Governor Inslee Signs Bill Benefitting Washington Distilleries
Governor Jay Inslee just signed senate bill 5353, thereby greatly expanding the marketing opportunities of local distilleries. According to the Washington Distillers Guild, the law will allow distilleries to mix cocktails at their tasting rooms, showcase and sell their spirits at farmers' markets, and host events where they can sell their products.

Now Open
Boom Noodle has re-opened on Capitol Hill after closing, then being replaced briefly by Kaisho, which closed two weeks ago.

I'm a little late getting to these places, but: The Dunbar Room, the lighter, brighter replacement for the century-old Sorrento Hotel's Hunt Club restaurant is up and running, serving standard hotel fare, but with plenty of local and seasonal ingredients that have long been the calling card of new chef Seth Caswell (Emmer & Rye). And over in Ballard's little brewing district, Lucky Envelope Brewing has opened its taproom. Among the microbrewery's offerings is a Thai-spiced Belgian Tripel infused with lemongrass and lime leaves. Lucky Envelope also hosts food trucks Thursday through Saturday.

Closing Soon
Just a reminder that you have less than two weeks to eat dinner at Renee Erickson's Boat Street Cafe, which will close its doors on May 30. Don't worry, though: Boat Street Kitchen will continue serving lunch and brunch, and Erickson has two new restaurants opening later this summer on Capitol Hill.

Standard Brewing Plans Major Expansion
For the last year and a half, Justin Gerardy, owner and brewer of the Central District's tiny and excellent Standard Brewing, has been looking at buildings throughout the city in the hopes of expanding his production, which struggles to keep up with the demand on the taproom's twelve taps. Finally, this week Gerardy announced that he's found the right space—and he doesn't have to move anywhere. Over the next eight months, Standard will be expanding in its present location, starting with its minuscule patio, which will take over the whole parking lot this summer. A new, expanded brewing system will increase production seven-fold. And in October, Gerardy will take possession of the space next door (currently Halal Meat) and begin construction on a space to serve food and liquor. Gerardy expects a grand re-opening of the new Standard Brewing at the start of the new year.

Miles James Named Chef of Hitchcock Delicatessen & Charcuterie
Bainbridge Island's Hitchcock restaurant, which turns five years old today, and Hitchcock Delicatessen & Charcuterie announced two new hires to its culinary team: JJ Johnson (Matt's in the Market, Tilth) as chef de cuisine of the restaurant, and Miles James (of the dearly departed Dot's Charcuterie & Bistrot) as chef of the delicatessen.