Coltiva pizzeria e barra celebrated its grand opening in Seattle on November 8th, and the restaurant is well on its way to establishing itself as the neighborhood spot for pizza in Lower Queen Anne.

Upon entering, I was immediately greeted by Northwest restaurateur and owner of Coltiva, Garrett McAleese. One of the things I enjoy most about dining out is having the opportunity to hear from the owner and/or chef about the passion behind the restaurant.

Inspired by his childhood trips to Ireland, where the highlight was taking a short plane ride to Italy to enjoy the local eats, McAleese wanted to open a space in Seattle to share his passion for traditional Italian fare.

We started with a 2014 Colombera & Garella Coste della Sesia upon recommendation. The wine was a perfect pair for the evening’s food. We started with the Little Gem Salad, gem lettuce with shaved parmigiano and chili bread crumbs. The chili bread crumbs added just the right amount of spice.

The Seasonal Italian Cheese Board featured sweet gorgonzola, DOP telegogo (a semi-soft traditional Italian cheese), parmigiano, grapes, and fresh bread. We quickly fell in love with the simple yet flavorful ingredients.

McAleese has plans to expand the happy hour menu, but for now guests can enjoy olives, verde salad, and margherita pizza at a discounted rate, along with four drink options from the bar. I appreciate a pizza establishment that offers more than pizza—and shines in those areas. 

Featuring organic, farm-grown and canned tomatoes from McAleese’s family farm in Oregon, the pizza was some of the best I’ve had in Seattle. We tried the Autunno, with gorgonzola, fresh sliced apple, honey, walnut, and arugula, as well as the Margherita, with mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and sea salt. The Autunno was rich in flavor with the gorgonzola and honey, but it balanced nicely with more mild margherita. We finished our meal with a delicious pistachio gelato and strawberry sorbet.

Plan ahead for your visit to Coltiva as the space is small, with less than 30 seats. McAleese uses the space creatively to curate a feeling of comfort and intimacy without feeling cramped.

Coltiva     |           350 1st Ave West, Seattle    |        (206) 492-5885