The petite yet impressive progeny to Cantinetta Seattle and Cantinetta Bellevue, as well as Bellevue’s pizzeria Mercato Stellina, Bar Cantinetta has much to live up to. Specializing in Tuscan culinary traditions, the elegant Italian-style nook does it well.
Located on East Madison Street, Bar Cantinetta sits just east of Seattle’s hip, bustling Capitol Hill neighborhood, in a more residential locale, Madison Valley. Here, you’ll find charming homes donning actual front yards and available street parking that is almost so good, you’ll wonder whether you parked legally. Follow the scent of olive oil to your destination, where the taste of the Old Country and the sophistication of downtown merge into one: a tiny Tuscany.
Inside, rustic décor meets the eye amidst the soft glow of candlelit tables and tree branch-style chandeliers. A pocket-sized bar sits opposite shelf-lined walls boasting Italian wine bottles, and behind the bar, corks fly out of said vino bottles, including Moscato di’Asti Pian Centive Pie and Amaro Montenegro among other Italian beverage staples. On the floor, servers dance synchronously from table to table in collected, calm strides, platters delicately concocted with seasonal organic ingredients in hand.
The bar’s menu of Pacific Northwest-sourced fare is ever changing and bold – don’t be surprised if you come across plates starring wild boar, quail eggs or hedgehogs (a type of mushroom, don’t worry). It also holds the potential for a four-course meal, if you endeavor thus far. Antipasta to start – perhaps a seasonal soup or bread plate; primi to follow – pastas such as risotto, pappardelle alla Bolognese or gnudi, gnocchi’s larger, cheesier cousin; for secondi, red-peppered chicken breast or braised short ribs hit the palate; and finally – because Nonna would be disappointed if you left without dessert – wrap it all up with a doughy Nutella-filled zeppolle. Because yes, Nutella is Italian.
While the atmosphere is lively and the food is filling, the bar’s intimate setting is appropriate from first date to golden anniversary, family feast to casual girls-night-out. Befitting to the authentic, homemade craft of the Tuscan kitchen are pillow-scattered benches providing a right-at-home feeling, and when decent weather hits town, porch seating. So get comfortable and enjoy a glass of wine or two…or three, but don’t be alarmed if you see a crowd waiting for your coveted table – this bar has mouths to feed. Buon appetito!
