January brought news about a bunch of Seattle restaurant closures. But none of the now shuttered eateries evoked more memories than the final demise of Vito’s, the First Hill  restaurant ravaged by two disastrous fires. The iconic hangout on Madison had a long and colorful history. It was the well-loved stomping ground of attorneys, judges, politicians, labor leaders, sport stars, and priests.

The restaurant housed ghosts from long-ago Seattle. Regulars could recall jazz legends like Ruby Bishop playing the grand piano and the taxidermied cougar that presided over the bar. They could reminisce over Vito’s cocktail culture and its hearty East Coast Italian meals.