Nosh Pit

First Look: Bitterroot BBQ

It must be said: Ballard’s newest spot puts the “bar” in “barbecue.”

Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Jan 17, 2012 at 10:00AM 0 Comments

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The latest arrival in the current parade of new Ballard Avenue destinations is Bitterroot BBQ, which opens Wednesday, January 18 at 11am, regardless of how much snow might be on the ground. Seattle has barbecue joints, sure, but Bitterroot is a more stylized version, complete with walls of chevron-patterned salvaged barn wood, artfully piled logs, and a fearsome list of whiskeys and bourbon, all hailing from the United States.

But just because the small 30-seat dining room isn’t a grotty, greasy, rickety table sort of place doesn’t mean that owner Grant Carter isn’t serious about his barbecue. He and wife Hannah (who runs the front of house) invested in a custom-built smoker from Missouri company Ole Hickory Pits. Patrons can sauce the dry-rubbed meat themselves using the four sauces planned (mustard, vinegar, ancho chile and classic) for each table.

My favorite thing about this space: Beyond the all-ages front dining room is a hallway that leads to a 21-and-over bar with an additional 30 seats. The green-tiled room has a totally different vibe from the front, and even its own back entrance. You can still get the full menu, and there’s a TV on the wall that will likely see lots of sporting action, but gets covered with a tasteful black screen so it’s fairly invisible most of the time.

My second favorite thing about this place: There’s a barber pole outside that contains a spinning pig! And a red light that gives this little fellow the appearance of rotating on a spit. Hannah Carter said the couple restored the old pole that hung outside the building from its long ago days as a barber shop. By a most fortunate coincidence, her mother happened to possess a rubber pig that fit perfectly inside.

Bitterroot’s menu is straight up American barbecue, including smoked pork belly, baby back ribs, or pulled pork sandwiches, made on custom pretzel buns from nearby Tall Grass Bakery. The back bar will stay open until 2am; Hannah Carter promises they will never close early, and the kitchen will serve food until about 1am. Check out the slideshow for more shots of the space.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, Bar Openings, Bitterroot BBQ, First Look, Grant Carter, Hannah Carter

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

This week: BBQ and froyo in Ballard, fancy fish and chips in Capitol Hill, Little Uncle expands its hours.

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Jan 13, 2012 at 11:30AM 2 Comments

Photo: Lucas Anderson

Look forward to the 20 beers on tap at almost-open Wurst Place.

OPENINGS

Yozen
My Ballard reports that the neighborhood now has its very own self-serve frozen yogurt shop right on Market Street. Choose from 12 different flavors ranging from plain old vanilla to cappuccino and cake batter.

Bitterroot BBQ
Long in the works, this Ballard BBQ joint is almost open. Owners Hannah and Grant Carter have passed their last inspections hope to start serving next week. With any luck they’ll soon fire up their custom-built smoker, fueled by grape and alder wood from Hannah’s family’s property, and crank out heaps of dry-rubbed ribs and pulled pork to be paired with their extensive collection of All-American whiskeys and beers.

8 oz. Burger Bar
The northernmost restaurant in Govind Armstrong’s California-based minichain softly opened Monday with a grand opening planned for Monday, January 16, according to Eater Seattle. In the works: humanely raised and all-natural beef and wild boar burgers, not to mention the short-rib grilled cheese sandwich with onion marmalade and a peanut butter and jelly shake.

Provisions
Madison Park patisserie Belle Epicurean opened Provisions on Tuesday, a little shop full of delightfully foodie condiments, wine, books, and—best of all—tins of take-and-bake items from the bakery. (Think warm pear almond brioche buns for breakfast in bed.)

Five Fish Bistro
Located on Broadway in Capitol Hill, Five Fish Bistro is now open softly, with plans for a grand opening in just under a month on February 7. Owner Garnet Pitre promises a refined take on the simple fare of fish and chips, with five kinds of fresh fish and seafood (and even a gluten-free option) offered every day.

La Lot
Local pho restaurateur Cynthia Hoang’s newest endeavor is slated to open in a few weeks in the Aspira building at the corner of Stewart and Terry. We can expect a more upscale endeavor than Hoang’s other cafes; “more wine and dine” than “noodles and slurp” from the sleek Vietnamese-fusion spot.

