Openings

The Cookie Counter
Vegans and nonvegans alike are rejoicing over this ice creamery and bakeshop’s opening this week. In addition to their blue Volkswagon bus, Mavis, owners Chelsea Keene and Chris Olson are serving coffee, sundaes, pop tarts and more at their lemon-hued shop in Phinney Ridge.

Floating Bridge Brewery
An hommage to the daily commute, this brewery opened in the University District in the former Fusion nightclub space, per Eater Seattle. So, less twerking (we think), more shuffleboard and Cascadian dark ale.

Bar Harbor
Ben Hodgetts’ Northwest-style lobster shack is gearing up for a grand opening. Meanwhile, his walkup window and patio at 400 Fairview Avenue is already pouring local brews.

Awards and Accolades

Ghostfish Brewing
Washington State’s first entirely gluten-free brewery swept their category at the U.S. Beer Open earlier this month. Their grapefruit IPA, Kai Dog red ale, and Russian imperial stout took home the gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively. Your weekend plans should include a trio of gluten-free brews.

Bateau, Salare
Eater just named The 21 Best New Restaurants in America and damn right these two restaurants from two acclaimed chefs—ahem, Best Chef Northwest for Renee Erickson and one of Food and Wine’s Best New Chef for Edouardo Jordan—got deserved shout outs. Eater’s Bill Addison says Salare’s menu “reads and tastes like [Jordan’s] culinary biography.” While Bateau is called a “game-changing steakhouse.” Agreed.

Closing

The Spanish Table
Adios to paella pans the width of your toddler. Adios to olive wood bowls and spoons that make your Ikea-riddled kitchen feel less like a dorm room. The Western Avenue kitchen shop of Spanish goods, wine, and pantry items will close its doors at the end of August.

Meals

Bar Noroeste
The more carnitas-blessed brunches, the better. This decidedly Pacific Northwest taqueria has added brunch to their meal repertoire, which means pupusas Benedict, breakfast tacos, morning tamales, quinoa and duck carnitas, plus bottomless mimosas to wash it all down.