🎄🎅 A Fairytale Christmas Italian Cottage | Ristorante Picolinos

Truly amazed by this Italian restaurant tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood! ✨ Stepping inside feels like instantly teleporting into a Christmas storybook—every corner is adorned with exquisite festive decor, warm lights, twinkling ornaments, and holly wreaths. The holiday vibe is absolutely immersive! 🎄❤️🤍 The biggest surprise? Santa and Mrs. Claus came out during our meal to hand out candies! 🥹 So sweet, it instantly hit me with a wave of childlike joy! Haven’t been here on a regular day, but this dreamy Christmas-limited atmosphere alone is worth the visit! And of course, the food itself is excellent! Here’s our “subjective palate report” 👇: 🍝 Flavor Review (5🍝 = Perfect): Arugula Salad 🍝🍝🍝 A very refreshing start! Light dressing, the slight bitterness of arugula pairs well with sweet pear slices and blue cheese that’s flavorful, not “stinky.” Sauteed Calamari 🍝🍝🍝🍝 The tomato sauce is fantastic! Perfect sweet-sour balance. The black olives and capers are the soul of the dish, adding wonderful depth. Rigatoni Salsiccia 🍝🍝🍝🍝 Also tomato-based but with sausage and cream. The sausage is flavorful, the sauce is rich and smooth. The cream and tomato acidity are well-balanced, not heavy at all. Carbonara 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝 (My Favorite!) Incredibly rich and creamy! The small crispy pancetta bits are heavenly. The pasta coated in sauce is ultimate comfort food. It can be rich, but that irresistible, savory fat aroma is just mesmerizing… 🤤 Funghi Pizza 🍝🍝🍝 A good mushroom pizza with a thin, crispy crust, generous toppings, and moist cheese. The only letdown is the use of common button mushrooms, which makes the flavor profile a bit simple. Berry Crisp Dessert 🍝🍝🍝🍝 A perfect ending! Warm baked black/blueberry compote and oat crumble topped with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast is divine. The sweetness is just right, with cinnamon adding a lovely note. 📍 Address: Ristorante Picolinos | 6415 32nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 💎 Verdict: A gem of a restaurant with a perfect atmosphere and food that delivers. Highly recommended during the Christmas season—the magical experience makes the meal even better! Already thinking about coming back next Christmas. 🎅 #Seattle #SeattleLife #SeattleEats #SeattleFood #SeattleRestaurant #ItalianFood #ChristmasRestaurant #VibeDining #HolidaySpecial #FoodDiary