As the October Portage Bay kayak season stretches out with a sunnier than ever conclusion, a Capitol Hill restaurateur who brought the rum-y tropics to lower Pike/Pine is making plans for an investment in a longtime vacation-like Seattle food and drink favorite that calls the bay’s shore its home.

Travis Rosenthal who created Pike’s date-night classic Tango and neighboring rum bar Rumba is set to acquire Agua Verde, the “paddle club” Mexican restaurant just across Portage Bay from the backside of Capitol Hill.

Rosenthal is a busy presence in Capitol Hill food and drink. He acquired six-year-old Tango in 2006 and opened neighboring Rumba six years later. In 2015, he sold off a Broadway restaurant space. Now it looks like it’s time for another acquisition — but this one in the tropical climes north of the Montlake Cut.

Agua Verde was opened in 1998 by Rey Lopez who continues to operate the twin paddle club business below the restaurant. Mick Heltsley took over the restaurant and continues to operate the cafe. The kitchen suffered a serious fire last year but the venue was able to quickly reopen.

Rosenthal told CHS a few weeks back the deal wasn’t yet done and there were “lots of details to try to work out.” The acquisition is hoped to be wrapped up next year — just in time for a Capitol Hill vacation for a paddle trip on the lovely Portage Bay.

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