Restaurant Roundup: Panda Fest, Canlis Chooses a Chef, and Good Voyage
One of Seattle’s most resilient restaurants is open and hitting its stride
By Ben McBee June 6, 2025
The best salads are a bit like summer: filled with bright and flavorful produce and definitely not soggy. If you’re looking to toss that questionably healthy hodgepodge you made at home, lettuce point you in the right direction. And while we’re at it, here are some other fresh Seattle food finds to stick your fork into.
What’s black, white, and tasty all over?
It’s Panda Fest, the massive Asian outdoor food festival that’s coming to Seattle for the first time this weekend. The Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion will host experiential activities, tastings, and market fairs from Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8, showcasing dishes like tanghulu (Chinese dessert of sugar-coated fruit on a stick), takoyaki (Japanese “octopus balls”), and shaobing (a baked and layered flatbread). Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Canlis keeps it local with its new executive chef
After a monthslong process, Seattle’s most famous restaurant has chosen the person to lead the kitchen — and it’s an internal hire. James Huffman, a longtime employee at the iconic fine dining establishment will become the first Seattle-native at its helm. His resume has plenty of regional flair, including nine years working under the two who previously held the role, Brady Ishiwata Williams and Aisha Ibrahim, as well as a stop at Cafe Juanita on the Eastside.
A book worth a thousand memories
When The London Plane decided to finally land from the lofty heights of its 10-year run in Pioneer Square, it left behind legions of loyal fans. Now a few years on, owner Katherine Anderson and those who contributed to the cafe-restaurant-bar-market-bakery-flower-shop have created a beautiful book called “The London Plane Flower & Cook Book.” Inside, you’ll encounter recipes, essays about the experience of curating the beloved space, jaw-dropping photography, and more.
Homer on hiatus
At the end of May, when Homer staff noticed a smell of smoke — not from the wood-fired oven the Mediterranean restaurant uses, but instead more like burning plastic — they knew they had a problem. Thankfully, the fire department was able to put the fire in the ceiling ducts out quickly, but not before causing some serious damage, forcing the owners to close for what could be two weeks or as long as a month. Keep an eye on the Beacon Hill spot’s Instagram for updates.
Signing off with Good news
Speaking of rising from the ashes… If you haven’t had a chance to check out Good Voyage since its return from the devastating electrical fire at the end of 2023, you’re missing out. The French-inspired bistro located in the South Park neighborhood reopened in January as a testament to the power of community and perseverance, especially when walking away makes so much sense. Now, you’ll find similar qualities that made it so popular in the first place, plus an in-house pastry program, a creative cocktail lineup, and full kitchen. There’s even a chance of themed dinners and oyster bashes on the cards.
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