Nosh Pit

The Culinary Prescience of Soon-to-Shutter Chez Shea

It’s still a romantic place for dinner, but the Pike Place Market restaurant foreshadowed several Seattle dining trends.

Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Apr 19, 2012 at 12:00PM 4 Comments

The romantic market aerie’s last night will be Saturday, April 28.

Earlier this week, SeattlePI.com broke the news Pike Place Market institution Chez Shea will close, its alluringly secret upstairs location now destined to be the new home of Bainbridge’s Storyville Coffee Company.

While the restaurant, a candlelit aerie behind the demilune windows in the creaky rafters of Pike Place Market, is a regular entry on lists of the most romantic spots in Seattle, it’s not always on the radar of more recent transplants (myself included) and buzz-based diners. But one benefit of working here is having the formidable dining brain that is Seattle Met critic Kathryn Robinson just down the hall, available for questions like “aside from its primo location, what did Chez Shea contribute to Seattle?”

Robinson remembers the restaurant as an early adopter of prix-fixe dining in Seattle, with four courses running $28 back in 1988. Prescient founder Sandy Shea also foreshadowed the coming era of market-to-table culinary innovation, and the sidekick next-door bar (that would be the now-defunct Shea’s Lounge).

Over the years quality flickered, Shea sold, and the restaurant that still bore her name settled into its reputation as a solid, if not newsmaking, destination—but always a sure bet for romance. Last year’s remodel joining the restaurant with the lounge somehow even managed to heighten that. That tucked-away market atmosphere (and some destination-worthy food) can still be had at neighboring Matt’s in the Market. Meanwhile, Chez Shea is taking reservations through April 28, the restaurant’s last night in business.

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Tags: Closings, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Chez Shea

Downtown Wine Spot Sip Has Closed

Hopefully the space’s next occupant will take advantage of that patio.

Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Apr 04, 2012 at 04:10PM 0 Comments

The Issaquah original remains, but the downtown location closed on Saturday.

A tipster sent a note today mourning the abrupt shuttering of the downtown location of Sip restaurant and wine bar. The Fifth Avenue hangout boasted a stellar patio and a solid happy hour in an underserved pocket of downtown near the Central Library.

A rep confirmed that Saturday was Sip’s last day of business; the Issaquah location is still open.

Details are minimal at this point, but the cause seems to be that all-to-common feller of restaurants: lease issues. Apparently the establishment was notified that another business (that’s not a bar or restaurant) is taking over the lease.

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Tags: Closings, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Sip

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

This week: Japanese hot dogs in Fremont, bartenders are bouncing around, and Molly Moon’s is reopening soon in Madrona.

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Mar 30, 2012 at 09:00AM 0 Comments

Many a beer on tap at the newest Elliot Bay brewpub. Photo courtesy of Washington Beer Blog.

OPENINGS

Elliott Bay Public House and Brewery
The newest outpost of the local brewery opened Monday, March 26, in Lake City. The Washington Beer Blog has photos of the interior and some of the food.

Tokyo Dog
The Japanese hot dog truck had its first outing in Fremont this past week, and it sounds like a success. These JapaDog–style hot dogs are topped with east-west flavors, such as furikaka and bacon and the like. Facebook says the truck will be in Wallingford on Saturdays, Fremont on Sundays, for now.

Five Hooks Fish Grill
Eater Seattle reports that the renewable seafood joint is now open in Queen Anne. The restaurant doesn’t have a liquor license just yet, but it does have a very affordable menu.

Cafe Rozella
It’s technically a reopening, but the French-Nordic (think lox and crepes) cafe in West Seattle will have a little soft opening party on Thursday, March 29, then a public grand reopening on April 20.

CLOSINGS

Detention
The U-District bar (that used to be a Po Dog) is closed, says The Stranger. Maybe the owner, Laura Olson, is simplifying, seeing as she just added a brand new Ballard Po Dog to her roster of restaurants and bars.

HG Lodge
The owner (also owner of burger joint Li’l Woody’s) is shutting down the nightclub to make way for a sports bar called 95 Slide that will have a respectable food menu, says Capitol Hill Seattle blog.

SHIFT CHANGES

Chino’s
The self-labeled “urban tiki house Taiwanese cantina” hired Evan Martin (recently departed from Ba Bar) and has big tiki plans.

