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• 1 Julian // Jun 24, 2009 at 6:49 pm

  Oh my. The pizza we had at Picolino's in their early days had what tasted like Ragu for sauce, and a Saltine's-inspired crust. I hear they've got a new chef but wow, things would need to have come a LOOOONG way for that pizza to be considered Neapolitan. We've been too scared to go back – anyone had the pizza recently?

• 2 Mindy // Jun 24, 2009 at 6:50 pm

  Congratulations to Picolinos! I have only recently begun visiting this establishment and only the cafe portion, but I love the ambiance that they've got going on over there.

• 3 BallardBasement // Jun 24, 2009 at 7:12 pm

  I was there not long ago, maybe a month (?), and they still blew big time. I don't know how they finagled this honor, but finagle they did, bet on it. I would not go throw away another $100 just to find out, that is for sure.

• 4 gurple // Jun 24, 2009 at 7:39 pm

  Picolino's was pretty good for pasta, on one of our recent incredible summer evenings. Great outdoor area. And if the setting is a little more special than the food, well, you're paying for both.

• 5 pizzalover // Jun 24, 2009 at 7:47 pm

  The Neapolitan designation doesn't always mean better pizza. For instance, Verace pizza is some of the best wood fired pizza in town and it does not have Neapolitan certification.

  Further, Neapolitan certification increases a businesses carbon footprint because it requires restaurants to buy imported ingredientes rather than source them locally.

• 6 Riley // Jun 24, 2009 at 8:02 pm

  It has definitely come a long way. The pizza and the calzone are wonderful! The new chef has made all of the difference.

• 7 motorrad // Jun 24, 2009 at 8:03 pm

  Maybe the definition of Neapolitan is not what we Ballard folk think it is. Maybe it means 'marginal and overpriced'. From all the feedback I have seen and heard about that place I will keep going to Zayda Buddies for good pizza cut in squares like it should be. Personally I resent the parking inconvenience when I go to Rain City Video. But by the negative reviews I may not be put out for long.

• 8 chopper_74 // Jun 24, 2009 at 8:23 pm

  ohhhh, that's not smart in Ballard, or anywhere.
  I don't really care much for pizza, and I care less that some outsider/special designate is interested in propping up an arcane pie.
  I'll stick with Snoose Junction, they support local, are 'green', and tasty.

• 9 SPG // Jun 24, 2009 at 8:31 pm

  You can't be serious! Zayda Buddy's? I had their piss poor excuse for bad cafeteria food when they opened, then stupidly again thinking they might have gotten their act together and swore it as the worst dining experience in Seattle. I would sooner eat leftover Domino's that fell on the floor two days ago than set foot in zayda's.
  I have not been to Picolino's so I reserve my wrath or rave until I can try them out.

• 10 motorrad // Jun 24, 2009 at 8:36 pm

  Wow.

• 11 leavinglasballard // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:01 pm

  well, this makes it a handy list of places to avoid rather than frequent.

• 12 ABtm // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:10 pm

  This is an example of why I never EVER recommend restaurants. Everybody thinks that what they like is good, and what they don't like is bad. Problem is, we don't all like the same things, so it disintegrates into an argument over who is right and who is wrong. Bleh.

  The most I will say is “I like it, but your results may vary.”

  That said, I'll only go to Picolino's when I feel the need for an evening out in Bellevue but don't feel like making the drive. As in, probably never.

• 13 gooner // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:10 pm

  pizza is one of those things that is so subjective but everyone knows what the best pizza is.

  so without getting in a pissing contest…. you may not like picolinos pizza, but, if you haven't been there recently, you need to try it again. it is MUCH MUCH MUCH better.

  as for shelling out $100 to find out… well, not sure how you come up with that figure, but you could do their happy hour and have a $3 beer and an $8 pizza. the happy hour pizzas are a little smaller, but more than enough to fill you up. $11 + tax, comes to $12 and change. not quite $100.

• 14 motorrad // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:23 pm

  Perfectly said, that last paragraph. A much needed chuckle after reading the dogs/golden gardens drivel. I think it won't be long before Ballard is completely Bellevuized though.

• 15 King of Ballard // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:25 pm

  Ha, parking inconvenience while going to rain city? If that is the complaint you have about Picolinos, by god don't ever go there. You should be walking/biking to rain city anyways. If it is too far for you, try their market street or fremont locations because they are far more car centric.

• 16 eric // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:28 pm

  man i hate to pile on but i tried that place once, after the great chef whoever was hired and was totally disappointed.

  the salad was ok – the best part of the evening.

  mussels. oh god they smelled bad. very bad. total disgrace to serve crap seafood in seattle.

  pizza margarita was super floppy and definately not the crisp thin crust i'd hoped for. it was served on this lipped plate that may have been promoting it to steam more. i don't know.

  it was one of those meals where i can't see much reason to try again.

• 17 motorrad // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:35 pm

  Spoken like a true seattle judgmental elitist. You crack me up.

• 18 chopper_74 // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:38 pm

  oh, I really hope that you don't intend to avoid Snoose Junction, just because I like it, that would be a shame. You deserve a better view.

• 19 mickey // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:39 pm

  Once again, the P.C. police have arrived just in the nick of time.

• 20 Ernie_98107 // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:47 pm

  Complaining about not being able to park right in front of a neighborhood video store is a sure sign that the Bellevuization has already begun.

• 21 motorrad // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:05 pm

  And the holier-than -thou are heard from. I really doubt Rain City could survive from just the walkins and bikeins from a few block radius. You judge without asking about the circumstances. You must be so proud.

• 22 Stripper // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:06 pm

  Bellevue….Boo!

• 23 Winkster // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:08 pm

  Get netflix, Dude (or Dudette).

• 24 Daranee // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:09 pm

  I had pizza all over Italy, and surprisingly the pizza I had in Naples was not my favorite. So I'd take this with a grain of salt.

• 25 angelatini // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:11 pm

  My husband is Milan, Italy born and raised, and he thinks Veraci is the best pizza in town…Neapolitan certification or not. And it should be Verace, you are correct. :)

• 26 motorrad // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:12 pm

  serious or sarcastic?

• 27 ABtm // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:19 pm

  Really? Have you ever tried to park at the Market Street location? I always thought they must serve primarily walk-in customers because there are only two or three cramped parking spaces out front.

  Listen to us, discussing the parking crisis in Ballard as if it were an actual problem, like war or disease or starvation. We all deserve a slap.

• 28 Jeff // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:39 pm

  I myself like the pizza at all the joints mentioned.

  I also think it is great so many new places to eat have opened up in Ballard, 10 years ago the choices were quite limited in the neighborhood.

  To each his or he own is now possible. Eat local.

• 29 eric // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:51 pm

  that is true for sure. i'm glad there are options a-plenty for food.

  my favorite “new” place is still Monkey Bridge. usually to-go though. but so consistantly good in my experience.

  i really don't like trashing a business – i don't do yelp or whatever – just had to scrath my head at them being recognized for anything. really was a bad experience. anyway.

  end threadjack. back to pizza.

• 30 Ernie_98107 // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:05 pm

  I know the circumstances.

  If you go to Rain City during dinner hours, chances are you won't be able to find a spot right on that block, you will probably have to park on 64th or 65th and walk a block or so.

  Complaining about having to park a block or two away from a hugely popular, vibrant neighborhood business district makes you sound like someone from Bellevue who expects to park within 50 ft of where they are going, that's all.

• 31 The East Coast // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:07 pm

  Man I am so sick of hearing about this place. First of all, it reeks of douche. It doesn't belong in the neighborhood.. and even if it did it shouldn't take up the whole block. Way to misspell the name, while your at it. When we heard there was going to be a cafe, pizza place, bar, and art gallery we had no idea it was all going to be the same bored rich guy establishment it turned out to be. Anyone can buy a good chef with money. While I'm at it, the sign/logo/decor sucks too. What's with those stupid dogs? And if you want to get into the subject of good pizza, good luck, Pacific North West. You fail miserably, every time.

• 32 Zelda // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:13 pm

  Please use your money to buy your own chef so you can stay home. You should not be out in public.

• 33 gurple // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:14 pm

  So, wait… did you like it or not?

• 34 King of Ballard // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:28 pm

  My point was you can't really blame picolinos for the lack of on-street parking for your visit to rain city. Every business and resident has just as much right to a parking spot as everyone else does. If you don't want to play the parking game, walk or go to a location that has parking.

  You spoke like a true seattle entitlement elitist, entitled to a public parking spot in front of your private business of choice.

• 35 Edog // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:44 pm

  Wow, someone from the East Coast who is angry, and bitter. Imagine that!

• 36 Stripper // Jun 25, 2009 at 1:06 am

  More class hatred…so sad.

• 37 cynicalswede // Jun 25, 2009 at 1:44 am

  East Coast, you've got it right: the strip is so homogeneous and tacky!
  I've never tried the pizza, but the authentic pizzeria stamp they've won is a dubious honor. It's a fairly fake, buy-in association that's all about marketing. Just ask a pizza freak from Naples if he's heard of it; a blank stare is what you'll get.
  And, Miss Italia, considering your dear Milanese husband an expert on pizza is like considering me, a Seattleite, an expert on Texas-style grill.
  Veraci uses too much herbs in their sauce to be called “authentic.” The true pizza's salsa al pomodoro is just that: tomatoes, pure and simple.
  But, as a poster mentioned above, where's there's personal preference, there's really no debate!

