Beato closure update: Shutdown specials; sale status

(Photo by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli)
We reported last night on the impending closure of Beato Food and Wine after 2 years. Owner Brandon Gillespie promised more information today, and it’s in now. For starters, he says: “Beato is currently for sale. Anyone interested should contact Laura Miller at Catalyst Commercial Partners, 206-351-3573.” (Same listing agent as Blackbird.) His official statement in an e-mail newsletter includes information on final specials:

Due to the current economic conditions, I unfortunately have no choice but to close the doors of Beato Food & Wine. I cannot express how saddened I am to have to do so, and how much I have appreciated your business and support over the last two years. I want to thank the entire staff for all of their hard work. And more importantly, I want to thank all of our wonderful customers who supported us throughout. The final day of operation for Beato will be Friday, November 14th.

In an attempt to celebrate the last week and a half of the restaurant, we have changed the menu as well as designed a four-course tasting menu with wine pairings, available Tuesday through Thursday, for a great price. In addition, from now until our closing, we will be offering a 30% discount on all bottles of wine. Once again, I want to thank everyone who supported Beato over the last two years and invite you to join us one last time to taste an exceptional wine flight as well as what I believe is our strongest menu to date.

(Here’s the info on that “wine flight.”) Beato opened in December 2006 in the space that had previously been O2, after Ovio Bistro moved to The Junction (where it closed in June 2007, in the space now held by Ama Ama). It should be noted that while Beato will be the second West Seattle restaurant to close this fall, three are still scheduled to open — Cafe Revo on Avalon (new construction photos here), Fresh Bistro at Mural across from Jefferson Square (most recent WSB coverage here), and Zeeks Pizza in Morgan Junction (WSB coverage here) — and on a smaller scale, today is opening day for the OK Corral barbecue takeout place in the Triangle area (here’s our story from last weekend).

beef November 6, 2008 (9:11 am)

boohoo. this sucks. well i’m glad I got one last dinner in last week. We had nothing but good experiences when we went.

DW November 6, 2008 (9:12 am)

Too bad. I don’t know why, but people in West Seattle get really fired up about mediocre restaurants(Charlestown Cafe, Angelina’s), but don’t go to the really good, unique places

quiz November 6, 2008 (9:15 am)

Someone buy it and keep it open. Please.

Donna November 6, 2008 (9:27 am)

First the California gay marriage ban, now this! I’m so so sad. My family and I have had some amazing dinners at Beato, one when my daughter was just a couple weeks old and she slept peacefully under the table. Beato introduced me to Estrella Family Creamery! Beato was one reason I love living in West Seattle. This news just sucks.

big gulps,eh? well, see ya later. November 6, 2008 (9:56 am)

They have the best fois gras there, and I have never liked the stuff before.

B-squared November 6, 2008 (10:17 am)

I dined there one time and was quite surprised that an establishment with a menu in that price range could stay in business in west seattle for as long as they did.

E.Twin November 6, 2008 (10:22 am)

Very sorry to see Beato go…I really feel like they got that section of CA Ave moving again. “Current economic conditions” are why most of us have had to cut down our visits to them though. A less expensive menu that doesn’t sacrific quality would work wonders…

jai November 6, 2008 (10:25 am)

Sad. Great place. Beato, you will be missed.

Jen November 6, 2008 (10:34 am)

Beato was not only the best resturant in West Seattle, it was one of the best in the city. Beato’s distinctive, creative menu, unique Italian wine selection, and professional, warm staff made each dining experience a joy. That balance of sophistication and quality, and attention to detail are unmatched in this town. We will truly miss you.

Aidan Hadley November 6, 2008 (11:20 am)

This place was hardly the best restaurant in West Seattle and FAR from the best in the City. We went in early 2007 and failed to see what all the hype was about. The gnocchi with fennel and sausage was good but not great. When we went again this year much of what we ordered seemed competently cooked but ill-conceived, including the square, rubbery chunk of squid drowning in black squid ink they were calling calamari. More than the economy doomed this place.

cruiser November 6, 2008 (11:27 am)

Ah ya see, can’t Micky D’s..consistently c**p everytime so you’re never disappointed:)

Johnny Davies November 6, 2008 (12:03 pm)

My problem with Beato wasn’t the food – which I thought was good. It was with the cramped & uncomfortable layout of the tables. When I’m ready to go out and drop that kind of money on fine dining/wine with my gal, I want it to feel intimate and private. At our only dining experience there, I felt that our neighbor was going to ask me “are you going to finish that?”, their table was that close to ours. We both felt the same way and decided we wouldn’t return. Like I said, the food was good, but I couldn’t get over the ‘tight’ atmosphere and layout.

mongo November 6, 2008 (12:11 pm)

Can’t say I’m surprised that Beato is closing…

Without even taking into consideration how “good or not good” their execution was, I think their business model was fatally flawed for West Seattle. Their combination of price point & style was never going to get frequent repeat visits from enough West Seattleites, and the idea of a “destination restaurant” pulling people over from other areas of the region to West Seattle was always a stretch.

