OPENINGS
Addo: 206
Chef Eric Rivera of the culinary incubator and pop-up space Addo (which has locations in Capitol Hill, Phinney, and Ballard) has opened a new project called Addo: 206 inside Batch 206 Distillery, which was previously home to Oaky's Tex Mex and Windy City Pie. The spot provides a permanent space for Rivera's signature Puerto Rican fare, including chicharrones and jibaritos (plantain sandwiches), as well as the "Richard's Burger," an upscale take on the classic Dick's burger introduced at previous Addo pop-ups.
Interbay
Como
This new Italian restaurant from chef Gabriel Chavez (previously of Cantinetta and Chavez, which closed earlier this year) will open in Kirkland this Sunday, June 9. The menu is inspired by the glamorous Lake Como area of the Lombardy region in Italy and features antipasti, pizza, pasta, and seafood, while the enormous space houses two lounges and a fireplace, and will even have its own wood boat to ferry six guests to and from Seattle.
Kirkland
Cortina Cafe
According to a press release, chef and restaurateur Ethan Stowell's restaurant group quietly opened Cortina Cafe, a coffee shop located a few flights up from Stowell's downtown Italian restaurant Cortina, last week. The cafe features coffee and espresso from Caffe Vita, nitro cold brew on tap, fresh squeezed orange juice, Mystic Kombucha on tap, fresh grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, Rubinstein bagels, and pastries from NuFlours, Lil Rae Bakery, and La Toscanella.
Downtown
Garlic Crush
This Mediterranean chain with locations in Bellevue, Issaquah, and Redmond opened its fourth location today, in the former space of Mediterranean Express on Broadway. Dishes include gyro and shawarma plates, falafel, spanakopita, garlic fries, and more.
Capitol Hill
Hearth
According to a press release, Kirkland's Heathman Hotel opened its new restaurant Hearth on June 3. As the name suggests, the restaurant focuses on traditional hearth oven cooking techniques such as smoking and slow-roasting and has an open kitchen that showcases its hearth oven. Executive Chef Adam Johnson's locally sourced menu includes dishes like an open-face Dungeness Crab melt with remoulade and gruyere on a house-made English muffin, Hama Hama oysters with charred strawberry vinegar, and a variety of savory flatbreads. The cocktail menu also incorporates elements of the hearth oven theme, with ingredients like fire-roasted jalapeño-infused chartreuse and oven-roasted grapes in the bar's summer sangria.
Kirkland
Life on Mars
This relaxed, 70s-inspired bar from John Richards (John in the Morning on KEXP), Amy Richards, Steve Severin (Neumos, Barboza, The Runaway) and Leigh Sims (Wake Up Productions) softly opened this week and will have its grand opening on June 9. The space features "good music, deep comfy booths, a gigantic wall of vinyl, local beers, unfussy cocktails and a plant-based menu." Guests can browse over 5,800 vinyl records available for purchase and even choose one to play during happy hour. The vegan food menu (designed by chef Joe Ball, who's previously spent time at Flying Apron, Bread & Chocolate in Grand Cayman, and Harlow in Portland) offers dishes like waffle sliders stuffed with a choice of chicken-fried artichokes, barbecue pulled jackfruit, or coconut bacon.
Capitol Hill
Yi Fang Fruit Tea
Following the recent opening of a new location at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood a few weeks ago, the popular Taiwanese bubble tea chain Yi Fang Fruit Tea opened a location on the Ave in the University District. The chain claims to set itself apart from competitors by using fresh seasonal fruit and organic cane sugar and abstaining from artificial syrups and powders.
University District
OTHER FOOD NEWS
Hello Robin opening a second location
Robin Wehl Martin's cookie shop Hello Robin will open a second location inside University Village. The new outpost will be next door to the shopping center's upcoming Shake Shack location and is set to open by spring 2020.
CaliBurger moving to Westlake
CaliBurger, a chain known for being an In-N-Out Burger clone, has closed its University District location and plans to open a location in Westlake Center by the end of the month. The Westlake location will show off the company's new technology, including a burger-flipping robot in the kitchen and self-ordering kiosks with facial recognition capabilities.
