Cantinetta Reviews

My favorite item at this restaurant is from its dessert menu: Zeppole. They are sort of like donut holes with Nutella inside. They are served warm with a big blob of marscapone. Lucky for me, my husband does not care for the marscapone, so he eats two of the donuts and I eat the other two donuts with the marsapone. Heavenly!

The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is cozy and homy, romantic even though it can get a tad loud. The food and service are great! They will take you without reservations, if you're willing to wait but I would strongly suggest making a reservation. Fabulous Wallingford restaurant.

This place is extremely popular, but luckily we had a reservation and were seated quickly. This place is VERY noisy. It is difficult to hold a conversation with the people at your table. The food is very good, though. The sweet potato gnocchi was excellent, although the portion size was a bit smaller than expected. The risotto is wonderful. The bruschetta appetizer was good. The cara cara orange appetizer was interesting, not sure I liked it. Mocktails were good. Dessert was excellent. Service was just ok. It was extremely busy, and they rarely checked on us. Prices are expensive, so this is more of a special occasion place.

When reserving, it was stated that the outside tables were under an awning. However, due to the orientation of the tables to the sun, the awning does not do much good. And some table had no awning or umbrella or - anything. We had to squint the whole meal and I actually got sunburned. Furthermore, the food wasn't great (we used to love this place). Not recommended anymore.

With a menu that changes regularly to reflect fresh seasonal food we were delighted with our choices. We learned the chef had just gotten back from another trip to Italy for learning and inspiration. The food was wonderful, the staff was attentive and the ambience was lovely. The owner/bartender was warm and welcoming, we had a great time. The noise level was a little high but it's a popular restaurant. We were staying downtown and it was an easy, convenient bus ride with a stop just 50 feet away. I will definitely go back next time I'm in Seattle.

We've been dining here for years. Very popular with no reservations except large groups. Italian with fresh Northwest ingredients, Standout pasta dishes, Very good wine list. As usual, I order the least expensive wine on the list which is a simple test of how well the restaurant selects its wines, They don't have it, but offer me a free wine upgrade. Class

very good, very Seattle, great drinks..can be crowded on weekends and the bar is small. Try a weeknight for a more relaxed experience

I've driven down this street often over the years and never spotted this small, corner residential restaurant. Since it was on Seattle Restaurant Week's list, we decided to try it out. A terrific surprise! Warmly greeted upon entering, we entered into a small, very neighborhood feel place, everyone chatting away as if they all had known each other already. Bar is to the back, again, patrons all in conversation. Nicely lit, not too bright nor too dim, our servers were unobtrusive, smoothly moving amongst the tables. Food was delicious. Handmade pastas. Arancini the best I'd ever tasted, melted in my mouth, made with a taste of pickled fennel. Husband had Tagliatelle, I had Campanelle pastas, both soft on the palate & full of flavor. Tiramisu dessert dissolved like butter on the tongue, actually, likely loaded with cream (but who cared??) Delish!! Would definitely return.

A rustic Italian restaurant in lower Wallingford; what a find! Looked cosy and busy when we drove by but managed to get a nice table away from the door on a cold, wet Seattle Thurs night. Try the pancetta wrapped bacon with balsamico, lamb mezzaluna or the black cod with cabbage. All were delicious. Attentive service; good food.

This low -keyed corner restaurant in Wallingford is a great comfortable option for well prepared Italian . The pasta with clams , the pappardelle with bolognese , the gnocchi with pancetta and pea shoots all were delicious . There is a wonderful variety of starters including a roasted cauliflower , a Bibb salad and a terrific charred octopus. I recommend a visit !

We arrived right at opening but the table wasn't very clean. The salt dish was used, and the menus were soiled. Food was OK but disappointing based on previous ratings. Pasta was good, but the sauce was overpowered by rosemary. Desserts were the highlight, very good.

We had a party of 22. We had reservations so they knew we were coming. They gave us 1 waiter for our whole table. Need less to say that wasn't enough. It took forever to order our food and even longer to get it. Once we did get our food it was nothing to write home about. Very bland. It than took 40 minutes to get our check after we asked for it. And when we did get it it wasn't right. Nothing was good about this place. We would have had better food and service if we had gone to Dick's hamburgers up the street.

