Fried Chicken and Ginger Beer, Together at Last on Capitol Hill

KENMORE—Hoping to provide a relaxed, intimate, all-in-one food and music destination that might even draw Seattleites across the bridge, partners in business and in life Mark and Dawna Capps open Capps Club today with Howie Day on stage. The venue is in the former home of Mia Roma, and Dawna enlisted "Restaurant Impossible" star Lynn Kegan to help design the new space. The main dining area seats 160 at a combination of couches, tables, and bar seats, while the show room seats 250. Chef Erik Carlson, previously of Teatro ZinZanni, says he'll change the small plates menu over time "based on being part of the community," and describes the food as "Americana, very recognizable" but with a twist. 7620 NE Bothell Way, Kenmore, (425) 736-4837, website.

CAPITOL HILL—The latest perfect pairing between Monica Dimas and Rachel Marshall (the former runs Neon Taco and Tortas Condesa, both connected to bars run by the latter, and they plan to expand to Portland soon, too) has arrived at Marshall's easternmost outpost of Rachel's Ginger Beer. Diners are eating up Sunset Fried Chicken Sandwiches' limited grand opening menu of combinations like "the OG" with pickles and slaw, "the Picante" with pickled jalapeños, slaw, and chili mayo, or "the Charleston" with fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese. The options are massive and the chicken is as good as its batter. Add a fried egg to most options for a buck, and don't skip the perfect french fries or hushpuppies. 1610 12th Ave, (323) 577-3045, website.

MAGNOLIA—MagnoliaVoice welcomes to the neighborhood Mura Asian Eatery, where owners Kay and Ted Kim are serving Japanese and Korean comfort food recipes they've collected and refined from family and friends over the years. "Every bite was delicious," the blog asserts. A full menu is available on Facebook, and ranges from spicy kimchi stew to tofu or seaweed salad, and from rice dishes like bibim-bowls and donburi to noodle offerings like yakisoba and udon. The beer and sake selections are limited but the wine section has a handful of local offerings. 3216 W Wheeler St, (206) 390-7148, Facebook.