Serafina opened its doors in 1991 as an intimate neighborhood restaurant located along Eastlake between the University and Downtown. Its ochre walls, reminiscent of the Tuscan landscape, its intimate, sultry atmosphere, outdoor garden seating and 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 and inviting way, and provide the casual warmth and soothing ambiance that echoes the welcoming embrace of an Italian home. The ritual of coming together sharing wine and food with family and 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 and love. Italian food isn't about trailblazing alchemy or edible high fashion; Italian food is about staying connected—to each other, to the past, to the earth.
"Tis the season for the best gazpacho in Seattle. I love to pick from the daily fresh sheet. A true gem in Seattle."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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"We were disappointed because we had been told the food was amazing. My husband ordered the scallops which tasted very good but the sauce under them was bland, just tasted like a white sauce. We also felt cauliflower was not the best choice. I had the quail which I thought was not very tasty and the skin was not crispy."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"It was a nice experience, but I wasn't a big fan of the menu. I don't eat red meat or pork, and there were so many on the items on the menu that had red meat and pork that there wasn't much to choose from. Another vegetarian option or two and another fish item would be appreciated."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"Party of. 5 with different entrées (halibut, scallops, rabbit, pasta). All very good.....plus plus plus. Service was at just the right pace. Friendly, warm setting. I've been going to Serafina for over 20 years have never been disappointed."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"There were five of us there for a birthday celebration and we had a great time. The tables are a good size for conversation. The food has always been yummy at Serafina."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Ambience quite nice for intimate dinner. Food always amazing. Had sweat breads most recently and they were perfect as was the halibut. Sommelier also quite knowledgable."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Serafina has a wonderful neighborhood feeling and serving delicious plates with quality ingredients. They do have parking in nearby lots available, so that makes this a great choice for dining out. We went on a Wednesday and it was full. Reservations recommended."
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining
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"I've had dinner at Serafina several times and have never been disappointed. For an appetizer, three of us shared the mussels which were served with a delicious smokey tomato broth. We had a very nice Tuscan red as well as the scallops and the bucatini. Everything was delicious and well-presented. The noise level is little high but didn't detract from our dinner. I was happy to hear that they serve several type of Italian Grappa. Alas, we didn't try any this trip. The wait staff seemed very knowledgeable about wines.
Thanks Serafina."
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem
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"Overall, quite good. I always wondered why Serafina was so busy, now I know. We will definitely be back - the food was very good and the menu was interesting enough so that we want to try more of the entrees. Congratulations to the chef!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"Love the food, love the outstanding service. Serafina las long been a favorite. The spring menu is a treat. Only drawback? It is very noisy, to the point that it is difficult to carry on a conversation without shouting -- which, of course, raises the noise level more. The lesson is to go mid-week."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"Hadn't been for 15 years, and it was fantastic all the way around. Wil not wait so long next time. Excellent food, beautiful drinks, attentive service, it couldn't have been better!"
Dined on 04/25/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"We enjoy dining at Serafina and have yet to be truly disappointed. The food is rarely anything but outstanding, as is the service. The noise level in most restaurants is determined by not only their accoustics but also how many people are dining. Since we had an early lunch, Serafina was quiet. Whether a full house or just a few diners, we are still able to carry on a comfortable conversation without having to yell, a big plus on our list."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"We couldn't have asked for a better dining experience. My fiancee and I both had the filet, we were turned on to an AMAZING pinot noir by the sommelier and dessert was fabulous. I love the energy of Serafina. Makes me feel like a little bit of Italy lives within Seattle. Cannot wait to visit again!"
Dined on 04/17/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We went to Serafina for Restaurant Week, the food was amazing, the wine selection was vast and the wait staff was on top of it and knowledgeable. I would definitely go back."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2010
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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"We were able to have wine, bread and ceasar salads around but unfortunately the storm hit and the power outage prevented further food service and the restauant closed!!! We did enjoy our pre-meal and will go back again but felt sorry for the loss of revenue the restaurant suffered due to the storm!!"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2011
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"Some of us ordered from the menu and some of us from the Restaurant Week menu. Overall we were disappointed by the portion sizes and quality of the menu selections, virtually no fish or chicken. Festive and lively atmosphere, decor needs updating, it looks a bit worn."
