Zephyr Paquette (Image: Facebook)
A diner concept that morphed into a bar concept that never really caught on is making way for something inventive and ambitious enough that it just might make the challenging restaurant space at the corner of 10th Ave E and E Miller work. An up and coming hero of Seattle’s food scene, chef Zephyr Paquette plans to open her new Skelly and the Bean as Easy Joe’s departs the Hill for Pioneer Square, Eater Seattle reports:
Her restaurant, dubbed Skelly and the Bean, will offer dinner service Wednesday through Sunday, as well as Sunday brunch. The rest of the week, says Paquette, the 10th Avenue space will serve as an incubator where the city’s “young bucks” can hold pop-up dinners or other events that showcase young cooks looking to strike out on their own. Paquette also wants to hold classes in the space, which she hopes to take over by November 1 and open by the end of the year.
Paquette says her concepts “are smart business practices but keep my ethics true and just.” she plans to raise funds by using a membership component where future patrons could purchase a $1,000 gift cards, an approach similar to Thierry Rautureau’s when he opened Luc last year. The card provides a membership component as well; an iPad-based system will swipe the card and read a customer’s dietary restrictions and other preferences.
Paquette tells CHS that she had been considering taking over the space currently home to Poco Wine Room as she had been “helping out” at the for-sale E Pine wine bar but ultimately decided that the space wasn’t what she needed for Skelly and the Bean. Now she’ll make a go of it down Roanoke Park way.
The 1-year-old Easy Joe’s announced it would be debuting its diner concept in the 10th Ave E location in late summer 2010 when Tidbit Bistro made its move to Broadway and Union. CHS commenters weren’t thrilled with the “nostalgic” diner thing — and apparently neither were customers. In spring, the business re-tooled as an adults-only, 21 and over venue. Eater now reports partners Derek Schaubroeck and Bart Smith plan to attract the stadium crowd when they re-open Easy Joe’s somewhere in Pioneer Square.
Skelly and the Bean will join (under new management) Frank Espresso, Pau Hana, Pagliacci Pizza, Padrino’s Pizza, and, of course, the Roanoke in serving the area around Seattle Prep’s food and drink needs.
Paquette’s curriculum Vitae includes the Elliott Bay Cafe, Dandelion and Cafe Flora. Seattle Times writer Nancy Leson once called her cooking style a “whirling-dervish voodoo.” We’ll talk to her more about her plans, co-conspirators and SatB voodoo as the opening approaches at the end of the year.
(Image: Easy Joe’s Facebook)
It’s really a fantastic space. Outdoor deck, parking (!!) and a really nice brick building/dining room. It’s also massive with a very big prep room in the back for dry storage/prep. Roanoke has made it in the area for decades which tells me the neighborhood can support a food and beverage operation. EZJ just missed the mark, and fogging up the windows only made it less inviting. I wish the new operators the best!
thank you very much. Its nice to have support. Some are not so sure due to failed concepts before but we appreciate not being shut down before we even open. Thanks truly
Zephyr,
Welcome to the neighborhood. I was thilled to see that “Sleazy Joe’s” was moving on. I tried to support them several times and finally gave up and hoped they would fail so that something better would come along. I was a longtime regular of Tidbit and was saddened when they went to the Harvard Market. Maybe you should talk with Nicola and John from Tidbit to see what they think. I think the key to this location is that you have to be a destination and not just serve the neighborhood. “Rain City Grill” was a success in this location for a long time based on that formula.
I think it will be a hard sell for the $1,000 over 3 years memberships since you are not established like Luc was with Rover’s. I am a subscriber at Luc’s but think that maybe $250 over one year would be best. Also I think the s’mores sounds like a bad idea and that you should just do something really good but simple like cheesecake.
One thing I would love to see there is interesting, affordable take-out options. That could help build the base around the local area, in addition to being a destination draw from other parts of the city. We tried to support Easy Joes, but it wasn’t, well, very easy.
Tried to love EZJ, but…
I think two formats can work here – an affordable dine in + take out(!) like Thai/Chinese or a destination restaurant.
One thing I think could be fun – and a few places do from time to time (like VFC) are beer pairing dinners. Partner with local breweries. Or do a wine v. beer pairing contest like Stone Brewing did down in CA (have the DVD – can drop off when you open).
Good luck! We’ll give it a shot.
I had a very mediocre dinner at Easy Joe’s about a month ago…not sorry to see it go.
There have been a series of failed restaurants at that location…and they have been quite varied, from upscale to lower scale. It seems like a doomed space for some reason…don’t know why. I wish the new owners well, but I think going in there is a huge risk.
Uh, why talk to people that failed at the space? Follow your heart and your own path and stay out of the footprints that led to failure. If tidbit was doing it right, they would still be there. People want good food and good value simple as that. I have confidence the new chef will bring it. How about instead of trying to tell her what to do we sit back and enjoy the fruits of her labor? Place isn’t even open yet!
Good luck, can’t wait to check it out!
Z – With your talent, enthusiasm, vision and work ethic, Skelly and the Bean is sure to be a wonderful addition to the North Capitol Hill community. They are lucky to have you. Ah…can I make reservations now for opening night? You are sure to be one busy establishment!!!
Can’t wait to try out Skelly and the Bean!