Schmaltzy's Delicatessen opening this summer
The upcoming Jewish deli Schmaltzy's Delicatessen, started by Napkin Friends food truck owner Jonathan Silverberg, is finalizing preparations for opening and should be open for business in Frelard sometime this summer. The restaurant was originally set to open in December 2018 or January 2019 but was delayed due to issues with permitting and construction. Once open, the space will serve Jewish favorites like Reuben sandwiches, pastrami, corned beef, and lox.
Cloudburst Brewing opening a taproom in Ballard
The wildly popular brewery Cloudburst Brewing is planning to open a new beer garden and taproom in Ballard by the end of the year. The location will be kid-friendly before 6 pm to accommodate families and is looking to host a permanent food truck.
EVENTS
FRIDAY, JUNE 6
Beer Pairing Dinner Cruise with Diamond Knot Craft Brewing
Booze while you cruise with Diamond Knot beers paired with a three-course meal.
SATURDAY, JUNE 7
2nd Saturday Wine Nights - Grill or Just Chill
Enjoy five tastes of "wines to be paired with the stunning colors and mood created by the Northwest Twilight," from whites and rosés to strong reds.
Brewshed Beer Fest
Tipple over 40 beers from local breweries and help out the Washington Wild environmental nonprofit, which helps establish permanent wilderness and wild and scenic river designations.
Brunch Buffet Cruise
Pile your plate high with brunch offerings from a buffet as you traverse the waters of Lake Union and Lake Washington.
Filson's 2nd Annual Backyard BBQ Bash
Sample smoky meats from Wood Shop BBQ, assemble your own fizzy treats at a root beer and ginger beer float bar, and compete in a Big Buck Hunter tournament, plus shop from assorted vendors for Father's Day gifts.
Food Truck Round-Up 29
Snag some street food from vendors like Frelard Tamales, Piroshky Piroshky, Lowrider Baking Company, Sam Choy's Poke To The Max, Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonades, and others.
Goth Tiki Night With Floodland Brewing
Goths aren't known for their predilection for sunshine, but this event will feature "a badass lineup of guest bartenders" shaking and stirring some tropical tiki drinks to bring to mind sunny climes, along with "droning goth music that will turn the reddest heart black." In addition, the Masonry will have 10 beers from the elusive Floodland Brewing on draft and special bottle pours. The Stranger's Lester Black writes, "Nearly every single person in the Pacific Northwest beer scene knows about this brewery in Fremont, but hardly anyone actually knows their beer. It’s hard to find Floodland on tap or for sale in bottles. Unless you’re one of the few hundred people in their bottle club, you can forget about getting to know what this brewery is making...If you’ve ever wanted to try Floodland, here’s your best chance."
National Rosé Day - Saturday Wine Cruise
Enjoy three pours of rosé (or white or red, if you prefer those) while you float around Lake Washington on this National Rosé Day cruise.
New Belgium's Voodoo Ranger Juicifer IPA Launch Party
Celebrate New Belgium's latest release, the Voodoo Ranger Juicifer IPA, with live music from Spirit Award, the Grizzled Mighty, and Tres Leches.
Through the Years: A Time Travel Tasting Menu
Travel through the ages with this 20-course tasting menu, which will impart "important food stories and history" through food.
SUNDAY, JUNE 8
Cakes by Squirrel Pop-Up
Grab a slice of vegan cake from baker Megan Jensen's new pop-up Cakes by Squirrel to complement your afternoon cup of coffee or tea.
Cookbook Potluck: Now & Again and Small Victories
Bring a meal to share from cookbook author Julia Turshen's books Small Victories and Now & Again and partake in the bounty prepared by other participants. Book Larder will take care of the drinks and clean-up.
Oyster Shucking Class
Learn how to pry an oyster shell open like a pro from the experts at Taylor Shellfish and practice your new skill while downing a couple glasses of bubbly or wine and slurping oysters as you go. You'll also learn about the phallic-looking geoduck.
Three Sacks Full Restaurant Pop-Up
Three Sacks Full, a sustainable pop-up project dedicated to cooking with wholesome ingredients, will serve up a spring dinner in Columbia City with a whole lot of local seasonal vegetables in tow.
