If You Love Great Italian Food, Listen Up!

SEATTLE — Ten years ago – maybe more – I came to Seattle on business and stayed in a small hotel, the Claremont, on the north side of town. There was an Italian restaurant right next to the hotel and I walked in there one night for dinner.

WOW! It was fabulous.

I’ve probably stopped here or passed through Seattle 15 or 20 times during my train travels over the years since then. And almost every time – even if, on a couple of occasions, it’s meant staying an extra night – I’ve managed to work in a lunch or a dinner at Assaggio. Last time, this past June, it was both!

Tonight was one of those occasions. I had an appetizer-sized serving of carbonara and, for the main course, a braised lamb shank on a bed of rice. And the sauce! Tomatoes and green peppers and onions all simmered for hours, I’m sure, along with the meat. A glass of white wine went with the pasta, a wonderful red with the lamb. Desert was a pear tart with vanilla gelato.

Double WOW!

If you’re coming to Seattle, don’t miss Assaggio’s. It’s at 2010 4th Avenue, which isn’t more than a 10 minute cab ride from almost anywhere in the downtown area.

The hotel next door has been sold and renovated in the meantime and the Claremont is now the Hotel Andra. Very nice, well appointed, and also recommended.

And why not? After all, Assaggio is right next door!