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Cafe Lago
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Pizza Italian, Pizza [Edit]
2305 24th Ave E(between Lynn St & Mc Graw St)
Seattle, WA 98112
Neighbourhood: Montlake
(206) 329-8005
- Hours:
Mon, Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
Tue-Thu 5 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
RAZZíS PIZZERíA specializes in offering a lot of something for everybody. Along with our traditional menu, we offer full gluten-free and… read more »
89 reviews for Cafe Lago
Review Highlights
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"This combines for a truly outstanding lasagna." In 28 reviews -
"Food: The Pomodori al Forno is absolutely to die for." In 4 reviews -
"Goat cheese and beets are always a wonderful pair." In 10 reviews
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89 reviews in English
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Review from Krystin T.
Seattle, WA
2/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'd driven by this place for years and somehow never made it in until this year. I didn't even realize right away that it was a restaurant - for quite awhile I thought it was a coffee shop or something similar. Little did I know it's a delightful little restaurant.
It's very cozy inside: dark but not too dark, small but not too small, and just fancy enough that you feel you're treating yourself. We came on a weekend night and had made a reservation, but there didn't seem to be a wait either way.
We started with a bruschetta with olive and goat cheese - those are two of my favorite things, so together? Joy. It was just enough to be a satisfying appetizer without being too filling.
I can't get enough of Italian-style pizzas so when I realized they had margherita pizza on the menu, I was golden. And it was GOOD. My boyfriend, who doesn't usually enjoy that type of pizza, even remarked on its tastiness. He had a pasta dish which I think he enjoyed, but which was a lot smaller than we expected. I know America 's portion sizes are often too big, but this seemed much more suited to lunch-sized, not a dinner entree.
Service was friendly and fairly efficient until the end. It definitely took awhile to get our check and get out of there, but I can let that slide. It seems like other people haven't had great experiences here, but I for one quite enjoyed it. -
Review from Neil C.
Bellevue, WA
2/27/2012
So we came to Cafe Lago because it was recommended to us as a "favorite Italian restaurant".
The ambiance is nice enough. The servers were friendly and informative. The wine list was unimpressive and a bit young, even so though, the wines we had were quite good. The meal started well enough with the Pomodori al Forno. It was really excellent, and we all felt that we could eat that all day.
Things went downhill from there. The Blue Cheese salad was mediocre on iceberg lettuce with only a hint of actual blue cheese. The Lasagna, highly recommended by the server, came lukewarm ("the oven was not turned up enough" was the excuse). The pizza was limp, and the steak was forgettable. Not a great cut, tough, under-seasoned...really forgettable.
The thing that was not forgettable was the bill.
Meh, I've experienced better is exactly right. -
Review from Lee A.
Seattle, WA
2/12/2012
I think 'meh' covers it. It's the kind of meh you get when the pizza is $18 and about 1/3 as good as the $10 one at Tutta Bella. Limp. Limp is the only word that describes it. And I love Neapolitan pizza, so - yeah. The bread was okay. The salad was fine. Hapa Boy liked but didn't love his lasagne - it was a little underwhelming after the build up. It tasted like whipped ricotta. Not much pasta there, really.
Mostly there is a lack of oomph around here coupled with a 'We are a serious restaurant' vibe that feels unearned. They are insanely busy for some inexplicable reason, so I'm sure they're not going to cry if we don't come back. So we won't. -
Review from Sarah T.
Seattle, WA
4/26/2012
I have eaten at Cafe Lago twice now. The 1st time I was with a party of 3, had good service and had a great dinner. I was there last night with a party of 11. We all arrived within 15 minutes of each other. Our drink orders were taken right off the bat and served in a timely manner. After that, no one came around to check on us. After 15-20 minutes I had to flag down our server to place our dinner orders. Only after we placed our dinner order did the server bring the complimentary bread and olive oil. Our dinner was served in a timely manner. Overall, I was unimpressed with the service considering the price of the food. If I'm going to spend $22 on a pizza, $10 on a small salad and more than $10 on a cocktail, I expect the service to be amazing and Cafe Lago's wasn't.
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Review from Lynn K.
Seattle, WA
1/5/2012
Café Lago is definitely a place to stay away from if your wallet's feeling a little dry, or on the other hand a place to come if you're trying to drain someone's wallet. The place is dimly lit to create that romantic ambiance, which is nice if you are on a date but makes it a bit hard to read the menu. That said, this might have been the reason we got their "famous" lasagna and were surprised when it came with no meat and all cheese. Apparently we didn't read the item correctly.
