You’ll Want A Second Plate After Trying The Hand-Made Ravioli At This Old Spokane Italian Kitchen In Washington
Braised rabbit served beside goat cheese ravioli and a carrot butter sauce is not your average Tuesday pasta night. That pairing alone tells you this kitchen likes to color outside the lines.
The same menu has featured grilled lamb tongue, charred octopus, and a polenta lasagna that’s hard to find anywhere else. Even the bread service gets its own fan club.
I love that a small Washington dining room aims this high without feeling stiff or fussy.
The space itself adds a playful twist. Big garage-door windows open the room to the street, and a patio waits outside for warmer evenings.
Sunday brings a brunch menu with baked eggs and French toast.
I believe the best restaurants feel like a dinner party you were lucky to be invited to. So where exactly is this one, and what should you order first?
A Neighborhood Bistro Worth Crossing Town For
Spokane’s Browne’s Addition has old homes, leafy streets, and a quirky charm all its own. Right in the middle of it sits Italia Trattoria, a cozy Italian restaurant with a big personality.
The neighborhood setting is part of the appeal here. It feels more like a local bistro on your block than a downtown dining hall.
Italia Trattoria serves upscale Italian cooking with a creative streak. Think braised meats, inventive pasta, and dishes you won’t spot on a chain restaurant menu.
Ownership has changed hands in recent years, yet the restaurant kept its spot as a special-occasion favorite. Couples have turned it into an anniversary tradition, which says plenty about its staying power.
The menu also rotates, so the lineup can shift with the seasons. That keeps return trips interesting rather than repetitive.
I like that it doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It knows its lane, and that lane is thoughtful Italian food served in an intimate Washington dining room.
Spokane has plenty of places to grab dinner. Few of them feel this personal, and that makes the drive into Browne’s Addition feel well spent.
The Ravioli Plate That Steals The Show
Goat cheese ravioli in carrot butter sauce sounds like something a chef dreamed up on a very good day. At Italia Trattoria, it has shared a plate with tender braised rabbit.
That combination is wonderfully unexpected. Tangy cheese, a sweet and buttery sauce, and slow-cooked rabbit all land in one bite.
Rabbit ranks among the most talked-about dishes on the menu. It pops up again and again whenever diners describe their favorite orders.
If rabbit sounds a little bold, this is a friendly way to try it. The ravioli gives the dish a comforting, familiar anchor.
Portions here can surprise people expecting tiny fine-dining servings. Some plates arrive more generous than you might guess for an upscale spot.
Pasta fans should also keep an eye out for agnolotti del plin. Those small pinched pasta pockets have earned their own share of attention.
Because the menu rotates, a specific ravioli may come and go. Ask your server what’s current, and don’t be shy about pasta questions.
Honestly, good luck ordering just one plate. That second helping starts sounding reasonable fast.
Polenta Lasagna And Other House Favorites
Lasagna made with polenta instead of noodles? It sounds like a rule-breaker, and that’s exactly why people keep ordering it.
The Polenta Lasagna is a true house specialty at Italia Trattoria. You’re not likely to stumble across this version anywhere else in Spokane.
Right beside it on the fan-favorite list sits the lamb ragu. It’s rich, deep, and earns more mentions than almost anything else on the menu.
One fair heads-up is helpful here. The ragu carries a bold, powerful flavor, so it suits diners who love hearty sauces.
Prefer something brighter? The kitchen also leans into citrus-forward dishes that balance out the heavier choices.
The pork chop has built a following too. It has been served with root vegetables and a savory umami sauce that keeps people talking.
Steak lovers have options as well, including cuts like coulotte and prime rib. Spaghetti and meatballs shows up for anyone craving classic comfort.
That mix makes ordering for a group easier. Adventurous eaters and traditionalists can both leave happy.
Splitting a few plates might be the smartest move of the night. Everyone gets a taste, and nobody suffers order envy.
Bold Bites For Curious Eaters
Grilled lamb tongue with tzatziki, heirloom tomato, and olives. That’s the kind of menu line that makes adventurous eaters sit up straight.
Italia Trattoria doesn’t shy away from unexpected cuts. Wild boar, quail, and lamb tongue have all appeared on the menu over time.
Charred octopus is another standout. One version came as a salad with citrus, fennel, and fresh herbs for a bright, lively plate.
Beef carpaccio makes a great starter for the table. It’s light, elegant, and gets the meal rolling without filling you up.
