West Seattle restaurants: Pizzeria Credo to fire up soon

(Jacques Nawar with business partner Mike Look)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Jacques Nawar wants you to know that Pizzeria Credo, likely open by month’s end, is “not just another pizza place.”

He noted the “another pizza place?” concern was raised by a commenter after our first report last November about his new Junction restaurant – which you’ll find in the long-shuttered ex-Garlic Jim’s spot at 4520 California SW.

Not only will the pizza be out-of-the-ordinary, Nawar promises, so will the rest of the menu.

We toured the renovated space on Monday, from the brand-new, built-in-Naples wood-fired oven (nameplate above) – which faces the restaurant’s front window, for “transparency” inside and out – to the bar that will offer a full spirits menu and more.

Nawar was a restaurateur in the Washington, D.C. area – he points out that you can look up his history (here’s one story we found) – and came here to consult Abbondanza in Morgan Junction, then decided he would “settle” here. Don’t pre-judge Pizzeria Credo by his previous projects, though.

The space has been remodeled in a big way, including warmer colors “to brighten up the place” and lighting fixtures.

Instead of the TV-at-every-table you might remember from GJ’s, there is one screen in the back, visible from the bar, but not from most of the tables.

As for the food – the proprietor describes the planned menu as “smart” and “eclectic,” offering far more than the wood-fired pizza. Pizzeria Credo will also serve appetizers, salads, other entrees such as duck – a specialty, he says – and chicken. Ingredients will be “as organic and local as possible”; Nawar says they are working with West Seattle Produce and looking for other local growers/providers with whom to partner.

And in response to another question that arose in November comments: Yes, there WILL be gluten-free pizza.

Desserts will be something special, he promises, and they’ll make and serve cappuccino as well as other espresso beverages; we note a small but gleaming machine at the bar:

Pizzeria Credo will be open for lunch and dinner. The hours are not finalized yet, but likely 11-2 or so for lunch, with dinner 5-11, and the bar staying open later, especially on Friday/Saturday nights. Not only will food be available for takeout, so will growlers of beer – Georgetown Brewing Company‘s famous Manny’s, Nawar notes. (No website yet, but “soon.”)

If all goes well in the final days of work, Pizzeria Credo will be open by the end of the month.

36 Replies to "West Seattle restaurants: Pizzeria Credo to fire up soon"

  • Erskinehood March 19, 2013 (12:35 pm)

    Good Luck to Jacques! We love going to Abbondanza for the great food and service. I’m sure we’ll soon be a regular at Pizzeria Credo.

  • MorganRes March 19, 2013 (12:47 pm)

    Jacques always talked about some big changes for Abbondanza in the future, which sounds similar to what they are offering at Credo. I wonder what this means for Abbondanza’s future? Is Jacques no longer going to be working with them?

  • Michelle March 19, 2013 (12:56 pm)

    Love to see a menu. Please post when avail.

  • old timer March 19, 2013 (1:22 pm)

    Best of luck to the new guys!
    I hope it’s a great success!

  • Marco March 19, 2013 (1:35 pm)

    I kinda hope Jacques ignores the warning on the oven and puts the duck in there!

  • Jennifer March 19, 2013 (1:44 pm)

    Any vegan pizza by chance?

  • X March 19, 2013 (2:06 pm)

    Vegan pizza? That’s not pizza.

  • AnnM March 19, 2013 (2:10 pm)

    But…. will they serve Merlot?

  • Heidi March 19, 2013 (2:15 pm)

    I met Jacques at Abbodanza. He is a warm, friendly guy and a great host. I hope Pizzeria Credo does well!

  • margaritaville March 19, 2013 (2:18 pm)

    AnnM – you stole my line!

    Welcome to the neighborhood.

  • NT March 19, 2013 (2:36 pm)

    Such good news!!! My son is celiac and my husband and I have to go to Veracci for some good brick oven pizza, most of everybody else don’t have a GF on their menu.
    I’m so excited!
    Congratulations

  • LS March 19, 2013 (3:05 pm)

    Sounds delicious! Looking forward to the opening!

  • WSratsinacage March 19, 2013 (3:14 pm)

    Is the guy on the right Jacques? He looks like a guy that used to work at Abbondanza back when they first opened.

  • WFG March 19, 2013 (3:25 pm)

    Jacques is the guy on the left, with the scarf. Can’t wait for this to open–Abbondanza is already my favorite pizza in Seattle.