The entryway is small and awkward so waiting for a table is not very comfortable. The space is nice and the decor is warm and homey. However, the noise level if off the charts so very hard to have a conversation here. Decent service. The appetizers, pastas and dessert were all very good with an interesting though small selection of fresh pastas. OVerall, very nice - but due to noise level I likely won’t return.

Some of the best authentic Italian cuisine in Seattle. One of the few restaurants that can make gnocchi the right way every time. If they are featuring tortellini get it. I only wish they would bring back their tiramisu.

In Celebrating my wife's white coat ceremony we had family fly in and drive in. My wife diligently researched to find a place that accepted groups of our size (8-12) and seemed like it would be quiet enough for us to hear each other (in deference to grandma). She emailed two weeks ahead of time to get a reservation and received two emails back confirming our reservation (I'm sure you can see where this is going). "Are you sure you are at the right restaurant?" was the first response to my wife saying that we had arrived with our large group. She immediately pulled up the email (which turned out to be from him btw....oh sweet irony) and showed that we had reservations at THIS Cantinetta. Instead of apologizing, he acted as if it were going to be a huge imposition, making sure that we knew that we HAD to be out in an hour and a half because another group our size had reservations for that night.... We sat at the only family size table, which is near the back of the restaurant, exactly how my wife wanted it. A reclaimed wooden chandelier hang overhead and the bar chatter, though close, was barely noticeable. One thing that stands out the most to me thinking back is that it would have taken A LOT to ruin our night as our family is very close, and not very picky. The bad - The waiter. My wife didn't mention it to me previously, but the only negative reviews of Cantinetta were people that had come in as a group before. It wasn't that we were overlooked, far from it, rather that we were an obvious imposition. He did not hide his emotions well an attempted to be a condescending tough guy (though what 20 year old doesn't from time to time). At one point we asked the bartender if we could close the double doors which are next to the back table (grandma getting chilled) which he obliged. When our waiter saw this he immediately came over and opened the door and put a brick by it. I popped up to tell him we had asked the bartender and didn't realize it would make him upset. He returned "It's difficult to carry things outside when your hands are full and the doors are closed." Which, I'm sure is true. The Good - the entrees. It was suggested that we "order from both sides of the menu" meaning that each person get's an entree and an appetizer because the entrees were "too small for a full meal." I'm not sure who usually eats there, but I'm 6'2" 235 and the entree was more than enough for me. We ordered one of everything (we like to share) and they were all pretty good. Some, like the rizzuto cheese ball, were easily enough for a meal in and of themselves. The Great - The Entrees. Holy Cow. The Gnocchi should have a statue erected in it's honor. The kitchen staff should have the wait staff replaced because it's certainly obvious where the talent is. Basically, I would say if you are looking for a FANTASTIC date night, this place would be wonderful. Especially outside on the patio if it's warm. We spent just over $500 for nine people, which included two bottles of wine and food (there was 20% gratuity added as well). We definitely felt as a group that we were annoying the waiter and the front door staff who, when he did walk back to show people to the bar, did his best not to make eye contact with us. I would suggest many other restaurants which aren't far from this location for any group larger than four, otherwise try out Cantinetta, and for god's sake order the gnocci.

We were celebrating our daughter's birthday and my birthday together. We have been to Cantinetta in the past and loved it. ButJuly 18 was a very hot day in Seattle and the restaurant was unbearable. We had made our reservation well in advance with no opportunity for outside seating on Open Table. My mistake. The owner? (person in charge) was not very kind about our very hot and miserable table experience. He was really very condescending about both the heat and the loud music playing. "Can you hear me now" has become a family joke as he asked me (63 year old woman with perfect hearing) if I could hear him now when asking for the music to be turned down for my husband (also 63 with fine hearing). He explained he could not possibly move us to the empty table outside where it was cool (?) and did buy us a very nice bottle of red wine. We sadly will not be back to Cantinetta and will not recommend it to anyone. I've not been treated so rudely in Seattle in all my years.

