Carrello in Seattle

This was our first visit to Carrello. It was for a special occasion and we went all out with the $75 each "Let Us Cook Dinner for You" - their 5 course family-style dining experience. Overall: the food was unique and tasty - kudos to the chef. We thought it was a good price for what we received. While it's not high on my list to return to immediately within the year, certainly in the future to try other items on their menu. Staff and ambiance: 10/10. The staff members were very friendly and engaged in small talk. The ambiance of the restaurant was beautiful. You could see the entire bar, you could look a little into the kitchen. They had two separate sections of the restaurant, so there was the possibility of sitting only on the restaurant side, not near the bar if that is something you're looking for. Food: My partner and I decided to do the Let Us Cook for You experience....

Solid spot for a satisfying Italian meal. The pastas are all handmade and very good. The best was the lamb and beef Ragu spaghetti, if I were to recommend one pasta that'd be the one. The others we tried were also well made but a little different - pumpkin had a sweet twist and prawn pansotti almost tasted like a dumpling. The roasted chicken is another winner! Huge and good for sharing but be prepared to wait for it. For apps burrata is pretty good but doesn't come with bread which I thought was a bit odd. Definitely worth putting in an order for bread, it's toasted and tasty! Also be aware that if you're ordering off the sides menu the portions are super small. Only other small gripe was that the restaurant was cold inside. They said their furnace was broken and gave us blankets but when seated inside that's not ideal. Thanks to our server who brought over a yummy birthday dessert  for my pops!

After a few necessary drinks at the Bait Shop, we strolled through the cold rain to Carrello, surprisingly quiet on a Friday night.  At the bar, we ordered, wine, a cocktail, and a few pastas.  Wow!  Wowee!  The pastas were fabulous.  Much better than we remembered from past visits.  Who's responsible?  I did tip the kitchen staff after my meal, but never got the name of the pasta maestro.  The Agnolotti was so good, I ordered another portion for dessert!  My cooing after tasting the Pappardelle must have sounded very perverse.  I didn't care.  Even the crispy duck leg forced obscure sounds of pleasure. Cameron was the gentleman behind the bar tolerating my noises.  He was very gracious.  Only one other person sat at the comfortable bar at Carrello's.  Why isn't Carrello's packed every night?  I don't get it.  Fabulous pasta, warm service, and fun cocktails should attract the crowds.  Is it too sophisticated for the Seattle flannel and phone obsessed?  Ma...