When a restaurant reaches "community fixture" and "legend" status, spanning generations it usually means adults can recall going there when they were kids and that they still go because the food, and people and atmosphere still work as they always did. So what happens when a restaurant like Pegasus Pizza on Alki is forced to change?

Alki Property Management exercised their option to take over the northwest corner of the building at 2770 Alki Ave SW forcing Pegasus to make a massive remodel and downsize by close to 25%. (Their new address is 2768 Alki Ave SW).

Ted and Sarah Nicoloudakis saw that as not only a challenge but as their duty to the community to keep the tradition of a family pizza restaurant alive on Alki. Ted has owned the restaurant for 24 years as of last July and oversaw its move from down the block a few years ago where it had operated for nearly eight years.

"When we had to downsize we didn't lose that many seats, going from 130 to 120 but with the addition of the bar we lose about another ten," Ted said, "and we think we can be busy all year round instead of so seasonal." Pegasus previously had a service bar so the new full bar is a major change for the restaurant.

The new bar, art directed by Sarah Nicoloudakis, has some amazing and thoughtful touches like marble from italy, wall paper from Amsterdam, bag hooks for purses, and USB ports to charge your phone. "We have all the cords too for every kind of phone," said Sarah, "We want you to relax, have a glass of wine, charge your phone and let us take care of you."

The design incorporates a waterfall, pillars, a variety of textures and colors to give it a truly custom look. "It's like bringing the Parthenon to West Seattle!" Sarah said. The work was done by contractor Mike Larson. Sarah said she made sure to use reclaimed wood and other materials in the construction.

Pegasus became regionally famous for their pizzas (notably "Tom's Special" which includes mushrooms, green peppers, onions, olives, feta and mozzarella cheeses, fresh garlic, diced tomatoes, spinach, sunflower seeds and is topped with shredded pepperoni) and those are not going to change. "We're going to slowly add new appetizers like a hummus plate, mozzarella sticks," and some other greek inspired items like greek olives and feta cheese, prosciutto and peaches (in season). "Everything we make is fresh, made from scratch. All our salad dressings, all our meatballs, all our dough. Two hours before we open we prep everything," Sarah explained. Also on the menu is possibly the best dinner deal in West Seattle, a full Italian chef salad for two for $11.

The offerings at the bar will feature local wines and beers and will also have craft cocktails, "which gives us an opportunity to pour a drink you can only get here," said Sarah. "We want to take West Seattle to the next level."

"I would like to thank everyone in the community for supporting us for as long as they have and for the support in the last six months during construction. We never want to lose our identity, which is family and kids and teams of West Seattle. Just because we put a bar in it doesn't mean we are now a lounge. Our families come before anything else."

That identity is so strong the staff had to make their case to finally add a flat screen TV over the bar, a move Ted resisted. "We want families to communicate with each other while they are here," said Sarah. So the TV will only be used for live sports events and otherwise feature menu items. The emphasis is on high quality food and keeping families well fed.

Pegasus may be a little bit smaller, but it's heart is as big as ever.

Hours: Open · 11AM–10PM
Phone: (206) 932-4849
Menu: pegasuspizza.com