Denizens of West Seattle are in luck: On the heels of the opening of the much-awaited Italian restaurant Il Nido last week, the neighborhood is getting a new location of Habit Burger Grill and a pop-up location of Frankie & Jo's, not to mention a new Locust Cider taproom coming later this summer. Plus, beloved Central District gem Catfish Corner makes a comeback with some exciting news, and a new chocolate factory comes to Pike Place. Read on to learn about all of that plus some events for your weekend, like Molly Moon's Anna Banana Milk Fund Fundraiser and the Bite of Greece Festival.

OPENINGS
Captain Whidbey Inn
After its recent renovation under new ownership, the historic Captain Whidbey Inn now offers a new food menu from chef Eric Truglas, who's previously spent time at Semiahmoo Resort and the now-closed Eat Restaurant and Bar in Bellingham, and a cocktail menu from celebrated bartender Erik Hakkinen, who spent a decade at Pike Place's famed Zig Zag Cafe and is planning to open a French-themed Belltown bar called Roquette this summer. The food menu features ingredients sourced from Whidbey Island and the inn's own garden, with dishes like roasted Dog Island mushrooms and a cioppino with Penn Cove mussels. As for drinks, options include 10 original cocktails, which will rotate seasonally, plus beer and wine.
Whidbey Island

Catfish Corner
After going on hiatus for a year, Terrell Jackson's beloved Central District mainstay has resurfaced in Renton, with Cajun-Creole staples like fried catfish, fried okra, cornbread, collard greens, and more. Even more good news: They plan to open two more locations at 23rd and Jackson and Puyallup.
Renton

Frankie & Jo's
On Thursday, May 30, the popular plant-based ice creamery Frankie & Jo's, which has locations in Capitol Hill and Ballard, launched a temporary beachside pop-up in West Seattle for the summer. The new spot is just around the corner from Il Nido, Il Corvo chef Mike Easton's newly opened Italian restaurant. If all goes well, the location may become permanent.
West Seattle

Habit Burger Grill
According to a press release, the popular chain Habit Burger Grill, known for its signature "charburger," will open a location in West Seattle on June 5. The location will be the chain's second in Seattle, joining another location in Ballard. Prior to the grand opening, the restaurant will host a Free Burger Day on June 1 and a Free Habit Day on June 3, where the first 200 guests will receive a free chargrilled burger or meal, and fundraising events for the West Seattle High School’s Varsity Volleyball Team on June 2 and West Seattle Food Bank on June 3.
West Seattle

Hot Pot World Rotary
This hot pot restaurant, which recently opened in Tukwila, delivers meat, seafood, and vegetables via conveyor belt. Diners can choose from several broth options and get their own simmering vessel.
Tukwila

Joe Chocolate Co.
This chocolate factory and espresso bar run by University of Washington graduates Sam Tanner and Peter Keckemet will open in the former space of Local Color (which Tanner and Keckemet took over last spring and began transitioning to the new concept earlier this year) next to Beecher's Handmade Cheese in Pike Place Market on Saturday, June 1. Customers will be able to glimpse the factory's production process and purchase Lighthouse Coffee Roasters espresso, chocolate beverages, pastries, ice cream sandwiches, and dark chocolate bark (available in 2.5 oz packages or by the pound).
Downtown

Max's Restaurant
This popular worldwide casual Filipino chain specializing in fried chicken has opened its first outpost in Washington (its 11th location in the US) in Tukwila.
Tukwila

The Swallow
Innuendos abound at this cheeky sailor-themed LGBTQ bar in the former space of The Company Store, which comes courtesy of Marcus Wilson (the co-creator and former manager of Pony) and has its grand opening tonight. Drinks include the "Salty Sea-Man" (tequila, pineapple, soda, a "salty rimjob," and lime) and the "Sunken Treasure" (Goldschlager dropped in Red Bull).
White Center

CLOSURES
Girin
Pioneer Square's upscale Korean steakhouse Girin announced via Instagram that it has officially closed after its final dinner service on May 18. Food and drinks are still available in the bar until Saturday, June 1. The restaurant was praised by critics (The Stranger's Charles Mudede called it "world-class") and was one of the only places in the country to produce the Korean liquor makgeolli. After the closure, a new sushi restaurant and grill will take Girin's place sometime in mid-June.
Pioneer Square

