First Look: Capitol Hill’s La Bête
Tour the new Bellevue Avenue restaurant before it opens on Thursday.
Posted by: Douglas Bair on Aug 17, 2010 at 06:45PM
3 Comments
Co-chef-owners Aleks Dimitrijevic and Tyler Mortiz spent over $400,000 remodeling the former Chez Gaudy restaurant.
View Slideshow » Illustration:An all natural edge walnut bar—like a tree trunk fell on the bar floor and was perfectly sliced then polished—stretches 24 feet parallel to the 1802 Bellevue Ave entrance.
View Slideshow » Illustration:These pebble jeweled and silver-stained plywood tabletops mimic the backyard creek that co-owner-chef Aleks Dimitrijevic once splashed around in as a young boy. Mahogany church pews complement the Gothic window trim.
View Slideshow » Illustration: View Slideshow » Illustration:The smell of freshly cut walnut, mahogany, and Douglas fir intoxicate guests as they enter the new restaurant.
View Slideshow » Illustration:Snacks, plates, and platters: All dishes will be prepared in front of guests thanks to the new open kitchen layout.
View Slideshow » Illustration:A fairy tale dinner wouldn’t be complete without drinks, and Gary Abst—former bartender at both Licorous and since-closed Market St Grill—is soon to be behind that mahogany bar mixing them.
View Slideshow » Illustration:During Sunday brunch, choose from three to five different Bloody Marys.
View Slideshow » Illustration:Menu items included grilled fava beans with sea salt and lemon zest and a plate caramel braised pork belly.
View Slideshow » Illustration:You say you’re a beast yourself? Then order a platter of bone-in ribeye with porcini and faro ragout.
View Slideshow » Illustration:Diners will remember the intricate gilded ironwork from Chez Gaudy.
View Slideshow » Illustration:When Aleks Dimitrijevic and Tyler Moritz decided to take over the cozy Bellevue corner once belonging to Chez Gaudy, they envisioned a fairy tale environment for their debut restaurant. Good work, guys; by the look of our tour on Tuesday, we’d say you nailed it—this place is anything but “the Beast,” as the French allusion would imply.
General manager Dan Rodgers expects La Bête will open Thursday. When it does, Dimitrijevic and Moritz, they of the accomplished culinary backgrounds, will showcase a locally minded menu—snacks, plates, and platters—that will rotate every week.
To tour the newest resident of Bellevue Ave and E Howell, click on the slideshow.
All photos by Alexandra Notman.
Tags: New Seattle Restaurants, Seattle Restaurant Openings, Capitol Hill
They’re going to have a Sunday brunch? That’s awesome! Finally someplace I can get breakfast without having to walk uphill (to Broadway), across I-5 (13 Coins), or wait 1+ hour for the food to be cooked (Glo’s). Oh and Linda’s is too far to walk in the morning too. :) La Bete is 10 feet from my building’s front door so that’ll be perfect.
Looks great; will check it out next month!
My understanding is that credit should also be given to Blank Paper Design, a Seattle-based, boutique design build firm. They are responsible for much of the design, the massive infrastructure overhaul, the restoration of the original windows, and the stunning carpentry work. Owner Joshua Parke devoted personal attention crafting every detail of the gorgeous slab and walnut bars and and columns for friends Tyler and Aleks. Good luck guys—here’s to hoping your new venture will be a smashing success!