(Image: Suika)
The backstory behind the closure of a longtime Pike/Pine favorite involves a Vancouver BC import sure to be popular in yet another rapidly changing stretch of Capitol Hill. The management of Vancouver izakaya bar Suika have confirmed plans to open a new stateside venture here on Capitol Hill.
The venture is slated to take over the former home of 611 Supreme after the cafe and lounge shuttered earlier in 2014 following 18 years on E Pine. We later learned that owner Margaret Edwins had sold the business to make way for a new concept. Now we know who the lucky buyer was.
The new ownership won’t yet comment on the plans for 611 E Pine or a planned opening date but the liquor paperwork lists the business name as Suika. There are no construction permits on file for the address indicating either we have a long wait –or a very fast, low construction turnaround is planned.
(Images: Suika)
The Broadway, Vancouver bar is known for its stylish take on Japanese tavern fare, drink carts and popular gimmicks like “Chinese Poutine.” Suika is part of a family of isakaya purveyors including Kingyo locations in Vancouver and Toronto. The name, by the way, means watermelon.
The likely addition to E Pine will join a small wave of Asian-flavored food+drink ventures opening across Capitol Hill in coming months. Across E Pine, ID-favorite Oasis Bubble Tea is also slated to move in. Earlier this year, Capitol Hill got its first taste of a dedicated izakaya as Shibumi opened near 12th and E Pine.
A Vancouver-sourced project also adds to a mini-wave of BC imports to Capitol Hill started by Meat & Bread’s destined arrival in the Central Agency Building project.
You can watch facebook.com/suika1626 for updates.
I was very sorry to see 611 Supreme go. It was my #1 brunch spot, hands down, for tastiness, service, and price. But I am excited to see Suika come down to our hood. I’ve been to Suika in Vancouver, and it was awesome. There was always a long line out the door, and it was totally worth the wait. Keeping my fingers crossed.
[…] Also doing the soft opening thing — wander by, we dare you — Vancouver BC-born izakaya bar Suika. You’ll find it in the former E Pine home of 611 Supreme. […]
[…] ever so quietly. Tucked into 611 E Pine, the space that formerly housed the 611 Supreme during its 18 year run, is a little slice of Vancouver, Japan and Korea: the Suika izakaya-style bar and […]