The lasagna pasta was perfectly made with fresh pasta and creamy fluffy cheese, however I felt it was a bit too cheesy (all cheese) and definitely not enough pasta or marinara sauce... making it a bit dry.
My friend got the "Fettucine with Meatball," which was a bit pricy for what it was. 20$ for four meatballs and some pasta with marinara sauce (which by the way was the same marinara sauce on the lasagna)... granted the pasta was delicious and freshly made... but I am not sure it was worth 20$.
If you go here I would definitely suggest starting off with the Antipasto plate to share, it's delicious and the eggplant with balsamic vinaigrette is worth DYING a happy death for.
All in all this place has a very limited menu, one page to be exact. It lacks variety, and the place is situated in a residential area making it less of a fancy dining restaurant but more of an upscale family restaurant. The parking for Café Lago is located across the street and on the residential streets nearby, very easy and accessible.
The pasta here is tasty and fresh, portions are a bit small, parking's good, but overall I'm not sure if it's worth the money... I've definitely had better for a cheaper price.Comment from carla l. of Cafe Lago 2/17/2012
Hi Lynn, I'm really glad you enjoyed the food at Lago.… More » -
Review from Luke P.
Boston, MA
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm rounding up from 2.5 stars because I really did enjoy my food. There are two primary negatives: poor value and lack of variety.
The food itself was all pretty high quality in terms of taste and flavor. The lasagne I ordered was very tasty with a delicious tangy red sauce and soft, light, fluffy pasta with the right balance of cheese - their description is quite accurate. It also did not feel too heavy and greasy as lasagne often does.
But it was $20 and I ate it in like 3 bites, definitely craving more when I was finished. I'm all for smaller portions, but it doesn't make sense to charge that much when the dish is vegetarian,as the case in 75% of the pasta dishes offered (there are only 4 in total), and not overly dense/rich. Not a huge complaint but my lasagne also came out luke-warm. I don't like scalding hot food so I was OK with it, but I know a lot of other people would have taken issue with this.
I really wish they offered a bigger menu, or at least dishes more exotic and gourmet. For pasta, you have a meatless ravioli, a meatless gnocci, a meatless lasagne, and a vanilla fettuccine with meatballs and that's it. Maybe I'm spoiled from the E.Coast but I would expect a lot more dishes from a top end Italian joint, and certainly not just one non-vegetarian option.
The dessert - chocolate truffle cake and panna cotta- was OK. Nothing special, but tasty enough. Service was also OK, although unremarkable.
This place pales in comparison to the best from Boston, but maybe it is towards the top of Seattle's offerings. As stated, the flavors are there and I enjoyed my entree. I just wish other features of the restaurant were as good, -
Review from Colin D.
11/3/2011
Cafe Lago is a bit overpriced to be a place that you'd just go to for kicks. At nearly $20 for most pasta entrees, it's more of a date or special occasion spot. That being said, it makes an amazing place for a date. The whole places feels cozy and intimate, the wine selection is great and the wine list isn't so long or pretentious as to make picking a wine painful. The food is delicious with the gnocchi being my favorite. The portions are nicely sized being both big enough to leave you satisfied, but not the usual American oversized that leaves you feeling bloated.
I've heard that the pizza is great, but I've never had it. The desert on the other hand I've had many times and is not to be skipped. The panna cotta is simply divine and has been the highlight of more than one weekend since I moved to Seattle.
Overall, while not an everyday restaurant, Cafe Lago offers a great experience for a date night or a special occasion. If you do go, go all-out and get wine, desert and maybe even an appetizer. Doing less will be selling this place short. -
Review from Caitlin B.
Seattle, WA
1/20/2012
I am a regular here, and after living in Italy for years, I can confidently say this is the best quality and most authentic Italian food I have had in Seattle. The antipasto plate, the pizzas, and any of the pastas have never disappointed and their wine selection is tasty too. Sure, it's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for - especially if what you desire is quality. Quantity is good as well, just keep in mind when reading the hungry reviews below, this isn't Bucca di Beppo. No, no. And it's way better.
Their service is impeccable nearly every time - the one time it slipped, a lovely new server by the name of Devon noticed, swept down, and had us smiling and full of complimentary dessert before we could even remember the previous server's name (if you have a chance to get Devon as your server, take it!). Cafe Lago is run by managers who truly care, and you can tell with every bite. -
Review from Mary S.
