As we do each week, we've compiled all the food news you need to know for your weekend, like grand openings for new White Center bar Anju and new Madrona tapas bar and specialty shop Cheese Platters and More, and events like Belltown Crush, Little Saigon Festi-Roll, and two Whiskey Sour Day parties. For more food and drink inspiration, check out our August food and drink specials and our full food and drink calendar.
OPENINGS
Anju
According to a press release, this new White Center bar devoted to Korean drinking food soft-opened earlier this week and will have its grand opening at 3 pm Friday, August 24. The menu includes snacks like kimchi poutine, the "Koreadilla" (a kimchi quesadilla), and Korean fried chicken bites, plus cocktails, wine, beer, and soft drinks, like Milkis and Korean yogurt drinks.
White Center
Celest Cafe
This self-proclaimed "blessed cafe," which used IndieGoGo to raise funds and "modestly opened" on July 7, serves "high vibrational foods and beverages" and specializes in plant-based, vegan food that is also allergy-friendly. Their menu is completely free of gluten, soy, eggs, and dairy.The cafe's food will also be available for delivery via their website starting today, August 24.
Haller Lake
Cheese Platters and More
Owned by Joyce Hosea (owner of the Melding Pot commissary kitchen), this new tapas bar and specialty neighborhood market, which opened in Madrona earlier this month and will host its grand opening Friday, August 24, features a rotating menu of small plates, beer, and wine, as well as dry goods, cheeses, meats, and meals to go.
Madrona
Engimono Ramen & Izakaya
This new ramen joint, which appears to have opened at Northgate Mall across the street from Target in mid-July and had its first Yelp review on July 16, serves meaty and vegetarian ramen options, including spicy tan tan noodles, and izakaya-style appetizers, like karaage chicken and takoyaki, and has received mostly positive reviews on Yelp so far.
Northgate
Geni's Ethiopian Corner
This new Ethiopian food stand, which can be found at various farmers markets and food festivals in the area and had its first Yelp review on June 26, serves red lentils, injera, tibs plates, potato curry, kale, and some mix-and-match side dishes.
Various locations
Good Day Donuts
Former Vendemmia head chef Erik Jackson and wife Alison Odowski's new neighborhood doughnut shop Good Day Donuts softly opened on Thursday, August 23, in the former space of erstwhile doughnut shop Golden House Bakery and Deli. Their Instagram promises donuts (including apple fritters, cinnamon sugar twists, and glazed varieties), boiled peanuts, ice cream, lunch, and "sometimes dinner," possibly in the form of pop-ups (like Jackson's Rough Trade collaboration pop-up with the Burgundian's Aaron Wilcenski and the Carlile Room's Nick Jarvis).
White Center
Ikina Tea
Ikina Sushi has opened a bubble tea walk-up window in the front of Capitol Lounge with a menu of tea drinks, milk teas, and smoothies/slushes, with a selection of add-ons including tapioca, jellies, aloe vera, and red bean.
Capitol Hill
PatagĆn
According to a press release, this upscale Argentinian-inspired restaurant opened on the ground floor of the downtown Charter Hotel Seattle on Thursday, August 23, and is now serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Executive chef Brandon Cathey's menu features dishes like gaucho sweet breads, morcilla, empanadas, and bife ancho. In addition, beverages include Argentinian-inspired cocktails and a selection of wines from Washington, Argentina, and other regions.
Downtown
Twice Burger
This "breakfast and burger bar," which opened downtown inside Columbia Center near the end of July and had its first Yelp review on July 28, serves breakfast, sandwiches, and burgers. Their signature "Twice Burger" is made with a handmade bacon and beef patty, pepper jack cheese, guacamole, and chipotle mayo topped with an egg on a brioche bun. Other options include a veggie burger made with a Beyond patty, a chicken banh mi sandwich, and a katsu burger with a panko-breaded patty and Japanese mayo.
Downtown
Woods Coffee
A new location of the Lynden-based coffee chain Woods Coffee has opened inside Hotel 116 and had its first Yelp review on August 11. The space includes a drive-through, and offerings include breakfast, pastries, coffee and espresso, tea, and more.
