SWel Restaurant Reviews

Coming from NYC, this place could be a trendy, upscale, highly desired reservation on any night of the week. It's got a menu called "Sustenance and Sips" with outdoor seating that includes blankets in case it's cold. Full bar and seating inside with a chic ambiance where you could imagine some sweet celebrity stopping by. But in actuality, we walked right in and were greeted by a very "right-on" kind of guy who was not pressuring us to stay when we initially checked out the menu and welcomed us with open arms after deciding there was no other place we wanted to eat at. He was very personable and chatty, but not annoying, with quick and very attentive service. Refilled our water appropriately without being asked - and I am always thirsty and begging for more! We ordered tuna tartare for an appetizer which I'm not sure if it was a special that night or what but it was the bomb. So tasty, zesty, light and fresh but not fishy in a bad way. I had a mushroom filled cream sauced pasta for an entree, which may have also been a special...can't remember. But either way it was all delish!! Wanted a skilled cookie with ice cream but the only reason we had to reign it in was because we were stuffed to the max. All the food was moderately priced maybe $12 for the app and $24 for the entree would be my best guesstimate. If transplanted to NYC, this place would easily succeed and with higher prices, too!

We walk along Swel and saw the interior of the restaurant and thought this looks fine. Lets have dinner here! We were completely surprised by starter, main course and desert. Very tastfull. Excellent.

The food was ok but food alterations that were orders were not delivered. The staff was seemingly nice while there prior to paying a tab, but when asked if they could find out from the few customers (about 4 tables and no one at the bar) seated if they owned a car that was blocking ours, the reply was astounding. The waiter was more than willing to go out and get the car type, when he asked whom I guessed was the manager (who was also our waitress) what I asked, she said no. She looked at me and I asked if she could ask the customers or had a speaker system to ask who owned the grey Subaru because they blocked us in, she shook her head and said no and continued to make drinks at the bar. No other offer to help. Our group just spent over $700 in food and drinks. The place was not packed at all. We have gone there the last three years when in town for a conference but the lack of any type of help or interest in helping a customer - from someone who just served us and got a HUGE tip - was shocking. Never going back and definitely telling everyone about this experience.

We have eaten here four times since we discovered this restaurant about six months ago. The service is friendly and capable — first rate. The grilled squid appetizer and beet salad are outstanding. We’ve had several of the pasta dishes and never been disappointed. And I’m always pleased to see a nitro draft beer on the menu. The restaurant has a very nice decor and pleasing background music, so the atmosphere is great, too.

We really enjoyed eating here. It is always a big plus when the staff really makes you feel welcome. All the people working there from the manager to the waitstaff were very friendly and went out of their way to make your experience nice. Food was excellent and well worth the price. We will be back.

A friend took my wife and I to this restaurant for a celebration of life. My wife and I ordered the pizza and our friend ordered the pork chop. We both agreed that the food was excellent. We sat at a table looking outside, enjoying the people passing by the Fremont neighborhood. My wife enjoyed her house white wine and our friend had a hard drink that was mixed well and he thought delightful. We found that it was quiet enough to have a nice conversation and we were not hurried at all even though we stayed for an hour or so. I look forward to going again.

Very cozy! Fairy lights and well thought out decor make this place feel wonderful on date night. The pizza is outstanding. The pork is outstanding. The Carne Asada steak is not good. It tastes chewy and has a lot of mineral notes. The cocktails are not very good and are uneven in quality. The SWel red wine blend is a good value. The service is always outstanding and efficient!

What a lovely restaurant, with the most wonderful staff. They all worked together to serve their patrons. Beautiful decor, delicious drinks that aren’t everywhere in town. It was nice to see something new that other places weren’t serving too. Food was incredible with amazing flavours.

Beautiful restaurant, excellent service, good food. Don’t miss the oysters & the pear bread pudding. Calamari is salty but good. Salmon was a bit dry but the spicy black bean purée under it was phenomenal.

Stopped in before a show, as it was highly rated. Swel did not disappoint. The ambiance and decor was perfect for the evening. Service was quick, attentive, and extremely nice. And the food. We started with the scallops appetizer and it was everything and more. I’ve never had scallops like this, in a cheddar bake with chili like seasoning. And then we finished with the pear and Gorgonzola pizza which is always a must have wherever I find it and it did not disappoint here. Wrapped up with the peanut butter gelato, which was the perfect end. This is a must try and a must come back.

Was not crowded. Friendly and attentive service. The beet salad was very tasty, with generous portions of beets. The pizza was very flavorful specially with house chili sauce. Descent beer selection.