Tini Bigs and Vito’s
Ian Cargill, previously of Tavern Law Shorty’s will now be behind the bar at Tini Bigs and Vito’s.

RELOCATIONS

Joule
Good news for Fremont, sad news for Wallingford. Chef-spouses Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi are moving Joule into the Fremont Collective on Stone Way this summer.

COMING SOON

My Chef Lynn
A chef from Issaquah has decided to launch herself into the food truck world (Having a car dealer husband helped). She’ll be mostly on the Eastside, but may be Fremont too, slinging lamb sliders and smoked meats.

Yard House
What was once books will soon be beer. The closed Borders location near Fourth and Pike is slated to become Yard House, the Seattle outpost of a California chain.

Molly Moon’s
The mini-Molly’s in Madrona will reopen for the summer on May 1. The pop-up shop will have five flavors and those irresistibly delicious-smelling waffle cones. Also: shakes, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, and pints from the little shop every day from noon to 10.

OPENING DELAYS

Marination
The June opening of the West Seattle Marination Station has been delayed by permitting problems. West Seattle Blog says that there will be an update in late spring, and until then Alki Kayak Tours will be the “interim concessionaire.”

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, Marination Mobile, Food Truck Pods, Tini Bigs, Chino's, Shift Change, Seattle Food Trucks, Molly Moon's, Joule, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Bar Openings, Closings, Seattle Bartenders, Fremont, Yard House

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

Murray’s Cheese comes to town, as does a (reportedly) delicious new Senegalese joint.

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Mar 23, 2012 at 10:00AM 0 Comments

Crisp Creperie, this Sunday at the Fremont Market. (Coffee walnut shake and and a hazelnut-thyme-honey-pear crepe, please.) Photo via Flickr.

OPENINGS

Po Dog
The Ballard outpost of the hot dog–centric restaurant will open today, March 23, according to Eater Seattle. No beer yet, though—the liquor license is still in the works.

Restaurant Marché
Ex-Canlis executive chef and James Beard writing award-winner Greg Atkinson’s restaurant opened last weekend, March 17, on Bainbridge Island. Situated right across from the farmers market, both the menu and the name are market-inspired. The interior is woody and warm, with a color scheme inspired by a walk on the beach.

Evolution Fresh
The first location of Starbucks’ new noncoffee project is open in Bellevue Square with customizable juices, smoothies, and health food galore.

The Gerald
The midcentury-inspired bar and casserole purveyor is now open on Ballard Ave. There are 16 specialty cocktails and a menu with updated ‘60s dishes—devils on horseback, daily casseroles, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

D’Ambrosia Gelato
The Ballard gelateria’s sister shop opened last week on Capitol Hill with more flavors than the original, according to Capitol Hill Seattle blog.

Ballard Coffee Works
The northern outpost of the downtown coffee shop is now softly open at the corner of Market and 22nd. The caffeine dispensary will be truly open March 25, providing the neighborhood with rare coffees and fancy barista technique.

La Teranga
The Stranger reports that there’s a new Senegalese joint in Columbia City. And it’s delicious.

Crisp Creperie
Another addition to the Fremont food pod—this one a sweet and savory crepe truck run by two newcomers who are sure to amuse.

The Pine Box
Capitol Hill’s funeral home turned bar is open, providing the neighborhood with a pretty space and some serious beer action.

CLOSINGS

The Counter
My Ballard says that the custom burger joint has shuttered, reasons yet unknown.

COMING SOON

Shabu Chic
Seattle is getting its very first shabu shabu (the Japanese version of the Chinese hot pot) restaurant this spring. The International District restaurant will be Chipotle-style, with a list of options for a customizable meal. Choose your own broth, then select what to cook in it, dunk in it, and top it with.

Restaurant Bea
Comfort food is coming to Madrona at the end of the month. The owners have plans for a seasonal menu, a chef’s table, and some outdoor seating, come summer.

Murray’s Cheese
We seem to be doing a lot of sharing with New Yorkers these days. We gave them Via Tribunali, they’re giving us Murray’s Cheese, reports Seattle Magazine and the Seattle Times. Mini-Murray’s will be moving into seven QFCs this year, the first of which will open at the University Village branch on March 28.

