. The tartar was good, nothing spectacular but simply a solid dish with no real faults. It was in the center of the plate with a sort of Balsamic Vinaigrette drizzled on the side of the plate. We both got the Rigatoni Bolegnese as we had gotten our seafood fill and wanted something, good hearty and Italian. It hit the spot with the pasta cooked to perfection and the meat sauce that had enough flavor while keep it's roots in Italy. We both opted for the fresh grated Parmesan, which was a welcome but not unexpected touch. Overall I would highly recommend and tell anyone looking for an Italian fix to come here. The service is top notch. We both got small entrees and with the bread and Tuna Tartar found ourselves satiated and not uncomfortably full.

    (4)

  • Terry C.

    I work pretty near but had never tried this spot until meeting a friend here who promised a good meal would be had. She was right and I owe her because Pioneer Square is lacking great sit down spots for a lunch to discuss work, have a superb meal, or just staring at someone pretty over veal and the like. The service I have experienced has been so nice including checking in about the pace of a meal when it is clear you are on a lunch hour. Great food and service. It also manages to have some intimacy for talking despite being busy as anywhere at lunch. So I have only been for lunch a couple of times but I gotta do dinner soon!

    (4)

  • Stephen B.

    After four years, we returned. I have read many good reviews so figured we had experienced a bad night with a bad server. We went two weeks ago. The food was very good and the service was excellent. The only down was the bartender. He clearly couldn't have cared less we were at his bar. Its a small bar and we were the only two sitting there. My brandy old fashioned was not made correctly and the others martini was also made incorrectly. Perhaps if they were made right, we would've had a second drink. Hint: would've sold more..... Anyway, will be going back again.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    I work right down the street and came here for lunch with some coworkers as a "thank you" gift...and what a spectacular lunch this was. This place is hidden away from the main stretch of Pioneer Square restaurants. We ended up valet parking which was not too badly priced...I think it was around $5 or so + tip? The inside of the restaurant was adorable! Surprisingly large inside, yet seemingly quaint at the same time. We got there early...around 11:30 and it was empty but by the time we left around an hour later, it was packed. It is one of those restaurants where everyone seems to know everyone - I'm assuming because of the nearby businesses. I started with the cream of asparagus soup which was a special of the day. The portion was just enough and I loved how it had chunks of asparagus in it along with the pureed part. For my main course, I also had a special of the day which consisted of risotto with proscuitto, peas, parmesan, and white wine sauce. OMG. SO good. My co-workers seemed equally happy with their choices - one had a seafood ravioli and the other a steak sandwich. I have no idea how much the bill came to as I didn't pay for it but the prices seemed reasonable considering the quality. Definitely a nice place to bring a date, parents, coworkers, etc. Better for an intimate dinner, in my opinion rather than a large group but it can probably accommodate both.

    (5)

  • Rose B.

    I had a spectacular night out with my boyfriend here. Service was excellent and the food was phenomenal. We had: calamari, asparagus soup, prawn bisque, a veal entree, and a duck entree. The calamari serviced with a marinara sauce and some olives. It was really yummy. I wasn't thrilled by the asparagus soup; it was a little bland. I sampled the prawn bisque and it was a lot better. Both entrees were wonderful. It's a very romantic and intimate restaurant. It's great for a special evening out. Though, if you're trying to find it, it's next to Cowgirls (or something). You can't see the front entrance from 1st.

    (5)

  • Bertrand R.

    The restaurant space and decor is very classic and well done. The food though seems like it is straight out of the 80's - it seems as if it hasn't changed at all or tried to improve their dishes as more innovative ideas and better ingredients became avaliable. This isn't to say that the food tasted bad but more so that it tastes like a very (very) high end Boston Pizza - you get my point. If I were to take my parents or grandparents somewhere.. this would be it.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Valet, Garage, Street, Validated
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : No
    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.

Il Terrazzo Carmine

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