Visited this neighborhood Italian restaurant during the March 2012 "3 for $30" promotion and we were delighted. This annual promotion offers 3 courses for $30 dollars, which in this restaurant meant appetizer, pasta course (primi) and dessert - 3 choices for each. The choices came right off their regular menu so you got a good sense of their kitchen. You could also order off the regular menu. Spouse had mussels with pancetta, ricotta cucsinetta (like ravioli) while I had the kale salad and gnudi (like big gnocchi) with braised oxtail. We both had the chocolate dessert with chocolate gelato. All were delicious and we each liked what we ordered the best! The kale salad was like a caesar salad but the kale really stood up to the dressing. The oxtail was strongly flavored but ideal with the tender gnudi - I only wanted more broth! Spouse's mussels were tender and he loved the pungent broth. Who would have known that olives and grapes would be so good with ricotta ravioli/cuscinetta? The chocolate dessert was rich and tasty, and if you want something lighter they make their own gelato/sorbetto. My one whine is that it was very noisy with all hard surfaces on a not-full night. Don't go there for an intimate conversation but go for good food.

No complaints about the food and the wine and with a genuine attempt to recreate an Italian atmosphere, I don't want to be too hard. However for that price, there is still a long way to go. Best of luck.

We tried this neighborhood restaurant during restaurant week, so it was packed, even on a Wednesday night. It was loud and lively, not the place for those seeking quiet and solitude, but very Italian in the decor and ambience. My companions reported that the clams were fresh and delicious and my kale pine nuts lemon salad was refreshing. I ordered gnudi, the first time I have seen it on a menu outside of Italy, it was good if not inspired. The pasta dishes were well received by my dining companions. The service was very slow, but friendly, which reminded me very much of our favorite restaurants in Arezzo. The sommelier, from Sicily, was very helpful and we enjoyed the Arneis from Piedmont. Meal prices are reasonable enough but there is no lower priced wine. It would be nice if they added a house red and white for those not wanting to spend $40 plus on a bottle. Plentiful street parking was available. Overall, a good dining experience, particularly worth trying if you are north of the bridge and looking for Italian food.

This is an almost hidden place outside downtown Seattle, need to get there by car/taxi/Uber. But it worths!!! Ver good pasta and homemade chicken. The price is fair and the service is excellent!! This is a place to come back

Your idea neighborhood place, with the feel of French bistro. Italian though in terms of its dedication to pastas and flavor and continental in it's unpretentious dedication to fine food. I thought the apple soup was fantastic and I loved my gem salad. The pasta though is the star here- I had the pasta with Bolognese sauce and while everyone liked their salmon , they all wanted my pasta- that's what I would encourage you to order. A simple menu but really well done.

We had a great meal, despite us being 14 people the food was timely and delicious. Appetizers arancini, the burrata, the main course the mafalde delicious! The serving staff fantastic!

My husband and I dined here last night and were delighted with the food, service and the ambiance (except for the dim light). We had a reservation and were seated immediately at a corner table in the front of the restaurant. I found this to be the perfect spot to have a conversation, because the noise, as more diners arrived, barely reached here. Our server came to the table immediately and was attentive throughout the meal. A woman kept filling our water glasses as soon as they got low, and we quickly received an ample helping of wonderful fresh bread. We had a choice of ordering off the regular menu or from one that featured the November Dine Around Seattle promotion. The latter offers three courses for $33. I selected two courses off the main menu and both proved to be superb. My first course -- Brussel sprouts with homemade pancetta and pecorino fresca -- was absolutely delicious. But my second course -- homemade gnocchi with black truffle and butternut squash -- was heavenly. Its flavor surpassed any gnocchi I have eaten worldwide, including Italy. Really extraordinary. My husband ordered from the promotion and started with a huge bowl of vegetable soup, followed by short ribs and potatoes. He described both courses as "superb." His choice for dessert: A frozen custard with pecans on top of chocolate cake, surrounded by pomegranate seeds. I was full but took a small sample and then couldn't stop myself. We ended up sharing this incredible ending to incredible meals. Cantinetta stands on Wallingford Avenue in a residential neighborhood. There is plenty of free parking on the street.

This restaurant came highly rated and did not disappoint. Pasta was fresh and delicious. Sauces were delicious. Staff was very friendly and accommodating to our children. The restaurant isn't far from Kerry State park so made it fun to have a great meal and then catch a great view of the city at night.

Although Cantinetta has a few locations in the greater Seattle area, this place has a very cozy neighborhood vibe. It is located blocks away from the main business area, in an older brick building with only a couple of other businesses close by. Big welcoming windows and lots of small tables. My husband had a pesto based version of cioppino, which was a but odd and only OK, but the ramps, clams and halibut were all good. Wine was even better. Service was good but brisk as it was extremely busy. Enjoyed our evening here!

