First Look: Revel
Yang says the rehabbed space on North 36th Street once housed a catering business. The build-out commenced in September, and though it required a complete overhaul Yang and company sought to "keep that warehouse feel."
Chances are you’ll spot either Yang (second from the left) or Chirchi in the kitchen as they cook alongside three other chefs on any given day. Both were quick to reassure that they’d split their time evenly between Revel and Joule. "We won’t be neglecting Joule," Chirchi promised. Sous chefs are Michael Wisenhunt and Pat Chang.
Yang says the menu is built on comfort food items that are "vessels" for carrying all sorts of flavor. Consider the rice bowl made up of charred brazen winter beans, seven-spice walnuts, shiitake mushrooms, and soy-cured chicken egg yolk. Or the salad of corned lamb, arugula, nuoc cham, and mint.
A 24-foot maple cooking station extends the entire length of Revel’s dining room. Diners can get up close and personal with the chefs—bar stools will line the side opposite of where they cook.
Revel will seat 45 people and is open for lunch Monday-Friday 11-2 and dinner Sunday-Thursday 5-10; Friday and Saturday 5-11. Brunch service begins January 8. Among the AM offerings: a $7 pumpkin porridge with rum raisin and brown sugar, and a $12 Korean "hangover soup" of noodles, black pudding, and swisschard.
Three condiments, such as spicy Korean chili paste or salty garlic and ginger, will sit on each table.
Unlike Joule, where the menu rotates often, offerings at Revel only will change with the seasons, says Chirchi. Still, expect big things: "We have a million ideas," he adds, "and we’re ready to unleash them all."
The still-to-be-completed Quoin, with a capacity of 20 people. The bar sits separate from the dining room and will serve beer, wine, and cocktails, including house-infused Soju libations. (Soju is a liquor popular in Korea.) Revel’s full menu should be available to Quoin patrons.
Revel and Quoin combined will seat 35 outside on an 800-square-foot deck looking toward the Fremont Canal.
A mural by Seattle graffiti artist Pubs flanks the exterior of Revel. The wood-lined building to the right is Quoin. The duo is opening Revel with Evo founders Chad Dale and Bryce Philips, and Ira Gerlich; the latter three are part owners of the Kolstrand Building in Ballard. Jim Graham of Graham Baba Architects designed the spaces.
