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Nailed it: Sea-Tac unveils Capitol Hill Food Hall

(Image: Port of Seattle)

“Eat Like You’re on Capitol Hill,” goes the Port of Seattle’s introduction for one of its newest food and drink destinations.

CHS reported on the plans for the Capitol Hill Food Hall in late 2018. After some delays, the new venue has debuted in Concourse A, “a gourmet market powered by local purveyors of exceptional food and drinks, serving up a taste of place with every bite.”

As you would probably expect, the results of such an enterprise are both completely bizarre and apropos. We can’t explain the large circular void at the core of the facade but the faux masonry certainly invokes the charm of many of the preservation incentive-boosted mixed-use projects along Pike and Pine.

(Image: Port of Seattle)

Inside, the vendor list has shifted a bit. Caffe Ladro, The Bakery with sandwiches from Grand Central and baked goods from Schwartz Brothers, Chowder Shack from Pike Place Chowder, True Burger, Pizza Vino, and a General Store round out the options. Portland’s Salt and Straw — which, yes, has an outlet on E Pike — is also in the mix. Macrina Bakery, Jujubeet, and Slate Coffee were in the original plans but apparently stepped aside.

The “7,077 square-foot dining experience” is located between Gates A5 and A6 and includes “a dedicated performance space for live music.”

Meanwhile, another important component of Capitol Hill culture is also now part of the port’s booming airport food, drink, and retail business. Elliott Bay Book Co.’s Sea-Tac shop has opened in the C Gates central terminal area.

 

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The Ghost Of Piecora’s
The Ghost Of Piecora’s
4 years ago

All they need to do is change the wording on that facade signage to “Capital Hill Food Hall,” and they will be golden!

Matt
Matt
4 years ago

I’m not sure, but the Hill has always been spelled like the building-capitol. Not capital like a upper case letter or seat of government. Is that wrong?

Winky Nibblebits
Winky Nibblebits
4 years ago
Reply to  Matt

I think he was trying to make a joke but failed miserably.

Alexandra
Alexandra
4 years ago

Historically, Seattle was supposed to be the Capitol, and Olympia the port city. Capitol Hill is Capitol, because that’s where they anticipated the building of the states Capitol

Zack
Zack
4 years ago
Reply to  Alexandra

Capitol Hill was named in 1901, well after Olympia was already named the capitol of the state.

Fairly Obvious
Fairly Obvious
4 years ago
Reply to  Alexandra

Alexandra’s comment is one of those weird stories that is probably a holdover from the pre-internet days. I remember hearing that version well into the 2000s, when the internet allowed for easy disproving of it.

While there’s no definitive origin of the name, it’s likely named after the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Denver. The wife of James Moore, who platted much of “Broadway Hill” came from Denver.

Olympia had been the capitol of Washington since it became a territory in 1853 and there is no evidence that the government ever intended to move the location of the capitol and it in fact goes against common practice for most states created post 1800 to NOT locate their capitol in or near their most populous city.

Now that’s not to say that Moore didn’t claim the former story as a selling point for his newly platted neighborhood, but the Denver origin has much more merit to it.

Eric Bennett
Eric Bennett
4 years ago
Reply to  Alexandra

Voters were asked in 1889 where they would like the Capitol. See Article:

https://www.sos.wa.gov/archives/timeline/detail.aspx?id=235

Steve
Steve
4 years ago

For the true Cap Hill experience they’ll need panhandlers out the front and people shooting up in the restrooms.

Winky Nibblebits
Winky Nibblebits
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve

lol u mad

zeebleoop
zeebleoop
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Don’t forget groups of pigeons pecking out piles of vomit from the night before.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve

@theyseemetrollin /thread

Douglas Carter
Douglas Carter
4 years ago

And where is Dicks here?

Frank
Frank
4 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Carter

That Wallingford chain?

Larry
Larry
4 years ago
Reply to  Frank

Yeah, remember “Posse on N 45th”? That was such a great song!

Deborah
Deborah
4 years ago
Reply to  Douglas Carter

Down the street by Lowe’s

R
R
4 years ago

I’ve never seen a F&B strategy so bewildering than that of Sea-Tac’s recent adventures. I don’t even intend that in a mean way – it just makes zero sense and leaves me scratching my head.

Comte
Comte
4 years ago

An ersatz “Capitol Hill” themed eatery space with no actual – except one – Capitol Hill-based establishments. That is sooo Sea-Tac.

reft
reft
4 years ago

what a goofy idea. derrp.

JX
JX
4 years ago

A Pike Place hall with the guys throwing fish would be funnier at the air port.

meg
meg
4 years ago

This is probably hands down the dumbest concept I’ve ever seen. And what’s up with the vendors?
Never heard of them and I have lived in Seattle 25 years.

Mike
Mike
4 years ago

The eatery concept and implementation seems very odd. However, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. At least someone involved in SeaTac thinks Capitol Hill is cool. Hopefully it will bring more visitors to Capitol Hill businesses… or maybe visitors will skip the hill since they experienced it at the airport. ;-)

Authentic Andy
Authentic Andy
4 years ago

Any junkies harassing you for money on your way in and out?

Eneighbor
Eneighbor
4 years ago
Reply to  Authentic Andy

Or camped ot in a line right in front of the broadway market QFC?!?!

JayH
JayH
4 years ago

Needs an IHOP.

Ella Jurado
Ella Jurado
4 years ago
Reply to  JayH

THIS!

DD
DD
4 years ago

In a few years it will probably be transformed into a bank and an urgent care.

Janis
Janis
4 years ago
Reply to  DD

LOL! Nailed it!!

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago

Catching a flight later this evening and look forward to checking out the new food court – with more vendors and a live music venue, it certainly appears to be an improved experience over what was there before.

Boozehound
Boozehound
4 years ago

Ew, David!!!

sara
sara
4 years ago

This food hall was created to control the narrative the moment tourists arrive at SeaTac that Capitol Hill is something else besides a soulless void for newly minted tech bros.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  sara

lol, oh the pain.

sara
sara
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.
Tech bro
Tech bro
4 years ago
Reply to  sara

Sure thing sugartits. Now make my double espresso will ya.

Squints
Squints
4 years ago

Almost as authentic as the Ballard Brew Hall, featuring such Ballard favorites as “Freemont” Sky Kraken and Stella Artois.

William
William
4 years ago

Knowing about the SeaTac situation whereby a few local, small businesses partner with the big, national corporate airport concessionaires to bring you these new, glorified Seattle options, it’s really just faux, “local” flavor that feels forced and not so authentic. The idea was to feature more small business entrepreneurs (women/minority owned big plus) to give them opportunities but its been a disingenuous attempt to also kick out longstanding businesses that make money, serve the public what they want (that’s truly local) and return $$ so this whole endeavor is self sustaining and not continuously utilizing your tax dollars. Let’s just say, the big players that have managed airport concessions for eons, know how to play the game to still control a lot of that “local” flava. The same game is played in the stadiums too.

Napoleon XIV
Napoleon XIV
4 years ago

If it turns out its any good, they should put a Notice of Proposed Land Use on it for its teardown and replacement with 150 luxury apartments and parking for three cars.