Kedai Makan
Delicious Malaysian food, cooked by a local chef with some serious Asian cooking chops, is coming to the Broadway Farmers Market this summer. If you can’t wait, sign up for one of the incubator dinners Skelly and the Bean.

BevMo
Via a tweet from Ronald Holden, the wine-spirit-beer superstore is opening up two Washington locations this summer, one in Tacoma and one in Silverdale. No Seattle…for now.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, The Pine Box, Restaurant Bea, Shabu Chic, Evolution Fresh, Capitol Hill Openings, Food Truck Pods, Restaurant Marche, Seattle Food Trucks, Coming Soon, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Coffee, Bar Openings, Ballard, Farmers Markets, Closings, Fremont, Kedai Makan

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

This week: the third Thai Curry Simple opens, Beecher’s is expanding to Sea-Tac, Where Ya At Matt finds a home in Fremont, and more.

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Mar 09, 2012 at 11:00AM 0 Comments

Our own Caffe Vita has just opened a NYC outpost. Photo via Facebook.

OPENINGS

RoRo BBQ and Grill
The BBQ and burger joint in the location that was Zesto’s for decades opened Monday, reports My Ballard. No fancy comfort food here, just no-frills comfort: pulled pork, brisket, beans, and cornbread.

Fiddlehead Fine Foods and Café
A sweet new lunch spot has opened in West Seattle and has plans for breakfast soon. West Seattle Blog has photos of the sunny space and the cute mason jar chocolate caramel pudding cups.

Thai Curry Simple
The popular Thai restaurant’s third location in South Lake Union opened Monday, March 5, with an extremely busy ran-out-of-food day, according to Facebook.

Caffe Vita
One of Seattle’s mainstay coffee destinations has staked its claim in the big city. The New York Times reports that the outpost opened Monday on the Lower East Side, joining Stumptown as a representative for West Coast coffee on the Eastern seaboard.

CLOSINGS

Trattoria Cioppino
My Green Lake says that Trattoria Cioppino has shuttered after just nine months of serving, but it’ll soon be replaced by a second Seattle location for Portland-based Mio Sushi.

Grubwich
Broadway’s unfortunately named late-night sandwich joint has closed, reports Capitol Hill Seattle blog.

NAME CHANGES

The Burgundian
Due to legal complications with a Chicago restaurant of the same name, what was The Publican is now The Burgundian. But that’s all that’s changed; the not-messing-around beer program and hearty menu remain the same.

COMING SOON

Where Ya At Matt
Building on his Creole food truck’s success, Matthew Lewis is opening a sit-down restaurant Fremont Ave, called Roux. There’ll be beignets all day and a “sexy” dinner service that will surely include nighttime takes on truck favorites.

D’Ambrosia Gelato
Capitol Hill Seattle blog says that the second location of the Ballard gelateria will open its doors in a couple of weeks, with double the flavors of the original shop.

Top Pot
Bellevue Square is getting its very own Top Pot shop in May.

San Fernando Roasted Chicken
Peruvian rotisserie chicken is coming to White Center in April. The menu will be much the same as at the other two locations, with cumin-garlicky pollo a la brasa as the centerpiece.

Beecher’s
Layovers just got a lot better: Beecher’s is opening a Sea-Tac location. There’ll be mac and cheese (of course), as well as paninis, stratas, and a bit of charcuterie. And a mini Caffe Vita.

C.S. Finnegan’s
A new Belltown bar is coming, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The bar, housed in a former 1900’s grocery store, might softly open next week, but if not there’s a very grand grand opening for St. P’s.

Juice Box
The culinary couple that put on a series of underground dinners in 2010 is at it again, this time with juice. They’ll be selling fresh, seasonal juices at the Broadway Farmers Market (and maybe the Queen Anne market too.)

Po Dog
The all ho dogs, all the time restaurant will be opening its third location in Ballard in just a week or so, says My Ballard.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, Thai Curry Simple, Beecher's, Where Ya At Matt, Sea-Tac, The Publican, Grand Opening, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Bar Openings, Top Pot, White Center, Closings, Juice Box

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

Even more Ballard openings, drama at Ba Bar, juice bars take over Seattle, and more.

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Mar 02, 2012 at 10:30AM 0 Comments

The Capitol Hill Molly Moon’s will gain a Wonka-esque windowed kitchen this summer. Photo courtesy of CHS.

