Wine Find: Angelo’s Ristorante

At Angelo’s, you’re more than a customer–you’re a friend

By Chris Nishiwaki

Angelo’s Ristorante

601 SW 153rd ST
Burien,WA 98166
(206) 244-3555
www.angelosofburien.com

Angelo’s Ristorante in Burien is the sort of Italian joint where the lady answering the phone relays a call to owner and wine director Frank Ricci with a hearty, “Hey Frankie! It’s for you,” for the entire dining room to hear.

It’s a family-owned, family joint. And Ricci treats his regulars, whom he refers to as friends, like family.

“They are good customers,” Ricci said. “I don’t know what else to call them.”

Ordering from the wine list is for the uninitiated at Angelo’s. Frank’s “friends” can pick the wines straight from the stable-temperature wine storage. The wine cellar features finds such as a verticals of Guado al Tasso (97 to 01), Ornellaia (97, 98, 00), 97 Sassicaia and 2000 Solaia. For the Washington wine drinker there are verticals of Leonetti Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon going back to 2000, verticals of Quilceda Creek (99 to 05), the entire portfolio from Long Shadows and boutique producer Soos Creek.

Corkage is $10 but waived if guests order a bottle from the list.