Italian comfort food, beer & wine served in a snug, down-to-earth setting with a back patio.
Casey Lantz
WOW! Don’t sleep on Zouave. Just walking up to the place we could smell the food and it smelled amazing.
(And okay, the lighting was terrible for food photography but I promise it all looked much better than my best attempts at photographing.)
Table bread might’ve been the best I’ve ever had– so not only was it awesome even getting table bread (no one has table bread for free anymore), but it was delicious. It was warm and had a texture similar to cornbread and came with oil/vinegar. Not cold sourdough with ice cold butter (the worst )! I’m coming back to eat this bread alone.
Caprese was super tasty, though not classic. Cheese balls were fun! The Zouave salad was great and I highly recommend it (loved the carmelized onions).
For dinner we had the special lobster ravioli and the eggplant parm. Ravioli was great. While the parm wasn’t mind-blowing, the polenta it came with was stellar. And normally I’m meh on polenta.
The tiramisu, while good, isn’t the style I like. It was a bit soggy. I know some people like it that way but I like a firmer tiramisu. The pastry cream was really good though, so next time I think we’re going with the cannoli.
Overall, highly recommend. Enjoyed the cozy vibes, food really tastes homemade (and came out HOT), the cooks are right there through the open window, smells great, really nice service, and honestly the price was quite reasonable. Can’t wait to come back!
… moreKelly Machnik
My uncle called the chef from the ICU at UW and told him he was an old French guy looking for some great Italian food. The chef invited my uncle and myself to come have dinner before they even open. He invited us in and treated us like family. The food was phenomenal. From the homemade bread, to caprese salad, to salmon with dill sauce and fresh pasta. The chef checked on us often and made sure my uncle was treated like a king after a long hospital stay. He even hugged us when we left. The restaurant itself is small and homey, and smells like heaven. I highly recommend this amazing spot to anyone who loves Italian food and wonderful service.
… moreJon Mendoza
Great local spot. Geeks like you’re going to a friends house for dinner. Portions are good size and staff is friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable although they don’t post prices on the specials menu. I really liked the lamb shank my only criticism is that it tasted like the gnocchi were cooked in under seasoned water because they were very bland. But the sauces were all well seasoned.
… moreMelisa Mills Lasell
The eggplant appetizer: 4.5 (a bit less cheese and would have been a 5)
The cioppino: 5
The polenta: 3 (or less – was way too salty)
Service: 4
Would go again – just wouldn’t order polenta.
Sorry for the photos – we were so hungry, we kept forgetting to take clean pictures before digging in.
… moreCassi Smith
Had an amazing experience at this restaurant! The service was great, prices reasonable, portions were large and food was great! They were very accommodating with dietary restrictions. One of the chefs came out to ask how the meal was as well, made us feel like he really cares!
… moreKairo K. Gallagher
Okay, wow, this place was amazing! Seriously, the smells coming from the kitchen were incredible. We waited about 20 minutes for a table, which wasn’t bad at all. The portions were huge – seriously filling, and the prices were really reasonable. Everyone was so friendly. I’d maybe skip the polenta, it seemed a bit too salty for my taste, but honestly, everything else was fantastic. Definitely worth a visit!
… moreG Fh g Gv b Dad CD
Okay, so we just had dinner at that little place on NE 65th – 2615th. Seriously, the smells were incredible, like a real, warm Italian kitchen. It was surprisingly busy, but the staff were really friendly and attentive. We got the Caprese salad and some paella, and both were fantastic. The portions were generous for the price. Parking was a bit tricky, but we walked from the bus stop – totally worth it. The chef was amazing, really making you feel welcome. I’d maybe ask for a little less salt on the polenta, just a thought!
… moreLydia S
A fantastic little restaurant! The menu is brief but varied, and half of the indoor seating has a view into their tiny kitchen. The chef even checked in with tables near the end of our meal!
We got the Chicken Marsala and Gnocchi Aurora to share, as well as a glass of the fantastic house Chardonnay and Sangria, salad and bread came with the meal. It came out to 35$ a person AND we took some leftovers home.
I will be returning again soon in hopes of trying new things and checking out their specials. One of the best Italian places I’ve been to in years.
… moreVictoria Wang
Really great experience. I made a reservation at 7 PM but ran late to 9 PM, close to closing time. Even so the chef and waiter who served me were kind and accommodating. The mushroom soup is the best I’ve ever had, and the lobster ravioli was delicious and in a large portion. The tiramisu was moist and flavorful as well. I look forward to eating there again next time I go to Seattle.
… moreDaniel H
Wanted a place to have a long and relaxed dinner. This was definitely the spot. Waiters were helpful and attentive but the food came out really slowly.
The backyard was cozy but the bathroom end could use a little sprucing.
The food itself was fine, didn’t love the the specials didn’t have a price (ended up ~30 for each dish). The menu felt fairly dated and made the specials feel less.. special.
Had the calamari appetizer. Really liked it, it was peppery and fresh. The lamb dish was okay. The paella was delicious and had ample seafood.
Would go back more for the ambiance than the food.
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