Honoré Owner to Open Chico Madrid on Capitol Hill This Spring

By Seattle Mag January 8, 2013

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No, Honoré Bakery’s Franz Gilbertson isn’t opening a new Spanish-inspired bakery (tears). However, the owner of one of Ballard’s best bakeries is a partner in a new Spanish sandwich shop opening in early March on Capitol Hill. 

Chico Madrid is the brainchild of Gilbertson and Jacob Daley, longtime friends who’ve both traveled through Spain. On their trips, the two enjoyed bocadillos–the ubiquitous baguette sandwiches made with cured meats and cheeses–almost every day. Gilbertson told me that, “virtually every mom and pop coffee shop/bar/cafe (in Spain) makes bocadillos” and that he and Daley missed them upon return to the states.

At Chico Madrid, the plan is to serve bocadillos along with bikini sandwiches: grilled cheese sandwiches similar to panini. All the sandwiches will be made on Columbia City Bakery bread.

Gilbertson was clear that Chico Madrid “will not be a tapas bar, but more of coffee shop serving beer, wine, sangria, sandwiches, and other very simple Spanish inspired fare.” It’ll open for breakfast and coffee around 7am, though Gilbertson was clear that there would only be limited pastries. “I’m not looking to open another bakery, very light baking!” he said. They’ll also have toasts such as pan con tomate on offer, and, just like at Cafe Presse, the entire menu will be available all day.

The design will be modern, “with some vintage elements as well as a little kitsch borrowed from the shops we visited in Spain, Gilbertson said; Daley, whose background is in construction, is working on the buildout. Gilbertson said they’ll have room for 30 people in the small space at the base of the newly remodeled Belroy Apartments (on the corner of Bellevue and Roy streets) and that there will be outdoor seating in summer.

 

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