We ate here recently and enjoyed our meal. Food was very good and service was exceptional. The tables are very close together and the noise was overwhelming, making conversation yelling. Price was fair for fresh, homemade very good Italian fare. Will have to think about returning because of the table set up and noise.

Cool ambiance with chic decor and a great urban vibe. Professional and attentive staff. Nice wine selection. Pretty good Italian, the pasta was very nice. A good choice for the area.

Four of us went for dinner and everyone loved it. It's a nice quiet restaurant that has a great menu and wine list. Despite having a full house, it was not overly noisy. The special was salt cod ravioli, which was surprisingly good. The braised lamb and pappardelle dishes were also excellent. For appetizers, the dates, bread, and antipasti plate were excellent. They have a great wine list and both the wines we selected were excellent. I don'the usually order dessert, but the ones at Cantinetta are definitely worth trying. I would happily go backnow and take my spouse for a romantic dinner.

We had stopped by here the day before to be sure we could get a table for a large group, picked one out by the front door and were assured it would be ours. When we arrived, we were taken to a crowded back corner. First disappointment. Drink orders were taken fairly quickly ... but a long wait for food orders .... and even a longer wait for food to be delivered - two or three plates at a time, and then more waiting.. It's a small place, and maybe they should just say "no" to large groups which, based on our experience, they are not set up to handle. The food was ok ... but I won't return.

Its food and service never disappoint. Staff has good wine knowledge and can help with your selection. Will not try ot over sell you. Never had a bad meal here.

Had dinner with my son and husband here and thoroughly enjoyed the service and the food. I had the Buffalo Mozarella as an appetizer, my son had a Kale Salad and husband, the squash soup. Our appetizers were served at the right temperature with a lovely home made bread served with oil. We asked for balsamic vinegar and added it to the oil for dipping the bread and for the buffalo Mozarella. Our main courses consisted of the Vermicelli pasta with pancetta (for my son and me) and the Pappardelle Bolognese for my husband. The pasta is home made and the sauces are delectable. I opted out of dessert but my husband and son sprang for the Nutella donuts. I heard they were delicious! Our waiter was attentive and extremely courteous and we could not have asked for better service!

Our group has all been here multiple times before. Normally we love it. Tonight the appetizers were mediocre instead of the normal excellent. Then all of our main dishes were significantly smaller in size. Two of our party were disappointed in their main course. The ravioli did not have much taste to it and the bolognese tasted watered down. The price was not worth those two dishes and appetizers. The atmosphere is always noisy, to the level that it is hard to talk. Luckily, we had the table in the back and it was a little easier to have conversations at our table.

After a couple months hiatus, we went back to Cantinetta's. Started with two appetizers ---Suppli al Telefomo, a fried cheese ball with greens and tomato (different and good) and Prosciutto with ricotta & pine nut bread (fabulous & generousnportion) Two contorni: Roasted kale salad (spectacular) and Romanesco gratin (good). We generally skip the secondi's here in order to have room for the spectacular pasta. The double ravioli (half cheese and half rabbit) was very good, but the tagliarini with pork belly & duck egg was freaking wonderful! If you can, sit at the bar and get to know Randy. But this is a treasure of a neighborhood restaurant!

We stay in this neighborhood visiting our grown children, so decided to give Catinetta a try. The restaurant is intimate, has a Brooklyn vibe to it, with a very friendly and attentive staff. Drinks were well made and well priced and served quickly. Kale chorizo soup was fantastic, and we shared the Bucatini (short rib)and bolognese pastas. The pastas are incredibly fresh and memorable. A modest (length) but nice wine list has a nice variety and is priced well. We had heard the service was sometimes slow, but we did not experience any issues and the restaurant was packed. We will return!

Arriving for New Year's dinner, it was clear that this was going to be a magical little night. Candle-lit tables abound, and the energy was just right: excited, but relaxing. The prix fixe dinner was truly outstanding, as was the service. I could rave about the little chestnut soup, or the gorgeous pasta, or the beautiful secondi. But you should go yourself - so you can rave about it to your friends. A lovely place for a lovely evening.

I never write bad reviews, but had to make an exception here. Worst experience in years. We were a party of 6. Very noisy. Service was good. Mixed drinks were poor. Appetizers uneatable. Shrimps were mushy and gross. The other appetizer was so salty we couldn’t eat it. Pasta was good but nothing special and overpriced. We could have whipped up something better at home. All 6 of us were disappointed and we left the restaurant feeling cheated.

