Serafina

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2043 Eastlake Ave E (at Boston Street)
Seattle, WA 98102

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(206) 323-0807
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Serafina - Seattle, WA
Serafina - Seattle, WA
Serafina - Seattle, WA
Serafina - Seattle, WA
Reviews
( 49 )
( 33 )
( 11 )
( 15 )
( 19 )

Best

We ordered and shared family style. Husband had the Agnolotti and enjoyed it, Melanzane eggplant parm was also very good. My pappardelle with braised lamb shank was a delight. T...

Worst

Serafina has the character of a sucessful restaurant that you should feel priviledged to patronize. We had a very special family evening planned and had made a reservation f...

Just like being there 1/14/2006

With opinionated family members ranging from 22 to 55, all agree that Serafina is just like having a fun family dinner with the Italian relatives. The atmosphere is warm and jubilant with lots of conversation and ""happy noise"". The staff treat you like family as well and welcome many guests with hugs and smiles. The Italian food is the best in Seattle and reminds us of our trips to Italy - great flavor combinations and generous portions. The wines are a good value as well. We also love the music on weekends. Serafina is like home and our favorite spot to eat!! Pros: Jubilant Atmosphere, Bistro-like feeling, Wonderful crew more
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Nice quaint easy access Italian 12/19/2005

This is not Cafe Juanita, but it is a great neighborhood Italian joint with a somewhat romantic setting. Pros: Food, Bar, Atmosphere Cons: Cramped more
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Love This Place! 9/25/2005

One of my all-time favorite spots in Seattle. The ambience, warm service and delightful wine/food will surely win you over! I've never been disappointed! Try one of their wine tastings led by chef John Neumark - first Saturday of every month. Each wine is paired with a small bite. I went to the last one - had a great time. The food might not be the best you've ever tasted, but you can't beat the charm and ambience! I'm happy just sitting in the candle-lit bar with a glass of great wine. Check it out! Pros: Ambience, Food, Service more
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Fabulous! 7/4/2005

I have been to Serafina many times and it never disappoints - the food is always delicious, the service warm and friendly and the atmosphere fabulous for either a romantic evening or a fun night out with a group of friends. If you can get a seat on the outdoor patio it's a wonderful! The wait time can be a little long but, trust me, it is well worth the wait! more
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Great ambience, mediocre food and service 5/28/2005

Heard great things about this restaurant through word of mouth but read pretty bad reviews here on Citysearch. Figured I would roll the dice and try it out anyways... Yikes, I should have listened to the bad reviews! The ambience was great -- we had an outdoor table that was candlelit with propane heat lamps scattered throughout the patio keeping us warm. However, the tables are REALLY close together. Service was mediocre with food taking really long time to come, and servers took forever to remove plates and drop off drinks. Food was mediocre as well and overpriced. The descriptions of each entree and dessert made everything sound so scrumptious but there was a serious reality check when the food came. I would highly recommend passing on this restaurant, or only coming here if you are into drinks and some light appetizers. Pros: Ambience Cons: Food, Service, Value more
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When I can't afford to go to Italy... 5/22/2005

I love to go to Serafina! My favorite dish is their in-house, hand made little ""ravioli"" called ""plin"". Incredible, with a delicate butter and chive sauce, I think I've died and gone to heaven! The food is simple, yet sophisticated, and the staff are warm and professional.\r \r Their wine selection is incredible, and their staff really know what they're talking about. I never feel rushed or pressured. Each time I go there I feel like I've walked into someone's Italian home, and I've been warmly welcomed and in for a wonderful time.\r \r And, I'm never disappointed.\r \r Molto bene! Pros: great food, ambience, reasonable price Cons: need reservations more
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how could you not be happy at Serafina 5/20/2005

Serafina is a place like no other. It is beautiful, welcoming, the food is fantastic, the staff lovely and professional. We recently re-located to Seattle from NY. My husband and I took our three year old on a busy night, and everyone treated us like family. The owner took our baby into the kitchen so that we could have some alone time to enjoy our meal. That was amazing to us, and we felt very taken care of. I cannot imagine anyone, unless they are bringing their personal problems with them, being anything but wowed by Serafina. Keep up the great work. Pros: warm, authentic food, lovely service more
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Not the Place That I Thought It Would Be 5/16/2005

