West Seattle restaurants: Soprano Antico revealed as name for ex-Zatz Bagels space

New information about the restaurant in the works for the former Zatz Bagels space at 2348 California SW in The Admiral District:

As reported here a month ago, the liquor-license application for the space was in the name Kosara, and included West Seattle restaurateur Plamen Stoyanov as one of the proprietors. When reached by WSB’s Linda Ball, he wasn’t ready to divulge details. She’s continued to check, and then this week, checked back again after a new liquor-license application appeared under the name Soprano Antico. Stoyanov says that’s what the restaurant will be named, and that will be a full-service Italian restaurant, with the menu including – but not limited to – pizza, both classic and Neapolitan. (Currently, nearby Pizzeria 22 is the only certified Neapolitan-pizza maker in West Seattle.) He says they’ll deliver “classic” pizza but the Neapolitan pizza will have to be consumed on-site. They’ll be making their own pasta by hand in-house.

Stoyanov also told WSB that this will be his only restaurant – he is no longer the proprietor of Amante Pizza. He says he’s hoping Soprano Antico, with beer, wine, and seating for about 60, will open by early November. “I want to be open even yesterday,” he said. “But things move slowly.” Stoyanov said he plans to hire 10 to 15 employees for starters.

Monica September 30, 2016 (3:14 pm)

Another pizza place?!? I hope it’s more Italian food. There’s already Luciano’a, Pizzeria 22, and Mioposto within 2 blocks!

Jason September 30, 2016 (8:13 pm)

Perhaps read the story…

natinstl September 30, 2016 (3:29 pm)

Sounds like it will be more food than pizza, yeah! We have a severe shortage of good Italian restaurants in Seattle so I will be hoping for some good old Italian food.

JanS September 30, 2016 (3:33 pm)

eh…a good bowl of spaghetti within walking distance…

newnative September 30, 2016 (3:51 pm)

I have been missing Angelina’s, simple family-style Italian food. a plate of spaghetti is comfort food. and yes, I love the neighborhood pizzerias too.

JayDee September 30, 2016 (6:13 pm)

Seating for 60? Zatz was big for a bagel place, but seating for 60? Hard to believe so I will wait until I see it.

Jack September 30, 2016 (7:17 pm)

A synopsis of all comments on new restaurant places in West Seattle:

What another <type> restaurant?

I hope its kid friendly!

I hope they have gluten-free|vegetarian|vegan options

I miss <restaurant that went out of business 10 years ago>

Did I miss any?

WSB September 30, 2016 (7:31 pm)

All valid questions. Italian has natural vegetarian options. Too soon to ask about gluten-free. It’ll be all ages so far as I know, since they’re licensing for beer/wine, not full bar.
KM September 30, 2016 (11:02 pm)

“I hope they have parking!”

“When is <unrelated restaurant> opening?”

“<general criticism of name and/or prices>”

Gina September 30, 2016 (7:43 pm)

The remodel has one front entrance door, not the two front doors Zatz had. Makes for more table space.

jissy September 30, 2016 (11:27 pm)

Jack: You forgot, “But will they serve Merlot?”

David September 30, 2016 (11:54 pm)

Jack & KM – right on! So true…..

West Seattle Pioneer October 1, 2016 (7:59 am)

Bad call on location on cuisine type. That strip of businesses is dated and unappealing. Mioposto puts out a pretty product and is more in line with what the admiral is needing both in cuisine and atmosphere. The junction is killing it right now with their new additions and the admiral will need to compete to keep their community dining at their establishments. Raccolto will be here soon and the need for Italian, real Italian, will subside. If you have been to Vendimia in Madrona you already know. West seattle is a very speacial place and we are getting a lot of attention from restaurantours from all areas with interest in our neighborhood. We have the population and our financial demographic is quite vast so a variety of fast casual, and full service is very appealing. I have three kids and not everything needs stroller access, adults need their space too. We are a small town feel but that is slowly going away and it’s not a negative. Long story longer, no more Greek, no more pizza, no more mom and pop places that have a hodge podge menu that serves a little bit of everything just to appeal to everyone it ruins the culinary balance of our neighborhood and those places are. O fun to go to. We have always had to travel to other neighborhoods or downtown to dine in quality restaurants and now is our revolution so to speak. Let’s not allow this to be compromised by allowing mediocre we deserve better and the culinary minds of our great city feel the same way as they are all making their way over. That’s all for now. Pt. 2 of this will speak on the junk yard row of restaurants that are on alki beach starting with el chupacabra and those terrible ice cream places on one of the most beautiful beaches on the west coast.

Happy saturday!

cjboffoli October 1, 2016 (8:57 am)

For the record, “real” Italian food isn’t spaghetti and meatballs, carbonaras dripping in cream sauce and other Olive Gardenesque dishes. It is much healthier, simpler, fresher and more nuanced food, some of which doesn’t involve pasta or tomatoes at all. If we DID have an authentic Italian restaurant in West Seattle that would be quite something. But alas, we don’t have much of a community of Italians in Seattle so the cuisine gets Americanized and interpreted by people who don’t have vowels at the end of their names.

West Seattle Pioneer October 1, 2016 (9:09 am)

Great observation, I completely agree. Riccolto will be just that, real Italian. Brian is a west seattle native and his Vendimia reataurant in Madrona is delicious.
- cjboffoli October 1, 2016 (2:30 pm)
  
  I’ve been to Vendemmia a few times and it’s good (not great). I’m looking forward to trying Raccolto.

JTB October 1, 2016 (9:37 am)

CJBOFFOLI, I once arranged a business dinner for a group of out-of-towners at Buca Giovani in San Francisco which was regarded as very authentic. My boss was from WI and after looking at the lovely menu said “what kind of Italian place is this? There’s no spaghetti and meatballs.” The waiter, unphased and reassuringly said, “Not to worry, sir; I’m sure the chef can accommodate your request.” Although very calm and dignified, the waiter bore a striking physical resemblance to the one in Fawlty Towers.

Meanwhile, a second generation Italian woman iin our group said to me, “I’ll tell you if this is authentic Italian” and ordered capellini with a some olive oil and a touch of lemon.
My boss was delighted with his meal although I doubt if he realized what was involved in having meatballs freshly made for him and the lady pronounced the pasta as truly fine.

Always fun to turn people onto good food, particularly if they truly appreciate what it is.

cjboffoli October 1, 2016 (2:26 pm)

Your story reminded me of the “Commendatori” episode of The Sopranos (Season 2, Episode 4) in which Paulie Gualtieri goes to Naples the first time and is puzzled by a simple dish of pasta with squid ink, asks for pasta “with gravy” and the waiters accommodate him with spaghetti and meatballs (albeit disparaging him as a rube in Italian behind his back).

San Francisco is definitely a city that benefits from having a more codified Italian-American community. They’re luckier than we are with Chinese restaurants too.

Luca October 1, 2016 (9:57 pm)

Italians and Italian restaurants serve the type of food the guests expect and want here. The authentic stuff would never fly here, and never in WS. Seattle also has some of the best Chinese food in the country if you know where to look.

As for codified Italian Americans the last time I checked with my Garlic Gulch paisan cousins in Burien they seemed happy with Vince’s.