A new owner plans to relaunch Suquamish’s Bella Luna Pizzeria this month, rebranding the waterfront restaurant as Scratch Kitchen.
Lisa Hunt Ledbetter, who served as manager of Bella Luna for a year and a half, bought the business from former owners Bob and Kari Rowden in June.
In a farewell post on Facebook, the Rowdens thanked patrons for their support over 17 years, adding that “it’s been one hell of a ride.”
Hunt Ledbetter said she
hopes to broaden the appeal of the restaurant, but her Scratch
Kitchen won’t start entirely from scratch.
Fans of Bella Luna’s pizza will be comforted to know the pizza recipes will remain intact.
Scratch Kitchen will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The eatery will have an Internet café vibe in the morning, with coffee, fresh baked goods, Wi-Fi, and perhaps a new seating area in the back room.
Hunt Ledbetter plans to expand the breakfast and lunch menus with more pasta recipes. Scratch Kitchen, as the name suggests, will emphasize locally-sourced produce and dishes made from whole ingredients, complemented by a selection of local beers (and kombucha.)
Hunt Ledbetter said she is a little nervous making changes to a restaurant that already has a strong following, but she believes Suquamish will embrace a fresh concept.
“I feel like in smaller communities, like the one we live in, people love something new,” she said. “… I’m only going to expand on what Bob had, and keep it going.”
Work on a light remodel will begin this weekend. Hunt Ledbetter said the makeover will include new floors, new paint inside and out, and a revamp of the back room used for trivia nights and live music.
The restaurant should remain open throughout the project. Scratch Kitchen is tentatively scheduled to debut Sept. 12.
Check out the Bella Luna page on Facebook for updates.
