Bizzarro Italian Café

Great food. Great staff. A little pricey for I usually like to spend, but the food and atmosphere made up for it. I tried their housemade gluten-​free pasta and it delicious.

If this was just based on the complementary bread, they would get 5 stars no contest, especially since we got two plates worth of the empty, buttery carbs. Instead it was sort of on par with any other italian pasta place but a lot more expensive. The décor was really nice and i think its great for special occasions, but only if its for a party less than 3 since its kinda cramped.

My partner and I came in as a date on a busy Thursday evening. I was having a blood sugar issue and although Laura was the hostess, she quickly brought me something to take care of it all in stride. Jessica who was our server was amazing, kind and very helpful. The food was amazing and the service was excellent! Even with as bustling as it was, we had what felt like really personalized service. Highly recommend Bizzaro’s!

I went there last night and had a blast. Chilled out front with a glass of wine then the hostess had an awesome tattoo and was real nice. I had a linguine dish with clams and this cheesy rice ball appetizer thing. They had new stuff on the wall since I’d been there last. If Donald Trump ever ate at this place it would probably turn him into a nice guy, it’s that good.

30second review!
Service: absolutely fantastic! Friendly, kind, great recommendations, helpful and all around great. Continually checked to make sure we had enough to drink and cleared plates quickly.
Ambiance: slightly loud but nothing crazy. Décor — original, to say the least. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a place quite like it. Definitely on the fun side!
Food: bread = amazing! Beet, goat cheese & arugula salad = omg amazing! Puttanesca with prawns = Spicy yet delicious! Prawns slightly overcooked, but still really good.
Final statement: definitely would go back.

Magical little nick-​nacky place with delicious pasta. We always order a half carafe and split an entrée. If you’re lucky, you might get the best table in the house! If you do, leave a note under the glass.

Wonderful, quirky little spot in Wallingford. Terrific menu, good wine list. Food is top notch. Very fun place to come with a group. Just came back recently after not visiting Seattle for many years and was so happy that Bizarro is still serving excellent food in a unique setting!

The location makes it feel like your own little secret! The décor is amazing. Hap hazard, and fun! Food is delicious! They try to include local ingredients when possible! Their dessert is local too. Wish they had Sweet Alchemy ice cream instead of Molly Moons (I find it to be light and cheap, with artificial flavors), fainting goat gelato was okay though. Staff is really knowledgeable concerning wine pairing.

This place is crazy! The décor is wild, the service is great, the food is AMAZING. I went here with a date and we could easily converse without interruption or trouble hearing each other. I’m dying to go back!

Was craving some Italian, and stumbled upon this place. I was intrigued by all the corkiness inside! The décor was so fun!
I must start off with my appetizer-​stuffed mushroom special. Probably the best I’ve ever had! The goat cheese stuffing melted in my mouth!
For main course I had the elk bolognese, which was good, but did not have that Italian kick that I was expecting. Would order something else next time.
Back to the good: the gelato was amazing! Ordered the pistachio with a cappuccino, and I was in heaven!
Our waitress was super down to earth, I absolutely loved her. Best service I’ve had in a while! And she recommended a few spots to go afterwards!
Overall, had an awesome experience here and would come back to try another main dish!
Thank you Bizarro staff!

UPDATE: Just checked out their website and this guy’s name is Jodi-​Paul Wooster… And apparently, he co-​owns the place. Even worse. A restaurant co-​owner who commits fraud and has no sense of what customer service entails.
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I’m usually not the type of person to ever write bad reviews. However, looking at my bank statement just topped it off and it pissed me off so bad that I just HAD TO now. For some reason, Bizzarro employees think it’s okay to commit a credit card fraud and write themselves a different amount of tip from what the customers had written? WTF?
So… these are just a few of the things that went wrong in the 2 hours that we were there…
1. The server nor the menu doesn’t ever warn you that they will charge you $ 4 to put an entrée in two different plates. That would’ve been nice to know ahead of time.
2. THE FOOD SUCKS. I could literally buy a TV dinner from Safeway and it would’ve tasted better than the lasagna I had.
3. The birthday girl made a reservation and they were aware that we would be big party. As someone who comes from working in the restaurant/​club industry for years, it is COMMON SENSE to know that these people will most likely be splitting checks. What do they do? They don’t tell us until it was time to bring the bill. For some reason, our server wasn’t the one dealing with the payment but rather this rude and snotty guy who seems to be the host upfront.
4. No problem. We can figure it out.
5. Then, they say «we can only take 4 credit cards.» Whatever. Again, we say… no problem and we can still figure it out.“
6. So we do the math and write everything down for them and how much to charge each card. What does this imbecil host do??? He charges my card $ 90 when it was supposed to be charged $ 27. HAHA what??? So we then ask him why? He shows me this sticker that says «SUGGESTED gratuity» is $ 67. Umm… do I need to bring this guy a dictionary to show him what the word «SUGGESTED» means??? The funny thing is, regardless of how awful everything has been at this point, we were still going to tip 20%.
7. So then, I had him void the $ 90 that he just decided to charge me and he finally corrects it to the right amount which is $ 27. Unfortunately, at this point, I realized that I probably can’t trust this person. With that said, I decided to save my receipt. Boy am I glad that I did!
8. A few days later, I check my bank statement. This guy gives himself a $ 21.08 tip instead of $ 5. WOW. SERIOUSLY!!! After contacting my friends to check their credit card statements, it seems that they were also charged different amounts from what they had written. Wow. We are NEVER going back to this place and we will definitely make sure to pass this message along to every single person we know. Bizzaro, I’m sure you guys can be a great restaurant… once you fire this awful employee who thinks it’s okay to commit fraud. I will be calling my credit card company and will never return.
Click the 1^st photo attached to view the receipt. Click the 2^nd one to view my bank statement.

