The April Hit List: Wero, Monsoon, Lupo, Le Pichet and More

After The Gerald’s decade-long run, Wero recently debuted a brand-new look and menu in the same Ballard digs. Chef Wes Yoo is serving up Korean comfort fare: Everything from steak ssam (ssam, literally translated, means “wrap”) and a kalbi-marinated wagyu beef Zabuton served with rotating banchan and lettuces, to Korean-style beef tartare with shallots, chives, Asian pears, cucumbers, and gochugaru oil. Much like its former iteration, cocktails are thoughtful and delicious. The Shiwon, a sesame oil-washed Amrut single malt with balsamic fig shrub, lemon, and terra lager is particularly inventive.

There’s so much to love about the fresh Pacific Northwest takes on Vietnamese fare at Monsoon. The catfish claypot, a perennial favorite, is made with fresh coconut juice, onions, and Idaho catfish, and caramelized in a scorching claypot. But it’s the dim sum brunch on the weekends (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) that diners plan their weekends around. The porridge-like mushroom congee is warm and soothing for chilly spring days. Also, don’t miss the scaled-down portion of Monsoon’s famous crispy Washington-grown drunken chicken.

If you’ve been to Lupo, you’re privy to “that crust” customers rave about on its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. The latest addition to the lineup is the Puttanesca, a hot take on the Italian pasta staple. Think milled organic tomatoes, anchovy, Soleggiati sun-dried tomatoes, capers, olives, fresh herbs, and extra virgin olive oil on a sourdough crust. Of course, pastas are equally great. Try the seared sea scallops with spaghetti, sauced with Sambuca cream, and dusted with seaweed breadcrumbs. To stay current on specials and takeout options, follow Lupo on Instagram.

In the heart of Columbia City, Wabi Sabi has extended its hours, offering five types of Japanese ramen every day from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Every bowl is a balm for the soul, but the intensely rich Black Garlic Tonkatsu with melt-in-your-mouth pork belly chashu is hands-down the most satisfying. There are also two for vegetarian diners. Not that the lunch menu is limited to ramen and food from the kitchen only, like takoyaki and agedashi tofu. The full sushi menu, including Wabi Sabi’s stellar happy hour, starts at 3 p.m.

While the wound of losing Francophile-favorite Café Presse is still fresh, its sibling, Le Pichet is still going strong. Once lauded on Anthony Bourdain’s “The Layover,” the cozy 32-seat bistro, steps away from Pike Place Market, is still the place to go for a leisurely coffee, carafe of wine, or spread of cheese and charcuterie, pâté and terrines. Whether you indulge in rich bittersweet dark chocolate melted on baguette or a crispy duck leg confit, it’s hard not to escape the world’s worries for a spell and savor a taste of Parisian café culture.

Communal, family-style dining at The Corson Building is missed. However, chef Emily Crawford doesn’t miss a beat in her shift to thoughtful a la carte and prix fixe menus served in the fairytale garden. Known for highlighting the best of the Pacific Northwest’s bounty, a recent menu featured a flavorful prep of first-of-the-season steamed Washington halibut with kale raab, garlicky almonds, sultanas, capers, and aioli. Another spring standout is the ricotta dumplings with braised artichokes, stinging nettles, and a preserved lemon-hazelnut brown butter. Wine pairings and a date brown butter tart round out the most delicious experience.

The views of Elliott Bay from the 16^th floor of The Charter Hotel are more than Insta-worthy – they’re unforgettable. After all, Thrillist named it a top bar for rooftop drinking in Seattle. A bright and luscious Bebop, made with pisco, St. George spiced pear, pineapple, tiki bitters, and citrus is pure sunshine in a glass. Pair this post-work libation with bite-sized lamb meatballs with piquillo peppers and pecorino, sweet tea chicken wings, or a veg-friendly campanelle pasta with kale and thyme pesto and a smattering of salty ricotta salata.

Table 47 is a celebration of culinary life on the 47^th Parallel. Comfort fare is the focus at this relaxed harbor restaurant — perfectly burnt pork belly ends with barbecue sauce, a legit gravy-bathed poutine with Beecher’s cheese curds, and a steak frites with unctuous porcini butter and fries. A Northwest Mule with a blackberry liqueur twist (Hello, Pacific Northwest!) goes with everything. Take advantage of Harbor Hours, Table 47’s version of happy hour, Wednesday through Friday from 3-5 p.m. Also, the first Friday of every month of Pint Night. Buy a pint of the featured monthly beer and take home the glass.

If you’ve been to Fat’s, you never stop thinking about Fat’s. Take the honey butter chicken biscuit sandwich, for example. It seems like the perfect hangover food (make no mistake, it is), but it’s what sweet, crunchy dreams are made of. If you’ve had it once, you will never stop thinking about it. Ditto for brunch offerings, like the shrimp, grits, and eggs, biscuits with andouille sausage gravy, and the pimento BLT. There’s a reason why people come from all over the city to frequent this Southern neighborhood spot revolves around the most sacred of regional staples: the almighty chicken.

Chef Mac is always cooking up something delicious at this beloved Ballard space. As we ease into warmer weather, the Petrale Sole with celery root, Oregon dulse (aka seaweed), and whey butter is a light delight. Or dip into another decidedly springy dish: the potato dumplings with porcini cream, stinging nettles, and wild herbs. As always, the cocktail list and wine program delivers. The Spring Ahead, with gin, vermouth, Cocchi Americano, and orange bitters, will have you booking a patio table and reaching for your sunglasses.