America's Best New Bars; Fonte Cafe's Anniversary

AWARDS SEASON— Food & Wine opened voting for its inaugural The People's Best New Bars contest. The mag will declare the best bar from 100 nominees on October 2. Contestants from Seattle include Damn the Weather, Percy's & Co., Radiator Whiskey, Stoneburner, and Witness. Bar Code in Bellevue made the list, too. Voting ends September 30. [EaterWire]

DOWNTOWN—Fonte Cafe is celebrating its fifth anniversary from September 19 through 21. Chef Jason Wilson, who consulted on the opening menu, will partner with current chef Kristofer Kalinczok on a four-course menu highlighting the restaurant's specialties, such as handmade pasta, and sourcing from Pike Place Market. Stop in at the Friday, September 19 reception. [EaterWire]

BOOKS—Seattle food writer (and Eater Seattle contributor) Ronald Holden releases his new book HOME GROWN Seattle: 101 True Tales of Local Food & Drink on October 1. The book "celebrates the region's culinary history" and is a "gossipy reference for local food enthusiasts, filled with stories about the people behind Seattle's kitchens, cafes, bars, farms, vineyards and markets." [EaterWire]
[A cocktail at Damn the Weather. Photo: S. Pratt]