STAY FAR AWAY!!! These people are thieves and the owner will change the tip amount on your receipt. This isn’t the first time this place has done this. BE AWARE.
I don’t know how people give this place a good review? The food is so bad and the owner is rude. People that come here must not eat out a lot or experienced good food before. My girlfriend and I went here for a casual dinner because we saw the Unilocal reviews and thought «why not». Everything was going ok until it came time to pay the bill. After eating an awful lasagna they charged our bill which was $ 18 for a child size lasagna plus a couple beers so $ 28. We had split our lasagna thinking it would be big because Italian food usually is served in large quantities, but it wasn’t. They then charged us $ 4 to split the meal so now $ 32 total? Just to put it on another plate is $ 4? Whatever no big deal, but it would have been nice to at least worn us prior and we would have just shared the plate. We still gave our server a tip of 20% because she was alright and met all our needs. But I guess the owner didn’t think it was enough and changed the tip amount and gave himself a $ 21 tip on a $ 32 tab. Now I have to file a claim with my credit card and claim fraud for this place for stealing. Yes it’s only $ 21 but stealing is never ok. Guess he was hoping we wouldn’t notice the change he had made. These are reasons why we always keep our receipts. Never coming back nor will ever refer this horrible place to anyone. We had pretty high hopes from the reviews on Unilocal but people warned me about this place, and that they are known for scamming people. I didn’t listen and it came back and bit me in the end. Lesson learned. STAY FAR AWAY!

My kids took me here for my birthday. I was real excited to try this place. I had such high hopes… sadly, like many other popular restaurants, I left somewhat disappointed. I’m not really sure if it was my high expectations but there definitely were some misses on their part.
I ordered the clam linguini. The sauce (broth) seemed overly salted but the clams were good. The miss here was the pasta (which in my opinion should be the star of the show). Clumpy, stuck together and some bites were way to firm to call al dente.
Two from our party had spaghetti and meatballs, and one other had the Elk Ragu. They all enjoyed their meals, and the Caesar Salad was dressed well.
Not a bad place, maybe just a bad day. I’m glad I can mark this off my bucket list, but was expecting more.

Loved this place! Service was great and I followed the reviewers (guy) and choose the clam linguine! Wasn’t disappointed.
This place is quirky and fun — perfect for friends, dates and even families! Food is fresh and flavorful — house salad just right and the house wine very nice too!
Try a night’s special and you cannot go wrong as it changes and is always something special.
We were about to leave and my friend said «you need to use the restroom». Off I went and will recommend you do the same; after you’ll understand my suggestion.
Oh almost forgot… If you want a bit of quiet conversation ask for the «best table in the house» Bene !

This is by far my favorite Italian restaurant. I have never had a dish that wasn’t delicious here, although I have to admit that is from eating off of my companions plates as I just can’t get over the forest floor frenzy closely followed by a beautiful puttanesca plate.
Another thing to mention is that they have a wine club and their house wines are always affordable and delicious. I don’t know what else you could ask for in a good Italian meal!

I ordered a soup and the carbonara and had a bite of my friend’s gnocchi. The soup was a bit too salty, but I still enjoyed it. I was happy with the carbonara, the gnocchi and the bread that comes dinner is delicious! I would definitely go back.

The forest floor frenzy is a dish you crave and keeps you coming back to this quarky restaurant.
Love the décor that is very eclectic and bizarro. This place can be very crowded and lively. Perfect for a date, very romantic place in it’s unique way.
One of the most unique Italian places in Seattle. Love it.

