oChef » Cantinetta – Seattle » Cantinetta – Seattle – Reviews
Cantinetta - Reviews
3650 Wallingford Ave N, 98103 Seattle
All reviews at a glance
648
Reviews
53.5%
Satisfaction
254
negative
47
neutral
347
positive
What people say about Cantinetta
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Visit Type
Group Type
Group Size
Service Type
Meal Type
Noise Level
Wait Time
Price per Person
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Dishes Lacked Memorable Qualities
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I ordered the carpaccio, carrots, scallops, and gnocchi. Unfortunately, none of the dishes stood out as particularly memorable, primarily due to their shortcomings.
The scallops were overcooked, and the carrots were undercooked. The sauces lacked development, and there was an absence of originality in the preparations. While there are many wonderful places to try, this is not one I would recommend.
- dishes2
- scallops3
- carrots3
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Billing Errors and Poor Resolution
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to significant billing errors and a complete lack of resolution. When attempting to split a check with another couple, we were incorrectly charged for the entire bill. To make matters worse, when we disputed this, the restaurant insisted we had tipped $135 on a $135 bill, which is an absurd claim.
Despite being good tippers, we do not tip 100%. The restaurant refused to correct their initial error or address the suspicious alteration of the credit card receipt. Given this treatment, the food, which was only rated a 3 out of 5, is definitely not worth the hassle.
- food3
- billing errors1
- credit card receipt1
- hassle1
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Incredible Food, Shocking Cleanliness Issues
My experience at this restaurant was a tale of two halves. The food was absolutely incredible, with everything we ordered being delicious. The male server with curly hair was a delight and truly stood out, but unfortunately, the other staff seemed standoffish.
The biggest issue, and the reason for my low rating, was the disgusting tables. They were so dirty that wiping up a small spill left black streaks on my napkin. Even after servers cleaned them, the tables remained visibly dirty.
The entire place seemed to have soot streaks everywhere, including air vents, and cobwebs were present. To top it off, our initial table smelled like sewage. Despite these significant cleanliness problems, the food was so good that I would still consider eating here, assuming the kitchen is clean.
I hope this review reaches management as these seem like easy fixes.
- food10
- everything we ordered10
- male server9
- others3
- disgusting tables1
- black streaks2
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Disappointing Dinner with Rushed Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The atmosphere was lovely, with pretty lighting creating a pleasant ambiance. Initially, the service seemed good, and the hostess was friendly.
However, the food was a letdown. The gnocchi arrived lukewarm, described as 'little pillows of coal. ' My steak, ordered medium-rare, was served medium and was tough, making it difficult to cut.
The most frustrating part was the service at the end of the meal. We were abruptly informed our time was up despite not finishing our entrees, and were offered to move to the bar, which we declined. Multiple staff members checked on us in a short span, creating a rushed feeling.
I probably wouldn't return, especially given the $180 bill (without dessert) for an experience that felt like being rushed out of a trendy New York spot where such attitude might be expected.
- atmosphere8
- service2
- gnocchi3
- steak3
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Spot, Worth the Price
My experience at this restaurant was really great. It's a quaint little spot with a wonderful atmosphere. The wine was good, and the food was great.
While it is on the pricier side, I found it to be worth the cost.
- atmosphere10
- wine8
- food10
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was largely negative. The waitress had an attitude, and most of the food we ordered was not good. Specifically, the beets salad was bland, the melanzane was horrible, the gnocchi was way over salted, and the filetto was overcooked.
The only dishes we enjoyed were the cannelloni and the desserts.
- cannelloni8
- desserts8
- waitress attitude2
- beets salad2
- melanzane1
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Charming Italian with Standout Mains
My experience at this Italian restaurant was largely positive, marked by an incredible vibe and some truly excellent mains. The restaurant is built into a former residential house, creating a very homey and welcoming atmosphere. The thoughtful decor and lighting make it a perfect spot for a date or reunion.
Regarding the food, I had a mixed experience. While the focaccia was disappointing due to its texture, tasting more like cornbread or pound cake, it still tasted good. The burrata was pleasant but felt like a collection of ingredients rather than a cohesive dish, needing more elevation from the chef.
However, the main courses were outstanding. The pappardelle alla bolognese featured perfect house-made pasta and a rich, meaty sauce – a must-try. The beef filet was cooked perfectly rare as requested, complemented by a hearty polenta with incredible texture and umami-rich mushroom shavings.
For dessert, the zeppole was the absolute highlight and not to be missed, easily shareable but tempting to keep all to oneself. Other desserts were decent but paled in comparison. Overall, despite a few minor areas for improvement, I thoroughly enjoyed the lovely space, the friendly staff, and the amazing dishes.
- vibe10
- homey and welcoming9
- perfect spot9
- focaccia3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
6
Mixed Feelings: Good Service, Average Food
My experience at this restaurant was surprisingly good, though not excellent. I found the focaccia and Caprese to be just 'meh'. I opted for the gnocchi, hoping for fresh pasta, but it was only average, especially considering the price.
It was bland and very lightly sauced; a touch of parmesan would have made a difference. The portion size was generous, but the dish itself was unremarkable. My spouse had another dish with four pieces of pasta, which were nicely cooked with decent flavor.
However, when the bill arrived, I felt fleeced. I'm giving 4 stars primarily because the service was great, but food-wise, I believe you can find much better for the price.
- focaccia5
- Caprese5
- gnocchi5
- bill2
- food3
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
5
Cantinette: A Fading Favorite
This place used to be one of my top neighborhood restaurants in Seattle, but on our recent visit, it didn’t live up to its previous stellar performances. The service was good, not great, and the same can be said for the food that previously wow’ed me. I would come again, but it seems Cantinette has fallen a bit over the years.
- service6
- food6
- Cantinette4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Amazing Neighborhood Gem with Top-Notch Service
My experience at this cute, neighborhood restaurant was truly amazing. Our group tried almost everything on the menu, and every dish was incredible. The pork belly and risotto were standouts, and the tomatoes on the caprese salad were exceptionally fresh and juicy.
What elevated the experience further was the top-notch service. Anastasia was particularly noteworthy – knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive without being intrusive. The entire team's collaborative service approach was also a highlight.
We will definitely dine here again!
- pork belly10
- risotto10
- caprese salad9
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