News for Restaurants in Seattle
July 2012 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Chan Seattle, a sleek modern Korean fusion restaurant, was recently opened in Pike Place Market by Heongsoon Park, the owner of Bacco Café, which is known for its American-style breakfasts and lunches. Located just off Stewart Street in what was Bacco’s second dining room, Chan Seattle offers modern classic Korean food and drinks prepared with Western cooking techniques. Chan Seattle, Pike Place Market, 86 Pine St., Seattle, WA 98121, 206-443-5443.

Travis Rosenthal, the owner of Tango Restaurant & Lounge, is opening a second space named Rumba next door to his popular tapas restaurant on Capitol Hill. Targeted to open in late August, Rumba's menu will focus on cuisine and cocktails from the Caribbean and is expected to have one of the most extensive rum collections in Seattle. The decor will be reminiscent of 1950s Cuba with an amber-lit 12-foot-high back bar, library ladders, leather belted ceiling fans, and ocean blue vinyl booths and barstools. Classic tango music and a dance floor will also be part of the line-up.

As part of Seattle Center's 50th anniversary celebration, the dowdy food court at Center House has been reborn as The Armory. The addition of floor-to-ceiling windows floods the cavernous space with light and there's a new, large deck seating area for enjoying take-out fare. Greasy take-out stands have been replaced by better quality vendors although nostalgia buffs will be relieved that Quincy's hamburgers is still serving. New eateries include The Confectional, serving delectable mini-cheesecakes, the high-quality but very fast Mod Pizza Pie, serving sweet and savory pies; and a small branch of Capitol Hill's artisan bagel bakery, Eltana. This line-up will be joined shortly by Skillet, Seattle Treats, Dante's Inferno Dogs, La Spiga, and Plum. Most vendors are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The Armory, Seattle Center, 300 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98121, no phone.

Henry's 12th Avenue Tavern, a popular Portland beer and burger restaurant, is expected to open a branch in September on First Avenue in downtown Seattle, where it will be called Henry's First Avenue Tavern. The chain of upscale beer joints is owned by Restaurants Unlimited Inc. (RUI).

News Bytes

Spinasse Celebrates its Fourth Anniversary with Special Dinners
Spinasse, considered one of Seattle's best pasta restaurants, is celebrating its fourth birthday with a month of special menus in August that present classic dinner favorites. Anniversary dinners are $65 per person for food with a wine pairing at $30 per person and a grand wine pairing at $55 per person. At the end of the month, the restaurant will unveil brand new menu items. Spinasse, 1531 14th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122, 206-251-7673.

Rover's Bids 'Au Revoir' to Lunch
Rover's, considered one of Seattle's finest French restaurants, is no longer serving its lovely Friday lunches, but will continue to serve dinner Tuesday-Sunday. The restaurant, however, will also be available for private lunches and catering. For details, please email Siri Angeles ([email protected]). Rover's, 2808 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98112, 206-325-7442.

Chef Shuffle

Two of Seattle's most charming partner-run restaurants have announced major changes: on Capitol Hill, chef Tyler Moritz has departed from La Bete, which he opened with Aleks Dimitrijevic, and at the recently opened Restaurant Bea in Madrona, chef Tom Black has left, but Kate Perry continues managing the front of house.

South Lake Union, home of Amazon's corporate headquarters, is getting yet another restaurant. Cal's Classic American at Kent Station plans to open a bar and restaurant with a focus on American food. Expect good things since the chef is Shannon Galusha, formerly of Bastille Cafe & Bar and Veil. The space will seat 200, plus another 40 on the upper mezzanine and even more on the patio. Targeted to open later this summer, it is the second project from Classic Concepts Group, which promises specialty cocktails and a communal bar table where customers can pour their own beer (and possibly wine) at a tableside tap with a revolving handle. Thirsty patrons will pay for what they pour by the fluid ounce. Cal's in Kent currently has five booths with similar self-pour taps. Cal’s Classic American, 404 Terry Ave., Seattle, WA 98171, no phone available.

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.

Le Gourmand, the beloved restaurant and its adjacent cocktail lounge Sambar, closed its doors on June 30 after 27 years. The decision is more retirement than financial. Chef-owner Bruce Naftaly, considered one of the pioneers of Pacific Northwest cuisine, and his wife Sara, will remain in Seattle' culinary community; Bruce plans to write a cookbook and continue teaching classes, while Sara plans to open a bakery and café. Le Gourmand & Sambar , 425 NW Market St., Seattle, WA 98107, no phone.

Teapot Vegetarian House on Capitol Hill is now closed, although its owners will continue to operate the Teapot Vegetarian House in Redmond. Bamboo, a Vietnamese restaurant, is expected to open in the space. Teapot Vegetarian House, 345 15th Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98112, 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 2012 Archive

News for Restaurants in Seattle
July 2012 Archive