2÷15÷16 Came across this little restaurant after shopping at Archie McPhee store nearby. Got there at perfect time 5:30pm it seemed and we were seated right away. Didn’t realize they had just opened at 5pm. The décor of the place is perfect. They have complimentary bread at table and it was good. For dinner I had the salad, and lasagna which were both great. Real Italian food with great portion size. Recommend

Amazing bread, wine selection and the best carbonara I’ve ever had. Not to mention the atmosphere. So fun, non-​pretentious and great staff. It is now a regular meeting place for my friend and I. Highly, highly recommend this fun and delicious restaurant!

Always a favorite stop in Seattle, this place doesn’t disappoint. We went right at opening as the place began to fill up. Highlights include:
The garlic «monkey bread» is as addictive as crack.
Wine list is pretty good and not too expensive.
I had the carbonara, which is out of my comfort zone for Italian places but I thought it was a perfect balance and super rich. She had the Forest Floor, which is her go to every time we come here. It is phenomenal.
The only thing that I don’t like here is the meatballs. I have ordered Sunday special a couple of times and couldn’t get into them. This time we ordered a side of them and had the same thing. They almost taste like the ones you get in the Trader Joes aisle. Just not my preference, but everything else more than makes up for it. Regardless, I will continue to come back every time that I am in town.

Quite simply the very best! My favorite restaurant in Seattle, and my favorite Italian restaurant anywhere. Delicious Italian style meets Northwest ingredients for a unique and delightful combination. It’s 5-​star quality, but utterly unpretentious in a wonderful little quirky space. The Forest Floor Frenzy pasta dish would be to die for if that honor weren’t already given to the bruschetta appetizer.

I went here with some friends for dinner and it was amazing! We got two appetizers each a main dish and deserts, everything was incredible! I will be going back.

A delicious place! Tons of eclectic décor. The waitstaff was super. I got to bolgonese and we also had the puttanesca!

Wait on a Friday evening… was told 45 mins but got a table in 15 so do not let long wait time estimates deter you. Put our names down and grabbed a drink at the pub next door. A con is that they won’t take reservations or put your name down while you are driving there, need to be there in person to put your name down.
Now let’s get to the food and service, both fantastic. I got the gnocchi with Parmesan sauce and roasted cauliflower and garlic, I will drive all the way here only for that dish. Mixed green salad was standard fare, bread served up front was fresh and good. One in our party did not like the entrée they ordered and the server replaced it with another option without any issues. Though it has café in their name the food rivals some of the best Italian spots in the city and the service matches to boot!

This used to be my all time favorite Italian place that I would talk to my friends about. However in my most recent visit I was sadly disappointed with the food. Both my gnoochi special and the soup special were way too salty and it just wasn’t what I remember. I talked to a close friend of mine about it who agreed that something has changed here. Its real sad and I hope they change things for the better. Whatever they have done, it’s noticeable. This place used to be so good but I can’t say I’ll be coming back or recommending it anymore.
The wait staff was nice and friendly though, as always. The food was just not that good.

A great place for excellent Italian food. The décor, lighting, and tasteful selection of objects make this place fun to visit and enjoy great meal. Although one would not find an auto workshop to resemble the décor. Each chair is unique and so are the tables. Friendly staff add to the dining experience.
Seasonal menu add to the local flavor. Whether its appetizers, salads or entrees, one can not go wrong with any selection. Hand made pastas is a secret to a special meal. We need to go back to experience Sunday night meatball dish someday.

I’ve been going here since high school, when my «boyfriend» at the time took me. (Boyfriend in quotes, because he was gay but not ready to tell the world yet.) But thank you high school «boyfriend» for exposing my high school self to Bizzarro — I’ve been going back ever since with subsequent boyfriends (notice the quotes dropped? These ones not gay… as far as I can tell).
Food is fantastic, love the atmosphere, and have always enjoyed the service. Just a fun, cozy, Seattle of yon-​and-​yesteryear institution, and so glad to see it’s still going strong!

Ah, Bizarro… a Seattle dining experience must at some point. Charming, quirky, neighborhoody friendly spot that kind of feels like you have escaped to Italy for the night.
Every few years or so I get the need to visit this place. when I’m in the mood for decent pasta and I an unpretentious vibe.
The food compared to other similarly priced Italian restaurants (it’s not cheap despite the quirky factor) is not bad but not great, either. I think Ethan Stowell can be blamed for raising the bar. Tavolata, How to Cook a Wolf… outstanding pasta. The service is a tad slow but the servers are awesome. Super nice, friendly and knowledgable about the menu and the wines.
What really put them at average was their tiramisu… It was so disappointing. Basically a whip cream cake. Like, where’d the espresso go? or the rum? They need to fix that stat.
So…cute place, FUN place, a must go at some point in your Seattle life but could be better. Need better pasta noodles, less salt, and definitely, a better tiramisu.

