Sequim Gazette staff
After two months in business, Ralph Lovely said he’s now ready to let the city know all about his new restaurant.
Lovely recently opened Sequim’s Seafood, where he dishes up fresh halibut, seafood fettucini and much, much more.
The restaurant, housed in the former home of Sequim’s now-defunct Arby’s, is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
Lovely, a Port Angeles resident, said he was drawn into the business by a friend. Lovely said his prior restaurant experience was limited to running a cafe in Renton “a long time ago.” But he’s convinced his new place is exactly what Sequim has been waiting for.
“It seemed like a good opportunity,” he said. “There aren’t too many seafood restaurants in Sequim.”
He’s excited too about the talent he has in the kitchen, including Patrick Townsend, the former executive chef at the Olympic Lodge.
Sequim is just the latest stop on Townsend’s round-the-world career.
“I’ve worked all aspects of this industry, bar-tending, sommelier, (I’m the) the best darn waiter this side of the Mississippi. Name it and I have done it and done it with passion,” he said.
After studying Continental, American, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Italian and vegetarian cuisines, Chef Patrick says he’s “bridged the gaps of these worlds” and brought them together to enjoy at Sequim’s Seafood, “with an emphasis on local fresh farmed ingredients.”
That includes nightly specials, including his halibut-stuffed Dungeness crab or pork tenderloin with Caribbean jerk spices and caramelized apples.
“Everything is made from scratch,” Townsend said, from desserts to salad dressings. “I even make my own mayonnaise.”
Robert Caldeas mans the stove at lunch time with a menu that focuses on homemade soups, sandwiches and salads. The prices are right, too: a My Hammy Sandwich is just $5.95.
Lovely said keeping the prices reasonable is part of his marketing plan. “We’re aiming for a senior market.”
Lovely said he’ll soon have his beer and wine license; Townsend said he plans to create a first-class wine list.
Sequim’s Fresh Seafood and Smokehouse is at 540 W. Washington St. It’s open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Saturday for lunch and 4-8 p.m. for dinner.
For more information, call 681-0664.
