(volterrarestaurant.com) – Ballard
How I heard of this place: My friend Jenna and I walked by one day, after spending the day at the Ballard Farmer’s Market and decided to try it out. We were not disappointed, to say the least, and have always spoken of returning. It has been a few years, but I finally made it back.
Type of cuisine: Contemporary Italian dining. Inspired by Tuscany, made in Seattle.
Ambiance: Comfortable with style. Upscale without being pretentious. Indoor and outdoor seating available for small parties or larger (up to six or eight would be comfortable). It’s the perfect spot for a first date, celebrating an anniversary or enjoying a nice birthday with the family. The space is dimly lit, cozy and intimate.
What I ordered: To start, my dining companion and I shared the baked potato and goat cheese crostada ($8.50) – a house made puff pastry baked with Yukon Gold potatoes, goat cheese and spinach cream, garnished with a smoked tomato vinaigrette. We continued with the Caesar salad ($8.50) with crispy romaine hearts tossed in a traditional Caesar dressing and topped with croutons and shaved organic Parmigiano Reggiano. For the main entree I selected the 16oz. veal rib chop ($29.50) grilled and served with wild mushrooms (Costoletta di Vitella alla Griglia) and a Parma prosciutto, wild mushroom and truffle scented demiglaze sauce, Volterra mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. My dining companion ordered the special of the day, salmon with grilled vegetables including tomatoes, carrots and potatoes. For dessert we ordered the orange chocolate cake; a rich, dense, chocolate pudding cake with orange zest and topped with an orange simple syrup and chocolate whipped cream.
What I loved: The orange chocolate cake stole the show! The perfect melding of flavors, tart orange, sweet syrup and rich, dark chocolate.
Why I loved it: The space is very cozy, inviting and the staff friendly and efficient. The food is delicious and the setting welcoming.
Cost: High ($25-$30 per dinner entree)