Skip to main contentOur sorta weekly roundup of gossip about new openings and change-ups in the bar and restaurant biz, courtesy of OLCC license applications:
Remember that supper club that started in November with chef Ian Wilson, sommelier Tyler Hauptman and server and cocktail dude John James Dudek, in the space that housed 2nd Story, at 2005 SE 11th Ave? Well, they got themselves a name—Fenrir—and a concept for the restaurant they'll be opening there in February March. The description: "Focusing on Cascadian Cuisine, as well as classic cocktails, fine wine, and good spirits... Fenrir operates as a small plates bar and moonlights as a fine dining restaurant." UPDATE: Hauptman tells WW that the menu will focus on the pickled, the fermented, and the inventively sourced, which includes plans to make their own butter and salt. The drink menu will focus on aromatic white wines, with a thick selection of brandies and cognacs.
More news for spots owned by Black Cat Cafe owner Brendan O'Malley: After word that Black Cat Cafe would be changing its face on Alberta, Cheese and Crack food cart owner William Steuernagel and business partner Nathan Hall have put in to open a Cheese and Crack snack shop with beer and wine service (and sales, in a location without a beer bottle shop in walking distance... hint, hint) at the site of O'Malley's Black Bike Cafe at 22 NE 28th Ave., next door to PaaDee.
Apparently undaunted by Jenn Louis and Dwayne Sorenson's forays in the very same area, Sean Coyne, the head baker at Grand Central Bakery, has put in to run a pizza shop called Pizza Maria at 3060 SE Division St.
The folk at mobile bottling outfit Green Bottling—the go-to for local brewers from Laurelwood to Bridgeport when bottling limited editions and seasonals—have put in to start a brewery called Royale Brewing Co., at 55 NE Farragut St. Big surprise, their Facebook page already shows labels printed for two beers: Fat Unicorn Pale Ale and The Royal Porter.
WC Wells, the onetime president of Tommy Bahama's "island concept" restaurants—home to Yuzu Shrimp Tacos and Kona Coffee Crusted Ribeye—will be opening a new concept called Oscar Drake's right across from Jeld-Wen Field at 1939 SW Morrison St., in the spot that housed short-lived sports ultralounge The Agency. Interestingly, it's only slotted to be open from Thursday to Saturday. [Update May 8, 2014: Oscar Drake's is open seven nights a week, as of its April 29 opening date.]
The Yard House national taproom chain announced in 2011 that it was opening a location in Pioneer Place mall by 2012. Well, they finally got around to applying for that pesky liquor license. Suite #2004, folks! Reserve a seat for 2018!
In other chain news, the Fogo de Chao "authentic Brazilian" chain restaurant has put in its liquor license for the old NikeTown space. It'll seat 300.
Chef Pascal Sauton's Milwaukie Kitchen and Wine, which closed last year, will become a pizza spot called Woodpecker's Pizza and Sports.
The ever-revolving door of the SE Wine Collective urban winery at 2525 SE 21st Ave. will shuttle SQ Wines into the fold.
WWeek 2015