OPENINGS

Café Suisse
Real-deal Swiss hot chocolate is available now on Westlake Avenue.

La Lot
The Vietnamese restaurant opened Wednesday on the ground floor of the Aspira building on Stewart Street, says The Stranger. The restaurant is the newest, slickest project from Cynthia Hoang, the owner of a couple pho restaurants around town.

Alki Juice and Java
A new juice-smoothie-coffee bar is up and running in West Seattle, right across from what will become a Marination outpost come summer, says West Seattle Blog.

Persepolis Grill
Eater Seattle reports that a new Persian restaurant has opened up in The U District, in what used to be…a Persian restaurant.

CLOSINGS

Kabab House
Greenwood’s Kabab House is closing down this Sunday, according to Phinneywood.

SHIFT CHANGES

Ba Bar
Don’t bother with Tivo-ing soap operas—just drop by Ba Bar on a Sunday night. For the second time since the restaurant opened last summer, the bar manager is out, this time as a result of a dinnertime confrontation. Hanna Raskin has the whole tale on Voracious.

Local 360
Mike Robertshaw was cut from the Local 360 team over the weekend. The firing came as a surprise for Robertshaw, but, silver lining: it’s giving him a chance to join forces with a friend for an upcoming restaurant project.

COMING SOON

Molly Moon’s
Last week, word came out that Molly Moon’s would be expanding into the recently vacated space right next door to the Pine Street shop, but questions about what would go into the space were answered with a Willy Wonka riddle. Now we know what’s up: come summer it will become a kitchen on display that Wonka himself would admire.

Hallava Falafel
Georgetown food truck Hallava Falafel is adding on a mobile counterpart soon, with a few new menu items and a much larger roaming area—Ballard, Capitol Hill, and South Lake Union will all soon have the yellow truck on their streets.

The Gerald
Surprise, surprise: something is opening in Ballard. Seattle guys Kevin Rothrock and Elliot Westwater are opening The Gerald later in March on Ballard Ave, offering gussied-up comfort food and classic cocktails.

Skillet
Josh Henderson will be expanding Skillet into the newly revamped Seattle Center House later this summer. The space is not exactly a diner, not exactly a food cart, but something in-between: a grab-and-go counter slinging Skillet favorites.

Marination
After some fuss, Marination’s second brick-and-mortar is slated to open by July, says West Seattle Blog. Marination was given the concessionaire contract that had long been held by Alki Crab and Fish, but it seems that things have settled down out west and Marination will be excitedly welcomed into the community.

The Neighbor Lady
A new mostly vegetarian bar will be opening at 3rd and Union soon, brought to the Central District by the same people behind The Twilight Exit, just a few blocks away, says CDN.

Xplosive
Cody Bay of Seattle Magazine reports that there’s another new food truck comin’ right up: this time a Vietnamese-Filipino hybrid.

Naos
Fremont Universe reports that the neighborhood is getting a juice bar in the old Cool Whirled space. Naos is planned to open mid-March and serve not just juice and smoothies but coffee, beer, and wine as well, under the motto Community, Sustainability, Funk.

Seattle Coffee Works
The coffee shop is opening an outpost in Ballard on the corner of 22nd and Market Street, planned to open March 24th, says the Ballard News Tribune.

RollinQ
So much to look forward to. Another food truck, coming soon. This one a southern barbeque truck, complete with custom mobile smoker.

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Tags: New Seattle Restaurants, Marination Mobile, Shift Change, Seattle Food Trucks, Molly Moon's, Grand Opening, Coming Soon, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Ballard, Closings, Seattle Restaurant Openings, Local 360

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

This week: Restaurant Zoë and St. John’s Bar and Eatery open in Capitol Hill, Ballard has a new pizza food cart, and more.

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Feb 17, 2012 at 11:00AM 0 Comments

Restaurant Zoe’s new home at 14th and Union. Photo courtesy of CHS via the Zoe Facebook.

OPENINGS

Restaurant Zoë
Eater Seattle brings word that the former Belltown restaurant opened Wednesday in its new location. Capitol Hill Seattle blog got photos of the woodsy, cozy interior. The varied menu (from foie gras to compressed radishes) is up on the Zoë website.