  • DLR March 19, 2013 (3:49 pm)

    Great to hear! We love brick oven pizza and West Seattle needs it bad, nothing but huge disappointment and RUDE owner at Pizzeria 22 from multiple visits (we tried hard). I have never been treated so shabbily in my 20 years in the hospitality industry. Welcome to the neighborhood Pizzeria Credo, we can’t wait for you to open!

  • MorganRes March 19, 2013 (4:19 pm)

    Hmm, now I’m confused. The guy on the right is who I thought the owner of Abbondanza was. I thought he was Jacques. He’s always there whenever I go there.

    • WSB March 19, 2013 (4:25 pm)

      I did the interview in person (co-publisher Patrick Sand was with me to take the photos). That’s Jacques on the left. Sorry that I didn’t mark L-R; it’s implied, but that’s not clear enough – I apologize. – TR

  • WSratsinacage March 19, 2013 (4:45 pm)

    It’s clear, I just didn’t notice the names, earlier, under the photo. Thanks.

  • Kate K March 19, 2013 (4:47 pm)

    Welcome to the neighborhood! I’ll be sure to come by and try out the GF pizza :)

  • Chris W March 19, 2013 (6:16 pm)

    I had a bad time at Pizzeria 22 recently. Looking forward to trying the new place!!

  • Tracy March 19, 2013 (7:03 pm)

    Well DLR I am sure it is you because Pizzeria 22 has very friendly staff. How does it feel to be “that person”? The one who is always unhappy.

  • West Seattle Hipster March 19, 2013 (7:33 pm)

    Wow, where is the tolerance for other’s opinions?

  • no man March 19, 2013 (7:37 pm)

    DLR : The owner of Pizzeria 22 is not rude, hes a very nice fellow. I’ve know him for over 25 years. They have killer pizza too and the 5 buck happy hour deal is awesome. His restaurant is one of only 100 that are certfied by the Italian Pizza police haha.

  • CJ March 19, 2013 (7:55 pm)

    Yeesh, Tracy-I can’t help but wonder if you couldn’t answer that question yourself! I enjoy Pizzeria 22 and welcome another wonderful establishment to the neighborhood.

  • Sonoma March 19, 2013 (8:19 pm)

    My first reaction was, wait, we already have Pizerria 22 with the Italian oven. I like Pizzeria 22 (and never experienced rudeness), but I will definitely give Credo a try.

  • LREL March 19, 2013 (9:08 pm)

    Pizza makes it all better

  • Biankat March 19, 2013 (9:30 pm)

    Absolutely LOVE Pizzeria 22 food and staff. Hope this new place is just as great. Unfortunately not a fan of Abbondanza though.

  • sm March 19, 2013 (10:46 pm)

    Excited to try this new place! Who doesn’t love pizza?!

    And all the side talk about Pizzeria 22 – that place is the best. The owner is a great, super nice guy. The workers are kind and helpful and always have a fun upbeat attitude. The food is amazing, “no man” has it right about one of only 100 certified! Obviously people are allowed to express their opinions, but people are also allowed to disagree, especially if they’re spreading bad mojo about a wonderful place! Their pizza is wonderful!

  • no man March 19, 2013 (10:54 pm)

    oh ya Hungry !!!!! Pizza and Merlot haha

  • furiouskitty March 19, 2013 (11:32 pm)

    We love Abbondanza! Good luck, guys.

  • Ajax March 20, 2013 (12:20 am)

    Just curious, will Pizzeria Credo be 21+? Either way, looking forward to it opening.

    Also, I’m surprised that someone is complaining about Pizzeria 22. I’ve had great experiences with food and service there, although occassionally I’ve been thoroughly annoyed by the people at the table next to me…

  • Biggmouth March 20, 2013 (7:03 am)

    I like Marco’s great idea about the duck. Jacques, how about a duck pizza???

  • elaine March 20, 2013 (9:31 am)

    Yum, brick oven pizza, there is always room for another good pizza place!!!

  • samson March 20, 2013 (11:14 am)

    Is Jacque leaving Abbondanza?

  • MS March 23, 2013 (1:54 pm)

    Pretty pretty please offer a vegan pizza!!! Our kids can’t have dairy & we’re dying to find a kid friendly pizza place in West Seattle that has a vegan pizza option.

    Thx!

  • leslie April 2, 2013 (2:42 pm)

    Sounds wonderful! Hope that having other items on the menu besides pizza will help it be successful.

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