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Seattle Restaurant Openings

The Wurst Place Opens

The occasion takes place February 3.

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The Wurst Place: sausage, beer, and eclectic design.

Really truly finally—it’s happening.

The Wurst Place, the South Lake Union restaurant and deli serving sausages of all stripes, is set to open on Friday, February 3 at 5pm.

It’s been a long haul for owner Bob Liptak, who first revealed his plans to Nosh Pit in late April. Numerous delays and construction hiccups would ensue, as would a relentless stream of inquiries from fans and bloggers (yep, guilty). But the wait appears worth it. The distinctive interior, the impressive selection of beers, the exhaustive and carefully curated menu of franks and frites all suggest good things.

Gander at that interior in this First Look, and get more on Wurst Place beer here.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, South Lake Union, The Wurst Place

Seattle Restaurant Openings

First Look: The Wurst Place

Tour South Lake Union’s long-awaited sausage and beer emporium.

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The Wurst Place, ne plus ultra of sausage revelry.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

The Wurst Place, ne plus ultra of sausage revelry.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

Liptak, he of the steel stomach, sampled hundreds upon hundreds of franks in order to fine-tune his menu. You can’t say the man isn’t dedicated.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

Sausage isn’t Liptak’s only obsession: gnomes are everywhere in the bar area. Seattle artist Dave Adams designed the Wurst place logo.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

Among the franks you might encounter: smoked elk with jalapeño and cheese, beef and bacon, pheasant, rattlesnake (delicious, according to Liptak), and veggie varieties. Purists will find traditional wursts as well.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

Other menu items mentioned include Belgian frites with housemade dipping sauces and haluski, a Czech noodle dish. This 21-foot communal table is made from reclaimed wood.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

Friend Glenn Fox designed the eclectic artwork (parts of which glow in the dark) seen throughout.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

What’s a wiener without beer? Expect 20 taps, a mix of Belgian, German, Northwestern, and domestic ales.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

As they enter the restaurant patrons are greeted by a “shutter wall” made by the owners. Liptak is opening the Place with his sister and brother-in-law.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson
View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

“We couldn’t afford to buy anything, so we just made everything we could,” Liptak told photographer Lucas Anderson. Light fixtures include a growler cut in half.

View Slideshow » Photo: Lucas Anderson

…And an old door.

Sausage enthusiasts have anxiously (correction: impatiently) awaited the day Bob Liptak would open The Wurst Place. I’m happy to report the occasion is nigh.

Liptak is tending to finishing touches at 510 Westlake Avenue, he hopes to start doing business within the next week. Overhauling the former Outdoors and More proved tricky and time-consuming, but as the pictures here show the efforts were well-spent—the Wurst Place is proving to be one of the more eclectic interiors this blog has seen.

To take a look around and to learn what kind of food is in store, hit the slideshow.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, South Lake Union, First Look, The Wurst Place

Seattle Restaurant Openings

Cactus South Lake Union Shooting for Mid-November Open

Margaritas and Mexican food are imminent for the Amazon crowd.

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Cactus comes to South Lake Union. Pictured here: the Madison Park location.

Here’s something you maybe forgot about: Cactus is opening a fourth location in Amazonia, at 350 Terry Avenue North and Harrison Street. In early April the local Mexican chainlet and happy hour favorite announced plans to put down 5,000-square-foot roots next to the Tom Douglas triad. The projected opening: late summer.

That didn’t happen, so what kind of time frame are we looking at now? “Around November 15,” says rep Bridget Boland Gundlach.

In other SLU news, Mio Sushi is now open in the Rollin Street Flats (122 Westlake Ave North). As for the long-awaited Wurst Place in the 500 block of Westlake, it too is eying the middle of the month.

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Tags: New Seattle Restaurants, Seattle Restaurant Openings, South Lake Union

Seattle Restaurant Openings

What’s Up With the Wurst Place?

After a drawn-out buildout, the sausage house is hoping to open within the next six weeks.

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A work in progress: an early interior shot of The Wurst Place. Photo courtesy facebook.

