Assaggio Ristorante

I would like to start by saying that this is the 1st time I have ever written a review about a restaurant and that I'm sure my review will not be published because it is not a good one . \r \r My fiance and I went into the Assaggio Rest. the other evening and sat at the bar. We ordered their fried Ravioli appetizer, one of their Pizza's along with a 1/2 carafe of wine. When the Fried Ravioli came it was in a Martini glass and the marinara sauce looked like tomato soup. We tried the Ravioli and it was very dry and was aweful tasting. The sauce was not good either. When our pizza came I was hoping it was better than the Appetizer. We took one bite of the Pizza and called the waitress over. It was unedible. We told her that we didnt care for the appetizer or the pizza. She then went and got Mauro the owner. In a very loud voice, he asked me what our problem was and I told him that we didnt care for the Fried Ravioli that is was dry and strange tasting and the Pizza tasted strange as well. He demanded to know what I didnt like about it. I told him that the entire Pizza didnt taste right. It wasnt just the Pizza dough or the cheese, or the black olives it was a bad Pizza plain and simple. Mauro then took our food putting the appetizer on top of the pizza and shoved it under the bar. He then had his waitress give us our bill. I guess this meant we had to leave. When we were handed the bill Mauro tried to charge us for the appetizer and pizza. We told our waitress that we will pay for our wine (that we only had 1 sip of) but not the food. Mauro came over and literally kicked us out! Yelling at us to get out and to never come back. Chastising us in his restaurant in front of all of his customers. I have never been treated so rudely in a restaurant expecially by THE OWNER! I am Italian myself with family in Italy and own a beautiful wine bar. I know what customers service is and what good food is all about. Mauro treated my fiance and I like dirt. I will be sure to tell all my friends and family what we had experienced in this so-called- wonderful restaurant. more

Being from NY, we're very particular about our Italian food and often overly critical. We went here before the Ozomatli show on Saturday night and the food was tremendous! We did have to wait for about 20 minutes and the woman manning the hostess stand was less than friendly, even though we had a reservation, but ultimately it was worth it! Also it helped that the owner came around to personally apologize for the wait. We had the veal parmesan, which was so yummy and a cream pasta with Italian sausage, which I actually almost finished it was so good. We didn't make it to dessert unfortunately as we had to go, but we'll definitely be back! Pros: very good food Cons: crowded and need to hold reservations more

amazing new bar and delicious new happy hour at a seattle italian favorite. drinks are cheap. the bar menu is too. best yet - assaggio doesn't skimp on quality. it's all such a great price for such delicious food. sweet potato fries - yum! Pros: $2 Draft Beers, $6 Pizza & $6 Basket of Sweet Potato Fries more

Assaggio Ristorante was so kind to donate to our community auction at Harborview. They donated 4 dinner certificates and 4 autographed cook books. This donation helped us raise money which will be used to help meet the personal needs of ICU family members. Thank you Assaggio Ristorante! We adore you! more

The food was alright, nothing spectacular. The restaurant is small so everyone is crammed together and servers are always bumping past your chairs with plates of food. The owner and hostess were nice, but we had a terrible server. She was very rude and snobby. It was clear to us that she felt that we did not belong there. When we asked her about items on the menu she sighed and spoke to us as if we were children who should have known what it was. We had another couple eating with us and asked to split the bill, but she said that she wasn't able to do it and told us to just pay the other couple cash. Terrible service. This restaurant is overrated. Pros: relatively inexpensive for downtown, good if you want somethign close to the moore theater Cons: terrible service, limited/expensive parking more

7/3/08 had a fabulous dinner. Seated promptly, service was excellent and the food fantantastic. When traveling years ago in Seattle we ate there and it was wonderful. Glad to see they've maintained the same high quality. They even made me pasta with vodka sauce, something no longer on their menu and it was the best! I highly recommended and will definately be back next time in Seattle! Pros: Location, Service, Food, Wine more

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! more

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. \r 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 more

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."" \r \r 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.\r \r 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. \r \r 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. \r 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! more

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. more

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. more

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! more

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 more

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 more

I hope that's how you say fantastic in Italian... I'm probably showing my ignorance here, but who cares.... more

I hope that's how you say fantastic in Italian... I'm probably showing my ignorance here, but who cares. This place is truly fantastic! I brough... more

We have enjoyed Assaggio greatly thruout the years, both the attentive love from Mauro and his Italian cuisine knowledge by way of the Middle East. The last few years both the quality of service and food has suffered greatly. What was once a wonderful restuarant is now simply O.K at best, and it saddens me. I realize eventually all good things must come to an end, but I'm not ready for Assaggio to fall into that category. Please make it the way it used to be Mauro, I know you can do it. more

Aside from FINALLY finding exquisite Italian food in Seattle, everything else about this restaurant is great. The ambient atmosphere, wait staff very attentive and friendly, food was out of this world (!) it was like being back in Italy. Wish I could've tried the wine list, but I hear it is exceptional too.\r Thanks Assaggio's , you've got a customer for life! more

There is a reason why you never hear about Assaggio anymore when people talk about great Italian food. It's sad to say but they really have lost their touch. Mauro is still as endearing of a host as ever but even his personality can't make up for the mediocre to sub-par food that they have been serving for the past years. It looks like they've tried to keep up with the new kids on the block by stepping the decor up a notch and adding the private dining room, however, perhaps the money would have been better spent by increasing the quality of the ingredients used and trying to fine tune the food that's coming out? The last few times I've been to Assaggio this past year the salads have been wilted, food has been bland, bland, bland and the entrees either vastly over or under cooked. Cons: Low quality ingredients & prepared improperly more

Heard about Assaggio for a few years and the reviews here were mostly top notch. Visited for dinner last Friday. The most bland and unappetizing Caesar salad we've ever had. No ""kick"", no garlic, no green leaves - mostly ""stumps"" of Romaine. Our entree's sounded wonderful - everything on the menu sounds great but once again, very bland with little or no spice or garlic. Mauro was welcoming and our service was great. But, sadly, we won't be back when we're craving good Italian food. more