Volterra

We had my friends' graduation dinner here. The food was great and the service was attentive but not pretentious. We had a couple bottles of wine, one of them tasted funny and they gladly exchanged it for a new bottle.

Pros: Attentive Service

Cons: Parking

Posted 08/08/09

I had relatively high expectations. Just as another reviewer noted, I too have been to Volterra, and this is not that food. That said; we were built up very well at the bar for our mild disappointment in the food. It has been about two years since I have been back, but the signature cocktails and the cheese plate we had still gave me lasting impressions. They also make an incredible cappuccino.

My advivce is to go and have a casual experience with a date and get sloshed at the bar.

Pros: Good drinks and appetizers.

Cons: The food was decent but not worth the price.

Posted 05/22/09

I was there last night for dinner and had a great time. The waiter tended to our needs as my date and I sat and chatted taking our sweet time.. He never once made us feel rushed and the food was great.

Two cocktails and i was feeling a nice little buzz so thanks to the bar tender...

i would recommend Volterra

Pros: old seattle feel

Posted 05/20/09

I hate for the first review I write, after moving here and signing up with citysearch, to be a one-star business but that's the way it goes, I guess. As it happens, this is the first restaurant my new neighbors took me to. They all raved about the food but they also knew that I spent thirty+ years as a chef, so they were kinda holding their breath.

I don't want to waste a lot of words on this because A) I don't speak unkindly about other chefs easily and B) what I ate wasn't worth a lot of analysis. Let me just say that this restaurant is named after a real place in Italy; a beautiful hilltop town that sits next to the under-appreciated (by Americans) wine town of San Gimignano. I've been there several times, eaten the food, made the food for years, and still have friends there. This is NOT that food. This is over-thought, weird, artsy, pretentious faux-Italian food, no matter what Wine Spectator says. I've loved this food for decades and have found the occasional restaurant in which the chef was from there; one in St. Louis is among my favorite eateries in the country. But what was on my plate here had some extremely silly and wild liberties taken with it. Everything from the appetizers to the desserts showed a hand that takes itself way too seriously and the staff, while polite, treats this stuff as though it had come down from The Mount on a platter carried by Moses. I tasted nothing that had any real skill or thought attached.

I was told that Seattle is not a great restaurant town like New Orleans, NYC, or San Francisco. Judging from some of the reviews I've read of this place, I can see why.

Pros: Nice part of Ballard

Cons: Food, service, BATHROOMS!!!

Posted 03/26/09

I am surprised at the recent posts regarding bad service and food because I just had a great experience last weekend. I had been wanting to try this restaurant for quite some time and think it's one of the better restaurants in town. The tables are close together and it was noisy at times but I liked that it wasn't another pretentious wannabe hip restaurant. Our server was very knowledgeable, pointed out her favorite items and suggested wine pairings based on my preferences. I had the lamb chop which the server recommended be cooked medium (she said the chef tends to undercook the meats). Although, I would have preferred something a little more rare it was still delicious. My friend had the wild boar cooked medium rare and it was rare but very good. I would order that again! The portions were on the larger side so I had plenty to take home and overall I thought for the quality of food and experience, it's a very good value. I can't wait to go back again.

Pros: Great service, good value, wine list, cocktails

Cons: Parking

Posted 02/05/09

I highly recommend this restaurant. It was cozy, the food was excellent, the service was attentive. In fact the food exceeded my expectations -- the menu descriptions don't do it justice! For a "fine dining" establishment, the prices were reasonable.
My only complaint is with the wine list, which is pricey. We were celebrating a special occasion, and let ourselves be talked into a more expensive bottle than we might normally order. It was decent, but it wasn't fabulous. Not worth the extra $$.
I would definitely go again.

Pros: food, service, ambiance

Cons: wine list

Posted 01/21/09

Best meal I've had in Seattle. Outstanding food, service, ambiance. The real highlight was the Wild Boar Tenderloin with Gorgonzola sauce. But, we were greeted warmly at the door by 2 cute hostesses, our server was well informed about the menu and led us down a very tasty path, and the room is really beautiful and sophisticated. I am in love with the alabaster light fixtures which the server told me came from the city of Volterra and were designed by the owner. WIll be back soon.

