Brad's Swingside Cafe

02/25/11

Brad's Swingside in Fremont

by Jables75 at Citysearch

This place came to my GF (girlfriend) & I highly recommended. We finally made time to check it out even though that meant giving up a nite at the always amazing 'Bizzarro'. First & for most, the food definitely lived up to the hype. We had the calamari to start & I always prefer it when it is NOT deep fried. Delicious. As we were enjoying the end of our app, the entrees came out. A major pet peeve of mine, I like to finish my app, maybe have a minute or two to re-charge my beverage? Especially important process at a place so highly touted as an intimate Italian joint. That brings me to the decor/ambiance. Not as enjoyed by my GF & I as much as a lot of the people who review. The place could definitely use some 'freshening up'. The chairs were like something at a PTA meeting & the inside decor certainly was nothing like an Italian living room. More like one of those log cabins/shacks you can rest in when you go snowshoeing or XC skiing. Back to the food. I had the Lobster, I couldn't resist, the market price was $26. Where the hell can you get a better deal? It friggin' delivered, it came with better part of a half lb of crab as well, the pink sauce was perfect & the few pom seeds on top provided an interested twist for the few bites they contributed (which was just the right amount). My GF had the rav's, the were also brilliant, of course she was wishing she had gotten the Lobster as well, I made sure to share. To wrap up we had the blood orange something or other, it was flan like & perfect. Nice n light, perfect dessert. We will go again, but not as often as some of our other proven favorites. Finally the service, it was interesting. Our main waitress was spot on, however there seemed to be a sort of front of house guy who was borderline annoying. He announced to our area indirectly "...we should be busier tonite..." shortly after our arrival. Over all glad we went. Give it a shot!

12/11/08

Awesome Italian food!!

by Fremontster at Citysearch

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!

• Pros: great food, friendly service
• Cons: you might have to wait to be seated -especially if they have live music

07/13/08

Not traditional italian

by teppa25 at Citysearch

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?

06/22/08

great experiance and food

by johnandlinda at Citysearch

I have to say this is a down to earth Seattle place to enjoy. We only found it by stopping for coffee just to use the bathroom after a parade. Not only did we not have change for the coffee, they weren't yet open and their cutest little daughters not only served me up a drink on the house. we came back four hours later to eat. I do have to say the menu was small, but that being said it doesn't need another item! the food was amazing. very authentic and I can't wait to go back. The atmosphere was downright comfortable. If you want a commercialized restraunt with a huge menu and service you can complain about don't go. If you want to sit and relax and enjoy a good meal... go for it. I live 30 miles away and will make the drive alot to go again and again.

06/15/08

Best Restaurant in Seattle

by beckib017 at Citysearch

Just taste the food and you'll see how great it is. The people who work there are nice and remember their customers (even if they've only been there once before). The restaurant itself is in a cute little house and has a beautiful back deck. The food is amazing and authentic tasting (I spent four months living in Rome!) Order the Aglio Olio.. It's my favorite!

• Pros: waitstaff, food, food, food
• Cons: small, short wine list, closed on Mondays