Papas Hot Potatoes
Papas Hot Potatoes, a restaurant in Ballard billing itself as "America’s first 100% plant-based baked potato restaurant," announced on Instagram that it will close its doors today after just seven months. In an announcement posted on the door, the restaurant wrote, "We're grateful to all of the great customers and friendly faces we had the honor of serving at Papas. We're also very proud of our team, who are exemplary employees and people, and worked hard to keep our food quality and customer service at a very high level." The restaurant had a previous life as the Southeast Asian-inspired Stock, but chef Chris Blanco pivoted to the baked potato concept last October after health issues. The Stranger's Lester Black reviewed the establishment in March. The announcement posted on the door also hinted at the possibility of "healthy, plant-based fast food concepts" popping up around Seattle in the future.
Ballard

Plaka Estiatorio
Ballard's cozy family-owned Greek eatery Plaka Estiatorio announced on Facebook that it will close on June 30 after 11 years of business, writing that they hope to enter a new chapter "in the near future" and encouraging fans to share memories and post photos from their visits. Devoted patrons will also have an opportunity to say goodbye at the Bite of Greece Festival in Capitol Hill this weekend, where Plaka Estiatorio will be serving food.
Ballard

Wallyburger
Wallingford's Western-themed burger joint Wallyburger announced via social media that it is closing this week. The post also encouraged fans to "stay tuned for another venture" coming in the fall.
Wallingford

OTHER FOOD NEWS
Bush Garden re-opening restaurant inside Four Seas Restaurant space
The beloved Bush Garden restaurant (which was the first restaurant in the country to open its own karaoke bar) will re-open inside Uncle Bob's Place, an upcoming development coming to the space where Four Seas Restaurant is now. (The Bush Garden restaurant closed in 2016, but its lounge remains open.) The long-term pop-up Dynasty Room is currently taking up residence in the Four Seas space, but will close by the end of July before the building is torn down. Uncle Bob's Place is scheduled to be completed two years from now.

Natural wine bar opening soon in Belltown
On June 14, married couple Chris Elford and Anu Apte-Elford, the owners of the popular tiki bar Navy Strength, the cocktail bar Rob Roy, and the quirky beer bar No Anchor, will open their newest venture, Vinnie's Raw Bar, in Belltown. Named in honor of Apte-Elford's mother Vinaya, the sustainability-focused spot, which will take over the space of the couple's recently closed Navy Strength Coffee and Juice Bar next door to Navy Strength, will feature a selection of natural wines, cocktails, and a small seafood-centric food menu, with dishes like a "seacuterie" plate, oysters, and steamed mussels.

Josh Henderson re-opening Poulet Galore
Chef and restaurateur Josh Henderson is set to re-open Poulet Galore, his French-inspired coal-fired rotisserie chicken restaurant, in the former space of Volterra in Ballard this August. (Previously, Poulet Galore closed in August 2017, along with Henderson's other restaurant Vestal and Cantine.) Poulet Galore can currently be found doing pop-up previews at farmers markets around Seattle.

Ethan Stowell taking over Kigo Kitchen
Restaurateur Ethan Stowell, who owns How to Cook a Wolf, Goldfinch Tavern, and TavolĂ ta, as well as several other popular restaurants in town, is in the process of acquiring Kigo Kitchen, a local fast-casual chain popular for its wok-fried rice and noodle bowls. Stowell calls the development a "merger," as Kigo's co-founder and CEO Steve Hooper will join Stowell's restaurant group: Stowell will help revamp recipes and food practices for Kigo, while Hooper will get involved with business tasks for Stowell's restaurants. Stowell is also planning to open a restaurant called Wolf, a spinoff of his popular Queen Anne restaurant How to Cook a Wolf, in Manhattan.

Locust Cider expanding to West Seattle
The cider company Locust Cider, which currently has taproom locations in Woodinville, Ballard, Tacoma, and Forth Worth, Texas, plans to expand with yet another outpost in West Seattle, coming this summer. The taproom will offer 16 flavors on tap, as well as an expanded gluten-free food menu and free video games for guests to play.

EVENTS
FRIDAY, MAY 31
Brothers & Co. Dinner
Revel in the unconventional combination of ramen and tacos from Brothers & Co. at this pop-up dinner in Good Day Donut's "Good Nite Dinners" series.

Drink Pink
Find out what over 30 Woodinville wineries have to offer on the rosé front (hint: it's a lot!) while you snack on summery bites. They'll also have a few reds if you're not ready to fully let go of the non-summer.

Seattle 3-Way IPA Release Party
Fort George Brewery will unveil this year's 3-Way IPA (a highly anticipated annual IPA release featuring a collaboration with two other Pacific Northwest breweries). The brew for 2019 was made with Cloudburst Brewing and Ruse Brewing and will be available on tap at Cloudburst.

A Taste of Italy (Friday Night Dinner Series)
At this four-course dinner in Delicatus's Friday Dinner Series, chef Derek Shankland will curate a selection of some his favorite classic Italian dishes.

