Altura’s Nathan Lockwood + a big fish (Images: CHS)

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• In last week’s flurry of new Capitol Hill food and drink openings, we visited the serious Momiji, the stylish Bako and the spirited Oola. Busy times. It took us a day or two to stop by to visit a fourth new contributor to the Capitol Hill entertainment economy. Here’s a peek inside Broadway’s new Altura.

We first told you about the restaurant project destined to replace a shuttered retail storefront on Broadway near E Roy back in June. By July, we had names to go along with the plans as we talked to husband and wife team Nathan and Rebecca Lockwood about their vision of a “definitely elegant” eatery on north Broadway.

Last week, Altura opened and joined the suddenly thick with choice dining scene near “old timers” Poppy and Olivar. Its menu of “seasonal Italian cuisine” features a fixed price framework — 3 courses for $49, 4 courses for $59 and 5 for $69. Early favorites, we’re told, include the cold smoked kampachi crudo, grilled baby octopus (cute but oh so delicious), the squab and pheasant angolotti, a ribeye steak for two and Columbia River steelhead — with one specimen on display during our visit that appeared large enough to gulp down an Anderson Valley lamb, also currently on the menu. Vegetarian entrees are also available based on what’s fresh at the market. 

Desserts include bourbon caramel semifreddo, vanilla-rum panna cotta and a chocolate truffle cake with salted caramel, crushed amaretti and praline cream.

Altura is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 10:30p. Learn more at http://www.alturarestaurant.com/

• The great Capitol Hill restaurant wave of 2011 continues Friday as Terra Plata’s Tamara Murphy tells CHS her restaurant is ready for its debut in the Melrose Market.
• Sun Liquor Distillery is said to be bottling its first gin this week and should be offering tasting and sales shortly. They’re dedicated Facebook updaters so follow along there.
• Also new on Broadway will be a re-named and “under new management” Table 219 as chef Jeffrey Wilson has announced he is buying the restaurant. The new name? Americana.
• Poco Wine Room is still on the market. We reported back in August that owners Bart Reynolds and Peter Moore were looking for a buyer for the bar. Moore says the hunt continues but that Poco (a CHS advertiser) is getting ready for a big party:

Poco is still for sale and we are actively seeking potential buyers. We do have interested potential buyers, we’ve had no firm offers at this time. Finding a buyer is taking longer than we hoped, but no longer than we expected. 

Also, we have our 5 anniversary coming up! November 1st is the date. We are celebrating a bit different this year. Instead of bringing us gifts we are giving the gift of gift cards!

Check out Poco’s Facebook page for more information on the anniversary prizes.

• With the Chapel Bar closing in a “landlord/tenant” thing, we’ve been keeping our eye on the space. No news yet, building owner Jerry Everard of Neumos and law firm Groff Murphy tells us, but he’s been talking with “people who are interested in the space.” Guess that means Everard won’t be opening something himself to replace the Chapel.
• Sorry if you missed it but you can probably still stop by and wish the Canterbury a happy 35th.
• Volunteer Park Cafe has a new pop-up coming to its kitchen on Mondays starting October 24. Welcome Savage Street Cuisine, a pilot for a street food project being cooked up:

Savage Street Cuisine is the brainchild of chefs Kalen Schramke and David Howe. The duo will showcase eats from the streets of thriving food cultures around the world with a series of pop up dinners at Volunteer Park Cafe.  

The first dinner is set for Monday, October 24 at 6pm. The theme of the dinner is Southeast Asia and cost is $35/person. Select beer and/or wine will be offered for an additional cost. Seating is limited to 45 guests. Reservations are required and can be made visiting www.savagecuisine.com.

 Save the Date:
November 14 – The Dirty South
December 12 – Latin America
January 30 – African

 Schramke and Howe currently work under Thierry Rautureau at Rover’s. This is also where they met and began creating the concept for Savage Street Cuisine, which will be a food truck in the near future.

• Details for Volunteer Park Cafe’s benefit dinner have also been announced. You can buy tickets for the November 7th dinner and auction to help the cafe cover costs associated with its dealings with DPD here.
• Country Doctor’s benefit dinner is coming up soon.
• Say what you will, the neighborhood certainly sticks together. Also, if you are going to stiff someone a tip, pay with cash, run.
• In the meantime, here are some of the other joys of serving the Capitol Hill nightlife entertainment economy.
• Caffe Vita is donating 10% of proceeds in October to support the 12th Ave Arts project.
• “The People’s Republic Kafe (or People’s Republic of Koffee, as it is otherwise known), has a constantly rotating decor, based on what sort of props people bring to Open Mic nights through the cafe’s partnership with the nonprofit, People’s Republic of Komedy. In terms of ornamentation, you can never be completely sure what things you will find. more…“
• Broadway’s Samurai Noodle has a magic noodle machine.

  (Images: Samurai Noodle)

• Tacos Chukis grows its own tomatillos. On Broadway. And they’re safe to eat!
• The Stranger spends a happy happy hour at CHS advertiser Tommy Gun
• Japanese sweet shop Umai-Do is open on Jackson in the Central District
• Grim’s meatloaf makes it on TV. (CHS advertiser) High 5’s pie makes it on Martha.
• “Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream has been named as a finalist in the King County Executive’s Small Business of the Year category of the first annual Executive’s Small Business Awards Program.”
• Vegan Sunday brunch at the Redwood: “My favorite dishes are the tofus rancheros (see above) and the chicken-fried veggie steak served with (optional) biscuits and gravy (not pictured) — you’ll be full for a week if you get the biscuit, but c’mon —  soooo good. “
• 3rd Annual Wild Beast Feast at Lark
• Seattle U kids want more discounts on Capitol Hill