Leaves are changing colors, rain has returned, and you find yourself yearning to expand your PSL horizons. For the uninitiated—really, how big is the rock you’ve been hiding under?—that stands for pumpkin spice latte, and it’s a fabulous beverage no matter how much teasing it attracts. From Broadcast Coffee to Makeda and Mingus, there are plenty of local cafés brewing the autumnal blend (so you don’t have to stand in line at Starbucks).

And on that note, here’s the latest newsbites to come out of our city.

Starbucks Reserve put on ice

The coffee giant’s two Reserve locations in Capitol Hill and SoDo, known for offering items you wouldn’t find at standard locations like cocktails, pizza, and affogato, were shuttered without much notice last week. The move is part of the company’s “Back to Starbucks” restructuring plan, which will see 1% of its stores in the U.S. and Canada close. If you always wanted to visit the Willy Wonka-esque cafe, you’ll probably need a plane ticket—Reserve locations in Chicago, Milan, New York City, Shanghai, and Tokyo will remain open.

Los Hernandez Tamales x Pasta & Co.

This is a culinary team-up that dreams are made of. Since 1990, Los Hernandez Tamales has fed its loyal fans in the Yakima Valley, with some diehards coming from across the state or country to try the scratch-made masa stuffed with savory pork and other fillings. You couldn’t have the James Beard Award-winning tamales shipped, or get them anywhere other than the small Union Gap shop, at least until now. The University Village and Bellevue locations of Pasta & Co. now carry the acclaimed traditional chicken and the seasonal asparagus tamales in frozen, half-dozen packages so you can cook them in your own kitchen.

Gong cha is here

The date for the Taiwanese bubble tea’s inaugural expansion into the Pacific Northwest has been set—and it’s today (or Friday, Oct. 3, depending on when you’re reading this). This Capitol Hill franchise will be run by Ajay and Prachi Keshap, a father and daughter duo that wants to grow Gong cha to 50 stores in the region by 2030. You could say the future is now; guests will be able to use the Super Wu machine, an automated drink dispenser, and enjoy other sweet treats like chocolate-dipped bubble waffles, plus Shin Ramyun instant noodles.

Get your hands on some chicken fingers

Late-night study sessions (or munchies, to each their own) are about to get crunchy. Louisiana-based Raising Cane’s will open its first restaurant in western Washington in “early 2026,” just off of the UW campus. That’s almost a year behind the originally planned opening. Another location in Lynnwood is on the calendar for summer 2026, “pending city approval and permitting.”

Something wicked this way comes

Set your creepy grandfather clock for 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. W Bellevue, in partnership with Don Julio, will host The Gothic Afterlife Halloween Party in the hotel’s Living Room Bar. The event will be a night of “dark glamour, elevated spirits, and unforgettable experiences,” featuring music by DJ Shan Da Don, ghoulish live performances, decadent bites for the undead, a tarot and tequila bar, a photobooth, and costume prizes. Early access tickets are on sale now for $65 plus fees; once those are gone, general admission will be $95.