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
10/06/2008 Posted by ClemondWu
This place was not as I imagined. The decoration is pretty general, no special at all. The food is pretty good, but just regular. The service is not bad but they charged for cake cutting (I brought birthday cake from outside). I have never get any charge for cutting cake at any restaurants, even the cheap restaurant. If the charge is 5 dollar for one table, it is fine. But they charged $3 each person. Crazy. I will never ever come back here. There is much better italian food in Seattle. I do not recommend to come here, especially for birthday!!!
09/20/2008 Posted by SpecialPhysX
We love this place! One of the best places anywhere for a special occasion or celebration. It is utterly reliable. Never had a bad meal or a "kitchen nightmare" at Volterra. I love everything they do AND the way they do it. Their Chestnut Pancakes from the brunch menu -- ummmm! Their original cocktails (by Kathy Casey) are fresh and fine. A meal at Volterra is pricey, but you will get plenty of it -- not like some places that serve pretty plates with teeny portions and charge you for a full sized meal. We splurge for Volterra about 2 or 3 times per year. Consistently excellent every time -- if you can get a table. I would suggest they consider a change in housekeeping. Volterra is much too fine to seat patrons in corners festooned with cobwebs or bring out glass/dinnerware with lip-prints or crusty food still apparent thereon. Recently, I was invited to be seated on a banquette that had spilled food smeared all over it. And then there is the striking young busser who circles the dining room silently and continuously, dressed all in black and scanning each table in sequence. He is nice, he is cute, and he clears your table promptly, but what's up with that constant circling? As a diver, I felt exactly the same as if i were down on the reef with a large black tip shark circling constantly overhead. These are minor considerations that have no impact on the flavor and efficiency of the meal, just the overall dining experience.
Pros: Consistently Excellent, street parking usually available; good for business dinner
Cons: Housecleaner wanted; reserved for special occasions due to cost
