Assaggio Ristorante

Being from NY, we're very particular about our Italian food and often overly critical. We went here before the Ozomatli show on Saturday night and the food was tremendous! We did have to wait for about 20 minutes and the woman manning the hostess stand was less than friendly, even though we had a reservation, but ultimately it was worth it! Also it helped that the owner came around to personally apologize for the wait. We had the veal parmesan, which was so yummy and a cream pasta with Italian sausage, which I actually almost finished it was so good. We didn't make it to dessert unfortunately as we had to go, but we'll definitely be back!

Pros: very good food

Cons: crowded and need to hold reservations

Posted 11/09/09

amazing new bar and delicious new happy hour at a seattle italian favorite. drinks are cheap. the bar menu is too. best yet - assaggio doesn't skimp on quality. it's all such a great price for such delicious food. sweet potato fries - yum!

Pros: $2 Draft Beers, $6 Pizza & $6 Basket of Sweet Potato Fries

Posted 11/05/09

Assaggio Ristorante was so kind to donate to our community auction at Harborview. They donated 4 dinner certificates and 4 autographed cook books. This donation helped us raise money which will be used to help meet the personal needs of ICU family members. Thank you Assaggio Ristorante! We adore you!

Posted 01/19/09

The food was alright, nothing spectacular. The restaurant is small so everyone is crammed together and servers are always bumping past your chairs with plates of food. The owner and hostess were nice, but we had a terrible server. She was very rude and snobby. It was clear to us that she felt that we did not belong there. When we asked her about items on the menu she sighed and spoke to us as if we were children who should have known what it was. We had another couple eating with us and asked to split the bill, but she said that she wasn't able to do it and told us to just pay the other couple cash. Terrible service. This restaurant is overrated.

Pros: relatively inexpensive for downtown, good if you want somethign close to the moore theater

Cons: terrible service, limited/expensive parking

Posted 09/05/08

7/3/08 had a fabulous dinner. Seated promptly, service was excellent and the food fantantastic. When traveling years ago in Seattle we ate there and it was wonderful. Glad to see they've maintained the same high quality. They even made me pasta with vodka sauce, something no longer on their menu and it was the best! I highly recommended and will definately be back next time in Seattle!

Pros: Location, Service, Food, Wine

Cons: none

Posted 07/09/08

Assaggio is an amazing restaurant. From the moment we arrived, we received excellent customer service and felt like we were eating at a friend's house. After each course was brought out, either our waiter or the owner would verify that we were satisfied with our food, which of course we were. The dishes were delicious and I'm not sure that it's possible to find better food in Seattle. Be sure to save room for dessert, they are unexpectedly flavorful and definitely underpriced. The food alone makes Assaggio worth visiting, but add in the outstanding customer service and you won't find a better Italian restaurant outside of Italy!

Posted 06/07/08

I have never written an online review about anything but having read the reviews on this site then enjoying a wonderful meat at this restaurant I became so upset about some of the nasty things some "reviewers" had said, am compelled to add my perspective--the service was impeccable, the food delicious, and Mauro, the owner, a perfect gentleman and host. All four of us thought each of our meals was excellent including tasting each other's.
All I can say is: if you can't go to Italy, go to Assaggio.

Pros: authenticity, personal greeting by the owner, excellent food at good price

Cons: downtown parking

Posted 12/27/07

I have now decided that the negative reviews on MANY restaurants on this site are unwarranted. My husband and I get out once a month for dinner while my parents watch our baby, so you can imagine, 'date night' is a bit precious for us. Finding the right place for that one night out is a big deal. I had been there once a few years ago, but after reading reviews on this site and thought, "Wow, it must have gone downhill."

With a 5 month old baby, I really don't have any time at all to write restaurant reviews, but after going there I felt that this place has some pretty unfavorable reviews and I should do my part to help rectify that! My husband and I were married in Italy and absolutely love Italian food. Our previous favorite had been La Spiga (which is still excellent, we just miss the old, smaller space on Broadway). Assaggio is definitely "our new favorite" place to go.

Assaggio is like walking into a restaurant in the heart of Florence (except a lot of those places play American pop music vs. charming Italian music like Assaggio). The atmosphere is romantic and warm. The owner is a very friendly and very Italian guy who certainly adds to the charm.

