Palermo-Ballard — Restaurant in Seattle

This place clearly doesn't need my 5-star review because everyone seems to agree. I just want to share my experience from today, hoping the proprietor sees it.

I was in Ballard to get my nails done. I parked outside Palermo and was pretty sure it was OK that I was partially in the loading zone because today was a holiday. As I was fiddling with the app to confirm that the meters weren't requiring parking payments, a waiter came out to let me know I probably didn't need to worry about paying for parking because of the holiday. I'm originally from the Midwest, and really miss this sort of friendly interaction between strangers in public spaces.

I went to my mani-pedi and decided I was so happy about that small kindness that I'd go have late lunch there. Oh my gosh.

For $16, I got unlimited soup, salad, and bread. (In this economy!!) And not a bait-and-switch "mixed greens" salad listed on the menu that turns out to be white iceberg lettuce. (We've all been there. It's so disappointing.) No. This was a HUGE salad with GREEN greens, an entire roma tomato sliced, lots of crisp cucumber, chunky shredded mozz, and black olives. With a gigantic side of delicious Caesar dressing. The soup was incredible. Topped with fresh basil--such a nice touch. The bread was soft on the inside and toasty on the outside.

The waiter said it was the guys in the back who urged him to go tell me about the parking earlier. So the WHOLE TEAM there was just...chef's kiss. Such a delight today. I'll...

Palermo-Ballard, a diminutive establishment nestled amidst the bustling streets of Ballard, presents a delectable fusion of Italian and Greek cuisine. Its friendly staff extends a warm welcome, promptly accommodating our takeaway order at the counter.

We indulged in two exceptional large pizzas, priced at $30 each, a testament to their premium quality. The first, adorned with Italian sausage and pepperoni, showcased the chef’s mastery of classic flavors. The second, an all-meat extravaganza, tantalized our palates with an array of succulent toppings.

Both pizzas were crafted to perfection. The tomato-based sauce provided a robust yet balanced foundation, while the crust exhibited a subtle softness that transitioned into crispy ends, reminiscent of delectable breadsticks when paired with a delectable sauce.

Remarkably, our order was prepared within a mere 20 minutes, demonstrating the establishment’s efficiency. While the intimate indoor seating capacity is modest, it offers ample space for a comfortable dining experience.

In conclusion, Palermo-Ballard is a culinary haven for pizza lovers. Its impeccable pizzas, exceptional service, and charming ambiance make it a prime destination for a satisfying meal. Whether you opt for dine-in or takeaway, you are assured an unforgettable...

For an early dinner we thought we'd try an Italian restaurant. This showed up in our search so why not? It was rated reasonably well. Hmmm. This is why everyone should think twice if you're looking for quality pasta. I ordered the meat lasagna & my husband the special lamb Bolognese. Why a $23 dish (lamb) didn't come with a salad I'll never know. But the lasagna did. Salad was small but ok. But everything else was poorly executed. Lasagna: in a shallow dish was what appeared to be a lot of pizza sauce with maybe 2 par-boiled pasta strips, maybe an ounce of meat (I found 4 tiny bits) & a huge hunk of mozzarella put under a broiler. No cream. No ricotta. I threw out most of my dish & drank 2 glasses of water. Very salty! The Bolognese: another poorly executed dish. Though the pasta was actually perfectly cooked the lamb was so full of mint it ruined everything. The mint didn't taste fresh either - too pungent. Additionally there were kalamata olives and tons of feta strewn about. Why? There was nothing to bring the parts of the dish together. There should have been a sauce, less mint, & vegetables that compliment lamb (like garlic). My husband typically eats everything on his plate but actually left some of this. We think we would have had a better meal from The Olive Garden or any...