St. John’s Bar and Eatery
Also in Capitol Hill, this new bar-restaurant (a place for drinking and eating) is softly open as of Wednesday.

Streetzeria
There’s a new food cart in Ballard, says Eater Seattle, run by an ex-hotel manager/food and beverage director from the Midwest and his family, slinging pizzas under the slogan “gourmet pizza at street prices.”

COMING SOON

Eltana
Capitol Hill’s favorite bagelery is expanding to Wallingford. Capitol Hill Seattle reports that come late summer or early fall, the wood-fired bagels we be available at 40th and Stone.

TBD in Georgetown
The owner of 9LB Hammer (and Loretta’s Northwesterner) is planning a 24-hour diner next to the Georgetown bar, says Seattle Magazine. Expect lots of grilled cheese.

BevMo!
West Seattle Blog says that BevMo!, a chain wine and liquor store, is planning a Southcenter storefront, thanks to the new liquor legislation.

Athena’s Gyros
Another food cart goes brick-and-mortar. The gyro truck is moving into the former Zippy’s Giant Burgers space, says West Seattle Blog. The food truck will keep hawking falafel (in fact, it’ll be parked in front of the new storefront starting today) and once the restaurant is up and running, it’ll serve as a commissary for the truck.

Paddy Coyne’s
Just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day, the newest Paddy Coyne’s pub is slated to open at Pier 70 around March 12.

SHIFT CHANGES

Canlis
Rebekah Denn of the Seattle Times has more details on the esteemed still-pretty-new pastry chef. Baruch Ellsworth came to Seattle from San Francisco’s Benu, run by longtime French Laundry chef de cuisine Corey Lee.

Banadir
Jacques Saar, former Africando Africando chef, will soon be cooking at Columbia City Somali restaurant Banadir, says The Stranger.

Madison Park Conservatory
Eater Seattle reports that author Maggie Savarino will be leaving the Conservatory, where she’s been managing front of house and bartending, and returning to consulting work.

Rob Roy
The bartending staff of this Belltown bar is shuffling around a little—Andrew Bohrer is becoming the spirits director for Vinium Importing, making room for Philip Trickey to come back to the bar.

Library Bistro and Bookstore Bar
The Alexis Hotel’s restaurant duo has a muscular new chef, David Hatfield, and a few new menu items.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, Paddy Coyne's, Shift Change, Canlis, Rob Roy, Restaurant Zoe, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Madison Park, Bar Openings, Street Food, Closings, St. John's Bar and Eatery

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

This week: Regent Bakery and Café opens in Capitol Hill, West Seattle loses Avalon, and Branzino’s new chef has big plans.

Posted by: Anne Larkin on Feb 10, 2012 at 11:00AM 0 Comments

Brightly colored pastries keep company with savory hot pots at the new Capitol Hill Regent Bakery and Cafe. Photo courtesy of their website.

OPENINGS

Pomegranate Bistro
The sunny Redmond restaurant is adding a bar—Pombar —on Thursday, February 16. The Bistro website says that to celebrate the opening, happy hour will go on all night, from 3:30 till the bar closes at 10.

Ben and Jerry’s
The Greenlake ice cream shop re-opened Thursday after getting new owners and a remodel, says My Green Lake. Now we just need another sunny ice cream-worthy weekend.

Regent Bakery and Café
The new Pine Street outpost of the famed Redmond bakery opened Wednesday on the corner of 14th and Pine, reports Capitol Hill Seattle. The shop does, of course, have pretty Japanese-meets-French pastries, but to our happy surprise, also a full-on savory Chinese lunch and dinner menu with items like hot pots and fried rice. And booze! The new restaurant plans to capitalize on the neighborhoods nightlife, with hours from 11 to midnight and a full bar.

The Amber Den
After a softly-open first week, the laid-back Ballard spot is now officially open. Eater Seattle’s got photos, and it’s the sunniest wine bar we’ve ever seen.

Paseo
Fremont Universe brings the good news that Paseo reopens today, after a long, Cuban sandwich-less winter break.

COMING SOON

Hot Cakes
For the past 4 years, former Theo chocolatier Autumn Martin has been providing Seattle with decadent treats, first in the form of chocolatey bake-at-home jarred cakes, more recently with cookies, hand pies, and sauces. She’s been selling at farmers’ markets and in a few retail locations, but Rebekah Denn of the The Seattle Times says that Martin just signed a lease for her very own space on (where else) Ballard Ave and has plans to open in May.

