According to a recent permit filing, Occhi Belli aims to open in the Wallingford area at 1427 N 45th Street Building 1.
“Our goal opening date is in January of 2025. Occhi Belli is going to be a neighborhood small plate wine bar and wine store that is going to have awesome small plates with loads of variety that are sourced from only the best ingredients and farms that adhere to strict principles of humane animal husbandry,” owner Tim McDonald told What Now Seattle.
“All local and/or imported from Italy. Occhi Belli will be an Italian small plate eatery with the audacity to do whatever else we want in terms of cuisine. I hope to create an ambiance that is comfortable, and eclectic with a blend of Italian flair and things geared to writers/authors.”
“The history is rather interesting. The idea started back when I traveled to Florence, Italy, and did a wine studies program through the Florence University of the Arts in 2014/2015. I lived there for seven months and upon completion of the program, I had an idea that I wanted to open an Enoteca of sorts, but geared towards writers: one where writers could come in, enjoy some food, and some wine, and write their novels.”
“Well, the idea has changed a bit because writers sitting around drinking one glass of wine for hours on end isn’t a great business plan. The Enoteca idea stayed with me though. The name Occhi Belli was born out of the great Italian love that encapsulated me for several years. She was my love, but we just couldn’t quite work it out. I nicknamed her Occhi Belli (beautiful eyes) because of her shining, beautiful, and intelligent eyes.”
“So, I went to school for creative writing and am about to release my debut novel, which I’ve titled Occhi Belli (same as the restaurant) for me, writing and restaurants have been an integral part of my story so I want to infuse them into Occhi Belli, the restaurant. I plan to host book readings, wine dinners, and all sorts of things geared toward writing and wine.”
“I was co-owner of Brunello Ristorante in Roosevelt from 2017 to 2023, but Occhi Belli will be the first venture that I’ll be doing on my own. I want to bring something beautiful, fun, and comfortable to Wallingford. I want to create a place that people want to visit two, or three times a week. Affordable and delicious. Come sit at the bar, have a glass of wine, and some small plates, and come jabber it up with Tim. I love stories and I want to hear yours and I’ll tell you mine.”
