There are new restaurants popping up everywhere—from Capitol Hill to Ballard to West Seattle! Some very new—and some not so new that have taken me awhile to get to. What with the sagging economy it is important that folks support their local eateries. And it looks like that is happening. Restaurants that I have gone to lately seem to be fairly busy at dinner, and new openings are announced every week. So here’s my list of neighborhood restaurants for you to get out and try … you’ll be happy you did!
New and fairly new places to check out
Anchovies & Olives
Ethan Stowell’s newest gem opened just recently—another tasty addition to the already stellar line up of Capitol Hill restaurants.
“The idea behind the menu,” says Stowell, “is that every dish will have a seafood element. Yes, we will have some meat on the menu, but it will be something like beef Carpaccio with white anchovy, shallots, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.” Highlights include Sea Scallops with Grapefruit and Mint ($12), Hamachi with Blood Orange and Fennel Pollen ($14), Spaghetti with Sea Urchin and Jalapeño ($16), and Branzino with Artichokes and Bottarga.
Anchovies & Olives is located at 1550 15th Ave in the booming Capitol Hill neighborhood known as the Pike Pine Triangle. Dinner is served seven nights a week, 5 pm–Midnight. For more information, call 206-838-8080 or visit anchoviesandolives.com
Barrio
Another Capitol Hill eatery and bar! Barrio features a menu that takes a Northwest approach to Mexican-inspired cuisine. Recently I had dinner seated at the bar with my husband John and friend Michelle and we had a really great meal. The drinks, on the other hand, were fantastic! We loved the creative and expertly made cocktails. My favorite was the Desert Healer, made with American straight gin, orange juice, cherry Heering and ginger beer. Also extraordinary was their Margarita—shaken with reposado tequila, Damiana orange liqueur, lime juice, agave nectar and salt. And this is the place to have small plates—both Duo of Salsas (pick from roasted tomatillo serrano, grape tomato, avocado, fire-roasted tomato habanero, smoky ancho chile) with yucca, plantain and corn chips, and the Guacamole are a must. Other tasty choices include Pork Cheek Tamale and a variety of ceviches. This is a terrific place to meet friends and have a snack and libation at the bar.
Find Barrio at 1420 12th Ave, near Madison and E. Pike. Open 5 pm till Midnight nightly, till 2 am Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 206-588-8105 or visit barriorestaurant.com
Spring Hill
Finally, we got over to West Seattle‘s newest jewel—what took us so long!! Co-owned by Chef Mark Fuller and Marjorie Chang Fuller, this lovely restaurant has everything going for it—contemporary design by Heliotrope Architects (who are our neighbors by the Food Studios in Ballard!), crisp professional service and delicious creative food. I love that they have a section on the menu that lists “Friends”—local producers like the Yoshimura Family – Mutual Fish, Oyster Bill – Taylor Shellfish and Joan Monteille – Monteille Fromagerie … to name a few. The menu features small dishes, seafood, charcuterie and main courses, so there are plenty of ways to make your meal. Be sure to try the Alder Smoked Oysters—in olive oil with roasted peppers. Yum!
Spring Hill is located at 4437 California Ave SW. Dinner is served Tuesday–Sunday, brunch Saturday & Sunday, and supper Monday evenings. For more information, call 206-935-1075 or visit springhillnorthwest.com
Shiku Sushi
Ballard is busting with new sushi places! The first on the block was Shiku Sushi, owned by the charming Rob Kim, who always greets you with a smile. I pop in often for my favorite, the Opiate cocktail made with Tanqueray, absinthe and a touch of Midori. Accompany it with small plates from their Izakaya menu and a few pieces of sushi. Then end the meal with the Bruce Lee Roll: spicy tuna and cucumber topped with albacore, avocado and shrimp tempura mixed with jalapeños and spicy mayo—it’s pretty darn yummy!
Shiku Sushi is located at 5310 Ballard Ave NW. Open 7 days a week starting at 4:30 pm, closing varies. Happy Hour is 4:30–6:30 Monday–Friday; plus they have Friday & Saturday late-night Happy Hour, 11 pm. For more information, call 206-372-7685 or visit shikusushi.com
Moshi Moshi
This is another just-recently-opened sushi restaurant in Ballard. My sous chef Travis Childers has dined there a couple of times in the last few weeks. As you enter you will be awed by the lit-up giant cherry blossom tree—very cool! Travis imbibed a Spice Trade cocktail accompanied with skillfully prepared sushi. I had a chance for just a quick visit this week and am excited to go back soon.
Find Moshi Moshi at 5324 Ballard Ave NW. Happy Hour is 4:30–6 pm Monday–Saturday; plus late-night. Moshi Moshi is closed Sundays. For more information, call 206-971-7424 or email info@moshiseattle.com; they are building their Web site at moshiseattle.com.
