It's a big week for food news in Seattle, as Angela Stowell becomes CEO of FareStart and Renee Erickson's restaurant group acquires three new brands from restaurateur Josh Henderson. Plus, learn about a new doughnut stand named after a Tom Waits song and where you can find Mexican baked goods, brioche doughnuts, and free plant-based frozen treats this weekend. For more delicious things to eat and drink, read our guide to celebrating Bastille Day in Seattle, check out our list of where to go for National French Fry Day, and visit our complete food and drink calendar.

OPENINGS
Asadero Sinaloa
According to a press release, the Mexican steakhouse Asadero, which also has a location in Ballard, has opened a new location in Kent. The restaurant previously resided in a smaller location in Kent but has moved to a new space to accommodate more business. The new location retains the previous menu and also adds a few new dishes, including bone marrow gorditas and prime carnitas con chile. Chef/owner David Orozco will also open another location, Asadero St. Helena, in Tacoma's Stadium District later this year, with more details to come in the fall.
Kent

Birch
Jeffrey Kessenich, the chef behind the now-defunct Magnolia restaurant Tanglewood Supreme (which closed in 2016), is opening a new waterfront restaurant in South Lake Union called Birch, which will offer "a tasting menu experience of local, seasonal and sustainable food in a comfortable atmosphere" and feature dishes like a Cape Cleare King Salmon crudo and weathervane scallops as well as mostly local wines. The restaurant will be open on Friday and Saturday evenings only, beginning July 21. Guests can get a tasting menu for $70 or a three-course prix-fixe for $50, and add on optional dessert for an additional $10.
South Lake Union

Central Smoke
The Central District's Seven Beef, owned by Eric and Sophie Banh of Ba Bar and Monsoon, has been renovated and re-opened as "Central Smoke," a rebranding of the restaurant that was announced earlier this spring. The new menu focuses on smoke-infused cocktails and smoked meats, like tea-smoked duck, smoked brisket, and cured sausages, from chef Mike Whisenhunt, who's previously spent time at Brimmer & Heeltap and Joule.
Central District

Eritage Resort
This luxury resort and restaurant, which opens today, July 13, features a menu designed by James Beard Award-winning chef Jason Wilson of Crush and chef de cuisine Andrew Oldham, with a menu that includes dishes like hand-rolled potato gnocchi, buttermilk fried organic chicken, Dungeness crab toast, and other luxe, locally sourced comfort food, as well as a drink menu showcasing Washington wine, beer, and spirits.
Walla Walla

Great State Burger Bellevue Square
A new location of Great State Burger, the burger franchise previously owned by restaurateur Josh Henderson (but now owned by Renee Erickson's restaurant group—read on below to learn more about that), opened in Bellevue Square on June 20.
Bellevue

Monka Brewing
This family-friendly brewery, which had its first review on Yelp on June 23, comes from Devin Walker (formerly of Georgetown Brewing) and partner Trez McBean, and features a rotating lineup of ales and a space to play board games. Outside food is encouraged.
Shoreline

CLOSURES
Chandler’s Crabhouse
After 30 years of business, Eastlake seafood eatery Chandler's Crabhouse will shutter on September 30 due to redevelopment from Vulcan.

Pagliacci Pizza
The Seattle pizza stalwart is closing its first location, which has been in U District since 1979. To bid farewell, they're offering free pizza on their last day, July 26.

