Food & Drink
Read More ›
Smith Tower Renovations Bring 1920s Flair
Smith Tower's makeover includes a new cocktail bar
This article originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of Seattle magazine.
When the historic 1914 Smith Tower reopens its 35th-floor observation deck after a recent overhaul, a new 1920s, Prohibition-inspired eatery and bar will be unveiled. Will there be flappers, gin fizzes and jazz? The folks at Unico Properties, which bought the building in 2015, were tight-lipped on the details at press time. But with an interior designed by Graham Baba Architects, the firm behind posh downtown restaurant Miller’s Guild and Capitol Hill’s Melrose Market, it’s sure to honor its place in Seattle history.
“We are honored to enhance [Smith Tower’s] reputation as a premier city landmark,” says Scott Brucker, senior asset manager at Unico Properties. The redesigned space will offer an “unparalleled and fully immersive experience” that mixes the present with gems from the tower’s past, says Brucker, adding that elements from the Chinese Room, such as the Wishing Chair, will be incorporated. But be careful what you wish for, especially after imbibing a few of those cocktails—legend promises marriage within a year to any single woman who sits in the chair.
Follow Us
Restaurant Roundup: 3 Pearls and Restaurant Week Redux
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
When something tastes good, you gotta go back for seconds—and that’s exactly what we’re doing for this fall’s Seattle Restaurant Week, Oct. 18-31. Building off a successful spring spread, this edition brings back curated menus at various price points ($20, $35, $50, and $65) at restaurants, bars, cafes, and pop-ups across the greater Seattle area….
House Special: A Taste of Ecuador at Bad Chancla
Chef José Garzón brings a coastal Ecuadorian classic to his 335-square-foot Capitol Hill kitchen, where he hopes to introduce more dishes from home.
There is not much room at Bad Chancla. The bright pink walk-up on East Olive Way seats a handful of people elbow to elbow, mostly outside, and the kitchen behind the counter is small enough that chef and co-owner José Garzón can talk to you while he cooks. Garzón grew up between Guayaquil and the…
Opening Night: GoodMart Makes Lunch Feel Like Luxury
Victor Steinbrueck, owner of Fremont’s acclaimed Local Tide, opens his second seafood-centric restaurant in the heart of Ballard.
On a Thursday afternoon I was able to walk right up to the counter at GoodMart on Ballard Avenue and order lunch, which surprised me. GoodMart is owned by Victor Steinbrueck, who opened Local Tide in Fremont during the height of the pandemic (August 2020) and built it into one of Seattle’s most acclaimed seafood…
Where to Warm Up With a Drink This Fall and Winter in Seattle
From swanky speakeasies to a cozy literary bar, these spots serve inventive cocktails and zero-proof options.
Seattle’s drearier days are slowly arriving, but it’s not all gray and gloom from here. Finding a cozy spot to warm up is part of the trick to enjoying the darker, colder months. The right place lets you bring a friend, a book, a journal, or simply yourself, and let time pass by. Whether you…