Il Nido – Restaurant Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived. Find Il Nido at the Alki Homestead, a historical lodge neighboring West Seattle's Alki Beach. The stunning dining room boasts a massive stone fireplace and a chandelier of intertwined antlers, and a large bar area offers peeks into the bright kitchen. What was the crowd like? Whether it's waking up at midnight to score a reservation 30 days ahead or loitering on the restaurant's front porch prior to opening, Il Nido's clientele is persistent. Inside, everyone's happy to have scored a seat and the whole experience encourages camaraderie. At the bar, especially, you'll get to know your neighbors. What should we be drinking? Italian wine lovers will find their favorite varietals from Sicily, Tuscany, and everywhere in between. But don't skip that opening cocktail; highlights on Jermaine Whitehead's amaro-heavy drinks menu include a Negroni Bianco—Suze (a bitter apéritif) replaces Campari—and the frothy, ginger-spiked Harmony 3. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss. At Il Nido, the meal begins with antipasti and salads—say, a Caesar with chicories. Then it's on to the pasta, lightly sauced so the noodles shine. Busiati, torcheietti—order them all. The star of the secondi section is the charred ribeye. Simple, perfect desserts include a berry-topped panna cotta, gelato, and tiramisu. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you? While friendly, there's palpable focus to the service at Il Nido, and it befits the seriousness of the food. Any final tips? Plan your reservation strategy around a special occasion, or grab a spontaneous friend and head to West Seattle ahead of the 4 p.m. opening time. The bar takes walk-ins and serves antipasti for the first hour, followed by the full dinner menu." - Jessica Voelker
