Volterra
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: (206) 789-5100
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- 22nd Avenue NW
- Best of Citysearch:
- Italian Food 2007, Outdoor Dining 2006, Upscale Casual Dining 2005
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 5pm-12am, Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 9am-2pm, 5pm-1am, Sun 9am-2pm, 5pm-9pm
Message from Volterra
"One of America's Most Innovative Chefs" Wine Spectator
- Tuscan menu
- Best of Citysearch 2005
- Gourmet 11/05, NY Times 7/05
Paid advertisement by Volterra.
Editorial Review for Volterra – by Anna Roth
The Scene
Named after the Tuscan hill town where the owners were married in 2004, this upscale trattoria re-creates the town's atmosphere through framed photos, Italianate wall sconces and an elegant marble floor. Well-heeled patrons sit at tables in the large dining room and on the tree-canopied outdoor patio; seats in the bar attract a more casual crowd. Servers are very friendly, almost to the point of obsequiousness.
The Food
The menu centers on traditional Tuscan dishes, including olive oil soup and tomato and bread salad. An indulgent appetizer is the creamy polenta custard glazed with wild mushroom ragu--like a savory lava cake, the inside oozes fontina. The house specialty, wild boar tenderloin with gorgonzola sauce, comes achingly tender and accompanied by fingerlings. Pastas are house-made and tossed with lush sauces like lamb ragu. For dessert, the spiced Panforte di Siena cake comes perfectly paired with a dessert wine.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkThere's a lengthy wine list, but try a European-influenced cocktail--the white peach thyme Bellini, made with prosecco, peach juice, bitters and fresh thyme, is a winner.
Where to SitOn a nice evening, a spot on the patio is worth its weight in gold--reservations are necessary to guarantee a seat.
When to GoVolterra also offers a popular weekend brunch, featuring Italian-inspired breakfast dishes like chestnut pancakes.
The ExtrasThe tabletop fennel salt is for sale at the restaurant and at gourmet markets around town.
Group DiningGroups up to 30 people can be accomodated; a buy-out of the entire restaurant is also an option. The space is also available for private events on weekdays before 4pm.
User Reviews for Volterra
05/10/2008 Posted by raumzeit
The food at Volterra is on the whole, good. However it's bad when it arrives cold, and then when you respectfully complain to your waitress (just to show what they are doing wrong; not to get any attention or money back), she gets defensive and gets the chef. (Turns out she’s his wife so go figure.) After you repeat the first 10 words of your complaint to the chef, (I again calmly repeated to him, that the main course arrived cold, and the dessert wasn’t as advertised) he cuts you off mid sentence and throws you out. (I think it was my accent - I don’t know – it certainly was not warranted.) I hope it made him feel good to do that – because I’d like to think that ruining my husband’s birthday was worth it. So best of luck if you go to Volterra and get bad service, and then get treated horribly, because try to complain and you’ll get kicked out for not telling them how wonderful they are. It’s bratty behaviour. Hey guys, don’t take your low self-esteem out on your customers. Better yet, save your time and just go to Le Gourmand – the food and wine is actually better there anyway, and not much more expensive, plus the owners are wonderful.
05/08/2008 Posted by salmakahlo
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