Posted 10/22/08

I asked if the sturgeon on the menu was the endangered kind. The waitress asked the chef and returned with the message that it was and that I should read "The Zen of Fish" to get over my concerns about endangered fish. I ordered the wild boar. The waitress asked how I wanted it cooked, saying they served it medium rare. I requested medium well. She said it was served with a lot of sauce so that I would not see the bloody juices if it were cooked medium rare, which is in fact how it came. Though the food was excellent the overall impression was that the guest was not what mattered to them (exception being the hostesses who were very warm and helpful). We will not eat there again.

Pros: good food, nice hostesses

Cons: insulting attitude

Posted 10/17/08

This place was not as I imagined. The decoration is pretty general, no special at all. The food is pretty good, but just regular. The service is not bad but they charged for cake cutting (I brought birthday cake from outside). I have never get any charge for cutting cake at any restaurants, even the cheap restaurant. If the charge is 5 dollar for one table, it is fine. But they charged $3 each person. Crazy. I will never ever come back here. There is much better italian food in Seattle. I do not recommend to come here, especially for birthday!!!

Posted 10/05/08

We love this place! One of the best places anywhere for a special occasion or celebration. It is utterly reliable. Never had a bad meal or a "kitchen nightmare" at Volterra. I love everything they do AND the way they do it. Their Chestnut Pancakes from the brunch menu -- ummmm! Their original cocktails (by Kathy Casey) are fresh and fine.

A meal at Volterra is pricey, but you will get plenty of it -- not like some places that serve pretty plates with teeny portions and charge you for a full sized meal. We splurge for Volterra about 2 or 3 times per year. Consistently excellent every time -- if you can get a table.

I would suggest they consider a change in housekeeping. Volterra is much too fine to seat patrons in corners festooned with cobwebs or bring out glass/dinnerware with lip-prints or crusty food still apparent thereon. Recently, I was invited to be seated on a banquette that had spilled food smeared all over it.

And then there is the striking young busser who circles the dining room silently and continuously, dressed all in black and scanning each table in sequence. He is nice, he is cute, and he clears your table promptly, but what's up with that constant circling? As a diver, I felt exactly the same as if i were down on the reef with a large black tip shark circling constantly overhead.

These are minor considerations that have no impact on the flavor and efficiency of the meal, just the overall dining experience.

Pros: Consistently Excellent, street parking usually available; good for business dinner

Cons: Housecleaner wanted; reserved for special occasions due to cost

Posted 09/19/08

If you believe you'll learn all you need to know about a restaurant by visiting its restrooms, stay away from Volterra! The ladies' room was nasty and unhygienic. 'Nuff said. Plus our server was snotty and had the "I'm doing you a favor by doing my job" attitude I see all too often in Seattle. The food is very yummy, but for the price, there are plenty of other places in Seattle that will treat you with more respect, dignity, and kindness.

Posted 09/13/08

This is a real Italian restaurant. Not an Americanized version. The menu is what you would find if you were in Italy. It's very well rounded and the meat dishes are outstanding. I loved the rabbit leg wrapped in prosciutto and my friends Veal Chop had me drooling. Service was good and the ambiance was hip.

Posted 09/09/08

This has got to be one of the biggest jokes in town. I went after reading all these great reviews. the service is flat out terrible. The food is hardly better and parking is impossible!!!! No reason to go back. Just an all around horrible experience.

Pros: none

Cons: everything

Posted 09/03/08

My family and I went to Volterra?s to celebrate my husband?s birthday after being away for a year and a half, and the food and service was just as great as ever. We have been going to Volterra?s since the beginning and have never had a bad meal or service. It is consistently way above the norm and that is the reason we have been steady customers. Our cordial server, Stephen, instinctively knew when we needed him and has been our server for as long as I can remember. Additionally, David, the wine steward, is so pleasant and knowledgeable of how the wines compliment the food, that you know you will always get a good recommendation for the wines. It will always be our special place and we will continue to recommend it highly. Thank you Volterra for another fabulous and unforgettable evening.

Dolores and Robert Brittingham

Posted 08/29/08

I went here once with friends and sat outside on a day that wasn't too busy and my experience was ok - not remarkable but OK.

