Ambitious Ballard Tapas Restaurant Opens Tomorrow

Ryan Donaldson, chef-owner of Redmond’s Stone House restaurant, hops across Lake Washington to Ballard tomorrow, October 5, to open Gather Kitchen and Bar, his ambitious tapas restaurant with global influences. The company says the menu, geared toward small plates and family-style dining with flavors from around the globe, will change often. Opening dishes include pig-ear fries, caviar pie with potato chips, grilled octopus with patatas bravas, and slow-roasted pork belly with clams, piperade, sherry, and potato.

On the drinks side, the wine list will encourage diners to try new styles from international producers by offering bottles and glasses in full or half-sized portions. Draft and bottled beer promise to skew “local and seasonal” and the cocktail list aims to feature seasonal infusions, bases, and shrubs made in the restaurant. The online menu doesn’t yet reflect these options but Donaldson is working to update that ahead of the opening.

The decor skews modern Northwest, with clean lines, white subway tile, and reclaimed wood. Grayscale images of an octopus, rooster, and pig were designed by Donaldson’s sister. It’s a bit too chilly now, but in warmer months Gather will open a small patio, and weekend brunch is promised down the line, too. Starting tomorrow, the restaurant will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. daily.