MAY 31-JUNE 1
Summer Solstice Beer Festival
Ring in the new season by choosing from over 25 local and regional craft beers, ciders, seltzers, and more on tap, plus over 175 makers selling handmade wares.

MAY 31-JUNE 2
Bite of Greece 2019
At this free festival, stuff yourself with gyros, slow-roasted lamb sandwiches, grilled souvlaki, Greek salad, spanakopita, and other authentic Mediterranean delights prepared by the community of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Pair your eats with a cold Mythos beer or Greek wine, and enjoy a marketplace, dancing, music, and special performances. Cap it all off with pastries like baklava with hot coffee or a Greek-style iced frappe.

Game of Teas
Toast to the end of the HBO medieval fantasy epic with flavors like Bran Sugar Milk Tea and Daenerys Thai-garyen.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1
Anna Banana Milk Fund Fundraiser
Molly Moon's Ice Cream founder and CEO Molly Moon Neitzel's younger sister Anna, who loved milk, passed away in 2009. In her memory, the local ice cream parlor chain created the Anna Banana Milk Fund in 2011 to provide milk and dairy to the FamilyWorks food bank. Now, the fund is becoming an official nonprofit and will support food banks in all six neighborhoods with a Molly Moon's location. To celebrate, they're throwing a "milk and cookies" party with ice cream, milk, and cookies from Hello Robin, Hood Famous Bakeshop, Trophy Cupcakes, Theo Chocolate, Sugar + Spoon, Nuflours, Dahlia Bakery, and Smith Brothers.

Charles Smith's Third Annual Jet City Rosé Experience
Taste varieties of pretty-in-pink wine from 25 different wineries, including Charles Smith's CasaSmith ViNO Rosé, K Vintners Rosé, and Charles & Charles Rosé, dance and thrash to tunes from vet psychobilly trio Reverend Horton Heat, soulful experimental performance artist/rocker Har Mar Superstar, and KEXP DJ Kid Hops, and enjoy noshes from five food trucks.

Crush Cancer - Reuben's Crush Can Release
As a precursor to National Cancer Survivors' Day, Reuben's Brews will launch "Crush Cancer," their hazy IPA brewed in collaboration with cancer survivor Josh Corbin. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, which provides clinical oncology care for cancer patients in the Seattle area.

Le Grand Aioli & Pink Wine Fair
Pair your glass(es) of pink wine—you'll have 32 varieties to choose from—with provençal village fare from the Grand Aioli, including raw spring vegetables, "ice-cold" shellfish, fresh salmon, grilled meats, and naturally risen bread. Kids can feel included with free hot dogs and pink soda.

Macaron Pop-Up & Zine Making Class
Eat Black Magic Sweets and learn how to make zines at this class taught by Sarah Maloney. One free drink is included with your ticket.

Summer of Rosé
This event will offer over 25 selections of rosé from around the world so you can properly toast to an emerging summer with everyone's favorite pink drink.

Throw an Egg on It Pop-Up
Everyone knows most foods can be improved with the addition of an egg on top. This pop-up celebrating "brunch around the globe" will feature burgers, Mexican food, and more.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2
Author Talk: Pok Pok Noodles by Andy Ricker
Portland- and Brooklyn-based chef (and Instagram cat whisperer) Andy Ricker—whose Thai restaurant Pok Pok was named the eighth most important American restaurant by Bon Appétit in 2013 and whose empire has since expanded to include drinking vinegars and charcoal logs—has earned a devoted fan following for his insightful voice. In his newest book, Pok Pok Noodles, he shares recipes for comforting, slurpable dishes like fried noodles, noodle soups, and khanom chin alongside beautiful photography from his travels.

Sin Reglas Pop-Up: Time and Place Wine x Left Bank
Nosh on skewered foods hot off the grill from the new pop-up Sin Reglas, complemented by Spanish natural wines from Time and Place Wines.

MONDAY, JUNE 3
Musang Soup Pop-Up
Bar del Corso chef Melissa Miranda's Northwest-influenced Filipino pop-up Musang will dish out bowls of beef rib nilaga with "hella rice and fried garlic" inside Pho Bac's iconic jaunty boat, with special cocktails and tequila shots for good measure.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4
Can You Believe?
In honor of Pride, Queer Eye's beloved grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness will officiate a wedding at Elysian's Capitol Hill brewpub, with treats from Seattle Chocolate as favors, a rainbow selfie wall decorated with Seattle Chocolate truffles, and a vibrant truffle-filled "piñata cake" made by Jasmin Bell of Bells Pastries.

You Can Pickle That!
This class will teach you to expand your pickling repertoire beyond cucumbers—you'll use vinegar brine and a traditional canning method to pickle your own array of veggies.