Mercer Island, WA
4/24/2012
Ok, this is unfortunate but I have to give this place two stars. I wanted to like it as I love Italian food but there were too many issues. I stopped by for takeout. I was pretty shocked at how limited the menu is with respect to pasta- I recall maybe 4 different kinds. That seemed a little odd given that this is an Italian Restaurant. I ordered the fettucini with meatballs. It was just "ok"- not awful, not good. It came with one paltry meatball and was barely enough food for the meal (I like my restaurant meals to last me two meals- so I can have leftovers for lunch!). I also ordered the Caesar salad. It was literally lettuce with Caesar dressing. No croutons, no cheese. The final straw was that it had a long hair in the takeout container, which I discovered after I got the food home. With tax, I spent almost $40. I left a few dollars for a tip, but I wish I hadn't. The food was mediocre and that price for takeout Italian is pretty obscene. The hostess who took my order was friendly and the ambiance seemed nice (cute, neighborhoody, non-pretentious feel) but if you are looking for good Italian food, keep walking.
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Review from Zoe B.
Seattle, WA
8/13/2011
Cafe Lago is the best Italian food in Seattle. I go all the time, because hey, who doesn't like a good, hearty, Italian meal? My absolute favorites consist of the Pomodori al Forno, all the pizzas, the lasagna, and the steak. I could go on for days about why these are so fantastic, but I will tell give a brief explanation of why for each.
Pomodori al Forno- Okay, before I go on, you need to know that I hate tomatoes. This dish basically consists of some toasted bread, a ball of goat cheese, slow roasted tomatoes, and olive oil. I have a weakness for this dish. Trust me, you need to try it. I was skeptical because I am completely against tomatoes (if you didn't already get that), but its fantastic. Seriously, a must have.
Pizzas- My favorite pizza is one that is a special, so they don't always have it. I'm not sure about the name, but it has prosciutto and arugula on top. Their pizzas are my favorites, because they are thin crust, and they use all the best ingredients.
Lasagna- It is HEAVEN. They hand make all their pastas, and it shows in this dish. It melts in your mouth. I am salivating just thinking about it right now, seriously. It is perfectly light and still very rich. It's awesome.
Steak- This is my go-to every time I go here, which is quite often (I am on a diet, sadly). I always substitute the fries with the salad, which is awesome. I substitute it because of what I said before, but also because their Caesar is not like any that I have had before. It doesn't have that anchovy taste that most do. Its kind of tangy, but very flavorful. My favorite thing about the salad is that the croutons are FRIED. I had to ask. I needed to know the secret. They are so crunchy and perfect! However, if I was not watching what I eat so much, I would just come here and order an extra platter (yes, PLATTER) of their fries. They are shoestring fries and perfectly thin, and crispy, and delicious.
I could keep raving. We go so often, because it really is THAT good. Some of my other favorites are the chicken (it's relatively new), the chocolate truffle cake, and the antipasto plate. Seriously, just go and order everything! The service is impeccable, as well. However, my personal favorite is that you can draw on the tables... I do every time.
Go. You won't regret it! -
Review from Brandon M.
Seattle, WA
9/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Ate here in the evening, lured by the positive reviews and promises of home-made pastas. The 3 of us were solidly underwhelmed. On the plus side, the server was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. On the negative side was nearly everything else. The heirloom cherry tomato and mozzarella Pizza was mostly thin crust without a lot of cheese or sauce or flavor. I know that's the style of course, but for Neapolitan pies, I much prefer Via Tribunali which doesn't have so much excess (bland) crust.
The pastas were similarly middle of the road. The bolognese was a stunningly bad value at $17 or so for a medium sized portion. There was nothing to dislike about it, but also nothing to latch on to as the flavors were so bland. Another pasta special was close to $19 (if I recall) and wasn't any more special.
Pasta places are challenging because there is always an element of "I could have just cooked that at home" to deal with. Especially when you are getting up into the 4-star restaurant price range ($17-19 for a small pasta order with no sides). That's not to say some places aren't worth it. Sauces bursting with fresh tomatoes, or herbs can make a dish stand out. Not so here.
So overall, the 3 of us weren't impressed and resoundingly agreed we wouldn't return. I'm much more partial to a special hole-in-the-wall kind of place (Cafe Vignole comes to mind and it's far cheaper too).
Lastly, I ordered a dessert wine and a biscoti and we all agreed their bisoti was too much of a cookie (too sweet) and didn't blend with the dessert liquor as promised. My dining cohort, who lived in Italy said the cookie-like biscoti would never fly there.
2 stars, -
Review from Kayan L.
3/6/2011
Started with the Pomodori al Forno, which was amazing!
Had the Gnocchi (add sausage) and the whole meal practically melted in my mouth! It was delicious! Friends had the pizza special, which was a white sauce and they said red would've been better. Also tried the white/oily sauce pasta item (there was only one) and it was ok. I think I scored with my picks. -
Review from Jeremy D.
