News for Restaurants in Seattle
August 2008 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Vuong Loc, owner/chef of Queen Anne's Portage, has put the oink back in Greenwood's beloved Pig 'N Whistle. Loc and his wife, Tricia, remodeled the funky pub, but kept the laid-back vibe and casual menu, which offers more than pork with a dozen beers on tap.

Offering more than 80 wines by the glass with a menu prepared by executive chef Lisa Nakamura, formerly of Qube and The French Laundry, bin vivant opened last month at the Woodmark Hotel on Lake Washington in Kirkland. Wine director Dawn Smith, alum of the Canlis wine team, joins chef Nakamura to create paired cuisine. Dine alfresco on a warm summer evening on the lakeside patio. bin vivant, 1200 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-822-3700.

Olivar, the Spanish word for "olive grove," is the theme of a new Mediterranean bistro that offers a selection of small plates that can be shared or combined to create tasting menus. Chef Philippe Thomelin comes with credentials from Il Terrazzo Carmine and Cascadia as well as several restaurants in France. He had his own tapas bar in Andalusia Spain. Open Tuesday-Sunday for dinner. Olivar, 806 E. Roy St., Seattle, WA 98102, 206-322-0409.

West Seattle adds yet another culinary gem! Dahlia Lounge alum Mark Fuller and his wife, Marjorie, launched the much-anticipated Spring Hill Restaurant and Bar. The bistro style menu offers dinner from 5:45 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Sunday. Spring Hill Restaurant and Bar, 4437 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116, 206-935-1075.

News Bytes

New Owner Takes Reins
Café Flora, the restaurant queen of haute vegetarian cuisine, has a new owner, Nat Stratton-Clarke. But the faithful need not fear. Nat has been the general manager for several years, so expect a seamless transition. Café Flora, 2901 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98112, 206-325-9100.

Burger Bliss and Make-a-Wish Team Up
Enjoy a prime sirloin burger (considered by some to be the Rolls Royce of burgers) for $19.78, and Morton's, The Steakhouse will donate $5 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The benefit applies only on Sundays through the end of the September. Morton's, The Steakhouse, 1511 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, 206-223-0550.

Special Offer at The Oceanaire
To celebrate summer, The Oceanaire Seafood Room is offering a special three-course prix-fix dinner menu for $33. The menu, which is offered daily for dinner, includes three courses with a choice of three options for each course. The special menu is meant to offer guests an overview of The Oceanaire's extensive seafood offerings. The Oceanaire is also presenting a special wine list to accompany the menu, which features summer discounts on several wines, both by the glass and by the bottle. The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 1700 Seventh Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, 206-267-2277.

Summertime at Palisade
Palisade, offering one of Seattle's most spectacular views, has added a special summer menu that focuses on the restaurant's Polynesian inspired Northwest cuisine. Executive chef Mark Randolph and the new chef de cuisine Robin Uyeda, straight from Honolulu, have added grilled prawns infused with coconut and lime, a succulent Duck Duet (seared duck breast and roasted duck confit), mango-lime chicken salad, and the Hawaiian-style chicken linguine. Palisade, 2601 W. Marina Pl., Seattle, WA 98199, 206-285-1000.

Matt’s No More
Matt Janke, the well-liked namesake of Matt's in the Market, has left the restaurant he first opened 12 years ago in Pike Place Market. Matt's business partner Dan Bugge, who helped expand the old space last year, is now the owner. Good news: Chef Chester Gerl is still in the kitchen. Matt's in the Market, Corner Market Building, 94 Pike St., #32, Seattle, WA 98101, 206-467-7909.

Chef Shuffle

Chef Tom Black left Freemont's 35th Street Bistro and is teaching cooking classes at Culinary Communion, but we have no news yet about his next restaurant gig. 35th Street Bistro, 709 N. 35th St., Seattle, WA 98103, 206-547-9850.

Eric Hellner has moved from Union Square Grill to the Metropolitan Grill. Christina Brown is new chef at Union Square Grill. Union Square Grill, 621 Union St., Seattle, WA 98101, 206-224-4321.

Chef Peter Levine has moved from Troiani to Waterfront Seafood Grill. He takes over from chef Steve Cain who is moving to the Bellevue El Gaucho. Chef Roger Greene is taking Peter's spot at Troiani. Troiani, 1001 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98104, 206-624-4060.

Portland chef Eric Bechard is the newest chef at Queen Anne's Opal. Bechard continues this chic bistro's focus on small plate. He describes his approach as "modern American." Try his roasted rabbit with potato gnocchi and the butter braised lobster. Opal, 2 Boston St., Seattle, WA 98109, 206-282-0142.

Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Seattle to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from the past. Lampreia, R.I.P.

The Tiki torches were extinguished last month at the Trader Vic's in Bellevue's Lincoln Square. Pearl, offering upscale contemporary Northwest cuisine, is set to open in its place later this fall. That's when sleek, upscale decor will replace the Polynesian kitchen---but good news---the full bar will still serve mai-tais. Trader Vic's, 700 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004, no phone.

After just 18 months, the high-concept Asian-French restaurant Qube has closed its doors on Second Avenue in downtown Seattle. Owner Fu-Shen Chang cited the economic downturn as the cause of his restaurant's demise.

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.

View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Seattle

Discover the top restaurants for various cuisines and categories like steakhouses, pizza, happy hours, and romantic dining. Find the best restaurants in Seattle here!

Find the best restaurants in Seattle in categories like outdoor dining and brunch

BEYONCE INSPIRED LIBATIONS

Try these whiskey cocktails inspired by Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album.

Check the recipes.

BOURBON IN YOUR AIOLI

This cashew aioli recipe gets a kick with bourbon.

Get the recipe.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDS

Over the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

Check the list.

News for Restaurants in Seattle August 2008 Archive

News for Restaurants in Seattle
August 2008 Archive