NEW OPENINGS AND RETURNS
Big Chicken
Like
List
This fried chicken joint, which opened in Renton last month, is owned by none other than basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal. (The chain also operates a location inside Climate Pledge Arena.) The spot serves specialty sandwiches, such as the "M.D.E. Chicken" ("Shaq Sauce," chicken breast, and bread-and-butter pickles) and the "Uncle Jerome" (Nashville hot chicken, mayo, and pickles).
Renton
Pickup, delivery, dine-in
California Mexican Grill
Like
List
This 24-hour California-style Mexican spot opened in Bellevue in mid-December, serving breakfast burritos, enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas, fajitas, quesadillas, and more.
Bellevue
Pickup, delivery, dine-in, drive-thru
Kedai Makan
Like
List
The closure of Capitol Hill's beloved Malaysian restaurant Kedai Makan
Like
List
was one of the most crushing blows to the Seattle food scene in 2022, but things are looking up: Hangry Panda
Like
List
owners Joe and Lucy Ye have taken over from former owners Kevin Burzell and Alysson Wilson and are hosting a soft reopening of the restaurant in the former Money Frog
Like
List
space today and tomorrow. And worry not: the couple promises that the menu will be "very familiar to Kedai Makan regulars." Reservations are strongly recommended due to limited seating.
Capitol Hill
Pickup, delivery, dine-in
Marination Columbia City
Like
List
Marination owners Roz Edison and Kamala Saxton opened a new location of their popular Asian-Hawaiian chainlet in the former space of their recently closed restaurant Super Six
Like
List
at the end of December. Fans can expect the same menu of Marination favorites, such as kimchi fried rice, kalua pork, "aloha fries," and "sexy tofu."
Columbia City
Pickup, delivery, dine-in
FUTURE OPENINGS
The Station
Like
List
Beacon Hill's community-focused coffee shop The Station hopes to open a second location somewhere in South Seattle (between South Beacon Hill and Columbia City) by April or May of this year. Those who would like to support the new venture can do so at the business's GoFundMe, which aims to raise $100,000.
South Seattle
Sweetgreen
Like
List
Way back in October 2021, we reported that the popular fast-casual salad chain Sweetgreen is opening its first-ever Washington location in the former Stout
Like
List
space on Capitol Hill. Although an opening date has still not been released, we finally have a sign that the franchise appears to be getting closer to launching: The business is currently hiring a district manager for the location.
Capitol Hill
CLOSURES
The Splintered Wand
Like
List
This wizard-themed pub located in Ballard has shuttered abruptly after less than a year of business. On Wednesday, the business sent a message out to reservation holders that read, "It is with great sadness that the Splintered Wand will be closing its doors effective immediately. All reservations now and in the future have been canceled. We are deeply sorry for those who were unable to experience the magic with us, and are grateful for the support we’ve received over the year we’ve been open. Stay magical, Ballard – we will miss you."
Ballard
OTHER FOOD NEWS
Smith gets new ownership
The upscale Capitol Hill pub Smith
Like
List
, founded by restaurateur Linda Derschang, is set to be taken over by new owner Victor Gonzalez. Gonzalez told Capitol Hill Seattle that he is not planning any major changes to the business.
POP-UPS AND EVENTS
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Wonderland: Seattle's World Class Dinner Theatre
Past Event
Like
List
At this swanky holiday soirée, sparkly performers will swing from chandeliers in celebration of the winter season. Snag a cocktail and an appetizer with a preferred ticket, or treat yourself to VIP, which includes a three-course meal prepared with market-fresh ingredients.
Can Can
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7
La Ventanita Pop-Up
Past Event
Like
List
Delight in a number of pastelitos from the Cuban bakery pop-up La Ventanita, including guava and coconut, guava cheese, beef, and tres leches cake.
Papá Changó Cafe, 9 am-12 pm
First Anniversary Party
Past Event
Like
List
Help Ladd & Lass Brewing mark the occasion of their first anniversary with two new beer releases, savory fare from Carbon Pop, sweets from Lovely & Dapper Desserts, games, prizes, portraits by Toady Town, and even a coloring contest.
Ladd & Lass Brewing, 2-10 pm
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
Taste of the Northwest
Past Event
Like
List
The Chelan fixture Campbell's Resort will assemble a bevy of Washington wineries, Northwest breweries, and premium distilleries, plus freshly shucked oysters and additional food. Enjoy live music all day as you tap into your hedonistic side.
Campbell's Resort
THROUGH FEBRUARY 19
Teatro ZinZanni: Coming Home
Past Event
Like
List
Because nothing says fine dining like acrobatic flips and spins, Teatro ZinZanni will bring their astonishing blend of international cirque, comedy, and cabaret to Sodo Park, complete with a curated menu by seasonal cuisine experts Herban Feast.
Sodo Park
SPECIALS
The Flour Box
Like
List
Baker Pamela Vuong's acclaimed doughnut shop the Flour Box, which was recently a semifinalist for a James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker, has unveiled its first monthly menu of the year, with a bevy of flavors inspired by Lunar New Year. The lineup includes jasmine milk tea, sweet taro, red bean cream, and gen-matcha cream.
Hillman City
Pickup, dine-in
Frankie & Jo's
The plant-based ice cream shop has revealed a trio of "super" January flavors: Superbutter Blondie (almond butter ice cream with caramel swirls, blondie pieces, and Moon Juice vegan collagen), Chocolate Almond Supercup (maple syrup chocolate ice cream with chaga-laced dark chocolate almond butter cups), and Tahini Banana Superchunk (tahini banana ice cream with maca-walnut chocolate cookie chunks and gooey chocolate sauce).
Ballard, Capitol Hill, University Village
Pickup, delivery, dine-in
Salt & Straw
As it does each January, the Portland-based artisan ice creamery has released a seasonal menu of plant-based flavors. The "Dairy-Free Decadence" series includes Bananas Foster, Chocolate Sorbet, Toasted Oat Milk and Cookies, Peanut Butter Brittle Caramel Fudge, and Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Ballard, Capitol Hill, Kirkland
Pickup, delivery, dine-in
