Brazilian Paratii Craft Bar Opens in Ballard

Over at Seattle Met, Jess Voelker says Paratii Craft Bar officially opens today at 4 p.m. (note, the sign isn't up yet outside). The new Brazilian-flavored cachaca bar on Leary Avenue had to push back its opening due to a death in the owner's family but has been softly open since the weekend. The drink list is lengthy and it's clear bar manager Michael Kostin takes his cocktails seriously.

The food menu is still evolving, but Paratii will have bar items and a dinner menu. Owner Sam Hassan says Paratii is the only place in town to find vatapa, a Brazilian dish of shrimp and fish atop a blend of bread, cashews, shrimp broth and coconut milk. The menu also includes other rare-in-Seattle Brazilian fare, like moquecas and seafood feijoada, a stew Hassan says is considered the national Brazilian dish. Chef Kal Gellein, who previously owned Kallaloo in Columbia City, is in the kitchen and developing the menu along with Hassan.
· Paratii's New Opening Date [Seattle Met]