News for Restaurants in Seattle
November 2008 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

The much-awaited restaurant in the posh new Four Seasons Hotel, Seattle is now open. Under the direction of Kerry Sears, former chef-owner of the now closed but highly praised Cascadia, ART Restaurant brings new elegance and creativity to downtown dining. Inspired by the hotel's collection of art by famous Northwest contemporary artists and its proximity to Seattle Art Museum, ART's menu features Pacific Northwest cuisine with global influences, plus more than 100 wines available by the glass. The restaurant's most inventive seating? The sleek interactive counter in the main dining room.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. ART Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel, Seattle, 99 Union St., Seattle, WA 98101, 206- 749-7000.

El Gaucho, Seattle's legendary steakhouse, is now open in Bellevue's glitzy, new City Center Plaza. Expect the same elegant atmosphere; attentive, over-the-top service; extensive wine list and high prices touted as the ultimate dining experience---plus the restaurant's signature 28-day, dry-aged beef. Lunch & Dinner daily. El Gaucho, City Center Plaza, 110th Ave N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004, 425-455-2715.

Look for a new hangout with cozy charm at Oddfellows, an urban café in the recently restored 1908 Oddfellows Building on Capitol Hill. A joint venture between Erica Burke, the chef at Volunter Park Cafe, and restaurateur and bar maven Linda Dersschang, Oddfellows will be open from 7 a.m.-midnight, and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The 80+ seat cafe intends to serve comforting, affordable and quality fare with a twist. Expect marscapone- and pear-stuffed brioche French toast at breakfast, creative paninis at lunch, and rotisserie chicken at dinner. Of course, there will also be an espresso counter and a full bar. Oddfellows, 1525 10th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122, 206-328-3155.

The restaurant group behind the wildly popular Purple Cafe & Wine Bars is opening its latest venture in Capitol Hill's Pike-Pine neighborhood. Called Barrio, the new restaurant will present a Northwest approach to Mexican-inspired cuisine. Hot on the menu of the cozy and vibrant neighborhood café are innovative dishes such as wild salmon ceviche, duck confit tamales, and, of course, a range of Latin-inspired cocktails. Dinner daily. Barrio, 1420 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98112, TBD.

Pearl, an upscale urban eatery, has opened in the space recently vacated by Trader Vic's. A sophisticated, totally remodeled dining room and a menu featuring refined contemporary Northwest cuisine have replaced the Polynesian décor and pupu platters. Lunch and Dinner daily. Pearl, Lincoln Square, 700 Bellevue Way, Bellevue, WA 98004, 425-455-0181.

News Bytes

Ponti Serves up Lunch for the Holidays
Ponti Seafood Grill, an intimate restaurant on the Queen Anne side of Fremont overlooking the Ship Canal, continues its holiday tradition of serving lunch during the month of December from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. While only serving dinner the rest of the year, Ponti offers a special lunch menu with starters, main dishes and desserts. Main dish options include Wild King salmon chopped salad, Thai curry penne, grilled New York steak and lemon rosemary chicken. Ponti Seafood Grill, 3014 Third Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109, 206-284-3000.

Tofu and Cocktails at Sophisticated Cafe Flora
Toast the holidays with a "Blueberry Cucumber Rickey" or Champagne spiced with blackberry wine. Cafe Flora, Seattle's modern and sophisticated vegetarian restaurant, celebrates the holidays by introducing its new signature cocktails. Inspired by locally-grown produce, these exotic alcoholic cocktails feature unusual ingredients such as prickly pear and fennel-infused vodka and house-made ginger beer. In keeping with Cafe Flora's persona, almost all the cocktails can be imbibed by vegans. Cafe Flora, 2901 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98112, 206-325-9100.

Chef Shuffle

Big news from Seattle's legendary fine dining restaurant: Jason Franey, the former sous chef at Eleven Madison Park in New York, is taking over the helm of the kitchen at Canlis. The 31-year-old chef replaces executive chef Aaron Wright, who is moving back to California. Canlis, 2576 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109, 206-283-3313.

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.

Check back soon for more news.

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 November 2008 Archive

News for Restaurants in Seattle
November 2008 Archive