By Ben McBee May 19, 2025

The food scene in Seattle is fast-paced, and in the age of instant gratification the attention often shines on what’s fresh. But everyone has that favorite diamond in the rough, where the menu has been phenomenal for decades and the service feels like home, even though the appearance could use a little polish.

That’s where the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” (BHSR) grant program comes in. Members of the public and eligible owners can nominate a local business for exterior public-facing improvements (think murals, awnings, lighting, signage, painting, and outdoor seating areas). When submissions close on May 30, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express will gift $50,000 to 50 restaurants across the country. Japantown’s iconic Maneki was a recipient in 2021.

Now on to other news.

Smith Tower is the home of Caffe Vita’s new, 10th location, which pays homage to the 1914-built skyscraper with art deco design elements such as vintage tiling and wood paneling. Need to get some work done away from home? With lots of natural light, space, and outlets, it’s the perfect spot to post up (and enjoy pastries from Donut Factory and Macrina Bakery while you’re at it).

The show will go on for Seattle’s second-oldest Thai restaurant, Thai Siam, which reopened on Wednesday following a two-week closure. The property owner had put the building up for sale for $2 million — a price that was at first too expensive for the restaurant’s owner Vhanthip “Nancy” Bhokayasupatt, until she was able to recently secure a loan.

For every night you stay at Populus Seattle, the “carbon positive” hotel (set to open on May 22 in Pioneer Square) will plant a tree. If that’s not reason enough to book one of the 120 luxury rooms, the urban-meets-ecology interior design and enticing dining options certainly will. At the signature restaurant Salt Harvest, the Pacific Northwest dishes lean on smoke, open flame cooking, and just the right amount of char. Drinks are on deck (actually, they’re on the rooftop) at Firn. We’ll let you decide what’s better — the skyline views or the local, ingredient-driven cocktails.

FareStart is bringing back its Guest Chef Nights fundraiser for 2025, when celebrated local chefs will team up with students enrolled in the James Beard award winning-nonprofit’s job training program for 15 fundraiser dinners. This year’s lineup includes Bill Jeong of Paju, Michela Tartaglia of Pasta Casalinga, Karuna Long of Sophon, and more. The event runs Thursdays, June 12 through December 4, and reservations typically are available a month before each dinner. Each ticket is $55 and fully supports the mission of making culinary education accessible to all.

Northlake Tavern will be the host for Brian O’Connor’s “experimental and ephemeral restaurant” called Pizza Lab. Starting in early summer (and lasting three months), this residency will test out different service formats, recipes, and events, with an eye on honing it all in for a future brick-and-mortar space. Guests can expect innovative pizzas, hot dogs, and “caviar crab pizzettes.”