This weekend, get sweet treats from the Hello Kitty Cafe truck, take in sumo wrestling with a side of sushi, partake in charcuterie and cheese at the Cheese and Meat Festival, and celebrate the pairing of bacon and beer at Toronado and the Bacon and Beer Classic. Plus, scope out new restaurants like Añejo on Capitol Hill and the Woodinville Cut Shop. For more ideas for things to eat and drink, check out our list of April food and drink specials, our complete food & drink calendar, and our restaurant listings.
OPENINGS
Añejo Restaurant and Tequila Bar
Just in time for the streak of sunny weather, this Mexican restaurant and bar opened on Capitol Hill on Monday, in the former space of Dilettante Mocha Cafe. The restaurant serves staples like burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, while the bar features tequila-laced libations and specialty margaritas in flavors like blood orange and ancho chile.
Aburiya Bento House
This new Belltown sushi spot, which opened on April 2 and is already racking up rave reviews on Yelp, offers bento boxes and sushi rolls, with happy hour options like nigiri and sashimi sampler boxes and “poke cups” (poke served in a glass goblet).
Orenji Sushi and Noodles
Ramen Bushi-Do, a ramen shop in Issaquah from the owners of Dough Zone, closed near the end of last year. This Japanese spot with sushi, ramen, and Japanese hot pot took its place shortly after on December 1. They also serve a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including lemonade boba and iced hokkaido milk tea, as well as mochi and ice cream.
Red Star Taco Tacoma
The Fremont-based, communist-themed taco bar opened an outpost in Tacoma on April 3. The menu retains the same offerings as the Seattle location, like margarita slushies, mezcal micheladas, and tacos with homemade tortillas with fillings ranging from catfish to Korean shortribs.
Table 47
Inside his entertainment complex Ocean5, which features bowling, laser tag, and arcade games, former Starbucks COO Troy Alstead has opened a sustainable, farm-to-table-focused restaurant in Gig Harbor. The restaurant seats a whopping 200 diners and also includes a chef’s counter, a social bar, a coffee lounge, and a heated outdoor patio with room for 100 other patrons. The menu devised by executive chef Ian Wingate showcases local, seasonal fare, including oysters, filet mignon, and wild coho salmon.
Tart Hard Cider
According to an email from the business, this hard cidery, a collaboration between apple lovers Zoe Van Schyndel and Nicholas E. Timm, opened in Deschutes Landing in Tumwater on April 13. As you’d expect from the name, their tastes lean toward the tangy side, with flavors like Granny’s Grudge (made with Granny Smith apples), Apple Pie, Mojito Madness, and Ging-a-Berry (their take on a rosé hard cider).
Woodinville Cut Shop
With a funky, ’70s-inspired, orange-and-brown decor, this Woodinville neighborhood restaurant and lounge from Michael Peso (Peso’s, Quinn’s Pub), Mike Meckling (Neumos, Barboza, the Runaway), and chef Chris Lobkovich (Shaker + Spear, Quinn’s Pub), which opened on April 23, promises “a traditional Americana-inspired menu updated for modern tastes and executed from scratch.” There’s a beer garden with a rock waterfall and a patio with a fire pit, and the menu includes retro Americana standards like hushpuppies, Waldorf salad, pimento cheese, deviled eggs, Crab Louie, and oysters Rockefeller. As for what “cut shop” means, they say, “That’s for us to know, and for you to find out.”
OTHER FOOD NEWS
MealPal comes to Seattle
MealPal, a dining subscription service from the creators of ClassPass, will launch in Seattle on May 2, according to a press release. The business offers a 20-day package at $5.59 per meal or 12-day package for $5.99 per meal and will allow users to choose from a variety of participating restaurants, which will each offer a single dish per day for a flat rate. Customers can also pre-order and skip lines. They’ll host a launch and tasting party on May 2.
Chef Lisa Nakamura’s Gnocchi Bar announces partnership with Tutta Bella
After Chef Lisa Nakamura’s beloved restaurant Gnocchi Bar bit the dust in late 2016, her gnocchi became available in stores only. Now, according to a press release, she’s partnering with Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria to serve her gnocchi on menus again.
Seattle bars boycott Melvin Brewing following sexual misconduct allegations
Melvin Brewing, which has an outpost in Bellingham and have previously been a huge attraction at Seattle Beer Week for their popular IPAs and spectacles incorporating hip-hop music and ninjas, has faced criticism after they posted offensive content on their website and a sexual misconduct allegation against one of their brewers came to light. Respected Seattle bars like TeKu Tavern and No Anchor have responded by boycotting the business.
Teatro ZinZanni finds new location in Woodinville
Dinner theater/circus Teatro ZinZanni, which moved to a temporary location in Marymoor Park after leaving its original home in Queen Anne a year ago, will be relocating to Woodinville, in the former space of Redhook Brewery. The establishment will open with a new show in November this year, and current chef Jason Wilson (The Lakehouse, Miller’s Guild) will create the menu. In December, The Stranger reported on an audience member’s claims that a performer touched her inappropriately without consent during an audience participation portion of the show.
