Serafina osteria & enoteca

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Serafina osteria & enoteca Review

To many loyal patrons, Serafina is the perfect neighborhood restaurant. And then there's the romance: burnt-sienna walls topped by a forest-green ceiling convey the feeling of a lush garden villa—a sense heightened by the small sheltered courtyard out back. Menu highlights (some available in small and large portions) include grilled eggplant rolled with ricotta and basil; asparagus with an egg and truffle oil; gnocchi with rotating ingredients such as mushrooms, nettle, or beef cheeks; and seared sea scallops with baby turnips, pine nuts, and golden raisins. Live jazz every Friday through Sunday (and occasionally on Wednesday and Thursday, too) should be considered a plus, but be forewarned that it can be kind of difficult to hold a conversation while the band is playing. Note that Serafina is close to Capitol Hill, in the Eastlake neighborhood, so definitely spring for the short cab ride here. Cicchetti Kitchen, by the same proprietors, is around the corner (121 E. Boston St. 206/859-4155); it's a delightful spot to enjoy Mediterranean small plates and inventive cocktails around the flicker of a wood-fired hearth.