Il Terrazzo Carmine   

Owner Carmine Smeraldo and head chef Tim Clancy have teamed up since Il Terrazzo opened its doors in 1984 to produce what many longtime patrons insist is the city's most superb Italian restaurant. With a staff of 30 to serve 85 customers, Smeraldo emphasizes hospitality in an intimate setting that suggests a village trattoria: white tablecloths, a real red rose on every table, warm lighting amid overhead wooden beams, and colorful prints, paintings and ceramic plates on the walls. You'll find traditional Italian regional fare, with a menu that features fixtures such as steak, veal, lamb, chicken and several daily specials. Though it's not officially a "seafood restaurant," the most popular entree is frequently the market price fish. The dessert tray is headed by the tiramisu, which Smeraldo maintains is the best in the country. The wine list seems thicker than some best-selling novels as it contains 330 selections. The entrance isn't immediately obvious, as it's well off the street inside the lobby of Merrill Place, an upscale converted Pioneer Square warehouse. In good weather, you might be lucky enough to get a secluded outside table by the fountain. No matter what the season, you may be seated next to some of Seattle's power elite, as many prominent bankers, attorneys, civic leaders and pro sports execs are regular patrons. The volume of return diners and their enthusiastic recommendations are the main reason why Smeraldo doesn't bother with marketing or advertising.