Changes are coming to Ivywild School, the historic former elementary school turned beloved community hub. A refresh of the food, beverage and event offerings will take effect Monday, Sept. 21. The updates coincide with the transfer in ownership of Ivywild favorites the Principal’s Office, Ivywild Kitchen and Decent Pizza from Joseph Coleman to Mike and Amanda Bristol, all of whom were original partners in the 2013 founding of Ivywild School.
“When we opened Ivywild School with our partners, I was quoted as saying that we hoped Ivywild would become ‘a gathering place where people can come together to enjoy music, art and artisan food and beverages created on site, and basically get down to the business of building community,’” Mike Bristol says. “It’s inevitable that there will be some change after 13 years, but we absolutely plan to carry on that original vision.”
Guests will notice an innovative new fall cocktail menu at the Principal’s Office, developed by Ivywild’s Front of House Manager Alyssa Mather in conjunction with cocktail industry maven Montana Horsfall of Craft Cocktail, and a slightly revamped menu at Ivywild Kitchen, developed by Ivywild’s new Executive Chef Paul Ryan. Chef Jay Gust of Ascent Restaurant Group consulted on the overall refresh.
Oct. 5 will bring an expansion of coffee service at the Principal’s Office to include mornings and evenings, a simple menu of hot breakfast items from Bluebird Breakfast, and breakfast pastries, desserts, other sweet treats and fresh breads from Yellow Brick Bake Shop.
Decent Pizza will be shelved for now, to be replaced mid-January 2027 with The Restless Chef, a lunch and dinner spot that will explore a wide variety of food cultures and regions with a menu that changes quarterly.
“We’re working hard to build on the traditions at Ivywild while also bringing in new ideas,” Chef Ryan says. “I hope to blow people’s minds with a kaleidoscope of flavor when it comes to the food.”
To make room for the new offerings, Ivywild Kitchen will eventually move to the north end of the building, right next to a new indoor counter for Spark BBQ. Gold Star Bakery will remain under the Blue Star Group’s ownership and move across the street to the new Blue Star restaurant.
Ivywild School stalwarts The Bristol Pub, Salad or Bust, Axe and The Oak, and Odds & Ends will not change.
Other updates involve rolling out a unified point of sale system that will allow guests to have one food and beverage tab wherever they go in the building, and guests’ food will be brought to their table when they order from a QR code. Counter service will still be available.
Future plans include weekend brunch, more live music, art openings and events, as well as a robust private event and catering program.
1604 S. Cascade Ave.