Dined on 04/11/2013
2010
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"With the Seattle Restaurants Week, choose to go. We arrived and were greeted warmly. The initial service of wine and beverage was fast. After that it slowed down to a crawl. We had much to talk about so took that in stride. I had a grilled octopus appetizer. The octopus was dry, slivered into tiny garnish on the plate. The rest of the dish (chickpeas and fingerling potatoes with a sauce wasn't much. The entrée chosen was a seafood stew which was topped with an inch square of Albacore. My theory is that it was frozen when cooked without seasoning. Dry except for the very center that wasn't room temp or chilled, but mushy. The walnut cake for dessert was dried out too. Fish isn't there best. Stay with pasta."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2013
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"First time and we took our adult kids for a nice occasion and had a blast. Prices for this nice of a restaurant were right in line. Fabulous old fashioneds. And great food !!! We will back."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"That was an amazingly delightful experience....just could not have been better....amazing food, beyond attentive (but never intrusive) service...even live jazz.
Total tab (including tax and a tip of about 25%)for the night...a round of drinks, two glasses of wine, a shared salad (butter lettuce topped with Pancetta), two appetizers, two entrees, two desserts...about $200.
We were FOOLS for staying away as long as we did. Will not repeat that mistake....
ALL IN FOR SERAFINA!!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"This has been one of my favorite restaurants -have been there several times. Food is always good but once again I'm noticing that portion sizes have changed -much smaller than they used to be (4 tiny scallops on top of pieces of cauliflower and sauce for $26). And no bread was offered. We were looking forward to their bread because it was always really good -crusty, dark olive bread served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Didn't see it on the menu either. We looked around and none of the other tables had any either. Is this to help with our obese society or just a cost cutting effort?? Service was excellent as usual though."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"As a local and have been there befoer I had expected a little more from our Waitress. Major pho-paw, our dinner arrived 20 minutes for our salads, and no attention in between. Had to ask for another cocktail. Normally we get a 'how are things going' 'how's your day' I had made a note that it was our 39th anniversery. That was noted as we walked in, but that was it. Overall, my next door neighbor hood favorite place in the world - just fell down a notch."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Serafina is an outstanding restaurant. I've been there numerous times (12-15?) in the past several years and have never been disappointed. Knowledgeable service, strong wine list, interesting food, excellent value, and a pleasant, relaxed ambiance. (While I don't know that it's particularly "kid-friendly," I've been there with young children and they seem perfectly welcome.) "Sera fina" means "fine evening" in Italian, and Serafina lives up to its name."
Dined on 03/25/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"We love Serafina but sometimes it is so loud and crowded. We were surprised to find on a Monday night not a table was empty, good news for Serafina but a little troubling if yuo try to converse with your table mates."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Have been to Serafina a number of times over the years it has been in operation. The quality of the meals is always quite high - don't think I've ever had a disappointing experience. Service is always friendly and professional. Although this was a dinner in March, I can hardly wait for the weather to warm, in order to enjoy the same fine experience on the patio."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Borderline too noisy -- so not at all good for groups. Meatballs were not all that great but the rabbit was amazing and the pastas and salads terrific. We will go back again and again. No more that four together, however.
This seems like a very good New York Italian.. great ambiance with lots of noise."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"The salumi starter was out-of-this-world good. So many flavors in the dried salami. Good coniglio, but the steak was the highlight. And the service was even better-some of the best in Seattle. Our waitress knew & appreciated the food like few others. Yea, it's a bit cramped & noisey, deal."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"The good: The ambiance is terrific; candle-lit cozy and inviting, not stuffy. Excellent food, from appetizers through dessert. We thoroughly enjoyed the duck and lamb shank. The veal meatball appetizer was delicious. Incredible wine list, especially for Italian wines.
The so-so: Parking is awkward, the noise level may bother some and it felt like they wedged us in when they made an adjacent two-top into a three-top (the back of the waiter was a little too close). It seemed like we waited ages for our veal meatball appetizer (perhaps a snafu).
Aside from those minor items it was a fabulous dinner and even included live music by a jazz trio.
We hope to return soon and would highly recommend to our friends and others."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"I would give Serafina a qualified recommendation. While dinner was certainly acceptable, it was by no means the experience that I had been led to expect, given the reviews. The service was exceptionally nice, but much of the dinner itself was ho-hum."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2005
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"The food was excellent and we enjoyed the quiet of the restaurant but partly we dined at 5 pm on a Sunday so the restaurant was not packed but we enjoyed the food and ambience."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Lovely neighborhood gem. delicious house specialty eggplant as well as incredible veal. charming atmosphere. Live pianist playing beautiful music. We are from London, Ohio, Texas. Wish we had found it earlier. Romantic, great service also."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Took my girlfriend here she loved the food! For our appetizers, meals and dessert + tip it cost me $120. Food quality was excellent! I ordered the roast duck and it was fantastic. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful ordering. Good mood, romantic candles. Excellent place for a date."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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