The Eater Seattle Guide to Fall Restaurant Openings

While The Stranger noted recently that Seattle has seen more closures than openings of late, a passel of high-profile restaurant projects are preparing to open their doors in the coming months. Some are even getting ready to do so next week.

Here now is an up-to-the-moment (and alphabetical) list of the major projects Eater is tracking for the fall restaurant season. Remember, all target opening dates are subject to change. And for the record, there are plenty more still-developing projects out there, including Ethan Stowell's new fast-casual endeavors, the relocation of Restaurant Zoe and its neighbor Lucky 8, The Innkeeper from the Black Bottle team, and a number of fish and chips places. Per usual, we'll be stalking, cajoling, tracking (and yes, linking) and otherwise seeking updates and additional details on all of these restaurants as they work toward opening their doors. Anything we missed? Fire away in the comments.

Altura
Target Open: October 5

Chef Nathan Lockwood, most recently at The Ruins, and his wife Rebecca just set a firm opening for their seasonal Italian restaurant. What's in store: An interior full of reclaimed wood, and the choice of multi-course or a la carte plates that marry Northwest ingredients with Italian techniques.

Bako
Target Open: First week of October

The windows remain papered with recreations of old-school apothecary ads, but a bit of fabric peeking out below the window suggests that the sleek interior is taking shape. Keeman Wong's much-anticipated spot is part Cantonese, part Hong Kong, with a considerable cocktail menu to round things out.

Belle Clementine
Target Open: December

David Sanford worked with Matt Dillon at The Corson Building, and has had a hand in various communal meal gatherings, including Outstanding by the Field. So it's no surprise his new project in Ballard focuses on family-style, seasonal dining. Sanford is following a CSA-type model, where patrons can sign up for a certain number of meals each month and pay in advance.

Bitterroot BBQ
Target Open: End of November

The logo "BBQ. Beer. Bourbon. Ballard." portends great things for this neighborhood smoked meat haunt. Husband and wife Grant and Hannah Carter are in the midst of a major overhaul of the former Acme Rubber Stamp Company. The couple plans to have four sauces on each table?mustard, vinegar, classic sweeter style, and spicy?to please barbecue lovers of every stripe.

Blind Pig Bistro
Target Open: ???

One of the most anticipated project this fall comes from former Anchovies & Olives chef Charles Walpole and Staple & Fancy front-of-house vet Rene Gutierrez. While Seattle diners mourned the closure of Christina Choi's Nettletown, the news that this accomplished chef is launching his own project in the space ensured that the Eastlake address will continue its legacy for stellar food.

Cafe Parco
Target Open: October

Chef Celinda Norton and her family built up a following at Pike Place Market restaurant 94 Stewart. Now the Nortons have moved into the longtime location of Karen Binder's Madison Park Cafe, and are planning a menu of "non-spaghetti" Italian.

Chino's
Target Open: November

This casual Mexican-meets-Asian spot was inspired by LA's street food. However owners Walter and Mari Lee are aiming for high-level service (and some killer cocktails from former Poppy bartender Veronika Groth) in their Pike Street restaurant.

Dulces Latin Bistro
Target Open: October

The beloved Madrona restaurant shuttered last year, and was considering locations in Capitol Hill and outside the city. However owners Carlos Kainz and Julie Ann Guerrero ended up taking over the long-vacant Typhoon! space, giving downtown another destination restaurant.

LloydMartin
Target Open: First week of October

Sam Crannell has cooked at Quinn's, Oddfellows and 5 Corner Market Bar & Kitchen, and now he's opening his own place in the former Bricco location atop Queen Anne.
Manhattan Drugs
Target Open: Late November

Po Dog empire builder Laura Olson and fiance Chris Pardo are doing steaks, mac and cheese and thoroughly researched burgers in the former Izilla Toys space on 12th Avenue. The couple has commissioned artist Peter Gronquist to create a work that will be a focal point behind the bar. An apothecary back bar from 1896 will also find a home in the drugstore-inspired space.

Marché
Target Open: October 7

Daisley Gordon is reinventing one of the city's classic restaurants, turning Campagne into the seasonal, market-driven, and still French-inspired Marché. The team says the opening date is firm at this point. Recently chef Greg Atkinson explained to Seattle Met how two notable chefs happened upon similar names for their new restaurant projects; his Restaurant Marché is hoping to open early next year.

Mezcaleria Oaxaca
Target Open "Fall"

The owners of wildly popular La Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard aren't divulging many details about its Queen Anne offshoot. But that doesn't stop people from freaking out about it. The former Flame space is getting a snappy makeover and a rep for the project says it will open "later this fall."

Momiji
Target Open: First week of October

Umi Sake House and Kushibar owner Steven Han knows a thing or two about Asian food and lively bar scenes. However the Belltown restaurateur is turning a historic building on Capitol Hill into a Kyoto-inspired oasis for kaiseki dining, complete with a beautiful courtyard. Don't worry, there's still a sushi bar, lots of drinks, and space for a DJ.

Red Mill Totem House
Target Open: September

The days are ticking away for Red Mill owners John and Babe Shepherd to make good on the plan to reopen the historic Totem House this month (the latest word is mid-October). Workers have majorly overhauled the quirky little hut across from the Ballard Locks, and restored its namesake totem pole to its former splendor. Expect fish, chips and signature Red Mill burgers.

Terra Plata
Target Open: October

After years of plans and a little legal wrangling, James Beard-winning chef Tamara Murphy is opening an "earth-to-plate" restaurant in the Melrose Market building, complete with rooftop deck. Walk by the space day or night and you'll see Murphy and crew at work; an October opening looks likely.

The Wurst Place
Target Open: October

This soon-to-be den of beers, upscale sausages and frites has kept things awfully quiet of late. However Chris Werner says the space on Westlake Avenue will definitely, totally, absolutely be open by the end of October.