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Whole Foods is fired up in whole a new way. The grocer opens its first store in Pierce County today (the eighth in Washington), at 3515 Bridgeport Way in the Village at Chambers Bay, and inside comes the Lumberyard Pizza Restaurant: the first of its kind within the national chain.
While all of our Seattle-area Whole Foods stores offer pizza stations in their prepared foods departments, the 29-seat Lumberyard is a considerable step up in ambiance and menu. Most notably, it will act as a full-service, sit-down restaurant within the store, distinct from the generic dining area in most Whole Foods locations where customers consume prepared foods from different departments, or just relax. (This Whole Foods also has that area next to the restaurant.)
Menu-wise, expect thin crust and deep dish pies prepared in a four-sided, applewood-fired oven (including vegan pizzas), as well as baked pastas, small plates, salads, and desserts.
Menu-wise, expect thin crust and deep dish pies prepared in a four-sided, applewood-fired oven (including vegan pizzas), as well as baked pastas, small plates, salads, and desserts. As one would expect from Whole Foods, they also do wheat free, rice crust pizza dough on request (though the company points out it is not a gluten-free certified kitchen). On the beverage front, wine is available by the bottle, and ten Washington beers (including Wingman Black Currant Saison, Narrows Diver Down IPA, an English-style IPA from 7 Seas, and more), cider, and ginger beer will rotate on tap. The store will even post on TapHunter so diehards can follow the changing selections.
Along with Lumberyard, the Chambers Bay Whole Foods will also have the usual prepared foods offerings—a taqueria, made-to-order sandwiches, teriyaki bowls, a rotating hot bar, and more. And bonus, there's a 50-seat covered patio out back (open to all store patrons), and a half indoor/half outdoor fireplace.
Starting today, the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and regular store hours run daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Behold the opening menu:
