Eats By Izze

SWeL (S–t We Like) Seattle, Fremont Restaurant Review 

Address: 3417 Evanston Ave N UNIT 104, Seattle, WA 98103 

New American/ Italian $$

For: Girls Night Out, Couples, and Special Occasions

Overall Rating: 4.6/5 stars

SWeL (S–t We Like) is a locally owned New American and Italian restaurant in Fremont, Seattle.  I went on a Friday night with my best friend and her family, as her parents wanted to treat us. Immediately upon entering, we were greeted with enthusiasm, and taken to our table. It is a cozy and intimate space, and the interior is well decorated with paintings, plants, and a chandelier that suits the vibe. My only complaint with the atmosphere was that the tables were too small, and the was restaurant dimly lit, making it hard to see.

Drinks:

 To start off the night, we began with drinks. I ordered the Faux Basil Gimlet which had fresh basil, Fever Tree tonic water, and lime. I loved this drink. The lime and basil mixed well, resulting in a nice, bitter taste.  

Starters and Shareables:

Moving on, we ordered the bruschetta and baked goat cheese for the table. The bruschetta was not my favorite, as the acidity of the tomato overpowered the flavors of the balsamic and cheese. However, the baked goat cheese was to die for. It consisted of baked goat cheese rolled in toasted pistachios, and a fig Kalamata olive tapenade. The rich goat cheese paired well with the fig and olive, as the fig sweetened the dish and the olive added a kick of salt.  

Note: a lot of the starters are very bready. This was no issue for me because I am a carbs girl, but you have been warned.  

Entrees:

For my entrée, I ordered the line-caught wild Alaskan King salmon, roasted asparagus, and substituted the black bean puree for mashed potatoes. I was impressed at the proportion size of the dish, and enjoyed the Cajun seasoning which added a dash of spice. Unfortunately, the mashed potatoes did not have much flavor, and had the texture and consistency of baby food. My friend ordered the pizza with caramelized onions,

 mushroom, fresh mozzarella, and tomato sauce. I personally felt the dish was overpriced for what she received. However, the pizza dough was cooked to perfection, with the crust being crunchy on the outside, and soft in the middle.

Dessert:

The dessert is not to be skipped. If I had to highlight one aspect of this restaurant, it would be the dessert. We ordered the chocolate chip cookie and the D’anjou

pear bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla. Both dishes

were cooked in a skillet and tasted amazing, with a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors.

Overall:  

I give SWeL a 4.6/5 stars, with points taken off for the limited space and dim lighting, which made it hard to take photos. The food is pricey, but if you are looking  for modernized Italian cuisine, this is the place for you. The portions are sizeable, and you leave the restaurant full (I was wearing jeans and had to unbutton them). Everyone that worked in the restaurant was welcoming which contributed to a relaxing experience. I do recommend this restaurant and hope to find myself eating there again.