As we do every week, we've rounded up all of the foodie intel you need for your weekend, including where to get free burgers (the Habit's grand opening in Ballard) and Chinese food (the Dao Tai House Grand Opening) and which pop-ups to head to for sourdough croissants and pastries, Molly Moon's, and delicious things to put on your Instagram. Read on for all of that and more exciting food news, like when you can expect Shake Shack to open in Seattle. For more food and drink inspiration, check out our list of places to eat peaches in Seattle, our list of August food and drink specials, and our full food and drink calendar.
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OPENINGS
A Pizza Mart
A new location of A Pizza Mart, which was announced last fall, soft-opened in the Modera building on 11th Avenue in Capitol Hill on August 9.
Capitol Hill
Dao Tai House
This new restaurant, which is opening in the former space of Octo this weekend, promises authentic northern Chinese food, bubble tea, and shaved ice, with a menu of dishes like Sichuan pork belly and taro beef curry and a special premium menu of items like braised sea cucumber and abalone that must be ordered two days in advance. At their grand opening this Saturday, the first 100 guests will receive a free cold appetizer, and the first 200 bubble tea drinks will be BOGO.
Capitol Hill
Habit Burger
The California fast-casual burger chain Habit Burger is opening its first location in Seattle proper on Wednesday, August 22, according to a press release. At a preview event this weekend, they'll give away free burgers to the first 200 guests to show up on Saturday and Sunday. They'll also host two fundraiser events for The World is Fun and the Boys and Girls Club prior to opening.
Ballard
Wild Ginger McKenzie
Pan-Asian restaurant Wild Ginger will open its third location this Saturday, August 18, on the first floor of an apartment building called McKenzie. The new location will serve the same menu as the other locations along with a few exclusive dishes and will feature a satay bar with grilled meat skewers and a selection of dipping sauces.
South Lake Union
YoYo Station
A new bubble tea shop is now open inside the former space of Tea Republik near the Capitol Hill Link station, with a hip, modern interior.
Capitol Hill
OTHER FOOD NEWS
Shake Shack coming to Seattle in September
Though an official opening date has not been announced yet, restaurateur Danny Meyer's wildly popular New York-based fast-casual burger chain has announced that its forthcoming South Lake Union location will be open in late September.
Homer ready to open soon
The wood-fired Mediterranean restaurant Homer, from former Sitka & Spruce chef Logan Cox, has turned on its neon sign and appears to be ready to open sooner rather than later.
Molly Moon's minimoons hit PCC stores
According to a press release, the artisanal ice cream shop's ice cream is now available in PCC Community Markets stores as of this Thursday, August 16. Mini 4.5-oz scoop cups called "Minimoons" in salted caramel, melted chocolate, and cookie dough are available at Fremont, Aurora, and Redmond PCC locations this week and will eventually expand to all PCC locations throughout August and early September. This is the first Molly Moon's product to be available in grocery stores.
World Pizza creates reusable pizza box
The International District's World Pizza has introduced a new reusable pizza box. Regular customer Michael Steiner was inspired to create a prototype for a pizza box after a conversation with owner Aaron Crosleycone two years ago. Now, the pizzeria is selling the boxes for $5 along with a free slice.
New pho restaurant coming to Central District
A new pho restaurant called Pho Huy appears to be under construction next door to Broadcast Apartments in Capitol Hill, reports a member of the Stranger Things To Do Staff.
EVENTS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17
The All Tomato Dinner Pop-up with Chef Aaron Tekulve
Just in time for peak tomato season, all seven courses of this dinner prepared by chef Aaron Tekulve will highlight tomato in different forms.
Redhook Brewlab 1 Year Anniversary Party
The Capitol Hill brewery will mark one year with a bash featuring tunes from KEXP DJ Troy, collaborations from Aslan Brewing Company, Hellbent Brewing Company and Westland Distillery, and a custom "1 Year Anniversary Ganache" (made with Brewlab's Tangelic Halo) from Theo Chocolate. In the afternoon, Redhook brewers will lead tours of the facilities and Taylor Shellfish will host a "learn to shuck" station with samples, and crowler club memberships will be discounted all day.
Rhubarbarella Release
At this ceremonial tapping of Rhubarbarellaâa "punchy and pleasantly bitter" 5.8% ABV brett pale with rhubarb and "pale, biscuit and wheat malts, as well as palisade hops" and the latest release in Elysian's Capitol Hill seriesâCapitol Hill Lead Brewer Hiawatha Rhyans will lead a toast, KEXP's DJ Morgan will spin, and the psych-pop trio Spirit Award will perform.
Sunset Supper
Ever the epicenter of Seattleâs food scene, Pike Place Market celebrates its 111th birthday in 2018. At this annual event, dozens of local restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distilleries commune on the market's cobblestones during a balmy August evening, as the sun sinks low in the sky and casts a soft glow, and guests soak up food, drink, and live music. As with last year, the festivities will spill out onto the new MarketFront expansion. In attendance this year: craft-cocktail speakeasy Knee High Stocking Co.; Pike Place fixture Mattâs in the Market; the simple, elegant Lecosho; charmingly old-timey ice cream parlor Shugâs Soda Fountain; plus countless others and a litany of local beer, wine, and spirits producers. Proceeds go to the Pike Place Market Foundation, which aims to support the marketâs community by providing housing, childcare, healthy food, and other services.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18
4th Annual Mobile Food Fest
Load up on grub from food trucks like Lumpia World and Langostino Sushi Burrito, then picnic on the grass with your bounty while bands play live music. A beer garden will also be available.
