Recommends

Damien G.

Joined 2 years ago

Exquisite yet relaxed. Celebrating a birthday, we were looking for quality food in a laid back atmosphere after unsatisfactory evenings in fancier downtown restaurants (read more expensive and pretentious). Bisato was everything, and more, we wished for: It was a quiet evening and we were able to take our time sampling the menu from apple au foie gras to truffled pasta, polenta, lamb and gianduja or lemon tart in dessert.

The food was a feast for the palate and dressed beautifully on the plate

Staff was attentive and friendly.

I was really looking forward to the experience and Bisato sure did not disappoint.

Recommends

Lorna Yee

Joined 3 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. Bisato (née Lampreia) is a product of chef Scott Carsberg's quick turnaround of a construction project. Gone are former Belltown hotspot Lampreia’s linened tables: the room is now centered around an enormous J-shaped bar, which also houses a gleaming red meat slicer. Grab a seat at the semi-secluded table behind a set of hundred-year-old barn doors, reclaimed from a family friend's property, and settle in for a night of beautifully presented food. Everything on Bisato’s menu is $12 and under—though be forewarned, portions are tiny, and the bill can quickly add up for what may feel like an expensive snack. Dishes like branzino with black trumpet mushrooms, asparagus risotto, meat ragu with polenta, and smoked artichoke round out the current menu, though items are seasonal. Patrons run the gamut from well-heeled girls on a night out, to intimate first-date couples whiling away the evening over a reasonably-priced Chianti.

Recommends

Anisa Ishida

Joined 3 years ago

Welcome to the Neighborhood Bisato!. I was very excited for the opening of Bisato (the old Lampreia). Bisato promised to be the cooler, cheaper, less intimidating sibling to Lampreia. Still being owned by Scott Carsberg, the food does not disappoint; the genius that is Scott and his vision for flavors and unique interpretations is still there but the atmosphere could lighten up.

Lampreia was known for it's hush quietness, and Bisato has the potential to be bursting with energy, but on a Saturday evening it was quiet and cold.

Ambiance aside, the menu is great and affordable, with small plates in the $6-$10 range are sharable and very tasty, each item careful explained by the wait staff and beautiful to look at.

A friend and I shared the warm prawns with ripened mango, which was a great blend of savory/sweet and hot/cold. The zucchini macaroni was amazing and would make anyone eat their veggies. The lamb chops ($4 each) were tasty, but a bit overcooked for my liking. The polenta with meat ragu was delicious and had a great contrast of textures but the ragu wasn’t pretty to look at (imagine dog food). If you save room for dessert, do try the vanilla nougatine, it is a vanilla ice cream with rum, caramel and it is sinful!

It will take some time, for Scott and the staff to loosen up and for the neighborhood to open up - maybe some music would help to lighten the mood - but Belltown will thoroughly enjoy the new Bisato.