First Look: Vito’s
New owner Greg Lundgren has big plans to turn Vito’s back into the classy cocktail lounge it was in the 1950s. "It will retain it’s original feeling," he promises. Three words he uses to describe the revved up Vito’s: "diverse, sexy, and comfortable."
One of the qualities of Vito’s Lundgren found appealing is its ability to attract to the 60- and 70-year-old crowd, who were original patrons of the restaurant in the ‘50s, as well as the twentysomething crowd seeking out a new hipster bar. "There are few bars in Seattle that a 70-year-old on a Friday night can say, You know what, I can go there, because it’s my bar. I’m excited to have 25 percent of our clientele be senior citizens." This press photo Lundgren plans to use on postcards and in advertisements.
After Vito’s grand opening September 16, the restaurant will maintain regular hours from 4pm to 2 am seven days a week. Throughout it’s history, Vito’s has always been known for its happy hours and Lundgren assures us this isn’t going to change. "Vito’s always paid attention to cocktail culture, and our attention to detail now is bar none. You can get your fancy drinks, served with personality, or your $3 wells." Happy hour will be every day from 4 to 7.
Set in the mirrored corner of the restaurant is a grand piano, echoing Vito’s early days. All of the tables and half-moon booths have been resituated to face the piano, emphasizing the focus on live entertainment. Regular performers will include Martin Ross, a pianist who performed at the Cloud Room for 14 years, as well as Ruby Bishop, a 90-year-old jazz icon whom Lundgren and Scott both describe as "spicy". "This place already has great character, and the music really fills out the space," Scott said.
Working from photos and slides of the pieces displayed in the original Vito’s, the new owners have tried to use art that mirrors them in style and time period. Some of the original artwork has been restored, and artists were hired to create new pieces and murals as well. Dolce Roma!
Low lighting sets the mood as a faint glow hangs over the red vinyl booths. The cocktail glasses on the window panes are the originals from when Vito’s first opened in 1953. The new menu is inspired by the original fare, with a bit of Eastern Italian flair from the new chef, Michael Bruno. Vito’s famous cannelloni is finally back on the menu, along with Philly cheese steak (Bruno’s specialty), and black angel hair pasta with spicy marinara sauce and prawns (a special request and favorite dish of Lundgren’s).
The red and black tiles that cover the wall near the kitchen are left over from the 1950s. Hand-fired, they have been cleaned and restored. "I love these tiles, but they were hidden before. We just keep revealing these little treasures that people didn’t realize how great they are," Lundgren said.
Lundgren unearthed a stash of photos of patrons from Vito’s early years and decided to display them in collages in the hallway leading to the restrooms. Look closely and you can spot priests, a handgun, and too many fedoras to count.
The glow of the restroom sign signals a corner dripping with history. As Lundgren says, "Everyone and their mother has a story about these bathrooms. Drugs, sex, crime, it’s all happened in these bathrooms".
This is one of three nude murals that once graced the walls of Vito’s. This particular mural is the only original one left and hangs in the men’s bathroom. Don’t feel left out, ladies, a nude statue of David stands guard in the women’s bathroom. Lundgren told us some colorful stories about this mural, but, uh, we’ll let you use your imagination.
Hidden in the back of Vito’s is the Cougar Room, a private banquet area that previously "didn’t have much going for it". Windowless and with low ceilings, Lundgren, pictured here, gave it a name and some…interesting decor to liven things up.
Yes , the Cougar Room has a stuffed cougar. Her name is Barbara, apparently, and she resides in a glassed-in diorama of the northern Cascade mountains. "The diorama gives the room a horizon," Lundgren explains, "and it makes it feel less claustrophobic." Once a room used for gambling and back-alley business scams, this private lounge will now host parties and private dinners for 16-18 guests.