Serafina

Serafina Restaurant Review:

Evenings of live jazz punctuated by Italian dishes and Northwest ingredients have made this Tuscan-inspired spot a longtime neighborhood favorite. Starters include beef shoulder carpaccio crusted with pepper and chili, and mussels simmered in a smoked tomato-sweet vermouth sauce. Salads are tossed with bright vinaigrettes. House-made pastas may serve as a first or main course. Choices might include baked gnocchi with wild mushrooms, and classic lasagna with layers of a pork, beef and veal ragoût enhanced with hand-made egg pasta leaves, ricotta and béchamel sauce. House specials range from pan-roasted veal scallopine to braised rabbit. Dessert highlights are the lavender-vanilla bean panna cotta topped with strawberry mousse and a dark chocolate truffle cake. The wine list stars Northwest varietals to complement the menu. Service can be slow. Just relax and imagine you are in Italy.