Seattle Spotlight: Spinasse

Spinasse, a renowned Italian restaurant in Seattle, offers an experience focused on the simple, rustic, and exquisite cuisine of the Piedmont region of Northern Italy.

What Makes Spinasse Unique

Spinasse’s uniqueness is rooted in its hyper-specific dedication to Piedmontese tradition, a style of cooking famous for its emphasis on handmade pasta, truffles, and hearty meat dishes, often drawing from the culinary traditions of the Alps.

• Piedmontese Focus: Unlike many general Italian restaurants, Spinasse drills down into the style of a specific place. It creates simple, soulful dishes grounded in authentic techniques, all while incorporating the products of artisans and small farmers from the Pacific Northwest.
• Handmade Pasta: The restaurant is particularly famous for its incredible, fresh, handmade pastas, which are central to the Piedmontese style. The kitchen has an open design, allowing guests to witness the craftsmanship.
• Ambiance: The space is designed to evoke a “cascina” (farmhouse) or trattoria in Piedmont’s mountainous territory. It is described as a high-end, bustling, and cozy space, often lauded as a romantic and upscale destination.

History

Spinasse (sometimes referred to as Cascina Spinasse) was established in August 2008 on 14th Avenue in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.

• It began as a small, rustic Italian trattoria with communal seating.
• The restaurant quickly gained critical acclaim and a loyal following, cementing its place as one of the city’s top Italian dining spots.
• After a period of transition in its early years, Jason Stratton helped lead the restaurant to significant popular and critical success.
• Since 2015, Executive Chef Stuart Lane—who previously studied at the Italian Culinary Institute in Piemonte—has carried the culinary legacy forward, ensuring the authentic Piedmontese traditions continue to be honored. The restaurant is currently owned by Jonathan Klein, co-founder of Getty Images.

Highlighted Menu Items

The menu centers around house-made pasta (Primi) and seasonal main courses (Secondi).

First-time visitors are often encouraged to try the tasting menu to experience a full range of the kitchen’s specialties.

Customer Feedback Highlights

Spinasse has an excellent 4.6-star rating and is routinely featured in national and local “best of” lists, including being named one of the top 15 Italian restaurants in the United States by Fodor’s Travel in 2021.

Positive Feedback often emphasizes:

• The Pasta: “Amazing butter and sage pasta… just like us he now talks about Spinasse as one of his best meals ever.”
• Consistency and Quality: “Consistently stellar both in food and service. I have been here many times and they always deliver. The food is exquisitely crafted and Spinasse is truly an enjoyable dining experience.”
• Tasting Menu: “My husband and I enjoyed their tasting menu, which really I would encourage any first timer to do. Many foods were new to us, and there was not a thing we did not thoroughly love.”

Ambiance and Service Notes:

• The dining experience is often described as feeling upscale and cozy.
• The wine list, with its curated Northern Italian selections, is consistently praised, with one reviewer noting, “the waitress suggested a beautiful wine to go alongside our meals and it was such a good selection that I’m almost willing to forgive the food.”
• It’s worth noting the dining space is compact, with some feedback mentioning it can feel “congested” due to the full capacity.

Significant Events

• 10th Anniversary: Spinasse celebrated its 10th anniversary in August 2018 with a party for its longtime customers.
• Expansion: The restaurant expanded its space, and its sibling cocktail bar and eatery, Artusi, is located next door.
• Private Dining Room: The restaurant offers a newly renovated Private Dining Room with a private entrance on Pine Street. This intimate space can seat up to 40 people and is used for special events like cooking classes and corporate meetings.
• Winemaker Events: The restaurant periodically hosts special, limited-attendance wine-paired lunches featuring visiting Italian winemakers.

Contact Information