Wallingford’s Thackeray Gets Its Italian-Themed Reboot

In recent restaurant news, Katsu Burger is opening in Federal Way, Canlis receives a James Beard design award, and Filipino pop-up Musang is going brick and mortar on Beacon Hill. As for the updates below, Yalla takes its pop-up into a permanent space on Capitol Hill, beleaguered By the Pound becomes Rose Temple, and Fiasco replaces Thackeray in Wallingford.

Have intel about a newly opened restaurant, bar, cafe, or other food emporium that’s been overlooked? Tipping is essential: Send Eater the details over the Seattle tipline and we’ll check it out. Meanwhile, check out this other post for more of Seattle’s restaurant openings from 2018.

March 18, 2019

CAPITOL HILL — Middle Eastern-flavored pop-up Yalla has opened its permanent location inside the former home of Tortas Condesa on Capitol Hill. The walk-up window serves saj wraps stuffed with meat like lamb, beef, and chicken, plus toppings like labneh, za’atar, and spinach. Other menu items include charred eggplant salad, red pepper and walnut dip, and hummus. Status: Certified open. 1510 E Olive Way.

WALLINGFORD — Heavy Restaurant Group, which owns Purple, Barrio, and Meet the Moon, among others, has replaced its Wallingford restaurant Thackeray with a new Italian-themed place called Fiasco. Starting tomorrow, Fiasco — which borrows its name from the term for a round-bottomed Italian wine bottle — will serve salumi, salads, grinders, pizzas, and pastas. Like Thackeray, it will serve lunch, happy hour, and dinner; weekend brunch will see some of the more popular dishes from Thackeray. The bar menu will skew toward vermouth-based cocktails, local and Italian beers, and Italian wines. Status: Opening soon. 3400 Stone Way N.

CAPITOL HILL — By the Pound, the beleaguered deli and speakeasy on Capitol Hill, long claimed to be closed only temporarily. But it got hit with an eviction notice for, among other things, $75,000 in unpaid rent. Now it’s gone for good, and a new bar called Rose Temple is in the works to replace it. Co-owners Austin Polley, who was previously the manager at Westward, and Benjamin Smith plan to open in April with an eclectic theme that involves jungle-inspired decor, Asian food such as pinch buns, gangster rap, and “Instagrammable drinks.” Status: Opening soon. 1801 E. Olive Way.

March 13, 2019

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CHINATOWN-INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT — A new bar called Gan Bei is serving Chinese fare like garlic jalapeño wings, congee, and pan-fried rice rolls, plus cocktails, from mid-day until late night. Patrons can dine in or opt for take-out. Early Yelp reviews are mostly positive. Status: Certified open. 670 S. Weller St.

DOWNTOWN — The space formerly occupied by Chavez downtown is now Bar Mercato, from the owners of Mercato Stellina next door. There are snacks like bruschetta and charcuterie, and patrons can order pizza and pasta from Mercato Stellina. The drinks menu isn’t long—it includes classics like a negroni and Americano, plus some beer and wine options. The bar does happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. every day except Mondays and Tuesdays. Status: Certified open. 2001 Western Ave.

CHINATOWN-INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT — Hood Famous Cafe and Bar, from the ube cheesecake experts at Hood Famous Bakeshop, is open in the Chinatown-International District. This new spot is an evolution of owners Chera Amlag and Geo Quibuyen’s tiny Ballard storefront and production space. They’ve added coffee, cocktails, Philippines-inspired breakfast quiches with fillings like longanisa sausage and bittermelon, and indoor seating. Status: Certified open. 500 Fifth Ave S.

March 7, 2019

Blade and Timber/Facebook

SOUTH LAKE UNION — Hector and Amelia Mendoza are expanding their La Palmera restaurant collection with a new location in South Lake Union. This will be the couple’s third Mexican restaurant, joining their others in Everett and Mill Creek. The Mendozas look to start serving their sought-after carne asada starting March 16. Status: Opening soon. 901 Mercer Street.

CAPITOL HILL — A bar centered around ax-throwing is opening soon on Capitol Hill. Blade and Timber, owned by a Missouri company, is adding locations around the country, with bars planned for Honolulu, Minnesota, Scottsdale, and Miami, in addition to Seattle. The concept is similar to a bowling alley, where patrons book a private lane or share one with other customers. By the looks of things, Blade and Timber will serve alcohol and will be open sometime this month. Status: Opening soon. 206 Broadway E.

