Fotini Restaurant + Bar

07/25/2026

Fotini Restaurant & Bar will be closed on Saturday July 25th for a private event. We will reopen on Sunday July 26th. 🌸

07/20/2026

To everyone who joined us for the opening of Fotini, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Over the past three months, as I worked alongside the previous owner and became part of this restaurant's daily life, I came to realize something very special: this place is much more than a restaurant. It is a home for the Green Lake community.

For more than 25 years, people have gathered here to celebrate milestones, enjoy a glass of wine with friends, share an onion tart, savor what many consider the best risotto in the Northwest, or simply enjoy a comforting plate of liver and onions. While the name on the door has changed, the heart of this place remains the same—and seeing so many familiar faces and new friends join us on opening night reaffirmed that.

I would also like to recognize the incredible people who make Fotini possible. Thank you to Skye Gauzza, whose warmth and hospitality make every guest feel like family. Thank you to Chef Mark Chaney, whose talent and dedication have helped define this restaurant for the past 15 years and whose partnership will help guide its next chapter.

Most importantly, thank you to my beautiful fiancée, Fotini. The restaurant is named after her. In Greek, Fotini means “the light,” and she has truly been the guiding light behind this journey. Her love, encouragement, and belief in this dream made all of this possible. This restaurant is dedicated to her and to the values she represents: warmth, hospitality, family, and gathering around the table.

To everyone who celebrated with us, thank you for welcoming us into this remarkable community and for making our opening night so memorable. We are honored to continue the legacy of this restaurant while creating new memories with all of you.

The future is bright!

— Ethan Ding and the entire team at Fotini

07/19/2026

07/19/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who came and supported us last night for our official grand opening! It was a great success thanks to all our wonderful friends, family, incredible staff and loyal customers. Stay tuned for upcoming special events that you won’t want to miss!

Photo credit- Yulia Balayants

07/13/2026

Don’t forget to join us for our special grand opening on Saturday July 18th! There will be new dish debuts, special treats and a friends & family discount! Call us at 206-807-6988 for reservations. Open from 5pm-9pm.

07/07/2026

Hello everyone! Here’s our current menu, which is mostly the same as the previous Nell’s owner. We will be introducing new flavors and dishes in the coming weeks. Come see us soon and let us know what you think! 😊😊

07/04/2026

Announcing the Next Chapter: Welcome to Fotini
For more than 26 years, Nell's has been one of Seattle's most respected fine dining destinations—a neighborhood institution built on exceptional cuisine, warm hospitality, and the remarkable vision of Chef Philip Mihalski. We are honored to carry forward that legacy.
Today, we are excited to announce the next chapter.
Nell's has been acquired by Seattle entrepreneur Ethan Ding and will soon begin its evolution into Fotini.
Although Ethan has extensive experience in the tech world, he has had a lifelong passion and love for food, travel, and culture. Having lived and traveled throughout Europe and Asia most of his life, he developed a deep appreciation for the way food brings people together and tells the story of a community.
That passion and an exceptional talent for cooking ultimately led him to the restaurant industry.
The name Fotini comes from Ethan's loving fiancée, whose Greek name means "the light." More than a name, Fotini represents warmth, hospitality, family, and gathering around the table—the values that will define this restaurant for years to come.
Born into a Greek-Italian family, she grew up surrounded by hospitality and the traditions of Northern Mediterranean cooking. Her family's history in the restaurant business and her unwavering encouragement inspired Ethan to pursue a dream they now share: creating a restaurant that celebrates the vibrant flavors and welcoming spirit of the Mediterranean.
Together, they envision Fotini as a place where guests can slow down, share a meal, and experience the joy of simple, beautifully prepared food.
The Sun, The Sea, & Simplicity.
At the heart of Fotini is a fresh interpretation of Northern Mediterranean and Southern European cuisine, inspired by the coastal regions of southern Spain, southern France, Italy, and Greece.
Our philosophy is simple:
• Fresh, seasonal ingredients
• Honest, uncomplicated cooking
• Healthy Mediterranean traditions
• Exceptional wines
• Warm, genuine hospitality
This is food inspired by the sun, the sea, and generations of culinary tradition.
Honoring Nell's Legacy
While Fotini introduces a new culinary vision, one thing will not change: our respect for what has made Nell's special for more than a quarter century.
Chef Philip's acclaimed French-inspired menu and many of the signature dishes our guests have loved for years will remain an important part of the dining experience. Rather than replacing Nell's, our goal is to thoughtfully build upon its foundation by introducing new Northern Mediterranean-inspired dishes alongside the restaurant's beloved classics.
Guests can continue to enjoy the elegance, quality, and hospitality that have defined Nell's for 26 years, while discovering fresh flavors inspired by the Mediterranean coast.
This is not the end of Nell's story.
It is the beginning of a new chapter, one that honors the past while embracing the future.
We look forward to welcoming you to Fotini and sharing this journey with the Seattle community. Fotini officially opens on Sunday July 5, 2026.

Fotini
The Sun, The Sea, & Simplicity