The second time I went was with my gf and we sat inside. The tables are so close together that it is impossible to have a private conversation of any kind - in fact you are almost literally brushing shoulders with the other guests. The smoked chicken pasta was tasteless with dry chewy chicken and the lamb polenta was more like lamb soup (The polenta could not be eaten with the forks they provided to eat it with because it was too runny!!!). You will find the staff churlish and they rarely visit your table. The manner of the staff and the taste of the food certainly did not seem authentic in any way to the many experiences I have had in Italy. The owners' attitude seem to be of the opinion 'like it or leave it', and I would happily recommend everyone leave it - it really is not very good, and it really is not worth the risk of going there and having the experience myself and my gf had. I can honestly say that this is one of the worst dining experiences I have had anywhere.

Pros: It was ok first time I went, second time sucked though

Cons: Really Bad service, tables too close, food not good

Posted 08/27/08

Volterra has been on my list of places to try for ages. My friends rave about this place and so we went for my boyfriends birthday and it was the perfect choice. I asked the hostess for a romantic table and I think they gave us the best table in the house. It was in the corner of the banqette and so we were able to sit side by side and watch the hustle and bustle of the dining room and Ballard Ave. The place was hopping and filled with great energy.

Great cocktail list. I loved the Michelle Cosmo and the Limoncello Rosemary Drop. BF had the Fennel Crush and the Manhattan with the slight hint of Hazelnut. Big wine list at all prices. We had the house wine which was great and only $32. Wine guy was cool and didn't make us feel like schmucks for ordering the house wine.

The food was the highlight. Chef's Antipasti which was a bunch of Italian style tapas. All were very tasty. Polenta Custard with oozy cheese and mushroom and truffle ragu- YUM. Grilled Scallops with a dollop of garlic aioli- fresh and delicious. Crab and Mascarpone Raviioli in a spicy tomato cream sauce - sinful. Wild Boar with Gorgonzola and Mustard Sauce -dreamy. They brought us a suprise tiramisu with a candle and we also ordered the pistachio cake with lemon gelato. Both were great.

Service was also great. Our waiter was there when we needed him but didn't encroach on our romantic night. We told him we wanted to take it slow and so he paced our meal just right.

Posted 05/14/08

I will start with this statement: I love breakfast food. Brunch is by far one of my favorite times to dine. BUT, the problem is that is that in Seattle most restaurants that offer brunch do the same old boring fare.

Last weekend I went to Volterra and have found my new favorite place. They are the only ones that know how to to it right. Everything from the fresh fruit , perfectly cooked scrambled eggs ( nothing worse than soggy eggs), Bowtie Pasta with Goat Cheese to their Peach Bellini's was perfectly prepared! Also, the service was top notch! Our server, Rhonda, was attentive and very helpful in choosing the perfect meal! Needless to say we will be back not only for brunch but for dinner!!

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing

Posted 05/07/08

We often treat our out-of-town guests to dinner at Volterra because of the great service, wonderful food, and splendid atmosphere. Our guests are not only pleased with Volterra but also find the surrounding community an unexpected surprise. We have attended two special events at Volterra - a New Year's Eve dinner event and a wine/dinner pairing - the food was excellent at each event and Volterra remains high on our list of favorite places to spoil ourselves.
Make sure to call ahead for reservations or you might be out of luck.

Pros: Meals with wine - plus the people are friendly and knowledgeable

Cons: Parking can be tough but we always seem to get lucky.

Posted 04/20/08

Ive been searching for a good authentic italian restaurant for a long, long time and finally my co-worker brought me to volterra recently. I cant believe it took so long to find this place. its in trendy Ballard which isn't necessarily a positive for me but holy cow the food is to die for and was impressed with the overall experience.

Pros: food and service

Posted 04/20/08

I found this place in the top ten places for brunch in Seattle and was excited to take my friends. The location was great and the place has a wonderful environment. The menu was short but packed with good choices. I was really excited to find a good brunch; however, when the food came our scramble, which stated that it had avocado, had none and the eggs were extremely dry. My fiends ragu was good but disappointing that it was ground lamb and in pieces. Another's dish was drenched in a cheese sauce that was overwhelming the balance of the dish. Sadly I will not return.

