Wow! It has been years since I've been this impressed by a restaurant from the moment we walked through the door. The atmosphere immediately sets the tone with its beautiful semi-open kitchen design and an irresistible display of desserts that practically begs you to save room for the end of your meal. What stood out even more was how incredibly clean everything was--without question one of the cleanest restaurants I've ever dined in. Do yourself a favor and start with the meatball sampler. It was absolutely delicious and the perfect way to begin the meal. I ordered the crab and scallop pasta, and my wife chose the seafood linguine. Both dishes were exceptional--fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. We ordered the smaller portions and were pleasantly surprised by how generous they were. The portions were just right and left us completely satisfied. The service was outstanding from start to finish. Our server was attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and struck the perfect balance of being available without hovering. Between the immaculate dining room, warm atmosphere, incredible food, and top-notch service, this was one of the most enjoyable restaurant experiences we've had in a long time. We can't wait to come back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an outstanding Italian dining experience. Five stars all the way! read more

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I was really excited to try Paola's Italian in Kent because I was craving pasta and figured it would be a nice step up from everyday Italian spots--maybe the kind of place you'd go for a date night or anniversary. I ordered takeout instead: one pasta dish and a slice of tiramisu. Total came to $44. The tiramisu was excellent--about $9 and easily an 8/10. Rich, creamy, and something I'd happily order again. The pasta, though... that was the problem. I got the penne with sausage in a creamy tomato sauce for $29. Flavor-wise it was solid (also about an 8/10), but the portion was shockingly small. It only filled one of those black rectangular to-go containers about halfway. I'm not exaggerating when I say my eight-year-old could have finished the whole thing without struggling. After eating it I still had to tear through five slices of the baguette bread just to feel full. I should have known the second the employee handed me the bag--it was so light I already had a sinking feeling there wouldn't be much food inside. Paying $29 for that amount of pasta felt ridiculous. I could have sworn they gave me the lite portion with the large portion price. Good flavors don't make up for leaving hungry when you've just spent nearly thirty bucks on a single dish. I won't be back. The tiramisu was genuinely good, but the portion-to-price ratio on the pasta ruined the experience for me. read more

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Our first dinner visit to this busy neighborhood eatery was a positive one. The service was friendly and welcoming, and we enjoyed all of the dishes. The tomato-based cioppino was one of the better ones we have had. I did knock off one star for value. The menu is a bit pricey, and the "light portion" options on the menu must be pretty small, based on the "full portion" dishes we ordered. All in all, I'm sure we will be back. read more

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I haven't been to an Italian restaurant in a long time so I chose to bring the family and dine in. We didn't have any reservations but the waiter was super nice and told us to wait a few minutes to see if another reservation cancelled and it did! We got at our table in about 10 minutes and got settled in. I thought the food was pretty good but just felt like it was a little pricey for the little portions they give you. It felt like a good intimate spot for a date night or a family outing. read more

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We just had a family dinner here with people who came in from out of town including us. The food is phenomenal! My boyfriend and I had the Caesar salad with chicken and split it . And we had the lunch size versions of chicken Marsala and the seafood crab and scallops pasta. The matriarch of the family ordered the special veal Marsala. And the two other sons ordered pasta dishes. We also had the bread with vinegar and oil and the cheeses bread. A great experience! Highly recommend! The staff is wonderful and the atmosphere perfect read more

Paolo's Italian Restaurant - Crab & Scallops - Italian Near Me - Kent, Washington

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The food is very good. We had the walnut ravioli, fettuccini, chicken Marsala and chicken Parmesan. All was delicious. The restaurant is small and nice. The service was attentive without being overbearing. Desert is a must. It is all good. read more

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Really friendly staff! We enjoyed the food here, came out pretty quick and tasted homemade. We came here for a birthday and had an excellent experience. read more

What a great and unexpected gem that I tried out in Kent on a Monday evening. Their prefixe menu for early diners was well worth it. I was surprised how busy it was on a Monday evening. read more

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Paolo's is best Italian restaurant in Kent. Always busy, but always good. Love the pizza and pasta w/seafood

