New Bar Alert: The Shop Agora
The gourmet food store is serving up more than just olive oil and hummus to go, and Capitol Hill appears enthusiastic.
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Aug 08, 2011 at 09:35AM
2 Comments
After learning from Phinneywood that the Capitol Hill location of The Shop Agora opened late last week on 15th Avenue, I popped in on Saturday to see what was what.
The front of the new shop is divided into two sections. On one side are the gourmet food items, mostly focused on Northern Mediterranean imports: balsamic vinegars of Modena, olive oils, sea salts, dried pasta, truffle honey. There’s also an olive-oil-and-bread-tasting table. On the same side, closer to the back, are a rack of Macrina Bakery offerings, a popcorn machine, and a cooler with to-go items like hummus, olives, and eggplant spreads, plus deli meats and cheeses.
The other side of the shop includes a wine section made up of bottles from Greek, Italy, and Spain.
All this probably sounds familiar to anyone who has visited the original emporium on Phinney Ridge. But what distinguishes the new Shop Agora is what sits behind the wine racks. And that, dear friends, is a bar. This bar is open from 10am to 10pm, (the same hours as the shop), part-owner Nikos Spiliopoulos says it’s designed to “compliment the retail space.” Early in the day, customers can stop by for snacks, sandwiches, and soup; two soups are offered daily, Spiliopoulos was particularly psyched about the decadent-sounding French onion made with duck stock.
Later in the evening, the bar offers up small plates (French cheeses, prosciutto-wrapped figs) to be eaten alongside a glass of wine or beer. The current beverage list includes selections from—this shouldn’t surprise—Greek, Spain, and Italy (with a couple of French beers), but Spiliopoulos hopes to eventually include wines from around the globe. And down the road he plans to use the bar to host tastings with winemakers, wine dinners, and other events.
That road may be a long one, however. Spiliopoulos said the bar was overwhelmed on its first Friday night in business, selling out of some items early in the evening. He appeared enthusiastic on Saturday but also slightly shell-shocked, and told me he plans to expand his menus slowly as he and partner Alexis Saloutos adjust to the demands of the neighborhood. Meantime: French onion soup made with duck stock.
The new Shop Agora is located at 346 15th Avenue E, next to Palermo.
Tags: Capitol Hill, Wine Bars, Bar Openings, Seattle Specialty Food Shops
I have been a frequent customer of Agora’s Phinney Ridge location, and I was so excited about the opening of the 15th Ave shop. I was thrilled to be there for opening on Friday night. We were immediately met at the door with the smell of the aforementioned French Onion soup, an array of sample hummus, truffle popcorn and pita, and above all, a roomy, beautiful and cozy bar where we could take a load off and enjoy ourselves. Hannah and I each tried a couple of the red wines offered by the glass, and we each went home with a bottle of the St. George.
I love the larger array of specialty cheeses and deli items at this store. I am also excited to have more freshly made food options. Even though I live across the street from the Phinney store, I have already started making dates with friends to meet up at the 15th Avenue location.
Above all, what makes Agora special is the personal touch that Nikos and Alexis bring to the shop. They are knowledgeable owners who are passionate for the products they offer and the neighborhoods they serve. Do yourself a favor, and stop into my new favorite “spot” on the hill!
As a Capitol Hill resident who is quite the foodie, I’m so thrilled that The Shop Agora has opened on the hill. Nikos has such an expertise on Greek wine that makes me want to delve in further into the wine producing country. Apparently the St. George that Ashley mentioned was sold out by the time I got there; I can’t wait to try it.
Alexis sat down and talked with me about how thrilled they are to opening on Capitol Hill. Alexis is getting her Masters in Nutrition and has a strong influence on the menu including the Prosciutto-wrapped figs and the artichoke hearts.
I love the feel of the place. It has such a strong Mediterranean/Greek atmosphere without the cheesiness of other Greek places I’ve been to. But perhaps what I like most about The Shop Agora is the unique combination of boutique retail food store with a warm and welcoming sense of hospitality that the Capitol Hill community is sure to embrace.
I was so excited about discovering The Shop Agora, I wrote a blog entry on it myself. If you want to learn more about the Shop Agora, please check out my article I wrote about them here.
http://www.francisfoodie.com/2011/08/shop-agora-brings-northern.html