Restaurant Roundup: Experimental Pizza, Fundraiser Dinners, Skyline Views
Pioneer Square gets its first rooftop bar
By Ben McBee May 19, 2025
The food scene in Seattle is fast-paced, and in the age of instant gratification the attention often shines on what’s fresh. But everyone has that favorite diamond in the rough, where the menu has been phenomenal for decades and the service feels like home, even though the appearance could use a little polish.
That’s where the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” (BHSR) grant program comes in. Members of the public and eligible owners can nominate a local business for exterior public-facing improvements (think murals, awnings, lighting, signage, painting, and outdoor seating areas). When submissions close on May 30, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express will gift $50,000 to 50 restaurants across the country. Japantown’s iconic Maneki was a recipient in 2021.
Now on to other news.
Art deco and cappuccino
Smith Tower is the home of Caffe Vita’s new, 10th location, which pays homage to the 1914-built skyscraper with art deco design elements such as vintage tiling and wood paneling. Need to get some work done away from home? With lots of natural light, space, and outlets, it’s the perfect spot to post up (and enjoy pastries from Donut Factory and Macrina Bakery while you’re at it).
Thai Siam returns
The show will go on for Seattle’s second-oldest Thai restaurant, Thai Siam, which reopened on Wednesday following a two-week closure. The property owner had put the building up for sale for $2 million — a price that was at first too expensive for the restaurant’s owner Vhanthip “Nancy” Bhokayasupatt, until she was able to recently secure a loan.
One Night, One Tree
For every night you stay at Populus Seattle, the “carbon positive” hotel (set to open on May 22 in Pioneer Square) will plant a tree. If that’s not reason enough to book one of the 120 luxury rooms, the urban-meets-ecology interior design and enticing dining options certainly will. At the signature restaurant Salt Harvest, the Pacific Northwest dishes lean on smoke, open flame cooking, and just the right amount of char. Drinks are on deck (actually, they’re on the rooftop) at Firn. We’ll let you decide what’s better — the skyline views or the local, ingredient-driven cocktails.
Do good, eat food
FareStart is bringing back its Guest Chef Nights fundraiser for 2025, when celebrated local chefs will team up with students enrolled in the James Beard award winning-nonprofit’s job training program for 15 fundraiser dinners. This year’s lineup includes Bill Jeong of Paju, Michela Tartaglia of Pasta Casalinga, Karuna Long of Sophon, and more. The event runs Thursdays, June 12 through December 4, and reservations typically are available a month before each dinner. Each ticket is $55 and fully supports the mission of making culinary education accessible to all.
You’re the mouse, here’s the cheese
Northlake Tavern will be the host for Brian O’Connor’s “experimental and ephemeral restaurant” called Pizza Lab. Starting in early summer (and lasting three months), this residency will test out different service formats, recipes, and events, with an eye on honing it all in for a future brick-and-mortar space. Guests can expect innovative pizzas, hot dogs, and “caviar crab pizzettes.”
About Restaurant Roundup
Follow Us
Palace Kitchen Celebrates 30 Years
The Belltown staple still feeds the city after 10 p.m.
After the last tickets come off the rail, floor mats are hauled out to be hosed down, oven hoods are scrubbed, aprons come untied, and someone counts the drawer. It’s a familiar ritual in restaurant cities everywhere. When the shift ends, cooks and servers go looking for a drink and something to eat. For three…
Protein Without the Pressure
In her new cookbook, Seattle author and dietitian Rachael DeVaux keeps healthy eating grounded in real life.
Rachael DeVaux is not afraid of beef. That might sound obvious, but in a wellness culture still haunted by plain chicken breast and low-fat everything, her enthusiasm for grass-fed ground beef feels almost radical. The Seattle-based New York Times bestselling author, personal trainer, and founder of Rachael’s Good Eats has built a following of more than 3.5…
Restaurant Roundup: Nordic Cuisine and a Brazilian Brick-and-Mortar
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
Monday nights are worth celebrating—you made it through the first day of the week, so why not treat yourself to a delicious meal? Unfortunately, but understandably, plenty of restaurants are closed. But at these spots, not only are the kitchens still serving, the quality doesn’t drop off post-weekend, providing a perfect opportunity for a surprise…
Whisky in the Wild
Good spirits.
Over the summer, Westland Distillery announced a new offering, inspired by Washington State. Made in Seattle and taking cues from the Northwest outdoor lifestyle, Watchspot Whiskey blends eight-year-old Westland American Single Malt with grain whiskey from America’s heartland, resulting in a pour that has notes of toasted grain, milk chocolate, biscuit, apricot, and cherry pie….