Bar Noroeste, a Staunchly Local Taqueria and Bar, Opens Today

Following multiple sold-out pop-ups at fellow Huxley Wallace Collective establishment Quality Athletics, Bar Noroeste opens today with chef Shannon Martincic in charge and sous chef Rachel Hall at her side.

Noroeste has been described as a "sexy late night bar" with elegant lighting and occasional house DJs spinning "old soul with deep bass." Look for the bar at 2051 7th Ave., next door to yet another of Josh Henderson's eateries, Great State Burger's "South Lake Union" location, which just opened last week.

The company asked last month on Instagram, "What if the taco originated in the Pacific Northwest?" Though Noroeste's full menus aren't yet available online, expect "tacos, sandwiches, ceviches and even late night taquitos" — all with a regional twist, like house-made local-corn tortillas or even "chips and guacamole" featuring soda water-treated local eggplant to simulate the creaminess of avocados.

Martincic told Zagat she wants customers to focus on the taqueria's creativity rather than its similarities to Mexican food: "Everyone keeps calling it a Mexican restaurant, but I do not want that to be conveyed; it's not the point. Instead, it's about being outside the box."

And whether you're hungry or not, don't miss the carefully crafted drinks with touches like fermented peach habañero whey in the michelada.

2051 7th Ave, (206) 775-7070, website. Open Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. then 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. then 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.