The Most Anticipated Seattle Restaurants, Winter 2016

It's going to be hard to top last year when it comes to restaurant openings in Seattle. There was an explosion of exciting new places to eat all across the city, and there doesn't seem to be any sign of a slowdown for this year. Here's what Eater is looking forward to in the next few months:

Dino’s Tomato Pie

Location: 1521 E. Olive Way, Capitol Hill
Major Players: Brandon Pettit
The Situation: Delancey and Essex chef/owner Brandon Pettit is opening a new Italian spot called Dino's Tomato Pie, this time on Capitol Hill. Distinct from Delancey, Dino's will serve square, thick-crust pizza baked in pans.
Projected Opening: February or March
· All Coverage of Dino's Tomato Pie

Big UNCLE (now called little uncle)

Location: 1523 E. Madison St., Madison Valley
Major Players: Wiley Frank and Poncharee Kounpungchart
The Situation: Thai favorite Little Uncle broke hearts when it closed its Pioneer Square restaurant last February, but luckily the Madison window lived, and now the owners are expanding again—this time just down the street. The 24-seat Big Uncle will have counter service for lunch and dinner, and serve khao soi (curry egg noodles), dom yum wun sen (roasted pork cellophane noodles), guaydiouw nuea dun (braised beef rice noodles), the team's own phad thai, and more. Appetizers, desserts, and booze are also coming in this next Uncle incarnation.
Projected Opening: Winter
Status: Now open
· All Coverage of Big Uncle

FLINTCREEK

Location: 8421 Greenwood Ave N; Greenwood   
Major Players: Eric Donnelly, Christy Given
The Situation: The RockCreek team made our May when they announced a Greenwood sibling was on the way—this time with a meat focus. At FlintCreek, Donnelly will focus on buffalo, lamb, venison, bison, and other leaner proteins, which he plans to source from smaller spots that don't inject their animals with hormones and are mindful of their use of natural resources. The menu will be arranged somewhat like RockCreek's, divided between large and small plates, featuring braised dishes, housemade pastas, and more. Wine, beer, and a full bar are also coming.
Projected Opening: February
· All Coverage of FlintCreek

Bar Noroeste/SAINT Helens/Great State Burger

Location: Bar Noroeste, 2021 Seventh Ave.; Saint Helens, 3600 NE 45th Street
Major Players: Josh Henderson
The Situation: Henderson's brasserie cafe Saint Helens plans to serve up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, served family style, while Bar Noroeste will offer a small, curated menu of tacos, ceviches, braised meats, and salsas. Anticipate a "sexy late night bar" with elegant lighting and occasional house DJs spinning "old soul with deep bass," and more. Henderson also plans to roll out a whole bunch of Great State Burger joints, including one at both of the aforementioned restaurant locations.
Projected Opening: February
Status: Now open
· All Coverage of Josh Henderson

SANSEI

Location: 1525 9th Ave; Downtown
Major Players: D.K. Kodama
The Situation: The first mainland branch of renowned Hawaiian chef D.K. Kodama's Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar is setting up by the Paramount with the same creative sushi and contemporary Japanese/Pacific Rim-influenced cuisine the chain is known for in Hawaii. Drink-wise, the wine offerings by Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya will be a particular draw. You can also anticipate a lengthy cocktail list geared to compliment sushi, plus beers from the Pacific Northwest and Japan both. And perhaps the best part of all? In true island spirit, casual clothing (shorts and flip-flops) is most welcome.
Projected Opening: Winter
Status: Now open
· All Coverage of Sansei

Which restaurants are on your personal most-anticipated list?