Upon arriving at Serafina on a saturday night, my group of six and I were told that we would have to wait for our table that we had reserved a week in advance. We ended up waiting for our table for 30 minutes and were not even given much more than an ""I'm Sorry."" Then our server took forever to greet us which is always a bad sign. Once we had ordered, our mussel appetizer came quickly and was delicious. But then once we were finished we had to wait for what seemed like a half hour for our main courses. My chicken was bland and fatty and the pasta dishes lacked any flavor. Overall, it was a sub par experience for a place that I had always thought looked so cute from the outside. Needless to say that I will never go back. more
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Worth The Wait 5/15/2005

After reading some of the reviews of this charming location I am familiar with, it is appartant that even when someone gives exceptional service, all cannot be pleased. Cheers to the attentive staff who seem to respond to english conversation and when addressed as th eadults that they are, deliver sound service and quality everytime. My only negative statement, Serafina seems to draw a few of the pretentious types that are quick to complain about whatever they can. I hope the owner reads this review, excellent service. If I had more free time I would go more than I already do. Added bonus, Beautiful Staff. Only negative, those poor rabbits... Pros: Beautiful Staff, Beautiful Food, Creative Menu Cons: Those Poor Rabbits, Those poor Ducks more
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seattle's finest italian 2/15/2005

If you like italian, you'll fall in love with serafina! Be sure to try the specialty Melanzane ala serafina! Great romantic escape and live jazz/lounge music! Pros: food, location, setting more
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Count me one of the many... 11/17/2004

Who don't understand why this place comes recommended. You are so crowded in this place that even when it is empty you are elbows to the wall or window or backed up into another chair. I don't think this is a decision to ""survive"" in the industry -- I bet the owner doing fine. This is a decision to overlook customer comfort and sqeeze a few dollars. Well, there are too many good restaurants in this city doing the same type of food as Serafina for me to choose its cramped quarters and pretentious staff. more
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Wonderful! 11/13/2004

I celebrated my birthday with my family here, only to wish I'd discovered this restaurant earlier. We shared a variety of items ""family style"" and found each and everyone exquisite. The atmosphere is etremely cute, charming and romantic. Serafina's has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle! more
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Patio style 10/17/2004

Summertime at Serafina. Come early for dinner, get a patio spot. It is so very, (and I hate sounding cliche) European. The Executive chef came out when we had questions about wine, and his advice was perfect. The food was great, service gracious, and ambience bar none. This place knows how to do it. Still. Pros: Food, drinks, service Cons: Parking more
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Date Spot! 5/17/2004

My friend and I arrived at Serafina around 7pm. We walked through the small court yard and was pleasently surprised how pretty it was. We were promptly seated. It was very cozy and dark inside and had a ""real"" Italian feel to it. It was not busy while we were there so I didn't get that ""to crowded"" feel that I have read about. I had the romaine salad wich was very fresh and the cheese ravioli. The food was very good. My advice is to take a date, not your bud! Pros: Authentic Italian , good wine more
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Too busy for its own good 5/1/2004

My wife and I live in the neighborhood and we really wanted to like the place but...We had a reservation at 8:15 and were kept waiting for forty mintues and had to repeatedly ask when we could be seated. After being seated, we were promptly ignored for 15 more minutes. We ordered some wine and an appetizer but only the wine came and we reordered the appetizer. She had the fish special - it was too tangy and way overcooked, I had the sauage plate based on citysearch - it was raw in the middle (raw sausage!) and had to send it back. There was a 30 mintue gap betweeen courses too. The music/space were nice but the food/service were way below average. They didn't seem to care too much about customer service. They probably are better when less busy but we'll never go back to find out. Pros: nice space Cons: , food, service more
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Incredible! 2/13/2004