Matt’s in the Market gets new chef
Appropriately, chef Matt Fortner, whose resume includes How to Cook a Wolf and Tom Douglas restaurants including Lola, has joined the Pike Place restaurant Matt’s in the Market as chef. The restaurant’s name comes from original owner Matt Janke, who sold the restaurant to current owner Derek Bugge in 2008, so it will be the first time in a decade that the restaurant has had a resident Matt. Previous chef Jason McClure left to pursue his own project north of Seattle.
El Diablo Coffee plans to move next door
The Cuban coffee shop El Diablo Coffee Company, which has been in its Queen Anne location for over 18 years and recently received an unexpected notice that it needed to vacate the premises by April 30, has successfully secured a new location next door at 1825 Queen Anne Ave. N, the former space of Nana’s Family Mexican Kitchen and Cantina. The cafe will close on April 30 and plans to reopen in the new location with a bigger kitchen on June 1, and hopes to expand with a new menu and alcoholic offerings. In the meantime, they’ll have a mobile trailer next to the building selling coffee beginning on May 1. A GoFundMe to help cover the costs of the move is available here.
Deep Sea Sugar and Salt will open brick-and-mortar store
The cake shop Deep Sea Sugar and Salt, which currently operates out of an Airstream trailer in Georgetown’s Trailer Park Mall, is set to open a brick-and-mortar location in the former space of the historic Carleton Avenue Grocery, which closed in November 2017. The shop is set to open in mid-May and will feature pantry staples, wine, beer, fresh flowers, drip coffee, Sweet Lo’s Ice Cream, and, of course, lots of cake, in fanciful flavors like London Fog, pistachio lemon, and brown butter banana graham.
Li’l Woody’s will add bar to South Lake Union location
The local burger joint announced on Instagram that it plans to add a bar to its location in South Lake Union soon. Patrons will also be able to drink outside on the patio.
EVENTS
FRIDAY, APRIL 27
#2 Tropical Release Party
Be the first to try the second release in Hale’s Ales Leary Way Limited series, an “aromatic, hop-forward” IPA with “hints of pineapple, honeydew and apricot.”
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery Tasting
Sip award-winning wines from the Woodinville-based winery alongside a four-course paired dinner as you cruise Lake Washington and Lake Union.
Maui Brewing Beer and Bacon Pairing
Partake in the inimitable pairing of crispy, salty pork and cold brews. Maui Brewing Co. founder Garrett Marrero will be on hand with five beers like Pineapple Mana Wheat and Imperial Coconut Porter to match up with five house-made bacons.
Rise To The Berry Tart Recipe Contest
Taste samples of Pyramid’s top three Berry Tart IPA recipes at the judges table, and take note of your favorite.
APRIL 27-29
Celebrate Bird Beers
The West Seattle brewery will celebrate Bird Week by pouring their favorite bird-inspired beers. The draft list includes a few from Pelican Brewery; Aslan’s Space Eagle Brett IPA; Bainbridge Brewing’s Eagle Harbor IPA; Wander Brewing’s Early Bird Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout; Spoetzl Brewing’s Shiner: Ruby Red Bird Ale; and Sea Cider’s Birds & Bees Cyser.
SATURDAY, APRIL 28
3rd Annual Green Lake Food Walk
Billing itself as the food-world analogue to an art walk, this event will allow guests to peruse the eateries of Green Lake and try different dishes from a variety of establishments. You can sample vegan doughnuts from Mighty-O Donuts, wacky shakes and behemoth burgers from the recently opened location of Lunchbox Laboratory, food from PCC Community Markets, frozen yogurt from Zoe Yogurt, Hawaiian-style burgers from Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, and espresso, smoothies, and acai from Brazilian coffeehouse Kitanda. The event will also host a beer garden with live music.
Bacon and Beer Classic
At this festival, munch on unlimited salty, crunchy pork from more than 30 local chefs and sip crisp brews and ciders from more than 100 regional breweries. Highlights include apple bourbon bacon fritters from Rodeo Donuts, sassy South Carolina–style “low country” eats mixed with Filipino street food from Kiss My Grits, landjaegers and sausages from Bavarian Meats, and flaky biscuits and Conduit java from Biscuit & Bean. Plus, participate in a blind beer taste test, a bacon-eating contest, and activities like giant Jenga and pretzel necklace making.
Cheese and Meat Festival
The world is your cheese plate at this celebration of all things cured meat and fromage. At the door, you’ll be greeted with a tasting glass and charcuterie board, and then left to your own devices to wander around curating the platter of your dreams with samples from more than 50 vendors, including salami from Salumi, fresh cheese curds and Flagship cheeses from Beecher’s, labneh with bourbon bacon jam from Pintxo, assorted pickles from Seattle Pickle Co., and more. Then pair your picks with wine, cider, beer, spirits, and kombucha from multiple vendors. There will also be seminars on using salt and smoke to cure meats or pairing funky, redolent cheeses with port.
