Il Corvo, Seattle, 8/25/17

entrance
entrance

Il Corvo is a small place  where there is almost always a line to get in.  I actually heard someone behind me exclaim happily that this was the first time the line hadn’t been around the corner for her.  The line was a mix of locals and tourists but definitely not for those on a lunch break as we waited 45 minutes to order and the line did get longer.  The restaurant is only open for lunch on weekdays and does accept credit cards.  The line takes you to the order counter, which according to their posted etiquette rules is where you head first (as opposed to claiming a table).  Seating is assigned by the counter person after she takes your order.  Parties of 3 or more will probably get their own table but twos will be placed with others and there is a larger table for singles.  

line to get in
line to get in
line extends up the hill
line extends up the hill
sign on the street
sign on the street

You fill your own water, grab utensils and bus your table afterwards but they do bring your food out to you.  They offered 3 different fresh made pastas, the styles of which are displayed dried at the counter, kale salad, house made focaccia some pickled vegetables and olives.  Wine is available by the bottle, glass or portion of a liter as well as beer and some canned beverages.  There is no background music but the crowd noise is enough.  Decorations are mostly various pasta making utensils or maps of Italy.  The pastas were nice but variable.  I expected much more based on the crowd – I wouldn’t repeat the process.

Interior
Interior
Il Corvo Etiquette
Il Corvo Etiquette
Menu
Menu
Frankie checked out the pasta makers
Frankie checked out the pasta makers
display of pasta makers
display of pasta makers
wall decorations
wall decorations
Sauce for sale
Sauce and drinks for sale
Frankie posed with the wine pitcher
Frankie posed with the wine pitcher
Italy wall art
Italy wall art

 

We got a bowl of the pickled vegetables to snack on while we waited. They were nicely spicy, crisp and tart.

pickled vegetables
pickled vegetables
Kitchen behind order counter
Kitchen behind order counter
pasta shapes of the day
pasta shapes of the day
Frankie checked out more equipment
Frankie checked out more equipment
rolling pins
rolling pins
and more equipement
and more equipment

 

The Pappardelle alla Bolognese was the worst of the pastas offered that day.  The nicely wide and tender pasta was coated with a dull, mealy sauce that needed seasoning.  Possibly a little oil could have helped moisten the dish but the sauce was one of the least exciting Bolognese ever.  It was a disappointment.

bringing out the pasta
bringing out the pasta
Pappardelle alla Bolognese
Pappardelle alla Bolognese
Frankie and the James Beard Award nomination
Frankie and the James Beard Award nomination

 

The Cornetto was a peperonata sauce of sweet and spicy peppers (hatch chilies, shishitos, roasted red peppers and peppadews), onions, garlic and balsamic.  The curled pasta was wonderful with the tasty and slightly sweet spicy sauce.  It was a good combination of flavors and just the right amount of pepper punch.

Cornetto - Peperonata, sweet and spicy peppers, balsamic, onions
Cornetto – Peperonata, sweet and spicy peppers, balsamic, onions
more art
more art

 

The Maccheroni Rigate was a lobster mushroom cream sauce with onions, garlic and chili flakes.  The chili in this dish was very understated and worked well with the side of chilies al inferno.  The buttery cream sauce was tasty and adhered well to the thick pasta tubes.  It was really good but the Cornetto was the best of the three.

Maccheroni Rigate - Lobster mushrooms in a cream sauce with onions, garlic and chili flakes
Maccheroni Rigate – Lobster mushrooms in a cream sauce with onions, garlic and chili flakes
side of chilies al inferno
side of chilies al inferno
Frankie tried to chose
Frankie tried to chose
foccacia
House made focaccia
chef of the day
chef of the day
Frankie found another Italy poster in the bathroom
Frankie found another Italy poster in the bathroom

 

2 thoughts on “Il Corvo, Seattle, 8/25/17

  1. I agree with you. We went here. After the meal, we thought it was not worth the wait and we would not be a repeat. We did not understand why they were so popular.

    1. Glad to have confirmation of my opinion – lol! Sometimes when a place is hot it draws a crowd well after it no longer merits it. I’ve seen that other places where we line up and then wonder if the anticipation kills the end result cause no restaurant could ever live up to the hype. I’ve had that same opinion about some hard reservations to get, and then when we get there I wonder what all the buzz was about. For Seattle best to stick with Matt’s at the Marketplace. Have you been anywhere fun lately? Always love suggestions. Thanks for looking in!

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