Hadn't been here in years and remembered it to be exceptional. Unfortunately we were disappointed. From the first sit, the chairs and benches are hard - no padding whatsoever. You can possibly sit on a huge pillow but that didn't look real feasible. The menu was a bit limited, we honestly had a hard time finding items to order. The Ketel One martini was $13.50 - steep, the house wines $7 and 8.50 just ok. The Chinook King Salmon $27 was just fair, and the Torteletti left us hungry for more food. With two salads and a shared dessert, our bill was $177 before tax & tip. Expensive for a mediocre meal. Our server, however, was lovely, attentive and knowledgeable.

A beautiful restaurant with really good food - when you finally get it. They took our drink order quickly, but from there to get our order for food was almost an hour, and then a long time until the food actually arrived. A great ambience, but prepare for a "true italian" experience of slow service and lots of time to talk.

Very nice restaurant. Just off the beaten path a bit which makes parking a bit easier in this particular spot in Wallingford (be careful of "resident only" parking though). The atmosphere is lively and a bit loud, but that enhances the good energy. The food is very good. Its fun going with a group to try the different appetizers since you could miss out on something fantastic if you order just 1 or 2 of them. The main dishes were excellent as well. Plus, the portions are a great size. There's enough for sure, but not so much that you'll need a space in your truck for leftovers. The menu changes frequently so it's never boring. I would recommend for either a couples dinner or a group - but I would definitely make reservations.

Our friends have been wanting to try our neighborhood restaurant and so we did on a Friday night. Arrived about 7 p.m. to a packed restaurant and bar. We were told we would be 5th in line for a table so we went over to the crowded bar area and ordered glasses of wine. The wait was long but the bar tender made sure we received refills on our wine and one of the wait staff brought us snacks while we waited on our table. Once seated, the service was impeccabble. Burton made sure we were happy with with everything we ordered all the way through desserts. Great friends, great meal, and great wait staff.

We came by here for a dinner with my big family after hanging out downtown. We wanted something not to crazy or a chain and this was definitely the place. The staff was amazing and very helpful. Everything we ordered came out fantastic and tasted great! Next time we come out to visit my brother we will be stopping off here again!

Here in Wallingford we are lucky to have la Cantinetta. It serves imaginative and delicious Italian food. I had chestnut soup, as did three of the four of at the table. It was absolutely delicious, coming with a bit of shredded pot roast (?) and other bits and pieces I do not remember, and, I think, truffle oil. It was delicately spiced so that it was interesting, but the spices were not so prominent as to be identifiable. Then I had gnocchi, once again delicious, with unusual unidentifiable spicing. Everyone at the table had something different, and everyone liked what he or she had. It used to be that this restaurant was difficult to go to because it did not take reservations, is very small, and one would have to line up at the door before opening, rush in and grab a table. Not much fun. But now it does take reservations, so I urge everyone to dine there. There are two more Cantonettas. We have not been there, but I am sure they are equally good.

We love these small places with eclectic décor that are neighborhood centric. We began with the crab meat appetizer-this was the best plate we had-great for a nice summer day-very refreshing with orange segments and a nice acid balance. The grilled octopus was overcooked and so chewy that I had to cut it with a sharp knife. They were great about sending it back. We tried the fried green tomatoes with burrata-nice presentation but under flavored. We both ordered their home made pasta with different preparations-spot prawns and Bolognese. Both were very not flavorful and didn't have the layering of flavors that we expected. Service and hospitality were abysmal. So-not a bad place but we aren't headed back.

The staff at Catinetta were very friendly on a recent Sunday night when I ate there with a companion. The service was prompt and the atmosphere low key and serene. It's too bad that our dining experience did not match this ambiance. In fairness to the restaurant, however, we should have studied the menu in advance more carefully, and we would have discovered that there is little on it for those who do not eat meat. (One of us is a vegetarian and the other a pescatarian.) There was one vegetarian entree, a beet ravioli, which I ordered, and a single seafood offering (escolar, which I don't much like as a fish choice). The ravioli seemed homemade, but regrettably they were somewhat dry and not that tasty. My companion, the vegetarian, had the butter leaf lettuce salad, which I shared, and it was delicious. She also had two first courses, a potato gratin with aged fontina, and Brussels sprouts with apples. Both very quite good, but these are simple dishes that one could make at home just as well. Very good wine menu and a full bar. Overall, the prices for food and drink were fairly reasonable. In short, this seems to be a nice neighborhood restaurant, but not worth traveling far for.

