Local catering company, Herban Feast, kicked-off Memorial Day weekend with the opening of their restaurant, Fresh Bistro, Friday, May 22.

The full-service eatery, located beneath the newly constructed Mural Apartments, was still dishing up bistro-style cuisine near midnight.

“We had a nice, even flow,” said front of the house manager, Amanda Frye. “We were able to deliver our service without letting the learning curve affect us.”

The Fresh Bistro staff was willing to answer any question and were eager to please. Server David Anderson recommended the Moules Frites, which are accompanied by “truffled” fries and garlic aioli.

Another popular dish is the “Bellies Up” Asparagus. The dish pairs crisp, salmon bellies with an asparagus salad of pickled red onions, shaved fennel, dill and preserved lemons.

The tranquil, spa-like ambiance offsets the exciting dishes. Frye said a highlight of the space is that guests can now enjoy the great food found at Herban Feast events in an intimate setting.

Fresh Bistro guests can thank their West Seattle neighbors for the prime location near the Alaska Junction. Frye explained how Harbor Properties, developers of the Mural Apartments, surveyed local residents to find out what they wanted placed in the ground-floor commercial space.

“Many people listed us as their first choice,” she added.

Frye said she and the staff at Fresh Bistro are excited to be in this location where they hope to establish a late night scene.

“I want our guests to know that if we say we’re open till midnight, we will be. If they want to come in late and have a bowl of mussels, they can,” she said.

Fresh Bistro remains open until 11 p.m. weekday nights and until midnight on weekends. A generous happy hour complements the late hours. Specials include $7 dollar “nibbles,” 20 percent off glasses of wine and drink specials such as “the Mural,” dedicated to the building’s residents.

Fresh Bistro will extend their hours Monday with lunch starting at 11 a.m. The restaurant is currently closed on Sunday though they plan on beginning a brunch service sometime this summer.

Another special event guests can look forward to this summer is a wine makers dinner. Frye said the restaurant will partner with Small Vineyards to put on the event.

The first dinner will feature Spanish winemaker Martina Prieto Pariente, maker of Verdejo white wine. Frye hopes to host the event sometime in July on a Sunday after closing.

Above all else, the staff at Fresh Bistro is glad to be a part of the West Seattle neighborhood.

“This is our home,” Frye said. “Who knows what the future entails. This is a grand vision for us and we’re always going to be here.”

For more information, visit the restaurant's Web site. Reservations can be made on-line at http://www.opentable.com/single.aspx?rid=31756&restref=31756.