Craving Italian? Check out these 3 new Seattle spots

Craving Italian? Check out these 3 new Seattle spotsCortina. | Photo: Latifa S./Yelp
Hoodline
Published on August 10, 2018

So you're hungry — and you're ready for some Italian cuisine. Good news: we've found the freshest spots to satisfy your appetite. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in the mood for Italian food.

Princi

2118 Westlake Ave., Denny Triangle

Photo: Yao H./Yelp

Through a partnership with Starbucks, Italian bakery Princi has opened its first stand-alone U.S. location in Seattle, offering artisanal baked goods and Starbucks Reserve coffees.

The bakery was established in 1986 in Milan by famed Italian baker Rocco Princi, with Starbucks becoming an investor and global licensee in 2016, per a news release. 

Offerings include freshly baked breads, pastries, pizzas and breakfast fare such as steel-cut oats with Italian jam, baked eggs in a spicy tomato or rich porcini sauce and cornetti breakfast sandwiches made with prosciutto cotto and fontina. Visit the bakery's website for more information. 

Yelpers are generally positive about Princi, which currently holds four stars out of nine reviews on the site.

Yelper Elizabeth N., who reviewed it on Aug. 1, wrote, "They have an array of sweet pastries and savory dishes, including sandwiches, traditional rectangular-shaped pizzas, and salads. They have loaves of bread and slices of cake as well. In the back is a lovely bar and there's also a nice seating area outside (which will soon overlook a newly constructed park!)." 

Princi is open from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.–7 p.m. on weekends.

Cortina

621 Union St., Downtown

Photo: inna b./Yelp

Located at the base of Seattle skyscraper Two Union Square, Cortina is the latest venture by Ethan Stowell Restaurants (Ballard Pizza Co., Goldfinch Tavern, Bar Cotto). 

On the menu, look for Italian dishes like smoked fish bruschetta, beef tartare and Margherita pizza for lunch. Dinner entrees include bucatini with meatballs, tomato and basil; beef tenderloin with mushrooms; and shrimp scampi risotto and Parmesan. Thirsty? Cortina is stocked with more than 100 wine varietals from around the world. 

With a 4.5-star rating out of 30 reviews on Yelp, the restaurant is off to a strong start. 

Yelper Taylor M., who reviewed it on July 11, wrote, "My co-workers and I stopped in tonight and were blown away. After a long time of battling over what to get, we settled for a Margherita pizza, bucatini and gnocchi, which were all so delicious. But what really sold us was the top-notch service."

Cortina is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Friday, 4–11 p.m. on Saturday, and 4–10 p.m. on Sunday.

In Bocca Al Lupo

4303 Fremont Ave. North, Fremont

Photo: Marie B./Yelp

In Bocca Al Lupo is a bar and Italian spot that bakes its Neapolitan-style pies in a wood-fired brick oven and offers calzones, salads and pasta.

Look for housemade veal meatballs with tomato sauce; a classic Caesar salad; capellini pasta with clams and garlic; and the Dante pizza (tomatoes, prosciutto, arugula, shaved Grana cheese and mozzarella).

White and red wines are on offer, as are signature cocktails like the bourbon-based Arancia Amara with curaçao and orange bitters; the Lenitivo with gin and celery bitters; and the vodka-infused Agrodulce with lemon, lime and soda.

In Bocca Al Lupo currently holds 4.5 stars out of 33 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.

"I absolutely love the pizza and calzones here. Really cool ambiance," wrote Yelper Derek R. "I love the design of the restaurant. The staff is great. Always great food and service."

Yelper Fiona X. wrote, "The interior is rustic and beautiful, and I immediately snapped a few photos of the beautiful wood-fire pizza oven ... My friend and I got the house old fashioned, which were perfectly made, generous pours — just the way I like it."

In Bocca Al Lupo is open from 4–11 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and 4 p.m.–midnight on Friday and Saturday.