Rosebud history

In 2003, Rosebud Restaurant & Bar, on Capitol Hill, celebrated 10 years of operation. During this time, Rosebud has grown from one of the neighborhood’s first coffee houses to a venerable destination for Seattle’s dinner and cocktail cognoscenti.

Owners Robert Sondheim and John Busey have taken Rosebud through a gradual evolution over the last decade. Here are some major milestones:

• In the mid-90s, Rosebud offered a weekly live jazz night, one of the first on Capitol Hill.
  
• As part of a gradual dining room improvement, a beer and wine license was obtained in 1995.
  
• 1996 brought a major remodel and reformat of the restaurant. The name changed from Rosebud Espresso & Bistro to Rosebud Restaurant & Bar. The funky-town coffee house image was replaced with a more upscale design including black and white striped upholstery and booths in the dining room. A hard liquor license was obtained and the coffee bar was retooled to become a cocktail bar.
  
• In 1997, a serious fire in the basement beneath the dining room resulted in a 3-month closure when the entire facility was gutted and rebuilt. Rosebud reopened in March 1998 with new energy, an up-to-date facility, and a new chef. Jason Hollen, from the Winchester Hotel in Ashland, Oregon, brought a new level of talent and professionalism to our kitchen, and introduced contemporary American cuisine to our menus.
  
• Since then, the quality of our menus has only improved. Our kitchen is now run by Michael Barnhouse, who brings new expertise and a fresh set of talents to our operation. With the enhanced dining room and bar, our ongoing commitment to professional service, and our comfortable environment, Rosebud is firmly on the map.