Cinque Terre Ristorante — Restaurant in Seattle

TLDR: Disrespectful service, possible bias! Will never return!!

If I could give zero stars, I would. This was one of the most disrespectful and frustrating dining experiences I’ve had anywhere. The level of unprofessionalism, passive-aggressive behavior, and thinly veiled bias I experienced here is unacceptable for any establishment, especially one claiming to serve premium Italian hospitality.

From the moment my friend and I sat down, we were treated like second-class customers. The blonde waitress ignored us initially and then brought only the bar menu, as if we were here just to drink. No food menu, no welcome, no explanation - just a cold drop-off of a few pages of snacks and liquor. When I politely asked for the dinner menu, she stalled, came back after an unreasonable delay, and insisted “this is the menu” - referring again to the bar menu. I had to ask twice more before she begrudgingly brought the proper dinner menu. This delay already felt intentional, dismissive, and demeaning.

Then came the absurd part! She demanded to check our IDs after we asked for food, not alcohol. That makes absolutely no sense. If her concern was about alcohol (which we didn’t order), she should’ve checked upfront - not once we started requesting basic service. It felt more like she was trying to gatekeep or assert some kind of control than follow any actual restaurant policy. When I showed my valid temporary license, she still made an issue out of it, went to the manager, cross-checked it with my credit card name, and made the process unnecessarily humiliating.

Eventually, when she returned, she gave a half-baked explanation about us being “near the bar,” so ID was required - even though we clearly stated we were not drinking. If proximity to the bar was the issue, why not just seat us somewhere else or explain that when we arrived? Instead, she kept the rationale hidden until the very end, creating confusion and friction for no reason.

Beyond this, the rest of the service continued to reflect a pattern of indifference and likely prejudice: • She blatantly stalled our order multiple times while cheerfully attending to other customers. • When I finally gave my card to pay, she noticed it on the table, ignored it, and went to process payment for someone else who came after us. • She never once smiled, made eye contact with us, or treated us with basic courtesy, while being warm and friendly to nearby white diners.

This wasn’t just “bad service” - this felt targeted. Whether it was racial profiling, bias against non-drinkers, or just sheer entitlement, it was painfully obvious we were being treated differently. As a brown person in a multicultural city like Seattle, I did not expect to encounter such tone-deaf, condescending, and borderline discriminatory behavior at a restaurant that markets itself as refined and inclusive.

The food? Not even memorable. When a place treats you like you don’t belong, the food becomes irrelevant.

Avoid this place at all costs. There are countless great Italian spots in Seattle with genuinely kind staff and great food. This restaurant has neither. No one should have to fight just to be treated with basic dignity. If you value respect, clarity, and fair treatment - take your...

I recently dined at Cinque Terre a place that’s been generating some buzz lately, and I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype. After my visit, I have mixed feelings about the experience. While there were some high points, there were also several aspects that left me underwhelmed.

Service: Efficient but Lacking Warmth

To start with, the service was efficient—almost too efficient, if that’s possible. Our waiter was quick to take our order, and the food arrived at an almost alarming speed, within about 10 minutes. Now, while efficiency is generally a good thing, in this case, it felt like we were being rushed. There was a palpable sense that they wanted us in and out as quickly as possible. This wasn’t helped by the waiter’s lack of table-side manners. On more than one occasion, he interrupted us mid-sentence, even as we were trying to ask questions about the menu. It was as if he was more focused on turning tables than ensuring we had a pleasant dining experience.

The Food: Expensive, Yet Delicious

Despite the service hiccups, the food was undeniably excellent. The dishes were not just well-prepared; they were downright amazing. Every bite was a testament to the culinary skill behind the scenes. The ingredients were fresh, and the flavors were complex and well-balanced. However, the quality did come at a price—the food was quite expensive. That said, if you’re looking to treat yourself to a high-end meal, the price might just be worth it.

Atmosphere: Modern Vibes, Not Your Traditional Italian

The atmosphere is another area where personal preference plays a big role. If you're expecting a cozy, traditional Italian setting, this isn't the place for you. The décor is modern and sleek, with clean lines and minimalist touches that create a contemporary vibe. While it's certainly stylish, it doesn't scream "romantic dinner spot." Instead, it seems tailored more to a younger crowd, which was evident in the clientele. Most of the diners were in their 20s and 30s, and the ambiance seemed to cater to them. It's not a place for an intimate, romantic evening but would be ideal for a larger group or a celebration. During my visit, I noticed at least three corporate groups, which reinforced the idea that this is a spot better suited for parties or business gatherings than - quiet dinner for two.

In conclusion, the restaurant offers a mixed experience. The food is undoubtedly top-notch, but the service could use a little more warmth and attentiveness. The atmosphere is modern and stylish, which might appeal to some but may disappoint those looking for a traditional Italian dining experience. This is not the place for a romantic evening, but if you're planning a large party or a corporate dinner, it's worth considering. The speed with which the food arrives might be a plus for some, but others might feel rushed, as we did. Would I return? Possibly, but only under the right circumstances— specifically, if I were with a group and in the mood for a lively evening rather than a relaxed,...

I have spent decades in the food service industry; I have designed, built and owned several restaurants, even getting a few awards along the way in Portland. Most of my work was with Italian food equipment manufacturers and our menus reflected much of that.

I have never not left a gratuity for service in my life until now.

We made a reservation for four at 8:30 and were seated quickly. And then we waited. And waited. They were not busy and appeared to be properly staffed as other tables appeared to be getting the attention they required. Water service happened after fifteen minutes. Ten minutes later, we flagged down one of the waitstaff to get a drink order started. After another 10 minutes, I was told I had to change the drink order due to a missing ingredient and a few minutes later it arrived.

We ordered a pizza and cheese plate as an appetizer and told our server we would order the mains when they arrived. The pizza arrived first and was undercooked. The floor of the pizza oven was insufficiently heated (one of my careers involved testing and certifying Italian pizza ovens).

We ordered entrees even though the cheese plate hadn’t yet arrived. It did, however show up with the entrees. We would normally have something served with a cheese plate upon which to place the cheese, but no. The food was underwhelming.

We were in Seattle for a wedding and brought our teenage children with us. We were casually but appropriately dressed but cannot help feeling as though we were an unwelcome afterthought.

I have been short staffed before and know what that’s like. I have had inexperienced servers and always appreciated how hard that can be. I have been in restaurants unexpectedly overwhelmed—as ours was when a soft open wasn’t soft at all.

But I have never felt unwelcome. I kept trying to discern a reason. Was it because we had nearly full grown teens with us? Was it because our adopted children weren’t the right color—and I have NEVER pulled that card. I grew up in this business and paid close attention to everything and nothing can account for the lack of professionalism we...