Location: Located in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, at 2043 1st Ave. Convenient location near the Space Needle and downtown.
Atmosphere: Upscale yet relaxed Italian restaurant. Elegant decor with white tablecloths, dark wood furnishings, and wine bottles displayed on walls. Intimate, romantic ambiance.
Cuisine: Authentic Italian cuisine prepared with high-quality, fresh, local ingredients. Focuses on dishes from northern Italy. Excellent homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, interesting wine list.
Service: Professional and attentive service from knowledgeable staff. Waiters can recommend pairings for food and wine.
Crowd: Draws both locals and tourists looking for an upscale Italian experience. A popular spot for business dinners and dates. Always reservations are required.
Summary: Long-standing favorite in Belltown for authentic Italian fare in an elegant yet relaxed setting. Quality ingredients and professional service make it worth the splurge for a special meal. Highly recommended local favorite for fans of Northern Italian cuisine.
Assaggio Restaurant Seattle Menu:
Starters:
- BREAD:Â Macrina Bakery bread served with house made olive oil – $6
- BRUSCHETTA:Â Roma tomatoes and garlic on toasted crostini – $12
- CAPRESE:Â Tomato, fresh buffalo mozzarella, basil – $16
- ARANCINI:Â Arborio rice ball, imported prosciutto, green peas, fontina cheese – $16
- CALAMARI: Sautéed calamari, capers, Kalamata olives, Roma tomatoes – $18
- SPINACI: Fresh sautéed spinach, onions, lemon, pinenuts, Dijon mustard drizzle – $12
- MEATBALLS:Â Classic Italian meatballs – $14
- CARPACCIO:Â Finely sliced raw beef tenderloin, parmigiana, capers, Dijon mustard – $16
- MUSSELS & CLAMS: Sautéed Penn cove mussels, manila clams, garlic, white wine, roma tomatoes – $18
Insalata e Zuppe (Salads and Soups):
- FRANCESCA:Â Wild greens, green apples, pears, gorgonzola, candied pistachios, balsamic – $16
- CAESAR:Â Romaine hearts, croutons, shaved parmigiano cheese – $16
- MINESTRONE:Â Italian vegetable soup – $16
- PASTA E FAGIOLI:Â Tuscan beans, prosciutto, and pennette – $16
Pizza:
- SALSICCIA:Â Italian sausage, marinara, and fresh mozzarella – $22
- PEPPERONI:Â Pepperoni, marinara, and fresh mozzarella – $22
- MARGHERITA:Â Marinara, fresh mozzarella, and basil – $20
- PROSCIUTTO & ARUGULA:Â Prosciutto, arugula, and truffle oil – $24
Primi (Pasta):
- LINGUINE:Â Market fresh clams, garlic, lemon, and white wine sauce – $30
- GNOCCHI:Â House made ricotta dumplings, walnuts gorgonzola cream sauce – $26
- RIGATONI:Â Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, and tomato cream sauce – $26
- LASAGNA:Â House made noodles, mozzarella, pecorino, Romano cheese, and meat sauce – $28
- PAPPARDELLE:Â Wide house made noodles, wild boar Ragu, Kalamata olives and capers – $28
- ORECCHIETTE:Â Ear shaped pasta, local Beecher’s Flagship cheddar cheese, and truffle oil – $28
- PENNE VODKA:Â Imported pancetta, peppercorns, green onions, and vodka cream sauce – $28
- BOLOGNESE:Â Spaghetti with classic Italian meat sauce – $28
- GEMELLI:Â Spiral pasta, green peas, prosciutto, gorgonzola, and cream – $28
- FUSILLI:Â Italian sausage, currants, pine nuts, saffron cream, and arugula – $28
- PICI CARBONARA:Â Thick spaghetti, pancetta, Parmigiano, and fresh egg yolk – $28
- VINCIGRASSI:Â Mauro’s signature white lasagna from the Le Marche region – $28
- RAVIOLI:Â Cheese ravioli with local wild mushroom, marsala, red wine, and a touch of cream – $28
Secondi (Main Courses):
- MELANZANE:Â Baked eggplant with breadcrumbs, Parmigiano cheese, and marinara – $28
- BRASATO:Â Red wine demi-glaze braised beef short ribs, fresh herbs, and mashed potatoes – $38
- PARMIGIANA:Â Chicken or veal, fresh mozzarella, marinara, served with spaghetti – $32
- SALTMBOCCA: Sautéed thin cut veal, prosciutto, fresh sage, and chardonnay butter sauce – $32
- FILETTO:Â Grilled beef tenderloin, gorgonzola red wine sauce, over Arborio rice – $52
- POLLO MARSALA:Â Pan-seared chicken breasts with mushrooms and marsala cream sauce, served with mashed potatoes and broccolini florets – $30
- OSSO BUCO:Â Organic veal shank, braised in seasonal vegetables, over Arborio rice – $52
- MARCHIGIANA:Â Organic lamb shank braised with tomato, vegetable, red wine, over white risotto – $48
Dolce (Desserts):
- ZEPPOLE:Â Fried donut balls dusted with cinnamon sugar, served with mascarpone cream – $14
- TIRAMISU:Â Espresso soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream & cocoa powder – $14
- TARTUFO:Â Zabaione cream center surrounded by chocolate gelato – $14
- POACHED PEARS:Â Red wine poached pears served with vanilla gelato and toasted almonds – $12
- LIMONCELLO TARTUFO:Â Limoncello center surrounded by lemon cream gelato – $14
- AFFOGATO:Â Vanilla gelato topped with a shot of espresso – $10
- GELATO:Â Chocolate, vanilla, spumoni, stracciatella, salted caramel – $10
- CANNOLI:Â Classic Italian pastry shells filled with whipped almond whipped ricotta cream – $14
Caffè (Coffee and Tea):
- COFFEE: Café Umbria arco etrusco dark roast – $3
- DECAF:Â Cafe Umbria mezzanotte blend – $3
- ESPRESSO:Â gusto crema blend – $3
- CAPPUCCINO:Â Single or double shot of espresso, steamed milk – $4
- LATTE:Â Single or double shot of espresso, steamed milk – $4
- HOT TEA:Â English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Herbal, Green Tea – $4