Brad's Swingside Cafe

This place came to my GF (girlfriend) & I highly recommended. We finally made time to check it out even though that meant giving up a nite at the always amazing 'Bizzarro'. First & for most, the food definitely lived up to the hype. We had the calamari to start & I always prefer it when it is NOT deep fried. Delicious. As we were enjoying the end of our app, the entrees came out. A major pet peeve of mine, I like to finish my app, maybe have a minute or two to re-charge my beverage? Especially important process at a place so highly touted as an intimate Italian joint. That brings me to the decor/ambiance. Not as enjoyed by my GF & I as much as a lot of the people who review. The place could definitely use some 'freshening up'. The chairs were like something at a PTA meeting & the inside decor certainly was nothing like an Italian living room. More like one of those log cabins/shacks you can rest in when you go snowshoeing or XC skiing. Back to the food. I had the Lobster, I couldn't resist, the market price was $26. Where the hell can you get a better deal? It friggin' delivered, it came with better part of a half lb of crab as well, the pink sauce was perfect & the few pom seeds on top provided an interested twist for the few bites they contributed (which was just the right amount). My GF had the rav's, the were also brilliant, of course she was wishing she had gotten the Lobster as well, I made sure to share. To wrap up we had the blood orange something or other, it was flan like & perfect. Nice n light, perfect dessert. We will go again, but not as often as some of our other proven favorites. Finally the service, it was interesting. Our main waitress was spot on, however there seemed to be a sort of front of house guy who was borderline annoying. He announced to our area indirectly ""...we should be busier tonite..."" shortly after our arrival. Over all glad we went. Give it a shot! more

There's a reason Brad's Swingside Cafe is consistently rated the top Italian in Seattle. Great for me,... more

There's a reason Brad's Swingside Cafe is consistently rated the top Italian in Seattle. Great for me, they're right in the neighborhood! We enjo... more

This place rocks!! The food is tremendous, the ambiance is like the warm embrace of a loved one, and Brad, the owner is one hell of a chef and a super n ice guy to boot! They recently made Zagat's list of Pros: great food, friendly service Cons: you might have to wait to be seated -especially if they have live music more

Waited a hour for food-hotel called and said we were looking for a place that served traditional italian-lasagna-etc.they said they did-paid taxi to get there and the food was the farthest thing from traditional italian-kinda funky-mom and pop owned-would not go back-asked for marinara got meat sauce-waiter never came back to ask how food was-had also wild boar sauage? more

I have to say this is a down to earth Seattle place to enjoy. We only found it by stopping for coffee just to use the bathroom after a parade. Not only did we not have change for the coffee, they weren't yet open and their cutest little daughters not only served me up a drink on the house. we came back four hours later to eat. I do have to say the menu was small, but that being said it doesn't need another item! the food was amazing. very authentic and I can't wait to go back. The atmosphere was downright comfortable. If you want a commercialized restraunt with a huge menu and service you can complain about don't go. If you want to sit and relax and enjoy a good meal... go for it. I live 30 miles away and will make the drive alot to go again and again. more

Just taste the food and you'll see how great it is. The people who work there are nice and remember their customers (even if they've only been there once before). The restaurant itself is in a cute little house and has a beautiful back deck. The food is amazing and authentic tasting (I spent four months living in Rome!) Order the Aglio Olio.. It's my favorite! Pros: waitstaff, food, food, food Cons: small, short wine list, closed on Mondays more

This place is over rated for sure! I use to live in the neighborhood and eat here often, but I personally got sick of listening to the owner (and cooks) argue and bash on the wait staff and customers. I don't think that they realize that they are so loud is such a small place. The food is nothing special and agree with the last reviewer, NOT a clean restaurant. I will never go back to this arrogant, dirty joint. Pros: N/A Cons: I think I have said enough more

First let me make one thing very clear - I have never once set foot in this place. more

We finally have a good solid choice for great personal Italian food in Seattle. We decided to check it out after it got the audience winner for best Italian restaurant. This place could probably survive in the Italian-packed East coast restaurant scene. The owners are originally from Pittsburgh, so maybe that explains things a bit (I have to admit we are too). The menu was on the smaller side, and most of the dishes seemed to be specialized with lots of ingredients. We read about the place being crowded, so we showed up shortly after it opened and had the place to ourselves. The food and service was excellent, we'll definitely be going there again. Pros: specialized menu, personable, great food Cons: no lasagna more