Cheese 101
Brush up on your fromage savvy, including the cheese-making process, various styles, and shopping for and storing cheese, with this introductory tasting course from DeLaurenti cheesemonger and American Cheese Society certified cheese professional Rosie Shestak.
Chomp!
This free "local food and sustainable living" festival will feature live cooking demos, a farmers market, educational classes about sustainability and the environment, a market of upcycled goods from local makers, and music from Matisyahu, Caspar Babypants, Recess Monkey, Unkitawa, and the True Loves. Plus, the garden party housed within the verdant grounds of Marymoor Parkâs Clise Mansion will feature small plates from Larkâs James Beard Awardâwinning chef, John Sundstromâa magician of swoon-worthy seasonal cuisine sure to feel right at home amid all the greeneryâalongside beer, wine, and cider. A portion of the proceeds from the party will benefit Viva Farms, a nonprofit small farm business incubator dedicated to launching a new generation of farmers.
Food Porn Pop-Up
Sate your hunger and spice up your Instagram with such photogenic comestibles as NOSH Fish and Chips, 9th & Hennepin Doughnuts, SĂSU Hand-Rolled Ice Cream, Puffle Up, and more.
Pop-Up Chef Night (Spanish Style)
Join La Colonial chef Joe Bayley for a Spanish fare like pintxos, paella, and sangria.
Rosé All Day: Birthday Soiree with Veuve
Toast to the 200th birthday of famed luxury champagne house Veuve Clicquot's sparkling rosé with specials on Veuve Yellow Label and rosé, as well as "berries and bubbles" cocktails and frosé. To commemorate the first year blended rosé was developed, all bottles will be $18.18.
Sausage & CiderFest
Nosh on artisan-encased meats and sip crisp ciders (beer and wine will also be available) while enjoying live music from JT Shank and the Florida Keys and playing lawn games.
Seattle Hot Sauce Fest
If you, like BeyoncĂ©, keep a bottle of hot sauce stashed in your bag at all times, this festivalâwhich promises samples of caliente condiments from local purveyors like Secret Aardvark, FireFlower Sauce, and Pepper Preppersâwas made for you. Quell the burn with beer from Diamond Knot Brewing, libations like brown sugar bourbon churro cocktails and smoked Bloody Marys, and root-beer floats made with Full Tilt ice cream. Food trucks like Where Ya At Matt, Bread and Circuses, and Nacho Mamaâs will provide nourishment.
Seattle Taco Takeover
At this festival, guests are tasked with the daunting responsibility of acting as judges, tasting tacos and Latin Americanâinspired dishes from local chefs, as well as tequila-spiked tipples from local bartenders for the Jose Cuervo cocktail competition. Thereâs live music and games to keep you entertained in between stuffing your face and imbibing. High-rolling VIPs get access to a garnish-your-own-paloma bar, a churro station, and a mythical-sounding fountain of queso.
Temple Pastries Pop-Up
At baker Christina Wood's new pop-up bakery, score some sourdough croissants and other incredible pastries, like a buckwheat cruffin (croissant-muffin hybrid) filled with black sesame and matcha, or a whole-wheat kouign amann with honey-macerated ginger and a crunchy demerara sugar coating. All pastries are made with sourdough cultures for depth of flavor and freshly milled, locally sourced flours.
Washington Beer BBQ
Revel in the ultimate summer food-and-drink combo by tasting offerings from over 30 local breweries and noshing on smoked meats from vendors like Wood Shop BBQ.
World of Tea: Teas of Kenya
Taste a variety of white, green, black, and oolong teas grown and produced in Kenya from the Camelia sinensis plant.
AUGUST 18-19
Second Annual Seattle Pizza Crawl
Like an art walk but for pizza, this event lets you wander the city inhaling cheesy slices from various locations, taking advantage of specials and discounts offered only to those wearing Pizza Crawl wristbands.
Molly Moon's Pop-Up x Union Coffee Pop-Up at Capitol Hill and Madrona
In celebration of their partnership with Union Coffee (owned by founder Molly Moon Neitzel's husband Zack) for their new permanent Union Coffee flavor, the local artisan ice cream makers will concoct "Moonshot in the Dark" affogatos, made with Union Coffee ice cream, a shot of Good Together blend espresso, and chocolate sprinkles, for a sweet double-java buzz.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19
Brunch with Musang: August Vibes
Bar del Corso chef Melissa Miranda will share a summertime version of her "fresh and seasonal take on Filipino favorites" at this recurring pop-up.
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.
Molly Moon's Pop-Up
Molly Moon's will bring their Hood Famous cheesecake flavor (made with Bow Hill blueberries and Hood Famous calamansi cheesecake chunks) to the Ballard Filipino-owned bakery and hand out free samples.
Pear-a-dise
Pick pears from a 100-year-old orchard, sample pear treats, make pear art, attend gardening talks, and delight in more activities in celebration of the pomaceous fruit.
Themed Sunday Brunch - Hawai'i
Partake in a five- to seven-course tasting menu exploring "different dishes, ingredients, and preparations of brunch items from Hawai'i."
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21
Terrarium Making and Beer Tasting
Craft a plant-filled glass terrarium and taste three different Redhook brews.