Seattle, WA
11/27/2011
Poor brunch.
The Brunch menu has ten items, seven of them are pizzas (some with eggs) or calizones. It is an early lunch place, not a late breakfast place. One star to the brunch, but the dinners are excellent so four stars over all.Comment from carla l. of Cafe Lago 1/24/2012
Jeremy, we've revised and expanded Lago's brunch menu. I… More » -
Review from Liz W.
Wyomissing, PA
3/29/2011
My husband and I came here for our anniversary. First, I should say that I was aware from reading other reviews that it would be pricey for what we would be getting, but we're always willing to pay more when something is totally homemade.
I had to order the lasagna after hearing so much about it. It was perfect. The homemade pasta is feather-light; like nothing I've ever had before. They layer it with bechamel, and ricotta and top it with perfect, simple red sauce. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the bechamel, but it was so light, it really gave the dish more depth.
My lasagna was $19.95 and it was definitely one serving. No left-overs.
My husband had the Margherita pizza, which was very good, but not anything I'd recommend as a meal. It's pricey (I think it was $17.00) and tastes more like a flat bread that you would eat as an appetizer than a full meal.
The wine list is great. The service was great. The restaurant was simple and clean; very approachable. Overall a good experience. -
Review from Craig H.
Seattle, WA
4/12/2006 ROTD 4/13/2006
I have a certain level of ambivalence about this place. On the one hand, the chairs are uncomfortable, the table too low, and the giant single room with the tile floor and bare walls make for an echoey, noisy place. On the other hand, their lasagna (sorry - "lasagne") is made of homemade (restaurantmade?) pasta that is akin to filo, with a fluffy ricotta that transforms it into lasagna mousse (hat-tip to Keith), and the ravioli is downright flavorful. The antipasto and freshly made bread are also worthwhile.
Next time I'll probably just take the tray of lasagna (sorry - "lasagne") to go. -
Review from Jen S.
Seattle, WA
1/1/2010
So, we had eaten at Lago several times before The Incident. Each time the food was good, but not worth the price. I never ordered the pizza because it is ridiculously priced and I won't spend that much on something I can make at home ... granted, I don't have a wood burning oven. But you know that I mean! The place was always loud and the service was always marginal. Then! The event that brings us to one star!
My husband and I go on a busy night. We show up in the middle of dinner rush: 7:30. There's a crowd waiting. We put our name in and are told 30 minutes. Hubby and I are talking, laughing, enjoying each other's company, until we check the time. Hm. It's been 50 minutes! Hubby checks with rude hostess and we still aren't the next in line. Something at this point told me to ask about what has been 86'ed for the evening. Turns out everything I was interested in, and then some! What? You need to tell people waiting! Put up a chalkboard or something. So we storm out, to little fanfare, and head somewhere else, that sucked, incidentally, and I can't even review it because it's gone. Arg. Bite me, Lago. -
Review from Jens J.
4/17/2010
The Cliff Notes version of my review: get the Bolognese pasta!
Coming to Lago was nostalgic, harking back to my undergraduate days at nearby University of Washington, in particular reminding me of that certain rooming house a block south of the restaurant where I had to live my first quarter at the U, before I could get into on-campus housing.
Based on the patrons, it was clearly evident that Lago is a favorite of UW academia. Also, except for one customer and one member of the waitstaff, everybody in the restaurant was Caucasian. Definitely a different vibe than the rest of Seattle.
We were looking for a quick bite to eat on our way over to the Eastside, and were a bit concerned when the hostess asked us if we had a reservation. We didn't have to worry though, because we were seated almost immediately, and at a decent table.
The menu could be broken down into antipasto, pizza, pasta, a Bolognese special and wine. A sirloin steak too.
Even before our friendly waitress recommended the Bolognese, JP and I knew that was what we both wanted. JP also got a glass of Chianti and I stuck with a glass of ice tea. Wine anytime anyplace just does not cut the mustard for me. My loss, I guess. :-)
While waiting for our entrees, we were served complimentary bread and olive oil, which seems pretty rudimentary, but I can say the homemade-style bread was well-crafted and delicious and so was the olive oil. When we had wolfed down the bread, our waitress brought us out more without us asking.
Then our Bolognese arrived. Wow, and wow again. So delicious, from the thin flat wide noodles to the lightly-wine-flavored Bolognese sauce with ground beef, that reminded me a bit of Stroganoff. Just incredible!!
