Sunnyside Bistro Closes: Old Pal to Serve Last Meal on New Year's Eve

Jeremy Larter will serve his final meal as the chef and owner of Old Pal on December 31. The Sunnyside neighborhood bistro announced on November 4 that it is closing after four years in operation. The location sits on the corner of Southeast 34th Avenue and Morrison Street.

Larter stated that the decision stems from a mix of personal and professional factors. He and his wife, Emily Bixler, jointly own Old Pal and the catering firm Field Day Feasts. The couple intends to manage only the catering business going forward. Larter noted that their catering revenue has recovered from pandemic-era losses, making the restaurant lease expiration a logical time to exit.

"We're ready to make our lives easier," Larter said, acknowledging that the restaurant industry faces ongoing headwinds. He described the final two months of operation as a celebration for staff and regulars. "I'm leaving this with my heart full," he added.

Old Pal opened in 2022 with a menu centered on seasonal Pacific Northwest vegetables and seafood. The restaurant gained attention earlier this year when Timothy Wastell, a 2025 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef in the Northwest and Pacific region, left his previous role at Antica Terra in Amity, Oregon. Wastell cooked at Old Pal for a limited period before Larter returned to the head chef position.

The restaurant will run a special promotion through the end of the year, offering oysters for $2 each night. It will also host its final annual holiday market on December 13. The event will feature a bar, various vendors, and local artists.

Before launching Old Pal and Field Day Feasts, Larter worked as a chef at Ken's Artisan Pizza and DOC. Bixler works as a visual artist, creating sculpture and jewelry at Boet Studio. Larter described the past four years as a period of frequent adaptation. He said the team listened to customer feedback to adjust their offerings. "They will tell you what they want," Larter said of the neighborhood.

The closure marks the end of a brick-and-mortar chapter for the couple. They will continue to operate Field Day Feasts. The last scheduled service date remains New Year's Eve.