Plum - an all-American vegan restaurant with full bar is
taking over the Cafe Stellina space (see below). Makini Howell is
the owner. She also has the Cafe by Hillside Quickie at 324 15th Ave
E on Capitol Hill. A nice, vegan restaurant with a full bar is
really something new.
Consolidate Restaurants and John Howie - what do they have in
common? Well, long-time Consolidated employee Mark Hipkiss left as
of June 26 to open John Howie Steakhouse in Bellevue. Back at the
ranch, Jeremy Anderson has been named Corporate Chef at
Consolidated.
Laredo - is soon to open in the old Veil space on lower Queen
Anne.
Whym - has closed on lower Queen Anne.
Billy McHale's - has closed in Lynnwood.
Cafe Stellina - has closed. Who knows all the reasons, but it
wasn't because of the food. This place should have been more popular
than it was. Various rumors are flying, but they may begin catering
operations (or not).
Late Night at The Signature - Queen Anne's newest restaurant
is The Signature offering Vietnamese food. As of May 22, on weekends
they will serve food until 3:30 a.m. Pretty amazing. They're
located in the old Moxie spot on 1st Avenue. And now they're
offering food at the Queen Anne Farmers Markets on Thursdays from
4-7 p.m.
Pastry Chef Jane Gibson - is on the move. She became sous
chef at Salty's on Alki in 1997 and promoted to pastry chef in 1999
where she has been for 10 years. She is now
working with William Leaman at Bakery Nouveau. Her son James Gibson
has been named Salty's on Alki pastry chef.
Spur owners open new spot/concept - called Tavern Law, a
speakeasy bar/restaurant, 21 and over only, on Capitol Hill. Spur's
lead bartender David Nelson is joining them in this venture. The
plan is for a late June opening in the Trace Lofts a
residential/retail building. Classic cocktails and "full-flavored,
refined foods" will celebrate the history of the speakeasy.
Big Split - after 21 years, it looks like the partnership of
Peter Levy and Jeremy Hardy (Chow Foods) is ending. The plan seems
to be that Peter will take Hi-Life, Endolyne Joe's, Atlas and 5
Spot. Peter will use the old Beeliner Diner/Loki location in
Wallingford as Chow Foods corporate headquarters. Jeremy Hardy will
hang onto Coastal Kitchen and Mioposto, with his office located at
Coastal Kitchen. His company will be called Seattle Eats. If all
legalities go as planned, this will be effective 4/27/09. If not,
look for a May 21 date.
YBG Executive Chef Vicky McCaffree would love to take some
time off this summer. She'll be working with family members on her
three acres to create an organic garden on Tiger Mountain. She's not
looking too much beyond the summer, but is contemplating possible
direction changes. She's always loved working with people and
getting them excited about food, so she's entertaining the thought
of teaching at a culinary school. If things fell into place, she'd
consider opening her own restaurant. At the moment, she's happy just
to see what doors may open in the future.
Oceanaire change - Eric Donnelly, exec chef at Oceanaire has
left. His new home will be chef at Toulouse owned by Brian Hutmacher of
Peso's and located right next door (lower Queen Anne). Front of the
house guy will be Shing Chin formerly of his own Ovio Bistro.
They're now hoping for a July opening. French
quarter food and ambiance. Aaron Valimont has taken Eric's
place at Oceanaire. He comes from Pacific Grill in Tacoma.