Out third trip in the last few years, Fresh pasta a with light sauces. Dungeness Risotto was perfect. Wine and prosecco accented the meal.

The food was mediocre at best. The wait staff and hostess were a delight. However, I hear there is a constant turnover of staff because the owner is known to withhold wages from his staff. You would be better off eating at a local coffee shop.

I've been coming to this place in a residential neighborhood since they opened in 2008, right after the economy crashed. This is a classic case of 'build it and they will come'. The timing couldn't have been worse for an opening, yet because of the charming ambience, great service, and fresh seasonal menus, this place has a citywide devoted following. The menu is small, thoughtful and seasonal. The bar is one of the most personable and best in the city. An all around great place.

We were a party of five. My husband I both ordered chestnut soup first. It seemed as it would have been delicious, but they forgot to heat up mine. By the time I could mention this to the waiter he was serving the next course. Two of our people had a green salad, which they liked. Three of us ordered risotto which was so awful none of us finished. My husband had gnocchi which he liked, and the fifth of us had lasagna, which he liked. Not a good average. We all decided to pass up dessert. As I said, the waiter could have been more attentive. The noise level was uncomfortably high, and the ambience was nothing to even comment on.

A northern Italian restaurant featuring homemade pasta and many wonderful Italian specialties. Gnocchi, ravioli, risotto and more. While their menu changes frequently the menu when we were there included lamb, duck, salmon, shrimp and black cod, plus traditional bolognese or meatballs. Great desserts as well.

My husband and made a reservation several days in advance for our anniversary dinner on a Friday night, and requested a quiet table. We were assigned a tiny table by the front door, about six inches from a neighboring table. I declined that table and we waited about 25 minutes were given a slightly larger table. We had the cauliflower and chick pea fritters for an appetizer, which were good. My husband had pasta with bolognese sauce and I had risotto. The pasta was tasty and the risotto was a bit bland and overcooked. The servers seemed overwhelmed and didn't interact with us much. It was so extremely noisy during our dinner that we couldn't hear each other talk. Overall, decent food, but the environment on a busy evening is not conducive to conversation.

Our first visit here, on the suggestion of friends, and we loved it! It's a lovely space inside, cozy without being crowded. We tried an assortment of dishes, starting with pancetta wrapped dates, fried clams, and the cheese plate, adding some gnudi into the mix, and then finishing with the veal milanese. Every dish left us anxiously anticipating the next, to savor the next set of flavors. The staff completed the experience, with friendliness and care, and always ready to make sure we had what we needed without gettting that sense of "hovering" around us. We can't wait to return!

Cantinetta (on Wallingford Avenue) is a terrific restaurant. The wait staff is friendly and helpful. The food is very fine - fresh, original and fairly priced. Try to eat outside if it is warm enough as it can be noisy inside. They have a good wine selection, Italian and Northwest. We have eaten there four times and never been disappointed. Go early (5 - 5:30) and you will always get a table.

We went to the Cantinetta last Saturday evening while visiting family in Seattle and had a really nice time. Everyone enjoyed their food from the Lobster mushroom appetizer to the Salmon entree and Pappardelle Bolognese. The service was also attentive and friendly.

Very rambunctious atmosphere. We felt overlooked. Great food but service has become really bad. We used to really like this place. Bummer.

Seldom does one get delicious food and top-rate service from the restaurant's owner, but that was our experience here. Let me explain. My work associates and I were in Bellevue for an annual conference; one of my colleagues had made a reservation online for 17 people. It was an exceptionally busy Friday night, and while we thought the reservation was for the Bellevue restaurant, it turned out - after the majority of us had walked - that the reservation was actually at the Wallingford site - some 25 minutes away in Seattle, and definitely not a walk! The owner, after hearing our plight, visited several restaurants in the near vicinity (in Bellevue) to no avail. Finally, he offered to drive us all to the Wallingford site, where our table was still waiting, using cabs, his own car, and staff cars; and paid the cab fare for our return trip. This is service clearly above and beyond. And once we arrived, we weren't disappointed. Delicious appetizers, efficient service, a warm and welcoming interior, and wonderful food. What could have been a disaster was averted by the owner with his creative problem solving. I will return, and encourage others to visit either the Wallingford or Bellevue site for a special evening. You won't be disappointed.

