SUQUAMISH — The location that was formerly Diggers Tavern and Tides Out Tavern on Parkway Avenue has a new look, a new manager and a new attitude.
Pirates Cove Seafood and Steakhouse Manager Barbara Morrison brought her eight years of experience as manager of Whiskey Creek Steak House in Keyport to the new restaurant.
“It’s been a challenge,” Morrison said about taking a location known for its rough reputation and turning it into a destination spot for Suquamish. “The community support in here has been huge. They really like the changes and they are really neat people.”
However, as luck would have it, shortly after she opened the doors last October, construction workers tore up nearby Suquamish Way for stormwater work, hindering traffic to the small downtown area. But Morrison and her staff stuck it out and are still open seven days a week.
“People can still get down here,” she said.
Owner Bill Ammirato said he was advised by his accountant to take advantage of the location that boasts a grand view of Puget Sound.
“He said, ‘Go look at the place, I think it will be a neat place,’” Ammirato said.
Ammirato, who also owns a restaurant in East Bremerton, said he feels his newest enterprise will be successful due to its selection of seafood and steak entrees and new dining areas.
“The summertime weather will be getting better and we’ll have the deck up for lunch and dinner,” he said.
As for inside, it looks completely different from its tavern days — the pool tables and dart boards have been removed. In their places are new carpet, a full-service kitchen and new dining room tables and chairs. Community members have also been donating décor, such as fishing nets, boating rope, a harpoon and waterscape paintings.
“People say, ‘Oh, I have something for you’ — community decorating,” Morrison said with a laugh.
The bathrooms were also remodeled and the wood walls were cleaned, sanded and restained.
A new addition to the main room is a baby grand piano located next to the bar, which is used on Friday and Saturday nights for live entertainment, an aspect Morrison hopes will hook people into the place. There is also a guitar player on hand Thursday nights.
“It’s quaint and cozy,” Morrison said. “The food is outstanding because of John and Duff.”
John Pappas and “Duff” are Pirates’ chefs, bringing their years of restaurant experience from area eateries to the new spot.
Morrison also said she hopes to have the existing patio, which is exposed to the elements, enclosed by next winter to provide additional indoor seating.
As for the future, Morrison said she aims to make the restaurant a place where people can relax and enjoy good food and music.
Her favorite aspect of running Pirates Cove is trying to convince people that it is no longer a tavern, but a friendly neighborhood restaurant.
“The challenge of trying to change people’s mind,” she said. “It was a bar for so many years.”
While the location was closed for about a year before opening, Morrison said there were mixed reactions from the community when it reopened as a restaurant.
“People walk in and ask ‘where is the pool table (and) dart board?’” she said. “There are others who have come in here and say, ‘wow, you’ve done a lot of work in here.’”
