Owner of Mr Villa Offers A New Start to the Rose Garden

Mr Villa's owner Kathrina Tugadi has big plans for what used to be the Rose Garden. For about a year she's been on a search for a location to open a new bar, El Norte. Last week she applied for a liquor license at 13717 Lake City Way N.E. Seattle 98125.

Most of you probably remember the drama that surrounded the closing of the Rose Garden. The attack on the Rose Garden began not long after the Rose Garden made the Top Ten Most Intimidating Seattle Bars the Rose Garden. Last spring SPD requested that the State Liquor Board not to renew the liquor license at the Rose Garden. This was a relief to the community frustrated with the crime that inundated the establishment.

April 9 the official CLOSED sign went up. Soon after the Rose Garden went up on the market for a mere 400,00. There never seemed to be any eager buyers.

"El Norte will look to stray from the typical Lake City bars of pull tabs, pool tables and dartboards and focus on being place for neighbors to gather and friends to connect over a unique collection of food and beverages served simply and priced fairly"

Kathrina Tugadi's Mr Villa has an excellent reputation in the community not to mention citywide. Self proclaimed taco snobs and lovers through out Seattle rave about the authenticity of Mr Villa's Mexican food. She hopes the Rose Garden's past won't prevent her from giving the location a fresh start as authorities indicated that they are hesitant to give "any liquor license at this location".

To this she says "I understand that this address has been a tavern for about 50 years with only the most recent years being troubled with crime and mismanagement. I am hoping that my vision for the property and my commitment to operating a reputable establishment will outweigh its unfortunate recent history, which I have stated as much to the City."

Having lived in Lake City for almost 15 years she sees the need that we have for a laid back neighborhood bar. "El Norte will look to stray from the typical Lake City bars of pull tabs, pool tables and dartboards and focus on being place for neighbors to gather and friends to connect over a unique collection of food and beverages served simply and priced fairly."

This is exactly the kind of place I've been hoping for. As much as we all love the Rimrock, Backdoor, and LC Bar and Grill - they often leave something to be desired as far as food and atmosphere. El Norte would give Seattle a reason to drive north of Fred Meyer on Lake City Way.