The food was EXCELLENT. The hardest part was trying to decide what to order as everything sounded so good. We ended up sharing a salad and a pasta (both were outstanding --- the pear and greens salad and the pancetta, pea and gorgonzola pasta). We then each had a meat dish (we splurged and it is pre-diet season!). I LOVED the chicken dish and my husband had veal (I would never eat veal so we did not share that one..!). He thought it was very good.
We finished off with coffees that were perfection and the tiramisu (sp) (not as good as we have had in Italy, but decent). We also shared a fabulous Barberesco wine which was **outstanding**. We can't wait to go back!!!

Pros: Food, wine, atmosphere, service

Cons: the negative reviews on this web site!

Posted 11/27/07

My boyfriend and I came here for our 1 year anniversary and it was excellent. From the moment we walked in we were greeted and sat and the food from beginning to end was absolutely wonderful. The service was fabulous and I absolutely loved how the owner of the restaurant hangs around and greets people and talks to them. I felt very comfortable and was extremely happy. Definitely coming back to this place.

Posted 10/30/07

My husband and I got some seriously bad service at another high-profile restaurant and left the place and ended up here. On a busy Saturday night around 8:30, we thought we'd try our luck and ask if there was a table available. The nice hostess was very accommodating and broke down a table for us and we were seated immediately. The food wasn't to-die-for but it wasn't bad either. My bolognese was very flavorful but a little too salty. My husband had the ravioli with scallops and it was a decent comforting cheesy creamy dish. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable. Overall, I would recommend Assaggio if someone wanted Italian food in the downtown area. But it wasn't so special that it made me want to go back again.

Posted 09/16/07

I have only been here once, but thought that this restaraunt was excellent. We came for a team lunch, so I did not experience the noisy dinner scene. Our waitress was prompt and friendly, gave great recommendations, and even made us laugh! The desserts are to die for. We ordered five different ones and each were mouthwatering. Although it's two $$, I think the price is well worth what you're getting. Oh - great salads too!

Posted 06/14/07

The first thing I noticed upon entering this restaurant was how close the tables are placed to each other. We were less than a foot away from our neighbors' table. (Perhaps it's just me, but I prefer more personal space / privacy with my date). It just feels a bit cramped. Also, the wine selection is a bit limited for the financially conscious. However the food is excellent. The service was extremely friendly, and our waiter made us feel very comfortable. Also, we were amazed at how quickly our food was ready and brought to our table. Be sure to order coffee and dessert! Their coffee is average price, but tastes way better than Starbucks. And their large dessert selection is sure to make you drool.

Pros: Excellent food, friendly service

Cons: Seating is too close together, expensive/limited wine list

Posted 05/01/07

Assaggio and Mauro are the most bestest of anyting Italian in Seattle. I dont know why the people write these things. Many famous movie stars and busnesmens come to my restaurant, and the people love me like the brother. My foods win the James Beards awards many times. My cooksbooks and guest appearances make the peoples feel wanted.

Pros: Everythings is good here.

Cons: No

Posted 03/24/07

We have enjoyed Assaggio greatly thruout the years, both the attentive love from Mauro and his Italian cuisine knowledge by way of the Middle East. The last few years both the quality of service and food has suffered greatly. What was once a wonderful restuarant is now simply O.K at best, and it saddens me. I realize eventually all good things must come to an end, but I'm not ready for Assaggio to fall into that category. Please make it the way it used to be Mauro, I know you can do it.

Posted 02/10/07

Aside from FINALLY finding exquisite Italian food in Seattle, everything else about this restaurant is great. The ambient atmosphere, wait staff very attentive and friendly, food was out of this world (!) it was like being back in Italy. Wish I could've tried the wine list, but I hear it is exceptional too.
Thanks Assaggio's , you've got a customer for life!

Posted 01/07/07

There is a reason why you never hear about Assaggio anymore when people talk about great Italian food. It's sad to say but they really have lost their touch. Mauro is still as endearing of a host as ever but even his personality can't make up for the mediocre to sub-par food that they have been serving for the past years. It looks like they've tried to keep up with the new kids on the block by stepping the decor up a notch and adding the private dining room, however, perhaps the money would have been better spent by increasing the quality of the ingredients used and trying to fine tune the food that's coming out? The last few times I've been to Assaggio this past year the salads have been wilted, food has been bland, bland, bland and the entrees either vastly over or under cooked.

