Isola

Sadly, I just heard that they are going out of business after Valentines day. I’ve had many really nice meals in their short time on the island and they’ll be missed.

Great charcuterie plate. Heavenly sangria. Fresh made pasta is delicious. Really nice staff and a menu that’s always changing.

I love that Isola is about tasting the real, local ingredients and not over-​dressed meh ingredients. We ordered their kale salad with a warm sherry vinaigrette and watched as it was hand tossed in front of us. It was just perfect with a slight amount of heat, in both flavor and temperature. We also ordered roasted brussels sprouts with harissa bread crumbs. My daughter ate the entire thing, and said, «We need the recipe for those.» My daughter had the delicate ricotta gnudi which melted like soft pillows. Rich and divine. The servings are tapas sized – you won’t leave feeling like ate too much. I love that the food was really good, the service friendly, and fun to watch Chris behind the counter plating some beautiful food. And the cicchetti (?) menu from 4 to 6 is really perfect.

The quality or portions aren’t justified by the prices. We were welcomed by a misplaced snobby vibe at the door. Mediocre cooking quality, ho-​hum palate of flavors and poor customer service almost distracted us from our unquenched hunger. Then we got the check. The only reason to eat here is novelty. There’s no reason to return for a second meal.

Exquisite in every way. Small plates extraordinary. Make sure to reserve the tiny delicious meat balls dish when you reserve your table as they usually run out as they are a top selling item. I have been disappointed before on this one. Spot prawns or shrimp are like popcorn. Super wine list !!

The four of us spent $ 70 on 5 small plates (two wines and 2 sodas added another $ 30) and we all left still hungry. We won’t return.

My spouse and I were taken to Isola the other night by my father and his wife, longtime island residents, and I have rarely been as impressed by a new restaurant. The four of us shared five small plates — fried rock shrimp, the charcuterie, the cheese plate, meatballs and bagna cauda — and I’d be hard put to choose which was the most delicious (I made a pig of myself on the warm olive-​oil and anchovy dip on the bagna cauda). The olive bread that came with a couple of the small plates was a standout, soft and rich, and was extraordinary paired with the warm Camembert on the cheese plate. Each of us chose a different one of the four desserts and each of us was convinced ours was the best. Although I’m not a wine drinker, the imbibers at the table were very pleased with their choice. Prices weren’t cheap but for that quality they were quite reasonable, and service was charming and helpful without a touch of pretension. Can’t wait to come back to Vashon to try it again!

Had dinner at Isola for the first time last night (July 4, 2015). My friend and I shared their fresh clam linguine, along with their amazing Charcuterie board (with fresh pickled veggies and capers on the side), and an Arctic Char crudo with fresh island grown veggies, sweet lemons, basil oil, and tapenade vinaigrette (pics to follow in a later post), chased down with a couple pitchers of their house-​made Sangria. WOW!
Small plates, tapas style. Mediterranean inspired. Attentive and informative service. Comfortable «island style» ambiance. Extensive (and impressive) wine list. Reasonable prices (including several «kids menu» choices), especially given the fact that almost everything is locally sourced, grown, raised, harvested, and butchered.
*Highly* recommend… Who need to go into the City when one can eat like this at home on the island? Not me, I’m sold. And we’ll definitely be back!