OTHER FOOD NEWS
Three Josh Henderson restaurants sold to Renee Erickson's restaurant group
Restaurateur Josh Henderson of the Huxley Wallace Collective restaurant group (which rose out of the popularity of the Skillet brand, which Henderson no longer owns, and currently includes Quality Athletics, Scout PNW, the Nest, and Kiki Ramen) announced that he sold three of his brands, Westward, Saint Helens, and the Great State Burger franchise, to his business partners Ira Gerlich and Chad Dale on July 1. Dale is a partner in Renee Erickson's restaurant group Sea Creatures, which includes Bateau, the Walrus and the Carpenter, Barnacle, the Whale Wins, Bar Melusine, and General Porpoise, so he and Gerlich will join forces with the group and the brands will now belong to Sea Creatures. Henderson said in a statement that he wants to spend more time with his sons Huxley and Wallace. The Stranger's Lester Black reports that the deal occurred a day before Henderson agreed to pay $1 million to workers he allegedly defrauded time and money from. Henderson also closed three of his restaurants (Poulet Galore, Cantine, and Vestal) in South Lake Union last year. The news also comes as Sea Creatures plans to open another General Porpoise shop in Laurelhurst and a restaurant called Willmott's Ghost inside the Amazon Spheres. Sea Creatures says they will eventually add touches of their own branding to the businesses, but for now will be getting to know the brands.

Angela Stowell
 becomes CEO of FareStart
According to a press release, Angela Stowell, partner and CEO of Ethan Stowell Restaurants (which includes 16 restaurants and 420 employees), is stepping down from her position at the restaurant group to become CEO of FareStart, the Seattle-based nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for people experiencing poverty or homelessness by providing them with job training and employment in the food service industry. Stowell said in the release, "Giving back to our community and helping people in need has always been one of my core values and we’ve worked hard at ESR to implement that into our work. I feel really lucky and excited to move in a direction where I get to do that every day. FareStart is such an incredible organization that not only provides job training and life skills, but offers people a chance to find success and put themselves and their families on the path out of poverty.”

Zeek’s Pizza plans to open new locations
Local pizzeria chain Zeek's, which offers Northwest craft beer as well as pizza, will add new locations in Capitol Hill, Woodinville, and Tacoma.

Michelin-starred ramen restaurant opening a location in Seattle
Tsuta, the first Tokyo ramen restaurant to garner a Michelin star, will open locations in Seattle and Portland in 2019. A location will also open in San Francisco this fall.

Starbucks will open Princi Bakery location in Denny Triangle
Starbucks will open their first standalone location of Princi Bakery, an Italian bakery, in Denny Triangle later this summer. Previously, they opened a Princi location inside Capitol Hill's Starbucks Reserve Roastery.

9th and Hennepin doughnut stand returns
9th and Hennepin, a doughnut stand from Crave and Portage Bay Cafe alum Justin Newstrum that's named after the Tom Waits song, is now selling doughnuts at the South Lake Union farmers market on Saturdays and the Capitol Hill farmers market on Sundays. As of July 12, they've also become available at the new biweekly Georgetown Farmers Market at Ciudad. Newstrum, who says his hot, fresh, made-to-order doughnuts are inspired by the beignets of legendary New Orleans spot Cafe du Monde, previously tried unsuccessfully to crowd-fund a doughnut bar on Kickstarter. Options include crullers, fritters, cake doughnuts, and brioche thumbprints in seasonal flavors.

EVENTS
FRIDAY, JULY 13
Sugar Plum Model Call: Snag a Free Cone
Serve your best looks in exchange for some soft-serve at this photo shoot, which will compensate you for your modeling with plant-based frozen treats. Bring "your smile, your kids and your dogs."

JULY 13-15
Fruit Beer Week
Jazz up your daily serving of fruit by trying seasonal beer flavors like a Sea Salt Lime Helles Lager, a Raspberry Sour, a Pineapple & Blueberry Haze IPA, a Cherry Barrel Aged Imperial Porter, and other summery brews.

Ice Cream Week Spectacular
Observe Ice Cream Week with different boozy ice creams for each day of the week, in flavors like piña colada, mimosa, and Sex on the Beach. Or indulge in a spectacular unicorn sundae, either "wild" (with rosé ice cream) or "tame" (strawberry).

SATURDAY, JULY 14
Comadre Panaderia Pop-Up
Scarf delicious pan dulce treats like conchas and puerquitos from Mariela Camacho's Mexican bakery pop-up.

For The Funk Of It Sour Beer Fest
Pucker up and sip dozens of sour beers from places like Holy Mountain Brewing, Floodland Brewing, Brouwerij Boon, De Garde Brewing, and many more.

