Ceviché tostadas. Blue corn calimari. Navajo fry bread with honey. White Mexican prawns in Diablo sauce. Skirt steak with chipotle–poblano marinade.

We’re reciting this litany of lusciousness to let you know that Cactus, the beloved local Mexican-Southwest-style restaurant, is opening a new joint in South Lake Union. The 5,000 square foot eatery will occupy the ground floor of the new Phase IV Amazon.com building at Terry Avenue N. and Harrison Street.

Cactus, which operates restaurants in Seattle, West Seattle and Kirkland, has been a success story since toasting its first tostada in Madison Park. Its calling card: fresh ingredients served with big dollops of imagination. You will not see huevos rancheros atop a sloppy stew of lardy frijoles. What you will see (and taste) is cleverly plated, sauced with a light hand, and bursting with nutrition and flavor. All of Cactus’ restaurants also feature full bars that use premium spirits, fresh-squeezed juices, and herbs in their make-you-close-your-eyes margaritas, Cuban mojitos, and other signature cocktails.

Why South Lake Union for their latest incarnation?

“South Lake Union has become the new epicenter of Seattle and made perfect sense as a new location to expand our business,” said Bret Chatalas, co-owner of Cactus Restaurants. “It’s an ideal location close to the downtown core and just a few blocks from the lakefront – a destination for residents, business people and tourists. We’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to expand and found it here in the new Amazon.com headquarters,” he said.

But back to that menu…as a starter, how about a wild mushroom quesadilla, with chipotle roasted mushrooms, goat cheese, poblano chile rajas, buttermilk crema, and guacamole? And an entrée of achiote pork roasted in banana leaves, served with caramelized pineapple, Cotija cheese and red onion escabeche? And to share, charred asparagus finished with lime and smoked Fresno aïoli? Soothed down your throat with a fresh glass of sangria, or a sugar-rimmed mojito?

You can wipe the drool off your chin now.

Cactus is irresistible Southwest fare at its finest, with a liberal dose of adventure on the side. Now you’ll find it in the most adventurous ‘hood in Seattle.

See you there late summer!

Posted by DiscoverSLU on Apr. 5
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