Our Team

A Leschi neighbor first, restaurateur second — Bart has been pouring drinks and welcoming regulars on Lakeside Avenue for over two decades.

Curates the cocktail list, keeps the taps fresh, and knows your drink before you do.

Francis came up through Capitol Hill cocktail bars before settling in at Blu. She has strong opinions about Washington spirits, a soft spot for a well-balanced daiquiri, and will happily build you something off-menu if you give her a flavor to chase.

Wilson keeps the bar moving — ice in the wells, glasses out of the dish pit, citrus juiced before anyone has to ask. He works in the gaps you don't see, which is why the bartenders never seem to run out of anything on a busy Friday.

Nardos is the first face you see at the door and the one who'll find you a window seat if there's any way to make it happen. She keeps the book like a Tetris champion and somehow remembers every birthday, every allergy, and every regular's preferred pour.

Carmen has been running the dining room for years and has a sixth sense for who needs another glass of wine, who's about to propose, and which table needs to be turned for the 7:30. She remembers regulars' birthdays and their kids' names — and she's the reason the room hums.

Elias trained in Pacific Northwest kitchens before taking the reins at Blu, and his menus follow the seasons — Dungeness in winter, halibut in spring, tomatoes from the back patio garden whenever they finally come in. He'll tell you the dish he's proudest of is whichever one came together at the market that morning.

Rosa runs the sauté station and is somehow always two steps ahead of the ticket printer. She trained under Elias, has the cleanest mise on the line, and is the one to ask about whatever's coming off the wood-fired pizza oven tonight.