I’ve had a number of very enjoyable experiences at Beato, but it never really had the right “vibe” for West Seattle. It felt a little “formal”, and I think that limited their base. Also, I never felt their quality and execution level justfied the price premium over thier closest competition in West Seattle. We eat out in West Seattle often, but we found ourselves choosing places like Ovio (boy do I miss that place!), Ama Ama, Spring Hill, Rustica, Jaks — and even Endolyne Joes — over Beato.

In the end, I think Beato was perceived as a “niche” restaurant, which can only work in a location like West Seattle if the restaurant is “Spectacular” enough to pull people in throughout the region — and, in my opinion (and, apparently, a lot of others’ opinions…) it never achieved that level…

That being said, I always hate to see another dining option in West Seattle go down the tubes…

villagegreen November 6, 2008 (12:15 pm)

Never made it in, but am sad to see it go. I did consistently hear how expensive it was for the portion sizes. Wonder how Spring Hill is doing – haven’t made it in there either?

The talk of Ama Ama being in trouble freaks me out as well. Although the food may not be the best in the city it is quite a good and a very good value IMO. Also, I really enjoy the atmosphere. So many of West Seattle restaurants/bars fall pray to the generic, middle of the road, trying to be sorta hip while still appealing to families kind of vibe.

At least places like Ama Ama, Skylark, and hopefully the ‘coming soon’ Feedback Lounge are trying something a little more unique. Hope they can continue to make a go of it.

k November 6, 2008 (12:51 pm)

celebrated my birthday there this last year and was treated like a queen! a memorable meal! best of luck to the staff.

Bernicki November 6, 2008 (12:56 pm)

I like the food at Beato. And, they have one of the cutest waitstaffs around. But I also agree with what Johnny Davies said. I felt that way even with Las Tamales and Ovio, the two restaurants in that space before Beato. Something about the way these restaurants were mapped out just put me on edge the minute I walked in the door. Strange, huh?

dinolicious November 6, 2008 (1:49 pm)

I thought it was a good restaurant but we could no longer afford it.

not a fan... November 6, 2008 (2:03 pm)

The one time we went the waiter was so rude that we decided never to return, especially when combined with the high cost and tiny portions.
The attitude was the worst i’ve ever experienced. I’m glad West Seattle will soon be rid of such a horrible excuse for fine dinning.

Bob Loblaw November 6, 2008 (3:41 pm)

+1 for what dino said. We ate there two weeks ago for the first time and commented that, given the current status of our 401K’s, checking account “mad money,” etc., it would probably be the last time we ate there. Nice experience, but a little too much for our humble means.

Meghan November 6, 2008 (5:00 pm)

I went to Beato at least 20 times and never had anything but a great meal. Not always perfect, but always innovative cuisine, great wine, and good, caring service. I do think a lot of people who are used to casual or mediocre service and mediocre food (like the slop they serve at Charlestown, Ama Ama or Endolyne Joes) were probably intimidated by both Beato’s professionalism and innovative menu, but you would think that there would be enough people in W. Seattle to support a restaurant of Beato’s quality. Apparently not. Ugh.

JL November 6, 2008 (6:14 pm)

I will truly miss Beato. It was my favorite W. Seattle restaurant, the owner Brandon was always very gracious, willing to share his extended wine knowledge and we left truly impressed with his menu and excellent service.
So to the person “not a fan”: it’s too bad that you have such a simple mind when you said “I’m glad West Seattle will soon be rid of such a horrible excuse for fine dining”. When a local business closes it effects us all. Not to mention the dreams and livelyhood of the staff. Maybe you don’t care for fine dining but remember the old saying “if you don’t have something nice to say don’t say anything at all”.
I will remember Beato for their excellent service, inovative menu and extensive wine selection. No other restaurant in WS has come close to their appealing menu. Brandon is a very creative man and I only wish him and his staff all the best.

