OPENINGS

Narwhal
Almost a month after the original opening date, Unicorn’s new underground counterpart Narwhal opened last week. Considering it comes complete with pinball, arcade games, a wheel-of-drink and Ferris wheel seats, who needs the Seattle Great Wheel?

Sarducci’s Specialty Sub
A neighborhood favorite in Kirkland and the U District, Sarducci’s new First Hill location is now open, according to a tweet from a local spotter.

95 Slide
In homage to Ken Griffey Jr.’s 1995 winning slide into home plate, Capitol Hill nightlife guy Marcus Lalario opened 95 Slide last week With seating for more than 100 people, a score of 55-inch televisions (plus some that customers get to control!), a rooftop deck and service until 2am, Seattleites can watch the game in style.

Cherry Street Coffee House
The sixth Cherry Street Coffee House is now open on First Hill, in a space that features repurposed barn wood, local industrial metals, and spacious outdoor seating. The shop also has a communal conference room for studying (hear that, Seattle U students?) and private meetings.

Tacos de la Noche
Seattle Weekly reports that Queen City Grill executive chef Oscar Montejano is now working after-hours at Tacos de la Noche, an authentic Mexican taco stand he opened in Belltown with friend Lex Petras. Tacos de la Noche will serve tacos at Belltown Billiards until 3am. Could this surpass the Seattle hot dog as the late-night, handheld snack?

Gourmet Dog Japon
If yakisoba, wasabi mayo and hot dogs is your perfect combo, you’re in luck: Gourmet Dog Japon has opened another cart at Westlake Center The new cherry-red stand hawks the same extravagant Japanese fusion franks just a few blocks from the original.

Starbucks
The coffee company has remedied its dire shortage of Seattle stores with two new downtown locations, according to local Mermaidcentric blogger Starbucks Melody. The Fifth and Columbia location is smaller and "built for speed," while the close-by Third and Seneca store is designed with comfort in mind.

COMING SOON

Skillet Counter
Skillet ‘s new Armory counter will open Wednesday, July 11. You’ll find the same signature Skillet items on the menu, as well as a few new counter-specific additions, sweets, drinks, and more.

Populuxe Brewing
Ballard continues to beer up with Populuxe Brewing, opening this fall. The nanobrewery will feature six Populuxe beers on tap, a spacious patio and a cornhole court. The simple child of skee-ball and bean-bag tossing, cornhole is pretty much the best beer-drinking game ever.

Firefly Cafe and Creperie
West Seattle Blog reports that Charell Estby is working on filling the long-empty space at The Junction in West Seattle with a cafe and creperie, to open in the fall. Though the name of the restaurant was still in the works when Estby created the Facebook page two weeks ago, she recently posted that the name is permanent.

Mutiny Hall
Seth Howard, owner of the popular Collins Pub in Pioneer Square, is opening another craft beer bar, Mutiny Hall, later this month according to Seattle Beer News. Mutiny Hall will feature regional and West Coast breweries on 20 taps, and will be open for family-friendly lunch and dinner.

REVAMPS

Amber Den
The Amber Den will have a new name when it reopens, according to its Facebook page. It will reopen as Nick’s off Market in an effort to align with other changes, such as the new menu and look.

El Diablo Coffee Company
Jill Killen, owner of Maple Leaf’s Cloud City Coffee, has purchased the Latin-style coffee shop in Queen Anne. El Diablo will continue to serve Cuban food and drinks, but Killen plans to to significantly expand the menu to bring in Cloud City Coffee favorites such as morning glory muffins, coconut bread, and quiche.

DELAYS

Monte Cristo
Danielle Custer’s grilled cheesemobile, Monte Cristo, will not be launching in the summer as hoped. She admits the launch date was a little ambitious, considering the truck is only starting to be built this week. Custer may try to acquire a liquor license later for catering purposes, and possibly retail bottles. Beer and grilled cheese? I’m in.

TEMPORARY CLOSINGS

Cafe Munir
The Ballard Lebanese restaurant will be closed from July 8 to 23, and serving mezze once again as of July 24.