Fantastic local restaurant, cool vibe, nice menu with tasty food. We shared pasta with mushroom and cream, added sausage it was really great, soft and home made noodles. Pork chop was excellent. Salmon was just fair, sorry, it's an odd dish, but certainly a nice attempt. Really nice atmosphere, great wine and beer. This is a special place with a local feel. In hip neighborhood of Freemont.

Outstanding food! Every dish from appetizers to dessert was excellent! One of the best meals we have ever had on the West Coast. Out waitress, Sophie was nice and top flight as well.

Great food, service, and atmosphere for a night out with girlfriends. We had a goat cheese bruschetta, beet salad, seafood linguini, carne asada, hummus flatbread, and skillet chocolate chip cookie for dessert. All were delicious and our waiter was attentive. Will be back!

This place was so perfect. So trendy and the food was really really good. Good drinks. Everyone working there was so friendly and accommodating. WOULD recommend.

Very strange attitude looking for a good Italian restaurant we come with friend as we was 8 people and the waiter didn’t want to join three tables even if the restaurant was really not so busy almost empty So finally we have to seat in two différents tables like foreigners with the others which is really not a normal behavior Avoid this kind of restaurant If they look more about profit and customer needs or asks

This place is great! Another outstanding dinner! Great food, drink and fantastic service! Love the ambiance here - perfect for a date night or just to hangout in a neighborhood place! Make sure you meet Ted the owner - talking with him will make the night even better!

We liked everything we ordered (though the linguine had too many pepper flakes), but you just HAVE to have the bread pudding!

The food here delicious every dish we had was excellent, I highly recommend to come eat here. I absolutely loved my Seafood Pasta, the salad had just the right flavor, the calamari was not your typical battered style, and the hummus was sooo delicious it's a simple dish but boy was it just right.

Food was great, with plenty of variety to choose from, loved the decor, prices were not too high, good drink menu. We were greeted by manager at door who said it would be fine for a few adults and young kids. There wasn't a kids menu but between the flatbread pizzas and a special order that was ok. But for small kids that try running around they're not allowed in the bar area which makes it a little awkward.

I love this place! The decor is unique and delightful, and the service was outstanding. I enjoyed a refreshing and delicious Montauk Mule (vodka, mint, lime, Prosecco). My son and I split an absolutely scrumptious pizza made of Italian sausage, caramelized onions, mushrooms, fresh mozarella, and chli infused olive oil. Mmmmm....I am still dreaming about that pizza. I will definitely return on a future trip.

This place was a fantastic last minute decision. We couldn't have been happier. The food tasted very Fresh, and the staff was beyond friendly. The cost was in line with other areas. Overall I would encourage you to take a chance on this place. If we visit Seattle again, it is a must go

This restaurant has it all! Great Happy Hour, wonderful food, cocktails, and staff. It has become my favorite Seattle restaurant.

Fantastic meal. Enjoyed everything (drink, app, entree, dessert). Friendly and helpful staff. Couldn't recommend it enough.

We had a rehearsal dinner for my son and his fiancé for a group of fifteen. Ted, the owner, was quick to respond to our menu and seating questions. We had a set menu, but Ted was very flexible for the vegetarians and kids, he even put a special note on the customized printed menu to make it special. Everyone enjoyed their dinner and drinks. The service was great, our main waitress even went out of her way to take a group photo of our party. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for and we had a good time for this special evening. We enjoyed SWel so much that we took a couple friends there a couple days later. We tried the pizzas that night and they were very good. Thanks Ted and the swell staff!

We ate outdoors here on a hot evening. The waitress gets kudos for friendliness, good suggestions, and negotiating tree roots to get to us safely with full cocktails! I had grilled shrimp, and a scallop gratin appetizer--both delicious, well-seasoned. The cocktail menu is creative but not weird--the two I tried were well-balanced. I hope to try other things next visit.

We were searching for a place to eat near the troll under the bridge. Hubby brought up this place and so away we went. Best place to just happen to find on the google. If we lived in Seattle we would be here every weekend! Great food, ambiance and service! Hubby had a pizza which he loved and I had the pasta and we shared a bruschetta appetizer. We will definitely be going again when we are in the Seattle area.