Aidan Hadley November 6, 2008 (6:37 pm)

JL: I cannot think of an expression more trite than “If you don’t have something nice to say…” In an open society, people are free to say what they like, good or bad. I disagree that we should all aspire to some sugar-coated 1950’s pollyanna ideal. I prefer honesty. I might not agree with “not a fan” but she/he has every right to express their opinion in this forum.
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Some folks in WS might have enjoyed Beato. But clearly there weren’t enough of you because the place is going under. We went a couple of times and thought it was overhyped and overpriced. I think Mashiko and Spring HIll both have more appealing menus than that at Beato.
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I’m sure the owner and staff are delightful people. But when I’m dropping the better part of a couple hundred bucks that doesn’t matters less to me than the food which didn’t really measure up.

Michael Stusser November 6, 2008 (9:07 pm)

Thanks so much for the incredible effort you all put into creating this wonderful establishment. The food was always outstanding, the service stupendous, and the experiences we shared will always be remembered. Good luck with future endeavors – we’ll miss you, and hope to see you around the hood…
Michael

Andre November 6, 2008 (9:24 pm)

“…were probably intimidated by both Beato’s professionalism and innovative menu”. That is certainly one of the most pretentious comments I read on this board.
I have high hopes for Cafe Revo to be become what I thought Beato would be.

Jen November 7, 2008 (6:48 am)

A suggestion for the above “not a fan”‘s; The Cheesecake Factory. Bon appetit.

OP November 7, 2008 (9:18 am)

Oh noooooooooooooo!!!! :-( Beato was WS’s best restaurant. I will miss the peppered gnocchi with fennel and homemade sausage terribly so. :-( (I have a hunch that location may have been part of the issue.) Good luck in your future endeavors, Mr. Gillespie. If you open other restaurants that are half as good as Beato, you’ll encounter great success. I’m certain of that.

Jen V. November 7, 2008 (9:21 am)

Never been to Beato…but I have to say- Christopher Boffoli- that is one gorgeous picture! :D

WSB November 7, 2008 (10:51 am)

Christopher rocks. When we were trying to confirm the original Beato report Wednesday evening, he was out investigating a traffic accident in The Junction; then without us so much as inquiring, he pulled out and sent Beato photos shortly after returning from them – we used this originally on the Wednesday night post, then moved it to this one when more details from owner Brandon came in on Thursday morning – TR

Hungry Man November 7, 2008 (11:39 am)

When is West Seattle getting a Cheesecake Factory? Now that place would do well in West Seattle! Talk about big portions for the right price–that is the place. I bet Cheesecake Factory would serve calamari the “right way” too–none of this calamari steak nonsense–who ever heard of calamari steak? I’m with “not a fan” above–I want my calamari to be like little fish flavored onion rings. As for the servers, I wanted more “flair.” When I went in there, none of them were wearing any “flair.” Until we get that Cheesecake factory, I’ll see you at Taco Time.

WSB November 7, 2008 (11:52 am)

Southcenter’s your place. Mall food par excellence – Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Claim Jumper, let’s see, what am I missing, did Blue C Sushi open there yet?

Jaime Gummer November 7, 2008 (1:40 pm)

Yes. Blue C is open at Southcenter now. But somehow I don’t think they belong in the same category as Claim Jumper and Cheesecake Factory.

marie November 10, 2008 (9:52 pm)

Super sad news. I loved Beato. Brandon and staff were great and the food never disappointed. My favorite was the quail egg with sausage. Oh and the dessert with the hazelnut cookie.

Suzanna November 13, 2008 (10:48 am)

So sad…my fiance proposed to me over the most wonderful meal at Beato. The ingrediants were so obviously fresh and creative and the flavors were perfect! We were so pleased with the food and service and we will go there again tonight to mourn the loss of one of our favorite places and one of our most special memories!

Ray West December 6, 2008 (6:36 am)

I’m glad I got to eat there at least once before they closed, but, frankly, I wasn’t surprised by the news. While I thought the food was good (but not exceptional) it was just too pricey and the portions too small to encourage a faithful customer base. This was more of a “special occasion” type restaurant where you celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, etc, rather than a regular and affordable hangout. It’s too bad Ovio’s left there. They had just the right balance between price, quality, and an innovative menu that kept people coming back. Their unsuccessful move to the Junction was an unfortunate miscalculation.

Sorry, comment time is over.