Cellars Restaurant & Lounge

Belltown Italian

You might think there’s nothing new restaurant-wise that can pop up in Belltown, but Cellars owner Kauser (who prefers to go by first name only) felt there was a need for a neighborhood Italian restaurant offering a broad menu of good food at reasonable prices. "There’s no better location," says Kauser. "We’re in the heart of Belltown, next to the corner on the block and there’s a parking lot next door as well as behind the restaurant. We’ll also offer lunch which can be hard to find at the nicer places in Belltown—not many are open at lunch."

Photo above: Cellars owner Kauser in front of aquarium

Kauser hired Jared Velazquez as executive chef and they’ve put together a menu of traditional, simple dishes from all over Italy. In addition, specials will showcase current trends. The menu is broadened with a few steaks and seafood. Jared will be offering several specials in addition to the regular menu on Fridays and Saturdays. "The happy hour menu will have a more international feel," explains Jared. Items range from crostino with Portobello mushrooms to mini burgers to camarones ahogados (prawns baked with Serrano chili, onion and cilantro sauce). The main dining room menu and happy hour menu (food and drinks) will change monthly and seasonally.

Starting out, they have a 100+ label international wine list with a good number of Northwest wines as well as French, California, Spanish and Italian. Bottle prices range from $26 to $380 (a Louis Roderer Cristal). At least 50 percent of the wine list will change on a monthly basis. On Sundays and Mondays, bottles are half-priced.

A number of restaurants have inhabited the spot, most recently Jai Thai and, although cozy with brick walls, they all felt pretty dark. Cellars has retained the interior brick, but the front wall is almost all glass now, including a large garage-style-roll-up door for those lazy summer days. The room has been split with the lounge on the left and dining room on the right, separated by a stand-up bar and an aquarium. A chef’s table that seats 12 is the centerpiece of the dining area with heavy chandeliers overhanging the table. Tables alongside the far wall can be pushed together in front of the white banquette to seat 30-35 people.

Kauser is excited about the level of service Jared is planning for guests. "If someone has a taste for something that’s not currently on the menu," says Jared, "we’ll do our best to make it for them. It may take a little longer when we’re busy, but if they’re willing to wait, we’re happy to do it." They will also prepare special multiple-course menus for large groups who book in advance. In addition, with a week’s advance notice for a group of 8-10, they are happy to cook tableside.

As they get their feet on the ground, they’re planning some wine tasting as well as cooking class parties. "People can invite their friends in and learn how to cook some of our dishes," says Jared.

Photo: Executive Chef Jared

Kauser has spent ten years in the restaurant business. He’s lived in Chicago, New York and now Seattle. At one time an owner of Rock Salt, he opened the Twilight, a few other spots, and now Cellars. He’s known Jared for about five years. A friend introduced him when Jared was working at Isabella Ristorante in downtown Seattle. "I used to go there to get my Italian food," laughs Kauser.

Jared has a background in Italian cooking, having worked at Salvatore’s, Bice and Tutto Mare in San Diego. He worked at Isabella for about ten years and was a sous chef at Volterra when it opened.

With it’s new airy look, Italian favorites, reasonable prices and a full bar with a good number of wines by both the glass and bottle, Cellars is looking to become a new neighborhood favorite.

Cellars Restaurant & Lounge
2132 First Avenue at Blanchard
Seattle, WA 98121
206-448-8757

Opened April 4, 2008

Watch for Sunday brunch this summer

Available for private parties of 10-50

Connie Adams/April 2008

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