RESTAURANT REVIEW: Pizzeria Pulcinella in Rainier Beach

COVID Status: On Monday, March 22, King County entered Phase 3 of the state’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan, which allows more activities to resume. Businesses, restaurants, gyms and museums are allowed to increase capacity from 25 percent to 50 percent. For more information, go here.

Recommendation: If you’re in the mood for some authentic Neapolitan pizza, I recommend giving Pizzeria Pulcinella a try.

Background: We’ve been going to Pizzeria Pulcinella for a number of years and always have a great experience.

Atmosphere: The restaurant is in a historic building that housed Lakeside Tavern as the last tenant before Pizzeria Pulcinella. Lakeside Tavern had one side of their sign upside down and the other side right side up. In that tradition, Pulcinella installed their sign the same way and have the old Lakeside Tavern sign on the wall inside their restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with the original wood floors and of course the centerpiece being the wood-fired pizza oven.

Location: Pizzeria Pulcinella sits about two miles north of the Renton/Seattle border in Rainier Beach. It’s a favorite neighborhood spot among South Seattle residents, so you’ll see lots of regulars.

Food: I have had many of the pizzas and salads and never had one that I didn’t like. My favorite salad is the Insalata Pulcinella which is mixed greens, toasted almonds, cranberries, seasonal fruit, fresh mozzarella, pomegranate red wine vinaigrette, but it is difficult to choose a favorite because they are all so good! Same goes for the pizza, but if I have to choose, it would probably be the Giovanni which is roasted pepper and pesto sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, onion, cremini mushrooms, fresh tomatoes. They also have pasta dishes and dessert.

Bonus: Pulcinella has been “certified Neapolitan” by the Verace Pizza Napolitana Association since 2009.

Pizzeria Pulcinella
10003 Rainier Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98178