Yes, as other reviewers have noted, only street parking is available, and is limited at that. We had to park on a steep hill above the restaurant. But isn't that the quintessential Seattle dining experience?
Maybe the Bolognese skewed this review to five stars, but I really like this place. -
Review from Sarah S.
Denver, CO
5/24/2008
Dang it. I want to give it four stars, because the gnocci is so good, and the atmosphere is so awesome and comfortable. But service still means something to me, and the service for our table was disinterested and almost rude. We had several people waiting on us, so it isn't just one person.
But when I am going to drop $100 for just myself and my boyfriend, and my table is spending upwards of $500, I sort of want someone in the restaurant to be happy that we came, that we chose them. Even more so when we bring in a group of friends who we have recommended the place to. We don't get to afford such things very often, and the occasion was special. When the waitstaff makes us feel sheepish and like we shouldn't have come, not like welcomed guests but more like Kramer barging in unwanted yet again, it doesn't make for a comfortable go-to Italian craving.
That being said, the gnocchi is to die for. It might be the best in Seattle. And the panna cotta is no small potatoes either. -
Review from Mongoose C.
Santa Rosa, CA
3/4/2007
Stop the wining and just order a cippola with an egg, the steak with the prefectly gooey gorgonzol' and balsamic redux and ask Evan for a recommendation on the wine list. Feel free to bark out loud, this place when packed, adds some boisterous Italian soul to a pretty stodgy part of Seatown. Don't sleep on JV's tiramisu, and be sure to send some props to the boys and girls in the Kitchen, for doing excellent pizza well before the imitators.
Not to many places use nothing but apple and pear wood for their grill and turn out phenomenal pizzas for 17 plus years.
"Leave the Gun, take the Cannoli" -
Review from Colene C.
6/27/2010
Reading other reviews on this restaurant sounds really schizophrenic: love, hate, love, hate. I'm glad I didn't read anything here before coming because I don't think I would have given this place a fair shot.
Decor: Understated, simple, minimal, classic. I liked the feel of it. People could wear something casual or slightly dressy.
Drinks: A lovely mix of wines and mixed cocktails. Since it was a warm evening, I decided to have a Lago Lemonade. Light, refreshing, boozy. The perfect summer drink.
Food: The Pomodori al Forno is absolutely to die for. I don't know what they do to those tomatoes but they're roasted to perfection. That, mixed with the herbed goat cheese, is the best combo.
For my main, I had the fettucine with meatballs. The only hitch in the night was that one of my meatballs was cold in the middle. They quickly took it away and replaced it immediately. Other than that, it tasted great.
I also stole a few bites from my companion's plates:
Gnocchi - soft & pillowy. One of the best gnocchi dishes I've eaten.
Parpadelle Bolognese - a classic case of me liking someone else's dish! The sauce was amazing (my mouth is drooling thinking about it now!), the wine in the sauce was so flavourful.
Carbonara - My brother had been here in the past and had the Carbonara. It wasn't on the menu, but the kitchen was kind enough to make it for him. Pancetta, nom.
This was a great restaurant and I would recommend it. I don't mind paying extra for handmade pasta, cooked al dente, with rich/flavourful sauces. This isn't the Olive Garden after all. The quality difference is apparent. -
Review from Jami M.
Seattle, WA
1/25/2009
I really wanted this to be great - I mean, handmade pasta? Mmmm...but the Gnocci was NOT the best in Seattle. It was way too gooey. I'll have to edit this once I find out what my bf had - but I do think he didn't like it.
edit: The bf had the Romana pizza and said it was good but he only got it because the pasta's looked boring and there are lots of better and cheaper pizzas in seattle.
We stumbled in here craving italian food, not knowing anything about it and now knowing about the high prices. We decided we didn't mind though if the food was good enough. Too bad it wasn't. About $20 per plate and the food is barely average. The only thing I liked was my wine - something like Assini Rossi? La Spiga is so much better and cheaper. -
Review from Kara D.
2/4/2009
I'm not terribly big on pasta because I don't wanna get too big! :-)
But this pasta is worth it....seriously great, very very fresh and the simple tastes resonate through...simply wonderful.
The service was spectacular, the environment conducive to fun and to discussion.
I was really pleased and the next time I have a carb craving, I'll be there. -
Review from Suepattra M.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 12/29/2008 1 Check-in Here
On my recent trip back home for Christmas, some friends wanted to meet up at Cafe Lago for dinner. I agreed to go, despite my previous experience over the summer and mostly because I was way burnt out on heavy holiday eats....so Italian anything sounded fantastico.
I'm happy I did.
