Calf and Kid Begets Culture Club

First, the bad news: Culture Club is not a Boy George–themed establishment. Now, the fantastic news: Calf and Kid owner Sheri LaVigne is scouting a location to open a cheese bar in Ballard. She wants to introduce people to the joys of cheese flights paired with wine or beer and some less-common cheese dishes like Swiss raclette or frico, an Italian dish of shredded onion, potato, and grana padano cheese, heated into a lacy pancakelike state. There might even be some vertical tastings of Gruyère. calfandkid.com

Ballard Annex Oyster House Begets the Grog

Patrons at Ballard Annex Oyster House really like the back room. So much that everyone gravitates there in the evening, making the main dining area feel a little empty. And so the space will become an entirely separate bar with its own entrance and a vibe inspired by the days of spice traders sailing the high seas. The Grog’s food and drink menu will regularly rotate from one port of call to the next. ballardannex.com/grog

French Fry Heaven Is a Place on Earth

Thick-cut, twice-fried potatoes are entree, side dish, and dessert at this chain, which will open its first location in the western U.S. in Westfield Southcenter mall. Choose from 50 toppings, from wing sauce to caramel. In case it wasn’t totally clear: The menu consists entirely of French fries. Which is either terrifying or fantastic. frenchfryheaven.com

Boom: Here’s Bellevue’s New Izakaya 

The team behind Boom (formerly Boom Noodle) is turning the Bellevue Square location into Kaisho, their interpretation of an izakaya. You might find Thai-style fried chicken with kimchi waffles, coconut butter, and five-spice maple syrup on the menu. Plus drinks that hail from Japan and the Pacific Northwest. boomnoodle.com

This article originally appeared in the December 2013 issue of Seattle Met.