Five Hooks Fish Grill
Recently shuttered Tenoch Mexican Grill atop Queen Anne will soon be replaced by a “renewable seafood” restaurant, according to Eater Seattle.

CLOSINGS

Big news. Le Gourmand and Sambar
Bruce and Sarah Naftaly are are closing down their seminal Ballard restaurant and companion cocktail spot in June, after 27 wonderful years. Cookbooks, baking, and family time will replace the bustle of kitchen life for the Naftalys. More here.

Avalon
After just over a year, this fine-dining option in West Seattle is closing its doors. Owners told the West Seattle Herald that the rent was too high, the location was far from ideal, and that maybe there’s only room for one fancy restaurant in West Seattle. Or maybe not.

663 Bistro
One of Tom Douglas (and our) favorite I.D. BBQ spots was temporarily shut down by the Health Department, says The Stranger. …We did say “dodgy.”

SHIFT CHANGES

Branzino
After hopping around from Verve to Oddfellows to Terra Plata, Chef Garrett Michael Brown seems to have finally settled at Branzino, where he’s planning to revamp the menu and revivify the restaurant.

RN74
A new chef and perhaps some big menu changes for Michael Mina’s Downtown French restaurant. Seis Kamimura of Spago and Boka (among others) is taking the helm, and though he was trained at the French Culinary Institute, expect “bold interpretations” of the classics.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, Shift Change, Pomegranate Bistro, Ice Cream, Sambar, Le Gourmand, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Bar Openings, Bar Openings, Closings, Branzino

Le Gourmand, Sambar to Close

A pioneering laboratory of Northwest cuisine says adieu June 2.

Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Feb 09, 2012 at 11:10AM 10 Comments

Bruce and Sara Naftaly at Le Gourmand. The restaurant will spend its final months regaling diners with a menu of greatest hits.

June 2 will be the last day of business for Le Gourmand, the pioneering restaurant that has stood on NW Market Street for 27 years, as well as its adjacent cocktail den Sambar.

Calling someone out of the blue and inquiring into various personal and business affairs is not my favorite part of this job. But when I reached chef-owner Bruce Naftaly this morning, he sounded downright excited. You see, Naftaly and his wife and business partner Sara are very hands-on. So much so that there’s no taking the night off and leaving the kitchen in the hands of a sous chef. Bruce Naftaly says he has cooked every dinner Le Gourmand has served, except for a few weeks eight years ago when he landed in the hospital. Dining at his restaurant “is like having people coming into your studio."

That pace, that schedule, get rather tiring.

“It’s wonderful and passionate and intense,” says Naftaly, “but you can’t do anything else.”

After Le Gourmand and Sambar bid Seattle farewell in June, the chef plans to finally write that cookbook he’s been planning for a decade or two, and continue teaching classes. Sara is interested in pursuing a bakery, and plans to work on a cocktail book with longtime Sambar barman Jay Kuehner. Also high on the couple’s to-do list: Spending more time with their son.

When Naftaly opened Le Gourmand back in 1985, his concept was a bold experiment for the time—classic French fare, made with seasonal, locally sourced Northwest ingredients. Today, the farm-to-table concepts he helped pioneer are practically gospel to the current generation of chefs, many of whom were born after the restaurant opened. When the Naftalys opened Sambar in 2003, no bars “were handling cocktails like you would an haute French sauce,” says Naftaly. Now the spirited experimentation espoused by Kuehner and other bartenders is all but expected when Seattleites go out for cocktails.

And while the economic downturn and the current trend toward casual dining have affected the Naftalys’ bottom line, Bruce says the decision was personal rather than financial.

So, Seattle, you have little more than three months to make a final visit to Le Gourmand. Starting in March the restaurant will offer a farewell menu featuring the greatest hits of nearly three decades. “I’m still extremely passionate about the whole thing, and I want to go out while I’m still feeling that way,” says Naftaly.