Because it was yummy, yummy, yummy. Our service was much improved, and everything from the antipasto plate to the caesar salad to the pizza to the pasta and tiramisu was lovely. And just how I used to remember it. :-)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/13/2008
I used to love Cafe Lago when I lived here, so of course I wanted to visit again while in town. The… Read more »
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Review from Peter T.
Everett, WA
2/3/2011
Excellent food and service.
We went in for an early dinner at the recommendation of friends and a gift certificate.
Started out with a glass of the Barberra wine and then the antipasto - good combo, nice variety.
We had the lasagne and carmelized beet ravioli - pure heaven.
The red sauce on the lasagne was obviously home made and not over powered with spices, complimented the fresh noodles and cheese of the lasagne perfectly. Same for the white sauce for the ravioli.
Finished up with the panna cotta custard desert, excellent finish to an outstanding italian dinner.
Looking forward to coming back and trying the blue cheese salad and the home made sausage and fetticune.
Service was excellent.
Thank you! -
Review from June N.
Seattle, WA
6/15/2009
This place teeters on greatness.
First off, I ordered the sausage pizza. I don't know why, but for some reason, it kept reminding me of the old college days of cheap Tostino's pizza's. I like Tostino's pizza's for what it's worth, but not for $19.
The other pizza was the Margarita Pizza. This is where Cafe Lago shines. Just the right amount of sauce, mozz and chiffonade basil. Do they import their canned tomatoes from Italy? The sauce was rich, tangy and vibrant...probably the best execution I've ever had in Seattle. We requested the Margarita pizza crust to be cooked less to avoid crisping and charring of the crust which turned out a lot better than the Saussage. The sausage pie crust ended up bubbling and charred which may have attributed to the Tostino's comparison.
Staff was great. Interior was spartan, but tasteful. I think the emphasis was put more on the food than the interior which is always a good thing. I wish we had tried the pasta, since it's supposed to be all hand made.
Thought it was a bit pricey for what it was. I'm all about restaurants making a profit, thriving and potentially opening new locations, but things like bread, pizza and pasta shouldn't cost that much. Flour is pure profit. I guess you gotta pay to play, but I've yet to try the other players in the pizza Renaissance that seems to be hitting Seattle. Aside from the Margarita pizza, I wasn't really blown away by the whole experience. It's a good restaurant, but I think there's probably other places that are as good and cheaper.
If only I had my own wood brick oven...I have a pretty killer pizza dough formula that I almost had to kill for from a crazy ass chef from Palermo. Anything cooked in a wood brick oven just tastes better anyways. That's the real secret. -
Review from Beau J.
WA
1/25/2007
Don't sleep on the Gnocci. Once you get off of the impossible-to-stray-from Lasagne, those little potato pillows are waiting to put you to bed. The food here is fantastico. AND the market across the street used to be a circle-K where I bought my first playboy.
And for the folks so intent on not focusing on the food, the bad parking and cold atmosphere is the only way they keep the crowd down. Seattle learned that trick ages ago, when it invented perpetual rain. -
Review from Lori M.
Seattle, WA
1/12/2010
Bought a gc for this from the Stranger on a whim since it's on my way back from work. Man, this place is kept so dark in the evenings. I know people like mood light and all, but I prefer a smidge brighter....
but of course what really matters is the food. The pizza was wonderful. Just was I was looking for last night. 15", supremely thin crust, fresh ingredients. I got the Magherita pizza and I asked for them to put two eggs on top. I was so happy that the waitress didn't even blink at my request (I wonder if a lot of people ask for this?). The eggs come out perfectly, with the whites cooked and the yolk runny. If you've never tried this on pizza, you should try it out here.
I agree with people's assessment that the prices run on the expensive side. But my Margherita pizza was priced ok-ish at $17. There was no additional charge for the two eggs I got on top, and I left so happy that it was worth it for me. This isn't the kind of pizza you get via delivery. This is much better pizza. I think it's probably worth a try once if you're into thin crust pizza. -
Review from Tony D.
Seattle, WA
4/15/2009
I'll have to echo what some of the more critical reviews have already said regarding the lack of bang for your buck when we went. The lasagna was good (not great) and it really didn't have much going on except for cheese, pasta and some tomato sauce. My pasta with scallops was pretty much the same thing. For $20 bucks a pop i expect a lot more going on than just tomato sauce and a starch. Its really not that hard to add some fresh herbs, garlic and mushrooms to give it some flavor honestly. The service at the restaurant was really good however.
The best part of the meal for me was the blue cheese starter salad which was excellent. It didn't look like much when it was placed on the table but it was surprisingly good. -
Review from katie s.