For over thirty years my wife and I have found Paolo's to be a rejuvenating experience. Enter the door and you peer into the open kitchen just beyond the smoke of the enchanting greeter. Choose between the bar seating or the cafe, lightly decorated with beautiful music wafting from above. Paolo oversees the preparation of your meal preparation with a fine supporting staff. There is a bounteous menu from which to choose. The food always arrives fresh, hot and delicious. We've moved out of state for over twenty years, but whenever we return to greater Seattle we find our way to Paolo's for another fantastic meal. read more

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We were in the area for my boyfriend's doctor appointment and it's been a while since we had Italian food so we stopped by Paola's for lunch. It was Monday around 12ish and there was plenty of parking for us as well as amble seating inside. When we arrived, a waitress was the only one working the front area which seemed fine but she seemed very frazzled. The dining room definitely fits the romantic vibes with great lighting, cute partitions giving you more intimate feeling, and they were playing lovely Italian music. The bathroom was lovely and clean when I went to use it. We ordered the sandwich and soup combo and chicken Florentine. The food took way too long (40-50 minutes) on a non-busy week day. It would have been different if they were full or getting consistent take-out orders. Or an update on when it was arriving would have been nice from our waitress. The corn chowder was really good, cranberry turkey sandwich was decent but the placement of the ingredients made it so that things were falling out with each bite, and my boyfriend enjoyed his chicken Florentine which had a nice light sauce. But I wouldn't say the food was impressionable or worth that wait. Some issues that I had was the complimentary bread is offered way too late into the dining experience. It was not offered before ordering nor after ordering. It was offered to us like midway through after we had ordered and it seems that was the case for others as tables that came after us got the same treatment. Furthermore, the bread pieces you get look like pieces that would get thrown out to feed seagulls or crows. Other restaurants would give you more appealing cuts but the presentation and amount of bread just looks like leftover scraps. They do offer a free complimentary dessert for an anniversary but not sure if I want to come back for an anniversary or special occasion and just in general. The final issue was our waitress was just a bit too frazzled and slow on service. Our water got low twice but it was filled once and that was at least 20-30 minutes of it being empty. I also asked for lemon slices and the waitress gives it to me 10-15 minutes afterwards but at least she remembered but they were also already squeezed so it was kind of pointless. And one minor gripe that I have was the music from the initial visit was nice but then there were random pop songs that were Italian dubbed or just did not fit with the rest of the playlist. It almost felt like whiplash when I heard it. I was really looking forward to this place due to reviews but this is the first time that I can't agree with the ratings or reviews. read more

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We used to go to Paolo's for special occasions and were always very satisfied with the quality, authenticity and service. Recently the owner retired and the restaurant is under new ownership and management. We reserved a table for 2 for dinner for August 28, 2026. The menu seemed to be the same, although I was told the new owner was planning on adding a few dishes. We ordered 3 appetizers (meatballs, a charcuterie like plate, and grilled bread and cheese); one fettucine Alfredo, one crab and scallops on angel hair pasta, and 2 desserts. The bill came to about $ 160.00, which we expected, but the quality of the food, (save the dessert that come from a supplier) was pretty bad. I come from Italy and know what the food should be like, and what it was under the previous ownership. The Charcuterie board was meager, with shriveled vegetables, limpy fire roasted peppers that fell apart on the fork, maybe half a slice of prosciutto rolled up and cut into 4- 1-inch ridiculous tubes. Their famous parmesan slice of cheese, was a square the size of an ice cube, and there was a small portion of what I presumed to be Feta cheese. Nothing wrong with the three small, hot green peppers left in their natural state, that we don't eat. The crackers and the olives were fine. The meatballs were drowned in reddish grease, with a non-descript cheese topping. The fettucine Alfredo were grossly overcooked, pasted with a thick flour-based sauce, and some unknow vegetables that were part of a different menu item, not the one that was ordered. As the sauce cooled, the fettuccine and sauce became a congealed lump. The fettuccine stuck to each other. It was un-appetizing to look at and impossible to roll on a fork. My crab and scallop pasta was just as bad considering the whopping almost $ 26.00. The pasta was again overcooked, drowned in some red sauce, the scallops looked like mushy slices of water chestnut (a sliced frozen scallop?). There was a tiny piece of crab (the inside of the tip end of a claw), and there were a couple of pieces of slimy stuff (crab?). I inquired the server about the crab (a delightful woman we remembered from times before) and she took the plate to the kitchen for additional crab (that was not recognizable). By then the pasta was cold, congealed, un-appetizing, and I could not finish it. We left a good tip because the server did what she could to mitigate the "damage" and it is not her fault if the cook/cooks are unskilled and/or poorly trained. I am not in the habit of posting negative reviews, but this was too much: too much money and too much bad cooking. Paolo's is now off the list for us and our friends. read more

