Restaurant Roundup: Oysters in the Sky and Free Samples
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
By Ben McBee May 15, 2026
Plenty of restaurant owners dare to be different, but for Charles “C. Davis” Davis of C. Davis Texas BBQ, his culinary journey literally started with a dare. From a challenge that arose while watching an episode of “Pitmasters” to opening a food truck that now serves smoked meats to hungry customers across Seattle and Renton, Davis has elevated his craft and business, becoming a fixture around the Seahawks organization and Lumen Field while also giving back to the community.
In the spirit of his intrepid story, we dare you to keep reading.
Last call for Seattle Beer Week
We’re heading into the final day of the festival, so if you want to sip it to the suds, here are a pair of events to check out Saturday, May 16. Dirty Couch Brewing is hosting an 11th anniversary party and pig roast at its Magnolia taproom, with beer releases and big discounts in addition to the food. Or you can join Old Stove Brewing Co. and friends from Beardslee Public House at the Ship Canal location for the first-ever Washers tournament (it’s a lawn game like cornhole, if you’re wondering).
Ooh, free samples
Pop-up choice paralysis is a real thing—it’s impossible to make it to all of them happening across the city. Thankfully, THE BLOCK is here to help. The free event (make sure to RSVP) is back at Fairview Market Hall again this Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., offering guests the chance to sample food and drinks from a plethora of Seattle pop-ups in one centralized location. You can count on brews and bites from Bonhomie Coffee Bar, KHOBO Jerky, Cupid’s Matcha, and more.
A meal that means more
May is Lupus Awareness Month, so when Chaniya, a 21-year-old Bellevue College nursing student and team member at Supreme Dumplings, was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease, the local restaurant chain decided to spring into action. Customers can support her by writing on the Wall of Support at the Bellevue location, ordering Chaniya’s Purple Combo—taro xiao long bao, the signature soup dumplings, paired with a taro milk tea—or buying frozen xiao long bao online. All proceeds from the Purple Combo and online frozen XLB orders go directly to Chaniya’s GoFundMe.
Food for another good cause
FareStart, the local nonprofit that provides culinary job training and other industry opportunities, has announced the lineup for its Guest Chef Night dinner series. Tickets for the three-course dinners, prepared in FareStart’s Denny Triangle restaurant by students in its program, are now available (and tend to sell out fast thanks to some of the big names involved). Some highlights include Chef Jhonny Reyes of Lenox on Thursday, May 28, Chef José Garzón of Bad Chancla on Thursday, Aug. 27, and Chef Ethan Stowell on Thursday, Sept. 10.
From sea to sky
On Thursday, May 21, The Rooftop at RailSpur will host Sea Creatures’ third annual OysterFest, offering guests a taste of the Puget Sound’s best and briniest bivalves, as well as small bites, beer and wine, and panoramic views of the Seattle waterfront. Each $100 ticket gets you a dozen oysters and a beverage, while also benefiting Oceans Initiative’s marine conservation work (there will be a silent auction, too).
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