Bricco

Dining dilemma: You and your date want to have a late dinner after attending a play or the ballet (but, alas, no longer a Sonics game) at Seattle Center. 

Seattle.Net Solution: Bricco


Quick and Easy
Why go: You live on upper Queen Anne or find yourself in the area after 5 p.m. 
Highlights: Create your own cheese and cured meat platter
Service: Casual, but professional
Forewarning: No reservations

Bricco, an intimate but high-energy wine bar on Upper Queen Anne, is ideal if you're in the mood for a light or late supper after the theater or an event at Key Arena.

For a wine bar the limited selection of wines by the glass is disappointing, although the list of full bottles is impressive and beer lovers will be thrilled with the interesting selection of brews.

Bathed in a glow of romantic lighting and buttery golden walls, the simple yet sophisticated décor creates an inviting place for conversation.  Dark wood floors, furniture and architectural details add an old-world flavor.  Seating is limited to a small but lovely bar and 12 bistro-size tables, which are very close together and lined along one wall (seating against the wall is a long, pew-like bench.  Two tall tables in the front window next to the bar are the best option.

Bricco's small but creative menu and casual attitude make it easy to order just an appetizer, or to enjoy a more substantial meal. The best reason to visit Bricco is its awesome list of 30+ artisan cheeses and selection of exotic cured meats from Salumi, a local salami maker. Try the pork salami kissed with citrus and cardamom or one flavored with cracked pepper, fennel and a touch of curry.  You can select a combination of cheeses and meats ($9 for two choices, any five for $19). It's a bit pricey for one-ounce servings, but reflects the quality and choice.

If you want more substantial fare, consider a tasty pannini, such as a simple mozzarella, tomato and basil, or an enormous rustic bruschetta, which can be topped with pesto, spicy chickpeas or—my favorite—caramelized onions and goat cheese.  The menu also offers a small selection of dinner entrees, including several very tasty pasta dishes. The lovely vegetarian lasagna features eggplant, a variety of cheeses and a hint of basil; the nicely prepared veal and spinach manicotti is prepared with a zesty marinara sauce. Bricco also offers several interesting salads, including a classic spinach salad dressed up with shallots, bacon and egg in a nicely paired champagne vinaigrette. The generous house salad, which can easily be shared, features toasted pecans and bleu cheese tossed with a piquant mustard garlic dressing.  Although it sounded interesting, the trout "salad" turned out to be an odd but pretty tower of trout built on small cubes of roasted beets and sitting in a pool of crème fraiche. Although we mentioned that we planned to share the trout salad, our server didn't bother to warn us that it would be very awkward to share. This typified the friendly but unpolished service at Bricco.
  
Because Bricco is open late (until 1 a.m. Thursday–Saturday), it's also a good bet for late night desserts, although the menu is very limited.  The warm chocolate "soufflé" is more like a muffin with a gooey center, but there is also a selection of gelatos and a rich flourless chocolate tort.

Cost:
Starters:  $4-–$9
Salads: $5–12
Entrees: $11-–13
Dessert: $5–8 

Hours:
Monday–Wednesday: 5 p.m.–12 a.m.
Thursday–Saturday: 5 p.m. –1 a.m
Sunday: 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.