Capitol Hill food+drink | Zoe plans February reincarnation at 14th and Union

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The re-birth of Restaurant Zoe on Capitol Hill is imminent. Scott and Heather Staples, with fingers only a little crossed, tell CHS they expect to be serving diners in their new 14th and Union space in time for Valentine’s. And when we say new, we mean new. It seems that all that is coming along with Zoe from Belltown are most of the employees and the Stapleses’ reputation for creating great Seattle dining experiences.

“When you’re moving a 10+ year-old business, you’re essentially opening a brand new restaurant,” Scott told CHS Monday as he and Heather got ready to rush off to yet another crunch time meeting as the restaurant prepares to open. “We changed everything. The look. The logo. Even the music. Everything has loosened up. As well as the price point.”

Reincarnation cones at the new Zoe (Image: CHS)

The change, according to the married couple behind Zoe as well as E Pike’s Quinn’s and Fremont’s Uneeda Burger, is a function of time, place and personality.

“The thing about the reincarnation of Zoe,” Scott said, “is we’re 12 years older. All of those experiences that we’ve had are going into this as well as being in a new neighborhood.”

Heather says the new space in the old Panzanella Bakery building along with the Oola Distillery at 14th and Union will also shape the new Zoe.

“Both Quinn’s and Zoe have been really land-locked,” Heather said. “With the new Zoe, we had this asphalt parking lot where we’re able to add a four-season deck.” She says the new space is also being prepared for a kitchen garden and there are plans for keeping bees and growing tomatoes on the restaurant’s roof. There is also a plan to grow ivy and hops up the size of the building. “We want that urban garden feel,” Heather said.

It will be a marked change from the glossier days when Zoe first opened in Belltown 12 years ago.

“It’s a really fun change,” Heather said. “We’re not the same people. The city is not the same place. Fine dining is not what it was.”

You can keep track of opening day progress on the Zoe Facebook page.

We should note that another space at the Oola complex at 14th and Union is completed — and active. The 10 Degrees event space is hosting dancing and events.
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