We wanted to like this place. It's a neighborhood spot, great family story... but our experience was not positive. Was seated and waited for over 5 minutes for water from our waitperson. We brought a bottle of wine, asked for a decanter, and was given a decanter that had a stained interior bottom, and looked so dirty we asked the waitperson for a clean one and was told it was THE ONLY ONE THEY HAD????? They took it to clean it and it was returned looking stained still. Was told people don't usually ask for a decanter so sorry. Ordered a warm spinach salad for two. It was flavorless, watery, and unappealing to look at and to eat. We ordered garlic bread which was so light on garlic it might as well have been shown on the menu as toast. I ordered a" signature dish " fettuccine Paolo. Very little chicken with no flavor. Vegetables were nice but again nothing special and there was no meaningful Italian seasoning to the dish at all. I tried adding pepper, salt, Parmesan cheese, even balsamic vinegar. Nothing helped My dinner partner ordered their summer special Pork bocconcini. The pork was very nice however the sauce it was on tasted like melted jelly. The side of fettuccine Alfredo was quite nice and we both used that to help our dishes. So-we will not be back. read more

Paolo's Italian Restaurant - Pork bocconcini with mango red port wine sauce (tasted like melted grape jelly) there was no mango, or chutney - Italian Near Me - Kent, Washington

The service was exemplary. The Wine list was not complete. They attempted to substitute brands and vintages that no one had ever heard of for the same price. The server hinted that it had changed hands. The food was not good. The Paolo's signature fettuccine with chicken was bland and flavorless. I will not go to this place again. (On a Friday night., It was 1/3 occupied. this is an indication that it has lost its culinary credibility. I see lots of positive reviews. It's impossible to me that these could be valid! Do yourself a favor and go someplace else. read more

Paolo's Italian Restaurant: A Perfect Spot for Romance and Delicious Dining This place is truly hard to beat. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or just a wonderful lunch or dinner in general, you're going to love Paolo's. Their specials are to die for, and their pasta is absolutely out of this world. The menu rotates so often that every visit feels like a new experience--you never know what delicious surprise awaits you next time. Each meal is handmade to order, which means it takes a little more time to enjoy your dishes. This isn't mass-produced, frozen, or reheated food coming from the back--it's crafted fresh for each guest, and that's why there's a bit of a wait. But I promise, it's absolutely worth it. The quality, freshness, and flavor make every minute of the wait worthwhile. My sister and brother-in-law visit here every year for their anniversary because they simply adore the food and atmosphere. I've never had a bad meal--each dish is crafted with care, and the flavors never disappoint. The staff is very attentive, making you feel special from start to finish. The vibe here is romantic and cozy, perfect for a lovely evening out. And of course, don't skip the dessert--it's a perfect ending to an already wonderful meal. For the money and ambiance, this place can't be beat. If you're seeking authentic Italian flavors served with love and a warm atmosphere, Paolo's is the place to go. read more

The Food was AMAZING. They have everything from Pasta to Seafood. Too die for. And there so nice, making sure you have everything you need. The staff is wonderful and talkative. They are willing to change things for allergies or food references. And the inside is so nice! It's spacious and has such a low lighting. Makes dining experiences feel more intimate. read more

Gave small business vibes with a lot of effort and work put into an authentic Italian vibe. Good food with a homemade feel. Little pricey for what you get, but worth a visit. read more

This is the best Italian food I've eaten in the U.S. I don't know how I've never discovered this place before but they are so delicious. Portion size is generous. Service was a bit slow. No one came to refill water without us asking. But servers were all very nice. I also like how anyone will help you if you ask. Most servers from other restaurants will ask you to wait for your server to come around which is a huge no no for me. It's kind of interesting where this is located because it's not in the best neighborhood, but I'm so glad it's not in downtown Seattle or the prices will double. Overall ambiance is also good. Cutely decorated. 10/10 would come back. Lasagna- not too heavy, love the flavor profile Crab and scallops pasta - this is basically like a vodka sauce with scallops and crab. read more