RAVENNA — Arriba Cantina is now serving “Pacific Coast inspired Mexican cuisine with Pacific Northwest influences.” The restaurant claims a commitment to sustainability in its sourcing of ingredients, which make up dishes like smoked queso fundido, salmon aguachile, and short rib tacos. Status: Certified open. 2316 NE 65th Street, Suite 101.

February 26, 2019

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GEORGETOWN — Falafel Salam, known for its food truck operations and West Seattle restaurant, has created a permanent home for one of its trucks in Georgetown. Owner Shimi Kahn has designed a custom food truck with “a dream kitchen,” and he’s built a dining space around it. The new location (5825 Airport Way S) may eventually morph into a proper restaurant, similar to the fast-casual Falafel Salam location in West Seattle, but for now it serves falafel sandwiches with shwarma and lamb gyro, rice bowls, combination platters, dolmas, hummus, and garlic fries from a walk-up. Status: Certified open. 5825 Airport Way S.

PIONEER SQUARE — Local juice chain Jujubeet is adding its fifth location on Friday, March 1 when it opens its new cafe in Pioneer Square. The cafe will serve its menu of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, vegetarian grain bowls, turmeric lattes, and organic coffee from Caffe Umbria. Jujubeet also has two locations in Bellevue, one in South Lake Union, and another near University Village. Status: Opening Soon. 107 1st Ave. S.

U DISTRICT — There’s a new northeastern-style Chinese restaurant in the University District called Little Duck. The menu of pork dumplings, steamed buns, and mapo tofu has drawn mostly positive Yelp reviews, especially when it comes to the food, on Yelp starting in January. Status: Certified open. 4100 Roosevelt Way NE, Unit B.

February 25, 2019

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UNIVERSITY DISTRICT — There’s a new Hawaiian cafe called Koa, from Morsel owner Kekoa Chin-Hidanocan. So far, the handful of Yelp reviews rave about the Japanese curries, cozy space, and big portions. The cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and coffee. Status: Certified open. 4754 University Way NE.

SOUTH LAKE UNION — Inspired by Indian flavors, new cafe Lassi and Spice specializes in its namesake drink, the lassi, a blend of yogurt, water, spices, and fruit. This cafe uses locally made yogurt for its lassis, which are blended with the likes of blueberry and cardamom, pistachio, and mango-saffron. The menu also includes coffee, tea, mini samosas, and pastries. Status: Certified open. 423 Fairview Ave N.

CAPITOL HILL — One of the owners of the immensely popular Fremont Bowl, Hideaki Taneda, has opened a new Japanese restaurant in the Broadway Alley building. Taneda’s eponymous restaurant replaces Lao Bar, which closed last year. The new spot has sushi and kaiseki as coursed meals rather than offering a la carte selections. Status: Certified open. 219 Broadway E, Ste 14.

February, 19, 2019

TACOMA — 6th Avenue will get a new spot for no-nonsense burgers, hot dogs and fries as Beefy’s Burgers arrives. Per the News Tribune, it takes over fish and chips restaurant Fish Fish Fish, and comes from the same owner, Robert Stocker. He also owns nearby burger joint Shake Shake Shake, but while that place leans fancier, Beefy’s will keep it simple with straight-up hamburgers and cheeseburgers priced around $3 to $4 each, as well as crinkle-cut fries and classic shakes. Status: Expected opening on February 20 (Wednesday). 3018 6th Avenue, Tacoma.

BELLTOWN — The brand new Sound Hotel in Belltown also brings with it a new dining option in the form of Currant Bistro. It centers around French, Italian, and Spanish influences with flatbreads, snacks, and raw options (among a larger menu), and generally aspires to keep things nice and simple. Status: Certified open. 2120 4th Avenue.

NORTH SEATTLE — There’s a new go-to for New York-style cannoli, with roadside stand Kelly Cannoli now open. Owner Kelly Wilson has been doing the filled pastries for years as a catering operation, and now classic ricotta-filled options are for sale here (gluten-free options available, too). Status: Certified open. 11310 Lake City Way NE.

February 8, 2019

Beefy’s Burgers/Facebook

CAPITOL HILL — Onigiri specialist Sankaku has morphed into a semi-permanent entity, with an ongoing pop-up at wine shop Marseille at the Melrose Market — it operates only on the days Marseille is closed (Monday and Tuesday, all day long). Status: Certified open. 1531 Melrose Ave.