Posted 03/14/08

Ballards a drive from Madison Park so I hadn't been to Volterra in over a year but was glad to see that the food and service were still just as good as I remembered. We were in for an early dinner and started off with the best bloody mary that Ive had in a long time with a spicy infused vodka and mary mix that had a hint of balsalmic in the tomato goodness. The grilled scallop with a dollop of garlic aioli on top and herb salad was a great starter. We also had the seafood baked in parchment which was simply prepared and very tasty and the Rib Eye steak which was very flavorful and med rare just like I asked for. The chocolate and mint cake was to die for.

Pros: Food and service

Cons: Parking

Posted 03/11/08

We picked Volterra based on their video. This was our wedding anniversary and since we spent our 1st one in Tuscany, we always pick a special Italian restaurant for this occassion. The restaurant is very noisy, not ideal for a romantic setting. Our waiter treated us as if we were putting him out. He never filled our water or wine glasses (we had a bottle of wine on the table). The wine steward was interesting. We had brought a special '99 Brunello and offered him to try it. He used one of our clean glasses they had brought to try it and then left the 1/4 full glass on the table the entire evening and they never brought us another clean one. The food was very disappointing as well. The mussles and shrimp were "fishy" and did not taste fresh at all. The Ribeye was so fatty, that there was only about 6 fork bites that were edible. And the side dishes (potatoes) were cold. Our waiter asked how the meal was and we said we were disappointed with the food and told him why. He shrugged his shoulders and walked away. We were also disappointed that this "Italian" restaurant didn't have a risotto dish or gelato on their menu. If you are looking for a romantic, authentic Italian restaurant - then don't dine at this one.

Pros: wine steward

Cons: parking, noisy, crowded

Posted 03/08/08

Eating at Volterra makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. There are alot of restaurants with good food but there are very few that make you feel like you are going to dinner at a friends house. My husband and I eat at Volterra weekly and the food is always consistent and delicious. We have our favorites dishes but we tend to order the specials quite often. The service is always excellent and the owners and staff really take pride in knowing their customers. They know that I like my water without ice and always have my favorite cocktail ready by the time I sit down. They not only feed the stomach but they nourish the soul as well.

Pros: Food, Consistency, Top notch Staff

Posted 12/19/07

I took my girlfriend here for her birthday, and we just loved it. No waiting, even on a Sunday night, because there is a lot of room. We made reservations and managed to get a great little corner booth. We were given ample time to look over the menu, which was nice as there was so many great options with incredible ingredients. I overheard that the wild boar was the house specialty so I tried that, while my girlfriend went with the stuffed rabbit leg. Both were out of this world. She asked "do you want to taste what rabbit is supposed to taste like?", as we had had two instances at other restaurants (that we love) where it was gamey and just not very good - I always ask why she orders rabbit everywhere we go...at Volterra it was great.
The only knock on the place would be toward the end of the meal as our waiter seemed to be tending to others quite a bit and forgetting us. I got up to use the restroom, only to come back and my empty plate was still there (and had been empty 15 min before that even). She went to the restroom, and the server even walked by a few times, looked at our empty plates and kept walking; when she came back they were still there - I had to ask to have them taken away. Finally he forgot my second glass of wine, but that was okay, as upon second thought - I went with a great cappucino with our Tiramisu. I really love Ballard, so any excuse to get there is great for me, and I will certainly be back. Anyone can have an off night serving.
Also, great recommendations on a nice wine list - very knowledgeable.

Pros: Excellent Food. No elbow-bumping.

Cons: If any, service could be slightly better

Posted 12/18/07

My roommate and I went to Volterra on a Friday night. It was her birthday and we wanted to try something special, and we'd heard many good things. We had an 8.30 reservation, and came in a few minutes after that. First red flag - the hostess informed us that our table was just finishing dessert and they'd be dropping the check any minute. As I understand it, the point of making a reservation was that so you wouldn't have to wait for another table to clear. And they kept us waiting for about ten minutes while our table was finishing up - and this whole time, a table for two stood empty right behind the hostess's desk. When we were seated, the server did not take our order when she brought our drinks, but took the candle that had gone out and disappeared for twenty minutes - and it took us twenty minutes to get our drinks. We didn't even get a bread basket until forty minutes after we'd been there. However, the food was served in a reasonable amount of time, and was absolutely delicious. My roommate had the bruschetta, which was crisp and garlicky, to start with, and I had the polenta with wild mushrooms, which was perfectly creamy and rich with flavor. She really enjoyed the beef tenderloin, and my wild boar was absolutely fantastic, tender and flavorful. The potatoes that came with it were some of the best I'd ever had. However, my roommate wasn't feeling well and was taking some time to see if she would feel well enough to continue eating. The server was thoughtful enough to bring her some soda with bitters, but just after that, a busboy asked us if we'd like to have our food to go. As the restaurant was quickly emptying out (at this point it was well past ten) we didn't think it was appropriate for him to be hurrying us out. All in all, the food was spectacular, the service, somewhat less so.

