User Rating: 35 out of 5 stars (7 ratings)
Volterra Restaurant
- (206) 789-5100
- Reserve Now
- Menu
5411 Ballard Ave Nw, Seattle, WA
98107
Get directions
Cross Streets: Between 22nd Ave NW and NW Market St
Neighborhood: Ballard Seattle, WA
47.667736
-122.385244
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| About: | Volterra is a restaurant born of loveDon Curtiss and Michelle Quisenberry, the husband-wife duo who own it, drew inspiration for it from their visit to the city of Volterra in Tuscany. Chandeliers and carvings adorn the charming interiors, and the ambience is perfect for an intimate meal. The traditional Italian fare doled out by Chef Curtiss includes culinary delights like Risotto with Fava Beans, Wild Boar Tenderloin with Gorgonzola Sauce, and the mouth-watering Chestnut Panna Cotta. All recipes use seasonal fresh ingredients. You can also try one of the specialty cocktails, or a wine at the bar. Volterra can be hired for private events and catering. It also hosts its own events from time to time. |
| Hours: | Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun. |
| Categories: | All Bars, Pubs, & Clubs, Italian Restaurants, Restaurants |
| Payment: | MasterCard, Visa, American Express |
| Amenities: | Kid-Friendly, Open late Mon.-Sat. |
| Cuisine: | Italian |
| Ambiance: | Family Friendly, Romantic |
| Feature: | Bar, Outdoor Seating |
| Reservations Policy: | Suggested |
| Smoking: | No Smoking |
| Dress Code: | Business casual |
| Price: | $16.00 |
| Other Contact Info: | Email: info@volterarestaurant.com |
Recent Reviews
1-3 of 3 Write a review
User Rating: 5 out of 5 starsVolterra has been on my list of places to try for ages. My friends rave about this place and so we went for my boyfriends birthday and it was the perfect choice. I asked the hostess for a romantic table and I think they gave us the best table in the house. It was in the corner of the banqette and so we were able to sit side by side and watch the hustle and bustle of the dining room and Ballard Ave. The place was hopping and filled with great energy.
Great cocktail list. I loved the Michelle Cosmo and the Limoncello Rosemary Drop. BF had the Fennel Crush and the Manhattan with the slight hint of Hazelnut. Big wine list at all prices. We had the house wine which was great and only $32. Wine guy was cool and didn't make us feel like schmucks for ordering the house wine.
The food was the highlight. Chef's Antipasti which was a bunch of Italian style tapas. All were very tasty. Polenta Custard with oozy cheese and mushroom and truffle ragu- YUM. Grilled Scallops with a dollop of garlic aioli- fresh and delicious. Crab and Mascarpone Raviioli in a spicy tomato cream sauce - sinful. Wild Boar with Gorgonzola and Mustard Sauce -dreamy. They brought us a suprise tiramisu with a candle and we also ordered the pistachio cake with lemon gelato. Both were great.
Service was also great. Our waiter was there when we needed him but didn't encroach on our romantic night. We told him we wanted to take it slow and so he paced our meal just right.-
User Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
One for two thus far: I visited Volterra last summer for Sunday brunch and had a very nice meal. Sat out on the patio, had great service, good mimosas, really good food. I went back the other night and sat at the bar. First of all, I love the place's decor - sortof sleek but dark and warm at the same time. Like a good upscale neighborhood pub. The meal started out fine - warm bread, good local wine, and a nice bartender serving me. I finally ordered my entree - "Natural Beef tenderloin steak, seared, draped in Salumiâs lardo, and served with a rosemary, garlic, Chianti, and demi-glaze sauce; served with Volterra mashed potatoes, and seasonal market vegetables."
The steak was very tender but the demi-glaze sauce had very little flavor. The mashed potatoes were just regular old mashed potatoes, and the vegetable was fairly bland asparagus. My girlfriend called mid-meal and I noted to her that the meal "tasted like airline food." I think the bartender might have heard me because he didn't say two words to me the rest of the night. I had to pour salt on everything to give it much flavor and the meal ended that way.
I really do like this place and I think and hope that this was just an anomaly. The brunch was great last summer but this time I didn't get anywhere close to good value for my $24. They are now one for two. I will go back and try it again but Volterra had better "bring it" next time. 
User Rating: 5 out of 5 starsGreat food, nice atmosphere, good selection: So far, Volterra has served us well. We've enjoyed their food and their atmosphere. Their wine list and bar contains a wonderful selection. The only down-side is the ocassional "moodiness" of one of the waiters, but other than that, everyone is very friendly and accomodating. Be sure to make reservations though, and arrive early to find parking - it's not easy.
Oh, and leave the child at home on the weekends - this restaurant isn't really all that child friendly during the "hot spot" times.
Reviews 1-3 of 3
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Comments (1)
I agree - for all the buzz Volterra has received - the food is surprisingly average in terms of flavor and seasoning. The potential is there, but they seem to be doing the minimum.