Cons: Low quality ingredients & prepared improperly

Posted 12/10/06

Heard about Assaggio for a few years and the reviews here were mostly top notch. Visited for dinner last Friday. The most bland and unappetizing Caesar salad we've ever had. No "kick", no garlic, no green leaves - mostly "stumps" of Romaine. Our entree's sounded wonderful - everything on the menu sounds great but once again, very bland with little or no spice or garlic. Mauro was welcoming and our service was great. But, sadly, we won't be back when we're craving good Italian food.

Posted 11/06/06

service was a little slow but it the food was excellent and the atmosphere was good as well. this is a high end place----good date place too

Posted 10/29/06

Everything at this restaurant is good. I know that's a bold statement, but Mauro the owner seems to have things under control to ensure that all of his dishes have the perfect flavor combinations and remain authentically, deliciously Italian. He's also fabulous--make sure you say hi if you're in there. But the real reason I come to dinner here is the tiramisu dessert--unlike what you get in most restaurants, this isn't overpowered with alcohol or coffee flavors but instead stays light, fleeting, ephemeral. Made me a tiramisu convert no doubt. Other good dishes: squid appetizer, meaty pasta

Pros: tasty menu items, long (and affordable) wine list

Cons: none

Posted 10/22/06

I ordered the special, which was a seafood fettuccini. I figured the sauce would be amazing, but I had to order extra sauce, because my plate was served with sauce barely covering the bottom of the wide mouth bowl and hardly touched the pesto noodles. The sauce was very good, but there wasn't enough to go around The noodle taste, sadly, is what over powered the dish. There was, however, a good portion of seafood in the mix. The bread was bland. I will have to give credit to the ambiance though, it was like being in Italy and being greeted by an Italian grandpa with the owner strolling throughout the restaurant enjoying his guests. Our waiter brought my friend Tiramisu for his birthday, and I had only indirectly mentioned it was his birthday. My friend ordered a tomato based pasta that was very tasty. Overall, it's a nice restaurant with overpriced specials. It was average.

Pros: Great ambience, good service, great host

Cons: overpriced, bad fettuccini

Posted 08/29/06

My husband and I tried Assaggio's for the first time (we are Seattle natives) and had a wonderful experience. We walked in off the street (no reservations) on a Friday evening and were immediately seated. The owner was out amidst the tables, socializing with all the customers - which I love to see. The atmosphere was decent - nothing extraordinary but not bad. A bit loud, but didn't bother us. But the best part was the food. Delicious. I found it difficult to choose what to have; decided on one of the specials - a risotto. Was not disappointed. Wine by the glass was especially good. All for a very decent price. We will definitely return.

Pros: The food

Posted 07/16/06

It's like going to your favorite uncle's house -- Assaggio's wraps its arms around you. I love this place. Whenever I'm feeling a little low, I take myself to Assaggio's for wonderful wine, great food, and Mauro's good cheer -- it doesn't take long, and I'm feeling good about life again. --Siena.

Pros: Food, wine, service

Posted 06/22/06

I beg to differ with a previous poster. Well, I do agree that the Tiramisu lacked---something, and that something is the gross overpowering booze taste you get at many places. The tiramisu at Assaggio is the best I have ever had anywhere. You will not be disappointed. When three of us went, the food was good--the risoto was soooo good--but the tiramisu is defintely this place's selling point.

Posted 03/10/06

I have been going to Assaggio's for 7 years, I am always impressed, and I have never had a bad meal.....the owner embraces you when you come in the door and makes you feel like you're in his home, the food is wonderful (and my mother is a gourmet Italian cook) & the servers & service is great! It can get a bit loud but that's what you get for going to one of Seattle's most popular places!

Posted 02/09/06

I was surprised to see all the negative reviews. This is a great place. People not recommending this place are not used to European dining and would better go to fast food restaurants, money vs quality, not ?!

Posted 11/02/05

Overall I was disappointed by Assaggio. The Italian food was average (as I am part Italian) and the servers were too busy to really make us feel like we were welcome.

Although the dessert is imported from Italy, I felt the Tiramasu lacked... something.

We had reservations, and we still waited at least a half an hour for a table. The one nice touch that the manager did was offer us drinks while we waited in the entranceway (which is extremely small) for our table.

