Cafe Veloce — Restaurant in Kirkland

I'm not sure how I had never heard of this place before. I lived and worked in the area for years. We discovered this place by accident on New Years Day looking for Mexican cuisine.

Sure, it's not Philly or Baltimore Italian, but is definitely worth the trip. The atmosphere is like I would expect from an Italian restaurant. Not quiet and somber. Slightly loud enough background talk so you aren't listening to the neighboring table, yet quiet enough you can have a conversation at your table without everyone else hearing.

The deco is cool. I can tell that it is a passion of the management. Not the usual boring white linen tablecloths and snobbish waiters scraping up the breadcrumbs as you eat. Decorate it the way YOU like, Cafe Veloce!

Cafe Veloce is now our go to when on the west side of the state. We live in Eastern WA and now is part of our west of the mountain's routine. In the past 2 weeks, we've been back twice. Both times have been outstanding. To the reviewer who said it had too much cheese; Blasphemy on you! There is no such thing. The cheese on our dishes was perfect. Not too much, not too little. I've now tried the Beef Bolognese, the Clam Gilio, and the Criolo. All have been great and the portion size to me, was perfect. I didn't have to stop and get something else on the way home after leaving. But the absolute best part of the meal was the Olive Bruschetta! I could fill up on that alone.

The prices were very reasonable. Much more than I would have expected for being in the Seattle and Eastside area. Each time we've been, we had appetizers, great meals, wine and brought leftovers home. All for under $100! You can easily spend that in a small cafe for dinner nowadays. Well worth the money. . Our servers were terrific and attentive to just the right amount. Our water glasses never went empty. Both times our server made excellent wine suggestions, to the point now, I might have been converted into a self-proclaimed wine snob lol.

We now have 2 goals going forward: 1.) try everything on the menu at least once (I'm really looking forward to trying the pizzas) and 2.) make this our birthday celebration restaurant moving into the future and to make up for all past birthdays, retroactively.

I didn't take any pictures of the food, because I thought that fad ended several years back. The pictures on the online menu convey the old proverb: a picture is worth a thousand chews.

Chef Jeff highly recommends...

This has long been a favorite, but many favorites are not nearly as good following Covid. This one is. It's charming and homey-- great for families, sharing with guests, couples, or dates. Love the fun, but still classy, atmosphere. Antique motorcycles, race pics, all the colors of Italy. We have to hold back on the bread eating...or sometimes we just go with it. Favorites? Anything seafood, lamb lasagna, gorgonzola beef, mushroom pizza, and a new favorite, the Guilio. Surf and turf offering. Sausage with clams. Perfect texture. Perfect flavor. Neither totally overpowers. We try to save room for dessert, for the chocolate cake and souffle. So far, we have not, though we have ordered them to go. Yum! A light, want-to-lick- the-glass option is the limoncello dessert. We were skeptical when we heard the non- traditional technique used to make it. On the glorious Island of Capri, a man explained that his limoncello was a family recipe handed down for hundreds of years. Limoncello is made by letting the lemon ferment with a lot of sugar. Wildly unique. Too sweet for me in that I feel ready for a diabetic coma after a few sips. The limoncello dessert at Cafe Veloce is so good. Perfect sweet. Perfect sour. Perfect with the gilatto. The four of us shared. Wish it had been 2. ;) We took home a bottle, as well as a bottle of clearance wine to try. Happy this place remains...

Cafe Veloce in Kirkland, Washington is a unique dining experience that combines two great passions: Italian food and motorcycles. The restaurant is known for its impressive collection of vintage Gucci motorcycles that are on display throughout the dining room. In addition to the stylish decor, Cafe Veloce serves up delicious Italian cuisine that is prepared with care and attention to detail. From classic pasta dishes like spaghetti carbonara and lasagna, to wood-fired pizzas and hearty meat dishes like osso buco and lamb shank, the menu offers a range of options to suit all tastes. The restaurant also features an extensive wine list, with many Italian varietals to choose from. Overall, Cafe Veloce is a one-of-a-kind dining destination that combines great food, stylish decor, and a passion for all things Italian and motorcycle-related. Cafe Veloce is a popular Italian restaurant that is conveniently located near I-405, Totem Lake, and Evergreen Hospital. Whether you're stopping in for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, the restaurant is easy to access from anywhere in the area. Plus, with its stylish decor and delicious food, Cafe Veloce is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day at work with coworkers or to celebrate a special occasion with dear...