John Sundstrom of Lark announces new pizzeria, Ericka Burke closes Chop Shop, and other restaurant news

The casual pizzeria, Southpaw, will feature quarter-pies for $5 in Capitol Hill

By Seattle Mag August 8, 2016

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OPENINGS

James Beard Award-winning Lark restaurateur John Sundstrom announced today that he plans to open…wait for it….a counter-service, wood-fired pizzeria in the original Lark space on 12th Avenue in Capitol Hill. Together with his Lark partners, Kelly Ronan and JM Enos, the celeb chef, who already knows his way around a counter joint with Slab Sandwiches + Pie, says it will reopen as Southpaw and be dedicated to pies that fall somewhere between Neapolitan and New York in style. Expect casual, counter-service, $5 quarter-pies (as opposed to slices), mostly veggie toppings (much of the produce will come from Lark’s rooftop garden) and a curated list of meat add-ons plus rotating cheese and charcuterie offerings. Did we mention the deluxe soft-serve? Should be up and running by Oct. 1.

 

CLOSINGS

Did you hear that? It was our collective sob at Ericka Burke’s announcement Aug. 8 that her Capitol Hill restaurant, Chop Shop Cafe & Bar, has closed after one year of business. Burke cited financial struggles and constant construction on 11th Avenue–which impeded foot traffic–as reasons for the restaurant’s demise. Chop Shop will be missed. It made our 2016 Best Restaurants issue back in April for its food and gorgeous feminine decor, including botanical wallpaper and vintage art and collectibles. Luckily, we can still get our Burke fix through her first restaurant, Volunteer Park Cafe, which will celebrate 10 years come January 2017.

 

BRUNCH ADDED

Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails at Motif Seattle launched brunch beginning Aug. 6 served inside and al fresco on the rooftop on weekends from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Frolik chef Audrey Spence is crafting up scrambles, benedicts, a marinated kale salad with grilled salmon and something called “dark-chocolate hazelnut bread pudding bites,” ahem. Fresh juices, craft cocktails, and the like will keep you lazying the day on the rooftop deck. 1415 5th Ave.

 

HAPPY HOUR EXTENDED

Vendemmia chef Brian Clevenger loves happy hour, so he’s now offering it seven days a week at his Italian restaurant in Madrona. The menu includes oysters (natch) with pickled Fresno chili; baby beets with goat cheese, pear, and rye ($6), hamachi with rhubarb, orange and olive ($9), beef tartare with grilled bread ($9) and his delightful housemade spaghetti with tomato, basil olive oil and chili ($9) plus the fish of the day for $14. Glasses of wine ($7), beer ($4) and a signature cocktail ($8) will also be available. 5 to 6 p.m. daily. Vendemmia is located at 1126 34th Ave.

 

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