Came to Seattle to visit a friend from high school and I found about Bizzaro by thinking of visiting places that Guy Fieri had been to on his show Diners, Drive-​ins & Dives and boy was I glad that I looked into it.
The décor is really cool, unique and fun! My friend and I shared the drunken clams, the menu says the broth is life changing, I have to agree it was so delicious and worth sipping up with their delicious bread they serve. We both also got the Elk Bolognese this was my time trying Elk and it was amazing! We also had a nice Shiraz that our waitress recommended to us.
It’s a good thing I’m not a local cause I’d be broke coming here ever week.

Every time I come here, I’m blown way by the quality and flavor of the food. Wow. Wow. Wow.
The locale is quirky and fun, though I suspect a little cramped for anyone medium-​sized.
The food is worth it. Come and dine. Bring all your taste buds. You’re gonna need ‘em.

First time here and loved it!
Fun quirky, cosy place to eat amazing pasta! Atmosphere was great, staff were friendly, attentive, funny and helpful.
The menu is a nice size with some amusing names, it is not overwhelming and they have specials up on the board.
I read some previous reviews that the tables are close together and the cell phone policy sucks but it’s a small intimate restaurant people!, if you want lots of space go sit in a field!
As for the cell phone policy… It’s a nice idea, many places ask that you don’t disturb other dinners and refrain from using your phone, plus it stops all the stupid couples ignoring each other while playing on their damn phones throughout the entire meal. They are not saying do not remove your phone or check it, they are asking that you are not THAT couple who never speak because they are glued to their phones or taking endless photos. Enjoy company and food for once!
Bottom line, If you want a cool place to eat where you can enjoy some great food, wine, company and ‘proper’ olive oil to dip your bread into, then try Bizzarro.
For all you cell phone junkies with space issues, stay home!

By far the best Italian meal I have ever had! Visiting from Nashville, TN, me and my boyfriend were recommended Bizorras by not one, not two, but THREE PEOPLE.
The look and atmosphere blew my mind. Eclectic, fun, and cozy all in one.
Perfect for a date-​night or to bring the family visiting in town. Super well priced for the amount of food you receive.
We started with the bruschetta bread (served with olive oil and red wine vinegarette) — AMAZING.
I chose the special recommended to us… a meatball and pasta baked dish and my boyfriend tried the margarita pasta and not only was it so good but they give you so much food we each got a to go box to take home.
For desert we chose the Strawberry Baslamic flavored ice cream that they carry from a local ice cream shop near by (Molly Moons) and I’ve got to say it was the best flavor of icecream I have had since I can’t remember. I never wanted it to end.
The service was immaculate, everyone was so nice, our water glasses were never half empty and it didn’t hurt we received the table closest to their big open window accompanied by beautiful hanging floral arrangements draping the outside windowsill to keep us cozy (we saw the sunset as we ate our meal).
Add some wine to our meal and you could say this meal absolutely exceeded our expectations.

I’ve been here four times and each time has been delicious. It has a very quirky ambience and I guess that’s why it’s called Bizzaro. I don’t know too much about Italian food but what they serve here seems pretty legit and it’s a great place for a date. Make sure you go to the bathroom and look at all the weird photos.
I think my favorite so far is the forest floor pasta. The spaghetti and meat balls is very good too.

One of our favorite Italian places. Cramped quarters, bizarre things on the wall, eclectically Italian Seattle.
The carbonara is amazing. A bit salty to be honest, just a tad. Has a lot of proscuitto and snap peas (!).
The forest floor pasta with walnuts and mushrooms was a bit bland for my liking, actually needed more salt this time, but my mom loved it and was raving about it. I might have just had a bad batch.
The fried pork on noodles (forget the name) is tasty too.
My wife always gets the baked ziti/​margarita. Very good tomato sauce, nice portions. If they ever have the spicy ministrone soup — get it! It’s the best broth I’ve ever had. The mozzarella tomoato poppers aren’t great. kind of a weird appetizer that’s sorta like baked moz sticks, but with a steamy tomato. Not my thing.

I reallllly wanted to like this place. I thought the décor was cute. I use to work at the Ye Olde Curiosity shop so the décor in here reminded me of it. I love and hate that cellphone policy because when our server came by to drop off the house salad. He told us to put our phones away, his tone of voice was very rude and not nice. I understand you guys have a little rule but we were actually Unilocaling the restaurant reviews and looking at pictures of the food.
My friend found a fruit fly in her wine and when we told the same server about it, he was also rude. I had to repeat that she had a fly in her glass 4 times before he walked away. Do you expect her to still drink it with a damn fly in her cup?! I was turned off by this place at that point but we had already put in our ordered.
We got the risotto balls, clam linguine, the pork, the lamb, and lasagna. I enjoyed the risotto balls the most. Did not like anything else that we ordered. Food was sub par at best. The dishes were either too salty or too flavorless. I’ve definitely paid less for better food and better service at other establishments. Don’t think we’ll be going back.