Due' Cucina Italian Restaurant - Roosevelt — Restaurant in Seattle

I've contemplated trying Due Cucina every time I've passed it while leaving the Roosevelt Link Light Rail Station, but always ended up shying away due to being a bit intimidated by the ordering process and the fact that the three most tempting pasta sauces to me (the Smoked Salmon, Mushroom & White Truffle Oil, and Carbonara) all contain dairy. And I, as we all know, am violently lactose intolerant. Well, today was the day. I marched across the street, two Lactose pills in hand, why? FOR SCIENCE!!!

So, here's an in-depth review for all of you who have been as hesitant as I was.

1. Enter through either of the two doors, and walk straight up to the counter.
2. If you're feeling a bit lost, go to the register in the farthest corner and ask the very nice staff to explain how to order. They have pasta examples on a plate and you can order at that register.
3. If you're feeling bold, you can just go straight up to one of the touchscreens and complete your order with no human interaction. (An introvert's dream!) The user interface is easy to navigate and the system is quick and responsive.
4. Fill your own water glass from the pitcher on the counter, and grab utensils and napkins from the other counter.
5. Find a seat and wait for them to call your name, then pick up your food at the counter.
6. After you're done, bus your own table and put your dirty dishes on top of the trash cans in the right corner of the restaurant.

The restaurant: Casual vibes. Upbeat Latin music that's soft enough to easily hear your conversations. A variety of different seating options depending on your group size, some in well-lit areas and some that are more in shadow. (I think this spot would be fun for both families and dates.)

The food: The portions were surprisingly big, which is always a plus for me. The prices were also reasonable (under $20 even with a couple of add-ons). The pasta wasn't mind-blowing, but it was still decent, yummy, and very filling. The noodles were a bit al dente and chewy. I appreciated the very attractive presentation. The Torta Della Nona dessert (described as a vailla and lemon custard pie, topped with crumble and pine nuts), wasn't lemony at all and was very vanilla-heavy and sweet. I liked it, but someone who isn't a fan of very sugary sweet desserts might not.

Overall, I could see myself coming here again if I wanted a quick meal or if I wanted to introduce someone to a build-your-own...

This place is decently good, a little bit pricey but good. My only complain is that Seattle is becoming a dog friendly city and it should be easier for dog parents like me to go out eat with their pups. I knew they won’t let me in to order with my dog so I ordered ahead for pick up. I was gonna enjoy my meal outside with my dog but I wanted a glass of wine with my pasta I got in with my dog saying sorry for stepping 3 feet from the entrance with her (I couldn’t leave her outside since there’s too many cars) i told them I was there to pick up my food and that I wanted to order a glass of wine. The lady was not polite and use a loud tone to tell me that she needs me outside the restaurant immediately because I have a dog. My dog wasn’t even behaving bad or anything, none of the two customers there seemed bother, a lady who was coming in open the door for me saying how cute my dog is. Then the lady said she can take my order outside and that I could order the wine with her. She came out and even tho I told her my name already she said if I could repeat her my last name (I am Latin but change my last name to my husbands) was kind of weird but I accepted. She never asked what wine I would like she just left immediately (the place wasn’t even full or busy) I thought she will come back with a menu or something, I would’ve happily come inside and order myself but since she offered… and never got to drink my wine so my idea of a quick lunch was ruined. I understand all the regulations but I really felt so awkward there, it was my second time and it change my mood, I’m not sure if I would visit again by myself. Maybe QR codes can be helpful for people to order outside… Last time I visited I was with my mother in law so it was...

One of my favorite places to get pasta in the Seattle area because of how they handmade the noodles and the taste! It kind of feels like the Chipotle for pasta since it comes out so quick, the noodles are made in house, and how good the taste is. I got the smoked salmon, but tried a little bit of everything my friends got and it was all really good! There’s multiple locations in the greater Seattle area and they’re all great in my experience.

Food I got the smoked salmon pasta and I would highly recommend it! There is a good amount of salmon chunks in it and the sauce for the dish was pretty good as well. You order on the iPad at the front and are able to add customizations to it (ie what kind of noodle) and I really like that about this restaurant. My friends orders the amatriciana, mushroom and white truffle oil, and bruschetta and they were all really good as well.

Atmosphere Very casual place for Italian food. Everything is self service from ordering to busing your tables. Interior looks modern and not what I would typically expect from an Italian food place.

Pricing A little bit pricey than what I would have expected but the taste is good and the noodles are handmade and fresh. Not as pricey as getting pasta from a nice restaurant.

Service Everything is self service. Workers there seemed friendly but you never really interact with them.

Other Street parking in the area but might be paid depending...