Assaggio Ristorante

06/08/2008 Posted by jackies12

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!

12/28/2007 Posted by stevgd

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

12/27/2007 Posted by jheathcliff

We went in expecting greatness and came away feeling angry and used. The maitre d seated us in a closet, then had the audacity to bring an electric broom and begin "sweeping" underneath our table while we were eating! The waiters were few and far between and almost completely unknowledgeable about their food and wine offerings. Three dishes were good and two dishes were bad and one arrived so late as to be rediculous. For $150, the three people in our family want to feel the love, not like their grist for the cash register. This place needs a good swift kick in the pants.

Pros: There's something there.

Cons: It's not there yet.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

11/28/2007 Posted by erincharris

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!

10/31/2007 Posted by waihealani

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.

09/17/2007 Posted by mfuntanilla

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.

06/15/2007 Posted by katalyar

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!

06/12/2007 Posted by johnnali

My mom raves about this place, but I was not impressed. My fiancé and I went here for my birthday, but we should have stayed with our tried and true favorite, Volterra. Assaggio was very bright and noisy upon first entering and I was hoping they would eventually dim the lights, but this never happened. It felt very cafeteria-like, with tables too close together, one of the waiters brushed a plate of sauce across my fiancé’s shoulder, and the noise level so high, it was hard to engage in a conversation with my fiancé just across the table. The food was disappointing as well. The cured meats and cheese tray lacked something, there was only one kind of cheese on the plate and the meats were all very dry, like they had been cut for a long time. I ordered the fennel salad with truffle oil, there were more apples then fennel and far too much salt and lemon juice consequently I could only eat about five bites. My fiancé’s ceaser salad was a little better, but he noticed too much anchovy paste and lemon juice. For the main course I ordered a pasta dish with gorgonzola cream sauce and prosciutto, the waiter said it was the best pasta dish, I thought it was salty and amateurish, lacked any distinguishable flavor. My fiancé’s pasta with wild boar ragu was a little better, but nothing phenomenal. There were so many desserts, leading me to believe they were frozen or prepared a week ago, so we skipped dessert altogether. And the owner didn’t even make an appearance. I would compare Assaggio to Olive Garden, except the salad at Olive Garden is better.

Pros: Decent wine list

Cons: food and ambiance are mediocre at best

05/02/2007 Posted by deepjupiter

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

03/25/2007 Posted by il_duce

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