A Restaurant Rant

So what makes a new restaurant work?

After months and months of anticipation a new restaurant opened in my neighborhood late last year. Picolinos took over the space once occupied by the much beloved Lily and the People, who as rumor has it were forced out after 10+ years. Despite that the neighborhood seemed excited to have a restaurant actually in Sunset Hill. The first few weeks after opening you were lucky to find a seat. Lots of families filled the space and it looked like a start to a great new local venue.

This is a restaurant I really want to like, even if it's not great, as the location is wonderful. I have now visited 4 times since they opened, one more visit than the real critics. Maybe it's because I really wanted to like the place I am a bit offended and baffled as to why they can't be just a little better.

The space is very nice, divided in to three rooms (and now a new coffee shop). The middle of the three rooms also houses a bar. The menu has changed since opened and they seem to have simplified, which is for the best. The food is mostly Pasta and Pizza along with some salads, apps and a few other options. Really how wrong can you go with Pizza and Pasta? And that's the thing, most the food is not bad, but it's not really good either.

Every time I go to Picolinos the service kind of reminds me of an awkward first date. The service is just "off". Not rude but just not smooth at all. The last visit they served my child her entree before I even had my salad, which is great when you have 2yo (and ask the parent) but not really necessary when you have a 12yo. Often the service is very slow and the course delivery is just not quite right. I've sat in all three sections and had different waiters so it's not just one person.

I've tried the salad, soup, pasta, pizza and a few sides (that no longer exisit for good reason). All except one side have been edible but the best of the bunch is the salad. The pizza's have the "fancy" toppings I tend to love, but again it just did not come together right. The pasta I had the last visit did not taste fresh: the peas tasted frozen and the salmon just did not work.

Anyway, I know due to proximity I will likely end up eating there again, but I am very disappointed and really hope they further retool. It would be a shame to see a local place fail in a space that should succeed. Based on the last visit the customers are dropping off quickly. The prices too high for regular visits for "its fine" food when there are so many good places in Seattle.

PS. They also just opened part of their space as a coffee shop which I've just tried once and it was good. They have to contend with Walters that has been across the street forever. Walters does not have the best coffee, but they have the best ice cream ever and are a neighborhood staple.