This week, New Mexican-style breakfast burritos come to Othello, a 100% gluten-free restaurant from a Stoneburner alum hits Ballard, and smoked brisket and queso arrives at Interbay’s Batch 206 Distillery. Read on to learn about that and more of the latest food news, like the unexpected closure of Blue C Sushi, a new Korean restaurant opening inside Hugo House, and how to be the first to try food from Seattle’s upcoming Jewish deli. For more food and drink inspiration, check out our list of places in Seattle to drink hot chocolate and our full food and drink calendar.
OPENINGS
Bang Bang Kitchen
Miki and Yuki Sodos, who own Capitol Hill’s Cafe Pettirosso and Belltown’s Bang Bang Cafe, have opened this new full-service restaurant and bar near the Othello light rail station. Like Bang Bang Cafe, the establishment serves New Mexican staples with a Northwest influence, including Bang Bang’s famous breakfast burritos, and prominently features fresh hatch chile peppers, a well-known specialty of New Mexico that the Albuquerque-born Sodos sisters fly in from their home state.
Othello
Jarochita’s
Taqueria
This taqueria serving tacos, menudo, empanadas, tamales, and more has opened in White Center and will host its grand opening this Sunday, with discounted tacos and posole to mark the occasion.
White Center
Lucky Santo
Diners with allergies or dietary restrictions, take note: The menu at this new restaurant from former Stoneburner chef de cuisine Nikki DeGidio, which opened on Wednesday, January 9, is entirely gluten-free, and all items are also free of dairy, grains, legumes, refined sugar, soy, and canola oil unless otherwise noted. Christened after DeGidio’s dogs Lucky and Santo, the counter-service space serves inventive and comforting dishes like faux chicken pho, cassava waffles, and celeriac noodles with chicken liver bolognese and a drizzly marjoram and lemon pesto.
Ballard
Oaky’s Tex Mex
Replacing the space left by Windy City Pie, which moved out and will be opening a new location in Phinney Ridge early this year, this Tex-Mex spot from the owners of Wood Shop BBQ opens inside Batch 206 Distillery today, January 11, serving queso, nachos, smoked brisket chili, albondigas, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, salads, and more.
Interbay
CLOSURES
Blue C Sushi
Without warning, the Seattle sushi chain Blue C Sushi, known for its conveyor belt sushi, announced via email to its employees last weekend that all of its locations would be closing immediately, citing “unexpected financial and other circumstances” as the reason. Employees were notified with only a day’s notice that they would be terminated and that they could pick up their final paychecks at various Starbucks locations, leading Eater Seattle to speculate that the company may no longer have access to their restaurants. Eater Seattle also estimates that 200-500 employees were affected by the closure.
Jiaozi! Dumpling House
This Chinatown dumpling house, which received raves for owner Elaine Song’s traditional handmade jiaozi and which The Stranger‘s Jen Swanson wrote about, closed after its lease ran out. However, all is not lost: Song plans to move the restaurant to Asian Family Market in Bellevue this summer.
International District
Scout
On Monday, January 14, this restaurant inside the Thompson Hotel will close to make way for a not-yet-announced new concept with a menu developed by current chef Derek Simcik and pastry chef Kate Sigel, to open in spring 2019. The hotel’s rooftop bar the Nest will remain open.
Downtown
OTHER FOOD NEWS
Oma Bap set to open inside Hugo House
The contemporary fast-casual Korean restaurant Oma Bap, which currently has a location in the Central District, is set to open a second location inside the restaurant suite of the new Hugo House building in Capitol Hill this summer.
Alcove Dining Room introduces a la carte dinners
Chef Emme Ribeiro Collins’s Brazilian restaurant Alcove, which was previously available by reservation only, is now serving dinner a la carte on Thursdays and Fridays. The restaurant’s four-course dinners on Saturdays and biweekly Sunday feijoada feasts will still be available by reservation via Tock.
Zylberschtein’s plans pop-up previews
Standard Bakery owner Josh Grunig’s soon-to-be-opened Jewish deli Zylberschtein’s, which just successfully raised $50,000 via a Kickstarter campaign and will take over the space Standard Bakery, will preview its upcoming menu with a series of pop-ups. The first pop-up will be this Saturday, January 12, at Growler Guys in Lake City and will feature dishes like pastrami on rye, smoked eggplant with spicy hummus and pickled cauliflower on a baguette, and chocolate babka, with more events to follow. Zylberschtein’s is currently slated to open in March. (After the opening, Standard Bakery will continue to operate under the Zylberschtein’s name in the same space (as Zylberschtein’s Delicatessen and Bakery) and will be sell baked goods under the Standard Bakery name exclusively at the University District and Ballard farmers markets.)
Aslan Brewing announces Seattle location
Bellingham-based Aslan Brewing announced via a press release that it will be opening an outpost in Fremont this summer. The new taproom will be housed in an upcoming building called Cedar Speedster that will also be home to retail space Evo and Korean restaurant Revel. In the release, Aslan CEO Jack Lamb wrote, “Having an outpost in Seattle will bolster our ability to directly connect with a more diverse group of nonprofits and local organizations in need, further solidifying our triple bottom line business structure. With every extra dollar we make from this expansion, more money will go back into the community, into the preservation of our environment, and into our workforce.” Aslan also says the new location will enable wider access to seasonal offerings, barrel projects, and specialty can releases.
Virginia Inn to be sold to new owners
The owners of the longtime Belltown mainstay the Virginia Inn have announced they are selling the restaurant to new owners Karl Sexton and Craig Perez, who have previously spent time at El Gaucho and Capital Grille, starting at the end of the month. The new owners will keep everything mostly the same, only making a few upgrades to the bar and late night menus.
