We were walking around Redmond after checking into our hotel. We were looking to have a cocktail and a light snack. We saw the exterior of Zio Sal and ventured into a very cozy and welcoming venue. We took seats at the bar so we could watch the Mariner Game on the flat screen. We were welcomed/ greeted by Aaron and perused the wine list and menu. EVERYTHING looked delicious, but we settled on a chop salad, foccacia and a pizza. I ordered a lovely glass of Pinot Grigio and my date a glass of Mac n Jack's. There were a few other patrons in the restaurant and 1 other diner at the bar eating a yummy looking portion of lasagne. We visited around 830 ish, and the city center was rather quiet so we were certainly grateful this venue was open. Our food was served efficiently and beautifully. Our waiter/hospitality associate was professional and did checkbacks keeping our beverages full. We met some lovely people associated with the restaurant...Sal & Julia and spent the next hour sharing stories of historic Epicurean dining days in the Seattle area. Days of Daniel's Broiler, Henry's off Broadway, Triples, the Latitude and Hirams at the Locks. Days when service was stellar, folks dressed for dinner and Beef Wellington was a real treat. People knew what a seafood fork was for and waiters crumbed tables between courses. A truly delightful Era for sure! We finished our meal, parted with our newly found friends and relished in what a wonderful treat we had in simply walking into this gem in Redmond. Zio Sal's is definitely worth the visit! Thank you for a...
Read moreHad Thanksgiving Day Dinner with a party of six. Cozy casual Italian restaurant in Redmond Town Center. Plenty of covered parking Went there after going to its sister restaurant Firenze in Crossroads Mall 2 weeks before. The food here is fantastic. The waitress was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. They were following Covid Protocols for King County. They even got an excellent on their last food inspection! The ambience reminds me of a nice Italian café. They have a bar and we had the house wine which went well with the meal. I had the spaghetti carbonara and the portion was quite generous. The one menu item I should have ordered though was the Braciola De Maiale which are pork chops in Barolo sauce and mushrooms. The sauce is to die for. It accented the pork chops perfectly which were quite thick and were not dry. Everyone in our party loved their choices of menu items. Quick hint. Have them serve the Margherita as an appetizer. Just have them slice it in 12 pieces. This thin crust pizza with the fresh mozzarella makes a good substitute to just having bread. Combine it with the calamari fritti. The final highlight was the dessert. You must try the limoncello cheesecake. One of the best desserts I have ever tasted. The prices reflect the quality of the food so you wouldn't go there everyday. However, if you plan to have a nice dinner outing with friends or family, you must bring them to Zio Sal. Make it a theater trip. Go there for dinner then go to the movie theater. Just make sure to...
Read moreIf you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, look no further! From the moment we walked into this charming little gem, we were transported straight to Italy. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with the perfect balance of cozy and lively. It felt like we were part of the family.
The food was absolutely outstanding – some of the best Italian dishes I’ve ever had. Every bite was full of flavor, and you could really taste the love and care that went into each dish. The pasta was perfectly al dente, the sauces rich and flavorful, and the pizza had that perfect crispy crust and fresh ingredients that make Italian food so irresistible.
What truly made our visit special was the owner. He was incredibly friendly, greeting each guest with a smile and taking the time to chat with us, which really added to the welcoming, family-like vibe. It’s clear that he’s passionate about sharing his love for Italian cuisine with everyone who walks through the door.
The service was fantastic – attentive without being overbearing, and everything came out quickly and just as we’d ordered. My family and I left full, happy, and already planning our next visit.
If you want a truly authentic Italian meal with a warm, friendly atmosphere, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit....
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