Bitterroot Barbecue to Open; Ba Bar's New Pastry Chef

BALLARD—Seattle Met's Allecia Vermillion says that husband and wife owners Grant and Hannah Carter are set to open Bitterroot, their "beer and browns" barbecue joint in the first week of December. They will be using a smoker with apple wood and alder wood in the pit. The meat will be dry rubbed, and four sauces will be available as accompaniment. Nearby Tall Grass will supply pretzel buns. Look for beer and a whiskey-based cocktail list for pairing purposes. [Seattle Met]

CAPITOL HILL—Capitol Hill Seattle tells us that there's a new pastry chef over at Ba Bar, named Karen Krol. Ba Bar nabbed Krol, a recent pastry school grad, from a retirement home, where she was working in the kitchen. [CHS]

CAPITOL HILL—Seattle Met's Brian Colella notes that Oola Distillery took home the highest honor at the 2011 MicroLiquor Spirit Awards. Oola’s gin was awarded triple gold, the competition’s highest honor. In more good news, "Spokane’s Dry Fly Distilling also took home a triple gold for its Washington Wheat Whiskey. Both of these spirits, plus Dry Fly’s vodka, also won gold medals in the packaging and design category. Oola’s vodka was among the gold medal winners in the taste category, but also snagged silver for packaging and design." [Seattle Met]

WEST SEATTLE—West Seattle wine shop, Bin 41, will host a Black Friday wine tasting from 3-5 pm on 11/25: "We'll be featuring a medley of holiday themed wines perfect for entertaining and gift giving!" [West Seattle Herald]