• 38 Phil // Jun 25, 2009 at 1:54 am

  Based on the tone of many of the comments in this blog, I would say there is a whole lot of bitter in Seattle going on.

• 39 LBB // Jun 25, 2009 at 2:07 am

  I think leavinglasballard was referring to the Napoletana list – not your Snoose mention (although I have to say Snoose has some of the worst pizza I've ever had). But (as is apparent from these comments) pizza is subjective.

• 40 LBB // Jun 25, 2009 at 2:09 am

  Veraci rocks!

• 41 Trix // Jun 25, 2009 at 3:57 am

  I've never tried Picolinos, and as I'm a thick crust fan I probably never will. However, this is a real honor for this restaurant. So, I congratulate you, Picolinos. Though, I'll still order from Zeke's.

• 42 gooner // Jun 25, 2009 at 4:06 am

  great use of “it reeks of douche”

  when i read that, i knew that we had a constructive, smart, and well put together critique that i wanted to pay attention to.

  i will forever agree with everything you say…

• 43 Trix // Jun 25, 2009 at 4:31 am

  Hey, Chopper, does Snoose Junction have thin crust? I've wanted to try it but so many of the pizza places around here are 'New York' style.

• 44 IntegralPoker // Jun 25, 2009 at 6:16 am

  First of all… if Picolino's wanted this certification, then I applaud them for getting it. I know that they don't just give this one away, and that a restaurant haa to meet some fairly consistent standards to get it. And now we know that if we want something that looks like authentic Neapolitan pizza, we have it in our neighborhood.

  The problem is that American pizza is just different from Italian pizza, or more specifically Neapolitan pizza, and so I really don't want Neapolitan pizza very often. I do want American forms of pizza, and the truth is that there are only three well-known authentic forms of it: New York-style thin crust, Chicago-style deep-dish, and a rarer crispy crust version as found in Providence at Al Forno (perhaps there are other than these three, but they're the most famous).

  I'm from New Jersey, and as far as I'm concerned, if you can't fold it, it's not pizza, and there's nothing in Seattle that even comes close to being as good as any strip-mall pizza joint in New Jersey. And Brooklyn pizza…. fuhgeddaboutit. The best there is. You know that pizza place that John Travolta walked up to at the beginning of “Saturday Night Fever”? It's on 86th St, it's still there, and it's still awesome.

  In the meantime, if I'm in the mood for simple Neapolitan, I'm honestly glad that we've got Picolino's. If I'm in the mood for good American pizza… we're just out-of-luck here in the Pacific Northwest. I'd trade all the (way too many) Thai restaurants in Seattle for one good New Jersey pizza joint….

• 45 chopper_74 // Jun 25, 2009 at 4:15 pm

  Truth is it's neither thick or thin, I'd call it 'medium'. The local ingredients, and the bicycle delivery, both are compelling reasons for my support.
  I'm really not a pizza expert, but when I have a hankering for it, I'm always pleased with theirs.
  Via Verde also has good pizza, wood fired, etc., but I found the crust to be a bit thicker, on the doughy side.
  For what it's worth, there's my take on it.

• 46 angelatini // Jun 25, 2009 at 4:19 pm

  You're right, I am Miss Italia…at least I actually am Italian. And I never once said it was “authentic” did I? Reading comprehension much? I said it was his PREFERRED pizza in Seattle. Get over yourself.

• 47 Edog // Jun 25, 2009 at 4:29 pm

  I'll give you there is a wealth of bitching and moaning, but their is no grey east coast growl!

• 48 Good Eats // Jun 25, 2009 at 4:40 pm

  SPG, I think we were separated at birth!

• 49 Julian // Jun 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm

  Let's not forget New Haven, CT “apizza”, from Sally's and Pepe's. Amazing pizza from coal-fired brick ovens with thin crispy crust. Dear god I wish we had some pie like that out here.

• 50 Pizza freak // Jun 25, 2009 at 5:45 pm

  The Napoletana certification means nothing. Tutta Bella has it and IMO their pizza is garbage. Every pizza I've had from them (only a few before we stopped going back) was thrown together like slop and undercooked, not to mention overpriced. I once ordered prosciutto on one of the pizzas and it was so bad I had to pick it off the pizza before eating it.

