By Patrick Robinson

When you drive by the Cloverdale Business Park you don't normally think, "gourmet food"... but it's time you did.

The Osprey Bistro at 309 S. Cloverdale, described by owner Shane Ryan as "South Park's Best Kept Secret" is getting discovered by foodies and others who just enjoy a great meal, with good service. It's tucked into a corner of the Business Park but somehow when you are there, it feels a bit like its own little world.

The restaurant has been open since late in June last year and has been working toward more full service as the pandemic has kept the wraps on much of what any restaurant could do.

At the time they opened his wife Rebecca Paul Ryan introduced them with the following:

"We are Seattle natives. This is really Shane’s baby and I just come in to eat. We also have a five year old who loves to help out daddy in the kitchen at home and to steal pieces of cheese at the restaurant. Shane has over 20 years of restaurant experience and most notably was Chef of Matt’s in the Market in downtown Seattle and Chef/Owner of Upper Left Catering (upperleftcatering.com). Upper Left Catering is a successful catering business that Shane has owned the last three years and they will be cooking out of the Osprey Bistro kitchen. Shane loves living in the Northwest and using the most seasonal and local products possible, working with local farmers and supporting other local businesses. Currently you can also buy Dolcetta Artisan chocolates, Macrina Bakery pastries, Middle Fork Roasters Coffee and Rachel’s Ginger Beer. Thanks also to Tin Dog Brewing for the support! Obviously, with the Covid-19 arrival many plans have changed over the last few months. I am so proud of Shane for persevering and opening a restaurant during this insanely trying time. We will be following all protocols with cleaning, sanitizing, social distancing and wearing masks and ask the public to do so as well. If you have already been in we thank you but please return as there will be many changes to the menu. We will be adding a few children’s menu items, more veggie items, more grab and go fridge items for quick in and out service, and we will be getting alcohol as soon as the license is approved. The sausage breakfast sandwich is already flying out in the mornings."

That breakfast sandwich Shane said is his own favorite with Ham. But the rest of the menu is borderline eclectic and all worth the drive to enjoy or pick up and take home (they don't use any online delivery services since they charge too much). You can call ahead for your orders however to (206) 557-4863.

On the menu they offer such choices as:

Cobb Salad

Bibb Lettuce, poached chicken, bacon, egg, bleu cheese, cherry tomato and avocado with green goddess dressing.

Seared Steelhead Salad

Arugula, beet-pickled onions, shaved fennel, radish, bacon, caesar dressing topped with croutons

Pork Belly Bahn Mi

Pickled cucumbers and carrots, fresh jalapenos, and sweet chili aioli on a baguette

The Osprey also offers a full bar and as the pandemic eases Shane said he plans to unleash the full menu and open for more and later hours.

Right now the restaurant offers special weekend dining experiences in which you can get for example East Indian food, Thai food, Caribbean food and Mediterranean food. Call the restaurant for dates and times.

Take a look at the full menu on their site here https://ospreyseattle.com/

They are open:

Mon: 8:30am to 3:00pm

Tue - Fri: 8:00am to 6:30pm

Sat: 9:30am to 6:30pm

Happy Hour

Tue - Sat: 3:30 to 6:30pm

You can find them on Facebook and on Instagram

Shane said, "We are like South Park's best kept secret but I don't want it to be secret anymore!"