Pros: Food, reasonably priced.

Cons: Close seating, parking, service.

Posted 12/07/07

Nice place ok,
Tables way too close.
service unrefined and random.
However, food was tasty and authentic.
It was a decent experience ,
But after reading all of the gushing accolades
I expected much much more!
maybe it would be better during the week.
Not cheap.
It seems that there are loose ends to tie up.
Toodles!

Pros: food cocktails and scene

Cons: service and privacy

Posted 11/21/07

We visited Volterra last weekend based on the great reviews I'd read. It exceeded my expectations,which is pretty unusual. Everything was outstanding - from the food through the service. For whatever reason, there was a delay between our starters and mains, and while I didn't really mind since the atmosphere was lovely and I hate it when I feel I'm being rushed through a meal, our server apologized profusely (she also managed to suss out some key ingredients in a dish I loved from the kitchen, and I give her huge thanks for that). I started with the mushroom tart, and would go back here just for the gorgeous truffle whipped cream that came on the side. Mmmmm. The roasted beet salad was also wonderful, with thinly shaved beets and cheese. But the highlight was the wild boar and its amazing sauce. I had ordered the crab ravioli which was nice but honestly nothing special, and kept digging into my boyfriend's meal. Finished with one the best Panna Cottas I have ever eaten. This place really is a great value for the quality of service, setting, and amazing food.

Posted 11/14/07

I'd had several great experiences at Volterra for dinner, and thought the brunch would be consistent... I was wrong, and truly embarrassed because I told my new-to-town guest that this place was exceptional...

The place was unkept, the tables were unclothed and had obvious stains at each setting from hot plates. The "award winning" coffee service had no soy. The tea cups came dirty - lined with foam from the last latte that was in them and with crumbs of food floating in the water. The waitress was unapologetic, anxious, and awkward. She wanted to charge more to substitute meat for more veggies in the scramble and
the $10 yogurt, granola, fruit meal was snack-size. They forgot the hashbrowns and overcooked my eggs. The fruit was not seasonal and tasteless, and was put on the same plate as my eggs and toast (where my hashbrowns should have been). The waitress didn't come back until we were done, only to fly by and drop off a teapot, saying "we just got a clean teapot, hope it's not too little too late!" When I asked to speak to a manager, there wasn't any, just owners who weren't available. When she begged to know what was wrong, she ran off crying after I told her. A different waiter closed out our bill, only after interrogating us about the meal and claiming he couldn't comp anything, even though someone else had comped my meal already (we didn't ask for anything to be comped). This infuriated me because it implied that someone in that restaurant the ability to comp a meal and he didn't find it necessary to find that person.

I emailed Don Curtis expressing my disappointment, and never got an acknowledgment/response.

Despite having several fine dinner experiences there in the past, I won't be supporting a restaurant that hires unprofessional wait staff, serves mediocre food, and doesn't pay attention to detail. It's too bad, Volterra was a wonderful addition to Ballard and I'm sorry it hasn't held up to its reputation.

Pros: dinner good

Cons: brunch awful

Posted 11/07/07

Very good on all levels. The service was welcoming and professional and the food was delicious, very good wine list and the ambiance charming. My guests and I were thoroughly impressed with the quality and attention to detail. My personal favorite was the parpardelle with lamb and olives and the veal chop. Will return soon.

Posted 11/05/07

Great dining destination! Their food is quite tantalizing - although we have only been twice as of yet, we have gone with medium sized groups and as we all like to share, we have tried many dishes on the menu. I do have to say the wild boar is OUTSTANDING and probably my favorite dish so far. Their sommelier has a wonderful tableside manner and we have really enjoyed his selections. He also respects your budget suggestion. It is a great atmosphere; comfortable, energetic - a great balance between elegant cuisine and relaxed dining.