Bellevue
OTHER FOOD NEWS
Jewish deli coming to North Seattle
Following the trend of other upcoming Jewish delis like Dingfelder's Delicatessen (set to open its walk-up window in Capitol Hill soon) and Schmaltzy's (possibly coming to Frelard by the end of the year), another Jewish deli, Zylberschteinâs, will come to a North Seattle shopping center. Owner Josh Grunig, who also owns Standard Bakery in the same shopping center, will raise funds for the new venture on Kickstarter starting Sunday, August 26, and will make matzo ball soup and reuben sandwiches with freshly baked bread. (Standard Bakery will also operate in the new space after it's complete.) Grunig will throw a party to celebrate Standard Bakery's one year anniversary this Sunday, with cookies, music, and a pie-throwing contest.
Fremont Bowl linked to salmonella outbreak
Fremont Bowl, a popular chirashi restaurant opened by the owners of I Love Sushi in November 2017, has been associated with a salmonella outbreak earlier this month, after four people who dined at the spot fell ill and one was hospitalized (but has since recovered). Health inspectors who evaluated the spot on August 9 after the outbreak found a variety of health code violations and gave the restaurant 123 points of infractions (according to Eater, 0 is a perfect score and over 90 points can result in closure). After a follow-up inspection the next day that suggested issues had not been resolved, the restaurant closed temporarily, then re-opened on August 13 after passing a repeat inspection. Health officials recommend that people who became sick after dining at the restaurant between July 27 and August 13 should see a doctor.
Flour Box getting brick-and-mortar location
The popular brioche doughnut pop-up the Flour Box announced via Instagram, exactly a year after their very first doughnut pop-up, that they have secured a brick-and-mortar location for their business. Owner Pamela Vuong wrote in the post, "It will take a while to get everything finalized and for paperwork to get done, plus another couple months for more planning and renovations and hiring and all that jazz. BUT itâs happening. It is happening." Vuong also added that she can't share more now but will announce more details as they're confirmed.
Bok a Bok featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
Guy Fieri alert: The Korean-inspired fried chicken joint received a visit from the spiky-bleach-haired Food Network personality. They'll appear on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network on Friday, August 31.
Renee Erickson pulls all Chinook salmon from her restaurants
Renee Erickson has made the decision to remove Chinook salmon from the menus at all of her restaurants, opting instead to serve pink and Sockeye salmon, since orcas feed on Chinook and have been declining in population largely due to Chinook shortages. Erickson was inspired to make the change after hearing the recent story of Tahlequah, the mother orca who carried her dead baby for 17 days. The Stranger's Katie Herzog writes, "Taking chinook off restaurant menus (and your own shopping list) is a commendable action. But, unfortunately, it won't save the whales."
New executive chef at Brimmer & Heeltap
Ballard gastropub Brimmer & Heeltap has promoted Angela Ortez-Davis, previously of Circadia and Mamnoon, to executive chef.
New head chef at Addo Ballard
Brimmer & Heeltap alum Dave Valencia was promoted to head chef at the Ballard location of Eric Rivera's pop-up/incubator space addo. Valencia co-creates menus with Rivera and runs an incubator pop-up called Dis featuring Pacific-Northwest-inspired Mexican food.
In-N-Out comes to Oregon
The California fast-food chain announced it will open a location in Keizer, Oregon, about 50 miles from the Washington border (about a three-and-a-half hour drive from Seattle).
Cinnaholic coming to Capitol Hill
Vegan cinnamon roll bakery chain Cinnaholic will open a location on Pike and Pine this fall, next door to Capitol Cider.
85°C Bakery Cafe coming to International District
The popular Taiwanese cafe, which has over 1,000 locations worldwide and is known as the "Starbucks of Taiwan," has announced it will open a location in Seattle's International District, likely later this fall. The location is currently under construction and will serve coffee and pastries.
Fair Isle Brewing coming to Ballard
Farmhouse brewery Fair Isle Brewing is set to open in Ballard in summer 2019. Owners Andrew Pogue and Geoffrey Barker have not yet announced an address but will release more details soon.
EVENTS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24
Author Talk: Kaukasis by Olia Hercules
Ukrainian-born and London-based author Olia Hercules, who won the celebrated Fortum and Mason Cookbook of the Year Award, will talk about her latest book Kaukasis: A Culinary Journey through Georgia, Azerbaijan & Beyond and sign copies purchased onsite, and guests will get to try a dish from the book.
Finnish Your Dinner
Try a traditional Finnish supper, with dishes like pickled herring, beet salad, cabbage rolls, and little Runeberg cakes (named for Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg) for dessert.
