OPENINGS
Haymaker
Chef Brian Clevenger, who's racked up raves for his restaurants East Anchor, Le Messe, Vendemmia, and Raccolto and his fast-casual pasta spot GH Pasta Co., opened his latest venture in the former space of Vine & Spoon on Monday, August 5. Like Clevenger's other restaurants, Haymaker features a mix of freshly extruded pasta, local seafood, and vegetables, but it also adds some dishes like Snake River Farms pork collar and roasted duck, as well as more typical American entrees, such as a burger and a grilled prime New York steak. Local beer and wine are available to drink.
West Seattle
Old 76
Brad Gillis and Ben Friedman, the founders of the local sustainable sandwich chain Homegrown, opened a homey burger joint called Old 76 in a former gas station on Mercer Island, where Gillis grew up, at the beginning of August. Fans of Homegrown's locally sourced ingredients can look forward to burgers with grass-fed beef, plus grilled cheese, fries, a "farm salad" with organic bibb lettuce, hand-dipped Snoqualmie ice cream shakes, soft drinks, draft beer, sparkling wine cocktails, and cider.
Mercer Island
Santo Coffee Co.
On Sunday, August 11, former Seattle Sounders player Fredy Montero (who now plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps) and his wife Alexis will open this new coffee shop, which pays tribute to Montero's native Colombia with Colombian coffee and a signature "panela latte" with orange essence and Colombian sugar. Tea from Miro Tea and pastries from SĂ©millon Bakery and Cafe will also be available. Soccer fanatics, take note: Montero will be signing autographs at the grand opening on Sunday, August 11. The first 10 people to show up will receive a special signed Santo soccer ball, and 10 limited-edition hand-painted denim jackets will be for sale.
Roosevelt
CLOSURES
California Pizza Kitchen
The food-court pizza mainstay has shut down its outposts in Northgate Mall and Bellevue, the only two remaining locations in the state. The chain has not announced the reasons behind the closures, but Eater Seattle surmises it may be influenced by Northgate Mall closing and rising rents in Bellevue.
Bellevue and North Seattle
OTHER FOOD NEWS
Frozen wine slushies coming to Capitol Hill
Sure, you've heard of frosé, but how about frojolais and friesling? A new bar called La Dive opening in the former space of the recently closed Other Coast Cafe promises to bring these alternative frozen wine slushies to Capitol Hill this October. The frosty-drink destination comes from Kate Opatz, a co-owner of Montana and Nacho Borracho, and Anais Custer, who runs the irreverent natural wine pop-up Garbage People Love Wine. Given Custer's background, guests can expect plenty of natural wine. Also in the works: beer, shots, vodka sodas, and eccentric nosh from David Gurewitz (formerly of Lark, Spinasse, and Standard Brewing).
Vietnamese restaurant planned for Bainbridge Island
According to a press release, siblings Trinh and Thai Nguyen plan to open a modern Vietnamese restaurant called Ba Sa (named for a type of catfish frequently used in the Vietnamese dish ca kho to, a Nguyen family favorite) on Bainbridge Island later this summer. The two were exposed to the restaurant industry at an early age due to their parents running the restaurant Pho T&N in Poulsbo, and later went on to pursue culinary careersâTrinh trained at New York's Institute of Culinary Education, while Thai cut his teeth at Daniel Bouludâs famed restaurant Restaurant Daniel and returned home to run Pho T&N after his parents retired in 2018. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and serve Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine with French techniques and locally sourced ingredients.
Fat Shack fast-food chain headed for Seattle
The fast-food chain Fat Shack, which gained a boost after its co-founders recently appeared on Shark Tank and received a six-figure deal, is opening a location called Fat Shack Underground in Pioneer Square in late fall or early winter this year. The business specializes in hedonistic menu items like "fat sandwiches" stuffed with various combinations of mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, French fries, onion rings, jalapeño poppers, and mac and cheese, as well as buffalo wings, burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and deep-fried desserts made with Oreos, Rice Krispy Treats, Twinkies, chocolate chip cookies, and funnel cake bites.
James Beard Taste America lineup announced
This week, the prestigious James Beard Foundation (named after the late, great cook and food writer) announced the lineup for its highly anticipated annual Taste America event, a traveling series that brings together local and visiting chefs for a night of unforgettable dining. In addition to the main gala benefit dinner on Friday, October 4, this year sees the addition of a brand-new cocktail reception event the day before, called Raising the Bar, which features local mixologists and bites from local rising-star chefs. See the full lineup of chefs and mixologists here.