It was rainy and cold in Seattle when we drove by Cantinetta and saw its little white lights and cozy interior -- we decided to stop in for a glass of wine. Randy at the bar made us feel as welcome as old friends, and Luciano was gracious and warm. We returned the next night for dinner with friends and Luciano found us a table, despite the fact that the restaurant was booked. The wonderful food was as good as the service. If I lived in Seattle I would be here every week!

The staff was friendly and accommodating, the handmade pasta with the puttanesca sauce was delightful. Wine list was appropriate. The dessert was amazing!

Our party of six sampled small plates, pastas, main courses and desserts and every bite was delicious and true to the Tuscan traditions. Four of us had spent two weeks in Tuscany recently and felt transported back to lovely small trattorias we enjoyed so much there. Be prepared: the place is noisy, especially on the weekend, but it's lively and fun.

We celebrated our COVID 19 vaccinations with dinner at Cantinetta, but decided it was still wider to dine outdoors. Unfortunately, the weather turned chilly by the time we got to our table. There were four outdoor tables with gas heaters in what looked like planters in between each table. They helped, but four layers of clothing helped more. I admit I envied the patrons in the inside dining room. The service was attentive even though we were outside. The staff wore masks. We both had the Tagliatelle. It was well-prepared and hot. I highly recommend Cantinetta for an informal evening out.

Two couples and a baby. Nice place, 5pm. We ordered a bunch of appetizers, pastas and wine to share family style. Our server made the recommendations, and we're glad we took her advice. Everything, and I mean everything, was excellent. The citrus salad, crab ravioli - everything. Dessert wise, the coffee and milk was the fave. When the baby started getting cranky around 7, we broke it up. But it was great, great fun.

The menu looked great, and the staff were friendly & welcoming. But this neighborhood trattoria misses the mark of what it could be. It's in modest Wallingford where very small glasses of wine shouldn't cost $12. I ordered an appealing Spring dish--ramp ravioli with morels & favas. But the ravioli were hard & heavy like the kind you get packaged in supermarkets despite having been made in-house. While the morels & favas tasted good each in its separateness, nothing held the ingredients together; the ravioli were so dry that I wanted to drizzle some good olive oil over them. My friend had the gluten-free paparadelle which she liked but the bolognese sauce had a little too much heat to be authentic Tuscan fare.

Nestled in a trendy Seattle neighborhood, this is a special treat. A unique menu (i had carrots with caramelized onions and rhubarb and a gnocchi type dish) that has good portions and wonderful flavor mixes. It was packed on a tuesday night so make reservations.

A friend and I visited for Seattle Restaurant Week and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. I had the pumpkin soup, truffle risotto, and nutella dessert. Everything was delicious. The tables are pretty close together, so we made new friends at the neighboring table. Definitely recommended.

With a small menu of 4-6 choices for each Italian course, it's hard to make a mistake. Pancetta wrapped dates dazzle. Gnocchi with winter squash are satisfying. Fish always good. Menu changes with season and everything rocks! Prices reasonable. Randy at the bar at the bar is a great host. Can be crazy busy and loud!

I haven't eaten at this Wallingford restaurant on and off for years, and my last experience left a fairly bitter taste in my mouth. First off was the fact that reservation times really should be considered "guidelines" with about a 30 minute margin of error. Secondly, the restaurant is LOUD, no baffles or acoustic panels and on a Saturday night, you find yourself almost shouting. The main issue, however was how the manager(?) was treating the staff and some of the patrons with a belittling tone and plain arrogance. Seattle has a lot of dining options even if there aren't any in that quiet part of Wallingford, and restaurants are often judged by the level of service provided.

This local spot in the Wallingford area of Seattle is a rare find for a local area. We were looking for a quiet spot to enjoy before heading for Ecuador. Cantinetta features unassuming quiet elegance with food to exceed anybodies expectation. I settled on the Teres Major Beef a cut that I had never heard of. I was delighted with the quality of the cut, flavor and tenderness. My companion tried the house smoked stergeon with similar raving results. My wife opened with date wrapped with panchetta and nearly called for seconds. The house wine was a good buy and set off the meal. We will be back for a rematch. The service was most attentive. I asked for a side dish of tagliatelli which was not on the menue and after a quizical look the chef complied with my unexpected request with a smile. Don't miss this out of the way gem!

