Itto’s Tapas on Capitol Hill to Morph Into an Even More Spanish Affair

CAPITOL HILL — Summit Avenue restaurant Itto’s Tapas is set for a shake-up after its manager, Jody Claggett, bought the restaurant from owner Khalid Agour. According to Capitol Hill Seattle, it will be overhauled and given a new name, A La Vida. It looks to be a more straight-up Spanish restaurant — despite the “tapas” moniker, Itto’s has a heavily Moroccan-influenced menu, which will be left behind with the name change. Gin, vermouth, and Spanish wines will also be prioritized, with the restaurant expected to close for a week at the end of February to be reborn in March. This location didn’t last too long as Itto’s — it only opened in late 2017, with Agour converting his pizzeria, Toscana, into the restaurant. However, the original Itto’s, over in West Seattle, is not going anywhere.

Schooner Brewing/Facebook

SODO — Changes are afoot at Schooner Brewing and its 1st Avenue S taproom. The company recently merged with boozy sparkling drink maker San Juan Seltzer. At that time, Schooner closed its on-site kitchen, with Ethan Stowell Restaurants to set up inside (Stowell himself recently became a minority partner in the merged company). Stowell’s group will use it as a commissary kitchen for other restaurants around town, but come summer, will also serve food for the taproom, although Stowell’s team will have no involvement in brewing. The taproom will remain open in the meantime, with outside food permitted until the kitchen opens.

BEACON HILL — Excellent Middle Eastern newcomer Homer tells Eater that it is cancelling plans to introduce brunch service. But as a consolation prize, it is now open Tuesday evenings.

BELLTOWN — All-female bartending competition Speed Rack returns to Seattle this month for its Northwest edition. Punches and other drinks will be there to imbibe, and proceeds go to breast cancer research charities. It goes down February 25 at 6 p.m. at event space Block 41, with advance tickets available.

• Toscana to Itto’s to A La Vida — New owner on Summit part of ongoing wave of Capitol Hill food+drink deals [CHS]
• Schooner Brewing and San Juan Seltzer Merge; Focus on Innovative New Offerings [Business Wire]