(Image: Meliora)
Seattle’s Singh restaurant family is used to success. Their Rasai is celebrated for its take on “progressive Indian” in Fremont.
Things haven’t worked out as well for Meliora, the “New American Restaurant” and cocktail bar opened to give a new, calmer life to the former Canterbury Ale House space on 15th Ave E.
After just over a half year of more than half empty seats, the restaurant has been temporarily closed for a restart:
We have temporarily closed our door for essential maintenance and enhancements in our unwavering commitment to providing you with the best possible experience. This break is aimed at ensuring your future visits are even more enjoyable.
“Your understanding is greatly appreciated, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming you back to an upgraded dining experience,” the message posted to the restaurant’s website concludes.
CHS reported here on the summer 2023 debut of the restaurant that moved in as the iconic old Canterbury was moved out by landlords of the 115-year-old apartment building above the space, Community Roots Housing. That transition was prelude to the developer of affordable housing selling the property in a $5 million deal that put the classic Capitol Hill apartment building in the portfolio of real estate investor Bryan Syrdal and Tributary Investments.
Seattle restaurant veteran Sykh Singh created Meliora to fill the 5,000-square-foot space with “a spacious main dining area with original wood paneling sourced from a local barn paying homage to the rich history of the building which first housed a tavern in 1976.” But the new recipe never really took off.
The closure is planned to be temporary and there has been no announcement regarding any change of ownership.
(Image: Meliora)
The Canterbury had been part of the street for 46 years before it shuttered in March 2022 ending the reign of one of the longest running bars on the Hill to make way for the new restaurant project.
What new shape the Meliora venture takes will join a shifting mix on 15th Ave E where neighborhood classic the Coastal Kitchen will be replaced by a new concept after a $2.5 million property sale.
Across the street from the shuttered Meliora space, the five-story, nearly 70-unit mixed-use apartment building rising on the former site of the Hilltop Service Station is wrapping up construction following its late 2022 groundbreaking. Its opening will make commercial space for a set of tenants including at least one neighborhood business with plans to relocate into the new construction.
The street will also see another burst of development begin nearly immediately once planning issues are ironed out — the same developer, Hunters Capital, is planning a six-story, 170-unit mixed-use development to rise on the old 15th Ave E QFC block. That project will also include thousands of square feet of commercial space.
For now, the Singhs are hard at work sorting out what comes next for the former Canterbury — and maybe former Meliora — space.
Meliora is “temporarily closed” at 534 15th Ave E. Learn more at melioraseattle.com.
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Smith on 15th is still open, they have a good Brunch.
I worry about Smith… I walked by at 11:30am on a Sunday and it was super empty. If you’re not full at prime brunching hour on a Sunday, how long can you hold out?
We tried Meliora once – had a really nice meal. Excellently prepared food overall. But it was noticeably empty… On a Saturday evening. I hope they find a model to bring the space to life with that same quality.
A more diverse menu with vegetarian options would certainly help draw a broader crowd.
Couldn’t agree more! Duck fat fries in a city with tons of vegetarians? $12 IPAs? You just can’t fill a space that large with a fancy menu. I really wanted to see them thrive, and they did have a more accessible happy hour menu toward the end but too little, too late. Would have been a great brunch spot but it never got off the ground.
The issue is how big the space is. That space has room for 3 different places – trying to run as large a space as that is incredibly difficult.
I wish they could find a way to bring in 2-3 partners in the space and divide things up.
A bar, a more casual (taco / quick bites) and then a refined restaurant (meliora) would really work.
“at least one neighborhood business with plans to relocate into the new construction.”
Hi I’m nosy — who might this be? 🧐
Rudy’s?
The Canterbury days were the best. I mean the real one. No the imposter version.
Yep! The Cant’ was one of the friendliest, most authentic places on the Hill. I have no idea where all the regulars went, but I miss them! I could always depend on running into a friendly face at the bar, any day, any time.
Agreed! Stiff drinks, friendly bartenders (Mavis!) and regulars, and a great affordable breakfast. Miss it so much!
Agreed! So sad when it changed hands, it went immediately down hill. Glad I got a few decades going there but honestly, it would still be my spot.
That’s a bummer, but not too surprising. It’s such a huge space, and I think their price point was a little too high. Went there once and dinner was amazing, but also way too expensive to go back regularly. Hope they’re able to revamp.
I hope they come back with a concept that is much more casual and at a lower price point. I don’t think something so fancy was attractive to enough people to fill that large space. It would be nice to have a fun place to hang out at after work, especially if it is geared towards the younger crowd (including the nearby apartment dwellers). With Coastal Kitchen closing, it would be amazing to have a brunch destination too. There is so much potential so I’m excited to see what they come up with.
They might have succeeded if they moved the building to Bellevue.