A scene from Canon’s early days in 2011 (Image: CHS)
“Capitol Hill is just saturated with so many restaurants. People can only eat and drink so much,” said Melissa Nyffeler, who owned Dinette for eight and a half years on East Olive Way. “I’d rather fill a void.” — Does Capitol Hill have enough restaurants? This chef says yes / Puget Sound Business Journal
Melissa Nyffeler isn’t coming back to Capitol Hill. She announced she was closing her much-loved Dinette on E Olive Way back in November 2013. There was an eager replacement not far behind, of course.
We’re not sure we can answer the question posed by the business journal in its (praiseworthy!) click-bait angle on the story. Same goes for the number of bars.
But we do think this is an interesting development. Canon, godfather if not the founding father of Capitol Hill’s craft cocktail movement, has taken a page out of the Disney book and is now offering a sort of speed pass at a price — the reservation ticket:
There’s more to learn in the fine print:
Please give yourself enough time to arrive in case you come across difficult traffic or parking. If your entire party is not present at the time of the reservation, you will forfeit your reservation and credits. We will hold your table for up to ten minutes past your scheduled reservation, but please know that in the event that you are unable to attend, your reservation is self-transferable.
Canon also notes that the 12th Ave cocktail bar leaves “90% of the room available for walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis” and says “it is rare for there to be a wait on any day but Friday and Saturday.”
Eater Seattle reports the system’s software was created by Canon partner Andrew Fawcett “so that other restaurants, according to owner Jamie Boudreau, ‘can get out from under the influence of OpenTable, etc.'”
Are there too many restaurants on Capitol Hill? Are there too many bars? Maybe. But the lines for the best run deep.
Huh? I hope the last line was sarcastic. The lines are often “manufactured” where some places offer a way to skip it if you have a couple bucks to hand to the door guy.
You have thousands of people moving to the hill. They have to eat somewhere assuming they are not eating every meal at home….
I can’t remember the last time I waited to get into Canon but a clever way to make some free $ from all the naive tourists I guess.
There has been a ridiculously huge frittata toast-shaped hole in my heart since Dinette closed. I’m very sad that it won’t be returning in some form to Capitol Hill. There are plenty of places to eat, but a gem like Dinette is hard to find.
Is the $25 per person charge in addition to whatever you purchase? Or is it a minimum charge that’s also credited towards your total bill? I’m unclear as to what “applied to your bill” the entails.
Steve: The charge is credited to your final bill. It is *not* an additional fee.
– Andrew
Sounds like the ultimate restaurant to miss. If you’re so busy why do you need reservations? And if you’re so busy why do you care if people no show on their reservation?I think they want the manufactured cache of turning people away.
Too bad the people who work at and run Canon are dicks…I’ll go to Liberty if I want a good cocktail
More restaurants are needed outside Cap Hill, closer to the CD! I love living in Seattle, but don’t always want to head to busy Cap Hill for dinner. Move my way!!!! A diner would be great…So would an indian restaurant!
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