Chavez and Mercato Stellina Migrate Downtown Next Week

The downtown expansions of Chavez, which serves northern Mexican cuisine on Capitol Hill, and Bellevue Italian restaurant Mercato Stellina, will both open for lunch and dinner on December 1. The restaurants are located next to each other on Western Avenue, and both are promising interactive experiences.

The restaurants will be spin-offs of their originals, with similar decor and menus, along with some new dishes and open kitchens. Chavez’s new spot at 2001 Western Ave, Suite 105 will focus heavily on a selection of mezcals and tequilas, served at a large bar that will be the centerpiece of the restaurant. It will have an open kitchen to allow diners to watch the cooks at work.

Mercato Stellina (2001 Western Ave, Suite 110) will add from-scratch pastas to its menu of pizzas, plus a still-to-come retail component that will sell the kitchen’s dried pasta, plus olive oil, wine, and more. The Italian restaurant will also add an open kitchen will allow diners and passersby the opportunity to view the pasta-making process.

As of Friday, December 1, both restaurants will be open for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner hours will be 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.