Eden Hill transitions to tasting menu-only format
Eden Hill, the eclectic, upscale Queen Anne restaurant that has received acclaim for inventive dishes like foie gras "cake batter" and crispy pig head "candy bars," has announced on Instagram that it will do away with its a la carte menu and shift to exclusively offering tasting menus, starting September 5. Going forward, guests will be able to choose between a five-course meal for $85 or a twelve-course one for $160. According to co-owner Jennifer Petty, the change is intended to help the restaurant narrow its focus. Some of the restaurant's most popular a la carte menu items, like the cauliflower chilaquiles and the "Big Max" (a luxe version of a Big Mac with Wagyu beef and challah), will migrate to the restaurant's forthcoming casual sibling Eden Hill Provisions, which is set to open in September.
New dining options at CenturyLink Field
This year, CenturyLink Field has added food concessions from Mexican fast-food chain Taco Time and local barbecue chain Pecos Pit to its lineup of food options. Matteo Casini, who previously worked as the stadium's sous chef, has also been promoted to executive chef and will supply hungry sports fans with new offerings like Oberto hot links with cider-infused sauerkraut and beef cheesesteaks with herbed cream cheese, peppers, and onions.
Nue accused of unsanitary cooking practices
After being fired after her first day as sous chef at globally-inspired Capitol Hill restaurant Nue, cook Quinndolyn Harley (who previously worked at the recently closed Poppy) took to multiple social media platforms to accuse the company of unsanitary practices, including thawing raw lamb in the mop sink, re-using dirty knives, cutting and prepping raw chicken in the dish area, and not washing saute pans until the end of service. Nue responded on Twitter by saying that Harley was late to her first shift and critical of them despite their "Excellent Health rating and great reviews," and was consequently fired, prompting well-known chef J. Kenji Lopez-Alt to weigh in: "I donât know who runs your social media, but I hope you understand this tweet confirms that A) this nasty stuff is definitely going on in your kitchen and more importantly B) you are literally saying you fired an employee for being critical of your health/safety practices. Think." Owner Chris Cvetkovich later denied the claims to Eater Seattle, explaining, âThe raw meat seen [in one photo] was defrosted in vacuum-sealed bags under cold running water, in a sterilized Cambro [this type of container], as per health code regulations. This Cambro was then transferred to our mop sink temporarily while still under cold running water as we were clearing space to wash the vessel they were to be stored in.â
EVENTS
FRIDAY, AUG. 9
Free Taco Friday!
The Qt Food Truck is feeling very generousâthey'll be giving away free beef, chicken, pork, and vegetarian tacos (two per person!) to celebrate their second anniversary. High On Tacos will also be selling swag and hosting a free raffle.
Gilman Summer Wine Beer & Spirits Fest
Local wineries, breweries, and distilleries (including Heritage Distilling Co., Dru Bru, and 425 Cellar) will sell their stuff tax-free at this bring-your-own-glass bacchanal.Â
AUG. 9-10
Hawaiian Nights
Canlis knows how to throw a party. Seattleâs illustrious fine-dining institution is notorious for its extravagant New Year's Eve blowoutsâthis yearâs Hawaiian-inspired luau featured real waterfalls, a koi pond, and live animals; the previous yearâs glamorous 1950s-inspired affair boasted a period-accurate, Spady-family-approved re-creation of a mid-century Dickâs Drive-In; and a prior ski-chalet-themed soiree had hot tubs, real snow, and Saint Bernard dogs. A ticket doesnât come cheap, though, so itâs all the more exciting that theyâve decided to throw an âunfancy, laidback, lowbrowâ weekend bash in their parking lot this summer for the rest of us non-one-percenters. Theyâll transform the lot into an island paradise with an actual pool, and have teased thatched tiki huts, a pig roast, a bar, pizza, kalbi ribs, shishito peppers, and mac salad. Bring your bathing suit.
AUG. 9-11
Theo S'mores Days
Theo Chocolate's homemade s'mores put the "glam" in glamping. Gobble a freshly toasted campfire treat and stick around for games, music, a s'more-themed photo booth, and free samples of other confections.
AUG. 9-31
LLi'l Woody's Dessert Month
Seattle is host to a wealth of bakers and ice cream makers. For the month of August, local burger joint Li'l Woody's is teaming up with some of the city's favorite up-and-coming sweets suppliers, like Natalie Popkave of Bee and the Baker, Christina Wood of the sourdough pastry pop-up Temple Pastries, Kait Winowitch of Cake Life Everyday, and Kevin Moulder of Tres Lecheria (a tres leches spinoff of Cubes Baking Co.). Each week, a new special will arrive on Thursday and be available through the weekend, or until they sell out. On the schedule: the Bee and the Baker's blackberry fig pie with a bacon blue cheese crumble inspired by Liâl Woodyâs âThe Fig and the Pigâ burger (August 1), Temple Pastries' fig, anise and hazelnut "cruffin" (August 8); Cake Life Everyday's "liâl cupcake burgers" with vanilla cake, brownie "patties," and vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream lettuce and condiments (August 15), and Tres Lecheria's mole-flavored tres leches cake slice with spiced chocolate cake, peanut butter, and sesame (August 22).
