Sostanza Trattoria

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1927 43rd Ave E
Seattle, WA 98112

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(206) 324-9701
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Reviews
( 13 )
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Best

For our first big vacation, my boyfriend and I went to Italy and ate, ate, ate! Every time we want to relive that experience, we come to th...

Worst

A very odd dining experience - I had often walked past this little restaurant, as I live very close by. I often found myself longing to spen...

romantic restaurant 4/5/2010

Citysearch User Provided by Partner
For our first big vacation, my boyfriend and I went to Italy and ate, ate, ate! Every time we want to relive that experience, we come to th... more
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Great place for intimate dining! 2/2/2009

franktz Provided by Partner
I have gone to Sostanza many times with friends or on dates! I love Italian food, and this is one of the best in the city. I urge anyone who wants a cozy place with great food to go here. And it's even better in the summer, when you can sit on the outdoor deck overlooking Madison Beach and Lake Washington. Kudos to the management and staff!!! more
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Excellent Italian Dishes with a romantic atmosphere 11/24/2008

Citysearch User Provided by Partner
Once you walk in you feel like you have been transported back to Italy. I love spending time here. Their specials change daily with fresh ... more
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Excellent Italian, very romantic, fabulous service 10/28/2008

kristylsummers Provided by Partner
Go hungry - that way you can enjoy all of the courses. Or, go with someone who likes to share. ;-) Start with the Insalata Barba - beets, arugala and tomato. The Zuppa Toscana is delicious - their version of ribolita (bean soup with pancetta). We tried the two specials that night - the lamb was excellent as was the salmon ravioli. Next time - I am definitely trying the scallops. They looked wonderful. Pros: The closest look, feel and taste of an Italian Trattoria more
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loved it 1/18/2008

taikom Provided by Partner
great italian food, both pasta dishes were delicious, good luscious sauces, fresh tasty tomatoes in our salad. really extensive and fun wine list. the service was excellent and the downstairs seating area is cozy and intimate. the fireplace is a really nice touch. the upstairs area seemed less intimate, brighter lighting, less appealing to me. i'd definitely come back to this little neighborhood place again! more
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Friendly and Warm 11/16/2006

cheriwan13 Provided by Partner
It was a rainy night, I wasn't sure what we were doing, and my dream boat drives me here for a romantic dinner. Well, it worked. It was warm, there was a low din in the dining room, we were seated by the fire, and there I was, transported back to first date moments~ what a great feeling. We had generous glass pours, and the wine was delicious, a great Caesar and Carpaccio, and the pasta was good. I had ordered the veal, but unfortunetly the veal was off that night, so it found its way back to the kitchen. Regardless, the pasta that replaced it was creamy and satisfying, and my feelings of being treated like a princess on a cold bleak night stayed with me all evening. It seems as if there were other couples there on true first dates, with a lot of sparkle and candle light, leaving with smiles. I left warm and smiling with them. Pros: Warm, friendly, great wine and pasta Cons: parking, no visible full bar? more
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More perfect than perfect... 10/19/2006

If you know Italian food and wine order from their extensive list of both. If you don't know Italian food tell your expertly professional waiting staff to put it together for you...either way you'll be very richly rewarded. Beyond the food the quiet romantic setting is perfect, and, lastly, the Madison Park location is also perfect. The ONLY thing I'd like to see is more window seating, but even if this place were in a flooded basement I'd crawl through a mile of broken glass to eat there! Pros: everything Cons: nothing more
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Cute and cozy place with a romantic atmosphere 12/25/2005

jchris00 Provided by Partner
The Sostanza is a great little restaurant for those wanting a cozy little place to eat where the waitstaff will treat you just right. I have gone here on many occassions and love the place. It has a great atmosphere and is perfect for stopping by for lunch or if you would like a romantic dinner. On more than one occassion the waitstaff has gone above the call of duty to provide outstanding service. The food is exactly what I would expect for a restaurant of this caliber, it is definitely above some restaurant chain like the Olive Garden. The portions are not too big and not too small. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy place for small group. Pros: Food, Ambience, Service Cons: Parking more
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Loved it! 6/22/2005

taxidog Provided by Partner
Every course was wonderful, including the cocktails (a great "Mandarin Drop"- and I don't usually care for mixed drinks). The polenta appetizer was richly flavored with demi-glace and mushrooms. The saltimbocca was tender and perfectly cooked. My lemon angel food cake with berries was a nice light dessert, but the creme brulee was the best; smooth as silk and not too sweet. I definately recommend Sostanza. more
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Snooty! And rancid olive oil! 6/19/2005

