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A Seattle Restaurant Week Retrospective

Over the past few years, Seattle Restaurant Week has seen the culinary community weather unprecedented events. From continued pandemic recovery to emerging pop-ups and ghost kitchens to a whole new generation of chefs bringing cherished family recipes to their menus — Seattle’s chefs and foodies are endlessly inventive. In addition to celebrating good food, our mission is to recognize challenges in the industry and support restaurants in the ways they need to be supported.

Since the pandemic, SRW has strived to build a longer table, inspired by the work of BIPOC chefs who are pushing back against the outdated thinking that fine dining is reserved for only a few types of cuisines at certain price points. Whereas previously SRW participation came at a cost, we have eliminated barriers to participation, encouraging pop-ups, food trucks, and chefs operating out of commissary kitchens to join. We’ve also opted for less prescripted SRW menu requirements, leaving it to the chefs to determine what works best for their cuisine. 

The result is a Seattle Restaurant Week that reflects a fuller and more diverse snapshot of our city’s food scene, including cafes, bars, and street food, as well as long-standing fine dining institutions. 

Here’s some SRW participants that illustrate some of the changes we’ve seen.

BAD CHANCLA

Chef José Garzón started his eponymous pop-up in 2019, serving up his renditions of South American cuisine. Authenticity was never a goal, instead he sought to honor the food experiences of immigrants and first generation Latinx Americans. It quickly drummed up a devoted following, inspiring several other concepts like Chifa Baby! and Lola’s Supper Club.This year, Garzón opened BAD CHANCLA on Capitol Hill. Bon Appetit hailed it as one of the most anticipated restaurant openings of the year, and gauging by the reception, diners agree. For SRW, try selections like tk and tk. Capitol Hill. Brunch is $20. Lunch is $20. Dinner is $20. 

Imperial Kitchen and Bar 

This Hong Kong-style kitchen and bar right in the heart of Belltown has an impressive menu inspired by popular Cantonese street foods as well as signature brined steaks. At night, the spot lights up with glowing neon signs and hosts occasional DJ nights spinning dancehall and reggaeton music. For SRW, try their specials with options like: sweet chili tiger prawns, crispy shumai, General Tso wings, seared chicken thigh platters or stir fried udon with steak. Dinner adds wings and dessert options like Hong Kong french toast. These specials can easily feed two people! Belltown. Lunch is $35. Dinner is $65

Red Pepper

While the University District’s “Ave” is home to restaurants representing cuisines from around the world, Red Pepper stands out as a sought-after destination for authentic Chinese Szechuan dishes. Red Pepper is equally known for its attentive service and large portions. For SRW, they are offering both lunch and dinner options for $65, with your choice of dry hot pot bone-in chicken, or hot pot fish with Szechuan hot chili oil; a stir-fry selection like mapo tofu or shredded pork with Szechuan sweet and sour garlic sauce; and a rice or noodle option. The size of these portions can feed from two to four guests, so bring a bestie to share it with! University District. Lunch and dinner is $65.

Jackson Street Pizza Lounge

Jackson Street Pizza Lounge is a neighborhood spot for wood-fired pizzas, drinks, and community. Here, the crust is thin, ingredients are local, and if you live in the area, you’ll probably meet a neighbor. Come to watch a game, catch a trivia night, or just unwind on a weekday. For Seattle Restaurant Week, choose from the regular menu: pick any small plate, pizza, and dessert for $35. Popular items include chicory salad and creamy burrata for small pates; pizzas like pepperoni, mushroom, or carbonara (with guanciale, roasted garlic, pecorino, egg yolk, and rosemary); and sweets like gelato, banana date cake, or gluten free almond lemon cake. Central District. Dinner is $35.

Reckless Noodle House

Just down the street from Jackson Street Pizza is Reckless Noodle House, a self-described “funky little surf shack.” It’s a great place to unwind with friends over creative cocktails and crave-worthy dishes by Chef Kenny Lee that draw on Thai, Cambodian, and Southern Chinese dishes. For SRW, Reckless Noodles is offering a $35 dinner special with options like roast duck crispy roll, lobster rangoon bao, Hokkien wok noodles, or Reckless fried rice, and a dessert. Central District. Dinner is $35. 

Nue

Treat your taste buds to a global adventure at Nue. Chef Chris Cvetkovich has lined the walls with souvenirs and knick-knacks from his worldwide travels, but the best treasures are on the menu. The Capitol Hill restaurant and bar is known for its street foods from around the world, like Burmese Laphet Thoke made with Fermented Tea Leaf and Cabbage Salad with Chili and Peanut Oil, Malaysian dahl, their Tower of Chengdu Wings, and Filipino Tinolang Mussels. This SRW, Nue offers a three-course meal for $35, including selections like Beruit style hummus, British tikka masala, and Caribbean pineapple cornbread. Capitol Hill. Brunch and dinner are both $35.

Le Grand Bistro Américain

Looking for classic French cuisine? Head to Kirkland’s Le Grand Bistro Américain for an exceptional French bistro experience with an unbeatable view. Le Gran has patio seating and looks westward over Lake Washington, making for stunning sunset views. Known for attentive service and classics like steak frites, french onion soup, and fresh seafood like oysters and octopus, Le Gran is offering special lunch (Monday through Friday) and dinner (all week) menus for Seattle Restaurant Week. 

Lunch includes your choice of beef tartare, chopped gem salad, or soup of the day for starters; and risotto with butternut squash and mushrooms, fish of the day, or Le Gran Burger with bacon and gruyère on a brioche bun. Dinner starts off with beef tartare, delicata squash, or Ahi crudo; then gnocchi, sole, or steak for the main course; and dessert choices like sorbet, chocolate torte, or apple tart. Kirkland. Lunch is $35 and dinner is $65.

The Capital Grille 

Dinner is $65.

haerfest

As the newest addition to the General Harvest family (that includes Autumn and Raccolto), Fremont’s haerfest is the perfect example of dishes inspired by Italian cuisine paired with Pacific Northwest bounty. Think delicious hand-crafted pastas, fresh and responsibly sourced seafood, slow-braised meats, and seasonal veggies and herbs. haerfest has already carved out a reputation for elevated yet approachable cuisine, earning an OpenTable Diner’s Choice for this year. 

For SRW, haerfest has a three-course menu for $65, including options like steamed clams, beef tartare, or chicory salad for appetizers; braised beef, wild salmon, or gemelli for entrees; and tart or raspberry chocolate brownie for dessert. Want to take it up a notch? Try add-ons like oysters, tonnarelli, or bread service. Fremont. Dinner is $65.

Above Image: Selection from Seattle Restaurant Week tasting menu at MariPili Tapas Bar. Photo by Sous Chef Eleanor Carrozza.

Additional Reading & Resources

Explore even more:

  • View all participating restaurants on the Home page.

We hope you enjoy Seattle Restaurant Week!

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