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Capitol Hill food + drink notes: KiKi replaces Kurrent, Sun distillery opens, CHS night at Monsoon

Some heavy news on the Hill this week but, still, a blog’s gotta eat, no? Tip us at [email protected]

  • This is a story of reclamation. In the summer of 2007, the Green Papaya shut its doors and made way for a bar that could never rise above its gloss, out-of-place-ness and backwards K. Kurrent klosed closed this fall. We’ve reported on a mysterious “Indochine Kitchen” listed on the paperwork for what would eventually fill the space at Belmont and Pine. Now we’ve learned the details of KiKi Tap & Eatery, a new restaurant backed by five partners including the people behind the Green Papaya. We talked with partner Mike Nguyen about the plans for the new venture and reclaiming the Pine St. corner.

    “The previous place seemed to be out of place in the Capitol Hill community,” Nguyen tells CHS. “We’ve really toned it down to make it more rustic, more cozy.” You can follow KiKi’s construction progress via Facebook.

    As for the food and drink, Nguyen says to expect affordable small plates with an emphasis on Vietnamese fusion and a few American classics, plus 16 beers on tap. “We’re going to provide a fun experience and fantastic food,” Nguyen said. He expects a soft opening in a few weeks with a grand opening not long after.

    KiKi’s Vân Hg and Miki Nguyen (right) (Images: KiKi)

  • East Pike’s mostly completed Sun Liquor Distillery can tide you over in the meantime. The first in the new wave of craft distilleries to hit the Hill will open this Friday, according to Sun’s Facebook page. Check out Seattle Met’s lovely pictures of the gorgeous new space here. Cheers and congrats.
  • More openings: 12th Ave Italian-styled bar Varro has set a date. The Eltana Bagels neighbor is targeting Monday, March 28th for its first customers.
  • Closing: Word that a Capitol Hill coffee shop is throwing in the barista towel. Tomorrow. Working to confirm. Go hug your favorite latte slinger.
  • You may have missed the biggest food and drink news of the weekend. CHS advertiser AutoBattery is adding skee ball.
  • We’re also teaming up with CHS advertiser Monsoon for a CHS neighbor night at their March 21st crab dinner: a two-pound crab for $28 plus a special 30%-off wine deal for CHS neighbors. Suck it, Groupon. We asked Eric Banh if he was up for trying something new on the site and, as typical, he signed up for the fun. Monsoon will also be giving 5% of the night’s proceeds to the Capitol Hill Community Council. Depending on how things go, we’ll try to do more events like this through the summer.
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Tom
Tom
13 years ago

Really looking forward to Sun Liquor :)

vics
vics
13 years ago

I wonder what coffee shop is closing? If they’re closing tomorrow I hope they’ll be open for the rest of today so people can send them off properly. On the flipside, I’m looking forward to seeing Varro and Sun Liquor open!

Vanessa Au
Vanessa Au
13 years ago

Excited about all these changes! GREAT round up.

Chips
Chips
13 years ago

God I hope they bring back the stuffed chicken appetizer they had at Green Papaya! I’ve been thinking about it for literally years.

little re GTI
little re GTI
13 years ago

online Coffee. Props tp all the gals working at the olive location. they are all fantastic.

vics
vics
13 years ago

Which locations are closing? too bad for the employees :(

cafe buyer
cafe buyer
13 years ago

they all are closing, every single one. SAD.

James and Sandy
James and Sandy
12 years ago

I went to KIKI on Sunday 3/20/2011 and WOW Morgan and Robert were Great!!! You guys Rock!!! And The owners VU and Micheal are very friendly people!!! I wish you the best you guys and keep up the good work!!!