It’s been some time since we heard from the Wurst Place, that wieners-and-beer hall due for South Lake Union. What’s the deal?

Converting the former Outdoors & More retail space into a restaurant has posed considerable challenges, says owner Bob Liptak. That, and the fact “it’s an old building. It’s a really, really old building,” have pushed back the initial mid-summer target open. Still, Liptak, ever the optimist, said the whole process actually has been kinda fun, forcing him and his crew to find creative ways to rehab the spot at 510 Westlake Avenue. Let’s hope the wall o’ gnomes is still in the cards.

Liptak was hesitant to assign another target date—he’s fielded many an anxious inquiry from Seattleites—but he did say this: “I’d love to be open in October. I’m confident we’ll be open by the end of that month.”

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, South Lake Union, The Wurst Place

Fun with Charts

Breaking Down Tom Douglas’s South Lake Union Empire

The man opened five new joints there this year.

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A pretzel from Brave Horse Tavern.

Yes, five, and in typical TD fashion, they’re all nestled close to one another. Serious Pie and Dahlia Workshop share quarters on Westlake and Harrison, while Brave Horse Tavern, Ting Momo, and Cuoco are housed in a rehabbed warehouse on Terry Avenue.

If your brain is overwhelmed by that much Douglasness in not very much space, Seattle Met critic Kathryn Robinson has a guide to all his new nosheries (well, all of them except one: Cuoco gets its own review.) In it find a breakdown of each joint with handy details like optimal times to visit, Tom’s favorites from the menus as well as hers.

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Tags: New Seattle Restaurants, South Lake Union, Tom Douglas

Checking In

The Future of Lunchbox Lab

What is the plan for the SLU hamburger joint following the loss of founder Scott Simpson?

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Lunchbox Lab will be around “for many years to come” says owner John Schmidt.

Photo: Facebook

Over the past few months, I’ve been asked a lot if I knew what might happen to Lunchbox Laboratory in light of the tragic death of its founder, Scott Simpson, in March. I did not. So I thought it was time to check in.

The truth is, even before the loss of Simpson, the hamburger joint’s future never felt fully secure. From the moment it opened at its original Ballard location, Lunchbox enjoyed the devotion of a carnivorous customer base that sung its praises at a fever pitch. But as popular as it was, many derided the restaurant for unpredictable hours, inconsistent food, and unsanitary conditions. Since the move to South Lake Union, management has been working to maintain regular hours, a more consistent product, and clean conditions, says John Schmidt. Schmidt and his partners took over ownership and management at the time of the relocation.

“There have been numerous changes implemented to strengthen what was…a struggling business model,” says Schmidt, owner of Neighborhood Grills. “The changes are big and small, but all in the name of providing the best gourmet burgers and hand-dipped shakes in the nation.”

And despite the loss of Simpson and the diminished involvement of cofounder Allegra Waggener (now working “in an advisory role” for the restaurant), Schmidt says he and his partners expect Lunchbox “to be around for many years to come.”

While the focus for the moment is on “refining the overall experience of our guest,” future expansion shouldn’t be ruled out. As Schmidt told the Seattle Times’ Nancy Leson back in December: “Growth is what we’re about.”

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Tags: Hamburgers, South Lake Union

Openings

The Wurst Place Will Source the Country’s Best Sausages

And other such tidbits about the forthcoming South Lake Union deli and restaurant.

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Photo courtesy The Wurst Place

It’s no wonder the first time I scheduled an interview with Bob Liptak, he had to bail because he didn’t feel well—the man has eaten more than 500 sausages in the past two months.

There’s been lamb franks, mac and cheese dogs, bavarian bangers, and a pheasant-chicken mash-up. He’s skittish to try the wildebeest he’s heard about, but will vouch for a rattlesnake-and-rabbit variety. In fact, Liptak will likely vend it at The Wurst Place when he opens it in mid-June/early July.

