THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Cafe Zaffarano

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Cafe Zaffarano Restaurant Review:

It takes a special restaurant to get us to cross the bridge to West Seattle, and we're happy to report that Zaffarano provides the lure, time after time. Not that we're surprised: One of the proprietors of this chic L-shaped Italian room is none other than Peter Lamb, a force behind both Queen City Grill and Il Bistro, two of Seattle's most respected institutions. If we're feeling convivial we'll stop at the cocktail bar for an aperitivo or take a tall seat beside the applewood-fired pizza oven, especially if there's a chill in the night air. Most of the time we slide into a dark wood booth sporting its own small table lamp, casting a most-fetching golden glow. We admire the menu for being well-crafted and not too large. Split a balsamic spinach salad with Gorgonzola and candied walnuts or the simple Caprese with imported bufala mozzarella. Pizzas are also sized for sharing: Whether choosing a simple Margherita or classic pepperoni, the crust is always perfectly thin. Try any pasta bathed in a slow-cooked Bolognese sauce. If the bone-on rib-eye seems like more food than you want, look to the pan-roasted sea bass or any of the daily fish specials. Desserts are more than just an afterthought, especially the fallen chocolate soufflé. (We're not sure if fallen refers to the cake's physical state or our moral condition after consuming an entire piece.) On the trip back down Admiral Way stop at the lookout point and admire the twinkling Seattle skyline, always a perfect finish to a fine meal.