Ballard breweries launch passport program
According to a press release, 11 Ballard breweries will launch a passport program this Saturday, January 12. Participants will be able to visit each of the 11 locations within a one-mile radius to collect stamps (no purchase required) and then bring their completed passport to Hattie’s Hat to turn it in and receive a final stamp and the Ballard Brewery Passport commemorative drinkware. For a less involved version, participants may also visit six of the participating breweries to receive an alternative prize at any of the locations. The participating breweries include Bad Jimmy’s, Hale’s Ales, Lagunitas, Lucky Envelope, Maritime Pacific, NW Peaks, Obec, Peddler, Populuxe, Reuben’s, and Stoup.
EVENTS
FRIDAY, JAN. 11
Friday Night Po’Boy Pop-Up
Estelita’s Library on Beacon Hill is an exciting community hub, library, and bookstore owned by community organizer and activist Edwin Lindo, and it’s packed with titles related to social justice. At this Friday night pop-up, you can scarf po’boys—the legendary Louisiana sandwich served on fluffy, crunchy-crusted New Orleans–style French bread—stuffed with your choice of catfish, shrimp, or oysters. Round it out with a side of homemade crinkle-cut garlic fries and sangria while you take in some live music.
Insania Wine Tasting and Bottle Signing
Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Geoff Tate of the metal band Queensrÿche and German winemaker Friedhelm Rinklin will host a tasting of Tate’s wine Insania, along with a bottle signing.
JAN. 11-13
Seattle Croissant Taiyaki Pop-Up
Try croissant taiyaki, a mash-up of French flaky pastry and a Japanese fish-shaped cake, with sweet and savory fillings like red bean, matcha custard, Nutella, and ham and cheese.
SATURDAY, JAN. 12
2019 Old Oddvar’s Release Party
Old Oddvars, a winter-warmer originally created for Populuxe’s first anniversary and which took home the gold at the 2015 Washington Beer Awards, will make its triumphant return for 2019.
Brewery Tour and Tasting
Learn about the operations and history behind Optimism Brewing Co. with a tour of their full brewery and cellar facilities, plus their “beer lab” and “sensory evaluation chamber.” When you’re done, experience the results for yourself with a complimentary flight of beer.
Craft Coffee Brewing
Finesse your coffee making skills with a class on different manual brewing methods led by indi chocolate cafe manager Kayleigh.
Drynuary Mocktail Night
If you’re cutting out booze this month, partake in a menu of all non-alcoholic libations courtesy of Toronado, including pineapple mojitos, cucumber spritzes, green tea-nis, mango tikis, and more.
Evoke’s One Year Celebration
Celebrate Evoke Coffee’s first year of business with live music, 20% off drinks, photo opportunities, and free sweets from Cinnaholic for the first 40 guests.
Galette Des Rois
In celebration of Epiphany, partake in the age-old French tradition of the galette des rois, or “king’s cake.” The lucky guest who finds a tiny trinket embedded in their slice of cake is crowned “king” for the day. This event will include a presentation on the origins and history behind the custom, plus cider, wine, and soft drinks.
Oysters+Bubbly No. 3
Sip bubbly wine and slurp bivalves as you enjoy live music from Bottled Bossa.
Resolution Kraut
Learn to make crunchy homemade sauerkraut using the flavors of your choice.
SUNDAY, JAN. 13
Donut Decorating with Mighty-O
Prove yourself the next “Dali of donuts,” “Picasso of apple fritters,” or “Monet of maple bars” by adorning fresh vegan Mighty-O donuts in your own style and scarf a few while you’re at it.
Rally for Red Star
Someone allegedly tried to burn down Red Star Taco Bar on Christmas Eve, damaging its back patio, storage facilities, and the back half of its restaurant. Help fund its renovations by enjoying drink specials, entering raffles, and dancing to live music so they can get back to slinging tacos as soon as possible.
Sunday Feijoada Feast at Alcove
At this communal family-style feast, tuck into feijoada, Brazil’s national dish—a black bean stew with pork—along with all the traditional fixings and live Brazilian music.
Themed Sunday Brunch: Vegas Buffet
If what happens at this Vegas-style brunch stays at this Vegas-style brunch, we guess you’ll have to refrain from telling your friends how much you enjoyed Chef Eric Rivera’s late-morning buffet spread.
MONDAY, JAN. 14
Author Talk: Vegetarian Cooking with Your Instant Pot
If you, like many people, received an Instant Pot for Christmas, come to this talk with Manali Singh, founder of the blog Cook with Manali and author of Vegetarian Cooking with Your Instant Pot, who will explain why your new multifunction appliance is optimal for making plant-based Indian meals, demonstrate a recipe that you’ll get to try, and sign copies purchased onsite.
Holy Mountain Beer Dinner & Full Restaurant Takeover
Esoteric brewery Holy Mountain will team up with the meaty masterminds of the Shambles for a five-course dinner by chef Seamus Platt with an assortment of paired beer and other beverages.
TUESDAY, JAN. 15
Cooking Class: The Food Lover’s Cleanse with Sarah Dickerman
In her book The Food Lover’s Cleanse, local author Sarah Dickerman shares recipes that are virtuous but still elegant and satisfying. The Stranger‘s Angela Garbes wrote, “The book is filled with recipes that, while healthful, are more memorable for their depth of flavor and mix of textures that make eating the food a real pleasure—dishes like spicy smoked chickpeas, miso flank steak, and coconut oatmeal with cacao nibs and dates.” At this class, Dickerman will demonstrate some of her favorite recipes, including piquillo pepper romesco with crudites and hard-cooked eggs, Swiss chard and poblano tacos with avocado crema, and a salted seedy chocolate bar, and how to repurpose the leftovers into an easy lunch.
