Former Book Bindery Chef Opening Copine in Ballard July 5

It's been a long time coming, but Shaun McCrain and partner Jill Kinney are just about ready to open their restaurant Copine in Ballard. The first official day in business will be July 5.

McCrain announced his plans to open his own restaurant way back in April 2014, when he left now-closed Book Bindery (the space, as you might recall, currently occupied by new venture Branded). McCrain has been tight-lipped about his latest project, revealing only a name and concept in October 2014, and not much else aside from a brief update since then.

The wait is just about over, though, as McCrain and Kinney prepare to open their 64-seat restaurant at 6460 24th Avenue NW. Expect modern American cuisine with French flourishes, likely similar to the outstanding food McCrain produced at Book Bindery. He also worked at Thomas Keller's Per Se in Manhattan for four years and at Les Elysees du Vernet and Taillevent in Paris.

There will be a 10-seat chef's table with a special menu, and a 12-seat bar serviced by former Book Bindery bartender Ruven Munoz.

There's more, reports Seattle Met: the duo is also opening Copine Project, a retail arm selling daily takeaway items like soup. Expect that to launch in August.

6460 24th Avenue NW, (206) 258-2467, website. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.