Poppy's Jerry Traunfeld Is Opening Lionhead in Capitol Hill

Poppy's Jerry Traunfeld has been thinking about opening a Szechuan concept for years. The James Beard Award-winning chef was waiting for the right time to launch something new and almost signed on a space near his Capitol Hill restaurant in 2011. Traunfeld tells Eater he was concerned that if a new project was far apart from Poppy he would end up not paying enough attention to one or the other.

Problem solved. CHS broke the news today that Traunfeld is opening Lionhead next year in the former Confectional space next door to Poppy at 618 Broadway E.

"The concepts are different enough that it will work to have them right next to each other," Traunfeld says. The 1,500-square-foot space will seat less than 50 and include a nine foot bar. While he's not ready to reveal specifics about the menu, the chef says it will definitely not be fusion. Expect Traunfeld's interpretation of traditional Szechuan dishes. "Every chef has their own take on any cuisine, Traunfeld says, "so I'm going to be putting my own spin on it."

If the schedule keeps, Lionhead will debut in the spring of 2015.