I took my wife here for Valentine's Day and it was well worth it. We both were initially impressed by the prompt and helpful service, menu and wine list. It only got better after we were served; the food was just fabulous, the wine was excellent (and FRESH), and desserts were rich and subtle - not over-sugared as many places tend to do. Serafina is definitely a place where you'll want to spend the evening at, savoring each and every bite of food, not ""eat and run"" to a play or opera. The live music at 8 adds further character and charm to the experience. Pros: Food, Wines, Service more
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Love this place 2/5/2004

I love this restaurant. Every time I walk into this restaurant I am greeted with smiles from the friendly waitstaff. The food, ambiance and staff make this one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The outside patio in the summer is not to be missed. The veal meatballs are to die for. Every year Serafina opens the restaurant to the neighborhood for a night of food, wine and fun. Not may other places I have been to are so generous and thoughtful to their local clientele. Pros: food, service, patio more
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Totally Awsome 1/30/2004

This was my first date, and I chose Serafina from CitySearch. I read all the negative comments and think Seattle has a bitter problem. The staff here was absoutely wonderful, the seating was great, and the food delicious. This was the 1st real date I've been on in 7 years and Serafina's made it the best by far in my entire life. The music, lighting, and friendly staff made this a very positive evening. Pros: Great Service, Delicious Food, Perfect for 1st Dates more
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Blown potential 1/15/2004

Should've listened to my friends... Don't believe the hype. The server seemed like he was selling me food rather than informing me of the menu. The host, (manager, probably?!) seemed friendly in that ""I am looking and talking through you sort of way."" Chilling. I had a decent dish of fried eggplant on angelhair, while the others at the table were dissapointed with more clever preparations of game. There is no room at the tables and no room between them, I was constantly bumped by other customers and servers. This place reeks of an owner sacrificing comfort and price for her own bottom line. I love wine, and although the selection there was nice, their prices are well above the normal restaurant markup. You can find lots of other Italian eateries in Seattle where they do what Serafina attempts a lot cheaper, a lot more comfortable, and a lot friendlier. more
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Fair to Partly Cloudy 12/28/2003

We've been to Serafina several times, and for the most part have been pleased with the food and the atmosphere. However, our recent dining experience with a group of friends was not great. The food was OK but inconsistent. Parts of a ""trio"" appetizer were tasty but skimpy, and a special pasta (ravioli with goat cheese and parmesean cream) was bland like pasta out of a box. The Osso Bucco was superbly braised and carmelized but the rabbit rubbery. The worst part of the experience was when we had to [unbelievably] negotiate with the ownership/management to waive a corkage fee after a member of our party had food spilled on him twice by the wait staff! (Tables far too close together and cramped). Pros: Atmosphere, Food Presentation, Nice Waitress Cons: Customer "Service", Crowded Seating more
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Menu for Serafina


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Authentic Italian Food and Wine on Eastlake - Romantic, Rustic & Charming

Owner Message

  • Enjoy the sunny weather on our patio!
    Located along Eastlake, just north of Downtown Seattle, Serafina opened its doors in 1991 as Seattle's intimate neighborhood restaurant. Its ochre walls, reminiscent of the Tuscan landscape, its romantic, sultry atmosphere & its authentic Italian cuisine make it a favorite with diners from around the Puget Sound and beyond.
    Serafina's philosophy is simple: Offer the freshest, highest quality ingredients, present the food in an honest & inviting way & provide the casual warmth & soothing ambiance that echoes the welcoming embrace of an Italian home.
    The ritual of coming together, sharing wine & food with family & friends is the central motif in our lives. Italian food has an immediacy, honesty and warmth; it possesses the spirit of a grandmother's wisdom & love. Italian food is about staying connected to each other, to the past, to the earth.

Editorial

  • The Scene
    On any given night, families, neighbors and lovers crowd this dim, candlelit space. Couples and singles crowd the cozy bar while waiting for a table in the relaxed dining...

  • 6/5/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Brunch Sunday only 10am-2:30pm Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4pm-6pm Dinner Sun-Thu 5pm-10pm Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm Late Night Everyday till Midnight Bar serving until 2am every night
  • Payments: Master Card, American Express, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Eastlake, Lake Union
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