SLU — SoDo meat smoker extraordinaire Jack’s BBQ has opened in South Lake Union — the same brisket, sausage, and pulled pork is on offer, with breakfast tacos in the mornings, all in a 50-seat space. Status: Certified open. 228 9th Ave.

PIONEER SQUARE — Macaron experts Lady Yum have a big new location open, and this one will go beyond those sweet treats and sparkling wine, adding snacks and entremets. Status: Certified open. 116 S Washington St.

January 31, 2019

QUEEN ANNE — A new Lower Queen Anne bakery called Caffe Limoncello specializes in espresso, Italian pastries, and panini. There are a slew of sweets options here that borrow baking traditions from Italy’s diverse regions. One might find apple fagottino from South Tirol, or torta della nonna from Tuscany. Other staples like peanut butter or chocolate chip cookies also make appearances. Status: Certified open. 150 W Harrison St.

CAPITOL HILL — Pho Huy specializes in a variety of Vietnamese dishes, beyond just the noodle soup staple referred to in its name. Recent Yelp reviews praise the banh mi, vermicelli pork noodles, wings, and egg rolls. The menu also includes spring rolls and hot pot. Status: Certified open. 1420 E Madison.

TUKWILA — A promising new bar in Tukwila, Juneau Tavern, sits above the Sykart Indoor Racing Center. Diners can watch go-kart races while filling up on bar food like smashed burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. Non-meat eaters will feel at home here, too, thanks to the vegan falafel burger. There’s plenty of local beer from places like Ghostfish, Seapine, and Silver City, plus some imports. The bar has several televisions and a private karaoke room. Status: Certified open. 17450 West Valley Highway, Ste 101, Tukwila.

January 23, 2019

Zeeks Pizza/Facebook

CAPITOL HILL — Noren Sushi Kitchen and Bar is open in the former Bensons’ Grocery spot on Capitol Hill. Michael Edington, formerly the chef at shuttered Wanderfish Poke, is leading the kitchen. There’s ramen, yakisoba, donburi, bento boxes, nigiri, sashimi, and various rolls, all available for dining in or to-go. Orders can also be placed online. Status: Certified open. 320 E. Pike St.

BELLTOWN — Sodo’s Fulcrum Coffee opened a cafe on the ground floor of the Insignia Tower at 5th and Bell. It’s called Mountaintop Cafe, and there are four single-origin pour over options, plus a range of espresso drinks. Tea, soda, and steamers — soda water or steamed milk plus a choice of syrup — round things out. The cafe serves food, too, with a menu of toasts, breakfast sandwiches, charcuterie, and pastries. Status: Certified open. 590 Bell Street.

CAPITOL HILL — Local chainlet Zeeks Pizza has added a Capitol Hill location. The new spot serves pizza for dine-in and take-out, plus delivery, with ordering available online. The Capitol Hill location has several local beers on tap, and seating is spread across the bar, several booths, and communal tables. The franchise opened its first location in 1993 in North Queen Anne. Status: Certified open. 1830 E Mercer.

January 4, 2019

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CAPITOL HILL — Independent Pizzeria owners Heffernan and Tom Siegel opened Dacha Diner in the triangular former home of The Saint. They painted over the building’s hot pink exterior — it’s now black — and are serving latkes, herring, pelmeni, borscht, and brisket, plus other Eastern European and Jewish specialties. Status: Certified open. 1416 E. Olive Way.

BELLEVUE — Chinese street food is the specialty at Xiao Chi Jie, set in a small food court. The lines have been long despite the small menu, which includes sheng jian bao, pan-fried dumplings; jian bing, a crepe-like item filled with eggs, pork belly, or spicy beef; bowls; and a handful of sides. The restaurant also bubble tea from Kung Fu Tea. Status: Certified open. 278 106th Ave NE.

PIONEER SQUARE — After nearly 20 years in its original nook, Salumi, the tiny but nationally respected salumeria and sandwich shop in Pioneer Square, has gained a major space upgrade by moving into the former home of Rain Shadow Meats Squared nearby. The company now has more room for serving its ardent fans, along with space for hosting culinary education events. All these changes are coming as part of efforts by new co-owners Martinique Grigg and Clara Veniard, founders of Seattle’s Grant Peak Capital private equity fund, who bought a majority stake in Salumi last October. Co-owner Gina Batali retains a minority stake. Status: Certified open. 404 Occidental Ave.