Machiavelli Ristorante
Seattle, WA 98101-1931
Phone: (206) 621-7941
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Minor Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 5pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Machiavelli Ristorante – by Citysearch Editors
The Scene
Flickering candles, decorative wine bottles and 13 tables with red tablecloths offer a warm, welcome retreat in a neighborhood built on hip and cool. Couples share plates of pasta on romantic, affordable dates while seasoned servers negotiate the perpetually crowded dining room.
The Food
The menu is unpretentious, filled with longtime favorites such as heavenly penne with roasted red-pepper pesto, eggplant parmigiana ever-so-lightly covered with cheese and linguini with clams in marinara sauce. Tuna carpaccio, dressed with capers and balsamic-Dijon dressing, may result in fork fights for the last bite. The stellar chicken Milanese--soaked in lemon and delicately breaded--shouldn't be missed, though it often sells out on weekends. The light and airy pumpkin cheesecake makes for a perfect finish.
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Insider Tips
When to GoNo reservations are taken, so arrive before 6:30pm or after 9pm if you don't want to wait.
Look GoodParties of four or larger will feel crowded in the intimate dining room.
What to DrinkDon't overlook the charming bar's seasonal cocktail menu, a nice pre- or post-dinner treat.
User Reviews for Machiavelli Ristorante
07/21/2008 Posted by idiotante
This restaurant was recommended to us by the front desk clerk at the Sherwood Hotel and Suites. When we arrived we were told we would have a 45 minute wait. No problem, the place must be worth it. We each ordered a glass of wine and asked if we could put the drinks on our bill. The bartender said they kept the bar and food accounts separate so we would need to pay for it now. Hmm...okay...this was different than what we were used to but okay. So it was a little disconcerting twenty minutes later to hear a customer say, "Put it on my tab." The bartender didn't hesitate--seemed happy to do so. Now, it was close to an hour wait and still no sign of getting a table. This situation in itself was not a problem--afterall, it was a Friday night. (July 18) What troubled us was the apparent private club activity going on--the preferential treatment that lurked around us. Two tables were seated before us--people who had arrived later than we did, and then "ouch" another one. What was the secret code to getting a table? One of the customers who came in appeared to be a regular as he hugged and kissed the hostess and bartender. A couple of other people came in and were very animated with the staff as they hovered around the hostess and seating chart--pointing and chatting up the staff. They were all seated--ahead of us. Maybe that was the code-- hugging, kissing and chatting up the staff. Helen decided to give it a try--not the hugging and kissing part--just the chatting. She smiled and asked where we were on the wait list. Chatting up the hostess didn't work for Helen. She was ripped into with "You've only been waiting 50 minutes!" It was quite frankly...well...hurtful. What was wrong with us? We're not worthy, we're not worthy. We took our hurt hungry selves around the corner and ate a wonderful place called Tangos--where the food was marvelous and the staff attentive and friendly.
Cons: service
04/21/2008 Posted by Wombat98112
Really good, really dependable, really consistent. I'd listen to them when they tell you that everything is good. Not a super large menu. Extremely reasonable in price. Try their antipasto - super good. And yes, you have to wait. You have to wait because it is good and the food and drinks are reasonable and so lots of people want to eat there. Just plan on having a very, very cozy cocktail in the bar first and you will have fun. And a note to others who watch their calorie intake at restaurants like I do - when I split the antipasto with one or two people and have their 1/2 roast chicken entree with a flavor to die for, my bathroom scale is still nice to me in the morning!
Pros: Good food, good atmosphere, good service, good prices.
Cons: You wait.
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