Il Terrazzo Carmine, owned and operated by Carmine Smeraldo, is one of Seattle's true dining anomalies - a highly successful restaurant with unfailingly high standards and a loyal, sophisticated clientele. The cuisine has been acclaimed as Seattle's best by the media and more importantly, by local diners.
Il Terrazzo Carmine is located in historic Pioneer Square - nestled in an urban-renewed alley with entrances through the vintage lobby on First Avenue or through the delightful courtyard in the back. Since 1984, Carmine Smeraldo's classic Italian restaurant has been where the locals have chosen to return over and over again. From the Carpaccio Di Bue and Spaghettini Dell 'Ortolano for lunch to the Suprema Di Pollo Farcita and Zuppa Di Pesce for dinner you will know you have gone to a place where excellence is a way of life. Arguably the best Italian restaurant in Seattle, Il Terrazzo serves classical Italian cuisine with an atmosphere you may want to call home and never leave
"We had a table of 4. There early before a sporting event and they were very understanding about our time restriction. Server and overall service was great. Timely but not rushed. Food was fantastic as well. Great job."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"When you want to be sure that your dinner will be everything you expect go to Il Terrazo Every detail will be met. Don't miss the plasure of great dining."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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"The food was not special and very overrated. The waiter we had was unfriendly and not at all warm. I really don't understand the 5 stars review and the fuzz of this place. This is definitely not a place that I would recommend to outside visitors."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"IL Terrazzo Camine has a wide variety of food, pleasing atmosphere and good service. Favorable word of mouth recommendations must be the key for this restaurant's success because it is not visible from the street, nor does the establishment post any outdoor signage. Customers must search within a seemingly original office buiding in downtown Seattle to locate IL Terrazzo Camine. However, the added exploration is worth it."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"Not only the food but the service too was out of this world. The waiters were very kind and attentive and did their job with supreme excellence that you did not even notice them around even when they poured your next glass of wine. The cauliflower soup was just amazing and I recommend it to everyone . This is a must on the menu. halibut baked in oven is heavenly.Add the finishing touch with red velvet cake or the tiramisu."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The food was delicious, and the presentation was appealing, though traditional. The restaurant was quite full (Saturday evening) so the service was a little slow both from the kitchen and at the table. However, the cuisine options were good, making this a recommended spot."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"We have been to Il Terrazzo often and it never disappoints. The service is good and I don't think I've ever had anything less than an excellent meal there. It's also possible to have a conversation without shouting--a welcome relief."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"I ordered the Grilled Romaine Salad to start. It was really outstanding. For my entree, I had their pasta special for the evening, which was Scallops with Radicchio and Pancetta over Linguini. Wow! The flavors went together so well. Delicious! For dessert I had the Red Velvet Cake. It was just ok. A little stale. The service was a little slow and unobtrusive, almost to the point of being inattentive, but ok because I was with friends and we were busy talking and not in a hurry. My only complaint is that their tables are packed in so tight that there was literally only 8 inches between my nieces chair and the patrons chair behind her. But this didn't stop wait staff from squeezing their way through there constantly, which was very annoying."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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"My choice for a lunch with a visting friend of many years. Her salmon and my risotto were up to Carmine's high culinary standards. Great place for an uninterupted conversation."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2009
Special Features: great for lunch
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"I was entertaining out of town guests and they were amazed as soon as we walked in. One of my guests is a vegan and they accommodated her needs very nicely."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Those of us who worried about our beloved restaurant after Carmine's passing need worry no more. The quality, warmth and authenticity remain. Carmine is looking down and smiling."
Dined on 04/08/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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"This place is home, so accommodating and just always is dead-on. We miss Carmine but the leadership has stepped up and has continued to create a special experience every time we come in. Thanks George and company!"
Dined on 04/02/2013
2012
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Il Terrazzo is exquisite: reliably delicious food that supports the conversation and doesn't dominate it; attentive and unobtrusive service that accommodates special requests seamlessly; and an atmosphere that's perfect for romance in an adult manner. I can't imagine a more delightful lunch than ours last week, and a mere three blocks from my office to boot!"
Dined on 03/21/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"This was disappointing. All dishes too heavy, overcooked sauces, not a bit of refinement and served way too quickly, proof that a lot is prepared beforehand and stuff warmed up. An impressive wine list but 85% of them way too high priced compared to other restaurants of better quality and price range. Interior is very nice and staff efficient. You can impress non-foodies with this place,but not the connoisseurs."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, hot spot
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"Awesome is all I have to say. Their bread which was never ending was crusty exterior with the perfect fluffy texture inside. I had the duck in a cherry sauce, very succulent perfectly cooked, with black rice and green beans. My husband had the veal scallopini which was also very good. We split the wild mushrooms over polenta as a starter but had no room for dessert. Over all an amazing evening."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"This is an exceptional restaurant! Everything was delicious, beautifully presented and a definite 10. This is a keeper for sure. Use the Valet service as it is free when dining at the restaurant."
