Cupcake Royale Releases Boozy Cupcakes; Bar Melusine Now Open on Sundays

FIRST HILL — At the end of December, the Rhododendron Cafe inside the Inn at Virginia Mason quietly reopened. The restaurant underwent extensive renovations last year. Now led by executive chef Chase Smith, the cafe focuses on Pacific Northwest cuisine and sources ingredients locally. There's a full service bar with happy hour, along with meals available from morning through evening. The cafe also offers a daily take away menu with sandwiches and salads. [EaterWire]

ANNOUNCEMENTS — Ahead of Valentine's Day, Cupcake Royale has partnered with some of Washington's top distillers to release a line of boozy cupcakes. The four cupcakes include the "Smokie Oakie Old Fashion" featuring 2Bar Spirits bourbon, the "Royale B-52" with Seattle Distillery’s Coffee Liqueur, "Key Lime Mojito" with 3 Howls rum, and "Pina Colada" with Blue Spirits Peirates Rhum. The cupcakes are available throughout February at any Cupcake Royale location. [EaterWire]

CAPITOL HILL — Renee Erickson's Bar Melusine has added hours on Sundays, so the oyster bar/restaurant is now open seven days a week. There's also an industry night on Mondays, with 20 percent off for those working in the restaurant industry. [EaterWire]