Separated by the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco and Spain offer similar yet distinctly different cuisines and approaches to spirits. Morocco tends to flavor food with more spices than Spain, but the staple foods are basically the same, wheat, olive oil and vegetables. In wines there are eight primary Spanish types, while Morocco offers fourteen.

All those flavors will come together with the opening of Itto's Vino on March 1 at 4158 California Ave SW. as they seek to fuse the two cultures in carefully curated food and beverage selections.

Owned by Aziz and Khalid Agour, the new wine and cocktail bar is a companion to Itto's Tapas next door which opened in 2015.

Maxwell Mccaulou, a certified level 1 Sommelier said, "We're a western Meditteranean focused wine bar with a lot of Spanish and Portugese wine. We do still call Morroco our home." He explained that the food programs, while they share a head chef in Francisco Daniel Perez, are different with the wine bar being more charcuterie focused.

They will also serve a variety of "tinned fish" a popular trend, small servings of preserved fish packed in convenient tins or cans. Varieties range from Octopus in Salsa Gallega to Sardines in EVOO and include Mussels with dill and fennel, Blue Mussels, wood smoked, Razor Clams in brine and even Cockles.

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Mccaulou said the beverage program will be "spirit forward" meaning traditional cocktails such as Manhattans, Old Fashions, Negronis "And sometimes we flip the build so the vermouth is what stands out, given that we're a wine bar."

Khalid Agour said, "We were thinking about expanding Itto's but the kitchen would not be able to complement this place and we have a love for wine so we decided to stick with this Spanish, Moroccan and African and French influence." He noted that West Seattle has no true wine bars, "We have wineries but no wine bars. Now we have one that will connect the community."

The decor is done in rich green and gold, with no TV screens, black marble is everywhere, including a unique black bathroom where even the fixtures are black.

Neil Scalzo is the Manager both Itto's Tapas and Itto's Vino. He coordinated the cocktail program. Scalzo said there will be some local distilleries featured and that the cocktails are meant to be paired with the food.

While music is present, at some point solo artists may come in to entertain Agour explained.

Itto's Vino will be open Monday through Thursday 5pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 5pm to Midnight.