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News for Restaurants in Seattle
January 2011 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS


Openings

Is it a sign that the local economy is improving? A plethora of new restaurants have opened in Seattle, including a second Serious Pie from celeb chef Tom Douglas on the corner of Westlake and Harrison in the up and coming South Lake Union neighborhood. Two new restaurants have also opened in Belltown: Local 360 is in the space of  the old Flying Fish on First and Bell. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it offers American comfort food and features ingredients from within 360 miles of Seattle. The second Belltown launch is Dope Burger, in the former space Noodle Ranch on 2nd Avenue and Bell Street. In Fremont, the just-opened Uneeda Burger is getting raves for its lamb burger with tempura'd lemons and Manchego cheese. Further north, Anthony's, the local group of seafood restaurants, has opened a spanking new seaside location at 1207 Q Avenue in Anacortes. West Seattle welcomed two new restaurants late last year: Wing Dome brings its fiery chicken to 4523 California Ave. SW, and right next door, the chariming Tuscan Tea Room, opened by Aimee Pellegrini, daughter of the family that owns La Rustica, offers a sedate spot for lunch or tea.
 
Le Grand Bistro Américain has opened at Carillon Point in the fabulous lakeside location formerly occupied by BlueWater Bistro. Anticipation is high for this venture because it is from Seattle chef and restaurant consultant Ted Furst, who was both a co-founder of Campagne and a corporate executive chef with Schwartz Brothers. Could this be the Eastside's answer to Ballard's Bastille with the addition of a raw bar? Le Grand Bistro's menu will offer classic French appetizers, soups, salads and entrées, including classic steak frites. Executive chef is Scott Emerick formerly of Crémant, and general manager is Tom McDermott, formerly of The Parlor Billiards. But don't expect an intimate French café scene since the bistro has 140 seats. Le Grand Bistro Américain , 2220 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-828-7778.
 
Milagro Cantina, a new 300-plus seat restaurant in downtown Kirkland, may give nearby Cactus Café some serious competition. Opened in Dec. 2010, the stylish, beautifully-designed 8,000 square foot restaurant offers sophisticated Mexican fare. Inspired by foods, cultures, and regional cooking techniques from across Mexico, the menu includes the molés of Oaxaca, seafood from Baja, street foods of Mexico City, barbacoa from Central Mexico, and the grilled foods found across Sonora. Executive chef Chris Peterson who heads the kitchen was previously at Bis on Main and Café Campagne. Milagro Cantina , 148 Lake St., Kirkland, WA 98033, 425-952-6270.
 
Avalon, describing itself as "a casual fine-dining restaurant and lounge," recently opened in West Seattle's Luna Park neighborhood. Featuring Pacific Northwest fare with touches of rustic Mediterranean flavors, the menu mixes core favorites with seasonally rotating items and daily specials featuring ingredients from small, local vendors. Open daily for dinner and for brunch on weekends, reservations are accepted and can be made by calling 206-922-3606. Avalon, 2940 S.W. Avalon Way, West Seattle, WA 98126, 206-922-3606.
 
Madison Park Conservatory recently opened in the location that previously housed Sostanza, just across from Lake Washington. The space has been totally remodeled with a romantic Mediterranean-inspired décor and is reported to be elegantly casual with a hip vibe. There's a small upstairs bar and a summertime deck with a lake view. The menu is Pacific Northwest with New American accents. Cormac Mahoney, who started the popular walk up Tako Truk in Seattle, is the forced behind this new restaurant which features Zoi Antonitsas as chef de cuisine and Maggie Savarino managing the front of the house. Madison Park Conservatory, 1927 43rd Avenue E., Seattle, WA 98122, 206-324-9701.
 
Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, the husband and wife chef/owners of Wallingford’s Joule, have opened a second restaurant in Freemont. Revel’s menu focuses on upscale inventive cuisine inspired by Asian street food. Expect the unexpected: noodles with five-spice duck balls; pork belly kimchi pancake; short rib dumplings. For dessert, there are only ice-cream sandwiches! The edgy minimalist restaurant seats 45 but an adjacent cocktail lounge—called Quoin—is next door. Lunch & Dinner daily. Revel, 403 N. 36th St., Seattle, WA 98103, 206-547-2040 .
 

News Bytes

Is Bellevue Ready for the Belltown and Las Vegas Vibe?
Two very non-suburban eateries have or are opening shortly on the Eastside: Black Bottle and Munchbar. A full service restaurant and lounge, Munchbar is now open in Bellevue Square adjacent to the skybridge to Lincoln Square. Describing itself as "a social dining experience" and "a lively modern pub concept," Munchbar is patterned after a restaurant with the same name in Las Vegas' Caesars Palace. Think kinetic music, oversized blackboards for scribbling graffiti, and a playful but hip vibe. The menu focuses on seasonal comfort food. What might be surprising are the impressive credentials of its chef, Seis Kamimura, who was formerly executive sous chef of Spago Beverly Hills, Postrio in San Francisco, and the short-lived but uber-trendy Artisanal Brasserie in Bellevue. Adding to Eastside excitement, Belltown's cool gastro-tavern Black Bottle is opening an Eastside eatery later this month in the Avalon at 10349 N.E. 10th Street, Bellevue.
 
Lobsterfest at Waterfront Seafood Grill
Formerly known as Lobsterpalozza, the prince of lobster fests in Seattle is now known as Lobsterfest. Waterfront Seafood Grill's sixth annual lobster celebration continues throughout January with a focus on succulent Maine lobster. The special lobster menu includes lobster bisque, lobster sliders, lobster risotto with asparagus and black truffles; lobster salad with mango, fennel and passion fruit; and lobster tails with water chestnuts, miso and orange. For reservations, please call (206) 624-4060. Waterfront Seafood Grill , Pier 70, 2801 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121, 206-956-9171.
 
Largest Wine Store in Northwest opens in Wallingford.
The largest wine store in the Pacific Northwest recently opened in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood. Occupying 23,000 square feet, Wine World Warehouse was started by Northwest sommelier David LeClaire, and offers more than 500 Washington wineries and more than 6,000 wines from around the world. Open daily from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m, it features two 30-foot tasting bars as well as a selection of artisan cheeses and charcuterie. Up to 10 different wineries will be highlighted each evening with special tastings. There's also a private event space available with stellar city views. Wine World Warehouse , 400 NE 45th, Seattle, WA 98103, 206-402-6086.
 
Lunchbox Laboratory Opens in New South Lake Union Environs
Lunchbox Laboratory, considered one of Seattle’s best places to grab a gourmet burger, has moved from its small Ballard digs to new quarters in the South Lake Union neighborhood at 1253 Thomas Street. Expect the same pricey ($10-15), luxuriously juicy burgers served Tuesday through Sunday.
 

Chef Shuffle

The restaurant at The Willows Inn on Lummi Island is about to become a big foodie magnet. Its new chef is 24-year-old Blaine Wetzel, who recently worked at Noma in Copenhagen. Five-course prix-fixe dinners served Wednesday-Saturday (and on Sundays during summer) are $70 per person. For more information, please call 360-758-2620. The Willows Inn, WIllows Inn, 2579 West Shore Drive, Lummi Island, WA 98262, 360-758-2620.
 

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 delightful Dulces Latin Bistro in Madrona closed at the end of January but hopes to relocate in Capitol Hill. A casual but sophisticated neighborhood restaurant, this spot offered an intriguing fusion menu of French, Spanish, and Italian cuisines created by chef Julie Guerrero. There are reports that a pizzeria will be going into the space. Dulces Latin Bistro, 1430 34th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122, no phone.
 

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

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