The meatball-loving dogs of Capitol Hill might end up the biggest losers in all of this. But we’re all going to miss out on the underrated treats of Gnocchi Bar. Owner Lisa Nakamura has announced a November 20th last night of service for the gnocchi restaurant and dessert spot at the corner of 12th and Pine.
“I am proud and honored that so many of you have come in, dined with us, patronized our little shop, purchased our gnocchi in grocery stores and have made yourselves part of our family,” Nakamura wrote in the announcement sent to customers Tuesday. “You helped make one woman’s vision into a reality, and for that, thank you so very much.”
Nakamura at the March 2015 opening (Image: CHS)
Nakamura’s decision to close the gnocchi shop comes after just over a year and a half of business at the corner that has now seen a series of concepts take over the space — and fail to stick. Gnocchi Bar took over the space that had been home to the Capitol Hill location of D’Ambrosio Gelateria Artigianale since spring of 2012. Nakamura kept the gelato freezer case and continued to offer the treat along with some excellent cannoli and her excellent desserts.
The corner space began its succession of tenants with an expensive buildout in the newly constructed Packard Building when Italian lounge concept Varro flamed out in 2011 owing thousands in rent after only a few months of business. After a turnaround that leveraged the failed venture’s buildout, the gelato shop made its debut complete with the tony, lounge-quality booths that survived into the soon-to-pass gnocchi era. Meanwhile, Varro’s original neighbor Eltana continues to create its Montreal-inspired bagels next door and has successfully expanded to locations across the city and has plans for yet another new bagel shop in U Village.
Following the 2013 closure of her much-loved Orcas Island restaurant Allium, Nakamura set out on a series of pop-ups as she refined her gnocchi creations in restaurants across Seattle. Gnocchi Bar was born in March 2015 at the start of a small wave of food and drink openings around 12th and Pine with Rachel’s Ginger Beer, U:Don Fresh Noodle Station and Pel Meni Seattle Dumpling Tzar following close behind.
The closure adds another empty space to the stretch of 12th Ave between Union and Pine with the shuttering of The Old Sage and papered-over windows at Boom Noodle.
Nakamura said that while the restaurant will be closing later this month, the Gnocchi Bar brand will live on with her frozen foods business. She tells CHS she plans to focus on the grocery and wholesale business and has a “new adventure” planned in 2017. “No more restaurants,” she added.
For Gnocchi Bar’s brick and mortar life, she is planning to bring the restaurant to a close on a high note:
I started Gnocchi Bar with the intent and idea to feed people handcrafted delicious food at a fair price. I STILL believe in that. So to go out on a high note, we will serve our last dinners to the Living Positively group of the Lifelong AIDS organization right here on Capitol Hill, starting at 8:30 pm. We’ll be serving the general public on that day, November 20, until 8 pm. And yes, you can still order our gnocchi for delivery via UberEATS or Caviar through November 20.
“I have loved greeting you by name, giving your adorable pooches meatballs, connecting with you via Facebook, Twitter or face-to-face over the counter,” the social media-connected chef/owner writes. “In this fast-paced, often disconnected world, not everyone gets a chance to do that, so thank you!”
You can check out the full announcement here.
Capitol Hill food+drink notes
The Turners (Image: CHS)
Happy 10 years to E Pine’s Poco:
Celebrating 10 years as an award-winning wine bar in Capitol Hill, POCO Wine + Spirits announced an event to thank its customers on Friday, November 4 from 6 to 9 p.m.
“We’re so thrilled to be a favorite place for wine lovers and those seeking a special place to unwind,” said POCO wine + spirits co-owner, Jackie Turner. “The only way to celebrate this occasion is with a thank you to our customers – the people who have helped make POCO such a fun, vibrant and warm place throughout these 10 years.”
The Customer Appreciation Event is part of 10 days of festivities at the establishment. The staff will be cooking up some delicious bites for patrons to enjoy. Wine and cocktail specials will also be available.
POCO Wine + Spirits opened on November 1, 2006 as a wine room showcasing unique Pacific Northwest wines and serving as a place for first dates, pre-theatre drinks and late business meetings. Since that time, POCO has developed a menu of small Spanish fare and expanded its beverage offerings to craft cocktails. In 2015, POCO started an education program with monthly wine tastings, providing patrons with the opportunity to explore the wine regions across the world. POCO has also hosted tastings of locally-made liquors.
CHS reported here on new owners Tramale and Jackie Turner who took over the bar in October 2015. Congratulations, Poco.
Bike thru:
Bike through tamales @ranchobravo1 pic.twitter.com/YDrfvp2tEG
— Gordon Padelford (@GordonOfSeattle) October 31, 2016
Catfish Corner is back in the CD: Now open at 21st and Yesler.
New chef David Nichols at Ernest Loves Agnes is bringing in a new menu. Just as exciting, Veronika Groth is now behind the bar.
Holiday shopping:
Our book is officially released today. Congrats to @splecked on winning a copy! Pick up a copy online, in stores, or here at the bar! pic.twitter.com/Z46yNl0VGS
— canon (@CanonSeattle) November 1, 2016
For $1,200/month, you could be the owner of a juice bar in Chophouse Row:
New weekly Chophouse Row farmers night market starts tonight (Wednesday, 11/2).
“I’ve Seen It All in this Old Bar…” ha ha
See that guy washing dishes? That’s the guy who invented putting cream cheese on hot dogs—what they call “Seattle style.” Never made a cent off it. He also came up with the melody for Kenny G’s “Songbird.” Used to whistle it while he mopped. He got screwed out of that too. Poor fella should be a millionaire.