I have been to brads many times Pros: totally unique! Cons: shaky service more

There's a reason Brad's Swingside Cafe is consistently rated the top Italian in Seattle. Great for me, they're right in the neighborhood! We enjoy dinner at Brad's a couple of times a month, and while on occasion I will try one of their specials, I am completely in love with two of their standard pasta entrees: the Bolognese and the Aglio Olio. more

Brad is the Sicilian soul food King!. Outstanding wines, delicious dishes, atmosphere, service...it's all amazing...I've been a regular customer over 10 years and still loving the experience. Go now.. what are you waiting for?!!! Pros: Oh yeah...do it Cons: Can't think of any more

The food in very inconsistent! The staff has a high turnover due to the owner Brad, and his mood swings. more

For years, the swingside has been a fantastic spot for great food ina casual setting. Great pastas and specials. The wine list is getting better and better. The staff is always friendly and helpful. If you want formal and expensive - skip it. If you want great food at good prices in a friendly spot - this is it. more

Still great after all these years. The Swingside Cafe is one of a kind, and I hope it never goes away. The presence of the chef-owner makes the quality of the food unbeatable. It's inventive and seasonal and never boring. You could not make this food at home. The Sicilian influenced cuisine is sophisticated and layered and full of special ingredients, fit for kings and queens! Besides being where to go if you want to feel like royalty, the Swingside Cafe is a good place to hang out with people who truly appreciate food. It's also great for simpler meals by yourself or with one or two other people. It's nice in the summer on the deck and it's nice in the winter when it's cozy inside. It's possible to get out of there inexpensively, but you usually end up ordering about 4 things each since they are so irresistible. I usually can't stop myself from ordering the antipasto platter and that day's appetizer special plus an entrée, but stronger willed people than I could. more

Have visited Swingside on three occasions within the past year, the most recent of which was yesterday and it's simply wonderful. Enjoy the low ceilings, candles & dim lighting, & Pittsburgh Pirates memorabilia. The presence of an extremely social orange tabby cat seals the deal. (However, if you give him an inch, he will take a mile. The servers are quick to point out that he is very well fed and loves to play the role with guests.) Have yet to encounter a dish that I dont like (sausage lasagna special, homemade ravioli), although I do find that some (Aglio Olio with Dungeness Crab) are just out of this world. Pleasantly surprised to find the house dressing was not raspberry (yeah!), but a robust, adult vinaigrette. Service is casual and on point, but never pretentious. It is one of my top three. Crowded on weekends be forewarned! Pros: Atmosphere, Non-pretentious , Unique Cons: Minimal Parking more

I actually laughed out loud when I read that review about the pepper. Not precisely tailored to your individual demands? Perhaps. ""Blah,"" ""little taste"" and ""less than par""? Give me a break! Wasn't that review about being too spicy (without any black pepper, mind you...)!? Anyway, not to get hung up on that, this place is my favorite ""Italian"" joint (that qualification brings terrible cliches to mind that are certainly not in effect here) in the city, and certainly up there across the board, and for good reasons. It's both cozy and alive and unneeding to cater to the boring masses (this ain't the Olive Garden), with great ambience and decor (know of any other restaurants sporting a shrine to the Bucs?) that serves the best Italian/Sicilian dishes along with an great wine collection I know of around these parts. Pros: Food with character, great ambience/decor, visible kitchen more

I am a frequent diner at Swingside and I have turned a lot of friends onto it, too. It's on my top 5 restaurants in Seattle list and I just can't say enough about it. What I love about Swingside is that I can show up in jeans on a Saturday night and have an incredible meal and bottle of wine in a fun, relazing, cozy atmosphere. The food is along the quality of what you would find at a fine restaurant, but the place is not stuffy like a fine restaurant. It's always a great dinner for the few who are lucky enough to fit in the cozy place. Pros: great food, nice wine list, "adult" more

If you want The Georgian, this ain't it. If you want McDonald's, this ain't it, either. This is the best ""home-cooked"" Italian food in the city, served in an ambiance of ""family"" and bustle. Brad's wild boar ragout is the best around. The wine list is exceptional for such a small restaurant. You need to be the proper state of mind to dine here, though. The meals take time to prepare, so relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the ""show"" around you. I return here as often as possible. Great job, Brad! Pros: Great Food, Great Wine List, Bustling Ambiance Cons: Parking more