Sauced

A New Chef for Canon

Tavern Law’s Andrew Cross takes over, but the buns remain.

Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Jan 23, 2012 at 09:00AM 0 Comments

Another departure from Tavern Law; a new food program at Canon.

Canon, a little bar on 12th Avenue that you’ve probably heard of, has a new chef. Per the Twitters, Andrew Cross arrived on Friday to take over the kitchen. He didn’t have far to move; Cross previously worked just up the street at Tavern Law, right up until the night before he reported for duty at his new job. Cross was, according to Canon owner Jamie Boudreau, the kitchen manager and lead cook over there. Before that, he worked in the kitchen at Canlis.

While Cross is still settling in, Boudreau says patrons can expect the menu to expand, change more frequently, and offer more specials and food pairings. He’s also hoping for more special dinners like Canon’s New Year’s Eve celebration and, as soon as it’s feasible, brunch.

“It’s our goal to have our guests talk about the food as much as they have our drinks,” says the barman, a lofty goal considering the roster of behind-the-bar talent, and the love that has rained down on Canon since it opened. Boudreau was also quick to note that the pork belly buns, an item so in demand at Canon that they are listed at the top of the menu inside a thick black box, aren’t going anywhere.

Boudreau says that Canon’s opening chef, Melinda Bradley, left to pursue another career, but he was “pleased with the direction that she has steered our ship.”

Cross isn’t the only Tavern Law alum that’s changed things up lately. Former lead bartender Ian Cargill now spends his weekends running the Trophy Room over at Shorty’s.

In totally unrelated (but still enjoyable) Canon news, partner Andrew Fawcett informed me that the bar called in a former BBC announcer to record its voice mail message. So next time you find yourself with a moment to spare during daytime hours, dial 206-552-9755 and revel in the fact that everything sounds more classy with a British accent.

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Tags: Jamie Boudreau, Tavern Law, Canon Seattle, Shift Change

Tavern Law’s Ian Cargill Moves On

Find him at his own private bar inside circus-themed Shorty’s.

Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Dec 28, 2011 at 11:30AM 2 Comments

Former Tavern Law lead bartender Ian Cargill is headed to Shorty’s. Photo via Facebook.

As tweeted by ever-imbibing Seattle Times cocktail writer Tan Vinh, Tavern Law’s lead bartender, Ian Cargill, has left the building. Starting December 29, you can find Cargill at the Trophy Room at Shorty’s, tending what amounts to his own private bar. He will be sequestered amidst all the pinball, the hot dogs, and directly across from a very exposed men’s room door in the circus-themed Belltown dive’s sumptuous little bar-within-a-bar.

Cargill will be here playing his trade on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, as of this weekend. “I’m hopeful that there can be a nice little watering hole hidden behind the pinball machines and clowns,” he says. He’s the only one working that back bar in the Trophy Room, so placing yourself in one of the bar’s oversized chairs is to essentially enter his personal drinking domain.

A Tavern Law rep declined to give any specifics on any new staffing scenarios over there, but Vinh is apparently moonlighting as the establishment’s HR guy via Twitter for those of you tracking who’s making drinks where. But Cargill’s not giving up Capitol Hill entirely; his plans include picking up some shifts at Tommy Gun come January.

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Tags: Seattle Bartenders, Tavern Law, Ian Cargill, Shift Change, Shorty's

Bartender Shuffle: Evan Martin now helming at Naga, Mike McSorley back at Tini Bigs

…And another tender leaves Tavern Law.

Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Jul 13, 2010 at 01:29PM 0 Comments

Something in the water? Bartenders around Seattle are on the move.

[UPDATE: MILES THOMAS SAYS HE’LL BE AT THE HIDEOUT ON FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS in AUGUST.]

The bartenders, they are restless.

First David Nelson left Tavern Law a few weeks back, now Miles Thomas is bailing the bar as well. No word yet on what mystery projects they have planned. (Thomas has another gig as one of the guys behind Scrappys Bitters, the other guy is Serafina’s Chris Bollenbacher.)

And Mike McSorley has parted ways with Naga Lounge in Bellevue. Evan Martin is now the man in charge there. “I want [Naga] to be much better than it’s ever been,” says Martin. According to him, the bar now has the state’s largest liquor selection. He is developing a new cocktail list to make use of it, alongside “a much improved beer and wine selection.” Look for changes towards the end of July.

McSorley, meanwhile, is back at the bar he calls his alma mater, Tini Bigs on Lower Queen Anne. Look for him there on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. He says he’s got some new stuff in the works at TBs, more on that as details unfold.

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Tags: Seattle Bartenders, Bitters, Evan Martin, Miles Thomas, Mike McSorley, David Nelson, Tavern Law