Pros: great food, fantastic neighborhood

Cons: parking is tough, a little crowded on the seating arrangements

Posted 10/20/07

I have heard rave reviews and read them here as well forever now. I've met Michelle a couple of times and had just not been able to get the time to drive to Ballard for the best dang food, dang near ever! My boyfriend and I had the time of our lives in food heaven. Our server was very knowledgeable, relaxed, funny, yet professional all at the same time. We started with the Bing Cherry Mojitos...YUM! Then had the to die for seared sea scallops. Our dinner salads were just right and our entrees? Oh our entrees....I had the herb crusted half chicken that was so good I even ate the skin. Total no-no for me. My boyfriend had a beef dish that was sooo tender. And the mashed potatoes with gravy and fresh veggies...my mouth is seriously still watering. Somehow we managed to stuff a lovely little desert in too that was recommended by our server. I love the fact that they will change and add menu items from time to time, which means we must go back soon now that it's fall! All in all a most wonderful and memorable experience. Thanks Michelle, Don & exceptional supporting cast!

Pros: Excellent food, wonderful service and atmosphere.

Cons: None...

Posted 10/01/07

for me to write the immaculate review of this spot that i should is like spoiling the end of a really great love story. so i'll just be straight.

getting a table here can be tricky, reservations can be made, etc. but then you'd miss what might be the only bar that you can get an incredible 4 course meal (complete with bread and oil, and a sommelier) in seattle.

sundays are quiet, romantic, and perfect. the bartender is exceptional, the food is brilliant beyond compare.

enjoy.

Pros: the food, the wine, the bar

Cons: not enough tables

Posted 10/01/07

my daughter is a food hound and for my b-day she suggested their brunch. (we are always on the hunt for wonderful food experiences).
This brunch was a gift from God. I enjoyed the chestnut pancakes w/ apples. I had them leave off the powdered sugar and used very little syrup (maybe two bites worth). Wonderful flavors. My son really liked the eggs benedict (the waiter demanded one of us try the eggs benedict and my son was very pleased w/ the flavors) and my daughter the bread pudding. All recommened highly.
Now, I must return for their Italian dinners.

Pros: thumbs up service, food, presentation, atmosphere, parking

Cons: cant think of one

Posted 09/11/07

I had what was possibly the best drink in the history of mankind at this restaurant: the pear cosmo. Not too sweet w/many layers of spices. Fabulous. I wish I could say the same for the saffron risotto w/slipper lobster. Very very bland. My husband had the ribeye, which was quite tasty. And the service was great. I can't decide whether or not to give this place another chance. I've heard that I should have ordered the wild boar (wild boar?).

Pros: Drinks, wine list, parking, service

Cons: Select entree wisely

Posted 08/28/07

A group of us dined at Volterra last night and everyone at our table said it was the best Italian food they've had in Seattle. This was my 2nd visit to Volterra and the food, atmosphere and service blew me away. Our server anticipated our every need and explained all of the signature dishes. We started with the Proscuitto and Fava Bean Tart, Mussels and Sausage, and Polenta with Wild Mushrooms. All were flavorful and disappeared within minutes. We moved on to the Wild Mushroom Salad which was slightly sweet and loaded with mushrooms and the Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad which was to die for. For entrees we had the Wild Boar Tenderloin which was perfectly medium rare and the sauce outstanding. The Filet Mignon with Lardo and Demiglaze which was so tender it could be cut with a fork. The Crab Ravioli was light and airy. For dessert, the tiramisu and chocolate dolces were great. We went with the Volterra Super Tuscan wine which is produced for the restaurant in Tuscany and we eneded with the house limoncello which was just like we had in Italy. Volterra is the perfect place for a intimate date or large group. Our biggest compliments to the chef.