Paolo's Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Kent, Washington

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I took my mother here for her birthday. I was very impressed. It had a small restaurant feel with the power of a high-end food. It was excellent. Good atmosphere, great service, and amazing food. I will be bringing my wife back! read more

My husband and I could eat here everyday if we could! The food is always phenomenal and the service is fantastic! My favorite dish is the Crab and Scallops and my husband's is the Steak Gorgonzola. Our favorite appetizer is the clams. We always look forward to the Summer menu as well! The atmosphere is warm and inviting. I 100% recommend this place to everyone I can! read more

Went with friends to Paolo's. Had the Steak Gorgonzola. It was so tender and melted in my mouth. The food was incredible. read more

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We came here last month in celebration of Valentine's Day for lunch and it was fantastic. The ambiance is just right for either a date night/lunch or a business lunch with clients or a casual lunch with friends. It's a come for any occasion type of place. The food was delicious. The bread was nice to munch on and our meals were great too. We typically have ordered delivery here but it was good to sit down and enjoy the fantastic service. I can't wait to come back for a dinner meal and trust me, we will be back. On your Kent restaurant bingo card, make sure this is on your list to visit! read more

Have you ever had a meal that was so good you get a smile on your face the next day thinking about it? This place has become one of our favorites. It's a quiet little place right off 104th in Kent adjacent to East Hill. It only seats about 50 and that just lends to the intimate atmosphere. Our reservation was ready right on time, and we were greeted by a very friendly waitperson. She made a few suggestions and let us know what the specials of the day were. We started with the meatball sampler. A total of six meatballs in three different sauces. The perfect start to a great meal. My wife opted for the seafood fettuccine, and I went with the bone in ribeye. Both were the perfect portion, size and delicious. Pasta was homemade and light and delicious. Not the chewy thick pasta I've had at other places. The restaurant was packed capacity, and we had no problems having a conversation because the noise level was fairly low. The wait staff was very attentive and friendly. Five stars for cleanliness of the entire restaurant. For dessert we had a full portion of tiramisu and a cannoli. Both were the perfect end to an awesome meal. We look forward to our next visit. read more

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I feel like I was at a different restaurant than some of the other reviewers. While small, Paolo's is loud and bright ... it could really benefit from lower wattage light bulbs and some plants or something else to help absorb sound and help it feel more intimate and less like a cafeteria. Service from the hostess, our waitress, and a guy who helped us with dessert was fantastic. The food was okay. We started with the calamari, which was lightly breaded yet a bit tough. The sauce it came stuth was really good. Two in our party got the chicken marsala - one lighter portion and one full portion. They looked the same. I'm the only one who ordered a signature dish and probably liked my food the last. I had the Scallops Tuaca... the roasted veggies were delicious. The pasta would've been more enjoyable without sauce - the menu called it marinara, the waitress called it red sauce, yet it tasted like tomato sauce without any seasoning. The sauce from the scallops conflicted with it, so having no deuce would've been better (the guys who ordered the chicken marsala felt the same). And the scallops? They were cut in half, so they were like little disks and then a bit overcooked. They also came breaded, which was a bit strange. On another note, we had the lemon cheesecake for dessert, and it was amazing. read more

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Paolo's is a gem. I so appreciate how hard the kitchen works making incredible dishes from scratch. The atmosphere is causal and comfortable, too -- perfect for our family and treating out of town guests. I've always had great service even though I have celiac and am strictly gluten-free, and every meal we've had since our first visit last fall has been outstanding. The chicken Gorgonzola and the risotto (when they have it -- I would DIE to see seasonal variations on the menu!) are amazing. It's so nice to have a standout restaurant that doesn't require a trek into the city. I highly recommend a reservation as local diners/families keep them pretty busy! read more

