SWeL Restaurant

Restaurant · Fremont

1

@infatuation

"Fremont is a pretty big area with disappointingly few options when it comes to Italian food. For a long time, there were only two sit-down restaurants to choose from. Or four, if you count that hostel with the terrible Detroit-style pizza and the billiards hall slinging mediocre slices. But we don’t. Then Swel came along, with its slightly-upscale-trattoria situation. And while it doesn’t serve the best Italian food in the world, it is a good addition to the Fremont scene. And your life, if you’re a pizza fan. Swel stands for “stuff we like to eat,” and for the most part, we agree. The menu has a mix of pastas, pizzas, salads, and small plates, as well as some non-Italian dishes like jalapeño hummus and carne asada. The pizzas, served with a delicious spicy chili oil, are definitely our favorites. They’re actually more like diamond-shaped flatbreads, with a crispy, thin crust, and fresh toppings that work really well, whether you get a simple margherita or something more involved. The salads and other entrees—like the overly garlicky caesar, the creamy but inconsistently seasoned sausage pasta, and the slightly tough French cut pork chop—are just a little bit above average. But it’s worth it to come for the pizzas alone. The space feels like something out of Pottery Barn’s summer catalogue, and would be great for a weekend night when you want to hang with friends over pizza and cocktails, rather than go out at Nectar Lounge or Ballroom and end up eating Pagliacci’s on your bathroom floor. Service is friendly, and there’s a nice back patio with picnic tables for when the weather’s warm—we could see ourselves out there with some small plates and a bottle of wine in the summertime. If you asked us to point you toward the best Italian food in Seattle, there are certainly other places we’d send you first. But if you’re in Fremont and want some tasty, upscale pizza, by all means, Swel will have stuff you like to eat, too. Food Rundown Caesar Salad This salad checks off many of the caesar boxes: ice-cold romaine, plenty of freshly-grated parmesan cheese, a great lettuce-to-dressing ratio, and well-salted crunchy croutons. However, you could ward off a vampire with the amount of raw garlic in this thing. Pizza With Fresh Mozzarella, Pepperoni, And Fresh Basil The basil here adds a freshness you don’t normally get from a pepperoni pie. The pepperoni itself has a good crispiness to it, and the crust is tasty and crunchy, too. Douse it in the homemade chili oil and you’ll be very happy. Pizza With Smoked Mozzarella, Pancetta, Red Onion, And Sweet Spicy Peppers Definitely worth ordering. The flavors here are great, and the smoked mozzarella is an interesting addition that works well with the pancetta. Rigatoni With Local Italian Sausage, Marinara, Garlic, And Cream This has that comforting quality a rich pasta should have, but it’s inconsistent. One time we came here, the noodles were slightly overcooked, and another time, the sauce had way too much oregano. French Cut Pork Chop A well-seasoned bone-in pork chop with a good sear to it - but it’s the tiniest bit too tough around the edges. The yukon gold mashed potatoes with a creamy marsala sauce, on the other hand, are perfect." - Aimee Rizzo

Swel Review - Fremont - Seattle - The Infatuation
Infatuation - Reviews

3417 Evanston Ave N UNIT 104, Seattle, WA 98103 Get directions

swelrestaurant.com
@swelrestaurant

1 Postcard

Reserve
See full details

More Places For You

Mercado Luna

Mexican restaurant · Capitol Hill

Nestled in Capitol Hill, Mezcaleria Oaxaca offers a vibrant atmosphere and a rooftop taco truck, serving up Oaxacan delights and creative mezcal cocktails that make for a perfect summer hangout.

10 Postcards

Post Alley Pizza

Pizza restaurant · Central Business District

Post Alley Pizza is a cozy corner pizzeria near Pike Place, serving New York-style slices and stellar hoagies with fresh, local ingredients.

14 Postcards

The Pink Door

Italian restaurant · Pike Place Market

Step through an unmarked pink door and into a lively Italian haven where you can savor exceptional lasagna and enjoy trapeze performances with stunning Elliott Bay views.

32 Postcards

HoneyHole Sandwiches

Restaurant · First Hill

At HoneyHole Sandwiches in Capitol Hill, dig into hearty, quirky sandwiches crafted from fresh ingredients in a chill, eclectic space that buzzes day and night.

10 Postcards

Dino's Tomato Pie

Pizza restaurant · Capitol Hill

Dino’s Tomato Pie is a divey pizzeria serving crave-worthy New Jersey-style round and thick square pies, perfect for your late-night pizza fix in Seattle.

14 Postcards

The Ballard Smoke Shop

Bar · Ballard

Longtime venue offering a relaxed eatery for classic American mains & a low-key bar section.

5 Postcards

The Velvet Elk

Bar · Mount Baker

The Velvet Elk is a cozy two-story bar in Mount Baker, blending vintage charm with colorful decor, serving craft cocktails and snacks like homemade corn dogs.

3 Postcards

Nue

Eclectic restaurant · Capitol Hill

Nue offers a cozy, knickknack-filled atmosphere where you can dive into inventive global street eats, all while enjoying friendly service and good vibes.

17 Postcards

Frank's Quality Produce

Produce market · Pike Place Market

Family-owned fruit & vegetable stand in Pike Place Market specializing in locally sourced produce.

2 Postcards

Volunteer Park Cafe & Pantry

Cafe · Capitol Hill

Nestled in a quaint Capitol Hill corner, this cozy café serves up standout American comfort food and delectable pastries—perfect for a post-park snack.

21 Postcards