gr0m1t

But don’t take my word for it. The reviewer for the Times gives it 3 1/2 stars!

I lived in Roma for 3 months during the spring of 2005. I’d visited different parts of Italy for a few weeks at a time before. I am truly in love with the country. I know that some day my wife and I will live there for more than just a few months.

I can’t wait to go back.

I really loved atmosphere of the old space. The new loaction isn’t bad, just very different from the small intimate feel of the original. And to still call it an “osteria” is a stretch.

The food is still quite good, though.

It’s not the most stellar place in the world, but they seem to have consistently decent food. Nice atmosphere, and the staff has always been friendly. It’s a good place to get a burger, or try something off their ever-changing regional menu.

Beato is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to eat in Seattle. It’s in the old O2 space (before that, Ovio’s first location) on California Ave.

The food is great! They don’t promote their food as authentic Italian, but as Italian inspired. Some of my favorite dishes are the ox tail fettucine (with truffle oil, I think), the guanciale salad (yum!), and I recently had the lamb with beets. I love that the portions are such that I don’t leave feeling overstuffed. And the prices are reasonable (nothing over $19 on food menu).

And then there’s the wine. Wow, what a wine list! If you love Italian wine, you have to come here. Or if you don’t know much about Italian vino, you can learn a lot here (the staff is quite knowledgable). This is perhaps the best Italian wine list in Seattle. There are lots of bottles that can’t be found anywhere else in Seattle. (The owner used to be general manager of Italian Wine Merchants in NYC). Many of the “special” bottles are on the reserve list (>$100), which you need to request. But there are plenty of great choices at much lower prices, as well. They also have a nice glass pour list that seems to change fairly regularly.

I live close by and I really hope they succeed. It’s great having an option for something a bit more upscale right here in West Seattle.