SATURDAY, AUG. 10
2nd Saturday Wine Nights: The Italian Summer
If you can't book a flight to Italy, sample rare Italian wines curated by Nordo's resident wine steward Tom Hajduk.
Afro Bite
Black chefs and bakers (including Sweet Momma Brown, Auntie Dessa's, and Vego Eatz) will sell their delicious wares.
Asian Cajun Vegan Food Truck Grand Opening
Partake in the peculiar fusion of plant-based, Cajun, and Asian fare, with dishes like vegan "wings" and "shrimp" with fried rice or jambalaya, at the launch of this new food truck.
Augtoberfest
Can't wait until October to bust out your lederhosen? Get into some German-style fun a couple months early with tastes from local brewers like Elliott Bay Brewing Company and Georgetown Brewing, plus food and live music.
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck West - Seattle Appearance
Sugar fiends and Sanrio freaks can pick up some sweet treats and other goodies from the Hello Kitty cafe truck, which will visit the mall for one day only.
Chica's Roadshow Pop-Up Shop
Shop for soy candles from Oh Comadre Candles and clothes from Candy's Kloset and Nalgona Positivity Prideâall based in Califoniaâat this pop-up market.
Jack's Low & Slow Festival
Jack Timmons will commemorate a half-decade since his smoked-meat temple Jackâs BBQ opened the way any self-respecting barbecue nerd would: by smoking an entire steer. Besides heaps of succulent Texas barbecue, frozen margaritas, and Shiner Bock beer, the day will include such festivities as horseshoes and âchicken shit bingoâ (which is exactly what it sounds likeâchickens depositing their droppings on a bingo board). KEXP DJ Greg Vandy of The Roadhouse will provide bluesy tunes throughout the day, and the impressive lineup of live music features retro âdoom-wopâ crooner Prom Queen, alt-country rocker Brent Amaker's new DeathSquad, cosmic country quartet HYWAYS, Led Zeppelin tribute band Custard Pie, rootsy delta blues artist Brett Benton, and Texas singer-songwriter and âpiano manâ Robert Ellis.
Reuben's Fest at The Growler Guys!
Craft beer geeks can revel in a dozen kegs and multiple special releases from Reuben's Brews, which just received an award for second-best brewery in the nation and four gold medals 2019 US Open Beer Championship. Beer-minded band "the Perfect Pours" will provide thematically appropriate music.
Rooftop Brewing Company Annual Summer Block Party
For one night only, Rooftop Brewing will expand their tasting room for a citrusy boozy block party, featuring food from SoSo Good and Theo's Gyros, ice cream and treats from Street Treats, cornhole, and live music.Â
SUNDAY, AUG. 11
2019 Snohomish Hard Cider Festival
Quaff apple-pressed libations (or opt for beer) and snack on cheeses and charcuterie at this Snohomish festival.
Kind of a Pig Deal
This porcine-centric parking lot bash features two whole pigs, bratwurst from The Swinery, refreshments from Greenwood Cider Company and Métier Brewing Company, and live tunes from Seattle singer and songwriter Christy McWilson and her band.
Seattle Sausage Sizzle
Feast on Aussie-style meat pies and sausage rolls inside Kangaroo and Kiwi's beer garden.
MONDAY, AUG. 12
Tyler Malek: Author Talk: Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook
When they first founded their Portland-based artisan ice creamery Salt & Straw, cousins Tyler and Kim Malek had no recipes to speak of. That changed when they developed a revolutionary base to serve as a canvas for their flavors, which range from traditional (Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons or Chocolate Gooey Brownie), to playful (Pots of Gold and Rainbows, made with Lucky Charms), to the downright outlandish (Salted Caramel Thanksgiving Turkey and Draculaâs Blood Pudding, the latter a Halloween special made with pigâs blood), and which frequently incorporate ingredients from local businesses. Now you can re-create the experience at home (sans lengthy queues!) with the Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook, which features recipes as well as ways to harness inspiration so that you can concoct oddball flavors of your own. Tyler will visit Book Larder to divulge his ice cream secrets and sign copies of the book.