Arrived at 430pm saturday and waited at bar for 2 more people to join. Within that 1/2 hour, 3 patio tables and 2 inside tables got sat. I had a glass of Malbec which i took advantage of Happy Hour prices; $1 off draft beer and wine by glass. Once settled in patio area we poceeded to order pizza from the Happy Hour menu. I got pear - gorgonzola - pine nut pizza and another ordered the pepperoni pizza for his son. I also got the Ceaser salad from the Happy Hour menu. The pizzas tasted good except the Ceaser had heavy dressing as well as it being slightly overpowered by the anchovy taste. Also the garlic was strong which I didn't mind since I love garlic. The menu has other dishes such as pasta, pork chop, chicken breast, salmon, various salads and even oysters in the app section. I'm definitely trying those in future visits. Childrens menu? Not provided. But they have pizzas mentioned earlier. I also saw a Mac n Cheese and mash potatoes listed with the pork chop and chicken dish. For desert I had the Chocolate Chip Cookie served in an iron pan with vanilla ice cream on side. I wasn't impressed. The cookie at times had a taste of rawness but the ice cream was really yummy. Probably local made. There are other deserts that might appeal to you if the cookie doesn't. The view from the patio is ...."meh". It's behind the restaurant and literally in a car parking level. Nothing to go wow over. No views and very very HOT (Seattle going through a heat wave). No breeze or flow of coolness; Not sure if the park lot - building design is preventing that or that dining moment was stagnant. Inside the restaurant the decor is really nice and soothing. The bar area is welcoming. There is a tv that wasn't on. I'm sure they would turn it on if there is a sport game on your list. Tables inside varied from normal standard height to high island tables accompanied with high chairs. The AC was on so inside was comfortable and refreshing with the heat wave happening. Staff was awesome. At the time there was only 2 front of house covering the bar, greeting/seating, taking orders, etc. They were outgoing and chilled. Overall I would come again. Not disappointing. I encourage you to try this place.

Looking for an early dinner after exploring Fremont. Ended up in a Whiskey Bar that just wasn't what we needed right then. They were a friendly bunch and recommended that we try a new place nearby. Great recommendation! SWel is new in the area, having been there only three weeks. It's run by a young couple with friendly and enthusiastic servers. It's a tough menu to choose from since I wanted to try so many things. I ended up with a Caesar salad and a pear, gorgonzola and toasted pine nuts pizza, my husband had the Italian sausage pizza and arugula salad, while my brother went for the baked goat cheese in crushed pistachios and the goat cheese salad. All were excellent though I did mourn the untried calamari. The pizza were done perfectly with a thin crispy crust and everything was fresh. We couldn't fit in dessert and didn't try any of the interesting cocktails on offer, so we will have to come back for sure. They have Happy Hour from 4-6, another temptation. A nice place to linger on a summer evening.

I have added Swel to my Saturday date night rotation! I don't know how we did not know about this place until now. I have to be honest...I was internet surfing for new places we haven't been and found this one just by chance and I'm so glad I did. My husband and I do date night every Saturday and a couple of our regular places that we like to rotate around have fallen off our list for various reasons, mostly due to service and food quality changes. So, I am so happy to add a new one to the list. I'd like to start this review by saying SWel is nicely decorated. It is a mix of eclectic and contemporary. Not everyone can pull this off but they do. You have chandeliers with a wall full of ornate picture less frames and many other interesting things to look at and then you have modern wicker lighting that to me looks like bee hives with modern wall sconces. So cool!! We started with great drinks from the bar. I ordered a Cesar salad as my starter and had the Brochette and Calamari as my mains. My husband ordered a pizza. The food was excellent! Every bite!! One word of advise, the Cesar salad was very heavy on the garlic in the dressing which I love but was a bit heavier than what I am use to. So, if you're in the company of anyone that is sensitive to the smell of garlic then you might want to try that another time or make sure they eat some. Thank you Swel for a fantastic evening!

Great place from the moment you are greeted by Ted! He will make sure all is right! Food is first rate and service is some of the best! This is a local neighborhood place and parking is tough but worth it - recently sat at the bar and the bartender was working hard but still the service didn’t falter - she is an outstanding bartender and knows her stuff - check this place out!

We were in the Fremont area looking for a good place for dinner and this place sounded great. Fortunately it was indeed great! We started off with the bruschetta, which was absolutely delicious. We also had the wild arugula salad which was pretty tasty. For our entree we split a pizza, the one with smoked mozzarella and peppers. Super yummy! Turned out a large pizza wasn't quite big enough to split and be a full meal, so it was fortunate we got appetizers. We decided to splurge on dessert and got the bolas dulces (fried dough with cinnamon and sugar) and the stracciatella gelato. Everything was great and the service was excellent. An added bonus was the witty and irreverent menu, which made us chuckle. We will definitely eat here again.

Recommended by family member. Food was good and we enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere. We plan on returning on next visit.

So fantastic that I wish I could keep it to myself but in fairness to this lovely restaurant, I just can't. Chicken dish was amazing. The pasta was a bit spicy (not indicated as such on the menu) but our wonderful server (Kailey N) immediately brought more sauce to cool it down. Drinks were superb and the atmosphere is beautiful. Wish I could go here all the time.