Thanks to ALL the CHS readers who have sent us pictures and questions about Lionhead. We’ll miss it, too.
As much as they feel like part of the public space and the communities they inhabit, Capitol Hill’s food and drink venues are reflections of the people that run them and the mysteries of life than surround any individual.
We don’t know why North Broadway’s Lionhead closed suddenly a few weeks back. We don’t know why it remains “closed until further notice.” But we do know it is probably time to move on.
A listing posted May 8th shows the August 2015-born restaurant is on the market for any buyer interested in the 2,000-square-foot “Turnkey Capitol Hill Restaurant/Bar.”
Terms are $5,676 a month plus another $1,400 in monthly “triple net” maintenance, property insurance, and property tax” costs. The listing claims a gross revenue potential of $800,000 on $696,000 in annual costs.
“Take over existing concept, or bring your own concept!,” the listing reads. “Vivid, character-rich space in single-story building features large storefront windows, high ceilings, concrete floors.”
The lease runs through 2035, according to the listing. The existing business “is no longer operating.”
Chef and owner Garrett Doherty hasn’t responded to CHS’s inquiries about the closure and sale and the restaurant’s social media has gone quiet — though, somehow, a random diner on Yelp reviewed a meal at the 600-block Broadway E joint last week. “Must have been a slower night, but the ambience and service were really good,” they remarked. Four stars.
Doherty and business partner Benjamin Chew took over Lionhead in 2019 as Jerry Traunfeld was closing down Poppy and spun off the restaurant’s neighboring joint the chef had grown as a playground for his fascination with Sichuan cooking. The Poppy space is now home to Carrello from the Altura food and drink family.
Doherty stepped into ownership after helping start Lionhead’s run as executive chef. Previously, he owned Kraken Congee in Pioneer Square.
Chew stepped away from the Lionhead partnership about two years ago and has grown Tyger Tyger into a popular choice near Climate Pledge Arena.
As for chef Doherty and Lionhead, there aren’t many more answers about the closure. A check of court records doesn’t show any issues and there aren’t some of other telltale signs of a shutdown like unpaid taxes with the state or lapsed licenses.
For now, all we know is the restaurant is looking for a new owner — and all the individual mysteries they will bring.
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Too bad, I noticed that sign and now a Business For Sale sign on the door. I always thought their food was delicious.
Felt like it went downhill in 2019 when Jerry left. Even more so the past couple of years.
Damn, Lionhead is great. Plenty of clouds doesn’t even compare.
All good things and all that but the first exit by initial proprietor was when the clock started running on Lionhead.
Their initial splash and years of deliciousness were right on, hope the next entry can deliver similar for a spell.
Damn, I’ll miss it, their slow cooked chicken was fantastic and I appreciated the different approaches to a few dishes.
If anyone is looking for good dan dan or dishes that use sichuan peppers, head down to Noodle Bar, where Fierabend (sp?) used to be. I’ve been really pleasantly surprised by pretty much everything on the menu, and their pickled vegetables are amazing.
I can’t figure out what your first two paragraphs mean, is that meant to be an insult or…?
The day they put the sign up I stepped in only to find they weren’t serving that day; the staff was all gathered at the bar. I’d just assumed it was a power issue or something and didn’t think twice about it. I really enjoyed them; one of the more affordable fancier options on that end of the Hill.
Oh no. That’s been our favorite restaurant for years. I hope they find a new owner and aren’t gone for good.
A 20 year lease is unheard of. Jerry probably wanted to secure a payout if the building got developed but the longer you stay, the higher rent gets as there is an annual increase every year called CPI.
NNN will also go up as insurance rates and landlord overhead does.
It’s most likely cheaper for him to pay rent to keep closed right now since there’s no eviction/tax notice posted.
That “potential sales/profit” is also a risk and probably looked slimmer with the 2024 increase in minimum wage. Don’t know if they delivered but add in factors like decrease for not just them but other restaurants. Add in rise in food costs.
It leaves the owner with very little money to take home just to support themselves.
Have seen 2 of my other favorite restaurants close suddenly this year. It’s going to keep happening. We need to keep supporting not just restaurants but all of our favorite local places. Especially the ones we consider institutions. Those are the ones paying the highest rent of all over shiny, new funded places that pop up and are gone in a year or few.
well said. hear hear.
This is a great example of what’s happening with restaurants right now. They’re telling you it can make 100K a year to run Lionhead. That’s what the owners say so a profit of 100K is probably best case scenario. That includes every owner involved and it’s rarely just one person. How many people are willing to take the risk to maybe make that kind of $ to live and breathe in that space for at least a year and then beyond that? I loved that place, but I understand why they’d walk away. I selfishly hope someone is willing to take it on.
Food was amazing but 1 server for the entire place (bar included) became commonplace when we visited, which is just not reasonable. Service needs to be average at worst even with great food.
From chatting with a former worker it sounds like the business was relying heavily on takeout post-pandemic, and recent slowdowns in that sector made it hard to break even. It’s a shame, they made some of my favorite food in the city.