Sound Craft Seltzer Launch Party
Bubbly water goes boozy with the launch of Sound Craft Seltzer, a new spiked seltzer company brought to you by the people behind Two Beers and Seattle Cider. Be the first to sample seltzers and tasty snacks, and enjoy shot specials, cocktails, and a live DJ.
AUGUST 24-26
Drake Week
Bubble tea shop 20 OZ Tea will toast the Toronto rapper with punny drinksâ"The Bes-Thai Ever Had" (Thai iced tea), "Started From the Berry Now We Matcha" (berry on the bottom and matcha on top, naturally), and you can probably count on something with passionfruit. They'll also be playing an all-Drake soundtrack.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
2nd Annual Puppies & Pints
Sample rare beers from independent breweries with Fido in towâall ticket sales and donations will benefit local non-profit, no-kill animal shelter Homeward Pet.
BeerCircus
This touring act from the California-based brewery, which will come to Seattle for the first time ever, promises to show you "things you can't unsee," with beer, food trucks, and "freaktacular entertainment" including but not limited to music, live shows, a costume contest, and a roaming marching band.
Belltown Crush
Belltownâs fifth annual block party includes representation from more than 20 local wineries, breweries, and cideries. Street food includes eclectic nosh from the beloved and recently revived bar Babirusa, Spanish tapas from Pintxo, Mexican food from Mamaâs Cantina, and pub grub from Belltown Brewing. Plus, take in live music, watch live chalk art by artist Raziah Roushan, and literally crush the competition in a grape-stomping contest. Proceeds benefit Plymouth Housing, which provides housing and support for people experiencing homelessness.
National Whiskey Sour Day
Whistle Pig Whiskey will join Belltown's Black Cat to celebrate the classic sweet-and-sour cocktail. There will be a "giant ice luge" for shots, cocktail and boilermaker specials, and other "Black Cat hijinks."
Pasta Class: Black Pepper Linguini
Agrodolce executive chef Thomas Litrenta will demonstrate how to make, roll, and cut pasta dough for black pepper linguini. Guests will get to try bites of freshly made pasta and take home a one-pound bag of fresh pasta and recipes to try.
Seattle Cider Company Fifth Anniversary
The local cider company turns a half-decade old with specialty flights, specials drinks (cider slushies, anyone?), and freebies. Plus, snack on gastropub eats and treats from Bread and Cirucses, and try beer from Two Beers and boozy bubbly water from brand-new Sound Seltzer.
Terrarium Making + Beer Tasting at Schooner Exact
Build your own plant-filled glass terrarium and taste three different beers. (You'll also be given a full pint upon arrival.)
AUGUST 25-26
Cooper's Alehouse 35th Anniversary
The longtime neighborhood joint will celebrate 35 years of business with food and drink specials and beers from a variety of their favorite breweries.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26
Canon Yard Sale
The famed Capitol Hill "whiskey and bitters emporium" will part with glassware, plates, tables, chairs, tools, and more at bargain prices. (No, they're not closing.)
Comadre Panaderia Pop-Up
Scarf delicious pan dulce treats like conchas and puerquitos from Mariela Camacho's Mexican bakery pop-up.
Little Saigon Festi-Roll
Each year, the Little Saigon community festivalâwhich celebrates American Vietnamese street food, culture, and entertainmentâpays tribute to a different Vietnamese specialty; past festivals have honored banh mi or cafĂ© sữa ÄĂĄ (Vietnamese iced coffee). This year, revel in rice-paper-wrapped goodness as they salute the spring roll. Food offerings will include a Cajun Vietnamese seafood boil from Crawfish King; pho from the esteemed Pho Bac; authentic Hawaiian pokĂ© from goPokĂ©; macarons in flavors like guava, lychee, and durian from Macadons; and more. Plus, thereâll be a bia (Vietnamese beer) garden courtesy of Sugar Hill, live performances, activities and games for kids, and a market with local vendors like Moksha and Trichome. And should you want to put your pho-slurping and spring-roll-shoveling abilities to the test, you can enroll in contests to do just that.
Whiskey Sour War
Six mixologists will vie to craft the finest whiskey sour, each with a different type of whisk(e)y. Drink specials and snacks will be available to sip and munch on as you watch.
MONDAY, AUGUST 27
5 Plates of Pulutan
Try a five-course tasting menu of Filipino pulutan (drinking food) cuisine, with guided beer pairings provided by Three Magnets Brewing Co.
