Belltown Cocktail Bar Opens with Top Chef Contestant in the Kitchen

Earlier this month, Eater broke the news of The Coterie Room's changeover into Cursed Oak, a cocktail bar from new owners Mike Carroll (former bar manager of Belltown neighbor The Whiskey Bar), Josh Sharpe, and Clif Ephan. The space has been remade into a moodier version of its former self, but the cascading, two-tiered chandelier, a focal point through the venue's multiple iterations, remains.

As of last weekend's soft opening, Cursed Oak is ready for business. In addition to original cocktails, there's a food menu of New American dishes like a goat cheese gnudi with chanterelles and spinach, braised lamb shank with cauliflower cream and purple potatoes, and a bourbon-marinated hanger steak with a potato cake and foie gras sauce. The food comes courtesy of "Top Chef" season 14 contestant Simon Pantet, whose Seattle resume includes stints at The Rendezvous, Tavolata, and, most recently, Single Shot.

Courtesy of Cursed Oak

The bar is currently open only for dinner and late night bites, but look for a brunch program to launch after the first of the year. There's also a grand opening celebration scheduled for November 11; check Facebook for more details as that date approaches.

The opening of Cursed Oak represents the end of an era for Seattle restaurant group McCracken Tough, which owned The Coterie Room in the same space. That venture operated as a fine-dining restaurant for two years before it was converted into an event space in September 2013. Chef-restaurateurs Brian McCracken and Dana Tough have seen each of their ventures fold recently: their Spur Gastropub next door to The Coterie Room closed in April, The Old Sage went under in June, and, finally, Tavern Law was sold shortly thereafter.

2137 2nd Ave, (206) 485-7385, Facebook. Open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily.