News for Restaurants in Seattle
July 2009 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Plum, an upscale vegan restaurant with a full bar, recently opened on Capitol Hill with chef Makini Howell, the owner of Hillside Quickie, manning the kitchen. Located in the space previously occupied by Cafe Stellina, Plum breaks most preconceived ideas about vegan food (no milk, eggs, meat or fish). But don’t confuse vegan with “healthy.” Dishes include yam fries, BBQ po'boy, and a hefty Caribbean jerk burger complete with crusted seitan and plantains. Cocktails like cilantro lime mojitos, plum margaritas, and chai cream martinis will be served when Plum receives its state liquor license. Plum, 1429 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122, no phone available.

The duo behind 0/8 Seafood Grill and Twisted Cork Wine Bar has opened STIR / Martini + Raw Bar in the Bellevue Place Wintergarten. STIR will shake, stir and pour innovative cocktails, while offering an all-day menu of Northwest and Asian-influenced seafood along with soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrées. Check out the lively, sophisticated ambiance, and don't miss the ice-encrusted vodka tap dispensing vodka at a consistently perfect temperature. STIR / Martini + Raw Bar, Bellevuer Hyatt, Bellevue Place Wintergarden, 10500 NE 8th St · Bellevue, Bellevue, WA 98004, 425) 646-7847.

The Counter, a California-based burger chain for the 21st century, in September will open its first Pacific Northwest restaurant in Ballard. Known for its industrial decor, contemporary music and quality food, The Counter will set up its kitchen at the new Ballard Blocks building at NW Ballard Way and 15th Ave. NW just north of the Ballard Bridge.

Cupcake Royale has opened its brand new Capitol Hill café and bakery. The new, conceptually designed space features one-of-a-kind works of cupcake art (including a 5-foot tall, stained-glass Cupcake Royale), and signature Roy McMakin tables and counter tops. There's also a semi-private party area, bistro tables and chairs, a community table, and a bakery peepshow picture window exposing back-of-the-house operations. Cupcake Royale, 1111 East Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122, 206-328-6544.

Considered one of the best pizzas in Seattle, Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria is finally available on the Eastside in Issaquah. Founded five years ago, Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria was Seattle's first Vera Pizza Napoletana (VPN)-certified Neapolitan pizzeria and is held accountable to the Association's high culinary standards. Authentic Neapolitan fire-roasted pizzas are baked in two five-foot diameter, marble-clad, wood-burning ovens under the supervision of chef Anthony Ferrara. Additional menu items include calzone, antipasti, signature salads, and house-made desserts. Tutta Bella also serves Attibassi espresso, flown in weekly from Italy, and all listings on the Italian-focused wine list are under $40. Lunch & Dinner daily. Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizza, 715 NW Gillman Blvd., Issaquah, WA 98027, 425-391-6838.

The Porterhouse, a popular restaurant and alehouse in Mt. Vernon, plans to opens a second location in the the former site of Blackbird Bistro at 2329 California Avenue SW in the West Seattle neighborhood. Unlike the original restaurant, West Seattle's Porterhouse will be family-friendly and serve its menu of pub food to all ages, not just those 21 and over.

The Porterhouse, 2329 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116, no phone available yet.

News Bytes

Downtown Seattle to Start Sipping in October
The wine bar and restaurant, sip, a Napa-Valley-inspired restaurant with current locations in Issaquah and Gig Harbor, will open in October at Fifth and Madison in downtown Seattle. "sip" for short (yes, it's spelled with all lower case letters) features nearly 50 by-the-glass wine choices, along with wine flights, and more than 250 bottles from the Pacific Northwest, California and around the globe. For more information, visit www.siprestaurant.com.

Rover's Chef to Open Casual Restaurant
Heard recently on the KUOW radio grapevine: Thierry Rautureau, the celebrated chef-owner of Rover’s in Madison Park, dropped a hint about soon opening a casual restaurant. Stay tuned for details about where and when. Rover's, 2808 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98112, 206-325-7442.

Holly Smith Heads Off to Hollywood
Café Juanita’s chef Holly Smith has been tapped to compete on "The Next Iron Chef" series, which launches in October. Café Juanita, 9702 NE 120th Pl., Kirkland, WA 98034, 425-823-1505.

Happy Hour at Pearl
Why not treat yourself to a cool and refreshing Cucumber Melon Mojito at one of Bellevue’s best happy hours. This handcrafted blend combines Bacardi melon rum, fresh mint, cucumbers, Triple Sec, simple syrup and soda. Remember, Pearl’s happy hour extends seven nights a week, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-close with all bar menu items half price. Not only can you enjoy your Mojito but there are 11 choices of appetizers, including grilled Yakima asparagus and seasonal vegetable and shrimp tempura. Pearl Bar & Dining, 700 Bellevue Way NE, Lincoln Square, Bellevue, WA 98040, 425-455-0181.

Gourmet Food Trucks Roll Around Seattle
Seattle's newest culinary craze may be coming to your neighborhood, at least for a few hours at lunchtime. Based on the concept of traveling taco trucks and street food, these mobile restos serve up fast, affordable quality items. The recently launched Marination Mobile serving Fremont, Capitol Hill, and Ballard, offers Hawaiian-Korean cuisine such as kalbi beef, spicy port and miso-ginger chicken. Visit www.marinationmobile.com for a schedule. Other favorites include Maximus Minimus (www.maximus-minimus.com), a food truck sculpted into a shiny pig (really!), and Skillet (www.skilletstreetfood.com), concieved and manned by CIA-trained chef Josh Henderson. Rolling from West Seattle to near Qwest field in SODO to Redmond and back, Skillet offers enticing seasonal dishes.

35th Annual Ballard Seafood Fest July 25-26
Seafood is the star attraction at this old-fashioned summer block party and culinary feast in downtown Ballard. Vendors serve a plethora of entréées featuring items from the sea that are skewered, blackened, smoked, pickled and deep fried. Best bet: the alder-smoked salmon barbecue. Attendees can also relax at beer and wine gardens while enjoing a range of live entertainment from bluegrass to cowboy ballads. Ballard Seafood Fest, NW Market St. & Ballard Ave., Ballard, WA NA, 206-784-9705.

Chef Shuffle

Check back soon for more news.

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.

Alas, we must add Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill in West Seattle to the growing list of restaurant closures. However, earlier this summer around the corner on 42^nd Avenue, chef Dalis Chea opened Fresh Bistro. Dalis, whose culinary credentials include stints at Canlis and Oceannaire, offers an innovative menu of international bistro-style dishes. The casual, yet chic spot is a spin-off of Herban Feast Catering.

Sadly, several more Seattle and Eastside restaurants---primarily small single-owner establishments---are closing their doors this month. Along with The Oceaniare Seafood Room in downtown (part of an upscale nation chain recenlty filing Chapter 11), are Saito's Japanese Cafe and Bar, Madrona's lovely Cremant (which recently changed ownership), Iris Grill in Issaquah, Andre's Eurasian Bistro (a favorite with Microsofties), Salute Ristorante on Old Main in Bellevue, and Austin Cantina in Ballard.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room, one of downtown Seattle's classiest seafood restaurants, closed its doors July 7 after its parent company filed for Chapter 11. Part of a 16-restaurant Chicago-based chain (although its superb food and elegant décor belied this), the Seattle restaurant was one of four locations to close (the others are in Cincinnati, Charlotte and Philadelphia). The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 1700 Seventh Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, no phone.

Oceanaire Seafood Room Closes.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room, one of downtown Seattle's classiest seafood restaurants, closed its doors July 7 after its parent company filed for Chapter 11. Part of a 16-restaurant Chicago-based chain, the Seattle restaurant was one of four locations to close. The others are in Cincinnati, Charlotte and Philadelphia. Oceanaire Seafood Room, 1700 Seventh Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, 206-267-2277.

Seattle's The Oceanaire Seafood Room has closed. The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 1700 Seventh Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, 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

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 July 2009 Archive

News for Restaurants in Seattle
July 2009 Archive