  Pagliacci's margherita pizza, when done right … it varies, is one of the best pizzas you can get in Seattle…again IMO. Via Trib in Capitol Hill and Queen Anne are also very good. The Fremont location sucks.

• 51 Zelda // Jun 25, 2009 at 6:36 pm

  Pete & Elda's in Neptune New Jersey!

  http://www.peteandeldas.com/

• 52 IntegralPoker // Jun 25, 2009 at 7:11 pm

  Yeah, I grew up in Brick and Howell… J & G is my favorite. http://www.bricktownlive.com/restaurant/Brick-N...

  Man, I have to get home soon….

• 53 Trix // Jun 25, 2009 at 7:26 pm

  Thanks! Sounds worth a shot.

• 54 ninaf // Jun 25, 2009 at 8:40 pm

  Just wondering, have you had pizza in Italy?

• 55 Lucy0117 // Jun 25, 2009 at 8:54 pm

  You admit you are no expert, being from Seattle, yet you still find it necessary to make nasty remarks about pizza? I agree with “angelatini”…get over yourself.

  Too many people act like just because they are interested in food makes them an expert or even a foodie! Everyone is entitled to an opinion regarding their taste in food, but for THIS many people to make nasty comments about this place (and some admit they've never even tried it?) is just sad.

  Here's an idea…maybe instead of bashing every little person and place you can, try supporting your community, Ballard, and it's local business. Just a thought.

• 56 angelatini // Jun 25, 2009 at 9:19 pm

  Thank you, Lucy0117.

• 57 Pizza freak // Jun 25, 2009 at 9:54 pm

  Yes. Capri, Rome, and Tuscany. Capri's pizza was some of the best I've ever had. The pizza in Rome and Tuscany was average, which is not surprising given those regions are not known for their pizza.

• 58 PJ // Jun 26, 2009 at 6:15 am

  Way to go Picolino's!! We enjoy eating in the neighborhood; we can have a little extra wine and walk home! Their hospitality is wonderful…excellent selection of wines….the goat cheese ravioli is fabulous. Let's support the local establishments we find personally enjoyable without disparaging the others or one another. Seriously.

• 59 SPG // Jun 26, 2009 at 3:23 pm

  So that explains that scar.

• 60 SPG // Jun 26, 2009 at 3:29 pm

  I haven't been to Piccolino's but I am curious about your “crisp thin crust i'd hoped for” comment. Would your ideal pizza be closer to:
  A) A matzoh cracker with ragu and few bits of cheese
  B) Bread completely obscured by cheese with a hint of sauce in between

• 61 SPG // Jun 26, 2009 at 3:35 pm

  I will agree with TEC on the general lack of good pizza here in the PNW. One of the things I love about being able to visit NYC/Brooklyn often is getting some good pizza and some good bagels (but not pizza bagels which are an abomination and make Moses weep).
  I wouldn't give up everything else that the PNW offers, so I've learned to lower my expectations a bit and eat less pizza. In the meantime I still go across town to Picora's or call up Pagliacci for a delivery. Not the same, but at least it's not awful.
  Zayda's? That is awful and should be banned.

• 62 SPG // Jun 26, 2009 at 3:40 pm

  Try Picora's up on 14th and Madison on Capitol Hill. Not perfect, but on their good days they're pretty close. At least the owners are from New York and know what the target they're shooting for tastes like.

• 63 Sam // Jun 26, 2009 at 6:03 pm

  Picolino's does 1 thing right: location.

  Food is less than mediocre.

  Service: tie and collared shirts at a neighborhood pizza joint? Ill-conceived.

  Ambiance: forcefully tiresome.

  Price: out of touch w/neighborhood.

  Owner/management: showy, imposed/fake Italian accent, arrogantly entitled, and non-knowledgeable in relation to both food and wine.

• 64 ExiledBrit // Jun 27, 2009 at 6:06 am

  This is why we can't have nice things…

• 65 ExiledBrit // Jun 27, 2009 at 6:10 am

  Oooh, a fake Italian accent – that just makes we want to go for the entertainment!

  Will he be my personal clown? Will he make me laugh? Will he?

• 66 Jon Gross // Jul 1, 2009 at 2:31 am

  I just keep coming back to Veraci. It is my favorite pizza in Seattle so far.

• 67 miriamk // Jul 1, 2009 at 2:21 pm

  It is funny to read such diverse comments here. I must say, if the place is busy every night, it is not because of bad expensive food, or parking problems, I walk there. Congratulations in the certification, and looking forward to have dinner there again soon!

• 68 motorrad // Jul 7, 2009 at 6:03 am

  best pizza: CHICAGO.

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