If you’re in the mood for an intimate night out and have the taste buds for Italian food, look no further then Volterra, a quaint Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of downtown Ballard. From the dark corner bar to the low light dining area, this restaurant provides an ideal romantic setting to connect on the 3rd or 4th date.
The dining area primarily consists of small two person tables, which are situated close together. Although this may seem to potentially cramp your style, it does provide a good opportunity to check out another couple’s dish to see what looks good. But no worries there…..the food is spectacular! With most ingredients made locally, all except the cheese we were told, Volterra serves fresh tasting dishes with adequate portions that will not disappoint. We split an appetizer and each had an entrée, which was satisfying without being too much. In addition, Volterra offers an extensive wine list. Not exactly a wine connoisseur? No problem, a wine steward is on hand to assist you in finding the perfect vino to pair with your meal.
TIP Guys, if you do happen to possess some knowledge on the subject, this would be a great opportunity to shine! If not, you can at least sound like you know something by visiting a quick guide site. I’d recommend the pairing section to get the most out of your time spent.
The staff at Volterra also deserve mentioning as they are known for their “take your time” approach to serving. This was very refreshing to see at a restaurant…especially when you want to relax and enjoy time with your date. We tend to take forever to order and often find waiters can get a little irritated. In addition, as this is one of the more popular Italian restaurants in town, you will want to take advantage of their online reservation site. Your best bet for parking is to aim for neighbourhood streets. Usually you can get a decent spot 1 or 2 blocks off Market Street.
If you’re not ready to end the evening, Ballard has a decent selection of places to hang out after dinner. We recommend Hazelwood, a small bar/lounge a short walk away. There are a few aspects which make this bar unique. For one thing, you don’t have the hassle of waiting in a long line or being reduced to standing at a table. Even late on a Friday night, there was no crowd to compete with. This is mainly due to it’s “blend into the background” facade. Secondly, and most notably, this bar has a very interesting atmosphere and layout. There are no tables or chairs in the immediate bar area (it’s actually a very small space), so you’ll want to head up to the loft above the bar. In this dark nook you will find comfortable lounge chairs and sofas which serve as a great place to cozy up together. Just a FYI, if you find your conversation lacking at some point, take a look through the peep-hole on the back wall…it sounds sketchy, I know, but trust me on this one.
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