Little Uncle
The Thai takeout project from Lark sous chef Wiley Frank and his wife, has extended its hours, says Eater Seattle. It’s ow open 11–7 Tuesday through Friday, and credit cards will be accepted for orders over $10.

Fuji Bakery
This life-changing pastry destination has reopened after a two-week holiday break. Owner Akihiro Nakamura says the Bellevue location got a bit of a face lift during the hiatus. Get your green-tea danish and red-bean bun fix there or the International District location.

The Wurst Place
South Lake Union’s beer and sausage mecca will hopefully open next week, and we’ve got photos of the highly eclectic interior. Look forward to beer, of course, and Belgian frites.

The Lucky Diner
Blueberry flapjacks and pork chop sandwiches are coming to your door…as long as your door is located in Belltown. The neighborhood diner now delivers from 5 to 10 Monday through Saturday, Sunday 5–9.

CLOSINGS

Cool Whirled
East of Ballard, froyo’s not doing so hot: Fremont Universe reports that the neighborhood’s only frozen yogurt joint is closing after just four months. The Fremont Avenue storefront is now up for rent.

Zesto’s
Plagued by failed health inspections, Ballard’s long-standing Zesto’s is closing,
to be replaced by RoRo BBQ and Burgers, says MyBallard. There are two other RoRos slinging pulled pork sandwiches and sweet potato fries: one in Wallingford and one in Georgetown.

PASSINGS

Owner of Pioneer Square institution Il Terrazzo Carmine Carmine Smeraldo passed away on Wednesday, reports the Puget Sound Business Journal. The beloved owner of the nearly 30-year-old restaurant will be greatly missed; our condolences to his family and friends.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, 8 oz. Burger Bar, Frozen Yogurt, Il Terrazzo Carmine, Fuji Bakery, The Lucky Diner, The Wurst Place, Belle Epicurean, Five Fish Bistro, Rest in Peace, Bitterroot BBQ, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Closings, Provisions

More Details on Bitterroot BBQ, Opening in Early December

Barbecue, bourbon, and beer coming to Ballard…and will be available until the wee hours.

Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Nov 21, 2011 at 02:30PM 3 Comments

The very early stages of Bitterroot, opening in the former Acme Rubber Stamp Company address on Ballard Ave NW. Photo via Facebook.

Ballard, ready yourself for a new barbecue restaurant. One with lots of sauce of both the literal and boozy variety. Owners Grant and Hannah Carter say Bitterroot BBQ will open the first week of December at 5239 Ballard Ave NW. Grant Carter will serve as pit master while Hannah will manage front-of-house matters. The couple met at college in Montana, and have cooked in and managed restaurants in Chicago and LA. Their establishment’s name comes from Montana’s Bitterroot River, where the couple used to fly fish.

Bitterroot’s barbecue is a classic affair; the menu includes ribs, brisket, a whole-smoked chicken and pulled pork. Rather than commit to one regional variation of this meaty art, the meat will be dry rubbed, says Hannah Carter. “There’s no sauce applied ‘til it’s on the table.” The table, thankfully, will be stocked with four different sauces: a sweeter, classic style; a spicy version with an ancho chile base; a vinegar sauce; and a mustard sauce. Let’s make things even more exciting: sandwiches will be served on pretzel buns, custom made for Bitterroot at nearby Tall Grass Bakery.

Back in July, Seattle Weekly food critic and barbecue enthusiast Hanna Raskin wrote that Carter will use apple wood, as well as some alder wood in the pit. The smoker, says Hannah Carter, is “a big, beautiful thing” custom-built by Ole Hickory Pits in Missouri. Should a giant plate of sauce-slathered meat not be enough for you, the menu of seasonal sides includes braised greens, glazed carrots, baked beans or a cornbread casserole.

And then there’s the bar. The focus, says Hannah Carter is U.S.-made “beer and browns,” meaning whiskeys, bourbons, and a whiskey-based cocktail list. There’s a full bar as well, and fresh brewed iced tea and sweet tea. All of these fine foods and beverages can be yours day or night; Bitterroot will be open for lunch every day, and serve food until 1am. Keep an eye on the restaurant’s Facebook page for updates. Those targeted opening dates can be nebulous suckers.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, Bar Openings, Bitterroot BBQ