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Tags: Closings, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Le Gourmand, Sambar, Jay Kuehner, Bruce Naftaly, Sara Naftaly

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

Restaurant Shifts and Shakeups

This week: Manhattan Drugs steak house opens on Capitol Hill, Gainsbourg comes back postfire

Posted by: Brian Colella on Jan 06, 2012 at 11:00AM 0 Comments

Gainsbourg, one of our favorite bars in 2009, has reopened after a little kitchen-fire trauma.

OPENINGS
Manhattan Drugs, Po Dog owner Laura Olson’s latest venture, is now open for dinner service on Capitol Hill. Brunch comes next Saturday, the 14th, and lunch follows two days later.

Gainsbourg returns after a short fire-induced hiatus. Phinneywood reports that the Greenwood Ave watering hole is back with a limited menu and revamped bar, with a real grand opening planned for January 28.

CLOSINGS
U District ramen-ya Lounjin has closed, says Eater, to be replaced by Tea Republik, about which info is lacking.

Phinneywood brings word that the Greenwood Fred Meyer is shutting down on February 25 for a remodel. The Greenwood Market is the collateral damage in the operation, which expands Fred Meyer by 55,000 square feet, with groceries.

SHIFT CHANGES
Dylan Giordan, after 10 years with Serafina, has jumped the puddle to Kirkland’s Bin on the Lake at Carillon Point, where he will roll out a brand new menu.

Queen Anne’s How to Cook a Wolf has imported a new chef. Jake Martin has moved up from Portland to replace Matt Fortner at the small-plate Italian eatery. You can find Fortner cooking with fellow Stowell alum Charles Walpole at Blind Pig Bistro.

Luc chef de cuisine Steven Ariel is moving downtown to the W Hotel. When Trace, formerly Earth and Ocean, reopens in March, the Hawaii native will be serving a menu blending the Northwest; the Aloha state; and Singapore, Thailand, and Tokyo—three places where Ariel trained and cooked prior to landing in Seattle.

Steve Cain, chef de cuisine of El Gaucho Bellevue, has been named executive chef of Aqua by El Gaucho, the reborn Waterfront Seafood Grill. Cain left the Waterfront in 2008 and returns to the Sound-side locale to serve—among other dishes—some of his own creations: mac and cheese, stuffed wild Baja prawns, and sweet yellow corn.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Shift Change

Neighborhood Food News: Ray’s New Executive Chef, New Year’s Party Ideas

This week: A blend of food news, shifts and shakeups, and holiday event planning

Posted by: Brian Colella on Dec 30, 2011 at 10:45AM 0 Comments

The chef may change, but the view stays the same at Ray’s Boathouse.

BALLARD
Ray’s Boathouse is getting Wayne Johnson as its new executive chef starting February 6. You may know him from Andaluca and Oliver’s Lounge, or his appearance on Iron Chef America.

One of our favorite bars, The Copper Gate, is looking for a brunch chef who can also develop the menu for the venue’s forthcoming brunch service. Drop off a resume if you’re interested.

CAPITOL HILL
Lucky 8 is bringing American Chinese food to the Hill starting New Year’s Day, says CHS. At 14th and Union, it’s part of the Oola Distillery building, and will offer takeout and delivery.

GREEN LAKE
Washington Beer Blog has details on The Publican, a new bar and restaurant in Tangletown. Open since Wednesday, the bar features an impressive array of 21 craft-beer taps.

QUEEN ANNE
Queen Anne View reports a theft of the tip jars at Le Reve Bakery and Emerald City Smoothie on Queen Anne Ave. Le Reve captured the theft on video, and anyone with info should call Ricardo Martinez at the SPD: 206-625-5011.

Also from Queen Anne View, a couple of closures. Ototo Sushi is facing closure as it can’t agree on lease terms with its landlord, and tea emporium The Teacup is shutting down for the same reason. They won’t be gone completely—Ototo may relocate, and the Teacup will continue as an online tea vendor. KOMO says neighboring Polpetta, formerly Enza Cucina Siciliana, is also facing eviction.

WEST SEATTLE
Another Marination Station is a little bit closer to reality. Alki Crab and Fish Co.’s appeal of the Seacrest Boathouse property contract was rejected by the Seattle Parks Department.

EVERYWHERE
Do the New Year right with a classy New Year’s Eve dinner, followed by one of our favorite concerts or bashes.

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Tags: Closings, Seattle Restaurant Closings, Neighborhood Food News Roundup, Lucky 8, Copper Gate