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Capitol Hill food+drink: ‘Definitely elegant’ Altura, Terra Plata September, Night Market returns

Sit up, elbows off the table. This week’s top item is about a classy joint. Fortunately for our bad postures, we can slouch as we enjoy some of the other bites and nibbles in this week’s notes. Got a tip? [email protected]

  • To say Nathan Lockwood is leaving Seattle private dining facility The Ruins to open new north Broadway restaurant Altura isn’t entirely accurate. Altura has been in the plans all along.

    “We’ve been looking for a space for a year and a half,” Nathan’s wife and Altura’s business manager Rebecca Lockwood tells CHS. “We were thrilled when the 617 address popped up.”


    617 Broadway E is the former home of Edgar the Store. We first caught wind of the new Italian restaurant destined for the transforming retail space back in June. Rebecca says an overhaul is underway to build out a new space centered around antique wood, a 16-foot ceiling, a large chef’s table and a very open kitchen. The $73,000 construction budget will create a new classy joint in an area of Broadway that soon might be known for classy joints as Olivar and Poppy also serve up $$$ meals.

    “North Broadway has changed a lot,” Rebecca said. “It seems like it’s going to keep its edge and its personality but still be open to what we want to do — not ‘fine dining’ but definitely elegant.”

    Years back, the Lockwoods have called Capitol Hill home. Nathan’s path took him on a grand culinary adventure including a stop in Oregon creating the menu for Jory at Newberg’s The Allison resort. Here’s more on his background in this write-up from the Puget Sound Business Journal. The 100-hour work weeks in Newberg took their toll on a young family, Rebecca said, and Seattle with family and past connections became the obvious choice.

    Rebecca said Altura will emphasize a fresh menu based on as many local fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood as possible. She hope’s Nathan’s connections forged during his year at The Ruins and in a long-ago tour of duty at Cafe Juanita will help keep the Altura kitchen stocked with the best Puget Sound fare. As for what Nathan will do with the goods, Rebecca says the menu is still a closely guarded work in progress.

    “He’s a funny combination of being this very passionate [person] about food but also very meticulous and detail oriented,” she said. Rebecca said one of the thing’s she loves about Nathan is that he is dedicated to giving every person the ultimate experience.

    “His goal is to make whoever comes in the door happy and have a great meal,” she said. “Whether you’re vegetarian or vegan or whatever, Nathan will make it work.” 

    The current state of the former Edgar (Image: Altura)

    Altura is currently on track for a mid-September opening. You can learn more on their Facebook page where the Lockwoods’ project is described as a “modern Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill focused on a creative interpretation of classic techiniques based on seasonal local produce, game, fish, foul and foraged items.”

    Rebecca says that even though the couple will continue living outside the city, they’re happy to be part of the energy of Capitol Hill. “Watching the scene on the street really makes you feel alive.”

  • Joining Altura in the September opening target zone: Terra Plata in the Melrose Market.
  • Any bets on whether the replacement for Izilla Toys on 12th Ave will be a restaurant?
  • Seattle Met counts up the Capitol Hill eateries offering late night chow
  • On that list, Lil’ Woody’s should be giving everybody a look at its meaty offerings this week. Capitol Hill’s sandwich surge will continue with Blue Moon Burgers (next week) and Grubwich (soon) debuting any day now, too.
  • Congratulations to Zach Chambers taking the helm at Anchovies & Olives.
  • Some jerk stole the tip jar from one of the Broadway Building restaurants last week. Better not have been Yogurtland, buddy, or 10,000 Hello Kitty-loving young people are gonna be gunning for you.
  • Also on the food+drink+crime beat, Marination Station had a weird weekend. Their week went better, however, as owner Kamala Saxton was the guest of honor as Mayor McGinn signed the city’s new street food ordinance into law.
  • The Bizarre Foods dude will also be stopping by Marination Station.
  • Seattle Times touts the “micro-hood” of First Hill’s “awakening” food and drink scene. CHS likes that the article appears in the paper’s “Outdoors” section. Also, hey, Tan, you missed one. CHS will have details soon on an interesting new place to eat coming soon to First Hill.
  • Good time to visit our neighbors to the southwest might be this Wednesday for another Sorrento Block Party.
  • Finding gluten-free beer on Capitol Hill
  • As it does best, Seattle Eater wraps up Seattle Times coverage of the financial issues behind the Bill the Butcher chain. Also, check out the byline. You might remember past CHS food+drink contributor Seadevi, aka Shalini Gujavarty.
  • Ever since she shuttered 23rd and Madison’s Patty Pan Cafe, owner Devra Gartenstein has continued to host monthly community dinners. Starting with this month’s meal, the Humble Feast Dinner is moving to Montlake:

I just wanted to let y’all know that we’ll be moving our monthly Humble Feast Dinner to the Montlake Community Center, starting this coming Monday, July 25. We’ve been holding the event at our defunct cafe since late February, but we’ve now outgrown that space. The Humble Feast Dinner event is an affordable local foods buffet ($12/person, $12/person prepay,) put on by the folks at Patty Pan Grill. As of this month, we’re also hosting a monthly Humble Feast dinner in Ballard.

This month’s menu is: 

  • Summer Squash Stuffed with Local, Organic Grassfed Beef or Homemade Seitan
  • Summer Salad
  • Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
  • Dilly Beans
  • Blueberry Bars.

Hoping you can help us spread the word. Thanks so much,

Devra

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JeffStrandHomes
JeffStrandHomes
12 years ago

Spectacular happy hour drink offers and really good crepes.

you've got to be kidding
you've got to be kidding
12 years ago

kanape blows.