Pros: Incredible Food, WIne & Service

Cons: None

Posted 08/26/07

Each course at Volterra was a disappointment. The bread was underbaked and tasted like a floury paste. It's hard to imagine how you can go wrong with a wild mushroom salad, but it was terrible (Asaggio's is far better). The seared sea scallops themselves were quite good, but the bed of mushrooms and greens were awful. The sauteed prawns were flavorless and the accompanying market vegetables were undercooked and bitter. Part of the wild boar tenderloin was fine, but it was unevenly cooked and it came drenched in a gorgonzola sauce. The sauce was okay, but it was excessive and overpowered the tenderloin. This entree came with the same bitter market vegetables.

We hoped that dessert might redeem Volterra, but the white peaches with cream dessert was underwhelming. The peaches were slightly underripe and the cookie beneath them was so hard it could barely be cut, so we gave up. As for the beverages: The limoncello rosemary drop was sickeningly sweet (and I generally like sweet cocktails), and the stem of the glass was sticky when it arrived. We overheard the waitress mention that all of their drinks are quite sweet. The pinot grigio was good, but not fantastic.

As for atmosphere: Even though the restaurant was largely empty when we arrived, we were seated at a table with direct sun glaring at us through the bank of red and yellow stained glass windows; we asked to be moved. Cobwebs between the alabaster light fixtures dangled over every table -- the place could use a solid dusting. If that weren't enough, we were pestered by fruit flies the entire evening and couldn't wait to leave.

The waitress was pleasant, but didn't seem terribly concerned that our plates were left largely untouched and that we clearly weren't pleased (we were very polite, but did indicate that we didn't enjoy the food). With each course, we hoped that things would improve, but they just never did. We know good Italian food and this is surely not it.

Pros: Service was okay; wine was okay.

Cons: Most of the food & cocktails were mediocre at best; dust, cobwebs, & fruit flies detracted from ambience.

Posted 08/25/07

Volterra's food, menu and wine list are outstanding. What impressed me the most is that they are willing to go the extra mile for their guests. They were happy to accomodate my wife's wheat & dairy allergies by customizing our order which was above and beyond just removing something like most places will.
Start with the WIld Mushroom & Polenta, Truffle Custard or Oil Soup and don't miss the Lamb Steak and Wild Boar.

Pros: Fantastic Service and Food

Posted 07/04/07

We found this restaurant to be one of the best we've tried in Seattle. The wine list is extensive and extremely well priced. I am in the wine business and eat at many restaurant across the country and they have no crazy markups here. The polenta and the truffle custard were excellent starters, the chicory salad was exceptional and the veal chop delicious and it looked to be close to a pound for $25. What a steal!!

Pros: Wine List, Food

Cons: Parking

Posted 07/03/07

My friends and I were lucky last night and obtained a coveted seat on Volterra's patio. We did arrive at 5:30pm but dining early was well worth it. The patio is surrounded by planters filled with beautiful trees and flowing foilage. We drank Bing Cherry Mojitos, sampled the menu and watched the world go by. This is my new favorite patio! The server was friendly and never rushed us. He helped us select a wide variety of items off the menu. The tuna carpaccio and mussels and sausage appetizers were outstanding. The pasta with morels and squash blossoms with truffel butter and crab ravioli were amazing. The lamb steak unbelievable. Great service, fantastic food, and beautiful atmosphere!

Posted 07/03/07

This is such a great restaurant. Great ambience, amazing food, good service and prices to boot - what more can you want. I have tried so many high end restaurants that charge ridiculous amounts and get so much hype. Here it's definitely different. it's got a great vibe and they deliver on what a restaurant experience should all about. Also it's on a really cool street in Ballard.

Pros: Great menu

Cons: Can get a little crowded

Posted 06/27/07

You can sum up this restaurant in one word: Superb!!!!! The food is mouthwatering. The cocktails are delicious. The service is amazing. Michelle Quisenberry and Chef Don Curtis have a real gem within their hands. They have created an experience in food. If you want a night or meal that you will remember - GO TO VOLTERRA!!!!

