Kristi Brown, Chef and Restaurant Owner

Summer 2020, right around her 50th birthday, was supposed to be when acclaimed chef and co-owner Kristi Brown and her son, operations manager and co-owner Damon Bomar, were supposed to open COMMUNION, a restaurant that was four years in the making.

The pandemic might have delayed the opening of the restaurant, but Brown and Bomar still found themselves incredibly busy, operating a community kitchen out of Brown’s catering company, That Brown Girl Cooks!

By December, however, COMMUNION was finally ready to open, even with last-minute delays and a COVID scare among the repair staff. “It was crazy, but the holiday spirit, and the anticipation of our community was amazing and welcoming, and helped us know we did the right thing at the right time,” Brown says. At COMMUNION, you’ll find what Brown describes as “Seattle soul” food; the menu is a reflection of many different influences, from Brown’s own family recipes and Southern soul food influences to her time spent in Seattle’s International and Central Districts.

“This last year of the pandemic has been a true test of fortitude and confirmation that we are on the correct path, no matter how painful or difficult it can be at times,” Brown says. “It has been helpful to both Damon and I to know that we have the strength that it takes to make anything we put our minds and hearts into.”

Her story of the last 12 months follows.