Dined on 03/12/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"This restaurant is very good. However, I joined Opentable so that I would not have to deal with the back and forth phone calls with the restaurant to make and then confirm reservations. This restaurant calls to confirm that you will show up which should not be necessary."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2001
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"I had been to Il Terrazo Carmine several times for lunch but, never for dinner. The ambiance was delightful and lively. Just walking in the front door you realize you are at a very special place. The crowd was extremely well-heeled and skewed to an older demographic.
We appreciated that our server was actually from Italy and the food was wonderful. We'll definitely be back and recommend to others."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"This restaurant is exceptional. We have eaten here 5+ times, during the week and on the weekends, when we are in Seattle. The chilean sea bass and veal preparations are favorites, as is the mista salad. We have had multiple servers, and all are extremely helpful and appropriately attentive. Sometimes it can be pretty noisy with large groups, however, if you let the host/hostess know you'd like a quieter table, they are quick to ablige. Truly a treasure in Pioneer Square!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"I've dined at lunch on two occasions and find Il Terrazzo Carmine a terrific choice for a business lunch. The service is outstanding, starting with the attention at the door and all the way thru the check. The greeting has made me feel like they were happy to see me/us and I was home for lunch. Food has been exquisite on both occasions and I can't wait to bring my wife in for dinner some evening."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"I love this restaurant and will definitely go there again. However, I was disappointed in 2 ways. First, it was a very quiet night but we were seated in a back table in a corner so we couldn't really enjoy the ambiance of this wonderful room. And the two tables next to us were louder groups so it wasn't as romantic as it could have been.
And, I had mentioned in my reservation that this was a special occasion, my husband's 40th bday but they made no mention of it at all. When I did say something about it, they did bring him out a wonderful dessert on the house with a candle and all so that was nice.
The food was wonderful as always though and the service was top notch."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"This is our favority restaurant, this is where we go when we want a treat - the food is wonderful and the service is smooth professional and attentive without being intrusive. This is refreshing; a big change from the less than professional service from restaurants where they ask - is everything OK, is your food OK, can I fill your water glass - over, and over, and over and often during a conversation. I mean its WATER - just fill the glass,and I promise, if after the first time you check to see if the food is acceptable, I will let you know if I have a undiscovered problem with the plate. But this restaurant is one of the places in this city where professional service is always on offer."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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"One of our favorite spots that keeps things fresh and never disappoints. The ambiance is always romantic in the evenings. Great food served by professional staff with white linen table clothes, napkins and perfect lighting. Super lunch spot as well. If this restaurant were in New York it would take weeks to get a reservation."
Dined on 02/27/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Il Terrazzo Carmine continues to impress me; great food (off menu specials are just that:special), fantastic services and an excellent atmosphere. A must visit place in Seattle. Pastas done right matched with sauces and ingredients, risto done perfectly. With Carmine's passing, his standards for guest service and food quality continue on. A small bar but a nice spot to enjoy your meal, especially if there are only two dining. Chris, Jared and crew will take great care to have the right drinks or assist with an excellent wine choice. All in all this place remains a must dine experience."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"Being going to Il Terrazzo since around 1990. Great restaurant for both business entertaining, a family occasion, or a romantic night out. Food is great, wine list is opulent but not overly done. Food is always served hot. Wait staff is the best in the city."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2005
Special Features: romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Until this first time visit to Il Terrazzo Carmine I considered Spinasse to be my (and my wife's) favorite Italian (or any, for that matter) restaurant in Seattle. Well, it has now been edged out by Terrazo Carmine. (Still LOVE Spinasse) We had a full 5 course meal along with aperitif, wine, espresso & port to finish. Not one mis-step. The food is incredible, the service fantastic from entry to departure and the ambience perfect. We were actually trying to resurrect a poor dining experience we had experienced several evenings prior at -------------(insert popular, trendy restaurant in Ballard)which was miserable & mediocre. What a difference! A bona fide grand slam, we will be back very, very soon"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"The staff at Il Terrazzo is VERY good at what they do. George is a wonderful host and the biggest asset, (besides the chef of course) to this company. The food, no matter what we choose is done perfectly and always meets our expectations. I tell everyone about Il Terrazzo Carmines."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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