THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Spazzo Italian Grill

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Spazzo Italian Grill Restaurant Review:

Let's face it, Bellevue isn't known for its view restaurants. However, we were always happy dining at this ninth-floor Schwartz Brothers outpost when the menu was pan-Mediterranean, and we're even happier now that the kitchen has zeroed in on Italian cuisine and placed a greater emphasis on wine. Whatever the time of year, we like to arrive around sunset and take in the westerly view towards downtown Seattle. Seasoned chef Julie Hawkinson, late of Tamara Murphy's Brasa, has devised a not-too-extensive menu of treats, many of which change with the seasons. Hawkinson is renowned for her light-as-air gnocchi, a delight any time of year. In the fall, we're mad for the pumpkin ravioli with sage butter, but the pasta pillows are equally delightful in the summer when filled with ricotta and goat cheese, topped with porcini mushroom ragoût. We have been less than thrilled with an under-flavored Tunisian lamb stew, but will fight over the last morsel of 40-garlic clove roast chicken. If you still have room for dessert, look for spumoni cream puffs or any fruit tart---we've had better tiramisu. One of the best happy hours in the area happens in the wine bar twice a day, every day; there's no better place than Spazzo to sample a wide variety of vintages.