Brad's Swingside Cafe
One of Zagat's 2008 Top 100 Best Italian Restaurants in the Country
(206) 905-4198
4212 Fremont Ave N
Seattle,
WA
98103
47.658087
-122.34998
Neighborhoods: Fremont, Lake Union
Hours:
Tues-Sun 5:30-10pm
Price:
$$
Last updated 5.20.09
What People Are Saying About Brad's Swingside Cafe
The Owner
Brad's Swingside Cafe
Owner
One of Zagat's 2008 Top 100 Best Italian Restaurants, Brad's Swingside Cafe has been passionately serving Seattle delicious Italian cuisine for 20 years. A cozy and quirky Italian restaurant, Brad's Swingside Cafe will charm you...from the eclectic decor of Steelers paraphernalia to Italian knickknacks. Brad Inserra owner and chef is behind the stove daily at the Swingside. You'll no doubt see him working his magic as you enter. Swingside's small and frequently changing menu boasts great seafood specialties, savory meat dishes, and wonderful pastas. Enjoy the occasional appearance of great live bluegrass, blues, and folk music performed in his cozy Italian cafe. Reservations are accepted for parties of 6 or more.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
Popular, but small, this steamy wood-paneled storefront has customers lining up early under heady aromas of pan-Mediterranean eats. Once inside, the homely kitchen feel makes the term "soul food" an understandable description until one comes across The Fish Room, where a playful nautical theme dominates the decor. The menu rotates daily, but past finds include seafood gumbo, lamb-and-venison stew with North African and Caribbean influences, and a variety of pastas and tampenades.
User Reviews
Anonymous
December 24, 2008
Located on Fremont Avenue, the Swingside is a lovely spot to enjoy a romantic meal for two. Their entrees are great and you can always count on speedy service from the waiters.
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Fremontster
December 11, 2008
This place rocks!! The food is tremendous, the ambiance is like the warm embrace of a loved one, and Brad, the owner is one hell of a chef and a super n ice guy to boot! They recently made Zagat's list of the Top 100 Italian Restaurants in the country. Everything on the menu is delicious, but if the seafood gumbo is one of the specials-do not pass it up. I can't wait to go back. In fact I just made a reservation for Saturday, but I think I'll pop in tonight as well. We are lucky to have such a wonderful establishment in Fremont. And, to "girl x" who has never stepped foot in the place, but works for another Italian place --you should give it a try before you write a disparaging review. Of course they order food from other places on occasion. Would you want to cook the employee meals after cooking all night long? No. Do you want some variety? Yes. It's not like he is ordering from the pizza place or wherever it is that you work (which is undoubtedly nowhere the quality of food that The Swingside pumps out) and serving it to his guests for god's sake!
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teppa25
July 13, 2008
Waited a hour for food-hotel called and said we were looking for a place that served traditional italian-lasagna-etc.they said they did-paid taxi to get there and the food was the farthest thing from traditional italian-kinda funky-mom and pop owned-would not go back-asked for marinara got meat sauce-waiter never came back to ask how food was-had also wild boar sauage?
read full reviewThe Details on Brad's Swingside Cafe
Know Before You Go:
Reservations are accepted for parties of six or more only.
Parking:
There's a small lot in back or you can take your chances on the street.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Date Spot, Live Music, Outdoor Dining
Cuisine:
As Seen In…
Message from Brad's Swingside Cafe
- A Fremont Favorite
- Cozy & Quirky Italian
- Reservations Accepted
One of Zagat's 2008 Top 100 Best Italian Restaurants, Brad's Swingside Cafe has been passionately serving Seattle delicious Italian cuisine for 20 years. A cozy and quirky Italian restaurant, Brad's Swingside Cafe will charm you...from the eclectic decor of Steelers paraphernalia to Italian knickknacks. Brad Inserra owner and chef is behind the stove daily at the Swingside. You'll no doubt see him working his magic as you enter. Swingside's small and frequently changing menu boasts great seafood specialties, savory meat dishes, and wonderful pastas. Enjoy the occasional appearance of great live bluegrass, blues, and folk music performed in his cozy Italian cafe. Reservations are accepted for parties of 6 or more.
