Bottega Gabriele is a contender for Most Italian Vibe In Seattle. You’ll likely hear owners Gabriele Russo and Gabriele Brownstein (from Naples and Sardinia, respectively) speaking Italian to each other behind the counter. The deli case is stocked with meats and cheeses directly imported from Italy, and the hefty focaccia sandwiches are quintessentially Italian flavor profiles — most of them feature ’nduja, the spicy-rich spreadable pork sausage made next door at Ndjua Bella. You can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches, but if you want to ride the mortadella wave, Bottega Gabriele’s is an enticingly complex weave of flavors, with ricotta, lemon zest, arugula, and hot Calabrian chile honey adding to the fatty meat. And the Ndjua Special with capicollo, salami, tapenade, artichokes, and provolone touches all the Italian bases.
Pro tip: Bottega Gabriele isn’t a “hidden gem.” If you want to avoid standing in line, go before 11:30 a.m., or after 1:30 p.m.
Zoe Kahn