The Jameson Jitney
Hop aboard the Jameson Jitney trolley and ride to multiple drinking destinations for special drinks, games, and entertainment. The first stop will feature a formal tasting with "Seattle's one and only Jameson specialist," and keep an eye out for a hidden "Barrelman" at each bar to win a special prize.

Rosso E Bianco
Wine enthusiasts both experienced and novice can taste several varietals of local, regional, and international vino, dance to live music, and snack on appetizers.

Salsa & Sangria Vol. II
Groove to salsa jams and sip sangria at the new community justice-focused Beacon Hill library.

Swirle Rolled Ice Cream Grand Opening
The grand opening for this new Thai-style ice cream shop will offer giveaways throughout the day and free ice cream for the first five people in line.

SUNDAY, JULY 15
8th Annual Garden Party Extravaganza
Pretend you're summering in Rome and join two excellent local Italian restaurants for an outdoor feast. There'll be plenty to choose from off the grill, as well as pizza, whole-roasted pig, paella, oysters, gelato, and lots of wine. Pasquale Santos, the Sue Nixon Quartet, and Alex Guilbert & Friends will provide live music.

The Flour Box Pop-Up
From noon until they sell out, the Flour Box will hawk their gorgeous brioche doughnuts, in flavors like roasted pineapple shortcake, creme brûlée, strawberry lychee, and chocolate haupia.

Lamb & Rosé Dinner
In her book A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus: Menus and Stories, chef Renee Erickson writes that she’s always harbored a fondness for rosé, ever since it first started gaining popularity in the United States, and has long appreciated its ability to stand up to foods that “other wines can’t.” One such food is lamb. Because a leg of lamb was too time-consuming to offer as a regular menu dish, Erickson and her colleagues at Boat Street Cafe conceived a joyful, family-style dinner party of lamb and rosé for a special feast. And the tradition stuck. The dinner takes place every July, usually on a night that Erickson describes as “the kind of warm summer evening that brings a whisper of salt air in from Puget Sound.” Over the years, the event has evolved—this year’s festivities will feature applewood-roasted Katahdin lamb cooked in the Whale Wins’ wood-fired oven—but some things remain constant: Guests can always count on a never-ending flow of pale pink wine and lots of dancing.

Lobster Hiphop Night
You've heard of a rock lobster, but how about a hiphop lobster? This dinner from Ethan Stowell's Marine Hardware pairs whole lobsters with drawn butter and lemon and Old Bay-seasoned fries with throwback hiphop tunes.

Seattle Summer Alefest: The Brews of Summer
Sip unlimited two-ounce pours of "summer seasonals, everyday favorites and other special brews," alongside snacks and food truck fare.

MONDAY, JULY 16
Barangay Fiesta: Filipino Pop-Up Night
Joule sous chef Tom Hoolian and the Trove team will collaborate to create a menu of festive Filipino party favorites like fresh lumpia, crispy pata, shrimp ukoy, and their take on mussel kinilaw and pancit palapa.

Brews For Buns! Help Homeless Pets
Knock back a pint or three to benefit bunnies: all beer proceeds will go to Special Bunny, a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) rabbit rescue near Seattle that rescues, rehabilitates, and adopts rabbits and provides resources to educate bunny owners. Cycle Dogs will be onsite to supply vegan hot dogs.

JULY 16-19
Bon Appétit!
Lovers of light opera and cake will enjoy this operetta about Julia Child making cake, Bon Appétit!, as well as other treats (including a slice of cake, covered by the ticket).

Southpaw Pop-Up Bar
Longtime Lark server Fernando Pacheco will run a new pop-up bar with a cocktail menu he conceived with opening bar manager Mike McNett as a focal point. Southpaw will also provide their usual seasonal boozy slushies, batched cocktails, and beer and wine on tap—plus pizza by the slice for $1.50 while it lasts. On Saturday, a DJ will spin tunes from 10 pm-1 am.