The February Hit List: Kamp Social House, Bar Bistro, Luke’s, and More

Life and business partners Katy Knauff, Marceil Van Camp, and executive chef Bridgett Lewis (formerly with Poppy, Altura, and Reckless Noodle) just opened Kamp. Right now, half-proof and zero-proof cocktails (try the Pinky & The Brain), weekly rotating soft serve, and Drag Brunch are in hot demand. Ditto for happy hour. The spicy boudin egg rolls may be Seattle’s best bar snack. Book Drag Brunch tickets in advance — they sell out fast. Between the tasty Caribbean- and Jamaican-inspired breakfast fare (hello, peppered shrimp and grits cake with roasted tomato, peppers, and mustard greens) and the fab performers, you’ll have tons of photos for your IG. Follow @kampseattle for updates.

After a brief hiatus, Marination has revamped the former Super Six digs. Seattleites may be familiar with the food truck turned brick-and-mortar Hawaiian food concept bringing “everyday aloha” to its diners. Guests can expect Marination staples, like Spam sliders, kalbi beef tacos, kimchi fried rice, and a few holdovers from Super Six. Hello, loco moco and aloha fries! The cocktail list is a delightful trip to paradise. From a lychee margarita to a lemongrass bloody mary, you’ll be transported to sunnier locales.

Find more info here.

The building may be ordinary, but as soon as you enter, the experience is anything but. Chef Nathan Hawes wows Pierce County palates with his jump lump blue crab cakes, beef cheek tagliatelle with burrata, and a luscious peanut butter cheesecake with an Oreo crust, among many other delicious things. Also, don’t miss Monday Night Steak Night. An eight-ounce flat iron steak with house mash and demi-glace, sauteed green beans with bacon, caramelized onions, and slivered almonds is a deal at $18.75. Bonus: On Mondays, all Michter’s whiskeys are 10% off, too.

Since Albert Candivi opened Il Granaio in 2001, the restaurateur has served the Skagit Valley some of the finest Italian fare in the region. Fettucine topped with mushrooms, sauteed bay shrimp, and a luscious cream sauce is basically a hug in a bowl. A classic Roman dish of veal saltimbocca wraps medallions of veal in fragrant sage leaves and salty prosciutto before taking a dip in a white wine demi-glace sauce. Save room for the panna cotta kissed with raspberry sauce. Budget-friendly diners will dig the Sunset Special. Available daily until 6:00 pm, this four-course dinner is a deal at $26.95.

Dark winter nights pair well with dazzling city views and the backdrop of Elliott Bay. So warm up at The Nest’s rooftop lounge under a cloud of sparkly lights with a cocktail in hand. (Indoor seating is available, as well.) Helmed by executive chef Chris Ingmire, the food menu — composed of small bites — revolves around seasonal and regional produce. It features things like red beet hummus with smoked halloumi and pita, or lobster grilled cheese on brioche with pimento cheese and spinach (alternatively, try the mushroom, spinach, and Swiss cheese version for veggies). A Moon Lake, a delightful herbaceous cocktail made with mint-infused gin, lemon, crème de violette, and soda, is calling your name.

Few things are as delightful as savoring downtown Seattle during the off-season (read: minimal lines, tourists, and foot traffic). Few restaurants tout front-row real estate to take in Puget Sound views like The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar. Expect unfussy food with a seafood bent. Start with the smoked fish platter with black cod, salmon, and halibut — there’s plenty to share. Or kick back some raw bivalves from a dozen different selections. For a real treat, the crab boil comes with a trio of crustaceans — snow, king snow, and Dungeness crab.

The brand new Cloud Cafe comes from the longtime local family who opened Mekong Village and Meekong Bar. The bright white interior chases away the dreariest of winter days. Plus, when temperatures warm up, there will be outdoor seating. But, for now, the small but mighty Vietnamese menu features things like bun mang vit (bamboo duck noodle soup) and banh cuon (steamed rice noodles with wood ear mushroom), plus a rotating dish — “Mama Kim’s Special.”

Find more info here.

Anytime is magical in the San Juan Islands, especially the off-season. So, the next time you find yourself in Friday Harbor, book a table at Coho Restaurant. For Valentine’s Day, chef Ryan Lockhart serves a dreamy six-course menu ($125 per person; $35 for wine pairings). Start with a crispy risotto cake with mushroom-tarragon mousse before diving into lamb osso bucco with chèvre polenta. Wrap up the romantic evening with Seven Deadly Sins, a collection of chocolate desserts to share. Guests will be sent home with a long-stemmed rose and signature gift box.

Sharing a meal with a date or friends is pure pleasure. Here, it’s all about interactive dining and abundance. Sure, there are plenty of delicious a la carte options. Hello, American wagyu steak tartare! Or, you can indulge in a feast. We like the Signature Feast, which comes with four cuts of whatever the chef feels like serving, plus kurobota pork kimchi fried rice and all the usual fixings. A whiskey highball or a glass of soju complements all the juicy meat.

Lobster is having a bit of a moment right now in Seattle. This breezy seafood shack recently opened steps from Pike Place Market. The dining area transports diners to Maine. Maine-crafted furniture and lots of reclaimed wood add to the seaside vibe. In addition to the east coast staples like a succulent lobster roll, shrimp roll, and Jonah crab roll (all served Maine-style, of course), the menu also serves up locally sourced Dungeness crab and a variety of Pacific Northwest beer and wine options. Not sure what to order? The lobster roll flight, featuring two-ounce portions of lemon butter, spicy honey butter, and truffle butter lobster rolls, proves that sometimes you can’t get too much of a good thing.

Find more info here.