hef Ludger Szmania and his wife and business partner, Julie, opened Szmania’s (pronounced “Smahn-ya’s”) in September, 1990. A 1997 remodel added a beautiful Eocene Period fossil stone fireplace, the curved red bar, 40 additional seats and a lovely new entry. The Exhibition Kitchen Counter, a favorite spot among Szmania’s regulars, has 12 entertaining seats next to all the kitchen action.

Szmania’s underwent a major remodel in 2004, adding the bar and lounge area, leather seats, a community table and beautiful see-through hanging murals designed by Magnolia’s Catherine Mayer.

In addition to the physical changes in the bar, an extensive menu of hand-crafted cocktails was developed by world-famous mixologist, Ryan Magarian.

Chef Ludger was born and raised near Dusseldorf. Ludger Szmania trained in Germany with Hilton Hotels and continued to Montreal and Puerto Rico. His experience with the Four Seasons luxury hotel chain started in Vancouver, B.C. then on to Houston and finally to Seattle’s Olympic Hotel as Executive Chef.

Julie Szmania is a Seattle native and prior to opening the restaurant was with the UW School of Medicine and Washington State Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She and Ludger have three sons, share a daughter and live in Magnolia with lots of pets.

“Since opening in 1990 Szmania’s has become not only a favorite in Magnolia, but across the region, as both a destination restaurant and a friendly place to dine in excellence among fellow lovers of fine dining.”