Kirkland Restaurant Guide

A glass of Chianti, a crusty Neapolitan-style slice of pizza fresh from the wood-fired oven, a view of the sun as it sets behind Lake Washington right in front of you - what could be nicer?
And the thing that worries would-be Kirkland diners the most -ample parking within steps of the restaurant. Amici Pizzeria and Ristorante stoked up the oven in Lakeshore Plaza across from Marina Park near the beginning of June.
At the oven is a rising young chef named Chris Smith. His recent experiences at Salute and Seastar in Bellevue and The Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie have given him a range of cuisine know-how.
"I wanted to diversify as much as possible," says Smith, looking forward to his new venture at Amici.
Smith is as local as chefs come, growing up in Kirkland and even doing his culinary training at Lake Washington Technical College.
Amici will keep the menu choices small, offering five or six different types of chewy crusted artisan pizza. Diners will also have the option of inventing their own creation. Lunch specials will include a couple slices of pizza, a salad and a drink.
The dinner menu will be much like Bella Vita's offering some antipasto choices ($7-10), insalata (salads, from $6-9), a primi course with a variety of pastas ($14-19) and of course dolce sweets like the house-made tiramisu. Real Italian Marsala soaked ladyfingers enveloped in a surprisingly light cloud of coffee-scented cream is reason enough to stop in a for a bite. Management is working with their neighbors at The Grape Choice to finalize the wine list.
Amici features an open kitchen, so asking the chef a question will be as easy as leaning over the granite bar.
Amici's warmly painted interior employs a variety of seating options, including a good sized dining room, cocktail tables in front of the pizza oven and a large separate lounge area. Most importantly for the summer crowds, Amici boasts a large outdoor patio.