The staff was extremely nice. The place is a bit smaller than i thought but the vibes and aesthetic of the place was relaxing. Ive lived in italy for 3 years and this place reminded me exactly of the italian restaurants. Especially when they gave the bread with the oil AND balsamic vinegar. The calamari wasnt deepfried which is different from usual calamari served from restaurants BUT this calamari was definitely better than the usual!! The flavors were delicious in every meal. And the portion sizes were perfect as well. Our dessert came in a little late but our server was kind enough to give us some extras!!! 10/10 would def go to this restaurant again read more

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I love their pasta. Looks like they are making their own pasta instead of using boxed dry pasta (correct me if I'm wrong). Our pasta dishes were little lack of salt so I added little bit of salt then it turns out great. You can skip this if you enjoy more natural flavor of veggies and pasta. I guess I eat salty. I ordered cream sauce fettuccini with seafood and instantly fell in love with the first bite. Pizza was good, too. I can't even describe it all in here. You can tell the chef is being serious about his food. You should just go try it. I'm glad that I live closer to this place. There are so many other dishes that I can't wait to try out. read more

First of all I've dined here many times and the food was always excellent. I don't know if somethings happened but I won't go back. I ordered my usaul but this time it was watery and tasteless, everyone has a bad day, so I ordered again, something different this time. Same result food was watery and tasteless and the garlic bread was soggy and overly oily with no garlic taste. Used to be one of my favorites. read more

This place was unexpectedly amazing! 1. Food was delicious. I always wonder why kids meals are usually so basic, but not here! See attached. Their desserts were a bit on the smaller side, but scrumptious. House bread is on point! Appetizers are delish, and main dishes are filled with spice and flavor 2. Ambiance is lovely! Place filled up really quickly, Italian music was playing, place was lively and you could see guests enjoying their food and wine 3. Service was on point! I loved the diet coke refil carafe, nice touch. Fast, prompt and professional 4. My son asked if they had a food designer person. Because of how much he enjoyed the plating and the presentation. He is 9! Fact that he found it appealing speaks volumes We will be back for another family dinner next month. This place just replaced our favorite Italian place in Georgetown. Unpretentious but sophisticated, and delicious! See you soon! read more

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Have been going to this place for years but the last two times have been very disappointing. The portions seem significantly smaller than they used to be. For the price, I'd expect more than a lunch size when you ordered the dinner size. I don't think we'll be back after this last visit. read more

I have been to Paola's many times. I've tried many different dishes and my favorites are chicken Marsala, paolos signature chopped chicken salad, bruschetta and the meatball sampler. The restaurant is usually really busy so you may need reservations and it is a little loud, but the food makes it worth the visit. Most important is the lemon cheese cake is the most fabulous ever. read more

I have been to this place a total of 4 times. The first 3 times, I thought this place was just absolute perfection! I ordered the crab and scallops pasta the first time and just fell in love with it! So I order it every single time! However, the last time we went, the crab and scallops pasta sauce was a little too runny and just watered down. I told the server about it and she gave us a discount. I felt really let down coz that dish is one of my top dishes of all time! It's been 7 months since the last time we've gone there and I'd be happy to give them another try because I know that they have delivered high quality food in the past. The only other complaint I have is that the last time we went there, we had to wait for about 20 minutes coz they got overbooked. I made a reservation so I could avoid situations like that, you know? Also, they didn't even say anything to us for 5-10 minutes when we got there. I understand that things happen, but they just need to communicate with their customers as quickly as possible so we can set expectations. read more

Paolo's Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Kent, Washington

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I'm not sure that I would eat Paolo's again. Our service was good or should I say friendly. The staff seemed a little overwhelmed, maybe they were short a server, but glasses stayed empty for a while, and while we were a table of six, we were only checked on once during the meal once. Do. The food was good, but good in an Olive Garden sort of way. Pricier than Olive Garden with no bottom is breadsticks. Look, Olive Garden should not be the yardstick that any Italian restaurant is measured by so the comparison is not because I wanted it to be similar. It just was. Parking was fine. The bathrooms are clean. Interior a little dated and table was sticky. I think for the money they're better Italian places in the area. read more