Seattle, WA
11/4/2007
My boyfriend and I went for his bday, and we had a good time. The staff was awesome, friendly and just chatty enough, but our food came Immediately. I'm talking 5 minutes after we ordered. So we definitely had a 'cafe' experience...which kinda sucked cause we wanted to chill for a while and we ended up feeling pretty rushed. Our waiter said something about the kitchen wanting to get out of there?? I mean, we did have a 9 pm reservation, but i'm always surprised at how sleepy Seattle really is. And on a Saturday!
The food was standard procedure, pizzas and pasta.
Via Tribunali is far sexier. -
Review from Emily E.
Seattle, WA
2/17/2009
Even if you're just walking by this Montlake restaurant, you get a sense that there's something dreamy about this place. The unassuming and elegant interior could be it--but following a meal you know that the dreamlike quality comes from the carefully prepared and delicious food. The Caprino pizza--simply topped with caramelized onions and goat cheese--is my favorite, and it's still wonderful cold if you've managed to save some for breakfast at home. The meatballs, too, have a special place in my heart.
When you come here, it's best to remind yourself that this is the Italian food you've been dreaming about--no pinching necessary. -
Review from Jake L.
Seattle, WA
2/4/2008
I wasn't too impressed with this place. I heard a lot of good things but I found the food to be just ok and the prices certainly didn't match the quality. The pizza was good, but not nearly as good as Pagliaci or Pegasus. I like this style of pizza, but I have to eat about 2 1/2 pizzas to feel full. I got the Caesar salad and the dressing was way to strong, completely overpowering the taste. We also got an appetizer that consisted of crostini with vegetables and this was actually really good...but over priced. The service was very friendly and prompt.
I really wanted to like Cafe Lago...but then again, I really wanted to like that movie "300", and it really sucked. "SPARTANS! We must fight for better salad dressing! AHHHHHHH!" -
Review from Melanie W.
Seattle, WA
10/23/2008
I have eaten here too many times to count, and after reading several sub-par reviews, I felt like I had to write a review to help set the record straight.
In one of the reviews, the author mentioned liking Pagliaci's pizza better. I love Pagliaci's for delivery, wash it down with some beer, feet up in front of the TV pizza, but the food at Cafe Lago is on an entirely other level. If you need to eat a whole large Brooklyn bridge pizza (my Pagliaci fave) to feel full, then Cafe Lago might not be the place for you. If you're in a huge rush or are um...frugal... when dining out, then Cafe Lago might not be the place for you. But if you like to linger over and appreciate delicious, fresh, quality (and somewhat pricey) food, then pull up a chair!
You're living large, so begin with cocktail from their list or a glass of the house Chianti. For a start, order the vegetarian antipasti (trust me, you won't miss the meat and you get more of the good stuff) or the slow roasted tomatoes and goat cheese, or the black olive tapenade and goat cheese ball, or the grilled eggplant. Seriously, you can't go wrong with any of the starters.
Next, definitely order a salad. My first love was the ensalata mista with either blue or goat cheese, but I am currently obsessed with the blue cheese salad. If you like blue cheese, you MUST try this salad.
Next up, entrees. The pizzas are good, but I like either the steak or the lasagna. The perfect combo is if you order both to share between two people.
You will undoubtedly be stuffed, but you should get dessert. The panna cotta with lavender and orange is mind-blowing, but the chocolate option or the lemon tart are also really good.
The ambiance of the place is not that great until dark, so plan accordingly. Make reservations, and request one of the leather banquets. Your wallet might be a little lighter, but you will not be sorry. -
Review from anita c.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2005 1 photo
Cafe Lago combines all the necessary ingredients for the perfect neighborhood Italian restaurant: Welcoming atmosphere, affordable prices, friendly-but-professional service, and stunningly good food.
Cafe Lago has become a favorite for us because of its consistency, something that's sadly lacking in many Seattle restaurants. It also wears many hats: I've gone there for a quiet evening with my husband, for a special meal with out-of-town guests, and for many casual after-work suppers. It's a little bit cozy (borderline miraculous, considering its size and volume) and very neighborly.
Although they're justly famous for their lasagna, Lago's other pastas are equally wonderful: I'm a huge fan of the linguine and meatballs. And those thin-crust pizzas... wow. If they're offering the spiral sausage on special, order it: You won't be disappointed. And their steak and shoestring fries is an excellent dinner, if you're not in the mood for pizza or pasta.
In addition to a well-rounded list of wine bottles, they've also got a nice list of house cocktails, and a good assortment of wines by the glass. -
Review from Evan M.