At once a restaurant and deli, Liptak likens the Wurst, located at 510 Westlake Avenue North, to a microbrewery: on hand will be 20 or so staple sausages plus a large selection of rotating specials. Patrons can grab something out of the case or belly up in the dining area that seats 60 and pours 15 tap beers—gems you’re pressed to find elsewhere, says Liptak. An LA transplant with years in the gourmet meats biz, he is opening the Place with his sister and brother-in-law.

Liptak talks of serving simple toppings for the sausages, six or seven artisanal mustards, and belgian frites (with up to 10 dipping sauces!). Also on the menu is a Czech specialty, haluski kapusta. Liptak grew up eating the veggie noodle dish and says people rave about his rendition.

If purists are freaked at the mention of the exotic offerings above (and there are others—smoked elk and jalapeno, chipotle buffalo), take heart knowing plenty of traditional wursts are in the works, as are house-made ones. Wise on the city he’s living in, Liptak will accommodate vegetarians and source gluten-free rolls.

If gnome-aphobes are freaked by the illo above, take heart in this fact: Liptak scaled back on his original idea of planting 90 of them throughout the Wurst. Now the bearded dudes are enshrined in just one wall.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, South Lake Union, The Wurst Place

Openings

Ting Momo Opens in South Lake Union

The trifecta of new Tom Douglas eateries is complete.

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Dumplings come to South Lake Union. Photo courtesy Ting Momo.

If you’re looking for a new place to lunch, Tom Douglas’s Ting Momo opens Monday, April 18 at 11am. The Amazon campus cafe deals in Tibetan dumplings, particularly of the steamed and fried sort, and is helmed by chef Deyki Thonden. A ten-spot suffices for most of the entrees, plus the rotating daily specials.

Momo is the latest in T-Dawg mojo, what with his two other SLU joints, Cuoco and Brave Horse Tavern, both within a stone’s throw of Ting, opening as well. And before those debuted, pop went Serious Pie II and Dahlia Workshop on Westlake and Harrison.

Keep on top of more more food and restaurant news. Friend Nosh Pit on Facebook.

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Tags: Seattle Restaurant Openings, South Lake Union, Tom Douglas

Sneak Peeks

Want To Eat At Tom Douglas’s New Restaurants Before They Even Open?

Chefs from TD’s three new Terry Ave eateries will test recipes over three nights in March. Reserve now.

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This March, Tom Douglas chefs will convert the Palace Ballroom into a test kitchen—sign up to sample dishes from his three forthcoming restaurants.

Photo courtesy Palace Ballroom.

I just got an email from Keren Brown of Foodportunity detailing an enticing offer for anyone anxious to try Tom Douglas’s three forthcoming restaurant concepts before they even open.

The restaurants are part of Amazon’s new South Lake Union campus and will all be housed in a Terry Avenue building between Thomas and Harrison streets. They are to be called Cuoco, Brave Horse Tavern, and Ting Momo. Cuoco will be an Italian pasta spot, Brave Horse is a tavern, of course, with 26 beer taps and its own pretzel oven, and the concept at Ting Momo is a “Tibetan dumpling cafe.” Interesting.

Over three nights in March, the chefs at the new restaurants will convert Palace Ballroom—TD’s Belltown event space—into a test kitchen, and you’re invited to try the results. On Thursday, March 10, sample pastas from Cuoco. On Friday, March 18 it’s dishes from Brave Horse Tavern, and on Saturday, March 19 the Ting Momo chefs will show off their stuff.

Each session is limited to 60 guests and begins at 6pm. The cost is $25 per person—that buys you five sample dishes and a glass of wine. Pretty good deal!

For reservations call Amy Richardson at 206-448-2001.

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Tags: New Seattle Restaurants, South Lake Union, Tom Douglas, Food Events and Festivals

Food News

Claudio Corallo Is Now Named Marie & Freres

What’s up with the new moniker at 2122 Westlake Avenue?

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The newly christened Marie & Freres in South Lake Union. Photo courtesy the shop.

Did you guys freak, too, when you learned of the new signage at 2122 Westlake Avenue? Because my brain ran crazy with thoughts like: Are Claudio Corallo chocolates gone from Seattle? Can I still get MistralKitchen’s mind-blowing macaroons? What about Gengibre bars? Turns out, the answers are: No, yes, and probably.

