Hours

Mon-Thu 5pm-12am Fri 5pm-1am Sat 9am-2pm, 5pm-1am Sun 9am-2pm, 5pm-9pm

Cross Street

22nd Avenue Nw

Parking

Free lot
Meters
Street parking

Pricing

High ($$$)

City's Best

Volterra   

5411 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-789-5100
Official Website

Rating: 3 out of 5  (4 Ratings)   Read Reviews (4)    Rate and Write a Review

The SceneNamed after the Tuscan hill town where the owners were married in 2004, this upscale trattoria re-creates the town's atmosphere through framed photos, Italianate wall sconces and an elegant marble floor. Well-heeled patrons sit at tables in the large dining room and on the tree-canopied outdoor patio; seats in the bar attract a more casual crowd. Servers are very friendly, almost to the point of obsequiousness.The FoodThe menu centers on traditional Tuscan dishes, including olive oil soup and tomato and bread salad. An indulgent appetizer is the creamy polenta custard glazed with wild mushroom ragu--like a savory lava cake, the inside oozes fontina. The house specialty, wild boar tenderloin with gorgonzola sauce, comes achingly tender and accompanied by fingerlings. Pastas are house-made and tossed with lush sauces like lamb ragu. For dessert, the spiced Panforte di Siena cake comes perfectly paired with a dessert wine.

User Ratings and Reviews Rate and Write a Review

4 Ratings and Reviews

Order by: Oldest | Newest
user image
Review rating 4 out of 5
By Psdietcoke on 07/10/2008
gourmetinseattle
Review rating 5 out of 5
Excellent, Authentic Tuscan
By gourmetinseattle on 10/27/2005
I've been a regular customer at Volterra since they opened and they consistently amaze me with their ever changing, seasonal menu. This is true Tuscan cuisine just like you would enjoy in Italy today. I've travelled all over Italy and spent a summer in Florence and recognize good Italian food which seems to be lacking in Seattle. Volterra is the closest thing you will find to real Italian food short of flying to Italy. This is not a spaghetti and meatballs joint so don't expect red sauce and lasagne. One of my favorites is the Wild Boar with Gorgonzola sauce and the Braised Lamb Shank. The service is always warm and friendly and extremely knowledgable. Volterra's prices are extremely modest. Although they use all natural and organic meats and the most expensive entree is $24. Because of their prices, I can afford to eat there every week. They also have an incredible wine list. If you appreciate high quality food & good wine, go to Volterra.
tokigno11
Review rating 1 out of 5
If you work for your money....
By tokigno11 on 10/27/2005
Don't go there! After reading about this place I decided to go. EXPANSIVE! Also, where are the Italians? It seems like another Italian wanna be. The service was marginal to top it off and the food was just mediocre. Sorry guys, not worth the money that i work hard for........
user image
Review rating 5 out of 5
By rskastner on 08/27/2005