That's Amore Italian Cafe

That's Amore Italian Cafe is an Italian restaurant in Seattle's Mount Baker neighborhood, in the U.S. state of Washington.[1] The cafe has operated from a 1920s commercial building within a historic commercial district since 1994, and has changed ownership. Offering views of Seattle's skyline, That's Amore has garnered a positive reception and is considered one of the city's best Italian restaurants.

That's Amore Italian Cafe
The restaurant's exterior in 2024
Map
Restaurant information
Owner(s)
  • Guy Devillier
  • David Hoefer
Previous owner(s)
  • Celester Gray
  • Salina Gray
  • Paul McMillion
Food typeItalian
Street address1425 31st Avenue S
CitySeattle
CountyKing
StateWashington
Postal/ZIP Code98144
CountryUnited States
Coordinates47°35′23″N 122°17′33″W / 47.5896°N 122.2926°W / 47.5896; -122.2926

Description

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That's Amore Italian Cafe serves Italian cuisine in Seattle's Mount Baker neighborhood. It operates in a 1920s brick commercial building, called Mount Baker Pharmacy, within a historic commercial district.[2] The approximately 14-table[3] restaurant has "Spartan" furnishings, according to The Stranger,[4] and offers views of the city's skyline.[5] Seattle Best Places (1996) describes That's Amore as "cheery" and "urbane", with "decent" portions.[6] The restaurant is dog-friendly, according to Seattle Post-Intelligencer.[7] The menu includes pastas, pizza and calzones, tortellone,[8] and risotto.[9] The Bisteca e Gamberi has grilled top sirloin medallions and prawns with a tomato balsamic relish. The Fettuccine Pietro has a lemon pepper cream sauce. The Insalata Pera has crumbled blue cheese, glazed pears, walnuts, wild greens, and a honey chardonnay vinaigrette.[4]

History

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Celester and Salina Gray opened That's Amore in 1994.[3][10] Paul McMillion was later an owner.[11] The restaurant was purchased by Guy Devillier and David Hoefer in 2018.[9][12][13] Like many restaurants, That's Amore operated via take-out during the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]

Reception

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The Not for Tourists Guide to Seattle has described That's Amore as "a real gem in the restaurant doldrums of Mt. Baker, despite the clichéd name".[15] Seattle Metropolitan says, "A thousand devoted regulars can't be wrong about the swoony Italian fare at the aptly named Italian haunt on the Mount Baker Ridge. Ooh, and the view."[16] Allecia Vermillion included That's Amore in the magazine's 2022 overview of the city's best Italian restaurants.[12] Lynsi Burton included the business in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's 2018 overview of the city's best pizza, according to Yelp.[17] Thrillist says the cafe "touts perhaps one of the awesomest table-side views of Seattle, but we recommend making a reservation in advance to secure the spot for extra romantic value."[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Zagat, 1998: Seattle - Portland Restaurant Survey Update. Zagat Survey. 1998. ISBN 978-1-57006-108-0.
  2. ^ "Seattle Historical Sites: Summary for 1417-1425 31st AVE / Parcel ID 6909200495 / Inv # CA013". City of Seattle.
  3. ^ a b Erb, George (June 20, 1999). "A table for two: UW marketing team helps Italian cafe owners to revamp their business and bring back customers". Puget Sound Business Journal. Archived from the original on January 17, 2005. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Food Review Revue". The Stranger. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  5. ^ "That's Amore serves great Italian food- and views". king5.com. 2019-01-14. Archived from the original on 2019-02-05. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  6. ^ Leson, Nancy; Irving, Stephanie (1996). Seattle Best Places: The Most Discriminating Guide to Seattle's Restaurants, Shops, Hotels, Nightlife, Arts, Sights, and Outings. Sasquatch Books. ISBN 978-1-57061-055-4. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  7. ^ Ausley, Christina; Halverson, Alex (September 4, 2019). "For our 4-legged friends: where to celebrate National Dog Day". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Kolars, Emily (2017-10-05). "That's Amore Italian Cafe". Thrillist. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  9. ^ a b George, Susan (2022-03-03). "That's Amore Italian Cafe dishes out love to Seattle". Seattle Refined. Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  10. ^ "That's Amore's The Spot For Pizza, Pasta Lovers | The Seattle Times". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  11. ^ "That's Amore and Dining Out for Life: Giving back, including $1,500 for Lifelong". Seattle Gay News. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  12. ^ a b "Italian Restaurants in Seattle for Pasta or Special Occasions". Seattle Metropolitan. Archived from the original on 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  13. ^ Calvert, Brian (2019-05-28). "Neighborhood rallies, and server becomes so much 'Amore'". KOMO-TV. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  14. ^ COVID-19 pandemic:
  15. ^ Not for Tourists Guide to Seattle:
  16. ^ "That's Amore". Seattle Metropolitan. Archived from the original on 2024-03-24. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  17. ^ Burton, Lynsi (March 14, 2018). "Seattle's best pizza, according to Yelp". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
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