The truly pleasant owner, Marie-Françoise Barnhart, tells me that the wee store on Westlake we know as Claudio Corallo is in the process of expanding its offerings. This means it will stock additional artisanal producers, not just those of the eponymous chocolatier, hence the new name (a reference to Barnhart and her two brothers).

Which cacao purveyors those might be, Barnhart couldn’t say—the list is yet to be finalized, she’s traveling to Europe next month to test some possibilities. Barnhart could confirm that the delectable brownies and macaroons made by the pastry whizzes at MistralKitchen will still line the storefront.

Why the change? Barnhart points out that Corallo edibles (maybe the world’s most singular chocolate, and that’s not hyperbole) are imported from fairly remote areas of the planet, so stocking isn’t always easy. “It’s a little bit difficult to have a steady supply,” she said, telling me of sugar shortages and elections that have held up supplies in the past.

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Tags: South Lake Union, Desserts, Chocolate, Food News

Are You Already Thinking About This Weekend’s Brunch?

No shame in it. Let’s talk options.

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Sweet buns at the Harvest Vine

I’ve never tried it myself, but I’ve heard many, many raves about the brunch at Harvest Vine. The menu sounds fantastic—egg and sherry-battered fried toast with figs and orange syrup, scrambled eggs with duck confit, caramelized onions, and cream…..Brunch is from 10am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Easy Joe’s, the new comfort-food spot (the concept reminds me of that at Bing’s in Madison Park) in the former Tidbit spot, is doing weekend brunch from 9am to 2pm. Dungeness crab hush puppies? Yeah, they make that.

I had a chance today to check out Local 360, the new restaurant in the old Flying Fish space in Belltown. It serves a straightforward selection of sustainably sourced breakfast items like buttermilk biscuits and preserves, a sausage and egg sandwich, steel-cut oatmeal, grits and eggs, etc. Get there early so you can score a booth and park it for the morning. Ahhhhh.

I like the sound of duck-ham eggs Benedict, on the brunch menu at new West Seattle restaurant Avalon. Crab and cod Benedict, a root vegetable hash, and a leek quiche all also grace that menu. Brunch at Avalon is Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm.

The Row House Cafe over in South Lake Union is doing brunch on the weekends. They have a build-your-own breakfast sandwich option that’s pretty cool, and who can argue with baked brie with honey and pine nuts and an Illy cappuccino in the morning?

Not you, my hungry cheese-loving friend. Not you.

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Tags: South Lake Union, Belltown, Brunch, Madison Valley, Madison Park

Openings/Burger Mania

Lunchbox Laboratory in South Lake Union Is Now Open

The burger shop settles into cushier quarters.

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Lunchbox Laboratory is now flipping burgers in South Lake Union.

Seattleites, you love your burgers, so this sweep of new beefy joints must have you fired up, yeah?

First came BuiltBurger in Pioneer Square in November, then from the Quinn’s and Restaurant Zoe folks, Uneeda Burger in Fremont. More recent to debut was Belltown’s Dope Burger, and last week word came Ethan Stowell is launching a burger stand, Hamburg + Frites, in Safeco Field. Holy cow. And the latest bit: the South Lake Union iteration of Lunchbox Laboratory is now open daily starting at 11am.

At the end of December the Ballard shack shut down in anticipation of new and spiffy digs at 1253 Thomas Street, the former home of Southlake Grill. Like at the Ballard original, mondo, immoderate burgers are the star of the menu, which has been beefed up (har) to include appetizers, paninis, and desserts (those delicious milkshakes made the move as well).

A full bar, an upstairs loft, and arcade games also distinguish the SLU spot, which, it should be mentioned, is 5,000 square feet—considering the claustrophobic digs Lunchbox once inhabited (just 400 square feet!), this literally is big news.

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Tags: New Seattle Restaurants, Seattle Restaurant Openings, South Lake Union, Burgers

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