We’re not sure if three ambitious restaurant projects have opened within days of each other on Capitol Hill ever before. It seems highly unlikely. (Cue some wiseguy in comments documenting several other such moments in Capitol Hill history.) Perhaps the most ambitious of the triumvirate is planning to open its doors to the public on Wednesday for the first time.
Seattle restaurateur Steven Han laid down $1.5 million to begin to build his vision of a Northwest kaiseki masterpiece on 12th Ave. Momiji is ready.
“Nobody else could see what this could be,” Han told CHS on a visit to the restaurant before a preview event this week. “I had a vision of it from the start.”
For Han, Momiji — maple tree in Japanese — began with his vision of the center garden courtyard.
Everything else, he said, including the multi-chamber dining areas, the sushi bar and the front lounge fell into place starting with the trees.
We shared Momiji’s details about the restaurant’s hand-crafted woodwork and exciting Japanese menu here. “The menu will feature seasonal Northwest kaiseki items (a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner), sushi classics, house-made soft tofu, an extensive sake menu, and a classic-style Shochu cocktail list.” At about 100 seats, the restaurant will become one of the largest on Capitol Hill.
Later this week, we’ll visit Altura as it targets a Friday opening. Here’s what we learned about it this summer.
Broadway’s Bako was also on track for a midweek opening last week checked. Here’s a preview. Also, don’t forget about Oola Distillery hosting an open house on Thursday night.
The sushi bar (Images: CHS)
