Best new dining view? It’s in Rainier Beach

Renovated Stone Beach Cafe is perfect for outdoor salads, Bloody Marys

By Seattle Mag June 24, 2015

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The menu at the new Stone House Cafe in Rainier Beach is fairly straight-forward: Big, crisp salads, simple, comforting sandwiches and come-hither brunch items round out a full-bar and pastries from the adjacent bakery, run by a veteran Marriott baker and former Starbucks food and beverage director.

But, it’s the view of Lake Washington that will dazzle you.

So will the story. The restaurant officially opened on June 19 in what was an iconic community gathering place so very long ago. In the 1920s, the stone structure, which resembles a fairytale gingerbread house, held Colliers Service Station, a spot where people would pull in, fill up on gasoline, and get their oil changed. When it closed in 1963, the building became a deserted yet dreamy South Seattle landmark. You couldn’t help but rubber neck as you drove by.

The family team behind the renovation and newly opened restaurant and bakery is headed by LeeAnn Subelbia (Great American Bagel Bakeries) and Dan Bent (Bent Burgers). Subelbia’s sons, Max Heigh (Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max) and Robert Heigh, are helping with marketing and management, respectfully. Max’s uncle, Patrick Choy, is responsible for the mango cheesecake, chocolate macadamia cookies and other sweet treats. He runs the bakery. 

Grab a patio seat with a zippy housemade Bloody Mary ($9.50; add-ons, like beef jerky, $3) in hand and you may never leave.

The Stone Cafe is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. For more information, visit the Stone House Cafe’s Facebook page.

 

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