I finally had the chance to try the restaurant in Ballard that everyone is talking about, Volterra. I'm in love!
Think sexy but classic. My dinning companion mentioned that the restaurant felt like a home dining room, which from understanding is exactly what the goal of the establishment is, to transport you to Tuscany. Volterra is not red-checkered table cloth Italian rather authentic Tuscan.
Almost immediately when we were seated, a bottle of Trampetti Olive Oil was placed on our table. This olive oil is spectacular. Used in other restaurants such as Crow and Primo Grill (Tacoma) and sold at Metropolitan Market for upwards of $25 a bottle, this is not Food Services of America jug olive oil. Volterra was already on the 5 star track at this point, but then they continued to impress me with their cocktails. I first tried the Mandarin Basil Drop- perfection. A basil leaf floated on the top with slight hints of basil and Mandarin vodka. However, my other drink, Rosemary Drop with house made limoncello vodka blew my socks off- the best cocktail I've ever had.
Regardless, don't go to Volterra for just their cocktails. The food was divine. Our waiter described many of the foods for us not only explaining taste, but also origin. For example the wild boar prosciutto from Salumi is not sold at his store rather only made for Volterra and few other select restaurants in the city. Believe me, I wish that he did because I have never taste such a rich and complex prosciutto. Next, I sampled their homemade buffalo ricotta ravioli. Now here is my only complaint, the portion was a little small and it could of been a bit more warm. Tender pasta with a side of kale! My friend ordered their venison pasta which was a ragu of venison and pasta, which was also perfectly done and a much larger portion than mine.
Last, but definitely not least was the chestnut panna cotta with honey and strawberries. All I can say is orgasmic and so rich that I could not finish my dessert and normally I do at nicer restaurants.
I am looking forward to my next visit to Volterra. I want to try the Wild Boar Tenderloin. If you want good Italian, I urge you to try Volterra.
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