P.R.E.A.M. Chef Nicholas Ford Announces New Bar, Associated

Citing a lack of business, the hip-hop pizzeria P.R.E.A.M. shuttered in July at 2133 SE 11th Ave., but Eater has learned co-owner and chef Nicholas Ford has now teamed up with John Janulis of the Lightning Bar Collective (Century Bar, Jackknife, Victoria, the Bye and Bye); together, they're opening a new bar and restaurant in the same space called Associated. Associated will stay open late and serve classic cocktails and a menu that balances meat and vegetarian/vegan dishes.

"P.R.E.A.M. had a bit of an identity crisis," Janulis tells Eater, "and we're working with Nick to turn it into more of a bar. I love the space, so we're just doing a slight remodel to change the feel, adding some more artwork, a projector for movies, and some sports memorabilia." Janulis says you can also expect a more eclectic soundtrack, with things like The Pixies and The Smiths.

To help Associated draw a neighborhood crowd, Janulis has enlisted "the biggest sleeper in this town," bartender Kelley Swenson (Angel Face). "Right now, I'm working on easy-to-drink cocktails, with nods to the classics, but more punk in style," Swenson tells Eater.

On the food front, Ford shared an early menu prototype with Eater, and it does indeed feature the dish upon which Ford has built his reputation: pizza. Served both as whole pies and by-the-slice, they include the skirt steak, with "beefy béchamel," pickled peppers, and onions, and the tofu karaage, with creamy cauliflower, cilantro, scallion, and spicy "mayo."

What's new are tacos, with fillings like spiced pork shoulder, with fried potato and avocado cream, and wood-fired pineapple, with soyrizo, pickled red onion, and cilantro. Ford says Associated will also have a hefty selection of salads and shared plates.

Construction is underway, and Associated aims to open early October. When it does, it'll likely operated from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., most days of the week.