Tuscan native Danilo Amato, who trained at a two-star Michelin restaurant in Paris, serves scrumptious Mediterranean dishes with a Northwest flair
FOR many readers, a trip to Woodinville is all about wine tasting, however the food is worthy of exploration too. In the Artisan Hill District, Danilo Amato, an Italian-born, classically French-trained chef, operates The PicNic Table bistro. Different wineries are featured on a rotating basis at the cafe, and those wines inspire the delectable fare in the coming days.
To the first-time visitor it might be surprising to find a culinary destination nestled among the clusters of single-story, gray warehouses. However, Woodinville is home to 130 wineries and tasting rooms that attract wine lovers and gourmands near and far. Some afternoons, the tasting rooms pulsate with energetic crowds, the same as it was when chef Amato came for a weekend visit several years ago. As he describes it, “There were people parked in the street eating out of their trunk” and that’s where the picnic idea came from. In December of 2017, he opened The PicNic Table.
A deck adorned with patio tables flanks the side off the entrance, hinting at the restaurant that now inhabits the neighborhood. An olive tree next to the entry alludes to the Italian roots of the business’ owner. Inside, a large blackboard behind the counter announces the menu, which changes weekly, depending on which wines are being showcased. Cozy tables flank a bookshelf crafted from an old fire pit. A vibrantly-colored painting pays homage to chef Danilo’s family connection to Sicily and the fish canneries formerly there (that have closed over the years).
Those Sicilian ties also influence his menu of dishes he calls “Mediterranean with Northwest influence.” The family’s recipe for caponata, a sweet and sour mélange based on eggplant, may accompany pork tenderloin or simply served atop crostini. Chef Danilo, however, favors tossing it with ricotta ravioli, and topped with burrata for a creamy indulgence.
Other signature dishes include pâté and country-style pork terrine. Those items reveal his French culinary training received in Paris at a restaurant with two Michelin stars. When 19-year-old Danilo ran out of money, he returned to his hometown of Pitigliano, a fishing village in Tuscany, where his father ran the family restaurant.
Having grown up swimming in the Mediterranean, being in the water was second nature to Danilo and led to a career in long distance boat sailing and offshore racing. Along the way, he took a job as a personal chef for clients with a yacht, who were based in Seattle. The opportunity combined cooking and offshore racing until his first son was born. Meanwhile, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean nine times and the Pacific Ocean three times.
Amato Catering came next, as well as a stint at the acclaimed Herbfarm. During that time Danilo became more familiarized with Woodinville. He feels right at home surrounded by wineries; he grew up around his grandfather’s vineyard, and took care of the wine at his father’s Tuscan restaurant.
“It’s been a really fun project,” he says, talking about partnering with various wineries. “We started this past March during Washington Wine Month. We had featured some women winemakers and thought it would be fun to continue, hosting a different winery every week.”
It was so well received by wineries and customers alike that he continues to do so. He develops a menu around new wines each week. His method is to initially consider the varietals and match the grapes with the region of origin. Then he looks at the vintner’s tasting notes, and eventually Danilo tastes the wine.
The featured wines are available by the glass or bottle at The PicNic Table. As an added bonus, the process helps him and his team to become more familiar with wine available in the area. Consequently, they have an idea of where to refer guests who ask for recommendations.
“I have had [my] wines featured at The PicNic Table and it’s been great,” affirms Lisa Callan, winemaker and owner of Callan Cellars. “The PicNic Table is open for Sunday brunch too, so that helps with exposure to a new customer base, one that isn’t just out tasting one afternoon.”
Marty Taucher, managing partner of Avennia, adds, “Dani is a great personality. He is our go-to lunch spot during the week and has created fantastic pairings for our wine tasting events.”
On a weeknight as regulars drop in to pick up to-go orders, chef Dani as local patrons call him, greets each customer by name. They come hungry for his dishes, all made from scratch.
Once a year around October chef Dani and his family return to his farmhouse in Italy, named Villa Belpasso, amid a classic Tuscan landscape on a little hill surrounded by its own olive orchard; they go during the olive harvest. The rest of the time, he rents out the property. So for those who wish to embark on an even bigger wine adventure than Woodinville, they can vacation at his villa in Tuscany—and even have him plan a food and wine tour.
Dine-In, Take-Out or Cater
The PicNic Table Cafe
Located in the Artisan Hill District:
18672 142nd Ave NE, Woodinville
Phone (206) 683-2900
www.picnictablecafe.com
Written by Nancy Croisier
Photographs by William Muñoz