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Green star Il Bistro (Downtown)

93-A Pike St
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 682-3049
Website

At Il Bistro, hidden under Pike Place Market, the old-fashionedness is marvelous—the ceilings are low, the arches are original, the bar is marble, and the roses are red. The bar at Il Bistro is famous, and rightfully so; it's a bartender's bar—witness the 30-plus kinds of Scotch lined up tantalizingly all along it, and recall that for the longest time, the bartender of bartenders, the Zig Zag's Murray Stenson, reigned here. (Look, there he is having a drink now.) The lighting at the bar at Il Bistro is perfect—not too bright, not too dim, bathing everyone in a 62-percent-more-attractive pinky-gold. The rest of Il Bistro is dark and romantic, and the Italian food is fine (if notably pricey). But the bar—currently managed by the completely awesome David Nelson—is magnificent (and happy hour food is a screaming deal).
Categories: Bar, Cafe, Restaurant

Restaurant Details

  • Features: Romantic
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Serving Hours: Sun-Thurs 5-midnight, Fri-Sat 5 pm-1 am
  • Price Range: $$$

Bar Details

The Stranger's Reviews of Il Bistro

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 3.00000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (7) RSS

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7

  • 1/5 Stars.

I agree with GM ....

What the heck happened? I too have been a long time patron of Il Bistro but not anymore. Is it because Seattle now offers other Italian restaurants with true authentic fare? Or is it because the staff has become much to full of themselves? Or has the cuisine and professionalism at Il Bistro truly declined? You be the judge and waste your 100 bucks or play it safe and go to one of our many really fine Seattle Italian restaurants in town!
Posted by S&M on April 30, 2009 at 10:02 PM · Report
6

Rude Manager, Mediocre Food

I used to come here for every special occasion ... birthdays, holidays, romantic dates, parties, business meetings, more birthdays and now - you couldn't drive me back with wild horses. Unbelievably rude manager (waitress was very nice and very embarrassed by the manager) and the food has declined. Why go to il Bistro and pay to be treated badly and a mediocre meal? Why eat meals that any 2nd rate chef could whip up when you can frequent Italian restaurants in Seattle that have authentic, delicious fare like la Spiga? THERE is an Italian restaurant with a first rate chef (soon to be featured on Iron Chef, a little bird told me), wonderful service and fantastic ambiance. Mind you I don't want to go into the whole Il Bistro story here, just know that I have been a loyal patron since the late 70s and now - well I will never cross that threshold again. Fair warning!
Posted by GM on December 17, 2008 at 6:14 PM · Report
5

Romantic

The best atmosphere - like dining in an Italian villa. The drinks are simply outstanding - if you like Martini's order one here! And the food is wonderful - try the Antipasto. The service is just what you would hope for.
Posted by Trent on May 26, 2008 at 9:34 AM · Report
4

Great Happy Hour

Il Bistro has been a favorite for dinner for nearly 25 years. I didn't know they had a Happy Hour. I met a friend in the bar recently and had a great time. Lots of great "small plates" priced from $2.95 to $4.95. Great wines by the glass. They also do happy hour late at night.
Posted by lotoforkney on April 30, 2008 at 4:05 PM · Report
3

Drink, Don't Bitch

Il bistro is the kind of place one goes to when they look for the happy medium of schwank and dive. It has a large selection of quality spirits at reasonable prices, the food is great and the atmosphere is perfect for an all night binge. I reccomend a chilled Hendricks with a slice of cucumber and a pizza of the chef's choice.
Posted by somestupidname on July 11, 2007 at 2:10 PM · Report
2

Great ambiance, reliable food

I've been going here for over 20 years and it remains my favorite Italian restaurant, Anywhere. It has had some ups and downs over the years, but for my money (and I spend a fair amount here) it is in fine form these days, and quality and service are tops. No one else does Cioppino properly or even remotely as well, the seafood is perfectly cooked every time. The only properly done Caesar salad in the NW, and some dazzling appetizers and great salmon.
Posted by Vincenzo on May 29, 2007 at 11:30 PM · Report
1

Run, Don't Walk

It used to be a good place many years ago, but now it is awful. If you make the mistake of walking in, have a good look around and you'll find that no one has even bother to clean the places the customers can see for a year or two - imagine what the kitchen must look like. I was there a few months ago and was really surprised at just how bad it had become. And yet you see that it gets good review in places like City Search - wonder if you can pay for those (uh, ya think?). So if you are down here, where do you go? Matt's in the Market is your best option for sure.
Posted by Charles on May 28, 2007 at 7:48 AM · Report

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