Citysearch User Provided by Partner
A very odd dining experience - I had often walked past this little restaurant, as I live very close by. I often found myself longing to spen... more
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A friday night 10/1/2003

anth8541 Provided by Partner
Very nice restaurant but not really in the location that you would expect.. I would acctualy have to say that the location is sub par..... but the restaurant in and of its self is really nice.... its just i think i expected more from the surrounding community... Great food... Pros: Inexpensive, Good food, Great fireplace Cons: Bad location, Small, Bad parking more
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Time to go somewhere else 8/11/2003

nakayamag Provided by Partner
The quality of food has declined (they left the strings in the string beans). The servers have gained attitude (she disappeared from view for 30 minutes). After frequenting Sostanza for the past few years, it's time for us to try somewhere else. Cons: poor service, mediocre food more
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Great little place 5/26/2003

shouck453 Provided by Partner
Went to Sostanza for my prom off a recommendation. We were really late, cause other stuff went wrong before hand. The hostess was very friendly on the phone when I had to call to let them know, and assured me it was ok. The amount of time spent dining was perfect; not to short, not to long. Very nice place, could see the waterfront as the sun set(not a sunset view, but still looked cool on the water). The Veal was amazing. I was pleasently suprised to see that it wasn't very expensive($60 for me and my date). It was definently a hidden little treasure in Madsion Park that I'll remember to take future dates, that will hopefully go better than prom did overall. EXCELLENT Pros: Service, Value, Food Cons: a little cramped..., really no cons... more
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Non così speciale 4/25/2003

foodphysicist Provided by Partner
I was surpised Sostanza won "Best Romantic Restaurant." The food was good, but not outstanding. They are definitely not in the same league as Serafina, Assagio, and Cafe Juanita. We asked for their best table with a view, but instead spent the evening watching birds and squirrels run across the numerous power lines that obstructed the potential view of Lake Washington. If you really want romantic, go to Adriatica. Pros: menu, wait staff Cons: parking, view more
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Top notch 2/24/2003

uwsid Provided by Partner
Valentines Day 2003 for me as well. I lived in Madison Park for seven years, but inexplicably, never went to Sostanza. I wish I had. It was excellent ... in the top five restaurants in Seattle that I've been to. The service was very close to the best I've ever had, the place was beautiful and the food was fantastic -- from salad to entree to dessert. Pros: Food, Service, Romantic more
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Nice 2/20/2003

nicole_chambers Provided by Partner
Valentine's Dinner 2003. I tried this restaurant due to it's review here and was happy with my choice. The restaurant was small and cozy. I had the seared duck, and my boyfriend had the fettuccini with lobster and prawns. The portions were small but delicious leaving plenty of room for dessert. We started with the chocolate decadence dessert and still had room for the excellent creme brulee. The presentation was beautiful as well. Our server was friendly and helpful with entree and wine choices. A little pricey for the food, but one pays for the atmosphere. Pros: Romantic, Friendly staff, Extensive wine list Cons: Pricey more
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So So 1/31/2003

adairou Provided by Partner
I was surprised that Sostanza was rated one of the best in Seattle. The service and wine list were excellent and the food was definitely less than average. more
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Not worth it 1/20/2003

DarrylR Provided by Partner
I had the Ravioi...4 pieces!, I'm not kidding..4, about the size of a half dollar, nice staff, cozy, view...DON'T get the ravioli unless you just came from Mc-D's! more
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Buonissimo!! 12/10/2002

brisch_hertz Provided by Partner
The perfect place to go just prior to an engagement. Wonderful service, deliscious food, and a wide range of wines to chose from. Our table by the fire added to the romantic ambiance already provided by the dim lights, intimate environment, and Italian charm. Highly recommended for a quiet night out with the one you love. Pros: small parties of 2-4, intimate setting Cons: lack of parking more
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So-So Sostanza 11/23/2002

t_hank22 Provided by Partner
Sostanza Trattoria is so so. The ambience is warm and I can see where romantic is derived. Too bad the place is full of snoody people. The workers are nice and some even sorta hot. It was interesting to watch the men, with their old goats, check out the fresh meat femmes. Anyways, reservation made at 6 and finally seated at 6:45. The excuse was that "people just seem to be running late today." Guess that's why I'm bitter. The food was good, though, needed AlkaSeltzer after. Overall, So So SoStanza. more
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Additional information
  • Payments: Diner's Club, American Express, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Capitol Hill, Madison Park
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