Pros: Rosemary Lemoncello Drops, Michelle Quisenberry and Chef Don Curtis

Posted 06/26/07

I finally had my first outing to Volterra and I wasn't disappointed.
This is clearly a nice "casual fine dinning" experience. Casual in the sense that I wouldn't go there all dressed-up for a unique occasion (although I could see why people would) but more for a fun dinner with good food in a great environment. I should point out that my only experience is sitting outside so that may have biased my view.
The service was prompt and friendly although I will admit to a certain weakness in the waiters' knowledge of wine but I don't see myself faulting him for this, a sommelier may be in order if they don't have one that I simply didn't meet.
As is often the case I ordered a staple dish because if you can't make that I don't even want to try your specialty; the grilled herb chicken was exactly what I would expect at that price from a place like this.
I will fault the Tiramisu however as truly not authentic and more closely resembling a starbucks /mass produced pastry.
Finally for the wine they have a nice selection and more importantly their selection below $100 is actually very good, I would recommend the cadence if they still have it during any future visits.

As a whole Volterra is a good place to dine, the overall experience match the price but parking is a little painful.

Pros: good food, good setting (for the right occasion)

Cons: Parking

Posted 06/25/07

We had brunch at Volterra this weekend and couldn't believe they were using fresh morels with the eggs benedict! The truffle holandaise was incredible, hash browns crispy and grainy toast tasty. Very Impressive!
Can't wait to try it for dinner.

Pros: location, food, good service

Posted 06/19/07

My wife and I had the pleasure of attending a private event at the Chihuly Boathouse recently. The food was the best that I've had served at an event and so I asked who was catering. It turns out that Volterra does the exclusive catering. We visited the charming restaurant last weekend and had a sensational time. The lengthy wine list and cellar list is well priced and the menu was like reading a Tuscan cookbook. We sampled the Lobser Risotto ,Wild Mushroom Tagliolini with Fava Beans, and the Chingiale and the Veal Chop. All were divine. Our server was attentive and very knowledgable about the menu and wine list. We even finished off with a grappa. We were so impressed, we just booked Volterra to cater our anniversary party.

Pros: Menu, Meal, WIne Cellar, Catering

Cons: No Valet Parking

Posted 06/19/07

I discovered this place shortly after it opened and I continue to be a loyal custormer. The food is always consistent and the prices are reasonable. My favorite on the menu is the fetticuine with lamb ragu. The tiramsu is one of the best I've ever had. It's one of the reason's why I continue to come back! I do have to say the beef tenderloin and wild boar are great too. And there are alot of wines by the glass which I appreciate.

Posted 06/19/07

My family suprised me with a graduation celebration at Volterra and it was the best experience I've ever had. The restaurant was packed to the brim but we got seated right away and our server made my big day a memorable one. She was so friendly and was always right there when we needed her. The food was fantastic. Everyone could not believe how delicious that Wild Boar could be. It tasted more like rare beef than pork. We also had the Truffle Custard with Culatello and the Wild Mushroom Salad. For dessert, we had an assortment of desserts which were sinful and a beautiful cheese plate. Fantastic food, service, and ambiance. highly recommend volterra.

Pros: Fantastic Food, High Quality, Great Service

Cons: No Parking

Posted 06/19/07

Sadly, there will be no more chances for Volterra. What was once believed to be an "off night" or "off morning" has proved to be the norm. Father's Day Brunch was the final straw. First, our waiter forgot the drinks. When the entrees finally appeared, the eggs were runny and the bacon so severely burnt that a dentist visit may be in order (the chef obviously agreed, as the charred debris was strategically hidden under a piece of toast). The rest of the meal was just one big blur of bad service (service so bad that I felt a duty to register on Citysearch and write this review).

Pros: Location, Ambience

Cons: Service, Service, Service!

Posted 06/18/07

I've been a regular since they've opened and it's my favorite restaurant in Seattle. The only other restaurant that comes even close in terms of quality is Cafe Juanita. The food is excellent and the staff and owners go out of their way to accomodate their guests. I had a special dinner party for my mom's birthday and they made sure it was the best meal shes ever had. Since the beginining they have served excellent quality food at a good value. It's a neighborhood and their pricing of the food and wine reflects that.

Posted 06/09/07

The flavors didn't stir any excitement beyond what I might get in the frozen food section at Metropolitan Market. The service was friendly and accommodating. The ambiance felt formulaic--another restaurant hopping on the wine-bar band wagon. There are 3 other wine bars in the same number of blocks. Give one of them a try. If they are full, swing back to Volterra.

Pros: Service, Outdoor Seating, In the heart of Ballard

Cons: Parking, Poor Quality Wine Glasses, Neutered Tuscan Food

Posted 06/07/07