By chance tonight we tried a small uninspiring looking Italian in a strip mall in Bellevue firenze restaurant . We went in as there wasn't a chicken parmigiano or eggplant dish in sight. (It may be an authentic Italian dish but never heard of it till we came to the US) Also thank goodness, there was no singing waiter to ruin the night.
The decor wasn't great and was just a square room with white linen tablecloths but the food we tried was good and that is the main thing. Homemade and very flavourful sauces, the tiramisu was homemade and tasted like how it should be. It was bustling and had atmosphere helped by the younger look a like Flavio Briatore owner who was genuine Italian. It was laidback no rush service which was nice for an evening out.
I actually for the first time in my life used the line 'waiter there is a fly in my" half drunk glass of wine, who gave me a free full glass of wine.
.The only negatives I had were - he gave me the more expensive wine than we asked for and charged it (but since he was nice about the fly we let it go, it was nice wine!) Also the pasta wasn't homemade or fresh (I don't think) and as the prices aren't the cheapest around think it could have been, it is authentic Italian after all.
Also the tiramisu was single portions and think it was a bit pricey.
Overall it was $95 for 2 glasses of wine and two entrees & 2 desserts including tax and tip. A bit pricier than we are used to for a normal Friday night but overall worth it and will go back.
Next door they had a pizza place which looked good, who knows it may be better than fondi in Kent which so far is the best around here. They also have a restaurant in Renton -vino.
And to me it was better than luciano which I always choke on the few times I have been because of the price.
I just want to know though, why there is a full sized carving from rock of a VW beetle outside the place?
Maybe I am seeing things but it is unique.