November 2014
Local Chefs to Watch Now
Eight up-and-comers who are worth keeping a close eye on
Taylor Cheney Chef Taylor Cheney comes by her love of international cuisine organically: Her mother was a capable cook who filled her family kitchen with everything from fresh pasta to Chinese dumplings. During Cheney’s time spent cooking at MistralKitchen and La Bête, she became known more for her Middle Eastern family meals and pop-up dinners…
Pastry Chef Laura Pyles’ Typical Day
A night and day in the pop-up life of Parchmentʼs Laura Pyles
Pastry chef Laura Pyles was deep into planning and recipe testing for a Huxley Wallace–funded bakery venture when she was laid off in late 2013—and the project from the folks who brought us Westward and Quality Athletics was canceled. But as they say, when one door closes, another one opens. Pyles’ new door was the…
The Most Buzzed About Local Chefs Right Now
Seattle chefs who are busy making waves (and really good food)
When you think about what defines a hot chef, how do you gauge their temperature? Is it their success? Talent? Relevance? Accolades? Yes, yes, yes and yes. There is no formula for success, as long as diners leave with that “I just experienced something special” feeling. It’s probably no surprise that in the midst of…
An Open and Airy Backyard Cottage
A 1920s Crown Hill bungalow gets a new, green backyard abode
Developers have been drooling over Kate Lichtenstein’s property. Located in a neighborhood filled with small houses, many of which are being torn down, the lot includes her beloved one-story, one-bedroom 1920s bungalow and until recently, a small, dilapidated shed in the backyard. “I get letters all the time from developers wanting to buy it,” she…
A Small-Space Redesign That’s Big on Style
A compact Capitol Hill co-op’s beautiful, budget-wise makeover
“Wherever I’ve moved, I’ve always just sort of torn walls down,” says Evgenia Messenger. But when it came to the Capitol Hill co-op that she owned with her husband, Joel Blakely, a character artist for local gaming company Monolith Productions, Messenger saw fit to add some walls. In the process, she gave the 1,000-square-foot pad…
Where Seattle Chefs Dine Out
14 Seattle chefs dish on where they love to drink and dine on their days off
They know food—and they don’t need to impress on their nights off—which means chefs have the skinny on the best drinks and dining in town. 1. Dana Tough Chef and co-owner, Spur (Belltown, 113 Blanchard St.; 206.728.6706; spurseattle.com), Tavern Law (Capitol Hill, 1406 12th Ave.; 206.322.9734; tavernlaw.com) and The Old Sage (Capitol Hill, 1410 12th…
The Long-Awaited 12th Avenue Arts Helps Retain Capitol Hill’s Essence
12th Avenue Arts comes alive
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the 12th Avenue Arts building, on a gray day in February 2013, the ground was unavailable for breaking. The Capitol Hill property had been a police precinct parking lot for decades, and the pavement was impervious to ceremonial shovels. But the ritual was enabled by a clever bit of staging:…
Local Artist Creates Science-Inspired Posters
Enliven your rooms with these creations from Methow Valley artist Jessica Rose
For illustrator Jessica Rose, a 2013 move to the bucolic Methow Valley produced a highly productive form of cabin fever. “The beautiful wood lining in our cabin was so inspiring,” says the mother of two. “My aesthetic started to evolve to the rustic and the natural.” After years spent working in a purely digital medium…
Tom Douglas Serves Up New Cocktails with Nordic Charm at Ändra
The Ändra Loft and Bar brings Scandinavian style and awesome aquavit to a downtown hotel
Tucked in above the entryway and check-in desk of the Hotel Ändra and en route to the Hot Stove Society cooking school, the Ändra Loft and Bar (Belltown, 2000 Fourth Ave.; 877.448.8600; hotelandra.com) is a charmingly cool nook of the Tom Douglas empire. With a Scandinavian focus rarely found in other Seattle watering holes, it’s…
Feast of Music: Three New Albums From Seattle Bands
... And how to work them into your Thanksgiving festivities
Jen Wood: Wilderness With her first album since 2010, Jen Wood reveals a bolder, more layered sensibility. Her pretty voice shines over poppy piano riffs, anthemic guitars and smashing cymbals graced with electronica elements. The result feels like rushing forward into hope. Best played: During last-minute food prep, final table decorations, general pre-dinner optimism CD…
Tacoma Art Museum Unfolds a New Wing this Month
Design by Seattle-based architecture firm features local landscape
With a grand opening this month, Tacoma Art Museum’s new wing embodies the West in ways both historic and current. First, there’s the building itself, designed by Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects—a firm that has helped define the contemporary look of the region via sleek buildings that reflect the local landscape and “Scandinasian” design. The expansion…
New Studio Offers Adult Acting, Dance and Music Classes
A public performing arts training center materializes under the Monorail
So you’ve always wanted to be a clown. Or learn to tap dance. Or do improvisational theater. Like they say on reality-TV shows, it’s never too late to pursue your dream! Thanks to The Studios Center for Performing Arts (1801 Fifth Ave.; 206.582.3878; thestudios.org), you can hone that dream to a waking-life skill. Opened in…