South Lake Union has become one of Seattle’s hottest dining destinations, and its appeal is growing. The neighborhood’s Ninth Avenue dining corridor will soon be home to three new restaurants, with more in the works. Between mid-September and early 2016, diners can expect Eltana Wood-Fired Bagels, Hurry Curry of Tokyo, and Sam’s Tavern to open in SLU. Ethan Stowell has signed a lease in the corridor and plans to add a new pizza shop similar to his Ballard and Frelard restaurants. And in March 2016, Josh Henderson’s Huxley Wallace Collective is expected to open three new restaurants in the Ninth Avenue corridor.
SLU will be home to three new concepts of Henderson’s rapidly expanding Huxley Wallace Collective (Westward, Quality Athletics, and more). HWC’s space in South Lake Union will also feature a commissary kitchen that will provide support for all the company’s restaurants. Most notable of the three spots is Vestal, where Henderson will return to the kitchen to drive the direction of the cuisine. The design focal point will be a large chef’s counter surrounding a coal-fired hearth (vestal is Latin for hearth.) Henderson will craft dishes inspired by his travels and his youth. The second project is Poulet Galore, a rotisserie chicken takeout window serving whole and half chickens dressed with chimichurri, barbecue sauce, and more. Finally, Cantine Bottle Shop and Bar will bookend the project. It will serve beer, wine, and cocktails and will have a separate space for snacking on rotisserie chicken, cheese, charcuterie, and pickles.