Spinasse

Acclaimed Spinasse in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, helmed by Chef Stuart Lane, is focused on the cuisine of Northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Even though it is casual, Spinasse exudes a fine dining atmosphere with its professional, knowledgeable service and highly curated selection of Italian wines.

Handmade pastas are among diner’s favorites dishes here, making this intimate spot a dining destination for food lovers near and far. Counter dining affords the opportunity to watch the pastas being made each evening. Recently, the Food Network’s, Top 5 Restaurants, named Spinasse’s Tajarin al Ragu pasta as one of the “Best Italian dishes in the U.S.A.”

Find them at spinasse.com.

3 Doors Down

For the last 27 years, 3 Doors Down in Portland, Oregon’s Hawthorne neighborhood has been delighting guests with comforting Italian dishes and locally procured Pacific Northwest cuisine, warm hospitality and expert service.

An evening at the restaurant starts with creative cocktails from bartender Matthew Stiles, followed by wines from the dynamic list curated from the best producers in Oregon, Washington and Italy. Chef Zach Beach takes advantage of the beautiful, seasonal produce from local farms turning them into classic starters, perfectly grilled seafood and meats. Fans of the restaurant come for the house made pastas: tajarin, pappardelle and ziti and adorned with sauces like fra diavolo, vodka cream and a soulful beef and pork Bolognese.

A sweet ending to a meal at 3 Doors Down should include a slice of banana cream pie layered with pastry cream in a graham cracker, brown sugar & banana crust topped with whipped cream, shaved chocolate & caramel sauce or Budino, dark chocolate pudding layered with walnut cocoa nib praline, whipped cream.

Find them at 3doorsdowncafe.com

Ciudad

South of Downtown Seattle, in the eclectic Georgetown neighborhood, Ciudad is led by Chef Sheena Eliz who brings her appetite for the spices and Levantine flavors of the Middle East and North Africa to the hardwood-fired grill for local meats and vegetables. House made flatbread, a selection of sides, and sauces make the perfect accompaniment to the grilled items.

Sheena is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Seattle with an emphasis in pastry and baking. In 2016, she joined the Mamnoon group when noted chef Jason Stratton brought her aboard as sous chef for the opening of South Lake Union restaurant, Mbar.

Desserts, a must try, have a Middle Eastern perspective using classic flavors like orange and rose blossom and, of course, tahini.

Find them at ciudadseattle.com

Artusi

Located on bustling Capitol Hill is the lively location of Artusi, the contemporary, Italian-focused bar and restaurant adjacent to northern Italian sibling, Spinasse. Named after Pellegrino Artusi’s book Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well, Artusi is guided by Chef Stuart Lane, who takes additional culinary liberties here, offering a broad selection of Italian dishes from many regions.

While Artusi’s Italian-spirit focused cocktails have garnered many accolades, guests should not miss the opportunity to try Lane’s food; antipasti to nibble with a beverage, one of Lane’s house-made pastas, rabbit confit risotto or a bowl of hearty soup.

Find them at artusibar.com

Mezzanotte

Mezzanotte, located in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood is helmed by respected chef Jason Stratton (a Food & Wine magazine “Best New Chef” and Bravo TV “Top Chef” contestant), bringing his vision and passion for northern Italian cooking to the restaurant.

Stratton takes a hands-on role in the pasta production that he showcases in dishes like Tagliatelle with braised duck and anchovy sugo and Reginette “Little Queens” with pork and beef ragú.  Antipasti include Porchetta Tonnata, thinly sliced poached and chilled pork loin with salsa tonnata, caper and parsley and Mezzanotte’s popular Pollo en carpione- fried and herb-marinated chicken served chilled. With a focus on seasonality and local produce, Stratton deftly displays his talent with vegetables: slow roasted carrots, rapini and Chioggia beets with bagna cauda and pine nuts.

Wines come from mostly northern Italian producers. On the cocktail front, Stratton lends his palate to classic Italian beverages like a Negroni and pushes into new territory with Monk’s Death In The Afternoon In Venice-Prosecco, génépy, violet, butterfly pea flower, Galliano and My Jamaican Guy- Smith & Cross Rum, Plantation Dark Rum, pineapple cordial, long pepper, pine nut falernum, lime.

Find them at mezzanotteseattle.com 

Seattle Cocktail Week

Inspired by Seattle’s burgeoning cocktail culture, Amy Faulkner of Gilly Wagon, started Seattle Cocktail Week in 2019. The annual event is the largest consumer celebration of spirited beverages in the Pacific Northwest. The week-long event, February 26- March 5, 2022, highlights the city’s best bars and the world’s greatest liquor brands who come together to highlight Seattle’s amazing cocktail concoctions.

Seattle Cocktail District, the culminating grand tasting event with over 200 spirits to try, masterclasses, live music, food trucks and more, will take place on March 5, 2022.

Find them at seattlecocktailweek.com.