Fashion & Shopping: 5 Things to Do at the Bravern

Whether you’re in the mood to spend big or to window shop, the Bravern is the place to be this weekend. The luxury shopping center opens this weekend, upping the local fashion anty with new stores from Neiman Marcus, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch and more. Here are five reasons from our edit team on why you should visit the Bravern:

1. Rent a wine locker at John Howie Steak
The food is likely to be sublime, but this is also a place for wine lovers who can rent a wine locker to keep their own private stash on hand (properly cooled, of course). Better yet, the lockers will be linked to the restaurant’s Enomatic wine preservation system which allows you to open a bottle of wine and keep it for up to 28 days without any loss of quality. The restaurant, of course, will also serve a large selection of wines by the glass, and this system will allow them to offer—say a $1,200 bottle of wine by the glass for, say, $60 an ounce. No doubt Bellevue’s high rollers will want a taste of that. Virginia Smyth

2. Get toasty at the outdoor fireplaces
I counted at least two outside, in the Euro-inspired outdoor seating areas. We love how the Bravern developers surveyed locals to learn what they wanted in a shopping center. The resounding answer: an outdoor experience, a la University Village. The lounge areas with fireplaces will no doubt yield brilliant people watching, to boot. Rachel Hart

3. Meet the geek-chic guy-of-your-dreams
If you prefer your guys in Polo shirts with cross-trainers or fleece and tees, you’ll find yourself in geek-chic heaven at the Bravern. Tucked among Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton-shopping center is a Microsoft satellite office teaming with Microsofties formerly relegated to an employees-only Redmond campus. Single ladies, get down here quick: what could be better than dating someone who works a stone’s throw from Hermes and Neiman Marcus? Karen Johnson

4. Take a seat at the bar(s)
Leave to the Bravern to elevate even the bar experience to luxury levels. The shopping center features several places to find barside service with a twist. At Artisinal’s cheese bar you can have a sushi-like experience ordering nibbles of exotic and local frommage. Vietnamese food is the star at Wild Ginger’s satay bar which pays homage to the restaurant’s now-defunct Western Avenue location. Have your pick of petite sweets on display along the marble bar at Trophy Cupcakes or find the perfect pair of designer jeans at DNA 2050’s denim bar. If the out-of-the-box bar experience isn’t your thing. Pop by the bar at John Howie for a cocktail before you dive into one of those delicious steaks. KJ

5. Personalized shopping at Neiman’s
The new Neiman’s is the definition of a luxury shopping experience; the free personal shopping room (just call to reserve), spa rooms to try out your cosmetic purchase, a man cave to hang out and private jewelry viewing rooms put the personalized shopping service on a whole new chic level. Kate Calamusa

 
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