NOLITA Italian Food and Wine Restaurant

I’ve been wanting to try this out and finally was able to last night. So here’s my review. Keep in mind it was right at opening time so it was almost empty. Atmosphere: Nicely lit. The music was just a smidge too loud I feel. Table decor was a lovely touch. They don’t have a bar with bar seating so as a single person, you would need to sit at a table. Service: Outstanding. Attentive but not overly. They allow you to enjoy your food a bit before coming over to see how things are. They make excellent recommendations. Food: I ordered the Bolognese and wine from Montepulciano. The wine was excellent. The bolognese tasted very authentic (I’ve spent extensive time in Italy). Here’s the only true negative I can say: the Bolognese came out WAY too hot. I had to let it cool for several minutes before even attempting a bite. It was so hot in fact, it could easily have burned someone’s mouth. Hopefully, they focus on adjusting the food temp so that it’s warm and not scalding. Would I go back? Absolutely. I already want to. Would I recommend? I already have Should you go? Why wait?!?

We chose this restaurant for a special occasion, and unfortunately, we were very disappointed. We had an early reservation at 5:30 PM, and the restaurant was empty initially. However, it quickly filled up, and as soon as there were more than a few tables seated, the acoustics became terrible. The noise level made it nearly impossible to have an intimate conversation without yelling. We couldn't hear each other or our server, making the dining experience feel more like being in a nightclub. Food and Wine The food tasted fine, though nothing spectacular. The wine list is solid, and the prices are reasonable. Beyond this, however, the experience was a disaster. Service Issues Our server, Yisrael, initially seemed promising. However, due to the poor acoustics, he unfortunately misheard some of our orders. The primary issue was with a significant error on one of the entrées. Our entire table clearly heard Yisrael offer to comp (remove from the bill) the incorrect entrée. Yet, when the bill arrived, the item was still listed. When we questioned this, he argued with us, claiming he had only offered a free dessert. While the incorrect entrée was ultimately removed from the bill, the need to argue about it left a very bad taste in our mouth and overshadowed the evening. I cannot recommend this restaurant. The combination of terrible acoustics and argumentative service made for a deeply disappointing experience, especially when celebrating a special occasion.

I ate here last summer, so maybe things have gotten better but it sure was a disappointment at the time. Was looking at somewhere nearby and was reminded Nolita existed...felt like it was finally time to document my experience. Service - Server was friendly. Seemed distracted, but not due to volume of customers. No real complaints because people are human. Atmosphere - Great. Clean and cozy, nice ambiance. Food - Very disappointing. I got the All'amatriciana, and the other two I was with got the risotto with scallops. There was no guanciale (or whichever cured pork belly they use) in the sauce. Pasta was very obviously boxed, and sauce was a letdown. Amatriciana is a simple dish so it's noticable when it isn't made well or with quality ingredients. Risotto was bland and used regular white rice, not arborio, so it was also mushy. Scallops were overcooked. I only tried a bite so I'll limit my review, but that was the general opinion of the table. Had cannoli for dessert, because cannoli are excellent. Theirs were fine. Nothing exciting, but definitely better than dinner. All in all, huge letdown. Really wanted to like it and had heard great things about it.

Nolita has a charming, rustic country vibe that immediately sets a cozy and welcoming tone. The décor and ambiance give it a lot of character, and it's clearly a popular spot—it was very busy during our visit, which created a lively atmosphere but also led to some drawbacks. The crowd seemed to stretch the staff a bit thin, and while the service was friendly enough, it was just okay in terms of attentiveness and efficiency. As for the food, it was serviceable but unremarkable. We tried a few classic Italian dishes, and while everything was edible, nothing really stood out. Some items felt a bit underseasoned or lacking in depth of flavor. It was the kind of meal you forget soon after finishing—not bad, just not memorable. Given how busy the restaurant was as it was Valentine’s Day, we were hoping for more, especially in terms of flavor and attention to detail. It’s possible we caught it on an off night, but based on this experience, it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Even though we had advance reservations, there were many walkins. The staff tried to fit way too many people than capacity by literally leaving less than a person’s gap between tables which defeated the vibe.

My friend and I dined at Nolita on Christmas Eve. Our food was outstanding. The lobster ravioli was absolutely divine as always, and the scallop risotto special was truly amazing—rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The ambiance was a bit loud, but it was Christmas Eve and the restaurant was very busy with people celebrating the holiday, so it was joyful noise. As for the service, it was attentive without being overbearing. I’d happily go back again.

Eating at Italian places is my specialty lol. I love to always try a new place, but occasionally I will find a place that is so good，I have to come back frequently between new places - this is one of those places :) It was all good, so you can't go wrong. The highlight for me was the flavor and quantity of the balsamic on the burrata (but the burrata was also high quality). Really loved the flavor of the coffee (affogato). Pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. The bread is served warm. The seafood was on point in that it was cooked well and not dry. The flavors of the mains were balanced and complimentary and not overly salty which was great for us as low sodium folks. We scraped our plates because everything was so good. Good portions on the pasta and risotto. Server was fantastic, friendly, good time sequence of service, made great recommendations. We will be back again to try the prosciutto and melon, panna cotta and the gnocchi :)

I worked with Fulvio a couple of months before my Dad's 90th birthday, and came up with a plan to celebrate in a big Italian way! It couldn't have been better. The food was amazing, the service, over and above! They did everything to make it a memorable and lovely experience for an amazing Dad!

The food was amazing and the atmosphere is really cute and welcoming. We ordered takeout this time, but I’m definitely looking forward to dining in on our next visit. If you’re looking for great Italian food in Ballard, Nolita is an excellent choice!