Soon, hordes of out-of-town relatives will descend on Seattle for the Thanksgiving holiday, bringing with them the usual uncomfortable questions and off-base perceptions. Maybe we’re just being cynical and they’re actually fantastic. Either way, whether you’re looking to impress them or get some fresh air when the small talk grows stale, there are plenty of new restaurants popping up around the city to visit and enjoy the great connector—delicious food. 

Or perhaps it’s best to start with a drink…

The show will go on

Things went topsy-turvy when carnival-themed bar Unicorn had to close its doors following an electrical fire three months ago, but now everything is right in the ring. The Capitol Hill establishment and its companion bar, Narwhal, are back open and serving fried mac and cheese bites, funnel cake, and naughtily named libations (we’ll let you discover those yourself), while also hosting the “Lashes” drag show every Friday.

A sandwich shutdown

There’s more trouble afoot for sandwich chain Homegrown, which locked the doors of its downtown Seattle and Mercer Island shops this week. Although word from the company suggests it may be temporary, a notice from the Washington Department of Revenue indicates that the company has lost its business license due to unpaid taxes and/or penalties. In July of last year, Homegrown shuttered 10 of its restaurants and laid off 158 employees.

Rollin’ in the sweets

Lexus of Bellevue is known for sending people home in a sweet ride, and the addition of Macadons is going to take that feeling to a new level. The dessert cafe known for its macarons—the custom-printed treats are pretty cool—will hold a grand opening celebration for its new location inside the dealership on Nov. 8 from 12-6 p.m. Stop by for live music, free samples, and exclusive gifts.

Brunch and bubbles

Marin, the new restaurant inside the recently renovated Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle, is already making a name for itself with elevated coastal cuisine; now guests can enjoy brunch, served Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Highlights include lemon ricotta pancakes drizzled with sumac-honey butter and a seasonal compote, shakshouka with house-made pita for dipping, and cinnamon brioche French toast with caramelized Washington apples and toasted hazelnuts. Beverages bring the excitement too—there’s a Marin-mosa made with Campari, elderflower liqueur, orange juice, and bubbly, as well as a bloody Marin and a matcha martini.

Redmond or Bellevue?

What will it be for Falafel Fresh? The local Mediterranean chain, known for its scratch-made shawarma, gyro, and namesake balls of chickpea, parsley, onions, cumin, and a few other secret veggies, already has locations in Kirkland and Seattle but it’s looking to expand with a third restaurant somewhere on the Eastside. Keep an eye on social media to know where they will land.