First Annual Leavenworth Food & Wine Oyster Fest Hoedown
At the debut edition of this two-day food and wine festival at everyone’s favorite kitschy Bavarian village, guests can shuck and gulp all the two-buck oysters their heart desires while participating in a lively, down-home hoedown with live bluegrass from Ericka Corban, Spare Rib & the Bluegrass Sauce, and Open Country Joy, all within close proximity of the mountain view at Yodelin. Bellingham’s Aslan Brewing will take over the taps. On the following day, guests can partake in hors d’oeuvres and Argyle bubbly followed by a five-course dinner of locally foraged fare from chef Bryan Baker.
Hama Hama Farm Days
Join Hama Hama at their farm and seize a rare chance to spend a day harvesting oysters and clams yourself.
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck
Pick up some sweet treats and other goodies from the Hello Kitty cafe truck, which will visit the mall for one day only.
Lazy Boy Brewmaster Dinner
At this five-course brewmaster dinner, savor dishes like Philly-style pretzel bites and braised pork osso bucco alongside Lazy Boy Brewing brews like Oatmeal Milk Stout and Figgy Stardust. Dessert is brown butter and dark chocolate banana bread.
Lucky Envelope Brewing’s 3rd Anniversary Celebration
To ring in their third year, Lucky Envelope will release a hazy anniversary double IPA bursting with “tropical fruit and citrus juiciness,” alongside other tasty brews like Blackberry Milkshake IPA and Barrel-Aged Hazelnut Coffee Imperial Porter and gastropub nosh from Bread and Circuses food truck.
Peers & Beers for a Cause
Quaff brews from Georgetown Brewing in their taproom and enter raffles to raise money for Full Life Care’s mission to “work to enhance the quality of life for frail elders and adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities, regardless of their income level.”
Snohomish On The Rocks
Try spirited sips from over 30 local distilleries, savor fare from local food trucks, take in live music, and buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a “bucket of booze” full of Washington spirits.
Scoop Window Saturday
Former pastry chef Matt Bumpas’s whimsical, lovingly made ice cream pop-up returns to their walk-up window at Equinox Studios this Saturday, and to celebrate, they’re giving out free ice cream to the first 25 people in line.
APRIL 28-29
Sumo + Sushi
Enjoy an evening of Sumo wrestling as it was meant to be watched: with a plate of sushi in front of you. VIP ticket-holders can even get in the ring themselves.
SUNDAY, APRIL 29
Comadre Panadería x Dorothea Coffee April Pop-Up
At baker Mariela Camacho’s pop-up, pick up some delicious pan-dulce treats like conchas and alfajores to eat with a cup of warm horchata or coffee from Dorothea Coffee.
Glassybaby Dessert Basics
Learn how to make dark chocolate mousse, lemon curd, and berry compote while you snack on cheese and crackers and sip a drink from a complimentary glassybaby.
Maple Walnut Retirement Party
Bid adieu to Molly Moon’s classic maple walnut flavor, which is going into retirement. To give it a proper send-off, the moon crew will be giving out free waffle cones and toppings all day with any order of maple walnut, and cake will be available while supplies last.
Three Sacks Full Pop-Up
This mostly grain and vegetable-focused pop-up (with some fish and meat) from Michael Tsai of Goose and Gander Farm and sommelier Matthew Curtis will feature “honest and humble cookery from a chef who splits his time between the kitchen and the field” and wine pairings from smaller producers and family-run wineries. Dishes will include black-eyed pea dumplings; a mushroom, wild ramp, and fiddlehead fern ragout; and rhubarb and poppyseed buckle cake with whipped cream, and Frankie & Jo’s plant-based ice cream will be available for dessert.
MONDAY, APRIL 30
Apertivi & Spritz Hour with Mike Capoferri of Campari
Bartender Mike Capoferri of Campari, a hospitality-industry pro and “lover of all things amaro” with seventeen years of experience, will make an appearance at Renee Erickson’s teeny, adorable aperitivo bar with a selection of amaros (and free potato chips). Roll the official Campari dice to determine your drink, and snack on food pairings from Barnacle.
Berry Rosé Release
Seattle Cider Company will release their new summer seasonal, a fruity, sweet-tart cider made with local raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, available on draft, for growler fills, and in 16oz 4-packs.
Blue Moon’s 84th Birthday Brew Ha Ha
The U-District’s oldest and much-beloved historical tavern is turning a whopping 84 years old. To celebrate, they’ll supply beer specials from Hale’s Ales and a night of stand-up comedy.
Cooper’s 16th Annual IPA Fest
In pursuit of hoppy-ness, Cooper’s Alehouse will observe their yearly celebration of all things IPA, with tasting flights and special food pairings. This year, they’re aiming to pour a whopping 100 IPAs to break their previous record of 80.
TUESDAY, MAY 1
Jackalope Winemaker Dinner
Named for the mythical jackrabbit-antelope hybrid, which founder and former civil engineer Corey Schuster’s older cousin used to tell him tall tales of in postcards from Nebraska, the Oregon-based urban craft winery Jackalope Wine Cellars aims to create “quality, affordable wines that express the uniqueness of the Pacific Northwest.” At this dinner, Schuster’s wines will perfectly complement the wood-fired fare of the Whale Wins, from Pacific Northwest queen Renee Erickson herself.