Overall, I was disappointed by Assaggio's service, food and ambiance.

Pros: Manager

Cons: Sound, Service

Posted 09/26/05

We made a reservation for my friends birthday and arrived promptly but had to wait 45 minutes for our table. We understand that sometimes tables don't leave on time, etc. but the hostess did not apologize and was snippy with us. The menu is pretty generic- the basics- penne vodka, linguine clams, etc. No unique signature dishes. The food was average although the tiramisu was good. Our waiter was running around like a chicken with his head cut off. Maybe too big of a section? He barely told us about the specials and brought 1 of us the wrong salad and 1 of us the wrong entree. The tables are very close to each other & it's very noisey.

Posted 09/14/05

Planning a 2 day business meeting with guests from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington we made a reservation a month in advance in the private dining room (dinner for 10). Double checked the reservation 2 weeks out. Five days prior to the business event we received a call that our party was too small to hold the room. We now needed to pay a minimum $100 a person to keep the room or settle for a semi-private room with other diners in the room. No thanks!! It was not easy, but a new location, with terrific customer service was secured.

Posted 08/17/05

After ten years of eating at this restaurant I have yet to have a bad meal or have even my water glass go empty. The consistancy still amazes me.

Pros: service, the food, friendly atmosphere

Cons: busy, limited parking

Posted 05/10/05

The menu was generally unoriginal and unspectacular, except for the price, which was exceptional given the offerings. The ambiance was lacking; the restaurant was crowded and noisy. Our neighbors could enjoy every word of our quiet conversation in addition to their food. Finally, we were seated next to a door, making our dinner a chilly one. If you want to pay way too much for unmemorable food, try assagio.

Posted 04/09/05

You can't help but love the way the service people make you feel when you walk through the doors of Assaggio - from the sweet owner to the dedicated server, Assaggio delivers in all areas. The food is innovative yet delectable, the service top notch and the desserts and wine list are to die for. I would highly recommend Assaggio for any special event or business meeting.

Posted 03/23/05

Our dining experience was average and we have not been back since. If you decide to give them a try, I would not recommend the pork as it was very dry and tough and when we told the manager on the way out, they did nothing to encourage us to return (so we haven't).

Pros: Location

Cons: Food quality

Posted 03/09/05

Brought an out of town business colleuge, and again had an excellent experience. We did not have reservations - hostess was very friendly, took our coats for us, and seated us promptly. This restaurant has great energy and an eclectic mix of people. The side caesar with your meal is not to be missed - very good! Wine list is amazing. My guest was impressed - we shut the place down! Last to leave...didn't want to leave. Thanks again Assaggio!

Pros: excellent Food, Fun atmosphere, Great host

Cons: Parking

Posted 01/11/05

I took my sister out to dinner at Assaggio for her birthday only to be disappointed. LOUD atmosphere, slow service -- waited FOREVER to give our orders and to have our water refilled. Overpriced for blah food. The only good thing was dessert -- it was pretty good.

Pros: Seated quickly, Dessert

Cons: , SLOW service, blah food

Posted 12/30/04

Just like you, I was browsing city search, searching an Italian restaurant. Although I saw bad reviews I thought to try it anyway. It wasnt what I expected, it was completely loud and dark. I told the blonde girl at the front that i had reservations, she asked for my name but right when I opened my mouth to tell her, the phone rang and she completely cut me off in the middle of me talking and turned to answer the phone. How rude! She could have at least waited until I was done talking or better yet excuse herself. The waiter introduced her specials to us so quickly (it seemed that she had more important people to attend to). The food was mediocre, Ive had better. Overall, this place is super SNOBBY, rude staff and the food is nothing special. I sound really bitter but thats what happened.

Pros: Good Tiramisu

Cons: , Snobby Staff, Mediocre food

Posted 12/02/04

I love this restaurant. My boyfriend took me on our first date here. We had reservations and were seated immediately. It was crowded and quite loud, but I can see why it's such a popular place. The special was halibut and it melted in my mouth. The appetizers are delicious. We were too full for dessert, unfortunately, so we will have to return for that. Beautiful interior and impressive, respectful service. Best Italian restaurant I've ever been to, I highly reccomend it, but make reservations!

Pros: Appetizers, Service, Food

Posted 10/26/04