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Lining Up for $10 Lunchtime Pasta at Il Corvo

I’m a fan of Eater’s Dining on A Dime series on Youtube and it was there that I learned about Il Corvo in Seattle.  Il Corvo is a humble eatery located in the Pioneer Square district and they serve handmade pasta for $10 at lunchtime on weekdays only.  The restaurant is very community-oriented and believes that people should be able to enjoy high quality, handmade pasta at affordable prices.  Known for their delicious pasta and budget-friendly menu, Il Corvo draws long lineups every service.  After watching Lucas Peterson showcase Il Corvo, I had to try it myself.  Check out the video below:

Note:  This is not a sponsored post.  This meal was not complimentary.  I did not receive any compensation or incentive to share about my experience.  The restaurant did not know that I am a blogger.

Line Up Before 11 Am

Last week, my family and I were on a spring break vacation in Seattle.  I made it a point to have a light breakfast one morning and then head over to Il Corvo to line up before they opened at 11 am.  We were first in line at 10:45 am but soon many people joined.

il corvo seattle pasta pioneer square

And by the way, if you’re first in line, the direction of the line should be facing downhill.  The girl who came in behind me said that was how the line usually goes.

il corvo seattle pasta pioneer square

Il Corvo Etiquette

How it goes at Il Corvo is that you order at the counter, get a seat (either they direct you or you select), bus your own table and enjoy your food!  The instructions are noted on their door.

il corvo seattle pasta pioneer square

Interior

The interior of Il Corvo is minimal and serves its purpose.  The space is small and accommodates about 36 people; there is a mix of two and four-person dining tables and a larger communal table.  Every seat is meant to be occupied so you might be sharing a table with others.  The staff helps by directing people to sit at specific tables.

il corvo seattle pasta pioneer square

Il Corvo Menu

Il Corvo serves only three types of pasta each day which are noted on their chalkboard menu.  Their also have antipasti dishes like house made focaccia, proscuitto & pickled celery, kale salad, olives and pickled vegetables.  For drinks, they have wine including prosecco, and beer.

il corvo seattle pasta pioneer square

What We Tried

My husband and I tried the Cornetto with spring garlic cream and Bucatini al’Amatriciana with spicy pancetta and tomato sauce.  Unfortunately, I forgot to order some antipasti to round out the meal.  And when I realized it, it was too late; we had already been directed to a table and the line up was to the door.

il corvo seattle pasta pioneer square

Both pasta dishes were gloriously al dente – absolutely delicious!  The sauces were flavourful but still light.  I love white sauce and the spring garlic cream was just right.  The bucatini had a nice amount of spiciness to eat to satisfy spicy lovers.  both of the pastas were loaded with parmesan.

il corvo seattle pasta pioneer square

I know the pasta dishes were $10 but I wish they could charge more for a larger size.  I certainly was wanting more of it because they were so tasty.  Furthermore, the pasta dishes are very simply pasta with little or no other protein or seafood.  Because of that, I would recommend the antipasti to round out the meal.

Why Weekday Lunch Only?

With the popularity of Il Corvo, some may ask why doesn’t the restaurant open for dinner and on weekends?  According to the Il Corvo website, Chef-owner Mike Gaston had worked traditionally long hours in fast-paced restaurant environments.  Hence, he conceived Il Corvo with a restaurant concept that would allow him to achieve a work-life balance.

Overall Impression

I was impressed with Il Corvo’s commitment to serving a high quality pasta dish at an affordable price.  I do wish they had more options like larger size bowls, but I guess that would change their restaurant model.  Would I line up for it again?  Yes, if I could be in the first seating after they open.  But if I had to wait over an hour, I probably wouldn’t as the menu isn’t diverse enough for me to make it worthwhile.  Rating: 4/5

Il Corvo Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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