I have eaten here several times, the food is always wonderful, fresh and perfectly prepared. The service is always spot on. Can't wait to go back.

Always pleasant to sit outside. Small menu with some flair and decent (also small) wine list. Servers always friendly and we hear the cocktails are terrific.

The Cantinetta Italian Restaurant in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle is almost always busy, and for good reason- the food is phenomenal- fresh Italian at its best. The pasta is done perfectly, ever so slightly al dente. We had Butternut Squash Ravioli and devoured every last bite. The Gem salad was superb as well. What stands out the most is the "freshness" of everything from the bread at the beginning to the dessert at the finish. If you don't live in the neighborhood it's well worth the trip. Reservations highly recommended - or you may be in for a bit of a wait.

Great Gnocchi ,Bolognese and Tagliatelle Carbonara! Wonderful Service! Lovely Atmosphere ! Make a reservation ! Very popular! We’ll be back soon!

I met a friend at this small Italian restaurant for a light early dinner at 5:30 p.m. We opted to sit at the bar, which became full in about half an hour, keeping the bartender quite busy. The limited menu had some appealing appetizers, so we started with a mozzarella dish, garnished with paper-thin carrots and sliced asparagus. This was so pleasing in texture and taste that we decided to try another appetizer instead of a main. This one featured delicious figs with big pieces of lettuce. It was good but we much preferred the mozzarella. For dessert, I opted for panna cotta, which lacked flavor. Pleasant staff from the main restaurant delivered and collected dishes in a timely fashion, and the bartender remained attentive. The bar area was a tad warm on this summer night, but a small fan helped. Cantinetta, like many Seattle restaurants, does not have air conditioning. This restaurant offers an intimate quality and a rustic ambiance. The room was almost full when we left, and a few diners sat outside. Plenty of free parking exists in the immediate Wallingford neighborhood.

Visiting Seattle and looking for a place to celebrate our anniversary. Heard of Cantinetta, and glad we did. We didn't find the mixed drink specials that special, but the food was fantastic. I don't know how often they change the menu, but if the clams, pasta, and breadcrumbs primi dish is on the menu, get it. Also, the Dungeness crab aperitif was fabulous.

Not great. Another off experience at a very well reviewed place. Thursday night and a twenty minute wait for a reserved table. Menu mostly in Italian. Noisy. Dim. Crowded. Good wait staff. Food was less than the description in the menu. Salt being the prevelant spice. Drinks were good and were probably the reason for the crowded and noisy part. They have a very long way to go to catch up with the pricing and hype.

We had one of the best Italian dinners I have ever had last night. Thank you to the Cantinetta staff for a really outstanding meal! From drinks to appetizers to main course it was incredible. Highlights were the Dungeness crab, Gnocchi and Hanger steak. Slight delay on dessert as they got pretty busy and something didn't work with the fryer but that did not detract from the meal. We loved it and will be back!

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. The vibe is cozy and the staff is friendly. And the food, yes, the food. It is too die for.

Back in operation and so glad it’s back! Randy’s cocktails are fabulous. Pasta is primo, all made in house with really good, light saucing. Clams were fabulous. We skipped the main courses because we were too full. But made room for the tiramisu & it was a knockout.

We went here for New Year's Eve and everything was amazing! The service, the wine and of course the food. We have been here several other times and it is always wonderful. You can't go wrong here.

After a fabulous dinner here a year ago, we decided to introduce two friends to the marvelous Tuscan cuisine. Alas, just about everything we ate proved to be downright meh, from the uninspired pappardelle alla bolognese to the overly cheesy scamorza ripiena black bell eggplant. When my husband complained to our server about the amount of cheese, she became haughty, saying that everyone loves cheese and he was the only one who had ever complained. Whatever happened to "the customer is always right" (even if you disagree)? That is certainly not the motto at Cantinetta. The highlight of our dinners proved to be the desserts -- chocolate cake and a pear tart -- which we all shared. But delicious desserts, of course, are not enough to rank the food here as excellent, especially after enjoying superb meals at Cantinetta last November. I wonder if a new chef is in the kitchen. Cantinetta offers a welcoming, rustic ambiance in the Wallingford neighborhood. When all the tables are taken, however, it is too noisy to hold a conversation without raising voices. The situation then becomes worse because all the diners are doing this. Plenty of free parking exists on neighborhood streets.