Would you pay $27.95 for a 'to-go' order of Seafood Fettuccini ? Probably not. Especially if the on-line menu said "price varies" with no picture. I paid a total of $61.50 for two orders. While waiting in the #2 Customer Pickup space for the food to arrive, I read the menu again, looking for some rationalization of that price. It said it was a "meal" which I rightfully assumed would come with two sides (maybe vegetable and ?) They said the bread was free. I thought, "ha, it should be!". But the description said the fettuccini included 6 forms of seafood: - shrimp - clam - scallops - salmon - cod, and - dungeness crab If that was true I would feel a little better. When the server brought the bag to the car, I could see two closed plastic trays, but no extra sides. I was getting nervous. At home, Sherrie and I opened our trays and began testing the fettuccini. The garlic bread was hot, crispy, and buttery... Yummm ! The fettuccini was over-the-top DELICIOUS! i mean we were stunned. No fake fish or trimmings! There were huge chunks of crab, full-sized shrimp, full sized scallops, sautéed clams still in their shells, and generous pieces of salmon and cod. Each piece of seafood had its own individually recognizable flavor, the flavors we all expect and savor. The broccoli, onion, tomatoes and mushrooms (the sides?) were folded into the fettuccini. I'm a trained chef. I never expect restaurant food to be better than mine. This meal was truly incredible! And I couldn't eat it all, had to save some for tomorrow. This was a 5-Star meal, it was worth the experience. I want to come back and try their marinara based entrées, considerably less expensive, I'm sure. I think it's rare to find an Italian restaurant serving $13 pizzas and $28 pasta dishes. I suspect Poalo's has something for every budget and level of Italian cuisine. Perhaps their pricing is on target with the quality they serve - and they know it ! I sure liked being able to transact the whole purchase from my car, without having to go inside. It was raining. The waitress took my credit card at my window and brought the food out to the car. read more

Paolo's Italian Restaurant - Here's all the on-line menu said! - Italian Near Me - Kent, Washington

Not in the best area which deterred me from trying it but I finally did and their food and service is great! Food tastes authentic and the customer service is absolutely amazing! The inside decor is simply but pretty very cozy feeling! read more

Can't believe I've never been here when it's only a 3-min drive from my place! Came here on a Friday night with no reservation thinking it wouldn't be that pack but boy oh boy were we wrong. We had to wait about 20-25 mins for a table which isn't too bad. Everyone there seems to be a regular. I love the open kitchen concept. I saw the chef weigh the pasta so each dish is consistent! Customers were talking and saying Hi to the chefs and it was refreshing to see. It almost feel like a community there seeing how the hosts interact and know the customers. Atmosphere is a bit loud since the tables are kinda close together but that didn't bother us. This isn't a date night vibe spot but more like a get-together with friends and family. The food is great. I loved the penne salsiccia. It's very flavorful. My friend loved the seafood fettuccine dish. Both were packed with lots of protein. We wrapped up with a lemon cheesecake and it was delicious! I definitely recommend giving it a try! The complimentary bread was just okay. Can't wait to come back and try other dishes. read more

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Sadly, our experience with Paolos wasn't great. I ordered the fettuccine alfredo with shrimp. The portion size was good, but flavor was lacking. The sauce was completely flavorless. The shrimp were grilled and a bit overcooked, but tasted good. My wife ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. Hers had a good flavor to the sauce and the meatballs were especially tasty. We also ordered the garlic bread with cheese. Sadly, it too was disappointing. There was a good amount of cheese, but no garlic flavor whatsoever. Definitely not worth the price. We'll have to continue our search for a go-to Italian place. This wasn't it for us. read more

The food was fantastic. Had the lasagna and it was amazing. The wine was perfectly paired with the dinner and the server was knowledgeable and extremely pleasant. Can't wait to go back! read more

Hidden gem in Renton! Paolo's is perfect for date night and their limited edition anniversary prix fixe menu is worth the visit. We ordered the calamari - sautéed not fried, savory, flavored with a hint of lemon. The penne salciccia was decadent and creamy. My husband loved his scallop and crab angel hair pasta. Pair with the house chianti and enjoy the perfect night! read more

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The calamari was smothered in a marinara sauce and was told that they would have the fixings to make Veal parmigiana. 1 hour before they did call me to say that they didn't have it I'm from the Boston area originally and I won't be too tough on review because the place was busy. I have yet to find a good Italian restaurant around here yet so maybe my expectations of what I can get around here as compared to the East Coast is the problem. read more