Roasted quail stuffed with sausage has made appearances too. Seared tuna has shown up as a special on certain nights.
Not every pick needs to be daring, of course. Spinach gnudi and a Caesar salad with anchovies offer friendlier ways to start.
I can’t imagine a better place in Washington to try something new. A skilled kitchen makes unfamiliar ingredients feel welcoming instead of intimidating.
Servers here tend to guide guests through the menu. They can explain a dish before you commit, which takes the guesswork out of ordering.
Sunday Brunch Brings A Whole Different Mood
Sunday mornings change the whole rhythm at this Spokane favorite. From 9 AM to 2 PM, the kitchen switches over to a brunch menu.
Baked eggs are the headliner for many brunch fans. They come with polenta, and some diners swap in Italian sausage for a heartier plate.
French toast has earned its own loyal following. So has the croque madame, a toasty sandwich crowned with an egg.
Carbonara at brunch might be the sleeper hit. It brings dinner-level comfort to a late-morning table.
Fresh pastries round things out nicely. A fresh spring herb omelette and a classic breakfast offer simpler choices for picky eaters.
Brunch can be a gentler way to meet Italia Trattoria. The mood feels relaxed, and the menu feels a little more casual.
Late brunch reservations sometimes mean a quieter room. That makes it a nice option for anyone who prefers a calm table.
Families visiting Washington’s second-largest city on a weekend should keep this in mind. A Sunday brunch here feels like a treat without the full dinner commitment.
Garage Doors, A Patio, And A Cozy Little Room
Big garage-door windows give this dining room its signature look. When they open up, the space feels breezy and wonderfully open-air.
The interior is colorful, stylish, and small. It seats roughly 50 people, which keeps the evening feeling personal.
A patio adds even more charm in warmer months. Sitting outside on a summer night in Browne’s Addition sounds like a pretty good plan.
Tables sit close together inside, so it’s not the place for sprawling out. Think intimate and friendly rather than roomy.
That snug setup makes Italia Trattoria a natural fit for date nights. Anniversaries, birthdays, and graduation dinners also suit the mood well.
Diet needs get attention here too. Gluten-free options exist, and servers have helped vegan guests adjust dishes to fit.
The decor feels unique without trying too hard. It’s polished, clean, and full of little personality touches.
Some evenings feel like dinner at a relative’s home. Others feel like a special night out, and the room handles both moods easily.
Small spaces can fill quickly on busy nights. That’s one more reason to plan ahead.
Plan Ahead Before You Head Over
Reservations are your best friend here. With a small room and limited hours, tables can go quickly.
You’ll find Italia Trattoria at 144 S Cannon St, Spokane, WA 99201. It sits in Browne’s Addition, just west of downtown Spokane.
Dinner runs Wednesday through Saturday from 5 PM to 8 PM. Sunday is brunch only, from 9 AM to 2 PM.
Monday and Tuesday are closed. Plenty of people learn that the hard way, so double-check before you go.
Budget-wise, this is a splurge spot rather than an everyday stop. Entrees sit on the higher end, so it fits special occasions best.
Brunch offers a more wallet-friendly way to try the kitchen. You still get the creativity without the full dinner bill.
Busy Friday nights can slow things down. Building in extra time keeps the evening relaxed if you have plans afterward.
The menu rotates, so favorites may change with the season. Calling ahead or asking your server about current dishes avoids any surprises.
A little planning goes a long way at this Washington bistro. Book early, arrive hungry, and enjoy the ride.
Save Room For Tiramisu And Then Book Again
Focaccia at the start and tiramisu at the end make a pretty strong pair of bookends. Both have built serious reputations at Italia Trattoria.
The bread service comes highly recommended. Fluffy focaccia with olive oil and balsamic is a simple pleasure worth ordering.
Dessert deserves real stomach space too. The tiramisu shows up light, creamy, and dusted with chocolate.
Orange cake, bread pudding, and a fresh pear dessert have also made appearances. Sweet tooths won’t run short on choices.
So is it worth the trip? For a special night in Spokane, I believe it absolutely is.
Like any busy little kitchen, it can have off nights. Planning a relaxed evening helps you enjoy it at its best.
What keeps Italia Trattoria memorable is its personality. Creative plates, a charming room, and a neighborhood feel all work together.
Washington has no shortage of Italian dinners. This one stands apart with rabbit, ravioli, polenta lasagna, and a Sunday brunch that’s easy to love.
Go once for the ravioli and stay for dessert. Then start planning your second plate, because you’ll want one.