Seattle, WA
1/25/2010
Thin crust + Wood fired stove + Sunny side up eggs = Yes, yes, yes!
I'd stay away from the pastas and the salads, but man, oh, man, the pizza was super freakin' crispy and delicious when we asked for a couple of eggs on top. The waitress didn't even skip a beat. BAM. Good times.
Also, they had nommy cocktails to choose from. -
Review from Trevin C.
Seattle, WA
1/13/2008 2 Check-ins Here
The food is excellent here, with a large selection of traditional Italian fare. Their wine list is decent and you can always find a bottle or glass in whatever price range you're looking for.
The only downside to this place is their consistent lack-luster service and sub-par decor. Every time I eat here, I can't help but feel I'm in a cheesy diner! -
Review from Maria C.
Seattle, WA
4/12/2006
I heard this was the best lasagna in town, so decided to see for myself. It IS the best lasagna in town. All of their pasta is handmade right there - they actually have a person whose sole job is to make pasta - and their tomato sauce is handmade as well. This combines for a truly outstanding lasagna. The ravioli I stole from my daughter's plate was also divine. My son loved his pizza, and I have heard it's superb pizza here, but I didn't try it, and then again, the kid would just as soon eat Domino's and call it good.
The reasons for 3 stars? Crappy street parking. Loud. Just didn't have that welcoming, cozy "feeling" I like. While the food was great, I just don't feel like going back. -
Review from J B.
Ashland, OR
1/13/2008
The pizza is very good by Seattle standards, but the service is lacking. Pizza is neapolitan-esque, and the crust is light and thin. Ask for it well done and it will be crispy to the center. The stand-out is the sauce, which is nice and garlicky, without being too heavy or over-seasoned.
It always irks me when I walk into a less than half full restaurant and they make me wait for a table due to pending reservations or they put me right next to the door, both of which have happened here. -
Review from CJ T.
Bellevue, WA
5/20/2008
To be honest, pasta is usually the last thing I order when I go out for food. I feel slightly ripped-off paying double digits for a bowl of starch when it tastes like the dried pasta I cook at home. However, Cafe Lago changed my mind about restaurant pasta. There really is no comparing pasta that is made daily to pasta that's dried.
For your first trip, do try the lasagne. It's like eating soft, happy clouds with a tomato sauce that's a pleasant balance of tartness and sweetness. Plus, I've tried their recipe at home - no shortcuts - and, it is labor-intensive! I'm willing to pay the $20.
The appetizers can sometimes be on the small side, so is not really suitable for sharing. It's disappointing sometimes because it tastes so good, but when 4 asparagus stalks and 4 onion slivers arrive as a salad, it's hard to get excited about it. -
Review from Dee P.
Seattle, WA
11/29/2009
This place has the most expensive pizza in Seattle. However, I'd probably pay more for it. The crust, sauce and topping ingredients are the best and freshest around. The toughest part is figuring out which pie I want to order. The Caesar salad is top shelf as well. I've been trying to crack the code on the dressing for years but haven't even got close.
Believe it when I say this place has the perfect combination of atmosphere, menu selection and friendly staff. The only bad part is when the check comes; $18-$20 for a 12" thin crust pizza is rich, especially since I easily mow down an entire pie on my own. My favorite pizza is the Caprino, favorite pasta is the lasagna (handmade every day) and of course the Caesar salad. If anyone has the dressing recipe, I'd give you my left nut.
Try eating at the bar if you can't get a table. They have good beers, tasty cocktails and complimentary mixed olives to fill up on before the food arrives. Oh and don't forget your checkbook. You'll need it. -
Review from Michelle U.
Seattle, WA
5/3/2009
Cafe Lago has many of the staples of a traditional Italian restaurant, pristine white tablecloths, glasses of red wine that never seem to empty, crusty yet soft bread that is consistently replenished. Except, unlike all old world Italian restaurants, Cafe Lago, with it's huge East facing windows is flooded with light (at least after daylight savings time).
We started with a goat cheese/roasted tomato crostini appetizer, the tomatoes were superbly flavorful, my mom had the bleu cheese salad which was also tasty. My mom and I split the margherita pizza and my friend ordered the special - mint/ricotta stuffed ravioli. I've never heard of using mint as a ravioli filling, but surprisingly it worked, and even better, it tasted extremely fresh. We opted against dessert, feeling stuffed as it was, though the menu was tempting.
The menu was well rounded, not too many options, not too few. The service was great, but the prices are still a little steep in my opinion. I'd definitely come back here...if someone else is paying!
